Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Morarji Desai

 Morarji Desai, former PM's birthday

Shri Morarji Desai was born on February 29, 1896 in Bhadeli village, now in the Bulsar district of Gujarat. After graduating from the Wilson Civil Service of the then Bombay Province in 1918, he served as a Deputy Collector for twelve years. He resigned his job in 1930 and joined the freedom struggle. He was imprisoned thrice during the freedom struggle.
Shri Desai was arrested and detained on June 26, 1975, when Emergency was declared. He was kept in solitary confinement and was released on January 18, 1977. He led the first non-Congress government of Janata Party and a very honest man and lived a very simple life. Was cycling to Parliament many times. “No one, not even the Prime Minister”, he had repeatedly said “should be above the law of the land”.
During his rule, he withdrew intervention in Public Distribution System and rationing shops were literally lost due to cheap sugar and oil available in the market. Those days these were unthinkable. Though people did not support his 14 carrat Gold scheme, he had the good of the country while announcing this project. He discontinued the 5 year plans being followed earlier. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in the year 1991 along with Mr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India.

Monday, 27 July 2020

BIRSA MUNDA

BIRSA MUNDA 







Born on November 15, 1875, Birsa spent much of his childhood moving from one village to another with his parents. He belonged to the Munda tribe in the Chhotanagpur Plateau area.   His teacher was Jaipal Naga when his early education was at Salga.   He was guided to convert to Christianity to enable him to join in German Mission School.  He however opted out of this school a few years later.  He saw his tribal community people were being converted, not only for further education but also for pecuniary benefits.  The fervour with which the forced conversions were being done and also the tacit support to the same by the British Rulers and the agrarian policies of them, made him go against the British Rulers.   He started a new faith known as 'Birsait' which advocated that there is only one God.  This movement gained support from the tribals of Munda and Oraon community and they joined the new sect.  That posed a challenge to the forced conversions of the missionaries and this movement turned as a revolt on churches on the Christmas eve of 1899.  This faith nicknamed 'Darti Abba' or Father of the Earth, encouraged to get back their tribal roots and follow their traditions.   Between 1896 and 1890, Birsa Munda spend most of his times in Chaibasa  which was very close to the Sardar's agitation.  




The British brought in the Zanindari system and replaced the Khunkhatti system of joint landholding followed by the Tribals.  Soon the landowners among the tribals lost everything and reduced to forced landlabourers leading to more deprivations.   Birsa Munda not only formed a new faith, to resist the attempts of the British Rulers, he had a guerilla army too.  In fact, the end of Birsa Munda, when he was only 25 years, in the year 1900 came when he was arrested when he was with that army.  He was arrested in March 1900 and he died in June 1990 in Jail.  

The Chotanagpur Tenancy Act prohibiting Tribal Lands to be transferred to others was introduced a decade after his death.  His legacy still lives on, especially in Bihar and a century after his death, Jharkand State was formed.  It is because of Birsa Manda and other activists like him, the tribals in India had a voice to present their case for betterment of their livelihood. 


The Ranchi Airpot is named after him and called as Birsa Munda Airport.    Birsa Munda Tribal University is an university at RajpiplaNarmada in the Indian state of Gujarat, established on 4 Oct 2014, after its formal inauguration by the then Minister of State for Tribal Welfare, Shabdasharan Tadvi.   Birsa Munda Park is in Dhanbad and it has walkway, leisure area, play area, toy train, various rides for children, canteen and plants of different species spread over 21 acres of land. It was opened in the month of November 2009.
Birsa Munda statue is in Bokaro Steel City.




Tribals have been serving the nation by adhering to the life that is one with the nature around.  Without disturbing much of their environment, development also should be done.  It is very easier said than done.
 

DASARATH MANJHI - THE MOUNTAIN MAN

DASARATH MANJHI - THE MOUNTAIN MAN

(14 January 1934 – 17 August 2007)


A road in a mountainous terrain with all modern machineries and availability of other vital resources too is a very difficult proposition but a man laid a road in Gehlaur village of the mountains in Bihar for a distance of 360 feet by breaking the rocks and with a height of 30 ft and also 30 ft wider.  All this had been possible by carving and breaking the mountain in a period of 22 years which finally helped the villagers to cross a mere 15 kms which they had to cover 55 kms earlier.  The lives of the all villagers around were made comfortable by the stupendous effort of that man Sri Dasarath Manji.   The government in the year 1982 joined in the efforts to lay fine road here only after the efforts of Manjhi for 22 years and also named the road after him - Dasarth Ranji Path.  Even as the task was in progress, he had to bear the brunt of discouragement from the village authorities and some from his family too.





Dasarth Manjhi was born in Gahlaur village, Gaya District of Bihar in a poor family in the year 1934 and had no formal education.  His parents  conducted childhood marriage for him and the wife as a  child was living with her father.   He worked for 7 years in the coal mines of Dhanbad and when he returned the father of the girl refused to send her with Manjhi as he was jobless.  But Falguni Devi, his wife left the house to go with Manjhi.   She concived and  a baby boy was born.   When Falguni conceived the second time, there was problem, when she was taking food for her husband Manjhi one day,  she slipped in the mountain peak and fell down and after hearing the news, Manjhi came and took her to hospital where she died after giving berth to a baby girl.  The love for Falguni Devi made Manjhi to take a vow that he would break the mountain which  was the cause for the death of his wife.  Villagers and even his father ridiculed him for challenging a huge mountain. But Manjhi was adamant on his firm decision. A local journalist caught his attention and approached him why he was hell-bent on cutting the mountain. Years later when which Gahlour was hit by a massive drought and villagers evacuated the village, Dashrath's father taunted him that what he had achieved in last so many years? He tried to convince Dashrath to take up other works and earn bread for his two children. But, Dashrath decided to continue on his herculean task. With no water and no food, Dashrath still continued his work with whatever he could lay on fruits and vegetables available and even many a times with dirty water.

During Emergency in 1975,  Indira Gandhi was addressing a crowded rally and the stage where she was speaking came crashing down. Swiftly villagers helped to restore the stage, so that Indira could continue her speech. Manjhi also was one among the villagers.  When the rally got over, Manjhi, somehow, managed to get a picture clicked with Indira Gandhi. The village mukya tried to make capital out of it, and got the thumb impression of Manjhi telling he would arrange for assistance in all forms from government to get the road done.  But poor Dashrath was cheated by him and he decided to complaint against him to the PM.   He walked from Bihar to Delhi as he could not afford Rs 20.  But he reached Delhi and there were protest rallies at that time, the police official turned him out even though he showed the photograph taken with the PM.      They mocked him and tore the photograph and lathicharged him at Rajpath.   A ray of hope arose when few villagers joined Dashrath in his uphill task of carving out a path along the mountainous terrain. But, that too, was marred by some local officials who threatened Dashrath and villagers not to be present around the mountain. They even got him arrested. But, the journalist who had earlier taken an interest in Manjhi was doing and acquainted with him, lodged a protest in front of a police station, to release Dashrath. It all culminated in Dasarth Manjhi continuing his work for the road.



Thus in the year 1960, Manjhi started to break/carve the mountain to make a path which would shorten the path considerably, which will make the lives of the villagers there less burdened with shortening of the path from 55 Kms to mere 15 kms.  But it took 22 years for him to reach this level.  Otherwise, the poor villagers have to traverse through a narrow and treacherous pass to cross a huge mountain, located between Attari and Wazirgunj blocks in Gaya district, for their daily needs and for transport connectivity.

On Aug 17, 2007, Manjhi passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), due to gall bladder cancer, at the age of 73. Bihar government had accorded state funeral to him. Before dying, Manjhi had given his thumb impression on an agreement and gave away "exclusive rights" to make a biopic on his life. 



In the year 2006, his name was proposed by some people for the Padma Sri award but the one which really mattered was the naming of the road after him in the year 2011, which he toiled single handledly for many years and joined by local men against the threat of local authorities and the government also providing assistance after 22 years of work by him.  



Sunday, 31 December 2017

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE – TAMILNADU POLITICS

Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee as the channels were busy telecasting the news of Rajnikant entering political arena in Tamilandu.  This time in the coffee shop too, they found vociferous voices, as if the whole world has come down.  Of course, the discussion was about Rajnikant expressing his arrival to politics and also as he had said he would contest all the 234 seats in Tamilnadu. 
Gopu said that his age might be a consideration for this action of plunging into politics as he is nothing to lose from the of theprofession which has given everything to him.  The followers or fans of his can no more be kept with him with new films.  If they have to be kept in the hold from nowonwards, the only way is to utilize their energies on a common goal, which is nothing but entering politics.  For a man, who has kept himself aloof, without expressing any clear views on many subjects that were the concern of Tamilnadu including Jallikattu, Cauvery water issue – he considers that itself may help him to open a new chapter without the impact of such issues and also only with the impact of the movies.  Rajnikant knows full well, that he has kept a particular base of his film following intact, so for. 
Shyam said that the news of the entry into politics is inevitable.  If he does not announce now, then the situation in Tamilnadu which is very fluid now, it will an opportunity lost.  The ruling party’s infighting and split factions and main opposition party’s none to well performance of late is the right opportunity for anyone thinking of entering into politics.  That Kamalhasan is after the CM’s Chair and has told he would announce his plans in a few months, might have also acted as a catalyst for this action of Rajnikant.  The two friends and foes, have been in Oneupmanship and have many a comments made by them directly or indirectly to that effect.  It is obvious that Kamal who had projected himself as an Athiest and have the blessings of DMK is now countered by the religious Rajnikant.
As for the people of Tamilnadu, they have surprised many, whenever such faction fighting has been seen in the Dravidian parties, with supporting MGR when parted company with DMK and supporting J Jayalalitha to oust Janaki as CM.  However they have remained within the Dravidian fold, except when Sri Vasan of Tamil Manila Congress was given 60 odd seats with Rajnikant supporting them.  That cannot be construed as Sri Vasan got that many seats because of Rajnikant but people wanted a change from the Dravidian Parties.  The smaller parties have been riding on the back of DMK and AIADMK to retian their benfits out of the rules of these two parties.  Presently with the DMK not in its formal glory with Stalin and Alagiri not acting in Unison and with the appeal of 2G case in higher courts may not have a chance to   come back until something unusual happens.  As for the AIADMK, there is every chance of splitting further, if the EPS-OPS combine not act in unison and may pave the way for the President’s Rule and ultimate downfall of them.  Herein comes the importance of other people who are in politics of Tamilnadu to take advantage of the situation.  Rajnikant has thrown in his towel before others.  But both Shyam and Gopu were of the opinion that this advantage cannot be fully utilized unless and until the party itself takes shape with adequate ground work for him in a short period.  Apart from the fan following, those who are supporting other parties but fans of Rajnikant to be brought back in their fold within a short period.  Here in also, what the BJP in centre has decided for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is of importance.  Whether there will be tacit support and backing of Rajnikant to get a fair share of the votes during Lok Sabha polls, and also to get in turn the support of MPs won for his party.
Both Gopu and Shyam felt this is the possibility and perhaps this assured? Help of BJP would have been the cause of the decision of Rajnikant , who was wavering until these years to enter politics. As for BJP, they are interested in getting the backing of MPs from Tamilnadu and which they cannot get on their own.  More will be known before February 2018, when present Tamilnadu EPS-OPS combine, whether they are able to overcome the threat of faction led by TTV Dinakaran, who would spend money like water to get things done in his favour.


Sunday, 24 December 2017

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - R K NAGAR BY-ELECTION

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - R K NAGAR BYELECTION 

Gopu and Shyam met over a cup of coffee after their phone call after by election result of R K Nagar in Chennai.  Though there were four by elections and the in the West Bengal, Sabang seat Congress which had won earlier with 56% votes lost this time with less than 10% vote, losing the Deposit, this was pushed to the background by the Tamilnadu by-election.  TMC has won the WB seat.  In Arunachal Pradesh in the Pakke-kessang Assembly seat and in UP in the Sikkandra assembly seat BJP has won. 


Thus though the TMC has wrested the seat from Congress in WB in the by-election and BJP has won both in Arunchal Preadesh and UP in by-elections, these were pushed to the background with the result of the victory of TTV Dinakaran, close relative of Sasikala of the breakaway faction of the AIADMK who stood as an Independent with Pressure Cooker as the symbol.  Obviously many households of R P Nagar had the benefit of Pressure Cooker given to them.  Some even doubted what was inside the cooker.

Widespread rumours in Tamilnadu of money being given was around Rs.10000/- per voter and it appears Tamilnadu will never come out of Corruption by its leaders and people.   Gopu was very furious about this aspect of people who also were for freebies for normal day to day activities and also expecting money from parties contesting elections.   Some years before, people used to joke that get the money and vote as you like.  But recently in all elections of Tamilnadu, it seems the highest offerer gets to win.  Gopu also said that the stature of candidates we get has come drastically to a new low with people who are corrupt and expecting to be jailed for their misdemeanours being elected by people purely based on the gifts offered.  Corrupt politician is certain that he would get elected by being the highest offerer to the people.  There is no shame on the part of the candidate as well as the majority of the people of the constituency.

Shyam looked this at a completely different angle and said the Main Opposition party wanted to bring down the government of EPS-OPS combine by dividing the AIADMK and thus wanted mid term elections in which they can create split votes between the factions of AIADMK and win the elections.  How much of the votes of DMK has thus been transferred to TTV in this arguement is not known.  If it is true, the DMK has not credited themselves well as both the factions AIADMK have polled together 85% of votes leaving only 15% to DMK.  It does not augur well for that party.  Shyam was also very critical of the performance of the BJP, who have fielded a candidate knowing fully well they have not worked well in the constituency earlier but taking part in the elections, only to get 50% of the votes of NOTA votes.  The other important factor that  should be seen is that DMK was not alone and their friendly parties who supported them - Congress, Communists, TVC of Thirumavalavan and other smaller parties only to see that their share of votes dwindle further.  

It is now expected there would definitely some changes in the pattern of the ruling by the EPS-OPS combine said Shyam. He said that unless they definitely work together, they cannot keep the following they had and should think that R K Nagar as an isolated incidence where their rivals have given more than them to the electorate.  But only time will tell what happens to the AIADMK Party. 

Shyam also told Gopu that a section of the people of Tamilandu who are against freebies and also consider both DMK and AIADMK should be voted out as they are immersed in corruption are not happy at all with the verdict of R K Nagar and like to have Presdient's rule in Tamilnadu.  These people want the President rule should be for longer time and freebies should be reduced and corrupt taken up severely during this period and bring back Tamilnadu to the national stream and they also say that Tamilnadu which has lost its earlier glory in national competitive examinations should regain its supremacy in education.  Will the youth of Tamilnadu caught in the web of the Maya of Tamil Cinema come out of it and bring Tamilnadu to the past glory in education, employment and development?

Gopu replied that would augur well for Tamilnadu.  Gopu also said the Election Commission has not been serious about complaints of bribes to voters.  Shyam felt the official machinery in Tamilnadu is corrupt and nothing can be done as of now. Both agreed to meet again.

Monday, 21 August 2017

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - BLUE WHALE CHALLENGE

Shyam and Gopu met over a cup of coffee and their discussion centered around the Internet Game Blue Whale Challenge, which has already started to impact the younger generation of India.  This Internet Game has caught the imagination of the Youngsters of India as a number of challenges are given step by step.  But the unfortunate thing, is the last step, where in the challenge is to commit suicide.  Every right thinking person should be against this game, said Shyam to Gopu.  Already this has claimed the lives of few persons in India and it must be reiterated that it is totally against Indian culture and no has a right to instruct to take the life.  As the number of young people with more spare time without employment and those who think that in the name of challenge get the benefit of support of their deeds which they consider difficult have drawn more and more people of late, taking to this game.

The game goes like this.   A group of administrators give a particular task to be completed on that day and for a period of 50 days and the final act is the committing of suicide.  Paticipants are expected to share the photos of their performance of the task.    These daily tasks start off easy — such as listening to certain genres of music, waking up at odd hours, watching a horror movie, among others, and then slowly escalate to carving out shapes on one’s skin, self-mutilation and eventually suicide. 
Lot of uncertainty remains how the participant gets into this game - whether by means of any special App., or some social media platforms.  
A number of different hashtags— #bluewhalechallenge, #curatorfindme, #i_am_whale — act as signals for the ANONYMOUS curators.

From the above itself, it can be seen that people who do not know the actual agency participate in the game and the weak links in the society get drawn to this without knowing the implications.   A totally unacceptable game where it asks for one's life to be taken - though it may be in the last stage - so what?




The general public should rise their voice against this game where in the middle of the game asking people to mutilate themselves, drawing whale in Blood etc.,  As the agency has not carried out its activities coming out in public, hidden are the ways this game continues and one can come to know of this only from people around, from friends, families who have come across the game itself or mutilations and suicides.   



Shyam said in America and Europe advisories have been issued to schools to be in look out of children using social media platforms for the chances of participation in this game.  Origin appears to be in Russia with around 130 deaths related to this and there have been two arrests.  The Government of India would do well by approaching Russian authorities to prevent even before the game starts in India in full scale.   Already, there have been some cases reported.  On July 30, the first case was alleged to have been due to this game in Mumbai, when a 14 year old boy jumped of the building.  On August 10, a class VII student from was pulled away from the final leap to death.  He seems to have recorded all the 50 stages in his school diary.  On August 12, in West Bengal, a class 12 student committed suicide allegedly due to the game.

It appears the Kerala Government is to approach Centre to ban the game in India.

Gopu said the society should voice their concern, the parents of school going children should be watchful of the activities of their children in social media, the State Governments ask for ban of this game and also the Centre should be proactive in banning the game.   The NGOs of this country have no time for raising their voice for such ban of the game, and have all their times only to precipitate matters to go against the present Central Government.  Gopu and Shyam left deciding to meet again.
The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..

The first case of alleged Blue Whale suicide in India was reported on July 30, when a 14-year-old boy jumped to death from the seventh floor of a building in Mumbai. On August 10, a Class VII student in Indore was pulled away before he could take the final leap. He apparently recorded all 50 stages in his school diary. A Class X student in West Bengal, allegedly playing the game, committed suicide on August 12. His body was found in the bathroom, his face covered in a plastic bag and with a cord ..


Friday, 11 August 2017

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - ARE MUSLIMS INSECURE IN INDIA

OVER A CUP OF COFFEE - ARE MUSLIMS INSECURE IN INDIA

Shyam and Gopu met over a cup of coffee, reminding themselves that they are meeting after a long time.   The call by Shyam to Gopu was on the subject of the recent comment by the outgoing Vice President Sri Hamid Ansari that the Muslims in India are insecure.   It cannot be taken just as a remark from a person who has not been nominated for a third time, instead from a former Ambassador for various West Asian Countries including Iran, from a former Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University, from a former Chairman of the Minority Commission in India.  By holding various posts before becoming the Vice President, as an active person in the upliftment of the Community to which he belongs, his own service seems to be too inadequate for the community to come up in the social life of this country.   Or only people like him have enjoyed the benefits offered by the appeasement policy of the erstwhile UPA Government and not reaching the lower echelons of his clan. Then the serious question comes to the mind, what is wrong with this community that they cannot come up in life in spite of the various concessions being offered by successive governments.   The various points that comes to our mind, also was of concern to Shyam and he called Gopu to disucss it over a cup of coffee.

Shyam first mentioned to Gopu about the comment of outgoing Vice President on the conditions of the Muslims and the insecurity that they are facing presently.   His oblique reference was that his position is that of the Party which brought him as the Vice President and it is more of a political statement to put the present NDA government in discomfort.   For a person who was holding the high office of the Vice President, it becomes imperative, that he is obliged to explain to the people of India, from when a situation has arisen that the Muslims feel insecure, to bring the real  issue and his mindset on the subject.   A former Ambassador for quite sometime in different countries in West Asia, he should have been exercised about the condition of the Yazidis of Iraq at the hands of ISIS and he had no time to comment on the same.   Whoever had suffered at the hands of somebody else should have pained him, instead he has singled out the condition of the Muslims in India, which gets negated by the various high offices that have been held by Muslims either in Central Cabinet or President/Vice President, Dy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Governors and Chief Ministers of State, Chief Justice of the Suprement Court, and judges of various courts, Principals of Colleges, Eminent Doctors and even as personnel in the armed forces.   He has not brought out clearly what bothered him, renaming of roads, position of the government in Triple Talaq, Love jihad, Education levels of Muslims, concessions being given to other communities other than Muslims.   Had he mentioned, it would have been better for people to realize what is bothering this man, who had held several high offices and has also come up in the ladder due to the opportunity he had in joining the Indian Foreign Service.    Obviously, the Prime Minister Modi was right in telling that he could not come out with whatever he had in his mind with the Constitutional Responsibilities with the post of VP and his mindset and earlier association with the services for the Muslim Community has come out now with these comments.

With more time now available to the VP, now that he is more free, he should concentrate on the welfare measures, which it seems could not be done in his long stint of 10 years as VP -

He should concentrate on the 1) Educational requirements of Muslims other than Madarsas 2) A clear commitment for a family norm for Muslims in tune with the economic conditions and not too much lean on the government for the same. 3) A harmonious family with the conditions suited to India and not from the desert culture, in matters of marriage and supporting of family (Multiple marriage concept was not just for social considerations but also people killing people, thus the widows had to be socially supported 4) This would make to educate the Muslim community to accept that Killings are not solutions and they are barbaric and would be condemned whichever part of the world it happens. 5) When 4 above is accepted, not to spread violence in Friday congregations and unequivocally condemn violence.  6) Economic considerations should decide family matters and with all these conditions successfully brought, the hate for others whether they follow idol worship or follow whichever path to salvation, wont bother the vast majority of Muslims who think they are insecure.   Will Mr. Hamid Ansari help bringing these conditions for a safe, harmonious life in India for all sections of Society?   This will bring down the expenditure for the government too which is spending most of the hard earned money of the taxpayers for the  security of the People of this country, including Muslims and all other religions.

Gopu while agreeing with many of the arguments put forth by Shyam, felt it is on the very shoulders of people like Mr. Ansari that the responsibility lies in bringing the correct picture to the last man in his religion and also condemn violence as a source of solution which would help the atmosphere to clear for a happier India.

Mr. Ansari will also dispel the feeling of insecurity in villages/towns of various parts of India whether the Muslims are in majority such as Mallapuram in Kerala.  When an interviewer is biased and does not ask these questions, may be the general public had to intervene through Social Media.   The sold out MSM with biased reporting is no way going to help in bringing harmony and Mr. Ansari with all his academic brilliance, experience of serving in difficult circumstances in his career in the Foreign Service, the experience he has gained by visiting various countries as a VP, his first hand knowledge of the peoples representatives as the Chairman of the Rajya Saba should come in handy for bringing peace and harmony to all sections of Society in India and not just for the Muslim community alone.


Shyam and Gopu agreed to meet again.