Hail Ida Pollock ! 105 Years Old Eternal Romantic

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MAY 04 , 2013           08.45 P.M.

I must admit that I have never heard the name Ida Pollock / Ida Pallock . When Ida Pollock turned 105 last month and when several newspapers carried articles about her , then I started searching about her . I was startled to know that she has written 70 Mills & Boon novels . I never knew it because for Mills & Boon series she used pseudonyms . She wrote them under the names Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Rose Burghley or Mary Whistler.

I was amazed to know that she is such prolific that in her 105 years of life , she has written 123 novels . And at 105 , she is about to publish her 124th novel . I would love to be like her but alas , I am unable to match her accomplishments . Self-proclaimed most famous acting school of Mumbai , self-anointed most famous acting institute of India and self-appointed most famous acting academy of bollywood have no time for such literary giants and their pursuits .

Ida Pollock / Pallock / Crowe (born 12 April 1908) , is a British writer of several short-stories and 123 romance novels under her married name, Ida Pollock, and under her numerous pseudonyms: Susan Barrie, Pamela Kent, Averil Ives, Anita Charles, Barbara Rowan, Jane Beaufort, Rose Burghley, Mary Whistler and Marguerite Bell.

Prolific: Ida still writing at the age of 105

Ida Pollock has written 123 novels and has sold millions of books over nine decades with titles such as White Heat and Interlude for Love.

She has millions of fans but has largely avoided the limelight by writing under a whopping TEN pseudonyms. Her daughter Rosemary said , “ Pen names are very common in romance writing . Mum’s publishers always insisted on them because readers associated different styles with different names. “

Despite turning 105 last week Ida is still writing, and her latest 124th novel , The Runaway is due to be published shortly.

She no longer sits at her typewriter but dictates to daughter Rosemary, 69, at their remote country home in Lanreath near Looe, Cornwall.

 

Pseudonyms … her romantic tales were published under different pen names

SWNS

Born in Lewisham, South London, Ida began writing thrillers in her teens and finished her first, The Hills of Raven’s Haunt, at 14.

After becoming a full-time writer in the 1930s, Ida turned to romance and penned a string of hits under the first of her ten pseudonyms, Joan Allen.

At her most prolific Ida produced 40 books in five years — all based around the timeless formula of naive young heroines saved from danger by rugged, older men.

In 1956 alone Ida had eight romances published under five pen names — each around 70,000 words long and all finishing with a happy ending.

Ida has only released a handful of books under her own name and still publishes under the last of her alter-egos, Marguerite Bell.

Prolific … Ida has written 123 books

SWNS

A Distant Drum, her most recent novel, came out in 2005. Ida’s memoirs, Starlight, were published in 2009.

Famous Ida quotes :

“A romance is never just a romance, there’s adventure, mystery and movement. “

“ You need a grand, dramatic setting — the Swiss Alps were always a personal favourite of mine — and a chance meeting, on a train, a cruise, or perhaps the hero and heroine find themselves shipwrecked on a desert island. “

“The men are normally rich, well-to-do — but never vulgar with their money. Young men lack the maturity to take control so an older man is essential to provide the reassurance the heroine needs. “

“There’s always a fair amount of turbulence before he sweeps in to save the day. A happy ending is an absolute must.”

“I think I was born to write. My mother would put a typewriter on the dining room table and say ‘there you go’. “

“My first story was published in the Christian Herald and they would pay me five guineas. I wrote my first novel when I was just 14. “

“I was into mysteries and thrillers at the time but I eventually I drifted into romance because my mother would always ask me to write ‘something pretty’.

“I’ve never got bored with it because it’s something I absolutely love. My books are full of hope and romance rather than sex.

“They are a form of escapism — you can escape the parts of the world that you don’t like.”

” It takes me about six weeks to write a novel. “

Team … she reads to daughter Rosemary who now types up her novels

Books As Ida Pollock :

Single novels

• The Gentle Masquerade, 1964
• The Uneasy Alliance, 1965
• Lady in danger, 1967
• Summer Conspiracy 1969/02
• Country Air, 1970/08

Non fiction

• Starlight, 2009

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , I wish her a long and healthy life . May God give her some more literary years .

[ Since I was not familiar with her name , so naturally I have culled information about her from internet , Wikipedia and several newspaper articles . I express sincere thanks . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.facebook.com/VidursKreatingCharacters

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Related articles

• World’s oldest romantic novelist Ida Pollock releases 124th book at age of 105 (mirror.co.uk)
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200 Years of ” Pride And Prejudice “

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           FEBRUARY 10 , 2013           11.40 P.M.

Few days back I read news that iconic and timeless classic ” Pride and Prejudice ” , a novel written by Jane Austen , has completed 200 years of its journey . Immediately my mind went into flashback . The year was 1972 and the place was English department of Allahabad University . I had taken admission in the English department for my post graduation in English Literature and thus got introduced to the world of Jane Austen as this novel ” Pride and Prejudice ” was in my course .

I frankly admit that at that time I was unable to understand the novel completely . I was not able to comprehend the intricacies of 19th century England and thus was unable to appreciate the novel . But I was aware of its iconic status and was told by my professors that it is a timeless classic . I decided to read it again in future but was unable to fulfill my resolution due to lack of time . And now in 2013 , when I am engulfed in the activities of my acting institute , ” Pride and Prejudice ” has silently completed 200 years of its existence .

Title page from the first edition of the first volume of Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pride and Prejudice is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story follows the main character Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of early 19th-century England. Elizabeth is the second of five daughters of a country gentleman living near the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire, near London.

Jane Austen, Watercolour and pencil portrait by her sister Cassandra, 1810 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Though the story is set at the turn of the 19th century, it retains a fascination for modern readers, continuing near the top of lists of ‘most loved books’ such as The Big Read. It has become one of the most popular novels in English literature and receives considerable attention from literary scholars. Modern interest in the book has resulted in a number of dramatic adaptations and an abundance of novels and stories imitating Austen’s memorable characters or themes. To date, the book has sold some 20 million copies worldwide.

As Anna Quindlen wrote, “Pride and Prejudice is also about that thing that all great novels consider, the search for self. And it is the first great novel to teach us that search is as surely undertaken in the drawing-room making small talk as in the pursuit of a great white whale or the public punishment of adultery.”

Adaptations

Film, television, and theatre

Pride and Prejudice (1940 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cropped screenshot of Greer Garson from the trailer for the film Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: elycefeliz)

Pride and Prejudice has engendered numerous adaptations. Some of the notable film versions include that of 1940 starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, (based in part on Helen Jerome’s 1936 stage adaptation) and that of 2005 starring Keira Knightley (in an Oscar-nominated performance) and Matthew Macfadyen.Notable television versions include two by the BBC: the popular 1995 version starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, and a 1980 version starring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul. A 1936 stage version was created by Helen Jerome played at the St. James’s Theatre in London, starring Celia Johnson and Hugh Williams. First Impressions was a 1959 Broadway musical version starring Polly Bergen, Farley Granger, and Hermione Gingold.In 1995, a musical concept album was written by Bernard J. Taylor, with Peter Karrie in the role of Mr Darcy and Claire Moore in the role of Elizabeth Bennet. A new stage production, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, The New Musical, was presented in concert on 21 October 2008 in Rochester, New York, with Colin Donnell as Darcy.

Bride and Prejudice, a movie by Gurinder Chadha, starring Aishwarya Rai, is a Bollywood adaptation of the novel; while Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy (2003), starring Kam Heskin and Orlando Seale, places the novel at a Mormon university in modern times. The Off-Broadway musical I Love You Because reverses the gender of the main roles, set in modern-day New York City. The Japanese comic Hana Yori Dango by Yoko Kamio, in which the wealthy, arrogant and proud protagonist, Doumyouji Tsukasa, falls in love with a poor, lower-class girl named Makino Tsukushi, is loosely based on Pride and Prejudice. A 2008 Israeli television six-part miniseries set the story in the Galilee with Mr Darcy a well-paid worker in the high-tech industry.

Pride and Prejudice has also crossed into the science fiction and horror genres. In the 1997 episode of science fiction comedy Red Dwarf entitled “Beyond a Joke“, the crew of the space ship relax in a virtual reality rendition of “Pride and Prejudice Land” in “Jane Austen World”. The central premise of the television miniseries Lost in Austen is a modern woman suddenly swapping lives with that of Elizabeth Bennet. In February 2009, it was announced that Elton John‘s Rocket Pictures production company was making a film, Pride and Predator, based on the story, but with the added twist of an alien landing in Longbourn. Also in production is the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies based on the book of the same name written by Seth Grahame-Smith, where the village of Longbourn is terrorized by zombies.

The book has also been adapted for modern times in The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, a mixed media web show created by Hank Green and Bernie Su. The video blog follows Lizzie Bennet, a graduate student in mass communications, and includes companion video blogs, Twitter accounts, and tumblrs for many of the other characters.

This summer, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of the novel in 1813, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London will be performing Simon Reade’s stage adaptation. The production will be directed by Deborah Bruce.

It is amazing that this novel’s popularity refuses to ebb . And it is sad that I am yet to redeem my pledge to read and appreciate this immortal and timeless classic called ” Pride and Prejudice ” . On the 200 anniversary , I am again promising myself to read this novel soon . Though my time is consumed by my acting academy Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , but still I intend to read the novel soon .

[ Some facts and data about " Pride and Prejudice " has been taken from Wikipedia . I am indebted . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.facebook.com/VidursKreatingCharacters

www.vidurfilms.com

www.youtube.com/ividur

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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George Orwell & Bihar Connection

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 03 , 2012           11.59 P.M.

In today’s newspaper I read an innocuous article about my favourite writer George Orwell . It was about his birthplace in Motihari , Bihar . I always knew that he was born in Bihar but I was shocked to see the dilapidated building where George Orwell was born and spent some of his earlier years . Rooftop tiles are caving in and its neglected existence is precariously waiting for a calamity .

Compare the above structure with Orwell’s well maintained house in London . You can see the difference .

George Orwell’s House, Portobello Road – London. (Photo credit: Jim Linwood)

Even his house in Burma , where he stayed for few years ,  is well maintained compared to the Motihari , Bihar house where he was born .

The house George Orwell stayed in while in Katha, Burma (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nitish Kumar – Chief Minister , Bihar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bihar government headed by Nitish Kumar is doing nothing to preserve the historic structure . Nitish Kumar has time to visit Pakistan and sing paeans in praise of present – day rulers of Pakistan . He has enough time to criticize Narendra Modi and still maintaining relationship with Bharatiya Janata Party but he or his government has no time for preservation of George Orwell’s birthplace . I doubt majority of present – day dispensation in Bihar is oblivious of Orwell’s importance . For them demonizing Narendra Modi is more important .

[ To make Nitish Kumar and his ministers - in - crime aware of George Orwell's importance , I am reproducing some fact about his literary genius from Wikipedia . ]

George Orwell in Hampstead On the corner of Pond Street and South End Road, opposite the Royal Free Hospital. The bookshop has long gone. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Eric Arthur Blair

(25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950)

Eric Arthur Blair , known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist and journalist.

Orwell wrote literary criticism, poetry, fiction and polemical journalism. He is best known for the dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) and the allegorical novella Animal Farm (1945), which together have sold more copies than any two books by any other 20th-century author.

His book Homage to Catalonia (1938), an account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War, is widely acclaimed, as are his numerous essays on politics, literature, language and culture. In 2008, The Times ranked him second on a list of “The 50 greatest British writers since 1945″.

Cover of Animal Farm: Centennial Edition

George Orwell, 1984. This self-made image is based on a picture that appears in an old acreditation for the BNUJ.) Picture of George Orwell taken from File:GeoreOrwell.jpg. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Orwell’s work continues to influence popular and political culture, and the term Orwellian—descriptive of totalitarian or authoritarian social practices—has entered the vernacular with several of his neologisms, such as doublethink, thoughtcrime, Big Brother and thought police.

It is sad that his birthplace is so neglected and is on the verge of extinction . I am a huge fan of George Orwell and during my Allahabad days , have read his above mentioned books , ” Animal Form ” and ” 1984 ” . I remember many dull and dusty summer afternoons and long , cold and wintry winter nights of Allahabad , when sitting in my room of Sir Ganga Nath Jha Hostel , I used to discuss these books with my friends and seniors . Orwell had huge fan following among my generation .

My generation used to hero – worship George Orwell . I am extremely sad and I know that every one of my generation will be feeling the same .

I , on behalf of myself and all the students and staff of my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , denounce Bihar government in strongest term and urge them to shed their apathy . George Orwell is too important a literary giant to get this treatment .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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60 Years of Jahangir Art Gallery

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           OCTOBER 20, 2012           7.30 P.M.

17 October 2012 was the day when I wanted to post this blog . On that day iconic Jehangir Art Gallery completed 60 years if its existence . But I was unable to post this blog on that day because I was busy in untangling the latest maze in my professional life . I have almost thwarted the threat coming to me from some upstart , uncouth Acting Trainers of Mumbai .

You can call me Acting Trainer of Mumbai or Acting Tutor of Mumbai , it doesn’t matter much . I , as one of the most successful Acting Coach , am doing this job since 23 years . But sometimes even ants seem to overpower a lion , though temporarily .

That is precisely the reason I missed the historic opportunity . I am delayed by 3 days . Apart from the historical importance of the gallery , I was eager to write this blog because Jehangir Art Gallery was stablished in 1952 , the year of my birth . So we share the same birth year .

Jahangir art gallery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai’s most famous art gallery and a tourist attraction. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha. It was built in 1952. Managed by the Bombay Art Society, the entire cost of this mansion was donated by Cowasji Jehangir.

Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney C.S.I., Parsi Businessman, and philanthropist from Bombay. (1812-1878) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This gallery is situated at Kala Ghoda, behind the Prince of Wales Museum, in South Mumbai near the Gateway of India. and has four exhibition halls. The gallery was designed by G.M.Bhuta for G.M. Bhuta & Associates. A mammoth institution in itself, its history is linked with the renaissance of Indian art. The complex also has the popular cafe of Samovar, which is reminiscent of the 70′s socialist culture. It also houses Natesans, the country’s oldest licensed antique dealers. Entry is free.

The art gallery and the Samovar restaurant were featured in the 1975 Bollywood film Choti Si Baat.

The building has been designed by Durga Bajpai and is one of the early concrete structures in the city. The gallery has been turned inwards due to a combined function of an auditorium and an art gallery. Although the concept of an introvert art gallery could be questioned today, the Jehangir is an example of an early modernist notion of the inward looking art galleries in the city. Moreover, the function of the auditorium left no scope for the gallery to be open to the street. The play with concrete can be easily seen with a large wavy cantilevered entrance which embraces the street. The otherwise bland facade is articulated with relief stone cladding.

I first visited the Gallery in 1972 , when I visited the city. Then again I visited it in 1989 , when I came here and settled . Till date I have visited it many times .

The Kala Ghoda precinct is unique in many ways . It has , apart from Jehangir Art Gallery , old Watson Hotel , Prince of Wales Museum and J. J. School of Arts . Rhythm House , the well – known music store , is also situated here . Max Muller Bhawan , the cultural centre of Germany , is also here . Iconic Taj Mahal Hotel and Gateway of India are not very far off . A mere walk in the lanes of Kala Ghoda precinct can send you into the memory lane of history . It can invigorate you , charge you to no end .

 

Watson’s Hotel in Kala Ghoda. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

Gateway of India in Mumbai, India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

I have done it many times . I beseech you to do this once . Go there , have a lazy stroll and feel the essence of old Bombay .

[ I have taken information about Jehangir Art gallery from Wikipedia . I express gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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Decline , Decay & Death of Hotmail

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           AUGUST 21 , 2012           01.00 A.M.

Hotmail is dead . Long live Hotmail ! ! !

Born July 04 , 1996 – Dead July 31 , 2012

Hotmail was the first big online thing for India .

Windows Live Hotmail Inbox (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was the first to provide free Web – based e-mail to the common people .

It was started by an Indian Mr. Sabeer Bhatia on July 04, 1996 .

Its first avatar was Windows Live Hotmail .

It was available in 36 different languages .

It had 330 million users before its death or before being put to rest .

Its competitor Yahoo has only 300 million users .

Yahoo Image via CrunchBase

Its much younger competitor Gmail also has just 300 million users .

Gmail Image via CrunchBase

With 330 million users Hotmail reigned supreme before its death .

After 2 years of its existence , Hotmail was acquired by Microsoft in 1998.

Microsoft acquired it for $400 million .

Microsoft Image via CrunchBase

Hotmail’s new avatar was MSN Hotmail .

It was officially known as Microsoft Hotmail .

It’s new owner Microsoft announced its untimely , premature death .

Announcement was made on July 31 , 2012 .

Outlook will succeed Hotmail and will be known as http://www.outlook.com

Microsoft Outlook Hotmail Connector (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long before I became net-savvy , I also had a Hotmail account .

I never got to use it , so it was deactivated .

It was the norm with Hotmail . And it became its nemesis .

Gmail , a relatively new cousin , came and dethroned Hotmail .

Hotmail behaved like a decaying , fossilised blue-blood aristocrat .

Hotmail refused to adjust to the gushing fresh winds of change .

And before anyone could guess , it was put to rest .

In 16 years of its existence , it revolutionized email services .

Alas ! it died young . Rather too young .

Rest In Peace !

 

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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100th Anniversary of Titanic Disaster

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           AUGUST 10, 2012           00.40 A.M.

This year seems to be the year of anniversaries . Apart from some happy , epoch  – making and historical events , 2012 also marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic . This luxury liner collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic ocean and sank on April 15 , 1912 , while making its maiden voyage . It does not feel nice to remember or write about a disaster of this magnitude where 1502 people died . But I loved the film ” Titanic ” [ 1997 ] and later on , when I searched and researched on the topic , I was intrigued by the story of this ill – fated luxury liner .

The reconstruction of the RMS Titanic. The blueprints were supplied by the original ship’s builder and Cameron tried to make the ship as detailed and accurate as possible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Titanic is a 1997 American epic romantic disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron . A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic , it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage.

Production on the film began in 1995 , when Cameron shot footage of the actual Titanic wreck . The modern scenes were shot on board the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh , which Cameron had used as a base when filming the wreck . A reconstruction of the Titanic was built at Playas de Rosarito , Baja California , and scale models and computer-generated imagery were also used to recreate the sinking . The film was partially funded by Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox , and , at the time , was the most expensive film ever made , with an estimated budget of $200 million .

Upon its release on December 19, 1997, the film achieved critical and commercial success . Nominated for fourteen Academy Awards , it won eleven , including the awards for Best Picture and Best Director , tying Ben Hur (1959) for most Oscars won by a single film . With a worldwide gross of over $2 billion , it was the first film to reach the billion-dollar mark , remaining the highest-grossing film of all time for twelve years , until Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar surpassed its gross in 2010 . A 3D version of the film was re-released in theaters (often billed as Titanic 3D) on April 4, 2012 , to commemorate the centenary of the sinking of the ship.

Cover via Amazon

As I stated above , I watched the film and was very much fascinated by its story . I further studied about it and this topic became a part of me . I also fancied visiting the original site of Titanic shipwreck one day .

 

RMS Olympic and RMS Titanic under construction in Belfast, Ireland, ca. 1910 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

RMS Titanic departing Southampton on April 10, 1912 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sinking of the Titanic, drawn from wireless description (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Map marks the route of RMS Titanic during her maiden voyage, the ports on that route, and approximate location of where she sank on 1912-04-15. The remaining portion of her uncompleted route is shown dashed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean on 15 April 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage from Southampton , UK to New York City , US . The sinking of Titanic caused the deaths of 1,502 people in one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in history . The RMS Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time of her maiden voyage . She was the second of three Olympic class ocean liners operated by the White Star Line , and she was built by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast . On her maiden voyage, she carried 2,224 passengers and crew.

Captained by Edward Smith, her passengers included some of the wealthiest people in the world, as well as hundreds of emigrants from Great Britain and Ireland , Scandinavia and elsewhere throughout Europe seeking a new life in North America. The ship was designed to be the last word in comfort and luxury .

Last lifeboat arrived, filled with Titanic survivors. This photograph was taken by a passenger of the Carpathia, the ship that received the Titanic’s distress signal and came to rescue the survivors. It shows the last lifeboat successfully launched from the Titanic. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was a tragic event , a disaster which is still unparalleled in the history of modern times . Film ” Titanic ” [ 1997 ] re – created and re – lived the memory of that disaster and made this tragic story immortal in the mind of  the viewers .

This year in April , when the world remembered sinking of Titanic , I immediately wanted to write about it but due to extremely busy schedule and other pressing preoccupations , I was unable to complete it . So I am completing it today and posting it .

[ Some of the facts and figures have been taken from the Wikipedia . I express my gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

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100 Years of Sa’adat Hasan Manto

 

 

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           August 02 , 2012           00.40 A.M.

This year is the Anniversary Year of so many historical and literary figures and luminaries of our generation . Anniversaries of various historical events are also being celebrated this year . These anniversary celebrations , as I remember , took momentum from 2010 . Or may be , since I was not into blogging , I never realized or became aware of their existence .

In 2010 we celebrated 2 anniversaries . They were ; 100 YEARS OF HISTORIC JUMP OF VEER SAVARKAR , and 150 YEARS OF TAGORE .

In 2011 there were 6 anniversaries . They were as varied as ; 40 YEARS OF VIJAY DIWAS & BIRTH OF BANGLADESH , 50 YEARS OF THE LIBERATION OF GOA , DAMAN & DIU , 100 YEARS OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM , 100 YEARS OF NEW DELHI , 150 YEARS OF MAHAMANA MALVIYA and 250YEARS OF THE 3RD BATTLE OF PANIPAT .

This year only half of 2012 is over and we have already celebrated 4 anniversaries . They are ; 60 YEARS OF CORONATION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II , 150 YEARS OF THE 1ST CHRISTIAN SAINT OF INDIA , 150 YEARS OF SWAMI VIVEKANANDA and 200 YEARS OF CHARLES DICKENS .

Now I am writing about the 5th , 100 YEARS OF SA’ADAT HASAN MANTO .

8 more anniversaries are tempting me to write a blog on them . It comes to total 13 anniversaries in 2012 .

Quite early in my life , I was slowly introduced to Indian literature , then English literature and finally Russian and world literature . In Indian literature my first brush was with Bengali literature . Hindi literature came later and then came Urdu literature . Other Indian literature , translated in Hindi , came much later in my life .

Indian Books (Photo credit: Celeste33)

When I talk about Urdu literature , I must make a note that my first introduction was through the poetry . Shairi , as Urdu poetry is known , was my early fascination . HIND POCKET BOOKS came out with Hindi transliteration [ not translation ] of various works of Shairs or poets of Urdu . I bought them and became familiar with Urdu poetry and grew into a life long fan . I still remember many Urdu couplets or Sher by heart .

The phrase Zaban-e Urdu-e Mualla (“The language of the exalted camp”) written in Nasta’liq script. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Urdu prose came much later in my life . Kishan Chandar was the first Urdu novelist , whose works I read and admired . I have heard about Sa’adat Hasan Manto and his works during those days but I didn’t read him as he was despised by large number of people including my teachers and was vehemently criticized by the critics and intelligentsia .

Sa’adat Hasan Manto in his middle age. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So naturally I avoided reading him . In my mind he was akin to novelists like Kushwaha Kant and Ibn – e – Shafi B.A. Though hugely popular , these two authors are not considered as men of letters . Now I am very much ashamed that once upon a time I thought so low of Manto and degraded him .

My impression about him changed when I read his memoirs about the famous personalities of Hindi film industry . I was impressed with his style of prose writing and lucidity of  language .

Sa’adat Hassan Manto (May 11, 1912 – January 18, 1955)  is best known for his short stories, “Bu” , “Khol Do” , “Thanda Gosht” , and his magnum opus, “Toba Tek Singh“.

Manto was also a film and radio scriptwriter and a journalist . In his short life , he published twenty-two collections of short stories , one novel , five collections of radio plays , three collections of essays , and two collections of personal sketches.

Manto was tried for obscenity six times, thrice before 1947 and thrice after 1947 in Pakistan , but never convicted . Some of his works have been translated in other languages .

Saadat Hasan Manto is often compared with D. H. Lawrence , and like Lawrence he also wrote about the topics considered social taboos in Indo-Pakistani Society . His concerns on the sociopolitical issues , from local to global level are revealed in his series , Letters to Uncle Sam , and those to Pandit Nehru . On his writing he often commented , “If you find my stories dirty , the society you are living in is dirty . With my stories, I only expose the truth .”

After 1936 , he moved to Bombay  [ now Mumbai ] where he stayed for the next 5 years editing Musawwir , a monthly film magazine . He also started writing scripts and dialogues for Hindi films , including ” Kishan Kanhaiya ” [ 1936 ]  and ” Apni Nagariya ” [ 1939 ] . He continued writing for films until he left for Delhi in January 1941 .

Manto accepted the job of writing for Urdu Service of All India Radio in 1941. This proved to be his most productive period as in the next eighteen months he published over four collections of radio plays , Aao , Manto ke Drame , Janaze , and Teen Auraten . He continued to write short stories and his next short story collection Dhuan was soon out followed by Manto ke Afsane and his first collection of topical essays , Manto ke Mazamin . This period culminated with the publication of his mixed collection Afsane aur Drame in 1943 . Meanwhile , due to a quarrel with then director of the All India Radio , poet N. M. Rashid , he left his job and returned to Bombay in July 1942 and again started working with film industry . He entered his best phase in screenwriting giving films like ” Aatth Din ” , ” Chal Chal Re Naujawan ” and ” Mirza Ghalib ” , which was finally released in 1954 .

Some of his best short stories also came from this phase including  “Kaali Shalwar” ,  “Dhuan”  (1943) and “Bu”, which was published in Qaumi Jang (Bombay) in February 1945 . Another highlight of his second phase in Bombay was the publication of an important collection of his stories , Chugad . He stayed in Bombay until he moved to Pakistan in January 1948 after the partition of India in 1947.

During those days in Pakistan , Manto tried his hand at newspaper column writing . He started off with writing under the title Chashm-e-Rozan for daily Maghribi Pakistan on the insistence of his friends of Bombay days , Ehsan Ba and Murtaza Jillani, who were editing that paper . After a few columns, the space appeared blank under the column saying that due to his indisposition Manto couldn’t write the column. Actually, the owner was not favourably disposed to some of the content .

The only paper that published Manto’s articles regularly for quite some time was Daily Afaq , for which he wrote some of his well-known sketches . These sketches were later collected in his book Ganjay Farishtay . The sketches include those of famous actors and actresses like Ashok Kumar, Shyam, Nargis, Noor Jehan and Naseem (mother of Saira Banu) . He also wrote about some literary figures like Meera Ji , Hashar Kashmiri and Ismat Chughtai . Manto’s sketch of Muhammad Ali Jinnah was also first published in Afaq under the title Mera Sahib.

He , during his later years in Pakistan , embarked on a journey of self-destruction . The substandard alcohol that he consumed destroyed his liver and in the winter of 1955 he fell victim to liver cirrhosis . He was 42 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife Safiyah and three daughters . Born in 1912 in Samrala , Ludhiana district of Indian Punjab , he died in 1955 in Lahore , Pakistani Punjab .

This year in 2012 India and Pakistan , both the countries , are celebrating his anniversary .

Manto collection (Books)

• Atishparay (Nuggets Of Fire) – 1936
• Chugaad
• Manto Ke Afsanay (Stories of Manto) – 1940
• Dhuan (Smoke) – 1941
• Afsane Aur Dramay (Fiction and Drama) – 1943
• Lazzat-e-Sang-1948 (The Taste Of Rock)
• Siyah Hashiye-1948 (Black Borders)
• Badshahat Ka Khatimah (The End of Kingship) – 1950
• Khali Botlein (Empty Bottles) – 1950
• Loud Speaker
• Nimrud Ki Khudai (Nimrod The God) – 1950
• Thanda Gosht (Cold Meat) – 1950
• Yazid – 1951
• Pardey Ke Peechhey (Behind The Curtains) – 1953
• Sarak Ke Kinarey (By the Roadside) – 1953
• Baghair Unwan Ke (Without a Title) – 1954
• Baghair Ijazit (Without Permission) – 1955
• Burquey – 1955
• Phunduney (Tassles) – 1955
• Sarkandon Ke Peechhey (Behind The Reeds) -1955
• Shaiytan (Satan) – 1955
• Shikari Auratein (Women Of Prey) – 1955
• Ratti, Masha, Tolah-1956
• Kaali Shalwar (Black Pants) – 1961
• Manto Ki Behtareen Kahanian (Best Stories of Manto) – 1963
• Tahira Se Tahir (From Tahira to Tahir) – 1971

I was re – introduced to him and his literary world , when I started training Dino Morea recently . We read several stories written by Manto and discussed them and thus a new vision about Manto was opened in front of my eyes . I deeply regret that once upon a time I degraded him in my mind and didn’t read his books earlier .

[ List of the works of Manto and some dates and facts of his life is taken from Wikipedia . I express my gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Related articles

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• Man from both countries (thehindu.com)

 

200 Years of Charles Dickens

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JULY 29 , 2012           00.30 A.M.

Charles Dickens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Years ago , when I was still a child , my grand father introduced me to the world of books . He bought some books from Gita Press , Gorakhpur and gave them to me . Those were illustrated books about the lives of Bhagwan Ram and Bhagwan Krishna . Each illustration was explained with the help of a couplet . I still remember the name of the books ; BAL CHITRAMAYA RAM LEELA and BAL CHITRAMAYA KRISHNA LEELA  . I read those books countless times , almost mugged up each line and I still possess those books in my library in Deoria .

Since then I was hooked to the world of books and the fascination still continues many decades later . When I was in High School , I became member of GHARELU LIBRARY YOJNA of  HIND POCKET BOOKS , which was initiated by a famous Hindi publication house , Rajpal & Sons .

I used to order books and used to receive them through post office . One muggy afternoon , when the post man delivered packet of books to me , I opened the packet with excitement . There was a book titled DO SHEHRON KI DASTAN . I glanced the book and went through the introduction and got to know the name of the writer . It was Charles Dickens . I also got to know that original name of the book in English . It was A TALE OF TWO CITIES .

It was my first introduction with the celebrated British writer . Though I could not complete the reading because I got bored . Many years later , when I was doing post graduation in Allahabad University , I got to know the writer once again . A TALE OF TWO CITIES was in my course and this time I was able to understand it properly . I then realized beauty of his prose and appreciated his style of narration . Hindi translation , which I read years ago , was not lucid enough .

 

Cover via Amazon

When I read in the papers that 2012 is the 200th birth anniversary of the celebrated British author and novelist , I decided to note down my encounter of Charles Dickens also . These old memories , which were consigned in some dark and hither to unvisited corners of my being , rushed to the firmament and I decided to become a part of the 200th anniversary celebration of Charles Dickens .

My curiosity reached its zenith , when I read a news item in a paper . The heading was enough to draw my again to Charles Dickens .  “  Christopher and Jonathan Nolan Explain How A TALE OF TWO CITIES Influenced THE DARK KNIGHT RISES “

Charles Dickens a.k.a. Charles John Huffam Dickens , ( 7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic who is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period and the creator of some of the world’s most memorable fictional characters .During his lifetime Dickens’s works enjoyed unprecedented popularity and fame , and by the twentieth century his literary genius was fully recognized by critics and scholars . His novels and short stories continue to enjoy an enduring popularity among the general reading public .

Born in Portsmouth , England , Dickens left school to work in a factory after his father was thrown into debtors’ prison . Though he had little formal education , his early impoverishment drove him to succeed . He edited a weekly journal for 20 years , wrote 15 novels and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles , lectured and performed extensively, was an indefatigable letter writer , and campaigned vigorously for children’s rights , education , and other social reforms .

 

Charles Dickens (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dickens rocketed to fame with the 1836 serial publication of The Pickwick Papers . Within a few years he had become an international literary celebrity , celebrated for his humour , satire , and keen observation of character and society . His novels , most published in monthly or weekly instalments , pioneered the serial publication of narrative fiction , which became the dominant Victorian mode for novel publication .The instalment format allowed Dickens to evaluate his audience’s reaction , and he often modified his plot and character development based on such feedback . For example , when his wife’s chiropodist expressed distress at the way Miss Mowcher in David Copperfield seemed to reflect her disabilities , Dickens went on to improve the character with positive lineaments . Fagin in Oliver Twist apparently mirrors the famous fence , Ikey Solomon ; His caricature of Leigh Hunt in the figure of Mr Skimpole in Bleak House was likewise toned down on advice from some of his friends , as they read episodes . In the same novel , both Lawrence Boythorne and Mooney the beadle are drawn from real life – Boythorne from Walter Savage Landor and Mooney from ‘Looney’ , a beadle at Salisbury Square . His plots were carefully constructed , and Dickens often wove in elements from topical events into his narratives .Masses of the illiterate poor chipped in ha’pennies to have each new monthly episode read to them , opening up and inspiring a new class of readers .

Dickens was regarded as the ‘literary colossus’ of his age .His 1843 novella , A Christmas Carol , is one of the most influential works ever written , and it remains popular and continues to inspire adaptations in every artistic genre . His creative genius has been praised by fellow writers—from Leo Tolstoy to G. K. Chesterton and George Orwell—for its realism , comedy , prose style , unique characterisations , and social criticism . On the other hand Oscar Wilde , Henry James and Virginia Woolf complained of a lack of psychological depth , loose writing , and a vein of saccharine sentimentalism .

Most of Dickens’s major novels were first written in monthly or weekly instalments in journals such as Master Humphrey’s Clock and Household Words , later reprinted in book form . These instalments made the stories cheap , accessible and the series of regular cliff-hangers made each new episode widely anticipated . When The Old Curiosity Shop was being serialized , American fans even waited at the docks in New York , shouting out to the crew of an incoming ship , “Is little Nell dead ? ” Part of Dickens’s great talent was to incorporate this episodic writing style but still end up with a coherent novel at the end .

Charles Dickens published over a dozen major novels , a large number of short stories (including a number of Christmas-themed stories) , a handful of plays , and several non-fiction books . Dickens’s novels were initially serialised in weekly and monthly magazines , then reprinted in standard book formats .

Novels

The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (Monthly serial, April 1836 to November 1837)[125] The Adventures of Oliver Twist (Monthly serial in Bentley’s Miscellany, February 1837 to April 1839) The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Monthly serial, April 1838 to October 1839) The Old Curiosity Shop (Weekly serial in Master Humphrey’s Clock, 25 April 1840, to 6 February 1841) Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of ‘Eighty (Weekly serial in Master Humphrey’s Clock, 13 February 1841, to 27 November 1841) The Christmas books: A Christmas Carol (1843) The Chimes (1844) The Cricket on the Hearth (1845) The Battle of Life (1846) The Haunted Man and the Ghost’s Bargain (1848) The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit (Monthly serial, January 1843 to July 1844)

Dombey and Son (Monthly serial, October 1846 to April 1848) David Copperfield (Monthly serial, May 1849 to November 1850) Bleak House (Monthly serial, March 1852 to September 1853) Hard Times: For These Times (Weekly serial in Household Words, 1 April 1854, to 12 August 1854) Little Dorrit (Monthly serial, December 1855 to June 1857) A Tale of Two Cities (Weekly serial in All the Year Round, 30 April 1859, to 26 November 1859) Great Expectations (Weekly serial in All the Year Round, 1 December 1860 to 3 August 1861) Our Mutual Friend (Monthly serial, May 1864 to November 1865) The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Monthly serial, April 1870 to September 1870. Only six of twelve planned numbers completed)

Short story collections

• Sketches by Boz (1836)
• The Mudfog Papers (1837) in Bentley’s Miscellany magazine
• Reprinted Pieces (1861)
• The Uncommercial Traveller (1860–1869)

Christmas numbers of Household Wordsmagazine: What Christmas Is, as We Grow Older (1851) A Round of Stories by the Christmas Fire (1852) Another Round of Stories by the Christmas Fire (1853) The Seven Poor Travellers (1854) The Holly-Tree Inn (1855) The Wreck of the “Golden Mary” (1856) The Perils of Certain English Prisoners (1857) A House to Let (1858)

Christmas numbers of All the Year Roundmagazine: The Haunted House (1859) A Message from the Sea (1860) Tom Tiddler’s Ground (1861) Somebody’s Luggage (1862) Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings (1863) Mrs. Lirriper’s Legacy (1864) Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions (1865) Mugby Junction (1866) No Thoroughfare (1867)

Selected non-fiction, poetry, and plays

The Village Coquettes (Plays, 1836) The Fine Old English Gentleman (poetry, 1841) Memoirs of Joseph Grimaldi (1838) American Notes: For General Circulation (1842) Pictures from Italy (1846)

The Life of Our Lord: As written for his children (1849) A Child’s History of England (1853) The Frozen Deep (play, 1857) Speeches, Letters and Sayings (1870)

[ Facts of his life and list of the books , written by him , are taken from Wikipedia . I express my deep gratitude . ]

 

Charles Dickens & His Famous Chair (Photo credit: Penn State Special Collections Library)

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MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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A Visitor From GUERNSEY

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 09 , 2012           01.00 A.M.

Almost a year back , I added a link of Flag Counter on my blog space . It helps me to know the names of the countries of the visitors of my blog . As soon as a visitor hits my blog , flag of his country appears on my flag counter .

On June 07 , 2012 , when I saw a new flag on the flag counter , I opened the link and got a shock of my life . The new visiting country’s name appeared as GUERNSEY. I rubbed my eyes , pinched my palm and then got assured that the name of the new visiting country is definitely GUERNSEY .

Flag Counter

Till this date , as I am posting this blog , 116 countries have visited my blog space . GUERNSEY is the 115th country . Frankly speaking , I have not even heard the name of this country . I immediately clicked on the flag counter and got some knowledge about the country . Today I googled GUERNSEY and became more familiar with the country . A tiny island , GUERNSEY is situated 30 miles from the west coast of France and 75 miles south of England . GUERNSEY is a British Crown Dependency . She has a population of 65068 only . Her capital is Saint Peter Port and she has total area of  78 km..

Let us try to know something more about GUERNSEY .

[ Excerpts from Wikipedia ]

Guernsey ( /ˈɡɜrnzi/ GURN-zee), officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey (French: Bailliage de Guernesey, IPA: [bajaʒ də ɡɛʁnəzɛ]), is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, and Lihou. Furthermore, the Bailiwick includes Alderney and Sark, which each has its own parliament.

Although its defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, the Bailiwick of Guernsey is not part of the UK; and while it participates in the Common Travel Area, it is not part of the European Union.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey is included (along with the Bailiwick of Jersey) in the grouping known as the Channel Islands.

During World War I approximately 3,000 island men served in the British Expeditionary Force. Of these, about 1,000 served in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry regiment which was formed from the Royal Guernsey Militia in 1916.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey was occupied by German troops in World War II. Before the occupation, many Guernsey children were evacuated to England to live with relatives or strangers during the war. Some children were never reunited with their families.

Several European countries have consulate presence in the island. The French Consulate is based at Victor Hugo‘s former residence at Hauteville House. The German Honorary Consulate is based at local design and advertising agency Betley Whitehorne.

While Guernsey has complete autonomy over internal affairs and certain external matters, the topic of complete independence from the British Crown has been discussed widely and frequently, with ideas ranging from Guernsey obtaining independence as a Dominion to the bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey uniting and forming an independent Federal State within the Commonwealth, whereby both islands retain their independence with regards to domestic affairs but internationally, the islands would be regarded as one state.

English is the language in general use by the majority of the population, while Guernésiais, the Norman language of the island, is spoken fluently by only about 2% of the population (according to 2001 census). However, 14% of the population claim some understanding of the language.  Georges Métivier, considered by some to be the island’s national poet, wrote in Guernesiais. The loss of the island’s language and the Anglicisation of its culture, which began in the nineteenth century and proceeded inexorably for a century, accelerated sharply when the majority of the island’s school children were evacuated to the UK for five years during the German occupation of 1940–1945.

[ Georges Métivier, considered by some to be the island's national poet. ]

Victor Hugo wrote some of his best-known works while in exile in Guernsey, including Les Misérables. His home in St. Peter Port, Hauteville House, is now a museum administered by the city of Paris. In 1866, he published a novel set in the island, Travailleurs de la Mer (Toilers of the Sea), which he dedicated to the island of Guernsey.

Location of Guernsey

Image of Guernsey , British Crown Dependencies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Map of Guernsey

Map of the parishes of Guernsey. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flag of Guernsey (bordered) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Civil ensign of Guernsey (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Flag of Guernsey flying in St. Peter Port (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Airport of Guernsey

St. Peter Port

Guernsey (Photo credit: neonbubble)

Guernsey (Photo credit: neonbubble)

Guernsey

Guernsey Harbour

Ryman Auditorium, where The Byrds made their appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on March 15, 1968. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Guernsey (Photo credit: neonbubble)

I never knew above mentioned facts , which I have taken from Wikipedia . I am a student of history and always take pride in the fact that my general knowledge is very good . Still I have not heard about GUERNSEY . I was even oblivious of her existence .

So , when an anonymous visitor from GUERNSEY visited my blog space , I was elated . I was simply ecstatic . I don’t think I will get an opportunity to visit this beautiful island nation . But who know ? May be some day I will land there . May be some day I will get a chance to pay obeisance to the house , where Victor Hugo stayed and wrote some of his famous novels .

WHO KNOWS ! !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Sorry Ukraine , My Apology !

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           FEBRUARY 01 , 2012           01.30 A.M.

In the beginning of January 2012 , I read a disturbing news item in the Mumbai edition of Times of India and other news papers . I am putting that news verbatim , as it is available on the internet  :

” Four FEMEN activists have undressed at the Indian embassy in Kiev in protest against the country’s plan to block young Ukrainian, Russian and Kazakh women from entering India as part of a national anti-prostitution campaign.

The topless activists, partially clad in Indian clothes, used a ladder to climb the Indian embassy’s balcony and unfurled banners saying “Ukrainians are not prostitutes!”, “Delhi, close your brothels,” and “We demand apologies.”

The protesters waved Indian flags and knocked on the embassy’s doors and windows – until detained by security guards and taken away by the police.

The demo was sparked after the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered its embassies to take extra care checking visa applications from women aged 15-40, who are blamed for the country’s prostitution boom.

FEMEN’s blog says that by issuing such an order, India has gravely insulted the women of Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan.

“Indian prostitution is directly connected with impunity of the country’s criminal business,” the blog states. “Blaming it on women is a shame for the heirs of such a rich and old culture.”

The FEMEN movement made its name by carrying out politically motivated naked protests at home in Ukraine and in countries throughout Europe, including the Vatican . “

Image via Wikipedia

[ On January 16, Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice refused to register FEMEN as an official political movement, claiming its position was extremist. ]

USSR [ Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ] was dissolved in 1991 and 15 new countries came into existence . Ukraine became independent on August 24 , 1991 and along with other former Soviet Republics , started her life on a new note .

Map of Ukraine

Economy of  Ukraine , in spite of her shinning capital city Kiev , is in shambles . She was unable to cope up with the transition to market economy and started struggling with her economy . She , during this period , was stricken with 8 year – recession also . Then in 2008 , Ukraine was caught in the world-wide economic crisis . Economy suffered and finally plunged .

Kiev - Capital of Ukraine

According to me because of this grim economic situation many Ukrainians started visiting various countries , including India , in search of job and greener pastures . It is said that Ukrainian girls are indulging in prostitution in India . So the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered its embassies to take extra care checking visa applications from women aged 15-40, who are blamed for the country’s prostitution boom.

I strongly feel that such kind of order for the blanket ban of Ukrainian , Russian and Kazakh women is insulting indeed . Even if Ukrainian girls are indulging in some kind of amoral activities , the order is harsh and uncalled for . There is law enforcing agency in India . They must perform their duties and should do something to stop this menace . A policy to not issue visa to the young girls of Ukraine , Russia and Kazakhstan is very humiliating and insulting .

In stead of making the machinery more effective , Government of India issues such insulting advisory to the Indian Embassy . FEMEN , which always protests in the matter of women , took offence and umbrage and protested naked in front of Indian Embassy in Kiev .

FEMEN Protest in Kiev

FEMEN Protest in Kiev

FEMEN Protest in Kiev

FEMEN Protest in Kiev

I am pained to see these 4 photographs . If women can undress themselves for a cause and protest naked in public , one can understand their pain and agony .

I empathise with them . I feel sorry for them . Brothels are in plenty in India . And they are not thriving because of Ukrainian girls . It is reported by some N.G.O.s that poor minor girls of Nepal and Bangladesh are  lured into prostitution and brothels in metro cities of India are full of them . So why blame only Ukrainian girls . Is it not duty of the police to stop prostitution ? Is it not duty of the N.G.O.s to rehabilitate these poor girls and arrange for their deportation to their native countries ?  In stead of strengthening its law enforcing agencies , central government reneges its duty and issues such derogatory and inhuman order .

Words are not saying it and it is not there in the text but the order suggests that Ukrainian women are prostitutes . It is not there openly in the order but one can easily draw the meaning . I am a non – entity but still I feel like apologising to the Ukrainian women .

My Ukrainian friends , I am extremely sorry ! Though I wish to do something regarding this but I am a small and helpless man . I am not more than a spec in the scheme of the things .

I can only express anguish and offer my apologies on behalf of this ancient Nation , where women used to be adored once upon a time and are still worshiped in the form of various goddesses .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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