Understanding Tamil Nadu – [ 1 ]

VAITHEESWARAN KOIL – TAMIL NADU – INDIA           DECEMBER 23 , 2012           11.55 P.M.

When I landed at Chennai Airport on December 21 , 2012 , it marked my 3rd visit to the Southern metropolis . On December 22 , 2012 , when I drove to Vaitheeswaran Koil in the morning , it marked my 2nd visit to the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu .

The political state of Tamil Nadu in India was created in 1969 when erstwhile Madras State was renamed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People of my generation always view Tamil Nadu and Tamil people through the prism , which was created in 1967 , when the first Dravidian government was formed in Tamil Nadu under the leadership of C. N. Annadurai .

But if you want to understand Dravid Movement of Tamil Nadu , you have to study the history of Self Respect Movement and Justice Party stablished by E. V. Ramasamy Naicker a.k.a. Periyar . It all started in 1925 , much before 1967 , when Annadurai led D.M.K. [ Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam ] formed the first non – Congress government in Tamil Nadu .

In the history of India , 1925 seems to be a very unique year . In the Tamil Nadu E. V. Ramasamy Naicker ” Periyar ” started his Self Respect Movement and in the same year in Nagpur Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar started R.S.S. [ Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh ] . Periyar’s movement is considered separatist and anti national by many and Dr. Hedgewar’s movement is perceived ultra nationalist by the majority . But it is uncanny that both the movements were started in 1925 .

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on 06-Jan-1940 at Jinnah’s residence in Bombay. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar , Founder of R.S.S. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is said that Periyar was peeved by the superiority of Brahmins and their dominance in all the departments and strata of Tamil culture and life . He started this movement called Sel Respect and started espousing the cause of non – Brahmin castes of Tamil Nadu . He started breaking idols in the temple , advocated atheism , despised JANEU , the sacred thread and finally gave a call for the boycott of Brahmin priests in the marriages . His espousal of Self Respect Marriage had far – reaching repercussions and he became quite unpopular in rest of the country . His anti – Brahmin crusades drew wide – spread indignation and his opposition of Hindu deity worship was considered as anti Hindu and finally anti India .

Both the Tamilian parties ; Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam [ DMK ] and All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam [ AIADMK ] owe their existence to E. V. Ramasamy Naicker ” Periyar ” and his movement . And thus atheism and anti North India and anti Hindi credo became their life lines . And when DMK came to power in 1967 , Anna Durai accepted many things which were espoused by Periyar . Thus in the rest of India people became suspicious and majority started disliking DMK and it anti Hindi , anti God and anti North India policies .

I was definitely misguided by this prism , which I got while studying in Allahabad from 1967 to 1974 . My recent visits have changed my perception of Tamil Nadu , Tamil people and Tamil politics of Dravidian parties .

I will complete this ” Understanding Tamil Nadu ” series in my next blog and would like to share it with all the current students of my acting academy Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  after my return from Tamil Nadu .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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B. K. Karanjia : A Priceless Pen Put To Rest

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 29 , 2012           01.15 A.M.

Another icon of my youth faded into oblivion last week . One more titan of my growing years now ceases to exist . A priceless , mighty pen is put to rest .

Renowned film journalist and former chairman of the National Films Development Corporation [ NFDC ] , Burjor K. Karanjia , popularly known as ‘BK’ ,  passed away at the Jehangir hospital , Pune at 1.15 pm on June 22 , 2012 . He was 92 years old at the time of his death .

He is survived by two daughters ; Routton and Delshad  and a son Yuzud.

From Mumbai , Karanjia had moved to Pune in 2007 . He was staying in a flat at Sopan Baug . He had suffered a hip fracture in 2010 and had undergone a surgery and recovered miraculously.

He was a loner and would prefer to read a lot .

The Karanjia family moved to India from Quetta , Balochistan , Pakistan after Partition . He had named his south Mumbai residence as ” Quetta Terrace ” , which stood a short distance away from the historic Jinnah House.

Quetta City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Quetta Railway Station, Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Karanjia’s elder brother , Russy K. Karanjia , also a well-known journalist , had died five years ago .

Karanjia had qualified for the Indian Civil Services . However , he chose to pursue entertainment and film journalism , while Russy pursued investigative journalism .  After doing stints as a reporter , he went on to become the editor of  ” Filmfare ” , ” Screen ” , ” Cine Voice ” and ” Movie Times ” .

Filmfare magazine February 2006 edition (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Karanjia was the founder of the Films Financing Corporation . He later became chairman of the NFDC and set a precedent to finance low-budget movies for new and talented filmmakers .

B. K. Karanjia authored several books on the entertainment industry.

• 
  Abundant Living, Restless Striving: A Memoir 

  by B.K. Karanjia , Sohrab P. Godrej

  ISBN 0670912050 (0-670-91205-0)
  Hardcover, Viking
• 
• An Alien in Bollywood: An Autobiography 

  by B.K. Karanjia , B. S. Sood

  ISBN 8174762760 (81-7476-276-0)
  Hardcover

  
  

• Blundering in Wonderland 

  by B.K. Karanjia

  ISBN 0706949617 (0-7069-4961-7)
  Hardcover, South Asia Books

  
  

• 
• Counting My Blessings 

  by B.K. Karanjia

  ISBN 0670058491 (0-670-05849-1)
  Hardcover, Viking

  
  

• Final Victory: The Life and Death of Naval Pirojsha Godrej 

  by B.K. Karanjia

  ISBN 0670896446 (0-670-89644-6)
  Hardcover, Viking

  
  

• Godrej: A Hundred Years, 1897-1997 

  by B.K. Karanjia

  ISBN 0670875228 (0-670-87522-8)
  Hardcover, Penguin Books

  
  

  More editions of Godrej: A Hundred Years, 1897-1997:

  • Godrej: A Hundred Years, 1897-1997: ISBN 067087924X (0-670-87924-X)
    Hardcover, Penguin Book
• Masks and Faces 

  by B.K. Karanjia

  ISBN 0706946677 (0-7069-4667-7)
  Hardcover, Vikas Pub. House

  
  

• Vijitatma: Founder-Pioneer Ardeshir Godrej 

  by B.K. Karanjia , Jenny Bhatt

  ISBN 0670057622 (0-670-05762-2)
  Hardcover, Viking

I used to admire his style of writing in Filmfare . I became a regular subscriber of Filmfare only because of him . In my younger days he became synonymous with Filmfare . It is sad that he is no more .

I mourn his demise deeply .

[ I have taken all the information from various articles available on the internet . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Adieu Sharada Dwivedi : A Historian Becomes History

Sharada Dwivedi

Sharada Dwivedi

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           FEBRUARY 11, 2012           02.45 A.M.

It is sad and depressing that of late , I have to write so many obituaries . Last quarter of 2011 was full of sudden and sad demise of the so many eminent people of all walks of life . Now the first quarter of 2012 is also no less harsh .

Sharada Dwivedi , eminent historian , researcher and chronicler of Mumbai , died on February 06 , 2012 in Mumbai . She was only 69 at the time of her death .

Map of Mumbai

It is unfortunate that I could not meet her personally but I am familiar with her work . Born , brought up and educated in Bombay [ now Mumbai ] , she was in love with the city . She was familiar with every minute details of the old and neo – gothic style buildings of Mumbai . Every little piece of even hidden history was also known to her . She belonged to the city and her Bombay belonged to her .

She researched the history of all the famous monuments and buildings of Mumbai and was always caring for the conservation work and during conservation work , was very strict and particular regarding the minutest details .

Skyline of Mumbai from Back Bay

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

Gateway of India

Gateway of India

David Sassoon Library

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Formerly Victoria Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Formerly Victoria Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Formerly Victoria Terminus

Fort Market

Royal Asiatic Society

Museum - Formerly Prince of Wales Museum

Watson Hotel

High Court

Rudyard Kipling Bungalow

Elphinston College

Flora Fountain

A Road in South Mumbai

Eros Cinema

Capitol Cinema

Bandra Local Railway Station

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

She  was always eager to help and advise , when it came to the old buildings . She was part of Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee and was member of Urban design Research Institute . She was responsible for the inclusion of Opera House in the 2012 World Monument Watch . It was due to her efforts that Fort – Churchgate Precinct was included in the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage Monument .

Chawls of Mumbai

The above mentioned chawl and this below mentioned famous Ambani building , Antilia are also a part of her beloved Bombay . She was interested in the city of Mumbai and wanted to preserve every aspect of the city . No one knows her reaction or what she actually felt about the chawls of Mumbai and what she thought about some of the present day structures like Antilia . Though her views about the centuries old Elephanta Caves are well – known and well chronicled .

Antila - Ambani House

Elephanta Caves

Apart from taking part in conservation work , she wrote and co – wrote many books on Mumbai and the historically important British era buildings . Her famous books are :

1 – Bombay , The City Within [ 1995 ]

2 – Banganga , Sacred Tank [ 1996 ]

3 – Fort Walks [ 1999 ]

4 – Anchoring A City Line , The History of The Western Suburban Railway And Its headquarters in Bombay [ 2000 ]

5 – The Jehangir Art Gallery [ 2002 ]

6 – The Victoria Memorial School for the Blind [ 2002 ]

6 – Taj Mahal Palace Hotel [ 2011 ]

Her other famous books are :

1 – Lives of the Indian Princes [ 1984 ]

2 – Reach for the Stars [ 1993 ] – the corporate history Blue Star Ltd

3 -  The Broken Flut [ 1994 ] – a Children’s Novel

4 – The Maharaja [ 1999 ]

5 – A Celebration of Style [ 2000 ] Abu Jani & Sandeep Khosa

It is sad that a chronicler and historian of this eminence left us and that too , so soon . A historian par – excellence , herself , became history .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Related articles

• Historian Sharada Dwivedi passes away (thehindu.com)

Vidur’s Blog Translated in Portuguese Language

250 anos de “A Terceira Batalha de Panipat”

Postado em 16 de janeiro de 2011 por Vidur [Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi]

1 Votes

Em 14 de janeiro de 2011, quando hindus em todo o mundo estavam celebrando Makar Sankranti, muitos não se lembrar que neste mesmo dia 250 anos atrás Sadashivrao Bhau juntamente com o seu exército estava lutando uma batalha perdida para nós no Amb Kala perto de Panipat . Conhecido na história como a “Terceira Batalha de Panipat ”, onde o exército de Marathas lutou afegão Ahmed Shah Durrani invasor aka Ahmed Shah Abdali. Batalha terminou em poucas horas e cerca de 60.000 / 70.000. soldados foram mortos. A linha de Maratha foi de 12 km.transversalmente, com a artilharia na frente, protegido por tropas de infantaria, enquanto a cavalaria foi instruído a esperar atrás da artilharia. Este erro tático foi fatal.Sem qualquer instrução cavalaria de espera começou a avançar causando vítimas entre os soldados Maratha que levam à derrota infame. Embora Marathas perdeu a batalha devido a erro estratégico, ninguém se atreveu a atacar a Índia após esta batalha há muitos anos.

Image via Wikipedia

Imagem via Wikipedia – Bandeira do Império Maratha

A Terceira Batalha de Panipat ocorreu em 14 de Janeiro de 1761, em Panipat(Haryana Estado, Índia), cerca de 60 milhas (95,5 km) ao norte de Delhi . A batalha opôs o francês fornecido artilharia e cavalaria dos Marathas contra a pesadacavalaria e artilharia montada (zamburak e jizail) dos afegãos liderado por Ahmad Shah Durrani , um grupo étnico pashtun , também conhecido como Ahmad Shah Abdali. A batalha é considerada uma das maiores batalhas travadas no século 18.

Imagem via Wikipedia – Bandeira do Império do Afeganistão

O declínio do Império Mughal levou a conquistas territoriais para a Confederação Maratha. Ahmad Shah Abdali, entre outros, não estava disposto a permitir que os ganhos dos Marathas ir desmarcada. Em 1759, ele levantou um exército das tribos pashtun e fez vários ganhos contra as guarnições menores. Os Marathas, sob o comando do Sadashivrao Bhau , respondeu, reunindo um exército de entre 70.000-100.000 pessoas com as quais eles saquearam a capital Mughal de Delhi . Seguiu-se uma série de escaramuças ao longo das margens do rio Yamuna em Karnal eKunjpura que finalmente se transformou em um cerco de dois meses de duração conduzido por Abdali contra os Marathas.

Imagem via Wikipedia – Bandeira do Império Mogol

O local específico da batalha em si é contestada por historiadores, mas a maioria considera ter ocorrido em algum lugar perto de moderno-dia Kaalaa Aamb e Estrada Sanauli. A batalha durou vários dias e envolveu mais de 125.000 homens.Prolongadas escaramuças ocorreram, com perdas e ganhos em ambos os lados. As forças lideradas por Ahmad Shah Durrani saiu vitorioso após destruir vários flancos Maratha. A extensão das perdas em ambos os lados é fortemente contestada por historiadores, mas acredita-se que entre 60.000-70.000 foram mortos em combates, enquanto o número de feridos e prisioneiros tomados variam consideravelmente. O resultado da batalha foi a suspensão dos avanços Maratha do Norte.

Image via Wikipedia

Imagem via Wikipedia – Índia em 1760

O Império Mughal estava em declínio desde a morte do imperador mogol Aurangzeb , em 1707. A queda foi acelerada pela invasão da Índia por Nadir Shah em 1739.Rebeliões continuado pelos Marathas no sul, ea separação de facto de um número de estados (incluindo Hyderabad e Bengal ), enfraqueceu o estado ainda mais.Dentro de alguns anos de morte de Aurangzeb, os Marathas havia revertido todos os seus ganhos territoriais no Deccan, e tinha conquistado quase todo o território Mughal na Índia central e norte. Mughals tinha, assim, tornar-se apenas as cabeças titulares de Delhi. Em 1761, eles queriam expandir mais ao norte e noroeste, onde o seu caminho cruzou Ahmad Shah Abdali – o governante do Afeganistão, que tinha vindo a fazer incursões no Punjab e nomeou seu filho como seu governador.

Imagem via Wikipedia – Mapa do Império Maratha

Império Maratha

Os Marathas ganhou o controle de uma parte considerável da Índia no intervalo (1707-1757). Em 1758, eles ocupavam Delhi, capturado Lahore e expulsou Timur Shah Durrani , o filho e vice-rei do governante afegão, Ahmad Shah Abdali. Este foi o ponto alto da expansão Maratha, onde os limites de seu império se estendia do norte para o Indus eo Himalaia, e no sul quase até a extremidade da península. Este território foi governado pelo Peshwa , que falou de colocar seu filho Vishwasrao no trono Mughal. No entanto Delhi ainda permaneceu sob o controle nominal de Mongóis, os principais intelectuais muçulmanos, incluindo Shah Waliullah e outros clérigos muçulmanos na Índia e no Punjab, que estavam alarmados com estes desenvolvimentos. Em desespero, eles recorreram a Ahmad Shah Abdali, o governante do Afeganistão, para deter a ameaça.

Image via Wikipedia

Imagem via Wikipedia – Ahmad Shah Abdali

Assim, após convite devido Ahmad Shah Abdali atacado Índia e no dia auspicioso de Makar Sankranti Sadashivrao Bhau perdeu a batalha de Panipat. A derrota infame ainda agita os Marathas. Há um ditado em Marathi Tyanche Panipat Jhale [Ele sucumbiu à sua Panipat] Metaforicamente Panipat tornou-se para Marathas, o que Waterloo foi para Napoleão. Ele quebrou o orgulho Maratha, ele interrompeu seus avanços em direção norte da Índia e, finalmente, a sua imagem prejudicada.Mas uma coisa estava intacta e continua intacta até hoje e que é o seu valor e seu orgulho. Mesmo depois de derrotar A Terceira Batalha de Panipat continua a ser um capítulo glorioso da nossa história, porque não foi por falta de coragem ou bravura, mas isso aconteceu devido a um erro tático e estratégico.

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Artigos Relacionados

• Comemorando 250 anos da Batalha de Panipat (aparanjape.wordpress.com)
• 14 de janeiro na história (homepaddock.wordpress.com)

[Enquanto pesquisava para este blog, eu visitei vários sites na internet e tomei algumas coisas e alguns parágrafos de diversas fontes. Quero expressar minha profunda gratitute. ]

Jasmine Revolution in Burma [ Myanmar ]

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

2011 will be known in the world history as the year of Jasmine Revolutions . It started with Tunisia .The despotic ruler of Tunisia , Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was forced to quit his post after 24 years of tyrannical rule .

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia

Egypt was the second nation to be engulfed by the Jasmine Revolution . After having an iron grip on Egypt for 30 long years , Hosni Mubarak was thrown out of power by the rampaging masses .

Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

Soon the revolution reached at the door – step of Muammar al – Gaddafi . After fierce resistance of few months , Gaddafi was thrown out of power and was subsequently killed . His despotic and tyrannical rule lasted for 42 long years .

Muammar al - Gaddafi of Libya

Soon after Libya , Jasmine Revolution reached at the doors of other despotic rulers of Syria , Yemen and China . Syria’s Bashar al – Assad is currently facing the brunt of the masses . 10 years of Bashar al – Assad and 30 years of his father Hafez al – Assad‘s rule is now deeply resented .

Bashar al - Assad of Syria

Yemen is another country , ruled by a totalitarian ruler , Ali Abdullah Saleh. His 21 year – old rule is going to end soon . Jasmine Revolution is furiously knocking at his door .

Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen

At present China is trying to control the Jasmine Revolution . But the question remains , will she be able to check the marching footsteps of the disgruntled masses ?

It is very surprising that in the last quarter of 2011 , Burma [ Also Known as Myanmar ] got rid of  the military rule of 49 years , but the world is slow to react to the new reality . Many in India don’t know much about our eastern neighbour .

Than Shwe , The Military Ruler of Burma

To know about Burma , we should look at the map of British Indian Empire . Map of British India is very interesting . In comprises present day India , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Burma [ Present Day Myanmar ] and Ceylon [ Present Day Sri Lanka ] . People know that West Pakistan [ Now Pakistan ] and East Pakistan [ Now Bangladesh ] were part of India before 1947 . But today’s generation do not know that Burma [ Now Myanmar ] , and Ceylon [ Now Sri Lanka ] , were also part of British Indian Empire .

IMap of British Indian Empire

Map of British India

At the time of Independence of India in 1947 , British rulers divided the Indian Empire into 4 free and sovereign states . India , Pakistan , Burma and Ceylon became 4 independent states .

Proposed Divisions of British Indian Empire

India and Pakistan became two independent states in 1947 . Burma became independent on January 04 , 1948 . Burma is the 40th largest country in the world and 2nd largest country in South East Asia . Burma is also the 24th most populous country in the world .

Political Map of Burma

Location Map Showing India & Burma

After independence in 1948 , Burma was a democratic country for 14 years but unfortunately , on March 02 , 1962 military ousted civilian rulers in a coup . Military junta ruled Burma till 2011 . Then junta was dissolved and a civilian government was installed again .

14 Provinces of Burma

During it’s 49 year rule military junta changed many things in Burma . The name of country was changed to Myanmar . Though it is not recognised by the world community and the majority population of Burma . Name of the capital Rangoon was also changed to Yangon . Later on capital was shifted to Naypyidaw in Mandalay province .

Aung San Suu Kyi

After 15 years of detention , Burma’s pro – democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released on November 13 , 2010 . In October 2011 many political prisoners were freed and trade unions were legalised . Jasmine revolution seems to be booming in Burma and the country is on the verge of democratic rule .

I have a childhood fascination for Burma . My maternal grand-uncle and maternal grand-aunt lived in Rangoon , Burma during 2nd World War . They used to tell many thrilling stories about Burma . Their stay in Rangoon was also full of very interesting anecdotes . Whenever I used to visit their place along with my mother , I used to sit with them and used to hear their stories of Burma . Now I know that many stories were fabricated but they kindled my fascination about Rangoon and Burma and my childhood fascination still continues .

When I started my studies , I read about Bahadur Shah Zafar and about his imprisonment and his subsequent death in Rangoon . Then I read about Lokmanya Tilak’s infamous jail term and 6 years [ 1908 - 1914 ] that he spent in Mandalay jail . My relationship with Burma was fortified in my mind .

A Hindi film song of ” Patanga ” [ 1949 ] also helped to build up the Burmese fascination . The song MERE PIYA GAYE RANGOON ; WAHAN SE KIYA HAI TELEPHONE , TUMHARI YAAD SATATI HAI …….. still reverbarates in the corridors of my sub – conscious . I haven’t seen this Shyam , Nigar Sultana , Yakub , Gope and Cuckoo starrer , which was directed by H. S. Rawail . But whenever I used to hear C. Ramchandra’s immortal song , specially its lines ; TUM BURMA KI GALIYON ME HO , AUR PHIROON MAIN DEHRADUN ………. TUMHARI YAD SATATI HAI …… I used to feel that I am also roaming in the lanes and by – lanes of Rangoon and Burma .

Another Hindi film ” Burmah Road ” [ 1962 ] again inflamed my imagination about Burma . This Ashok Kumar and Kumkum starrer film was forgettable but a song DAGHABAZ HO , BANKE PIYA KAHO NA , DAGHABAZ HO ……. is still fresh in my memory . Lata Mangeshkar’s voice made this song immortal and Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics were set to tune by Chitragupta .

Since the country is on the road to democracy , I hope to visit Burma one day and would love to roam around in the lanes and by – lanes of Rangoon . May be this will happen soon , may be very soon .or may be in far distant future . I would love to visit Burma , visit Rangoon and would love to meet Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi .

Long live Aung San Suu Kyi !!!

Aung San Suu Kyi

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Related articles

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South Sudan : Birth of A Nation

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 08 , 2012           11.45 P.M.

It is not that every day a new country is born . It happens occasionally . It happens once in a life time . So when I read about the vivisection of Sudan , a country in Africa , I was pleasantly surprised .

In my 60 years of existence , I have seen birth of 28 major countries . I might be forgetting some tiny countries but 28 major countries took birth during my life time and I vividly remember those epoch – making moments . So when Sudan was split into two , I decided to chronicle these events .

Bangladesh :

===============

Map of Bangladesh

Map of Bangladesh

First major country , whose birth I remember , was Bangladesh . She came into being in 1971 after a bloody and gory battle with Pakistan . Formerly East Pakistan , the new country Bangladesh , became independent in 1971 .

Birth of Bangladesh is proof that religion can not be a binding factor for a country . In the case of Bangladesh , the common religion , Islam failed to unite two wings of Pakistan .

Bangladesh became a member of United Nation Organization in 1974 .

Vietnam :

=============

Map of Vietnam with Indo - China Nations

Vietnam’s journey as a nation is fascinating . From Imperial China to French colonizers she travelled through the centuries and the journey was an arduous one at times . Later on Vietnam accepted communism , she was divided into two ; North Vietnam and South Vietnam . North Vietnam was communist and South Vietnam was capitalist . Hanoi and Saigon were the capital cities of two Vietnams respectively . Both parts of Vietnams were united on July 02 , 1976 .

Vietnam is one nation . She was divided into two states . But nationalism prevailed and finally Vietnam was united again and again became one nation .

Germany :

==============

Map of East & West Germany

Map of Germany

History of Germany is very fascinating . Germany’s case , like Vietnam , is the classic case of a nation triumphing over a state . Basically a nation , Germany was divided into two states after 1945 . Communist East Germany was called German Democratic Republic with East Berlin as capital . Capitalist  West Germany was called Federal Republic of Germany with Bonn as capital .

After just 45 years of vivisection , German nationalism prevailed and Germany once again became one nation in 1990 . Berlin became the national capital and Berlin wall was demolished .

Case of Germany is like Vietnam . Both are one nation . Both were divided into two states . Political divisions like capitalism and communism were unable to divide them and they finally became one nation .

Union of Soviet Socialist Republic :

=================================

Map of U.S.S.R.

If Vietnam and Germany are the symbols of victory of nation over state , then USSR is the symbol of failure of state in front of nationalism . Vietnam and Germany were one nation divided in two states . Finally they became one nation . USSR was one state with 15 nations and was dissolved in 1991 after 69 years of artificial existence and 15 independent and sovereign nations came into being .

Russia , Ukrain , Belarus , Uzbekistan , Turkmenistan , Tajikistan , Azerbijan , Kazakhistan , Kirghizstan , Georgia , Armenia , Moldova , Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania were merged to form USSR [ Union of Soviet Socialist Republic ] . They became independent in 1991 .

It was most momentous time of my life . Mighty USSR just collapsed in front of my eyes and 15 new nations were born . It never seemed probable even a month before December 1991 that an invincible looking USSR will cease to exist .

All 15 nations became members of  U. N. O. in 1992 .

Yugoslavia ;

=================

Map of Yugoslavia

Former Parts of Yugoslavia

After fall of USSR , other communist nations were also became vulnerable . Yugoslavia , another classic case of one state and several nations , became unstable. Artificially created state of Yugoslavia disintegrated in 1991 after demise of Josip Broz Tito and collapse of Union of Soviet Socialist Republic .

Croatia , Serbia , Slovenia , Mecedonia , Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina asserted their nationalistic aspirations and became independent and sovereign nations .

Off all these 6 nations ; Croatia , Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina became members of U. N. O. in 1992 . Mecedonia became a member in 1993 , Serbia joined in 2000 and the 6th one Montenegro became member of U. N. O. in 2006 .

Czechoslovakia :

==================

Map of Czechoslovakia

Czech Republic & Slovakia

After USSR and Yugoslavia , another communist country , Czechoslovakia , collapsed soon . She was also one state and two nations . On January 01 , 1993 Czech Republic and Slovakia became independent and they both joined U. N. O. in 1993 .

South Sudan :

===============

Sudan’s case is different . She is one nation but religion divides them . North Sudan is Islamic and finds solace in the comity of Arab nations . South Sudan is Christian and is not comfortable with Arab identity .

After 5 decades of guerrilla struggle and loss of 2 million lives , South Sudan came into existence on July 09 , 2011 . She became Africa’s 54th state with Juba as the capital of the new state .

Religion failed to unite Pakistan and Bangladesh . In Sudan’s case religion divided them . Fate of South Sudan is unknown and precarious . Majority of its people live on less than a dollar a day . Almost three-quarter of  adults cannot read or write . Only 1% has a bank account .

Sudan with Khartoum as its capital is Islamic and prefers Arab identity . While South Sudan with Juba as its capital is Christian and prefers western identity . South Sudan is the 54th African state and 193rd member of United Nations Organization .

Location of India & South Sudan

Location of Sudan & South Sudan

Map of Sudan

Map of North & South Sudan

Seal of Government of South Sudan

So South Sudan became the 54th African State . She became newest and 193rd country of the world . She became the 28th nation to become independent in my life time . As I stated earlier , countries don’t take birth everyday . Birth of a nation is a rare experience . I am lucky that I could witness birth of 28 nations in my life .

It is rare . It is unique . It is not going to happen again . Welcome 193rd nation of this earth !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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www.vidurfilms.com

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Jagjit Singh Ji ! Chitthi Na Koi Sandesh , Kahan Tum Chale Gaye ?

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA             DECEBER 31 , 2011                   7.00 P.M.

On October 09th , when I came to my institute and started going through all the twitter postings , I found a tweet , to my shock and dismay, about the sad demise of Ghazal King Jagjit Singh Ji. I knew about his medical condition and also that he was admitted in Lilawati hospital due to brain haemorrhage , but still I was hoping against hope that he would survive .

Jagjit Singh and his singer wife Chitra Singh were not only one of the most popular Ghazal singers of India but they are solely responsible for the resurrection of this genre of singing , popular among royalty of South East Asia . Before the advent of Jagjit Singh , Ghazals had classical base and flowery and chaste Urdu poetry and that too heavily Persianised Urdu . Because of this , genre of Ghazal became the thing of wealthy Zamindars and the selected royalty. This was the reason of limited reach of Ghazals and its subsequent decadence in popularity.

Ghazal Loving Countries of South East Asia

When Jagjit Singh came to the scene , he realized the precarious situation and single-handedly fought and changed the scene. He chose easy but meaningful and poignant words, simplified the classical Ragas and introduced modern orchestra. His music arrangement was also very modern and catchy. Puritans frowned , as they always do , whenever a change is ushered in , but masses lapped this new kind of Ghazals and slowly puritans also fell in line because you can’t fight with the masses.

SAARC Countries

” The unforgettables “ [ 1976 ] , was the first LP records of Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh and it hit  the market like a tarnado. It created sensation and a new icon was ushered on the firmament of the music world. I am proud to say that I have LP record of ” The unforgettables ” .

jagjit Singh with Lata mangeshkar

But the journey of Jagjit Singh was not easy . Born In Sri Ganga Nagar , Rajasthan on February 08 , 1941 , Jagjit Singh started learning music at early age . He came to Mumbai in 1961 and started his struggle . Success came to him after 15 long and arduous struggling years . But once it came , Jagjit Singh created history .

Combined album of film songs sung by him ; ” Arth “ and ” Saath Saath “ is India’s largest selling album of all times . His ghazal album ” Sajda “ with Lata Mangeshkar is the largest selling album of all times in India in non – film category .

He gave music for films like ; ” Prem Geet ” [ 1981 ] , ” Arth ” [ 1982 ] , ” Saath Saath ” [ 1982 ] ,  and TV serials like ; ” Mirza Ghalib [ 1988 ] and ” Kahkashan ” [ 1991 ] . Just like his ghazal albums , all the songs of these albums were hits . In total he has given us 80 albums and all of them are best sellers .

Besides ghazals . Jagjit Singh also sung bhajans and gurbani . His albums like ; ” Maa ” , ” Hare Krishna ”  and ” Hey Ram … Hey Ram “ and ” Man Jeetayi jagjit “ are much renowned and acclaimed .

His concerts were almost always sold out .

Jagjit Singh - Live Performance at Symphony

I am ashamed that I am posting this obituary after 3 months . I started writing immediately after his death . But it remained incomplete because so many luminaries died in the last quarter of 2011 and I was travelling incessantly .

I am ashamed for the delay and saddened at the loss of the world of music .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

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150 Years of Mahamana Malviya : A Forgotten Hero

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 26 , 2011           01.50 A.M.

Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya was born on December 25 , 1861 in Allahabad . This year India celebrates his 150th Birth Anniversary.

Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya

It is sad that this visionary is almost forgotten by the younger generation . People of my generation will know him by his title Mahamana . But today’s generation would not recognize him even if you mention his full name ; Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya .

It is sad and tells the pathetic state of our educational standards that a leader of the calibre of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya is forgotten by today’s generation .

Mahamana's Statue at the Main Entrance of B.H.U.

Mahamana was the President of Indian National Congress on four occasions ; 1909 – 1910 , 1918 – 1919 , 1930 – 1931 and then again 1932 – 1933 . He was founder of Banaras Hindu University , the largest residential university in Asia and one of the largest in the world . He founded it in 1916 . He was Vice – Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University [ BHU ] from 1919 to 1938 . He was succeeded by none other than Dr. S. Radhakrishnan .

Banaras Hindu University

Banaras Hindu University

Apart from being an educationist , he dabbled in journalism also . He founded ” The Leader ” in 1909 , a very popular and influential news paper , published from Allahabad .

He was the Chairman of ” Hindustan Times ” from 1924 to 1946 . He was also instrumental for the Hindi edition of ” The Hindustan Times ” , named ” Hindustan ” in 1936 .

Hindustan Times

He was pioneer pf Scout movement in India .

Born in Allahabad in the family of Sanskrit scholars , he did his matriculation from Muir Central College and graduation from Calcutta University .

His ancestors hailed from Malwa , so they were called Malviya . Due to poor economic condition , he could not complete post graduation and started his career as a teacher in Allahabad District School .Later on he left his job and became editor of a nationalist daily ” Hindustan ‘ . After two and half years he left the paper to join LL. B. After finishing his law degree , he started practise in Allahabad District Court and later on in moved to Allahabad High Court .

He gave up his well stablished law practise in 1911 for education and social service . He donned the robe again only to fight the case of Chouri Choura freedom fighters . 177 freedom fighters got capital punishment . Mahamana fought their case and was successful in saving 156 freedom fighters .

He attended 2nd session of Indian National Congress in 1886 in Calcutta [ Now Kolkata ] . He was associated with The Congress long before Mahatma Gandhi became a national figure . Mahatma Gandhi began his association with The Congress in 1921 . So Mahamana Malviya was his senior by 35 years . A fact non known by present day Indians and conveniently overlooked by present day leaders of The Congress . He was an active nationalist from 1886 , when Jawahar Lal Nehru was not even born .

It is sad that a leader of such seniority and calibre is forgotten and Indian National Congress has almost banished him from the pantheon . Congress has been usurped by Gandhi – Nehru family and because of PR activities and media blitzkrieg , people associate only Gandhi and Nehru clan with the Congress Party .

Mahamana is sadly forgotten

Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium

Today Banaras Hindu University is the sole reminder of Mahamana . Malviya Nagar in various Indian cities like ; Allahabad , Lucknow , Delhi , Bhopal and Jaipur keep his memory alive . People have forgotten that he started tradition of Aarti at Har Ki Poudi , Haridwar , which is still followed.

Logo of BHU

Ganga still flows in Haridwar , still slithers through Allahabad and Varanasi , Banaras Hindu University still stands tall . They all bear his testimony . They all remind his gigantic contributions . But alas , Indian National Congress has removed him from the pantheon . He has been downgraded and has no prominent place at the echelon . Though he was senior to Gandhi and Nehru , but has been relegated to irrelevance . His photos are missing from Congress literature and books and functions .

Panoramic View of Har Ki Paudi

I am saddened . I get hurt when I see articles about the contribution of Rajiv Gandhi and / or Sonia Gandhi in the papers and magazines . It is pathetic that even Rahul Gandhi is eulogized and this giant is neglected .He is branded as communal by some pseudo – secular , while appeasement is the order of the day .

Library BHU

New Vishwanath Temple Conceived by Mahamana

Government of India is celebrating his 150 years with a function in Delhi . It was supposed to be held on December 25th but will now happen on December 27th . Rulers of the day has no time for Mahamana . And , in my opinion , this function is not to commemorate the memory of Mahamana . Elections are due in Uttar Pradesh . The Congress needs to win Uttar Pradesh . To lure crucial Brahmin votes , they need an icon , a Brahmin icon . So they remembered Mahamana . They need Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya . So this charade of celebration of 150 Years of Mahamana Pandit Madan Moham Malviya came into being .

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru , who usurped Mahamana’s title Pandit , now fails to help The Congress , so Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya is being tried out .After making Congress a fiefdom of Nehru – Gandhi family , after almost disowning  Sardar Patel , after branding Mahamana a communal leader and a sectarian leader of Hindus , The Indian Nation Congress is trying to pay lip service to the memory of Mahamana and trying to remember him on his 150th Anniversary , though they were the one , who obfuscated his memory and neglected his contribution .

It is sad ! It is bizarre ! It is ridiculous !!

I , through this blog , pay my obeisance to Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya . I also urge Malviya Mission , an organization dedicated to his memory , to do more .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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New Startling Facts About Maharashtra !!

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA             AUGUST 05 , 2011          05 . 00 P. M.

Did we know..

Once the country’s premier state ~ Maharashtra is fast slipping into a vicious debt trap, according to latest report of Comptroller and Auditor General for the year ended 31 March 2010. Financially the state is in utter mess on account of indiscipline and mismanagement.

What alarms the CAG is mounting debts over years had not deter the state to stay away from profligacy. Words like “injudicious” occur often in the report. To cite how worse the state’s finances are, the CAG says just to clear 19 per cent of its mounting debts and service charges on it, Maharashtra would be raising more funds and debts until March 2017 as the state’s commitments on repayments of debts and loans will be Rs.14,764 crore between 2013-15 and further Rs 15,086 crore in 2015-17.

The CAG has severely criticized financial indiscipline and wasteful expenditures by the state year after year. The report makes separate mention of how erstwhile chief minister Mr Ashok Chavan heaped largesse on the Nanded district central cooperative bank violating Reserve Bank of India‘s guidelines and strong indictment by NABARD (National bank of agriculture and development) in its special inspection report. Nanded is Mr Chavan’s home district. The bank with negative net worth was given Rs 118.50 crore by then CM. The funds had gone down the drain.

[ This article , written by Mr. Avinash Mishra on August 04 , 2011 , is reproduced here verbatim . I express my profound gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

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Arjun Singh : End of A Pseudo-Secular

NIGHT…………………………………………………..11.30

It is said , do not to speak bad about the deceased. Those who are gone from this world should be respected. We should not mention their bad deeds. Agreed . So why we still rant about Ravana, Kans or Duryodhan ? Or why we still speak about / against Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini ? Or nearer home about / against Nathu Ram Godse ? There are people whose legacy is tainted, whose life was controversial, whose actions affected the vast populace in a wrong way. So whether alive or dead, they can’t escape public wrath. Arjun Singh belonged to this august ( ? ) category .

Image via Wikipedia - Image of Ravana

Image via Wikipedia - Adolf Hitler

Image via Wikipedia- Mussolini & Hitler in Parade

Image via Wikipedia - Mussolini

Arjun Singh died on March 04, 2011 in Delhi at the age of 80 . He belonged to Churhat Jagir under ex-princely state of Rewa. His father Rao Shiv Bahadur Singh was also a Congressman and was Union Minister of Industries under Jawahar Lal Nehru. He was convicted of forging documents favouring a diamond business and was sentenced to 3 years rigorous imprisonment. He eventually died in prison.

Arjun Singh was the worthy ( ? ) son of his equally worthy ( ? ) and illustrious ( ? ) father. Father a convicted prisoner and the son a scamster. I am giving lists of his scams and cases, which I have taken from Wikipedia :

CONTROVERSIES

======================

Churhat Lottery Case and Kerwa Dam Palace :

While Arjun Singh was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, he was involved in the scandal which was called by some the Churhat Lottery case. The Churhat Children Welfare Society was floated in 1982 by relatives of Singh, and permitted to raise funds via lottery, and also given tax relief as a charity^. However, there were widespread allegations that a substantial sums were siphoned off and used to construct the lavish Kerwa Dam palace near Bhopal. The donations to the society included a Rs 150,000 donation from Union Carbide, whose chief Warren Anderson was permitted to leave the country after the gas leak, allegedly by Arjun Singh’s office.

At a public litigation hearing the high court observed that “Arjun Singh owed an explanation to the nation about the costs and sources of construction of the palatial mansion in Bhopal”. While Singh had claimed the value of the palace was Rs 18 lakh, the IT Department estimated the cost at above Rs one crore. However, a one-judge commission investigating the scandal gave a clean chit to Arjun Singh. The case was re-opened however, after the Jain Hawala case, and Singh was asked to submit fresh re-estimates of the palace cost. In court, the case was argued by Kapil Sibal and the order for re-examination was squashed on the grounds that it had been issued in a haste and “had not applied his mind”.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy :

Arjun Singh was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh when the deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide factory occurred. It is widely alleged that on the fateful night between December 2, 1984 and December 3, 1984 , when the gas leak occurred, Arjun Singh fled to his Kerwa Dam palace (outside Bhopal) to save himself from deadly effects of leaked gas and was not available to manage the crisis or lead the administration. Subsequently the Arjun Singh government’s mishandling was criticized by the court in the 7 June 2010 verdict on Bhopal Gas Disaster pronounced by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhopal. The media raised serious questions about his role in the release of Warren Anderson.. In particular, the pilot of the aircraft in which Warren Anderson flew out of India after the gas leak, has recorded that the final sanction to permit the flight came from Arjun Singh’s office.

Reservation Controversy :

Additional controversy was created in 2005 by drafting the proposed 104th Amendment Bill to the constitution, which subsequently became the 93rd Amendment. According to this amendment, which has yet to pass the ‘Basic Structure‘ test of constitutionality by the Supreme Court, all private unaided educational institutes could be asked by their State Governments to reserve seats for designated Other Backward Classes. In early 2006, Singh also sought to increase caste-based reservation quotas for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the internationally reputed Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management, along with other Indian central government-run institutes of higher studies, from 22.5% to 49.5%. Arjun Singh planned to impose quotas not just in 32 Central institutions, but also in over 100 deemed universities.

He noted, in the context of Dalit Muslim reservations that “the UPA is entirely committed towards the cause of Muslims”.

Other Controversies :

1 - After the Mumbai train bombings of 2006, he reportedly quoted at a Cabinet meeting the statements of a former judge of the Maharashtra High Court that an earlier attempt on the headquarters of the Hindu revivalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Nagpur had been a plot set into motion by the Sangh itself. This followed his denouncement of the Ekal Vidyalayas, one-teacher schools run for the benefit of the tribals of India by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad., as communal.

2 - A case under the Anti-Dowry Act has been registered against Arjun Singh. Mayawati government has decided to seek CBI inquiry into dowry harassment case.

3 - Arjun Singh was accused of irregularities and corruption in the grant of Deemed University status to private for-profit educational institutions which did not meet requisite educational standards, during his tenure as Minister for Human Resources Development. The Government of India initiated proceedings to repeal the “Deemed University” status of 44 such institutions in Jan 2010.

He was of the opinion that he is the best person to lead this nation , if there is no Nehru-Gandhi scion on the throne. So every person other than Nehru-Gandhi clan, who became Prime Minister, is a usurper. So he thought , it is his divine duty to conspire against them. P. V. Narsimha Rao , who according to him , was the usurper and this willy Thakur of Churhat conspired against Rao throughout his tenure, though Rao was legally and constitutionally elected Prime Minister. He broke away from the Congress and formed All India Indira Congress [ Tiwari ] and led an open revolt against P. V. Narsimha Rao. And his revolt was to convince Sonia Gandhi, a reluctant widow , to enter politics. If he can’t be the Prime Minister so no one else should be allowed to continue. Let there be a Nehru-Gandhi scion. He was ready to be a doormat.

Image via Wikipedia

He was 3 times Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He was Union Cabinet Minister under Man Mohan Singh from 2004 – 2009. During Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure he was Governor of Punjab also and is widely credited for Rajiv – Longwal Accord. But his image of being a shrewd politician preceded him . He trusted none and no one ever trusted him. He used to record even his normal conversations.

Ironically , he died on the day he was dropped from the Congress Working committee by Sonia Gandhi , for whom he fought relentlessly with P. V. Narsimha Rao. Such is life !

I am not happy that he died. But I am not sad either. He was very controversial politician of our time. He was tainted and he was a psedo-secular. Above all he was a known Hindu-baiter.

But still I pray that his soul rest in peace !

And this prayer comes from the heart of a Hindu , a secular Hindu. And to be a secular I don’t need to berate my religion like Arjun Singh.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.vidurfilms.com

www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

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[ I have taken many factual details of Arjun Singh and his father  from WIKIPEDIA. I express my gratitude ]

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