Longest Serving Chief Ministers of India


DSC01182

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 30 , 2012           11.57 P.M.

After Narendra Modi‘s emphatic and 3rd consecutive electoral victory in 2012 Gujarat assembly elections , I came across a very startling fact through news papers . Times of India reported that including Narendra Modi , at present we have 6 serving Chief Ministers in various states of India , who have won 3 consecutive terms .

Corrected few errors.

Map of India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is the list of 6 serving Chief Ministers , who have won 3 consecutive terms .

1 – Sheila Dikshit = Delhi – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1998 - to date ]

2 – Manik Sarkar = Tripura – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1998 - to date ]

3 – Naveen Patnaik = Odisha - 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2000 - to date ]

4 – Tarun Gogoi = Assam – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2001 - to date ]

5 – Okram Ibobi Singh = Manipur – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2002 - to date ]

&

6 – Narendra Modi = Gujarat – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2002 - to date ]

It is very interesting to note that out of these 6 Chief Ministers ; 3 belong to Congress [ Indian National Congress ] , and 1 each to CPM [ Communist Party of India - Marxist ] , BJD [ Biju Janata Dal ] & BJP [ Bharatiya Janata Party ] .

Till date , there are only 13 Chief Ministers , who could win 3 or more than 3 terms consecutively . Here is the list :

1 – Jyoti Basu = West Bengal – 5 Consecutive Terms [ 1977 - 2000 ]

2 – Mohanlal Sukhadia = Rajasthan – 4 Consecutive Terms [ 1954 - 1971 ]

3 – Gegong Apang = Arunachal Pradesh – 4 Consecutive Terms [ 1980 - 1999 ]

4 – B. C. Roy = West Bengal – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1948 - 1962 ]

5 – K. Kamaraj = Tamil Nadu – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1954 - 1963 ]

6 – Vasantrao Naik = Maharashtra – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1963 - 1975 ]

7 – M.G. Ramachandran = Tamil Nadu – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1977 - 1987 ]

8 – Sheila Dikshit = Delhi – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1998 - to date ]

9 – Manik Sarkar = Tripura – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 1998 - to date ]

10 – Naveen Patnaik = Odisha - 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2000 - to date ]

11 – Tarun Gogoi = Assam – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2001 - to date ]

12 – Okram Ibobi Singh = Manipur – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2002 - to date ]

&

13 – Narendra Modi = Gujarat – 3 Consecutive Terms [ 2002 - to date ]

If you dissect the list further , out of these 13 Chief Ministers ; 8 belong to Congress [ Indian National Congress ] , 2 belong to CPM [ Communist Party of India - Marxist ] and 1 each to AIADMK [ All India Anna Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam ] , BJD [ Biju Janata Dal ] and BJP [ Bharatiya Janata Party ] .

I think in next assembly elections due in 2013 , this scenario is definitely going to change . 2 more BJP Chief Ministers are poised to win their 3rd consecutive term . They are , Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Raman Singh , the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh respectively .

2013 assembly elections are going to unfold interesting chapter in the history of India .

It would be an interesting political story to share with my acting students of my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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25 Years of Statehood of Arunachal Pradesh


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           SEPTEMBER 29 , 2012           10.45 P.M.

During my childhood , I had known a part my country , which was called NEFA . It came to national prominence during the India – China War of 1962 . Nathu La Pass and NEFA [ North East Frontier Agency ] became household names and our concern for this far off and neglected part of India was so great that we felt that we all are resident of NEFA . This erstwhile NEFA is now known as Arunachal Pradesh .

English: A Locator map of North East Frontier ...

A Locator map of North East Frontier Agency in 1961. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before India – China war , I used to know only one province of North East India and it was Assam . Assam was a huge state of India in 1950 . Barring Manipur and Tripura , all the other provinces of present day North East India including NEFA were part of Assam . Map posted below bears testimony to this .

Political boundary of Assam in the 1950s.

Map of Assam in 1950

During British era this whole region was rules as a part of Bengal Presidency . Province of Assam came into being in 1874 . NEFA came into being in 1955 , though it was part of Assam .  It ceases to exist now . NEFA is now re-christened as Arunachal Pradesh and came into being on February 20 , 1987 as a state of India . Itanagar is the state capital .

Map of India showing location of Arunachal Pradesh

Location of Arunachal Pradesh in the Map of India

ITANAGAR ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Itanagar – Capital of Arunachal Pradesh

So in a nutshell from 1954 to 1972 NEFA was part of Assam . On January 20 , 1972 it was separated from Assam and became Union Territory . On February 20 , 1987  it became a state of India . So it completed 33 years as Union Territory and it now completes 25 years as a state .

Present day Arunachal Pradesh is divided into 17 districts for administrative purposes .

English: Tawang Town with monastery in backgro...

Tawang Town with The Monastery

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is the Buddhist religious place and is the birth place of HH 6th Dalai Lama .

The birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama (Urgellin...

The Birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama

Simla Agreement between British and Tibet in 1913 – 1914 established the boundary line between present day Arunachal Pradesh of India and Tibet . Sir Henry MacMohan drew up 890 km long MacMohan Line as the border between British India and Outer Tibet . Chinese representative had no problem at that time but now China refuses to accept MacMohan Line and claims all of Arunachal Pradesh as her own province .

 

English: Map of the British Indian Empire from...

Map of the British Indian Empire from Imperial Gazetteer of India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

The Survey of India had published a map in 1937 showing MacMohan Line as the official boundary . Even if you try to forget all the mythological links of present day Arunachal Pradesh with Mahabharat and it being the abode of MahaRishi Parashuram and it being the mythical kingdom of Kundinpur , which belonged to Rukmini’s father and it being the place , where Krishna Bhagwan came and married Rukmini , still the fact remains that from 1937 to 2012 , Arunachal Pradesh has 75 years of existence with India . If you consider the signing of Simla Accord between British India and Tibet in 1913 – 1914 , then this existence extends to 99 years .

In February 2012 , Arunachal Pradesh completed 25 years as a province of India . Irrespective of what China says , Arunachal has its links with India since Mahabharat days . And God willing next year Arunachal Pradesh will complete 100 years of its existence with India .

VIDUR

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Ode – 6 : To Ms. Tonthoi & Manipuri Films


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 05 , 2012           00.45 A.M.

Does the name Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi ring a familiar bell ?

Does even Tonthoi ring a familiar sound ?

Does this photograph even remotely remind you of anybody ?

Tonthoi

Tonthoi

I know the answer is , NO .

Now just go through this photo of 59th National Film Awards .

Tonthoi Receiving Best Supporting Actor's Award

Tonthoi Receiving Best Supporting Actress Award

Who is the girl receiving award from Vice President of India ?

I know , the answer will again be a firm , NO .

And this is unfortunate . This is shameful . This is disgusting , to say the least .

I would like to add that when I say this , I don’t exclude myself . My crime is greater . My sin is rather unpardonable . Because I belong to film fraternity . I train actors . And I am doing this job since 1990 . If I , in spite of being a part of the film industry for 22 long years , do not know or recognize  Tonthoi , the National Award winning actress from Manipur , what could I expect from common public ?

When the 59th National Film Awards were announced , I went through the list . I was happy for Vidya Balan . But I did not care to know or remember that the National Award for Best Supporting Actress went to a Manipuri actress , Ms. LeishangthemTonthoingambi Devi a.k.a. Tonthoi . Everyone knows that Vidya Balan won the award forDirty PictureBut ask even the connoisseurs about Tonthoi and her film . Even they will fail to name the Manipuri film for which Tonthoi won the award . I came to know about the film through a recent article of Times of India . Name of the Manipuri film is ; ” Phijigee Mani ” .

Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi

Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi

Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi

Leishangthem Tonthoingambi Devi

It is unfortunate . We are appalled when we hear some voices of cessation  in some North – Eastern state . We squirm when we hear that 7 states of North East India is different from India and should be allowed to secede . At that time we become nationalists . But a 24-year-old actress from Manipur wins National Award for her film and we fail to know the name of the actress and her film .

I don’t know about others but I am ashamed and I cannot pardon myself . Through this blog I offer an open apology to Tonthoi , Manipuri film industry and people of Manipur .

Tonthoi

Tonthoi

Of late Manipuri film industry is a robust industry . It produces 30 / 40 films per year . To not know about Manipuri film industry is shameful .

History of Manipuri Films

Manipuri movies were properly made from 1972. Earlier these were mostly documentary in nature. Feature films came into vogue much later.

The first Manipuri movie was ” Matamgi Manipur ” [ 1972 ] . It was directed by Debkumar Kumar Bose. It was one of the Manipuri movies that received the President`s Medal in 20th National Film Festival in 1972.

Some of the other notable Manipuri movies are as follows:

” Brojendragee Luhongba ” [ 1972 ] : Directed by S.N Chand the film won the Best screenplay Award in the 1st state Film Festival in 1984.

” Lamja Pasuram ” [ 1974 ] : This flick was directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma.

” Ngak-E-Ko Nangshe ” [ 1974 ] : It was a S.N. Chand film.

” Saphabee ” [ 1976 ] :  Directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma it bagged Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film at the National award ceremony in 1976.

” Olangthagee Wangmadasu ” [ 1980 ] : 4 years later history repeated itself with this film when it bagged Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film in 1980. This particular Manipuri movie was directed by Aribam Shyam Sharma.

” Imagi Ningthem ” [ 1981 ] : another film by Aribam Shyam Sharma , it grabbed the Rajat Kamal for Best Regional Film at the National Awards ceremony (1982), Best Feature Film Award in the 1st Manipur State Film festival, Grand Prix Award at Nantes International Film festival in France (1981) and National Award for Best Child Actor (Master Leikhendra). The film was also screened at several international film festivals.

Other Manipuri movies are : ” Khonjel ” [ 1981 ] , ” Wangma Wangma ” [ 1981 ] , ” Paokhum Ama ” [ 1983 ] , ” Sanakeithel ” [ 1983 ] , ” Thaba ” [ 1984 ] , ” Langlen Thadoi ” [ 1984 ] , ” Yairipok Thambalnu ” [ 1984 ] , ” Iche Sakhi ” [ 1986 ] , ” Kombirei ” [ 1989 ] , ” Ishanou ” [ 1990 ] , ” Ingallei ” [ 1990 ] , ” Paap ” [ 1991 ] , ” Khonthang ” [ 1992 ] , ” Sambal Wangma ” [ 1993 ] , ” Thambal ” [ 1993 ] , ” Madhabee ” [ 1993 ] , ” Mayophygee Macha ” [ 1994 ] , ” Sanamanbi Sanarei” [ 1995 ] , ” Sanabi ” [ 1995 ] , ” Khamba Khamnu ” [ 1995 ] , ” Kanaga Hinghouni ” [ 1996 ] , ” Khamba Thoibi ” [ 1997 ] , ” Chinglensana ” [ 1997 ] .

Amongst these ” Sanakeithel ” [ 1983 ] , ” Ishanou ” [ 1990 ] , ” Sambal wangma ” [ 1993 ] , ” Mayophygee Macha ” [ 1994 ] , ” Sanabi ” [ 1995 ] , won National Awards (Rajat Kamal) .

[ I have taken information about Manipuri films from various sources and sites available on internet . ]

I have very little connection with Manipur . I have just one student from the province . His name is Prasanjeet Sinha .

Prasanjeet Sinha

Prasanjeet Sinha

I hope to rectify this error soon . I would be visiting Manipur in near future . I promise to interact with the Manipuri film industry . This blog is a baby step in that direction .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Assembly Election 2012 : Decline & Fall of Nehru – Gandhi Dynasty


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MARCH 12, 2012           01.10 A.M.

Last month Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other Civic Elections were held in Maharashtra and they threw surprising results . BJP and Shiv Sena , along with their new ally RPI [ Republican Party of India ] have won Mumbai , Thane , Ulhasnagar , Nagpur and Akola municipal corporations . They , in fact , won 5 Municipal bodies out of 10 . In Mumbai BJP [ Bharatiya Janata Party ] and Shiv Sena combine is in power since 15 years . It is their 4th consecutive term . Before election results were declared , BJP was written off by Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . BJP , to their utter dismay , won 3 more seats in Mumbai that 2007.

Same pattern was repeated in just concluded 5 assembly elections by same Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . They wrote BJP off . But again they have bitten dust . They were baffled by the saffron surge .Latest assembly election in 5 states of India is going to be a game – changer in many sense of the term .

It heralds all – encompassing saffron surge .

It signifies decimation of Indian National Congress .

It signals decline and subsequent fall of Nehru – Gandhi dynasty .

It bares open Anti – Nationalist agenda of  Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists .

5 Indian States , Where Elections Were Held

5 Indian States , Where Elections Were Held

Flag of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a na...

BJP Flag with Symbol

Before election results were declared , almost all the News anchors and psephologists were in unison that the Congress will come with flying colours in all the states . It will oust BJP from Uttarakhand and Punjab and will gain substantially in Uttar Pradesh and BJP in Uttar Pradesh will be put to the 4th position . That Congress will win in Manipur was a foregone conclusion . They gave BJP just a slender majority in Goa .

Psephologists repeated these lies 24×7 . Mr. Rahul Gandhi and his campaign trail was followed by Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists . Even minutest details were dutifully reported and a false image was created about victory of Congress and defeat of BJP . Mr. Rahul Gandhi , Ms. Priyanka Gandhi and her kids descended on Uttar Pradesh and media portrayed them as the saviours of the people of Uttar Pradesh . All the BJP leaders were ignored as if they don’t exist . Mr. Mulayam Sigh Yadav was given larger number of seats compared to Congress but not the majority . According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , Congress was supposed to be the king – maker in Uttar Pradesh , king in Punjab , Uttarakhnd and Manipur and a minor looser in Goa .

Mr. Rahul Gandhi

Mr. Rahul Gandhi

Ms. Priyanka Gandhi

Ms. Priyanka Gandhi

According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , BJP was going to be 4th in Uttar Pradesh , going to be ousted in Punjab and Uttarakhand and is going to be nowhere in Manipur . Goa was given to BJP but hesitatingly .

Shri Lal Krishna Advani , Shri Nitin Gadkari and all the big leaders campaigned tirelessly but were ignored . Uma Bharti Ji was not even mentioned in some channels .

Lal_Krishna_Advani_Website

Lal_Krishna_Advani_Website (Photo credit: Gauravonomics)

BJP believes in the theory of ” India First – Party Next – Self Last ” . BJP has no dynasty to safeguard . So they worked silently and tirelessly . From top leaders to ordinary workers all pitched in as per their capacity . Their sole aim was :

तेरा वैभव अमर रहे माँ , हम दिन चार रहें न रहें ……


Results came and all the Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists got shock of their lives . I was watching various news channels and was amused to watch the faces of anchors .

Punjab :

===========

The state had history of not giving fresh mandate to the incumbent party . From 1966, when uni – lingual Punjab was created after its tri-furcation , no incumbent government came to power again . So it was pretty easy to predict that Congress would be forming the next government . So without any second thought Punjab was given to the Congress . All Pre – Poll and Post – Poll surveys were unanimous .

But the results were shocking for all . Out of 117 seats SAD [ Shiromani Akali Dal ] and BJP [ Bharatiya janata Party ] got 56 and 12 respectively . It is 9 more than the simple majority . Congress got only 46 seats , 2 up than the last time .

Parkash Singh Badal : 5 Time Chief Minister of Punjab

Parkash Singh Badal : 5 Time Chief Minister of Punjab

Uttarakhand :

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

BJP was written off in Uttarakhand . But in the final tally it got 31 seats  and Congress got 32 . Just 1 more and still media ranted about BJP’s rout . It is unfortunate that BJP got just 5 short of majority .  Shri Bhuwan Chand khanduri came just few months back and managed a miracle . Uttarakhand is missed by the BJP narrowly .

Goa :

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


Media showed some leniency as for as Goa was concerned . But they were willing to give BJP just 18 seats . 3 short of a simple majority . In the final reckoning BJP got 21 , absolute majority in the house of 40 . Its ally MGP [ Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party ] got 3 seats . So the combine’s seat tally is 24 in the house of 40 .

Manohar Parrikar - @ Time Chief Minister of Goa

Manohar Parrikar - 2 Time Chief Minister of Goa

Uttar Pradesh :

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

World’s 6th biggest administrative unit Uttar Pradesh went through 7 phase elections . Mulayam Singh Yadav’s SP [ Samajwadi Party ] got absolute majority , though no one predicted it . According to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists , BJP was going to be 4th and Congress will be king – maker and SP will have to seek its support . Result is for all to see . With 224 seats SP got absolute majority in the assembly for the first time. So – called king – maker Congress got 28 seats , 4 more than 2007 elections .

Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Yadav

It is unfortunate that Uma Bharati ji’s efforts failed to give desired results . But consider some facts . BJP got 47 seats . 4 less than 51 , its 2007 tally . But BJP came second in 55 seats . One seat it lost by just 18 votes . Of these 55 seats many seats it lost by less than 200 votes . Had media not been so avers and instead portrayed true pictures , I feel results would have been different .

Uma Bharati Ji

Uma Bharati Ji

Manipur :

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

I am happy for Manipur . Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh won 3rd consecutive term . His victory augurs well for this tiny North – Eastern state . He got 42 seats in the house of 60 . Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh has managed 12 more seats this time than the tally of 30 in 2007 .

Okram Ibobi Singh

Okram Ibobi Singh

But architect of Manipur’s Congress victory is the Chief Minister and not the Nehru – Gandhi dynasty . It should be clear to Left – Liberal – Pseudo Secular intelligentsia , TV anchors and journalists that despite all the hype , all the PR exercise and all the orchestrated clamour that only Nehru – Gandhi family can save the nation , is appearing wrong . Mr. Rahul Gandhi worked very hard in Bihar in the last election and got only 4 seats .

Members of Nehru  - Gandhi Family

Members of Nehru - Gandhi Family

India belongs to nationalists . Whose credo is :

सज रहा है मात्रिमंदिर , मैं नहीं शोभा बनूँगा ,
और चित्रित भित्तिका है , मैं नहीं वह स्थान लूँगा ,
नीव का बस एक पत्थर , धूलि का बस एक कण हूँ ,
पूज्य माँ की अर्चना का , एक छोटा उपकरण हूँ ||

Corrected few errors.

Map of Indian States As Per Ruling Party's Colour

The saffron in the map will keep on increasing . There are 7 BJP Chief Ministers in India . They are in ; Karnataka , Goa , Gujarat , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh , Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh . BJP is junior partner in 3 more states . They are ; Punjab , Bihar and Nagaland . BJP is main opposition party in 3 states , having its leaders as Leader of Opposition . They are ; Rajsthan , Delhi and Uttarakhand . It has got 114 seats in Lok Sabha and 51 in Rajya sabha .

Today Congress controls only 30.07% of total value of vote share for the President poll , which is coming in July . In spite of Dynasty being at the helm , they are in minority as for as presidential poll is concerned and media wont be helpful here. It is sheer arithmetic . 58 Rajya Sabha seats are falling vacant next month . Then Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections are due towards the end of the year .

Not winning in Bihar and now not so impressive show in Uttar Pradesh in particular and all the other states in general does not augur well for the dynasty . Sheen is gone . Shine will soon go away .

VIDUR

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Manipur : Election 2012 & Indian Communists


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 18 , 2012           02.15 A.M.

Elections have been declared in 5 states of India . Uttar Pradesh , Uttarakhand , Punjab , Goa and Manipur will go to polls on various dates this year . Manipur assembly election will take place on January 28 , 2012 . Punjab and Uttarakhand will go to polls on January 30 , 2012 . Polls will take place in Uttar Pradesh on February 08 , 11 , 15 , 19 , 23 , 28 and March 03 . Election will occur in Goa on March 03 , 2012 . Results will be out on March 06 , 2012 .

India-map

Latest Political Map of India

Let us take the case of assembly elections of Manipur first .

English:

Seal of Manipur

Manipur merged with Indian Union in 1949 . It became Union Territory of India in 1956 and became a province of India on January 21 , 1972 . It is part of 7 North – Eastern States of India , known as 7 sisters .

7 Sister States with Sikkim

At present Manipur has 9 administrative districts . They are ; Bishnupur , Churachandpur , Chandel , Imphal East , Imphal West , Senapati , Tamenglong , Thoubal and Ukhrul .

Political Map of Manipur

Assembly election of 2012 is the 10th assembly election of Manipur . First assembly elections were held on July 01 , 1963 .Mairembam Koireng Singh became the first Chief Minister of Manipur .

Okram Ibobi Singh is the 11th Chief Minister of Manipur . He is the first Chief Minister of Manipur to complete a full term as the Chief Minister . He is the first one to get mandate for the second consecutive term also . So he becomes the first Chief Minister of Manipur to last in the office for 10 long years .

This blog is not about the historic feat of Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh . It is about the opportunistic stand of two Communist parties of India . C. P. I. , C. P. M. , Forward Block and R. S. P. have formed a front . This is known as Left Front in Indian Politics . This Left Front ruled West Bengal for almost 5 decades . It has ruled Kerala also for several terms . It is still ruling Tripura . West Bengal , Tripura and Kerala are the known Communist bastions of India . Left Front exists in these three states .

In Manipur , surprisingly , Left Front does not exist . Communist Party of India [ C. P. I. ] is with the ruling Congress and is part of the ruling front . Communist Party of India – Marxist [ C. P. I. M. ] is with the main opposition party ; Manipur People’s Party and is part of the M. P. P. led opposition front .

May I demand to know about the cause of non – existent Left Front in Manipur . The Indian National Congress and The Communist Party of India [ C.P.I. ] fight with each other in West Bengal , Tripura and Kerala . How come they are friends in Manipur ? How come The Communist Party of India – Marxist [ C.P.I.-M. ] does not oppose this opportunistic stand of C. P. I. ? Or are they partners in this game of sin and crime ?

Once they tried to paint India red . They took part in democratic elections as per their convenience . They waged armed struggle with the central government as per their strength . To be in different fronts and alliances is also part of their strategy . The dream of painting India red lies in shambles . But the effort is still on .

A dream never fulfilled

Red India - A Failed Communist Dream

The Communist can go to any length to accomplish their dream . Though the fossilised leaders are the only hindrance .

CPI(M) leaders at the 18th party congress

C.P.I.M Leaders at 18th Party Congress

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Jarawa Tribe of Andaman & Pan – Indian Mentality


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JANUARY 17 , 2012           02.40 A.M.

Apart from Hindus , Muslims , Christians , Jews and Parsis India has a sizable chunk of animist tribal population also . Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a large tribal population , some of them are even pre – historic . Some of these aboriginal tribes have been declared endangered . It means they are on the verge of extinction .

English: Map of the Nicobar and Andaman Islands.

Map of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Jarawa tribe is one of the most endangered tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands . There are just 240 Jarawas left . That is the reason Administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands has declared them endangered tribes and have initiated several welfare schemes for the preservation of their identity and culture .

Map of Andaman and Nicobar Islands showing loc...

Map of India Showing Location of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Last week  some tourists filmed a video , which showed that Jarawa women are dancing for food . When the news became public there was tremendous public outcry . Several mainstream channels carried the clippings and they were indignant that Jarawas were degraded by this dance – for – food act  and that  filming of the act was inhuman and insensitive . Demands for inquiry were raised and the administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands promptly ordered  the inquiry .

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance Video Shown on Times Now

Blurred Vision of Jarawa Dance for Food

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are enchantingly beautiful . Azure sea , breath – taking greenery and primitive surroundings are beyond words .

Andaman Islands

Sunset and Sunrise also attract tourists . This pristine and virgin beauty has to be preserved from senseless urbanization . These eco – sensitive and fragile beauty can’t be open for unbridled modernization . Pre – historic jungles shouldn’t be allowed to become a concrete jungle .

Sunset in Andaman

A Seashore of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

We have a policy for tribals . It calls for their protection and for the preservation of their tradition and culture . This issue of preserving tribal culture is so vexed that initially I was swayed by the views of various anchors of news channels . In the Times of India of January 15 , 2012 , I read a column ” Swaminomics “  , written by columnist Mr. Swaminathan Anklesaria Aiyar . Thanks to Mr. Aiyar’s column , my views on this issue is clear now .

We do need to preserve our tribal culture . We should and must try to protect our endangered tribal population . But keeping them in quarantined atmosphere is not preservation . I am posting few photos of the Jarawa tribals . Watch these Jarawa men and women and then decide :

A Jarawa

A Jarawa

Jarawas

According to me our tribal population should be allowed to mix with the mainstream . They should be encouraged to study , to live a decent life . They are entitled to proper medication and they have every right to have all the modern amenities . Just look at the photograph of Port Blair , the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Market of Port Blair

Main Road of Port Blair

Port Blair is not a metropolitan city .It is not like New Delhi , Mumbai or Bengaluru . But definitely it is a bustling town with all the modern amenities . Now compare this with the condition of the tribal population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands :

A Jarawa Family

A Jarawa Couple

Is it not inhuman to keep our tribals in the primitive condition of pre – historic days ? It is argued that exposing them to civil society will be injurious for their existence . Total land area of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is 6,496 km. Total population , as per recent census statistics of 2011 is 3,79,944 .There are only 5 tribes in Andaman Islands . They are ; Great Andamanese , Jarawa , Jangil , Onge and Sentinelese . Their total number is 7,000 . There are only 2 tribes in Nicobar Islands . They are ; Nicobarese and Shompens .Some of Nicobarese are educated and have been exposed to modern civilization ;

Tribal Population of Nicobar Islands

Out of all the 572 islands , only  38 are inhabited . Out of these 38 islands less than a dozen have some kind of tribal population . Can’t we keep watch on them and protect them from exploitation ? Tribals of North – East India are well – educated . They have been exposed to modern culture . They live in cities with all the modern trappings . They didn’t disappear and become extinct . In fact they are more rooted and still preserve their identity and thriving ethnic culture . Tribal People of Arunachal Pradesh , Nagaland , Manipur , Meghalaya , Mizoram and Tripura are modern , well – educated and city – centric . They don’t live in their pre – historic primitive conditions . Yet their tribal culture is intact , in fact it is more strong .

So the bogey of losing tribal culture is misplaced . If we insist that tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands should be kept in virgin and primitive preservation , we are treating then as animals of a zoo . I totally agree with Mr. Swaminathan Ankalesaria Aiyar that this zoo mentality should not be allowed to continue . Our constitution gives us right to work , right to vote and right to education . By keeping these trbals in a ghetto and trying to keep them away from modern civilization is depriving them of their fundamental rights . Sure , making them dance for food and filming the act is inhuman . But can any one answer why these Jarawas could be tantalized for food ? A well – fed population can’t be lured for food . So it is clear these Jarawas are deprived . They are famished . And thus were lured by tourists .

A Jarawa Child

A Jarawa Girl Child

A Jarawa Man

The Jarawas

Tribals in A Natural Habitat

Above posted photos tells everything . These tribals lack basic amenities . They are poor and famished . They must be craving for two decent meals a day and they are not getting that . So they gave in when tempted by the tourists . Can any one lure a Naga , a Khasi , a Garo , a Jayantia or a Mizo from the North – East India for food  ?Everyone knows the answer . It’s a firm no .

So same treatment will be beneficial for the tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Island also . We need a modern , well – educated , well – fed tribal population , who are well – integrated with the mainstream . We do need to preserve distinct tribal identity and not a quarantined , secluded and ghettoized existence. Definitely tribals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands could be another Naga , Mizo , Khasi or Jayantia .

Tribals of Andamans

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Irom Sharmila’s 11 Years v/s Anna Hazare’s 12 Days


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA             SEPTEMBER 06, 2011           08.30 P.M.

I am all for eradication of corruption. And if Anna Hazare is spear-heading a movement and went for a 12 days fast for the cause , it is a welcome sign and it should get wholehearted support of the nation and people. Government of the day and the parliament took cognizance of his endeavour and parliamentarians cutting across party line went into huddle and passed the resolution for the Lokpal bill , as was demanded by Team Anna . Vilas Rao Deshmukh , a central minister , was dispatched to the Ramlila ground with the letter of the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh , informing him that the resolution is passed by the parliament and that he should now break his fast. Very next day Ana Hazare ended his fast and the nation was relieved.

I fail to understand the mindset of our national and regional parties. If Anna’s fast can galvanize whole nation and everyone was concerned for his life, why this concern is not shown to Irom Sharmila Chanu , 38 , who is fasting since November 02 , 2000. She stopped eating when Assam Rifles troopers , while chasing militants , killed 10 villagers at Malom village . She was subsequently arrested and now being force – fed through a nasal tube in a hospital. It is now 11 year-long hunger strike and no one is concerned. The central government , political parties of all hue and colours , the electronic and print media , the intellectuals and conscience – keepers of our country and various NGOs , working in different sectors , all , either ignored her or didn’t show concern . National Human Rights Commission [ NHRC ] and National Commission for Women [ NCW ] are intriguingly silent too . Why ? Is it because she hails from North East India or more precisely from Manipur ? is her life not precious enough ? Is she a child of a lesser God ? Is she not even a speck in the scheme of the nation called India ?

Irom Sharmila Chanu

Irom Sharmila Chanu

India’s neglected North East Region and our so-called love for our motherland is a conundrum. Assam , Arunachal Pradesh , Meghalaya , Nagaland , Manipur ,Tripura and Mizoram are called 7 sisters and they are part of  North East India. Now Sikkim is also  part of the North East and should be included in the group . This makes total 8 provinces in the region.

Political boundary of Assam in the 1950s.

Political boundary of Assam in the 1950s.

Apart from Assam , two other provinces of North East ; Manipur and Tripura were in existence even at the time of independence . Later on Nagaland was created in 1963 and finally in 1972 during Indira Gandhi‘s tenure Arunachal Pradesh , Meghalaya and Mizoram came into existence and thus 7 sisters were born. Sikkim also became a part of India in 1975 during Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

Map of the Seven Sister States of North East India & Sikkim

Map of the Seven Sister States of North East India & Sikkim

NAGALAND :

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

Soon after independence , people in Nagaland and Mizoram started agitation for independence. Armed struggle is being carried on since then. The Nagas were the first one to demand a sovereign nation for Nagas. Their leader Angami Zapu Phizo formed Naga National Council and on August 14, 1947 started armed struggle for independent Nagalim. In 1963 central government gave statehood to Nagaland as the 16th state of Indian Union and started peace talks. In 1980 National Socialist Council of Nagalim was formed by T. Muivah , Isak Swu and S. Khaplang and they are still fighting in Nagaland , though now they are devided into two separate factions.; NSCN [ I - M ] and NSCN [ Khaplang ] . So far more than 25,000 lives have been lost in the bloody struggle of Nagaland.

MIZORAM :

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

Laldenga and his Mizo National Front waged war for independence in Mizoram. In 1986 after the Mizo Accord, though,  insurgency ended but Hmar People’s Convention – Democratic and The Bru National Liberation Front have kept the flame alive.

MEGHALAYA :

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

Meghalaya , though , relatively peaceful have two organizations fomenting trouble . They are ; The Achik National Volunteer Council formed in 1995 for an Achik Land in Garo Hills and  The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council formed in 1992 to free state from Garo and non – tribal Indian domination.

TRIPURA :

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

At the end of 1970 several insurgent groups emerged in Tripura and started fight for the safeguard of tribal rights and end of the dominance of Bengalis from mainland India. Main among them are : National Liberation Front of Tripura formed in 1989 and All Tripura Tigers Force formed in 1990 .

ASSAM :

===========

The biggest state of North East India is troubled because of porous borders with Bangladesh . Anti – foreign agitation of 1980 spawned many insurgent groups in Assam. Main among them are : United Liberation Front of Asom formed in 1979 to establish a sovereign , independent Assam , National Democratic Front of Bodoland formed in 1989 to establish autonomous region of Bodoland , Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front  formed in 2004 to fight for the cause of Karbi tribes and United People’s Democratic Solidarity formed in 1999 to fight for self-rule of Karbi trbes of Karbi Anglong. At present Assam is the most disturbed state of North East.

MANIPUR :

===========

State of Meiteis , who are Vaishnavites by faith , is also troubled and it started when some Naga organizations gave call to include Naga inhabited areas of Manipur into Greater Nagaland. Most important insurgent group of Manipur is Peoples Liberation Army formed in 1978 with the sole aim of liberating Manipur from India . The second one ; United National Liberation Front was created in 1964 and it also demands independence . Third important group ; Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak is also an organization of some importance demanding independence from Indian rule.

Above mentioned facts are very basic and known history of the insurgency in the North Eastern Region. To counter these movements and armed struggles , Government of India promulgated AFSPA  , [ Armed Forces Special Powers Act ] of 1958 in the region. This act gives sweeping powers to armed forces. It gives them license to kill . Currently AFSPA is in force in Assam , Nagaland , Manipur [ barring some areas in and around Imphal , the capital of the state ] , 2 districts of Arunachal Pradesh [ Tirap and Changlang ] and some areas of Tripura .

People of North East resent the draconian AFSPA and they want its removal . Removal of AFSPA is demanded in Jammu & Kashmir also. I am intrigued that  removal of AFSPA is being considered sympathetically by the central government in Jammu & Kashmir but when it comes to Manipur or other areas of North East it is refused point blank. Recently Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram visited Manipur and said that since there is no consensus , so AFSPA cant be removed. Was there consensus about Anna Hazare’s demand in the beginning ? Everyone sat and consensus emerged. If consensus could be manufactured in Anna’s case , why can’t it be done in the case of Irom Sharmila Chanu ? Anna’s fast is hailed as the democratic right of citizen of this country and his subsequent victory is heralded as the sign of vibrant democracy but Irom Sharmila’s fast is viewed as sedition. Anna got all the sympathy and Irom Sharmila got indifference.

Is it sign of vibrant democracy that people of Manipur had to agitate for the creation of a new district ; Sadar Hills ? Mayawati , the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh , creates districts at her whims and fancies and central government acquiesces. But in Manipur a tribal organization resorted to economic blockade for creation of Sadar Hills and no one took cognizance. A sense of outrage engulfed me when I saw a photo of a group of women protesting naked for the removal of AFSPA. Still no cognizance was taken. Insensitive central government ignores all the above mentioned demands , though the method was pure Gandhian , but the same government is willing to talk to the militants of Jammu & Kashmir for the removal of AFSPA . Can anyone explain me the cause for this partiality? If central government has no qualms in talking to Syed Ali Shah Geelani , Yasin Malik or other leaders of separatist Hurriyat Conference , then what is the hitch in talking to Irom Sharmila Chanu , who is not a militant or not resorting to armed struggle ? Of late talks are going on with ULFA leaders of Assam and NSCN [ I - M ] of Nagaland , who are waging armed struggle against Indian Union, but the silent , non – violent and peaceful movement of Irom Sharmil and the other women of Manipur is completely ignored.

I am pained , aggrieved and outraged . I can’t do much because I am too insignificant. But I firmly believe that if central government can talk to separatists of Hurriyat Conference of Jammu & Kashmir , then it can talk to Irom Sharmila Chanu also. If government of India can work out modalities for the breaking of the fast of Anna Hazare , then it can work out something for Irom Sharmila also. If consensus was evolved for Anna’s cause , it could be evolved for Irom Sharmila’s cause also. 12 days of Anna’s fast is too much but 11 years of Irom Sharmila’s fast is a lifetime.

Something should be done and it should be done soon.

Irom Sharmila Chanu

Irom Sharmila Chanu

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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