Vidur&#039;s Blog

Inder Kumar Gujral cremated with full state honours (ndtv.com)
Inder Kumar Gujral, Former Indian Prime Minister Dies (voanews.com)
Former prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral to be cremated today (ndtv.com)
Former India PM Gujral passes away (91live.in)
A suave Inder Kumar Gujral made a mark in India’s foreign policy (ndtv.com)
I.K. Gujral, author of key foreign policy doctrine, dies at 92 (thehindu.com)
State funeral held for ex-Indian PM Gujral (thehimalayantimes.com)
Former PM IK Gujral to be cremated today (alllatestnews.wordpress.com)
Former Indian PM Gujral dies at 92 (upi.com)
Former Indian PM Gujral dies at 92 (dawn.com)

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A Tearful Tribute to Bala Saheb Thackeray

Posted on November 22, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA NOVEMBER 22 , 2012 11.20 P.M.

I was trying to write this obituary since Saturday . But I couldn’t . There were many things , many thoughts running in my mind simultaneously . And in such circumstances flood-gates of memory gets opened and submerges our psyche .

On Saturday November 17 , 2012 , I was sitting in the office of my Acting Institute , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , when I heard about the demise of Shri Bala Saheb Thackeray . I closed my Acting Class immediately and returned home . Then I started watching TV . Every channel was full of the sad news . While watching the channels , I was thrown into the year 1967 , the year I passed high school examinations , left my native place Deoria and went to Allahabad for higher studies .

In Allahabad I heard about Shiv Sena , the 1-year-old new emerging force in Maharashtra .

Shiv Sena Symbol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The year was 1967 and Shiv Sena was just 1-year-old organization . I took admission in the Government Inter College , Allahabad and like all the youngsters of my age , I was trying to gather more knowledge , was trying to know more things about the world . I , along with my friends , used to read news papers and discuss events and personalities . Because of Shiv Sena’s pro – Marathi policies and staunch parochial attitude , the organization Shiv Sena and its leader Bal Thackeray [ as Bala Saheb was known then ] , was centre of debate and topic of many heated discussions .

I finished my studies , returned to my native place again and started my life afresh . Destiny sometimes plan things differently and plays unique games . So in 1989 I landed up in Bombay . The city , yet to be rechristened Mumbai , became my permanent abode . In 1989 Shiv Sena got registered as a political party . So my life in Mumbai and life of Shiv Sena as a political party began simultaneously in 1989 .

As I started living in Mumbai , I took note of Shiv Sena , started reading about it and started appreciating Shri Bala Saheb Thackeray and his ideology . I was not mature in 1967 , so I was critical of Bala Saheb’s policies and as a north – Indian felt bad when he uttered something against the north Indians . But as my life began in Mumbai , I started feeling that if someone feels that Marathi language , Marathi culture should be paramount in Maharashtra , there is no harm . If a leader says that Marathi should get preference in Maharashtra and it should be the state language , it is absolutely fine . Marathi language should get preference as the state language . If some organization advocates , propounds and is vocal about jobs for the son – of – the – soil , I feel that it is not unjustified at all and is definitely not anti – national .

So re – evaluation of Bala Saheb as a person and as a leader of Shiv Sena began in my mind . I must admit that slowly all the misgivings of previous years evaporated from my mind . 1990 onwards I could appreciate him in a much better way . I came to know about his early days as a cartoonist in ” The Free Press Journal ” . I saw some of the cartoons , which were published in ” Marmik ” , a magazine which he started after leaving ” The Free Press Journal “. He was second to none as a cartoonist , not even to the legendary R. K. Laxman . His cartoon character Kaka Ji , though not as famous as the Common Man of R. K. Laxman , was a poignant work of art . He even designed the famous logo of Raj Kapoor‘s R. K. Films .

As an orator , he had few equals . His connect with the masses was absolute . When I heard him for the first time , I was mesmerized , though my knowledge of Marathi was limited in those days .

It is unfortunate that I could not meet him in person . I am writing a book on acting and it was my secret wish that Bala Saheb should launch the book . Alas , along with so many wishes , my this wish will also remain unfulfilled .

While sitting at home and watching his funeral procession on Sunday , I remembered some other funeral processions of eminent Indians . I have seen Mahatma Gandhi’s funeral procession in photos . He attracted mammoth crowd even after his death . I do remember Jawahar Lal Nehru’s and Indira Gandhi’s last journey . Again the crowd was unprecedented . Last year I visited Anna Durai’s memorial in Puducherri and was stunned to see photos of his last journey . Apart from these above mentioned last journeys of great Indian leaders , I have never seen such huge crowd for anybody’s last journey . Jawahar Lal Nehru , Indira Gandhi and Anna Durai held high positions in government . Mahatma Gandhi is the sole example of not holding any post and still commanding such respect after his death . Bala Saheb stands second only to Mahatma Gandhi .

I am sad that I could not meet him earlier and now after his demise it is not possible anymore .

Photo of Uddhav Thackeray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On my behalf and on the behalf of my acting institute Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I offer condolences to Shri Uddhav Thackeray and the whole Thackeray family .

Nation lost a great leader and I lost an opportunity .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Bal Thackeray made Mumbai a great city: Lata Mangeshkar (vancouverdesi.com)
Thackeray only non-MP to get obituary reference in parliament (indiavision.com)
India Ink: What They Said: Bal Thackeray’s Death (india.blogs.nytimes.com)
RIP Balasaheb Thackeray (kanaamedia.com)
‘Bal Thackeray was like a ray of hope and support for the ordinary Maharashtrian’ – Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Film Industry mourns Bal Thackeray’s death (thehindu.com)

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Acting Class, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Allahabad, Anna Durai, Bal Keshav Thackeray, Bal Thackeray, Bala Saheb, Bala Saheb Thackeray, Bombay, Cartoonist Bala Saheb, Common Man, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Film, Government Inter College Allahabad, Hindi Teacher, India, Indian Leaders, Indira Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Kaka Ji, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Maharashtra, Mahatma Gandhi, Marathi Culture, Marathi language, Marmik, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Obituary, Politics, Puducherri, R. K. Films, R. K. Laxman, R. K. Studio, Raj Kapoor, Shiv Sena, Son Of The Soil, The Free Press Journal, Uddhav Thackeray, Uttar Pradesh, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Kreating Charakters | Leave a Comment »

50 Years of Cuban Missile Crisis

Posted on October 30, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA OCTOBER 30, 2012 00.45 A.M.

Year 1962 in general and October 1962 in particular is permanently etched and engraved in my memory for two historical events . First is Chinese invasion of India and the second one is Cuban Missile Crisis .

I was 10 years old boy living in Deoria , Uttar Pradesh . My adolescent mind was getting awakened to the happenings of the world . I was curious . I was eager to gather knowledge . I was fascinated by the twists and turns of history . And these two epoch – making chapters of history opened in front of my eyes . I will write a separate blog about Chinese Invasion of India . Let me concentrate here on Cuban Missile Crisis .

U.S. reconnaissance photograph of soviet missile sites on Cuba, taken from a Lockheed U-2 spy plane following the Cuban missile crisis. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

CIA reference photograph of Soviet medium-range ballistic missile (SS-4 in U.S. documents, R-12 in Soviet documents) in Red Square, Moscow. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two main protagonists of the drama are now gone . J. F. Kennedy , the then President of U.S.A. got assassinated and Nikita Khrushchev , the then Premier of U.S.S.R. was deposed and subsequently died a natural death . But Comrade Fidel Castro , the then President of Cuba is still alive . His brother Raul Castro , who held parley with Nikita Khrushchev , is now President of Cuba . Let me unveil the incidents of the crisis , which might have escalated into World War III .

John F. Kennedy meeting with Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EXCOMM meeting at the White House Cabinet Room during the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 29, 1962. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Soviet Union sending nuclear warheads to Cuba followed the 1958 deployment by the United States of Thor IRBMs in the UK (Project Emily) and Jupiter IRBMs to Italy and Turkey in 1961 – more than 100 US-built missiles having the capability to strike Moscow with nuclear warheads. After provocative political moves and the failed US attempts to overthrow the Cuban regime (Bay of Pigs, Operation Mongoose), in May 1962 Nikita Khrushchev proposed the idea of placing Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuba to deter any future invasion attempt. During a meeting between Khrushchev and Raúl Castro that July, a secret agreement was reached and construction of several missile sites began in the late summer. These preparations were noticed, and on 14 October an US U-2 aircraft took several pictures clearly showing sites for medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic nuclear missiles (MRBMs and IRBMs) under construction. These images were processed and presented on October 15, which marks the beginning of the 13-day crisis from the US perspective.

The United States considered attacking Cuba via air and sea, but decided on a military blockade instead, calling it a “quarantine” for legal and other reasons. The US announced that it would not permit offensive weapons to be delivered to Cuba, demanded that the Soviets dismantle the missile bases already under construction or completed, and return all offensive weapons to the USSR. The Kennedy administration held only a slim hope that the Kremlin would agree to their demands, and expected a military confrontation.

On the Soviet side, Premier Nikita Khrushchev wrote in a letter from October 24, 1962 to President John F. Kennedy that his blockade of “navigation in international waters and air space” constituted “an act of aggression propelling humankind into the abyss of a world nuclear-missile war”.However, in secret back-channel communications the President and Premier initiated a proposal to resolve the crisis. While this was taking place, several Soviet ships attempted to run the blockade, increasing tensions to the point that orders to US Navy ships to fire warning shots and then open fire were sent out. On 27 October a U-2 was shot down by a Soviet missile crew, an action that could have resulted in immediate retaliation from the Kennedy crisis cabinet, according to Secretary of Defense McNamara‘s later testimony. However, in the event itself, Kennedy stayed his hand and the negotiations continued.

The engine of Lockheed U-2 which has been brought down above Cuba in Museum of the Revolution in Havana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nikita Kruschev letter to President Kennedy stating that the Cuban Missile Crisis quarantine “constitute[s] an act of aggression propelling humankind into the abyss of a world nuclear-missile war.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The confrontation ended on October 28, 1962,when Kennedy and United Nations Secretary-General U Thant reached an agreement with Khrushchev. Publicly, the Soviets would dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba and return them to the Soviet Union, subject to United Nations verification, in exchange for an US public declaration and agreement never to invade Cuba. Secretly, the US agreed that it would dismantle all US-built Jupiter IRBMs deployed in Turkey and Italy.

Adlai Stevenson II shows aerial photos of Russian missiles in Cuba to the United Nations Security Council in the presence of USSR ambassador Valerian Zorin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am quoting the events of the crisis from Wikipedia . Because , though I vividly remember the crisis but day-to-day events in chronological order have been almost obfuscated from my memory .

While I was sitting in the office of my acting institute Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I suddenly remembered those fateful days and decided to write a blog on the topic in the night .

I still wonder , what would have been fate of the world in general and India in particular , had the crisis been not diffused in 1962 ?

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

The Cuban Missile Crisis Pilot Whose Death May Have Saved Millions (history.com)
10 Things You May Not Know About the Cuban Missile Crisis (history.com)
Cuban missile crisis offers lessons on dealing with Iran (japantimes.co.jp)
Cuban Missile Crisis Lessons for Iran (voanews.com)
Transmedia Project Recreates Cuban Missile Crisis for 50th Anniversary (prweb.com)
The untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis (kansas.com)
Cuban missile crisis beliefs endure after 50 years (sfgate.com)
Cuban Missile Crisis Beliefs Endure After 50 Years (abcnews.go.com)
Cuban Missile Crisis 50th anniversary marked by new exhibit (telegraph.co.uk)
October 22 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis (craighill.net)

Filed under: World View | Tagged: 50 Years of Cuban Missile Crisis, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Bay of Pigs Invasion, Chinese Invasion of India, Cuba, Cuban Missile Crisis, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Fidel Castro, Hindi Teacher, History, India, India - China War of 1962, IRBM, J. F. Kennedy, John F Kennedy, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kennedy, Kennedy Administration, Kremlin, McNamara, MRBM, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nikita Khrushchev, Operation Mongoose, Project Emily, Raul Castro, Soviet, Soviet Union, U Thant, U.S.A., U.S.S.R., Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, United Nations Secretary General, United States, United States of America, Uttar Pradesh, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Blog on History, Vidur's Kreating Charakters, World War III | Leave a Comment »

70 Years of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan

Posted on October 14, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA OCTOBER 14 , 2012 00.45 A.M.

Amitabh Bachchan turned 70 on October 11 , 2012 . I am following the news since 2 / 3 days and it seems to be a never-ending saga . On that day almost all the luminaries attended his birthday bash at Film City , Mumbai . It became a national , rather international news .

Amitabh Bachchan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I have stated in my earlier blog , which I wrote when he completed 40 years in the Hindi Film Industry , I was not his fan initially. But gradually when I grew and when I started understanding cinema , I started appreciating his work more .

I must admit here that I am yet to watch ” Saat Hindustani ” [ 1969 ] , his first film . His first film , which I watched was ” Anand ” [ 1971 ] . A Dilip Kumar fan , who was getting used to Rajesh Khanna , any liking for Amitabh Bachchan was not possible . Though I must admit here that he was very good in that film . Then I watched ” Reshma Aur Shera ” [ 1971 ] . He was definitely very good in that film also . But the era belonged to Rajesh Khanna .

Then I watched ” Ek Nazar ” [ 1972 ] . Sitting in a cinema hall of Allahabad , Uttar Pradesh , I was not impressed or mesmerized by his persona on the screen . I vividly remember some adverse or inimical comments made by public . I was startled because I was watching the film in Allahabad and it being his home town , I was expecting some favourable cheering . But he was being booed . ” Bansi Birju ” [ 1972 ] was another debacle . ” Raste Ka Patthar ” [ 1972 ] , ” Bombay To Goa ” [ 1972 ] and ” Bandhe Haath ” [ 1973 ] couldn’t make matter easier for Mr. Bachchan .

Though things started getting changed in 1973 . ” Zanjeer ” [ 1973 ] got released and things changed for Mr. Bachchan . ” Namak Haraam ” [ 1973 ] fortified his position . From 1973 onwards Rajesh Khanna’s historical debacle started and stupendous ascendency of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan began . ” Deewar ” [1975 ] and ” Sholay ” [ 1975 ] came in quick succession and juggernaut of Amitabh Bachchan became unstoppable . So from ” Zanjeer ” [1973 ] to ” Paa ” [ 2009 ] and ” Department ” [ 2012 ] , it was and it is Amitabh Bachchan tsunami .

After ” Khuda Gawah ” [ 1992 ] he took sabbatical . It was self – imposed semi retirement . He did few film after 5 years but old spark was missing . He again got his lost empire back with ” Mohabbatein ” [ 2000 ] and from 2000 to 2012 he is again numero uno .

2000 is very important year for him because apart from ” Mohabbatein “ , he decided to host ” Kaun Banega Crorepati “ on television . And after that he never looked back till today.

I have tried to chronicle his journey as an actor because he almost forced me to like and appreciate him . I am a self-confessed Dilip Kumar fan . Later on I started liking Ashok Kumar , Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor . My liking and appreciation for Amitabh Bachchan was slow . But now it is complete . Ashok Kumar , Dev Anand and Shammi Kapoor are gone . Dilip Kumar doesn’t work anymore . ” Qila ” [ 1998 ] was his last appearance on screen . So naturally Amitabh Bachchan is the only icon , only actor of relevance available .

As Acting Trainer of Mumbai , I need to give example to my students and films of Amitabh Bachchan are my reference point . Almost all the Acting Trainers of India give reference from his films . All the Acting Schools of Mumbai or Bollywood Acting Schools have his photos prominently placed in their premises .

I am lucky that I have chance to bump into him several times . I first saw him at the music release function of K. C. Bokadia’s film ” Pyar Zindagi Hai ” [ 2001 ] . It starred my students Vikas Kalantri and Ashima Bhalla . This film is also noted because it was K. C. Bokadia’s 50th film . Mr. Bachchan came for the music release function at The Club and I got chance to see him .

I admire him as a man , as an actor and as a public figure . I have got inspired by him and started dabbling in internet . He also inspired me to write blog . So in a way , this blog is my tribute to him .

Wish you a very long life Mr. Bachchan !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Happy birthday Amitabh Bachchan: 70 years young (datadiary2012.wordpress.com)
Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan is 70 (cbsnews.com)
Amitabh Bachchan, 70: A birthday bash to remember (movies.ndtv.com)
Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday party invite (ibnlive.in.com)
Happy b’day Big B: Thank you for the memories (ibnlive.in.com)
Odisha artist sculpts huge sand cake for Amitabh Bachchan (vancouverdesi.com)
Being Amitabh Bachchan (dawn.com)
The Amitabh Bachchan Quiz (madaboutmoviez.com)
Never paid attention to my popularity: Amitabh Bachchan (thehindu.com)
Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday celebrated by Bollywood (digitalspy.co.uk)

Filed under: Film | Tagged: 40 Years of Amitabh Bachchan, Acting Schools of India, Acting Schools of Mumbai, Acting Trainer, Acting Trainer of Mumbai, Acting Trainers of India, Acting Trainers of Mumbai, Amitabh Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan is 70, Anand, Ashok Kumar, Bachchan, Bandhe Haath, Bansi Birju, Bollywood, Bollywood Acting School, Bollywood Acting Trainer, Bollywood Acting Trainers, Bombay To Goa, Deewar, Department, Dev Anand, Diction Trainer, Dilip Kumar, Ek Nazar, Film, Film City, Film City Mumbai, Hindi Teacher, India, K. C. Bokadia, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Khuda Gawah, Mohabbatein, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Namak Haraam, Paa, Pyar Zindagi Hai, Qila, Rajesh Khanna, Raste Ka Patthar, Reshma Aur Shera, Saat Hindustani, Shammi Kapoor, Sholay, Super Star Rajesh Khanna, Uttar Pradesh, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Vikas Kalantri, Zanjeer | Leave a Comment »

100th Year of Formation of Bihar

Posted on August 8, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 08, 2012 01. 15 A.M.

This year in 2012 Bihar is celebrating 100 years of its existence as a province of India . Before 1912 Bihar was included in the erstwhile Bengal Presidency of British Indian Empire .

But Bihar’s history is much older that the British Indian Empire and even the rule of Afghans and Mughals .

Ancient Bihar (which consisted of Anga, Videha/Mithila, Magadha and Vajji/Vrijji) was a centre of power , learning and culture in ancient and classical India . From Magadha arose India’s first and greatest empire , the Maurya empire as well as one of the world’s most widely adhered-to religions , Buddhism . Magadha empires , notably under the Maurya and Gupta dynasties , unified large parts of South Asia under a central rule . Its capital Patna , earlier known as Pataliputra, was an important centre of Indian civilization . Nalanda and Vikramshila were centres of learning established in the 5th and 8th century respectively in Bihar , and are counted amongst the oldest and truly international universities , where people from all over the world came to study. Bihar has distinction of giving the world its first democracy through Lichchivi Ganarajya [ modern-day Vaishali district ] during ancient era . Though today , for some , Vaishali is more associated with Aamrapali , than with democracy . But for lovers of history , Vaishali will always be known as the epicentre of the FIRST PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD .

I am posting few maps , which amply make clear the importance of Bihar and its significant contribution to the cultural ethos of India . From the mythological Magadh of Jarasandh and Anga of Karna of Mahabharata era , to the Maurya period and Chankya era and to the Golden Age of Guptas , Bihar has seen it all .

The approximate extent of the Magadha Empire in the 5th century BC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The ‘16 Great Nations’; Anga is the easternmost, south of Vrijji and east of Magadha (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Nanda Empire at its greatest extent under Dhana Nanda circa 323 BC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chandragupta’s empire when he founded it c. 320 BCE, by the time he was about 20 years old. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chandragupta Maurya’s empire in 305 BC after his conflict with Seleucus Nicator. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Maurya Empire after Bindusara’s death 269. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ashoka the Great subdued Kalinga, during the Kalinga War circa 265 BC, and the southern kingdoms. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A map of the Maurya Dynasty, showing major cities, early Buddhist sites, Ashokan Edicts, etc. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pataliputra as a capital of Gupta Empire. Approximate greatest extent of the Gupta Empire. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Patliputra as a capital of Sunga Empire. Approximate greatest extent of the Sunga Empire (circa 185 BCE). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After the end of this glorious and ancient chapter and after the end of not so significant Afghan and Mughal era , East India Company conquered large parts of northern India and became the de – facto rulers . After the Battle of Buxar (1764), the British East India Company obtained the diwani rights (rights to administer, and collect revenue or tax) for Bihar, Bengal and Orissa , [ now Odisha ] . The rich resources of fertile land , water and skilled labour had attracted the foreign imperialists , particularly the Dutch and British , in the 18th century . Bihar remained a part the Bengal Presidency of British India until 1912 , when the province of Bihar and Orissa [ now Odisha ] was carved out as a separate province . Since 2010, Bihar has celebrated its birthday as Bihar Diwas on 22 March . In 1935 , certain portions of Bihar were reorganised into the separate province of Orissa [ now Odisha ] .

Map of United Bihar

In 2000 , Bihar was divided into two and North part of undivided Bihar became Bihar and the Southern part was carved as a separate province and is now known as Jharkhand .

Bihar of Present Day

After partition , present day Bihar is the 12th largest state of India in terms of geographical size and 3rd largest in population . Apart from Hindi , Bihar is the home of some of the dialects of Hindi , like ; Bhojpuri , Magadhi , Maithili , Angika and Vajjika . For administrative purposes Bihar is divided into 9 divisions and 38 districts .

Location of Bihar in India

After independence and under the rule of Chief Ministers like ; Krishna Sinha and Anugrah Narayan Sinha , Bihar for some time , basked in the old glory of Patliputra . But it suffered a lot during the rule of Congress in later years . During the 15 year rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabdi Devi , Bihar reached at its nadir . Lawlessness and anarchy ruled supreme . Day time murders became order of the day . Ransom became a respectable business . Reputation of Chankya’s Bihar and Chandragupta Maurya’s Patliputra was massacred and mutilated by RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav . It was further defaced and defiled by his inefficient wife Rabdi Devi .

After all the turmoil and tribulations , Bihar finally rejected RJD of Lalu and elected BJP , JD [ U ] combine in 2005 . Bihar is now marching ahead under the NDA rule . After Gujarat , now it is the second fastest growing state of India .

I am happy that in the centenary year of its existence , Bihar is shedding its infamous and nefarious image and gaining international respectability and appreciation . Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal [ United ] combine deserve kudos for that . Though it is still miles behind of other states but definitely it is moving ahead and moving fast . May this centenary year be the golden year of Bihar .

I am happy because I have my roots in Bihar . My forefathers originally hailed from the state and only later on they migrated to Uttar Pradesh .

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

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Lawless Bihar: The Sicily Of India (ibtimes.com)
Bihar: Kosi river floods two districts (icrindia.wordpress.com)
Children sold into ‘slavery’ in India (todayonline.com)
India: Encephalitis toll rises to 225 in Bihar (crofsblogs.typepad.com)
India: Encephalitis kills 299 children in Bihar this year (crofsblogs.typepad.com)
‘Daughters of the Brothel’ Chronicles the Stories of Former Sex Workers of the Chaturbhuj-sthan Brothel in India (aytacgok.wordpress.com)
Nitish Kumar, Bihar (democracyforum.blogspot.com)

Filed under: States Of India | Tagged: 100 Years of Bihar, Aamrapali, Acting Trainer, Anga, Angika, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ashoka The Great, Battle of Buxar, Bengal Bihar & Orissa, Bengal Presidency, Bharatiya Janata Party, Bhojpuri, Bhojpuri language, Bihar, Bihar Diwas, BJP, British Empire, British History, British Indian Empire, British Raj, Buddhism, Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, Congress, Diction Trainer, East India Company, Gujarat, Gupta Dynasty, Gupta Empire, Hindi Teacher, History, India, indian civilization, Indian Empire, Janata Dal United, Jarasandh, JDU, Jharkhand, Kalinga, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Karna, Krishna Sinha, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Lichhavi, Magadh, Magadha, Magadha Dynasty, Magadhi, Mahabharata, Maithili, Maurya Empire, Mithila, Mughal Era, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nalanda, Orissa, Patliputra, Rabdi Devi, Rashtriya Janata Dal, RJD, Selucus Nicator, Sunga Empire, Uttar Pradesh, Vaishali, Vaishali district, Vajji, Vajjika, Videha, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vikramashila, Vrijji | Leave a Comment »

Remembering Dara Singh : Hindi Cinema’s 1st He Man

Posted on July 19, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

Dara Singh – A Young Wrestler

Dara Singh – An Old Father Figure

Dara Singh – An Era Ends

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 19 , 2012 01.35 A.M.

Hindi cinema‘s 1st he man , Hindi cinema’s 1st action hero , Hindi cinema’s 1st super hero and Hindi cinema’s 1st actor to appear on-screen without shirt , [ it happened much before Dharmendra and Salman Khan ] wrestler turned actor Dara Singh a.k.a. Deedar Singh Randhawa died on July 12 , 2012 in Mumbai . He was 83 years old at the time of his death .

Much before he entered Hindi film world as an actor , he was a world-famous wrestler . From a small village Dharmuchak near Amritsar , Punjab to the world arena of free – style wrestling , he bestrode it like a colossus . He went to Singapore and became Champion Of Malaysia in 1947 . After that he never looked back and never got defeated till the very end of his career . In 1983 in his last tournament in Delhi , he himself announced his retirement . An invincible inning thus ended . Winning titles like ; RUSTAM – E – PUNJAB [ 1966 ] , RUSTAM – E – HIND [ 1978 ] and RUSTAM – E – ZAMAN during his long , illustrious and always victorious career , enhanced his prestige and his popularity soared to new heights in India and he became an idiom for the whole generation of Indians .

I still remember watching his posters and other publicity materials during my childhood and teenage years with curiosity and with wide eyes . His wrestling events , which were highly popular and known as free – style wrestling , were talk of the nation during those days .

I could never watch his wrestling in akhada . Though I have heard his name during my school – college days . Me and my classmates were his huge fans .

Old Poster of Dara Singh’s Wrestling Event

In Wrestling Arena

I only knew him through his films . When I heard about his death , I was deeply saddened as one more icon of my childhood days , one more film hero of my growing years is gone forever . In those days his films were considered and were categorized as B – Great movies . But I have no shame to admit that I was his huge fan and used to watch his black & white flicks in the cinema halls of my home town Deoria . I still remember several noon and afternoon shows in Amarjyoti Talkies and Vijay Talkies of Deoria , when I sneaked into the dark interiors of these cinema halls to watch his films and used to wait for his arrival on-screen . His first appearance on-screen was always greeted with deafening uproar , whistles and claps of the audience including me . I still remember his action scenes and deeply miss them . His action scenes were raw , rustic and had their own charm . They were not mechanically choreographed like present day action scenes .

His first Hindi film was ” Sangdil ” [ 1952 ] . It coincides with my birth year . His first commercial hit was ” King Kong ” [ 1962 ] . His first Hindi film , which I watched , was “Faulad ” [ 1963 ] . This film , along with Dara Singh , had Mumtaz , her sister Minoo Mumtaz , who incidentally married Dara Singh’s younger brother Randhawa and Kamran , whose son Sajid Khan and daughter Farah Khan are well-known to the present generation of film – goers .

Later on I watched his other hits like ; ” Sikandar – E – Azam ” [ 1965 ] , ” Daku Mangal Singh ” [ 1966 ] , ” Balram Shri Krishna ” [ 1968 ] , ” Toofan ” [ 1969 ] , ” Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar ” [ 1970 ] , ” Mera Naam Joker ” [ 1970 ] , ” Sultana Daku ” [ 1972 ] , ” Lalkar ” [ 1972 ] , ” Mera Desh Mera Dharam ” [ 1973 ] , ” Har Har Mahadev ” [ 1974 ] , ” Warrant ” [ 1975 ] , ” Dharam Karam ” [ 1975 ] , ” Jai Bajrang Bali ” [ 1976 ] , ” Mard ” [ 1985 ] , ” Kal Ho Na Ho ” [ 2003 ] and ” Jab We Met ” [ 2007 ] .

He also appeared in some popular serials like ; ” Ramayan ” [ 1986 ] , ” Mahabharat ” [ 1988 ] , ” Uttar Ramayan ” [ 1989 ] and ” Kya Hoga Nimmo Ka ” [ 2006 ] .

Young Wrestling Hero – 1

Young Wrestling Hero – 2

Young Wrestling Hero – 3

Young Wrestling Hero – 4

Young Wrestling Hero – 5

Young Wrestling Hero – 6

Young Wrestling Hero – 7

Young Wrestling Hero – 8

Young Wrestling Hero – 9 With Mumtaz

Young Wrestling Hero – 10 With Helen

Young Wrestling Hero – 11 With Mumtaz

Young Wrestling Hero – 12

Young Wrestling Hero – 13

Young Wrestling Hero – 14

Young Wrestling Hero – 15 With Mumtaz

Young Wrestling Hero – 16

Young Wrestling Hero – 17 in Colour Era

Young Wrestling Hero – 18 in Colour Era

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 1

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 2

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 3

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 4

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 5

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 6

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 7

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 8

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 9

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 10

Dara Singh’s Film Poster – 11

Mera Naam Joker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dharam Karam (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Film Poster (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jab We Met – The Last Film of The Legend

In Ramanand Sagar‘s Ramayan he played Bhagwan Hanuman and this portryal made him immortal .

Ramayan (TV series) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As Hanuman in ” Ramayan ” Serial

His record in films , apart from wrestling arena , were also enviable . He directed 7 Punjabi films and 2 Hindi films . Apart from these , he produced 8 films and wrote story for 7 films . As an actor he appeared in 121 Hindi films and 21 Punjabi films . Out of these total 144 films , he played main lead in 58 films . Out of these 58 films , he worked with Mumtaz in 16 films and out of those 16 films 10 were super hits .

He was the first sportsman to be nominated to Rajya Sabha by Bharatiya Janata Party . He served as an MP from 2003 to 2009 .

With Ashok Kumar

With Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi & Amitabh Bachchan

Shri Dara Singh inaugurating Harakh Chand Nahata Marg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All India Jat Mahasabha Centenary Celebration 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two Shades of The Legend

Collage of The legend

Life is ephemeral . One day one has to go for one’s celestial journey . It is heart – breaking that one by one all the icons of my growing years are leaving this world .

Farewell Dara Singh ji ! You were pride of our generation . I know there would be no one like you .

Rest in Peace sir !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Dara Singh in hospital, condition critical (ibnlive.in.com)
Veteran actor Dara Singh dies at 84 – IBNLive.com (ibnlive.in.com)
Actor Dara Singh passes away (thehindu.com)
Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dies at 83 (movies.ndtv.com)
Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dead (bbc.co.uk)
Dara Singh passes away (datadiary2012.wordpress.com)
Obituary: Dara Singh – Bollywood’s original muscle man (thehindu.com)
Wrestler-actor Dara Singh critical, MRI shows damage to brain (movies.ndtv.com)
Dara Singh discharged with ‘no hope’ of recovery (ndtv.com)
Dara Singh: From wrestling champ to a veteran actor (ibnlive.in.com)
When Dara Singh floored Madras with Indian Deathlock (thehindu.com)
The man who gave muscle to the national myth (thehindu.com)
Dara Singh: Tributes pour in to actor-wrestler (telegraph.co.uk)
Dara Singh: Goodbye, cinema’s loveable giant (ibnlive.in.com)
R.I.P. Dara Singh (madaboutmoviez.com)
Indian Wrestler-actor Dara Singh dead at age of 85 (sehrnasir.wordpress.com)
Dara Singh, Wrestler and Bollywood Action Hero, Dies at 83 (nytimes.com)
Dara Singh, 1928-2012 (southasia.typepad.com)

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Acting Trainer, Amitabh Bachchan, Ashok Kumar, Balram Shri Krishna, Bollywood, Daku Man Singh, Daku Mangal Singh, Dara Singh, Darasingh, Deoria, Dharam Karam, Dharmendra, Diction Trainer, Farah Khan, Faulad, Film, Free Style Wrestling, Har Har Mahadev, Helen, Hindi Teacher, India, Jab We Met, Jai Bajrang Bali, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kamran, King Kong, Lalkar, Mahabharat, Maharashtra, Mard, Mera Desh Mera Dharam, Mera Naam Joker, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Mumtaz, Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar, Ramayan, Randhawa, Rustam E Hind, Rustam E Punjab, Rustam E Zaman, Sajid Khan, Salman Khan, Sangdil, Sikandar E Azam, Sultana Daku, Toofan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Ramayan, Vidur, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Warrant | 2 Comments »

Saffron Blitzkrieg in U. P. , M. P. & The Electronic Media

Posted on July 13, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 13 , 2012 01.40 A.M.

Election Symbol of Bharatiya Janata Party (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS – UTTAR PRADESH

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

The Bharatiya Janata Party [ BJP ] recently swept urban local body elections in Uttar Pradesh . It won 10 of 12 mayoral posts in municipal corporations . Ruling Samajwadi Party [ SP ] supported candidate won 1 municipal corporation and Bahujan Samaj Party [ BSP ] supported candidate won 1 . Indian National Congress failed to open its account .

Bharatiya Janata Party [ BJP ] candidates won mayoral elections in Agra , Aligarh , Ghaziabad , Gorakhpur , Jhansi , Kanpur , Lucknow , Meerut , Moradabad and Varanasi .

Bareilly seat went to ruling Samajwadi Party [ SP ] backed nominee I. S . Tomar and a Bahujan Samaj Party [ BSP ] supported candidate won in Allahabad .

In Agra BJP candidate Indrajeet Arya defeated BSP backed Kartar Singh Bhartiya by a margin of 12,467 .

in Aligarh BJP candidate Shakuntala Bharati defeated independent Razia Khan by a margin of 41,834 votes .

In Ghaziabad , which witnessed late night protest by BJP supporters alleging gross irregularities in the counting of votes , party candidate Teluram defeated his nearest rival Sughan by a margin of 9583 votes .

In Gorakhpur BJP’s Satya Pandey defeated Surhita Kareem of Congress by a margin of 33,156 votes .

In Jhansi Kiran Raju Bookseller of BJP defeated Nirmala Bilharia of Congress by a margin of 25,659 votes .

In Kanpur Jagatveer Singh Dron of BJP defeated his nearest rival Pawan Gupta of Congress by a margin of 53,323 votes and retained the seat .

In Lucknow BJP party candidate Dinesh Sharma won the seat for the second consecutive term defeating Neeraj Bora of Congress by a margin of more than 1,71,824 votes.

In Meerut, Harikant Ahluwalia of BJP defeated SP-backed Rajeeq Ansari by a margin of 70,806 votes .

In Moradabad, BJP candidate Veena Agarwal defeated her nearest rival Humanu Kabir of Peace Party by a margin of 70,111 votes .

Ruling SP backed candidate I S Tomar defeated BJP’s Gulshan Anand by a margin of 47,128 votes in Bareilly.

Abhilasha Gupta of BSP defeated Kamla Singh of BJP by a margin of 59,555 votes in Allahabad.

By winning 10 seats, BJP upped its tally as compared to 2007 elections when the party won only 8 seats.

The Congress , which won 3 mayoral seats, including Jhansi, Allahabad and Bareilly in the last municipal poll , failed to open its account this time.

In U. P. , elections were held for 12 municipal corporations, 186 Nagar Palika Parishads and 388 Nagar Panchayats.

Congress and BJP contested elections on party symbol, while BSP and SP, though allowed their workers to contest polls, did not allot party symbols.

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS – MADHYA PRADESH

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

Apart from Uttar Pradesh , blitzkrieg of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party [ BJP ] continued in Madhya Pradesh also . Out of 27 municipalities , BJP won 20 . Independents got 4 municipal boards and Indian National Congress got just 3 municipalities .

Before these elections in UP and MP , BJP captured all the 3 Municipal Corporations in New Delhi and even before that BJP along with Shiv Sena romped home in BMC , Mumbai .

ROLE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA

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

It is a major political news of immense importance . In Uttar Pradesh BJP improved its tally by 2 and its minimum victory margin was 9,500 in Ghaziabad and the maximum was 1,71,000 in Lucknow , where it fared poorly in last Assembly elections . In remaining 2 corporations it was the nearest rivals to the winning candidates .

Congress drew blank in Uttar Pradesh and won just 3 out of 27 municipalities in Madhya Pradesh . Electronic media welcomed the news with deafening silence . Few reported it with a caveat . Read the following lines :

” However, the results are subject to the outcome of a writ petition filed in the Supreme Court challenging reservation in the local bodies. “

Had it been a Congress victory in UP and MP local body elections , electronic media would have written obituary of BJP . On the day of BJP victory , they were busy discussing Karnataka crisis and were taking sadistic pleasure . V. S. Yeddyurappa and Sadananda Gowda both belong to BJP and even if they can’t see eye to eye and have some genuine differences , it is possible in democracy and it should be welcomed . They never went to the extreme of tearing the party into two like Mrs. Indira Gandhi .

Jagadish Shettar , the new BJP Chief Minister of Karnataka is a RSS swayamsevak and rose to prominence during 1992 Hubballi Idgah movement . He was lathi charged for trying to hoist Tiranga at Hubballi Idgah Maidan . New Dy. Chief Minister R. Ashoka is also political savvy and this new BJP team of Karnataka is going to be the nemesis of the electronic pundits and nay – sayers .

Map of India Showing Provinces Ruled by Parties (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As shown it the above map BJP is ruling in Himachal Pradesh , Gujarat , Goa , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh and Karnataka on its own and is a dominant partner in ruling coalition in Punjab , Bihar , Jharkhand and Nagaland . It is ruling major civic bodies in Mumbai and New Delhi but still as per the electronic media pundits , it is on decline .

I think coming elections in Himachal Pradesh , Gujarat and Karnataka will open their eyes . Or may be they will never open their eyes and would never like to see the truth . Is it because they are p..d ?

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Major gains for BJP in UP urban body polls (thehindu.com)
BJP sweeps corporation polls in Uttar Pradesh (ibnlive.in.com)
BJP makes big gains in Uttar Pradesh local body elections (dailymail.co.uk)
‘UP poll verdict reflects public sentiment against UPA govt’ (thehindu.com)
Rahul Gandhi is a ‘dud bullet’ says BJP’s Yashwant Sinha (ndtv.com)

Vidur’s Travel Diary – 13 : Varanasi

Posted on July 3, 2012 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 03 , 2012 01.15 A.M.

Varanasi or Benaras or Kasi or Kashi , this old and perennial city of India , which symbolises Hindu ethos and its timeless tradition , is a new metropolis , yet it existed and started its journey several millennium ago . As per tradition and folklore it is 5000 years old city . Its mythical and cultural name is Kashi . Rigveda mentions this city as Kasi or Kashi . During British era the name was changed and the city came to be known as Benaras . After independence the city was rechristened as Varanasi . Varuna and Assi are two rivers , which caress the city from two sides , hence the city was rechristened as Varanasi .

Varanasi predates history . It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world and the oldest city in India . As per Hindu mythology this city rests on the trident of Bhagwan Shiva . This city is closely associated with the legendary Raja Harishchandra , an ancestor of Bhagwan Ram . Harishchandra ghat still exists and bears his name and reminds us of his supreme sacrifices in pursuit of truth . Along with AYODHYA , MATHURA , MAYA [ HARIDWAR ] , KANCHI , AVANTIKA [ UJJAIN ] and DWARKA , Varanasi , for the Hindus , is the 7th Holiest Cities of India . I consider myself lucky and fortunate that I have chance to visit all the above mentioned seven cities .

I have been to Varanasi several times . I first visited this city with my parents and other siblings , while I was a toddler . It was for the MUNDAN [ Tonsure Ceremony ] of my younger brother . I still remember my first journey to Varanasi by train . I was a kid and I used to converse with my parents only in Bhojpuri . My father insisted that while in Varanasi , we all must converse in Hindi . I was finding it difficult and avoided speaking throughout the journey .

I have visited this city numerous times since then . Every year when I visit my native place Deoria , I have to make a halt either at Varanasi or Lucknow . This year in June , I took a morning flight from Mumbai on June 16 , 2012 and along with my wife , landed there in the afternoon . Varanasi now has a swanky and sprawling airport . Old airport was not worthy of the reputation of this ancient city . This new Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is truly impressive .

Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport – Varanasi

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport – Varanasi

I took a cab and drove to Hotel Gautam Grand near Varanasi Cant station .

Hotel Gautam Grand – Varanasi

When in Varanasi , you have to enjoy the crowded lanes and by-lanes of this mythical yet modern metropolis . Godaulia is the nerve – centre of the city .

Godaulia – Varanasi

The world-famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 JYOTIRLINGAS of Bhagwan Shiva in India . You dare not afford to miss this shrine . The old temple , built by Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century , was destroyed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb , who built a mosque on the ruins of this temple , which , today , is known as Gyanvapi mosque . The present Kashi Vishwanath temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1717 . This temple was adorned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh , who donated 820 k.g. gold in 1889 .

Kashi Vishwanath Temple – Entrance

World Famous Lane of Vishwanath Temple

Gyanvapi, the original holy well between the temple and mosque (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After darshan of Kashi Vishwanath temple , you proceed to Dashashwamedha Ghat , where Ganga Aarti is performed in the evening . Dashashwamedha Ghat was built by Maharaja Savai Jai Singh II in 1693 . It is one of the 100 ghats of Varanasi . Originally Ganga Aarti was started in Haridwar by Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya . Few years back it was started in Varanasi also and today it is major tourist attraction .

Ganga Arti – Varanasi

Apart from Dashashwamedha ghat , Kedar ghat and Harishchandra ghat are other two major ghats of Varanasi .

Kedar Ghat – Varanasi

Harishchandra Ghat – Varanasi

Godaulia – Varanasi at Night

A British Era Church at Godaulia

Sankat Mochan temple is the another famous temple of Varanasi . According to the folklore , Sant Tulsidas worshipped here and Bhagwan Hanuman gave him darshan . After Kashi Vishwanath temple , it is the 2nd most revered temple of Varanasi for Hindus .

Sankat Mochan Temple

Varanasi is famous for Sants like Tulsi Das , Kabir Das , Ravi Das , Tailang Swami and Keena Ram . Tailang Swami and his disciple Keena Ram Baba followed AGHOR PANTH . Keena Ram Baba is most famous exponent of AGHOR PANTH . I visited his Ashram also . This was my first visit . I visited it twice . First visit was in the afternoon of June 16th and the second one was next day , on June 17 , 2012 .

The Ashram of Keena Ram Baba – Main Entrance

At The Ashram of Keena Ram Baba

The Ashram of Keena Ram Baba

The Ashram of Keena Ram Baba – Residence

At Keena Ram Baba Ashram

My Wife at The Ashram of Sant Keena Ram

I left Varanasi on June 17 , 2012 in the morning . While proceeding towards Sarnath and Aundihar , I started remembering several luminaries of Indian history , who were born in Varanasi and spent their lives in this city .

Notable residents of Varanasi

Trailanga Swamy, Great Spiritual Leader
Sir James Brooke, founder of the White Rajah dynasty of Sarawak
Premchand, famous Hindi writer
Madan Mohan Malaviya, Founder of the Banaras Hindu University
Lal Bahadur Shastri, Former Prime Minister of India, Bharat Ratna
Bismillah Khan, Shehnai player, Bharat Ratna
Channulal Mishra, Hindustani Classical player, Padma Bhushan
Kishan Maharaj, Tabla player, Padma Vibhushan
Ravi Shankar, Sitar player, Bharat Ratna
Siddheshwari Devi, Khayal singer, Padma Shri
Vikash Maharaj, Sarod Maestro
Naina Devi, Khayal singer
Bhagwan Das, Bharat Ratna
Sameer, Lyricist
Pandit Birju Maharaj
Girija Devi, Padma Bhushan
Ritwik Sanyal, Dhrupad
Sitara Devi, Padma Shri
Rai Krishnadasa., Padma Vibhushan
Gopinath Kaviraj, Padma Vibhushan
K.L. Shrimali, Padma Vibhushan
Uday Shankar, Padma Vibhushan
Rani Lakshmibai
Kabir Das
Tulsi Das
Ravidas
Bharatendu Harishchandra
Shamta Prasad (Gudai Maharaj) Tabla player, Padma Shri
Jaishankar Prasad
Kashi Naresh, last king of Varanasi
Devendra Nath Dwivedi, was an Indian politician and the Governor designate of Gujarat. He has been General Secretary of AICC, Additional Solicitor General of India & Supreme Court Lawyer. He was a Congress member of the Rajya Sabha from 1974 to 1980.
Kamalapati Tripathi, was the writer, journalist, editor and freedom fighter was a senior Indian National Congress leader from Varanasi. He has been Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh as well as the Union Minister for Railways.
Baldev Upadhyaya, was a renowned Hindi, Sanskrit scholar, literary historian, essayist and critic.Padma Bhushan
Devaki Nandan Khatri was a writer, who belonged to the first generation of popular novelists in the modern Hindi language.

Temple of Markandeya Mahadev in Aundihar is another famous shrine of Bhagwan Shiv , which I visited with my wife , while on my way to Deoria .

At Markandeya Mahadev Temple – Aundihar

My Wife at Markandeya Mahadev Temple – Aundihar

Varanasi is not a remote place for me . It is in between Mumbai and Deoria . I can and will visit it as long as I am alive . But then being alive is the big , unknown and unanswered question . Who knows it is my last visit or not ? Who knows whether I would be able to visit it again or not ?

I started for Deoria with heavy heart . Though I do hope to visit Varanasi again in winters for Allahabad Kumbh mela . Lines of Agyeya come running in my mind :

पार्श्व गिरि का नम्र चीड़ों में , डगर चढ़ती उमंगों सी ;

बिछी पैरों में नदी ज्यों दर्द की रेखा , विहग शिशु मौन नीड़ों में ;

मैंने आँख भर देखा , दिया मन को दिलासा ;

पुनः आऊँगा , भले ही बरस दिन , अनगिन युगों के बाद ;

क्षितिज ने पलक सी खोली , दमक कर दामिनी बोली ;

” अरे यायावर ! रहेगा याद ? “

………………………………………………..अज्ञेय

[ Tenderness of mighty mountains reflected in pine trees ,

Upward moving pathways symbolizing my enthusiasm ,

River , flowing deep down like a line of pain ,

Tiny tots of birds sitting silently in their nest ,

I saw everything with contentment ,

Consoled myself , I would come again ,

After a year or may be after ages ..........

Horizon opened its eyes , lightning dazzled in the sky ,

As if saying ..................

O Wanderer ! Would you ever even remember ? ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA