Mahamana Malaviya – A Giant Among Dwarfs


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DEORIA – UTTAR PRADESH – INDIA           SEPTEMBER 20, 2014           11.55 P.M.

MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA

MAHAMANA PANDIT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA

 

 Born December 25 , 1861 , Allahabad , India

Died November 12 , 1946 , Allahabad , India

The President of the Indian National Congress on four occasions [ 1909 / 1918 / 1930 / 1932 ]

The founding member of the Hindu Mahasabha [ 1906 ]

The President of Hindu Mahasabha [ 1923 ]

The founder of Banaras Hindu University , the largest residential university in Asia and one of the largest in the world , at Varanasi in 1916

The Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University [ 1919 – 1938 ]

One of the founders of Scouting in India [ 1918 ]

The founder of English-newspaper , The Leader, published from Allahabad [ 1909 ]

The Chairman of Hindustan Times  [ 1924 to 1946 ]

Instrumental in the launch of Hindustan , the Hindi edition [ 1936 ]

Member of the Imperial Legislative Council [ 1912 – 1919 ]

Member of the Central Legislative Assembly [ 1919 – 1926 ]

Above mentioned facts about Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya are known to all because these are continuously highlighted . You can find some more information about his Congress background on various internet postings . But his views on Hinduism and his pain and anguish on the sufferings of Hindus are not widely mentioned or chronicled . That , apart from being the president of Indian National Congress on 4 occasions , he was one of the founders of Hindu Mahasabha and was the president of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 , is now almost forgotten .

It is widely known and well chronicled that in 1886, Mahamana Malaviya attended the 2nd session of Indian National Congress in Calcutta [ now Kolkata ] and he became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1909, 1918, 1930 and 1932 . But it is forgotten that as a leader of Indian National Congress he opposed the separate electorates for Muslims under the Lucknow Pact of 1916 . In protest against the Communal Award , which sought to provide separate electorates for minorities ,  Mahamana Malaviya along with Madhav Shrihari Aney left the Congress and started the Congress Nationalist Party . The party contested 1934 central legislature elections and won 12 seats . Some so – called secular historians try to hide this facet of Mahamana’s life .

Mahamana was fiercely opposed to the politics of appeasement of Muslims and other minorities and the participation of Congress in the Khilafat Movement . Again this fact is not so widely mentioned in his biographies .

The effort is on to obfuscate nationalist views of Mahamana and to hide his pro Hindu views from the youngsters . Therefore I thought it proper to write about his views on the issues which are surprisingly relevant even today . In the Gaya session of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 , he expressed his views on untouchability , Hindu – Muslim problems and re – conversions of non – Hindus . When I read his presidential address , I was shocked . He had mentioned about the communal riots of Muzaffarnagar in 1923 . And you all know , even after 91 years , Muzaffarnagar is still burning .

To illuminate the nationalist image of Mahamana , I am quoting from the presidential address , which he delivered at the Gaya session of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 . Words are ominous and they are as relevant today as they were in 1923 .

 

Mahamana on Hindu – Muslim Problem :

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” The relations between Hindus and Mahomedans have not been as happy and cordial as they ought to be . During the Bengal Partition days the Government were inciting Mahomedans to attack Hindus . In 1916 in Eastern Bengal inhuman , brutal , unparalleled atrocities were perpetrated on Hindus . Hindu women were outraged by fanatic Mahomedans and many Hindu women had to take shelter in rivers and tanks to protect their honour .

Then came the Great War in 1914 . In 1914 in the frontier districts , particularly Muzaffarnagar , Hindu houses were regularly looted and Hindu women dishonoured , but Indian patriots preached not to heed them . By Mahatma Gandhi’s advice Hindus worked with Mahomedans and helped them in the Khilafat cause , not because the former wanted something in return , but because they were for the liberty and freedom of every nation and also because of their sympathy for fellow Muslim brothers .

Again in 1920 brutal and inhuman atrocities were perpetrated on Hindus by Moplahs in Malabar . Hindu houses were looted , women were outraged , male and female butchered with the greatest cruelty for refusing to embrace Islam and many were forced into Islam at the point of the sword . It is better to die than to see women’s modesty outraged , temples attacked and burnt and idols broken . The whole of India was severely pained and afflicted at these horrible inhumanities . Due to tolerance we patiently bore all this and drank the bitter dose simply with anxiety and desire that no ill-feeling and differences be created between the two sister communities .

At Multan temples were burnt down and women’s chastity was outraged . Burnt Geeta and Granth Saheb and broken temple idols were found . Next an appeal was issued to maintain unity and peace on Bakrid day , but riots occurred at several places . Our ladies do not consider they are as safe as 50 years ago . Amritsar Hindu women do not come out of houses so frequently and abruptly as they used to do formerly . Every moment they fear of being dishonoured . Everybody knows what happened at Panipat and at Ajmer . Temples were broken and burnt and idols destroyed .

In such circumstances it is our individual and social duty to increase our strength . It is most deplorable that Hindus are so fallen that a handful of foreigners can be ruling over us . Shame on the Hindus who live to see the breaking of temples and the outrage of women . Miss Ellis was kidnapped and the vibration pervaded the whole British Empire . Behind English girls and women there is national strength which protects them wherever they go . So also with Mahomedan women . There was a time when Hindu ladies had also such national backings behind them . Unless we have such strength , we cannot continue among strong nations of the world . The main reason of the present disunity is that Hindus are comparatively weak and cannot protect their religion and women . Unity and good-will can exist only between two equally strong parties . When the irresponsible element of Muslims will realize that we can react to the policy of tit for tat they would never venture to attack us . “

Mahamana on Re-Conversion :

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Referring to the Shuddhi movement Pandit Malaviya said ,  ” there are forty-eight crores of Muslims in India of whom not more than fifty lakhs are those who might have come from outside . The rests were converted from Hinduism . Theirs is a proselytizing religion while our religion has closed the doors for those who wish to come in our fold . Mullas have recently prepared an expansive scheme for reconversion of Hindus on a grand active scale in their private very confidential meeting and have scrupulously given no publication to this resolution and they have also collected fifty lakhs , but you will be surprised to know that it has not been scrupulously kept secret . Hindus are converted by dupes . In Gujarat some Mussalmans with notices bearing prints of ‘Om preach Kalauki incarnation is H.H. Aga Khan’ say that they should join that sect . Within three years one lakh of Hindus have been converted by Khojas .

‘Is there no prayashchitta for those who unknowingly took anything touched by non-Hindus . Malkanas ought to be taken into Hinduism. He then referred to a verse in Dharmshastra Mahaprabandha which lays down that those who had been converted to other religion either by force or willingly can be taken back to the Hindu religion if they so desire . He asked the audience to decide this question.

Replying to those who say that we should not care for our numerical strength and that those who have already been converted should not be taken into Hinduism , Mahamana said : ‘When now we are so badly treated with a numerical strength of 22 crores , what would be our condition in future with a much reduced Hindu population , if we allow this rate of conversion from Hinduism and do not allow reconversion into Hinduism ? ”

Mahamana on Untouchability :

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

With tears in his eyes , he took out the turban from his head during presidential address and said , ” Why should I not place my turban at the feet of my untouchable brothers who follows the Hindu religion ? Why should I not allow my untouchable brothers to have darshan in temples ? Full of sins as I am , what right have I to stop my untouchable brothers from entering temples ?’
Addressing the orthodox pandits, he then said with folded hands : ‘Oh, learned Pandits, for God’s sake do not prevent these brothers from having darshan in temples’.
Referring to permission to untouchables for drawing water from wells he said that Christians and Mahomedans are asking untouchables to embrace their religion . So long as they remain Hindu they are not allowed to draw water from wells and if they accept their faith , they will not be so outcasted , insulted, and disallowed . This exactly happened at Panipat . But this is to be remembered that these untouchables who are so outcasted by high caste people were the first to come to defend the Hindu temple at Panipat when it was attacked by Mahomedans .
Pertinently remarked Pandit Malaviya : ‘An untouchable comes under the hottest sun from your labour and is extremely thirsty . I ask what true Hindu is there who will so cruelly prevent these untouchables from drawing water from wells while they do not object untouchables’ entry in houses when their services are required.”
Mahamana’s views on above mentioned 3 topics are so true even today. A man of this prophetic vision is needed even today . We celebrated his 150th anniversary in 2011. We paid lip service to him. Government of India issued coins in his honour.
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But thats all. He adorns the wall of our parliament, but not our hearts. Today as I sit in my ancestral house and go through the pages of our recent history and remember recent incidents in Uttar Pradesh, I thought it proper to write this blog to bring out the feelings of a nationalist like MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA on today’s burning topics. I offer my tribute to the true son of Bharat Mata , to the staunch Hindu and a visionary !

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On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my regards to the staunch Hindu MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA.

May his soul awaken us and lead us to the goal of becoming a proud Indian!

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125 Years of K. M. Munshi


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MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           FEBUARY 14 , 2013           11.25 P.M.

When in the beginning of January 2013 , President of India Pranab Mukherjee went to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan headquarters in Mumbai and paid tribute to K. M. Munshi , I suddenly realized that my favourite icon , a freedom fighter and an extraordinary litterateur of India has completed 125 years of his existence .

K. M. Munshi

K. M. Munshi

I have read Hindi translations of almost all his novels . I particularly love his historical and mythological novels like ; Jai Somnath and Bhagwan Parashuram . During my adolescent years I was enamoured by his personality . His role and contribution in the re-construction of Somnath Temple is unparalleled . It speaks volumes about his character and determination that he could achieve this feat , though Jawaharlal Nehru was dead against the idea .

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K. M. Munshi was born on 30 December 1887 in the town of Bharuch in Gujarat, and educated in Vadodara , where he excelled in academics. One of his teachers at Baroda College was Sri Aurobindo Ghosh who had a profound impression on him. Munshi was also greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Bhulabhai Desai, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. After acquiring his degree in Law from the University of Bombay, he enrolled himself as an advocate in 1913 . About this time his first novel was being serialised in a Gujarati weekly.

Under Sri Aurobindo‘s influence, Munshi was attracted to armed rebellion against the British. He even learnt to make bombs, but when he moved to Bombay in 1915, he drifted towards the Home Rule Movement, and was later elected member of the Subjects Committee of the Indian National Congress in 1917. He started the movement for a Parliamentary wing of the Congress, and later became Secretary of the Congress Parliamentary Board in 1938. The same year he founded the well-known Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Institute of Agriculture at Anand, Gujarat.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan - Mumbai

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan – Mumbai

Munshi was an active participant in the Indian Independence Movement ever since the advent of Mahatma Gandhi. He joined the Swaraj Party but returned to the Indian National Congress on Gandhiji‘s behest with the launch of the Salt Satyagraha in 1930. He was arrested several times, including during the Quit India Movement of 1942. A great admirer of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Munshi served in the Central Legislative Assembly in the 1930s.

After the independence of India, Munshi was appointed diplomatic envoy and trade agent (Agent-General) to the princely state of Hyderabad, where he served until its accession to India in 1948. Munshi was on the ad hoc Flag Committee that selected the Flag of India in August 1947, and on the committee which drafted the Constitution of India under the chairmanship of B. R. Ambedkar. He and Purushottam Das Tandon were among those who strongly opposed propagation and conversion in the constituent assembly. He was also the main driving force behind the renovation of the historically important Somnath Temple by the Government of India just after independence.

Munshi served as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1952 to 1957. In 1959, Munshi separated from the Nehru-dominated Congress Party and started the Akhand Hindustan Movement. He , along with Chakravarti Rajagopalachari , founded the Swatantra Party, which was right-wing in its politics, pro-business, pro-free market economy and private property rights. The party enjoyed limited success and eventually died out. Later, Munshi joined the Jan Sangh.

Being a prolific writer and a conscientious journalist, Munshi started a Gujarati monthly called Bhargava. He was joint-editor of Young India and in 1954, started the Bhavan’s Journal which is published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to this day. Munshi was President of the Sanskrit Viswa Parishad, the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, and the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Apart from founding Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Munshi was instrumental in the establishment of Bhavan’s College, Hansraj Morarji Public School, Rajhans Vidyalaya, Rajhans Balvatika and Panchgani Hindu School (1924). He was elected Fellow of the University of Bombay, where he was responsible for giving adequate representation to regional languages.

Besides being a politician and educator, Munshi was also an environmentalist. He initiated the Vanmahotsav in 1950, when he was Union Minister of Food and Agriculture, to increase area under forest cover. Since then Van Mahotsav a week-long festival of tree plantation is organised every year in the month of July all across the country and lakhs of trees are planted.

Works

Munshi was also a litterateur with a wide range of interests. He is well-known for his historical novels in Gujarati, especially his trilogy Patan-ni-Prabhuta (The Greatness of Patan), Gujarat-no-Nath (The Ruler of Gujarat) and Rajadhiraj (The Emperor). His other works include Jay Somnath (on Somnath temple), Krishnavatara (on Lord Krishna), Bhagavan Parasurama (on Parshurama), and Tapasvini (The Lure of Power) a novel with a fictional parallel drawn from the Freedom Movement of India under Mahatma Gandhi. Munshi also wrote several notable works in English.

Munshi has written mostly based on fictional historical themes namely

  1. Earlier Aryan settlements in India (What he calls Gaurang’s – white skinned)
  2. Krishna’s endeavors in Mahabharata kaal
  3. More recently in 10th century India around Gujarat, Malwa and Southern India.

K.M. Munshi’s novel Prithvi Vallabh was made into a movie of the same name twice. The adaptation directed by Manilal Joshi in 1924 was very controversial in its day: Mahatma Gandhi railed against it for excessive sex and violence. The second version was by Sohrab Modi in 1943.

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List of works

Novels

In Gujarati & Hindi languages :-

  • Mari Kamala (1912)
  • Verni Vasulat (1913) (under the pen name Ghanashyam)
  • Patanni Prabhuta (1916)
  • Gujaratno Nath (1917)
  • Rajadhiraj (1918)
  • Prithvivallabh (1920)
  • Svapnadishta (1924)
  • Lopamudra (1930)
  • Jay Somanth (1940)
  • Bhagavan Parashurama (1946)
  • Tapasvini (1957)
  • Krishnavatara (in seven volumes) (1970)
  • Kono vank
  • Lomaharshini
  • Bhagvan Kautilya
  • Pratirodha (1900)
  • Atta ke svapana (1900)
  • Gaurava kā pratīka (1900)
  • Gujarat ke Gaurava (1900)
  • Sishu aura Sakhi (1961)

Dramas

  • Brahmacharyashram (1931)
  • Dr. Madhurika (1936)
  • Pauranik Natako

Non-fiction

  • Ketlak Lekho (1926)
  • Adadhe Raste (1943)

Notable works in English

Tamil Nadu : 25 Years Without M. G. R.


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MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           DECEMBER 28 , 2012           05.35 P.M.

Marudhur Gopala Ramachandran or M. G. Ramachandran or simply M. G. R. needs no introduction in Tamil Nadu . Though he died 25 years ago , still his popularity refuses to wane . I always knew about his phenomenal sway over the masses in Tamil Nadu but I personally experienced it during my recent visit to the state .

English: MGR with Kerala politician K.Karunaka...

MGR (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One morning when I came out of my room in Subam Lodge , Vaitheeswaran Koil , I noticed that arched are being erected on the streets and photos of M. G. R. are being garlanded everywhere . Old hit songs of the films of M. G. R. were being played . People in large number were queuing in front of his photos and paying respect .

On 25th Death Anniversary , MGR Being Rememberedin a Village of Thanjavur

On 25th Death Anniversary , MGR Being Remembered in a Village of Thanjavur

I was astonished . I was astounded by the fact that it is his 25th death anniversary and still people are remembering him . To know the height of his popularity , please go through the description of his death scene , which I am quoting from Wikipedia :

” M.G.R. died on December 24, 1987 after his prolonged illness. He was 70. His death sparked off a frenzy of looting and rioting all over the state of Tamil Nadu. Shops, movie theatres, buses and other public and private property became the target of violence let loose all over the state. The police had to resort issuing shoot-at-sight orders. Tamilians from Bangalore rushed to Madras in trains to see the mortal remains of MGR. Govt had announced free train facility for this visit. The violence during the funeral alone left 29 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. This state of affairs continued for almost a month all over the state of Tamil Nadu. Around one million people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and people had their heads tonsured.

After his death, his political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, split between his wife Janaki Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa; they later merged in 1988.

In 1989 Dr. M. G. R. Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired was established in the erstwhile Residence MGR Gardens, Ramapuram, in accordance with his will dated January 17, 1986. His official residence at 27, Arcot Street, T.Nagar is now MGR Memorial House and is open for public viewing. His film studio, Sathya Studios has been converted into a women’s college. “

English: New emblem for All India Anna Dravida...

New emblem for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Party, designed by B. Balamanigandan email:bbm@drmgr.org (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now non – Tamil people can understand his impact and popularity among the masses . It was well – crafted image with the help of his films . He was the first major film star of India , who became Chief Minister of any state and won 3 consecutive elections in 1977 , 1980 and 1984 . He became Chief Minister in 1977 and remained in office till his death in 1987 . In 1984 assembly elections , though he was in the hospital for treatment and could not participate in electioneering , still he led his party to unprecedented victory . His images , from his hospital bed in the U.S.A. , were broadcast through cinema halls . And his party A.I.A.D.M.K. got 56% of assembly seats .

How he created this larger – than – life political image ? You can watch the song  “…….. neenga nalla irukkanum ……… ” of his film ” Idhayakkani ” [ 1975 ] . In the  ……neenga nalla irukkanum ……… song , he pays homage to his mentor Annadurai , whose image is clearly visible on the screen . His party flag is also fluttering in air and you could see that in the song itself his screen character is doing his philanthropic work . ” Idhayakkani “ was released 2 years before he became the Chief Minister . His last released film was ” Madurai Meeta Sundara Pandian ” [ 1978 ] .  This was his 136th film .  It was released 1 year after he became the Chief Minister . So through his 136 films , he created this kind of image , which is unheard of anywhere in the world . After becoming CM , the ongoing project ” Anna En Theivam “ was stopped and later on it was released by Bhagyaraj with modified story in which Bhagyaraj was the hero.

Apart from M.G.R. , no one in India or in world could replicate this kind of success . He was the first and till date only actor turned politician , who got this kind of mass popularity and could generate mass hysteria of this magnitude . N.T.R. or Nandamoori Tarak Ramarao was also an actor in Telugu film industry and he did succeed in Andhra Pradesh but his success was short – lived as he was soon toppled by his own son – in – law . President of U.S.A. , Ronald Reagan was also an actor in Hollywood but he was not a major star.

On my previous visit to Chennai in 2011 , I visited memorial of M.G.R. at Marina Beach to show my respect . In December 2012 , when I visited Chennai again , I was again able to pay respect to him on his 25th death anniversary .

At MGR Memorial , Marina Beach , Chennai

At MGR Memorial , Marina Beach , Chennai

With Poster of MGR in a Small Town

With Poster of MGR in a Small Town

It is sad that he died when he was only 70 . And 70 is not the age to leave the world . Had he been alive he would have been a formidable Prime Minister of India . In these days of coalition politics it would have been a real possibility .

Alas ! We lost him too early and too soon .

I think it would be fascinating to tell his story to all the students of my acting academy , Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . Who knows ? They might replicate M.G.R. story in their lives also .

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150 Years of Swami Vivekananda


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JULY 31 , 2012           11.40 P.M.

Русский: Свами Вивекананда Свами Вивекананда в...

Swami Vivekanand (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I have stated in my earlier blog about Charles Dickens , I was introduced to the world of books and knowledge by my grandfather . Later on , I was encouraged by my father , who used to buy books for me and saw to it that I should read them . My Maa , who too was a voracious reader , also encouraged me to read good books and magazines and thus a life – long passion started very early in my life .

English: Swami Vivekanand

A Young Swami Vivekanand (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My father introduced me to the world of Swami Vivekanand . One day he came with a book titled ” UTTISHTHATA JAGRATA ” . I was a book of the lectures of Swami Vivekananda , compiled and edited by Shri Eknath Ranade , a Hindu ideologue and RSS Pracharak .

It was my first brush with the renowned sanyasi of India . I started reading the book and was mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the poetic language and powerful thoughts . His speech in the Parliament of the World’s Religion in Chicago is epitome of lucidity in language . It is something which I have not imagined . It is something which will never be obfuscated from my memory . The words uttered by Swami Vivekananda in his Chicago sermon still keep on ringing in my ears , though I read it many years ago .

English: Higher detail image of Swami_Vivekana...

Higher detail image of Swami_Vivekananda.jpg Swami Vivekananda, September, 1893, Chicaco, signed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After I finished reading ” UTTISHTHATA JAGRATA ” , I bought many books about Swami ji and read them . ” UTTISHTHATA JAGRATA ” and all the other books still adorn my library in my ancestral house at Deoria . I became admirer , follower and a virtual disciple of Swami Vivekananda .

Swami Vivekananda ;  (12 January 1863–4 July 1902), born Narendra Nath Datta  , was a key figure in the introduction of Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world , and was credited with raising interfaith awareness , bringing Hinduism to the status of a major world religion in the late 19th century . He was a major force in the revival of Hinduism in India , and contributed to the notion of nationalism in colonial India . He was the chief disciple of the 19th century saint Ramakrishna and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission .He will always be known for his inspiring speech beginning with “Sisters and Brothers of America,” through which he introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Parliament of the World’s Religions opened on 11 September 1893 at the Art Institute of Chicago as part of the World’s Columbian Exposition . On this day Vivekananda gave his first brief address . He represented India and Hinduism , and began his speech with, “Sisters and brothers of America !” .To these words he got a standing ovation from a crowd of seven thousand, which lasted for two minutes . When silence was restored he began his address . He greeted the youngest of the nations in the name of  “the most ancient order of monks in the world , the Vedic order of sannyasins , a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance .” And he quoted two illustrative passages in this relation , from the Bhagavad Gita“As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea , so , O Lord , the different paths which men take , through different tendencies , various though they appear , crooked or straight , all lead to Thee !” and “Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form , I reach him ; all men are struggling through paths that in the end lead to Me .” Despite being a short speech , it voiced the spirit of the Parliament and its sense of universality.

Dr. Barrows, the president of the Parliament said, “India, the Mother of religions was represented by Swami Vivekananda , the Orange-monk who exercised the most wonderful influence over his auditors .”  He attracted widespread attention in the press , which dubbed him as the “Cyclonic monk from India”. The New York Critique wrote, “He is an orator by divine right, and his strong, intelligent face in its picturesque setting of yellow and orange was hardly less interesting than those earnest words, and the rich, rhythmical utterance he gave them.”  The New York Herald wrote, “Vivekananda is undoubtedly the greatest figure in the Parliament of Religions. After hearing him we feel how foolish it is to send missionaries to this learned nation.” The American newspapers reported Swami Vivekananda as “the greatest figure in the parliament of religions” and “the most popular and influential man in the parliament”. The Boston Evening Transcript, reported on 30 September 1893 that Vivekananda was “a great favourite at the parliament…if he merely crosses the platform, he is applauded”. He spoke several more times at the Parliament on topics related to Hinduism and Buddhism and harmony of religions . The parliament ended on 27 September 1893 . All his speeches at the Parliament had one common theme of universality , and emphasised religious tolerance .

Whenever I read above mentioned facts about him or try to visualize his presence in Chicago congregation , a sense of pride engulfs me completely . Adoration for him , which started very early in my life , refuses to subside even today.

I wish to visit his birth place and the place where he was cremated and the Rock memorial at Kanyakumari , which incidentally was spearheaded by Shri Eknath Ranade , whose book ” UTTISHTHATA JAGRATA ” hooked me to Swami ji .

English: Birth place of Narendranath Dutta (Sw...

Birth place of Narendranath Dutta (Swami Vivekananda), now it is maintained by the Ramakrishna Mission. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Swami Vivekananda temple at Belur Mat...

Swami Vivekananda temple at Belur Math, at the place where he was cremated. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Memorial for Swami Vivekananda, offsh...

Memorial for Swami Vivekananda, offshore, Kanyakumari, India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I feel myself lucky to be born in the same country , where Swami ji was born . I feel myself fortunate to follow the tenets of same Hinduism , to which he also subscribed . I am blessed that by writing this blog on his 150th Anniversary , I could claim that I am also a part of the celebration , though insignificant , though just a spec in the scheme of things , but still I am a part of it .

Swami Vivekananda at Chicago in 1893.

Swami Vivekananda at Chicago in 1893. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Goosebumps and a strange kind of sensation overpowering me at this time , as I am completing this blog .

[ I have taken some facts and some quotes from Wikipedia . I express my gratitude . ]

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150 Years of First Christian Saint of India


MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           JUNE 11. 2012           02.00 A.M.

Read a very small news item in the June 09 , 2012 issue of Times of India . It was about St. Gonsalo Garcia , a Christian missionary of Indian origin , who is also the first saint of Indian origin . He was crucified in Japan for propagating Christianity .

It was very shocking to say the least . While reading about St. Gomsalo Garcia , I remember a very tragic and sad case of a Christian missionary Graham Staines , who was murdered , while working in Odisha province of India .

Map of India showing location of Orissa

Map of India showing location of Odisha (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Locator map of the state of Odisha, India with...

Locator map of the state of Odisha, India with district boundaries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 1999 , an Australian Christian missionary Graham Staines was burnt alive along with his two sons Timothy [ aged 9 ] and Philip [ aged 7 ] , while they were sleeping in his station wagon at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district in Odisha . This was an unfortunate incident and a blot on the SARVA DHARMA SAMABHAV [ All Religions Are Equal ] credentials of India . No sane person can justify communal violence of any kind . Every one condemned the incident and appealed for peace and immediate halt of attacks against Christians . But seculars and left – liberal intellectuals pounced on right – wingers and nationalists for the gruesome murder . They still throw venom on nationalist forces for gruesome Graham Staines murder . Though they conveniently forget about Swami Lakshmanananda’s murder .

English: Graham Staines and family

Graham Staines and family (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In their eagerness and zeal to condemn the nationalist forces , these seculars and left – liberals forget that Dara Singh was convicted in 2009 for leading the rampaging mob against Christians . In 2011 the Supreme Court of India upheld life imprisonment for Dara Singh . Justice prevailed , rule of law upheld and in a predominantly Hindu nation , Gaham Staines , an Australian Christian missionary got justice .

English: Cross

Cross (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While reading the article of Times of India , I was pained that St.Gonsalo Garcia was crucified in Japan in 1597 . Seculars and left – liberals are not that vociferous in condemnation in this case as they are in the case of India . Why Japan is not condemned the way India is always condemned for the communal violence ?

Gonsalo Garcia was born in Gass village of Vasai , Mumbai in 1557 . At that time Vasai was under Portuguese rule and was known as Bassein . Since childhood , Gonsalo had a strong desire to become a Jesuit priest . At the age of 15 , he came in contact with another Jesuit priest Sebastio Gonsalves and went to Japan and worked in his mission . For a brief period he moved to Philippines but later on returned to Japan , joined Franciscan order and started preaching Christianity .

Local Buddhist monks got envious and they forced the Japanese authorities to arrest all Christian missionaries including Gonsalo Garcia . They were sentenced to death and crucified on a hill in Nagasaki on February 05 , 1597 .

In Christian world they are known as ” Nagasaki Martyrs ” . On June 08 , 1862 Pope Pius IX declared them saints . Christians of Mumbai are celebrating 150 years of canonization of St . Gonsalo Garcia this year .

English: Pope Pius IX standing in front of his...

Pope Pius IX standing in front of his papal tiara. fairuse (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When anti Christian riots happened in some parts of India , specially in Odisha , seculars and left – liberal intellectuals lambasted nationalists and right – wingers .Why are they silent in this case . Though the incident happened in 1597 but it did  happen . And it is against all the accepted norms of secular society .

I , at least , deeply condemn the brutal murder of St. Gonsalo Garcia and hail the judicial system of my country . Graham Staines and his two sons got justice and Dara Singh is languishing in prison for his crime .

English: The supreme court of india. Taken abo...

supreme court of india. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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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.

President of the Indian National Congress

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 .

English: Statue of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya...

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

IIT-BHU known as IT-BHU,Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh

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

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.

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.

Banaras Hindu University

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 .

English: Panoramic View of Har ki pauri

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 of Banaras Hindu University

Library BHU

New Vishwanath Temple also known as Birla Mand...

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 .

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Ungrateful Congress, Forgetful Nation & Madan Lal Dhingra’s Sacrifice


2Shame !!! Shame !!! Shame !!!

Congress, the ruling party of India, our own government of India and specially we, the people of India, forgot the sacrifice and martyrdom of Madan Lal Dhingra. Exactly a century ago, he was hanged in London for shooting a British M.P. Curzon Wyle. He was the first freedom fighter to be executed in the imperial capital of the British on August 17, 1909. On Monday, August 17, 2009, it was the 100th year of his martyrdom. It was virtually ignored by the government of India and Indian National Congress. His home state, Punjab, organized just one function. It goes without saying that it was a halfhearted effort. The Congress, established by a British A. O. Hume and currently led by an Italian lady, is not expected to be Indian or National in any sense of the term. They have so many Gandhis and Nehrus in their pantheon. They have to think about the coronation of Rahul baba. They are more worried about the bruised ego of Shahrukh Khan. Who cares about a freedom fighter, who cannot fetch them a single extra vote? But what about us? We, the people of India? We also forgot his supreme sacrifice.

Shame !!! Shame !!! Shame !!!

Madan Lal Dhingra’s father Rai Sahib Dr. Ditta Mal was the richest man of Amritsar. He was a renowned civil surgeon and was the first car owner in the city. While in the college in Lahore, Dhingra came in touch with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bhagat Singh and started taking part in the freedom struggle. An alarmed father sent him to London for higher studies. Dhingra knew his father’s hidden motive but was persuaded to go by his elder brother. In London, he was influenced by freedom fighters like Shyamji Krishna Varma and Veer Savarkar and continued his struggle for independence. In fact Veer Savarkar encouraged him to shoot Curzon wyle, who was a rabid India hater. Dhingra shot him and he was hanged for this crime after a 45-day trial on August 17, 1909. He was 26 years old at the time of his hanging.

A life, so young, was lost for our freedom. Son of an immensely rich person, who owned 6 bungalows and first car in Amritsar, died for us. He could have lived a life of comfort and luxury. But he kissed the noose and chose the gallows, happily and voluntarily. Alas! He is not remembered by his own province, his own country and his own fellow countrymen.

And I cannot absolve myself. I am very much part and parcel of the ungrateful and guilty Indians. I am writing this blog 2 days later and that too after reading an article in today’s Hindustan Times.

Shame !!! Shame !!! Shame !!!

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