Wishing you all a Happy & a Prosperous New Year! May 2011 bring you alot of love, happiness and success!

Merry Christmas and A Prosperous New Year to all!

Vande Mataram: The National Song of India (With English Translation)

Vande Mataram: Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and translated in English by Shree Aurobindo.

Sanskrit

वन्दे मातरम्
सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
शस्यशामलां मातरम् ।
शुभ्रज्योत्स्नापुलकितयामिनीं
फुल्लकुसुमितद्रुमदलशोभिनीं
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीं
सुखदां वरदां मातरम् ।। १ ।। वन्दे मातरम् ।
कोटि-कोटि-कण्ठ-कल-कल-निनाद-कराले
कोटि-कोटि-भुजैर्धृत-खरकरवाले,
अबला केन मा एत बले ।
बहुबलधारिणीं नमामि तारिणीं
रिपुदलवारिणीं मातरम् ।। २ ।। वन्दे मातरम् ।
तुमि विद्या, तुमि धर्म
तुमि हृदि, तुमि मर्म
त्वं हि प्राणा: शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारई प्रतिमा गडि
मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे मातरम् ।। ३ ।। वन्दे मातरम् ।
त्वं हि दुर्गा दशप्रहरणधारिणी
कमला कमलदलविहारिणी
वाणी विद्यादायिनी, नमामि त्वाम्
नमामि कमलां अमलां अतुलां
सुजलां सुफलां मातरम् ।। ४ ।। वन्दे मातरम् ।
श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषितां
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम् ।। ५ ।। वन्दे मातरम् ।।

English Translation

Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Though who savest, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove
Back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Though art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nervs the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thin ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleems,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jewelled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Lovliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

Wishing you all a very Happy & a Prosperous New Year! Also, Happy Bhai Dooj to all my brothers!

Diwali ke diye se ho roshni sada aapke ghar main; Mithaayiyon ki mithaas rahe har pal aapke jeevan main; Lakshmi Maa ki kripa se ho daulat ki barasaat; Saraswati Maa ka aashirwaad ho aapke saath; Dil se dua hai, iss Diwali main Ganeshji kare har vigna ko dur; Aap sabko Diwali ki dher saari shubh kaamanayen!

Alternate street parking suspended tomorrow because of DIWALI!!!

On this Kali Chaudas may lord bless you all,
and you all attain victory over evils! Happy Kali Chaudas/Choti Diwali!

May you all be blessed with the wealth of happiness, good health and money. Happy Dhanteras! http://ping.fm/GJMSY

Diwali: The festival of lights: http://ping.fm/eNdm1

Diwali: The festival of lights

Diwali is one of the most important festivals of India. It has different significance for people in different regions of India, but most importantly this festival symbolizes the unity and diversity as it is celebrated in every state in its own unique ways. During Diwali, every corners of India is glowing with diyas, candles and lights. The delight of this festival comes from the exchange of sweets and gifts; from the fireworks that are lit every night for the five days of Diwali and from the get together of the friends and family where they wish Happy Diwali and a Prosperous New Year to each other from the bottom of their hearts and younger ones touch feet of their elders due to respect and to get their blessings as in Indian culture elders, specially parents are considered no less than God and are respected even more than God.


As mentioned earlier, every region has its own significance of Diwali. In North India, it is believed that on the day of Diwali, Lord Ram returned home, Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeat of Ravan. In Gujarat, this festival honors Goddess Lakshmi who is goddess of wealth. In West Bengal, Diwali is associated with Goddess Kali. Even though every region has its own belief, the festival signifies the “renewal of life” so it is common to wear new clothes on this day. During this festival, some families observe fast and perform prayers and rituals. Businessmen in India begin their fiscal year from this time of the year as it is believed to receive graces of Goddess Lakshmi. Many people gamble during Diwali as it is believed that the winner will have financial success all year.

Five days of Diwali:

Dhanteras/Dhantrayodashi/ Dhanwantari Triodasi:


The first day of Diwali is known as Dhanteras, which falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh in the Hindu month of Kartik. The word “Dhan” stands for wealth. On this auspicious day, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped for well-being and prosperity. The importance of the day comes from one of the historical story which includes a sixteen year old son of King Hima who was destined to die from a snake bite on the fourth day of his marriage. When the day approached, his wife laid all her ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband’s door and lighted countless lamps and she started telling stories and singing songs. When yama (God of death) arrived with guise of serpent, his got blinded by the brilliant lights and was not able to enter Prince’s room. He climbed on the top of the heap of ornaments and sat for the entire night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. This way young wife was able to save her husband from the clutches of death. Since then, the day is also known as “Yamadeepdaan” and lamps are kept burning throughout the night. Another popular legend is when the Gods and demons were churning the oceans for Amrit (nectar), Dhanavantri (the physician of Gods and incarnation of Vishnu), came out of the elixir on Dhanteras. On this auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with traditional Rangoli designs welcoming the Goddess of wealth and prosperity indicated her long-awaited arrival with small footprints made with rice flour and vermilion powder. It is also considered auspicious to buy gold or silver items or at least one or two new utensils with a belief that the new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of Good Luck. In the evenings, Lakshmi-Puja is performed with the lightning of Diyas to drive away the shadows of evil spirits along with “Bhajans” which are devotional songs praising Goddess Lakshmi. In villages, cattle are worshipped by farmers as they are the main source of their income and in south, cows are offered special adoration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Choti Diwali/ Narak Chaturdasi/ Kali Chaudas:


The day before Diwali is celebrated as Choti Diwali (small Diwali). The celebration of this day involves ritual puja to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ram with aarti and devotional songs. The historical importance of this day is associated with the demon king Narakasur, ruler of Pragjyotishpur (a province to the south of Nepal). After defeating Lord Indra, he had snatched away magnificent earring of Aditi, the Mother Goddess (ruler of Suralok and relative of Satyabhama, wife of Lord Krishna) and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the Gods and Saints. When Satyabhama became aware of this, she appealed to Lord Krishna to permit her to destroy Narakasur as he was cursed to be killed by a woman. Lord Krishna gave a boon to fight with Narakasur. Satyabhama entered the battle field with Krishna as the charioteer. During the war, Krishna fainted for a while which was destined to empower Satyabhama to kill the demon. After the death of Narakasur, imprisoned women were all released and Lord Krishna accepted to marry them. Also, the precious earrings of Aditi were recovered. As a symbol of victory, Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon’s blood. He then returned home early in the morning of the Narakchaturdashi. He was massaged with scented oil and was given a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since this day, it has become a custom to take bath before sunrise on Choti Diwali especially in Maharashtra. Also, Bhudevi, mother of Narakasur had announced that her son’s death should not be a day of mourning, but an occasion to rejoice. Since then, Diwali is celebrated with fun, and fireworks. In South India this victory is celebrated by people waking up before sunrise, preparing a paste ofkumkum (vermilion) in oil, which symbolizes blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon king, they apply the paste on their foreheads. Than they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste. Similarly In Maharashtra, people take early baths with oil and “Uptan” paste of gram flour and fragrant powders. After bath ritual, steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.

Diwali/Lakshmi Puja:


The third day of the festival is known as Diwali. It is the most important day for Laksmi Puja and is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. Even though, this day falls on Amavasya (No Moon day), it is believed to be the most auspicious day. According to the Hindu belief, on this day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale and so this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. The day of Diwali or Lakshmi Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. Many diyas/ lamps are lit to drive away the darkness. It is believed that on this day Goddess Lakshmi walks through the green fields and many different places showering her blessings. It is very important to keep the houses spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness and she visits the cleanest house first. Diyas/ Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the Goddess as they are believed to light up her path. Laksmi Puja consists of a combined puja/ worship of five deities: Lord Ganesh who is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vignaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in her three forms: Mahalakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Money), Mahasaraswati (Goddess of Books and Learning) and Mahakali (Goddess of Power and Strength). The fifth deity is Kuber (the Treasurer of Gods).

Gudi Padwa/ Govardhan Puja/ New Year:

According to the belief of the people from Maharashtra, the day following Amavasya is “Kartik Shuddh Padwa” and it is the only day when King Bali would come out of Patal Lok and rule Bhulok as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu and so it is also known as “Bali Padyami.” Gudi Padwa symbolizes the love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and are given presents. Also, in old days, brothers would go to fetch their sisters from their in-laws home to celebrate their auspicious day. In the Northern and Western part of India, Govardhan Puja is performed. Govardhan is a small hillock in Braj which is near Mathura and on this day, people would build cowdung hillocks and decorate them with flowers and then worship them. As per Vishnu Puran, the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival honoring Lord Indra after the end of monsoon. One year, young Krishna stopped them from praying Lord Indra which made him angry and sent heavy rain to submerge Gokul. People of Gokul became scared by the anger of Lord Indra. But Lord Krishna assured them of no harm would be caused. He then lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered every person and beasts of Gokul from rain. This act gave him a title of Govardhandhari. Seeing this, Lord Indra accepted the power of Lord Krishna. Since this day, Mount Govardhan is been worshipped in the form of Govardhan Puja. This day is also observed as Annakoot which means mountain of food. Devotees stay awake the entire night to cook 56 or 108 different types of food for the bhog (offering of food) to Lord Krishna. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathdwara the deities are given milk bath and dressed in shinning attires with dazzling ornaments. After the prayers and traditional worship, numerous varieties of delicious sweets are raised in the form of mountain in front of deities as “Bhog” and then the devotees approach towards the mountain of food and take it as Prasad from it. This day is also considered as a New Year/ Bestu Varas for people of Gujarat. Traditional customs and rituals are performed to welcome the New Year. Almost all Gujarati houses are colorfully lighted and decorated with flowers and Rangoli by the entrance. People dress up nicely, visit temples with flowers and sweets. Everyone wish each other happy new year and at the same offer prayers to God. Heavy, delicious meal is served at the end of the day which praises the spirit of the festival. The New Year signifies the love and unity between family and friends.

Bhai Dooj:

The festival of Diwali is incomplete without the fifth day which is known as Bhai Dooj. This is the day to pray for the long life of the brother who is referred as “Bhai”. According to the historical belief, Yamraj (God of Death) went to visit his sister’s house after long period of separation. His sister, Yami welcomed him by putting an auspicious mark on his forehead for his well being. Yami and Yamraj shared meal. He was very pleased with his sister’s treatment and he announced that on this day if a sister puts a tilak (auspicious mark) on her brother’s forehead, then no one can harm her brother. Since then, it has become a tradition for sisters performing puja for their brother’s well being and brothers in return give gifts to their sister as a token of love. Another legend is that after killing Naraksur, Lord Krishna went to meet his sister, Subhdra. She welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting a tilak on his forehead as a sisterly protection. It is also believed that Bhagwaan Mahavir found nirvana, and his brother Raja Nandivardhan was very sad and was missing his brother. Sister Sudarshana then helped his brother cheer and since then, women have been honored during this festival. Bhai Dooj is celebrated to strengthen the love between brothers and sisters.

These five days of Diwali are celebrated all over India with great joy and enjoyment.

Happy Diwali and A Prosperous New Year to all!

Santa Banta Jokes: Santa to his grl frnd-Main tumse shaadi nahi kar sakta. Mere gharwale manaa kar rahe hai. Grl frnd-Tumhare ghar main kaun kaun hai? Santa-Main, meri biwi aur 3 bache!

Every Indian must see this Video

An inspiring video for every Indian:



Jai Hind!

*FULL SPEECH* 13 yr old Hindu girl speaks out against Anti-India forces

Every Indian must watch/ hear this:



Vande Mataram!

The day symbolize Victory of good over evil: Happy Dusherra to all!

Delhi promised, Delhi delivered | XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

Delhi promised, Delhi delivered | XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi

Pag-pag mein phool khile,
Khushi aap sabko itni mile,
Kabhi na ho dukhon ka samna,
Yahi hai aapko Navratri ki subhkamna.
http://ping.fm/Ftk2W

commonwealth games 2010 opening ceremony

Check out the Grand Opening of Commonwealth Games 2010 in Delhi, India...

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is said to be a "Father of the Nation"; Does he really deserve this title? Read what Godse had to say: http://ping.fm/eEtJz

Nathuram Godse' words on Why he killed Gandhi?

“ I don’t refute Gandhi’s theory of non-violence. He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.The division of the nation was an unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never greater than a nation.

In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at knife-point. Jinnah did it and Gandhi stabbed the nation with the same knife. He dissected the land and gave a piece to Pakistan. We did picket that time but in vain. The Father of our Nation went to perform his paternal duties for Pakistan! Gandhi blackmailed the cabinet with his fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction — geographical as well as economical — of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an independent Bengal?

I am going to assassinate him in the open, before the public, because I am going to do it as my duty. If I do it surreptitiously, it becomes a crime in my own eyes. I will not try to escape, I will surrender and naturally I will be hanged. One assassination, one hanging. I don’t want two executions for one assassination and I don’t want your involvement, participation or company. (This was for Nana-Apte and Veer Savarkar as they were against ghandhi’s policies too, Godse wanted to assassinate gandhi all by himself and took promise from Nana Apte that he will continue helping Veer Savarkar in rebuilding India as a strong free nation.)

On January 30, I reached Birla Bhavan at 12 pm. Gandhi was sitting outside on a cot enjoying the sunshine. Vallabhbhai Patel’s granddaughter was sitting at his feet. I had the revolver with me. I could have assassinated him easily then, but I was convinced that his assassination was to be a punishment and a sentence against him, and I would execute him. I wanted witnesses for the execution but there were none. I did not want to escape after the execution as there was not an iota of guilt in my mind. I wanted to surrender, but surrender to whom? There was a good crowd to collect for the evening prayers. I decided on the evening of January 30 as the date for Gandhi’s execution.

Gandhi climbed the steps and came forward. He had kept his hands on the shoulders of the two girls. I wanted just three seconds more. I moved two steps forward and faced Gandhi. Now I wanted to take out the revolver and salute him for whatever sacrifice and service he had made for the nation. One of the two girls was dangerously close to Gandhi and I was afraid that she might be injured in the course of firing. As a precautionary measure I went one more step ahead, bowed before him and gently pushed the girl away from the firing line. The next moment I fired at Gandhi. Gandhi was very weak, there was a feeble sound like ‘aah’ (There are proof that Gandhi did NOT say “Hey Raam” at that time – it’s just made up stuff ) from him and he fell down.

After the firing I raised my hand holding the revolver and shouted, ‘Police, police’. For 30 seconds nobody came forward and I scanned the crowd. I saw a police officer. I signalled to him to come forward and arrest me. He came and caught my wrist, then a second man came and touched the revolver… I let it go…”

Navratri: The festival of Nine Nights... Find out its significance: http://ping.fm/3QFZ6

Navratri: The festival of nine nights (Nav=Nine; Ratri=Nights)

According to Hindu calendar, the festival of nine nights-Navratri starts from Ashvin sud 1 and goes until Ashvin sud 9 with the 10th day known as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera. Each night is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga and is celebrated with great faith and devotion. There are three different historical beliefs that lead the different types of celebration today in different parts of India.

Historical Significance of Navratri

One of the historical beliefs is related to the mighty demon, Mahishasur. Mahishasur worshipped Lord Shiv to gain the power of eternity. He then started harassing and killing innocent people with a goal to win all three lokas. Gods in those lokas appealed to Lord Shiv to find a way to get rid of such demon. To protect the world from Mahishasur’s violence, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiv) united their powers and created a divine female warrior who is known as Goddess Durga. Mahishasur was mesmerized by her beauty and approached her with an intention of marrying Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga then put forth a condition that Mahishasur would have to win over her in a battle to marry her. Mahishasur agreed and the battle continued for nine nights and at the end of the ninth night, Goddess Durga beheaded Mahishasur. These nine nights are known as Navratri while the tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashmi (the tenth day of the victory of good over evil) in northern parts of India.

In Eastern part of India, the belief is associated to the King of the Himalayas, Daksha who had a beautiful daughter, Uma. Since her childhood, she wanted to marry Lord Shiv and in order to win over him, she worshipped him and was able to please Lord Shiv. King Daksha was not happy with the tiger-skin clad groom, Lord Shiv when he finally came to marry Uma. King Daksha broke off all the relationships with his daughter and son-in-law. A day came when King Daksha organized a yagna but did not invite Lord Shiv. Uma got angry and decided to end her life by jumping into the agnikund (Fire Pit). Since then she was known as Sati. However, Uma took re-birth and again won Lord Shiv as her groom and the peace was restored. Since then it is believed that every year Uma comes with Lord Ganesh, Kartik, Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Laxmi and two of her best friends, Jaya and Bijaya to visit her parents’ home during Navratri.


Another legend of Navratri is in regards to the Hindu epic, Ramayan. It is said that Lord Ram worshipped Goddess Durga in nine phases for nine days to gain strength and power to kill the almighty demon, Ravan. Lord Ram wanted to release his wife, Sita from Ravan’s control who had abducted her. Those nine nights are known as Navratri and the tenth day when Lord Ram killed Ravan came to be known as Vijayadashami or Dusshera signifying Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan (Victory of good over evil).

Celebration of Navratri in different parts of India

Gujarat: The most famous celebration of navratri is held in the western part of India especially in Gujarat. For nine nights, traditional dances in the form of Garba and Dandiya take place. Men and women wearing colorful traditional dresses, dance in circle around the lamp which signifies the eternal light of Goddess Durga. This dance is either performed by dancing around in circle by clapping the hands which is known as Garba or by decorated sticks which is called Dandiya. These dances are performed to the rhythm of the devotional songs.

Maharashtra: The celebrations in Maharashtra is little different. Navratri here is dedicated to Goddess Durga, while Vijayadashmi is devoted to Goddess Saraswati who is the Goddess of Knowledge. This day is considered to be the most auspicious to start education, buy new homes and start new ventures.

Tamil Nadu: The first three days here are dedicated to the worship of Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. Next three days are devoted to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of learning and arts and the last three days are committed to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power.

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: In these two states of south India, women arrange “Bommai Kolu” which is a special placing of dolls in various costumes decorated with flowers and ornaments on specially prepared steps.

West-Bengal: Navratri here is celebrated in the form of Durga Puja. It is celebrated with true dedication, huge idols of Goddess Durga posed as killing the demon, Mahishasur are worshipped. Huge ‘pandals’ (traditional tents) are set up and devotees in large numbers visit to worship Goddess Durga.

Punjab: The state in northern part of India. Here Navratri is celebrated by fasting for seven days and on the eighth day or on Ashtami the fast is broken.

Even though, Navratri is one festival, it has many different colors in terms of how it is celebrated; Yet it is celebrated with true devotion and dedication everywhere India.

To all Indians: Please take out just 3 mins and 20 secs out of your busy schedule and check out this video... Be a Proud Indian!

If you are True Indian, than read this letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam with true dedication: http://ping.fm/CrpuC

Be a Proud Indian: Letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam

If you are a true Indian, than do read the following letter from Dr. Abdul Kalam:

Letter to Every Indian from Dr. Abdul Kalam

Why is the media here so negative?

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.

Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T.Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.

Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours..

YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face -'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.
YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else. 'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand ..
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ?

In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan ..
Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.

We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.

When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?

What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians...

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.

Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.

Thank you,

Dr. Abdul Kalam

I hope every Indian would realize this soon and start praising our country, talk about positive points rather than focusing on negative ones and work towards making India a best place to live.

India is the most beautiful and the fastest developing country, so don't be ashamed, Be A Proud Indian :)

Sept. 27th, 1907 is the day when a true motivation for every Indian was born: http://ping.fm/HBj4K

May Vignaharta remove all the obstacles from your life, May Mangalmurti bring happiness and prosperity in your life - my wish for all my loved ones on this auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi... Ganpati Bapa Moriya, Mangalmurti Moriya!

Ganesh Chaturthi: Birth of the Lord of Wisdom, Prosperity and Good Fortune: http://ping.fm/2ZNxx

Ganesh Chaturthi: Birth of the lord of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day from the new moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada as Lord Ganesh was born on that day.

Lord Ganesh was created by Parvati (wife of Lord Shiva). Parvati created Ganesh from sandalwood dough that she used to bath and breathed life into him. She wanted him to guard the door when she goes for bath. As Ganesh was fulfilling his duty, Lord Shiva decided to meet his wife after a long period of meditation on the mountain Kailash. Since Lord Shiva was not aware of his wife’s creation and had never seen Lord Ganesh, he became furious when Lord Ganesh stopped him at the door and did not let him meet Parvati. Lord Shiva cut off the head of Lord Ganesh and continued on his way to meet Parvati. Moments later, Lord Shiva discovered that he has actually killed none other than Parvati’s son. He immediately ordered his attendants to get him the head of the very first creature they could find. The very first living creature that they could find was an elephant. They cut off the head of the elephant and brought to Lord Shiva. He then placed it on Ganesh’ body and brought him to life. Since then the elephant headed God is known as Ganesh or Ganpati, which means the chief of ganas or attendants of Shiva.

Lord Ganesh is chosen to be a leader as he had once won a race with his brother through his intelligence. One day Lord Ganesh and his younger brother, Kartike decided to take three rounds of the earth. Whoever finishes all three rounds first, will be considered as a leader. Kartike sat on a peacock as a vehicle and started off, whereas, Lord Ganesh was given a rat, which moved very slowly. Lord Ganesh knew it was a hard race. He immediately bend to his parents, Lord Shiva and Parvati and went around them three times and as a result, he completed his race before Kartike. He said, “my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them, is more than going round the earth.” Hearing his intelligent logic, Lord Ganesh was thus considered as a Ganadhipati or leader.

The celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha ruler whose aim was to promote culture and nationalism. The celebration was further re-energized by Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter) spreading a message of freedom struggle and challenging British who had banned public assemblies. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi brought the feeling of unity and restored the patriotic spirit and faith.

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in many different states in India. The preparation begin months in advance. Statues of Lord Ganesh are hand made by artists who creates them in different ways and in different sizes. These statues are set up on the corners of the streets and at homes. The arrangements are elaborated with lightings, decorations such as mirrors, flowers, colorful cloths and much more. Prayers are performed daily during certain hours of the day.

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for one, three, five, seven or ten days, depending on the devotee. On the last of the celebration, meaning either first, third, fifth, seventh or on tenth day the statue of Lord Ganesh is carried on the decorated floats to be submerged in the sea. Thousands of devotees parade to the beaches to immerse the holy idols/ statues in the sea. This parade is accompanied by drum beats, devotional songs and dance. Lord Ganesh is immersed in the sea with a very popular song “Ganpati Bapa Moriya, Agle Baras Tu Jaldi Aa,” which means, oh Lord Ganpati, come back soon the next year.

Since Lord Ganesh is considered as the mangal murti (auspicious God) in Hindu religion,even after his idol/ statues are immersed in the sea at the end of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, he is worshipped throughout the year, during every festival and before people starts a journey or a new venture. Lord Ganesh is also found carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes, and happily blessing marriages and other such occasions.

May Lord Ganesh bless all with wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!

Nand Ghera Nand Bhayo, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki... May Lord Krishna bless you all with lots of love and happiness! Happy Janmasthami to all!

"Ek Radha Ek Meera Dono Ne Shyam Ko Chaaha Ab Shyaam Pe Hai Sara Bhaar Kis Ki Preet Kare Sweekar." Importance of Janmashtami: http://ping.fm/S0f5j

Significance of Janmashtami: Birth of Lord Krishna: http://ping.fm/C1Bjo

Janmashtami: Birth of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami is one of the Indian, religious festivals which is celebrated on the eighth day of Sravan month according to the Hindu calendar, which usually falls during the month of August or September. Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna who is a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu which dates back to more than five thousand years ago. During that era, there was a very cruel and unfair ruler name Kans in Mathura, UP. People of Mathura were having a very hard time and were bearing tyranny and oppression of their ruler Kans. He had even overthrown his own father Ugrasena to gain access to the royal throne and became well-known for his vicious ambition that spared no one in the city, not even his loved ones.

Even though Kans was a very ruthless ruler, he loved his cousin sister Devaki very much and wanted to marry her off to a decent man. The day came when Devaki was getting married to King Vasudev of Yadu dynasty. After the ceremony, the great sage Narad came and told Kans that Devaki and Vasudev’s eighth child will be the reason of his death, in other words, he will kill Kans. Hearing this, Kans got worried and became angry which made him to try to kill his most beloved cousin. Vasudev pleaded him and promised him to surrender his every child to Kans as soon as they are born. Due to the fact that he was very fond of his sister and was also pleased with the agreement with Vasudev, Kans did not kill her yet he forced the newly wedded couple to be locked up in his palace prison until their eighth child was born. Devaki and Vasudev were imprisoned and were under constant watch by the royal guards of Kans. Every time a child was born, Kans would go to the cell personally and smash the head of the new born against the wall. Adamant Kans did not care about heartbreaking cries of Devaki and pleas from Vasudev and continued killing new born seven times until the eighth baby was born.

A miracle occurred during the night the eighth child was about to born. All of Kans’ royal guards magically went to sleep, the doors of the prison and the shackles of Devaki and Vasudev opened automatically. Soon Devaki gave birth to a baby boy, Krishna with dark complexion yet very beautiful. As Vasudev was amazed with his new born child, a voice from the sky (akashvani) ordered him to take his child to Gokul kingdom which was ruled by his own friend King Nand and exchange him with King Nand and Queen Yashoda’s daughter who was also born during the same time. He was also told that he needs to take the baby girl and return back to prison immediately before Kans knows about the birth of the child and kills him too. Vasudev was also reminded that this child has been born to conquer all evil and protect innocent people including the release of him and Devaki from Kans’ prison.

The Gokul kingdom was across Yamuna river through which Vasudev had to carry the new born. It was a rainy season and the river had rising tides. Vasudev found a basket in which he placed the baby and took him to the banks of great Yamuna river. When stepped into the river, Vasudev had more than half of his body sunk under the water. He tried his best to save baby from the rising water by holding him high on his head. Yet, he had no way to protect him from the rain. That’s when a huge five mouthed snake called Sheshnag followed him providing shade to the baby from rain. Vasudev finally reached his friend Nand’s house in Gokul where everyone was asleep. Vasudev quietly exchanged his son with Nand and Yashoda’s cute little daughter just like akashvani had advised.

Vasudev headed back to Mathura once again with the help of Sheshnag. He went back to the prison, shackles were back in place, doors closed and guards woke up. Upon seeing the baby, one of the guards rushed to Kans and gave him the news of the new born. Kans rushed to the cell as it was the eighth child. As he picked up the baby to kill her, she flew into the air. With a blinding flash of light, the baby took the form of a very strong goddess who taunted Kans that his destroyer has already been born and is now well and alive in a safe place. She also said no matter how hard he tries his destiny will not change. Along with the sound of laughter, the goddess disappeared leaving behind “dumbstruck” Kans. That goddess is now worshipped as many different names such as Durga, Tara, Ishani and Mandakini.

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated every year as Janmashtami. Due to the fact that Lord Krishna was born at mid night, every devotee goes to temple on the eighth day of sravan month every year and worship Lord Krishna and sing with great joy “Nand Ghera Nand Bhayo Jai Kanahaiya Lal Ki” which means at Nand’s house came the great Kanahaiya (another name of Lord Krishna). Lord Krishna is known to have two mothers, one is Devaki who gave him birth and another is Yashoda who raised him. Years later, Lord Krishna defeated Kans very courageously and got Devaki and Vasudev relief from the prison of Kans.

In addition to his bravery in defeating Kans and other evil spirits on earth, Lord Krishna is also known for his childhood mischief. One of his naughtiness is related to his favorite butter, yogurt and milk. He would break the pots and would steal butter, yogurt and milk very innocently which why he is also known as Maakhan Chor (Butter Robber). As a result, during the day time on Janmashtami, everyone in the neighborhood would get together in a huge crowd, they would hand a pot filled with butter, yogurt and milk, and few guys would create a pyramid and break the pot. It is not as easy as it sounds because the pot is usually hung really high up and it would take few times making and breaking of the pyramid before the pot can be actually broken. Janmashtami is a very religious and at the same time very joyous festival of India.

Happy Janmashtami to everyone!

Jai Shri Krishna!

“Brothers are like streetlights along the road, they don't make distance any shorter but they light up the path and make the walk worthwhile.” Know the importance of the relationship between brothers and sisters: http://ping.fm/ew748

Importance of Raksha Bandhan: Bond of Protection: http://ping.fm/bCT14

Raksha Bandhan: Bond of Protection

Relationships and the feeling of closeness is the soul of any festivities and what other country can better explain this than India? India is the best example of how relationships are maintained traditionally, and how every relationship is celebrated with a great joy. Every festival celebrated in India brings all the family members under one roof to rejoice the festival together. Raksha Bandhan is one of the festivals celebrated in India since about 6000 years ago when Aryans created first civilization. It is a festival celebrated for the strong bond between brother and sister. Raksha meaning protection and Bandhan means bond, putting together “Bond of Protection”. Raksha Bandhan falls on Shravan Purnima which usually comes in the month of August. On this day, sister ties a sacred thread called Rakhi on brother’s wrist at the same time praying for his happiness, well being and success and brother promises to protect his sister from every troubles and harm. It is not only observed by the blood related siblings, it is also celebrated by the brothers and sisters who may not be related to each other in anyways, yet would consider this relation between them.

There is some historical evidence of Raksha Bandhan being celebrated in India.

Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humanyun

The most significant evidence of Raksha Bandhan in Indian history goes back to the time of Rani Karnawati and Emperor Humayun. During the medieval era when Rajputs were fighting Muslim invasions, Rani Karnawati was a widowed queen of the King of Chittor who had no way to defend the invasion of Sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah. She than sent a Rakhi which meant a “spiritual binding and protection of sisters” to Emperor Humayun. Emperor was touched by the gesture and started off with his troops to protect his sister without wasting any time.

Alexander The Great and King Puru

The oldest reference to the celebration of Raksha Bandhan goes back to 300 B.C. when Alexander invaded India. It is said that the great conqueror, King Alexander of Macedonia was shaken by the rage of the Indian King Puru in his first attempt. Looking at this, Alexander’s wife who had heard about the significance of the bond between brother and sister celebrated with the festival of Rakhi, approached King Puru. King accepted her as his sister and during the war when the opportunity came, he refrained from King Alexander.

Every festival in India has somehow a religious significance which is usually related to one of the Gods.

Lord Krishna and Draupathi

During the war with King Shishupal, Lord Krishna was hurt and left with bleeding finger. Seeing this, Draupathi torn a strip of cloth from her sari and tied around Krishna’s wrist to stop the bleeding. Realizing her affections and concern about him, Lord Krishna considered himself bounded by her sisterly love. He promised her to repay this debt whenever she needed in the future. Many years later, the time came when Draupathi was in the trouble and did needed her brother’s help. It was the time around Mahabharat, when Pandavas lost Draupathi in the game of dice and Kauravas were removing her saari, Lord Krishna than came and helped her divinely elongating the saari so that it becomes impossible for Kauravas to remove her saari.

King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi

The king of demon, Mahabali was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and because of his great devotion, Lord Vishnu decided to protect Bali’s kingdom for which he left his home in Vikundam. Seeing this, Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Vishnu was not happy as she was left at Vikundam without her husband. Goddess Lakshmi went to King Bali and talked to him as a Brahmin woman and took refuge in his place. On Shravan Purnima, she tied Rakhi on King Bali’s wrist and that’s when she revealed herself and her reason for being there. The King was touched by her and Lord Vishnu’s good will and affection towards him and his family. King Bali requested Lord Vishnu to accompany Goddess Lakshmi back to Vaikundam. This is why the festival is also known as Baleva as Bali Raja’s devotion to Lord Vishnu. It is also said that since that day, it has become a tradition to invite sisters on Sravan Purnima to tie the sacred thread called Rakhi to her brothers.

Border Security Force and Girls of India


Due to the fact that the meaning of Raksha Bandhan is “Bond of Protection,” who else would be the greater protector than our Border Security Force who guards our border 24/7 so that we can sleep peacefully. Girls and women from the surrounding area goes to the border of the country on the day of Raksha Bandhan and ties the sacred thread on every soldiers of India praying for their good will and success and as we know our fearless and brave Indian soldiers have always been protecting us from our enemies.

Raksha Bandhan is one of many traditional festivals celebrated by India. I personally believe among all the relationships, the one that a brother and a sister shares are very different and cannot be compared to any other, due to the fact that a brother and sister in any family are the one from the same generation, who can understand each other’s feelings the most. A brother can always count on his sister and vice versa. When you need your sibling they are always there, no matter if it’s to laugh, to cry or just to be there.

I would like to thank God for giving me a naughty, funny yet the most understanding and mature brother, who I always seek for any advice and who ask me for any guidance.

Happy Raksha Bandhan!

Mera Karma tu, Mera Dharma tu, Tera subkuch main, Mera sabkuch tu... Dil diya hai, Jaan bhi denge ae watan tere liye... Sorry to miss India Day Parade the very first time since 14 years...

Salaam har azaadi ke un deewano ko joh hue kurbaan Hindustan ki azaadi ke liye... Salaam har sipaahiyon ko joh aaj sarhad par din raat azaad Hindustan ki raksha karte hai bina apne jaan ki parwaah kiye... Hindustan ki azaadi mubarak... Dilse dua hai ke yunhi tarakki karta hai aur asaam ki bulandiyon ko chuye Mera Hindustan... I am Proud to be an Indian... :)

Mera Hindustan!

जहाँ हर चीज है प्यारी,
सभी चाहत के पुजारी,
प्यारी जिसकी ज़बां,
वही है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.
जहाँ ग़ालिब की ग़ज़ल है,
वो प्यारा ताज महल है,
प्यार का एक निशां,
वही है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.

जहाँ फूलों का बिस्तर है,
जहाँ अम्बर की चादर है,
नजर तक फैला सागर है,
सुहाना हर इक मंजर है,
वो झरने और हवाएँ,
सभी मिल जुल कर गायें,
प्यार का गीत जहां,
वही है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.

जहां सूरज की थाली है,
जहां चंदा की प्याली है,
फिजा भी क्या दिलवाली है,
कभी होली तो दिवाली है,
वो बिंदिया चुनरी पायल,
वो साडी मेहंदी काजल,
रंगीला है समां,
वही है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.

कही पे नदियाँ बलखाएं,
कहीं पे पंछी इतरायें,
बसंती झूले लहराएं,
जहां अन्गिन्त हैं भाषाएं,
सुबह जैसे ही चमकी,
बजी मंदिर में घंटी,
और मस्जिद में अजां,
वही है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.

कहीं गलियों में भंगड़ा है,
कही ठेले में रगडा है,
हजारों किस्में आमों की,
ये चौसा तो वो लंगडा है,
लो फिर स्वतंत्र दिवस आया,
तिरंगा सबने लहराया,
लेकर फिरे यहाँ-वहां,
वहीँ है मेरा हिन्दुस्तां.

-Unknown

Struggle for the Freedom: Is India really an Independent Country?

India did wake up to life and freedom on 15th August, 1947. Today as we walk freely and without any restrictions on the streets of India, we tend to forget that our every breath of freedom is due to those freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to free our mother land; who sacrificed their happiness that they could have got by living with their families instead of fighting with British away from home, so that the next generation (includes us) can live the life with liberty and sovereignty. We definitely have forgotten the main reason for their sacrifice (mentioned in the last two paragraphs of this blog). We are very familiar with many famous Indian Freedom Fighters such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar Azad and many more. Along with these fighters, there were many other strugglers whose name has been vanished and probably are not even remembered as much as these famous fighters.

Remembering Our Brave Freedom Fighters

India’s initial fight for Independence started in 1857. Mangal Pandey born on 19th July, 1827 in Nagwa village of Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh was the very first Indian freedom fighter who rose against British. He was a sepoy in the 34th regiment of the Bengal Native Infantry that belonged to the British East India Company. When they were stationed at Barrackpore near Kolkata, Mangal Pandey attacked British Officers and tried to kill them due to the fact that the cartridges they were supposed to use in their rifles were greased with animal fat and the sepoys were supposed to bite them before they fired. This was against the religious beliefs of the Hindus and Muslims sepoys. Many of his followers joined him in this uprising against British. Mangal Pandey was arrested and was found guilty. He and his fellow Jemadar were sentenced to death by hanging on 8th April, 1857.
Even though, the journey of our first hero, Mangal Pandey had ended, the rebellion continued by many other freedom fighters.

“Bundele harbolon ke munh hamane suni kahaani thi,Khoob ladi mardaani woh to Jhansi waali raani thi.” -Subhadra Kumari Chauhan

Jhansi Ki Rani Lakshmibai born in 1828 was called Manu during the childhood. She lost her mother at the age of 4, her father encouraged her with martial training including horse riding, fencing and shooting. She than got married to Raja Gangadhar Rao and became a Queen of Jhansi when she was given the new name Rani Lakshmibai. Rani gave a birth to a son who unfortunately died within 4 months and few months later, Gangadhar became ill and urged to adopt a son only one day before his death. Rani than adopted a son named Damodhar Rao witnessed by the local British representatives. Upon the death of Raja, British-Indian authorities refused to recognize the adopted child as a next prince. They confiscated the state jewels and deducted Raja’s debts from Rani’s annual pension. She was than required to leave Jhansi fort, but Rani did not leave and followed her duty in protecting the state of Jhansi. In 1858, British attacked the Jhansi Fort and after weeks of conflict, they succeeded in seizing Jhansi. However Rani managed to escape along with her son and took refuge in Kalpi with the small group of her faithful soldiers. Three months later, with the help of Nawab of Banda and others, Rani lead a successful attack on the British fortress at Gwalior which was under the control of General Hugh Rose. Rani was determined to secure Jhansi from British annexation throughout her life. Her decision of not giving up went to the extent of establishing links with various revolutionaries including Tatya Tope. It is said that during her meeting with Tatya Tope she had mentioned her vision and foresight for India’s freedom. During the war of Gwalior, thousands of soldiers were killed. On the last day at the battlefield, Rani rode on her horse as the rebellious leader, dressed as a man with her sword. She was in the middle of the battle when a British Army soldier threw his sword at her, killing the braves Jhansi Ki Rani on 18th June, 1858.

This was just a beginning of the war against British to free India.

Dadabhai Naoroji born on 4th Sept., 1825 to a poor Parsi family in Bombay did not get into the battlefield yet struggled in various different ways to get Indians their true rights. Dadabhai entered the political battle in 1852. In 1853 East India Company had applied for a renewal of their lease which Dadabhai strongly opposed and sent petitions to the British government, but the government denied his plea and renewed the lease. Dadabhai felt the British misrule was due to the ignorance of Indian people. He started Gyan Prasarak Mandali (Society for Promotion of Knowledge) for the education of adults. Dadabhai wrote several petitions to Governors and Viceroys in regards to the problems in India. Eventually he felt the Britishers should be made aware of troubles in India. In 1855 he went to England where he joined many learned societies where he conveyed many speeches and wrote several articles on the plight of India. On 1st. December 1866, Dadabhai founded the East Indian Association which included high-ranking officers from India and also people who had access to Members of the British Parliament. Dadabhai Naoroji died at the age of 92 on 30th June 1917. Before his death, several of his requests were approved by the government. In 1892 he was elected to the British Parliament from Central Finsbury as the Liberal party candidate. Dadabhai got a resolution passed in the British Parliament for holding preliminary examinations for the I.C.S. in India and England. He also got the Wiley Commission, the royal commission on India expenditure, to acknowledge the need for even distribution of administrative and military expenditure between India and England. In 1885 Dadabhai was founder of the Indian National Congress along with A.O. Hume. He was elected three times for the post of the President of the Indian National Congress. It was during his presidential address in 1906 when the demand of Swaraj (Self-rule) was publicly expressed by him which was finally achieved on 15th August 1947 through many more struggles by our freedom fighters that came into action after the death of Dadabhai Naoroji.

“Political guru of Mahatma Gandhi; one of the pioneers of the Indian national movement; founder of the Servants of India Society,” Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9th May 1866 in Kothapur, Maharashtra. He was the first generation of Indian to receive college education. Gokhale was respected widely in the nascent Indian intellectual community and across India. He came into publice in 1866 when he started delivering speeches on “India under the British Rule”, which was much appreciated. He regularly contributed his articles to Bal Gangadhal Tilak’s weekly “Mahratta” through which he tried to awaken the hidden patriotism of Indian people. In 1902 Gokhale became a member of the Imperial Legislative Council in Delhi where he spoke for the people of India. Due to the fact that he had an excellent grasp of the economic problems of our country because of which he was able to present during the debates. In 1905, Gokhale started a new society called "Servants of India Society". This society trained workers for the service of the country. In the same year, Gokhale went to England to convey his concerns relating to the unfair treatment of the Indian people by the British government. Gokhale pleaded for gradual reforms to ultimately attain Swaraj, or self-government, in India. He was involved in introducing the Morley- Minto Reforms of 1909, which eventually became law. Though the reforms sowed the seeds of communal division in India, yet, they gave Indian access to the seats of the highest authority within the government, and their voices were more audible in matters of public interest. Gopal Krishna Gokhale fought for the rights of every Indian where he did find success and eventually he died on 19th Feb. 1915.

The first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the governor of a state in India, Sarojini Naidu was born on 13th Feb. 1879. She was a brilliant student and proficient in Urdu, Telugu, English, Bengali, and Persian. Sarojini Naidu joined the Indian National Movement during the wake of partition of Bengal in 1905 where she met Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Rabindranath Tagore, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Annie Besant, C.P. Rama, Swami Iyer, Gandhiji and Jawaharlal Nehru. She awakened women of India, traveled from city to city and asked for the rights of the women. Sarojini Naidu re-established self-esteem within the women of India. In 1925 Sarojini Naidu headed the annual session of Indian National Congress at Kanpur and played a leading role during the Civil Disobedience Movement, which is when she was jailed along with Gandhiji and other leaders. In 1942, she was arrested during the “Quit India” movement and was jailed for 21 months with Gandhiji. After Independence, Sarojini Naidu became the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She was the first woman Governor. Sarojini Naidu died on 2nd March 1949 in her office.

An Immortal revolutionary and one of the greatest martyrs, Ashfaqulla Khan was born on 22nd Oct. 1900 in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Ashfaq joined revolutionary activities in 1922, when Mahatma Gandhi called off the non-cooperation movement after the violence incident of Chauri Chaura when a police station was set on fire and some policemen had died. Youngsters including Asfaq were very disappointed and they decided that the country should become free as early as possible. Ashfaq who was a muslim became a very good friend with Ramprasad Bismil who was also from Shahjahanpur and was hindu, yet the religion did not come in the way during their freedom struggle. Sachindra Nath Sanyal founded the organization “Hindustan Republican Association” whose objective was to win the freedom for India through armed revolution (violation). Ashfaq and Ramprasad were part of this association. In 1925, the association issued a policy called Krantikari which eliminated the inequality and slavery. Carrying out the revolution requires a lot of money, which is why the famous Kakori train robbery was conceived. The idea of robbery was of Ramaprasad which Ashafaq opposed saying it would be a hasty step, yet joined the idea of the robbery along with Sachindra Bakshi and Rajendra Lahiri. On 9th Aug. 1925 the robbery took place when the train from Shahjahanput to Lucknow was approaching Kakori. The group of ten young revolutionaries took the money and fled. For about one month none of the revolutionaries were arrested until 26th Sept. 1925 Ramaprasad Bismil was arrested while Ashfaq was able to escape. Finally in Delhi, Asfaq was caught by the police and was charge sheeted in the court. A committee which consisted of reputed lawyers like Moti Lal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sriprakasha, Acharya Narendra Dev, Govind Ballabh Pant and Chandra Bhanu Gupta was formed to defend the revolutionaries in the Kakori train robbery case. Their effort in defending the revolutionaries failed in the court of justice under British rule. As a result, Ramaprasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh were sentenced to death and rests of them were given life sentences. Whole country protested against the death sentences and petitions were made to the viceroy, yet there was no difference. On 19th Dec. 1927, Ashfaqulla Khan was hanged to death at district jail, Faizabad. “Ashfaq’s devotion to the cause of freedom made him the foremost among those who gave their lives to win the freedom of the country. Love for the motherland, clear thinking, courage, firmness and loyalty were embodied in Ashfaq to the hilt. He deserves to be remembered and cherished by all Indians for his noble qualities.”

A distinguished scholar, great poet, true freedom fighter and independent India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad was born on 11th Nov. 1888 in Mecca. His father Maulana Khaiiruddin had left India during Sepoy Mutiny and settled in Mecca. In 1890, he along with his family returned to India and settled down in Calcutta. Maulana Azad visited many places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Turkey where he met many banished revolutionaries, patriotic leaders, freedom fighters and other political members who inspired Azad with their revolutionary activities. After returning back to India, he joined revolutionary movement which was under Aurbindo Ghosh and Sri Shyam Sunder Chakravarthy. Mualana Azad also opened secret revolutionary centers all over North India and in Bombay (now known as Mumbai). He convinced Muslim revolutionaries to fight for India’s freedom rather than fighting for anti-Muslim causes. In 1912 Mualana Azad started a weekly journal creating awareness of Indian nationalism and revolutionary ideas which were based on Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1916 the weekly journal proved to be a threat to British Empire and so he was expelled from Calcutta and was released after the First World War in 1920. After he was released, he actively participated in Khilafat Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement and Salt Satyagraha. He was imprisoned several times but this could not stop his struggle for freedom. In 1947 after India gained its independence Maulana Azad was appointed as the Minister of Education in the cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He served country until he died of a stroke on 22nd Feb. 1958.

Freedom… But is this a real Freedom!

After more than two hundred years of British rule, on 15th August 1947 India finally gained its Independence. It was a celebration time for all the patriotic hearts and was a victory of hundreds and thousands of martyred souls. On the other side, there was a disaster happening due to the partition of India and Pakistan which the last British Governor General, Viscount Lord Mountbatten of Burma announced on 3rd June 1947 under the provisions of the Indian Independence Act 1947. After the declaration of Independence, people started moving closer to their families and relatives, from India to Pakistan and from Pakistan to India. The train that would go to Pakistan filled with people would come back with the same people killed with hatred which was clearly shown from their dead faces and the train bringing people to India would return back to Pakistan with same people with a bloody and scary death. Since then there has been the biggest enmity between India and Pakistan which was once One United Country. It is very sad that hundreds and thousands of freedom fighters who dreamt for a free unified country and truly dedicate themselves to gain this freedom has been shattered. We did gain our freedom, yet got divided into two different nations filled with hatred for each other.

Today when Indians display their hatred towards Pakistan, have they ever stopped for one second and gave a thought to all our freedom fighters who struggled for “Unified” nation... Today when Pakistanis show their hatred towards India, can they just think for one second about all the freedom fighters who struggled for their entire life so that the future of the “Unified” nation would be bright and successful...

It is really funny how we say India and Pakistan are now Independent countries, but can anyone tell me how are we independent? Our freedom fighters fought for one soil, one country, not for India and Pakistan (two different countries). They became two different countries by the Britishers who could not bear the unity and love that is in every hearts of the country people. Today India and Pakistan hate each other, kill each other, create wars and this is actually walking on the path that Britishers created for us,...How are we independent if we are still doing what Britishers started and wanted us to do? Is this what our freedom fighters struggled for? Is this a True Independence?



Thank you,
Purvi Parikh

Bhagat Singh: A Real Legend & A True Inspiration

On 23rd March, 1931 the legend was born, Bhagat Singh. He is the “Symbol of the heroism of the youth of India.” In other words, he was one of those youngsters of India who spend their entire life in fighting to free India from British rule. Even though, Bhagat Singh was put to death before India’s freedom, he still lives and he will always live in the heart of every true Indian.

Bhagat Singh was born on September 28th, 1907 in Banga village in Layalpur district of Punjab province. He was the son of one of the heroes who fought to free India from British rule, father Sardar Kishan Singh and mother Vidhyavati. Bhagat Singh’s uncles Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh were also the revolutionaries, even his grandfather; Arjan Singh was a freedom fighter. His father and his uncles were even sent to the prison by the government. Later they all were freed from the prison. Bhagat Singh was the third son of his parents.

Bhagat Singh was very friendly. From his childhood he was very much interested in studies. Bhagat Singh was liked by all his classmates and was a favorite person of his teachers. He was the leader in his class. Big boys used to carry him on their shoulder from school to home. Bhagat Singh’s childhood showed a signification that later on in his life he would become a leader of revolutionaries. The patriotism flew in his veins since his childhood days. On April 13, 1919, a very tragic even had taken place. British soldiers opened fire in Jallianwala bagh, Amritsar where countless people were gathered. There was no escape from British bullets and neither had they carried any weapons. Firing went on for quite some while. Innumerable people were dead. This event caused anger in the mind of people all over India. The next day instead of going to school, Bhagat Singh went to Jallianwala Bagh. There he kissed the earth and collected a bottle of mud wet with the blood of Indians and then he returned back home, where he worshipped it with flowers. During this Massacre, Bhagat Singh was only 12 years old. After this terrible event Bhagat Singh’s decision of driving British out of the country became firmer.

Bhagat Singh was with the non-cooperation movement, which was declared by Mohandas Gandhi. In 1922, when Bhagat Singh was only 15 years old, the congress organized a procession in the town of Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur district, where some rogues came and locked up about twenty-two policemen in the house and they put it on the fire which killed all the policemen. This violence made Mohandas Gandhi very sad and he ended the non-cooperation movement. The end of the non-cooperation movement disappointed Bhagat Singh. The questions that weakened his faith in non-violence and non-cooperation were “Should an important movement be given up, just because twenty-two persons died? Before that, a nineteen year of revolutionary by the name Katar Singh has been hanged by the British government. Then none of these supporters of non-violence become so important now?” Bhagat Singh left his school and joined National college. This college was started by the great patriot, Lala Lajpat Rai.

Bhagat Singh was very knowledgeable in history and politics. During the day he listened to the lectures and in the evening he talked about the revolution with his friends. Bhagat Singh in his college life, he played the roles of the great Kings of India like ‘Ranapratap’ and Chadragupta.’

Bhagat Singh didn’t limit himself to the books. His desire of becoming a revolutionary grew as he learned more and more about revolution. Bhagat Singh’s grandmother forced that he should get married. A girl was also chosen, but Bhagat Singh’s aim was to free India from British rule so he didn’t want to marry. He left home and went to Lahore. Nobody knew where Bhagat Singh went. Before leaving, he wrote a letter saying, “The aim of my life is to fight for India’s freedom. I don’t wish for worldly pleasures. At the time of my Upanayanam (the initiation ceremony among the Hindus), my uncle had taken a sacred promise from me; I promised to sacrifice myself for the sake of the country. Accordingly I am now giving up my own happiness and going out to serve the country.” Bhagat Singh’s parents were very worried about their son. Finally, his people searched for him and brought him back home.

After returning back home, Bhagat Singh couldn’t sit idle. During those days Akali Dal had arranged a procession. But the district collector, Dil Bagh Singh issued an order that nobody should provide either food or drink to the members of Akali Dal because they wanted to prevent this procession. Dil Bagh Singh belonged to Bhagat Singh’s family, but because he was government office, he hated revolutionaries. Bhagat Singh went to villagers and explained them about Akali Dal and he arranged the supply of food for them at night very secretly and in the day there were talks about the freedom of India and people’s duties. Bhagat Singh also had chance to talk. Seeing this, collector became very angry. He issued an arrest warrant for Bhagat Singh, but because Bhagat Singh was only 17 years old, a minor, he was not arrested. Collector’s anger grew more and more.

“Bhagat Singh was a fountain of Zeal.” He thought his village, Banga was very small for his revolutionary activities, so he went to Lahore where ‘Naujavan Bharat Sabha,’ the union of revolutionaries was founded and Bhagat Singh was the secretary. This new union started teaching the lesson of revolution to the people of Punjab. Its aim was to spread Indian culture and to strengthen the youth of India. The main goal was to bring revolution of India’s freedom. In few days, this union had started many branches in different places. Sooner the time was changed, the revolutionaires’ birthdays were being celebrated, and people took out the pictures of the revolutionaries and much more. During those days Bhagat Singh used to talk about revolution and about freedom of India in public. Police were looking for him and he was escaping from them. But finally police caught him and put him in the jail. They had arrested him because few days some rogues had thrown bomb on procession during the Dussera festival and it had killed many people and police suspected revolutionaries. They tortured Bhagat Singh in many ways, but he didn’t open his mouth. Finally, magistrate feed him on bail of sixty thousand Rupees for which two rich people Duneedchand and Daulatram came forward. Bhagat Singh was released, but during his bail period he was not supposed to take part in any revolutionary activities otherwise those two rich people would have to pay sixty thousand Rupees. So Bhagat Singh didn’t take any chance and went to his village where his father had opened him a dairy. Bhagat Singh took care of that dairy for few days. Even though, Dussera bomb case was still going on, Bhagat Singh was released, he was not even on bail anymore. He closed his dairy at that time and went on with his work of revolution. In 1928, after he attended the meeting of revolutionaries in Delhi, he never returned back home.

Chandrashekhar Azad, a young revolutionary was introduced to Bhagat Singh in Delhi. In order for police to not to recognize him, he removed his beard and wore a hat. The aim of the ‘Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha’ (The Indian Socialist Republican Party) was “to establish a republic in India by means of an armed revolution.” These revolutionaries were looking for the bomb which could explode by causing a defending sound and destroying everything nearby when thrown on the ground. They needed numerous bombs like this to drive out British. Bhagat Singh went to Calcutta to learn how make these bombs. From there he bought as many bombs as he needed. He learnt making bombs from a revolutionary, Jatindranath Das. In Agra, the revolutionaries started a factory. But they needed money for food, and for the things to make bomb. They started to loot government offices. At last they made bombs and tested successfully at Jhansi Fort.

In February 1928, a committee from England visited India which was known as the Simon Commission. They visited to decide “how much freedom and responsibility could be given to the people of India.” But because there was no Indian in that committee, the people of India were very angry. They decided to drive out the committee back. People protested where ever the Simon Commission went. When Simon Commission entered Lahore, it had to face a big procession by ‘Naujavan Bharat Sabha.’ Thousands of Indians took part in this procession whose leader was an elderly revolutionary, Lala Lajpat Rai. They decided to protest on the railway station as soon as Simon Commission enters Lahore. During the protest, a police superintendent One Scott ordered to start biting people with heavy stick. In that biting, a police officer name Saunders hit Lala Lajpat Rai so hard that he died. The revolutionaries decided to take revenge. Bhagat Singh with the help of Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdev and Rajguru planned to kill Scott. Unfortunately they killed Saunders because of the mistaken identity, but it shooked the British government. The next day the posters by ‘Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sena’ appeared on the walls in the streets of Lahore saying “Lala Lajpat Rai’s death is avenged. Saunders has been murdered.” Also there were warnings for the government. After that event, people’s respect for Kranti Dal grew. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad escaped from Lahore. Bhagat Singh dressed as a foreign youth and ran away with Durga bhabhi, wife of revolutionary Bhagavaticharan and their child. Rajguru dressed up as an ordinary worker and Chandrashekhar Azad dressed up as a pundit (scholar) so that no one can recognize them and they went away. The police searched for them but couldn’t find them anywhere.

In April 1929, the central legislative assembly had a meeting in Delhi. The British government had decided to place two bills before the assembly which would definitely harm country’s interests. Even If assembly would reject those bills then viceroy could use his power and make them as a law. ‘Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sena’ had decided that they won’t let this bill pass, so they send Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt to Delhi. They had decided to go there and throw bomb and get arrested. On April 8th, 1929 both of them went to the assembly with the bomb. First the members rejected the bill, but as soon as the government member said “Viceroy had exercised his special powers,” the bomb fell and explored causing a fearful sound and then the other bomb fell. People were frightened and they were running, but no one was killed because their aim was not to kill anyone. Suddenly red pamphlets were thrown by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt saying ‘Long Live Revolution!’ The police came to them, but they were afraid because Bhagat Singh had a pistol in his hand. He gave away his pistol and they both got arrested, as planned. This incident drew world’s attention towards them. British government had started trembling. After this incident, government found the revolutionaries’ factories in Lahore and Shaharanpur and they also seized the material that could make seven thousands more bombs. In few, days, many leader of Kranti Dal were arrested. Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary friends were kept in Lahore jail.
The trial had begun. During those days, even political prisoners were not treated properly, they were given rotten food. Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary friends decided to fight against such conditions and treatment, so they went on hunger strike. This hunger strike went on for about two months. Then the government gave up and considered their needs during the prison time. After the sixty-fourth day on the hunger strike, a revolutionary by the name Jatin Das died but never gave up the strike. The trial had drawn the attention of the whole world. The court was guarded by the police. Before entering the court, Bhagat Singh and his companions would shout ‘Long Live Revolution! Down with the Imperialism!’ During the trial Bhagat Sing and Batukeshwar Dutt stated “If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud. When we dropped the bomb, it was not our intention to kill anybody. We have bombed the British Government. The British must quit India and make her free.” In other words, they explained the whole world their goal of the association. The final judgment was given: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were to be hanged on March 24th, 1931, whereas some revolutionaries were given life time imprisonment, some were to be kept in prison for five years, some for seven and others for ten years. After hearing the judgment, people all over the country were angry. Thousands of appeals were made, but all of them were rejected. Finally, on March 23rd, 1931 at 7:33pm Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. They were hanged one day before the official judgment.

As soon as people came to knew that Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were already hanged, they became very angry with the British government. They started killing Britishers very badly. People were also angry at Mohandas Gandhi, they came down on the streets shouting “Down with Gandhi,” due to the fact that he was the one who could have saved those three revolutionaries’ life by not signing the Irwin Pact during the meeting with the Viceroy until the British government agrees to commute the three revolutionaries’ death sentence.

Bhagat Singh became ‘Shaheed’ or Martyr at the age of twenty-four. His patriotism became an inspiration for many Indian youth. Even today people admire him, many poems and songs are written about his courage and many movies are still made on Bhagat Singh. Above all, Bhagat Singh became a Legend on 23rd March 1931 and a symbol of bravery. Bhagat Singh’s achievement is that today India is an Independent Country. It was Bhagat Singh, who wanted the ‘total independence,’ otherwise Mohandas Gandhi was happy with the ‘dominion status.’

Bhagat Singh had stated in his prison diary: “The aim of life is no more to control the mind, but to develop it harmoniously; not to achieve salvation here after, but to make the best use of it here below; and not to realize truth, beauty and good only in contemplation, but also in-the actual experience of daily life’ social progress depends not upon the ennoblement of the few but on the enrichment of democracy; universal brotherhood can be achieved only when there is an equality of opportunity-of opportunity in the social political and individual life.”

Bhagat Singhji will always be alive in the hearts of every true Indian!


Jai Hind!