TATIA TOPE

Introduction

A hero of the fight for freedom in 1857. His very name made the mighty English
general’s tremble. Deceived by his friend, he faced death like a hero, for the sake of his country.

Author - K.Shripaty Sastry

Tatia Tope

The British troops had pitched their tents on the parade grounds near the fort of Shivpuri, 75 miles from Gwalior. The day was April 18, 1859. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. A smiling, charming prisoner was brought out of the prison.

His hands and feet were chained. Under guard he was taken to the hangman's post. He had been condemned to death. The prisoner stepped towards the post fearlessly. There was no hesitation as he stepped upon the platform. It was the custom to cover the eyes of the condemned man with a scarf. When soldiers stepped forward with the scarf, he smiled and made signs to say, 'I don't need all this.' Nor did he allow the hands and feet to be bound. He himself put the noose around his neck. The rope was tightened. Then, at last, there was a pull.In a moment it was all over.

It was a heart-rending scene, which moved the whole country to tears. The man who was hanging lifeless on the gallows of the English was no criminal. He was not a thief, he was no cutthroat. He was the Supreme commander in the War of Indian Independence,which, in 1857, had challenged the hold of the British over India. It was he who, more than anybody else, shook the mighty British Empire to its foundations. Holding aloft the flag of freedom, he sought to break the chains of slavery and fought the military might of the English heroically. His name was Tatia Tope, a household word for bravery.

TRANSLATION OF POEM JHANSI KI RANI

Indian poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote a poem in the Veer Ras style about Jhansi lakshmi bai, which is still recited by children in schools of contemporary India.

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (1904-1948) was born in Nihalpur village in Allahbad.
In 1919 she married Thakur Laxman Singh of Khandwa. Though a devoted wife and mother she joined the freedom movement and was the first woman Satyagrahi to court arrest in Nagpur. Her poetic works were highly patriotic and inspiring. Some of her poems are 'Senani Ka Swagat, Veeronka Kaise ho Vasant, her poem Jhansi ki Rani was the most recited poem in Hindi Literature. She died in a car accident on 15th February 1949.

The poem is on The Rani of Jhansi who valiantly fought against the British in 1857. It is a fitting tribute to a great and extremely brave queen, one of India's many heroines. Today it is a part of the school curriculum and every child learning hindi in India, at some point in school has to memorize it.


The throne got shook, and the tension erupted among the Raajvanshs, the royal heirs of the throne, In aged India, a new wave of youth was spreading, All the inhabitants of India had realized the worth of their lost freedom,All of them had decided to get rid of the British rule, The old swords started glittering again like new ones in the form of the freedom movement in 1857.

She was as dear to the Nana (Nana Ghunghupant)of Kanpur as her real sister,Her name was Laxmibai and she was the only daughter of her parents,She had been with Nana from her early childhood, since she was a school student.Spear, knife, sword, axe (all different types of weapons used in her time) were her companions all the time. She had learned by heart the valorous stories of shivaji (a renowned king of Maharashtra).

No one could guess whether she was Laxmi or Durga devi( Durga Goddess ,also called Bhavani ) or reincarnation of Devi durga,Her expertise in using a sword made the people of Marathward (Pulkit) wonder,They learned the war strategy of how to attack the prey,To ambush her prey and to break the vanity were among her favorite supports,
Maharashtra-kul-Devi (The goddess of the Maharashtra ) was as dear to her as Bhavani (Durga Devi )

With valor in a grand festival, she got married in Jhansi,After her marriage, Laxmibai came to Jhansi as a queen with shower of joy,A grand celebration took place in the royal palace of Jhansi. That was a good luck for Bandelos that she came to Jhansi, That was as Chitra met with Arjun or Shiv had got his beloved Bhavani (Durga).

She came as a good luck to the royal palace of Jhansi and for a log time the palace remained decorated with lighting candles in celebration. But as days passed the dark clouds of misfortune covered the royal palace.She stopped wearing bangles for that was the time for a battle.The queen got widowed and her fate was very unkind to her.
The royal king had no children when he died and the queen was grief stricken.

So the candle of the royal castle blew off and Dalhousie (a British governor) became very happy in his heart about the situation (that the royal palace had no king or someone strong to defend the throne).He thought that the time was right to usurp the kingdom.He sent his soldiers to Citadel and raised the British flag on the royal palace.The British rule came to Jhansi as the guardian of an orphan. The Rani saw everything with tears in her eyes that how Jhansi got deserted.

Strong (and Cruel) kings do not care about the cajoling.They (The British Rulers) came to India in the disguise of poor merchants. The British governor (Dalhousi) then extended his influence in India and so the fate of India turned over. He insulted even the feudal and heads of state of India. The queen took the gesture of a maidservant; the maid was the real queen.

First of all Indian rulers lost the capital of India, Delhi and subsequently they lost the control of Lucknow.Peshwa was imprisoned in Bithur and then the Nagpur tragedy occurred.After the fall of Nagpur, it was not a big task for the intruders to take the control of Udaipur, Tanjore satara and Karnatak.They already had the control of Sindh, Punjab and Assam.The tale of fall of Bengal, Madras and many other states was also the same.

Rani(the queen) wept in her quarter for all that disaster. She was rather lost and was sick of the situation.Her ornaments and royal clothes were being sold in the markets of Calcutta.The advertisements for the sale of the royal stuff were being published in the daily newspapers of the British Government. “Buy the ornaments of Nagpur, Buy the Naulakha locket of Lucknow” had been the highlights of such advertisements.In this manner the honor of the royal ladies had to be sold to foreigners.

The cottages of poor were full of grief and the royal houses were also full of insult (the royal ladies were maltreated and insulted by the British intruders whereas the poor folk were also in the clutches of the atrocities by the British rulers).Brave soldiers of India had in their mind the prestige of their ancestors.
The name of Ghunghupant and Nana, the titles of the great warriors and their weapons, they have lost all such treasure as well.

The beloved sisters of Nana (queen of Jhansi- Rani) invited Nana to visit Ran-Chandi. The ritual of the holy war of freedom started because they had to awake the divine spirit of the people of India, which had been sleeping so far.

The fire of revolt started from royal palace, which became hot like burning sun when reached to the houses of the poor or common folk.This spark of freedom started from the inner soul of the people. It captured Jhansi first then spread in Delhi and also engulfed Lucknow.The freedom struggle was also in full swing in Merat, Kanpur and Patna. The people of Jabalpur, Kolhapur were also being inspired from others.

In that great freedom struggle, many brave brothers lost their lives.
Among them were Nana GhunGhupant, Tantya, great Azeemullah, And many others like Ahmedshah Moulvi, Thakur Kunwar singh, Sainik Abhiram.Their names will always be shining in the heavens of the ancient history of India, but they were considered rebels at that time and their great sacrifice was considered a crime against the state of British India.

Well, leave the tale of the bravery of those great men and let us go to the battlefields of Jhansi,Where Laxmibai is standing boldly like a man among the other brave men. Lieutenant Walker reached there and proceeded further in the people’s army of the brave men,Rani drew her sword, the beating of the drums started in the heavens,Walker ran away from the battlefield as Rani defectively wounded him. He was astonished on the agility of Rani.

Rani preceded further and reached Kalpi after taking a hard journey of hundreds of miles.The horse got exhausted and fell to the ground and the rider (Walker) also fell down immediately .In the field of Yamuna again Rani was defeating the British.
The victorious Rani proceeded further and took the control of Gawalior.The British thus left the Vsindia (capital of Gawalior) and their rule ended in Gawalior.

Although the freedom fighters had won, the British army was again getting organized.
This time, general smith was in command but he was also being defeated by the brave freedom fighters – he had to be defeated.Kaana and Mandra (the associates of Rani) were also accompanying her in the war zone. In the battlefield they both were fighting furiously.But a British commander, Hughrose came from the backside
to help his soldiers – Alas! The British soldiers surrounded the Rani from all sides.

Though Rani was deeply wounded, still she was fighting and had managed to get through the British army,But she got stuck because a sewerage canal was there on the other end and she was in deep trouble,Her horse got stuck there - the horse was untrained, in the mean time, the British soldiers, riding on their horses reached there.

Rani was all alone while enemies were numerous who were attacking her with their sword from all sides,Rani, who was fighting like a lioness, succumbed to the wounds and fell down. She had to achieve a glorious death in war ( Martyrdom ).

Rani was martyred in the battlefield.Her departed soul was then riding a divine vehicle, moving towards heavens the Light of her divine soul met with the divine light in the heavens, she was the real heir of divinity,She was only thirty years of age. She was not a human; rather she was divine spirit (a holy being),Who did come, in the gesture of a female freedom fighter, to give us a respectable life of light and freedom ,She showed us the path of freedom, and taught us the lesson of courage, she taught us what we might have learned.

The people of India will remember this debt of yours (O! Rani Laxmaibai), may you be blessed, dear Rani,Your this life sacrifice will awake an indestructible soul of freedom in the people, History may be made silent or if truth is hanged or killed, or if the drinkers become victorious or if they destroy jhansi with cannonballs,You, by yourself be the memorial of Rani (queen of Jhansi) because you had been an eternal token of courage.

The poem is on The Rani of Jhansi who valiantly fought against the British in 1857. It is a fitting tribute to a great and extremely brave queen, one of India's many heroines.

SEVEN BLUNDERS OF THE WORLD THAT LEAD TO VIOLENCE

Seven blunders of the world that lead to violence BY MAHATAMA GANDHIJI

1. Wealth without work,
2. Pleasure without conscience,
3. Knowledge without character,
4. Commerce without morality,
5. Science without humanity,
6. Worship without sacrifice,
7. Politics without principle.


-- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)

SANSKRIT SLOKAS WITH TRANSLATION

1)
Na chor haryam, Na cha raj haryam
Na bhratu bhajyam Na cha bharkari
Vyaye krute vardhart ev nityaam
Vidya dhanam sarva dhane pradhanam

No one can steal it, not authority can snatch,
Not divided in brothers, not heavy to carry,
As you consume or spend, it increases; as you share,
it expands,
Education (Vidhya) is the best wealth among all the wealth anyone can have.


2.
Vidya dadati vinayam,
Vinaya dadati paatrataam,
paatratva dhanamaapnoti,
dhanaat dharmam tatatsukham.

Education gives Humility,
Humility gives Character,
from character one gets wealth,
from wealth one gets righteousness,
in righteousness there is joy.

PATRIOTIC SONGS I

A patriotic song is a song that demonstrates love for one's country. It may be an official National Anthem, National Song or may not be. It is often sung on national holidays. Common themes include love of country, or have themes that glorify self-sacrifice; others focus on a land's beauty, history, or ideals.This month I am sharing patriotic songs. Some of them are so rich in emotions. I’m going to list here a few of my favorite songs picked from various songs OF HINDI, which tell about the greatness of India and makes me to feel proud to be an Indian.

Aao Bacho Tumhe Dikhaaye Jhaanki Hindustan ki
Is mitthi se tilak karo yeh dharti hain Balidaan ki..

Translation:

Come children. Let me briefly show you Hindustan. Smear its sand on your forehead for it is the earth which is full of sacrifices.

The song is from the movie from the film ’’Jagriti’’, penned and sung by Pradeep and music by hemant kumar Composed in the year 1954. The song tries to inculcate patriotism among children. This song is a gateway for our glorious historic past. It says to bow your head to the land as it is the land of sacrifices. Beautifully composed and takes you into its stride. Song that describe the rich and inspiring history of India. The lyrics are just superb. If we hear such songs and understand the lyrics Every one can know history.

Hothon pe sachai reheti he
Jahan dil me safai reheti he
Hum us desh ke vasi hein
Hum us desh ke vasi hein
Jis desh me Ganga beheti he

Translation:

This one was really a classic piece of work. Truth on the lips and love in the heart is what you identify an Indian with. We belong to a country which has the sacred Ganges flowing within her. Where the hearts are always clean, we live in a country, where the Ganges flows.

From the movie ’’Jis Desh mein Ganga Behti Hain’’, in the year 1960, penned by Shailendra, composed by the legendery Shanker Jaikishan and sung by the great Mukesh. Good song with excellent lyrics. It speaks about greatness our mother India, Greatness of river Ganga and ethics of Indian people. Great ethics, we should feel pride our country which has ethics like this. It touches my heart when ever I hear it, nothing beautiful then my mother land, this is what Indians are, am proud to be an Indian. Good song! God Bless India. Jai Hind

Chhodo kal ki baatein, kal ki baat puraani
Naye daur mein likhenge milkar nayi kahaani
Hum hindustani, hum hindustani

Translation:-

stop talking about what happened yesterday, what happened yesterday is old news. In the new age we will write together a new story
we Indians, we all are Indians.

The song is from the 1960 film 'Hum Hindustani', Penned by Prem Dhawan, composed by Usha Khanna, sung by Mukesh. It depicts a feeling of patriotism, optimism and free thinking.

Jahan Daal Daal par Sone ki Chidiya Karthi hai Basera
voh bhaarat desh hai meraa,
jahaan satya, ahimsaa aur dharm kaa pag-pag lagtaa Deraa
voh bhaarat desh hai meraa

Translation:

Where on every bough the golden sparrows dwell
that’s India my country,
where truth, non-violence, and piety are at every step encamped,
that’s India my country.
From the movie SIKANDAR-E-AZAM, in the year 1965, Penned by Rajinder Krishen, Music by Hansraj Bahal, and beautifully sung by Mohammed Rafi. This song reflects the rich culture and tradition of India. This Song talks about the beauty of our country. It sings praises in honour of the country and makes the listener proud of India. A Fabulous worded song which gives ample satisfaction and soothes our inner soul, to an Indian to be proud of its rich heritage, tradition and prosperity.

Mere desh kee dharatee, sonaa ugale, ugale hire motee
Mere desh kee dharatee -

Translation:-

My country is producing gold, diamonds and pearls.
The song is from the movie “UPKAAR” penned by Gulshan Bawra sung by Mahendra Kapoor, Music by Kalayanji, and Anandji in the year, 1967. A Happy farmer sings gleefully on seeing the rich crops that his land has reaped. He compares his fruit of labour to invaluable pearls and diamonds. Such is the simplicity of an Indian. Very true to heart and satisfied with whatever he has gained. The simplicity and innocence has been very well expressed in this song.

hai preet yahan ke reet sada!
Mai baat, vahi dohrata hoon
Bharat ka rahne wala hoon
Bharat ki baat sunata hoon!

Translation:

Love is the tradition of India! What I repeat, I belong to India
and I talk about India.

This song is from the movie Purab Aur Paschim, in the year 1970 an iconic song penned by Indeevar, composed by Kalyanji and Anandji sung by Mahendera Kapoor. This song tells you the importance of love and relationships and conveys the message of love and brotherhood. The song also discusses the values that India stands for and the lessons that the world can learn from India.
The complete song is about our Indian culture and Manoj Kumar has described India in a new picture and each and every word speaks the reality. The lyrics and the music evoke a great sense of patriotism in every Indian. It speaks about greatness of our mother India, and the contributions made by India to the entire world. India has given to the world a lot. Let us not forget Bharat has given to the world tremendously and still making valuable contributions in all fields. It touches my heart when ever I hear it, and I feel very proud to be an Indian. I LOVE INDIA.

London" dekha "Paris" dekha aur dekha "Japan"
"Michael" dekha "Elvis" dekha sab dekha meri jaan
saare jag mein kahin nahin hai duusra hindustaan
duusra hindustaan
yeh duniya ik dulhan, dulhan ke maathe ki bindiya
yeh mera india yeh mera India
I Love My India.

Translation:-

I've seen London, I've seen Paris, and I've seen Japan.
I've seen Michael (Jackson), I've seen Elvis; I've seen it all, my darling
And in the entire world there is no other India,
No other India, This world is a bride and the jewel (bindi) on the bride's forehead.
This is my India, This is my India, I love My India.

The song is from the movie “PARADES” in the year 1997, penned by Anand Bakshi, Music by Nadeem Shravan, sung by udit narayan. I love this song. It’s very touching song which describes about Great India and its incredible beauty.

kinna sona des hai mera...
dhartii sunaharii a.mbar niila
dhartii sunaharii a.mbar niila har mausam ra.ngiila
aisa des hai mera ho aisa des hai mera...

Translation:-

How beautiful my country is,
Golden earth and blue sky,
golden earth and blue sky, every season brilliantly colored:
that's what my country is like.

The song is from the movie “VEERZARA” in the year 2004 penned by Javed Akhtar, Music by late Madan Mohan, sung by udit narayan. I love this song. It’s very touching song which describes about Great India and its incredible beauty.

Yeh jo desh hai tera, swadesh hai tera
swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
Mitti ki jo khushboo, tu kaise bhoolaayega Tu.

Translation:-

This country of yours is your motherland And is calling out to you This is a bond which can never break How can you forget the scent of your earth You can go anywhere but you'll always come back In new paths, in every sigh To your lost heart Someone will say This land of yours is your motherland.

The song is from the movie “SWADES” in the year 2004, penned by Javed Akhtar, Music by A.R.Rahman, sung by A.R.Rahman.This song represents the craving one has for his motherland.Each time I hear this song there is tears in my eyes. No other words except - "My India is the best"

SAARE JAHAAN SE ACHCHA

The song Saare Jahan Se Achcha was composed by the poet Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal in 1904-1905 while India was under British administration. The poem is sung by Indians on occasions of national importance and in schools as part of Morning Prayer. After the Indian National Song JANA-GANA-MANA and the Indian National Song VANDEMATARAM, Sare Jahan Se Achcha enjoys the reputation as the most popular patriotic song in India. The poem epitomizes love for the nation and patriotism.

saare jahaan se achcha hindostaan hamaraa
hum bul bulain hai is kee, ye gulsitan hamaraa

parbat vo sabse unchaa hum saaya aasma kaa
vo santaree hamaraa, vo paasbaan hamaraa
godee mein khel tee hain is kee hazaaron nadiya
gulshan hai jinke dum se, rashke janna hamaraa
mazhab nahee sikhataa apas mein bayr rakhnaa
hindee hai hum, vatan hai hindostaan हमारा

Translation of the poem in English :

Better than all the world, is our India
We are its nightingales and this is our garden
That mountain most high; neighbor to the skies
It is our sentinel; it is our protector
A thousand rivers play in its lap,
Gardens they sustain, the envy of the heavens is ours
Faith does not teach us to harbor grudges between us
We are all Indians and India is our HOMELAND

NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA

RABINDRANATH TAGORE WRITER OF JANA GANA MANA NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA

Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha
Dravida Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga
Ucchala Jaladhi Taranga
Tubh Shubha Name Jage
Tubh Shubha Ashisha Mange
Gahe Tubh Jaya Gata
Jan Gan Mangaldayak Jay He
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata
Jaye He ! Jaye He ! Jaye He !
Jaye,Jaye,Jaye,Jaye He "

MEANING:-

Thou are the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of India's destiny.

The name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujurat and Maratha. Of the Dravid and Orissa and Bengal.

It Echoes in the hills of Vindhyas and Himalayas, mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by the waves of the Indian Sea.

They pray for your blessing and sing thy praise. The salvation of all peaople is thy hand, thou dispenser of India's destiny. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee

VANDEMAATARAM WITH TRANSLATION

vande maataram, vande maataram..
sujalaam sufalaam malayaj sheetalaam
sasyashyaamalaam maataram ... vande..
shubhrajyotsna pulakit yaaminiim
phulla kusumita drumadal shobhiniim
suhaasinim sumadhura bhaashhinim
sukhadaam varadaam maataram.. vande maataram
sapta koti kantha kalakala ninaada karaale
nisapta koti bhujaidhruta kharakarvaale

sapta koti kantha kalakala ninaada karaale
nisapta koti bhujaidhruta kharakarvaale
ka bola ka noma eith bole
bahubal dhaariniin namaami taariniim
ripudalavaariniin maataram
vande maataram ...

tumi vidyaa tumi dharma, tumi hridi tumi marma
tvan hi praanaah shariire
baahute tumi maa shakti,
hridaye tumi maa bhakti,
tomaarai pratimaa gadi mandire mandire
vande maataram..

tvan hi durgaa dashapraharanadhaarinii
kamalaa kamaladala vihaarinii
vaanii vidyaadaayinii, namaami tvaam
namaami kamalaan amalaan atulaam
sujalaan sufalaan maataram
vande maataram..
shyaamalaan saralaan susmitaan bhuushhitaam
dharaniin bharaniin maataram
vande maataram....


Meaning:
Mother, I salute thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Green 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 swords flash out in 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!
Thou who saves, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foe 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 nerves 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 thine 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,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

VANDEMAATARAM

BANKIM CHANDRA CHATTERJI

It is our luck that we belong to a place where motherland is called by the name “Mother”. It is our duty to understand the meaning behind the “Vandemaataram” which awoke the Indians, filled in patriotism in them and drove them to fight for Independence.

Vandemaatara shows well the High principles and policies of Indians. This great patriotic song shows the greatness of Bhaarat-maata, (Mother India) her naturality, her strength.

During 1875, Bankim Chandra Chatterji was travelling from Kolkata to his village, “Kaantaal paada” in a train. He looked out of the window and felt happiness by seeing the beauty of India. This made him to write this patriotic song vandemataram.

It was like great hymn for the freedom fighters. Shri Bankim Chandra Chatterji penned this patriotic song. This vandemataram gave strength the freedom fighters to bear the harassments and cruel punishments of the British police with a smiling face! “Vandemaataram” became a nightmare for the British. On 17-8-1909, Madanlaal sacrificed his life for India, with a smile, singing this Vandemaataram only. When police were torturing people who sing Vandemaataram, Shri Chandrashekhar Azad, who was then only 13, did Vandemaatara slogan only, without any fear.

During the split of Bengal, Boom Field Fuller, then governor, imposed a strict prohibition against Vandemaataram geetam. The situation we are in now is not much different. Even after independence, we hear only the 1st stanza of this VANDEMAATARAM.

Mahatma Gandhi many times praised this Vandemaatara.Let us show our gratitude to Shri Bankim Chandra Chatterji and our Mother India by learning, knowing the meaning in it and singing this Vandemaataram.

"Vande Mataram! These are the magic words which will open the door of his iron safe, break through the walls of his strong room, and confound the hearts of those who are disloyal to its call to say Vande Mataram."
(Rabindranath Tagore in Glorious Thoughts of Tagore)

NADIYAA NA PIYE KABHI

This is one of my favourite song which has very good meaning.so posting in my blog with translation and meaning.

Nadiyaa na piye kabhi apnaa jal,
Vriksh na khaaye kabhi apnaa phal
Apne tan ko man ko dhan ko
Dharma ko dey dey daann rey
Woh sacchaa insaan rey, woh sacchaa insaan
Chaahay miley sonaa chaandee
Chaahay miley roti baasee
Mehal miley bahu sukhakaaree,
Chaahay miley kutiyaa khaalee
Prem aur santosh bhaav se,
Kartaa jo sveekaar rey
Woh sacchaa insaan rey, woh sacchaa insaan
Chaahay karey nindaa koi
Chaahay koi gund gaan karey,
Phulo se satakaar karey,
Kaanton kee chintaa na dharey
Maan aur apmaan hee donoo
Jise ke liye samaan rey,
Woh sacchaa insaan rey, woh sacchaa insaan

Meaning
Streams never “drink their own water”, nor do trees “eat their own fruit”
One who dedicates his/her body, mind, and wealth to Sanatana Dharma
Such a person is ideal.

Whether one has gold and silver, or just stale bread
Whether one lives in a palatial house, or a simple hut
One who accepts it all with a loving and accepting attitude
Such a person is ideal.

Whether one is criticized, or praised
Whether one is honored with flowers, or is greeted with brickbats (thorns)
One who accepts both honor and condemnation with equanimity
Such a person is ideal.

HAPPY ONAM AUGUST 23 2010

Onam is one of the greatest festivals of Kerala. It is the festival, which the keralites celebrates unitedly without the difference of caste and religion. The legend of King Mahabali is the most popular and the most fascinating of all legends behind Onam. Onam celebrates the visit of King Mahabali to the state of Kerala every year.

Once up on a time, during the reign of King Mahabali, the kingdom was very happy. Mahabali was the son of Veerochana and grandson of Prahlada, the devout son of demon King Hiranyakashyap. He was a noble, generous righteous and powerful king who ruled with justice, wisdom and generosity. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of "Mahabali Chakravathy" or Mahabali - the King of Kings. Although he was an asur, no devta was as noble, in thought or action, as him. During his ruling time it is said that people don't even lock their house in the night because, there was no thieves, no corruption, and no betrayal.

All the people were considered equal; all were living with great happiness. No one had any threats, challenges or danger to life. There was no falsehood or fraud. No one cheated others. People never lied. There were no wrong measuring equipments and weights. No one cheats or wrongs the neighbour. There was no poverty, sorrow or disease in the reign of King Mahabali and everybody was happy and content. And all people lived unitedly, without the difference of rich and poor. All were facing a good time because of all these all the people loved him and he glowed like a jewel.

Like wise the king was so good that he will give anything to anyone. Since the King Mahabali's rule was so good, his name spread all over the earth and the heaven. Due to this, the king of the heaven Lord Indra got upset. He thought that if Mahabali's name spreads like this, soon he would lose the heaven to Mahabali. So he prayed to Lord Vishnu for help, to protect the heaven from Mahabali (who is a Damon king).

It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested for anything he always granted. At that time the Hindu lord Mahavishnu decided to test King Mahabali. He came to earth as vamana a poor dwarf, and went straight to King Mahabali. He told the King that he has nothing and he want three feet of land to live. The king hearing this laughed and told Vamana to take three feet of land from where ever he wishes.

Just as King Mahabali agreed to grant the land, Vamana began to expand and eventually increased himself to the size of cosmic proportions. With his first step the Brahmin boy covered the whole of earth and with the other step he covered the whole of the skies. He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot.

The King realized that he was no ordinary Brahmin and his third step will destroy the earth. Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamana and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise. The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to patala, the nether world. There the King requested the Brahmin to reveal his true identity. Lord Vishnu then appeared before the King in his person. The Lord told the King that he came to test him and the King won the test. King Mahabali was pleased to see his lord. Lord Vishnu also granted a boon to the King that he can visit kerala once in a year. It is that day ie. the day Mahabali visits kerala is celebrated as Onam.

ONAM comes in the month of "Chingam" according to Malayalam calender. It is the day of the visit of King Mahabali to Kerala that is celebrated as Onam every year. The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali. Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King. Onam is a celebration of Ten days, which starts on Atham day. People put flower mats in front of their houses, to welcome the King Mahabali. They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well. The second day, Thiruvonam is the biggest and the most important day of this festival.. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the second day.

There will be competition for the laying of flower mats; Keralites all over the world will be celebrating these ten days with a lot of spirit and happiness. They will wear new dresses, will be visiting almost all temples which they can, and the most important thing is the grand lunch they will be having on the Thiuruvonam day. Whatever may happen they will not miss the Grant lunch. There is a saying in Malayalam that "Kanam Vittu Onam Unnanam" which means "We should have the Thiruonam lunch even if we have to sell all our properties". They give that much importance to the lunch on the Thiruonam day.

The onam celebration is an occasion for people to remind themselves of all the pervasive nature of divine. A message is not something to be said; it's something to be lived. But if you try to encapsulate the message of Onam into one word, then it is "HAPPINESS".

BE GOOD SEE GOOD DO GOOD. BE GENEROUS WITH OTHERS.DON'T HURT OTHERS BY WORD OR DEED.ALWAYS HELP OTHERS IN WHAT EVERY WAY YOU CAN.TREAT OTHERS ONLY IN WAYS THAT YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.LIVE SIMPLY, LOVE GENEROUSLY,CARE DEEPLY, SPEAK KINDLY, LEAVE THE REST TO GOD.

Be positive and always be happy in all situations. Only then we will be able to move forward in life. Only then we will be able to realize our goals. Only those with open minds can really be happy. Without that, one won't even be able to maintain their present happiness.

Wish you all a very happy, prosperous, colorful, healthy, wealthy and fulfilled Onam!
Let this season brings you all lot of good luck, peace of mind, happiness and all that you wish! May the good God bless you and fill your heart with joy & happiness. May the color and lights of Onam fill your home with happiness and joy. My heartful wishes on Onam. Have the most beautiful Onam.

IS OUR PATRIOTISM DYING OUT? RATHER IS IT ALIVE?

The days such as Independence day and Republic day conjure up memories of those countless men and women who faced immense hardship and suffering in the heroic struggle for independence.. But gone are the times when even for an average citizen , the day held a great importance. Passing time has eroded our values and principles and also importance of these great days. The profound effect of this can be seen clearly in current state of affairs.

Today, the national days are seen more as a holiday and worst example of this can be seen in schools and colleges where students have little time to attend the flag hoisting ceremony. The schools and colleges of the country have to keep the attendance compulsory on national occasions. Its sad to witness that a student comes to attend such solemn occasions due to fear of losing some marks or paying a fine. Even adults are not behind in giving least importance to the great day. Its heart wrenching to know they are completely clueless about perhaps the most significant day of our country.

In reality, our patriotic fervour today is confined just to the cricket field. We can die for our country when it comes to cricket. If our team wins , we feel we have conquered the whole world. It is really shameful to observe that we Indians resort to processions and violent acts if our county loses a significant match. Remember how the whole nation stood up against the 11 players when India lost in the World Cup. I wish these protests were rather for social dilemmas our country is going through. For today’s youth, India is reduced to being a launch pad for entry into US or other cash rich countries, for instance, the episode of Sunita Williams and consequent celebrations in India clearly exhibit to what extent we are obsessed with the western culture.

We feel that a foreign label on our foreheads can only shows our true value to the entire world. This is really a dangerous trend. We are losing our own identity in the process. This mental survey to the western culture is making India lose its freedom once again and it’s high time that we come out of it before it is too late.

This growing lack of patriotism which is fast spreading its vicious roots in the minds of our youth and children is taking a catastrophic form and must be taken care of.Or else the future of our country which is bestowed with such a rich past/ heritage is going to be in deep waters. It’s up to us, the people, to stand up and feel proud to be a part of this nation which has nurtured our souls and hearts.

There is so much an individual can contribute towards the progress of our nation. We need to improve the tone of our social and economic life through improved work ethic and environmental behaviour.

BY Rachit Chandra

RESPECT THE NATIONAL FLAG

The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during an ad hoc meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British on 15 August, 1947. It has served as the national flag of the Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India thereafter.

Indian law says that the flag must at all times be treated with “dignity, loyalty and respect”. The “Flag Code of India – 2002″, which superseded “The Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950″, governs the display and usage of the flag. Official regulation states that the flag must never touch the ground or water, be used as a tablecloth or draped in front of a platform, cover a statue, plaque, cornerstone etc.

Come January 26th and the whole country is riding on the waves of patriotism. And why not? Aren’t we patriotic? Every corner, every crossroad, every shop, and every car sports the TRICOLOUR- THE SYMBOL OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY. The spirit of a True Indian.
And what on 27 th? Gone is the republic day and gone with it is our patriotism, and like True Indian we unceremoniously dump the national flag to the dustbin that is if we are a responsible citizen, or in most of the cases it is thrown on the road, in the gutter, or left to be trampled upon by the lucky patriots. In keeping with true spirit of the Indian Culture we do not even hesitate to tear it after all its just the tricolour. The lucky few flags that are left untouched by the “True Indian” hang midway down the pole mourning the rape of the “symbol of free India”.

I request to all the people of India, please do not show our patriotism in a single day, keep it also for the remaining 364 days. Our national flag deserves a much better treatment than this. It needs to be respected all the year round, every day and every moment. If we don’t respect it who will ? Please don’t buy tricolour if you cannot handle it.

MEANING OF JAI HIND!!!!!

Jai Hind (Devanagiri: जय हिंद) is a salutation most commonly used in India in speeches and communications pertaining to or referring to patriotism towards India (also known as Hindi). It means roughly "Victory to India" or "Long live India". The Indian revolutionary Dr. Champakaraman Pillai introduced the salutation. It has since captured the imagination of Indians and has been immortalised by Subhash Chandra Bose as the battle cry of the Indian National Army.

Follower of S.C. Bose and young freedom fighter Ramchandra Moreshwar Karkare of Gwalher now called as Gwalior, Madhya Bharat, wrote a patriotic drama "JAI HIND" based on facts and published a book in Hindi, Jai Hind. Later on after few years Ramchandra Karkare became congress president of Central India Province. He took part in freedom struggle with Famous CHANDRA SHEKHAR Azad.

WHAT IS PATRIOTISM

ANOTHER ARTICLE BY Rishabh Srivastava -

THE NATION celebrating its 62nd Independence Day. India’s struggle for Independence is a saga of those thousands of men, women and even children who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation. And so by celebrating Independence Day, a homage is paid to all those who fought to bring Independence to our country. But gone are the days when every Indian citizen valued the importance of this great day. Time has eroded those sentiments and now we observe this day just like any other day or a holiday. Children are forced to go to schools to attend the flag hoisting ceremony by making attendance compulsory. Children seems to have no feeling for this day and the same can be said for the adults in our country also.

The Oxford dictionary defines patriotism as devoted love, support, and defence of one’s country; national loyalty. But the word patriotism cannot be restricted and is very subjective in nature. One need not play cricket matches or fight wars to express their feeling of patriotism. Our emotions run high when India thrashes Pakistan in any sports or when a businessman of Indian origin, staying abroad, makes it big in the world. We feel so much patriotic when a lady of Indian origin (who has hardly been in India) goes into space. The episode of Sunita Williams and consequent celebrations in India clearly exhibit to what extent we are obsessed with the Western culture.

The youth of the country while studying only thinks of moving out to America or United Kingdom and settle abroad and earn money for the foreign nation. They give reason that there is no infrastructure in our country, there are hardly any avenues, scope to make it big and fulfill one’s ambition. This might be true, but isn’t it our responsibility to facilitate such an environment in our country? APJ Abdul Kalam has mentioned in his book ’Wings of Fire’ that “never think of the scope, work hard to create that scope.” Kalam rejected several offers from abroad and stayed in this country and contributed to making India a nuclear power. That is the resolve of a real patriotic person.

The problem is that we are so much obsessed with foreign labels. This is really a dangerous trend. We are losing our own identity in the process. We have no interest in our history, culture and our country’s growth. We are aping Western countries, leaving behind our nation. But we are very selective while aping as well. Why is it so? The whole of America and UK come out on the road to celebrate their Independence Day. The whole nation stands by their armed forces not only during war times, but during any crisis. They share the success and failure of their country together. They dream of taking their nation to new heights. Do you feel same for India?

There is so much negative thoughts about India in one’s mind and quite often we just don’t want to discuss or talk about it. There was a very famous dialogue in the movie Rang De Basanti, which said “koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, usse perfect banana padta hai” (no nation is perfect, it has to be made perfect). And who’s responsibility is it to make it perfect? Do you expect someone else to improve the scenario of your nation and when that happens you will happily return to your nation to contribute to the development. Right?

Author Shiv Khera said that if we are not part of the solution, then we are the problem. Our country has made advancements in almost all sectors but there is still greater distance to cover. There are some problems that are still unattended and we need to work on that. A nation does not become great with slogans. It becomes great when its citizens do great things. We just don’t want to fight the injustice and battle for our integrity. We need to change ourself and drive this nation forward. We need to be a part of the system and bring some positive changes.

Politics is not a dirty game, it’s just that there are dirty players. That’s all. If you say that you don’t promote wrong things and you are neutral then that is paradox. If you don’t oppose injustice and crime then you are certainly encouraging it. The vision of Independent India became a reality when our freedom fighters came together and fought the imperialists, which was initially considered impossible.

India is not the only country with problems but is certainly amongst the few that does not throw up the solution. As a responsible citizen, we need to provide the solutions.

There is so much an individual can contribute towards the progress of our nation. We need to improve the tone of our social and economic life through improved work ethics and environmental behaviour. Let us rally behind our flag, let us love our country with all its faults, let us work to improve it with all our strength, let us defend it with all our resources, let us hand it on to the coming generations better than what it was when we received it. Let us try to build a nation, which our freedom fighters dreamt of. That will be the real tribute to them!
Remember one thing- the country is our mother and we have to be responsible enough to say that I am going to take care of her.

JAI HIND!!!!!!!!!!!!

DESERTING PATRIOTISM

I LIKE THIS ARTICLE AND DEEPLY TOUCHED MY HEART.SO POSTING IN MY BLOG.

I have always taken pride in the fact that I have considered as myself a thinking person. This definite characteristic of mine, known to all close to me, has often won me their admiration, sometimes accolades, but most of the time has landed me in troubled waters. Why? Because I chose to speak my mind. I am once again ready to take that risk. The month of August always brings about a mixed bag of feelings for me. Besides certain personal occasions demanding celebrations, like my husband’s birthday, it also draws my attention to certain occasions which have over so many years become customary for us Indians to celebrate. My obvious reference is to the Indian Independence Day. The revelry surrounding the event has so diluted since its birth that for today’s generation it seems like an old hag one is forced to live with at least once a year, let alone the question of being patriotic. For those of you who are shocked at my insidious line of thought, lets just do some soul searching.

To begin with, how many of us as children were told to remember the day our country gained independence. I was told stories about Cinderella, Snowhite and the Seven Dwarfs and even Lord Ram and Krishna, but none about the likes of Bhagat Singh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak or even Mahatma Gandhi. I was made to cram the names of my family members, the extended family, remember the faces of the friends, teachers, neighbors…..so on and so forth; but never once was I asked if I knew my country or its independence day. Frankly, even today, how many of us tell the same to our children until they reach primary or secondary school. Have they have lost there relevance in today’s world? While some of you may find all this humorous and others might make the lame excuse that it’s difficult for a child remember, I would say, Oh please! Because given a chance your child would have no difficulty pronouncing the tongue twister names of the ‘Pokemon’ cartoon characters. The day we began to hunt for excuses for our ignorance, it was at this very stage that we, as parents, took patriotism for granted.

At school too, oh those boring history books telling us about the rich cultural heritage of India, not to forget the endless chapters on freedom struggle. The only thing that etched on the minds of the students is how difficult it is to learn them and even if one managed such a feat, history was never as scoring as science. So why bother about such a subject in the first place. Moreover, I am sure those of you who studied Arts as your subject in school and college were always considered inferior in knowledge to those who took science or commerce. Arts have always earned the dubious distinction of being a study for non-performers or even dopes. Often, while teaching the same in various schools across India, I have had to face the oft-repeated question pertaining to the need to gain comprehension of about dead people!!! My raison d'être to take pride in ones country found few takers. The lack of patriotism in our blood stared me in the face. Even the traditional celebrations in schools was marked more with habitual behavior than enthusiasm. The fervor surrounding the Independence Day had more to do with it being a holiday than a day to honor our freedom fighters who laid down their lives so that we could live to breathe the air of freedom as a sovereign nation. Of course, it has always commanded a sigh if ever this day came on a weekend!!!

Let's then just accept it that we are just not patriotic enough. Truthfully, I fail to come across enough people who would momentarily halt to take notice or even stand when the national anthem is being played on our TV sets, the radio or even in a movie at the theatre. For the latter case, most find it embarrassing to do so, a response common especially among our generation X. To an average Indian, Independence Day means a much awaited holiday, begun with a lazy morning routine. How many of us (our grandparents exempted) bothered to switch on the television sets to listen to the Prime Minister's speech from the Red Fort? We rather catch up with our sleep, the morning chores or our favorite serial. How many of us unfurled the flag on our terrace, even after the ban on it being lifted? Even those who did hardly bothered to pick the paper flags from the streets finding its way to the gutter at the conclusion of the day’s merriment. It is rather sad that all that is left to this noble day is the customary unfurling of the national flag by our political leaders, the so-called patriotic films on the popular TV channels and the ‘Desh Bhakti Geet’ on our FM sets. For the average Indian, it was just another vacation.

So, from one generation to next, patriotism dies its latent death even before it had a chance at an embryonic birth. It would be a futile attempt to lay the onus on any one cause; be it lack of ideals in leaders, or even us as populace of such a great civilization. Our patriotism takes a high note only when we talk of Pakistan. It is not a gesticulation integrated in our daily lives. What matters to us are our family, our house, our livelihood, maximum the region we hail from, and above all, the fun of living it all? The rest is someone else’s headache. The cynics may ask if living in a country like India, with so many problems, not being patriotic enough. How could I turn a blind eye to the brain drain? The answers to such pessimism might not be adequate, yet the fact remains that no matter where one lives, we could belong to no place else but our motherland. This is why there arises a need to learn about its rich heritage, culture, history and take pride in the fact that our heroes fought hard to save it. They are not just names to be filled in the examination papers and forgotten later; they should be the quintessence of our way of life. Patriotism need not be just the unfurling of the Indian flag, and yet could be much more with the same flag flying high in the Indian skies. It is how each one of us choose to take pride in our nation is what really matters.

So the next time you enjoy a national holiday, take a little moment to think and to teach others the importance of that day and what turn life could have taken had somebody before us not taken the pains to ensure it for us. Let’s not take anything for granted; most importantly our freedom. Let us not swathe patriotism with obscurity. It deserves its due respect. No harm intended, it’s just a thought……………

–– Anjali Anand Seth


Image Courtesy: IndiaTimes.com

TULASI DAS KE DOHE WITH MEANING

PHOTO OF TULASI DASJI.


TULSI MITHHE VACHAN TE, SHUKH UPAJAT CHAHU OUR
VASIKARAN EK MANTRA HAI, PARIHARU VACHAN KATTOHR

MEANING:-

Sweet tongue grows pleasure every where.
This is a hypnotic mantra; harder orders / words make life harder.

BINA TEJ KE PURUSH KI, AVASI AVAGYA HOAE
AAGI BUJHE JO RAAKH KI, AAP CHUVAYE SAB KOE

MEANING:-

Person without enlightenment, get disrespected in society.
Like, if fire put-off, every one can easily touch the ashes (without fear, hesitations).

TULSI SAATHI VIPATTI KE, VIDYA VINAY VIVEK
SAHAS SUKRUTI SUSATYAVATT, RAM BHOROSE EK

MEANING:-

Your companion in trouble are, trouble, patience and wisdom.
Rest (Power, dare, solution etc.) god Rama will bestow upon you.

KAAM KRODH MADH LOBH KI, JO LOU MANN ME KHAN
TOU LOU PANDIT MURKHO, TULSI EK SAMAN

MEANING:-

If one retains lust, anger, proud, greediness in life.
There is no difference between scholar and brainless / duffer.

AAWAT HI HARSHE NAHI, NAYAN NAHI SNEH
TULSI WAHA NAHI JAYIYE, KANCHAN BARSE MEH

MEANING:-

For visitor, if there is no smile, and no love in eyes.
Never go there, even if there is shower of gold.

RAM NAAM MANI DEEP DHARU, JIH DEHRI DWAR
TULSI BHITAR BAHARO, JOO CHAHASI UJIYAR

MEANING:-
If Ram name is there in heart, every where in home.
There progress is every where, from all sides.

CHANAKYA QUOTES

Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

"A person should not be too honest.
Straight trees are cut first
and Honest people are victimized first."

"Even if a snake is not poisonous,
it should pretend to be venomous."

"The biggest guru-mantra is:
Never share your secrets with anybody. !
It will destroy you."

"There is some self-interest behind every friendship.
There is no Friendship without self-interests.
This is a bitter truth."

"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions -
Why am I doing it,
What the results might be and
Will I be successful.
Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions,
go ahead."

"As soon as the fear approaches near,
attack and destroy it."

"Once you start a working on something,
don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it.

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind.
But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction.."

"A man is great by deeds, not by birth."

"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend.. Your grown up children are your best friends."

"Books are as useful to a stupid person
as a mirror is useful to a blind person."

"Education is the best friend.
An educated person is respected everywhere.