THE JOURNEY OF INDIAN TRICOLOUR

The history of the Indian flag is like the history of India itself, of choices, and compulsions, in equal measure. The Indian flag evolved with the times, reflecting its times, the struggle for independence from British rule.

It is really amazing to see the various changes that our National Flag went through since its first inception.It was discovered during our national struggle for freedom.The Evolution of the Indian National flag sailed through many vicissitudes to arrive at what it is today.

The Journey of the Indian Tricolour

There was a time when every princely state in India had its own flag and emblem.  Today we have only one flag.  How did it come into existence?

Though the participants of the 1857 Revolt carried a flag, it was Sister Nivedita, Vivekananda’s Irish disciple, who first thought of designing a national flag.  The flag which was displayed at the 1906 Calcutta session of the Congress was square-shaped with 108 oil-lamps along its borders and India’s thunderbolt (Vajra) in the centre.  The words Vande Mataram appeared on it in Bengali.
 
Nivedita’s flag failed to capture the popular imagination and it was a tricolor designed by Sachindra Prasad Bose and Sukumar Mitra that was approved and accepted by Surendranath Banerjee and the Bengali Congress.  The flag had eight half-open lotuses (for the 8 provinces) on the top, the words Vande Mataram in the middle and a sun and crescent moon, representing Hindus and Muslims respectively, at the bottom.
 
It was this flag that was displayed at the Second International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart in August 1907 by freedom activist and social worker, Madame Bhikaiji Rustom Cama.  She made a fiery speech at the end of which she dramatically unfurled the flag and said, “I appeal to lovers of freedom all over the world in the name of this flag to cooperate in freeing one-fifth of the human race.”

In 1916, Pingali Venkayya, a youth from Masulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, started the Indian National Flag Mission and authored a book called A National Flag for India.  He approached Gandhiji with his design – a tricolour in white, green and red with a blue charkha in the middle.
 
Thus was born the first truly ‘national’ flag.  The British, of course, saw it as a symbol of revolution and prohibited it from being flown or displayed in public places.
 
The Jabalpur and Nagpur Flag Satyagraha was organized to protest against this repression in 1923.  Thousands of people courted arrest after taking the flag in procession. The flag became a symbol of India’s aspiration for freedom.  
The first public flag hoisting ceremony was held on the afternoon of 15 August, 1947 at India Gate.  According to Lord Mountbatten, when Pandit Nehru unfurled the flag, a rainbow magically appeared in the cloudless summer sky.  Surely, a heavenly salute to a hard-won flag.

(An extract from Young World, The Hindu)

 A flag is a necessity for all nations. Millions have died for it. It is no doubt a kind of idolatry which would be a sin to destroy.

"It will be necessary for us Indians Muslims, Christians Jews, Parsis, and all others to whom India is their home-to recognize a common flag to live and to die for."  ~ - Mahatma Gandhi

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Independence day is very close to my heart. It is indeed sad to see people taking Independence day as another holiday. Children should be taught more about the Indian freedom struggle, what their ancestors and the freedom fighters have done for them  and why freedom means so much to all Indians. We also need to think whether we are doing justice to what they have attained for us.We should all be responsible citizens and instill the responsibility of duty towards our country in the generations to come.

The Independence Day of our country is a moment of great pride and grandeur. Celebrating Independence Day is not only about hoisting the flag and singing patriotic songs. The essence of the Indepenece Day celebration lies in remembering all the freedom fighters and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. Respecting the freedom which we got at the cost of the lives of these freedom fighters is of utmost importance. Not only on the Independence Day but also on each day of our life we should learn to respect the value of the freedom and should not take freedom for granted.

 As each of you aspires to a better future for yourself,  similarily aspire high for the values of our nation and the society  that you live in.This is your life.This is your country and if you want to keep it safe you need to get involved. Even if we are engrossed with our professional and personal lives for the rest of the year, on this specific day, each citizen of the country does spend some time pondering on his or her contribution to the country.

Freedom is not a Right but a Feeling!

Let's be proud to feel the Freedom!

Let's say loudly we are INDIANS!!!

 Let all of us get together &

Let's Celebrate Our Freedom!

It is our duty to preserve this Freedom!

Carry this forward to the future!

We did,We do,We will do!!!

Set the celebration on Air, Share your Joy, You're Free to do it, Share  this to every Indian, to say

Vande Mataram!

Proud to be an Indian!

Jai Hind

JULY 26TH KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS

ON 26TH JULY, 1999 WE RECAPTURED OUR LAST HILL FROM PAKISTAN,
BUT WE LOST OUR MOST VALUABLE , GREAT WARRIORS, BRAVE BROTHERS.

In memory of Vijay Divas,26th July,

Let us bow our heads to the great heroes of India who laid down their lives so that we are safe today.

FOR THEIR SAKES AND OURS LET US PLEDGE TO GIVE INDIA OUR VERY BEST.
EACH TIME AND EVERY TIME.

IN MEMORY OF THE GALLANT SOLDIERS WHO GAVE UP THEIR LIVES, TO RECAPTURE INDIAN TERRITORY,OCCUPIED ILLEGALY IN KASHMIR.

KARGIL'S FIRST HERO
Lt. Saurabh Kalia

Capt.Vikram Batra
Param Vir Chakra(Posthumous

Grenedier. Yogendra Singh
Param Vir Chakra

RFN .Sanjay Kumar
(Param Vir Chakra)

Major Padmapani Acharya,
Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous)
Of the 2nd Battalion of The RAJPUTANA RIFLES

Lieutenant Balwan Singh,
Maha Vir Chakra
Of the 18th Battalion of GRENADIERS Regiment

Major M Saravanan,
VirChakra,
1 Bihar

Lieutenant Kanad Bhattacharya,
Sena Medal (Posthumous) (22 YEARS)

Captain Saju Cherian,
Sena Medal
307 Medium Regiment


Lieutenant Keishing Clifford Nangrum,
Maha Vir Chakra (Posthumous)
Of the 12th Battalion of JAMMU AND KASHMIR Light Infantry


Captain R Jerry Prem Raj,
Vir Chakra (Posthumous) ,
158 Medium Regiment

Major Sonam Wangchuk,
Maha Vir Chakra
Of the LADAKH Scouts

LT. CONL.VISWANATHAN
KOCHI,

My mind raced back to my school days when I learnt a hindi poem by Pt. Makhanlal Chaturvedi called "PUSHP KI ABHILASHA".The lines have got etched in my mind.This is, no doubt, best peice of poetry from Makhanlal. It accurately represent the pride and passion for the nation.I find these lines very close to my heart.
This poem tells us dedication and patriotism towards our country. The stanza of the poems are really soul stirring. Salute to him who wrote these lines and salute to them who shed their blood for our great motherland

Pushp Ki Abhilasha
Chah Nahin Mai SurBala Ke
Gehnon Mein Guntha Jaaon
Chah Nahin Premi Mala Mein
Bindh, Pyari Ko Lalchaon
Chah Nahin Samraton Ke
Shav Par, He Hari Dala Jaaon
Chah Nahin Devon Ke Sar Par
Chadhon, Bhagya Par Itraoon
Mujhey Tod Lena Banmali,
Us Path Par Tum Dena Phaink
Matra Bhoomi Per Sheesh Chadhaney,
Jis Path Jaayen Veer Anek

Translation:
The Yearning (DESIRE) of a Flower
I don't want to be a part of the necklace of the beautiful girl,I don't want to woo the lady love,I don't want to be spread over dead bodies,I don't want to act snob, after someone offers me to the Gods.
Just pluck me Gardner and throw me on the road,which is taken by the brave soldiers to give away their lives for the Motherland !

I pray for the flower's wish to be granted.*Peace*

THIS POEM TO ALL THE JAWANS WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIVES FOR THE SAKE OF THE NATION.

A RARE CONVERSATION BETWEEN RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA AND SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

 

Swami Vivekanand:- I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic.
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you free.
Swami Vivekanand:- Why has life become complicated now?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Stop analyzing life.. It makes it complicated. Just live it.
Swami Vivekanand:- Why are we then constantly unhappy?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.
Swami Vivekanand:- Why do good people always suffer?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life becomes better, not bitter.
Swami Vivekanand:- You mean to say such experience is useful?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Swami Vivekanand:- Because of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading…
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides the way.
Swami Vivekanand:- Does failure hurt more than moving in the right direction?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you.
Swami Vivekanand:- In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Swami Vivekanand:- What surprises you about people?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- When they suffer they ask, “why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?”
Swami Vivekanand:- How can I get the best out of life?
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Swami Vivekanand:- One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
Ramkrishna Paramahansa:- There are no unanswered prayers. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

THE POT OF INTELLIGENCE

Here comes one more interesting story from my school book.

Akbar and Birbal stories and folk tales are featured in Amar chitra katha and Chandamma.

Akbar had great confidence in Birbal. But once, for some unknown reason, the Emperor was not very happy with him. Sensing this, Birbal decided to stay away from the Emperor for few days. He went to a small village and started living there.

One day, Akbar got a letter. One of his vassals, Raja Samant, had written, "Please send me a pot full of intelligence."

Akbar could not comprehend what it meant. He thought," If only Birbal was here, he would have explained it in a minute."

The Emperor came up with an idea to find out where Birbal might be. He invited the heads of the village and said, "I shall give a goat to each one of you. You must feed them well. Take good care of them. The cost is my responsibility. You must return the goats after one month. But when you return, the goats should weigh the same as they are today."

The village heads wondered how this would be possible.

Somehow, Birbal came to know about this. He went to see the Patel (village head).

"Patelji, do not worry about what the Emperor has said. Just take good care of the goat," said Birbal.

"In that case, the goat will grow fat."

"There is a solution for that. On the outskirts of the village, there is a lion in the cage. Tie up this goat just a little way of from the lion. Due to fear and insecurity, the goat will not gain an ounce of weight," said Birbal.

The Patel followed Birbal's instruction. After a month all goats were brought to the Emperor. Only one goat had not gained any weight. Akbar guessed that this was possible only with Birbal's help. He sent for Birbal and pacified him. Then he said, "Birbal, I need your advice. How can I sent a pot full of intelligence to someone?"

Birbal started working on it. First, he got a pot, filled it with soil and sowed a pumpkin seed in it. It sprouted and a pumpkin grew inside the pot. When the pumpkin filled the pot, Birbal cut of the plant. The pumpkin remained inside the pot. Birbal tied a cloth and covered the pot. He showed this to Akbar..

Then Akbar ordered his messenger to send this to Raja Samant with a letter by mentioning, that this is full of intelligence. Take it out carefully. While removing the pumpkin, the pot should not break and the container should not get damaged. If anything contrary to this happens, you will have to pay a very heavy penalty."

The vassal received the pot and the letter. He realized what an impossible task it was. He came to Akbar's Court and apologized. He realized what a fool he was to ask for a pot of intelligence from an Emperor in whose kingdom a man like Birbal lived!"

Moral: Most problems have solutions. Just we have to think with a calm peace of mind for solutions. If you can't find them yourself, find someone who can! 

MY UGADI KOLAM HAPPY UGADI TO ALL

BE A GOOD LISTENER

                                                   
To be a ‘good listener’ is a vital trait that anyone from any sphere of life must have. It is easy to dispense advice, and everyone likes doing that. However, in many circumstances, more beneficial than advising someone is listening with all your heart to what he or she has to say. Not everyone will be able to help others financially. But when someone is trying to unburden his or her heart, we can try to listen with an open heart. Doing so is great service.

Where there is love, there will be proper listening, too. Listening is of utmost importance in both family and professional life. There is no better way to avoid mutual misunderstanding and avoid complications in life. One of the biggest drawbacks today in the relationship between spouses is the inability to patiently hear each other out.

There are three types of ‘listening’: listening with the intellect, with the mind, and with the heart.

It is impossible to listen intellectually. One might even say that there is no listening involved when one ‘listens’ with the intellect only.

Here is a story. A philosopher went to see a mahatma (spiritually enlightened being). As soon as he arrived, the philosopher started speaking non-stop. The mahatma listened to him silently. After talking uninterruptedly for a very long time, the philosopher told the mahatma, “Please give me some advice”.

The mahatma said, “I’ll bring some tea first. The advice can come after that.” He came back shortly with some tea. He placed a cup before the philosopher and started pouring the tea from the teapot. Soon the cup was full and began to overflow. But the mahatma did not stop pouring. Seeing this, the philosopher exclaimed, “What’s this? The cup is full. It cannot contain even one more drop of tea!”

Hearing this, the mahatma chuckled and said, “So, you know very well that once the cup is full, it cannot take in even one more drop of tea, don’t you? In the same way, your mind and intellect are crammed with many types of thoughts and information. There is not even an iota of space left for advice. First, create a tiny space for it. The advice can come later.”

Listening with the mind is partial listening. Our preconceived ideas will be an obstacle to assimilating fully what we hear. But when we listen with the heart, it is the power of love that is most actively operating. Here, one gives full attention to the other person. Such listening helps the speaker as well as the listener and brings about a change in both.

There are four ways of communicating properly: reading, writing, speaking and listening. We receive training in the first three from childhood itself. To a large extent, we are well-versed in reading what is necessary, speaking when the need arises, and writing. However, we have not acquired sufficient skills in listening properly. That is why most people are bad listeners.

God has given us two ears and one mouth. So, we should listen twice as much to others as we speak to them. But at present, we are doing the very opposite. We talk non-stop, and do not try to listen to anyone. When someone else is speaking, instead of paying attention, we are thinking about what we are going to say next.

When we listen with the intellect alone, the differentiating attitude — ‘you’ and ‘I’ — will always be there. Knowingly or unknowingly, when we talk, we strive to express the feeling, “I’m great; you’re inferior.” Problems cease and life becomes pleasant when we understand the heart of another person,  and  not when we air our own greatness.

It is said, “It’s not enough to have eyes; one should see.” In a similar vein, it is not enough to have ears; one should listen properly. Being a good listener is a great asset in life. The ability to listen with love and patience will help to make the person speaking to us happy, show us how to behave in any given situation, and help us see the right solutions to problems.


Article Courtesy: The New Indian Express