PRAYING TO GOD

A black smith, who deeply loved god, had to face lot of suffering.One of his acquaintances was an unbeliever.He said to him one day, “How can you lay your trust in God who sends suffering to you”?

Quietly answered the blacksmith, “when I have to make a tool, I take a piece of iron and put it into a fire.Then I strike it on the anvil to see if it will take temper.It it, does, I know I can make something useful out of it.If not, I toss on the scrap heap.This has made my prayer to the lord again and again Lord! Put me into fire of suffering but, pray, do not throw me on the scrap-heap.

MY KOLAMS OF PONGAL AND UGADI

VIJAYI VISHWA TIRANGA PYAARA JHANDA UNCHA REAHEI(N) HUMARA

The Indian national flag embodies the democratic, secular and liberal values enshrined in the Constitution of India and is the symbol of our national pride. To me maintaining the dignity of the flag is of utmost importance and the reason behind is the inspiration I got from a Rashtriya Jhanda Geet of my school days “Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara! Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara”, composed by a Hindi Poet Shri Shyamlal Gupta which gives a message to all the Indians to sacrifice everything for the respect of our flag and country.This song got glued to my mind and developed a spirit of patriotism and respect towards my national flag.

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara

Sadaa shakti sarsaane waala,
Prem sudha barsaane waala,
Veero ko harshaane waala,
Maatru bhoomi ka tan-man saara, - 2times

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara.

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara

Swatantra ke bheeshan run mein,
Lakhkar josh badhein kshan-kshan mein,
Kaape shatru dekh ke mann mein,
Mit jaye bhay sankat saara  - 2times
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara.

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara.

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara

Is zande ke neeche nirbhay,
Rahei(n) swaadheen hum avichal nishchay.
Bolo Bhaarat maata ki jay.

Swatantrata ho dheyey humara

Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humara.

Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara

Aao, pyaare veero! Aao;
Desh- dharm par bali-bali jao
Ek saath sab mil kar gaao,
“Pyaara Bhaarat desh humaara,
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara.

Iski shaan na jaane paaye,
Chaahei(n) jaan bhale hi jaye,
Vishwa vijay karke dikhlaaye,
Tab hove praan poorna humaara
Jhanda uncha rahei(n) humaara,
Vijayi vishwa tiranga pyaara.”

And finally the English translation:

The conqueror of the world, our tri-colour
Let our flag always fly high

It showers strength always
It oozes out love nectar
It gives pride to the brave
It is the heart and mind of Motherland
Let our flag always fly high

In the intense battle for independence
It gives josh to every moment
The enemy trembles after seeing it
(And for us) our fear and danger goes away
Let our flag always fly high

Under this flag we are fearless
And our intention is the birth of Swaraj
Shout Jay for Bharat Mata
Now our aim is independence
Let our flag always fly high

Come, beloved braves, come
Sacrifice everything for our nation
In one voice sing together
Beloved is our nation Bharat
Let our flag always fly high

Let its prestige never go away
Even if we give away our lives for that
Let Victory Victory be ours
Let our pledge be realised
Let our flag always fly high

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.