Hello world, Belief is a mission, an initiative for transforming challenges into opportunities. Its objective is to build social & environmental infrastructure to uplift humanity especially at grass root level.
It is an abysmal waste of time, resources & energy whenever men build barriers between themselves or when they miss the opportunity to improve mankind’s general lot on earth. Belief in practice will strive & toil for dilution of any barrier which is a hindrance to humankind’s growth & development. Belief is a platform of performance not promise.
Media exercises immense influence in shaping public opinion therefore has a vital role. Belief is a call for all young & aspiring journalist to the duty they owe to humanity .Belief is a platform to sanities the nausea about everyday events & the way they are reported through the distorting prism of media. We must start questioning what media is dishing out, serious issues and pressing concerns have taken a long holiday. In the blind war for circulation & TV ratings, truth is strangled. Media faith has gone bankrupt, journalists today seem to have mortgaged their conscience, consequently -society as a whole suffers.
At Belief, big problem is seen as a big opportunity to perform. We think that a small group of capable & competent individual with high energy levels can bring a lot of change. Belief as an initiative is willing to work in the conditions unfavourable, regenerating & even where possibility seems most wretched. Our work will begin with writing on issues that media misses often & which are detrimental to the general public. Contributors must nurture global vision for humankind that cuts across parochial interest, prejudices & stereotypes.
Friends, you have two choices in life: you can dissolve into a mainstream, or you can be distinct. To be distinct you must be different. To be different, you must be what no one else but you can be. So, think differently, invent, discover the impossible, create, innovate, travel the unexplored paths, share knowledge and resources, wipe out ignorance, reach the outreach, because you are ripples of hope.
It has been observed that, the real change-makers are simple, unassuming people, they are never written or applauded. We will highlight such initiatives and ideas at Belief so as to uphold their spirit of resilience.
Friends, without your shared commitment to this common goal, our initiative will wither & ultimately die. Therefore, we invite for the staunch support of innumerable colleagues, associates, different bodies and agencies to vehemently support the cause. Solicit your positive contributions in form of writing to begin with, which can further our mission & conviction in making Belief a success.
22 comments:
i do believe in ur Belief, we have to bridge the gap which is between human development and human growth....human development which constitutes more or less the tangible factors...whereas human growth which completely exists on a deeper level.....grassroot level!!!!
Synopsis of Delhi
Delhi a magnum opus was build and destroyed seven times, tells the saga of the bygone era. Endowed with the power to create myth, transcending moments of history. As a narrative of extraordinary time, Delhi has recorded amazing kaleidoscopic breadth of events – sometimes tragic, often triumphant as the stupendous talent of people.
A city brimming with life has many stories wrapped, frozen in time, yet eloquent in their immediacy. There is much more to Delhi than her legendary history, rich cultural heritage, cultural diversity and religious unity. Delhi is a palimpsest, bearing the complexities ,the contradictions, the beauty and the dynamism of the city where past coexist with present ,many dynasties ruled from here and the cultural elements ,absorbed into daily life. One side is monuments, icons of testimony to the grandeur of the past and, to other side is a long suffering Yamuna depicting the follies of the present.
Delhi has a multilayer existence and is among the fastest growing cities .Stretching beyond seven cities created around 13th and 17th centurirs, Delhi urban sprawl is extensive and still growing. There are skyscrapers, residential colonies and busting commercial malls all testimony to the changing time.
Delhi soul is its energy, effervrnce, ebullience manifested in the spirit of people. In a quest to build home and hope millions work here with zest, liveliness and fervour.Delhi embodies the subtle fusion of diverse ideas, of variety, of novelty of tradition through many decades. The uniqueness of Delhi is its strength to rejuvenate and withstand the test of time, which can be seen in its life style.
Sameer pushp
Delhi home and hope of millions
India is a great nation; Delhi being the capital is a symbol of old and new shares this greatness. Delhi today is multidimensional multicultural and, multiprogressive.It is in a constant state of cohesive flux. After independence Delhi has undergone radical transformation, and poses with a luminous gesture along the developed nation’s capitals. For a surprisingly long time Delhi was not the seat of power. However, every stone and brick here whispers to our ears a long and glorious history. A flashpoint, hub of multi-activities capturing the ebb and flow, high and low of footprints of time. The air of Delhi is full of follies of the present and fragrance of the past, as also the fresh pricing winds, refreshing, paving way for new India.
Having been the capital of several empires Delhi today is vibrant as its eventful past. It is a fascinating mixture of structural, cultural and ideological congruity and harmony among the different section of society. The biggest advantage Delhi has is of diversity ,that richness of people coming from different backgrounds, is a home and hope of millions of Indians.Characterised by the plurality of people divided in terms of religion,region,language,cast and class; individual with unequal status but with a shared access to resource and opportunity to seek one’s goal and vision .
Between the fading ranges of Aravallis and long suffering Yamuna Delhi has a labyrinth of history buried under its era. Delhi draws its name from Raja Dhilu.The earliest historical reference to Delhi dates back to first century BC. All through its history, the present capital of India has been an important player. Reasons for this might be found in its geographical location. Delhi has always been a convenient link between Central Asia, the northwest frontiers and the rest of the country. An inscription dating from the time of Asoka, the famous Mauryan king, tells us that Delhi was on the great northern highway of the Mauryas and linked their capital Patliputta (near modern Patna, Bihar) with Taxila (Takshashila), now in Pakistan. This was apparently the route that Buddhist monks took on their way to Taxila, the intellectual hotbed in those days, and Central Asia. What one can read between the lines is that it was also the route that the Mauryan armies took enroute to quelling the frequent rebellions and foreign insurgencies in Taxila and other such border trouble spots. So, this gave Delhi considerable strategic importance. The story of Delhi unfolds far back in the dark mists of history.
1. Indraprastha-1450 BC (approx.)
Site :- In Purana Qila
Remains :- Archeological finds now support the view that this was indeed Delhi's earliest city. This has not surprised anyone in Delhi, for popular opinion had never doubted the existence of Indra-prashtha. Reasons for its decline are not known.
2.Lal Kot or Qila Rai Pithora 1060 AD;
Built by Rajput Tomaras. 12th century; captured and enlarged by the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan.
Site :- QutubMinar-Mehraulicomplex.
Remains :- Very little remains of the original Lal Kot. of the 13 gates of Rai Pithora fort, now only three remain.
3.Siri-1304 AD;
Built by Alauddin Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate. Alauddin Khilji was well-known for his trade reforms, so it's not surprising that Siri was a major trading throughout the centre the Hauz-i-Alai, 14th century.
Site :- Near Hauz Khas and Gulmohar Park.
Remains :- Some portions and walls remain. Alauddin Khilji also built other things around Siri. Like, the beautiful Alai Darwaza, the south gate of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and reservoir in present-day Hauz Khas.
4,Tughlaqabad 1321-23 AD.
Built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Site :- 8km from the Qutub complex.
Remains:- Walls and some ruined buildings.
5,Jahanpanah Mid-14th century.
Built by Mohammad- bin-Tughlaq, the so-called lunatic king. Actually he had some brilliant ideas but fumbled badly in their execution.
Site :- Between Siri and Qutub Minar.
Remains:-A few remnants of defensive ramparts.
6.Ferozabad 1354 AD;
By Feroze Tughlaq. It remained the capital until Sikander Lodi moved to Agra.
Site:- Kotla Feroze Shah.
Remains:- Only the Asoka Pillar rising from the ruins remains. There is stadium for cricket which is called Feroze Shah Kotla grounds. It is also a regular bus stop.
7. Dilli Sher Shahi (Shergarh) 1534;
This Delhi was actually started by Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. After he was defeated and forced into exile, his far more able overthrower Sher Shah
Suri completed it.
Site :- Opposite the zoo. Around Purana Qila.
Remains:- High gates,walls,mosque and a great baoli(well). Kabuli and Lal Darwaza gates and the Sher Mandal.
8.C ity :- ShajahanabadMid-17th century.
Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor moved his capital from Agra to here.
Site: - The existing Old Delhi.
Remains :- The Red Fort, Jama Masjid, main streets of Old Delhi (like Chandini Chowk), long sections of walls and several city gates. Old Delhi might be congested, but it still retains its medieval charm. The people are very warm and welcoming, even though riots between Hindus and Muslims are quite common.
9. City: - New Delhi 1920s.
The formal announcement to move the seat of power from Calcutta to Delhi was made during the famous Delhi Durbar in 1911. Contractors and workers working from the designs of Edward Lutyens completed the main buildings 20 years later. Since then Delhi has remained the capital of India.
Site: - Connaught Place and Rajpath.
Remains:- All the main British buildings, which include the spacious bungalows of the now elite New Delhi area, the President's House, the Parliament and Supreme Court.
Delhi is the third largest city of the world, exceeded in size by Calcutta and Mumbai. Delhi is situated in north central India and stands on the west bank of Yamuna river. It is bounded on the east by the state of Uttar Pradesh and on the north, west and south by Haryana. The eternal Yamuna has witnessed the glory and the tumultuous history of the 3000 year old Delhi. Delhi is spread over an area of 1483 sq. kilometers, 216 meters above sea level and has a population of around 14 million. Delhi is a true cosmopolitan city always on the move. Delhi remains the centre of power. Once it was a city of royal power. Then it became the seat of colonial power. Later it was the seat of bureaucratic power. The seat of political power it has always been. Today it is emerging as an important centre for corporate power too. It is a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth, the complexities and dynamism of India. Delhi has always been the hub of activity, art, culture and the history of the whole country and continues to do so
The National Capital Territory of Delhi has its own Legislative Assembly, Lieutenant Governor, Council of Ministers and Chief Minister. The legislative assembly seats are filled by direct election from territorial constituencies in the NCT. However, the Union Government of India and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi jointly administer New Delhi. The legislative assembly was re-established in 1993 for the first time since 1956, with direct federal rule in the span. In addition, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) handles civic administration for the city as part of the Panchayati Raj act. New Delhi, an urban area in Delhi, is the seat of both the State Government of Delhi and the Government of India. There are 70 assembly constituencies and seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi.
With an estimated net State Domestic Product (SDP) of $ 96 billion (for the year 2004–05), Delhi is the second largest commercial center in South Asia after Mumbai. Delhi has a per capita income of 53,976 INR which is around 2.5 times of the national average. The tertiary sector contributes 70.95% of Delhi's gross SDP followed by secondary and primary sectors with 25.2% and 3.85% contribution respectively. Delhi's workforce constitutes 32.82% of the population showing an increase of 52.52% between 1991 and 2001. Delhi's unemployment rate decreased from 12.57% in 1999–2000 to 4.63% in 2003. In December 2004, 636,000 people were registered with various employment exchange programmes in Delhi.
In 2001, the total workforce in all government (union and state) and quasi government sector was 620,000. In comparison, organised private sector employed 219,000. Delhi's service sector has expanded due in part to the large skilled English-speaking workforce that has attracted many multinational companies. Key service industries include information technology, telecommunications, hotels, banking, media and tourism. Delhi's manufacturing industry has also grown considerably as many consumer goods industries have established manufacturing units and headquarters in and around Delhi. Delhi's large consumer market, coupled with the easy availability of skilled labour, has attracted foreign investment in Delhi. In 2001, the manufacturing sector employed 1,440,000 workers while the number of industrial units was 129,000. Construction, power, telecommunications, health and community services, and real estate form integral parts of Delhi's economy. Delhi's retail industry is one of the fastest growing industries in India. However, as in the rest of India, the fast growth of retail is expected to affect the traditional unorganized retail trading system.
Delhi comes as a merger of the modern lifestyles as well as the old traditions and values. On one hand, we can see the Old Delhi still living in the past to some an extent and still upholding the values of the past. While, on the other we see culture in New Delhi where people have become slaves of ostentations. There is the sound the Qawwalis of Nizamuddin Shrine, Gurbanis of Bangla Sahib and Aartis of Chattarpur Mandir. At the same time, one can hear the loud and blaring music of pubs and discotheques.
Still another aspect of the culture of Delhi is the numerous fairs and festivals celebrated in the city. The Chhat Puja of Bihar is celebrated here with as much festivity as the Durga Puja of Bengal. There is also no difference in the celebrations of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr and the Punjabi festival of Lohri. It is interesting to note that the culture of Delhi also shows some influence of the people of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, since these states border the capital city. Last but not the least, the various monuments of the city like the Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, etc further add to the culture in New Delhi, India.
It is this diversity that makes Delhi so lively and colorful. Indo-Persian art is reflected in Jama Masjid while the Birla Temple and the Chattarpur Temple complex exude amalgamations of North and South Indian architectural styles. Some of the famous Gurdwaras of Delhi are Gurdwara Raquab Ganj, Sheesh Ganj and Bangla Sahib while Churches such as St. Thomas and St. Columbus are popular places of worship for Christians. Bahai Lotus temple is notable not only for its representation of the Bahai way of worship in Delhi but also the splendid architectural designs. Jains and Buddhists also have their own shrines in the city while the Tibetan monastery near the Interstate bus terminus is representative of the Tibetan culture in India.
The capital of India is not only known for its rich historical background but also for some exquisite arts and crafts. Infact, the arts and crafts of Delhi have been patronized since the times of the royals. As a cultural center of its time, Delhi attracted the best of painters, musicians and dancers.
There is no such thing as typical cuisines of Delhi. This is so because there is no specific identity of the city. With time, people from different areas of India came and settled, making Delhi an assortment of sorts. Slowly and gradually, Delhi assumed some of the aspects of the identity of all the types of people living in it, making multiple identities for it.
People of Delhi, India, count amongst the most hospitable ones in India. You will find them very helpful and cheerful, always smiling and eager to help. Just like the rest of India, Delhi people also treat their guests with great honor and respect. Coming from different parts of the country as well as the world, they are multi linguistic and multi cultural.
NCR as it is known today includes the entire region stretching to new townships developing around Delhi that includes Faridabad and Gurgaon in the neighboring state of Haryana and Ghaziabad and Noida on the borders of Uttar Pradesh. Delhi of today is actually two Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi gives an impression of restricted movements with narrow lanes and packed traffic around the high walls of the forts and other monuments. On the other side New Delhi presents grandeur and more greens with modern buildings wider streets with a large number of flyovers and a Metro Railway to commute faster in the NCR. The streets are busy with cars and people bustling against each other for accessibility. New Delhi has witnessed
Delhi rich in many other things is equally rich in problems. Since Independence the population has doubled and there has been a great demographic change which has contributed greatly to the problems of the city. Increasing population recourses imbalances have led to many mad made problems. we don’t need to far into space to see this.
Delhi aspiring to be a great a superpower is logical and legitimate in terms of its geo-strategic, demographic, ideological and social cultural characteristics. Great power status is a practical possibility of India .IF we engage ourselves in constructive pursuits and operationalise dormant programs and policies to novel dimensions. It will remain a fantasy if we believe that our past in itself can guarantee an important place in the world.
Today, Delhi major problem is mindless consumerism which is symptomatic of deeply-entrenched psyche of, the more the merrier. Consumerism is vicious cycle of ignorance & abuse. We need to have little oil of human blend to listen to the melancholy of people who do not have their basic needs fulfilled. Consumerism has to be defined through a triple bottom line - simultaneously providing for profit, people & planet. The initiative requires a mass commitment for proactive action and package of prevention, promotion & mitigation measures.
Sameer Pushp
Synopsis of Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh is recognized variously-for its legendary dynasties; for its most revered temple, Tirupati; for its beautiful language, Telugu; for its lacquer toys and beautiful weaves; rich literature and the vibrant Kuchipudi. Andhra Pradesh has often been called the "food bowl of the south." There are ruins, palaces, museums, and ports apart from the sacred Tirupati, where one can leave one's prayers to be answered.
Embarking at the road of growth with information technology as its ploy it has some how neglected the poorest of the poor and crushed their voices to be not heard by anyone .The devilment dulede them and reality has a different story to tell altogether.
Few roads cruise so perfectly through life's close hits and misses as the road to Kondamodalu - a quiet, beautiful village nestled in the Papikondalu hills in Devipatnam mandal of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh - does. If you fall ill in Kondamodalu, the minimum time between life and death is a three-hour boat ride on the Godavari - and survival is not guaranteed during the monsoons when the river is turbulent. For nothing but a myth of a road exists between Kondamodalu and the nearest government hospital.
The road to Kondamodalu is both a metaphor and a reality; it is probably the first road built by a community to make way for its own displacement - and the first such on account of the Indira Sagar (Polavaram) dam in East Godavari district. The people of Kondamodalu panchayat are now engaged in building the road under a food-for-work programme after the latest flooding of the Godavari. This gives the pictue of the harsh reality of the state of affairs in Andhra Pradesh.
Onother big problem is of Naxalism. Naxal violence so far in Andhra Pradesh has claimed more than 6,000 lives in the last two and a half decades. 2005 was the bloodiest year with about 320 deaths in the state. To explain this sharp escalation of violence one needs to go back to the unfortunate happenings of 2004. The much hyped cease fire, peace process and talks during the year which only served to expose the weakness and unpreparedness of the government, which totally misread the ground situation and gave primacy to electoral issues over national security issues; this was divorced from the reality as both sides were not serious when they came to the negotiating table.
Telangana movement is the precursor to land reforms initiative in Andhra Pradesh. The Hyderabad Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act enacted in 1950 with its subsequent amendments resulted in the Conferment of Protection to nearly 6 lakh tenants with over 75 lakh acres in their possession. This constituted 33 percent of the total cultivated area. The Andhra Pradesh Tenancy Act, 1956 sought to give protection to certain categories of tenants in the Andhra Region from unjust evictions. However, it was preceded by large-scale eviction of tenants by the landlords. In the absence of militant peasant movement, the tenancy legislation in Andhra area had only a negative impact on tenants as the landowners resorted to large-scale evictions and leasing out lands only on oral basis.
It is, however, doubtful whether Government of Andhra Pradesh would be willing to undertake the radical land reforms measures as suggested above. It should be the task of the peasant organizations to mobilize the Agricultural laborers and peasants to implement radical land reforms measures.
Andhra Pradesh today is in the midst of an agrarian emergency. The tragic framers suicides are finally, an extreme symptom of a much deeper distress. The result of decade long onslaught on the livelihood of millions .The crisis now goes way beyond the family ravaged by the suicides. In the hand of dying farmers are smart card probably given by government to perform the last rites.
-Sameer Pushp
Andhra Pradesh: Rice Bowl Of India
Andhra Pradesh has hosted variety of cultures, religions and traditions for centuries and still continues to embrace them. While Buddhist civilization flourished under the great reign of emperor Ashoka, before the birth of Christ, the early part of the last millennium witnessed the Hindu civilization at its best. Beside its rich cultural and historical background, Andhra Pradesh today boasts of innumerable tourist destinations that attract tourists from India and abroad. The State has continuously been adding and developing tourist destinations which have made Andhra an irresistible destination in the world.
"Rice Bowl of India", is a state in southern India. It lies between 12°41' and 22°N latitude and 77° and 84°40'E longitude, and is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in the north, the Bay of Bengal in the East, Tamil Nadu to the south and Karnataka to the west. Andhra Pradesh is the 4th largest state in India by area and population. It is the largest and most populous state in South India. The state is crossed by two major rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna. Historically this land was known as Andhrapatha, Andhra-mandalamu.
Andhra Pradesh is surrounded by Orissa and Madhya Pradesh on the north, Maharasthra and Karnataka on the west, Tamil Nadu on the south, and the Bay of Bengalbinds on the east with a coastline of 974 km. The earliest mention of the Andhra is said to be in Aitereya Brahmana (2000 BC). A recorded history of Andhra Pradesh, according to historians, begins with 236 BC, the year of Ashoka's death. During the following centuries, Satavahanas, Sakas, Ikshvakus, Eastern Chalukyas, and Kakatiyas ruled the Telugu country. After Independence, Telugu-speaking areas were separated from the composite Madras Presidency, and new Andhra State came into being on 1 October1953. With the passing of the State Reorganisation Act, 1956, there was a merger of Hyderabad State and Andhra State, and consequently Andhra Pradesh came into being on 1 November 1956.
Andhra Pradesh has a population of 6,65,08,008 persons. Telugu is the regional and official language of the State, spoken by 84.86 percent of the population. The major linguistic minority groups in the State include the speakers of Urdu (7.86%), Hindi (2.65%) and Tamil (1.27%).
The minority language speakers who constitute less than 1 percent are the speakers of Kannada (0.94%), Marathi (0.84%), Oriya (0.42%), Malayalam (0.10%), Gondi (0.21%), and Koya (0.30%).
The speakers of minority languages who constitute less than 0.09 percent are the speakers of Bengali (0.04%), Gujarati (0.09%), Punjabi (0.04%), Sindhi (0.02%) Savara (0.09%), Kolami (0.03%), Jatapu (0.04%), Konda (0.03%), Khond/Kondh (0.01%), Gadaba (0.02%), and Gorkhali/Nepali (0.01%).
History
Sanskrit writings from the 7th century BC describe the Andhra people as Aryans from the north who migrated south of the Vindhya Range and mixed with Dravidians. They are mentioned again at the time of the death of the great Mauryan King Ashoka, in 232 BC. This date has been held to be the beginning of the Andhra historical record. The Andhras are first mentioned in the Aitareya Brahamana. They first rose to prominence under the Satavahana Dynasty. Various dynasties have ruled the area, including the Andhra (or Satavahana), Ikshvakas and Badami .
Andhra Kingdom was mentioned in the Sanskrit epics such as Aitareya Brahmana and Mahabharata. Inscriptional evidence showed that there was a kingdom in coastal Andhra ruled by Kuberaka with Pratipalapura (Bhattiprolu) as his capital in 5th century BCE. This probably was the oldest known kingdom in south India. Around the same time Dhanyakatakam/Dhranikota (present day Amaravati) seemed to be a very important place. According to Taranatha: "On the full moon of the month Chaitra in the year following his enlightenment, at the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, the Buddha emanated the mandala of "The Glorious Lunar Mansions" (Kalachakra). The Mauryans extended their rule over Andhra in 4th century BCE. With the fall of the Mauryan Empire Andhra Satavahanas became independent in 3rd century BCE. After the decline of the Satavahanas in 220 CE, Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Vishnukundinas, Anandagotrikas and Cholas ruled the Telugu land. Inscriptional evidence of Telugu was found during the rule of Renati Cholas (Kadapa region) in 5th century . During this period the Telugu language, emerged as a popular medium undermining the predominance of Prakrit and Sanskrit. Telugu was made official language during Vishnukundina Kings, who ruled from Vinukonda as the capital. Eastern Chalukyas ruled for a long period after the decline of Vishnukundinas. Their capital was Vengi. As early as 1st century CE, they were mentioned as being the vassals and chieftains under the Satavahanas and later under Ikshvakus.
The battle of Palnadu resulted in the weakening of Chalukyan power and emergence of the Kakatiya dynasty in the 12th and the 13th centuries CE. The Kakatiyas were at first the feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyani, ruling over a small territory near Warangal. In 1323 CE, Delhi Sultan Ghiaz-ud-din Tughlaq sent a large army under Ulugh Khan to conquer the Telugu country and capture Warangal. King Prataprudra was taken prisoner. Musunuri Nayaks recaptured Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate and ruled for fifty years. The Vijayanagar empire, one of the greatest empires in the history of Andhra Pradesh and India, was founded by Harihara and Bukka, who served as as treasury officers of the Kakatiyas of Warangal[4]. In 1347 CE, an independent Muslim state, the Bahmani kingdom, was established in south India by Alla-ud-din Hasan Gangu as a revolt against the Delhi Sultanate. The Qutb Shahi dynasty held sway over the Andhra country for about two hundred years from the early part of the 16th century to the end of the 17th century.
In Colonial India, Northern Circars became part of the British Madras Presidency. Eventually this region emerged as the Coastal Andhra region. Later the Nizam had ceded five territories to the British which eventually emerged as Rayalaseema region. The Nizams retained control of the interior provinces as the Princely state of Hyderabad, acknowledging British rule in return for local autonomy.
India became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947. The Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain his independence from India, but the people of the region launched movement to join Indian Union. His state of Hyderabad was forced to become part of the Republic of India in 1948 as Hyderabad State.
In an effort to gain an independent state, and protect the interests of the Telugu people of Madras State, Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu fasted until death. Public outcry and civil unrest after his death forced the government to announce the formation of a new state for Telugu speakers. Andhra attained statehood in October 1953 with Kurnool as its capital.
On 1 November 1 1956 Andhra State merged with the Telangana region of Hyderabad State to form the state of Andhra Pradesh, which would be mainly Telugu-speaking. Hyderabad, the former capital of the Hyderabad State, was made the capital of the new state Andhra Pradesh.
contd
State symbols
State language - Telugu & Urdu
State symbol - Poorna Kumbham
State song - Maa telugu thalliki by Sankarambadi Sundarachari
State animal - Blackbuck, (Krishna Jinka)
State bird - Indian Roller, (Paala Pitta)
State tree - Neem (Vepa)
State sport - Kabaddi, in Telugu Chedugudu
State dance - Kuchipudi, Andhra Natyam
State flower - Water lily
Temples Of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is an illustration of the diverse styles of temple building in the Indian subcontinent. The Chalukyan, Dravidian, Nagara and the Orissa idiom are seen in the construction of temples in this southern state. Tirupati is the best known of the temples of Andhra Pradesh, attracting millions of pilgrims throughout the year.
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About the Temples of Andhra Pradesh The history of Andhra Desa provides an insight into the various temple architecture styles seen in the state. Tirupati - the most visited pilgrimage center in India. This ancient temple enshrining Balaji or Venkatachalapati is the most visited temple in India.
Sree Sailam - one of the Jyotirlingas of Shiva Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple. Aadi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here. Alampur Nava Bhramma Temples - Gateway to Sree Sailam Nine ancient temples built from the 7th century CE onwards, dedicated to Shiva constitute the Alampura Nava Bhramma temples.
Draksharama - one of the five Panchaarama temples. Legend has it that the Shivalingam held by the demon Taraka, splintered into five pieces and fell at the five Panchaaraama kshetrams one of which is Draksharama.
Sree Kalahasti - one of the Pancha Bhoota temples of Shiva Kalahasti enshrines the Vayu Lingam - representing the element wind - of the five elements of Agni, Vaayu, Aakasam, Jalam and Prithvi. Simhachalam - hill of the lion. This temple on the Simhachalam hill represents the patronage of the Southern Cholas and the Gangas of Orissa.
Ahobilam - The Nava Narasimha shrine. Ahobilam is one of the most venerated Vaishnava shrines of Andhra Pradesh, enshrining nine forms of Narasimha. Dharmapuri: near Karimnagar enshrines the Yoga Narasimha manifestation of Vishnu. Mangalagiri near Vijayawada houses a hill temple bearing a shrine to Pankala Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha.
Akiripalli near Vijayawada is home to a hill temple with a shrine to Narasimha. Dharmapuri near Karimnagar enshrines the Ramalingeswara temple which alludes to legends from the Ramayana. Yadagirigutta: near Bhongir is home to an ancient hill temple enshrining the Narasimha manifestation of Vishnu.
The city of Vijayawada is home to the Kanakadurga temple, the Malleswara temple and the Vijayeswara temple. Palampet: The Ramappa temple dating back to the Kakatiya period is full of ornate sculpture. The thousand pillar temple at Hanumakonda, the ancient capital of the Kakatiyas of Warangal is one of great workmanship.
Bhadrachalam enshrines a temple to Rama at a spot believed to be where Rama crossed the Godavari as he proceded southwards in search of Sita. The Rajeswara temple at Vemulawada goes back to the period fo the Vemulawada Chalukyas. The Modern Birla Mandir at Hyderabad The Birla Mandir hill temple, built entirely of marble is a prominent landmark in the city of Hyderabad.
Mukhalingam - the ancient capital of the Kalingas houses three exquisite temples built in the Orissa style of architecture. The ancient city of Amaravati is home to the Amareswara Shiva temple. Legend has it that Rama offered worship to Shiva at Ksheerarama enshrining Ramalingeswara.
Kotipalli (Kumararama) in coastal Andhra Pradesh is an ancient pilgrimage center, housing a shrine to Someswara. Bhimarama or Kumararama at Samalkota houses a temple to Bhimeswara with interesting sculptural work. The Andhra Pradesh Temple Index. The list here provides a pointer to over a hundred temples of Andhra Pradesh.
Culture
Andhra Pradesh - Language. Telugu is the state's official language. Telugu is the second most widely spoken language in India after the national language, Hindi. It is known for its mellifluous nature and has also been called Italian of the East. An Urdu-speaking and predominantly Muslim minority lives mostly in Hyderabad. Among the many tribal languages, Banjara, Koyi, and Gondi have the greatest number of speakers.
Andhra Pradesh had a population of 75,727,541 in 2001, giving the state an average density of 275 persons per sq km (712 per sq mi). Hyderābād is the state capital and largest city. The two other main cities are Vishākhapatnam, India's fourth largest port, and Vijayawāda. The state's name refers to the Andhra people, who have lived in the region for more than 2,500 years and who today comprise more than 85 percent of the population. They are Hindus and their language, Telugu, is the state's official language. A Muslim, Urdu-speaking minority lives in the upland plateau area, mostly in Hyderābād; there are Tamil and Kannada speakers in the south and southwest parts of the state. Andhra Pradesh has several museums, including the Salar Jung Museum, which features a varied collection of sculptures, paintings, and religious artifacts, and the Archaeological Museum, which features Buddhist and Hindu sculptures and other antiques; both museums are located in Hyderābād. Andhra Pradesh is also the home of many colleges and universities, including Andhra University (founded in 1926) in Waltair, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (1964) in Hyderābād, and Osmania University (1918), also in Hyderābād.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the most important sector of Andhra Pradesh's economy. About 70 percent of the population works in agriculture, and the state is one of India's main rice-producing areas. Other important crops are sugarcane, oilseeds, beans, and pulses (edible seeds from crops such as peas, lentils, and beans). Since Indian independence in 1947, the state government has worked to extend irrigation from the coast to the drier interior by building canals and dams. The Godāvari and Krishna rivers today irrigate 6 million hectares (14.8 million acres) of farmland. The Nagarjuna Sagar project on the Krishna River, completed in 1960, is one of the largest irrigation projects. It has 800 km (497 sq mi) of canals feeding an irrigated system that produces rice and other crops for industries processing agricultural products. Forested areas, which cover about 23 percent of Andhra Pradesh, yield timber products such as teak, eucalyptus, cashew, casuarina, softwoods, and bamboo. Andhra Pradesh is also one of India's most industrialized states. The industries, built up largely since 1947, include steel, shipbuilding, machine tool manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, heavy electrical machinery, fertilizers, cement, chemicals, sugar refining, and jute processing. Andhra Pradesh also has important mineral deposits, including coal, natural gas, asbestos, barites, copper, mica, and iron ore. The state is also the site of the Golconda mines, where the famous Koh-i-noor diamond (now one of the British crown jewels) was found. Tourism is of growing importance to the economy. Andhra Pradesh has an extensive road and rail network, a major port in Vishākhapatnam, minor ports in several other cities, and airportsat Hyderābād, Tirupathi, Vijayawāda, and Vishākhapatnam.
Food
The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is reputedly the spiciest of all Indian cuisine. Foods include both the original spicy Andhra cooking and Muslim-influenced Hyderabadi cuisine. Pickles and chutneys are particularly popular in Andhra Pradesh and many varieties of pickles and chutneys are unique to the state. Chutneys are made from practically every vegetable including tomatoes, brinjals and an aromatic green called 'Gongura'. A mango pickle, 'Aavakaya', is probabl .
Information technology
The state has also started to focus on the fields of information technology and biotechnology. In 2004 - 2005, Andhra Pradesh is at the fifth position in the list of top IT exporting states of India. The IT exports from the State were Rs.1,800 million in 2004. But by a percentage increase of 52.3% every year, the IT exports reached Rs.19,000 million in 2006 - 2007 and ranked fourth in India. The service sector of the state already accounts for 43% of the GSDP and employs 20% of the work force.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a Masonry dam built across Krishna River in Nagarjuna Sagar, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the world's tallest masonry dam, at a height of 124 metres and creates a reservoir holding up to 11,472 million cubic metres. Nagarjuna sagar, worlds largest masonry dam
It is one of the earliest irrigation and hydro-electric projects in India. The dam provides irrigation water to the Nalgonda District, Prakasam District, Khammam District and Guntur District. The right canal (AKA "Jawahar canal") is 203 km long and irrigates 1.113 million acres (4,500 km²) of land. The left canal (AKA "Lalbahadur Shastri canal") is 295 km long and irrigates 1.03 million acres (4,200 km²) of land. The project transformed the economy of above districts. The hydro electric plant has a power generation capacity of 815.6 MW with 8 units(1x110 MW+7x100.8 MW).
Demographics
Telugu is the regional and official language of the state, spoken by 84.86% of the population. Telugu is the second largest language in India. The major linguistic minority groups in the state include the speakers of Urdu(7.86%), the 2nd official language of Andhra Pradesh, Hindi(2.65%) and Tamil(1.27%).
The minority language speakers who constitute less than 1% are the speakers of Kannada(0.94%), Marathi(0.84%), Oriya(0.42%), Gondi(0.21%) and Malayalam(0.1%). The speakers of minority languages who constitute less than 0.1% are the speakers of Gujarati(0.09%), Savara(0.09%), Koya(0.08%), Jatapu(0.04%), Punjabi(0.04%), Kolami(0.03%), Konda(0.03%), Gadaba(0.02%), Sindhi(0.02%), Gorkhali / Nepali(0.01%) and Khond / Kondh(0.01%).
Telugu Other languages Total
Hindu 79% 7%1
86%
Muslim 1% 8%2
9%
Christian 3.5% 0.5%3
4%
Other religions 0.5% 0.5% 1%
Total 84% 16% 100%
Monuments
Charminar, Hyderabad The Charminar is the one of the biggest tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. The legend says Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of the city built this magnificent square shaped edifice to ward of ward off the break out of an epidemic at the center of the original city in his time. Four 48.7metre high minarets built of Granite flanking four grand arches explains the name Char (four) minar. A lotus leaf structure, which was a special recurrent motif in Qutub Shahi buildings, supports the base of each minar. The arches support two floors and gallery of archways. The first floor housed a madarasa (college) during the Qutub Shahi period. The second floor houses a mosque on the western side. It requires a special permission from the Archaeological Survey of India to go to the top of the minarets, which offers a spectacular view of the city. The monument is open all the days.
Golconda Fort, Hyderabad It is one of the famous forts of India and derives its name from the Telugu words "Golla Konda" meaning "Shepherd's Hill". Golconda was originally a mud fort and the origin dates back to the Kakatiya period. Later in course of history it passed to the Qutb Shahis (1518 to 1687 A.D). First three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years. The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, factories, ingenious water supply system and the famous Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell. An evening light and sound show brings alive the history of the Golconda Fort.
Qutb Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad The tombs of the Qutb Shahi kings are the oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. The uniqueness lies in the fact that this is a graveyard where an entire dynasty has been buried at one place. Located close to the Golconda Fort, the tombs, built of gray Granite with with stucco ornamentation, reflect a unique blending of Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles.
Osmania University, Hyderabad This is one of the oldest universities in India established in 1918. it derives its name from Mir Osman Ali Khan, the Nizam of Hyderabad. The splendid building, especially the Arts College building, display a perfect example of example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad Located at the outskirts of Hyderabad, sprawling over nearly 1000 acres, Ramoji Film City is largest, most comprehensive and professionally planned film production centre in the world. It is open everyday from 0900 AM - 0530 PM and the visitors can take a conducted tour organized by the authority.
Other monuments of Andhra Pradesh - Asman Garh Palace, Falaknuma Palace, Purani Haveli, Legislative Assembly in Hyderabad, Chandragiri Fort, Chandragiri are also worth a visit
Museums
The Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad This one-man collection of antiques by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III is the biggest in the world. The museum houses a superb collection of : - Persian carpets, Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer ware - sculptures including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles - daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the sword of Aurangzeb and many other antiques.
The Nizam's Museum, Hyderabad The stately palace of Purani Haveli, which was acquired by the second Nizam in the year 1750, is now converted to a museum. The museum showcases the gifts & mementos presented to the last Nizam on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration in 1937. The fabulous collection includes a 1930 Rolls Royce, Packard & a Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage cars displayed. There is an interesting collection of models made in silver of all the prominent buildings of the city & citations in Urdu about H.E.H Mir Osman Ali Khan, gold burnished wooden throne used for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations, gold Tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, gold model of Jubilee Pavilion and a silver filigree elephant with mahout to name only a few. The museum is open on all days except Friday from 10.30 am to 05.00 pm.
Other notable museums in the state include Andhra Pradesh State Museum, Hyderabad, Bhagavan Mahavir Government Museum, Cuddapah, Amaravati Museum, Amaravati, Nagarjuna Konda Museum, Nagarjunasagar, Victoria Jubilee Museum, Vijayawada
Caves and Valleys in Andhra Pradesh
Araku Valley and Borra Caves, Vishakhapatnam Perched at an altitude of 3,100 feet on the Eastern Ghats at a distance of 112 km. from Visakhapatnam, the picturesque Araku Valley is popularly known as the Ooty of Andhra. A visitor to the valley will be greeted by smooth flowing silvery streams and 46 tunnels & bridges by a train journey.
Traditional folk dances like the Dhimsa and Mayuri are still performed here by the native Adivasis.
The biggest attraction of Araku valley is the Borra Caves.
Located at 90 km away from Visakhapatnam, these one-million-year-old natural caves sprawl over an area of 2 square kilometers at a height 1400 feet above the sea level. The Gosthani River once upon a time flew over the limestone area. Due to the water pressure on the mineral deposits the limestone dissolved and gradually the caves were formed giving rise to interesting forms like a mushroom, a temple, a mosque, a church and many more.
Belum Caves, Belum A team of European speleologists led by Mr Gebaner in 1982 discovered Belum caves, which are the second largest natural caves in Indian Sub-continent after Meghalaya caves. Lying underground a flat agriculture field, these caves have 3 well-like cavities with the central one being the main entrance to the caves. The central one leads to the main entrance to the caves after a descent of 20 meters at the entrance. The 3229 meters long horizontal caves have long passages, spacious chambers, fresh water galleries and siphons inside, which make it a geological & archeological attraction across the globe.
Other notable natural caves located in different parts of the state - Guthkonda Caves, Guthikonda, Mogalarajapuram Caves, Vijayawada, Undavalli Caves, Undavalli, Yaganti Caves, Yaganti
Tourism, the Science of Travel, is as old as History of Mankind. India, with its hoary historic antiquity has recorded evidences of man's travel from place to place for better living conditions, such as--Social, Economic, Geographical, Philosophical, Political, Linguistic, Administrative, Aesthetic,
Agraran,Religious and Technological aspects of Contemporary Times. Andhra Pradesh, the Land of Telugu speakers, yet being a part of Indian cultural melieu, still maintains its own vigor, found represented on all fronts of modus operandi of life of the subjects. It has welcomed the different cultures, made its own, giving the tinge of Andhra Aesthetics and uniqueness. Though, principally, Andhras belong to Vedic fold, they patronized and exchanged the cream of thier culture with others.
One such best example is Buddhism. Since finding its roots since 3rd century BC, Buddhism could sway the Andhras for ahbout 1500 years. Not to exaggerate, Andhra have contributed renounded Buddhist Philosphers like--Nagarjuna, Buddhapalita, Dinnaga and Bhavavieka for the propoagation of Buddhism within and outside India. Existence of Buddhist Chaityas, Stupas and Viharas, across the Andhra numbering 100, stand testimony to the tolerance of Andhras to other faiths. Today Andhra stands atop on the Map prominent Buddhist Centres. Present article Tourist Potency of Andhra Pradesh (India) A Study (with special references to Buddhist Centres) makes categorical and comprehensive effort to study tourism as a potent drawer of revenues to the exchequer
The Andhras' contribution to India's cultural heritage is substantial. Architecture and painting have been highly developed arts in the region since ancient times. The kuchipudi style of dance is unique in the Indian tradition, while Carnatic (South Indian) music has derived much from Andhra roots. Many of southern India's major classical composers have been Andhras unique contribution. The Andhras' contribution to India's cultural heritage is substantial. Architecture and painting have been highly developed arts in the region since ancient times. The kuchipudi style of dance is unique in the Indian tradition, while Carnatic (South Indian) music has derived much from Andhra roots. Many of southern India's major classical composers have been Andhras
-Sameer Pushp
Bihar light of the past
Bihar is a great state. Generations in Bihar have grown up with certain values, ideas and principals. A state posturing as a model of secularism, of religious tolerance and one of the oldest civilization cradle .Bihar is a place where people came to attain salvation, where philosophy of Ashima was taught and practiced, where ambassadors of peace like Buddha and Mahavira lived. where universities like Nalanda and Takshila attracted many across the world.Truely emancipated, Bihar has ,socio-economically, psychologically and spiritually lead the country in the past.It has world most fertile land. Blessed with abundant natural resources Bihar could have broken its cycle of poverty, illitracy and unemployment but it hasn’t, why?
Bihar is one of the major states of the Indian Union. Many ancient civilisations in the world have evolved around magnificent rivers, but very few rivers in the world have moulded the culture, economy and personality of the people evolving on their banks as the great river Ganga. Cutting straight across Bihar from west to east, the bounteous Ganga had rendered the region so fertile and plentiful, that its natural prosperity nurtured a great fountainhead of political and cultural civilisations down the millennia
Bihar is located in the eastern part of the country (between 83°-30' to 88°-00' longitude). It is an entirely land–locked state, although the outlet to the sea through the port of Kolkata is not far away. Bihar lies mid-way between the humid West Bengal in the east and the sub humid Uttar Pradesh in the west which provides it with a transitional position in respect of climate, economy and culture. It is bounded by Nepal in the north and by Jharkhand in the south. The Bihar plain is divided into two unequal halves by the river Ganga which flows through the middle from west to east.
History
Bihar, the ancient land of Buddha, has witnessed golden period of Indian history. It is the same land where the seeds of the first republic were sown and which cultivated the first crop of democracy. Such fertile is the soil that has given birth to innumerous intellectuals which spread the light of knowledge and wisdom not only in the country but in the whole world. The state has its capital at Patna, which is situated on the bank of the holy river Ganga. The state as it is today has been shaped from its partition from the province of Bengal and most recently after the separation of the tribal southern region now called Jharkhand.
Ancient History
The history of the land mass currently known as Bihar is very ancient. In fact, it extends to the very dawn of human civilization. Earliest myths and legends of hinduism the Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma - are associated with Bihar. Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, was a princess of Bihar. She was the daughter of King Janak of Videha. The present districts of Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Madhubani, and Darbhanga, in north-central Bihar, mark this ancient kingdom. The present small township of Sitamarhi is located here. According to legend, the birthplace of Sita is Punaura, located on the west-side of Sitamarhi, the headquarters of the district. Janakpur, the capital of King Janak, and the place where Lord Rama and Sita were married, lies just across the border in Nepal. It is reached via the rail station of Janakapur Road located in the Sitamarhi district, on the Narkatiyaganj - Darbhanga section of the North-Eastern Railway. It is no accident, therefore, that the original author of the Hindu epic - The Ramayana - Maharishi Valmiki - lived in Ancient Bihar. Valmikinagar is a small town and a railroad station in the district of West Champaran, close to the railhead of Narkatiyaganj in northwest Bihar. The word Champaran is derived from champa-arnya, or a forest of the fragrant Champa (magnolia) tree.
It was here that Prince Gautam attained enlightenment, became the Buddha- at the present Bodh Gaya- a town in central Bihar; and the great religion of buddhism was born. It is here also that Lord Mahavira, the founder of another great religion, Jainism, was born and attained nirvana (death). That site is located at the present town of pawapuri, some miles to the south east of patna, the Capital of Bihar., it is here that the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh was born and attained the sainthood of sikhism, that is became a Guru. A lovely and majestic Gurudwara (a temple for Sikhs) built to commemorate his memory - the harmandir- is located in eastern Patna. Known reverentially as the Patna Sahib, it is one of the five holiest places of worhip (Takhat) for Sikhs.
The ancient kingdoms of Magadh and of Licchavis, around about 7-8th century B.C., produced rulers who devised a system of administration that truly is progenitor of the modern art of statecraft, and of the linkage of statecraft with economics. Kautilya, the author of Arthashastra, the first treatise of the modern science of Economics, lived here. Also known as Chanakya, he was the wily and canny adviser to the Magadh king, Chandragupta Maurya. As an emissary of Chandragupta Maurya, Chanakya traveled far and wide in pursuit of promoting the interests of the State and dealing with the Greek invaders settled in the northwest of India, along the Indus valley. He succeded in preventing the further onslaught of the Greeks. Indeed, he brought about amicable co-existence between the Greeks and the Mauryan Empire. Megasthenes, an emissary of Alexander's General, Seleucus Necator, lived in Pataliputra (ancient name of Patna, the Mauryan capital) around 302 B.C. He left behind a chronicle of life in and around Patliputra. This is the first recorded account by a foreign traveler in India. It describes in vivid terms the grandeur of life in Patliputra, a city established by King Ajatshatru, around 5th Century B.C., at the confluence of the rivers Sone and Ganga.
Another Mauryan king, Ashok, (also known as Priyadarshi or Priyadassi), around 270 B.C., was the first to formulate firm tenets for the governance of a people. He had these tenets, the so called Edicts of Ashok, inscribed on stone pillars which were planted across his kingdom. The pillar were crowned with the statue of one or more lions sitting on top of a pedestal which was inscribed with symbols of wheels. As the lion denoted strength, the wheel denoted the eternal (endless) nature of truth (dharma), hence the name Dharma (or Dhamma) Chakra. This figure of lions, atop a pedestal, with inscription of a wheel, was adopted as the Official Seal of the independent Republic of India (1947). Also, Ashok's dharma chakra was incorporated into the national flag of India, the Indian tricolor. Remains of a few of these pillars are still extant, for example at Lauriya-Nandan Garh in the district of West Champaran and at vaishali , in the present district of the same name. Ashok, a contemporary of Ptolemy and Euclid, was a great conqueror. His empire extended from what is now the the North West Frontier Province (in Pakistan) in the west, to the eastern boundaries of present India in the north, and certainly, up to the Vindhyan Range in the south. Ashok was responsible also for the widespread proselytization of people into Buddhism. He sent his son, Prince Mahendra, and daughter, Sanghamitra, for this purpose to as far south as the present country of Sri Lanka (Sinhal Dweep in ancient times, and Ceylon during the British Empire. Some historians, particularly Sinhalese, consider Mahindra and Sanghmitra as brother and sister.
Ancient Bihar also saw the glorification of women in matters of state affairs. It was here that Amrapali, a courtesan of Vaishali (the present district of the same name) in the kingdom of the Lichhavis, attained and wielded enormous power. It is said that the Lord Buddha, during his visit to Vaishali, refused the invitation of many princes, and chose to have dinner with Amrapali instead. Such was the status of women in the Bihari society of several centuries B.C.!
A little-known, but historically and archaeologically documented, event is worth mentioning in this context. After his visit with Amrapali, Lord Buddha continued with his journey towards Kushinagar (also called Kusinara in Buddhist texts.) He travelled along the eastern banks of the river Gandak (also called Narayani, which marks the western border of Champaran, a district now administratively split into two- West and East Champaran.) A band of his devoted Licchavis accompanied Lord Buddha in this journey. At a spot known as Kesariya, in the present Purbi (meaning, East) Champaran district, Lord Buddha took rest for the night. It was here that he chose to announce to his disciples the news of his impending niravana (meaning, death); and implored them to return to Vaishali. The wildly lamenting Licchavis would have none of that. They steadfastly refused to leave. Whereupon, Lord Buddha, by creating a 3,000 feet wide stream between them and himself compelled them to leave. As a souvenir he gave them his alms-bowl. The Licchavis, most reluctantly and expressing their sorrow wildly, took leave and built a stupa there to commemorate the event. Lord Buddha had chosen that spot to announce his impending nirvana because, as he told his disciple Anand, he knew that in a previous life he had ruled from that place, namely, Kesariya, as a Chakravarti Raja, Raja Ben. (Again, this is not just a mere legend, myth or folk-lore. Rather, it is a historiclly documented fact supported by archaeological findings. However, neither this part of Buddha's life, nor the little town of Kesariya, is well-known even in India or Bihar.
At Nalanda, the world's first seat of higher learning, an university, was established during the Gupta period. It continued as a seat of learning till the middle ages, when the muslim invaders burned it down. The ruins are a protected monument and a popular tourist spot. A museum and a learning center- The Nava Nalanda Mahavira - are located here.
Nearby, Rajgir, was capital of the Muaryan Empire during the reign of Bimbisara. It was frequently visited by Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. There are many buddhist ruins here. It is also well-known for its many hot-springs which, like similar hot-springs elsewhere in the world, are reputed to have medicinal property.
Medieval History
This glorious history of Bihar lasted till around the middle of the 7th or 8th century A.D. - the Gupta Period - when, with the conquest of almost all of northern India by invaders from the middle-east, the Gupta dynasty also fell a victim.
In medieval times Bihar lost its prestige as the political and cultural center of India. The Mughal period was a period of unremarkable provincial administration from Delhi. The only remarkable person of these times in Bihar was Sher Shah, or Sher Khan Sur, an Afghan. Based at Sasaram which is now a town in the district of the same name in central-western Bihar, this jagirdar of the Mughal King Babur was successful in defeating Humayun, the son of Babur, twice - once at Chausa and then, again, at Kannauj (in the present state of Uttar Pradesh or U.P.) Through his conquest Sher Shah became the ruler of a territory that, again, extended all the way to the Punjab. He was noted as a ferocious warrior but also a noble administrator - in the tradition of Ashok and the Gupta kings. Several acts of land reform are attributed to him. The remains of a grand mausoleum that he built for himself can be seen in today's Sasaram (Sher Shah's maqbara.)
Modern History
During most of British India, Bihar was a part of the Presidency of Bengal, and was governed from Calcutta. As such, this was a territory very much dominated by the people of Bengal. All leading educational and medical centers were in Bengal. In spite of the unfair advantage that Bengalis possessed, some sons of Bihar rose to positions of prominence, by dint of their intelligence and hard labor. One such was Rajendra Prasad, native of Ziradei, in the district of Saran. He became the first President of the Republic of India.
When separated from the Bengal Presidency in 1912, Bihar and Orissa comprised a single province. Later, under the Government of India Act of 1935, the Division of Orissa became a separate province; and the Province of Bihar came into being as an administrative unit of British India. At Independence in 1947, the State of Bihar, with the same geographic boundary, formed a part of the Republic of India, until 1956. At that time, an area in the south-east, predominantly the district of Purulia, was separated and incorporated into West Bengal as part of the Linguistic Reorganization of Indian States.
Resurgence in the history of Bihar came during the struggle for India's independence. It was from Bihar that Mahatma Gandhi launched his civil-disobedience movement, which ultimately led to India's independence. At the persistent request of a farmer, Raj Kumar Shukla, from the district of Champaran, in 1917 Gandhiji took a train ride to Motihari, the district headquarters of Champaran. Here he learned, first hand, the sad plight of the indigo farmers suffering under the oppressive rule of the British. Alarmed at the tumultuous reception Gandhiji received in Champaran, the British authorities served notice on him to leave the Province of Bihar. Gandhiji refused to comply, saying that as an Indian he was free to travel anywhere in his own country. For this act of defiance he was detained in the district jail at Motihari. From his jail cell, with the help of his friend from South Africa days, C. F. Andrews, Gandhiji managed to send letters to journalists and the Viceroy of India describing what he saw in Champaran, and made formal demands for the emancipation of these people. When produced in court, the Magistrate ordered him released, but on payment of bail. Gandhiji refused to pay the bail. Instead, he indicated his preference to remain in jail under arrest. Alarmed at the huge response Gandhiji was receiving from the people of Champaran, and intimidated by the knowledge that Gandhiji had already managed to inform the Viceroy of the mistreatment of the farmers by the British plantation owners, the magistrate set him free, without payment of any bail. This was the first instance of the success of civil-disobedience as a tool to win freedom. The British received, their first "object lesson" of the power of civil-disobedience. It also made the British authorities recognize, for the first time, Gandhiji as a national leader of some consequence. What Raj Kumar Shukla had started, and the massive response people of Champaran gave to Gandhiji, catapulted his reputation throughout India. Thus, in 1917, began a series of events in a remote corner of Bihar, that ultimately led to the freedom of India in 1947.
Sir Richard Attenborough's award winning film, "Gandhi", authentically, and at some length, depicts the above episode. (Raj Kumar Shukla is not mentioned by his name in the film, however.) The two images here are from that film. The bearded gentleman, just behind Gandhiji, in the picture on the left, and on the elephant at right, is Raj Kumar Shukla.
Gandhiji, in his usual joking way, had commented that in Champaran he "found elephants just as common as bullock carts in (his native) Gujarat"!!
It was natural, therefore, that many people from Bihar became leading participants in India's struggle for independence. Dr. Rajendra Prasad has been mentioned above. Another was Jay Prakash Narayan, affectionately called JP. JP's substantial contribution to modern Indian history continued up until his death in 1979. It was he who steadfastly and staunchly opposed the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi. Fearing people's reaction to his opposition, Indira Gandhi had him arrested on the eve of declaring National Emergency beginning June 26, 1975. He was put in the Tihar Jail, located near Delhi, where notorious criminals are jailed. Thus, in Free India, this septuagenerian, who had fought for India's freedom alongside Indira Gandhi's father, Jawahar Lal Nehru, received a treatment that was worse than what the British had meted out to Gandhiji in Champaran in 1917, for his speaking out against oppression. The movement started by JP, however, brought the Emergency to an end, led to the massive defeat of Indira Gandhi and her Congress Party at the polls, and, to the installation of a non-Congress government -The Janata Party - at Delhi, for the first time. With the blessings of JP, Morarji Desai became the fourth Prime Minister of India. JP remained the Conscience of the Janata Party and of post-Gandhi - post-Nehru India. He gave a call to all Indians to work ceaselessly towards eliminating "dictatorship in favour of democracy" and bringing about "freedom from slavery". Sadly, soon after attaining power, bickerings began among the leaders of the Janata Party which led to the resignation of Shri Desai as the Prime Minister. JP continued with his call for "total revolution" (sampporna kranti), but he succumbed to kidney failure at a hospital in Bombay in 1979.
Subsequent bickerings in the Janata Party led to the formation of a breakaway political party - the Janata Dal. This political party is a constituent unit of the current ruling coalition at Delhi, the so called, United Front. It was also from this party that Laloo Prasad Yadav, the Chief Minister of Bihar was elected. The bickering continued. A new party led by Mr. Yadav was formed as - the Rashtriya Janata Dal - which went on to rule for almost 15 years in Bihar.
This was also a period when Hindi literature came to flourish in the state. Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva Pujan Sahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Ram Briksha Benipuri, are some of the luminaries who contributed to the flowering of Hindi literature, which did not have much of a long history. The Hindi language, certainly its literature, began around mid to late nineteenth century. It is marked by the appearance of Bhartendu Babu Harischandra's ( a resident of Varanasi in U.P.) drama "Harischandra". Devaki Nandan Khatri began writing his mystery novels in Hindi during this time(Chandrakanta, Chandrakanta Santati, Kajar ki Kothari, Bhootnath, etc.) He was born at Muzaffarpur in Bihar and had his earlier education there. He then moved to Tekari Estate in Gaya in Bihar. He later became an employee of the Raja of Benares (now Varanasi.) He started a printing press called "Lahari" which began the publication of a Hindi monthly, "Sudarshan", in 1898. One of the first short stories in Hindi, if not the very first, was "Indumati" (Pundit Kishorilal Goswami, author) which was published in 1900. The collection of short stories "Rajani aur Taare" (Anupam Prakashan, Patna, publishers) contains an extended history of the origin and evolution of the short story as a distinct literary form in the Hindi literature.
Economy
Bihar is among the least developed states of India and has a per capita income of $155 a year against India's average of $255. A total of 30.6% live below the poverty line against India's average of 22.15%. The blame for this stems from many factors: Freight equalisation scheme, lack of vision of the political classes, and inadequate investments in agriculture, infrastructure and education. Some people believe that mis-rule, caste-dominated politics and rampant corruption by politicians & bureaucrats have been the cause of the lack of development of the state. Saibal Gupta of Asian Development Research Institute has blamed the absence of a sub-national identity which has allowed the Central Government to get away with its neglect. [3] Mohan Guruswamy of Centre of Policy Alternatives has done a detailed study of the continued neglect of Bihar by the central government and how it has resulted in its downslide.
The economy is mainly based on agricultural and trading activities. The vast swath of extremely fertile land makes it ideal for agriculture. Despite a number of rivers and good fertile soil, investment in irrigation and other agriculture facilities has been grossly inadequate. Agriculture is mainly dependent upon the vagaries of the nature.
Previously, there were a few half hearted attempts to industrialize the state: an oil refinery in Barauni, a motor scooter plant at Fatuha, and a power plant at Muzaffarpur. However, no sustained effort had been made in this direction, and there was little success in its industrialization. Historically, sugar and vegetable oil were flourishing industries of Bihar. Until the mid fifties, 25% of India's sugar output was from Bihar. Dalmianagar was a large agro - industrial town. However, these were forced to shut down due to faulty central policy which neutralized the strategic advantages of Bihar.
Recently the dairy industry has picked up very well in Bihar. Sugar industry is another one which has started to show up with 25 new sugar factories committed in Bihar between 2006 and 2007.
Bihar's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $19 billion in current prices. There was a division of Bihar in 2000, when the industrially advanced and mineral-rich southern-half of the state was carved out to form the separate state of Jharkhand. Since then, the main economic activity of Bihar has been agriculture. The new Bihar state produces about 60% of the output of the old Bihar state.
Education
Historically, Bihar has been a major centre of learning, home to the universities of Nalanda (one of the earliest universities of India dating back to the fifth century) and Vikramshila. Unfortunately, that tradition of learning which had its origin from the time of Buddha or perhaps earlier, was lost during the medieval period when it is believed that marauding armies of the invaders destroyed these centres of learning.
Bihar saw a revival of sorts during the later part of the British rule when they established a University at Patna along with a few other centres of high learning, viz. Science College, Patna, Prince of Wales Medical College (Now Patna Medical College and Hospital), and Bihar Engineering College (Now National Institute of Technology, Patna). However, this early lead got lost in the post independence period when the politicians from Bihar lost out in the race of getting centres of education established in Bihar.
Modern Bihar has a grossly inadequate educational infrastructure creating a huge mismatch between demand and supply. This problem further gets compounded by the growing aspirations of the people and an increase in population. The craving for higher education among the general population of Bihar has led to a massive migration of the student community.
Art
Popular art is the expression of people’s sensitivity. Importance of popular art reside in the fact that it simultaneously creates a form of artistic expression while revealing the psychology of the society from which it emerges, reflecting its moral values and customs.
The Mithila's Pride
The people of Mithila in northern Bihar stick to their centuries old custom and orthodox belief that the land of Mithila or Mithilanchal is holier when compared to other parts of Bihar. The belief possibly stems from the historic fact that Mithila was first to be brought under the influence of Aryan culture. and to this day the Mithilis take pride in their continuity of language, custom and culture. They are known to adhere to the minutest details in rituals from birth to death according to the dictates of the Shastras (sacred texts on ritual worship).
Traditiional Wall Paintings
The tradition of painting walls for beautification of dwellings in Mithila is believed to have survived from the epic period. Tulsidas gives a vivid account of Mithila decorated for the marriage of Sita with Ram. These decorations are mythological murals, added with deities of Hindu pantheon, besides regional flora and fauna. The earthquake of 1988 devastated parts of Darbhanga and Madhubani. Perhaps, the greatest damage caused was in the palace complex, replete with paintings done two centuries ago, as per the Mithila traditions.
The land of Mithila is covered by the present districts of Champaran, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, parts of Monghyr, Beguserai, Bhagalpur and Purnea. Madhubani is the heartland where the paintings are more profuse than elsewhere.
Madhubani Paintings
The ceremonial folk paintings - popularly identified as famous Madhubani paintings - are the exclusive monopoly of women artists, passing down for generations from mother to daughter. The girl learns to play with the brush and colours at an early age which finally culminates in the Kohbar (nupital room), which acquires great sanctity in the social life of Mithila. All religious ceremonies relating to the marriage are performed in the Kohbar.The deep (earthen lamp - a symbol of happy conjugal life) is kept burning in all through for four days.
The Theme of Mithili Painting
The Kohbar is replete with paintings based on mythological, folk themes, and tantric symbolism, The paintings in this chamber are designed to bless the couple. The central theme of all paintings are love and fertility, though the approach may vary. It can commence with the story of Sita’s marriage or Krishna - Radha episode with the ecstatic circle in which he leads the gopis. Maithilis are Sakti worshippers with the influence of Tantric rituals and so Siva-Sakti, Kali, Durga, Ravana and Hanuman also appear in their murals. Symbols of fertility and prosperity like fish, parrot, elephant, turtle, sun, moon, bamboo tree, lotus, etc are more prominent. The divine beings are positioned centrally in the frame while their consorts or mounts or simply their symbols and floral motifs forms the background. The human figures are mostly abstract and linear in form, the animals are usually naturalistic and are invariably depicted in profile. It beings with the flow of the brush without any preliminary sketching. Though natural colours and twings have given way to brushes and artificial paints, the subject of Madhubani paintings remain unchanged.
Madhuani Paintings -- As A Commercial Activity
The chief exponents of these paintings are the Maithili Brahmins and Kayasthas. In the village of Jitwarpur (stronghold of Brahmins) and Ratni (dominated by the Kayasthas) the Madhuani paintings have emerged as a commercial activity where children can be seen engaged in arranging the hand crafted paper or fetching the colours. The commercialisation of Maithili art took place in 1962 when an artist touring this village was attracted by the murals. He persuaded the women to paint in their traditional way on paper. This was a great success and a ticket to trade. Since then the painting medium has diversified. Wall paintings were transferred to hand made paper (which was of poster size) and gradually it preyed for other mediums and motifs like greeting cards, dress materials, sunmica etc.
Administrative Units
Divisions 9
Districts 38
Sub-Divisions 101
CD Blocks 534
Panchayats 8,471
Number of Revenue Villages 45,103
Number of Urban Agglomerations 9
Number of Towns 130
- Statutory Towns 125
- Non-Statutory Towns 5
Police Stations 853
- Civil Police Stations 813
- Railway Police Stations 40
Police Districts 43
- Civil Police District 39
- Railway Police District 4
Key Statistics - as per 2001 Census (Provisional)
Population 8,28,78,796
- Male 4,31,53,964
- Female 3,97,24,832
Population (0~6 Years Group)
- In Absolute Numbers 1,62,34,539
83,75,532
78,59,007
- Percentage of Total Population 19.59%
19.41%
19.78%
Literacy
- In Absolute Numbers 3,16,75,607
2,09,78,955
1,06,96,652
- Percentage of Total Population 47.53%
60.32%
33.57%
Decadal Population Growth (1991-2001) 130
- Absolute 1,83,48,242
- As Percentage 28.43%
Highest Decadal Growth at Sheohar District (36.16%)
Lowest Decadal Growth at Nalanda District (18.64%)
- Civil Police Stations 813
- Railway Police Stations 40
Density of Population 880 per sq kms
- Highest Density Patna, 1471 per sq kms
- Lowest Density Kaimur, 382 per sq kms
Sex Ratio (Females/Thousand Males) 921
- Highest Ratio (Siwan) 1,033
- Lowest Ratio (Patna) 873
Highest Literacy Rate Patna, 63.82%
Lowest Literacy Rate Kishanganj, 31.02%
Average Population of a District 22,39,967
Religion in Bihar
The astounding array of religions born here, religious events that occured here and religious people and leaders that lived and died here cause one to coin this place the birthplace of India's spirituality. These religions continue to be the primary or important religions of India even in modern times and also spread to influence a great many other countries. Lets explore these various religions and their historical effects on Bihar and India;
Hinduism
Several important personages, Gods and events concerning Hinduism happened or were born here in Bihar. Maharishi Valmiki; the author of the great Hindu epic The Ramayana lived in Bihar. Princess Seeta, consort of Lord Rama was a daughter of King Janak and born in Punaura city, Bihar. She and Lord Rama were also married within zjsnskput, her father's ruling capital.
Buddhism
The most important events relavant to Buddhist foundations and history occured here in Bihar. Prince Gautam visited the Champaran district after a meaningful visit with Amrapali and it is here that he chose to make his speach to the Licchavis (his disciples) informing them of his impending nirvana. After their protestations, he created a wide stream, asked them to depart and gave them his alms-bowl as a parting gift. The Licchavis did reluctantly leave and built a great stupa there to commemorate the event. Soon after, in Bodh Gaya, Prince Gautam indeed reached nirvana and acheived enlightenment, thus becoming known as Lord Buddha. There in Champaran district of Bihar, Buddhism was born.
Jainism
Though there are earlier practitioners or religious leaders in Jainism, it is Lord Vardhamana Mahavira that is credited with being the founder of Jainism. Born near Pataliputra he was the son of the Nata clan chief. Shunning the warrior life of his father, Lord Mahavira became an aesthetic, spending the next 12 years in silence and meditation. Believing in the need to respect living creatures and practicing self-starvation, he meditated for years until he attained enlightenment. Known as Keval-jnana, this is the realization of perfect perception, knowledge, power and bliss. He then became a Siddha, or liberated soul, and preached Jainism until his death 30 years later in Pawapuri, Bihar. Many Jain temples exist in Bihar.
Sikhism
One of the five holiest places of worship or Takhats for the Sikhs is in eastern Patna (reverently known as Patna Sahib), after the last and tenth Guru of the Sikhs was born and attained sainthood there. A majestic temple, named Gurudwara, was built to commemorate this event. Defined as a uniting religion that teaches tolerance and formed in harmony between the Muslims and Hindus of the region, despite the great conflicts surrounding them then and now. This is the most recent religion created in India, with it's birth attributed to 1510 a.d. It is a monotheistic religion and though it shares some Hindu foundations does not follow the caste system.
Agriculture
Bihar state depends 90% on agriculture. The land is most fertile and produces several types of agriculture products such as : rice, wheat, maize, joe, gram, oilseeds, sugarcane, jute etc.
Several rivers such as Ganga, Saryu, Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla, Khosi etc. emerging from Himalayas mountain flow through the Bihar planes and makes them fertile. Some cannels such as Triveni, Khosi, Kamla, cannel from canada Dam, cannel from Gandak Dam, etc. helps in irrigation.
Industries based on agricultural products have enough scope i.e., sugar mills, jute mills, edible oil mills, spices and agro based industries have a good potential.
Bihar is mainly agricultural products producing state. The main large and small scale agro based industries are :
Rice Mills : Rice mills in Bauxer karbisganch in Purnia District, Araria etc.
Sugar Mills : Sugar mills located at Banmankhi in Purnia District, Bauxer, Madora in Saran District, Samastipur and Bihata in Patna District.
Edible Oil Mills : Edible oils from oil seeds are located at Araria, Banmankhi in Purnia District, Bauxer, Lakhisarai at Munger district.
Tobacco
Bihar is country's sixth largest tobacco producing state. Availability of kendu leaves and cheap labour, Biri manufacturing industries are located at Bihar Sarif in Nalanda District, Janjha in Munger District etc.
Simple economic logic tells us that a region falling way behind needs greater investment in its development. But Bihar is being systematically denied even its rightful due from the Centre, let alone the additional assistance its economic and social condition deserves. If the present state of affairs continues, it will only imperil India, for the country cannot really progress without Bihar's advancement.
Bihar is India's poorest and most backward State is undeniable. The facts speak for themselves. But what makes its situation unique is that Bihar is the only State where poverty levels are uniformly at the highest level (46-70 per cent) in all the sub-regions. The annual real per capita income of Bihar — Rs 3,650 — is about a third of the national average of Rs 11, 625. Bihar is also the only State where the majority of the population — 52.47 per cent — is illiterate.
But Bihar has its bright spots. Its infant mortality rate is 62 per 1,000, which is below the national average of 66 per 1,000. But what is interesting is that this is better than not just UP (83) and Orissa (91), but better even than States such as AP and Haryana (both 66).
Even in terms of life expectancy, the average Bihari male lives a year longer (63.6 yrs.) than the average Indian male (62.4 yrs) and the State's performance in increasing life spans has been better than most in the past three years.
Bihar has 7.04 million hectares under agriculture and its yield of 1,679 kg per hectare, while less than the national average of 1,739 kg per hectare, is better than that of six other States, including some big agricultural States like Karnataka and Maharashtra. Despite this, in socio-economic terms at least, Bihar is clearly in terrible shape.
Bihar is not only the worst off of all Indian States, but the gap between it and the rest is also widening. But there is another reality as well. It is that India cannot progress without Bihar's advancement. It is much too big to be left behind.
Quite clearly Bihar is not only being denied its due share, but there is a flight of capital from Bihar, India's poorest and most backward State. This is a cruel paradox indeed. The cycle then becomes vicious. This capital finances economic activity in other regions, leading to a higher cycle of taxation and consequent injection of greater Central government assistance there. If one used harsher language one can even say that Bihar is being systematically looted, just as the British looted India. Criticism of Bihar's political elite and its polity that has become a standard feature of our national discourse has only served as a smokescreen to deny the State its rightful due.
For its geographical location, natural beauty, mythological and historical importance, Bihar feels proud of the assets it has been gifted by time. And for its moral contributions in the fields of arts-literature and religion and spiritualism, it knows no competitors centuries old stories related to this land are told even today. The state is the same kingdom, which once upon a time ruled the country as well as the neighbouring countries . Many great rulers have lived here and it fills us with a sense of pride when we think of Bihar as the 'Karmabhumi' of Buddha and Mahavir. Bihar, to liven up the glorious tale of which land, words fall short.
_Sameer Pushp
Synopsis of Bihar
For centuries the splendor of Bihar has mesmerized the world .The shimmer of its knowledge has reflected the magnificence of Indian old age educational and cultural history. The echo of its legendary universities as great learning centre has drawn travelers from far and wide.
Bihar, with its rich cultural resources and valuable legacy that history has bequeathed to its people, is certainly one of the most fascinating state of India. Generations in Bihar have grown up with certain values, ideas and principals.
A state posturing as a model of secularism, of religious tolerance and one of the oldest civilization cradle .Bihar is a place where people came to attain salvation, where philosophy of Ashima was taught and practiced, where ambassadors of peace like Buddha and Mahavira lived. Where universities like Nalanda and Takshila attracted many across the world.Truely emancipated, Bihar has, socio-economically, psychologically and spiritually leads the country in the past.
As the state is paradoxically rich and poor at the same time. It has world most fertile land. Blessed with abundant natural resources Bihar could have broken its cycle of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment but it hasn’t, why? Unfortunately, process of non-performance and inaction has now penetrated in every sector of development. The Bihar agrarian violence is rooted in acute social and economic disparity .while Naxalite groups and private armies are proliferating the state security apparatus has become mute witness to ruthless barbarity.
Modern Bihar has a grossly inadequate educational infrastructure creating a huge mismatch between demand and supply. This problem further gets compounded by the growing aspirations of the people and an increase in population. The craving for higher education among the general population of Bihar has led to a massive migration of the student community from the state. This has led to a "flooding" of students to seek educational opportunities in other states, such as New Delhi.
Though, Bihar past achievement s are testimony to the fact that we can be world beaters, yet regrettable for a state of Bihar size and resource that we have achieved very little. Bihar resurgence can be a practical possibility, if people of the state engage themselves in constructive pursuits and operationalise dormant policies and programs to the novel dimensions. It will however, remain a fantasy if we believe that our past in itself can guarantee an important place in the world.
_Sameer Pushp
“Once a newspaper touches a story facts are lost forever, even to the protagonist”.
Norman Miller.
Media ignoring social sensitiveness : Imitating west
American and European comments on muslim rampaging over cartoons of the prophet mohammed should oblige asian newspaper , radio stations and television channels to take a long hard look at themselves and at a principles underlying media practice .For what the crisis highlights is that though economics and even politics globalizes ,the media must stand apart from this worldwide trend ,resist western pressure to fall in line ,and reflect mainly the cultural dynamics of the society in which it operates .
Unfortunately ,many asian are only too anxious to lend credence to this unflattering distortion, but the cartoon controversy is by no means the first upsurge to hammer home the point that there can be global prototype .
Folk culture and some of its customs may be disappearing under the pressure of modern urban life. The emergence of what is called“infotainment”,especially on television with its heavy reliance on American software ,means movement towards a common lifestyle. So does the page three phenomena in our newspapers.The narrowing of economic gaps is effecting many changes transport, attire .Working patterns, accent, food , leisure are some of the levers through which commonality is manifesting itself .Outsourcing is another great leveler.
In time, all this may impact on thinking .If social behaviour alters, so will the media.But the reconciliation of asian and western realities ,when muslims can join European christians at mocking the prophet and Israeli Jews will be at one with Iranians in laughing at the holocaust , must wait until such time as globalization makes Americans of us all.
“You can crush a man with journalism”.
William Raudolph Hearest
Celebrity Journalism : Rage in modern media
Celebrity journalism has become a constant pre occupation –almost an obsession almost an obsession with the modern media .what are the constituents of this genre of journalism ? James Watson ,an eminent British media critic ,says that if the celebrity does not exist ,the five Ss are the means of achieving it. The five S stands for : sex, sensation, scandal, sleaze and soaps.
DIANA AND ANJALINA JOLI: THE PRINCES OF SALES
In one of the widely read books on the British press-press ganga: How
Newspaper make profits from propaganda, Roy greenslande calls her
the princes of sales .In one memorable paragraph he summarizes why
the princess received such wide coverage in the media.
Photographers followed her every move ,with a growing band of
Freelancers aware of high value of almost any picture ,willing to
stalk her around the clock .Though she so often showed signs of
distress at the attention , with occasional flashes of temper of
intrusions into her privacy.
Where do Indian celebrities figure in this global competition ?
The two who stand out are Sachin Tendulkar and Aishwariya Rai.
However another Indian superstar emerging at the international
Level is the young women tennis player Sania Mirza .A full-
Length pictorial feature in The Observer sport monthly in feb-
ruary 2006 by Amelia gentleman obserbed :she has the attitude
and confidence –and indeed the fashion sense of an energetic ,
wised-up western teenager .Her novelty in a rapidly modernising
country has brought her fame and immediate rewards .she is a poster
girl and cover star.’
Celebrity journalism is here to stay at least foreseeable future.
“Journalism is an ability to meet the challenge of filling space”.
Rebecca West
Ownership and Newsgathering
The media scene in India by all indication ,including the latest NRS findings , appears to be upbeat .growing newspaper readership ,buoyancy of broadcast channels especially television and resurgent radio in private sector ,coupled with growing internet usage has rendered media as important avenues of news ,information and entertainment.
Based on the information provided to the registrar of newspapers in India by a small percentage of registered publication ,it can be stated that newsgathering and editing are significant aspects of the working and organization of media that determine content. The ownership factor is an equally compelling variable in determining media content.
Nearly 7000 persons were working as correspondents for 900+ dailies .Out of which 6735 were Indians. Nearly 9000 persons were working as reporters and , except for 25 or so,all the others were Indians .1300 + persons were on the editorial staff that included special writers for writing comments features ,and editorials.
A relatively small number of about 1300 were working as photographers, cartographers, cartoonists and the like. About 60,000 persons were working in non journalist category. The following two tables sourced from the latest report of Press in India provide some indication.
In the case of electronic media one analysis put the figure at more than 5000 person employed in the national news channels alone, and optimistic for exponential growth based on experience of other countries . The analysis further argues that the jobs have to be seen in both direct and indirect profiles.
“In the spider web of media facts, many truths are strangled to death”
Paul Eldridge
MEDIA UNWITTING BIAS
Unwittingly, Sir Henry Wotton, A 16TH Century poet defines the modern human rights reporter in “The character of a happy life “:
How happy is he born or taught,
Who serveth not another‘s will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his highest skill;
This man is free from servile bonds,
Of hope to rise or fear to fail;
Lord of himself ,though not of lands;
And having nothing, yet hath all.
Why should an aspiring human right reporter live up to such a high standard? It is best to make your own judgement .Consider the following. After several year of crisis, the western Sudanese region of Darfur continues to be a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe. Atrocities are unabated, people are dying in large numbers of malnutrition and disease ,and a new famine is feared .The world food program says some 4 million people are hungry,2.5 million have been displaced and 400,000 people are dead. Yet ,no one seems to know what to do .If media persons did not risk their own lives to go there and unearth details, the tragedy might be swept under the carpets was the genocide in Rwanda for which the United nations belatedly offer a mea culpa . Chaos and a culture of impunity are expanding; refugees are so week that sexual abuse and infectious disease are becoming hallmarks .Rape victims are often ostracized by their own families and punished for pregnancy.
Once a news paper touches a story, the facts are lost forever even to the protagonists, Norman Mailer said some decades ago. Currently, this is happening too often and in too many places .All of us are the losers.
Writers and the media of the time recorded the unfairness and misery of the
downtrodden caused by wrong headed policies. They aroused sufficient moral revulsion among legislators to bring in laws ending those centuries’ old forms of masses oppression .Moral, humanitarian and economic arguments converged to build cases that tipped the balance when circumstances ripened enough catalyzelong lasting change.
The central purpose of it all is to attract media attention on a global scale. The more gruesome is the carnage, the bigger the exposure on television and the internet and the greater the column inches in newspapers. This exposure happens repeatedly because the facts are lost once the media touches story. The facts are lost because the powerful conduct skilful propaganda and disinformation to justify their repressive acts,
while the weak resort to ever more self-destructive and spectacular means to inhabit TV screens and the front pages….
Why do I want to take up journalism?
As a student of journalism one of the first thing I learned is, each story must answer question like : who, what, where, when & why. And how. Almost similar was my concern about my life and career. I often use to curl into my loneliness and ask:
1. Who am i?
2. What I am supposed to do?
3. Where I am heading?
4. When I will reach to my goal?
5. Why I am doing this? And,
6. What is the means I would adopt to reach my goal?
I got my answers in Journalism. The quest for distinct work, its challenging nature and its social relevance has brought me this profession.
Moreover every day is a new day in journalism. Work is of dynamic nature and we don’t need to mount the hierarchy, step by step like in other industries. With merit, will and and overpowering love for whatever you do, one can rise high. Recent trend also shows gradually crumbling hierarchy, meaning loads of opportunities for young.
Journalist role is to reflect the present time. Its impact on public thinking is of critical nature & becomes factor in formulation of public policy.Therefore; a true democracy is inseparable from an informed people exposed to diverse views & ideas. India diverse & big social-geographical milieu provides me to work in area of my interest and be involved in ushering change for development.
Journalist has a big civilising effect on society; it is the most visible part of our intellectual culture. It needs to have a global vision for mankind that cuts across parochial interest .Journalism is a service to mankind.
My one and half year with NGO led me to conclude that they were only treating symptoms like and not the disease. It is a myth that India is information power-journey down any way ten km away from Delhi can expose the harse reality.we can see thigs screaming for help. By being a journalist I want to treat disease.Facilatating with correct and accurate information can lead to empowerment & would promote transparency & accountability in the system.
My heart aches seeing what journalists are dishing out to mass.Journalists today are ignoring social sensitivities & blatantly catering to ownership & control. Media today have crossed audience tolerance threshold level. In war for circulation & TV rating pressing concern people at large have taken a long holiday. I am against journalism as a fashion. It should remain a mission directed to further cause.
Searching and perceptive eye, clinical mind, and sensitive soul are some of my traits which will surely be of use to this profession. In sum & substance this profession matches with my instincts & inclinations.
Sameer Pushp
sameerpushp@gmail.com
Ph no.9811229110
Teen’s social responsibility.
The search for identity is a central theme of our existence and it is in adolescence the question of identity arises for the first time. Adolescence is time of change and upheaval, a time of emotional understandings, a time of emotional turbulences and rebellion that no young person can escape. This is the time when teenagers show socially deviant behavior. Therefore, expecting them to confirm to social responsibility is tough task and writing about this all the tougher.
Today a teenager aged 14, cannot write the table of 14 but knows all the songs of every movie released in recent past. His awestruck parents consider this a major accomplishment. It does not matter for the teen of today to know who Mr. M K Gandhi was. It is for the more profitable to know Amitabh Bachchan or Shahrukh Khan for someday this piece of information may win a free trip to Goa or Singapore.
Adolescence is the opening of space between child hood and adulthood. It is a “moratorium”, a time of exploration and discovery of one’s identity in the midst of rebellious and emotional upheaval.
The psychological stresses of teens arise from bodily changes that occur so dramatically, as well the changes in demand and expectations that young people face. They are often desperately concerned about their normality and their attractiveness, measuring themselves against their peer and idealised standards. In addition to physical maturation, young adolescents have to deal with the transition from elementary to more confusing world of high school. Also, parents and teachers and other adult beings begin to demand more of the young person in terms of general maturity as well as academic purpose and achievements.
It is said that, family is a first social institution, so the realisation of social responsibility should begin from responsible parenting. Parent must act like role model before their teens start copying some other role model. They must teach what originality means and how important it is in shaping personality. Discipline should be a matter of calmly enforcing family orders. Parents must keep empathy toward teens because this is the time when they are excessively egoistic regarding themselves as the center of universe.
While defining social roles for the teens the learning agenda must have a blend of sex and value education. It must incorporate concepts that underpin values and belief in teens. Teens must be taught that they are ripples of hope. Teenagers focus of energies and talents can usher a new era of dynamism, progress and growth which our country badly needs.
Teens, with high energy level have hidden urge to explore the depth of their passion. The parents, teachers and society has a high responsibility of providing them with opportunities for simulation, learning and expressing those learned and acquired skill to desirable and appropriate platform.
We must realize that, they are still children, incompetent, and dependent and in need of adult protection, they are adults who have been deprived of their rights and responsibilities. Among these conflicting roles and duties and physical-psychological changes the teens today are torn up. Teens seek identity and role in society; therefore, good habits with ingrained values should be thought and reinforced by parent. Parents too need to strictly follow a code of conduct so that teens could admire and emulate them, and don’t look for other role model outside.
Teens must identify their social skill and use their own potential in constructive pursuits. The concern for health, environment, poverty, unemployment, etc. should figure in their scheme of things. Their contribution should range from involving them to building credible social, environmental and social infrastructure where human potential can find manifestation to the fullest. They must be trained to be sensitive idealists who can redeem our corrupt society and lead the way for better future.
Teenagers, especially boys are often portrayed as cruel young savages preying on their elders. They form the most passionate love relations, only to break them off abruptly. They oscillate between blind submission to some self chosen leader and defiant rebellion towards any and every authority. Their moods veer between light hearted optimism to blackest pessimism. Therefore, at times they are trapped by malice like delinquency, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, school dropouts, criminal activities, alcoholism, low self-esteem and unemployment. If they identify rightly their social roles, at least most of the above mentioned problems would be eliminated.
The problem seems to be mainly one of motivation and intelligence appears to have little relation to it. The motivation to deal with problem of body image, role change and relations to peer overrides the motivation for academic achievements. They have exuberant imagination and tend to live in the world of fantasy.
Early in life they must be thought that “being original, don’t die a copy”; while alive they should live in context and reality. They must be sophisticated, sensitive, uncritical and non-judgemental. They must be deep down sure of their role and identify as distinctive being. Teens should never be left to take refuge to loneliness, so parents need to spend lot of time together, before they spin out of control.
Globalisation and consumerism have resulted in crude display of extravagance and mindless buying. The innocent teenagers are victim of this is worst part. Teenagers in order to get set to ride on fast forward life that they adopt to satiate hunger of being modern. Teens today are copy-cat, muddled; by the glitter and euphoria of modernism. In doing so teens confuse distinction between desire and want. As part of social responsibility they must be trained to be practical, pragmatic, ethical, altruistic and humanitarian. They must be taught to be governed by practical idealism for social betterment.
My heart aches seeing the alarming number of teens being gripped by fever of hooliganism, bigotry and moral anarchy. They must realise that they are the world, they are the future. It is said,” If age knew and if age could”. Therefore, teen must focus their energies and talents of their associates so that ,as a human resource their energies and skill can be synchronised into coherent effort directed to social cause that can bring development in true sense.
Sameer pushp
sameerpushp@gmail.com
Journalism needs change.
As a student of journalism, I learned that:” as a subject it focuses for intellectual & academic inquiry .More importantly, it entails the critical analysis of the various processes involved in gathering, evualating, interpreting, researching, writing, editing, reporting, & representing information; that are disseminated via mass media to diverse audience.” Today, when I am ready to offer my talent to journalism, media is not at all geared to take.
Now, the question which keeps hitting me are: where should I go? How should I change? Do I have future n media? How will I survive? I believe this is the starting point from where the distortion of news, views & analyses starts. We can see all around that, exclusive stories have a market value in circulation wars, or in battles for television ratings. “Once a newspaper touches a story, the facts are lost forever even to the protagonist”, Norman Mailer said this decade ago, very true in today context. Bad part is all of us are losers.
Journalism as a profession requires hard work & training .It needs to have global vision for humankind that cuts across parochial interests, regional, communal and religious divides and national patriotism. Journalism is a service to mankind. It should not be ideological or dependent or catering to self-interest of bureaucrats & politicians. It requires heart and passion to feel the shame and outrage for the way we have been behaving.
Journalist must realize how important “access to information is “. It is crucial to development and promotes transparency and accountability in the system. Journalists have an impact on society in terms of informing, educating, entertaining, and enlighting to induce change. Therefore, a healthy interaction between media ad society is must. It is all the more important in India because, we are, a multi-religious, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural society. Any provocative reporting or writing can lead to distrust and disaffection. So, the tone and content in writing should be temperate, such that we all live with amity.
Journalists today are ignoring social sensitivities without realizing its far reaching consequence. We are blatantly catering to ownership and imitating western media style. We must quickly understand journalism is more than breaking story, seeing own byline in print, sensationalism and trivialization of news. Winds of change must now, seep through annals of journalism.
Today, media has crossed audience tolerance threshold levels. Therefore, audiences also have collective duty towards themselves and nation. They must keep a check on what media is dishing out.
The need of an hour is ‘audience activism ‘so as to develop an intellectual movement. Its primary goal should be to monitor mass media’s content and ensure audience interests are protected. Therefore, we must awaken to the call and be active participative and involving in accepting or rejecting; news, views and opinions. Media will remain unchanged if we still remain passive and inert. Journalism objectivity will then take a long holiday and we all will suffer badly.
Sameer Pushp
“Tata Nano Vs Mass transportation”-why and how?
Birth of Nano raised many eyebrows world over. Locked with 20 innovations, world cheapest, environmentally confirmal, symbol of India leveraging and innovation potential and hope of millions. Murmur of doubt and jealousy were drowned in a flash when Tata rolled Nano.Huge number of footfalls and spilling crowd all agog to steal a glance were the testimony how many cusped this car in their psyche . Amidst this euphoria remain crucial question; will it be helpful in delivering in solution to the problem of mass transportation for city like Delhi?
Mass transportation in Delhi is at dismal state, infrastructure screaming for help and commuting a nightmare. Buses are overcrowded-some very fast others crawling. Faulty roads and weird traffic sense zap your energy within no time. City is trapped and helpless when it comes to mass transportation.Therefore; Nano is seen with hope by many as a solution to this problem.
Analysis is various sources lead to strike upon hard fact that, large scale production and use of this car will encourage more pollution and congestion in Delhi, already suffering with both since long. Seven million two-wheeler riders across the country has parked their hope on Nano, among them many do not posses parking space or home. Existing infrastructure will come under further strain, even the parking space with offices is insufficient .City is not atoll geared to accommodate additional vehicle.
Recent study by ‘Centre of Environment and Science’ shows that, average speed of traffic movement has slowed considerably during the peak hour (In 2003 it was 27 km per hour, now it is 17 km per hour).Even many flyovers fail to decongest traffic jam. So, in place of adding new vehicle government should think on restricted license and other countries like Japan and Singapore already doing it.
To add insult to injury, is surging oil prices ($100 a barrel), which will change the configuration of car market in time to come. Aggressively priced Nano will fuel the competition, others players can not be mute spectator to the change and many have already announced similar vehicle within the same price range, further aggravating the problem.
In city like Delhi, where population density is so high that widespread car use is not sustainable. This is because ushering of social and economic base will empower many to go for low-cost car. Improving the public transportation network via metro and high capacity buses, and expanding the infrastructure is the sustainable solution. As of now, Nano is not an answer to mass transportation alternative.
Undoubtedly, Nano remains a symbol of incredible innovation, introduced auto industry to a whole range of consumer segment and will be an engine of global growth. But, growth for growth shake is a sure sign of a cancerous cell.
- Sameer Pushp
In a state of perceptual anesthesia man today is wrapped up in himself.Blinded by halo of 'more the merrier'he has forgotten to live.Glued to the ephemeral euphoria of name and fame he is trading the path of moral anarchy and recklessness.He is feeding his body and starving his soul.He has mortageed his own conscience and batered it with greed.Do we need to change?Think!!!
sameerpushp@gmail.com
It is said that: decimals have points, calculus has its limits;but human potential is infinite.Slaved by the prejudice of our own dimension life at time seem to be pointless.Remember then, it's not,amidst this limits are circles of the limitless possiblity and hope.One person constant is onother's person's variable. -- Sameer Pushp
Discussion forum
To what extent education fulfilled its goal?
Education is the act of processing knowledge to inspire vision, inculcate ambition, build creativity, and nurture ability to bounce back from failure and motivation to pursue your goal with conviction. Understanding the value of knowledge is education. The goal of education is to bridge the gap between idea and reality.
If today is a normal day on this planet, we will lose miles of forest, or about an acre a second. 100 of species will be wiped out of existence, paving way for the formation of deserts. Around 4000 people will die due to contaminated water consumption. We will add thousands of tones of toxic carbon. Make the earth hotter, air more polluted and the life more miserable.
The most troubling fact is the majority of it will be contributed by the so called educated class. It is a truth that this is not the work of ignorant people. Only tribal have lived in a sustainable manner. Those who could never see what a book is or we can say that, light of education did not fall on them.
This clearly shows to what extent education could deliver. And this could not have been a result of right strategy in designing the educational curriculum. All the more important is role of education to see that the knowledge is used to fight the existing gaps.
Before the fabric of life turn threadbare and life on earth turn to be jeopardy, we need to give deeper thinking. The time has come to understand the goal of education- it should not be mastery over subject matter but the subject matter must be designed and understood in such a manner that life on this plant is worth living. Growth for a growth sense is a sure sign of a cancerous cell. Hello world: think about it and evolve fast.
_ Sameer Pushp
Inspiring Change
Teachers should not be the cog in the wheel
Teachers are central to education. If education is the fundamental institution of any society than teachers are nucleus around which the whole system of teaching and learning stops. Therefore, no programme of education reform can withstand without teacher. Teachers are the most powerful agent of social regeneration and passing cultural heritage so that the aesthetic and moral values remain dynamic and vibrant for the coming generation.
Teachers are vehicle of change. The revitalization and strengthening of teachers is an act of nation building in a simpler sense. Teachers are the only professionals who are entrusted with formidable task of creating the human skills and capabilities that enable the society to survive and live life meaningfully.
There was time when teacher when teacher taught and student learned, now teachers taught and students consume. Now most of what we teach in the name of enriching education is hogwash. The entire education system need revamp. This is a sector that no state can afford to miss if it intends to survive.
We as an organization have adopted this mantra of empowering teacher which in turn will empower this nation. We have understood this and working every second with aggressive timelessness and quality to uplift education- the panacea of many plights. We would appreciate if you do not take a wheel to be a mere cog.
--Sameer Pushp
Chandrayyan India Dream space venture will be a reality
Centuries ago Buddha said,” Three things cannot be long hidden the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Chandrayan is a mission to Buddha dream. Through the ages, the moon being closest celestial body has aroused curiosity. India’s first unmanned mission to the moon sprouts from our quest for knowledge driven by human desire to explore moon.
Understanding of moon will provide a pathway to unravel the early evolution of the solar system and that of the planet earth.
The first phase of moon exploration was slated for an April 9 lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota has been postponed to June and July. The much-awaited Indian moon mission wants to play safe. A number of issues relating to the integration of the scientific payload with the main lunar orbital are yet to be tasted out and this has caused the delay.” Chandrayan- 1 Project Director Malaswamy Annadurai said.
Inidia’s first unmanned mission to the moon will be a remote sensing mission with an objective to do the chemical and mineral mapping. Chandrayan-2 will be a lander and rover mission. Indian space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning second moon mission chandrayan-2 in 2011.
The latest launch of ISRO’s polar satellite launch vehicle: PSLV-C-9 with a weight of 820 kg, highest in the world. ISRO in it twelve consecutive successful flight so far has proved itself as a reliable and versatile workhorse. It is all the more important because the same vehicle will be used to launch chandrayan-1 spacecraft. So the cob-web of imagination floating in the skeptical minds that: if it will be a successful mission is beyond doubt now.
ISRO is planning second moon mission joining hands with Russia’s Federal space agency (Roskosmos) with the moon rover. The rover would move on wheels of the lunar surface, pick up samples of soil and rocks, do a chemical analysis and send the data to the space craft orbiting above. The rover will weigh between 300kg and 100kg and will have operating life-span of a month. It will run predominantly on solar power.
Lifeblood and focus of ISRO mission is on chandrayan-1. The objective of this experiment will be to study and empower the celestial research and realization of our scientific and space technology capabilities. It will also unravel the mysteries about vertical distribution of crust material and investigating terrain formation and space weathering of the moon. These studied will prove the ancient Rgveda saying true,”O moon! We should be able to know you through our intellect. You enlighten us through the right path.”
Sameer Pushp
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Posted: Mon, Jul 2 2007. 12:59 AM IST
Views
Monument of true love and false prideWhat is a matter of concern is the fact that the monument dedicated to eternal love is actually hated by many of usYour Views font size
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I am bewildered at the virtual love and plastic patriotism displayed by fellow Indians in their desperate attempt to register the Taj Mahal as one of the seven wonders of the world. I am not against the Taj being named as one of the seven wonders of the world. What is a matter of concern is the fact that the monument dedicated to eternal love is actually hated by many of us. We have abused and stripped the Taj of its glory. We have polluted the Yamuna and siphoned off funds meant for preserving the Taj. Both the monument and the river that flows past it have long been humiliated by us. We must try to keep the Taj clean, safe and well-maintained, which is much more important than being in a false batch of seven wonders of the world.
-- Sameer Pushp
I am a regular reader of S. Mitra Kalita’s “Wider Angle” and enjoy it a lot. I particularly agree with “Reject the West’s rejects”, Mint, 29 June.
I work with one of the big American banks and am based in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the course of my work, and otherwise, I happen to meet a lot of my fellow countrymen (I am an Indian, by the way). I see them frequenting only malls and the chain stores, whether it be for food or otherwise.
And when these people go home, they tell their acquaintances about “so and so place” where the food is awesome.
And since most of us have never had the junk food that they serve in the US, back home our folks tend to believe what they hear.
I wonder how many Indians who have been to the US have heard of places such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Vivoli Cafe and Trattoria (Hollywood), Le Bernardin or Masa in New York? But ask them about Pizza Hut or a Nike discount store and their hands will go up. Most Indian techies tend to think that Pizza Hut or Bojangles is the pinnacle of epicurean achievement.
I have read somewhere that when Subway opened an outlet in Kolkata, there was a mile-long queue on the first day and they ran through 15 days worth of bread in two days.
So, as long as people like us go back home and narrate stories about a TGIF or a Pizza Hut, these chains will continue to fleece our brethren back home.
--Paran Gogoi
This refers to the editorial , “Light & dark”, Mint, 29 June, on the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Without a change in the way the bureaucracy functions, the right to information will not be an effective tool. I can provide a simple example. It is well known that there are lakhs of Provident Fund (PF) members who do not know how much the PF commissioner’s office owes them. In the case of a few lakh PF members, perhaps money lies in multiple accounts. My point is that even if I get information under the RTI Act about such unsettled claims and unclaimed accounts, its utility is limited unless the PF commissioner’s office takes remedial measures to clear the backlog of claims and to rectify faulty procedures that lead to the creation of multiple accounts which ultimately results in the PF money lying in unclaimed accounts.
To improve governance, the discretionary powers of government officials should be reviewed and curtailed if they are being misused.
It is also necessary to decide whether the information sought is confidential or not. For example, if I wish to know how many mutual fund investors seek redemption at a loss. I may find it extremely difficult to get the information. Is the information confidential? Or can it provided by the Association of Mutual Funds of India?
Lastly, a uniform procedure for payment of fee payable by an applicant under the RTI Act has to be introduced all over the country.
--Narendra M.Apte
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rass has not been greener when it comes to my life, have seen to much in too little time, struggled throughout my life and never yielded, fighting to the limits and beyond I live- balancing my principles and ambitions. Faith in god, family and friends are my strength. I always resist temptations and never bargain my values for anything. Tripping over difficulty I always stretch to an extra extent and never miss a chance to help anyone. Bringing smile on the face of people is my passion and living for others my weakness. I am still young & I too have a dream. My dream sprouts from my conviction that, if I have come in this world I must do something that help people breathe life easier.
--Sameer Pushp
I know I can count on most to understand that progress will not be achieved by falling back on tired rhetoric aimed only at perpetuating old divisions or creating new ones. We must all acknowledge our responsibilities and act upon them, together.
-Sameer pushp
Early in life I learned that being born original I can't die a copy. Therefore, while alive I live. I have never compromised two things in life: quality & self esteem. I am a disciplined man and have lived a disciplined life. For me if you have integrity nothing else matters. A word picker by profession and keeper by character, I never betray anyone. I always keep time and commitment. For few things which my conscience doesn't approves I don't do it and neither let anyone do it. My attitude consolidated from my cultural training and the value system that I have inherited. I am fun loving and jovial and can stretch to an extra extent to put smile on the face of others. Parents are everything for me and can do anything for them.
Grass has not been greener when it comes to my life, have seen to much in too little time, struggled throughout my life and never yielded, fighting to the limits and beyond I live- balancing my principles and ambitions. Faith in god, family and friends are my strength. I always resist temptations and never bargain my values for anything. Tripping over difficulty I always stretch to an extra extent and never miss a chance to help anyone. Bringing smile on the face of people is my passion and living for others my weakness. I am still young & I too have a dream. My dream sprouts from my conviction that, if I have come in this world I must do something that help people breathe life easier.
-Sameer Pushp
Understanding Hinduism Is Key To Blissful Living
I was little skeptical to write about a religion because it is immediately given a biased interpretation and the writer image is tainted to the extent as he has committed a blasphemous goof of his career. All the more important is understanding that any religion helps us in living life in a meaningful and civilized manner, therefore this article.
Religious community in India lived together in harmony since ages. Though there is an increased amount of social mingling these days among them, other communities remain blissfully unaware about Hinduism. Many of them even do not consider it to be a religion. This is just a ignorance, my article of mine would be an attempt to clear the cobweb of ignorance. People just have no idea about the origin, growth, philosophy, or dynamics of Hinduism. Thus they evaluate it only on the basis of certain outer manifestations like rituals, idolatry, and other paraphernalia. Few just know that there are some books known as Vedas, and there is one known as Ramayan, but have no inkling of the vast collection of books and preaching locked with this religion.
Since these people evaluate Hinduism on the basis of certain less understood and superficial observations, some assessment of Hinduism is simplistic and even weird. It is a traditional belief that Hindu is derived from the word Sindhu. Historically, it seems that the Sindh-Ganges region has been the chief center of Indian culture. In olden times the Persians called the Indian people as Sindhu because they resided in the Sindhu delta. In Persian language 'Sa' is pronounced as 'Ha'. Thus when the Persians referred to India, they called the Indians as Hindu instead of Sindhu. As a result of this Indians were known in other countries as the Hindu and the word Hindu became a universally known designation. Thus Hindu originally meant one who lived in Sindustan or Hindustan, which became India in the English. Going by the number of followers, Hinduism is one of the largest living religions. Yet it has no founder or an overall organization with any kind of supreme head. It is a movement based upon Principles (Tattvas) and not on administrative hierarchy or the leadership of individual persons. Further, unlike other religions the beginnings of Hinduism cannot be traced to any definite period of time. Rather it is a broad way of life and an all-embracing philosophy which has developed over thousands of years of evolution in the general region of India.
The all-embracing nature of Hinduism has made it possible for monotheism, polytheism, animism, and even atheism to claim to be part of Hinduism. Though polytheism has always been the dominating philosophy, the advocates of other philosophies were never declared as non Hindus. Hinduism is like a massive Bunyan tree with many huge roots, massive stems, and innumerable branches and sub branches. All of them are alive, and all of them together form the tree though each part has an independent appearance.
Thus a superficial look at Hinduism is not sufficient to reveal the force or factors that unify it to a universal system. In essence, the present-day Hinduism can be called to be a Federation of faiths, with common loyalty to the Supreme Reality. The way of expressing this loyalty and the paths to reach this Reality can be considered to be as numerous as the sects in Hinduism. None of the sects considers the outside the fold of Hinduism. Because of this attitude, well-informed Hindus consider all religious movements of Indian origin as part of Hinduism. This includes Jainism, Buddhism, which arose in reaction to Brahmanism. It includes Sikhism which often claims to be separate. It also includes the variety of reform and even eccentric movements that came up in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Thus any study of Hinduism must keep this complex development and make-up in mind. At the same time, it must be noticed that out of all the philosophies that are part of Hinduism, the dominant one has always been the Vedanta philosophy. It can even be said confidently that it is Vedanta that provides the unifying framework to the myriads of differing philosophies that are part of Hinduism.
The Hindu religion depends on Hindu Dharma. This concept is totally different from the way other religions look at life and things. It is necessary to understand this idea which has helped such a diverse society to cohere into a complex but single entity. The meaning of the word DHARMA is "that which bears all". Dharma includes all what is expected of a person. So a religion whose lifeblood is dharma, passion accepting all and goal emancipation can never be wrong. It's question of understanding it with a pious sense and with an attitude of learning and living.
We are a great nation; this cohesiveness wrapped in our cultural value is the biggest strength of ours. The oneness amidst diversity is crucial for sustaining unity among different community. Understanding religion in true sense is master key to blissful living.
-Sameer Pushp
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