Jana Gana Mana: National Anthem : Let us learn to respect that.

National Anthem of any nation portrays that nation – it is like a mirror to that country and that is why it is respected. The National Anthem of our country “Jana Gana Mana” was written by Rabindranath Tagore. 

There have been constant reports in the net and claims by people that “Jana Gana Mana” glorifies the British rule but that is not so. The song “Jana Gana Mana”  is a prayer to GOD/Almighty to save and protect us.  

The song has been written for God where the people of Independent India are praying to come and rescue them from the rule of the British Empire. The song goes as http://www.sanyal.com/india/janagana.html[1]: - 

 

Normal Text	English Translation
1st Para
Jano Gano Mano Adhinaayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Panjaabo Sindhu Gujaraato Maraathaa Draabirho Utkalo Bango Bindhyo Himaachalo Jamunaa GangaaUchchhalo Jalodhi Tarango             Tabo Shubho Naamey Jaagey Tabo Shubho Aashisho Maagey Gaahey Tabo Jayogaathaa Jano Gano Mangalo Daayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa                 Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey	Oh! the ruler of the mind of the people, Victory be to You, the dispenser of the destiny of India! Punjab, Sind, Gujrat, Maharastra, Drabir (South India), Orissa, and Bengal, the Vindhya, The Himalayas, the Jamuna, the Ganges and the oceans with foaming waves all around Wake up listening to Your auspicious name, ask for Your auspicious blessings And sing to Your glorious victory. Oh! You who impart well being to the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India! Victory, victory, victory to Thee! (refrain repeated five times)
2nd Para
Aharaho Tabo Awhbaano Prachaarito Shuni Tabo Udaaro Baani  Hindu Bauddho Shikho Jaino Parashiko Musholmaano Christaani         Purabo Pashchimo Aashey Tabo Singhaasano Paashey  Premohaaro Hawye Gaanthaa Jano Gano Oikyo Bidhaayako Jayo ey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	Your call is announced continuously, we heed Your gracious call. The Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Muslims, and Christians, The East and the West come to the side of Your throne and weave the garland of love. Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
3rd Para
Patano Abhyudayo Bandhuro Panthaa Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukharito Patho Dino Raatri   Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey Sankato Duhkho Traataa             Jano Gano Patho Parichaayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	The way of life is somber as it moves through ups and downs. But we, the pilgrims, have followed through ages. Oh! Eternal Charioteer, the wheels of your chariot  echo day and night in the path In the midst of fierce revolution your conch shell sounds. You save us from fear and misery. Oh! You who guide the people through tortuous path! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
4th Para
Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro Nishithey Pirhito Murchhito Deshey Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo Nato Nayoney Animeshey        Duhswapney Aatankey Rakkhaa Koriley Ankey Snehamoyi Tumi Maataa             Jano Gano Duhkho Trayako Jayo Hey Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	During the bleakest of nights, when the whole country was sick and in swoon Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings through Your lowered but winkless eyes. Through nightmares and fears You protected us on Your lap Oh Loving Mother. Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people! Victory be to You, dispenser of the destiny of India!
5th Para
Raatri Prabhatilo Udilo Rabichhabi Purbo Udayo Giri Bhaaley Gaahey Bihangamo Punyo Samirano Nabo Jibano Rasho Dhaley Tabo Karunaaruno Ragey Nidrito Bhaarato Jagey Jayo Jayo Jayo Hey, Jayo Rajeshwaro Bhaarato Bhaagyo Bidhaataa Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Hey, Jayo Jayo Jayo, Jayo Hey	The night is over, and the Sun has risen over the eastern horizon. The birds are singing, and a gentle auspicious breeze is pouring the elixir of new life. By the halo of Your compassion India that was asleep is now waking. Victory be to You, the Supreme King! the dispenser of the destiny of India!

The first stanza of the poem is used as the “NATIONAL ANTHEM OF INDIA”

The controversy which has arisen is that use of the word “Bhagya Vidhata” means to respect and pray to the Britishers as our God and glorify the British Rule which is totally wrong and baseless. The song has been written in Bengali with the use of Sanskrit words and in any language the word “Bhagya Vidhata” means “God – the master of our fate”. Further on the poem says that “Patano Abhyudayo Bandhuro Panthaa Jugo Jugo Dhaabito Jaatri Hey Chiro Saarothi, Tabo Ratha Chakrey Mukharito Patho Dino Raatri” meaning that “Eternal Charioteer, you have always guided us through the ages and eternal charioteer in Indian Literature means “Lord Krishna” and it is being prayed that you guide us through the darkness just as way he had guided Arjuna when he was his charioteer.

Further the poem says that “Daaruno Biplabo Maajhey Tabo Shankhodhwoni Bajey Sankato Duhkho Traataa” meaning that in this revolution your conch shells sound to free us from our misery and the poem further says that “Ghoro Timiro Ghono Nibiro Nishithey Pirhito Murchhito Deshey Jagrato Chhilo Tabo Abichalo Mangalo Nato Nayoney Animeshey” , by which he had compared the English Rule to a dark never-ending evil you come and save us from evil.

 In no way does the song portray or glorify the British Rule. On second thoughts to believe that Rabindranath Tagore would write a song to glorify the British Rule is a little hard for me to digest as it was the same man who on "Jallianawala Bagh Massacre" had given up his knighthood and who has written numerous songs and stories criticizing the British Rule would write a song a coronation of British King, I think it was not possible and by saying that we are questioning his integrity and we have no right to do that.

In fact on 10 November 1937 Rabindranath Tagore wrote a letter to Mr. Pulin Bihari Sen about the controversy. That letter in Bengali can be found in Tagore's biography Ravindrajivani, volume II page 339 by Prabhatkumar Mukherjee - 

"A certain high official in His Majesty's service, who was also my friend, had requested that I write a song of felicitation towards the Emperor. The request simply amazed me. It caused a great stir in my heart. In response to that great mental turmoil, I pronounced the victory in Jana Gana Mana of that Bhagya Vidhata [ed. God of Destiny] of India who has from age after age held steadfast the reins of India's chariot through rise and fall, through the straight path and the curved. That Lord of Destiny, that Reader of the Collective Mind of India, that Perennial Guide, could never be George V, George VI, or any other George. Even my official friend understood this about the song. After all, even if his admiration for the crown was excessive, he was not lacking in simple common sense."Again in his letter of 19 March, 1939 Rabindranath Tagore writes, “I should only insult myself if I cared to answer those who consider me capable of such unbounded stupidity as to sing in praise of George the Fourth or George the Fifth as the Eternal Charioteer leading the pilgrims on their journey through countless ages of the timeless history of mankind." (Purvasa, Phalgun, 1354, p738.). 

 I believe this is ample proof that song has not been written not for the British Rule but was against the British Rule. 

                                

    

          Bengali Version of the Song sung for George V                               

  

The song which was written by composed by one Jatindra Mohan Tagore who was Rabindranath Tagore's grandfather's brother's grandson. This song praises George V and welcomes him. It was due to the inefficient reporting of some newspapers which led to belief that “Jana Gana Mana” was sung.

It was only because of some negligent reporting which has led everyone to the belief that “Jana Gana Mana” was sung for George V, which actually was not and as I have stated earlier that Rabindranath Tagore had himself refused to dedicate the song “Jana Gana Mana” to George V and that it is also very impossible for me to believe that the man who gave up his “Knighthood” and who on every occasion had criticized British Imperialism would write a song that would glorify the British Empire.  

Tagore's own interpretation in his handwriting

Tagore's own interpretation in his handwriting

  Thus we should stop and educate each and everyone that “Jana Gana Mana” is a song of liberation and shows the true character of our country and let us sing us with pride because this is not a song as this song shows and depicts the sacrifice of our ancestors and  each and every insult of this song is an insult to our ancestors who sacrificed everything that we enjoy fruits of freedom which they themselves never may have experienced and it is the duty of our generation that we respect that. 

The rendition of the song "Jana Gana Mana" by Thodur Madabusi Krishna (vocalist in Karnatik tradition among many other things) [side video] is priceless. Do see the below video on his interpretation of the song Jana Gana Mana and the anthem Jana Gana Mana which is also priceless. I love his idea of reclamation of the ideas which have made India. Do listen and marvel on the genius of Rabindranath Tagore who continues to inspire and question us.

 I have referred this from:- 

http://satyashodh.com/janaganaman/index.htm.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-unsung-verses-of-the-national-anthem/175246-3.html.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jana_Gana_Mana_(the_complete_song).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jana_Gana_Mana.
https://heritage-india.com/history-of-the-indian-national-anthem/

(Please read these)

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Why we needed a gold at this olympics.

When this time we went to the olympics there was such a media hype that we would win a bunch of medals and I asked why, that in 4 years how much can a change because the institutions have not changed nor have the mentality or the thought process changed of the people running the institutions (Hockey the perfect example) Yes we would have go medals, which we got was in individual sports, where the persons had become more determined and experienced .

But somehow I  felt  that India wanted a gold very badly and I asked why because silver or bronze is also good as you are one the best in the world. The question still remained why.

The answer was that the olympics was being played in London, the seat of place of imperialism for 200 years where each and every action and thought process was to drain us in each and possible way. To win a gold medal there where the "Firnagi" would hoist the national flag and play our national anthem ....wow..that would have been special because that does not happen always. That is why we needed a gold at London Olympics.

Durga Pujas : Social Revolution.

It is that time of the year when the Durga Puja festivies are back in the air. The place I come from i.e. from Kolkata (formally known as Calcutta), Durga Puja is not just a festival spiritually but a social festival where for three days when the not only Kolkata but the whole of Bengal is in a festive mood. Being a student of history a question which arises in my mind is that as to why is Durga Puja such a big festival and in the same logic as to why is Ganapati such a big festival in many parts of Western India because if we trace back or go back in history we would see that these festivals were something which were started not because of some spiritual reason but as a way to bring the society together. I always believe that any type of puja and especially something like Durga Puja is not something which is not spiritual but when people come together and enjoy and it is more of a social festival and so it questions as to how did this social festival evolve and how did it impact us.

The Durga Puja which is practiced at this time i.e. in the month of October is actually known as “Akaal Bodhon" as the real puja of Durga as per the scriptures is during I which roughly overlaps with the months of March or April but the present puja is done in the done in the month of September – October which is also known as Sharadiya (Autumnal) Durga Puja.

As per the Myth,  logically the story goes as that “Lord Rama” evoked Durga to get her blessings to defeat Ravan, who was the king of present of Sri-Lanka and who had kidnapped his wife Sita and that during the four days of puja was actually the fighting between Rama and Ravan which ended with Rama killing Ravan and that day is celebrated as “Dusshera”, which is also the last day of Durga – Puja. The killing of Ravan over Ram has always being used as win of good of evil.

Coming back to Durga Pujas in Bengal, Durga  Puja where practiced by the Zamindar’s (owners of the land), and they can be various names like “Goswami Barir Pujo in Serampore”, "Chapdani Mukherjee  Barir Pujo", "Saborno Roy Choudhury Barir Pujo" (the owners of Sutanuti, Govindapur and Kalikata  and who leased the lands to Jobe Charnok and these three villages formed Kolkata and  the puja in Saborno Roy Choudhury is considered the oldest puja of Kolkata) but the oldest puja is considered to be Guptipara Puja and this puja is said to be started during the time of “Chaitanaya” and  is considered to be started by one of the teachers of “Chaitanaya” but as time changes so does the age-old traditions and after 1857 there was rise of a class known as “Babus” who also started Durga Puja. “Babus” can be considered the first bureaucracy class which was established by the “Britishers” to run the country.

One of the first “Babus” can be considered to be Maharaj Nabakrishna Deb Bahadur , who was the dewan of Lord Clive  and organised Durga Puja which co-incided with the victory of  Lord Clive  in Plassey over Nawab Siraj –ud Daula (this victory had established East India’s Company Rule over Bengal) and later many “Babus, started organizing Durga Puja and this started the unique culture of “Babu Culture”, where these babus used to spend money like anything like on  kite flying to marrying their pets and organizing parties with pomp and flare which show their status in the society.

These “Babus” where actually a challenge to the age-old traditions of Zamindars as they where some-one who was challenging them in each and everything and fighting with them for status and to show to their status and pomp, they started to organise Durga Pujas. There were many “Babus” pujas and to name a few “Chatthubabu Lattubabu Pujo”, “Hatkhola Dutta Bari”, “Thantahania Dutta Bari” and they were many more but with time they have gone away in the wind.

The Puja which was practised in “Thantahania Dutta Bari” is very much unique as there the puja is not about Durga – Mahishashur but of Shiva – Durga and the reason that Durga is originally a form of Parvati (who is the wife of Lord Shiva) and that Parvati is the daughter of earth and when a married daughter comes to her father’s house after marriage she will not come alone but with her husband and with her children and the puja is not of someone who is savior of earth but as to of a daughter and as a lady in those times could not come out in open public there used to be purdah  or a chick  before the idol. This practice of puja is very much prevalent now as there are many houses which still have maintained this type of puja and that this type of Durja Puja is very much unique and is only found in this part of Bengal.

Apart from these there were certain sections of the society like “Rani Rashmoni Pujo”, “Chunder Pujo”, where the puja was actually done to form a base from where nationalism movements were preached and one of the best examples is the famous story where “Rani Rashmoni” brought the land adjoining Ganga and a huge part of Ganga itself so that the people to conduct Durga Puja without continuos intervention of the Britishers. 

In Bengal we use the term as "Barwari Puja"(the term is a hybrid of baro meaning 12 and yar, which means friends) or Sarbojanin Pujas (Community Puja), which was started as a protest to all the home Durga Pujas where only a few selected persons were selected and not everyone could come and enjoy and thus   pujas where started by community where any one of the community could come and enjoy and anyone could come and participate and enjoy the festivities. "Barwari Puja" is done by collecting of "chaanda" (donations), from the community as a whole so that it is participation of the community and it was started roughly in the  in between the late 19th century and the early 20th century and it was started by  12 friends which is why the name "Barwari Puja" and the friends started the pujas because they were not allowed to enter  the pujas of some zamindar house or Babus puja (I am not sure), i.e. when they thought of coming up with a puja where each and every one could enjoy and the first "Barwari Puja"  was not Durga Puja but  “Jagadhatri  Puja”. 

 This act of making a puja which was in the form of the protest sparked a social revolution and was one the first social revolutions which were started not by some leaders but some common people and it is a shame our bad fortune that the name of those 12 friends who started this puja because now most of the pujas are in the form of “Barwari Puja”. 

This small act of making a puja was start of social revolution as the concept of community has started to evolve at that time, as we are talking of the period of 19^th and 20^th century when for the first time as to what was India was being thought and evolving and that the idea that India did not belong to a few persons only was coming up and what could have been more revolutionary than the concept or the thought that “GOD”, did not belong to a few but to the community as a whole and that the seeds of socialism and democracy was been sowed then back in the 19^th and 20^th century.

A "Barwari Puja" was nothing less than a revolution because it defied the age-old beliefs that “GOD”, “COUNTRY”, “LAND”, belonged to a few but to the whole community (and that struggle which is still going on) and the seeds of these thoughts were started by these small movements which have gone unnoticed and not documented and it is time that we take  start steps where we revive back and bring into knowledge of these revolutions to our future generations  and make them understand that as to what is India and from where did the concept of India evolve.

Magic of Books

Safdar Hashmi, had once said "Kitabe kuch Kehna Chahte hai, tumhare pass rehna chahti hai". 

When I sit to analyse the statement i sometimes think that how much true is that statement, how much of truth is that statement that is, it is only that we in our day to day life we choose to ignore it. 

Books as I always say that, are my best friends and the statement by Safdar Hashmi, has just touched  the internal chord which I cannot explain in words. The feeling  is like having scotch which is about a thousand years  old or a scotch bottle which has never been opened. I just wish I had the calibre to communicate the feeling which I feel when I am alone and have nothging to do and read a Milton, Bryon, Shakespeeare or Rabindranath Tagore or Sukumar Ray or Bhibutibhusan Bhadhopadhay (only a few to name).

The feeling which one opens a book and especially if it is a old book and the feeling which one  feel when one gets when a he enters a book store...wow, how can that be explained.

The  characters of the  stories from Rhett Butler to Scarlet O Hara to Sherlock Homes to Feluda to Pip to all the characters which I have read or have been created, oh how wonderful they are. The magic of these characters are that you can be all those characters all at a time, it gives me a freedom to be any of those characters and there is no body to stop me. Another magic of books is that it takes me to another world and anywhere I want  to g where only  my imagination can take.

I  thank my Bhaiyadadu and Ma and Baba, that they introduced me to the world of books who have become my best friends and will always be and you know the thing with books is that it is fair to anyone and everyone.

If I only talk about  books then it would be very unfair as there is something  known as Music which has always fulfilled my life and I cannot express in words whether that be simple or lyrical how much role music has played in my life. When ever I feel depressing ,I just start  my music player and start listening to songs, oh how  wonderful is that and my choice goes from Hindustani music to western classical to rock to Rabindra Sangeet  to simple day to day and with  so many variations, I am really spoilt for choices  and I enjoy that , because I always feel that music flatters me and when someone flatters me  I love it .

Another thing which has been, close to my heart is movies,oh how i love to see them and as the above two friends  it takes me to a different world where I can actually visualize and  thae moments can be frozen wow.... what an amazing feeling.

Republic Day

Today is 26th January 2011, which seems a very long way from 26th January,1950 , just 61 years from the day we became a republic and to think it took us about 154 years to reach this point (if we calculate from 1857, as I firmly believe that it was from 1857 that our Indian Independence was incepted and started to take feet) and to think that what all sacrifices as a nation India to become a republic. 

To think how the people who, saw the first republic day and  to be also a part of the sixty second republic day...wow, what must be the feeling, I just wish that  i could get a feel of that emotion or in hindi as we say eshass. 

Suddenly a question which comes to  our mind is that what is the most important element or what is the that thing which we have achieved in these years and for me that answer  is that of self-belief that i can stand on my feet and breathe the free air,oh what a feeling that is. 

To think to  achieve this  self belief  what all sacrifices  people have gone through from Bhagat Singh, sacrificing his life at the age of 23, when a man starts to dream what he would do that person had already decided to dedicate his life and then thinking of all those leaders and people who become leaders and took the choice to do something and to think that it was not only before Independence but after Independence also. 

Yes India has a huge corruption problem and lot of corrupt people and a lot of  problems  but we must remember what Gandhi had said when he was told  by the Britishers, that India had too many problems and would face many  problems and to that Gandhi had said that it would be your problem and not yours. 

To think that had our ancestors not taken the choice, of fighting for our Independence, somebody sitting in London would be taking decisions for us and we would have to follow them and that I am able to write this Blog is because due to my ancestors who fought for us and I would like to thank them. 

Memoirs of Mumbai...Last days...

I am  writing this blog after I have reached Jodhpur.

The last week of  my stay in Mumbai  went the usual going to office and coming back and submitting my report after a lot of editing  finally  my project got submitted and i also got my certificate.

So I and my friend decided to enjoy  the event by drinking but the cream was the other day when we got the tickets of Indian Ocean which would be performing live at Bandra Fort. 

The performance was amazing...something which cannot be explained in words, the way they played and the way they performed Ma Rewa and for the first time I learnt that a flute could make such amazing magical sounds..it was just amazing and I just loved their energy with which they played cant be stated in words.It was enjoying like wine/rum which is about 100 years old.






But the most beautiful thing which I liked the most was that  the way they intermingled with the audience and that is what I beleive that makes them  most special so different from all the bands and the other thing which I like about then is that they have kept the Indian Ocean Indiansed and not followed the Western Style of Bands  blindly . Among the songs I just loved the latest song of their recent album 16/330 Khajoor Road :- Bula Raha Hai, it is one the best composed and written songs I  have ever heard.

After that i and my friend (Abhirup Mitra) went back home  with another friend Soumitra Bannerjee and we had drinks together and after a long time I discussed Rabindra Sangeet and after a long time i heard such a beautiful expression of Akash Bhora Surja Tara.I just hope i could have such more discussions with him such more and  this meeting develops into a good friendship.

Thus this ended my  short stay in Mumbai and the next day I was back in the city which  I love :- KOLKATA....oh how i love that city.

So farewell Mumbai ...Hoping that I come back again and explore you again....SO  LONG FAREWELL....

Memoirs of Mumbai:- Theater festival at Prithvi Theater

Last week I went to theater festival at Prithvi Festival where the theater festival was being organised by the name of Sarkash by Jana Natya Manch.

On the first day TUMHARI AMRITHA was being held where there were only two actors Shabana Azmi and Farooq Sheikh   and what a brilliant performance it was by both. For the first time I saw such a performance where only two actors where there and the whole story came up  through letters. It was just brilliant and what the most I loved was the way voice modulation was used to explain the  nuances and as usual  Shabana Azmi was at her best. Really it was one of the most beautiful evening in Mumbai.

The next evening i again went to Prithvi Festival i went to see the play Ismat Aapa Ke Naam, where three stories where played ,Chui Mui, Mughal Bacha, Gharwali. All these plays where played by single person playing all the characters and it was just like I was reading a book where I become all the characters and it was a beautiful experience.

Naseeruddin Shah played in Gharwali and it was totally brilliant the way he depicted the characters and I was lucky to sit in the front seat and see the play and it was a experience which I cannot say in words it was that kind of experience and especially he played the character of girl and miran wow. Ratna Pathak who played Mughal Bacha was nothing less but Naseeruddin Shah overshadowed everyone.

It was the most beautiful weekend I spent in Mumbai and will always remember Mumbai for this weekend and what I like most was that  both the plays was in Hindusthani , a language which I heard after a long time and which is slowly vanishing. 

Mumbai...Memoirs

Continuing from the old post...

It has been nearly two weeks that I came to Bombay (I prefer it than Mumbai) and it has been hectic and boring and somehow I managed to go with my friends to the real Bombay at the night time and saw why Bombay was enchanting and why it hypnotises everyone.

Though for a brief  moment it had enchanted me .

I was with a wonderful company that day and really enjoyed my time out with them but the most soothing was the sit on the marine drive..kit soothed me away...

I really loved it and plan to go again in the morning...and see the sunrise.

One thing I have understood is that the history of Bombay is quite  interesting as that of Calcutta (preferred than Kolkata )  and Delhi.

Mumbai...

Visiting Mumbai for the first time  an as usual being a student of history I read about history of Mumbai or Bombay as it was known in the old days and saw that the growth of Mumbai was not just a crazy idea but was done with a planned idea to make it a commercial hub. So the first question which came to my mind was why. To get the answer I looked into the map of Mumbai and observed that firstly Mumbai was situated in the west so it had to had first contact when the foreigners came and secondly it was the only place from where cotton could have been exported or imported and all the foreigners came to our country for that.  Secondly with  the developments of Bengal during the 1900  it was important to create another centre and Mumbai was the perfect answer to Bengal.

Lets leave that because I would be dealing with the history of Mumbai more in a detailed manner but the most that thing amazed me was the trains and the confluence of people in the trains from each and every class and that’s something. Really when  trains were started no one had thought that also that trains would form such a part if life. The most distinguishing feature of Mumbai trains from the other local trains of other cities is that it is used as a mode of transport within the city and not to come to the city.

I have just landed and slowly the city is creepingly trying to charm me. Lets see.  

Independence Day

 Do we understand....what freedom..is.....when for us freedom is a gift which we have received from our ancestors...something as a right...do....we..understand.......what it is to be not to be dependant...and treated as slaves......do we really...understand...the sacrifice of our ancestors...... when we utter the words "I dont care"....I really somethings think what would have happened had Gandhi  said I dont care....what would have happened...if  Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said I dont care and gone on with his practice........what if Bhagat Singh had  said I dont care about Jawalianah Bagh.....Subhas Chandra Bose had said I dont care".... and gone of to do his civil service job..like hundreds of young not independent  persons belonging to India.....said I dont care".... what would have happened.....i sometimes force....myself to think........what  do we understand of independence when on a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai the voting is less than 50% while in the so calledm naxalite areas.....voting..exceeds.....80%...do we really..understand...what... independence...is

Speaking of Independence.........lets..for this time.celebrate .... independence day as a day ......to understand...why..people..are..taking..up..arms.........why you`g...Kashmir...is ..angry...lets..listen to them once...why..naxalism....has...become the greatest threat......why..........

 Lets .start a new...beginning...lets enjoy not the songs but .........people......of India.......by listening to them.......lets teach...our youngsters........what is independence and that  is is not a gift but a duty and responsibility for us ........lets  celebrate.... Independence each and every moment ....we...live.......lets remember of  the innumerable sacrifices....lets enjoy...each and every moment when we savoured as a nation...and lets take all together in this enjoyment....lets remember...of our ancestors for innumerable fought...lets understand that this independence which we use is not a gift but something....which is our duty...as history has nasty...habit..of repeating  itself...lets start respecting people...by.. listening to them ....giving them recognition......the most human basic right..

English Translation by Satyajit Ray of Abol Tabol written by Sukumar Ray ..... a unique nd exceptional piece of work

THE MISSING WHISKERS

They always knew the Boss babu

To be a gentle fellow

What happens if he in a jiffy

Turns all blue and yellow?

He was seated in his chair

Relaxed and free from care,

Indulging in his post-meridian nap,

When without a warning,

In the middle of his yawning,

Something right inside him seemed to snap.

With muffled cries he rolled his eyes

And threw his arms about,

"Alas I'm sick. Come save me quick"

Was what he sputtered out.

They heard him and they all began

To cluster round the stricken man

And pondered on the safest plan.

To bring him to his senses.

"Call the police " "No – the Vet"

His partner said, "He seems upset"

"But careful he might bite yet"

Said his amanuensis.

But Boss Babu – his face all red and swollen –

Now declared, "My moustache has bean stolen".

"Stolen whiskers?" they all cried,

"The Babu must be pacified”

And so they held a mirror to his face.

"There sir", they said "You see

Your whiskers where they used to be

Who would dare to put you in disgrace?"

Babu now began to scream

"You dunder heads, I would not dream

Of ever wearing whiskers so outrageous.

They make me look a shaggy butcher

Know this – in the near future

I ought to – no, I must reduce your wages.

This he did. And then at random

He composed a memorandum

Herewith quoted (minus appendages).

If you think your employees

Deserve your love - correction please:

They don't. They're fools. No commonsense.

They're full or crass incompetence.

The ones in my establishment

Deserve the highest punishment.

They show their cheek in not believing

Whiskers lend themselves to thieving

Their moustaches, I predict,

Will soon be mercilessly picked;

And when that happens they will know

What Man is to Moustachio:

Man is slave, Moustache is master,

Losing which Man meets disaster!