Friday, March 31, 2006
Glimpses of Auroville
Banyan Tree at the Centre of Auroville
Matrimandir
Spring at Auroville
Spring at Auroville
Sunrise at Pondichery
Visit Pondichery
Last 3 days I was at Pondichery. Pondichery is situated around 160 Kms southeast of Chennai and famous for Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
Sri Aurobindo, born as Aurobindo Ghosh, was a great Philosopher and spiritual guide. The Mother, born as Mirra Alfassa in Paris was his spiritual companion and carried forward the works of Sri Aurobindo. Actually she was the one gave shape to the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
The drive from Chennai to Ponidchery is of approximately 3 hours. On arrival, my first priority was off course finding accommodation. The Aurobindo ashram administration runs a few guesthouses. Private guest houses and hotels are also available of different ranges. I was at the Bureau Central office of Aurobindo Ashram from where was directed to Park Guest House for accommodation. The Park guesthouse is on the seashore. I am enclosing a photograph of the guesthouse taken from outside. My room was a beautiful place facing the sea with simple furnishing. I spent hours together during nights and early mornings sitting on the balcony with only the sound of waves giving me company. The Guesthouse has a tranquil serene atmosphere.
A visit to Aurobindo Ashram is a must. The Ashram opens at 8 in the morning. There is Samadhi of Sri Arobindo and The Mother. The Samadhi is bedecked with flowers. It gave me great joy and peace sitting near the Samadhi on meditation. I also participated in the evening Mass Meditation held around the Samadhi.
The next important place in Pondichery is Auroville. Based upon the work and inspiration of Sri Aurobindo and given shape by The Mother, Auroville is intended as a site for the manifestation of human unity in diversity. The international township project of Auroville was inaugurated on 28th February 1968, when young people representing 124 countries and all the States of India placed handful of earth brought from their homelands in a marble clad urn in middle of the amphitheatre near the site of Matrimandir, at the centre of Auroville, symbolizing the creation of a city dedicated to human unity and understanding.
I took the conducted tour organized by the Ashram to visit Auroville. On arrival, we were shown a documentary film on Auroville and Matrimandir. All the details about auroville is available in the website www.auroville.org.
Inside auroville they are totally committed to non-conventional energy. Wind farm and solar photovoltaic systems are used. It seems inside the complex they don’t allow any motor vehicle. Only battery operated vehicles ply to commute the old and invalids to the Matrimandir. From the Reception center of Auroville to the Matrimandir one need to take a walk of one Kilometer. I took full advantage of this gentle walk through forest of various known and unknown plants and trees inhaling all the greenery around there with each breath. As all the visitors were busy in refreshing themselves at the information centre, I was the sole person walking through the forest. There was a kind of peaceful silence all around except the sound of a woodpecker somewhere unseen. The flowering trees were in full bloom at the peak of spring. It seems this whole land of 25 square kms were dry land and was converted to such a beautiful forest by the auroville community. What a great creation! Now a days in the midst of chaotic human tendency of destroying natural resources in the name of development, it is a great achievement of human spirit to create such a nice environment.
The center of Auroville is a Banyan tree circling which the total development of the community is planned. Near that banyan tree is the Golden Globe of Matrimandir. As the Matrimandir was under renovation, we had to comeback without seeing the inside of it. It seems there is meditation hall at the center of the Matrimandir. A single crystal globe is kept at the center of this meditation hall. The meditation hall is illuminated by the sun rays falling on this crystal globe from an opening on the top of the Matrimandir.
We sat on the nearby amphitheatre. The marble urn of lotus bud shape, in which the earth collected from 124 countries around the world are kept, is at the center of the amphitheatre. The tour of Auroville was so invigorating that my mind was not ready to comeback so soon. But one has to come back to earth.
One cannot miss the French identity of Pondichery. Before independence, Pondichery was a French colony. The signs are everywhere, in the names of the roads, the numerous French restaurants scattered around, the churches and the architecture of the buildings etc.
If you want to have a quiet vacation, to speak only to the gentle waves of sea, to listen voices of your inner self, to glimpse unforgettable scenes of sun rising over the sea, to walk through the green forest, to alleviate your mind and spirit to a different level, you must visit Pondichery.
Sri Aurobindo, born as Aurobindo Ghosh, was a great Philosopher and spiritual guide. The Mother, born as Mirra Alfassa in Paris was his spiritual companion and carried forward the works of Sri Aurobindo. Actually she was the one gave shape to the Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.
The drive from Chennai to Ponidchery is of approximately 3 hours. On arrival, my first priority was off course finding accommodation. The Aurobindo ashram administration runs a few guesthouses. Private guest houses and hotels are also available of different ranges. I was at the Bureau Central office of Aurobindo Ashram from where was directed to Park Guest House for accommodation. The Park guesthouse is on the seashore. I am enclosing a photograph of the guesthouse taken from outside. My room was a beautiful place facing the sea with simple furnishing. I spent hours together during nights and early mornings sitting on the balcony with only the sound of waves giving me company. The Guesthouse has a tranquil serene atmosphere.
A visit to Aurobindo Ashram is a must. The Ashram opens at 8 in the morning. There is Samadhi of Sri Arobindo and The Mother. The Samadhi is bedecked with flowers. It gave me great joy and peace sitting near the Samadhi on meditation. I also participated in the evening Mass Meditation held around the Samadhi.
The next important place in Pondichery is Auroville. Based upon the work and inspiration of Sri Aurobindo and given shape by The Mother, Auroville is intended as a site for the manifestation of human unity in diversity. The international township project of Auroville was inaugurated on 28th February 1968, when young people representing 124 countries and all the States of India placed handful of earth brought from their homelands in a marble clad urn in middle of the amphitheatre near the site of Matrimandir, at the centre of Auroville, symbolizing the creation of a city dedicated to human unity and understanding.
I took the conducted tour organized by the Ashram to visit Auroville. On arrival, we were shown a documentary film on Auroville and Matrimandir. All the details about auroville is available in the website www.auroville.org.
Inside auroville they are totally committed to non-conventional energy. Wind farm and solar photovoltaic systems are used. It seems inside the complex they don’t allow any motor vehicle. Only battery operated vehicles ply to commute the old and invalids to the Matrimandir. From the Reception center of Auroville to the Matrimandir one need to take a walk of one Kilometer. I took full advantage of this gentle walk through forest of various known and unknown plants and trees inhaling all the greenery around there with each breath. As all the visitors were busy in refreshing themselves at the information centre, I was the sole person walking through the forest. There was a kind of peaceful silence all around except the sound of a woodpecker somewhere unseen. The flowering trees were in full bloom at the peak of spring. It seems this whole land of 25 square kms were dry land and was converted to such a beautiful forest by the auroville community. What a great creation! Now a days in the midst of chaotic human tendency of destroying natural resources in the name of development, it is a great achievement of human spirit to create such a nice environment.
The center of Auroville is a Banyan tree circling which the total development of the community is planned. Near that banyan tree is the Golden Globe of Matrimandir. As the Matrimandir was under renovation, we had to comeback without seeing the inside of it. It seems there is meditation hall at the center of the Matrimandir. A single crystal globe is kept at the center of this meditation hall. The meditation hall is illuminated by the sun rays falling on this crystal globe from an opening on the top of the Matrimandir.
We sat on the nearby amphitheatre. The marble urn of lotus bud shape, in which the earth collected from 124 countries around the world are kept, is at the center of the amphitheatre. The tour of Auroville was so invigorating that my mind was not ready to comeback so soon. But one has to come back to earth.
One cannot miss the French identity of Pondichery. Before independence, Pondichery was a French colony. The signs are everywhere, in the names of the roads, the numerous French restaurants scattered around, the churches and the architecture of the buildings etc.
If you want to have a quiet vacation, to speak only to the gentle waves of sea, to listen voices of your inner self, to glimpse unforgettable scenes of sun rising over the sea, to walk through the green forest, to alleviate your mind and spirit to a different level, you must visit Pondichery.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Bombay Dreams
Just came back from Bombay – sorry Mumbai. Somehow I am not able to digest Mumbai, for me Bombay is much more romantic, may be I am nostalgic about Bombay.
I remember my first visit to the city; that might have been in the year 1981. We were a gang of 4 or 5 youths, just out of college. In the group I was the only outsider, rest were products of Bombay IIT. And it happens, were enjoying our newfound freedom of spending our own earned money. One evening after some beer drinking session in one of the joints near Gateway of India, we were walking down towards VT (Victoria Terminus – how romantic) station. There were lots of people sleeping on the pavements. Wandering, I asked, ‘why these people come all the way from various parts of the country, to sleep on the pavement?’ One of my friends replied, ‘all the people sleeping on the pavement have one difference from the rest, they have a dream, they have come here to make it big’. Dream - ‘Bombay Dream’ – it fascinated me so much that till today I can visualize that night very clearly. I am so nostalgic about ‘Bombay Dream’. For me, any dream, which takes you to another world is ‘Bombay Dream’
I remember my first visit to the city; that might have been in the year 1981. We were a gang of 4 or 5 youths, just out of college. In the group I was the only outsider, rest were products of Bombay IIT. And it happens, were enjoying our newfound freedom of spending our own earned money. One evening after some beer drinking session in one of the joints near Gateway of India, we were walking down towards VT (Victoria Terminus – how romantic) station. There were lots of people sleeping on the pavements. Wandering, I asked, ‘why these people come all the way from various parts of the country, to sleep on the pavement?’ One of my friends replied, ‘all the people sleeping on the pavement have one difference from the rest, they have a dream, they have come here to make it big’. Dream - ‘Bombay Dream’ – it fascinated me so much that till today I can visualize that night very clearly. I am so nostalgic about ‘Bombay Dream’. For me, any dream, which takes you to another world is ‘Bombay Dream’
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Naxalite movement - a layman's perspective
Today I will talk about the naxalite movement in Bengal during late sixties and early seventies. I don’t know the historians’ perception of the whole episode, but I would like to present a view of a young mind who has seen it all as it happened.
Everyone knows that the naxalite movement started around 1967 at Naxalbari, Terai area of North Bengal. But soon it spread all over Bengal and by 1969 – 70 whole Bengal was burning.
Let’s look at the socio economic scenario of Bengal; West Bengal has faced the saddest part of Indian Independence, the partition of Bengal, and subsequent influx of refugees. During my childhood days I have witnessed the life in refugee camps. During mid sixties, the first generation of children of the refugees came to age. There were thousands of these children who had no future to look ahead. There was no scope of any meaningful means of livelihood. So it was of no wonder that the place was fertile for any kind of revolutionary activities. The sentiments of those youths were fuelled by the self-made political leaders of CPI(M), who made them feel that all the ills of the society is due to the apathy of the Govt. They called it class struggle. But soon they realized that the CPIM leadership was not for any revolution. they were only hungry for power. The class struggle in CPIM vanished with the demise of leaders like Harekrishna Konar etc. The central stage was occupied with leaders like Jyoti Basu, who never faced any hardship in his life. It always amuse me to think that when the CPI (M) under his leadership was calling youths to come forward to sacrifice for the nation (?) his son was in comfort studying in London.
It was quite natural for the youth to be attracted to the naxalite movement. where they saw instant justice. It is a historical fact that the hotbed of Naxalism in Calcutta was Presidency College where the most brilliant students were studying. Whether it is Jadavpur Engineering College or Presidency College they were the cream of Bengal society.
But the movement had to die on it's own weight. And it died. Some give credit to the subsequent Congress Govt. of Siddharttha Shankar Ray, some give credit to the police brutality, some give credit to the CPI (M) Leadership, even some credit goes to the liberation of Bangla Desh.
But for me I always ask the question, ‘did anybody realize how much price Bengal played for this futile revolution?’ – A generation of bright youths of Bengal was simply wiped out. Today there is lot of discussion about the reason of the everlasting rule of communists over Bengal. I personally feel one of the biggest reasons is that there were nobody worth his salt who was allowed to live in Bengal? It is a simple scarcity of true leaders, which made these paper tigers to rule.
Everyone knows that the naxalite movement started around 1967 at Naxalbari, Terai area of North Bengal. But soon it spread all over Bengal and by 1969 – 70 whole Bengal was burning.
Let’s look at the socio economic scenario of Bengal; West Bengal has faced the saddest part of Indian Independence, the partition of Bengal, and subsequent influx of refugees. During my childhood days I have witnessed the life in refugee camps. During mid sixties, the first generation of children of the refugees came to age. There were thousands of these children who had no future to look ahead. There was no scope of any meaningful means of livelihood. So it was of no wonder that the place was fertile for any kind of revolutionary activities. The sentiments of those youths were fuelled by the self-made political leaders of CPI(M), who made them feel that all the ills of the society is due to the apathy of the Govt. They called it class struggle. But soon they realized that the CPIM leadership was not for any revolution. they were only hungry for power. The class struggle in CPIM vanished with the demise of leaders like Harekrishna Konar etc. The central stage was occupied with leaders like Jyoti Basu, who never faced any hardship in his life. It always amuse me to think that when the CPI (M) under his leadership was calling youths to come forward to sacrifice for the nation (?) his son was in comfort studying in London.
It was quite natural for the youth to be attracted to the naxalite movement. where they saw instant justice. It is a historical fact that the hotbed of Naxalism in Calcutta was Presidency College where the most brilliant students were studying. Whether it is Jadavpur Engineering College or Presidency College they were the cream of Bengal society.
But the movement had to die on it's own weight. And it died. Some give credit to the subsequent Congress Govt. of Siddharttha Shankar Ray, some give credit to the police brutality, some give credit to the CPI (M) Leadership, even some credit goes to the liberation of Bangla Desh.
But for me I always ask the question, ‘did anybody realize how much price Bengal played for this futile revolution?’ – A generation of bright youths of Bengal was simply wiped out. Today there is lot of discussion about the reason of the everlasting rule of communists over Bengal. I personally feel one of the biggest reasons is that there were nobody worth his salt who was allowed to live in Bengal? It is a simple scarcity of true leaders, which made these paper tigers to rule.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Threat within
Yesterday I was watching the ‘face the nation’ programme on CNN IBN. It was about the Red corridor created across India by the naxalites.
As one who has seen naxalite movement from close quarters during late sixties and early seventies (in my formative years), I felt I have something to say on the subject.
The subject is quite large; hence I will deal with it in parts.
The main theme of the program was wheather the naxalite threat has become the biggest security threat in India?
The answer should be ‘No’. The biggest security threat for India today definitely is the terrorism from Religious fundamentalists. However the threat by the naxalite movement is a definite potential threat which need immediate mature sincere handling. This is not a law and order problem to be tackled by police.
Incidentally I was in that part of the country last week and these are the ground realities I am told or observed.
The vast forests of Dandakaranya area are infested by the Maoists.
In cities, people are living a terrorized life with little sympathy for the Maoists.
There is a counter terror activity called ‘Salwa Judum’ supported by police and administration. Practically I found that this is a ploy of administration to make the tribals fight themselves.
I was told that one of the major funding sources of the Maoists is the levy they charge on the forest produce like collection of Tendu leaves etc.
At many places the administration simply abdicated it’s duties and responsibilities and left the poor people to the mercy of the Maoists.
It is a fact that the Maoists or Naxalites have spread over a vast area comprising West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Till now the areas affected are forest or remote areas and spread among the tribals. But it only reminds me the days of original naxalite movement which started in tribal areas of Naxalbari and subsequently spread over whole of Bengal and the subsequent violence which wiped out a generation of Bengali youth.Someone truthfully said ‘let’s not forget history’. For me I can only see that the history is being repeated. I will make detail analysis in subsequent postings.
As one who has seen naxalite movement from close quarters during late sixties and early seventies (in my formative years), I felt I have something to say on the subject.
The subject is quite large; hence I will deal with it in parts.
The main theme of the program was wheather the naxalite threat has become the biggest security threat in India?
The answer should be ‘No’. The biggest security threat for India today definitely is the terrorism from Religious fundamentalists. However the threat by the naxalite movement is a definite potential threat which need immediate mature sincere handling. This is not a law and order problem to be tackled by police.
Incidentally I was in that part of the country last week and these are the ground realities I am told or observed.
The vast forests of Dandakaranya area are infested by the Maoists.
In cities, people are living a terrorized life with little sympathy for the Maoists.
There is a counter terror activity called ‘Salwa Judum’ supported by police and administration. Practically I found that this is a ploy of administration to make the tribals fight themselves.
I was told that one of the major funding sources of the Maoists is the levy they charge on the forest produce like collection of Tendu leaves etc.
At many places the administration simply abdicated it’s duties and responsibilities and left the poor people to the mercy of the Maoists.
It is a fact that the Maoists or Naxalites have spread over a vast area comprising West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Till now the areas affected are forest or remote areas and spread among the tribals. But it only reminds me the days of original naxalite movement which started in tribal areas of Naxalbari and subsequently spread over whole of Bengal and the subsequent violence which wiped out a generation of Bengali youth.Someone truthfully said ‘let’s not forget history’. For me I can only see that the history is being repeated. I will make detail analysis in subsequent postings.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Traditional Bengali Marriage
This month I have attended the marriage of my niece at Kolkata. I thought of sharing the snapshots of the bride and groom with you all.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
My keynote address at Region Meet
During absence from Blogging during last one-month one important activity I did is conducting my region Meet of Lions Club. I gave a keynote address for almost 18 minutes, which was quite unlike of me. Here I reproduce the same for anyone interested and have the patience.
Dear Friends
Firstly, It is customary to thank the District Governor for nominating me as Region Chairperson. And I must thank him for reposing faith on me. However today standing here after completing the major parts of my responsibilities, I am just thinking about the impact of discharging my duties as Region Chairperson. I don’t know how many of you are happy of my Region chairmanship. But I can assure you that there are atleast 2 persons present here are unhappy about it. Can you guess? First is my lionlady and second is my son Ashirvad. They are definitely unhappy about the amount of time I am spending on lionism. I will tell you one incident; after the All India Lions Meet was over, I slept for almost 24 hours and next evening at the dining table my son asked me ‘dad did you realise after how many days we are sitting together?’ I think it was more than 7 days we could not see each other as I was leaving home before he was getting up and they were in bed by the time I used to come home. Because of me they had to really suffer. I think this the right occasion to thank them for bearing with me and for all the inconvenience caused to them.
You may be wandering, why am I telling you this? Because, mine is not an isolated case my dear friends. All the Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, chairmen of various committees of individual clubs, ZMAs, ZCs, District Committee chairpersons, micro cabinet members, whoever have taken up the responsibilities seriously must have faced the similar kind of situations. And you must understand that the achievement of the movement of Lionism is the result of the collective efforts of all these Lion leaders. Standing here I salute each and every lion leader of my Region for their contribution for the cause of Lionism. I specially thank the Club Presidents who are the backbones of this organization and who had really sacrificed a lot to bring glory to this organization.
Friends as you are aware, this is a very important year for Indian Lionism as it is the golden jubilee year. One more importance of this year is that an Indian Lion Dr. Ashok V. Mehta has become the International President. Under the dynamic leadership of our District Governor Lion P. Suryanarayana our district has become the most famous district in the entire multiple of 324. Today each and every lion of India knows about District 324C5. This year is really the golden year for our district.
The district co-hosted the World Sight Day an International event at Hyderabad under the convenorship of Lion B. R. Rao, Past Multiple Council chairman, which brought immense laurel to the district. On behalf of all the lions of my Region I congratulate and compliment Lion B. R. Rao for successful conduction of World Sight Day celebration.
Our district was fortunate to host the All India Lions Meet, which was a great success. I am proud to say that Lion Linga Reddy, District Chairperson – All India Lions Meet belongs to our Region. I am proud to say that with the hard work of you lions, we have made the All India Lions Meet a great success. I personally was given the task of transportation under the chairmanship of our Vice District Governor Lion K. N. Prasad. Friends, when I was given the task of transportation, quite a few of my friends were not too happy as this is one of non-glamorous part of the tasks. But friends I told them that some one has to do the job, and why not me? And today you all know that our efforts were appreciated by each and every one. Here I must tell you that I believe in doing a job sincerely and successfully, whatever the job may be. I thank Lion Jayadeva Rao, Lion D. S. Naidu, Lion U. Naidu, Lion Ramulu, Lion Ravikumar, Lion Harnath, Lion Prahlad Reddy and Lion Prabhunarayana for their tireless efforts to make me succeed in my task. Here I also thank other lions of my Region who have served in other committees to make the All India Lions Meet a success. I would specifically like to mention the members of Lions Club of Malkajgiri, Snehapuri and Millennium. My compliments to Lion Jagan Mohan Reddy, Past Multiple Council Chairman and Lion Linga Reddy for the success of All India Lions Meet.
It was a great experience for me to attend this great event. This gave me an opportunity to make friends with lions from all parts of the country. Today I have lion friends from North Eastern state of Tripura to Western state of Gujarat, from Patiala in the north to Mangalore in the south. I sincerely feel that whoever could not attend the meet missed a great opportunity.
I, on behalf of all the lions of our Region, thank our District Governor for bringing so many laurels to the district. Today we are proud to be called lions of District 324C5. Good show District Governor.
Now let me talk about the achievements of our Region:
As Region Chairperson I followed three principles. No.1 Follow your leader. Being a member of the cabinet of District Governor it is my duty to see that his action plan is followed in letter and spirit. Secondly I took it as my duty to help the leaders of the clubs in their planning and action plan. Thirdly my action as a Lion leader should be a matter of pride for the lions of my Region. I have tried my best to discharge my duties guided by these principles. It is you who have to tell whether I am successful or not.
One great achievement of my Region chairmanship about which I am proud of is Campaign ROSHNI-50. This year being the golden jubilee year and as the world sight day was celebrated in Hyderabad, I felt that as a Region, collectively we should do something. Hence I called for a campaign to conduct free eye check up camp in 50 Govt. School. I am thankful for the kind of positive response all the club leaders given in implementing the drive. Lion Muralidhar President of Millennium Club organized the inaugural program of campaign ROSHNI-50, which was inaugurated by our District Governor and were attended by Lion S. Manohar Raju, N&M Co-ordinator Campaign Sight First II, and Lion B.R. Rao, convener of World Sight Day celebration. My thanks to Lion Muralidhar and the fine members of this fine club. I thank each and every leader of all the clubs for their enthusiastic involvement.
Friends I know this year my job is an administrative one. But how can you keep a fish out of water? People till today remember the Mega Health Camps organised by me in zone level and the Region level Mega Health Camp under the leadership of Lion V. Krishnaprasad, my Region Chairperson. I am planning to conduct a Region level Mega Health Camp shortly. My home club President Lion Rajashekar has agreed to contribute medicines worth Rs.50, 000/- for the camp. Our club members Lion Ramanaiah and Lion Mahankali Uma Maheshwar also came forward to support the camp. I thank them for their kindness. Friends I call all of you to join me to help the camp a great success.
Friends, I want to take this platform to raise some issues relating to lionism. As you know, this organization is 50 years old in India. It normally happens to any organization; on the way to it’s journey it accumulates some un-wanted baggage. Like any other organization this organization also has accumulated some baggage, which is not for the best of the organization and seriously affecting Lionism. Friends history says every individual, every organization need change. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘we have made the society for our betterment; we have made the law for our betterment. The society and the law should be beneficial to us. It should not become a shackle for us.’ Over the years the requirement changes, the lifestyle changes, similarly society has to change. Any organization, for it’s good health need to adopt the changes of time. In our organization also we should stand up and be bold to make changes wherever we feel the need arises.
Recently I was discussing with Lion Prof. A. M. Govardhan, the senior most District Governor. I asked him his opinion on the major changes he felt affected Lionism over the years. He pointed out some good and some bad changes. The major bad change in his opinion is the election of Vice District Governors post. I can tell you that privately with whoever lion leader I have spoken to have agreed that election has become very expensive.
Similarly with whomsoever I spoke, everyone agrees that any post of lionism has become expensive. Let’s take the case of President ship. I am sure you all know that in quite a few clubs people do not come forward to take up President ship, as it is an expensive affair. During my year of club President ship I faced the same problem, any activity of the club has to be met by the President. Is it fair to put the burden of one individual? I personally feel ‘NO’. Recently I was discussing with one club leader of their charter nite. I remember telling him ‘for any individual a sum of Rs. 25,000 is a big amount but collectively Rs.1, 000/- from 25 members makes a hell lot of difference.’ Here I would like to mention of Lions Club of Secunderabad Millennium. President Muralidhar informed me that their club members have taken a resolution of funding the activities. Members will take up some activities on their birthday or in memory of their parents or to commemorate some other personal event. For example one member agreed to contribute Rice bag to old age home to commemorate the demise of his mother. Such a beautiful, nice and simple arrangement. It is a small contribution for each member but it adds up to big achievement for the club. I congratulate and compliment all the members of Millennium. I request all of you to rise from their seats and request all of you to give them thunderous applause. I request all the lions of other clubs to consider the effect. I personally feel that it will give a long-standing impact on the health of the club.
Secondly payment of dues by individual clubs. Last few years we have seen how the club dues are paid at the time of District convention. We all know about it, so I will not elaborate on it. But I always believe that action is needed and hence my first priority was to see that club dues are paid in advance. Here I am proud to state that except one club all the clubs paid their dues before cabinet installation. I convey my grateful thanks to all the PSTs, ZCs and senior members of the clubs who helped to make the drive successful. I request all of you to keep this tradition for future years and make it statutory or mandatory whatever you call it, but make sure that your club clear the dues before the club officers’ installation. I am sure that the Presidents will agree with me that it clears a huge burden from their head. Here I also must mention one more thing, it is not only the club dues, the office bearers of the clubs must see that the membership fees are collected before club officers’ installation. I feel it must be made very clear to every lion that ‘paying the membership dues is the first and most important duty of every lion’. We are looking for lions who can give something to the society. If he can not pay his membership fees he is not fit to be called a lion. Here I would like to give call to all the lions, ‘ let all of us be proud lions and must clear our membership dues in advance’.
One more aspect, which may be a little controversial, but I cannot avoid mentioning as I have taken a stand on it. You all know I do not accept any memento. You all may not be aware that during first cabinet meeting of this year, District Governor gave us a questionnaire about our opinion regarding various aspects of lionism. There was one question, ‘Do you think that we should do away with the process of giving memento, except to the chief guest?’ And friends, if my memory is not failing me badly, it was almost unanimous that we should do away with memento. Friends we give memento as a remembrance to some guest who visit us. I feel that is the way the custom of giving memento started. But over the years it has become custom. Today some financially poor clubs are forced to give memento, as it has become a custom. Hence the quality has declined. Today do you really feel that the kind of memento you are receiving is a pleasant remembrance? I feel it should not be custom. It should left to the individuals.
Now, the achievements of clubs and individuals. The club Presidents will give the report of their achievements so to avoid repetition I will avoid of talking on them. I will talk of their achievement during presentation of awards. Presently I thank each and every President, Secretary, Treasurer and other club leaders, who were instrumental for the achievements of the clubs.
But you must allow me to thank the members of my home club the host club, Our charter President Lion P. Shivaramakrishna, President Rajashekar, who has taken the leading role, Club Secretary Lion Vinodkumar, Treasurer Lion V Srinivasa Rao, Region Meet Chairperson Lion R.S. Raju, Co chairperson Lion Ramanaiah, Secretary Lion Mahankali Uma, Treasurer Lion Rajamalla Reddy, and last but not the least my Region Secretary Lion R.V.Raju.
I am ever indebted to our Region Advisor Lion S.Manohar Raju, N&M Co-ordinator, CSF-II, who has always stood behind me in discharging my duties and in every stage of planning of Region Meet. I am also indebted to the three zone chairpersons for their unstinted support without which I definitely would have failed in discharging my duties. I thank all the Region Meet Advisors, all committee chairperson, co-chairpersons and members of committees for helping me in organizing the Region Meet.
The credit for success of this Region Meet goes to all of you, but if there is any lapse, it must be credited to my account. Thank you all.
If I am not mistaken, today, I am the youngest lion who is occupying the post of Region Chairperson. I can see Lion Sampath Kumar and Lion Balakrishna is shocked. No, I am not talking about age. I am talking about the no. of years in lionism. I am only a 5 year old lion. During these 5 years I have been helped by n no. of lions and it will take hours for me to mention the name of all of them But I must tell you about the two persons who was instrumental to make me a lion what I am today. No. 1 my good friend tonight’s Region Meet Chairperson Lion R.S. Raju, who has introduced me to lionism. No. 2 our dear cabinet secretary Lion Ramesh Kosuri. It is he who forced me take up the responsibility of Zone Chairmanship and again it is who again has forced me take the Region Chairmanship. Friends if you consider me a worthy lion you must thank these lions with largest applause.
Here I must mention one important aspect of lionism. Fellowship. During these last two years as zone chairperson and Region Chairperson I have to face a question thousand times, ‘Lions club being a social service organization, why we need to spend so much on fellowship.’ There are a vast majority of lions who feel that we should not give importance to fellowship. But my dear friends, here I must say I differ with all of you who have this view. Fellowship is one of the most wonderful aspects of Lionism.
I always talk about my experience. I will give you a few examples. Till last year I have not even heard of Lion Krishnaprasad. Last year he was my Region Chairman. But the kind of fellowship we built up during last year, he is always with me for each and every act of mine. During this Region Meet he was one person who personally helped me a lot with the three Ts Lions possess, Time, Talent and Treasure. I will talk about Lion Subhash Chand Jain, with whom I worked for a few days during last year’s Region conference. This year he is not even in my region but he told me ‘Bikashbhai, please don’t consider me outsider, take whatever help is needed for your Region Meet’. I will talk about Lion Ramanaiah, co-chairman of this Region Meet. The relationship we built up during last year when he was our club President, made him come forward with unstinted support for any endevour I take up. I will talk about Lion Murali Meganathan, who was my secretary during my President ship, today he is secretary of LC Hyderabad Majestic, which is not even in our district, but the fellowship we have built up made him present here helping me. I will talk about Lion P. Williams, who was 1st Vice President during my President ship. He is also now with another district, but the friendship we built up brought him here as my guest. I will like to talk about Lion Rajam. My co Region chairperson, whom till last year I never met, calls me ‘tu mera chhota Bhai’. There are n no of other lions I can talk about but tine will not permit.
Friends this is the kind of fellowship you will never get anywhere else.
Friends, I am a man of action, speech is not my forte, but today somehow I felt of opening my heart to all of you.
Friends, during the first meeting of my home club on Region Conference, while we were discussing about the name of the Region Meet all my club members were insisting that I must keep the name of Region Meet on my name. But I was very adamant and I insisted that I definitely do not want my name. And finally they have accepted the name ROSHNI, which I am, sure, will show light to all lions for generations to come.
Another thing you must have noticed. In the backdrop there is no photo of mine. Can you tell why? Any guess?
Because I want my name and my photo in each of your hearts.
Thank you all.
Dear Friends
Firstly, It is customary to thank the District Governor for nominating me as Region Chairperson. And I must thank him for reposing faith on me. However today standing here after completing the major parts of my responsibilities, I am just thinking about the impact of discharging my duties as Region Chairperson. I don’t know how many of you are happy of my Region chairmanship. But I can assure you that there are atleast 2 persons present here are unhappy about it. Can you guess? First is my lionlady and second is my son Ashirvad. They are definitely unhappy about the amount of time I am spending on lionism. I will tell you one incident; after the All India Lions Meet was over, I slept for almost 24 hours and next evening at the dining table my son asked me ‘dad did you realise after how many days we are sitting together?’ I think it was more than 7 days we could not see each other as I was leaving home before he was getting up and they were in bed by the time I used to come home. Because of me they had to really suffer. I think this the right occasion to thank them for bearing with me and for all the inconvenience caused to them.
You may be wandering, why am I telling you this? Because, mine is not an isolated case my dear friends. All the Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, chairmen of various committees of individual clubs, ZMAs, ZCs, District Committee chairpersons, micro cabinet members, whoever have taken up the responsibilities seriously must have faced the similar kind of situations. And you must understand that the achievement of the movement of Lionism is the result of the collective efforts of all these Lion leaders. Standing here I salute each and every lion leader of my Region for their contribution for the cause of Lionism. I specially thank the Club Presidents who are the backbones of this organization and who had really sacrificed a lot to bring glory to this organization.
Friends as you are aware, this is a very important year for Indian Lionism as it is the golden jubilee year. One more importance of this year is that an Indian Lion Dr. Ashok V. Mehta has become the International President. Under the dynamic leadership of our District Governor Lion P. Suryanarayana our district has become the most famous district in the entire multiple of 324. Today each and every lion of India knows about District 324C5. This year is really the golden year for our district.
The district co-hosted the World Sight Day an International event at Hyderabad under the convenorship of Lion B. R. Rao, Past Multiple Council chairman, which brought immense laurel to the district. On behalf of all the lions of my Region I congratulate and compliment Lion B. R. Rao for successful conduction of World Sight Day celebration.
Our district was fortunate to host the All India Lions Meet, which was a great success. I am proud to say that Lion Linga Reddy, District Chairperson – All India Lions Meet belongs to our Region. I am proud to say that with the hard work of you lions, we have made the All India Lions Meet a great success. I personally was given the task of transportation under the chairmanship of our Vice District Governor Lion K. N. Prasad. Friends, when I was given the task of transportation, quite a few of my friends were not too happy as this is one of non-glamorous part of the tasks. But friends I told them that some one has to do the job, and why not me? And today you all know that our efforts were appreciated by each and every one. Here I must tell you that I believe in doing a job sincerely and successfully, whatever the job may be. I thank Lion Jayadeva Rao, Lion D. S. Naidu, Lion U. Naidu, Lion Ramulu, Lion Ravikumar, Lion Harnath, Lion Prahlad Reddy and Lion Prabhunarayana for their tireless efforts to make me succeed in my task. Here I also thank other lions of my Region who have served in other committees to make the All India Lions Meet a success. I would specifically like to mention the members of Lions Club of Malkajgiri, Snehapuri and Millennium. My compliments to Lion Jagan Mohan Reddy, Past Multiple Council Chairman and Lion Linga Reddy for the success of All India Lions Meet.
It was a great experience for me to attend this great event. This gave me an opportunity to make friends with lions from all parts of the country. Today I have lion friends from North Eastern state of Tripura to Western state of Gujarat, from Patiala in the north to Mangalore in the south. I sincerely feel that whoever could not attend the meet missed a great opportunity.
I, on behalf of all the lions of our Region, thank our District Governor for bringing so many laurels to the district. Today we are proud to be called lions of District 324C5. Good show District Governor.
Now let me talk about the achievements of our Region:
As Region Chairperson I followed three principles. No.1 Follow your leader. Being a member of the cabinet of District Governor it is my duty to see that his action plan is followed in letter and spirit. Secondly I took it as my duty to help the leaders of the clubs in their planning and action plan. Thirdly my action as a Lion leader should be a matter of pride for the lions of my Region. I have tried my best to discharge my duties guided by these principles. It is you who have to tell whether I am successful or not.
One great achievement of my Region chairmanship about which I am proud of is Campaign ROSHNI-50. This year being the golden jubilee year and as the world sight day was celebrated in Hyderabad, I felt that as a Region, collectively we should do something. Hence I called for a campaign to conduct free eye check up camp in 50 Govt. School. I am thankful for the kind of positive response all the club leaders given in implementing the drive. Lion Muralidhar President of Millennium Club organized the inaugural program of campaign ROSHNI-50, which was inaugurated by our District Governor and were attended by Lion S. Manohar Raju, N&M Co-ordinator Campaign Sight First II, and Lion B.R. Rao, convener of World Sight Day celebration. My thanks to Lion Muralidhar and the fine members of this fine club. I thank each and every leader of all the clubs for their enthusiastic involvement.
Friends I know this year my job is an administrative one. But how can you keep a fish out of water? People till today remember the Mega Health Camps organised by me in zone level and the Region level Mega Health Camp under the leadership of Lion V. Krishnaprasad, my Region Chairperson. I am planning to conduct a Region level Mega Health Camp shortly. My home club President Lion Rajashekar has agreed to contribute medicines worth Rs.50, 000/- for the camp. Our club members Lion Ramanaiah and Lion Mahankali Uma Maheshwar also came forward to support the camp. I thank them for their kindness. Friends I call all of you to join me to help the camp a great success.
Friends, I want to take this platform to raise some issues relating to lionism. As you know, this organization is 50 years old in India. It normally happens to any organization; on the way to it’s journey it accumulates some un-wanted baggage. Like any other organization this organization also has accumulated some baggage, which is not for the best of the organization and seriously affecting Lionism. Friends history says every individual, every organization need change. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore said, ‘we have made the society for our betterment; we have made the law for our betterment. The society and the law should be beneficial to us. It should not become a shackle for us.’ Over the years the requirement changes, the lifestyle changes, similarly society has to change. Any organization, for it’s good health need to adopt the changes of time. In our organization also we should stand up and be bold to make changes wherever we feel the need arises.
Recently I was discussing with Lion Prof. A. M. Govardhan, the senior most District Governor. I asked him his opinion on the major changes he felt affected Lionism over the years. He pointed out some good and some bad changes. The major bad change in his opinion is the election of Vice District Governors post. I can tell you that privately with whoever lion leader I have spoken to have agreed that election has become very expensive.
Similarly with whomsoever I spoke, everyone agrees that any post of lionism has become expensive. Let’s take the case of President ship. I am sure you all know that in quite a few clubs people do not come forward to take up President ship, as it is an expensive affair. During my year of club President ship I faced the same problem, any activity of the club has to be met by the President. Is it fair to put the burden of one individual? I personally feel ‘NO’. Recently I was discussing with one club leader of their charter nite. I remember telling him ‘for any individual a sum of Rs. 25,000 is a big amount but collectively Rs.1, 000/- from 25 members makes a hell lot of difference.’ Here I would like to mention of Lions Club of Secunderabad Millennium. President Muralidhar informed me that their club members have taken a resolution of funding the activities. Members will take up some activities on their birthday or in memory of their parents or to commemorate some other personal event. For example one member agreed to contribute Rice bag to old age home to commemorate the demise of his mother. Such a beautiful, nice and simple arrangement. It is a small contribution for each member but it adds up to big achievement for the club. I congratulate and compliment all the members of Millennium. I request all of you to rise from their seats and request all of you to give them thunderous applause. I request all the lions of other clubs to consider the effect. I personally feel that it will give a long-standing impact on the health of the club.
Secondly payment of dues by individual clubs. Last few years we have seen how the club dues are paid at the time of District convention. We all know about it, so I will not elaborate on it. But I always believe that action is needed and hence my first priority was to see that club dues are paid in advance. Here I am proud to state that except one club all the clubs paid their dues before cabinet installation. I convey my grateful thanks to all the PSTs, ZCs and senior members of the clubs who helped to make the drive successful. I request all of you to keep this tradition for future years and make it statutory or mandatory whatever you call it, but make sure that your club clear the dues before the club officers’ installation. I am sure that the Presidents will agree with me that it clears a huge burden from their head. Here I also must mention one more thing, it is not only the club dues, the office bearers of the clubs must see that the membership fees are collected before club officers’ installation. I feel it must be made very clear to every lion that ‘paying the membership dues is the first and most important duty of every lion’. We are looking for lions who can give something to the society. If he can not pay his membership fees he is not fit to be called a lion. Here I would like to give call to all the lions, ‘ let all of us be proud lions and must clear our membership dues in advance’.
One more aspect, which may be a little controversial, but I cannot avoid mentioning as I have taken a stand on it. You all know I do not accept any memento. You all may not be aware that during first cabinet meeting of this year, District Governor gave us a questionnaire about our opinion regarding various aspects of lionism. There was one question, ‘Do you think that we should do away with the process of giving memento, except to the chief guest?’ And friends, if my memory is not failing me badly, it was almost unanimous that we should do away with memento. Friends we give memento as a remembrance to some guest who visit us. I feel that is the way the custom of giving memento started. But over the years it has become custom. Today some financially poor clubs are forced to give memento, as it has become a custom. Hence the quality has declined. Today do you really feel that the kind of memento you are receiving is a pleasant remembrance? I feel it should not be custom. It should left to the individuals.
Now, the achievements of clubs and individuals. The club Presidents will give the report of their achievements so to avoid repetition I will avoid of talking on them. I will talk of their achievement during presentation of awards. Presently I thank each and every President, Secretary, Treasurer and other club leaders, who were instrumental for the achievements of the clubs.
But you must allow me to thank the members of my home club the host club, Our charter President Lion P. Shivaramakrishna, President Rajashekar, who has taken the leading role, Club Secretary Lion Vinodkumar, Treasurer Lion V Srinivasa Rao, Region Meet Chairperson Lion R.S. Raju, Co chairperson Lion Ramanaiah, Secretary Lion Mahankali Uma, Treasurer Lion Rajamalla Reddy, and last but not the least my Region Secretary Lion R.V.Raju.
I am ever indebted to our Region Advisor Lion S.Manohar Raju, N&M Co-ordinator, CSF-II, who has always stood behind me in discharging my duties and in every stage of planning of Region Meet. I am also indebted to the three zone chairpersons for their unstinted support without which I definitely would have failed in discharging my duties. I thank all the Region Meet Advisors, all committee chairperson, co-chairpersons and members of committees for helping me in organizing the Region Meet.
The credit for success of this Region Meet goes to all of you, but if there is any lapse, it must be credited to my account. Thank you all.
If I am not mistaken, today, I am the youngest lion who is occupying the post of Region Chairperson. I can see Lion Sampath Kumar and Lion Balakrishna is shocked. No, I am not talking about age. I am talking about the no. of years in lionism. I am only a 5 year old lion. During these 5 years I have been helped by n no. of lions and it will take hours for me to mention the name of all of them But I must tell you about the two persons who was instrumental to make me a lion what I am today. No. 1 my good friend tonight’s Region Meet Chairperson Lion R.S. Raju, who has introduced me to lionism. No. 2 our dear cabinet secretary Lion Ramesh Kosuri. It is he who forced me take up the responsibility of Zone Chairmanship and again it is who again has forced me take the Region Chairmanship. Friends if you consider me a worthy lion you must thank these lions with largest applause.
Here I must mention one important aspect of lionism. Fellowship. During these last two years as zone chairperson and Region Chairperson I have to face a question thousand times, ‘Lions club being a social service organization, why we need to spend so much on fellowship.’ There are a vast majority of lions who feel that we should not give importance to fellowship. But my dear friends, here I must say I differ with all of you who have this view. Fellowship is one of the most wonderful aspects of Lionism.
I always talk about my experience. I will give you a few examples. Till last year I have not even heard of Lion Krishnaprasad. Last year he was my Region Chairman. But the kind of fellowship we built up during last year, he is always with me for each and every act of mine. During this Region Meet he was one person who personally helped me a lot with the three Ts Lions possess, Time, Talent and Treasure. I will talk about Lion Subhash Chand Jain, with whom I worked for a few days during last year’s Region conference. This year he is not even in my region but he told me ‘Bikashbhai, please don’t consider me outsider, take whatever help is needed for your Region Meet’. I will talk about Lion Ramanaiah, co-chairman of this Region Meet. The relationship we built up during last year when he was our club President, made him come forward with unstinted support for any endevour I take up. I will talk about Lion Murali Meganathan, who was my secretary during my President ship, today he is secretary of LC Hyderabad Majestic, which is not even in our district, but the fellowship we have built up made him present here helping me. I will talk about Lion P. Williams, who was 1st Vice President during my President ship. He is also now with another district, but the friendship we built up brought him here as my guest. I will like to talk about Lion Rajam. My co Region chairperson, whom till last year I never met, calls me ‘tu mera chhota Bhai’. There are n no of other lions I can talk about but tine will not permit.
Friends this is the kind of fellowship you will never get anywhere else.
Friends, I am a man of action, speech is not my forte, but today somehow I felt of opening my heart to all of you.
Friends, during the first meeting of my home club on Region Conference, while we were discussing about the name of the Region Meet all my club members were insisting that I must keep the name of Region Meet on my name. But I was very adamant and I insisted that I definitely do not want my name. And finally they have accepted the name ROSHNI, which I am, sure, will show light to all lions for generations to come.
Another thing you must have noticed. In the backdrop there is no photo of mine. Can you tell why? Any guess?
Because I want my name and my photo in each of your hearts.
Thank you all.
Life in Bastar
After a quarter of a century I am moving around the heartland of India. And this time my association is a true association in the sense that I am spending some time with the people here. Trying to find out the progress India made during last 25 years.
Daily I am traveling some 80 odd kilometers on a borrowed two-wheeler. I had to borrow the two-wheeler as I needed a conveyance of my own and hiring a cab would have definitely given me some importance to the local populace but I would have missed the opportunity to move around with them freely.
Presently I have camped in a village called Badlaband some 30 kms from Jagdalpur. Jagdalpur is the headquarter of Bastar District. Geographically it is situated in the southern part of Chhattisgarh state bordering Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Maharashtra.
The history of Bastar dates back to the Ramayana period. This is the Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama has passed during his period of exile. Bastar was a princely state during Britsih Period and was merged with Indian union on 1948.
70% of the population belongs to tribals. Presently it is the hot belt of Naxalite movement. Its strategic geographical location makes it ideal position for hideout of the extremists.
My memory of any tribal area is etched with picture of tribal girls in-group walking down the road with baskets on their heads. This is the scene I have seen 30 years back and also seen in innumerable paintings of village artists. Till date nothing has changed at least in this area.
Anywhere I went I saw the same scene. There is an 8 km. Stretch of jungle road between ASNA and Badlaband. Whenever I passed the forest there were always women in the forest picking up firewood and dry leaves. At morning, while I used to drive out of the city, the common scene was the group of women walking to the city for search of work. On the road they are there as laborers in road repairing work. They used to be the main bread earner for their family and looks like they remain so. You always find roadside shanties where women selling ‘Tadi’ – country liquor made of out of rice. After all these apparently nothing have changed, the populace remains same as they used to be. Their lifestyle also remains same.
Daily I am traveling some 80 odd kilometers on a borrowed two-wheeler. I had to borrow the two-wheeler as I needed a conveyance of my own and hiring a cab would have definitely given me some importance to the local populace but I would have missed the opportunity to move around with them freely.
Presently I have camped in a village called Badlaband some 30 kms from Jagdalpur. Jagdalpur is the headquarter of Bastar District. Geographically it is situated in the southern part of Chhattisgarh state bordering Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Maharashtra.
The history of Bastar dates back to the Ramayana period. This is the Dandakaranya through which Lord Rama has passed during his period of exile. Bastar was a princely state during Britsih Period and was merged with Indian union on 1948.
70% of the population belongs to tribals. Presently it is the hot belt of Naxalite movement. Its strategic geographical location makes it ideal position for hideout of the extremists.
My memory of any tribal area is etched with picture of tribal girls in-group walking down the road with baskets on their heads. This is the scene I have seen 30 years back and also seen in innumerable paintings of village artists. Till date nothing has changed at least in this area.
Anywhere I went I saw the same scene. There is an 8 km. Stretch of jungle road between ASNA and Badlaband. Whenever I passed the forest there were always women in the forest picking up firewood and dry leaves. At morning, while I used to drive out of the city, the common scene was the group of women walking to the city for search of work. On the road they are there as laborers in road repairing work. They used to be the main bread earner for their family and looks like they remain so. You always find roadside shanties where women selling ‘Tadi’ – country liquor made of out of rice. After all these apparently nothing have changed, the populace remains same as they used to be. Their lifestyle also remains same.
Ant and Grasshopper
Ant and the Grasshopper
CLASSIC VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house
and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks he's a fool and laughs and dances and plays the
summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or
shelter so he dies out in the cold.
--------------------------------------------------
MODERN VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house
and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's
a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands
to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others
are cold and starving.
BBC, CNN, AAJ TAK, NDTV show up to provide pictures of the shivering
grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table
filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor
grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticizes the Government for not
upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the
grasshopper.
Opposition MP's stage a walkout.
Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a
Judicial Enquiry.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against
Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left
to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government and
handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by BBC,CNN, AAJ TAK and
NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice".
Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the
UN General Assembly.
CLASSIC VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house
and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks he's a fool and laughs and dances and plays the
summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or
shelter so he dies out in the cold.
--------------------------------------------------
MODERN VERSION...
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house
and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's
a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands
to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others
are cold and starving.
BBC, CNN, AAJ TAK, NDTV show up to provide pictures of the shivering
grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table
filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor
grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticizes the Government for not
upholding the fundamental rights of the grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the
grasshopper.
Opposition MP's stage a walkout.
Left parties call for "Bharat Bandh" in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a
Judicial Enquiry.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the Prevention of Terrorism Against
Grasshoppers Act [POTAGA]", with effect from the beginning of the winter.
The ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and, having nothing left
to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government and
handed over to the grasshopper in a ceremony covered by BBC,CNN, AAJ TAK and
NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it "a triumph of justice".
Koffi Annan invites the grasshopper to address the
UN General Assembly.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Smell of RAin
Again to Bastar. I was busy in my work in a room at village Badlavand, some 30 kms from Jagdalpur. Suddenly my nostrils filled up with a peculiar smell, a mixture of eucalyptus oil and some others. I thought it might be smell of rain. I enjoy the smell of rain when it first hits the dry land. It takes me to my childhood where we really used to enjoy the raindrops. But this smell was something different but really pleasant. I peeped out of the window, and as expected it has started raining. The smell of rain is different here. The rain drops on the surrounding eucalyptus forest giving out the fragrance. I stood there for a long time taking long breaths inhaling all the freshness it carried. My locally procured assistant Shatrughan kept on looking at me. I am sure slowly he has started doubting my saneness.
A visit to true India
After a long long time I am here. So much happened during the intervening period. I will need lot of space to describe all the happenings. Let me start with the latest.
This morning, I came back from the heartland of naxalite hot belt, Bastar area of Chhattisgarh. This area is in news recently as the area is fully infested by the Maoists. Each day there is at least one incident of blowing up of train, or bus or truck or killing of some people. As a matter of fact I have not gone there for any political or journalistic purposes, I was there only on professional purpose, but found the visit worth mentioning. Incidentally, I have visited almost every part of India during last 30 odd years. I always found the tribals of this part of the country like part of Orissa, Jharkhand, South Bihar, Bastar area of Chhattisgarh, Northern part of Andhra Pradesh, as easy going fun loving people. Most of the males are good for nothing, lazy people. They normally work to earn a few bucks so that they can have a square meal and their daily quota of country liquor. They only lived for today. They never bothered for tomorrow. Whereas the females are really hardworking. And in most of the houses they are the bread earners.
But my last close interaction with them must have been more than 15 years back, except for a few one-day stop over visits on some social service activities. Hence this visit was quite educative type.
The road to Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar from Hyderabad travels through deep jungles from Bhadrachalam, Konta, Sukhna. There is stretch of road through jungle for around 147 kms. This whole stretch is infested by Maoist Guerrillas. I was traveling by bus. The bus left Bhadrachalam town by around 1 A.M. And the journey became nightmare. The bus was checked by anti-guerrilla squad of the administration for almost intervals of 2-3 kms. This squad is drawn by the police from the tribals who are against the Maoists. They were carrying bows, arrows, swords etc. But it really wrenched my heart by the sight of these boys, they are hardly out of their teens. They were searching each and every person. There was a false bravado in their faces. They are intoxicated by the support they receive from the administration. I don’t know how the administration got them in this mess. But the fact is, police is fighting their war keeping their guns on these unfortunate boys’ shoulders. I came to know that the administration is encouraging building up resistance forces to counter the activities of naxalites.I had a really sleepless night. Next morning we read in paper that the naxalites has blown up a truck full of these anti-terror squad killing 15 of them. It gave me real shiver through my spine as the incident happened on the same route I traveled only a few hours before.
This morning, I came back from the heartland of naxalite hot belt, Bastar area of Chhattisgarh. This area is in news recently as the area is fully infested by the Maoists. Each day there is at least one incident of blowing up of train, or bus or truck or killing of some people. As a matter of fact I have not gone there for any political or journalistic purposes, I was there only on professional purpose, but found the visit worth mentioning. Incidentally, I have visited almost every part of India during last 30 odd years. I always found the tribals of this part of the country like part of Orissa, Jharkhand, South Bihar, Bastar area of Chhattisgarh, Northern part of Andhra Pradesh, as easy going fun loving people. Most of the males are good for nothing, lazy people. They normally work to earn a few bucks so that they can have a square meal and their daily quota of country liquor. They only lived for today. They never bothered for tomorrow. Whereas the females are really hardworking. And in most of the houses they are the bread earners.
But my last close interaction with them must have been more than 15 years back, except for a few one-day stop over visits on some social service activities. Hence this visit was quite educative type.
The road to Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar from Hyderabad travels through deep jungles from Bhadrachalam, Konta, Sukhna. There is stretch of road through jungle for around 147 kms. This whole stretch is infested by Maoist Guerrillas. I was traveling by bus. The bus left Bhadrachalam town by around 1 A.M. And the journey became nightmare. The bus was checked by anti-guerrilla squad of the administration for almost intervals of 2-3 kms. This squad is drawn by the police from the tribals who are against the Maoists. They were carrying bows, arrows, swords etc. But it really wrenched my heart by the sight of these boys, they are hardly out of their teens. They were searching each and every person. There was a false bravado in their faces. They are intoxicated by the support they receive from the administration. I don’t know how the administration got them in this mess. But the fact is, police is fighting their war keeping their guns on these unfortunate boys’ shoulders. I came to know that the administration is encouraging building up resistance forces to counter the activities of naxalites.I had a really sleepless night. Next morning we read in paper that the naxalites has blown up a truck full of these anti-terror squad killing 15 of them. It gave me real shiver through my spine as the incident happened on the same route I traveled only a few hours before.
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