Maryam Amma(My experience)

G.P Girl’s was the hostel provided by the college of Jamia Milia Islamia. The hostel was maintained by hostel authorities and guards. Whether it was a hot summer or extremely cold winters, the guards performed their duties sincerely. On out corridors there were few ladies sweeper who cleaned our rooms regularly. Whenever they were with their friends company, they would laugh and talk loudly but when any lady sweeper sits alone at her favorite corner, she would light up her cigarettes and start smoking. That moment one could make out from their tensed facial expression that they are hiding some painful secret. Not only those hostel sweepers but also those guards have painful hidden story which is generally left unnoticed. I had come across a lady guard, Maryam Amma, who did all her duties sincerely bearing up various burdens of life.

It was my first night in hostel, I noticed a tired old lady approximately sixty years old, with her approximately nine year old boy. I was shocked to know that old lady was our hostel guard. I asked my roommate, “Who’s that boy and how they both are related to each other.” Her reply was, “That boy is an orphan grandson of Maryam amma. Her son and daughter died long time ago so she is the only guardian of the kid.”

Often Maryam amma asked me for a match stick to light a candle for her grandson because her unsecured kid was scared of darkness. Every night Maryam amma would sit next to her grandson and the nervous boy would hold her hands until he closes his eyes to a soundless sleep. The hostel girls were sympathetic towards the child and never refused to help him with his studies. For him, his grandma was everything who showers her grandson with his parents love. But he was unaware of the fact that his Grandma was also nervous because she was alone bearing up all his responsibility at this old age when she needed comfort from her children. In her prayers she would only ask for q bright future for her grandson.

This incident touched me so much that I realized that before complaining to others about our problems we should look at these people. Everywhere there is struggle but Maryam Amma was a good example, because despite having so many problems she was trying her level best to lead a normal life. Sweepers and guards also hid their personal problems behind their comforting smiles. One should live in present, forget about past but be prepared of future.

MANGAL PANDAEY: Was he a legendary hero?? (Editorial)

In the Indian history, the revolt of 1857 was the most outbursts of anger and discontent accumulated in the hearts of Indian Masses ever since inception of British rules in Bengal, following the battle of Plassey and Buxer. British historians dubbed it as a sepoy mutiny and Indian historians have hailed it as the first war of independence. Jawaharlal Nehru in his book, “Discovery of India,” described it feudal revolt of 1857.

The Indian soldiers of East Indian Company started the revolt and it spread like a fire across the country. Millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers participated in the revolt and formed a glorious chapter in the Indian History. Mangal Pandey was also among those freedom fighters but we know nothing about his personal life except that he sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country.

Resent researches conducted by the historians are different from the old ones. Personal life of Mangal Pandey is lacking with enough facts . According to the old researchers, Mangal Pandey was a Brahmin. Like his father he was also a loyal sepoy in the East India Company. New bullets were introduced with cartridges greased with cow and pig fat. (Blasphemous for both Hindus and Muslims soldiers). When Pandey saw manufacturing of grease, in the simmering flame he killed the two sepoys and later hanged to death. This incident made him a matyr among masses.

But few authors deny that he was a matyre. According to the authors, Rudranshaud and Shahid Amin, Mangal Pandey was not a matyre and the killing of two sepoys by Mangal Pandey was manipulated and he was hailed as a hero. According to theses researchers, it was by chance that Mangal Pandey had consumed opium and had killed two sepoys and then he was hanged to death. But Amaresh Mishra refuted them and said that they are manipulating the story. Mangal Pandey will always be a hero because he sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country. According to him he existed in 1857 and it’s too difficult to collect the facts that points out that he died after consuming opium.

The research that has been done confuses the reader. Before independence, maximum of those who were eyewitness of his life were illiterate. India had no constitution, no rules and regulation of its own but was a puppet of British. The credibility of facts is in question because the researchers are digging the facts of 1857 in this 21st century. It’s not sure how intensely the research has been done. According to the recent researchers, the existence of Sita Ram Pandey is also vague. Whatever is the truth, but one cannot deny the fact that this freedom fighter inspires the masses to be loyal their country. That was an era, when every Indian citizen participated in numerous revolts, and some legendary leaders gave up their life for the freedom of India.

RACIZM: A HARMFUL VIRUS (Editorial)

There is a saying, “If one part of a human body is suffering from any disease then he is not physically fit and he needs a thorough check up. That disease is caused due to some harmful virus.” During the British Raj it can be said that India too was suffering from that disease. Indians were treated worse than labours within their own country, they didn’t have any fundamental rights and there was anarchy everywhere. They were racially abused for their brown skin and were tortured when they asked for a small share within their own homeland. Many Indians gave up their lives for the freedom of the country. Similarly Africans too were treated sub-humanely and were racially abused and had faced many derogatory remarks. But they never gave up and they faught for their independence and fundamental rights. One such example was the discrimination in the film industry between the blackskinned and the white skinned people. A Long time ago blacks were looked down upon because of the colour of their skin. To enter the film industry they started acting in theatres which were not acceptable by whites. Gradually these blacks were successful making inroads into the predominantly white dominated African film industry. Although, initially the lead roles were always performed by white Africans and the role of a servant or other secondary class were given to blacks. Later, through generations of constant struggle they managed to gain success in getting lead roles in film industry. But that was long time ago.

There has been remarkable development from the 18th century to 21st century. In this phase of global revolution, the countries are building good relations with each other. Over the years, India has developed good relation with the countries like China, Japan, America and Russia. Howe ever, India is progressing politically and economically but still it has not been able get rid of its old disease. Racial discrimination and corrupt politicians manipulating the public is halting whatever progress we have made as a country. Before independence the virus ‘racial discrimination’ was spread by the British but now the disease is spread by our own Indian politicians. India is divided between weaker and powerful sections of society. Powerful people like industrialist, politicians, and lawyers are crushing the weaker sections of society which includes farmers, rickshawpullars, and peasants for their selfish needs. No doubt the government of Nandigram is responsible for its crisis. The strategy applied to capture government land from peasants was extremely shameful. Politicians were enjoying the power and luxuries without caring about those peasants who were killed by the powerful butchers. Hundreds of people became homeless and many were orphaned. The government of Nandigram did not provide any compensation to those peasants who suffered the violence. It is sad that Indian politicians are so selfish that they only concentrate in building big companies and solving the problems of rich and powerful, whereas the problems of poor and illiterate people are silently kept aside. There is no difference between politicians and Britishers. To be rich and powerful always discriminated Indians on the grounds of their religion, culture and state.

The discrimination started just after the Godhra riots when our politicians divided us on the basis of our religion. Politicians themselves are responsible for the birth of terrorism and now, politicians are trying to divide us on the basis of the state we are born in. Raj Thakrey hurt the religious sentiments of North Indians by making derogatory remarks on “Chhat Puja.” He also made derogatory remarks on Biharis. He claims that Maharashtra belongs to the marathis and that the North Indians should leave ‘his’ state and work within their own respective states thereby going against our very basic fundamental right. Being a citizen of India we are free to stay and work in any state of India. This remark has created enough violence in all the states of India, essentially disrupting the livelihood of the very poor that is the taxi drivers and shopkeepers who were attacked and injured. How can an Indian tell another Indian which state to live and work in?

Politicians like Raj Thakeray are an embarrassment for our country although Raj Thakeray has only followed his own Uncle Bal Thakereys’ footsteps. Bal Thakerey had divided the people on the grounds of religion to attain maximum votes from Hindus. Similarly Raj Thakeray is dividing us Indians on the basis of State to increase his vote bank. If this carries on then soon there will come a time when each state will demand to have its borders sealed and fight to become a separate country. There was a time when we Indians were proud of our diversity but now this diversity is becoming a liability to be misused by politicians.

BHUTAN: A PEACEFUL PARADISE (Interview)

“There is no armed conflict in Bhutan maybe that’s why people of Bhutan are happy”, said Mr Kinley Dorji, chief editor of Kuensel. Some of his anwers are as follows:

Q: According to you what should be the media’s role in armed conflict?
A: Umm… in armed conflict you should be objective and professional in reporting. But I would like to emphasize that sensivity is very very important. Media should be sensitive and objective in varying interest. If you talk about the role … the goal is not just about report but to go beyond that, to find solution of the problems. That would also mean reporting it objectively, analyzing and offering solution…suggestion.

Q: What kind of conflict do you have in your region?
A: Right now.. umm.. You’re talking about armed conflict?

Q: Yes!
A: There is no armed conflict in Bhutan.. Maybe that’s why my country people are so happy.. But yes we had one experience of armed conflict. In 2003, the indian militants of North East had come inside the Bhutanese forest. But Bhutanese army flushed them off. That’s the only conflict I had experienced.

Q: Do print and electronic media behave differently in armed conflict?
A: Electronic media is little bit difficult because you need to go with crew and equipments. So I find it little difficult. It is difficult to do today’s coverage. Radio goes around little easier but perhaps the easiest is the print. Print plays a very important role in our situation.. Anyway… because we were able to give the proper facts, figures, proper picture, analysis and bigger and broader story.

Q: What do you think is the most poweful media?
A: The most powerful media is gossip. Be it any medium, it is strong and influential. The other point of armed conflict is, reporting beyond human impact of people. We need to work hard in reporting the facts and also work hard in reflecting them.

Q: Are there any government control over media?
A: No..no government control, but what is happening in Bhutan is the whole concept of media is new. So government, society and even media is a new thing to experience… and there are no law to control for government to control either. We have monarchy. But what is happening in 2008, there will be new constitution. There will be democracy. It will guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of media and right to information.

Q: How do the people react to this new media in Bhutam?
A: Bhutan is very small country hidden up in the mountain. It is not very developed. The journalist are respected and treated as educated class.

{I had taken his interview on March 28, 2006 in The Indian Habitat Centre. Mr Kinley Dorji, one of the renowned journalist of Bhutan was also invited.}

LUCKNOW: A CITY OF NAWAB (Editorial)

Lucknow, which was once the “city of Nawabs,” has its own recognition in culture, language and mannerisms. Since the Mughal period it has inherited its sophisticated culture from the nawabs, when our country was struggling under the domination of the British rule. The Nawabs were no less than kings because they had abundance of money to lead a sophisticated and lavish lifestyle. They enjoyed watching cock fights, flying pigeons and traditional dances like Kathak in beautifully decorated palaces like “Kothas.” Though the communities never had a good impression about those dancers but still the nawabs usually sent their son to learn manners and sophistication from them. Maybe that was the reason why the nawabs were so spoilt. From head to toe those dancers were always decorated in beautifully crafted jewellery and rich dresses. Their beauty and charming behaviour attracted many a nawab to go to their palaces.

There is a saying “Agra ka Taj, aur Lucknow ki shaam, sabse khoosoorat nazaare hain.” Taj Mahal of Agra, and the evening of Lucknow are the most beautiful sights to behold” In the evenings, the roads of Lucknow were always crowded with beautifully decorated carriages which was a mode of travelling for the people. Urdu language has always been the main dialect of Lucknow. The nawabs were said to be a lazy lot because they had too much money,were considered to be spendthrifts and lead an amazingly decadant lifestyle with not a single thought given to the people starving on the streets. In that era people had a different kind of mindset. They discriminated between males and females. Females were killed as they were born because they were considered as bad luck for the family. Whereas the birth of a boy was celebrated with great pomp and show.

When Indians were under the British rule they suffered from the brutal behavior of the English people. Indians were discriminated against and were treated as servants within their own country. When the Britisher’s brutality grew, the whole Indian sub continent rose against them. Many Indians gave up their lives for the sake of India’s freedom. The worst step taken by our political leaders in 1947 was the division of India in two parts, India and Pakistan.
If one campares Lucknow of the 21st century with the 18th century, there have been remarkable developments. The Indian constitution made during Indian independence had added some new laws against the zamindari system and gradually as the land started getting confiscated by the new Indian government…the lavish lifestyle of the lucknow nawabs started to get curtailed. The money started disappearing and so did their luxuries!”.

After Multinational companies were set up, the traditional heritage started getting neglected. Lucknow, once the city of Nawabs, is hardly left with any Nawabi heritage. Few tourist places that are restored are Chota Imambada, and Bada Imambada. Whereas many other heritage buildings are misused because they are neglected by the government. Either shops are built and the entire structure is broken bit by bit and rebuilt or they are abandoned by the people and come crumbling with neglect.

The government has been misusing Lucknow’s weath and heritage by making huge over spaced parks and gardens(Ambedkar park being one glaring example). Statues are built and then broken and then rebuilt-one more grand and imposing than the other. Wheras the traditional places are losing their beauty and are in a shaky condition. Nowadays people are using much advanced method of commuting like auto rickshaws, buses or rickshaws. Few carriages can only be seen near Lucknow railway station. They have become educated and have started entering various fields like medicine,engineering,law etc. The traditional dances like Kathak or Bharatnatyam has become recoginsed as an important and beautiful art of India. Though there have been tremendous developments and progress in the city but Lucknow is still known and recognised for its culture, manners, sophistiocated behavior and also its its beautiful Udu language which is still prevailing in Lucknow. And it lies with us,the residents and lovers of Lucknow to preserve it and cherish it so that our coming generations can proudly claim to belong to a beautiful ancient city….the city of Nawabs…the city of Urdu ghazals, the poetry, the ‘tehzeeb’ and the beauty of the Imambada and horse pulled carriages as well as the city of Hazratganj and the ‘tunde ke kabab’!