The victim of racist attack is struggling between life and death. Sarvan Kumar a 25 years old Indian living in Australia was the victim. He has suffered extensive brain damage because the racist assailant drove a screwdriver into his head. He family is in shock back here in India. The Australian authorities were reluctant in issuing visa to his family and relatives to go there in Australia and see him. They are backing the funding of medical treatment that he is getting there in Australia. After the media interventions finally the Australian authorities have issued the visa to his Uncle Dr. Srinivas who has left for Australia. He said that Sarvan’s father is in a state of shock and dint want to go to Australia, thus he is going on their behalf. Sarvan’s family is based in Andhra Pradesh. Sarvan’s father said that though Australians call themselves a developed nation but they have no humanity. If police in Australia would have taken some action when an Indian attacked in train, this would not have happened. Sarvan’s father Mr. Chidambram is a farmer and is not in a postion to afford the foreign trip. He is facing problem in meeting the cost of sarvans treatment in Australia. He has approached the government of Andhra Pradesh for financial help who in turn promised to help. The challenge to reach Australia and pursue the legal procedures. In the last three weeks four incidents of attack on Indian Students have been reported. The Indian students community has taken to the streets in Australia as they are protesting against this brutality. The students assembled at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Sarvan Kumar is undergoing treatment in this hospital. Students were holding placards against these attacks. The protestors were advising to think twice before coming to Australia. These incidents have given a shock to the students and the authorities in both countries. Those who have faced racist attacks said that since these attacks are specifically on the Indian students thus we can say that these are racist attacks. Baljinder Singh, another 25 year old victim said the same. He said Indian government should do something. More than 95 000 Indians live in Australia. More than 30000 students go every year to Australia. Such attacks would impact negatively relations between both the countries. Australia has been a favorite destination of Indian students in the past few years. They [...]
Archive for May, 2009
Posted in 
Education in Ancient India
May 30th, 2009 
Aman The study of the Vedic literature shows that a well organised system of education existed in India during the Rig Vedic Age. The Aryan realized the importance of knowledge and educational brilliance. The Rig Veda gives some details about the Brahmchari or the religious student. The training of the Brahmchari took place at the home of a Brahman Teacher (Guru) who was the chief figure in the system of learning. The student was expected to treat his teacher with utmost reverence and render full obedience to him and serve him all the time. The main subject of study was the Vedas, and long hours were devoted to its mastery. The teacher would instruct the few students seated on the ground about the hymns of the sacred book. For many hours daily they would repeat verse after the verse of the Vedas until they had mastered and memorized them. In this age, the women also received education. The Rig Veda contains the hymns composed by twenty different poetesses. Visvavara, Sikata, Nivari, Ghosha, Kamosa, Lopamudra and Urvashi are the names of some of them. It is presumed that the Rigvedic people did not know the art of writing. This was undoubtedly practiced by the prehistoric people of the Indus valley. But it is significant that the early literature of the Aryans was transmitted orally. In the later Vedic period, the society attained a high level of intellectual development. Learning became both religious and secular. The study of Vedic texts brought into existence the science of grammar (Vyakarna) in its different branches such as Phonetics metre and etymology. Geometry grew from the rules for the erection of sacrificial altars. Apart from these subjects, prosody, rituals, astronomy, law and logic were included in the courses of study. Certain rules were laid down for studentship. The first rule was Upanayana ceremony by which the Brahmchari was initiated into student life. He was to practice self control and beg his bread. He was constantly to keep before himself the aims of learning – Sharadha (faith), praja (progeny), Dhana (wealth), Ayu (longevity) and Amritaya (immortality). The teachers were generally Brahmans, but in some cases the belonged to Kshatriyas caste. They taught their students in their hermitages which in the later period came to be designated as Guru-Kulas, and developed later into great universities. There the teachers provided the students with boarding and lodging, maintained with them [...]
Religion and Indian Defense Forces
May 29th, 2009 Aman Terrorism and Military Lok Sabha election and Indian Premier League has ended after keeping the nation gripped almost for two months and now it is the time to groove over some past incidents that affected every sphere of the Indian society. On papers Lok Sabha elections took the time of almost two months but infect all the political parties had started their political maneuvers almost in the early months of 2008. Many political parties were seen making hue and cry over various unimportant issues and sometimes some of them touched those matters for which they were at one hand criticized by the society and on the other hand they helped the enemies of the nation. But Indian public has understood the region, caste and religion based politics of various parties and now they started to vote for those governments that have given performance and progress to their states. 2009 elections are the perfect examples of it. But one episode that shook the nation and social bonds of the society was the arrest of some retired and serving military officers who were accused of helping some saffron terrorist organizations for carrying out bomb blasts in the Muslim populated areas. A J&K based seer and a sadhvi were also arrested in connection with the Malegaon bomb blasts. Indian investigation agencies reveals that a few months ago a camp was organized in the forests of some eastern state in which some retired and serving military personal had imparted arms training to the activists of an organization that was later on found to be involved in bomb blasts of which Muslims were the prime targets. Some pictures were also appeared in leading newspapers of India in which the accused sadhvi and the seer were seen sharing the dais with some prominent BJP leaders. Later on BJP leadership had declined from any relationship with the accused persons. But whole of this issue had dented BJP’s image. Though we can not rule out that this issue was politically misused by the other major political parties but we also can not rule out the possibility of a political hand behind them. Character of Indian Military For the political parties such kinds of issues are their daily games but this whole of the issue affected Indian defense forces’ image very adversely. The involvement of some military officers in the bomb blasts and their arrests are a matter [...]
India will retain the T20 Championship: Dhoni
May 29th, 2009 Aman Dhoni has assured that India will retain the T20 Champion title. He is satisfied with the squad and said that this is a balanced side with some outstanding talent. There is no pressure on the boys. India is the defending champions of the tournament about to begin on June 5 in England. India will be playing its first game on June 6 against Bangladesh. Dhoni said India has a strong batting side as we bat right down till #8-9. This is also known to Dhoni that India has a strong bowling attack as well as he mentioned in the pre departure match conference. India has some outstanding talents like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Dhoni himself who can change the course of game anytime. All they need is to focus on the potential that they have and they will have to use the same to retain the title. Dhoni advised not to worry about the result just focus on playing to their potential. He said team will have to give its 100 percent and it can defend the title for sure. Team India is tired after a hectic IPL which was played in South Africa and Dhoni knows it. However he said that it has on the other hand helped the players to hone their skills for the World Cup. Since most of the players who have played in the IPL were from India and all the team members of the T20 Squad of India were part of the IPL so they now have the hang of it. They had the practice of almost more than 50 days which would be sufficient for the team to retain the title. Playing so many matches would make you tired as we are humans and not machines but the exposure that team India got and the skills they have developed would be helpful. The most important thing is the experience. In the superfast game of twenty 20 all you need to know is how to handle the pressure. While batting first there is a pressure of setting a huge target and thus batsmen play under pressure which is harmful. Same is the case while chasing as there is lot to achieve in just 20 overs. Just one missed ball could cost you a defeat at the end of the game. On the bowling front it [...]
NON-CO-OPERATION MOVEMENT
May 29th, 2009 Aman Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, the Congress decided to start Non Co operation Movement against the British Government. It aimed to (a) Support the Khilafat movement (b) To compel the Government to compensate for the atrocities committed by it on the people at Jallianwala Bagh and during the Martial law in the Punjab (c) To achieve the goal of Swaraj The Program consisted of (1) Boycott of impending of government schools and colleges (2) Boycott of the law courts (3) Boycott of foreign goods (4) Boycott of the law courts and honorary offices (5) Refusal to attend government Durbars. The constructive side of the program consisted of (a) Establishment of national schools and colleges (b) The use of private arbitration courts in place of Government courts for litigation etc. (c) The use of Swadeshi cloth on large scale (d) Revival of hand spinning and hand weaving (e) The removal of untouchability. The movement was completely non violent. The movement captured the imagination of the people from the very start. The whole nation rose as one man. Many distinguished lawyers like CR Dass, Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, Jawahar lal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, Vithal Bhai, Vllabh Bhai Patel and Dr. Rajender Prasad gave up their practice to join the movement. Many prominent Muslim leaders like Ali Brothers, Dr. Ansari and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also came forward in the non cooperation movement. Many students gave up studying in the Government schools and colleges. Many national education institutions like the Gujarat Vidya Peeth, the Bihar Vidya Peeth, the Benaras Vidya Peeth, the Kashi Vidya Peeth, Bengal National University, Jamia Milia of Delhi, and the National College of Lahore were started. The Swadeshi Cloth became popular. The Takla and Charkha appeared n every home and became the symbols of the movement. Liquor shops and foreign cloth shops were often picketed. In Punjab the non co operation movement was headed by Lala Lajpat Ra. The Gurudwaras Reform Movement was being carried in Punjab and same was linked to the Non co operation Movement. Mahatma Gandhi called the Gurudwaras Movement as the first decisive battle for freedom. The Non Cooperation movement brought the common people in the political struggle of the country. It created among them a spirit of self confidence and self reliance. When the movement was in full swing in 1922, there was a strange and unexpected development. Gandhiji suddenly [...]
Breaking Social Bonds
May 28th, 2009 Aman Violence and Losses Punjab witnessed the return of violence in the third week on May when thousands of people took to streets in protest of the killing of a sect head. Government property of crores of rupees was damages by the protesting mobs. Some trains and Punjab Roadways busses were burnt by the protestors. According to an estimate Punjab and central government have incurred losses of more than 7000 of crores. At some places situation turned out to be worst when protestors became violent and fought pitched battles not only with the police and paramilitary personals but also targeted civilians and shopkeepers. Protestors were seen forcing the shopkeepers to support the shut down. More than two people died and many got injured during the three day long violence. Government had called military and had ordered curfew in some parts of the state. After the relentless work situation came under control but the fire has not yet been put to an end. People are still protesting against the killing of the Dera head though protests are being carried out peacefully. Incident Dera Sachkhand Ballan’s sect head Sant Niranjan Das and second-in-command Sant Ramanand were on their annual visit to a Sikh Temple in Vienna (Austria). They were preaching their disciples at the Gurdwara when a group of six armed men entered the place and opened the fire. Two of them were armed with pistols while the remaining were carrying knives and sharp edged weapons. With it the place tuned out into battle field. Both the preachers got injured in the attack. Almost 30 persons got injured during the violence. It included the attackers also. On Monday morning Sant Ramanand succumbed to his injuries. The news of the incident had already reached Punjab. The news of the death of Sant Ramanand spread like the fire of jungle and it took the violent turn. All the attackers are believed to be the ethnic Sikhs. It must be learnt that most of the followers of the Dera are from the poor and downtrodden sections of the Punjabi society. Most of them belong to the lower castes and are agricultural laborers. Discrimination After independence the divide between the lower caste Sikhs and the Landlord Sikhs has widened. And with it tensions have also increased between both of these sections of the society. Religion and caste based politics has added more fuel to [...]
Ravinder Nath Tagore
May 28th, 2009 Aman Early Life Writer of National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, Ravinder Nath Tagore was born toSmt Shardha Devi in Jorasakomansan, Kolkata(West Bengal) on May 7, 1861. His father’s name was Shri Davinder Nath Tagore. His parents were the staunch followers of Brahmo Samaj. He was called Rabi in his childhood. He took admission in Oriental Seminar for his primary education and passed all the classes in first division. In 1868 he took admission in Bengal Academy but could not concentrate on his studies. Then he went to England with his brother Satinder Nath Tagore and took admission in the public school Brighton in 1878. But he returned to India without completing his studies. In 1883 he was married to Mrinalini Devi. Tagore’s early life and some of his unimportant failures are the indication of his restlessness and a quest for truth. He traveled almost all over India and many western countries. He had started writing in his early age. He had composed his first poem when he was only eight years old. Except it he had written some dramas and short stories also which became very popular in his homeland. During his Europe journey he had met many writers and poets. Works Tagore chose his mother tongue Bengali to compose and write. He also composed and wrote Novels, dramas, stories and essays. His important works are Geetanjali, Gora(novel) and a drama named ‘Dakghar’. Except literature he was also interested in nature, music and painting. He was one of the biggest admirers of ‘nature’. His paintings have a unique place in the world of painting. He composed music also which is known as ‘Ravinder Sangeet’. He won the Nobel Prize for his world famous work Geetanjali in 1913. And with it he became the first Asian to won the Nobel Prize in any of the field. Indian National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ has been taken from his composition Geetanjali. He also wrote for the children. ‘Kabuliwala’ is his world famous writing on which a film has also been made. British Crown crowned him with Knighthood for his literary works. But he had renounced this as a mark of protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. It must be learnt that a British military officer had ordered his soldiers to open fire on innocent and unarmed Indian people who were protesting peacefully against the colonial rule of England. Freedom [...]
FAST, FURIOUS, ENTERTAINING: T20World Cup
May 28th, 2009 Aman This is what one of the leading newspapers in India called this game of T20 after the first world cup played in 2007. In the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 world cup, the final was the most interesting game between India and Pakistan where game was decided only in the last over when only 5 more runs were remaining and Pakistan lost the game. In fact those who had seen the tournament still feel that the game between the two countries played a few days earlier in Durban was the most exciting one when both the teams reached a “tie” in the prescribed overs and decision was made through a “ bowl Out”. It was the first ever bowl out in the history of cricket. Now that was according to the spirit of T20: fast and furious, as it is there in the game of hockey or football. Looking at the statistics we find that the final of the T20 world cup created history in terms of TV viewership when the TV ratings reached a record of 15.2. Such a peak is never seen in the history of Indian Television. It was brought to the television by ESPN STAR sports, the sports channel and the ICC’s broadcast partner. It provided an innovative coverage when it showed the game of cricket through different angels. Suspended cable cameras were used and new features like hum centric player profiles, measuring of the longest six during the tournament, the graphics showing live field trackings and the corridors of uncertainty to find the wide ball clarity and many other features were added to make the game more interesting and watchable. The first editon of the T20 world cup was played in South Africa. In the cities like Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, the stadiums were jampacked since the game was of shorter duration and the tickets were as cheap as of Rs 20. A successful marketing campaing was run though innovative television commercials that was primarily to target the audience from South Africa. There were DJ booths at every venue which were accompanied by a PA announcer; dancers were there on the podiums around the boundary line to keep the spectators and players motivated. There was a character created by South Africa Cricket called Dr. Beat who interacted with the spectators. Lot of other arrangements were there like distributing hard hats, a free [...]
SOCIAL LIFE OF ARYANS
May 28th, 2009 Aman The Aryans were a people of the sky and the open spaces. They lived in the villages and heir domestic life was very healthy and cheerful the main characteristics of their social life were simplicity, purity and chastity. The family was the pivot of the Indo-Aryan society. The members of a family lived in the same house. The head of the house was called Grahapat. Families were patriarchal i.e., parentage was traced through the father instead of mother. The father was the head of the family and exercised control over it. There are references where father punished his sons for wrong deeds. However, the relations between the members of the family were generally cordial. The ordinary people were content with one wife but the members of the Royal families could have more than one wife. The members of a family shared a common life and the entire property belongs to the family as a whole. Women, though politically not so important as now, were highly respected. Among the composers of the Vedas, names of some ladies are also mentioned, most important being those of Ghosa and Sikata Nivavara. All the religious ceremonies were performed by husband and wife together. Every mother was more or less of a goddess to the children. She was the sole mistress in the household matters. The conception of wifehood was very ideal. Chastity on the part of both the sexes was highly prized. The wife was to love, obey and adore her husband. The husband lover her no less. Marriage was a sacred ceremony. Woman had a freedom in the choice of her partner, which is proved by the practice of Swayamvara. Swayam means self and Vara means match. The women, gentle in nature, and graceful in form, select from among many her own loved one as her husband as mentioned in Rig Veda. Polygamy was rare and Polyandry was against the nature of the Aryan women. Widow marriage was not prohibited. In a hymn of Rig Veda, the widow is exhorted to remarry. Child marriage was unknown. Thus the standard of female morality was very high and women enjoyed an honorable position in the society. The Aryan lived a very simple life. Their food consisted mainly of parched grain, cakes, curd and various vegetables and fruits. Flesh of rams, goats and even horses was offered as sacrifices and eaten, but only on festive [...]
No Begging From Leaders
May 27th, 2009 Aman Attractive Slogans All the leaders of India know that more that 50 per cent population of their ‘Mahan Bharat’ is fighting the battle for ‘bread and butter’. With empty bellies eyes become unable to see anything else except bread. More that 50 per cent public of India does not get even the pure drinking water supply. Some ‘sensitive’ leaders had sensed their problems and had promised them rice and wheat at the rate of 2-3 rupees per KG. The aim of the leaders was just to bring most of the ‘begging people’ under their party flags by attractive slogans. To whom they had promised to provide grains at the rate of 2-3 rupees per kilogram? These are the same people who ceaselessly toil in their fields to grow wheat and rice. These grains do not grow on the rooftops of these leaders. Only simple people grow and harvest crops. These are the same people who grow and harvest, take their products to markets and then from markets to the stores. From the starting to the end these poor people work ceaselessly. If after so much hard work, these grains are out of their reach then we will have to think that why all the political parties are not serious to improve the living conditions of the simple folk. True Freedom When ever the election season nears leaders of the various political parties makes some ‘relief’ announcement. They use these announcements as a method to grab the power and succeed on their ‘evil designs’. But it should be though deeply that if after 60 years of independence cheap flour and wheat are the election issues of these leaders then it not an achievement. For last 60 years we are hearing about our achievements. We proudly say that our elders fought a fierce battle against colonial rule of England. We are told that thousands of people laid their lives for the achievement of freedom. If our elders have got freedom for us after battling against the decades’ old colonial rule then it is our duty to protect our freedom at any cost. But another question rises that is it the freedom our elders had wished while making supreme sacrifices for the noble cause. Awakening The people should tell their leaders that they are not beggars. They demand work not the free or cheap wheat and grains. Jobs should be created [...]
