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Student Destinations Australia, New Zealand, USA and some European countries are the most favorite destinations for the Indian students in pursuit of higher studies and better education. Thousands of students go to these countries every year. The better jobs are also the major reason behind the migration. In nineties it was termed as brain drain as it slowed the economic progress on the country. But now, this trend has started to show its positive signs. Indians who are studying or working in these countries send billions of dollars to their country which has furthered India’s economic growth. Indians have achieved a lot as compared to their white counterparts. They have proved their metal in the all the fields of education. This is because of their extra efforts that they have left their white counterparts way behind. This has been openly expressed by the heads of these states.

Competition There are many Indians who have outshined their counterparts but Kavya Shivashankar’s achievement is unique as far as the various competitions are concerned. This 13 year old girl, who lives in Kansas, won the famous competition, Scripps National Spelling Bee 2009.A total of 11 students had reached the final of the competition and seven of them were of Indian origin which is nothing less than an achievement. This competition was held for three day in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt in Washington D.C. in which a total of 283 students took part. It is America’s largest, longest and most famous educational competition. This year’s even was held for 82^nd time. Which was telecasted live and Emmy Award-winner Tom Bergeron played the role of host for the 16-round final. This is an educational promotional competition in which children from all over the USA take part. It was the word Laodicean meaning one who is indifferent or lukewarm to politics or religion that won the cash prize of US$40000 for her. It was her consistent efforts that led to her victory in the competition. She had been taking part in this competition for last four years. In 2006 she had finished tenth, in 2007 eighth and in 2008 fourth. Her consistent efforts are the example of her ‘ziddi’ (concentrated at aim) character.

Kavya Another student of Indian origin, Aishwarya Pastapur finished third in the competition. Last year’s competition was won by another student of Indian origin named Amit Mishra. Kavya is the daughter of Indian parents who had migrated to USA and have settled there. She is the student of eighth grade at California Trail Junior High School. She dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon.  She is no different that the other children but it is her competitiveness that makes her different from others. Like other children of her age she likes Bicycling, playing violin, learning Indian classical dance and swimming. 1999 competition winner Nupur Lala is her role model. With her achievement she has proved the metal of Indian genius. 

  “Our struggle will continue as long as a handful of men, be they foreign or native, or both in collaboration with each other, continue to exploit the labour and resources of our people. Nothing shall deter us from this path.”

Baba Bilga These were the words of the Ghadar Party leader Kartar Singh Sarabha and Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga has always followed these words. Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga was the last surviving member of the Ghadar Party. He passed away on May 22, 2009 in Birmingham in UK. He will be cremated on May 3 in his village Bilga. It must be learnt that after the armed revolutions of 1857 for the freedom of India, Ghadar party had dared to bring armed revolution in India. Though in many parts of India, various freedom lovers had started to use arms against the colonial rule of British but they were not following any ideology and nor were united against British. They used to be numbered and easily eliminated by the British government agents. But The Ghadarist movement was one of the most united movements, which was based on a strong ideology and with adequate finance. Most of the members of this party were those Indians especially Punjabi workers and laborers who had went to European countries in search of better living conditions and work. There they felt the discrimination and humiliation. They felt that the reason behind their bad conditions and humiliation is their slavery to the British rule. They formed Ghadar party and started to work to bring armed revolution in India. They were influenced by the Russian revolution of 1917 and some of the members of the party were sent to Russia to study and understand the revolution. Ghadarist revolution failed because of some black sheep and most of its workers and leaders were arrested and martyred. Many were thrown into jails and remained there for most part of their life but whenever they were released they once again took part into the freedom struggle though the command of the struggle was into the hands of Congress and Naujawan Bharat Sabha.

Activities Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga was of one of those Ghadarist who was sent to Russia to study socialism. He returned to India in 1933. At that time, British government used to keep close watches on the returning Indians especially Punjabis. So Bilga took a very difficult route to return to India. Though he was followed by spies but he escaped on many occasion. He took birth on April 2, 1907 in Bilga village which used to be called baghi (rebel) because of its participation in the Indian freedom struggle. His father was Namberdar Hira Singh who died when Bilga was just one year old. He was brought up by his maternal uncle and maternal grandfather. In search of better job he went abroad. He passed through many countries and finally chose Argentina to stay. There he came into close contact of Shaheed Baghat Singh’s exiled uncle Ajit Singh. They formed Ghadar Party that started to work for the freedom of Indian from abroad. Very soon he became key member of the party. After his return to India he started to work to bring awareness among the fellow Indians. He actively took part in various freedom movements no matter who was the leader. It must be learn that it was Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga who played an important role in Subhash Chandra Bose’s escape from the house arrest. Later on Bose had formed Azad Hind Fauj that attacked India in late forties.

Desh Bhagat Yadgari Hall Baba Bilga remained an active revolutionary throughout whole of his life. He did not join any political party but was very near to socialists. During eighties when Punjab was burning because of terrorism, he was one of those who actively opposed the terrorists. He used to travel to villages on his bicycle and organized meetings with the villagers to oppose terrorists. He spent rest of his life for preserving the memories of the freedom fighters of India. He used to spend most of his time at the Desh Bhagat Yadgari Hall in Jalandha that he proudly called his home. He always raised his voice against the oppression of poor from the stage of Yadgari hall. A Mela (fair) is organized at the Desh Bhagat Yadgari Hall in Jalandha every year. People from all over India and abroad come to take part in the Mela. Baba Bilga used to be the star attraction of the Mela. His voice has always filled the hearts of the revolutionaries with enthusiasm. He was an inspiration for the socialists and will always guide his countrymen to achieve complete freedom by struggle.