support durgashakti

Atlast a woman has shown guts to take a stand against the Asuric forces! This is the time that all right thinking Indians should take to the streets in her support.  Today great issues are at stake-unity and integrity of India, poverty alleviation,secularism,transparency and a people's government in the true sense of the word or Swaraj. If today we do not stand up to these demonic forces, history will never forgive us.
 India's destiny is written in her ancient culture-to be the Guru of the world. We have the knowledge and the capacity to show the world the true path to peace,prosperity and harmony.  The forces of status quo are fighting for their survival and have to be defeated decisively and ruthlessly.

Let there be no compromise on this very vital issue.
The Constitution of India drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar and many others has withstood the test of time and will continue to guide us on our path to complete Swaraj as envisaged by Dnyaneshwar,Tukaram,Vivekananda,Sri Aurobindo and Lokmanya Tilak.
God bless Durgashakti and may her tribe grow!.

झाँसी की रानी

सिंहासन हिल उठे राजवंशों ने भृकुटी तानी थी,
बूढ़े भारत में आई फिर से नयी जवानी थी,
गुमी हुई आज़ादी की कीमत सबने पहचानी थी,
दूर फिरंगी को करने की सबने मन में ठानी थी।
चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

कानपूर के नाना की, मुँहबोली बहन छबीली थी,
लक्ष्मीबाई नाम, पिता की वह संतान अकेली थी,
नाना के सँग पढ़ती थी वह, नाना के सँग खेली थी,
बरछी ढाल, कृपाण, कटारी उसकी यही सहेली थी।
वीर शिवाजी की गाथायें उसकी याद ज़बानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

लक्ष्मी थी या दुर्गा थी वह स्वयं वीरता की अवतार,
देख मराठे पुलकित होते उसकी तलवारों के वार,
नकली युद्ध-व्यूह की रचना और खेलना खूब शिकार,
सैन्य घेरना, दुर्ग तोड़ना ये थे उसके प्रिय खिलवार।
महाराष्टर-कुल-देवी उसकी भी आराध्य भवानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

हुई वीरता की वैभव के साथ सगाई झाँसी में,
ब्याह हुआ रानी बन आई लक्ष्मीबाई झाँसी में,
राजमहल में बजी बधाई खुशियाँ छाई झाँसी में,
सुभट बुंदेलों की विरुदावलि सी वह आयी झांसी में,
चित्रा ने अर्जुन को पाया, शिव से मिली भवानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

उदित हुआ सौभाग्य, मुदित महलों में उजियाली छाई,
किंतु कालगति चुपके-चुपके काली घटा घेर लाई,
तीर चलाने वाले कर में उसे चूड़ियाँ कब भाई,
रानी विधवा हुई, हाय! विधि को भी नहीं दया आई।
निसंतान मरे राजाजी रानी शोक-समानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

बुझा दीप झाँसी का तब डलहौज़ी मन में हरषाया,
राज्य हड़प करने का उसने यह अच्छा अवसर पाया,
फ़ौरन फौजें भेज दुर्ग पर अपना झंडा फहराया,
लावारिस का वारिस बनकर ब्रिटिश राज्य झाँसी आया।
अश्रुपूर्णा रानी ने देखा झाँसी हुई बिरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

अनुनय विनय नहीं सुनती है, विकट शासकों की माया,
व्यापारी बन दया चाहता था जब यह भारत आया,
डलहौज़ी ने पैर पसारे, अब तो पलट गई काया,
राजाओं नव्वाबों को भी उसने पैरों ठुकराया।
रानी दासी बनी, बनी यह दासी अब महरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

छिनी राजधानी दिल्ली की, लखनऊ छीना बातों-बात,
कैद पेशवा था बिठुर में, हुआ नागपुर का भी घात,
उदैपुर, तंजौर, सतारा, करनाटक की कौन बिसात?
जबकि सिंध, पंजाब ब्रह्म पर अभी हुआ था वज्र-निपात।
बंगाले, मद्रास आदि की भी तो वही कहानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी रोयीं रिनवासों में, बेगम ग़म से थीं बेज़ार,
उनके गहने कपड़े बिकते थे कलकत्ते के बाज़ार,
सरे आम नीलाम छापते थे अंग्रेज़ों के अखबार,
'नागपूर के ज़ेवर ले लो लखनऊ के लो नौलख हार'।
यों परदे की इज़्ज़त परदेशी के हाथ बिकानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

कुटियों में भी विषम वेदना, महलों में आहत अपमान,
वीर सैनिकों के मन में था अपने पुरखों का अभिमान,
नाना धुंधूपंत पेशवा जुटा रहा था सब सामान,
बहिन छबीली ने रण-चण्डी का कर दिया प्रकट आहवान।
हुआ यज्ञ प्रारम्भ उन्हें तो सोई ज्योति जगानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

महलों ने दी आग, झोंपड़ी ने ज्वाला सुलगाई थी,
यह स्वतंत्रता की चिनगारी अंतरतम से आई थी,
झाँसी चेती, दिल्ली चेती, लखनऊ लपटें छाई थी,
मेरठ, कानपूर, पटना ने भारी धूम मचाई थी,
जबलपूर, कोल्हापूर में भी कुछ हलचल उकसानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

इस स्वतंत्रता महायज्ञ में कई वीरवर आए काम,
नाना धुंधूपंत, ताँतिया, चतुर अज़ीमुल्ला सरनाम,
अहमदशाह मौलवी, ठाकुर कुँवरसिंह सैनिक अभिराम,
भारत के इतिहास गगन में अमर रहेंगे जिनके नाम।
लेकिन आज जुर्म कहलाती उनकी जो कुरबानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

इनकी गाथा छोड़, चले हम झाँसी के मैदानों में,
जहाँ खड़ी है लक्ष्मीबाई मर्द बनी मर्दानों में,
लेफ्टिनेंट वाकर आ पहुँचा, आगे बड़ा जवानों में,
रानी ने तलवार खींच ली, हुया द्वन्द्ध असमानों में।
ज़ख्मी होकर वाकर भागा, उसे अजब हैरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी बढ़ी कालपी आई, कर सौ मील निरंतर पार,
घोड़ा थक कर गिरा भूमि पर गया स्वर्ग तत्काल सिधार,
यमुना तट पर अंग्रेज़ों ने फिर खाई रानी से हार,
विजयी रानी आगे चल दी, किया ग्वालियर पर अधिकार।
अंग्रेज़ों के मित्र सिंधिया ने छोड़ी रजधानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

विजय मिली, पर अंग्रेज़ों की फिर सेना घिर आई थी,
अबके जनरल स्मिथ सम्मुख था, उसने मुहँ की खाई थी,
काना और मंदरा सखियाँ रानी के संग आई थी,
युद्ध श्रेत्र में उन दोनों ने भारी मार मचाई थी।
पर पीछे ह्यूरोज़ आ गया, हाय! घिरी अब रानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

तो भी रानी मार काट कर चलती बनी सैन्य के पार,
किन्तु सामने नाला आया, था वह संकट विषम अपार,
घोड़ा अड़ा, नया घोड़ा था, इतने में आ गये अवार,
रानी एक, शत्रु बहुतेरे, होने लगे वार-पर-वार।
घायल होकर गिरी सिंहनी उसे वीर गति पानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी गई सिधार चिता अब उसकी दिव्य सवारी थी,
मिला तेज से तेज, तेज की वह सच्ची अधिकारी थी,
अभी उम्र कुल तेइस की थी, मनुज नहीं अवतारी थी,
हमको जीवित करने आयी बन स्वतंत्रता-नारी थी,
दिखा गई पथ, सिखा गई हमको जो सीख सिखानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

जाओ रानी याद रखेंगे ये कृतज्ञ भारतवासी,
यह तेरा बलिदान जगावेगा स्वतंत्रता अविनासी,
होवे चुप इतिहास, लगे सच्चाई को चाहे फाँसी,
हो मदमाती विजय, मिटा दे गोलों से चाहे झाँसी।
तेरा स्मारक तू ही होगी, तू खुद अमिट निशानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

सुभद्रा कुमारी चौहान

rani laxmibai

Rani Laxmibai was born in a remote village of Dhawadshi in Satara District in the 19th century. Her name was Manu Tambe. Even as a child she was an extremely brave and determined person. She would participate in all physical sports like horse-riding,swimming,mountain climbing,athletics and even sword fighting. Her inspiration were Shivaji Maharaj and Jeejabai.
At the young age of 14 she married Gangadharrao the ruler of Jhansi.Jhansi was at that time a princely state and was highly progressive and cultured. Gangadharrao died at the age of 54 without any issue. Under the doctrine of lapse the British Governor General Dalhousie decided to annex the independent state. The Rani refused to obey the diktat of Dalhousie and fiercely declared ' meri Jhansi nahi doongi!( I will not hand over my Jhansi). Dalhousie threatened the Rani with war. The Rani boldly set about training her men and women soldiers for an inevitable conflict. Being a trained soldier herself she was well aware of military strategies and defence requirements. She asked Allah Bux her General to arrange for cannons and ensure fortification. Though the Jhansi military was a much smaller one as compared to the large British army,it was  cohesive and well versed in guirella warfare. It was nimble and trained to fight under adverse conditions.
When Dalhousie invaded Jhansi, he found it extremely difficult to penetrate the strong defences. After 6 months of continuous war the Rani was forced to leave the security of the Fort and fight in the open space. She requested for help from Nanasaheb Peshwa,ruler of Kanpur and Tatya Tope also a brave general. However destiny was against the Rani and she had to escape for her life with her adopted son. She fought like a tigress till the end but was ultimately killed on the battlefield. However her sacrifice was not in vain since it lit the fire of independence amongst all Indians

झाँसी की रानी

सिंहासन हिल उठे राजवंशों ने भृकुटी तानी थी,
बूढ़े भारत में आई फिर से नयी जवानी थी,
गुमी हुई आज़ादी की कीमत सबने पहचानी थी,
दूर फिरंगी को करने की सबने मन में ठानी थी।
चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

कानपूर के नाना की, मुँहबोली बहन छबीली थी,
लक्ष्मीबाई नाम, पिता की वह संतान अकेली थी,
नाना के सँग पढ़ती थी वह, नाना के सँग खेली थी,
बरछी ढाल, कृपाण, कटारी उसकी यही सहेली थी।
वीर शिवाजी की गाथायें उसकी याद ज़बानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

लक्ष्मी थी या दुर्गा थी वह स्वयं वीरता की अवतार,
देख मराठे पुलकित होते उसकी तलवारों के वार,
नकली युद्ध-व्यूह की रचना और खेलना खूब शिकार,
सैन्य घेरना, दुर्ग तोड़ना ये थे उसके प्रिय खिलवार।
महाराष्टर-कुल-देवी उसकी भी आराध्य भवानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

हुई वीरता की वैभव के साथ सगाई झाँसी में,
ब्याह हुआ रानी बन आई लक्ष्मीबाई झाँसी में,
राजमहल में बजी बधाई खुशियाँ छाई झाँसी में,
सुभट बुंदेलों की विरुदावलि सी वह आयी झांसी में,
चित्रा ने अर्जुन को पाया, शिव से मिली भवानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

उदित हुआ सौभाग्य, मुदित महलों में उजियाली छाई,
किंतु कालगति चुपके-चुपके काली घटा घेर लाई,
तीर चलाने वाले कर में उसे चूड़ियाँ कब भाई,
रानी विधवा हुई, हाय! विधि को भी नहीं दया आई।
निसंतान मरे राजाजी रानी शोक-समानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

बुझा दीप झाँसी का तब डलहौज़ी मन में हरषाया,
राज्य हड़प करने का उसने यह अच्छा अवसर पाया,
फ़ौरन फौजें भेज दुर्ग पर अपना झंडा फहराया,
लावारिस का वारिस बनकर ब्रिटिश राज्य झाँसी आया।
अश्रुपूर्णा रानी ने देखा झाँसी हुई बिरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

अनुनय विनय नहीं सुनती है, विकट शासकों की माया,
व्यापारी बन दया चाहता था जब यह भारत आया,
डलहौज़ी ने पैर पसारे, अब तो पलट गई काया,
राजाओं नव्वाबों को भी उसने पैरों ठुकराया।
रानी दासी बनी, बनी यह दासी अब महरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

छिनी राजधानी दिल्ली की, लखनऊ छीना बातों-बात,
कैद पेशवा था बिठुर में, हुआ नागपुर का भी घात,
उदैपुर, तंजौर, सतारा, करनाटक की कौन बिसात?
जबकि सिंध, पंजाब ब्रह्म पर अभी हुआ था वज्र-निपात।
बंगाले, मद्रास आदि की भी तो वही कहानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी रोयीं रिनवासों में, बेगम ग़म से थीं बेज़ार,
उनके गहने कपड़े बिकते थे कलकत्ते के बाज़ार,
सरे आम नीलाम छापते थे अंग्रेज़ों के अखबार,
'नागपूर के ज़ेवर ले लो लखनऊ के लो नौलख हार'।
यों परदे की इज़्ज़त परदेशी के हाथ बिकानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

कुटियों में भी विषम वेदना, महलों में आहत अपमान,
वीर सैनिकों के मन में था अपने पुरखों का अभिमान,
नाना धुंधूपंत पेशवा जुटा रहा था सब सामान,
बहिन छबीली ने रण-चण्डी का कर दिया प्रकट आहवान।
हुआ यज्ञ प्रारम्भ उन्हें तो सोई ज्योति जगानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

महलों ने दी आग, झोंपड़ी ने ज्वाला सुलगाई थी,
यह स्वतंत्रता की चिनगारी अंतरतम से आई थी,
झाँसी चेती, दिल्ली चेती, लखनऊ लपटें छाई थी,
मेरठ, कानपूर, पटना ने भारी धूम मचाई थी,
जबलपूर, कोल्हापूर में भी कुछ हलचल उकसानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

इस स्वतंत्रता महायज्ञ में कई वीरवर आए काम,
नाना धुंधूपंत, ताँतिया, चतुर अज़ीमुल्ला सरनाम,
अहमदशाह मौलवी, ठाकुर कुँवरसिंह सैनिक अभिराम,
भारत के इतिहास गगन में अमर रहेंगे जिनके नाम।
लेकिन आज जुर्म कहलाती उनकी जो कुरबानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

इनकी गाथा छोड़, चले हम झाँसी के मैदानों में,
जहाँ खड़ी है लक्ष्मीबाई मर्द बनी मर्दानों में,
लेफ्टिनेंट वाकर आ पहुँचा, आगे बड़ा जवानों में,
रानी ने तलवार खींच ली, हुया द्वन्द्ध असमानों में।
ज़ख्मी होकर वाकर भागा, उसे अजब हैरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी बढ़ी कालपी आई, कर सौ मील निरंतर पार,
घोड़ा थक कर गिरा भूमि पर गया स्वर्ग तत्काल सिधार,
यमुना तट पर अंग्रेज़ों ने फिर खाई रानी से हार,
विजयी रानी आगे चल दी, किया ग्वालियर पर अधिकार।
अंग्रेज़ों के मित्र सिंधिया ने छोड़ी रजधानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

विजय मिली, पर अंग्रेज़ों की फिर सेना घिर आई थी,
अबके जनरल स्मिथ सम्मुख था, उसने मुहँ की खाई थी,
काना और मंदरा सखियाँ रानी के संग आई थी,
युद्ध श्रेत्र में उन दोनों ने भारी मार मचाई थी।
पर पीछे ह्यूरोज़ आ गया, हाय! घिरी अब रानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

तो भी रानी मार काट कर चलती बनी सैन्य के पार,
किन्तु सामने नाला आया, था वह संकट विषम अपार,
घोड़ा अड़ा, नया घोड़ा था, इतने में आ गये अवार,
रानी एक, शत्रु बहुतेरे, होने लगे वार-पर-वार।
घायल होकर गिरी सिंहनी उसे वीर गति पानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

रानी गई सिधार चिता अब उसकी दिव्य सवारी थी,
मिला तेज से तेज, तेज की वह सच्ची अधिकारी थी,
अभी उम्र कुल तेइस की थी, मनुज नहीं अवतारी थी,
हमको जीवित करने आयी बन स्वतंत्रता-नारी थी,
दिखा गई पथ, सिखा गई हमको जो सीख सिखानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

जाओ रानी याद रखेंगे ये कृतज्ञ भारतवासी,
यह तेरा बलिदान जगावेगा स्वतंत्रता अविनासी,
होवे चुप इतिहास, लगे सच्चाई को चाहे फाँसी,
हो मदमाती विजय, मिटा दे गोलों से चाहे झाँसी।
तेरा स्मारक तू ही होगी, तू खुद अमिट निशानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

सुभद्रा कुमारी चौहान

datia court judgment

A fast track court in Datia(MP) India has sentenced 6 persons to life imprisonment for the rape of a 26 year old Swiss woman who was gang-raped by 6 youth in presence of her husband while she was travelling by cycle from Orchha to Datia. The rape was committed in broad daylight in a village What is shocking is that none intervened or called the police! It appears that Indians seem to have lost all sense of  decency,honesty,bravery,valour and honour. We must remember that  the next victim could easily be our own kith and kin.
India traditionally has considered women's honour to be sacred. Since times immemorial men in India have laid down their lives to protect the honour of women. Ram,Krishna,Rana Pratap,Shivaji,Akbar,Guru Gobind Singh and many other great rulers in India went great lengths to ensure that no woman was harmed during their reign.
The Judiciary is today showing tremendous sensitivity in matters of gender discrimination and violence. However the need of the hour is more women police officers and judges who should investigate and adjudicate offences against women.
Women on their part should draw inspiration from warriors like Laxmibai,Jeezabai,

Chenamma,Indira Gandhi and numerous other warriors and unitedly face this growing menace. I am sure once they shrug off their timidity and cowardice men will be scared to attack them. I am of the opinion that there are enough decent men in our society even in these degenerate times who will gladly come to the rescue of any damsel in distress!

aruna asaf ali

I had the privlege of intimately knowing the legendary freedom fighter from Bengal, Aruna Asaf Ali. She was very close to our family because she and my father were colleagues. She was a close associate of Ajoy Ghosh,Dange, Jyoti Basu and other Communist leaders. She quit the Communist Party because she found it to be pedantic,academic and devoid of revolutionary fervour. She found the CPI leaders to be relying more on writings of Marx,Lenin,Stalin,Mao and Trotsky rather than making an independent assesment of the ground realities in India and trying to solve them in a practical manner. She found the comrades and their business associates living a life of luxury and comfort while mouthing revolutionary slogans.
She along with other left-leaning journalists set up two periodicals,Patriot, a newspaper and Link a journal in Delhi.. All her life she abhorred violence and injustice against the poor. Through her writings and Dr.A.V Baliga Trust she tried to bring the plight of millions of the poor and wretched of India to public notice.
She stood for strong Indo-Soviet friendship and strove tirelessly for that which earned her enormous respect in India and Russia.
She also served as Ambassador to the US for a brief period and was even the mayor of Delhi.She unsuccessfully contested parliamentary elections independently from W.Bengal.
She stood for decency,values,reconciliation,tolerance,right to dissent, consensus and unity in National politics. May her soul rest in peace!

women and the environment

'The English women are as unpredictable as the english weather! There is substantial truth in this proverb..According to Eastern metaphysics the woman is the embodiment of 'Prakriti'(Nature). The ''Purusha' represents the male principle while 'Prakriti',the feminine element.Together they represent the Cosmos. The Purusha is the observing and sanctioning partner while Prakriti is the executive partner.
There is a deep rooted link between the environmental degradation we are witnessing today and the violence against women! As a result of the predominance of western commercialism and science,the feminine qualities of intution,compassion and love have taken a back seat and have been replaced by greed,hatred and rugged individualism!
All ancient cultures had tremendous respect for womanhood and feminine qualities generally. This was a period of prosperity,harmony.cultural exchange and respect for the fine arts.People were learned and cultured.Comfort and luxury were not the sole pre-occupation in life.
If the environment and the cosmos is to saved from humans,it is imperative that women be given their due position in society!

women and language

Language has been vital for communication since life appeared on earth.Flowers,birds,animals,fishes and humans all have their distinctive language through which they communicate their feelings,emotions and thoughts to each other.Language is one of the key determinants of the state of any civilization! Over time our languages too are becoming more sophisticated and polite.The higher the person on the evolutionary scale,the softer and sweeter is his speech!
The first word every child utters is 'Mother'! Right from te moment of conception till the age of 2 there is a concealed but effective connection between the mother and child. She can instinctively feel the needs of the child and convey her responses to it. The Mother bears a tremendous responsibility in the upbringing of the child. She along with the father are the most important influences in a child's life. Every child imitates his parents or his siblings.The early years in every child's life are the most crucial years which leave their imprint for life.
All the female members of society must ensure that their behaviour is impeccable so that society itself will evolve in a smooth and harmonious manner. Speech must be soft, restrained and dignified so that there is no discord or ill-will amongst people. Idle gossiping and abusive conversation should be avoided. As far as possible people should obey the norms of decency and good manners in communicating with each other. Children should be encouraged to say their prayers in the morning and at bed-time.
Speaking softly and kindly can work miracles!

mother

sexual harassment at workplace

Recently Al-Jazeera reported that several Filipino women have filed complaints with the police in Manila alleging sexual harassment by their Filipino employers overseas-mostly public servants working in Embassies overseas.One of the women complained that an officer at the Philippine Embassy in Jeddah raped her when she went to the Embassy requesting to be given duplicate papers to go home. This is indeed shocking! Millions of women all over the world go overseas in search of employment and remit billions of dollars home to their families and relatives. The least that their governments can do is ensure privacy and protection for them!
In India,the Supreme Court in a well reasoned Judgment in Vishakha's case has laid down guidelines for employers to follow to protect women employees from sexual harassment. The Ministry of law and Justice has already drafted a bill but it is yet to be passed by Parliament! Thousands of incidents of sexual harassment take place every year but go unreported because the women are too scared to report the matter against their superior officers. Harassment need not be just sexual but can also be psychological,emotional or physical. The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha was alleged to have been involved in a gang-rape of a 17 year old girl several years ago yet continued to occupy the high office shamelessly! There are hundreds of MPs,MLAs and public servants involved in criminal cases of violence against women yet contest elections and become ministers etc..In India even some women commit physical assault on their domestic help and even abet their husbands in sexual assault.Unless all political parties take a firm stand on this issue,there is little hope for women!

nadia comaneci-perfect athlete

Nadia is the stuff legends are made of! At the age of 15 she created history at the Montreal Olympics by scoring a perfect 10 in every event she participated in. Whether it was the floor events or the vault and horse she dominated the Gymanstics event!
Nadia proved that the human body with effort is capable of unimaginable feats. She raised gymnastics to  an art performing with the ease of a ballerina. The erstwhile Communist bloc has produced some of the finest athletes in the world.
I hope more girls all over the world will emulate Nadia!

mother

sindhutai sapkal

Sindhutai Sapkal was born on 14 November 1948 at Wardha in Maharashtra. She could attend school only until 4th grade, attended part-time due to other family responsibilities. She was brought up in abject poverty. Got married at the age of 10 to a 32 year man. She lived a normal and tough life at her in law's place and gave birth to three sons by the time she turned 20! She put up a successful agitation against a local strongman who was fleecing the villagers on collection of dried cow dung used as fuel in India and selling it in collusion with forest department, without paying anything to the villagers. Her agitation brought the district collector to her village and on realizing she was right he passed an order which the strongman did not like. Stung by the insult at the hands of a poor woman, he managed to convince her husband to abandon her when she was beyond 9 months of her pregnancy. She gave birth to a baby girl in a cow shelter outside their house that night,all by herself and walked few kilometers away to her mother's place, who refused to shelter her. She had to set aside the thought of suicide and started begging on railway platforms for food. In the process she realized that there are so many children abandoned by their parents and she adopted them as her own and started begging even more vigorously to feed them. She decided to become a mother to anyone and everyone who came across to her as an orphan.

She later donated her biological child to the trust Shrimant Dagdu Sheth Halwai, Pune, only to eliminate the feeling of partiality between her daughter and the adopted ones.

Smt. Sindhutai Sapkal, aged 65, is fondly called ‘Maai’, has devoted her entire life for orphans. She has nurtured over 1050 orphaned children. As of today, she has a grand family of 207 son-in-laws, 36 daughter-in-laws and over 1000 grandchildren. Still she continues to fight for the next meal. Many of the children whom she adopted are well-educated lawyers and doctors, and some, including her biological daughter, are running their own independent orphanages. One of her children is doing a Ph.D. on her life. She has been honoured with over 272 awards for her dedication and work including 2010 - Ahilyabai Holkar Award, given by the Maharashtra State Government to social workers in the field of woman and child welfare. She used all that money to buy land to make a home for her orphan children. Construction has started and she is still looking for more help from the world. Sanmati Bal Niketan is being built in Manjari locality at Hadapsar, Pune where over 300 children will reside. There is lot of work to be done for making sure a good living condition but also to secure their future by providing quality education as well. A marathi film 'Mee Sindhutai Sapkal' released in 2010, is a bio-pic inspired by the true story of Sindhutai Sapkal. The film was selected for world premiere at the 54th London Film Festival. She is a great orator and She has orphanages & trust operating in western state of Maharashtra.

At the age of 80, her husband came back to her apologetically. She accepted him as her child stating she is only a mother now! If you visit her ashram, she proudly and very affectionately introduces him as her oldest child! In person, she comes across as an unlimited source of energy and very powerful inspiration, with absolutely no negative emotions or blaming anybody.

women power

women power

After I knew that God was a woman, I learned something from far-off about love; but it was only when I became a woman and served my Master and Paramour that I knew love utterly.
- Sri Aurobindo

But women, women are in principle the executive power. You must never forget that. And in order to receive the inspiration, you can take support from a masculine consciousness feel the need for it.  There is the Supreme Consciousness is more certain, but still, if you need an intermediary...But for the execution, it is you who have the power to carry it out in all the details, with all the power of organisation.  I am instilling this into our women Members of Parliament - you know, there are women in Parliament, and I am teaching them that: do not be submissive to men.  It is you who have the power of execution.  This will have its effect. - On Education Vol 12 Women are not more bound to the vital and material consciousness than men are.  On the contrary, as they have not, in general, the arrogant mental pretensions of men, it is easier for them to discover their psychic being and to allow it to them. In general, they are not conscious in a mental way which can be expressed in words, but they are conscious in their feelings and the best of them are so even in their actions. - Words of The Mother Vol 14 ... what I object to is the male element and female element.  Well, I find that it is not true, and I shall always say: IT IS NOT TRUE.  There is an element like this and another like that (Mother turns her hand from one side to the other).  There is an activity like this and an activity like that.  But why the devil do you want one to be masculine and the other feminine?  It is not like that.  This, this masculine-feminine business is a trick of Nature, it has arranged things here like that.  So, you see, I am going to tell you: when one descends from above, well, right up there one has no idea of masculine and feminine and all that nonsense; as you come down and arrive here, it begins to become something real.  So you tell yourself, "Well, well! that's how Nature has arranged things." Good!  But what I say is that these conceptions these very conceptions which make one element masculine and the other feminine - this is a conception which has come from below, that is, has come out of man's brain which cannot think otherwise than of MAN and WOMAN - because he is still an animal.  There you are!  And that's how I feel I have always felt this, I have said it from the beginning and will repeat it till the very end, and if you don't want to hear me say so, don't speak to me about it! -Questions and Answers Vol 6 Mother, since the beginning of creation, why is there this difference between male and female? Since the beginning of which creation?  Which creation are you speaking about?.... Of the Earth? Yes. First this is not correct.  There are species in which there Difference; and in the beginning there wasn't any - first Second point, the terrestrial creation is a purely material creation and is a sort of materialisation and condensation - universal creation, but in the universal creation this difference does not necessarily exist.  All the possibilities are and all things possible have existed and still exist, and differentiation is not at all the basis of creation. So your  question does not stand, for it is incorrect. But why in the material creation? I am telling you it has not been like that from the beginning. A zoologist could tell you that there are species which are not like that at all.  Nature has tried this method - it tries things, it has made all possible species, made the two , in one made every possible thing.... It tries like this because probably this appears more practical to it!  I don't know. That is all. But on the other planes, even in the terrestrial world, the subtle planes of the terrestrial world, even in the subtle physical and the vital and mental, there are beings divided in two like this, but also beings which are neither male nor female.  They exist.  For instance, in the vital world, it is extremely rare to come across differentiations of sex, the beings are usually sexless.  And I strongly suspect that the world of the gods as described to us by men, has been largely influenced by human thought.  In any case, there are many deities who are without sex.  In all the stories told of the pantheons of all countries, there is a good deal that has been strongly influenced by human thought.  So, this difference is simply a means used by nature to achieve its aim, that's all, nothing more than that.  We must take it like that.  It is not an eternal symbol - not at all. Now, there are many people who are very keen on this distinction - they may keep it if they like! - but it is not at all something final or eternal... or perfect in itself.  It was perhaps the ideal of the overmind creation, that is possible... and yet, even then not totally, only partially.  But still those who are so fond of this differentiation - let them keep it if they like!  If it gives them pleasure.... It has its advantages and disadvantages, many disadvantages. -Questions and Answers Vol 9 From the point of view of the idea of sex, that there are two different sexes.  That still exists. The idea!  But that's the fault of the person who thinks!  One can very well dispense with thinking.  You know, these very petty limits of thought are things which ought to disappear before you can even attempt to transform your body.  If you still have these very petty ideas which are purely animal, there is not much hope that you could begin the least process transformation of your body.  You must first transform your thought.... For that is something which is still far down below. if you are not able to feel that a conscious and living being can be quite free, even in a certain definite form, from all feeling of sex, it... it means that you are still up to your neck in the original animality. In the inner thought one feels it, but in the actuality of material life........ What about the actuality? In the Outer life I have not yet realised that.  In the inner.. You spend your time thinking about it? But one may live twenty-four hours out of twenty-four  without giving a single thought to this difference!  You must really be hypnotised by this affair.  Do you suppose that when I Speak to You I think that you are a man and when I speak to Tara I think she is a woman? Still there is a difference! Ah! but it is not at all necessary. In theory I understand. In theory!  What theory? That there is no difference.  But when I am in contact with someone, either I am speaking to a man or a woman. Well, it's a great pity both for you and for the other person. No, it is just the very opposite of what ought to happen!  When you are in contact with someone and speaking with him, it is precisely to what surpasses all animality that you should speak; it is to the soul you must speak, never to the body.  Even more is asked of you, for you are asked to address the Divine - not even the soul - the one Divine in every being, and to be conscious of that. -Questions and Answers Vol 9 What should be the ideal of a modem woman in ordinary life? In ordinary life, women can have all the ideas they like, it is not very important. From the spiritual point of view, men and women are equal in their capacity to realise the Divine.  Each one must do so in his (or her) own way and according to his (or her) own possibilities. -Questions and Answers Vol 10

women in space-50 years

On 16th June Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to go into outer space. Since then almost 60 women have breached the final frontier. Sunita Williams is the latest entrant to the exclusive club.
Women going into outer space has added a new dimension to space travel. They have a more holistic perspective which is not confined to nation,language creed,religion or sex. They have proved beyond doubt that they are equally competent as men in enduring isolation or confinement for long periods.
Space travel requires engineering and flying skills of the highest order. The astronaut has to be capable of rectifying any technical problem that may arise during the flight.
I hope Indian women also join their foreign counterparts in exploring space soon!

women and cooking

Cooking has traditionally been the preserve of women though now men are also increasingly developing culinary skills. Cooking is an Art and needs tremendous concentration and care. Since women are naturally good at multi-tasking,an important ingredient while cooking, it comes naturally to them. Cutting,mixing,grinding and heating are important components of any cuisine. The Kitchen and utensils should be spotless and the exact amount of heat must be maintained. Ideally cooking should be done in stainless steel utensils over a low flame. Microwave cooking has its advantages but cannot be a substitute for flame-cooking.The use of oils and spices should be minimal. Salads,milk,curds,fiber,leafy vegetables and fruits should form a part of any meal.
There is a fine link between emotions and the quality of cooking. If the cook is in a happy state of mind,the quality of food is of a high order. Cooking is a great stress-buster since it requires application of both mind and body simultaneously.
Food grown by organic means is ideal for health and prevents serious illnesses like diabetes,cancer,obesity and heart attacks.
Ideally there should be a gap of an hour between meals and bed-time. It is always better to take small meals and at regular intervals. A glass of wine goes well with any meal!
Bon-appetit!

world environment day

5th June is the World Environment Day! The environment is under attack as never before in human history. The signs are everywhere-abnormally high levels of CO,global warming,unprecedented floods in Europe, tornado in Oklohama,rising ocean levels,dwindling forest cover, destruction of marine life,oil spills,falling water tables and rising pestilence and famines in Africa.
If Mankind doesn't awaken now, a catastrophe of horrendous proportions is inevitable! We must realize that our eco-system is very fragile and cannot cope with human rapacity and greed.
The solution is to adopt a sustainable pattern of development. The Western dream of owning a house, an automobile and unbridled luxury is not in the larger interest. Instead of investing in nuclear plants a better solution is to explore and apply renewable sources of energy. Energy conservation should be high on the agenda. Use of paper should be avoided wherever possible. Digital Offices and schools are the future! Social responsibility and not profit-maximization should be the buzz-word for businesses.
Even Agriculture needs to be revamped. Organic farming and green houses should be encouraged. New and healthy varieties of crops should be adopted. Water should be conserved by recycling it.

Let us pledge to save the Environment!

dance forms of the world

 waltz                                                                                         bharatnatyam

 flamenca

 odissi

 kabuki

 rock&roll

 lavani

 bolshoi ballet







opera

 tribal dance

tandava

radha-krishna -eternal love

Radha-Krishna symbolizes eternal love between the devotee and the Divine! Radha was a simple cow-maid in Brindawan who fell in love with Krishna and remained devoted to him throughout her life. She offered her entire being to Krishna in a spirit of surrender.Her love for Krishna was psychic and sublime. Krishna too reciprocated her love and was fond of her more than all other Gopis.
The Radha-Krishna love has been a theme of poetry,literature and music all over India. Sant Meerabai also a devotee of Krishna composed and sang many songs depicting their love.Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also composed and sang songs depicting their love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUP6Om6G8QI

women and dress

Dress has historically been a weapon in a woman;s armory to captivate men! Over time women's dress has also undergone tremendous changes reflecting the rise or decline of women.
In the classical period of history dress was a symbol of elegance,grace and beauty. In the medieval ages which was marked by wars and conquests, the dress stressed more on utility and was a mere accessory  In the age of Reinessance dress took on a poetic and aesthetic hue. In the Modern times the Jeans and T-shirts have become the symbol of Women power!
While a Man is judged by his manners,intellect and heroism, a Woman is judged by her dress and carriage!
In the present times public women have to dress according to Media dictates which at times borders on the obscene and vulgar.
Sophia Loren,Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor,Margaret Thatcher.Indira Gandhi and many others had a very refined sense of dress and elegance!

the mother-sri aurobindo

The Mother not only governs all from above but she descends into this lesser triple universe. Impersonally, all things here, even the movements of the Ignorance, are herself in veiled power and her creations in diminished substance, her Nature-body and Nature-force, and they exist because, moved by the mysterious fiat of the Supreme to work out something that was there in the possibilities of the Infinite, she has consented to the great sacrifice and has put on like a mask the soul and forms of the Ignorance. But personally too she has stooped to descend here into the Darkness that she may lead it to the Light, into the Falsehood and Error that she may convert it to Truth, into this Death that she may turn it to godlike Life, into this world-pain and its obstinate sorrow and suffering that she may end it in the transforming ecstasy of her sublime Ananda. In her deep and great love for her children she has consented to put on herself the cloak of this obscurity, condescended to bear the attacks and torturing influences of the powers of the Darkness and the Falsehood, borne to pass through the portals of the birth that is a death, taken upon herself the pangs and sorrows and sufferings of the creation, since it seemed that thus alone could it be lifted to the Light and Joy and Truth and eternal Life. This is the great sacrifice called sometimes the sacrifice of the Purusha, but much more deeply the holocaust of the Prakriti, the sacrifice of the Divine Mother.

begum akhtar

Akhtari bai Faizabadi was born in Faizabad district of UP on Oct 7 1914. She was a talented singer from childhood and initialy wanted to sing in films. Her uncle realizing her great talent sent her to Patna to train under Ustad Imdad Khan a great Sarangi player. After completing under training she started giving public performances singing Ghazals and Thumris. Soon she became the leading singer of Ghazals and was given the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal.
Begum Akhtar sang poetry composed byKabir, Ghalib,Zauk,Mir taqi Mir,Kaifi Azmi and many other great Shayars. She herself composed many Ghazals. She was a regular singer on AIR.
She also sang many Ghazals in praise of the Divine.
She died on Oct 30 1974. May her soul rest in peace!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQ0iWPWV-O0

indian judiciary and crimes against women

The unfortunate reality is that the Indian Judiciary has failed miserably to address the growing atrocities against women. Statistics indicate that the conviction rate in rape cases is a lowly 4%. The Supreme Court in a judgment delivered in 2011 in a gang rape case while setting aside the conviction of 5 accused awarded a token compensation of Rs.50000/- to be paid to the victim! This judgment has not been overruled till date.
The mindset of the Judiciary and the Police is still archaic and a large section of judges and police officers believe that the victim must have been a woman of easy virtue and must have taken the initiative!
Our procedural laws like the IPC,The Evidence Act and the CrPC were enacted during British rule and are absolutely out of sync with the present times. The prosecution has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that an offence was committed remains the basis of our criminal jurisprudence. There are a thousand loopholes which can be easily exploited by a clever lawyer to acquit his client. Even the entire investigation is done by a male police officer who at times is insensitive to the plight of the victim. The problem is compounded a thousand fold if the victim belongs to the SC&ST community!
The time has come for the Judiciary to give up its feudal attitude towards women and come to terms with the 21st century!