ARYANS DURABILITY

1. " We are Aryans from the snow clad holy mountains of North, exclaimed my Grandfather settled in a large bungalow (after serving the British Crown in the Customs of the Madras Presidency ) West of Tambaram during early 50s". Next day at the missionary school I stood up from the last row confidently with a raised tone said teacher I am ARYAN, the class blinked for a moment, I was instantly directed to stand up on the bench. The village boys called me Aryan and became a leader of 10- Doraiswamy Reddy Street of Six boys. Grandfather told me about how Aryans had to fight many battles.They were tall, fair and strong in appearance and were capable of winning multiple dual. A foot scale was my combat tool and navy blue cap my head gear. Since then for a year I was happy at Tambaram with my grandparents, hardly felt about the absence of my parents before hastily repacked to Jaipur as I was becoming a nuisance and trouble shooter for the fourteen residents of the 10- Doraiswamy Reddy street. The thought of being an Aryan lingered for few years and finally I surrendered and accepted being a Dravidian Brahman from Pal-ghat.It was a culmination of a  long search of my identity, however, the locals of Jaipur call me Madrasi. Even today many world over, consider themselves as true Aryan, so much so, Hitler tried to prove that pure Aryan blood ran in the veins of the German people alone and consequently they were superior to all other nations. Max Mueller renowned  German philologist maintained that Aryans had originated in Central Asia, one branch migrating to Europe and the other settling in Iran with a segment of the Iranian branch subsequently moving into India. The Aryans of Iran subordinated the indigenous population of Northern India in second millennium BC. They introduced Indo-Aryan language along with vedic culture which became the foundation of Indian culture.This naturally raised a controversy among historians, who were Indians prior to the Aryans in Indian sub continent.It was only after the OLD MOUNDS and ruins in Indus Valley in 1922 proved beyond doubt that a highly civilized community inhabited the regions of North India ( before partition ) about 5000 years ago. There were two centers of Indus Valley civilization, Harappa in Sind and Mohanjodaro near Lahore. The discovery clearly shows that the people who inhabited the valley at that time were primarily URBAN and the Indus valley culture is the off shoot of the Dravidian civilization and had then least relationship with Aryan civilization. The difference is glaring and also amusing. Firstly Aryans were primarily "Rural People". Indus valley people eg Dravidian's lived in big towns and cities and had established trade relations with Egypt, Mesopotamia, while the Aryans on the other hand dwelt in small mud houses in villages and main occupation was agriculture. Aryans were war loving people and often fought battles. Dravidian's had more interest in indoor games, dance, music, painting and writing ( the script has not yet been deciphered ). Indus Valley people worshiped Shiva Pashupati and Mother Goddess; image worship was not prevalent among vedic Aryans. John Marshall British archaeologist and other historians unanimously confirm Harappan were civilized and cultured original inhabitants of the Indian Subcontinent the people were long-headed, narrow nosed, slender mediterranean type ; the South Indian having a blend of mediterranean and proto - Australoid which ultimately got assimilated to the Aryan folk and faith. If North America is predominantly made of new immigrants, India is largely a country of old immigrants, which explains tremendous diversity. People migrate from uncomfortable countries to comfortable areas. India was a veritable paradise for pastoral and agricultural societies having level and fertile land gifted by nature.Till recently it was believed that Dravidian's were the original inhabitants, however, this view has been modified now with The Supreme Court of India judgement 2011 " ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF INDIA WERE PRE-DRAVIDIAN'S ABORIGINES THAT IS THE ANCESTORS OF THE PRESENT TRIBALS OR ADIVASIS ( Schedule Tribes ) . It has been a long accommodating journey for our ancestors of not less than 7000 years.

         

KASHMIR'S ALEXANDER

Despite United Nations removing Jammu and Kashmir from its list of unresolved disputes on Nov 2010 and also the International community significantly is no longer keen to discuss Kashmir or force a solution, nevertheless, militants backed by Pakistan striking the people of the valley at will, leaving the Indian establishment face the brunt of State sponsored cross boarder terrorism. The political leaders are largely to blame by confining the natives of Kashmir and keeping them in isolation by needlessly extending the Special Provision embodied in Article 370 of the Constitution  of India promulgated some 65 years ago. It clearly displays that the State of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be governed without the support of Article 370 of our Constitution. The wail of the valley is unending, how this once a powerful state of BharatVarsha  got reduced to secessionist politics of separatism. The historical book RAJATARANGINI  by KALHANA  tenders the account of the history of Kashmir ( depicts one of the rare authentic chronological account of ancient history of India ) for the period beginning from ancient times till 12th Century AD. In ancient times Indian Rulers had included Kashmir in their kingdom. Emperor Ashoka became the first Mauryan ruler of Kashmir. Thereafter  Kashmir was ruled by many dynasties and the most well known was King LALIT ADITYA, who ruled for about 40 years till 760AD. This powerful King had conquered neighbouring kingdom like Magadha, Tibet,Kalinga,Assam, Rajasthan... later extended his power to Malwa, Gujarat and defeated Muslim rulers of Sind. The kingdom of Kashmir under Lalit Aditya during 730AD became the most powerful state in Northern India. There was peace and prosperity in his state of Kashmir. He could build many temples and encouraged art, education and was renowned for being a great patron of women freedom and even included them in the participation of state affairs. According to historian Ray Chaudhari " Lalit Aditya " was a true patron of learning and his court was adorned by Kshirasvarun,Vaman and several scholars from abroad.

Lalit Aditya was a majestic and powerful ruler of Kashmir who asserted his power far beyond his state and adjacent territories and in that respect LALIT ADITYA was called "THE KASHMIR ALEXANDER " .

Kashmir was never in past a weak or helpless state of India it is up to our political class to bring the people of this state into the main stream treating them normal like any other state in our federal structure instead of safe guarding them under Article 370.The Alexander of India would not have relished a bit.

Admirable RAJUjr

All who have known RAJU Jr ( also Dev, Devraj,Mahadevan,sometimes Iyer ) was a simple, passionate, kind hearted, hardworking, exceedingly charming go- getter, seriously concerned about others well being and still popularly acknowledged to be the funniest person around. He was able to effortlessly have everyone join him for a jolly good time. As many grieving people know about keeping a loved one's memory alive after passing away can be a difficult task, Raju jr passing away so early a decade ago was clearly unexpected causing unimaginable distress to the growing family and his loved ones.The one I fondly remember about  welcome reception which was extended to me and Hema at L A Airport ( Before the Immigration Check) with Garland and Bouquet escorted by immaculately attired airport staff. I and Hema were hardly in a state to react or utter a word of gratitude. I was sure that they had picked a wrong person for never was I close to being a public or social figure nor did anything spectacular during the flight to earn such an ovation; we were infact wondering about the grueling time we had to secure a visit visa from the American Consulate Mumbai office. Raju Jr was endowed with such a capacity and trust that people around him would gladly do a perfect job for him. The  voyage from Chatrapati Shivaji to Los Angeles was nothing short than the dream of Arabian Night folklore.Papered by inflight cabin crew, up gradation, gifts and parted with a bottle of champagne. This is how he used to shower his affection to one and all.
One of the most comforting quotes to me is one by Shakespeare " What wound ever did heal out of Degrees " Death is part of Life, the best we can do is share the grief. Raju Jr to us, admiringly,was like Christopher Columbus ; guided the younger aspirant of the family from one room tenement of Sion to the distant land of prospect and prosperity.
 Kalyaniji ( aunty to others and Ji  to me ) has carried the torch courageously and fulfilled the vision which Raju jr inspired- Kid Varun is now Dr Varun Iyer, Jr Eshan in University , herself a successful home maker, achieved singularly with strength and detemination. Anand, Vaidya, Jasmine and Archana have taken the mantle forward, Nischay cleared the first term of engineering from the Iowa State University, Nishant has a secured job.  We are strongly bonded having our roots fully entrenched at Balaji. " CHEERS RAJU JR  AND MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY" I am for this occasion uncorking the SINGLE MART GLENFIDDICH SCOTCH always remained your brand of present to me.

Best Wishes from Great Grand Mother to the youngest keyaa and Athreya.