Wastage of resources

 A nation endowed with abundant natural resources supported by  perennial river system from Himalaya to the peninsular flowing to Deccan  down to southern india having multiple drainage in both coasts has during 75 years of republic achieved a meagre GDP of 2.71 Trillion  USD compared to China of 15 Trillion. While the richest state Maharashtra abysmal 400 Billion USD. A mediocre governance , people humbly accepted the federal system of democracy  where , "A rule by several people affiliated to various  political parties " REPUBLIC all over the world since inception has functioned under the leadership of oligarchic assemblies "  Naturally  ancient thinkers looked upon kingship as the commonest and most important form of governance; to them a rule of assemblies lead to persistent debates and disputes  (  political  stance in assemblies ) lack of consensus , inefficiency and wastages of resources. This is what the Indian public has been subjected to for decades. A  grim and pathetic state of affairs.

ReplyForward

THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF BHAGAVATISM

 Bhagavatism originated in post-Maurya period and was centred around the worship of Vishnu  or Bhagavata. Vishnu was a minor god in Vedic times. He represented the sun and also the fertility cult. By second century BC he merged with God called Narayana and thus came to be known as Narayana- Vishnu. Originally Narayana was non vedic tribal god called Bhagavata, and his worshipers were called Bhagavatas Thus worshipers of Vishnu and those of Narayana were brought under a single umbrella by merging Vishnu with Narayana. The former was a  Vedic  God and latter emerged subsequently with non vedic associations, however, two gods mingled and merged.Besides Vishnu came to be identified with a legendary hero of VRISHNI TRIBE in western India known as Krishna Vasudeva. The great epic Mahabharata showed that Krishna and Vishnu were one, by 200 BC the three streams of God's and their worshipers into one and resulted in the creation of BHAGAVATISM or VAISHNAVISM.. This religion was sufficiently liberal to attract foreigners. Krishna taught in the Bhagavadgita that women, vaishyas and shudras  who were born of sin could seek refuge in him. Bhagavatisim or Vaishnavism over shadowed Mahayana Buddhism and it preached doctrine of incarnation or avatar and it presented 10 incarnations of Vishnu. Each incarnation of Vishnu was considered necessary for the salvation of Dharma.By 6 th century Vishnu became a member of Trinity of god's along with Shiva and Brahma.After 6th century Vishnu worship and recitation of the  legends associated with him began to be established in eastern India. Several religious recitations including " Vishnusahasranama " were composed for the benefit of Vishnu worshipers. Idol worship in temples became a common feature of Hinduism from the GUPTA period onward and many festivals also began to be celebrated. Agricultural festivals observed by different classes of people were lent a religious grab and color and turned a useful source of income for the priests 

Arabian Persian Research Institute Tonk Rajasthan

                                      !!! Coincidence !!!
Coincidence is a recognised element in "real life" all of us have anecdotes about those times when by mere coincidence we stumbled on to some wonderful experiences. I visualised a game of cricket played some sixty years ago was then barely eleven years of age watching my school St Xavier's playing an exciting game where our only expectation a sterling all around performance from Samsher Khan, most boys enjoyed surrounding him during break sessions minutely observing his cricket attire and expression. This was put to practice thoroughly at our colony street cricket.Samsher for me was similar to a matinee idol, its impact and presence can never fade.
Internet search engines of the present era to gather with application of web browsers and print media reconnected me to Shamsher early this year and met him a fortnight ago after exactly " SIXTY YEARS " at Banasthali - Newai railway station about seventy miles from Jaipur. Senior then in school days by eight years no chance of recognising each other both turned septuagenarians embarrassing warmly on equal terms, grateful that we made this far and optimistic about future. Times have changed most of us are living decades longer than once we did, staying fitter, healthier , sharpening our wisdom years than ever before; the most pleasing observation which I instantly noticed the transformation with the changing trends over decades. We both carried screen touch smart mobiles, adored stylish motor sport caps, my stuff packed securely in the rolling carbon suitcase unlike the steel trunk and hold baggage of the past. Developing social connections and further taking chances on reaching out to old acquaintances years after school certainly boosts emotional well being. Services like internet search engines with application for instance web browser, print media allow to stay connected. Miracle did happen when my blog " Student days in Jaipur " got posted in the columns of indiaofthepast.org, and Samsher from his ancestral home town Tonk in State of Rajasthan called me for the first time we could establish contact almost 60 years later. Tonk a native place of Shamsher Khan was a princely state of India at the time of British Raj, situated about 100 km south of Jaipur. The first ruler of Tonk was Nawab Mohammad Amirkhan from the Tarkani tribe its origin near today Afghanistan.He was a military general in the service of Yashwantrao Holkar of Maratha Empire. Amirkhan received State of Tonk from Maratha empire. Shamsher Khan is the direct descendant of the first Khan ruler; his father Sahibzada Sardar Muhammad Khan was an ICS officer served during his civil service career as Collector and District Magistrate in 1931 of Junagadh and also was Diwan ,President of State council of Junagadh later he was also collector of Ratnagiri now in Maharashtra State. The third ruler of Tonk state Nawab Muhammad
was exiled by the Britishers to Benaras who being academic took with him Thirty Nine scholars and Fifteen scribes, efficiently used his days in collecting valuable Arabic and Persian manuscripts during twenty years of exile. This outstanding experience laid an indirect foundation of renowned " Institute of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Arabic Persian Research " in Tonk. The state government of Rajasthan in 1978 created a special status of  independent Directorate granting adequate funds to preserve priceless manuscripts and encourage research. The objectivity of the Arabic
Persian institute of Tonk is to preserve the original documents and providing such manuscripts to the scholars who come here to further research. Starting with very little science, philosophy or literature of his own the Arabian muslim who brought with him from desert a keen sense of intellectual curiosity a voracious appetite for learning from Hellenic, Persian, Aramaic and Indian for wisdom,literature and science. The Arabs rose out of semi barbarous land and touched the heights of intellectual and spiritual glory world wide. For almost five to six centuries upto 1300AD in every walk of life the Arabs were on forefront of world civilisation; their taste of living, in standards of conduct,in commerce were exemplary . They took to learning from everywhere, made the rich heritage of Egypt ,Syria , Greece, Persia, Spain and India their own possession. The light shed at Kuffa and Basra in Iraq reached the corners of the world. It is significant to mention here the initial intellectual contributions from Al Kindi an Arab, Al FarabI a Turk and

Ibn Sina a Persian . Since Arabs not only assimilated the ancient lore of Persia and classic heritage of Greece but could adapt and add further by study and research in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, law, geography, theology and various sciences; for had the researches of Aristotle , Galen and Ptolemy been lost the world would have never seen the treasure of immense value and knowledge. Over the years this Research institute of Tonk has been encouraging , naturing and furthering the cause of advancement of arabic and Persian studies by acting as a repository of invaluable manuscripts and ancient reference material .These delicate priceless possessions I saw were meticulously updated and preserved scientifically. Manuscripts at APRI ( Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Arabic Persian Research Institute ) are believed to be the original treatises stands out for a very high quality of its illustrated manuscripts scripted in Arabic, Persian and Urdu languages . It consists of over 8000 manuscripts, 28188 printed books , 674 farmans and 65000 judgements files of shariat court of Tonk state; assortments of other objects coins , weights , calligraphic art of which an exceptional specimen work is named " Khat- i - Nakhoon " or the letter crafted by finger nails. The world largest size Quran is exhibited at APRI whose page length is 10 feet 5 inches, width 7 feet and 6 inches , written with pen width of 3mm; it's each page has 41 lines contains 64 pages and weighs 250 kg binding decorated with silver corners. I was fortunate to meet Sz Abdul Moid Khan former Director of APRI a scholar of immense international repute whose vision and efforts revitalised this art of preservation of historical documents at APRI . I am also grateful to the Director of APRI Sahibzada Dr Saulat Ali Khan a distinguish scholar of Arabian and Persian literature who is possessed with intellectual curiosity, zeal for learning with the sole motive to support and develop intellectual growth of researchers at APRI to explain in detail personally historic documents. This to me was truly a matter of " Coincidence " that I happen to visit Tonk for the first time despite being a resident of Jaipur initially for 38 years I owe this wonderful experience to Capt ( Para trooper ) Sahibzada M . Samsher Khan.

My home town

I was in my home town Jaipur for two days. The population is close to 36 lacs while in 1950 it was just 2 lacs. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jaisingh II and is now ranked 7th best place to visit in Asia ( according to trip advisor ) and first among the Indian destinations for the year. Nahargarh fort is the main tourist spot. Jaipur is the hub for handicrafts, textiles, hand knot rugs, carpets, gemstones and artistic jewellery. There are about 2900 restaurants the place is a “ Foodie Paradise “ the flagship dish of Rajasthani Cuisine is Dal Bati Churma with Gatta Curry. The range is exciting like Ghewar, Mawa ki Kachori, Pyaz ki Kachori, Kalakand, Mirchi Bada, Rasmalai , Kesar Rabri Kulfi. Many of the city avenues is painted pink. Calgary ( Canada ) is the twin city of Jaipur

Logic of Muawiyah

I admire Muawiyah , the sense of finesse which he developed to a degree probably higher than in any other Calip. The virtue and ability to resort to force when force was absolutely necessary and use peaceful measures in all other instances. His slowness to anger and his absolute self control left him under all circumstances " Master of Situation". He said in a letter to al-Hasan ( Fatima's eldest son ) " I apply not my sword, where my lash suffices, nor my lash where my tongue is enough. And even if there be one hair binding me to my fellow men, I do not let it break : when they pull I loosen, and if they loosen I pull " He finally concluded that " I admit that because of your Blood Relation Ship you are more entitled to this high office than I. And if I was sure of your greater ability to fulfil the duties involved I would unhesitatingly swear allegiance to you. Now then, ask what you should do" Enclosed was a blank paper for Al- Hasan to fill in, already signed by Muawiyah . This was the political strategy of Umayyad Dynasty 683 AD.

Mini - Seashore

MINI-SEASHORE Vashi perhaps is the first urban landscaped park in Navi Mumbai. The terrain in nineties offered rocky vistas, swamps and a place for disposable construction debris. I vividly remember during the first decade of the park's completion it became clear for whom it was; located within walking distance for the city's working class, the Mini sea shore started shaping like an oasis. As the park moved into 2000's the play ground started looking up with massive lush green lawns, areas clearly laid out for tennis and field grounds for cricket and football. Mini seashore and its surroundings shaped more and more by the needs of the growing population of the satellite towns of Navi Mumbai, recently the introduction of Toy- Train has made the place lively with children. It has become a dream destination where people socialise, walking track for those who wish to be in the midst of an exclusive surrounding with a freedom to be on his own without any hindrance. The concept, vision benefiting the residents of the satellite town ( converted from a huge mass of reclaimed terrain ) of clean air , uplifting recreation singularly goes to Mr Avinash Lad, who despite several obstacle made it possible to achieve one of the finest Land Mark of Navi Mumbai. Mr Avinash Lad has worked tirelessly with tremendous sense of civic duty and appreciation for social refinement. Wish him for all his progressive endeavor. 

Hindu Temples in Bay area

There are two Hindu temple in Fremont SFO, regular visit is normally a part of daily walk for the sr citizens from india or those living there permanently. Today the temple count in America is touching about 900. According to Hindu American foundation a few decades ago a deity like Balaji would be flanked by Rama and Krishna but now the American - Hindus have exclusive temples for different sects; earlier settlers made temples in abandoned warehouse as there were fewer Indians and with limited resources. A massive surge by the Hindu migrants from 1990 onwards and its affluence have created temples like Shri Swaminarayan mandir in New Jersey and LA, costing over 100 million dollars. A temple in Michigan has a devotee count touching 25000. Most temple of Balaji today are visited by older Hindu- Americans, the second generation Hindu- Americans are not much interested. Another new trend has emerged the devotes desires regular preaching by their Swami - they also feel the need of Hindu moral and spiritual education for their children. This is commendable. Back home the Hindu Bal Kendra for moral and spiritual preaching is yet to take off significantly. Most week ends the Indians in America head to their respective Swami/ Guru places to receive preaching and meditation classes and I feel in couple of years from now Indians in America will not have any need to travel all the way to their home land on pilgrims.