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.

A Tragedy
The scenes in the parliament and assembly reflects that we should at once acknowledge that these members are really not worth being angry with further it is more unprofitable to rate their opinion on any national issue at more than a straw value, never had the condition of our country been more critical than it is during the second ill started administration of Dr. Manmohan Singh its aims are mistaken that the spirit it proceeds towards their accomplishment is not the spirit of sincerity and whole heartedness while the methods it has chosen and the leaders in whom it trusts are not the right sort of person to be leaders that are at present; the blind led if not by the blind, at any rate by the one eyed much similar to the Second ill equipped British administration of India of Lord Curzon, it was pure mischief and solemn nonsense the nation was crippled and mutilated, where the whole nation was stirred to its depth in sorrow and resentment when Curzon on 16th Oct 1905 partitioned the then Great Bengal it was characterized catastrophic committed since the battle of Plassey not different from what Dr. Manmohan Singh piloted the bill yesterday for partion of the State of Andhra. Ironically it was the second term of office of Lord Curzon when he affected the great divide of Bengal

SECULARISM
I find leaders from west and northern region of our country excessively use the term “Secularism” as their main theme of public address and also highlight in their election manifesto the same sentiments; further expressed while debating on national TV with their political foes. I was therefore compelled to do some research on secularism following its liberal use in various forums and political arena, Oxford Dictionary defines secularism as “Not concerned with religious belief or not bound by religious rule”. Our nation is a secular state by its written constitution unlike in the West where secularism came mainly out of conflict between the Church and the State. It can be also defined as a general separation of state politics and administration from religious matters and therefore I can assume that the essential principle of secularism was to seek human improvement by material means. In my eagerness wanted to find out its interpretation during" Middle Ages". Hazrat Amir Khusran who stood unequalled for volume of his writing and the originality of his ideals a person of comprehensive ability observed in his prose works during 14th century of Delhi sultanate that the fundamental social and political principle of the Middle Ages was loyalty to Salt. It overrode all social, communal and religious considerations. The Hindu Raja’s Muslim servants followed him against Sultans, just as the Sultan’s Hindu servants followed him against Raja. Loyalty to the Salt (Namak halali) was synonymous with patriotism; disloyalty to the salt (Namak harami ) was crime Blacker than Treason. Irrational as the principle may seem it prevented communal friction and worked for peace. Conversely, for the ruler all his subjects stood on an equal footing. The out look of the age was essentially secular. Religion was a war-cry and “nothing more”.
Since independence our leaders have divided the society having introduced several caste based reservations, subsidies and claimed all under the banner of ‘SECLURISM’. The generation of initial independent india believed the rhetoric of secularism to be assured safety from religious domination but now the youth and citizen of the nation must realize that Secularism of 21st century India has to be redefined its much misused theme and insist its leaders of LOYALTY TO THE NATION “NAMAK HALALI AND NOT NAMAK HARAMI” the 14th century dictum; as a hallmark towards progress of our national development and culture.

“UNIQUE 16th EDITION CAR RALLY”
The 240 km Mumbai - Lavasa “All Woman” car rally of 2000 female drivers, participated during the 6th Annual Event, which is now slated to be on the threshold of getting recognized in the Guinness World Record as the largest participation of females in a motor event universally. It is truly amazing, particularly, where licensed women drivers constitute just 14% of the total licenses issued in our country. 
The importance of this event should be judged from the observations concluded by the researchers at University of Michigan’s Transport Research Institute:- 
a) As on 2010 more than 105.7 million women were licensed to drive in United States compared with only 104.3 million men.
b) This trend has led to maintaining a steady sale in United States car market 
c) That changing gender demographics will have major implications on the extent and nature of vehicles demand, as females are more likely than males to purchase smaller safer and more efficient fuel vehicles and the statistics claim that the female car drivers have lower fatality rate per distance driven than males. Further a related report a study reveals that “Women Drivers in India and Bangladesh make “Dangerous Roads much SAFER”.
It is astonishing that the United States and even several developed Nations discouraged female driver’s participation in car rally till 1976 when the American National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing allowed female participation. 
Recently about a decade ago, in 2004 with the surge of female drivers the National Association for Stock of Car Auto Racing in United States founded a slogan “DRIVE FOR DIVERSITY”, a perfect and adequate symbol aptly applicable to the organizers of the 6th edition of Lavasa Women’s Drive has not only celebrated the spirit of woman hood but the participants displayed tremendous passion as they decorated their cars with innovative themes. 
The display of adventure, and competitive sports like car rally has now established that it is no longer a fact about “ BOYS HAVE CAR AND THE GIRLS THE DOLL” it will be more appropriate to acknowledge that The Girls would like CAR and DOLLS a blend evolving speed, control, art with tender care. While at present licensed women drivers constitute just 14% of the total licenses issued in our country, but it is expected to grow because of increasing hectic life style. The requirement to own or drive a vehicle has grown among women as working women in nuclear families need a safe independent and secure mode of transport for doing multiple jobs. The Lavasa women Drive Campaign has certainly affirmed that not only behind every successful man there is a contribution of women conversely there is spirit of a man in every woman literally. We notice this change for the benefit of our society that woman role is emerging in every sphere of activity from Politics ……. to Management to dare devil adventures. It is all encouraging, males have yet one more competitor to face in this predominately all male domain the “LONG DISTANCE CAR RALLY”.