We are living in Satyug

We are living in Satyug

Religious people tell us that we are living in Kaliyug. Only 4300 years of Kaliyug have passed and more than 4.28 lakh years are yet to go.

But let us look at the change occurred in the life of common men in India in last 50 years.

Chandubhai Patel lives in Gandhinagar in a house of 135 sqm. When he constructed his house in 1995, he used all the space allowed for construction and didn't leave 2.5 metre space for a car parking. Owning a car was a dream for him in 1995. Now, he parks his car on the footpath. When he was in College in 1965, he used to wear one pent for 1.5 years and got it reversed paying Rs. 10 to the tailor to use it for another 1 year. He was studying in Vallabh Vidhyanagar. A train ticket from Anand to Bhavnagar was costing Rs. 12. Students had Rs. 5 concession. He was to stand in a queue of the College for 2 hours (for collection and depositing concession form) and had to go two hours early to the railway station to get the concessional ticket from the separate window. It was a hardship to save Rs.5 from the train ticket. After receiving two pay commissions from Mr. Chidambaram (1996, 2006), his life became happier. His standard of buying chevado from Bansi sweet shop in Sector-21 has raised to buying kajukatari from Radhe Sweets.

Purushottam Prajapati, a farmer was cultivating 80 bighas of land in 1950s. His father, grand father, generations were passed their life on that land sharing 1/6 of the produces. 5/6 was the owner's share. After the land reforms, he became owner of the land. He could educate his children and one of his sons retired as a high rank government officer. His children and grand children are happy, healthy and wealthy.

Shakariben is a tribal women living in a remote village. She wear a sari with similar print and look of the sari worn by the Queen of Bhavnagar by paying Rs. 200/- only from Surat. 

Individuals had only one pair of cloths and were to get new one on Diwali day. Now each one has many colourful pairs of cloths to wear. Before independence, people wearing chappal were few, now barefooted are few.

People have ease of life. Their quality of life has gone up. Facilities of education, health, house, water, transportation, communications, comforts, varieties of food, entertainment, properties, income, money to earn, money to spend, etc, are increasing and making the life of common happier particularly in last 2 decades. 

The new generation is smarter. Learn more, earn more and spend more. They have changed the entire economy and economics of India and revolutionized it. 

Who say that we are living in Kaliyug? We are living in Satyug. Common men who were suppressed and depressed for centuries are enjoying freedom and comforts of life that many Kings and Badshah didn't have.

Do you agree?

Punamchand
27 November 2015

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Why are we not Hindustan?

Why are we not Hindustan?

Hindustan means the Country where the Hindus live. It's Ocean is named Hind Ocean, the rivers Sapt Sindhu are S/I/Hindu. Sindh is Hind. During British rule, the popular name of the Country was Hindustan.

The All India Muslim League (AIML) after losing the 1937 provincial elections badly against the Indian National Congress (INC), was revived under the patronage of British due to couple of political mistakes by the Congress. Fighting WW-II against Hitler was a very tough task for the British. And during that crisis period, INC started agitation raising the issue of participation of Indian troops to the war without their consent. They resigned from the provincial governments in 1939. Quit India movement (1942) during the war time was another unpleasant move of INC for the British rule. They put all the three major leaders Gandhi, Nehru and Sardar Patel behind the bars for nearly 3 years (1942-45). This distance of Congress with British during 1939-45 had created a room for Quid-e-Azam Jinnah and Muslim League to cultivate Pakistan under the patronage of British. First he advanced eleven demands, then
fourteen, then twenty-one and in the end he advanced the demand for
Pakistan. The Viceroy Lord Mountbatten was in hurry and the INC leaders were old, tired of fighting freedom struggle anymore, people were intolerant indulged in violence, therefore, the nation had not thought it possible even in dreams that Mr. Jinnah would manage to get it.

Under the Cabinet Mission Plan, in elections of 1946, Muslim League revived substantially winning most of the reserve seats (425) in provinces, compared to its defeat in the elections of 1937 (106). However it could form provincial governments only in two Prants; Bengal and Sindh. The loss of Punjab province (due to coalition government formation by Congress) made them aggressive and with Mr. Huseyn Shaheed Suharawardy (took over as PM of Bengal on 3/7/1946) behind, Mr. Jinnah launched Pakistan demand through "Direct Action Day" on 16/8/1946, that resulted into large scale communal violence in the Country. The British authorities failed to register case and initiate legal action against Mr. Jinnah or the PM of Bengal. The man who didn't spend a single day in jail for freedom movement of Hindustan was demanding Pakistan arguing "two nation" theory.

In the beginning of 11th Century, Al-Biruni (973-1048) observed the descent of native Hindus and the turk Muslims (Ashrafs) in all matters and habits. Mr. Jinnah argued the same difference for the Ajlafs (conversion from Hindus) and argued that the 'Religion' is the primary identity and unifying denominator for Muslims rather than their language or ethnicity or other commonalities with Hindus. He further argued that despite 1000 years of history, the relations between the Hindus and Muslims could not attain the level of cordiality. Two nation theory based on religion was the founding principle of Pakistan movement and that has divided Hindustan in 1947, a practical solution of India's political problem. Pakistan was created by an Ajlaf whose father (Jinabhai) was born as Hindu when Hindustan was preparing for its first war of independence in 1850s.

When the division was agreed upon, we could have continued with the name Hindustan. But idealistic people we, didn't endorse the two nation theory of Mr. Jinnah. Therefore, keeping name Hindustan, the land of Hindus, will be an indirect acceptance of Jinnah's two nation theory, Nehru proposed the new name, "Union of Indian Republic". In Gandhi's words: 

"Jawaharlal says that so long as Muslims were part of the country the name Hindustan was fine for the understanding was that anyone born in Hindustan belonged to Hindustan, whatever his religion. Now Hindustan will imply that the country belongs to Hindus. And who among the Hindus? Only the caste Hindus. But as I have said the caste Hindus—Brahmins,
Kshatriyas and Vaishyas—are a very small part of the population. The
vast majority consists of untouchables and Advivasis. Will they be ruled by the few caste Hindus? True, today it is they who rule the
roost. But if the untouchables and the Adivasis are allowed to fall under the domination of the caste Hindus, Mr. Jinnah will have been proved right in saying that a handful or caste Hindus want to keep all the rest under their heel. Could we be such fools? Could we accept the two-nation theory of Mr. Jinnah? It would mean that if my son becomes a Muslim he becomes a national of another country. If we
segregate three-quarters of our fellow country-men and keep them away from the governance of the country, our Hindustan will be just as Mr. Jinnah has pictured it. Then there will be a Parsistan, a Sikhistan, separate bits for the untouchables, the Adivasis and so forth and Hindustan will no longer remain Hindustan. It will undergo Balkanization. If this is what the English desire there will be no place left in the world for them.
So we must not weep over what has happened. Jawaharlal has suggested Union of Indian Republic as the name for the country. That is, all will live together here. If a part wants to secede we shall not force it to remain, but those that remain shall live as brothers. We shall so treat them that they will not want to break away, they will not feel that they are separate. All will be loyal to the Union and serve it." - Gandhi, Prayer meeting speech, New Delhi 12/6/47

It is therefore, we are not "Hindustan" but "India" in English and "Bharat" in Hindi as per the Constitution of India.

Punamchand
26 November 2015

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Balance of Development

Balance of Development

Lord Buddha taught us Nobel truths. Life is suffering. Suffering is caused by craving. Suffering can be overcome and happiness attained when we give up useless craving by following eight fold path of Perfect Understanding, Perfect Thought, Perfect Speech, Perfect Action, Perfect Livelihood, Perfect Effort, Perfect Mindfulness and Perfect Concentration.

It is said that expectation reduces joy. But look at the people around, they are craving and are full of expectations. Their desires and demands are endless. The family head, village-town head, State head, Country head, all heads are getting mad in meeting with their unlimited desires. Development is the key agenda for all. And the world of advertisements is adding fuel into the fire, increasing their desires endlessly.

Advertisers spending will reach to $600 billion in 2015. US, China, Japan, Germany and UK are the lead countries and Brazil, Canada and Mexico are also growing its share. US dominate the world with 32% share. Mobile advertising is 10% of the total at present will account for 22% and its share in digital advertising will cross 50% in 2018. The list of country and companies following the path of advertise mania is increasing. Produce, market and get them consumed is the motto of all.

In the name of quality of life, the environment is pushing the people for spending more and more to fulfill their desires of physical comforts. It demands more income, requires more economic activities, and ultimately put more stress over the natural resources. We are exploiting natural resources without their rejuvenation. 

Living in poverty and craving for the minimum needs of food (Roti), health (Dava) and shelter (Makan) with limited and seasonal activities may be called "tamas", the under utilization of human and natural resources. 

And running the world like a machine to meet with the craving of people, by over exploitation of resources, creating stress all-around may be called "rajas". The run is for what? Who knows, the bauxite exported from our coast to China, make crafts, may be exported to our neighbour and may be a cause of worry to us at the border. East India Company made us dependent for 190 years. The multinationals at present has made the world a global village and making the people dependent of their products. The world is going into the trap of economic slavery.

The balance of life is in "Satva", the balance of both, providing basic quality of life to the people, with more than hypo active world of "Tamas" and less than the hyper active world of "Rajas".

Instead of driven by the forces of advertisements, or chasing the western life style, can't we make the balance in life with do's and don't and attend the reasonable desires of the people by using the treasure of natural resources to the level of rejuvenation and accordingly run the train of development in a right gear?

After all what is the purpose of life? 

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामया। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चित् दुःखभाग् भवेत्।।

(सभी सुखी होवें, सभी रोगमुक्त रहें, सभी मंगलमय घटनाओं के साक्षी बनें और किसी को भी दुःख का भागी न बनना पड़े।)

Punamchand
25 November 2015

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A journey from Pirotan to Silicon Valley

A journey from Pirotan to Silicon Valley.

Have you been to Pirotan Island? 

An island on Gujarat coast, some 22 km (12 nautical mile) off the coast from Bedi port near Jamnagar. There is a shrine of Khwaja Khijer Pir. Pir jo than (place), therefore it is called Pirotan. Khwaja Khijer is called Jhulelal by Sindhi and Dariyalal by Hindus. His shrines are on all coasts of the world. All khalasis pray Dariyalal for their safety in the Sea. He is an immortal Pir, who comes riding a horse with a lantern in hand. When he comes, people smell incense and a sound of horses. Few people claim that they have seen and met Dariyalal! 

Pirotan island is a rich site to see marine life particularly the corals.  (Poshitra, another site is richer to watch more varieties of corals). The sand is white and apart from marine life one may watch 5000+ birds, mostly the Stiltes and Crab Provers. Sea Gulls and Pelicans also come. One may see corals during low tide but that area is mostly muddy. The sea beach is lovely, no less than Goa and Australia.

We understand that land mass can't be increased. 

But do you know that Corals make the earth? 

They are colonial animals, use sea water algae and secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton, shaped like a branching tree. Coralreefs protect and create land. The silica created by corals are used in making computer chips, the semiconductor that contains memories and millions of electronic components. It's a journey from Coral to Computer, a journey from Pirotan island to Silicon Valley.

Most coral reefs grow in shallow, sunny and agitated waters. Often called rainforests of the sea, shallow coral reefs form some of the most diverse ecosystems. Corals feed fish and other marine animals that millions of humans eat. Coral reefs, a supply of natural medicines may be used in developing drugs for humans. 

Come and visit Pirotan and Poshitra and understand the journey of nature from Coral to Computer! You can see marine life in plenty.

There is a belief that Dariyalal fulfills our wishes if prayed. Hearing this my grand daughter Kavya (6Y), while returning from Pirotan, started saying, Dariyalal, mujhe Dolphin dikhado, Dariyalal mujhe Dolphin dikhado. And surprisingly, before we end our journey of the day in the evening watching turtles at Okhamedi Centre, the Sun was setting, the sky was coloured with pale tint of orange, we were in joyous mood and we saw a dozen of Dolphins in a pod, enjoying their life in Arabian Sea in front of Kavya! 

Beauty in Nature Indeed.

Punamchand
24 November 2015

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Temple Entrepreneurs

Temple Entrepreneurs

Do you know, Hanuman had a Son?

Brahmchari, who was celibate from the birth and had a son? 

There is a story in Valmiki Ramayana. Ram and Lakshman were taken away to Patal Lok by Ahiravan and Mahiravan, the step brothers of Ravan, during the war between Ram and Ravana. When Hanuman went to rescue them in Patal lok, he was challenged by his son, Makaradhwaj, a creature part reptile and part monkey. Hamuman was amazed with the warrior, had duel, defeated him, killed Ahiravan-Mahiravan with a trick, rescued Ram-Lakshman and established Makardhwaja as the King of Patal Lok. 

The story of Makardhwaj's birth is interesting. After burning the Lanka with his fire burning tail, when Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, a drop of his sweat fell into mouth of a crocodile. Out of this the Makardhwaja was born.

There is a temple of Hanuman and Makardhwaj at Hanuman Dandi, 5 kms east from Bet Dwarika, the residence of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. This is the place where Hanuman met his son Makardhwaj, first time. The idols of Hanuman and Makardhwaj (father and son) are in human form, father is on the right side of the son. Both are in joyous mood without holding any weapon. The idol of Makardhwaj is taller than Hanuman. The idol of Hanuman is going down in Patal lok by a sesame seed size every year and it will submerge when the Kaliyug ends.  

People come here and take mannat. The temple is famous for a mannat of getting a child. The couple take betel nut from the temple to worship it at home as Hanuman and return it with offering after fulfilling of their mannat.

Brahmanandji is the present Mahant of the trust managing the Hanuman Dandi temple and it's property. 

The story of Brahmanandji is very interesting. He is a Punjabi, born in Pakistan. His father was a trader in Burma. He had to leave Burma in 1942 due to WW-II. While returning, he had passed through hardships and died on the third day after reaching home in Pakistan. Due to local disturbances during partition time, the widow moved with her children to a relative's place in Jharkhand. She stitched cloths of people and took care of her children and provided them with education. 

Her son Brahmanand had serve in a company for many years, started with a salary of Rs.50, he voluntarily retired when he was earning Rs. 15000/month. He got married and has two daughters. After the death of his wife, he tried to stay with the daughters but as per Indian tradition, a father won't feel good staying at daughter's place. He started pilgrimages and one day left home forever taking his last savings of Rs. 50,000 in pocket. After staying in Shiradi for few months, he moved to this place, 25 years ago. 

He is a well read man of hindu dharmashastras. He understood the value of spiritual energy manifested in the  Ram naam mantra (Tarak Mantra) that regulates the nerves and kill animal passions. He believes that Ram Naam jap in Hanuman Dandi due to its location multiplies the benefits 1000 times. He decided to settle at Hanuman Dandi with the Mahant.

The property of the Hanuman Dandi is owned by the Bet Dwarika trust, but it has been given to the trust on 99 years lease at the rent of Rs. 25/month. When he came to this place before 25 years ago, it was not in a good condition. He has developed this place with ashram, dharmashala, and is able to feed 800 pilgrims everyday and serve food to 15000 people on festival day. The campus has accommodations, kitchen, under ground water storage tanks, public toilets, etc. He has developed the facilities with the donations and offerings coming from the people. The activities of constructions, serving pilgrims, etc are generating employment opportunities and income source to the local people. The visitors are getting facilities. He files IT returns every year.

Brahmanandji is a real entrepreneur, converted the temple into a employment and GDP generating unit. If we look at the temples and other religious organizations as units of economic activities on which many families survive, our approach to the religious organizations will change. It is better than some of the activities of modern world, those are harmful to the mental and physical health of humans.

Not only industries, trades and commerce; but temples are also the places of entrepreneurship development.

Punamchand
23 November 2015

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Sunday is important as working day.

Sunday is important as Working Day.

Sunday is a holiday for all the public servants in India. But it is not when there is a matter of public and national interest or to attend natural or manmade calamities.

Let us recollect the history from the letter with the Instrument of Accession to India, addressed to the Governor General of India Lord Mountbatten, written and signed by Maharaja Hari Singh at the Palace Jammu, on 26 October 1947.

Looking at J&K cultural and geographical links with both the nations and international border with Soviet Republic and China, the Maharaja wanted time to decide the option of acceding the domain of either of the Nations or to remain independent.

Eventually, Maharaja approached both the Governments for Standstill Agreement. India desired further discussions but Pakistan signed it on 14th August 1947 to maintain supply of goods and continuity in certain services like the post and telegraph.

But when Afridis, soldiers in plain clothes, and desperadose with modern weapons infiltrated in mass into the State; it was difficult to stop destruction of lives and properties, number of women were kidnapped and raped, Mahora power house was burnt, the mass infiltration of tribesmen traveling in truck with weapons through Manshera Muzaffarabad road from NWFP of Pakistan didn't stop; on the contrary, the Pakistan Radio put out a story that a Provincial Government had been set up in Kashmir; the Maharaja signed Instrument of Accession to Indian Domains to get the help to save the State from that grave emergency. (from the letter of the Maharaja)

26th October 1947, was a Sunday, a holiday for all but the most important working day for Maharaja Hari Singh and the Civil Servant Rav Bahadur VP Menon and of cource for India to have the most beautiful J&K in its Crown.

With the declaration of the package of Rs 80,000 crore for the development of Jammu and Kashmir by the Prime Minister, yesterday, the Sun will rise again for J&K to establish Jamuriyat, Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat.

Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year Vikram Samvat 2072 to all.

Important Sunday for Bihar Today.

Happy Sunday😀

Regards,

Punamchand
8 November 2015
Sunday

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Great Gandhi no parallel

Great Gandhi no parallel

Gandhiji was tried for Sedition and sentenced to six years (Ahmedabad trial 1922). He was sent to jail. The family was allowed to meet once in a month. Kasturba came to meet Gandhiji. A big table with chair on both the sides (facing each other) were placed for their meeting. Both sat facing each other. The Jailer was present but he had very high regards for Gandhi. Therefore, he left the room to provide privacy to the couple to talk freely. After half an hour when he returned, he saw the couple was sitting in silence, in the same position without any talk.

Why didn't you talk? I had given you privacy. The Jailer asked Gandhi.

As per the jail manual, we can talk only in the presence of the Jailer. As you went away, we are waiting for you to come, so that we can talk in your presence. Gandhi replied.

He was a unique leader.

Punamchand
6 November 2015

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