Yogakshemam 151125
Journeying free
Bihar Elections. NDA swept Bihar – 202/243. BJP 85; JDU 85; LJS 19; HAM 5; RLM 4. Nitish will be the CM, maybe for the tenth time. May swear-in on 19/20 November. Mahagathbandhan managed to get 31 – RJD 25; Congress 6. Prashant Kishor’s JSP could not open an account. AIMIM could win 5 seats. All others 5.
It is a mixed fare in by-polls to Assemblies across India. Congress won in Jubilee Hills, Telangana; Anta, Rajasthan. BJP won in Nagrota, J&K; Nuapada, Odisha. PDP in Budgam, J&K; JMM in Ghatsila, Jharkhand. MNF in Dampa, Mizoram. AA{ in Tarn Taran in Punjab.
Padma Bhushan Amrita Patel, 82 [b 13 Nov 1943]. Kurien’s successor as NDDB Chairman for 16 years, 1998-2014. Daughter of HM Patel. Veterinary doctor by qualification. Chairperson of NTGCF and Foundation for Ecological Security for two decades.
DNA study confirms: Adolf Hitler most likely suffered from the genetic condition Kallmann Syndrome, a predisposition to autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Kallmann Syndrome often results in “low testosterone levels, undescended testicles and can result in a micropenis. Also, he did not have any Jewish ancestry.
Nehru. Bharat Ratna Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, 136 [14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964). First prime minister of independent India for 16+ years. He also served as India’s External Affairs Minister during this period. He was also the interim Prime Minister of Dominion of India – September 1946 – August 1947. He spent 8+ years in prison during India’s Independence struggle over 8/9 detentions. His books such as Glimpses of World History [Letters from a Father to His Daughter], An Autobiography and The Discovery of India have been read around the world. We grew up reading them. Nehru as PM also wrote bi-weekly letters to Chief Ministers during 1947-64. As Congress president in 1929, Nehru called for complete independence from the British Raj – ‘We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities for growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to alter it or abolish it. The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally, and spiritually. We believe, therefore, that India must sever the British connection and attain Purna Swaraj or complete independence.’
The new Mayor of New York, Mamdani referred to Nehru’s historic speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ on 15 August 1947 – ‘Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.’
When Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 in the garden of Birla House, New Delhi, Nehru addressed the nation by radio – ‘Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to tell you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, Bapu as we called him, the father of the nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say that; nevertheless, we will not see him again, as we have seen him for these many years, we will not run to him for advice or seek solace from him, and that is a terrible blow, not only for me but for millions and millions in this country.’
Objectives of Resolution moved by Nehru turned into the Preamble to the Constitution of India (as per final amendment) serving as its spirit – ‘WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.’
The Constituent Assembly continued to act as the interim parliament until new elections. First general elections were held in 1952. Nehru faced and won two more elections, in 1957 and 1962. Nehru was considered as the founder of the modern Indian state with a national philosophy – national unity, parliamentary democracy, industrialisation, socialism, development of the scientific temper, and non-alignment. Apart from free compulsory primary education, Institutes of Higher Learning were established – IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS et al. Multi-purpose irrigation projects, referred to as temples of modern India, came up. Incidentally, I have been linked with Nagarjuna Sagar Project and NIT Warangal. A Special Marriage Act was instituted. As part of the philosophy of Non-Aligned movement, Panch Sheel [mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; equality and mutual benefit; and peaceful coexistence] was advocated between India and China. However, Nehru granted asylum to the Dalai Lama and set up the base for Tibetan Government in exile at Dharma Shala; rehabilitated Tibetan Refugees in a big way.
India-China war led to Nehru’s health declining. He succumbed to heart attack on 27 May 1964. His death was announced to the Indian parliament – ‘The light is out.’ Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Rajya Sabha hailed Nehru as Bharat Mata’s favourite prince, Rama. Nehru was cremated in accordance with Hindu rites at the Shantivan on the banks of the Yamuna, witnessed by 1.5 million mourners. In his Last Will and Testament, he wrote: ‘I wish to declare with all earnestness that I do not want any religious ceremonies performed for me after my death. I do not believe in such ceremonies, and to submit to them, even as a matter of form, would be hypocrisy and an attempt to delude ourselves and others.’ However, Nehru wanted to be remembered as – ‘This was the man who with all his mind and heart loved India and the Indian people. And they in turn were indulgent to him and gave him of their love most abundantly and extravagantly.’ He is remembered truly so, as Chacha Nehru. His birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day, Bal Divas. The Nehru jacket is widely emulated.
In 1965, India’s top leadership including Shastri described Nehru as the greatest figure of India after Gandhi. Incidentally, we are children outside the Nehruvian era. We only could know him vicariously and through his legacy(ies). With hindsight, we could say Nehru architected a good foundation to Independent India, to be followed-up by later leadership(s).
Can we step out, to find our souls, the soul(s) of the nation(s), being suppressed for long, find utterance? To live and pour out ourselves. Being useful, relevant to people, humanity everywhere.
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. Free souls in tandem. In N? naranaaraayanayoga for 7L.