ABHIPRAY

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART VI

2012-03-04T23:18:00.001+05:30

BATTLEGROUND UP

THE ISSUES - Part B

Apart from the caste factor, communal politics too has been a hallmark of UP politics. The BJP which rose to prominence after the demolition of the Babri Masjid has promised to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya in its poll manifesto for 2012. Though nothing was done in this regard during the time that the NDA was in power at the Centre, the party is hoping that Lord Ram may help it regain its lost hold in the state. The move to go to polls in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Hindutva firebrand Uma Bharathi is being looked upon by many as an attempt to consolidate the Hindu votes in favor of the saffron outfit, more so, after other parties have promised a list of soaps for the minority community. Also, the party leaders have so far avoided making any provocative statement against the Muslim community, unlike Varun Gandhi in 2009, damaging all prospects of the party in the state.

Salman Rushdie

However, the war to get the Muslim votes, that constitute 20% of UP's population has intensified amongst the other three parties - SP, BSP and Congress. With the Babri Masjid verdict going against the community, anger seems to be simmering within the community. In the past, Mulayam has relied on the Muslim-Yadav votes to come to power in UP. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, though, a significant chunk of the party's Muslim support base deserted to the Congress. Realizing that such a trend could be detrimental to his interest in the future, the SP supremo banished Kalyan Singh from the party, who was at the helm of affairs during the demolition of Babri Masjid. Azam Khan who was expelled from the SP due to differences with Amar Singh has been roped back into the party fold, thereby boosting Mulayam's chances of coming to power in UP. Even Behenji has announced a host of initiatives to appease the Muslims community.

The Congress too has left no stone unturned to impress the Muslim voters. Salman Khurshid, the Minister for Minority Affairs had earlier promised that his party would provide reservations for the Muslims if elected to power in Uttar Pradesh but backtracked his statement after many accused the Congress of playing the minority card to its advantage. The party is also raking the Batla House encounter issue which evokes passion among the Muslims in the state who allege that the police actions were uncalled for and the men who died has no terrorist links whatsoever, for political gains. Rahul has accused the SP and the BSP of not doing enough for the Muslims of the state over the years and has urged them to support him in this elections.

Ironically, the most high profile victim of the communal politics of UP this time around was well renowned writer, Salman Rushdie. The author of the banned book, Satanic Verses was supposed to come down to India earlier this year to be a part of the Jaipur Literature Fest. However, due to mounting protest from Islamic leaders and fear of losing the Muslim votes in UP, the UPA government was caught in a catch 22 situation as any move to facilitate Rushdie's entry or stay in India would not go well with the minorities. Annoyed by the government's apathy, Rushdie called off his trip claiming that his sources had warned him that assassins had been hired to eliminate him while in Jaipur. Also the Rajasthan government was said to play a key role in the cancellation of video link between Rushdie and the Literature fest. The BJP has accused the UPA of politicizing the whole issue for electoral gains. However, the Sangh Parivar had launched a similar witch hunt against painter M F Hussain some years back, forcing him to flee to London and then accept citizenship of Qatar.

D P Yadav

Though it may have failed on multiple fronts, the BSP government has been credited for improving the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. Under the erstwhile Mulayam regime, 'Goonda Raj' was prevalent across the state and the whole system was filled with goons and people with criminal background. However, Maya has been able to sternly deal with this issue and her administration has been relatively cleaner. In fact, the hooliganism under the SP government has been used by the BSP to counter anti-incumbency. Well aware of the fact that SP's image as a party of goons may cost it dearly in the 2012 polls, Akhilesh Yadav is said to have personally intervened and vetoed against Western UP's don D P Yadav's entry into the Samajwadi Party.

All major political parties have fielded candidates with criminal records. Prominent amongst these include Kaptan Singh Rajput, Bhagwan Sharma and Mehboob Ali of the SP, Ram Sewak Patel, Indra Pratap Tiwari and Manjo Tiwari of the BSP, Kalawati Bind, Babban Rajbhar and Ajai Rai of the Congress and Radhey Sham Gupta, Lallu Singh and Santram Senger of the BJP. After being snubbed by the SP, D P Yadav has decided to contest as a candidate of the Rashtriya Parivartan Dal. Relatively smaller parties too have followed the precedent set by the larger parties. Dons of Eastern UP Mukhtar Ansari and Brijesh Singh are also in the fray and have got tickets from Qaumi Ekta and Pragatisheel Manav Samaj Party respectively. Khurmi outfit Apna Dal has fielded Munna Bajrangi and Atia Ahmad who have criminal cases against them.

With her eyes on the polls, the Mayawati government passed a resolution in the state assembly asking the Centre to break-up the mega state into four smaller states for administrative purposes. According to the proposal, the new states would be Poorvanchal (Eastern UP), Harit Pradesh (Western UP), Bundelkhand and Awadh Pradesh (Central UP). Many have questioned Behenji's commitment towards the cause as they believe that the move has ulterior motives. In fact most of the parties seem to have been stumped by Maya's political acumen.

Mayawati's proposal to split Uttar Pradesh

By sending the proposal to the Centre, the BSP has certainly put the ball in the Congress's court. Knowing that the Congress had earlier made a mess of the Telangana statehood issue with different leaders speaking in different tunes, Mayawati has put the Congress on a sticky wicket. In case the Centre approves Maya's proposal, it could open a Pandora's box and demands for statehood from other parts of the country. However, if the government rejects it then Congress will be portrayed as anti-UP by the BSP. As such the party has not yet made its stand clear on this issue. On the other hand, the SP has always opposed any division of the state on the grounds that such a move could diminish the political influence of the state in national politics. The party, which was also against the creation of Uttarakhand has made it clear that it will fight against any division of the state. The BJP which has always supported the creation of smaller states has demanded that the division should be done after setting up a state reorganization committee.

Another big poll issue this election season is the statues of Mayawati, Kanshi Ram and Dr Ambedkar that have been erected in different places throughout the state by the BSP government with money got from the public exchequer. The BSP supremo has claimed that such a move is in the interest of the lower classes as Dr Ambedkar and BSP founder Kanshi Ram have been looked upon by the ordinary Dalits as their heroes. As far as her own statues are concerned, Behenji says that these were erected according to the wishes of her mentor late Shri Kanshi Ram. Going a step further, at an election rally in Lucknow, Maya declared that under her government the state's capital was transformed into Paris due to the construction of the parks.

However, the opposition has been united in condemning this move of the state government. Mulayam Singh has declared publicly that he will bulldoze Mayawati's statues if he comes back to power. Even the BJP has claimed that it will replace Maya's statues with those of spiritual leaders and social reformers. The Election Commission too has asked the Maya regime to cover her statues and that of her party's election symbol, the elephant ahead of the polls. Maya has accused the her opponents and the EC of being biased towards the Dalits and has asked the people to teach the opposition a lesson in the upcoming polls.

Mayawati's statues

The Mayawati statues have been one of the several self glorification exercises by the Dalit leader in the last five years. In 2010, the UP CM was presented with a garland of Rs 1000 notes by her ministers at a rally attended by countless admirers. In its India cables, WikiLeaks reported an incident where the BSP leader sent a private jet to Mumbai to fetch sandals of her preferred brand. It also claimed that she had constructed a private road from her house to her office which is cleaned each day and that she employs food tasters as she fears that she may be assassinated by poisoning. Meanwhile, Maya has refuted the allegations and has advised WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to undergo mental treatment.

The Bhatta-Parsaul agitation against forcible land grabbing by hte BSP government may cost the party, especially in the farming belt of Western UP. Several villagers were allegedly killed by the police in the agitation and their womenfolk were molested. The issue soon snowballed into a huge controversy with the Congress and the BJP trying to use this issue to counter Mayawati. Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh who led a protest march to the village were arrested by the state officials. Rahul claimed to have seen an ash mound where bodies of dead villagers were supposedly burnt by the security staff to cover up the whole incident. However, investigations later proved that such claims were baseless. Even BJP leader Arun Jaitely was arrested before arriving in the village to assess the situation. Sensing that she could lose the support of the farmers from Western UP, Mayawati announced a new land acquisition policy in the state where private parties would themselves acquire land from its owners whwereas the state government would just act as a facilitator.

Lastly, another peculiar feature of the elections in Uttar Pradesh this time around is the number of smaller parties that are in the fray that could spoil the prospects of several parties. The most prominent among these is the Ajit Singh's RLD. The party has a strong support base in Western UP, especially amongst the Jat farmers. Over the years, the RLD has been in alliance with the SP and the BJP in the past. However, the party walked out of the NDA and joined the UPA in December, 2011. Under the arrangement, Ajit Singh was made the Union Minister for Aviation at the Centre. The Congress is hoping that the pre-poll alliance would benefit both the sides.

RLD's Ajit Singh

Rashtriya Lokmanch Party's chief Amar Singh is canvassing heavily in different parts of the state for his party's candidates in spite of not keeping well lately, accusing Mulayam Singh of betraying him. The party's main campaigner is Bollywood beauty Jaya Prada who is campaigning in Rampur against the local SP leader and her political foe Azam Khan. Even former CM Kalyan Singh has hit out at other parties while on the campaign trail. He has calimed that the BJP will never be able to come to power in UP. The Jan Kranti Party leader has handed over the reins of his party to his son Ranveer.

The Peace Party of India, the Bundelkhand Congress and the Apna Dal have come together to forge an alliance named the 'Rashtriya Morcha' to fight the political biggies. The Peace Party was founded by surgeon Mohammad Ayub to unite the Muslims and the Backward classes. Its chief aim is to prevent the political exploitation of these communities by other parties. Actor turned politician Raja Bundela of the Bundela Congress is hopeful that it will do well in the Bundelkhand region. The Khurmi outfit, Apna Dal is hoping to bounce from the set back that it received after the tragic death of its president Sone Lal Patel in a road accident in 2009. The party under Patel's daughter Krishna Patel is hoping to emerge from the shadows of the BSP and muster as many seats as possible. According to the arrangement, the Peace Party would contest a majority of 240 seats and the alliance is hoping to get the Muslim, Dalit, Kshatriya and Khurmi votes.

Several other regional parties have come together to form a grand alliance, 'Ittehadi Front'. Its major constituents include Bharatiya Samaj Party, Quami Ekta Dal, Ittehad-e-Millet Council, Gondwana Ganatantra Party, Indian Justice Party, Bharatiya Janseva Party and so on. The Front has the blessings of Maulana Syed Salman Nadvi, a member of the All India Muslim Personal law Board. Though the Peace Party and its allies were to be a part of this combine, there were later expelled due to differences over a range of issues.

Though the issues are many it will be interesting to see how Uttar Pradesh votes. Poll pundits have predicted that the state may be heading towards a hung assembly. Knowing that a friendly government in Lucknow is essential for a sound and stable government in New Delhi, all four major players will give it all to be in contention in the process of government formation. We will have to keep our fingers crossed till 6th March to see who is crowned as the King of Uttar Pradesh. Hopefully the new government will sincerely work to solve the problems that plague the people and make Uttar Pradesh an 'Uttam Pradesh'.

SOURCES

(1) First Post - Parties renege on promise; no escaping criminals in UP

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/parties-renege-on-promise-theres-no-escaping-criminals-in-up-192749.html

(2) Times of India - Mayawati's plan to divide and rule Uttar Pradesh may be split in four parts

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-09/india/30377530_1_poorvanchal-bsp-sources-mayawati

(3) Times of India - Mayawati sent empty jet to Mumbai for sandals : WikiLeaks

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mayawati-sent-empty-jet-to-Mumbai-for-sandals-WikiLeaks/articleshow/9870389.cms

(4) Yahoo! News - Amar Singh accuses Mulayam of betrayal

http://in.news.yahoo.com/amar-singh-accuses-mulayam-betrayal-055422163.html

(5) Times of India - Lotus will never bloom again in UP : Kalyan

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Lotus-will-never-bloom-in-UP-Kalyan/articleshow/12082804.cms

(6) Our UP - Bundelkhand Congress, Peace Party, Apna Dal alliance for UP elections 2012

http://www.hamaraup.com/resources/2630-Bundelkhand-Congress-Peace-party-Apna-Dal.aspx

(7) India Today - Minor parties gear up to spoil big player's poll outing in Uttar Pradesh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/minor-parties-spoilsport-big-players-uttar-pradesh-polls/1/173310.html

(8) Milli Gazette - Salman Nadvi blesses 13-party Ittehad Front in UP

http://www.milligazette.com/news/3052-salman-nadvi-blesses-13-party-ittehad-front-in-u-p

IMAGES

(1) Salman Rushdie

FirstPost.Life - http://www.firstpost.com/tag/jaipur-literature-festival-2012

(2) D P Yadav

News 24 - http://www.news24online.com/Akhilesh-lacks-political-maturity-DP-Yadav_News24_38664.aspx

(3) Mayawati's proposal to split Uttar Pradesh

http://www.pravasitoday.com/uttar-pradesh-split-centre-returns-mayawatis-proposal

(4) Mayawati's statues

http://www.ndtv.com/article/assembly-polls/up-polls-mayawati-s-statues-draped-after-election-commission-s-order-164795

(5) RLD's Ajit Singh

Samay Live - http://english.samaylive.com/nation-news/676484067/ajit-singh-nachiketa-dismiss-wikileaks-claim.html

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART V

2012-03-03T20:27:00.000+05:30

BATTLEGROUND UP

THE ISSUES - Part A

With a population of over 20 crore people and encompassing an area of over 2.43 lakh sq km, Uttar Pradesh is the big daddy amongst all states of the Indian Union. Though blessed with fertile land and vast bounty of natural and human resource, the state has lagged behind others in terms of infrastructure development and social progress. While UP has given the country eight Prime Ministers since independence, ironically, the state which has been the melting pot of various cultures in ancient and medieval times, and its people have remained largely backward in many aspects. A crucial reason for this has been the fact that the politics of UP has been dominated by insignificant factors like caste and religion.

In the last assembly electionsconducted in the state in 2007, an important factor, apart from the ‘SocialEngineering’ strategy that led to the BSP’s excellent showing was a strong waveof anti-incumbency against the Mulayam Singh regime. With the BJP jostling withinfighting amongst its top leaders and the state unit of the Congress incomplete disarray, the anti-SP votes went into Maya’s kitty leading her to asimple majority in the Uttar Pradesh VidhanSoudha. However, this time around the tables have turned on the BSP. Withthe few development schemes of the Mayawati government being overshadowed bythe numerous corruption scandals, poll punditshave predicted that the party may find it extremely tough to cross the 150mark, let alone coming into power on its own.

UP CM Mayawati

The Samajwadis have undergonesignificant changes in their ranks in the last five years that they were in theopposition. After the Left parties pulled out their support to the UPA - Igovernment on the issue of the Nuclear bill, it was the SP that bailed theCentral government out with the help of its 39 MPs. However, with differencesover the Congress on seat sharing in the state, the SP joined the ‘FourthFront’, comprising of the RJD, LJP and SP. Although the party was reduced to 23seats in the Lok Sabha, it salvagedsome pride by finishing at the top in the four way contest in Uttar Pradesh. In January 2011, industrialist cum politician Amar Singh wasexpelled from the SP. Known for his affluent lifestyle, links with Bollywood personalities and accused in severalcases of corruption, Singh’s exit has added more credibility to the outfit.

The Samajwadi Party has launcheda massive campaign, titled ‘Ummed kiCycle’ to wrest back power from the BSP. Leading the poll bandwagon isKannauj MP and the party’s Yuvraj AkhileshYadav. The young leader’s cycle rallies across different corners of the statehave been a huge hit and have witnessed sizable crowds. The state polls willbe a crucial phase in the young scion’s political career and a good showing bythe SP will firmly establish him as a prominent player in North Indian politics.The foreign educated Akhilesh has also made it clear that his party is not againstcomputers or English, a paradigm shift from its earlier stand and an attempt toreach out to the urban youth. However, he has maintained that emphasis will beon Hindi and Urdu in case his father gets a fourth term as the state’s ChiefMinister.

However, the greatest worry forthe SP is losing the anti-BSP votes to a resurgent Congress. After being out ofpower for the last 22 years and reduced to a mere 21 seats in the lastelections, the UP unit of the party has been rejuvenated by the entry of RahulGandhi into the election campaign. Though his charisma failed to impress theelectorate in Bihar, Rahul seems to have touched a chord with the people of UP.This was evident in the superb performance of the Congress in the Generalelections where it bagged as many as 21 seats surpassing all expectations.

Realizing that a strong presencein the state will hold the key to his party’s future, the young leader hasnever missed any opportunity to hit at the Mayawati government, be it theBhatta-Parsaul agitation against forcible land grabbing, lack of development or the allegations ofcorruption against Behenji and hercolleagues. In his speeches, Rahul has blamed the successive SP, BSP and BJP governmentsin Lucknow for the lack of infrastructure development in the state, ignoringthe fact that no worthwhile development was done during the 40 year long periodwhen the Congress was in power in the state. An alliance with Ajit Singh’s RLD has alsoenhanced the Congress’s poll prospects. While her older brother is campaigningacross the nook and corner of the state, Priyanka Gandhi, the other half of thefamous Gandhi siblings is canvassing for the party’s candidates in the familybastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

With so much media hype revolvingaround Rahul, many are claiming that this could be the make-or-break electionsfor him A good showing by the Congress will be regarded as a vote for Rahulrather than for the Congress’s ideology by the loyal party workers and will beheralded as his coming of age in the arena of Indian politics, therebyaccelerating his ascent towards the PM’s post. However, an average performancecould end up giving more ammunition to the BJP and other parties to ridiculethe Congress’s poster boy. Though there is little doubt that senior partyleaders will defend Rahul baba at all costs in case of an electoral drubbing, likethey did after the Bihar polls in 2010, the whole situation will surely be embarrassingfor the Congress, to say the least.

Even the BJP is trying hard toretain lost ground in the state. The saffron outfit which ruled the state underKalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh has been consistently losing ground in the stateover the last few years. For a party that began its journey to the top ofIndian politics from UP, it is ironically that today, the BJP finds itself insuch a hopeless position in the state. Strengthening the party in Uttar Pradeshis one of the topmost priorities of the chief Nitin Gadkari. With thisobjective in mind the party has made Hindutvafirebrand and its OBC face, Uma Bharathi as the spearhead of its electioncampaign. Also the party is trying hard to woo back the upper caste votes thathad gone to the BSP in the last election.

Babu Singh Kushwaha

Ever since the whole nation stoodbehind Anna Hazare in the fight for a strong and effective Lokpal, corruption has become a major political issue in everystate that goes to polls this year and Uttar Pradesh is no exception. Withfresh allegations of corruption cropping up at regular intervals against Behenji and her ministers, theOpposition has upped its ante against the state government. Many will rememberthat during her previous tenure, the UP CM was accused of accepting graft togive clearance to the multi-crore TajCorridor project, ignoring all environmental concerns and the damaging effects itwould have on the World Heritage Monument. Though no significant progress hasbeen made in the CBI investigation looking into the scam, a slew of corruption chargesagainst the Dalit icon’s cabinet ministers and close aides might cut short herdream of retaining the mega state.

Probably, the most well-known ofall the scams that have tarnished the BSP government is the National RuralHealth Mission (NRHM) scam in which top ministers, bureaucrats and their aideshave been accused of siphoning off an estimated Rs 10,000 crore released by theCentral government for improving health care in remote areas of the state.Moreover, the death of several heath department officials under mysteriouscircumstances is been widely viewed as an attempt to cover up the scam byeliminating key links that lead to the actual perpetrators of the crime. Meanwhile,Union Rural Development minister Jairam Ramesh has asked Mayawati to order aCBI investigation into the embezzlement of funds meant for the implementationof the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) inseveral districts of the state. The myriad cases of land grabbing, amassing ofdisproportionate assets, misuse of power and public wealth haveclearly put the elephant on the back foot.

Rahul Gandhi is raking up theissue of widespread corruption in the Maya government to get the Congress intopower in Lucknow. In every rally that the PM-in-waiting has addressed so far inthe state, he has accused the BSP’s Hatthi of eating all money released bythe UPA government for the welfare of the state. On similar lines, thefather-son duo of Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav has also focused on theissue of corruption to catapult the SP back to power. The BJP,which had earlier accused the Maya government of indulging in widespreadcorruption, scored a self-goal by welcoming the former state minister BabuSingh Kushwaha into the party after he was shown the door by Behenji following investigations intothe NRHM scam. Besides, hitting the credibility of the saffron outfit, it has alsodamaged the morale of the cadre, who reports suggest, were against the movetaken unilaterally by the high command.

As always, instead of taking allthe criticism lying down, the ‘Iron Lady’ of Uttar Pradesh has launched a majorcampaign to get an image makeover ahead of the polls. After a report by the CAGindicted the state health and family welfare ministries in the NHRM scam,Mayawati dropped two of her closest ministers, Babu Singh Kushwaha (FamilyWelfare) and Anant Kumar Mishra (Health) from her cabinet and her party. Severaltainted babus including AwadheshVerma (Backward Class Development), Fateh Bahadur Singh (Forest), Anis Ahmed(Minorities Welfare & Haj), Awadhpal Singh Yadav (Animal Husbandry &Diary Development), etc were sacked after the state Lokayukta started probing allegations against them. Others likeShrinath (Chairman of UP SC/ST Commission), Disha Chamber (Chairman of UPScheduled Caste Finance Commission) and Ashok Kumar Dhore (Water Resource) weredismissed for reasons like extra-marital affair, indiscipline and misconductrespectively. Like the BJP in Uttarakhand, the BSP has dropped nearly a thirdof all its sitting MLAs, including nearly 20 ministers in the incumbent government.

While it is true that Maya’srecord in the last five years in tackling corruption in UP has been dismal, tosay the least, no political party can claim moral high ground on this issue. Tocounter Rahul tirade against the BSP government for being inefficient to tacklethis menace, Mayawati has hit back by highlighting the several scandals thathave plagued the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. The entry ofKushwaha into the BJP has dealt a severe blow to the party’s campaign in thestate and it has failed to derive any political mileage out of the catch 22situation that the Congress and the BSP find themselves in. The Samajwadis have decided to play it safe and have slammed its doors on all cabinet ministers and MLAs who wanted to join its rank after being dumped by the BSP. Meanwhile, investigations into allegations of corruption against Mulayam and his close relatives, including Akhilesh are still in progress.

Dalit women

Probably, the biggest issue in all elections in UP so far, from the Lok Sabha elections to the Panchayat elections has been the caste factor. Whether one accepts or not, it is rather sad that the caste of the candidate decides whom the voter votes for in. Over the years, regional satraps like Maya and Mulayam have become masters of this trade.

Behenji has emerged to be the most popular Dalit leader in India and her party's vote bank is primarily the Harijan votes. In 2007, she reached out to other communities, most notably the upper castes with her unique experiment of 'Social Engineering' - a brainchild of Brahmin leader, Subhash Mishra, and came to power with an absolute majority. The Brahmin leader was sidelined in the BSP after he was accused of appointing his family members to party posts, leading to protests from the Dalit leaders who felt that this would cause the party's core vote bank to drift away. Soon their fears turned into reality when a significant chunk of Dalit votes went to the Congress and the BSP managed to get only 20 seats in the last general elections. Hoping to retain her post and the to woo the Brahmin community, Mayawati has brought back Mishra into the forefront ahead of the polls.

Like Mayawati, the SP's primary vote bank is the Yadav and OBC community to which its leader Mulayam belong to. The Congress is also hoping to win the Dalit and OBC communities to its side, with Rahul Gandhi making every effort possible to reach out to them. The BJP on its part is going all out to bring back the Brahmin votes, which it had lost to the BSP in 2007, to its kiity. Also, by making OBC leader Uma Bharati the face of its state campaign, the saffron outfit is hoping to increase its chances of winning as many seats as possible. Besides, it has also risked roping in Babu Kushwaha to win over the Kushwaha community that accounts for 3% of the state's population.

SOURCES

(1) Zee News –Multi-crore MNREGAscam in UP, alleges Ramesh

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/multi-crore-mnrega-scam-in-up-alleges-ramesh_738380.html

(2) Wikipedia – Taj Corridor Scam,UP NHRM scam, Akhilesh Yadav

http://www.wikipedia.org

(3) BSP claims Mayawati sacked ministers after survey – IndiaToday

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bsp-claims-mayawati-sacked-ministers-after-survey/1/166732.html

(4) With eye on UP polls, Mayawati intensifes clean-up –India Today

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/up-cm-mayawati-sacks-corrupt-ministers-up-polls/1/166422.html

(5) Mayawati woos Brahmins in run upto elections, projects SC Mishra as leader

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-11-13/news/30394034_1_brahmin-face-mp-brijesh-pathak-chief-minister-mayawati

IMAGES

(1) UP CM Mayawati

Zee News - http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/up/issues.html/2

(2) Babu Singh Kushwaha

India Today - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/babu-singh-kushwaha-induction-adds-fuel-to-war-within-bjp/1/167406.html

(3) Dalit women

Jagran Post - http://post.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh-tops-chart-in-crime-against-dalits-1320398341

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART IV

2012-02-19T15:48:00.136+05:30

BATTLEGROUND UTTARAKHAND

THE CONTENDERS AND THE ISSUES

Nestled amongst the mighty Himalayas, the state of Uttarakhand, characterized by lush green hills, steep doons (valleys), gushing rivers and abundant natural beauty is one of the most picturesque states of India. Dotted with places of pilgrimage and worship in Hinduism, the state, referred to as the ‘Land of the Gods’ attracts a large number of tourists each year. Carved out of north western Uttar Pradesh after a long, yet relatively peaceful struggle, the state has not yet made any significant progress even 12 years after its creation. The state politics has been dominated by the national parties – the BJP and the Congress and there have been five different Chief Ministers. Also, the electorate has voted out incumbent governments in the two assembly elections since its formation.

Aware of this fact, the ruling BJP is heavily banking on its CM Bhuvan Chand Khanduri to rewrite history and come back to power. A former army man who was given the Athi Vishisht Seva Medal by the President in 1982, he was the Minister for Road Transport and Highways in the NDA government and played a key role in the implementation of Vajpayee’s dream project – The Golden Quadrilateral. A four time Lok Sabha MP from Garhwal, he was made the Uttarkhand CM after he led the BJP to a victory in the 2007 elections. However, after a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Congress in the 2009 General elections, he was asked to take moral responsibility for the party’s dissmal show in the state and replaced by his former confidant, Ramesh Pokriyal Nishank as the saffron party was looking for an image makeover in the hill state.

Uttarakhand CM B C Khanduri

However, little did the BJP know that many of the problems that plague the party in this election would emanate from Pokriyal’s 18 month rule, or as his detractors say, ‘misrule’. During his tenure the government was shrouded in a series of scams, most notably the Kumbh Mela scam, irregularities in the bidding process for the construction of several hydro electric plants and the Citurgia land scam. In fact, the situation soon became a political ‘hot potato’ for the BJP with the Congress accusing it of double standards in its anti-corruption campaign against the UPA government. Even civil society member, Arvind Kejriwal trained his guns at Pokriyal and labeled him as ‘pocket edition of Suresh Kalmadi’. Fearing a rout in the forthcoming polls, the BJP president Nitin Gadkari, at the behest of senior party leaders Murali Manohar Joshi and Rajnath Singh, summoned the Uttarakhand CM to New Delhi and sacked him.

In a bid to regain lost ground, the saffron outfit installed its most popular leader in the state, Khanduri as the new CM. And in his second stint, Khanduri hit a six of the very first ball when he passed Anna Hazare’s version of the Lokpal bill. This move won him accolades from the civil society and further enhanced his image as a clean and upright leader. To cut the Congress to size in the state, he ordered inquiry into several cases of corruption during the N D Tiwari led Congress government. He also passed several popular legislations including Uttarakhand Right to Service Act (making 80 basic services to be provided within a prescribed time limit), Uttarakhand Special Courts Act (setting up of fast trials courts to deal against corruption) and Uttarakhand Transfer for Public Servants Act (dealing with frequent transfers of government employees). Thus what once looked like a cake walk for the Congress has turned into a tight contest. The ‘Khanduri Zarori Hain’ campaign of the BJP has revitalized the party cadre and opinion polls have suggested that the party may have a slight edge over the Congress in Uttarakhand.

The Opposition Congress finds itself rather on a sticky wicket. With the UPA government accused in a number of scams, the state unit of is finding hard to make the corruption under the Pokhriyal regime a major political issue. However the main mudda for the party ahead of the upcoming polls is the lack of development in the last 5 years. Though blessed with perennial rivers, watered by glaciers in the Himalayas, many parts of the state are facing acute water shortage. Besides, routine power cut and lack of road connectivity, especially in rural areas have become a major road block in the state’s development and has given more ammunition to the party to attack the incumbent government. Unemployment and migration from hills due to poor living conditions in the villages are other planks that the Congress is fighting the assembly polls. But poll pundits have predicted that with high inflation may dent the prospects of the party in the state.

In fact, the large number of rebels that have entered the fray may hold the key as to who forms the next government in Dehradun. Hoping to beat anti-incumbency, the BJP dropped a third of its sitting MLAs but the move backfired as many of these leaders have rebelled and are contesting against the party’s official candidates. Though former cabinet ministers, Khajan Das and Govind Singh Bist seem to have fallen in line after much persuasion, several others like Kedar Singh Fonia (Badrinath), G L Shah (Tharali) and Anil Nautiyal (Karnaprayag) have been expelled and are contesting the polls either as independents or as candidates of regional parties. Also, the party is facing rebellion in all three assembly seats in Chamoli district.

BJP leaders Pokhriyal, Koshiyari and Khanduri

And the situation is equally bad for the Opposition. Although, it has given tickets to all its sitting MLAs, the Congress is facing rebels in several constituencies. With the state unit being divided into several camps, each supporting its own CM candidate, loyalists of leaders who have been denied party tickets, are standing as independents. Prominent amongst them include Jot Singh Bist (Dhanaulti), a Harish Rawat loyalist and Mantri Prasad Naithani (Devprayag), who is known to be close to Satpal Maharaj.

Another problem for the two national parties in the state is the infighting amongst the state leaders for the much coveted seat of the Chief Minister. While the BJP has projected Khanduri as its official CM candidate, former CMs Ramesh Pokriyal and Bhagat Singh Koshiyari have not yet given up their claims over the top post. Pokriyal, once a close confidant of Khanduri was chosen by the latter to replace him after he was made to resign following the BJP’s rout in 2009 Lok Sabha elections. This was seen by many as a move to prevent Koshiyari from being the CM. Although Khanduri and Koshiyari buried their hatchet and worked together to end Pokriyal’s stay at the helm of affairs in the state, the bonhomie was short lived and the two soon fell apart.

Khanduri is contesting from Kotdwar in the plains after his seat of Dhumkot in the hills ceased to exist following the delimitation exercise. The sitting BJP MLA from the constituency, Shailendra Singh Rawat is known to be very popular in the area and has given up his seat in favor of Khanduri after initial resentment and the promise of a plum post if the party comes to power in the polls. Though many speculated that Shailendra may rebel against the party's dikat, he has been seen actively campaigning for the CM.

Ramesh Pokhriyal, a sitting MLA from Thalisainin is contesting from the town of Doiwala near Dehradun. He has been side lined by the party and many of his loyalists including Anil Nautiyal, Pankaj Sehgal , G L Shah and Manveer Singh Chauhan have been denied tickets, thereby suppressing any chances of rebellion from his side. Without the support of local leader and agriculture minister, T S Rawat – a Koshiyari aide and with a slew of corruption charges against him, the former CM may find it extremely difficult to win his seat.

Koshiyari, who is a BJP MP from Rajya Sabha and a RSS favorite, is not contesting the state elections. Though the BJP has denied all allegations of infighting amongst its top leaders, sources say that relations between the BJP’s Tridevs are far from cordial and may affect the saffron party’s performance in the hill state.

Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat

While BJP is said to be in split over the issues of CM, the Congress is in no better situation as it several potential candidates for the CM’s chair. Harak Singh Rawat, the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing house is contesting from Rudraprayag against brother-in-law, Matbar Singh Khandari who is a state minister and a two time MLA from the assembly seat. A protégé of Govindacharya, who left the BJP to join the BSP and then the Congress, he is seen as a frontrunner for the CM’s chair in case the Congress comes to power in the hill state.

The Minister of State for Labour in the UPA government and Haridwar Lok Sabha MP, Harish Rawat is also seen by many as a potential CM candidate. Starting his political career at the village level, he has worked as a Trade Unionist and Youth Congress leader. As such he is seen as a grass root politician and enjoys the support of party cadres.

Dalit leader and state Congress in-charge Yashpal Arya is another prominent Congress leader form the state and is contesting from Bazpur seat. His Dalit-Muslim combine was a seen as instrumental in the party’s resounding victory in the 2009 elections.

Lok Sabha MPs from the state Satpal Maharaj (Garhwal) and Vijay Bahugana (Tehri) are the other contenders in the fray. Even veteran Congress leader and former CM N D Tiwari has thrown his hat in the ring and has announced that he is ready to head the state if the ‘High command’ desires. The octogenarian politician has secured seats for his nephew Manish Tiwari (Gadarpur) and associate Indira Hridayesh (Haldwani).

The delimitation exercise in Uttarakhand which has reduced the representation of the ten hill districts and increases that of other three districts, namely Haridwar, Dehradun and Udham Singh Nagar may end up spoiling prospects of several top politicians in the state. Several top leaders including the BJP’s Khanduri, and Pokhriyal and Congress’s Yashpal Arya and Harak Rawat have been forced to shift their base and scout for new assembly seats.

Besides the two national parties, the BSP is hoping to increase its tally in the state assembly to double digits. In fact, the BSP supremo has realized that a good show in the upcoming elections in UP, Uttarakhand and Punjab may make her a force to reckon with in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Continuing with her dream of becoming India’s first Dalit PM, the UP CM has addressed several rallies in the hill state in a bid to garner as many seats as possible. In the last assembly elections, the party did very well in the Haridwar district, winning 6 out of the 9 assembly seats. With the number of assembly seats from the district being increased to 11 this time around, the BSP is looking to improve its performance and emerge as a king-maker in case of a hung assembly.

UKD leader Diwakar Bhatt

The Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) which spear headed the movement for the creation of a separate hill state in the Himalayas has utterly failed in its motive to become a third alternative for the people of Uttarakhand. In the last assembly elections, the UKD could get only three seats and ended up supporting the BJP. Amongst the party’s main aim is the setting up of a new state capital at Gairsain and protecting the culture and rights of the people of the region. However, the UKD’s ideology, especially since the creation of the state has failed to strike a chord with the voters and its support base is sinking over the years. As of today, the party’s electoral symbol has been freezed by the EC and infighting between state cabinet minister Diwakar Bhatt and Trivender Singh Panwar has split the party into two factions, namely the UKD (D) and the UKD (P), which has joined hands with the Left parties.

The Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha (URM) floated by former army man Lieut-Gen Tej Pal Singh Rawat has been able poach several leaders from the BJP and the Congress who have been disgruntled with their parties for various reasons. Rawat, who has been associated with the BJP and Congress in the past, is planning to win the hearts of the electorate by fielding clean candidates.

As in other states, the political parties seem to have completely forgotten the issues that affect the farming community in the hill state. The man-animal conflict involving grazing of crops by herbivores, especially in the hilly terrain causes loss worth lakhs of rupees to the farmers. Also, the illegal quarrying of the Ganga river bed is destroying the National River and the flora and fauna that depend on it. This issue was highlighted by the death of Swami Nigmanad, who died in June 2011 after a long fast which attracted no large scale media attention as compared to the Baba Ramdev’s 11 day fast against the midnight police crackdown on his agitation against black money in New Delhi, which looked more like a farce.

Swami Nigmanad

As the election fever grips the state, the BJP and the Congress are trying their level best to win the forthcoming polls. The saffron outfit is aiming to rewrite history and get back to power for a second consecutive term. On the other hand, the Congress is highlighting the short comings of the incumbent government and trying to convince the electorate to vote it to power. The regional parties and the many independent candidates that are contesting the polls are hoping that a fractured mandate may make them key players in the process of government formation, provided they manage to win their seats. The people's verdict to be announced on 6th March will decide who rules the state and who bites the dust.

SOURCES

(1) Business Line - BJP banking on Khanduri's clean image to return to power in Uttarakhand

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/government-and-policy/article2837245.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

(2) NEWS Bullet.in - BJP magic to continue in Uttarakhand

http://www.newsbullet.in/india/34-more/24972-BJP%20magic%20to%20continue%20in%20Uttarakhand

(3) The Indian Express - Will file defamation suit against Kejriwal: Nishank
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/will-file-defamation-suit-against-arvind-kejriwal-nishank/902858/

(4) Business Standard - In Uttarakhand, revolt in BJP more severe than Cong

http://www.business-standard.com/assemblyelections2012/news/in-uttarakhand-revolt-in-bjp-more-severe-than-cong/155089/on

(5) The Times of India - Many Nishank loyalists dropped from BJP list

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/many-nishank-loyalists-dropped-from-bjp-list/895370/0

(6) The Indian Express - Congress attempts to pin down Khanduri in his own constituency

http://www.indianexpress.com/assembly-election2012-news/cong-attempts-to-pin-down-khanduri-in-his-own-constituency/903870/0

(7) Zee News - Uttarakhand CM Candidates
http://zeenews.india.com/state-elections-2012/uttarakhand/cm.html/3

(8) Jagran Post - Appraoch for Uttarakhand's chief minesterial post gains momentum in Congress

http://post.jagran.com/Approach-for-Uttarakhands-chief-ministerial-position-gains-momentum-in-Congress-1328762365

(9) Wikipedia - Uttarakhand Kranti Dal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttarakhand_Kranti_Dal

(10) Jay Bharat, Jay Uttarakhand - Uttarakhand Kranti Dal
http://jayuttarakhand.blogspot.in/2007/12/uttarakhand-kranti-dal.html

(11) The Tribune India - Pact with BJP proved 'suicidal' for UKD
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111230/dun.htm#1

(12) The Tribune India - Party activists will never forgive Panwar, says Diwakar Bhatt

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111230/dun.htm#2

(13) The Times of India - Maya eyes Uttarakhand to raise BSP's vote bank

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-20/lucknow/30646568_1_bsp-bjp-president-uttarakhand-kranti-dal

(14) The Times of India - In Uttarakhand, politicians ignoring farmer's issues
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-27/india/30670089_1_aromatic-plants-fields-bjp-mla

IMAGES

(1) Uttarakhand CM B C Khanduri

Zee News - http://zeenews.india.com/tags/B_C_Khanduri.html

(2) BJP leaders Pokhriyal, Koshiyari and Khanduri
The Tribune India - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100708/dun.htm

(3) Leader of Opposition Harak Singh Rawat

The Hindu - http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2889819.ece

(4) UKD leader Diwakar Bhatt
The Tribune India - http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110513/dun.htm

(5) Swami Nigmanad
India Water Portal - http://www.indiawaterportal.org/post/18729

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART III

2012-02-06T22:43:00.023+05:30

BATTLEGROUND PUNJAB

THE CONTENDERS AND THE ISSUES

Referred to as ‘Sapt-Sindhu’ in the ancient Vedic literature, Punjab – the land of Sikhs has played a prominent role in the transformation of India from an agrarian community to an economic powerhouse. It was here that Guru Nanak Dev preached the principles of love and peace and laid the foundation of Sikhism in an era marked by violence and political instability. Great sons of Mother India like Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh etc who so valiantly fought for freedom hail from this state. Known for their bravery, courage, fun-loving ways and bindass attitude, the Punjabi people are an integral part of the Indian armed forces and entertainment industry.

However, today the state of Punjab is witnessing a slow decline in its fortunes. Known as ‘the wheat bowl of India’, the state, along with neighboring Haryana has been a leading contributor towards meeting the country’s food requirements. Over the years, the issues related to farmers have remained unresolved and many of them are in debt, taken primarily from private money lenders. While agricultural woes continue to grow, the IT sector is yet to make it large in the border state. Rampant corruption, lack of infrastructure development and bad governance under successive regimes has taken people’s faith off the political class. As such the 30^th January polls are crucial as the people’s mandate will decide who will rule the Punjab Vidhan Sabha for the next 5 years.

Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal (left) with son and Deputy CM Sukhbir

The incumbent Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal will be seeking a fourth term in the upcoming polls. At 85, the senior Badal has made it clear that it, if elected, it will be his last term in office and that he will pave way for the younger generation of Akalis (i.e. his son Sukhbir Badal) to takeover. A veteran in state politics, Badal has groomed his son, Sukhbir, a three time MP and Deputy CM of the state to lead the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and take the family legacy forward. Sukhbir’s wife, Harsimrat Kaur has emerged as a key strategist for the party and beat high profile Congress candidate Raninder Singh to win the Bhatinda Lok Sabha seat in 2009.

Forget the CM’s chair, it will be very difficult for the sitting CM to retain even his assembly seat of Lambi as he is facing stiff competition from two of his kin. While his own estranged younger brother, Gurudas Badal will contest on a PPP ticket, the Congress has fielded Mahesh Inder Singh Badal from this seat. SAD president Sukhbir Badal will contest from Jalabad while former civil servants former DGP, P S Gill and ex-principal secretary to CM, D S Guru are fighting on Akali ticket from Moga and Bhadur respectively.

Considering the fact that the state has a history of voting out incumbent governments, the Badals are trying hard to convince the voters to get the SAD-BJP alliance in power for a second consecutive term. In fact, the ruling combine had faced a disastrous defeat in the state during the 2009 Lok Sabha polls where they were reduced to a mere 5 seats whereas the opposition Congress got as many as 9 seats.

With the whole country rising for the Lokpal bill, the slew of corruption charges against the father-son duo may severely hamper the prospects of the Akalis in the upcoming polls. Although the Badals have been acquitted in cases of cheating and possession of disproportionate assets framed during the previous Congress regime, the manner in which the much hyped case was quietly buried after the Akalis got back in power, leaves several questions unanswered. As many as 130 odd witnesses including the Investigating Officer Surinder Pal Singh turned hostile and opposition has accused the Badals of using a lethal mix of money and muscle power to win the case. Besides, Surinder Singh has been given extension in service thrice, post retirement.

Punjab Congress Chief Captain Amarinder Singh

The Congress party will be led by former Chief Minister and Maharaja of the erstwhile state of Patiala, Captain Amarinder Singh. A former army man who took part in the operations during the 1965 war, he is seen to be a close confidant of the Congress president. In fact, at an election rally during his Punjab tour, Rahul Gandhi publicly acknowledged that Amarinder was his party’s CM candidate, putting to rest all speculations that his wife and MP Preneet Kaur may get the coveted post in case the Congress comes to power.

Continuing its ‘rich heritage’ of encouraging political lineage, the Congress has given tickets to kins of several prominent leaders of past and present. Former CM and Amarinder’s party rival, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who is standing from Lehragaga, has also secured a seat for her son-in-law Vikram Bajwa. Gurkirat Singh Kotli, grandson of former CM Beant Singh and former CM Harcharan Singh Brar’s daughter-in-law Karan Brar have been given tickets. However, Amarinder’s son Yuvraj Raninder Singh who is contesting from the Samana assembly seat is involved in a close fight with his uncle Malvinder Singh who left the Congress to join the SAD after being denied a ticket in favor of his nephew.

Apart from corruption, the major electoral issue for the Congress is what it calls the failure of the Badal government to successfully implement the national schemes in the state. UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi has accused the Badal government of using only 10 per cent of the Rs 5,000 crore that the Central government had sanctioned under the NREGA scheme for Punjab. Like madamji, even PM Manmohan Singh blamed the ruling combine of not doing enough for the people in the sectors of health care and education. He also reminded the people the work that his government had done for the development of the state including setting up an IIT in Ropar, an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Mohali and the up gradation of Amritsar international airport and medical college.

A setback for the Congress may be the fact that Maharaja is known to be largely inaccessible to the general public. Also in his first tenure, Singh constantly faced rebellion from former CM Rajinder Kaur who was placated after she was made the deputy CM. The Badals, although seen as autocratic, on the other hand, are known to mingle with party workers and ordinary people. Sukhbir’s go-getter attitude seems to have been a hit with the Punjabi youth. The new kid on the block, Manpreet talks about a debt and corruption free Punjab and promises to find solution to the problems of farmers.

The greatest worry for the Congress will be losing votes to the significant number of rebels who are in the fray either as independents or have switched sides after being denied tickets. Although over a dozen Congressmen have been expelled for anti-party activities, the party will compete against its own former members in 38 out of the total 117 seats.

PPP President Manpreet Singh Badal

Well, for the Akalis, they have a problem of their own. Atleast 13 rebels are contesting the polls and former party leader, Manjit Singh Calcutta has thrown his weight behind the Congress. Former state finance minister and the CM’s nephew, Manpreet Badal launched his own political outfit, the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) after a series of differences with his cousin, Sukhbir over issues relating to governance. Like Raj Thackery in Maharashtra, the ‘other Badal’ seems to have been disillusioned within the SAD after his cousin was given preferential treatment although both of them were leaders of equal capability.

Aiming to become the third alternative to the people tired of misrule under both the SAD and the Congress, Manpreet has created an umbrella alliance – ‘Sanjha Morcha’ that comprises of PPP, CPI (M), CPI and SAD (Longowal). At the onset, prominent Akali leaders like Jagbir Singh Brar and Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon joined the PPP and the party was reportedly gaining momentum across the state. However, with a series of leaders including Brar and Dhillon defecting to the Congress, Manpreet may find it extremely difficult to get even a handful of seats. But, one thing is for sure, this flamboyant leader who is contesting from Gidderbaha and Maur, with a clean image may spoil the fortunes of several SAD candidates including his uncle.

With opinion polls suggesting that both the Congress and SAD may end up with about 40 odd seats, the performance of the BJP, an ally in the ruling combine may decide who forms the next government in Punjab. In the last elections, the saffron party did particularly well in the urban areas, winning 19 out of the 23 seats it contested. But the corruption charges against MLA Raj Khurana and the subsequent raid on his premises that have set to yielded a Porsche, Rs 15 lakh in cash and a cheque worth Rs 1 crore and serious charges of embezzlement levied against former Forest Minister Tikshan Sud, have become a major embarrassment for the ruling combine. Though all 5 cabinet ministers from the BJP resigned after the raid, at the behest of the president Nitin Gadkari amidst the Anna Hazare movement, the BJP has given tickets to both the tainted babus. Meanwhile, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur will contest from Amritsar East constituency and state BJP Chief Ashwani Kumar Sharma has been fielded from Pathankot.

BJP MLA Raj Khurana

There have been reports of friction between the SAD and the BJP, especially over the issue of development in urban areas. The BJP alleged that the Badal government diverted Rs 735 crore meant for the development of municipalities, from which it derives most of its strength. As the war of words escalated, senior leaders Rajnath Singh and Yashwant Sinha had to intervene to prevent a split. Apart from this, infighting amongst state leaders, mostly notably between Luxmi Kant Chawla and Jagdish Sahni has added to the party’s misery. Chawla, who has a reputation of being an upright leader, has stated that she would no longer contest any elections and continue doing social work. Also, the Akali Dal has fielded 11 Hindu candidates on its own and the move is being looked upon as an attempt to garner Hindu votes and reduce its dependence on its ally.

A peculiar feature of the 2012 polls has been the rise in Dalit assertion, especially in the fertile Daoba region of the state. Fuelled with money sent by kin who work abroad, the Dalits, instilled with pride, are witnessing a change in fortunes and are on the path towards progress. The attack on the leaders of Dera Sachkhand in Vienna, allegedly by a group of extremist Jat Sikhs has been a key factor in the Dalit awakening in the fields of culture and politics. The Dera has thousands of followers in the Daoba region, most of who belong to the lower classes. And looking to make the most of the situation is India’s foremost low caste leader, Mayawati. Behenji has asked the people of the state to fulfill her mentor, Kanshi Ram’s dream of a BSP government in Punjab come true in the forth coming elections. At a time, when she is defending her crown in her own state, the very fact that she addressed four rallies across Punjab is ample proof that Mayawati is trying to ride on the Dalit wave in Punjab to expand her influence beyond UP.

Amongst the myriad Deras that have cropped up across Punjab, the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda, with an estimated 30 lakh followers in the state is perhaps the most influential. Its spiritual leader Ram Rahim Singh was in an eye of storm after adds depicting him in the attire of 10^th Sikh guru Gobind Singh were published in May 2007. Although the Dera tendered multiple apologies, several Sikh organizations including the SAD had accused the guru of hurting religious sentiments and attacks were made on the baba and his followers. The Dera responded by declaring open support to the Congress in the 2007 polls and though the party lost, it made major gains in the Akali stronghold of Malwa, where a majority of Dera followers hail from. Reports of a truce between the seer and SAD are doing the rounds after the Dera refused to back any party this time around and has promised to support only those candidates who had a clean image and opposed social evils like female infanticide and drug abuse. At least 100 candidates are said to have visited Sirsa for a private audience with Ram Rahim Singh for seeking the blessing of the guru to help them win the assembly polls.

Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh

Although, politicians are using every opportunity to lure voters and score brownie points over political opponents, the actual issues that face the voters on the ground do not find resonance in political speeches. Unemployment has risen sharply and jobless youth are taking to drugs. The once prosperous state is today in a debt exceeding Rs 1.2 lakh crore and power cuts have become common. Though there is no doubt that ‘Green Revolution’ in Punjab has been a tremendous success, unplanned agricultural practices have led to a series of problems like soil erosion, reduction in soil fertility, lowering of water table, increase in number of cancer cases due to indiscriminate use of pesticides, etc. It is rather sad that farmers of a land that feeds the entire nation are living have been failed by the state politicians.

Opinion polls have suggested a close fight and a vote swing of 2 or 3 per cent may well become the deciding factor. The fate of nearly 1100 candidates and more importantly, that of 2.7 crore Punjabis is on the line. Can the Akali-BJP alliance create history and retain power for a consecutive term? Will Amarinder Singh lead to Congress back to power in Punjab? And how much impact will Manpreet Badal have in the assembly polls? We will have to wait till 6^th March to see who does the Bahngra - Punjab's state dance.

SOURCES

(1) DNA - 137 witnesses turn hostilein Parkash Singh Badal
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_137-witnesses-turn-hostile-in-parkash-singh-badal-corruption-case_1369907

(2) India Today - Tainted babu claims Sukhbir Singh Badal framed him in graft case
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-ias-officer-sukhbir-singh-badal-framed-corruption-case/1/169149.html

(3) In.com - Candidates in Punjab assembly polls
http://connect.in.com/parkash-singh-badal/article-prominent-candidates-in-punjab-assembly-polls-1387-3e3c86f6475f9c83fdd964ab773f5e33e9c7fbaa.html

(4) Day and Night News - Punjab polls 2012: Manmohan Singh addresses rally in Amritsar
http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2012/01/punjab-poll-2012-manmohan-singh-addresses-rally-in-amritsar/

(5) India Today - Nepotism guides Congress in Punjab polls ticket distribution
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nepotism-guides-congress-in-punjab-polls-ticket-distribution/1/167399.html

(6) India Today - Punjab BJP plagued by corruption charges
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-bjp-plagued-by-charges-of-corruption/1/138275.html

(7) Times of India - Punjab polls: The tainted quotient in Punjab BJP list
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Punjab-polls-The-taint-quotient-in-BJP-Punjab-list/articleshow/11370191.cms?prtpage=1

(8) Economic Times - Assembly Elections 2012: Three scares for Congress in Punjab

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-01/news/31012827_1_dalit-votes-rebel-candidates-manpreet-badal

(9) Times of India - Punjab Polls: Dalit self-pride holds key in fertile Daob
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-26/india/30666424_1_dalit-chamar-doaba

IMAGES

(1) Punjab CM Praksh Singh Badal (left) with Deputy CM Sukhbir
India Today: The Triumphant trio - http://www.indiataday.in

(2) Punjab Congress Chief Captain Amarinder Singh
Amarinder Singh: Official Site - http://www.myamarindersingh.in

(3) PPP President Manpreet Singh Badal
Indian Express: Manpreet begins Jago Punjab Yatra - http://www.indianexpress.com

(4) BJP MLA Raj Khurana
Day and Night News: Raj Khurana resigns as Punjab CPS - http://www.dayandnightnews.com

(5) Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh
IBN Live: CBI ready to nail Dera chief in murder, rape - http://www.ibnlive.com

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART II

2012-02-02T23:28:00.025+05:30

BATTLEGROUND UP

THE CONTENDERS

In Indian politics, they say that ‘The road to Delhi goes via Lucknow’. With a population of about 20 crore and an assembly comprising of a staggering 406 seats, it is no doubt that the impact of the political drama played out in the state of Uttar Pradesh, are felt at the Centre. A large number of our national leaders hail from here and the issues that affect the people in the heart of the ‘Hindi heartland’ regularly find resonance in the national Parliament.

Apart from being the cradle of Indian civilization since time immemorial, the state has produced as many as eight Prime Ministers since independence and is also the home to India’s premiere political family – The Nehru-Gandhi family. It was the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the holy town of Ayodhya by Kar-sevaks in 1994 that catapulted the BJP to power, first in UP and then at the Centre. The 80 MPs that represent the state in the Lok Sabha play a crucial role in the permutations and combinations that take place in the process to form and retain Union governments or to stack in the numbers to pass contentious bills. After all, it was the support of the 23 Samajwadi Party MPS that saved the UPA government after the Communist pulled out their support to the Congress-led government citing differences over the nuclear deal. And as the state goes to polls early this year, it is but natural that the assembly polls will be fiercely contested and can make or break the careers of many a political heavyweights.

UP CM and BSP Chief Mayawati

The incumbent Chief Minister and the BSP supremo, Mayawati will be looking to recreate the magic that brought her to power in the 2007 assembly polls with a clear majority. Her unique experiment of fielding a combination of Dalit and Brahmin candidates, a brain-child of her confidant S C Mishra, dubbed as ‘Social Engineering’, won her the upper caste votes while BSP’s traditional lower caste support base continued to remain loyal to her. Though she has managed to complete her full term and improve the law and order situation in the state, several cases of corruption against her and her ministers, have continued to haunt her government from time to time. The forcible acquisition of land from farmers in Bhatta-Parsaul village in Muzzafarabad district and the agitation that followed, including the death of 4 people in the subsequent police crackdown on the farmer protests, caught nation-wide attention with opposition parties, including the Congress, BJP etc aiming to derive political mileage out of the situation. And of course, the construction of several parks across the state with statues of her, Dr Ambedkar, her mentor Kanshi Ram and her party symbol, the Elephant out of public exchequer has been regularly criticized with her political rival, Mulayam Singh threatening to pull them down if elected to power.

In the 2009 general elections, the ‘Dalit ki beti’ who is today, India’s richest CM, reiterated her desire to become the first Dalit Prime Minister of the country. Although she won 6.7% of the total votes casted and the BSP emerged as the third largest party in terms of vote share, she managed to win a paltry 21 seats, two less than the SP and one less the Congress in UP. While her dream to become the PM was dashed, Maya tried to replicate her 2007 strategy in several other states but with little or no success.

Aiming to retain power for a second consecutive term, Behenji has tried to improve her public image by sacking several ‘corrupt’ ministers from her party including her former close aide, Babu Singh Kushwaha and Avdesh Verma and has denied tickets to many of her ‘non-performing’ MLAs. Instead of talking about her achievements as the state’s CM, which in fact, were few and far in between, Maya’s election campaign is expected to be largely based on the shortcomings of her political opponents and thus projecting herself as the only viable alternative in the four sided contest. Besides, she has raised the issue of bifurcation of UP into four smaller states, thereby putting other political parties into a tight spot and cut them to size while consolidating her position. Although opinion polls predict a hung assembly, a victory in the upcoming polls will further give wings to her national aspirations and make her a top contender for the leadership of the Third Front in the 2014 general elections, provided its constituents remain loyal to the cause of forming a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav

At 72, Mulayam Singh Yadav will enter the fray to seek a fourth term as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Training his guns at the incumbent CM on the issue of widespread corruption in the Mayawati government, the Samajwadi Party which has christened its poll campaign as ‘Ummed ki cycle’, promising to ‘undo all damage’ caused by the BSP government in the last five years. The cycle rallies organized across the state have attracted sizable crowds but it remains to be seen whether it translates into votes or not. Amar Singh’s exit has added more credibility to the party whereas the re-entry of his rival and the party’s Muslim face, Azam Khan after being expelled for six years in 2009 for anti-party activities, has boosted the morale of party workers. Realizing that corruption is a major political issue, all thanks to the Anna Hazare movement, the SP has slammed its doors on several ministers who were dropped from the Maya cabinet as they were accused of corruption. However, the lawlessness during his previous tenures and several impending corruption cases against him and his family members are questions that have been regularly raised by Mulayam’s detractors and political opponents.

Leading his party’s 'Kranti Rath Yatra', crown prince and Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav has travelled across the length and breadth of UP in a bid to convince people of vote for his party. Although the junior Yadav has denied reports that he is the SP’s Chief Ministerial candidate, a win in the polls will be a shot in the arms and will, for sure, firmly establish his stature as a mass leader. A victory for the Samajwadi Party will also bolster Mulayam’s standing on the political stage ahead of the next national elections. The post poll tie up with the Congress, like in the past, is likely in case of a hung assembly.

Congress leaders Digvijay Singh (left) and Rahul Gandhi (right)

Excluding the Jagdambika Pal government that was termed ‘unconstitutional’ by the Supreme Court in 1998 after three days in office, the Congress has effectively remained out of power in Lucknow in last 22 years. The fortunes of the party have dwindled over the years and its support base has been largely reduced to areas like Rae Bareily and Amethi - the Nehru-Gandhi bastions.

However, the 2009 general elections saw a revival of the party as it won an amazing 22 seats to emerge as the second largest party in the terms of the total seats won in Uttar Pradesh. The party leaders gave the credit of this surprising success to Rahul Baba’s campaign and urged him to work towards strengthening the party’s state unit. Over the last few years, he has never missed any opportunity to hit out at the Mayawati government, accusing the 'Elephant' in Lucknow of eating up all the cenral funds allocated to the state by the UPA government. He along with the Congress general secretary and ‘drama-king’, Digvijay Singh led an agitation against the police atrocities in Bhatta-Parsaul. However, the so-called youth icon’s claims that 70 farmers had died in the police crackdown and several of their women were raped, could not be backed with any substantial evidence and like in the past, the senior party leaders had to step in to defend the Gandhi scion.

Though chances of Congress retuning to power, in spite of a pre poll alliance with Ajit Singh’s RLD, look bleak, the party will try to muster as many seats as possible and will for sure win more seats than in 2007, when it was reduced to just 22. A good performance by the Congress will be a major milestone in Rahul's journey towards the PM's chair whereas a poor show will give the opposition another reason to belittle the Congress's Yuvraj. A post poll tie up with the SP is a realistic possibility and will be a win-win situation for both the parties. While Mulayam will fulfill his political aspirations in UP, the entry of the SP into the UPA will boost its strength and reduce the Congress’s dependence on the mercurial TMC chief Mamata Bannerji. Also, the tie up will help the Congress-led government to push its own version of the Lokpal Bill on the upcoming Parliamentary session as it will have the necessary numbers in both the Houses and prevent further embarrassment from the Opposition and civil society members over the issue.

BJP leaders Arun Jaitley (left) and L K Advani (right)

The BJP which grew out of UP to become the alternative to the Congress has seen the highs and the lows in the state in the last two decades. In its zenith, the saffron outfit ruled the state on its own under Kalyan Singh and tied up several times with BSP but this ‘marriage of political convenience’ has been short lived and has ended up in public fallout followed by mud-slinging from both sides. The BJP today has no prominent leader in the state who can mesmerize the crowds like former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee did during his political career. Murali Manohar Joshi, Lalji Tandon and Ranjnath Singh lack the charisma and support base to take on the likes of Mulayam and Mayawati. In the 2007 assembly polls, the BSP ate into the BJP’s traditional upper caste vote bank, thereby reducing it to just 50 odd seats. The alleged inflammatory speech by Varun Gandhi boomeranged on the party as the Muslim votes polarized in favor of the Congress in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, and the party finished fourth in spite of an alliance with the Kurmi outfit, Apna Dal.

Hindutva leader Uma Bharati, who was re-inducted into the party after being dismissed for her on camera spat with Advani has been made in-charge of the UP poll campaign. The party’s image took a beating when it embraced former BSP leader, Kushwaha in spite of corruption charges against him. Though the party has tried some damage control by keeping the former state minister’s primary membership on hold for the time being, it has lost the moral high ground on the issue of corruption. As such the BJP’s tirade against Congress over the scams in the UPA regime and its failure to draft a ‘strong’ Lokpal Bill may find few, if not no takers. Also, Kushwaha’s entry has drawn criticism from all quarter, including the state unit, the Sangh Parivar and NDA allies. Like the Congress, the BJP too has no realistic chance of coming to power on its own in UP. Rather it will hope to retain its present number tally or at best, try to win around 80 to 100 seats and may end up aligning with the BSP.

While the largest state of the world’s largest democracy goes to polls, the Election Commission of India has an uphill task to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a free and fair manner and the code of conducted is adhered to by all candidates. Considering the sheer massiveness of the state and the hooliganism that has infested it in the past, the EC has decided to conduct the elections in seven phases starting from 8^th February to 3^rd March. Will Mayawati’s ‘Social Engineering’ work for the second time or will Mulayam ride his way to the legislative assembly on the SP’s cycle? Will Rahul Gandhi’s charisma translate into votes for the Congress or will the BJP retain lost ground in the state? These and all other questions will be answered on 6^th March as the votes are counted and the results are announced.

IMAGES

(1) UP CM and BSP Chief Mayawati

Elephant Giving Nightmares to Rahul - http://www.article.wn.com

(2) Samajwadi Party leader Mulayum Singh Yadav

Samajwadi Party - http://www.samajwadiparty.in

(3) Congress leaders Digvijay Singh (left) and Rahul Gandhi (right)

The Hindu - UP polls: Congress for aggressive campaigning - http://www.thehindu.com/news

(4) BJP leaders Arun Jaitely (left) and L K Advani (right)
India Today - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/

THE STATES THAT MATTER - PART I

2012-02-02T23:15:00.010+05:30

AN OVERVIEW

The stage is set, the contenders are ready and the stakes are high. As seven states go to the polls in this year, political parties will leave no stone unturned in a bid to form and retain governments in the Vidhan Sabha. Once the votes are casted and the results start coming in, one state after another, there will be political upheavals both at the state level and the Centre. Long time allies will part ways and new alliances will be forged. Political heavyweights will put everything on line; while some will emerge successful, others will sink into the oblivion and new leaders will emerge to replace the older brigade. A total of 941 assembly seats are up for grabs which translates into 132 Lok Sabha seats and more importantly, 57 seats in the Rajya Sabha, whose importance has suddenly risen, thanks to the Central government’s inability to pass the Lokpal bill in the Upper House of the Parliament as it failed to get the required numbers.

In fact, the 2012 assembly polls will be, in several ways, a litmus paper test for the Manmohan Singh government, half way in its second consecutive term. The states that are scheduled to vote this year are spread out across the country, except for the south. Though the local issues dominate assembly polls, the rampant corruption in the Union government, magnified by Anna Hazare’s movement may impact the minds of the voters as they fulfill their fundamental duty to vote. A good show by the Congress and its allies will be a big boost for the UPA, struggling to get a makeover whereas an electoral setback may give more ammunition to the Opposition as it tries to tighten its noose around the Singh government. With Mamata Bannerji sending overtures to the JD (U), the prospects of the revival of a much stronger Third Front look brighter than ever in case the regional parties fare better than the national parties.

UP CM Mayawati with S C Mishra

Although the Indian Constitution gives equal status to all the states and union territories, few will argue that Uttar Pradesh – India’s most populous and second largest state is the big daddy and the complexities involved in conducting polls in this province are next only to the general elections. Considering its sheer size, the fragile law and order situation and the infrastructure needed to conduct elections in a free and fare manner, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided that voting for the Vidhan Sabha will be split into seven phases, starting 8^th February to 3^rd March and the results will be declared on 6^th March, 2012.

The incumbent CM Kumari Mayawati having completed her full term, is keen to replicate her spectacular success in the 2007 where her party won a simple majority thanks to her unique strategy – Social Engineering that won her votes from all segments of the society. However, with new cases of corruption cropping up against her and her cabinet ministers day after day, Behenji may find it difficult to convince the electorate to give her a second chance in spite of sacking several of her tainted ministers and denying tickets to a large number of her sitting MLAs. Projecting the ECI’s decision to cover her statutes as an opposition’s conspiracy to belittle the Dalit community, Mayawati has gone back to caste based politics to retain the CM’s chair. By demanding that the mega state be split into four smaller units, she is aiming to put her many rivals into a tight spot. The principal opposition, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has undertaken a ‘Kranti Rath Yatra’ to reach out to the people and highlight the shortcomings of the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) government. The father-son duo of Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav are expecting their traditional Yadav-Muslim vote bank to back the party as it hopes to emerge as the single largest party in the state. Buoyed by its superb performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the state of UP, the Congress under the leadership of Rahul baba has never missed out any opportunity to hit out at the BSP government and was at the forefront of the Bhatta-Parsaul agitation against forcible land acquisition. Realizing the fact that the polarization of Muslim votes in its favour was a chief reason for their political success in UP in 2009, the party has gone all out to appease the community with soaps like reservation for Muslim OBCs under the 27 per cent OBC quota and has roped in its minority face, Digvijay Singh to campaign in UP. Union Aviation Minister Ajit Singh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which is a pre-poll alliance of the Congress, is hoping to maintain its stronghold in western UP. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in absence of any pan-UP mass leader, is banking on its OBC face, Uma Bharati to eat into the BSP’s vote bank and is trying hard to woo back the upper caste votes that had deserted the saffron outfit in the last few elections.

Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal

Like in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and son and deputy CM, Sukhbir Singh Badal will be battling charges of corruption and anti-incumbency as Punjab goes to polls on 30^th January. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – BJP coalition government has been accused of shoddy implementation of central schemes and lack of infrastructure development in the state during its 5 year tenure by the opposition. However, the biggest headache for the Badal government will be losing votes to the Manpreet Singh Badal’s People’s Party of Punjab (PPP). The nephew of the Punjab CM and former finance minister parted ways after a series of differences over governing issues with cousin Sukhbir in November 2010. The ‘Sanjha Morch’ consisting of the PPP, CPI (M), CPI and SAD (Longowal) is gaining momentum and may end up spoiling the prospects of several prominent candidates. It will be interesting to see if the PPP can emerge as a successful alternative for the Punjabi people or will fizzle out like Cheeranjivi’s erstwhile Praja Rajyam did in Andhra Pradesh after all the initial hype.

Interesting all is not well within the Congress camp too. Captain Amarinder Singh, the head of the party’s Punjab unit is seen as arrogant. Several candidates who were denied tickets have will either entered the contest as independents or have switched over to the SAD including Amarinder’s brother, Malwinder Singh. Besides, Mayawati is hoping to ride on the wave of Dalit assertion in the Daoba region, asking people to make her mentor, Kanshi Ram’s dream of a BSP government in his home state of Punjab come true and open her account in the state.

Uttarakhand CM B C Khanduri with ex CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

In the third assembly elections since its creation, Uttarakhand will see a straight fight between the ruling BJP and the Congress. Following the 2009 Lok Sabha elections that witnessed a 5-0 whitewash for the saffron party, the BJP high command replaced the sitting CM B C Khanduri with Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. However, the move backfired and with a slew of corruption charges against Nishank, he came to be seen as the ‘Yeddyurappa of the North’ and soon became an embarrassment for the party. Although Khanduri, who replaced Pokhriyal has managed to salvage back some pride for the BJP by passing Anna Hazare’s version of Lokpal bill, reports of in fighting between the two leaders may harm the prospects of the party. Besides, former CM Bhagat Singh Koshiyari still nurtures the dream of returning as the state’s CM.

The Congress is raising the issue of regular power cuts and lack of regular water supply in the state as it tries to replicate it superb performance in the state in the last general elections. Led by Harak Singh Rawat, the Congress is hopeful that delimitation exercise will benefit it in the upcoming polls. Although at the forefront of the movement for statehood, Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD) has failed in its objective to emerge as the state’s premiere political party. A coalition partner in the present government, the UKD will be hoping to get as many seats as it can so that it can emerge as a king maker in case both the national parties make to get a clear majority like in the last assembly elections. Like in Punjab, the BSP is hoping to make inroads in Uttarakhand in the 30^th January elections.

Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh

As the volatile state of Manipur goes to polls on 30^th January, the emotive issues will determine who forms the next government in Imphal. Congress CM Okram Ibobi Singh will be trying his best to seek a consecutive third term in office. The principal opponent this time around will be a pre-poll alliance between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), JD-U (Janata Dal – United), RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), CPI (M) and Manipur People’s Party (MPP). Like several other North-eastern states, insurgency has crippled the economy of Manipur leading to widespread unemployment and discontent amongst the local population. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), dubbed by Manipuris as ‘Draconian’ has given sweeping powers to the army and alleged atrocities by the men in uniform, including fake encounters and sexual molestation has further alienated the people from the Indian mainstream. The ethnic strife between the Nagas, demanding a greater Nagaland – ‘Nagalim’, comprising of areas dominated by the Naga people and the Kurkis demanding for a separate district in the Sadar hills region is another major political issue. The blockade by the Kurkis and the parallel blockade imposed by the Nagas on the state’s two national highways that lasted for over 100 days led to a severe shortage of essential commodities, with prices of food items and fuel skyrocketing. Hoping to en cash on the situation, Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) has decided to contest the Manipur polls and may do well in the Naga dominated Senapati district.

Goa CM Digambar Kamat

Also going to polls in the first half of 2012 is the tiny state of Goa. The Congress which is in power since February 2005, is facing the heat as several of its prominent leaders are facing charges in the illegal mining scam. The report has indicted present CM Digambar Kamat and former CM and Speaker Pratapsinh Rane for colluding with the mining mafia and not taking action against them. The illegal land grabbing by the Russian mafia and non-Goans along with the ‘Bhasha Andolan’, a movement for making regional languages as the medium of instruction at the primary level are the major issues for the opposition, the BJP as it tries to whip regional sentiments for its benefit. The BJP under the leadership of Manohar Parriker is hoping to capitalize on the Congress government’s failure in the last 7 years to come back to power. The Maharashtrwadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which ruled the state till the late 80s will be fighting for its very survival as it has to win at least 3 seats to retain its poll symbol. Although the MGP is keeping its options open and is yet to decide on its alliance with the BJP, the Goa unit of the NCP has finalized to chalk out a seat sharing pact with the Congress. Meanwhile, former state cabinet minister, Mickey Pachecho of the Goa Vikas Party (GVP) has forged an alliance with the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) and is aiming to muster as many seats as possible so that he can emerge as a king maker in case of a hung assembly like in the past.

6^th March – the day on which the election results will be declared, will certainly be one of the most important days in the year’s political calendar. From religious ceremonies to freebies to promises, politicians are using all tricks to gain power. But like always it’s the people’s mandate and the masses will decide who will get win and who will bite the dust. We may not be able to predict who will win first round of the battle of states, the whole exercise will, for sure, strength the ethos of Indian democracy.

SOURCES

(1) Wikipedia - Legislative Assembly Elections India, 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_elections_in_India,_2012

(2) NDTV - Issues that matter

http://www.ndtv.com

IMAGES

(1) IBN Live - Mayawati slams Congress on quota, scams
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mayawati-slams-congress-on-quota-scams/226193-37-170.html

(2) Free Visuals 4 U - Punjab Chief Minister, Prakash Singh Badal

http://www.freevisuals4u.com/poltics/sad/punjab-chief-minister-parkash-singh-badal/

(3) India Today - Nishank fired after drama to delay exit flops
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ramesh-pokhriyal-nishank-quits-as-uttarakhand-chief-minister/1/150852.html

(4) IBN Live - Congress will win minimum 35 seats: Manipur CM
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/congress-will-win-minimum-35-seats-manipur-cm/224924-37-170.html

(5) Top News - Fight against attempts to defame state: Digambar Kamat
http://www.topnews.in/people/digambar-kamat

LOST AND FOUND

2012-01-07T20:34:00.065+05:30

PASHU MELA

THE FOREST OWLET

Forest Owlet - Nikhil Devasar

When the eminent American ornithologist, Pamela Rasmussen along with David Abott and Ben King of the American Museum of Natural History led an expedition into the foothills of the Satpura Range to gather evidence on the existence of an indigenous owl species in the late 1990s, history was not on their side. The bird they wanted to find and document was discovered in December 1872 and was presumed to be extinct within 12 years with a total of seven collected specimens of which, ironically, none were in India. Earlier, India’s greatest avian scientist, Dr Salim Ali and American ornithologist S Dillon Ripley had failed to rediscover the species in spite of scanning the areas from where the specimens were allegedly collected by British soldier and bird lover, Richard Meinertzhagen. Their efforts even included putting up white and black posters of the bird in the areas adjoining the Melghat Tiger Reserve in a bid to involve the locals in the search operations. Even S A Hussain’s efforts to find the bird in the forests of Mandvi in Gujarat in 1976 proved futile.

The trio began their search in south-eastern Madhya Pradesh (Gomardh wildlife sanctuary and Churabathi), followed by Paikmal forests in Orissa but found no trace of the endemic Owl species. Another attempt in Shahada Forest Division based on the accounts of James Davidson met no success initially as much of the forest cover of the region had fallen prey to India’s rapid economic development After scanning through the forests of Western Maharashtra for ten days, they spotted and filmed the elusive bird on 25^th November 1997 – a hundred and thirteen years since it had been last sighted. The re-discovery of this avian species, by a group of American scientists was cheered by wildlife enthusiast and bird lovers across the globe and added another dimension to the diverse ecology of India.

The Forest Owlet is one of the sixty odd species of the order Strigiformes which are found in India. Also known as the Forest Spotted Owlet and Indian Little Owlet, this avian belongs to the family Striginae (Typical Owls) which is characterized by a large circular head, short tail, cryptic plumage and round facial disc around the eyes. Unlike their cousins, the members of the Tytonidae family are identified by heart-shaped facial disc, formed by stiff feathers which serve to amplify and locate the source of sounds while hunting. Besides, the two families can be differentiated on the basis of the structural details regarding the sternum and talon.

The Forest Owlet was discovered by F. R. Blewitt in Busnah-Phuljan region of Eastern Madhya Pradesh in 1872 and was christened Athena blewitti in his honor. He sent the specimen that he had collected to A O Hume, the founder of the Indian National Congress who described it in his book, Stray Feathers. A few more specimens were collected by Valentine Ball and James Davidson prior to 1884 when the beautiful bird strangely disappeared. Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen claimed to have collected a specimen in Mandvi, Gujarat, thereby extending the range of the species. In fact several attempts to track the bird in the twentieth century were based largely on Richard’s account.

However, when researching for her book, Birds of South Asia, Pamela Rasmussen along with Nigel Collar found out that Colonel Meinertzhagen had committed a fraud, decades ago that involved stealing of faunal specimens from museums, modifying accompanying data and presenting them as if he had actually collected them. They found out that Richard’s specimen of the Owlet was actually the last of the five specimens collected by James Davidson and had been relabeled with false data. This had actual hindered the study of these birds of prey in the last century. Armed with this piece of vital information, Pamela decided to locate the Owlet in the jungles of Central India from where earlier specimens were reported and viola, a treasure that had been lost by a man’s greed was traced back and rediscovered, much to the delight of nature lovers everywhere.

Forest Owlet - Tarique Sani

With the rediscovery of the enigmatic bird, several expeditions were carried out by individual bird enthusiasts as well as organizations, both Indian and international to gather more data on the Forest Owlet’s present status and distribution, to study its behavioral and breeding patterns, to find the reasons that have made them rare and the measures that need to be taken to improve their numbers. It is largely due to the time, money and hard work invested by all parties involved in these surveys that our understanding of the species has compounded considerably, thereby boosting steps to conserve these Owlets in the wild.

In their work entitled, The rediscovery of the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti (FORKTAIL 14 (1998): 53-55), Rasmussen and King have mentioned the characteristics of the Forest Owlet and the factors that distinguish it from its other relatives, besides describing their historic journey into the jungles of Central India in Nov 1997. The elusive Forest Owlet (23 cm) is slighter taller than the more common Spotted Owlet (21 cm), with which it is often confused. It has a rather large skull, marked with small white spots on the forehead, yellow eyes, a pale facial disc and a collar of white spots on the hind neck. While the upper parts including the head, nape and scapular region are dark brown in color, the under parts are lighter whereas the tail and the wings are banded with white trailing edges, with the primaries being rather distinct from the rest of the wings. It is characterized by a dark brown bar across the throat, mainly visible when the bird is in flight.

Kishore Rithe who has extensively travelled across the Satpura ranges on the trail of the species, has noted that each individual has distinct markings, especially on the breasts. The females are slightly larger than the males, perch on higher branches and have more distinct markings.

The 'Dondar Dooda', as it is known to tribals in Melghat, was one of the few Indian bird species whose vocalization was never recorded. However, significant breakthrough was achieved by Rasmussen and Farah Ishtiaq of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in this regard when they managed to identify and record different voices given by the enigmatic bird as well as its behavior, published as a document, Vocalization and behavior of the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti (FORKTAIL 15 (1999): 61-65). A hissing call (“shreee” or “kheek”) is short and cannot be heard over long distances, lasting for 2-3 seconds on an average. The song consists of short, loud and well spaded disyllabic notes and is clearly distinct from those of other common Owl species found alongside the Forest Owlet. A territorial call (“kwaak…kwaak”) is given by the paired birds, back and forth while within their boundaries and during any intrusion. Other voices given include an alarm call (“chirrur…chirrur, chirr…chirr”), a begging call (“kee…k, kee…k”) made when the female or the young seek food and a contact call (“kee yah, kee…yah”) given by the female when the male gets food to her at the nest.

These Owlets perch on trees and scan the jungle below for its prey which includes lizards, rodents, birds, frogs and invertebrates like caterpillars, grass hoppers, stick insects etc. While the feeding perches are closer to the ground and in small trees, the resting and calling perches are seen close to the top of taller trees, which provides a better view of the forest below and keeps them safe from danger. While resting, it is observed to sit on one foot for long periods, keeping either one or both eyes closed for short durations. The preening bouts during resting are short and include face-scratching, wing-stretching, toe-cleaning, beak-wiping against its perch and preening various parts of its plumage. The duo observed that the flights between trees were short, direct and agile.

Young Forest Owlets - CopperWiki

The peak breeding season lasts from January to February and the females give birth during spring when the prey is in plenty. During nesting, the male does the hunting and gets food for the female and the young. The young ones fledge after about a month but are dependent on their parents for another 40-45 days. Filial cannibalism by males has been observed by Ishtiaq and Asad Rahmani.

In 2005, the Ministry of Environment & Forests (Govt. of India), in association with several state forest departments and other ornithological institutes launched a major survey in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Orissa and Gujarat to identify the habitat of the Forest Owlet and to estimate their numbers in the wild. Modern techniques like call-playback and visual scanning were used during the census that went on up to mid 2007. The call-playback technique involves broadcasting of the pre recorded calls of a territorial bird species so as to elicit a response from the territorial holder which perceives the recorded call as that of a challenger. A total of 24 birds, including 19 adults and 5 juveniles were found in Burhanpur (Khaknar and Piplod Range) and Khandwa Forest Divisions (East Kalibhit Range) in MP. As many as 20 individuals, 18 adults and 2 juveniles were spotted at the Melghat Tiger Reserve and Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary in Northern Maharashtra. Sadly, no sightings were recorded from the other three states that were a part of this survey. All recordings were made at an elevation of 150 m to 500 m and the preferred habitat seems to be dry open teak forests, contrary to popular misconception that the bird prefers living at higher altitudes.

All the Forest Owlets sites were noted to be under moderate to severe human pressure, a fact that could be detrimental to the survival of these rare birds. Cattle grazing, wood cutting, human encroachment and vehicular traffic within its habitat was observed in the course of the survey. Illegal logging has reduced nesting cavities; thereby increasing competition amongst various Owl species to occupy the existing ones during the breeding season. Rithe mentions that the proposed Upper Tapi Irrigation Project may end up submerging a large portion of its severely fragmented and limited habitat. Besides, it is also hunted by several native raptors and tribals too. Like other Owl species in India, it may also be adversely affected by the indiscriminate use of pesticides.

In fact, the BNHS had sent a proposal to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Maharashtra to declare the forest owlet as the state bird, replacing the Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Hariyal). Scholars at the BNHS felt that such a move could increase awareness about the creature and could increase efforts towards the conservation of the endangered bird. While no one suspected their intentions, a large number of wildlife experts opposed such a move. They pointed out that the bird was found only in a small pocket of the state and was unknown to most Maharashtrians. Also, such a move could increase number of visitors to Melghat Tiger Reserve, adversely affecting its fragile ecology.

Forest Owlet - Dr Jayesh K Joshi

Considering the fact that it has been placed in the Critically Endangered category of the IUCN Red List, it is imperative that surveys to gather vital data about this enigmatic Owl species are continued so as to help us to formulate an action plan to protect this bird from extinction and to revive its number. It is extremely important to focus on the forests of Central India, so as to clearly identify the habitat and estimate numbers of the Forest Owlet with high amount of certainty. The relocation of tribals in the vicinity of the Forest Owlet’s habitat, as in some parts of the Melghat reserve can be highly beneficial. Cattle grazing needs to be regulated and felling of trees has to be prevented at all costs. Besides, a thorough investigation needs to be done into claims that pesticides have led to a steady decline in the population of several species of Owls in India, as in case of Vultures.

Off late, studies have suggested that there may be at least 100 Forest Owlets within the Melghat Tiger Reserve, which is now being considered to be the species stronghold. While other Tiger Reserves in the country are constantly in the limelight for all the wrong reasons, the forests of Melghat are thriving, along with the flora and fauna that inhabits it, including the Owlet. It is our good fortune that Mother Nature has given us a second chance with the Forest Owlet and it is our solemn duty to protect and preserve this treasure. With sheer determination and participation, both from the government and the general public, it is indeed possible to give this magnificent bird an opportunity to avoid doom and give our future generations a chance to witness this gem of nature.

SOURCES AND FURTHER REFERENCES:

(1) FORKTAIL 14 (1998): 53-55 -The rediscovery of the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti - Ben F. King and Pamela C. Rasmussen

(2) FORKTAIL 15 (1998): 61-65 - Vocalization and behaviour of the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewittti - Pamela C. Rasmussen and Farah Ishtiaq

(3) FORKTAIL 16 (2000): 172-173 - Cronism in the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti - Farah Ishtiaq and Asad R. Rahmani

(4) FORKTAIL 16 (2000): 125-130 - Further information on the status and distribution of the Forest Owlet Athene (Heteroglaux) blewitti - Farah Ishtiaq and Asad R. Rahmani

(5) A Survey of Critically Endangered Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux blewitti) in Central India

(6) Birdlife.com - Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewetti
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=2289

(7) Times of India - Experts oppose proposal to declare Forest Owlet as state bird
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-26/pune/29706073_1_state-bird-raju-kasambe-nandurbar

(8) Saving the Forest Owlet - Kishor Rithe

(9) Wikipedia.org - Forest Owlet
http://www.wikipedia.org/forest_owlet

IMAGES:

(1) Photographer : Nikhil Devasar
Kolkata Birds - http://www.kolkatabirds.com/forestowlet.htm

(2) Photographer : Tarique Sani
Avibase - http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=DD89F95C8751660B

(3) Photographer : ?
Cooper Wiki - http://www.copperwiki.org/images/6/6f/Forest_Owlet.jpg

(4) Photographer : Dr Jayesh K Joshi
EzineMark - http://education.ezinemark.com/top-rarest-birds-worldwide-773692a97f06.html

EMIR ABD AL-QADIR

2011-03-21T00:03:00.004+05:30

The PANTHEON

CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM

Abd al-Qadir was born near the town of Mascara near Oran on 6^th September, 1808 in a Banu Ifran Berber family, thereby claiming to be the descendent of Muhammad. His father, Muhyi al-Din-al Hasani was a Shaykh in Qadiri Sufi order of Islam. Besides being trained in horsemanship, theology and linguistics, he memorized the Quran at an early age.

In 1825, he set out for Hajj with his father. While in Mecca he encountered Imam Shammil, the third Imam of the Caucasian Caliphate and the leader of the anti-Russian resistance in the Caucasian War and the two spoke at length on various topics. He also traveled to Baghdad and Damascus where he visited the graves of noted Muslims and was impressed by the reforms carried out by Muhammad Ali in Egypt. The experiences on this tour were to have a life long impact on young Qadir’s mind.

In 1830, soon after his return, Algeria was invaded by France and the French supplanted what had been the domination in name only by the Ottoman Empire. Qadir’s father launched attacks against the French and their allies. Soon the tribal elders choose 25 year old Qadir as the leader of the Jihad against the Europeans.

Qadir was appointed as Emir al-Muminun (Commander of the Faithful) and was quick to gain the support of the West Algerian tribes. A devout and austere marabout, he was also a cunning politician and a resourceful warrior. He is remembered as a strong and an authoritarian leader, but was nevertheless pragmatic and used European officials in fields were his own subjects lacked experience. He was particularly noted for his chivalry: on one occasion he set free French captives simply because he didn’t have enough food to feed them.

From his capital at Tlemcen, Abd al-Qadir set about building a territorial Muslim State based on communities of the interior but drawing its strength from tribal and religious brotherhood. He se up juridical equality between the tribes, established a bureaucratic system and equal taxes for all his subjects. He assembled an army that counted 200 troops but which was strengthened by locals in times of war. His government undertook public works and set up agricultural and manufacturing co-operatives to boost the economy. He fought running battles with French forces including the French Legion, organized in 1831 for Algerian services.

Abd al-Qadir signed several tactical truces with the French, but these did not last long. By the Desmiches Treaty of 1834, he got control over the region around Oran while he recognized French supremacy in the Northern areas. His expansion was checked by the defeat at the hands of French general, Thomas Bugeaud (1836) but he ended up negotiating a favorable deal with the colonists in the following year. At the Treaty of Tafna, he recognized France’s sovereignty in Oran and Algiers and was allowed to rule over remaining two-thirds of the country, mainly in the interiors. Besides, this treaty also helped him salvage his reputation among the tribes just as the Shaykhs were about to desert him.

When French troops marched through a mountain pass in his dominion, he cited this as a violation of the peace pact and renewed hostilities with the French on 15^th October, 1839. He destroyed the European settlements on the Mitidja Plain and on one occasion marched up to the outskirts of Algiers. The French retaliated by suppressing the natives and practiced a scorched-earth policy. Abd al-Qadir’s failure to get support of the Eastern tribes, Kabyles, Berber mountain tribes etc contributed to his downfall. One by one, the Emir’s strongholds were captured and his trusted generals were either killed or captured. He lost Oran (1841), Tlemcen (1842) and by 1843, his Muslim state had completely collapsed.

He took refuge with his ally, Abd ar Rahman – the Sultan of Morocco. He moved back to Algeria and set up a state in the South. Facing new challenges, he returned to Morocco where he was denied protection and financial support from the Sultan owing to French diplomatic and military pressure. He was obliged to surrender to the commander of the Oran province, General Louis de Lamoriciere on 21^st December, 1847 in exchange for the promise that he would be allowed to go Alexandria or Acre. However, the French government refused to honor their generals’ word and Abd al-Qadir was exiled to France.

Qadir and his family were first detained at Toulon, then at Pau and finally transferred to the Chateau de Amboise in November, 1848. In October, 1855 he was released by Napoleon III and given an annual pension of 1, 00,000 Francs on taking an oath never to disturb Algeria again. He took up residence at Basra and then moved to Damascus. He devoted himself anew to theology and philosophy, composed a philosophical treatise and also wrote a book on Arabian horses.

In July, 1860 conflict between the Druze Muslims and Masonite Christians of Mount Lebanon spread to Damascus and the local Druze population attacked the Christian Quarter and slaughtered 3,000 people. However, Qadir and his personal guard saved a large number of Christians, bringing them to the safety of his house. For this action, the French government bestowed on him the Grande Cross of the Legion d’Honneur and increased his pension to 4,000 Louis. He was also honored by the American President, Abraham Lincoln with several guns which are now in display in the Algiers museum. In 1865 he visited France on an invitation from Napoleon III where he was greeted with both official and popular respect. Declining all invitations to return to a public life, he devoted himself to scholarly pursuits and charity until his death on 26^th may, 1883 in Damascus.

Although there is still some controversy regarding his devotion to his people after his arrest, Abd al-Qadir is recognized and venerated as the first hero of Algerian independence. His green and white standard was adopted by the Algerian liberation and become the national flag of independent Algeria. He was buried in Damascus in the same mausoleum as Ibn Arabi, until the Algerian government brought back his remains to the country to be interred with the ceremony on 5^th July, 1966 – the fourth anniversary of Independence and 136^th anniversary of the French conquest. The Emir Abd al-Qadir university and a mosque bearing his name were constructed as a national shrine in Constantine, Algeria.

When a new community was being planned on what was then the American frontier in 1846, founders Timothy Davis, John Thompson and Chester Sage – none of them Arabs or Muslims were so impressed with what they had heard about an Algerian leader’s valiant struggle for freedom that they decided to name their town after him. In fact this town – Elkader in the State of Iowa has retained its Algerian influence by establishing a sister city connection with Mascara – the birthplace of the man after whom their town is named. The town of Elkader is an indication of the international fame and popularity of Emir Abd al-Qadir.

MY COUNTRY SMALLEST

2011-03-20T13:43:00.003+05:30

The term ‘Micro Nation’ is used to refer to those entities which despite being unrecognized by other nations or global organizations and forums, continue to press their claim over some physical region. Established mainly for satisfying the ambitions of its so-called rulers, or to protest against what its founders perceived as draconian laws or as means to derive business mileage, these ventures are popularly known as ‘Model Countries’ or ‘New World Projects’. These differ from regions like Taiwan which continue to maintain diplomatic accord with several other countries in spite of not being fully recognized. A majority of the hundred odd micro nations that exist today have minuscule territorial limits and boast of a population that consists of handful of citizens.

However, with the advent of Internet, several micro nations have gained popularity, thereby attracting new members and visitors across the world. Besides, many of these states often issue coins, stamps and passports- like ordinary nations to enforce their claim of sovereignty. However, the fact remains that these are unrecognized outside their territory and often end up being memorabilia for passionate collectors.

From revolts to naval attacks to splits, the stories of the micro nations is often more turbulent then many ordinary nations. While the states may not have any political significance, the tales of their formation and their struggle to survive presents a story which is worth reading.

(1) Principality of Sealand: Probably, the most popular micro nation in the world, it is located on HM Fort Roughs, a man-made platform erected by the British Navy in the North Sea, 10km off the coast of Suffolk, England to repulse German raids during World War II. The sea fort, like other Maunsell forts was abandoned by the Royal Navy in 1956 and became a bone of contention between competing radio pirates who intended to use it for broadcasting.

On 2nd September, 1967 the fort was captured by Major Paddy Roy Bates, a former army man, who wanted to use it as a base for his private radio channel, Radio Essex. However, soon after establishing control over the fort, Bates declared himself the King and renamed the platform as ‘The Principality of Sealand’. In 1968, when some British workmen tried to repair parts of the platform that had been damaged over the years, the Crown prince, Michael drove them away by firing in the air. The issue came up in the British court which decided that it could not adjudicate in the matter as the incident had occurred outside the territorial extent of the United Kingdom.

The most important event in the history of the tiny state occurred in 1978 when the King and the Queen were away in England. Their Prime Minister, Alexander Achenbach, a German national who held the passport of Sealand led German and Dutch mercenaries to launch a surprise naval attack on the tower and took the prince hostage. However, Bates was able to regain the control of his kingdom, free his son and also managed to capture the perpetrators. The governments of Germany, Netherlands and Austria pressurized the British government to secure the release of its citizens held in Sealand. However when the authorities in UK refused to intervene citing the earlier court ruling, Germany sent a diplomat to Sealand to diffuse tension and secure the release of the prisoners. This German diplomatic commission and the earlier court ruling are cited by the Bates royal family as recognition of the sovereignty of Sealand. Meanwhile, Achenbach has formed a government-in-exile in Germany referred to as ‘Rebel Government of Sealand’.

The Bates family has been running the territory as a recognized sovereign entity. Roy Bates styles himself "Prince Roy" and his wife "Princess Joan". Their son is known as "His Royal Highness Prince Michael" and has been referred to as the "Prince Regent". Sealand has its own constitution, an anthem, a currency, a website, an online newspaper and also issues passports. The economy is depends on offshore internet hosting capability – Data Haven, apart from issuing of coins and postal stamps. Besides, athletes have represented Sealand in various sporting disciplines like mini golf, football and fencing as well as unconventional sports like egg throwing.

In 1987, after Britain extended its control up to 12 miles from its coast, the platform that constitutes Sealand now lies within the waters administered by the UK, thereby raising several questions regarding the future of the Principality. In January, 2007 Pirate Bay attempted to buy off Sealand after copyright violation issues forced it to stop operation from Sweden. But the deal fell through like the previous, much hyped, HavenCo deal. In the same year the Principality has been put up for sale with the asking price of 600 million pounds.

(2) Kingdom of Talossa: Founded as a kingdom on 26th December, 1979 Talossa, the Finnish word for ‘inside the house’, is the brainchild of 14 year old Robert Ben Madison, a resident of Milwaukee. The kingdom when founded covered Madison’s bedroom but today, claims sovereignty over Milwaukee East Side, the French island of Cezembre and a large chunk of Antarctica.

The membership of this micro nation grew exponentially when it launched its website in the 1990s and publicity gained by the articles published in the New York Times. Yearly get-togethers were held in Milwaukee known as ‘Talossafests’. The micro nation held elections to elect its head in which several parties contested. It was during this time that the Talossians wrote a detailed history of their nation which traced its origins to the Berbers, invented a Talossian language with grammar and a dictionary and also composed an anthem.

However, a political dispute led to some Talossians to break away from the kingdom of Talossa and form the Republic of Talossa. The Kingdom is ruled by Ben’s minor son, Louis I whereas the Republic is headed by John Woolley.

(3) Principality of Hutt River: Australia’s oldest micro nation was founded in 1969 by the Casley family in response to unjust laws regarding the selling of wheat introduced by the Western Australian government. The territory comprises an area of about 75 sq km and has a world wide population of nearly 15, 000 people with 30 odd permanent members.

In 1969, the Western Australian government passed a law that allowed the Casley family to sell wheat produced only from 40 hectares of the 4000 hectares that they had harvested. The five families that owned the Hutt River region grouped together and petitioned the governor. When their plea fell on deaf ears, Leonard George Casley and his associates exploited the Treason Act, 1492 and declared independence from the Commonwealth of Australia while maintaining loyalty to the British crown. The new state was named ‘Hutt River Province’ and Leonard became its Administrator. Meanwhile the Australian authorities decided that intervention against this would be unconstitutional.

When officials contemplated action against him for non payment of taxes, Leonard declared himself the King under the title, His Majesty Prince Leonard I to take advantage of an Australian law that provides immunity to a monarchy from all prosecution. Thanks to the lack of political will to act, the Hutt River Principality got de facto legal status on 21 April, 1972 – two years after Casley declared secession in accordance to Australian law.

All mails to the micro nation are redirected through Canada and its citizens are classified as non residents of Australia. A former employee of NASA, Casley has a unique distinction of having a star to be named after him. His eldest son, Crown Prince Ian is the Prime Minister. Besides issuing stamps and minting coins, the principality also allows car registration and issues license plates to overseas vehicles. The capital is called Nain.

(4) Molossia: The Republic of Molossia is a successor to Grand Republic of Vuldstein established by Kevin Baugh and James Spielman in their childhood. On 3rd September, 1999 Baugh founded Molossia, comprising of his properties near Dayton, Nevada and declared himself as its President.

This micro nation is supposed to be a republic but is presently under martial law thereby allowing Baugh to exercise complete authority over the territory. It has its own postal and telegraph service. Tourists are allowed to visit the territory with prior permission and tours are conducted by Baugh in full uniform. While visitors have to produce their passports to get admission, Baugh has stated that these requirements are waived for citizens of Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Seborga and "any other country recognized by Molossia". Also it claims to be one of the first countries to officially recognize the Republic of Kosovo.

In fact, each of the seventy odd micro nations has a story to tell. May of these territories are created to highlight relevant issues and to attract public opinion to noble causes. The Independent State of Aramoana – a micro nation established in a village of the same name in New Zealand to oppose the construction of an aluminium smelter in 1974 and was peacefully reintegrated when the plan was finally scrapped. In 1997, Greenpeace declared the North Atlantic island of Rockall as Waveland to highlight the ill effects of oil exploration on marine environment. While the Global Country of World Peace aims to be ‘a nation without borders that is open to peace loving people’, the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of Coral Sea Islands off the Australian coast is as an expression of Queer nationalism and has given diplomatic recognition to Taiwan and Tibet. The Other World Republic established in a Czech chateau is a monarchy where women rule over the men.

While territorial extent is the basis for the existence of a sovereign state, the sizes of the micro nations throws up a bizarre examples. Celestia – a defunct micro nation claimed the entire universe excluding the Earth was founded by James Thomas Mangan to claim outer space for the whole of humanity. The Grand Duchy of Westarctica consists of a desolate area in Western Antarctica. On the contrary, the Republic of Kugelmugel comprises of a ball shaped house in Vienna whereas Austenasia consists of three privately owned properties in London. Surprisingly, the Duchy of Avram has never claimed territory in the manner of other Australian micro nations and the Duke is on record as saying that the Duchy is a "state of mind". Micro nations based on the construction of artificial islands like Minerva – a man made island near Fiji which was later seized by Toga, Rose Island – an artificial platform which was sunk by the Italian officials and Operation Atlantis – a New York based group whose island in the Caribbean Sea sank in a hurricane.

While the micro nations may seem to be politically insignificant, they do indulge in diplomacy and wars as major nations do. Many micro nations have friendly contact with each other. The definition of embassy is rather vague and in many cases will simply be a web page. The League of Small Nations and the Organization of Active Micro Nations are the major inter micro national organizations and boast of a substantial membership. Wars, though infrequent, are declared mainly on the macro nation that surrounds the micro nation and are generally ignored by the latter.

INDIA IN THE MESOLITHIC AGE

2011-02-11T22:55:00.004+05:30

PEEP INTO THE PAST

THE AGE OF THE TRANSITION

The Mesolithic Age that began nearly eight thousand years before Christ is the transitional age between the Palaeolithic and Neolithic Ages and is characterized by tremendous changes in the Earth’s atmosphere. The rise in temperature made the climate hot and dry, affecting all forms of flora and the fauna on the planet, including the humans. The life of the early man in the Indian Subcontinent, as in other parts of the world was deeply affected by the transitional period and its immediate effects are visible in the technology of producing tools and the lifestyle in the settlements. The changes in subsistence pattern as well as the ecology are evident from the rock paintings that have survived from the Mesolithic era.

THE MESOLITIHIC TOOLS

An important feature of the Mesolithic tools is that they are remarkably smaller in size when compared to those used during the preceding periods. These tools, referred to as Microliths have lengths in the range of 1 – 8 cm. Some of them have nearly perfect geometric shapes. One of the reasons proposed for the drastic reduction in length of the tools is that the size of the animals that the men hunted during this age was much smaller when compared to those hunted in the Palaeolithic Age. However, many tools of the Palaeolithic age continued to be used in this age after undergoing significant modifications.

The Microliths found in major Mesolithic sites include:-

(1) Blade: Blades in the Mesolithic age were created using technique called fluting wherein pressure is delivered onto the core from the edge of the striking platform. Besides, archaeologists have also uncovered retouched blades which are broad, thick and long. Retouched blades are more efficient and sharper as compared to ordinary ones. Blades may have been used for cutting purposes.

(2) Core: It is cylindrical in shape with marks across its length and a flat striking platform at the distal horizontal end.

(3) Point: A point is a blade-like tool that ends in a triangular form and is effective when used as an arrowhead or a spearhead. It is retouched along one or both slopping borders, with the borders being rectilinear or curvilinear.

(4) Triangle: It usually has one retouched border and a base. Like the point, they may have been used as arrowheads or spearheads or for cutting purposes.

(5) Lunate: This tool resembles a blade with one of its edges prepared by semi-circular retouching. It is either used to obtain a concave cutting edge or two of these could be halved back to back to form an arrow head.

(6) Trapeze: It is a tool similar to blade with one or more borders being retouched. It could have been used as arrow heads.

THE MESOLITHIC SITES

Bagor on River Kothari in the Mewar region of Rajasthan is the largest Mesolithic site in the country. Being located at the juncture of arable and fertile lands and being rich in quartz – an essential raw material for the tool making industry, Bagor was an ideal location for the Mesolithic man whose subsistence pattern relied on his surroundings. This site has been horizontally excavated and three cultural phases have been identified with the earliest belonging to around 5000 BC. Among the sites located in Pachpada basin and the Sojat areas of the desert state, Tilwara is the most prominent. The two cultural stages, one characterized by the exclusive presence of microliths and other by a mixture of microliths and wheel made pottery, excavated here show that the people who inhabited this region advanced from the Mesolithic age into the Neolithic age over the course of time.

In Gujarat, Mesolithic settlements have been uncovered on the banks of Narmada, Tapti, Mahi and Sabarmati. These include Akhaj, Valasana, Hirpur and Langhnaj. Archaeologists working at Langhnaj have identified three distinct cultural levels. Besides microliths like blades, triangles, crescents, scrappers and burins, burials and faunal remains have also been discovered here. The large presence of bones of animals like mongoose, rhinoceros, antelope, wild boar and wild cattle suggest that the area was then was covered by a mixture of savannah type grasslands and forests interspersed by wetlands.

Sarai Nahar Rai, Morhana Pahar and Lekhahia are significant sites in the state of Uttar Pradesh. At Sarai Nahar Rai, the graves are oblong and the burials are a part of the habitation area. In Mahadaha, besides a large number of human burials, microliths made of different types of stones like chert, chalcedony, crystal, quartz and agate have been discovered. In Bhimbhetka, Period II corresponds to the Mesolithic era. Although the figures drawn are smaller, they are more stylish and decorated too. The popular topics include animals, humans and hunting scenes. Adamgarh, located to the south of Bhimbhetka also boasts of Mesolithic settlements.

Microliths have been discovered from Kasushoal, Janyire, Babhalgo and Jalgarh in Konkan and the districts of Dhulia and Pune in the Deccan plateau region. In Orissa they have been found at Kuchai, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh. Birbhanpur in the valley of River Damodar is an excavated Mesolithic site in West Bengal. In addition to this, the Chhota Nagpur plateau and the Shillong plateau also have some sites belonging to this period. In the South, tools and traditions associated with the Mesolithic era have been unearthed in Krishna and Bhima basin, Godavari delta, Eastern Karnataka plateau and Kurnool and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh.

An analysis of the Mesolithic sites in India shows that although the basic pattern of life remained more or less the same, the customs and traditions differed from one settlement to another. This is evident from the human burial and the bones of animals that the people hunted. Also some of these sites are real Mesolithic sites as they show an abundance of microliths whereas others are of a later time and show the influence of the Mesolithic culture. The later sites are called sites of Mesolithic tradition.

SUBSISTENCE PATTERN

The bones of a variety of animals have been discovered in and around the Mesolithic settlements. The earliest of these sites have yielded the remains of cattle, sheep, goat, dog, pig, boar, bison, hippo, fox, jackal, wolf, cheetah, antelope, hare, porcupine, mongoose, lizard, tortoise, fish etc. A close analysis of the Mesolithic sites based on the faunal debris throws light on an important characteristic. While many of the animals found in the early period continued to flourish during the age of Mesolithic tradition, others like hippo, some species of antelope, lizard, porcupine, hare etc are absent. Similarly some of the species like camel, nilgai and rhinoceros are present only in the sites of Mesolithic tradition. This pattern can be explained on the basis of the changes that Earth’s atmosphere went through in this period.

The diet of the people constituted of vegetarian and non vegetarian items. The presence of a large number of animal remains indicates that hunting and fishing were essential activities of the Mesolithic people. Besides, gathering edible roots, tubers, seeds, nuts and fruits supplemented hunting. However not much is known about the vegetarian food items that formed a part of their diet, probably due to the perishable nature of these materials.

The paintings and the carvings found in the rock shelters of this period found in Bhimbhetka and Adamgarh give an insight into the lives of the people who lived year several millennia ago. Hunting, fishing and gathering have been portrayed on the walls of the ancient dwellings. Animals like boar, buffalo, monkey and nilgai have been depicted often in Bhimbhetka. Besides there are a significant number of paintings depicting communal dances, musical instruments, drinking, funerals and burials.

These paintings clearly indicate that the concept of society that emerged in the Palaeolithic period was further strengthened during the Mesolithic period. Traditions and religious beliefs based on the nature and ecology began to take shape. Thus the foundation of a great civilization was laid.

SOURCES:

IGNOU HISTORY TEXT BOOK - UNIT 3

THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL

2011-02-05T00:40:00.005+05:30

FLASH BACK

14th MAY, 1948

Israel – the tiny state in West Asia is regarded as one of the most technically and militarily advanced nations in the world today. In spite of being located in a semi-arid region and being surrounded by hostile Arab states, Israel has managed to overcome all odds and emerged as a prominent player in all major platforms. While Israel’s policies and a history of human rights violations against the Palestinians have been regularly criticized, the world’s only majority Jewish state is admired for being tough on all threats to its security and integrity. A strong economy backed by a phenomenal industrial growth, a successful nuclear and space programme and innovations in the fields of science and technology have catapulted the Zionist state into a superpower which you can love or hate but just cannot ignore.

The foundation of the modern state of Israel can be traced back to the Austro-Hungarian journalist, Theodor Herzl. In his book, Der Judenstaat, or The Jewish State, he outlined the various reasons for the re-establishment of a homeland for the Jews in West Asia, away from Europe where they were alienated from the mainstream and looked upon as anti-nationals and opportunistic. Hailed by Israelis as the Father of modern political Zionism and Visionary of the State, he is credited for raising the Jewish Question to the international plane.

According to Jewish mythology, the land encompassing modern day Israel was promised to the Three Patriarchs of the Jewish people by God in the early 2nd millennium BC. Over the next two thousand years, several Jewish kingdoms were established in the region in quick succession. The strength of the Jewish populace dwindled after the Romans crushed the revolt of Bar Khokba in 132 AD. The Byzantine Empire which replaced the Romans continued the persecution of Jews and was briefly overthrown by the Persians in early seventh century after a successful Jewish revolution. The recapture of Jerusalem by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius witnessed the execution and displacement of countless Jews in the region. After the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 635 AD, the Holy Land became a bone of contention between the Christians and Muslims during the Crusades. Finally in 1516 AD, the Ottomans extended their dominion over this land and continued to rule it for the next four centuries. The political instability and religious persecution at the hands of the Christians and the Muslim led to the dispersion of Jews across Europe and some parts of Asia and Africa.

The first large wave of modern immigration to the Promised Land began in 1881 when Jews of Eastern Europe fled to escape the pogroms, an event known as the First Aliyah. The Second Aliyah which led to the settlement of another twenty thousand Jews was immediately followed by the Balfour Declaration issued by the then British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour in 1917 which favoured the creation of a separate Zionist state in the region. As World War I came to an end, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate over Palestine, which it had captured from the Ottomans with the help of Jewish groups. The number of Jews grew with the Third and Fourth Aliyahs and then swelled with the influx of a quarter million refugees who fled Europe fearing Nazi persecution. The exponential rise of their populace and the recommendations of the Peel Commission to divide the region on religious lines led to the Arab revolt (1936-39). Owing to the cap on immigration to the region, the Jewish organizations launched Aliyah Bet - a clandestine movement to bring Holocaust refugees to Palestine. At the end of the Second World War, the Zionists comprised of nearly one third of the total population in Palestine.

With the end of the Second World War, the British government bore the brunt of Jewish anger as the Hagnah, Irgun and Lehi joined forces to form Jewish Resistance Movement in 1945 to drive the English out and to form a Jewish state in the region. Their strategy to achieve these objectives included organizing terror attacks on Arab and British targets and providing arrangements for the illegal entry of Jewish refugees from Europe into Palestine. Unable to get the situation under its control, Britain decided to withdraw from the Mandate of Palestine and to relinquish it to the United Nations in 1947.

The UNO, facing one of its earliest and most challenging tasks, came up with the Partition Plan for Palestine on 29th November, 1947 to resolve the Arab-Jew conflict. The former British mandate was to be partitioned into two separate states – an Arab and a Jewish with the bone of contention, Jerusalem to be administered by the UN as an international city. The proposal which was passed by the General Assembly was welcomed by the Jews but outright reject by the Arab population and other Muslim nations. The Arab countries proposed to query the International Court of Justice on the competence of the General Assembly to partition a country against the wishes of the majority of its inhabitants, but were again defeated. The division was to take effect as part of a British withdrawal from the territory (to be no later than 1 August 1948); though the UK refused to implement the plan, arguing it was unacceptable to both sides.

In retaliation, the Arab Higher Committee declared a three day strike on 1st December, 1947 to express their displeasure against the UN proposed partition of Palestine. Organized Arab bands began attacking the Jews. In the civil war that followed, the Jews launched a counter offensive leading to the total collapse of Arab economy, thereby forcing nearly two and a 2,50,000 Palestinian Arabs to evacuate.

As the stalemate over the future of Palestine continued, prominent Jewish leaders met on 12th May, 1948 to deliberate on whether to agree to a US proposed truce in the region or to declare independence. The marathon meeting concluded with a majority of the dignitaries voting in the favour of immediate independence. Chaim Weizmann, chairman of the Zionist Organization and soon to be the first President of Israel, endorsed the decision, after reportedly asking "What are they waiting for, the idiots?"

The final text of the Declaration of Independence was ratified by voting on all contentious issue, taking the opinion of the majority into account, hours before the Declaration ceremony in Tel Aviv. During the meeting, there were two major debates, centred on borders and the religion of the new state. The issue of territorial extent of the new Jewish homeland was left open allowing scope for future expansion and also due to the fact that none of the Arab nations were ready to formally recognize the existence of Israel. On the topic of God, the last phrase mentions “Rock of Israel” instead of “God of Israel” or “the Almighty and Redeemer of Israel.” This was proposed by Ben-Gurion and was passed without a vote.

As far as the name of the new state was concerned, the proposed names included Eretz Israel, Ever, Judea and Zion. Judea and Zion, although popular were rejected as the Partition Plan of the UN excluded Jerusalem (Zion) and most of the Judean Mountains. Ben-Gurion put forward the name “Israel” which was passed by a vote of 6-3.

The ceremony to mark the Birth of Israel was held at the Tel Aviv Museum, rechristened later as the Independence Hall to commemorate the historic event that took place here. The event was kept a secret to prevent interference by British authorities who were to pull out of the region on the following day and to prevent military offensive by hostile Arab nations. The recipients were invited by a messenger and the whole event was broadcasted live on the radio station, Air Israel (Kol Yisrael). As the 250 odd guests rose to the Hatikvah, the national anthem of Israel, on wall behind the podium hung a photo of Theodor Herzl, the first modern day visionary of Israel. Ben-Gurion concluded the event with the words "The State of Israel is established! This meeting is adjourned!" Minutes after the Declaration of independence, President Harry Truman of the United States gave a de facto recognition to Israel, followed by Iran, Guatemala, Iceland, Nicaragua, Romania, and Uruguay. The Soviet Union was the first country to officially recognize Israel on 17th May, 1948.

Though the century’s old dream of the Jews to establish a state in the Promised Land became a reality, political analysts and observers dipped their pens in black ink and wrote the obituaries of the young nation. In fact most felt that the Zionist state wouldn’t last long admits the hostile environment and would be soon overrun by a well organized attack by Arab nations.

As expected, seven neighboring Arab states, namely, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Iraq, Sudan, Lebanon and Syria declared war on Israel on 15th May, 1948. The Jews, who had fought hard to carve out a nation for themselves weren’t prepared to give up their land without a fight. In the war that lasted for about two years, over six thousand Israeli nationals were killed whereas the casualties on the Arab side were significantly higher, ranging from 8,000 to 15,000. The war ended with Israel signing separate Armistice agreements with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria in 1949. The new nation had passed the litmus test and come out stronger than ever, having increased its territorial extent by nearly 50 per cent. The war is referred to as Catastrophe by the Arab world as not only did Israel retain its independence and expanded its extent further, but it also led to the exodus of about seven lakh Palestinian Arabs from the region.

On 25th January, 1949 elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in which David Ben-Gurion led Mapai Party won 46 out of the total 120 seats. The first democratically elected government in Israeli history was formed under his leadership which included United Religious Front, Progressive Party etc as coalition partners. Israel became a member of the United Nations on 11 May, 1949.

The birth of Israel is the logical conclusion of the dream of a Zionist homeland which the Jewish people have nurtured since the Roman occupation of the region. The hardships faced by them across centuries have made them remarkably resilient and has transformed them into a race that will go to any extent to protect its interest even if it means defying popular opinion and pressure from super powers. From the decisive victory over Egypt, Jordan and Syria in the Six Day War to the commando style invasion of Uganda to free its nationals aboard a hijacked plane to the ‘The Wrath of God’ – a secret mission launched by Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad to avenge the Berlin Massacre to Israeli athletes, Israel has paid little or no attention to the image that it has projected about itself around the world.

The events that unfolded on 14^th May, 1948 were to change the world for ever. While the Jews got what they wanted, the creation of the Zionist state in a land dominated by Arab was viewed by Muslims around the world as an act of injustice and an attempt to undermine Islam. The fidayeen style attacks on Israeli targets by Palestinian terrorist, armed and funded by the Arab countries and the subsequent oppression of the Palestinian Arabs by Israeli authorities has made the region one of the most volatile region of the world. Though several attempts to establish peace in the Gaza Strip have been attempted in the last six decades, they have met with little or no success. It is in the best interest of both the Israelis and the Palestinians to come up with a permanent solution to the problem and co-exist peacefully.

SOURCES:

(1) www.wikipedia.org

THE TALE OF THE MONKEY KING

2011-02-01T00:58:00.003+05:30

LEGEND has it.....

VALI VADH

Ramayana – the epic journey of Lord Ram explores the tenets of human existence and the concept of Dharma. Over the ages, its central characters, namely Rama, Lakshman, Hanuman, Sita and Ravana - have become fundamental to the cultural consciousness of South Asians in general and Indians in particular. While the heroes and villains of this colossal epic have found their rightful places in the hearts and minds of Hindus since time immemorial, the significance of one character is generally overlooked and grossly underestimated. Like Karna in Mahabharata, Ramayana also refers to a brave warrior who was amongst the most powerful men in contemporary India but ended up being assassinated by Lord Rama on the battlefield as he aligned himself with Adharma. Vali, the Monkey king of Kishkindha is the tragic hero of Ramayana.

Vali, the son of Lord Indra and the elder brother of Sugriva was the Vanara (Ape) king of the ancient kingdom of Kishkindha which included the dense forests called Dandaka Forests that pretty much covered most of modern day South India. Legend has it that Vali participated in the Samudra Mantan on the side of the Devas and took Tara, an Apsara who rose from the churning of the milky ocean as his wife. While some other mythological sources describe Tara as the daughter of the monkey physician Sushena, she is unanimously admired for her beauty, wisdom and devotion to her husband. Tara gave birth to Vali’s son, Angadh, the crown prince of the kingdom who played a key role in the Rama’s war against Ravana.

The Ramayana hails Vali as invincible owing to the fact that he had received a boon according to which anyone who would fight the monkey king would lose half of the strength to him. The very fact is illustrated in a feud between him and the mighty Ravana, in which the former humbled the latter. Vali was an ardent worshipper of lord Shiva and Surya. It is believed that every day before dawn, Bali would go from the Eastern coast to the Western coast, from the Northern coast to the Southern coast to pay his homage to the Sun god. Moreover, the Puranas mention that after completing this mammoth task of paying respect to the Sun in all four directions, he used to return to his capital without feeling any tiredness.

It was on one such trip that the powerful warrior encountered the king of Lanka, who challenged him for a fight. In the clash of the titans that followed, Vali defeated his foe, tied him with his tail and took him around the world, thereby breaking his pride. Humbled, the mighty king of Lanka called for truce. It has been recorded that after this feud, the two concluded a peace treaty and became friends. The Puranas also mention of the battle between Vali and demon Dundhubi, who came in the form of a wild buffalo. As the brave Vali defeated the demon and hurled him in the sky, the blood from the dying animal defiled Sage Matanga’s ashram due to which the sage cursed Vali and the vanaras saying that whoever came near his ashram would fall down dead.

The bitterness between Vali and Sugriva, which ultimately led to the former’s death, began when the demon Mayavi, brother of Dundhubi, appeared on the gates of the city of Kishkindha and invited the king for the battle. As the ever ready Vali marched against Mayavi, he fled in terror and entered a deep cave. Vali entered the cave in pursuit of the demon, telling Sugriva to wait outside. Upon hearing demonic shouts in the cave and seeing blood oozing from its mouth, Sugriva concluded that his brother had been killed. With a heavy heart, Sugriva rolled a boulder to seal the cave's opening to prevent the demon from raiding Kishkindha, and assumed the reins of the kingdom. Vali, however, ultimately prevailed in his combat with the demon and returned home. Seeing Sugriva acting as king, he concluded that his brother had betrayed him. Though Sugriva humbly attempted to explain himself, Vali would not listen. As a result, Sugriva was ostracized from the kingdom. Vali forcibly took Sugriva's main wife, Ruma, and the brothers became bitter enemies.

It was during this time that Sugriva befriended his future minister, Hanuman and the exiled princes of Ayodhya – Rama and Lakshman. Like Sugriva’s wife Ruma, Sita, the princess of Ayodhya had been unlawfully held captive by Ravana. As such, the two princes faced with a set of identical problems decided to enter into a mutual agreement. Rama promised to help Sugriva to defeat Vali and regain his throne and his wife. In return the Vanara prince promised to help the lord in his conquest of Lanka. Next, the allies hatched a plan to topple Vali from the throne of Kishkindha.

In accordance of his vow of Vanavass, and to prevent direct combat with the monkey army, Rama asked Sugriva to challenge Vali for a fight outside the borders of Kishkindha. Tara’s plea asking Vali to refrain from battle against his younger brother, who had the Lord on his side, fell on deaf ears and the siblings turned foes charged towards each other. Meanwhile, Rama and Lakshman hid themselves in the vicinity. Although the brothers were evenly matched initially, Vali soon gained the upper hand. As the two looked identical, Rama found it difficult to take aim at Vali. As such Hanuman stepped in and placed a garland of flowers around Sugriva’s neck. The prince of Ayodhya took aim and drove an arrow straight into the monkey king’s heart.

Rama is regarded in Hindu mythology as Maryada Purushottam as he played the roles of a son, a husband, a brother, a student, a friend and a king to perfection. However the critics of Rama point two instances where he is said to have deviated from the principles of Dharma, one of them being the ‘cowardly’ manner in which he killed the Vanara king Vali. However, a close analysis of the events that unfolded during this time presents a complete picture and leads to a better understanding.

The Puranas clearly lay down that the younger brother must be treated as a son and must be forgiven even if he makes a mistake. In fact, not only had Vali banished his younger sibling from the kingdom, but also held is wife, who according to the laws of Dharma was Vali’s daughter-in-law, captive. Also, political reasons prevalent in ancient India compelled Rama to kill Vali. For him to rescue his wife, Rama needed the help of the Vanara Sena, and Sugriva agreed to help him once on the throne of Kishkindha. Besides, Rama could not expect such an offer from Vali who by then was on friendly terms with Ravana. And of course, so much bad blood had been spilled between the two brothers that all chances of a compromise were out of question. Thirdly, the fact remains that Vali was a vanar, an ape and Rama was a prince. It was customary in those days for royals to hunt animals stealthily. Lastly, the alliance between Rama and Sugriva was in the interest of the Vanaras. For the first time in the history, they were being given an opportunity to join the mainstream and be treated as equals with human beings.

As Vali lay on the ground in pain and agony, Rama and Lakshman came forward to meet him. Vali accused the prince of unethical behavior and questioned the motives behind such a cowardly and heinous act. However, Rama answered all his questions calmly and provided sufficient explanations for the manner in which he assassinated Vali. Realizing his mistake, Vali asked Rama for forgiveness and asked him and Sugriva to take care of Tara and Angadh. It is said that at the time of his death, Rama promised Vali to give him a chance to avenge his unjust murder. In fact the Monkey king does make an appearance, centuries later and avenges his death.

With the death of the mighty monkey king, Sugriva ascended the throne of Kishkindha. Tara, the widow of Vali became Sugriva’s queen and was consulted by him in all matters of administration. Angadh was elevated to the rank of the crown prince of the kingdom and was a key figure in the battle in the later years. He is particularly remembered for leading a diplomatic mission to Ravana, which concluded with him bringing back the demon king’s crown and placing it at the feet of the lord. Sugriva fulfilled his promise and helped Rama defeat Ravana and regain Sita.

The story of the great Monkey king does end here. Rama's slaying of Bali had a special significance. As the time passed on, the Rama Avatar of Lord Vishnu came to a conclusion and he reincarnated as Lord Krishna. Having killed his despotic uncle Kansa, he played the pivotal role in the victory of the Pandavas over the Kauravas. Legend has it that Gandhari, Duryodhana’s mother and a worshipper of Lord Vishnu was so shocked by her son’s death in front of Krishna that she cursed that he and all his followers would perish thirty-six years after the war. According to Puranic scriptures, as the Krishna avatar reached its climax, the curse of Gandhari came true and the people of Dwarka were overcome by a wild rage and there was total destruction of life and property. Some time later, Krishna’s elder brother, Balaram left for the heavens.

As the Lord, saddened by the events that unfolded in the recent past, sat beneath a tree in deep meditation, a hunter entered the forest. He mistook Krishna’s ankle for a deer and shot an arrow towards it. Alarmed by the cries of Krishna, the hunter approached him and realized his mistake. The hunter, named Jara was none other than vanara king Vali in his previous life. Thus as said by Lord Rama, the monkey king got his revenge and promise made to Vali at the time of his death was fulfilled. As Krishna left the mortal world, the Dwapar Yug came to an end. The mortal remains of Krishna were cremated by his friend Arjuna and soon the Arabian Sea engulfed the city of Dwarka.

The story of monkey king Vali is a lesson for everyone. It is a classic tale in which a man blessed with immense talent and endowed with the invincible powers sinks into the oblivion as he chooses the path of Adharma. In spite of having the wise Tara as his companion, and being gifted with enviable physical strength, he fell prey to his anger which ultimately sealed his fate on the battlefield. On the contrary, Sugriva, though not as strong as his elder brother, is revered for being on the moral high ground in his battle with Vali. The story of Vali and Sugriva teaches us that the strength of an individual is not measured in terms of his physical prowess but in terms of his adherence to the laws of Dharma.

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2011-01-17T21:23:00.002+05:30

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THE LAST KINGS OF INDIA

2010-12-16T00:29:00.020+05:30

PASHU MELA

THE ASIATIC LION

In May 2010, as the country took cognizance of the sorry plight of its national animal and efforts to save the stripped cat gained momentum, spectacular news emerged from the dry deciduous forests of Gir in Gujarat. While the numbers of the Royal Bengal Tiger had plunged to 1411, the population of its feline cousin – the Asiatic Lion soared from 359 in 2005 to 411, five years later. In fact, this was the first time since the late nineteenth century that the numbers of the Asia’s apex predator had surged past the 400 mark – infusing renewed vigor in the people involved in this success story and showing the world that persistent and sustained efforts alone can lead to astounding results as far as wildlife conservation is concerned.

The King of the Jungle, popularized in myth as a symbol of indomitable strength and revered around the globe for their ferocity, was once widespread across the Asian continent with its habitat covering much of modern day Arabia, Persia, Asia Minor and India. Surprisingly, nearly two centuries ago, the Asiatic Lion would have competed with other Big Cats like the Tiger, Leopard and Asiatic Cheetah for prey and territory. While the Lion-Leopard and Lion-Cheetah conflicts are still recorded in Africa, how the two heavyweights – the Lion and the Tiger shaped up against each other is today, a part of distant history.

Meanwhile, the rising human population, loss of habitat, trophy hunting by Asian royals and their colonial successors and rapid urbanization meant that the large cat was wiped off from most of its former range by the late nineteenth century. By early twentieth century, about 13 individuals were remained in the Gir forests of Saurashtra, which primarily lay under the territorial extent of the princely state of Junagadh.

One of the earliest fillips to Lion conservation in Gir came in 1900 when the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, on his visit to Junagadh refrained from shooting a large beast and set an example for others to follow. Instead records from the archives of the erstwhile state show that the royal court was flooded with requests for game hunting, both from British officials and other princely states. When the British administration took control for a brief period in 1911, it enforced tight rules to regulate trophy hunting. Notorious in history textbooks for being one of the only two Indian royals who wanted to merge with Pakistan, in spite of an over whelming Hindu populace, the last Nawab – Mahabathkhanji III was a great animal lover and played a pioneering role in the conservation of the Asiatic Lion. On one occasion, when the neighboring princely states refused to provide similar protection to lions outside the dominion of Junagadh, he threatened to burn down the Gir forests. After the annexation of Junagadh into the Republic of India was complete, the lion was accorded protected status by the government and Gir was declared as a National Park and Wildlife sanctuary in 1965.

Encompassing a total area of 1412 sq km, Gir is today considered to be one of the most important protected areas of Asia. Besides being the last refugee of the Asiatic lion or ‘Babbar Sher’, as they are locally referred to as, the largest dry deciduous forests in Western India are home to a myriad species of flora and fauna. A lesser known fact about Gir is that it is a major breeding centre for the Marsh Crocodile under the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project of 1977 and nearly thousand crocs breed here so far have been introduced in waters in and around Gir.

Asiatic lions are similar to African forms, though they have less swollen tympanic bullae, shorter postorbital constriction, and usually have divided infraorbital foramen. They reach a weight of 160–190 kg for the males and 110–120 kg for the females. The colour ranges from reddish-brown to a highly mottled black to sandy cinnamon grey. Asiatic lions are highly social animals, living in units called prides. Their lion prides are smaller than those of African lions, with an average of only two females, whereas an African pride has an average of four to six. The Asiatic males are less social and only associate with the pride when mating or on a large kill. It has been suggested that this may be because their prey animals are smaller than those in Africa, requiring fewer hunters to tackle them. Asiatic lions prey predominantly on Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, wild boar, water buffalo and livestock.

Thanks to the efforts of the Forest Department, the Staff, NGOs and activists, the population of the lions in the region has steadily risen to a significant and reassuring number. Unlike earlier times, when pug marks were the basis of the lion census carried once every five years, the authorities have introduced the ‘Block-Direct-Control Method’ since 2005,eliminating any margin of error in the final recordings. In the last census, which involved over a thousand volunteers, the authorities have counted 97 males, 162 females and 152 cubs. A majority of individuals counted were found to be in the sub-adult category, which is a healthy sign for the future of these majestic beasts. The Lion Breeding Programme here maintains breeding centers, carries out studies of the behaviour of the lions and also practices artificial insemination. One such centre, established in the Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh, has successfully bred about 180 lions. Besides, 126 pure Asiatic lions have been given to zoos in India and abroad.

Although there is little doubt that the Gir story is a tremendous success and a role model for many similar experiments around the world, the threat to the survival of Asiatic Lion persists even today. Lions have been poisoned by poor farmers who look upon them as ‘livestock lifters’ and wells dug by them for irrigation act as traps, leading to many of them drowning. Reports of poaching have also been recorded, though they have been few and far between. Habitat destruction by the local Maldhari community to meet the demands of firewood and over grazing by their cattle is a serious cause of concern. Today, farmers grow mango, groundnuts and sugarcane adjacent to the Gir Forest, increasing land values and depleting groundwater and putting more pressure on the lion population.

Also the protected area can barely sustain the large numbers of a territorial animal like the lion and the population explosion of the Big Cat has exceeded the carrying capacity of Gir, forcing many of them to stray away from the protected area, making them especially vulnerable. The latest census has shown that as many as 76 lions are found in the areas adjoining the reserve, known as Greater Gir which comprises of four districts of Amreli, Bhavnagar, Porbander and Junagadh.

Perhaps, the single biggest threat to the survival of Asiatic Lion is that the present population is highly inbred as it is derived from as little as 13 individuals. Many studies have reported that the inbred populations could be susceptible to diseases due to a weakening immune system, possibly causing their sperm to be deformed. This makes them especially vulnerable to diseases and causes 70% to 80% of sperm to be deformed — a ratio that can lead to infertility when lions are further inbred in captivity. In fact a severe epidemic of anthrax or rabies, transmitted from the domestic animals of the Maldharis can wipe out the entire lion population of Gir.

As such, the battle to save the magnificent lion is far from won. The authorities here have initiated several steps to boost the survival of the animal. Measures like suspension of logging operations in some parts of the reserve, resettlement of Maldharis families and the shifting of their livestock, and the payment of compensation in cases of livestock killing by lions have been initiated. The forest department has also established check posts, introduced a wireless communication network, and deployed vehicles and weapons to control the movement of people and livestock in the protected area. To counteract the problem of drowning, suggestions for walls around the wells, as well as, the use of "Drilled Tube wells" have been made.

To counter the threat of disease and population explosion in Gir, efforts has been made to establish a second independent population of Asiatic Lions at the Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. Although, researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India have certified it as ready to receive its first batch of trans-located lions from the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat has been resisting the relocation, since it would make the Gir Sanctuary lose its status as the world's only home of the Asiatic lion. Meanwhile, Kuno officials are toying with the idea of releasing some captive-bred lions into the wild, after training them in hunting and survival techniques.

The story of Gir and the resurgence in the population of the Asiatic lions is the result of continued efforts to save the species. The Nawab of Junagadh, the Gujarat government and the people of the state, all deserve their share of accolades and are an integral part of this great success. With the application of scientific knowledge, patience and hard work, the same experiment can be replicated with any other animal anywhere in the country. If we have been able to save the Asiatic Lion from the brink of extinction, we surely have the potential to do the same with the Tiger, the Gangetic Dolphin and other critically endangered species.

While its primary nemesis, the Princes and the British have long disappeared into the oblivion, the Asiatic Lion, besides ruling his tiny yet significant kingdom in Saurashtra, continues to captivate the hearts and minds of the Indians. Though the era of the Rajas and Maharajas is long over, the lion still occupies a pre eminent position in the Indian Republic as it is one of the few animals that have made it to the National Emblem. The four lions standing back to back, symbolizing power, courage, pride and confidence have become the face of the country to rest of the world. The King of the Jungle, the last remaining scion of royalty in modern India, is roaring and roaring with pride; for it knows that it future is safe in the hands of its subject.

Sources:

(1) www.wikipedia.org

(2) www.ens-newswire.com

GEORGE WASHINGTON

2010-10-05T23:34:00.011+05:30

The PANTHEON

CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM

The American Revolution is, in many ways an epoch making event in the history of mankind as it laid down the foundations of democratic politics and the incorporation of the rights of the people in the State constitution. It was a crucible from which the widespread assertions of liberty, individual rights and hostility towards corruption – the core values of republicanism emerged and spread across the world. The American Revolution is the first example of a successful revolt against a European empire followed by the establishment of a republican form of government and since then has became an inspiration for people of different regions fighting against oppressive regimes.

George Washington, the pioneer of the event and the man who led the armies of the thirteen colonies against the British was born on 22nd February, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Educated by his father, Augustine and eldest brother, Lawrence, George worked as a Surveyor General and acquired invaluable knowledge of the terrain around Virginia. Lawrence’s marriage into the powerful Fairfax family earned George the patronage of Thomas Fairfax, who was instrumental in his appointment as the Surveyor of the newly created Culpeper County at the young age of 17 years. Through Lawrence he also became interested in the Ohio Company which aimed to exploit the Western lands. After Lawrence’s death, George was appointed a district Adjutant General in the Virginia Militia and at the age of 21, he became a Master Mason in the Freemasons, which was a lifelong influence.

In 1754, he was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel and ordered to lead an expedition to Fort Duquesne. However, a French Canadian and Indian force overwhelmed his troops, resulting in what was the only occasion in his military career where he was taken captive by the enemy. Although he was cleared of blame for the defeat after his release, he resigned from the Virginia Militia. In the following year, he distinguished himself as the hero of the Monongahela – an ill fated effort to retake Ohio Country. Three years later, he participated as a Brigadier General in the Forbes expedition that prompted the French evacuation of Fort Duquesne. However, he resigned from active military and spent next 16 years of his life as a Virginia planter and politician.

On 6th January, 1759, he married the wealthy widow Martha Curtis, and the newly wed couple moved to Mt. Vernon near Alexandria. Owing to his marriage to Martha, a land grant for his success in the French and Indian Wars and the frequent land purchases he made in his name, he had doubled the size of Mt. Vernon to 26 sq km and increased the slave population to more than 100 persons by 1775. As a respected military leader and large land owner, he was elected to Virginia provincial legislature, beginning in 1758. While George led a luxurious life, he managed to pay off his debt by diversification. In fact, by 1766, he had switched the primary cash crop of Mt. Vernon from tobacco to wheat, a crop that could be sold in America and diversified operations to include floor milling, fishing, horse breeding, spinning and weaving.

George began taking a leading role in the growing colonial resistance after the protest of the Townshend Acts (1767) had become widespread. He introduced a proposal that was drafted by his friend George Mason, which called for Virginia to boycott English goods until the acts were repelled. Although the goal was achieved in 1770, George regarded the passage of the Intolerable Acts (1774) as an “Invasion of American Rights and Privileges”. In July, 1774 he chaired the meeting at which the ‘Fairfax Resolves’, which called for the convening of a Continental Congress was adopted. In August, later that year, he was selected as a delegate from Virginia to the first Continental Congress.

After fighting broke out in April, 1775, Washington appeared at the Second Congress in military uniform signalling that he was ready for the war. Thanks to his military experience, the charisma and military bearing, the reputation of being a strong patriot and backing from the Southern colonies, George Washington was appointed as the Major General and elected by the Congress to the Commander-in-Chief of the newly formed Continental Army.

Washington assumed the leadership of the Continental Army in the field at Cambridge, Massachusetts in July, 1775 during the siege of Boston. After acquiring barely adequate supplies, mostly from France, he reorganized the army and forced the British to withdraw by putting the artillery on the Dorchester Heights. The Continental Army engaged the enemy for the first time as the army of the newly declared independent United States at the Battle of Long Island – the largest battle in the entire War. His army’s night time retreat across the East River without the loss of a single life is believed to be his greatest military feat. A sting of British victories sent him scrambling out of New York and across New Jersey.

On the night of 25th December, 1776, he staged a counter attack, leading the Americans across the Delaware River in Trenton, New Jersey and then at Princeton in early January. As a measure to boost the dwindling numbers of the Continental Army, he increased the rewards for staying and punishment for desertion. On September 11, 1777, the British General, Howe defeated Washington’s troops at the Battle of Brandywine and then marched into Philadelphia. George’s unsuccessful attack on the British garrison at Germantown prompted some Congressmen to discuss removing him from his post. However, they failed as his supporters rallied behind him.

After six months of stay at Valley Forge, the Continental Army emerged in good order, thanks in part to a full scale training programme by Baron Von Steuben, a veteran of the Prussian General Staff. The British evacuated Philadelphia to New Jersey in 1778 but Washington attacked them and drove them from the battlefield. At his directions, General Jon Sullivan carried a scorch earth campaign against the Iroquois in retaliation for their attacks on the American settlements, early in the war. The final blow was delivered in 1781 after a French naval victory allowed the Americans and French troops to trap a British army in Virginia. The surrender at Yorktown on October 17, 1781 marked the end of most fighting. By the Treaty of Paris, Britain formally recognized the independence of United States.

On 23rd December, 1783, he resigned as Commander-in-Chief, emulating the Roman general, Cincinnatus. He was an exemplar of the republic ideal of citizen leadership who rejected power and retired to Mt. Vernon. However, he was convinced to attend the Continental Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and was unanimously elected as its President. The delegates designed the Presidency with Washington in mind and allowed him to define the office, once elected. His support led to the ratification of the new Constitution by all 13 colonies.

Washington took oath of office as the First President of the United States at Federal Hall in New York on 30th April, 1789. He was an able administrator, an excellent delegator and judge of talent and character. Although he reluctantly served a second term as President, he refused to run for a third term, establishing the customary policy of a maximum of two terms for a US President. During his tenure, he personally oversaw the establishment of the permanent seat of government called Washington, in his honour. He also led the military in the battlefield after the Whiskey rebellion. On the foreign front, he rejected Citizen Genet’s attempt to turn popular sentiment towards the American involvement in the French war against the British and demanded his recall. Also, despite strong opposition from the Jeffersonians, Washington normalized the trade relations with Britain by signing the Jay treaty.

After retiring from the Presidency in March 1797, Washington returned to Mt. Vernon with a profound sense of relief and devoted much of his time to farming. On July 4, 1798, he was commissioned by President John Adams to be the Commander-in-Chief of armies raised for service in the prospective war with France. He also participated in planning for a Provincial Army to meet any emergence that may arise. However, he died on 14th December, 1799 qt his home aged 67. On 18th December, 1799 a funeral was held at Mt. Vernon and Washington was interred in a tomb on the estate. Several attempts made by the Congress to move his mortal remains to a marble monument in the US capital were thwarted by opposition from the Southern states. Finally he was laid to rest on October 7, 1837 in a new tomb constructed by John Struthers of Philadelphia. After the ceremony, the inner vault’s door was closed and the key was thrown into the Potomac River.

According to a popular story, following the end of the war in 1783, King George III asked what Washington would do next and was told about the rumours that he would return to his farm; this prompted the British monarch to state, “If he does that, he would be the greatest man in the world.” In fact, he did return to his plantation and won millions of admirers around the world. Representative Henry Lee, a revolutionary War Comrade famously eulogized Washington as “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Lee’s words set the standard by which his overwhelming reputation was impressed upon the American memory.

SOURCES: WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

CHAMBAL MEIN MANGAL

2010-10-04T23:43:00.009+05:30

Ever since the 13th century, the maze of deep ravines and scrub forests of the Chambal region of Central India have been home to generations of daring and dreaded outlaws, known locally as ‘Dakus’. Popularized in folk for performing essential social services in hard times and adjudicating local issues, and romanticized in Bollywood movies like Bandit Queen, Sholay, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hain, Ganga Yamuna etc, the dacoits, nevertheless, unleashed a reign of terror in the nearby areas, committing countless cases of mass murders, kidnappings, rape, extortion and armed robberies, mostly targeted at people of higher castes whom they looked upon as the prime beneficiaries of an unjust, corrupt and biased system. From Daku Man Singh - the revered ‘Chambal ka Sher’ - the once poor Rajput whose fight against discrimination has got him a cult-like status among the locals to the Bandit Queen - Phoolan Devi, the dacoit turned politician who was directly responsible for the infamous Behmai massacre, these outlaws have sharply divided the opinion of the Indian masses, with some condemning them for their unlawful and violent activities while others hailing them as heroes for their Robin Hood-like characteristics. With the death of most wanted dacoit, Nirbhay Gujjar at the hands of policemen of the Special Task Force in November, 2005 and surrender by many others, dacoity in the Chambal valley has drastically declined to such an extent that it has been wiped out of most of the region.

With normalcy being restored, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to cash in the situation. Come October, the State government in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh and a private player, Chambal Safari, is starting a special adventure tourism programme in Bhind district, aptly called ‘The Chambal Challenge’ from Oct 11th - 17th, mainly targeted at the foreigners who will visit the nation for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, allowing them to traverse the terrain infested with crocodiles and chat one on one with former bandits. Earlier the Rajasthan government had announced special packages for the Games tourists including a visit to the ghost town of Bhangarh near Jaipur.

The bloodline of the Chambal Ghatti (Valley) is the Chambal River, which originates at Manpura in the Vindhya Ranges and forms the boundary between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, before turning southeast to join the Yamuna at the confluence of five rivers in Uttar Pradesh. Legend has it that large scale Yagyas (ritual of sacrifice to please the Gods) used to be organized on the banks of this river, where animals were slaughtered and their skins (leather) was dried, earning it the name ‘Charmavati’. One of the earliest mentions of dacoity in the region comes from the travelogue of the famous Chinese pilgrim, Huen Tsang, who is said to have been robbed near present day Dhaulpur. It is believed that ever since the Tomars came down to the Chambal valley after being pushed out of Delhi by the Chauhan kings, the region has been established as a safe heaven for rebels and dacoits. The bandits are also mentioned in the memoirs of the first Mughal Emperor, Babur. The tradition seems to have continued well into the 20th century with the Chambal bandits being accused of regularly preying upon the caravans of the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior.

Thanks to the fear of the dakus that inhabited its banks, the Chambal River, unlike other Indian rivers, has largely remained pollution free and hosts an amazing riverine faunal assemblage including several species of endangered mammals, indigenous reptiles and migratory birds, even today. The area lies within the semi-arid zone of North Western India and the vegetation consists of typical thorn forests characterized by sparse ground cover along the severely eroded banks and adjacent ravine lands. However, the major eco tourism destination in this region is the National Chambal Sanctuary, consisting of the large arc described by the river in its 960 km odd journey and encompasses areas in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The crystal clear waters of the river is home to nearly 1300 gavials, known locally as the Gharials and also supports a 500 strong population of the Indian Mugger. Besides eight species of fresh water turtles, one can also spot the Smooth Coated Otters and the elusive Gangetic Dolphins. Apart from supporting a variety of avian species like Black Bellied Terns, Sarus Cranes and Black Necked Storks, the sanctuary is fast emerging as an ideal place to spot the Indian Skimmer.

Besides these natural wonders, the district of Bhind is dotted with myriad areas of archaeological and religious importance. The 17th century fort of Ater, located deep in the ravines, 35 km west of Bhind city was once the abode of the kings of the Bhaduria dynasty and also a favorite sanctuary for the bandits in the later period. The main attractions in this fort are Khooni Darwaza, Badan Singh ka Mahal, Hathiapor, Raja ka Bangla, Rani ka Bangla and Barah Khamba Mahal. The fort, once in a dilapidated state, is being restored to its past glory by the ASI (Bhopal Circle). Another fort in the Bhind city, the Bhaduria capital, houses two canons that tell a tale of deceit – a treacherous general filled them up with millets instead of gun powder, leading to its fall. A third fort at Gohad, built in the 16th century by the Jat king Maha Singh, located on way to Bhind from Gwalior is renowned for its ‘Kachhari Mahal’ – a unique example of Iranian Art. Another 10 km from the fort is Maharajpur, where several British officers and soldiers were killed in a revolt that took place 13 years prior to the First War of Indian Independence.

The Vankhandeshwar Temple in Bhind, dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by Prithviraj Chauhan in 1175 AD. It is said that the ‘Jyoti’ is continuously flamed since then. The centuries old Jain temples of Baranso were built to commemorate the visit of lord Mahavir in this area. Located in Gohad Tehsil, near Mau, at a place called Jamdara, is the Mata Renuka Temple believed to be the birthplace of the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu – Maharshi Parashuram. Folklore linked to Parashuram is that his father ordered him to cut the head of his mother, Renuka which he complied and as a prize asked for the revival of his dead mother which his father, Maharshi Jamadagni solicited. The temple built at the place of this activity, has the idol of the deity Renuka, with the head being separate from the rest of the body. Another attraction peculiar to the region is the Naraddev temple, where Maharshi Narad is worshipped. The Bhind district with the Malanpur industrial area is now the new hub of development in Madhya Pradesh.

The Chambal Challenge will provide the international tourists a unique opportunity to experience the various aspects of the Chambal Ghatti. Besides getting to know the flavours, the aroma of the valley, they will also be treated to local folklore, the typical Alha and Languria style of singing. As a bonus, the tourists will be provided free accommodation in tent houses in the camping site near the majestic Ater Fort. The adventure activities planned for the tourists include Water rides (including a motor boat ride to Ater fort), Banana ride, Alligator and Dolphin spotting in the National Chambal Sanctuary, Para Sailing, Hot air Ballooning, Rock Climbing and Zorbo ball. However, the main adventure event is the Chambal Treasure Hunt – a nerve wrecking, adrenaline pumping race against time for the body and the brain where the participants have to find their way through the seemingly endless maze of the ravine topography to seek the treasure hidden deep inside the wilderness within a stipulated time period. A definite area in the Beehad region has been embarked for this year long activity. The person who finds the treasure in the shortest possible time among the participants for the whole year will walk away with the bumper prize and the reputation of being the best in brawn and brain.

However, no trip to the former ‘Dacoit Capital of India’ is complete without an encounter with the dakus of the Chambal Ghatti. The former dacoits, who ruled the valley fiercely for so many years, whose very mention was enough to strike terror in the minds of the people, now out either on parole or after completing their term in jails, will guide the tourists to the beautiful Chambal valley. The tourists now can have a live experience of the rustic terrain along with the former outlaws and even interact with them.

The State government has launched a massive publicity campaign to popularize the event. The Bhind district administration is spending around Rs. 50 lakh to build suitable infrastructure to transport the tourist to the valley. Speaking of the event, an official said “We have contracted leading tour operators and agencies, and are trying to mobilize support for our innovative Chambal Challenge and we hope this will open a new avenue of progress in this ravine-curtained territory”. In tune with their extremely popular tourism campaign entitled, ‘Madhya Pradesh – The Heart of Incredible India’, the State Tourism Department has come up with the following poem to promote the event:

Chambal ki tum Dhar dekho,

Dolphins ka Pyar dekho,

Dakuoon ki Behaad dekho,

Ater ka Itihaas dekho,

Barah Atishay Kshetra dekho,

Ghadiyallon ke Ansoo dekho,

Bhind dekhoo, Bhind dekho,

Bhind dekho, Bhind dekho.

The Chambal Challenge is truly a masterstroke of the Shivraj Singh Chauhan government to attract the visitors to the Chambal valley and put it into the global travel map. A large chunk of credit must also go to Kunwar Ram Pratap Singh, the head of the Chambal Conservation Foundation. Alumni of IIT Rourkee, he and his wife, Anu, left their lucrative jobs to set up the Chambal Safari, an eco-tourism endeavour committed to the sustainable use of natural resources and has been a instrumental in making the ambitious venture, a reality. Tourism will play an important factor in healing the wounds those years of dacoity and negligence have inflicted upon the people of Bhind. Hopefully, this novel initiative will give the whole region an image makeover and usher in a new era of peace, progress and prosperity.

SOURCES:

(1) WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

(2) WWW.CHAMBALCHALLENGE.COM

(3) WWW.CHAMBALSAFARI.COM

(4) WWW.BHIND.NIC

INDIA IN THE PALAEOLITHIC AGE

2010-10-03T18:22:00.020+05:30

PEEP INTO THE PAST

WHEN IT ALL BEGAN

Contrary to popular conception, the story of human life in India began thousands of years prior to the emergence of the first cities in the plains of Indus and its tributaries. The earliest traces that man left in this region date back millions of years ago, a period referred to as the Pleistocene period or the Great Ice Age, by the geologists. Like an overwhelming majority of prehistoric human societies around the world, these men lived as hunters/gatherers. As man had not yet discovered the art of farming or animal rearing, they survived by gathering various edible items like roots, fruits, honey and so on that nature had to offer or by killing animals, birds and fish available in the surroundings in which they lived. Much of our understanding about these ancient societies comes from the tools that these people made and used for their existence, the faunal remains of the animals they hunted and ate and the rock paintings that they have left behind. Unfortunately, in India, unlike in Europe, Africa and several parts of Asia, very few human remains have been found in association with these primitive tools. Hence our knowledge about these men is severely curtailed.

THE PHASES OF THE PALAEOLITIC AGE

The Palaeolithic Age - the longest age in the history of human civilization begins with the emergence of the first human societies in the last Ice Age and continues up to the starting of the Mesolithic Age in BC 8000. Considering the long extent of this age, historians have divided this period into three phases, on the basis of the kind of the tools used, the techniques used in giving them shape that give an invaluable insight into the advancement of the people as well as the changes in the climate and the environment. These are as follows:-

(1) The Lower Palaeolithic period with tools like hand axes, cleavers, choppers, chopping and tools

(2) The Middle Palaeolithic period that is based on flakes

(3) The Upper Palaeolithic period includes burins and scrapers

THE PALAEOLITHIC TOOLS

No study of the men in the Palaeolithic Age is worthwhile without acquiring enough information about the tools made and used by them. The details regarding some of the tools used in this period and the possible purposes they may have served are given below:-

(1) Hand axe: With a narrow working end a broader working end, it may have been used for cutting and digging purposes.
(2) Cleaver: This bifacial tool may have been employed for clearing and splitting objects like trunks of trees.
(3) Chopper: It is a massive core tool used for chopping purposes.
(4) Chopping tool: It is a tool that is similar to the chopper and may have served the same purpose. However, unlike the chopper that is manufactured by unifacial flanking, the chopping tool is made by alternate flanking, thereby making it more efficient than the former.
(5) Flake: This most important tool of the middle Palaeolithic phase is crude shaped and produced by applying force on the stone. There are many Flaking Techniques like Free Flaking Technique, Step Flaking Technique, Block on Block Technique, Bipolar Technique etc.
(6) Side Scraper: Side Scraper is made of a flake or blade with continuous retouch along a border. It might have been used for scraping barks of trees and animal skins.
(7) Burin: It is like flake or blade and the working border is produced by the meeting of two planes. It was used for artistic purposes like engraving on soft stones, bones or walls of rock shelters and cores.

THE PALAEOLITHIC SITES

The tools fashioned by the Palaeolithic man have been unearthed at various sites across the length and breadth of the country, indicating that several communities existed simultaneously in different parts of the country. The distribution of the tools tells us not only about the areas in which the hunter/gatherers lived and moved but also about their environment.

The Sohan valley located in the Siwalik region of modern day Pakistan is one of the most famous Palaeolithic sites in the Sub-Continent. From sites like Baliwal and Chauntra, tools like choppers and hand axes have been discovered. At Adial, on the bend of the Sohan River, hundreds of edged pebbled tools were discovered. Though no human remains have been ever found, the bearers of this culture – named as the Sohan culture or the Sohan stone industry were Homo erectus. Besides, several fossilized remains of animals like gazelle, giraffe, rhinoceros, rodents and crocodiles have been unearthed from these sites.

Most of these ancient sites have been found in the vicinity of rivers as water was readily available and also many animals would visit these places to quench their thirst, thereby plenty of opportunities for early men to prey upon them. This explains why the banks of Beas, Banganga, Sirsa and Luni have yielded so many Palaeolithic tools. In Rajasthan, Middle Palaeolithic tools implements have been found in the plains of Wadgaon and Kadamali rivers. These include a variety of scrappers, borers and points. Artefacts of this period were also found in Bhandarpur, near Orsang valley in Gujarat. While the river Bhader in Saurashtra is well known for its Palaeolithic assemblages, the Kutch region has produced many choppers, cleavers and hand axes.

Places in Maharashtra, associated with this Age include Chikri near Nevasa, from where hand axes, choppers, cleavers, scrappers and borers have been reported. The other important sites are Chandoli, Koregaon and Shikarpur. In Eastern India, the Palaeolithic tools found from Singhbhum region mainly includes hand axes and choppers. The distribution of tools in the valleys of Damodar and Suvarnarekha is influenced by topographical features. Also, the Buharbalang valley in Mayurbhang, Orissa has many Early and Middle Palaeolithic tools like hand axes, points, flakes etc. From the Ghatprabha basin in Karnataka, Acheulian hand axes have been found in large numbers. Anagawadi and Bagalkot are two most important sites on the Ghatprabha where both Early and Middle Palaeolithic tools have been found. The rivers Palar, Penniyar and Kaveri in Tamil Nadu are rich in Palaeolithic tools.

However, the most famous Palaeolithic site in the country lies in the Heart of India – Madhya Pradesh. The Bhimbetaka Rock Shelters in the Vindhya ranges in Raisen district of MP, with its thick vegetation, perennial water supply, rich vegetation and natural shelters was an ideal place of the Palaeolithic man. Over the years, archaeologists have found nearly 700 rock sites in the region and a closer study has revealed a continuous sequence of Stone Age cultures, from Upper Palaeolithic to Medieval period. The caves have evolved over time into excellent rock-shelters, ideal sites for aboriginal settlements. Apart from the central place the aboriginal drawings have in human history, the caves themselves offer interesting material for a study of the Earth's history. The rock shelters and caves of Bhimbetka have a number of interesting paintings which depict the lives and times of the people who lived in the caves, including scenes of childbirth, communal dancing and drinking, and religious rites and burials, as well as the natural environment around them. Executed mainly in red and white with the occasional use of green and yellow with themes taken from the everyday events of aeons ago, the scenes usually depict hunting, dancing, music, horse and elephant riders, animal fighting, honey collection, decoration of bodies, disguises, masking and household scenes. Animals such as bison, tigers, lions, wild boar, elephants, antelope, dogs, lizards, crocodiles etc. have been abundantly depicted. The superimposition of paintings shows that the same canvas was used by different people at different times. It is a marvel that the paintings have not faded even after thousands of years.

SUBSISTENCE PATTERN

The rock paintings and carvings on the walls of cave shelters give an insight into the subsistence pattern as well as the religious and social life of the early man. The Period I of Bhimbetka belongs to the Upper Palaeolithic Age. They reflect that Palaeolithic people lived in small band (small groups) societies whose subsistence economy was based on exploitation of resources in the form of both animal and plant products. Hunting is reflected as the main subsistence pursuit in the carvings and paintings. These paintings, done primarily in red and dark green colours are predominantly of bison, elephants, tigers, rhinos and boars. It is sometimes possible to distinguish between men and women on the basis of anatomical features.

There is a rich assemblage of animals both of indigenous and foreign origin. Primates, many giraffe-like forms, musk deer, goats, buffaloes, bovids and pigs seem to be of indigenous origin. The camel and the horse had North-American connection. Hippopotamus and elephants migrated to India from Central Africa. The abundant faunal remains seem to indicate that the Palaeolithic man was in hunter/gatherer stage. The people would have made extensive use of faunal and floral resources in their immediate vicinity. Hunting practices were concentrated on large and middle sized mammals especially ungulates. There is no evidence of selective hunting in this period. In some assemblages few species dominate; it is so because of their abundance in the area or because they were easy to hunt.

It seems that the subsistence pattern of hunter-gatherers was geared to a dry season/wet season cycle of exploitation of plant and animal foods. It is likely that the Palaeolithic people subsisted on such animals as ox, bison, antelope, wild boar, a variety of birds, and tortoises and fishes and on honey and plant foods like fruits roots, seeds and leaves.

SOURCES:

(1) WWW.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

(2) IGNOU NOTES on Indian History (Chapter 3)

THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL

2010-09-09T00:13:00.029+05:30

FLASH BACK

9th NOVEMBER, 1989

In 1987, the winds of change had begun to appear on the horizon of world politics. After years of global ideological and political struggle that led to escalating tensions all over the globe, a nuclear arms race and the loss of thousands of innocent lives in Vietnam, Korea and Afghanistan, the Cold War was finally nearing its end. The Communist Block had realized that their economic policies were as impractical as they were idealist. Meanwhile, as the Soviet Union was hit by an economic standstill and both, domestic and foreign unrest, its immediate effects were seen on its satellites in Eastern Europe, most notably on its protégé, East Germany.

It was against this backdrop that on June 12, 1987, in a speech at the Brandenburg Gate commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin, Ronald Reagan challenged Mikhail Gorbachev, of the Soviet Union in one of the most memorable speeches of his tenure.

“We welcome change and openness for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of worldpeace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

This wall, infamous as the 'Berlin Wall' or ‘Berliner Mauer’ in German, traced back its history to the Allied occupation of the erstwhile Nazi Germany, following the defeat of the Axis powers in the Second World War. As per the Potsdam Agreement, four occupation zones were created, each one to be controlled by one of the four occupying forces: the US, the UK, France and Soviet Union. Berlin, as the seat of the Allied Control Council, was similarly subdivided into four sectors despite the city's location deep inside the Soviet zone. Owing to differences regarding reconstruction and a new German currency, when Joseph Stalin, the then Secretary General of Soviet Union, imposed the infamous Berlin Blockade, preventing food, materials and supplies from reaching West Berlin, the Allies countered by a massive air lifting operation called the ‘Berlin Airlift’. Under immense pressure from the various quarters, including a demonstration from three lakh Berliners in the favor of the international airlift, Stalin lifted the blockade in May 1949, permitting the resumption of Western shipments to Berlin.

However, this episode brought into limelight, the sharp division of opinion that existed between the US and Soviet Union and a united Germany, comprising of German speaking areas to the West of the Oder-Neisse line became a distant dream. Finally, on 23rd May, 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) came into existence out of areas under the control of Western Allied forces. In October, later that year, the German Democratic Republic (Eastern Germany) was declared by a treaty with the Soviet Union that gave the infant nation limited autonomy and placed it virtually under the control of Kremlin. East Germany differed from West Germany, which developed into a Western capitalist country with a social market economy and a democratic parliamentary government. As West Germany's economy grew and its standard of living continually improved, many East Germans, frustrated with the unpopular policies of its Marxist government and suffocated by the restrictions imposed in the Communist State, began crossing over to Western Germany, most notably via the Berlin border.

As such the Eastern German government began constructing a barrier to completely cut off West Berlin from areas under Eastern domination. With the closing of the East-West sector boundary in Berlin, the vast majority of East Germans could no longer travel or immigrate to West Germany. West Berliners demonstrated against the wall, led by their Mayor Willy Brandt, who strongly criticized the United States for failing to respond and coined the term ‘Wall of Shame’, while condemning the wall's restriction on freedom of movement. Along with the separate and much longer Inner German border (IGB) that demarcated the border between East and West Germany, both borders came to symbolize the "Iron Curtain" between Capitalist Western Europe and the Communist Eastern Bloc.

The Berlin Wall was more than 140 km (87 mi) long. Through the years, the Berlin Wall evolved through four versions: Wire fence (1961), Improved wire fence (1962–1965), Concrete wall (1965–1975) and Grenzmauer 75 (Border Wall 75) (1975–1989). Between 1961 and 1989, around 5,000 people attempted to escape over the wall, with estimates of the resulting death toll varying between 100 and 200. The East German government issued shooting orders to border guards dealing with defectors. If an escapee was wounded in a crossing attempt and lay on the death strip, no matter how close they were to the Western wall, Westerners could not intervene for fear of triggering engaging fire from the 'Grepos', the East Berlin border guards. The guards often let fugitives bleed to death in the middle of this ground.

The creation of the Wall had important implications for both German states. By stemming the exodus of people from East Germany, the government there was able to reassert its control over the country, in spite of discontent with the wall, economic problems caused by dual currency and the black market were largely eliminated. The economy in the GDR began to grow. But, the Wall proved a public relations disaster for the Communist Bloc as a whole. Western powers used it in propaganda as a symbol of communist tyranny, particularly after East German border guards shot and killed would-be defectors.

In summer of 1989, two years after Reagan’s Berlin address, Hungary closed its physical border with Austria after 13,000 East German tourists used it to flee to West Germany. As the Hungarian authorities prepared to deport many others to East Germany, they refused and flooded the West Germany embassy. The Communist government’s decision to disallow travel to Hungary triggered a similar situation in the neighboring Czechoslovakia. On this occasion, the East German authorities allowed them to leave. This was followed by mass demonstrations within East Germany itself. When Eric Honecker, the longtime leader of East Germany resigned on 18th October, 1989, the last hurdle in the demolition of the Wall was crossed.

Protest demonstrations broke out all over East Germany in September 1989. Initially, protesters were mostly people wanting to leave to the West, chanting "Wir wollen raus!" ("We want out!"). Then protesters began to chant "Wir bleiben hier", ("We're staying here!"). This was the start of what East Germans generally call the "Peaceful Revolution" of late 1989. By November 4, the protests had swelled significantly, with half a million people gathered that day at the Alexanderplatz demonstration in East Berlin.

Meanwhile, to ease complications, the politburo led by the new leader, Egon Krenz, decided on November 9, to allow refugees to exit directly through crossing points between East Germany and West Germany, including West Berlin. The new regulations were to take effect on November 17, 1989. Günter Schabowski, a spokesperson for the politburo, had the task of announcing this; however he had not been involved in the discussions about the new regulations and had not been fully updated. When an Italian journalist, Riccardo Ehrman asked when the regulations would come into effect, he said, “As far as I know effective immediately, without delay”. After further questions from journalists he confirmed that the regulations included the border crossings towards West Berlin, which he had not mentioned until then. An incomplete broadcast on a West German TV channel ARD regarding the press conference that claimed that East Germany had opened its western border with immediate effect,added fuel to the fire.

After hearing the broadcast, East Germans began gathering at the wall, demanding that border guards immediately open its gates. The surprised and overwhelmed guards made many hectic telephone calls to their superiors about the problem, but it became clear that there was no one among the East German authorities who would dare to take personal responsibility for issuing orders to use lethal force, so there was no way for the vastly outnumbered soldiers to hold back the huge crowd of East German citizens. In face of the growing crowd, the guards finally yielded, opening the checkpoints and allowing people through with little or no identity checking. Ecstatic East Berliners were soon greeted by West Berliners on the other side in a celebratory atmosphere.

November 9 is considered the date the Wall fell, but the Wall in its entirety was not torn down immediately. Starting that evening, and in the days and weeks that followed, people came to the wall with sledgehammers or otherwise hammers and chisels to chip off souvenirs, demolishing lengthy parts of it in the process and creating several unofficial border crossings. These people were nicknamed "Mauerspechte" (wall woodpeckers).

On June 13, 1990, the official dismantling of the Wall by the East German military began in Bernauer Straße. On July 1, the day East Germany adopted the West German currency, all de jure border controls ceased, although the inter-German border had become meaningless for some time before that. The dismantling continued to be carried out by military and lasted until November 1991. Only a few short sections and watchtowers were left standing as memorials.

On November 9, 2009, Berlin celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the ‘Fall of the Berlin Wall’ with a "Festival of Freedom" with dignitaries from around the world in attendance for an evening celebration around the Brandenburg Gate. A high point was when over 1000 colorfully designed foam domino tiles, each over 8 feet tall that were stacked along the former route of the wall in the city center were toppled in stages, converging in front of the Brandenburg Gate. A Berlin Twitter Wall was set up to allow Twitter users to post messages commemorating the 20th anniversary. Masses of Chinese users have used it to protest the Great Firewall of China. Berlin Twitter Wall was quickly blocked by the Chinese authorities. Palestinians in the town of Kalandia, West Bank pulled down parts of the Israeli West Bank barrier, in a demonstration marking the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The fall of the Berlin Wall is a testimony to the fact that the human spirit is indomitable and cannot be suppressed by physical barriers or shackled in chains. Any society, organization or government that snatches away freedom from its people is bound to fall and crumble. The fall of the Wall was the first step toward German reunification, which was formally concluded on October 3, 1990. Within a few years, United Germany has left the scars of the Cold War behind and has become a frontrunner in many disciplines of science, technology and sports.

SOURCES: www.wikipedia.org

THE DESCENT OF THE GANGA

2010-09-03T19:40:00.019+05:30

LEGEND has it.....

BHAGIRATH PRAYATNA

Ganga – the National River of India, for years, has been an integral part of the historical, religious and cultural heritage of the people of the Sub-continent. Ever since the decline of the Indus Valley civilization, the Ganga and her myriad tributaries have taken the centre stage in the transformation of Indians from small agricultural communities that settled on its banks, nearly four millennia ago, to a nation that is on the threshold of becoming a Superpower, today. In fact the Ganga upholds the virtue of ‘Unity in Diversity’ which is the cornerstone of the Indian culture, as it takes as many as six headstreams (Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi) and five confluences (Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag) to form the mainstream of the mighty river. In fact the many symbolic meanings of the river on the Indian Sub-continent were spoken to in 1946 by Jawaharlal Nehru in his book – ‘The Discovery of India’

"The Ganges, above all is the river of India, which has held India's heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history. The story of the Ganges, from her source to the sea, from old times to new, is the story of India's civilization and culture, of the rise and fall of empires, of great and proud cities, of adventures of man

Although geologists believe that the Ganga, along with its mythical father, the Himalayas, was born as a consequence of the collision of the Indian and the Asian plates around fifty five million years ago, the Puranas give various versions for the birth of the river. According to one version, the Ganga was born when the sacred water from Lord Brahma’s kamandalu became personified as a maiden. The Vaishnavas believe that the Brahma had reverently washed the feet of Lord Vishnu’s fifth avatar – Vamana, and collected the water in his kamandalu. According to a third version, she was the daughter of Himavan, King of the Mountains, and his consort Mena, and thus a sister of the Goddess Parvati. However, all accounts declare that she was raised in the heavens, under the tutelage of Lord Brahma.

Several years later, a king named Sagara of the Suryavamsa or Solar dynasty, ascended the throne of Kosala. He had sixty thousand sons from his wife, Sumati and one son, named Asmanjan from his other wife, Kesini, whom he later abandoned for being wild and wicked. When the king chose to perform the Ashwamedha Yagna, his royal agents lost the track of the sacrificial horse. According to one version, the horse was stolen by the jealous Indra, who did not want the Yagna to succeed and hid it in a cave where Rishi Kapila was meditating in order to escape being accused of stealth. Sagara ordered his sixty thousand sons to track down the horse. The proud and mercurial princes raged across Bharat, burning down forests and uprooting life and property to find the horse. They finally arrived at the quiet spot where the great sage was sitting in meditation. Besides him, was tied the white sacrificial horse. Thinking that the sage had abducted the horse, the enraged princes condemned the Rishi as a thief started hurling abuses at him. The powerful Kapila who had not opened his eyes for several years turned the princes to ashes using his mystic powers.

Worried for his sons, the king sent his grandson, Anshuman, the son of Asmanjan to enquire about the princes and to retrieve the horse. When the young prince reached the cave where Rishi Kapila was meditating, he returned the horse and informed him about the fate of his uncles. He also told Anshuman that the souls of the dead princes could only raise to heaven would be through the offering of niravapanjali with the sacred waters of the Ganga, which was flowing only in the Swarga. According to another version, the information regarding the death of his uncles and about the relief from Kapila’s curse was given by Garuda, maternal uncle of Asmanjan.

Bringing Ganga back to Earth was a near impossible task and required many years to be spent in tapasya and prayer. The Kosala kings of successive generations could not do this while managing their duties as kings. As a result, the sins of the thousand princes multiplied in their destructive energy, and began resulting in natural disasters. The kingdom began to lose its peace and prosperity, and by the time Bhagiratha, a descendent of Sagara and a forefather of Lord Rama, ascended the throne, he found it impossible to attempt to govern in this situation that had only one solution.

Turning over the kingdom to trusted ministers, Bhagiratha set off to the Himalayas to perform an arduous tapasya in the extreme climate. For one thousand years, he performed an excruciatingly harsh penance to please Lord Brahma. At the end of the thousand years, Brahma came to him and told him to ask for anything. Bhagiratha asked Brahma to bring down the river Ganga to earth so that he may perform the ceremony for his ancestors.

Lord Brahma asked Bhagiratha to propitiate Lord Shiva, for only he would be able to break the Ganga's fall. It was the largest river, and it would be impossible for anyone save Him to contain the destructive impact of this event. Bhagiratha performed a tapasya for Lord Shiva, living only on air. The compassionate Shiva appeared only after a year's penance, and told Bhagiratha he should not have to perform tapasya to accomplish a noble goal such as this. He assured Bhagiratha that he would break Ganga's fall.

After eons of being flattered and praised by the Devas, Ganga had become vain. She scoffed at Brahma when he asked her to flow down to earth, but could not disobey him as he was her father. But Ganga was sure, as much as Bhagiratha was afraid that no one could stop her fall, which would devastate the Earth for a long time. As she cascaded across and down from Swarga, Bhagiratha and celestial observers were terrified of the roar generated by the gallons of water as the Ganga descended down. But Lord Shiva appeared from out of nowhere and captured all of Ganga just as she launched herself onto Earth, in his jata (hair). Ganga struggled to set herself free, but Shiva could not be budged. Bhagiratha worshipped Shiva, who let Ganga free after crushing her vanity. She flowed, and is still believed to flow, from Shiva's jata down to Earth at a gentler pace. The touch of Shiva further sanctified Ganga. King Bhagiratha led the way for Ganga on his chariot, and she followed him across the north and east of Bharat and finally merging with the ocean. In her course she washed the ashes of Sagara's sixty thousand sons, who ascended to heaven while praising and blessing Bhagiratha.

As Ganga travelled to the nether-worlds, she created a different stream to remain on Earth to help purify unfortunate souls there. She is the only river to follow from all the three worlds - Swarga (Heaven), Prithvi (Earth) and, Patala (Hell). Thus is called "Tripathagā" (one who travels the three worlds) in Sanskrit language. Because of Bhagiratha’s efforts, Ganga descended on to Earth and hence the river is also known as Bhagirathi, and the term "Bhagirath Prayatna" is used to describe valiant efforts or difficult achievements.

Another name that Ganga is known by is Jahnavi. Story has it that once Ganga came down to Earth, on her way to Bhagiratha, her rushing waters created turbulence and destroyed the fields and the sadhana of a sage called Jahnu. He was angered by this and drank up all of Ganga's waters. Upon this, the Gods prayed to Jahnu to release Ganga so that she could proceed on her mission. Pleased with their prayers, Jahnu released Ganga from his ears. Hence Ganga is also mentioned as ‘Jhanavi’, which means ‘The Daughter of Jhanavi’.

The Amazon which is around 7000 km in length is three times as long as Ganges. Unlike the Nile, Hwang-ho, Tigris-Euphrates or even her own cousin, Indus (Sindhu), the Ganga is no one of the earliest cradles of human civilization. But Ganga holds a unique distinction, of being the holiest and most celebrated river ever known to man. This river is mentioned in all ancient Indian texts, with several hymns being dedicated to her and many festivals being celebrated in her honour, even today. In her 2500 odd km long journey from the snow capped peaks of the Himalayas to its sink in the Bay of Bengal, Ganga plays several roles in the lives of Indians. For a pious Hindu, she is a revered goddess and bathing in her waters causes the remission of all sins and facilitates the attainment of liberation from the cycle of life and birth. For a farmer who cultivates paddy on the banks, the river is a perennial source of water and a supplier of fertile soil. For the River Dolphins (Susu) and Gavial (Gharial) that inhabit it, she is a mother who sustains all their needs. And finally for India, Ganga is her lifeline, her soul, her eldest and most beloved daughter and a companion in good and bad times. Perhaps, the most fitting tribute to this great river is given by the veteran Bollywood lyricist Shailendra in the song ‘Hothon pe Sachhai’ where he pens down the following lines:-

Hothon pe sachhaee rehti hain
Jahaa dil mein safaee rehti hain
Hum us desh ke wassee hain
Hum us desh ke wassee hain
Jis desh mein Ganga behti hain

THE CHILDREN OF THE GANGA

2010-09-02T23:27:00.026+05:30

PASHU MELA

THE GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN

Ever since the dawn of civilization in the Indian Sub-continent, the Ganga has played a pivotal role in the political, religious, cultural and economic matters concerning the people of the region. Apart from being a perennial source of water, the fertile alluvium brought down by this mighty river has made the North Indian plain, one of the most productive, prosperous and populous region of the world. Since time immemorial, the wealth and grandeur of cites of the Ganga valley have lured people from different parts of the world towards India. In fact the Ganga plain is the crucible from which the ‘Great Civilization of India’, based on the virtues of equality, love and freedom came into existence. Besides being the holiest river in Hinduism, the Ganga, India’s National River finds a mention in all the ancient Vedic texts and continues to be a symbol of India all over the world.

While the various aspects of the Ganga and its relevance in the Story of India are well documented, the fact most often overlooked about the river is the rich bio-diversity that it supports in its 2500 km long journey that encompasses several different vegetative patterns including the confiners in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas to the Sundri trees of the Sunderban delta region. Perhaps, the most well known of all faunal species that inhabits it, is India’s National Aquatic animal – The Ganga River Dolphin.

Unlike their oceanic cousins who are occasionally sighted in fresh waters near the mouth of rivers, the river dolphins of the world, classed in the Platanistoidea super family of cetaceans reside in fresh water rivers and estuaries. The two types of dolphins differ somewhat in physical appearance with river dolphins having a much larger snout of about 30 centimeters. On the contrary, they have smaller eyes, and their vision is poorly developed because they live in dark, muddy water. This environment also makes river dolphins less active than marine dolphins.

Of the four species of the river dolphins the largest is the Boto or The Amazon River Dolphin endemic to the Orinoco, Amazon and Araguaia/Tocantins River systems of South America. The other fresh water dolphin found in this continent is the La Plata or Franciscana dolphin, which is also found in the ocean and saltwater estuaries. The third member is the Baiji or Chinese River Dolphin that once inhabited the Yangtze River, but fell prey to China’s rapid industrialization and was declared “functionally extinct” in December 2006. And lastly, the South Asian River Dolphins, the two sub-species of freshwater dolphins found in two great rivers of the Sub-continent, the Ganga and the Sindhu. The Ganges River Dolphin or the Ganges Susu is primarily found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, while the Indus River Dolphin or Bhulan is found in the Indus river in Pakistan and its Beas and Sutlej tributaries. From the 1970s until 1998, they were regarded as separate species; however, in 1998, their classification was changed from two separate species to subspecies of a single species.

Having a fairly thick, yet sturdy body with light grey-brown skin, often with a hue of pink, river dolphins of the Ganga, like other species of this kind are characterized by a large snout that thickens towards its end. The teeth are visible in both the upper and lower jaws even when the mouth is closed. The flippers and tail are thin and large in relation to the body size while the dorsal fin is under developed and reduced to a triangular lump. These aquatic mammals display sexual dimorphism with the mature adult females being much larger than the males because the female rostrum continues to grow even after the male rostrum stops growing, eventually reaching approximately 20 centimeters more. Having an average weight of about 150 kilograms, the species have been recorded to live for as many as 28 years in captivity. The males attain sexual maturity at an age of about 10 to 12 years, while the females mature much earlier. After a gestation period that is thought to be approximately 10 months, the dolphins give birth to a single calf, once in 2 to 3 years. The young which are chocolate brown at the time of the birth become grayish brown in adulthood with a smooth and hairless skin. The teeth of the young are almost an inch long, thin and curved; however, as the animals age the teeth undergo considerable changes and in mature adults become square, bony and flat disks. Calves have been observed between January and May and do not appear to stay with the mother for more than a few months.

In fact what sets this creature apart from all others that inhabit the river is the unique manner in which they navigate and catch their prey in the muddy waters of the holy Ganga. These mammals do not have a crystalline eye lens, rendering them effectively blind and earning it the nickname – The Blind River Dolphin, although the eyes may still be able to detect the intensity and direction of light. As such, navigation and hunting are carried out using the technique of echolocation – commonly known as the Biosonar, and found in many other animal species like bats, whales, porpoises etc. This technique comes in handy as they live in an underwater habitat that has favourable acoustic characteristics and where vision is extremely limited in range due to absorption and turbidity. The dolphin emits an ultrasonic sound from its snout in the directions of its head, which reaches the prey or any obstacle in the path and is reflected back. The echoes are received using fatty structures around the lower jaw as the primary reception path, from where they are transmitted to the brain. The dolphin then registers this image in its mind and subsequently avoids the obstacles or catches hold of its prey which includes a variety of shrimp and fish, including the carp, catfish, mahseers, gobies and freshwater shark. It does much of its feeding at or near the bottom, swimming on one side, and probing the river bottom with its snout and flipper, which has led to them being referred to as - The Side Swimming Dolphins.

The marked seasonal changes in the distribution and density of the Ganges River dolphin over much of its range are due, at least in large part, to fluctuations in water levels. During the dry season from October - April, many dolphins leave the tributaries of the Ganges - Brahmaputra system and congregate in the main channels, only to return to the tributaries the following rainy season. They may become isolated in pools and river branches during the dry season. Reports from the 19th century speak of large schools of dolphins to be seen near most large towns on the Ganga River. However, in more recent times, this dolphin has usually been found to occur in small groups or alone with relatively high densities being recorded at sites near the confluence of two or more rivers, in areas where the current is relatively weak, off the mouths of irrigation canals, and near villages and ferry routes, sharing their habitat with other critically endangered species like gharials, fresh water turtles. In India, their distribution range covers seven states and several rivers – The Upper Ganga River (Uttar Pradesh), Chambal River (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), Ghagra and Gandak Rivers (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh), Ganga River (Varanasi to Patna), Sone and Kosi Rivers (Bihar), Brahmaputra River from Sadia (Arunachal Pradesh) to Dhubri (Bangladesh border) and its tributary, Kulsi River.

Once present in tens of thousands of numbers, the Ganges River Dolphin has dwindled abysmally to less than 2000 during the last century. Probably the greatest factor that goes against it is the fact that its habitat – The Indo-Gangetic Plain, supports nearly one-tenth of the world human population. Though deliberate killing of this species for meat and oil seem to have declined in most of the areas, the various reasons that have contributed to a steady decline in their numbers are as follows:-

(1)Habitat Fragmentation: The construction of 50 or more dams and barrages within the Ganges River dolphin’s historic range has drastically altered its habitat and fragmented the population. More such structures are planned or are under consideration. Approximately 3500 km of embankments have been constructed along the main channel of the Ganges and its tributaries which interrupts access to spawning habitat for floodplain-dependent fishes and eliminate eddy counter-currents where the dolphins spend much of their time.

(2)River Pollution: Dredging and the removal of stones, sand, and woody debris also compromise the ecological integrity of the riverine environments, especially in small tributaries. Concentrations of toxic chemicals such as organochlorine and butyltin in the tissues of Ganges River dolphins are high enough to cause concern about adverse effects.

(3)Indiscriminate Fishing/Entanglement: Incidental mortality in fishing gear, especially gillnets, is a severe problem for the Ganges River dolphin throughout most of its range. The demand for these products means that there is little incentive for fishermen to reduce the by catch or to release dolphins that are still alive when found in nets.

Placed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed by IUCN as ‘Endangered’, the Ganges River Dolphin enjoys high levels of legal protection both nationally and internationally. This species was declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India by a decision taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Dr. Manmohan Singh on 5th October, 2009. It has been recently found that fish oils can be used in the place of dolphin oil for the preparation of bait. Popularization of fish oil as bait may reduce the poaching of dolphins for its oil.

Yet its numbers continue to decline. The absence of a coordinated conservation plan, lack of awareness and continuing anthropogenic pressure, are posing an incessant threat to the existing dolphin population. In fact several conservation programmes have been launched in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, the only protected area for the Ganges Dolphin in India, to study these creatures, to understand their behavior and to protect them. These include:-

(1)The Vikramshila Biodiversity Research and Education Centre (VBREC), led by Dr. SunilChaudhary, together with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), the Environmental Biology Laboratory of Patna University, and T.M. Bhagalpur University, has initiated a project to improve the conservation value of Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary.

(2)Aaranyak, a registered NGO working in the North-East has initiated a project entitled “Conservation of Gangetic Dolphin in Brahmaputra” in collaboration with the Dibrugarh University to evaluate the conservation status of these mammals throughout the Brahmaputra River System by carrying out research into its population status, distribution, habitat preferences and threats.

(3)WWF India has also started ‘The Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Programme’ to build a scientific database of the population status of the species and study the habitat quality of the dolphins' distribution range. A 'River Watch Programme' has been initiated to identify hot spots and develop management plans with the help of the Forest Department and create awareness in target areas.

Dolphins are amongst one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks. In Hindu mythology the Ganges River Dolphin is associated with Ganga Mata, the deity of the Ganges River. The dolphin is said to be among the creatures which heralded the goddess' descent from the heavens and her mount, the Makara, is sometimes depicted as a dolphin. In the Rig Veda, the GangaJhanavi) and the River Dolphins are mentioned in adjacent verses. This mammal is also said to represent the purity of the holy Ganga as it can only survive in pure and fresh water. It is indeed our duty to protect and preserve this Wonder of the Natural World that Mother Nature has bestowed upon us.

SOURCES:

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_and_Indus_River_Dolphin

2) http://www.wwfindia.org/river_dolphin.cfm

3) http://www.animalinfo.org/species/cetacean/platgang.htm

4) http://india.gov.in/knowindia/national_aquatic_animal.php

5) http://www.indiadivine.org/articles/304-triveni-sangam.html

SIMON BOLIVAR

2010-08-11T22:51:00.020+05:30

The PANTHEON

CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM

Apart from being one of the most bio-diverse continents on Earth, South America, with its vast stretches of untapped natural resources and hard working people is nicely poised to play a crucial role on the world stage. Although agrarian communities have flourished here since 2000 BC, the region came into limelight in the end of the 15th century when the conquistadors, backed by Iberian courts arrived on its shores. For the next three centuries, the natives, their cultures, religions and customs as well as the resources of the continent were exploited in a bid to fulfill the expansionist policies of their colonial masters, namely Spain and Portugal. However, by early 19th century, young South Americans, the descendants of European settlers, inspired by the success of revolutions in America and Haiti and disgruntled with the policies of their overlords began several armed campaigns aimed to achieve freedom for their people. Perhaps, the most illustrious amongst these ‘Independence Heroes’ or ‘Liberators’ as they are fondly called in this part of the world is Simon Bolivar.

Simon Bolivar, the champion of South American freedom struggle was born on 24th July, 1783 to Don Marie and Juan Vincente Bolivar in the erstwhile Spanish captaincy of Caracas. The circumstances prevalent in the Bolivar household forced them to entrust young Simon to the love and care of Dona Ines Manceba de Miyares and family’s slave, Ja negra Hipolita. Although he would return to his parents a couple of years later, this traumatic experience would have a severe impact on his life. In fact, his ordeal had just begun. He lost his father at the age of three and his mother died six years later.

Simon was fortunate enough to receive private lessons from renowned professors, the most influential being Dom Simon Rodriguez, who later became his friend and mentor. Besides teaching politics, history and sociology, he also taught Simon crucial skills like horse riding, rock climbing, swimming and more importantly, instilled in him the ideas of freedom, liberty and enlightenment. In the meantime his nanny, Hipolita gave the young Bolivar all the affection he needed and indulged him in all his wishes and desires. Simon developed a fervent passion for armaments and wartime strategy at the military academy of Millicias de Veraguas and the lessons he picked up here would come in handy during the wars of independence that he would fight in the later years. After having witnessed the spectacular coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte in Notre Dame, Bolivar resolved to emulate this triumphant glory for the people of his native land.

After his return to his homeland, Venezuela, in 1807, Bolivar began his military conquests against the Spaniards. It was during this period that he penned down his famous book, Cartagena Manifesto – an analysis of the causes that led to the collapse of the First Republic of Venezuela. In 1813, he joined the army of New Granada, a short lived federal republic established in 1811, only to be retaken by the Spanish army in 1816. From New Granada, Bolivar began his famous ‘Admirable Campaign’ in which the Independentists led by him captured the Spanish provinces of Merida, Barinas, Trujillo and Caracas in conjunction with Santiago Marino’s simultaneous success in the East. It was ad mists this campaign that Bolivar issued his controversial ‘Decree of War to the Death’ which permitted atrocities against people born in Spain except those who actively supported South American independence. This was an attempt to maintain Venezuelan independence and in retaliation to a similar strategy adopted by the Spanish against the natives.

Inspite of his efforts, the Second Republic fell, primarily due to the rebellion of Jose Tomas Boves and Bolivar returned to New Granada and entered the military services of United Provinces. He led an army that captured Bogota from the Republicans in 1814. He intended to march into Cartagena but after a series of political and military differences with the Government of Cartagena, he fled to Jamaica in 1815, where he was denied support and an attempt was made on his life. Next, he went to the newly independent nation of Haiti, where he was granted protection and sanctuary. He befriended Haitian leader, Alexandre Petion who offered Bolivar material and infantry support against the Spanish in return of a promise that he would abolish slavery once he came to power and Simon obliged.

Simon embarked upon his struggle for independence with a renewed vigour. The campaign for the independence of New Granada was sealed at the battle of Boyacá (1819) where the Independentists decisively defeated the Royalists. The Venezuelan independence was consolidated after Bolivar’s men crushed the Spaniards at Carabobo (1821). The victory of his confidant, Antonio Jose de Sucre in the Battle of Pichincha (1822) led to the solid foundation of the independence of Ecuador.

On 7th September, Gran Columbia, a state covering much of modern day Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador and Panama, was created with Simon Bolivar as its President. In July 1822, he met another famous Liberator of South America, Jose de San Martin of Argentina who besides his country had also partially liberated Peru. In February 1824, Bolivar was made the dictator of Peruvian Congress and he routed the Spanish cavalry at the Battle of Junín. The remaining Spanish troops in Peru were expelled by general Sucre at Ayacucho. On 6th August, 1825, at the Congress of Upper Peru, a new country was created and was christened as the Republic of Bolivia, in the honour of Simon Bolivar.

Bolivar’s dream had been to engender an American Revolution style federation between all the newly independent republics, with a government set up to recognize and uphold the rights of the individual. This dream, however succumbed to the pressures of particular interest across the region, which rejected such a model. For this reason and to prevent a breakup, Bolivar wanted to implement a more centralist model of government in Gran Columbia, including some elements of the Bolivian constitution like lifetime presidency with the ability to select a successor. This move was vehemently opposed by many delegates at the Convention of Ocana. After the failure of the Ocana Congress to write a new constitution, Bolivar proclaimed himself as the military dictator on 27th August, 1828. He considered this as a temporary measure, as a means to re-establish his authority and save the republic. On the contrary, this increased the dissatisfaction among his detractors. He survived an assassination attempt in September, 1828 with the help of his lover, Manuela Saenz, according to popular belief. Dissent continued and uprisings occurred in New Granada, Venezuela and Ecuador in the next two years.

Finally, Bolivar resigned from presidency on 27th April, 1830 intending to leave the country for an exile in Europe. On 17th December, 1830 he died after a painful battle with tuberculosis. His remains, which were earlier buried in the Cathedral of Santa Marta, were later moved to Caracas where a monument was set up for their interment in the National Pantheon of Venezuela.

Bolivar described himself as a ‘liberal’ who believed in a ‘free market’ and was an admirer of both the American and French revolutions. He was staunchly anti-slavery, a military genius and a man far ahead of his times. His repeated success against the mighty Spanish army during the 1820s reduced the once powerful Spanish empire to a miniscule kingdom in Western Europe. However the path to freedom was far from a cakewalk as the Spaniards managed to regain lost territories on several occasions. However, Bolivar didn’t lose hope and finally won freedom for his people.

Bolivar is often compared to another great American freedom hero, George Washington. Both were descendents of European settlers, owned large estates, had to face many initial setbacks during the Wars of independence and ended up serving as the Presidents of the nations that they had founded. However, inspite of the long list of similarities in their carriers, these two of the greatest leaders of modern times primarily differ on two major issues. While Simon Bolivar abolished slavery on coming to power, owing to his anti-slavery ideals and as a fulfillment of promise made to the Haitian leader Petion, bonded labour was wiped off from the United States during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln in the mid-nineteenth century. Besides, Washington is known to have kept slaves throughout his life, including during his stay in the White House. Secondly, George Washington was able to hold the various American colonies as a single federal republic, probably an important factor in the emergence of the US as a global superpower. However, Simon’s goal of establishing such a state in the Southern part of the American landmass went to the grave with him.

Simon Bolivar is regarded in Latin America as a hero, visionary, revolutionary and liberator (El Liberator). During his relatively short life, he led five modern nations – Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru to independence and laid the foundation of South American ideology on democracy. Because the image of Bolivar became central to the national identities in these countries, his mantle is claimed by nearly all political parties from all parts of the political spectrum. Infact Bolivar is the only person in the history of mankind to have two countries – Bolivia and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) to have been named after him.

SOURCES : www.wikipedia.org

INDIA AND THE FIRST SULTAN

2010-02-16T22:58:00.006+05:30

Islam made its premiere appearance in the Indian Subcontinent when Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, the Umayyad governor of Iraq, sent an army under his son-in-law, Mohammed-bin-Qasim to punish Dhar the ruler of Sindh, for his failure to deal effectively with the sea pirates who had captured the presents sent by the king of Sri Lanka to Hajjaj. Although Qasim managed to establish the Umayyad rule in Sindh (AD 712) and Multan (AD 713), his pre mature death, the division of Multan and Sindh into two separate Arab kingdoms and the administrative incapacity of the Arabs put a temporary full stop on the further expansion of the Arab rule in India.

As the religion of the Prophet ventured into new territories, the baton of Islam passed from the Arabs to the Persians and then, finally, to the Turks. Once a barbaric race of Central Asia, the Turks, transformed themselves into an extremely cultured people after their contact with Islam but retained their war-like spirit. It was this lethal combination that helped them defend many elements of their new religion from the onslaught of the Mongols, in the later period.

It was in this tribe that the first Sultan of the Islamic world, Mahmud of Ghazni was born on 1st November, 971. Although he had participated in many battles along with his father, King Sabuktigin, the throne, after the latter’s death, went to Mahmud’s younger brother, Ismail. However, destiny played its part and Mahmud deposed his brother and ascended the throne in 998 AD. Legend has it that, an year later, when the Khalifa, Al Qadir Billah recognized him as the ruler of the present day Southern Afghanistan and conferred on him the titles of ‘Yamin-ud-Daulah’ and ‘Amin-ul-Millah’, Mahmud took an oath to invade India, the ‘Land of the Kafirs’ every year. True to his word, in his reign exceeding three decades, Mahmud is said to have invaded India atleast on twelve different occasions. From 1000 to 1014 AD, his invasions were mostly concentrated in regions that fall in modern day Pakistan, where he humbled the mighty Hindushahi kings and the Shia rulers of Multan. The relatively easy victories and the immense booty that he took to Ghazni by plundering cities like the Hindushahi capitals of Waihind (Peshawar) and Nandana in this part of the Subcontinent, made him expand his horizons and fuelled his desire to lay waste the Gangetic valley which, like today, was doted with temples whose riches, he was well aware of. Beginning with the sacking of Thaneswar (AD 1014), Mahmud is said to have looted Hindu religious centres like Mathura, Vrindavan, Kannauj, (AD 1018) and finally, he razed the famed temple of Somanath (AD 1024) to the ground. Infact when Mahmud went to his grave, his empire extended from Kurdistan in the west to Samarkand in the north-east and from the Caspian Sea to the Yamuna and was even bigger than that of the Khalifa. Owing to the unprecedented success that he achieved in Central Asia and India, Muslim chronicles regard him as the first Sultan of the Islamic World, a title he deserves more than any of his contemporaries.

Mahmud of Ghazni, beyond any doubt, is one of the most controversial figures in history of the Subcontinent, with his character being viewed through the spectrum of region and religion. In Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, Mahmud is celebrated as a hero and a great patron of the arts, architecture, literature, and Persian revivalism as well as a vanguard of Islam and a paragon of virtue and piety who established the standard of Islam upon heathen land. Infact, Pakistan, a state formed in the name of Islam, has named one of its short range ballistic missile, Ghaznavi, in the honour of the Mahmud. However, in the Hindu dominated India, Mahmud is depicted as a Muslim villain and barbarian, who looted whatever he could, destroyed whatever he could not, took along with him the wealth of Hindu temples, forced lakhs of people to accept the faith of the Prophet, otherwise killed them, took thousands of beautiful women to Ghazni while thousands of others were dishonoured here, burnt hundreds of villages and beautiful cities and destroyed pieces of arts.

Although there is little doubt that the one of the motives behind Mahmud’s repeated invasions into India was the propagation of Islam, new evidence unearthed from the medieval sources seem to indicate that there was more to Mahmud’s invasion than the spreading of the teachings of the Prophet. The following is a list of potential reasons that may have led the Sultan of Ghazni to invade India :

(1) Establishment of the Glory of Islam: Many modern Muslim historians argue that while Mahmud destroyed and plundered Hindu kingdoms of India, he repeated the same story with the Muslim rulers of Central Asia. Professor Havell believes that Mahmud would have also looted Baghdad the same way he looted Indian cities if he could get wealth there. As such, a sizable portion of modern day historians believe that Mahmud’s raids were to acquire the wealth of India, so as to finance his ambitions of expansions in Central Asia.

There is considerable evidence from writings of Al Beruni, Soghidan, Uyghur and Manichean texts that after the initial destruction and pillage, Buddhists, Jains and Hindus were granted protected subject status as Dhimmis. By that time, however, most of the centers of Buddhist and Hindu learning were already destroyed. Also a large number of Hindus were employed as soldiers in Mahmud’s multi-national army.

However, Utbi, the court historian of Mahmud claims that his master’s invasions were jihads to destroy the idolaters, their religion and temples. Contemporary Muslim sources regard Mahmud as a Ghazi (Slayer of the Infidels) and the destroyer of idols. Thus, while religion might have not been the only reason to invade India, yet it was one of the motives behind Mahmud’s raids into the Subcontinent.

(2) Wealth of India: The Indian Society in the early days of the second millennium AD presents a very sorry state and was a reason, tempting enough for any aggressive foreign ruler to aspire the riches of India.

Politically, North India was fragmented into several strong and extensive kingdoms, whose rich resources were often wasted in internal conflicts. The caste system had become rigid and Hadis, Doms, Chandalas, Badhatu etc were forced to live in pathetic conditions on the outskirts of the villages. Social evils like Sati, child marriage and polygamy became the norm of the day whereas window re-marriages were not permitted. Deterioration in morals and religion can be concluded from the fact that the practice of keeping devadasis in temples was prevalent.

However, the one thing that India possessed in abundance was wealth. The economy, unlike the society and religion was doing well and the wealth was concentrated in the hands of the rich and adorned the temples of India.

Meanwhile, Mahmud was an ambitious ruler and patronized arts. He aimed to use the spoils he amassed from India to sponsor his Central Asian campaigns and to make his capital, Ghazni, an important centre of Islamic learning in the eleventh century. Al beruni - the scholar of Sanskrit, Turki and Sciences, Firdausi – the author of Shahnameh, Utbi, Farabi, and Ujari etc endowed his court. It was from the money that he got from his Indian campaigns that Mahmud constructed several mosques, tombs, a university, a library and a museum in his capital, which made Ghazni, one of the most beautiful cities of this period and a hub of fine arts and culture.

(3) The Isolation of India and the Ignorance of the Hindus: The attitude of the Hindus of this era is correctly captured by Al Beruni when he says “The Hindus believe that there is no country like theirs, no nation like theirs, no king like theirs, no religion like theirs, and no science like theirs.” As such the Hindus were completely cut off from the events that unfolded in the rest of the Old World and this led to the development of a false pride in them. The Indians had lost the vigor and intelligence that they were once known for and were not in a position to improve themselves or to absorb new things from the rest of the world.

Over the last few centuries, the Indians failed to make much progress in the spheres of combat and strategic planning. The sword continued to remain their chief fighting weapon and the north-west frontier was not sufficiently fortified.

As such the Turkish forces with their superior fighting skills and weaponry, coupled by their fast moving cavalry routed the slow moving Rajputs in more than one occasion. In fact, Rajyapala, - the Prathihara ruler of Kannauj, Vidhyadhar – the Chandela king of Kalinjar and Bhima I – the ruler of Gujarat seem to have fled at the sight of Mahmud’s mighty forces without offering any resistance. After the collapse of the Hindushahis, Mahmud found no real challenge in rest of the Subcontinent and invaded and looted it at his will as the people, from the common man on the streets to the ineffective Rajput kings of the North looked on helplessly and prayed that the man who had tormented them, destroyed their temples and looted their wealth would not come back to haunt them again.

(4) The Aggressive Policy of the Hindushahis: The rivalry between the Hindushahi kings of North Western India and the Ghaznavis dates back to the days of Mahmud’s father, Sabuktigin. When the Hindushahi king Jayapala invaded Ghazni during the reign of the cruel king Pirai, it was Sabuktigin in his capacity as the commander of the Ghazni forces who defeated him. On his ascend to the throne, Sabuktigin repulsed another two invasions by the Hindushahi kings. Thus, it was the kings of India who first took an aggressive stance against the growth of Islam in Afghanistan region. But the strength of the Turks and the military incapacity of the Hindus meant that the latter were beaten back and they ended up giving enough excuses for the Turks to try out their luck in India.

When he came to the throne, Mahmud pursued an aggressive policy against the Hindushahis. The defeat that he inflicted on Jayapala (AD 1001) was so humiliating that he is said to have committed suicide by walking into the funeral pyre, unable to come in terms with magnitude of his loss. His successors, Anandapala and Trilochanapala tried to defeat the Ghaznavis by enlisting the support of various other chiefs but failed in more than one occasion. During one of the battles (AD 1009), the confederacy formed by Anandapala faced an unfortunate defeat as his elephant turned back from the battle in a crucial moment, turning the tide into Mahmud's favor once more. Thus Mahmud was single handedly responsible of extinguishing the once powerful Hindushahi dynasty and its last ruler is said to have died as petty chieftain.

Also some of Mahmud’s invasions were to quell the revolts that had taken place in his absence or to prevent Rajput states from forming alliances against him. He raided and annexed Multan (AD 1008) after its ruler Abu-i-Fath Daud and Mahmud’s governor, Nawasa Shah rebelled against the Turks when the Sultan was busy fighting the Seljuk-Turks. The primary motive of his invasion of Chandela territories (AD 1019) was to break up the alliance that the Chandela, the Prathihras and the Hindushahis had formed against him. Mahmud came back to India for the last time (AD 1027) to punish the Jats who had troubled him o his way to Ghazni after sacking the temple of Somnath.

(5) Elephants: Dr A. B. Pandey has opined that the search for the great pachyderms may have been one of the reasons for Mahmud to invade India. Infact, all throughout the medieval period, the elephants were used in wars. A herd of well trained elephants was enough to put the enemy army in a state of utter confusion and chaos.

Mahmud is said to have released Jayapala (AD 1001), the Hindushahi ruler after he agreed to a humiliating treaty that included a clause by which the Sultan got 25 elephants. He said to have got a further 300 elephants from the Chandela ruler, Vidhyadhar (AD 1020-21) as a tribute in return of the right of governing 15 fortresses. Hence, there is enough historic evidence to support Mahmud wanted Indian elephants so that they could be utilized in wars against his enemies in the west.

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “Civilizations, like empires, fall, not so much because of the strength of the enemy outside as through the weakness and decay within.” Infact, the sharp social differences and corruption that plagued contemporary India had made the society hollow and it was in no position to resist their powerful invaders. The arrogance of the Hindus and their inability to make breakthroughs in the fields of combat and weaponry added to the miseries already present in the society. On the contrary, the Turkish armies, inspired by their new religion, were more determined than ever to establish the glory of Islam and routed the Rajput armies by their fast moving cavalry. As such, the wealth of India was like the wealth of a weak person which could tempt any strong man, like Mahmud to posses it.

Many Indian scholars believe that Mahmud’s invasion left no permanent mark on India. The Indians soon forgot the crimes that he had committed on them and restored their ravaged cities to their former prestige and glory. Infact, the ignorance and the isolation of the country continued and the caste system became more rigid. The Hindus forgot all the lessons that Mahmud’s invasions into India had taught them and paid a heavy price as they lost the throne of Delhi to the Muslims after another Turki invader, Mohammed Ghori established the Delhi Sultanate in the early thirteenth century.

SOURCES :

(1) History of Medieval India 1000 - 1740 AD by L. P. Sharma (3rd Edition)

(2) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmud_of_Ghazni

ATITHI DEVO BHAVAH

2010-02-08T20:56:00.006+05:30

The real India, as Mahatma Gandhi once said, lies in her myriad villages and no worthwhile development is possible on the national front without the active participation of our rural brothers. Although most of our villages are still plagued by social evils and insufficient infrastructure development,there is no doubt in the fact that village communities have the potential to improve their living, without much assistance from the government, when the people are inspired and their infinite energies are directed in the right manner. The village of Khichan in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan is a perfect example of how community development and social activism at the rural level can help villagers improve their living standards. The village, which has become popular among bird watchers, achieved international recognition when it was featured in Birding World magazine in an article titled, “Khichan - the Demoiselle Crane village."

Located in the pristine sands of the Thar desert, Khichan is just like any other village located in the region. From the outside, there is not much in the village that makes it stand apart from the other villages that surround it. The economy is agrarian and the nearest town, Phalodi, located 4.5 km away, is renowned for its salt industry. However, with the onset of winter, winged visitors from plains and steppes of Eurasia and Mongolia come to this village, primarily due to the tradition of feeding wild birds established here, a few decades ago. The feeding programme, coupled with the presence of sand dunes and water ponds, have made this place a favourite destination for the migratory Demoiselle Cranes, while on their stay in India.

The Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropides virgo) are the smallest and second most abundant species of cranes in the world, with sightings being reported from as many as 47 countries. They weigh about 2-3 kg with a height of 89 cm and wing span of 155 -180 cm. Essentially grassland birds, the cranes have plain bluish gray plumage and are omnivores. They mainly feed on plant materials, insects, peanuts, beans and other cereal grains, and small animals. Demoiselle Cranes have to take one of the toughest migrations in the world. In late August through September, they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their flight to their winter range. Along their arduous journey they have to cross the Himalayan mountains to get to their over wintering grounds in India, many die from fatigue, hunger and predation from birds such as eagles. At their wintering grounds, Demoiselles have been observed flocking with Common Cranes, their combined totals reaching up to 20,000 individuals.

The annual feeding spectacle began when a local, belonging to the Jain community, started offering grains to the feathered visitors or Kurjars, as they are locally known here. Soon as the number of people looking after the cranes grew, the feathered visitors seem to have been deeply impressed by the 'Khichan brand of hospitality'. This can be inferred from the fact that the number of Demoiselles arriving in this place annually, grew from a few dozen in the 1980s to well over 15,000 today. Although omnivores, villagers in the Khichan, like in other parts of the Thar, venerate them for their perceived vegetarian eating habits and for the norm of keeping a single life partner all through their lifetime. Infact both of the above perceived behavioral patterns of these cranes are consistent with the teachings of Mahavir, the founder of Jainism.

With the donations coming primarily from the Jain community, the villagers have constructed a rectangular enclosure 50x60 m at the edge of the village, known locally as Chugga Ghar (Feeding Centre). The children of the village chip in their bit and it is their duty to spread the grains before the flocks of cranes arrive for their breakfast session of about 90 min. After feeding, the Cranes, in large congregations, are seen at some of the water bodies and sand dunes to the north of Khichan. They face the sun, their tie-like black chest feathers contrasting with the blue winter sky. A short while later they depart in different directions in small family flocks in a disciplined order led by the female, followed closely by two young ones with the male forming the rear guard. Again, during mid day, they assemble for a drink, followed by an occasional bath, and a second feed. Acrobatic exhibition of mutual affection between couples is also seen. They roost in far away agriculture fields and return to the same water bodies next day, early in the morning. As per the report of the International Crane Foundation :

" All cranes engage in dancing, which includes various behaviors such as bowing, jumping, running, stick or grass tossing, and wing flapping. Dancing can occur at any age and is commonly associated with courtship, however, it is generally believed to be a normal part of motor development for cranes and can serve to thwart aggression, relieve tension, and strengthen the pair bond."

The people of this village are very protective of their annual visitors. This fact comes into prominence from the story of Sevaram Mallu Parhivar, a local contractor. Seeing that a large number of birds were getting electrocuted, Sevaram filed a complaint with the District Administration, asking for placing the electric transmission lines underground. As the DC ignored his repeated complaints, Sevaram approached the High Court against the State Electricity Board. However, inspite of his noble intentions, the Court imposed a fine of Rs. 4 lakhs on him. But with the help of the State Forest Department, Sevaram filed an appeal in the High Court and eventually won the case.

Infact such is the love and admiration of the Demoiselles, that they have become a part of the local tradition and culture. They are an integral part of the desert love lore about Marwari migrants of yore who were forced to live separately from their loved ones due to compulsions of trade. Fussy eaters amongst the kids are known as 'Kurjars' and engaged girls are fondly referred to as 'Kurjaris'. The birds are revered as messengers of God and are believed to yield magical powers.

The place is soon developing into a magnet for tourists. A large number of travelers, both local and international, come to Khichan to see and study these migratory birds from such close range and in such large numbers. Their flights, in the setting of the conventional mansions (some of them are heritage buildings being converted to tourist lodges) of the village, present brilliant photo-ops. The Marwar Crane Foundation has pledged financial support to the feeding programme. A director of the International Crane Foundation has visited Khichan. This foundation is also supporting the efforts of Marwar Crane Foundation in feeding the cranes. The government, for a change, has been quick enough to realize the potential of this place as a popular tourist attraction, thanks to the cranes and peculiar indigenous architecture. As such, the State government has given heritage status to the village and it has also got a package of Rs. 75 lakhs from the Union government in the last budget.

In recent times, the cranes have been disturbed by dogs and passing villagers. To add to the problems, illegal encroachments have developed over the years, much to the consternation of bird watching vacation tourists. There has been also an effort to move the prevailing feeding area as it has become too crowded but it has not yet been implemented. Also, the feeding programme has led to a drastic increase in the number of crows, pigeons and rats in the village, which has increased the vulnerability to diseases. Besides, a significant number of the people here feel that it would be better if the money was spent on the poor and the needy, rather than the migratory birds.

Although there will be skeptics, the village of Khichan is a testimonial to the fact that man and nature can co-exist peacefully. The villagers here have realized the fact that their own survival is inter-linked with that of their feathered friends. It is instances like this that bring to light, the amount of knowledge that is present in the interiors of India, and make us proud to be Indians.

Special Thanks to : Vishwanath Bhat

Sources :

(1) NDTV Profit : Apollo Presents The Unstoppable Indians

(2) http://www.hindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101960920100.htm Desert turns birds’ paradise

(3) http://www.lalniwas.com/cranes.html Demoiselle Cranes - The Royalty of Khichan

(4) http://www.savingcranes.org/rsgallery/6.html

(5) http://www.wikipedia.org/Khichan

KARNA AND THE THREE CURSES

2010-02-05T20:01:00.012+05:30

The Mahabharat which is the longest epic in the world, speaks of a time in ancient India when the rulers of the sub continent's innumerable kingdoms allied themselves with the two warring factions that laid their claim over the throne of Hastinapur. The finest warriors of the day, namely, Arjuna - contemporary India's foremost archer, Bhima - the man with supreme physical prowess, Yudhistir - the defender of Dharma, Duryodhana - the adversary of Pandavas and Bhishma - the protector of the king of Hastinapur fought in a fierce battle that is said to have lasted for 18 days. However among the galaxy of stars that fought on the dusty grounds of Kurukshetra, there was one who shone more brighter than the rest on the horizon of Indian mythology. Although he ended up dying on the battlefield at the hands of his own brother (Arjuna), Karna is widely considered by many, including Krishna and Bhishma as per Valmiki's Mahabharat, as a noble spirit who rarely appears in the human race. Inspite of devoting his services to evil Duryodhana, Karna remains an adulated figure for millions of Hindus and Indians. He is specially adored for his generosity and always considered as a formidable warrior, perhaps the greatest warrior of all time, a courageous spirit who braved impossible odds in his life, and died with unique courage, valour and honour.

While Karna remains to be one of the most celebrated personalities of Hindu mythology, very few people are aware of the fact that he had learnt the art of warfare and mastered deadly weapons under the able tutelage of Parashuram. Karna who was brought up by Adhirata, a charioteer of the king Dhritarashtra of Hastinapur, after being abandoned by his mother, Kunti, aimed to be a skillful fighter. As such he went to Dhronacharya, who was in-charge of training the princes of Hastinapur, both Kauravas and Pandavas, in the art of warfare and diplomacy. However, Dhrona refused to accept him as his disciple citing his low caste as the reason. However, Karna like he did so many times in his illustrious life, fought all odds and decided to be self-taught with his brother, Shrona's help. In accordance with the ancient tradition that one must learn any art form only under a guru, Karna decided to make Surya his teacher. Such was the dedication of this man that he gathered information about various ayudhas (weapons) during the day and then after sundown, he exercised them. Although he achieved expertize in handling many weapons, Karna becomes more interested to learn all the advanced skills of archery including the use of divine weapons.

In a bid to fulfill his dream of being among the best fighters of his generation, Karna decided to approach Parashuram. However, Parashuram was only known to accept Brahmins as his students. Disciples like Gangaputra Bhishma and Guru Dhronacharya had made Parashuram proud earlier and Karna longed to make this great saint, his guru. As such, he was not going to make his low social status the reason for being turned down by Parashuram. Karna appeared before the sage as a Brahmin. Parashuram accepted him and trained him to such a point, that he declared Karna to be equal to himself in the art of warfare and archery. Thus, Karna became a diligent student of Parashuram.

Legend has it that one day while his guru was resting on his lap, Karna was stung by a giant bee on his thigh. Despite the excruciating pain, Karna did not move so as not to disturb his guru's sleep. As the bee bored deeper into Karna's thigh, the wound began to bleed. Parashuram was woken up by the blood from Karna's thigh. He soon realized that Karna was a not a Brahmin as no one in the priestly class could bear the gruesome pain for such a long time. Thus, Parashuram, who had sworn vengeance against all Kshatriyas, concluded that Karna lied about being a Brahmin in order to learn from him. So, he cursed Karna that his martial skills including the use of Brahmastra would desert him when he needed them most. This in turn meant that Karna would forget all that he had learnt from Parashuram during his hour of crisis. Karna, who was unaware of his royal lineage, pleaded with his Guru that any student in his place would have acted the same way.

While he regretted cursing Karna in a moment of anger, Parashuram's curse was irrevocable. He, gifted Karna with a celestial weapon called Bhargavastra along with Parashuram's personal bow called Vijaya and blessed him that in the end, Karna would achieve what every mortal aspires the most - everlasting glory and immortal fame. In fact mythological sources say that it was the king of Gods - Indra who had stung Karna in the form of the bee so that he would be cursed by the great sage. The same Indra later exploited Karna's generosity and took away the the Kavacha (body armour) and Kundana (ear rings) that virtually made Karna invincible. It is beyond any doubt that had Indra, father of Karna's sworn enemy, Arjuna, not interfered in the matter, Arjuna would have never been able to beat Karna.

Dejected at being cursed by his own Guru, Karna is said to have wandered in the forests. While he was practising the 'Shabdavedi Vidhya' (art of hitting the target by detecting the source of sound), he mistook a Brahmin's cow for a wild animal and shot it. Enraged, the Brahmin cursed Karna that as he had killed a helpless animal, he too would be killed when he was the most helpless, when his concentration was diverted from his enemy.

However putting these things behind him, Karna went on to become the King of Ambha (modern Bhagalpur) after he impressed Duryodhana when he surpassed Arjuna's feat in a tournament held by Dhrona in Hastinapur to display the skills that he had given to the Kuru princes. This event established key relationships in the Mahabharat, namely, the strong bond between Duryodhana and Karna, the intense rivalry between Karna and Arjuna, and the enmity in general between the Pandavas as a whole and Karna.

Sometime later, when he was on a tour of his new kingdom, Karna is said to have encountered a girl who was crying out of fear of her step mother since her ghee had fallen to the ground. Being generous enough Karna told her that he would give her new ghee. But, the child insisted that she wanted only the ghee that was mixed with the soil and refused to take the new ghee. Taking pity on the girl, Karna took the soil mixed with ghee in his fist and squeezed it with all his might to extract the ghee and pour it back into the pot. However, Bhoomidevi (Mother Earth) was furious at him for hurting her for the sake of a mere child. So, the Earth goddess cursed him that in a very crucial battle of his life, she would trap his chariot wheel in the same way that he held the fistful of soil,thereby making him vulnerable to his enemy.

Thus, Karna was cursed on three separate and independent occasions. Unfortunately, each of these curses became operational at the same crucial moment in the Kurukshetra war, later making him weaponless, left without a chariot and helpless.

On the sixteenth day of the great battle of Kurukshetra, Karna led the Kaurava army. He first defeated the might Bhima but spared his life saying that he was elder to Bhima. Later he went on to beat Yudhistir but left him alive saying that "It seems that you have forgotten all the teachings which your guru has taught you, so first go and practice those and then come to fight". Also he defeated the twins, Nakul and Sahadev but didn't kill them as he had promised Kunti that he would not kill any of the Pandavas except for Arjuna. Then Karna proceeded towards Arjuna and unleashed the deadly weapon, Nagastra at him. But Krishna, like he had done so many times in the past, saved him from what would have been sure death.

On the seventeenth day, the much anticipated contest between Arjuna and Karna took place. Though the duel was initially held at a stalemate, Karna was hampered when his chariot wheel sank into the ground in loose wet soil (BhoomiDevi's curse thus came into effect). He also found himself unable to remember the incantations for divine weapons, as his teacher Parashuram had foretold. Descending from his chariot to remove the wheel, he requested Arjuna to wait until it is set right as per the rules of battle. Krishna told Arjuna that Karna has no right to refer to the rules at this point, after having violated the same himself while killing Abhimanyu. He urged Arjuna to kill Karna while he was helpless (Brahman's curse came into effect here). Lord Krishna told Arjuna that if he did not kill Karna at this critical juncture of the war, he might never be able to kill him and the Pandavas may never win the war. Thus, Arjuna fatally injured Karna using a divine arrow.

It is believed that on the night before his death, Karna's guru, Parashuram appeared to him in his dreams. He is said to have told Karna that he was well aware of Karna's caste when he had approached him to become his disciple. Yet, inspite of his vow, he agreed to teach Karna, a Kshatriya, as he was fully aware of Karna's capability and impeccable character. Besides, Parashuram went on further to explain the reasons for him cursing his own disciple. Parashuram said that if Karna would not die then the Kauravas would have won the battle and the Earth would be ruled by Duryodhana. As such, Adharma would prevail and people would have suffered in his reign.

Though the three curses and interventions from Indra and Kunti led to his death on the battlefield, Karna achieved the feat of immortality as foretold by his guru, Parashuram. His generosity and the manner in which he carried himself throughout his life is praised several times in mythology and literature. In fact, Karna, more than anyone else, is the true hero of the Mahabharat.

Special Thanks to : Mr. Ambarish Kulkarni

SOURCES : www.wikipedia.org/karna