ಸ್ವರಗಳು ಸೇರಿದರೆ
ಸಂಸಾರ ಸರಿಗಮ

“ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ  ಮತ್ತು ಮಾಧ್ಯಮ ಕ್ರಾಂತಿಯಿಂದಾಗಿ ಹಳೆಯ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯಗಳು ಬದಲಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ.
ನಮ್ಮ ಬಾಳಸಂಗಾತಿ ಆಯ್ಕೆಗೆ ಸೂಕ್ತ ಮಾನದಂಡ ಆಯ್ಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅಗತ್ಯವಲ್ಲವೆ”

ಪಕ್ಕದ ಮನೆಯ ಜೋಡಿ ನೋಡಿದಾಗಲೆಲ್ಲ ಅನುರೂಪ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯಎನಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಹತೆ ಜಾತಿ ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ಎಲ್ಲದರಲ್ಲೂ ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ.
ಆದರೆ ೩ ವರ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಪಸ್ವರ ಮಿಡಿಯಿತು, ಸಂಸಾರ ಒಡೆಯಿತು.ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಒಂಟಿ ದೋಣಿಯ ಪಯಣಿಗರಾದರು.ಗಂಡನಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಸಂಬಂಧವಿದ್ದದ್ದೇ
ಕಲಹದ ಮೂಲವೆಂದು ಬಳಿಕ ಗೊತ್ತಾಯಿತು.
ವಿವಾಹ ಸಂದರ್ಭ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿನಾರಾಯಣರಂತೆ ಬಾಳಿ ಎಂದು ಆಶೀರ್ವದಿಸುತ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ, ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ, ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ, ಅನುರೂಪ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರಲ್ಲ ,ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಗಾತಿಯನ್ನು ಆರಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಮಾನದಂಡವಾದರು ಯಾವುದು? ಅಣು ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳ ಕೌಟುಂಬಿಕ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆಳೆದು, ಹೊಸ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಬದುಕು ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಳ್ಳತ್ತಿರುವ ಯುವಜನತೆ ಆರಂಭಿಕ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿಹತ್ತಾರು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಬಾಳಸಂಗಾತಿಯ ಆಯ್ಕೆಯ ಇಂದಿನ ಮಾನದಂಡಗಳು ಬದಲಾಗಬೇಕಿದೆ.
ಯುವಕ-ಯುವತಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಹುಚ್ಚು ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ತೋಚಿದ ಮಾನದಂಡ ಅನುಸರಿಸದೆ, ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಕುರಿತು ಸುದೀರ್ಘವಾಗಿ ಆಲೋಚಿಸಿ ತಂದೆ-ತಾಯಿ, ಬಂಧುಮಿತ್ರರು,ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದರೆ ತಜ್ನ್ಯರ ಕಂಡು ಸೂಕ್ತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅನಿವಾದರೆ ತಪ್ಪು ನಿರ್ಧಾರದ ವೇದನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಳು ಸವೆಸಬೇಕಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.ಅಥವಾ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯ ವಿರಸ,ವಿಚ್ಛೇದನ, ಸಾವು-ನೋವು, ಆತ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಹ್ವಾನ ನೀಡಿದಂತಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಸ್ಕ್ರತಿಯ ಕೆಲ ವೈಜ್ನಾನಿಕ, ವೈಚಾರಿಕ ಮಾನದಂಡಗಳಾದ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ನಡೆ-ನುಡಿ, ಅಭಿರುಚಿ,ಅಭಿಲಾಷೆ, ಬಾಳಿನ ಆದರ್ಶ,ಗುರಿ, ಶೀಲ,ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನುಅನುಸರಿಸಿ
ಅಂತಿಮ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಉತ್ತಮ.ರೂಪ,ಅಭಿರುಚಿ, ಆದರ್ಶ,ವಿದ್ಯಾಮಟ್ಟ,ಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯಈ ಅಂಶಗಳ ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆಯನ್ನು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಗೆವಹಿಸಿ, ಕೌಟುಂಬಿಗೆ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ,ಅನುವಂಶೀಯತೆ, ಧರ್ಮ, ಮೌಲ್ಯ, ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯದಂತಹ ಅಂಶಗಳನ್ನು ಪಾಲಕರು ಪರಶೀಲಿಸಿ, ಬಳಿಕ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಪರ್ಯಾಲೋಚಿಸಿ ಸೂಕ್ತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಕೈಲೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು.ಆಯ್ಕೆ ವಿವೇಕಯುತವಾಗಿರಬೇಕೆ ಹೊರತು, ಭಾವುಕವಾಗಿರಬಾರದು. ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಗೌರವದ ಮೇಲಾಗಬೇಕೇ ಹೊರತು, ಅನುಕಂಪದಿಂದಲ್ಲ.

ಮಾನದಂಡ ಹೀಗಿರಲಿ
ಕೌಟುಂಬಿಕ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ: ಗಂಡು-ಒಂದೇ ವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ ಸೇರಿದವರಾದರೆ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಸೌಖ್ಯ.
ವಯಸ್ಸು:ಗಂಡು ಮತ್ತು ಹೆಣ್ಣಿನ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನ ಅಂತರ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿರಬಾರದು.
ಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ, ಲೈಂಗಿಕತೆ:ಶುದ್ಧಚಾರಿತ್ರ್ಯ ಹಾಗೂ ಸಮರ್ಪಕ ಲೈಂಗಿಕತೆ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯದ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಅತೀಮುಖ್ಯ.
ವ್ಯಸನ:ವ್ಯಸನಿಗಳು ನಂಬಿಕೆಗೆ ಅರ್ಹರಲ್ಲ.
ಆರೋಗ್ಯ:ಅಸ್ಥಿರ ಆರೋಗ್ಯದಿಂದ ದಾಂಪತ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹತಾಶೆ ಹುಟ್ಟುತ್ತದೆ.
ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವ:ಇಬ್ಬರಲ್ಲೂವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವದ ಸಮಗ್ರತೆ,ಸಮನ್ವಯತೆ, ಸಮತೋಲನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸಾಮ್ಯತೆ ಇರಬೇಕು.
ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಹತೆ:ವಿದ್ಯಾಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ತೀವ್ರ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸವಿದ್ದರೆ ಕೀಳರಿಮೆ ಅಥವಾ ಕನಿಕರ ಭಾವನೆ ಉಂಟಾಗಬಹುದು.
ಅಭಿರುಚಿ:ಅಭಿರುಚಿಯ ಸಾಮ್ಯತೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಅರಿಯಲು ಅನುಕೂಲ.

Compiled By: Roopa Kulkarni

Courtesy: Vijay  Karnataka

What is Teamwork?

Teamwork is defined as “a combined action by a group of people, in which each person show interest and give opinions to the unity and efficiency of the group.” The most effective teamwork is produced when all the individuals involved and harmonize their contributions and work towards a common goal.

Characteristics of Effective Teams.

1. The team must have a clear goal. Avoid fuzzy, motherhood statements. Team goals should call for a specific performance objective, expressed so concisely that everyone knows when the objective has been met.
2. The team must have a results-driven structure. The team should be allowed to operate in a manner that produces results. It is often best to allow the team to develop the structure.
3. The team must have competent team members. In the education setting this can be taking to mean that the problem given to the team should be one that the members can tackle given their level of knowledge.
4. The team must have unified commitment. This doesn’t mean that team members must agree on everything. It means that all individuals must be directing their efforts towards the goal. If an individual’s efforts are going purely towards personal goals, then the team will confront this and resolve the problem.
5. The team must have a collaborative climate. It is a climate of trust produced by honest, open, consistent and respectful behavior. With this climate teams perform well…without it, they fail.
6. The team must have high standards that are understood by all. Team members must know what is expected of them individually and collectively. Vague statements such as “positive attitude” and “demonstrated effort” are not good enough.
7. The team must receive external support and encouragement. Encouragement and praise works just as well in motivating teams as it does with individuals.
8. The team must have principled leadership. Teams usually need someone to lead the effort. Team members must know that the team leader has the position because they have good leadership skills and are working for the good of the team. The team members will be less supportive if they feel that the team leader is putting him/her self above the team, achieving personal recognition or otherwise benefiting from the position.

Four actions you can take as the team leader.

• Establish the Ideal. Engage the group in a conversation about what kind of team they want to have.  Get them talking about behaviors that will make the team more successful and interesting for the members.  Groups have their own unique cultures.  Your **censored** is to get the group to compare the culture they have to the one they want.
• Clear up fuzzy leadership. Sometimes people clash in the absence of clear leadership.  Perhaps these two are positioning for power and control of the team.  Assuming neither is right for the role, make it clear who is in charge.
• Try the obvious. While it may be the least attractive option, it is probably the most effective.  Talk with these people individually or together.  Let them know that their behaviors are affecting the team.  Work with them to understand the underlying problems and together develop solutions that will address the conflicts.
• Clean house. As a last resort, the leader may want to remove one or both of these people from the team.  If your gut is telling you that they are significantly cutting into productivity and effectiveness, and you have tried everything you and others can think of doing, this becomes a reasonable action.  Take it.

For selecting the type of team building event, there are a wide range of activities provided. However, all these events fall into one of the following four categories:

Communication Building Events

These team building events are defined as problem-solving activities aiming to improve communication. These exercises can be held in silent, talkative or physical in nature or inactive like watching videos on how to tackle with certain circumstances followed by a subsequent discussion.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Events

This corporate team building event gives employees with a particular problem to solve like tying a knot in the center of a rope which is been hold by everyone without letting go or finding a creative solution to a theoretical scenario. By this all the employees will engage into team working as all the team members will contribute their ideas leading to a brainstorming session and every member will shine in his own way.

Planning and Adaptability Events

These categories of events have a desired goal but no directions are provided on how to accomplish that goal, only limitations that cannot be crossed are provided. For instance, telling the members to plan a party for an executive with a specified budget and arrangements. These events encourage employees to bring with new ideas to get the **censored** done through team work and fun at the same time.

Trust building events

This category of team building events is the most familiar amongst people when they hear the catchphrase “team building.” These events necessitate putting their trust in their colleagues with activities like getting blindfolded and falling back into someone’s arms. Participant’s comfort levels will be prolonged and tested, leading to very influential results.

Compiled By : Muralidhar J K

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/art/artists

Take a book and start studying it.It is advisable to have small library with collection of books on spiritual,more and ethical values.Biographies and books on historical events are also recommended.

Put your problem in writing if you are worried over past events or future happenings,just delete them.As regards current problems,just grapple with them one by one and try and find solution.

Do not prolong your agony,just by worrying.To try and find ways and means as how one can tackle the problem,can become stimulating and challenging.

Make uo your mind that you are going to get hold of the problem with faith and determination.

Preserve by making supreme efforts:

• Be anchored in him and he will help and guide you to find a solution.
• Go out in the open and fresh air.Have walk and exercise.
• Participate in a social or spiritual assembly.
• Go and visit a friend or invite one or two friends to tea or dinner.
• By alignment with higher consciousness and sustained practice of meditation and silence,you will attain a calm.
• It is said that “Idle mind is a devil’s workshop”Keep the mind occupied,so that it has no time for worrying.Keep moving,walking.It is not the movement but the friction caused by tension and worry,which cripples the man.

Compiled By: MJK

Obama- The Stunning Choice For Nobel Prize-2009

Despite falling popularity US President Barack Obama bags Nobel Peace Prize 2009. United States President Barack Obama has won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. It is the latest feather in the cap of an African American who has risen from scratch. Though his popularity has dwindled in America and beyond, he still holds hope for hundreds of millions of people in his own country and beyond.

The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama’s name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.

Mahatma Gandhi, the Missing Honoree

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) has become the strongest symbol of non-violence in the 20th century. It is widely held – in retrospect – that the Indian national leader should have been the very man to be selected for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was nominated several times, but was never awarded the prize. Why?

These questions have been asked frequently: Was the horizon of the Norwegian Nobel Committee too narrow? Were the committee members unable to appreciate the struggle for freedom among non-European peoples?” Or were the Norwegian committee members perhaps afraid to make a prize award which might be detrimental to the relationship between their own country and Great Britain?

Gandhi was nominated several times in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and, finally, a few days before he was murdered in January 1948. The omission has been publicly regretted by later members of the Nobel Committee; when the Dalai Lama was awarded the Peace Prize in 1989, the chairman of the committee said that this was “in part a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi”. However, the committee has never commented on the speculations as to why Gandhi was not awarded the prize, and until recently the sources which might shed some light on the matter were unavailable.

The First Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize

Among those who strongly admired Gandhi were the members of a network of pro-Gandhi “Friends of India” associations which had been established in Europe and the USA in the early 1930s. The Friends of India represented different lines of thought. The religious among them admired Gandhi for his piety. Others, anti-militarists and political radicals, were sympathetic to his philosophy of non-violence and supported him as an opponent of imperialism.

In 1937 a member of the Norwegian Storting (Parliament), Ole Colbjørnsen (Labour Party), nominated Gandhi for that year’s Nobel Peace Prize, and he was duly selected as one of thirteen candidates on the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s short list. Colbjørnsen did not himself write the motivation for Gandhi’s nomination; it was written by leading women of the Norwegian branch of “Friends of India”, and its wording was of course as positive as could be expected.

The committee’s adviser, professor Jacob Worm-Müller, who wrote a report on Gandhi, was much more critical. On the one hand, he fully understood the general admiration for Gandhi as a person: “He is, undoubtedly, a good, noble and ascetic person – a prominent man who is deservedly honoured and loved by the masses of India.” On the other hand, when considering Gandhi as a political leader, the Norwegian professor’s description was less favourable. There are, he wrote, “sharp turns in his policies, which can hardly be satisfactorily explained by his followers. (…) He is a freedom fighter and a dictator, an idealist and a nationalist. He is frequently a Christ, but then, suddenly, an ordinary politician.”

Gandhi had many critics in the international peace movement. The Nobel Committee adviser referred to these critics in maintaining that he was not consistently pacifist, that he should have known that some of his non-violent campaigns towards the British would degenerate into violence and terror. This was something that had happened during the first Non-Cooperation Campaign in 1920-1921, e.g. when a crowd in Chauri Chaura, the United Provinces, attacked a police station, killed many of the policemen and then set fire to the police station.

A frequent criticism from non-Indians was also that Gandhi was too much of an Indian nationalist. In his report, Professor Worm-Müller expressed his own doubts as to whether Gandhi’s ideals were meant to be universal or primarily Indian: “One might say that it is significant that his well-known struggle in South Africa was on behalf of the Indians only, and not of the blacks whose living conditions were even worse.”

The name of the 1937 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate was to be Lord Cecil of Chelwood. We do not know whether the Norwegian Nobel Committee seriously considered awarding the Peace Prize to Gandhi that year, but it seems rather unlikely. Ole Colbjørnsen renominated him both in 1938 and in 1939, but ten years were to pass before Gandhi made the committee’s short list again.

Compiled By: Muralidhar J K

Click on below image

Diwali is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third days is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or ‘Festival of lights’. Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. The festival od Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.

Spiritual significance

While Divali is popularly known as the “festival of lights”, the most significant spiritual meaning is “the awareness of the inner light”.

Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one’s true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (inner joy or peace).

Diwali celebrates this through festive fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship. While the story behind Dipavali varies from region to region, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the inner light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman).

Hindus have several significant events associated with it:

• Return of Rama to Ayodhya: Diwali also celebrates the return of Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after a 15 year exile, and a war in which he killed Ravana. It is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit ghee lamps along the way to light their path in the darkness. Since Ram traveled from South India to his kingdom in North India, he passed through the south earlier. This is the reason why the festival is celebrated a day earlier in South India. Diwali usually comes 19 or 20 days after Dasara.
• The Killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali day, it commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created havoc, by Krishna’s wife Satyabhama. This happened in the Dwapara Yuga during this time of Krishna’s avatar. In another version, the demon was killed by Krishna ( Krishna provokes his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna defeating Indra: Govardhan Puja is celebrated the day after Diwali. It is the day Krishna defeated Indra, the deity of thunder and rain. As per the story, Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offering to Lord Indra and questions his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their ‘dharma’ truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He continued to say that all human beings should merely do their ‘karma’, to the best of their ability and not pray for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna then lifted Mt Govardhan and held it up as protection to his people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. This aspect of Krishna’s life is mostly glossed over but it set up the basis of the ‘karma’ philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavat Gita.

Lakshmi Pooja

Lakshmi was the daughter of the sage Bhrigu and took refuge in the ocean of milk when the gods were sent into exile. Lakshmi was reborn during the Churning of the Ocean. As soon as the gods saw Lakshmi, they all fell in love with her beauty. Shiva claimed Lakshmi as his wife, but since he had already taken the Moon, her hand was given to Vishnu, whom Lakshmi herself preferred.

Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While Laxmi is generally worshiped to achieve success, she does not reside long with anyone who is lazy or desire her only as wealth.

Steps of Lakshmi Pooja

Spread a new cloth on a raised platform: Place a handful of grains in the center and, on this, place a kalash (pitcher) made of gold, silver, copper, or terracotta. Fill three-fourth of the kalash with water and place a betel nut, a flower, a coin, and some rice grains in it. Arrange five kinds of leaves or mango leaves in the kalash . Place a small dish on the kalash and fill it with rice grains. Draw a lotus with turmeric powder ( haldi ) over the rice grains and place the idol of goddess Lakshmi over it, along with coins.

Place the idol of Ganesha: In front of the kalash, on the right (South-West direction), place the idol of Ganesha. Also place ink and books related to your business or occupation on the platform. Light a lamp and begin the puja by offering haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the platform on which the kalash is placed. Then offer haldi, kumkum, and flowers to the water that is to be used for the puja. Invoke the river goddesses to be part of this water.

Invoke goddess: Lakshmi by reciting the Vedic mantras addressed to her. One can also recite the mantras mentioned in the Puranas or simply take some flowers in your hands, close your eyes, and think of goddess Lakshmi being showered with gold coins by two elephants standing on either side of Her and chant Her name. Then offer the flowers to the idol.

Place the idol of Lakshmi: Place the idol of Lakshmi in a plate and bathe it with water, panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey, and sugar) and then with water containing some gold ornament or a pearl. Wipe the idol clean and place it back on the kalash. Alternately, you can just sprinkle water and panchamrit on the idol with a flower.

Offerings: Offer sandal paste, saffron paste, perfume ( itr ), haldi, kumkum, abeer, and gulal to the goddess. Offer a garland of cotton beads to the goddess. Offer flowers, especially the marigold flowers and leaves of Bel (wood apple tree). Light an incense stick and dhoop. Make an offering of sweets, coconut, fruits, and tambul. Make an offering of puffed rice and batasha. Pour some puffed rice, batasha, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds over the idol. Safe where you keep money and jewelry; Worship this safe as a symbol of Lord Kuber.

Aarti: Finally, perform the aarti for goddess Lakshmi. Always remember that She abhors loud noise. So the aarti should be accompanied only by a small bell. Do not clap hands, as is the practice when performing aarti for other gods. A peaceful and sublime atmosphere should prevail during the pujan. Do not light crackers while the puja is on or immediately after it.

Naraka Chaturdashi

Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as “Chhoti (small) Diwali” or Kali Chaudas is a Hindu festival, which falls on the second day of the festival of Diwali.

Kali means Dark (evil) and Chaudas - Fourteenth. Thus, celebrated on the 14th day of the dark half of Ashwin (Ashwin 29th), Kali Chaudas is the day allotted to the worship of Maha-Kali or Shakti and is believed that on this day Kali killed the wickedest. Also referred to as Narak-Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas is day to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life and shine light on life. The strength to protect others is referred as Kali, and if its used for God’s work is called Mahakali.

The poojan is performed with oil, flowers, Chanda and Hinduism. Coconuts are also offered to Hanumanji and prashad of Sesame seed, Brigadoon and rice with ghee and sugar.

The rituals of Kali Choudas is strongly suggestive of the origin of Deepavaali as a harvest festival is performed. On this day delicacies are prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice (called Poha or Pova). This rice is taken from the fresh harvest available at that time. This custom is prevalent both in rural and urban areas especially in Western India.

On this day, a head wash and application of kajal in the eyes is believed to keep away the kali nazar (evil eye). Some say that those who are into tantra, learn their ‘mantras’ on this day. Alternatively, people offer Nived (food) to the goddess that is local to where they are originally from. This goddess is called their ‘Kul Devi’, in order to cast off evil spirits. Some families also offer food to their forefathers on this day. The second day of Diwali is known as Kali Choudas in Gujarat, Rajasthan & few part of Maharashtra.

This day celebrates the victory of the God Krishna over the demon of filth, Narakasur. On this day Hindus get up earlier than usual. The men will rub their bodies in perfumed oils before bathing. Afterwards, clean clothes are worn; some people wear new ones. A large breakfast is enjoyed with relatives and friends. In the evening, a mix of bright and loud fireworks are set off in an atmosphere of joyful fun and noise. Special sweet dishes are served as part of the midday meal. House are lit with oil lamps during the evening.

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· MAN IS NOT MADE TO QUESTION BUT TO ADORE

ENJOY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS WELL AS YOUR PLANS

· ONE VOLUNTEER IS BETTER THAN TEN FORCED MEN

· EVERYONE GETS WHAT HE DESERVES, IT IS UPTO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT YOU DESERVE!

· DO NOT SPEAK WITHOUT THINKING,DO NOT ACT WITHOUT REFLECTING

· WHATEVER HAPPENS RECEIVE IT WITH A SMILING FACE

· ALL CREATION IS THE FAMILY OF GOD

· LEAVE EACH MAN TO HIS OWN OPINION

· WE LEARN WISDOM FROM FAILURE MUCH MORE THAN FROM SUCCESS

· NOTHING GREAT WAS EVER ACHIVED WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM

· BEHAVE TOWARD EVERYONE AS IF RECEIVING A GREAT GUEST

· SUCCESS IS A PUBLIC AFFAIR: FAILURE IS A PRIVATE FUNERAL

· BE CAREFUL OF YOUR THOUGHTS- THEY MAY BREAK INTO WORDS AT ANY TIME

· TELL YOUR MONEY WHERE TO GO INSTEAD OF WONDERING WHERE IT WENT

· IMITATION IS A CONFESSION OF LIMITATION

· EVERYONE GETS WHAT HE DESERVES, IT IS UPTO YOU TO DECIDE WHAT YOU DESERVE!

A man with high values, simple tastes and simple living being that Indian seen is the only man called Rashtrapitha Mahatma Gandhiji. He is the man who played a significant role in achieving independence for India from the British Empire with his simplicity and strong will power. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as ‘Bapu’ or ‘Father of the nation’, was born on the 2nd of October in 1869, in Porbunder, Gujrat.

After his early education in India, he was sent to London where he qualified as a barrister. After attempting practice in Bombay for a few months, he went to South Africa as counsel for a wealthy Muslim client. Though he was supposed to return after the case was sorted, he continued his stay there till 1914, leading the Indians there against the apartheid of the British. His stint in India took a turn when national leader Gopal Krishna Gokhale initiated him into the Indian freedom movement. Gandhi, with his ideals of ahimsa, non-cooperation and satyagraha, soon established himself as the frontrunner in the struggle for freedom.

Gandhi was not just a political leader. In fact, he was never a keen politician. He was a leader of the masses and always identified himself with them. All his actions had the power to galvanise the people. When others walked out of the Assembly in protest, Gandhi walked 100 km to the sea at Dandi to make salt illegally.

In short, he would take a step that would involve the millions, a small step by itself, but which would magnify a million-fold. The British often wondered what it was about Gandhi that attracted so many to him. But the people had no such questions. They understood the way in which he identified with them. In fact, Gandhi took pains to learn to sign his name in all the major Indian languages.

Gandhi was also deeply spiritual, and believed that all religions showed the way to ultimate enlightenment. He also wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, a book that influenced him deeply.

Gandhi is also revered for his absolute belief in truth and ahimsa. It is this man’s birthday that we celebrate as the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. His tolerance for other religions and support for the downtrodden are recognized and honored on this day.

At the time the British controlled South Africa. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people.

He developed a method of action based upon the principles of courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals. In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement.

Using the principles of Satyagraha he led the campaign for Indian independence from Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven years in prison for his political activities.

More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent. India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace.

On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later a Hindu fanatic, Nathuram Godse who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion assassinated him.

Compiled By Muralidhar J K

Small of stature, simple and soft-spoken, Lal Bahadur proved to be one of the  heroes of the history of India. A great general in Gandhi’s army of peaceful soldiers of freedom. He became the symbol of India’s valor and self-respect.

Life

Lal Bahadur was born on 2 October in the year 1904 in Ram Nagar,Ahmedabad Mughalsarai, United Provinces, British India as Lal Bahadur Shastri. His father Sharada Prasad was a poor school teacher, who later became a clerk in the Revenue Office at Allahabad. When Lal Bahadur was three months old, he slipped out of his mother’s arms into a cowherd’s basket at the ghats of the Ganges. The cowherd, who had no children, took the child as a gift from God and took him home. Lal Bahadur’s parents lodged a complaint with the police, who traced the child, and returned him to his parents

Lal Bahadur’s father died when he was only a year and a half old. His mother Ramdulari Devi took him and his two sisters to her father’s house and settled down there Lal Bahadur stayed at his grandfather Hazari Lal’s house till he was ten. Since there was no high school in their town, he was sent to Varanasi where he stayed with his maternal uncle and joined the Harischandra High School. While in Varanasi, Shastri once went with his friends to see a fair on the other bank of the Ganges. On the way back he had no money for the boat fare. Instead of borrowing from his friends, he jumped into the river and swam to the other bank

As a boy, Lal Bahadur loved reading books and was fond of Guru Nanak’s verses. He revered Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter. After hearing a speech of Mahatma Gandhi at Varanasi in 1915, he dedicated his life to the service of the country. He also dropped his surname, as it indicated his caste and he was against the caste system. During the non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, he joined processions in defiance of the prohibitory order. He was arrested but let off as he was a minor. He then enrolled at the nationalist Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi. During his four years there, he was greatly influenced by the lectures of Dr. Bhagawandas on philosophy. Upon completion of his course at Kashi Vidyapeeth in 1926, he was given the title Shastri (”Scholar”). The title was a bachelor’s degree awarded by the Vidya Peeth, but it stuck as part of his name. He also enrolled himself as a life member of the Servants of the People Society and began to work for the upliftment of the Harijans at Muzaffarpur. Later he became the President of the Society.

In 1927, Shastri married Lalita Devi of Mirzapur. In spite of the prevailing hefty dowry tradition, Shastri accepted only a charkha and a few yards of khadi as dowry. In 1930, he threw himself into the freedom struggle during Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha. He was imprisoned for two and a half years. Once, while he was in prison, one of his daughters fell seriously ill. He was released for fifteen days, on the condition that he not takes part in the freedom movement. However, his daughter died before he reached home. After performing the funeral rites, he voluntarily returned to prison, even before the expiry of the period^[ A year later, he asked for permission to go home for a week, as his son had contracted influenza. The permission was given, but his son’s illness was not cured in a week. In spite of his family’s pleadings, he kept his promise to the jail officers and returned to the prison.

Later, he worked as the Organizing Secretary of the Parliamentary Board of U.P. in 1937. In 1940, he was sent to prison for one year, for offering individual Satyagraha to support the freedom movement^[ On 8 August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi issued the Quit India speech at Gowalia Tank in Mumbai, demanding that the British leave India. Shastri, who had just then come out after a year in prison, traveled to Allahabad. For a week, he sent instructions to the freedom fighters from Jawaharlal Nehru’s home, Anand Bhavan. A few days later, he was arrested and imprisoned until 1946. Shastri spent almost nine years in jail in total. During his stay in prison, he spent time reading books and became familiar with the works of western philosophers, revolutionaries and social reformers. He also translated the autobiography of Marie Curie into Hindi language.

Achievements:

Played a leading role in Indian freedom struggle; became Parliamentary Secretary of Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant, the then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh; became the Minister of Police and Transport in Pant’s Cabinet; appointed as the Railways and Transport Minister in the Central Cabinet; also held the portfolios of Transport & Communications, Commerce and Industry, and Home Ministry in the Central cabinet; became Prime Minister of India in 1964; led India to victory over Pakistan in 1965 war.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of independent India. Though diminutive in physical stature he was a man of great courage and will. He successfully led country during the 1965 war with Pakistan. To mobilize the support of country during the war he coined the slogan of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. Lal Bahadur Sastri also played a key role in India’s freedom struggle. He led his life with great simplicity and honesty and was a great source of inspiration for all the countrymen.

In his first broadcast as Prime Minister, on 11 June 1964, Shastri stated

“There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear – the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations.”

Death

After the declaration of ceasefire, Shastri and Pakistani President Muhammad Ayub Khan attended a summit in Tashkent (former USSR, now in modern Uzbekistan), organised by Kosygin. On 10 January 1966, Shastri and Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration.

The next day Shastri, who had suffered two heart attacks earlier, died supposedly of a heart attack at 1:32 AM.. He was the only Indian Prime Minister, and indeed probably one of the few heads of government, to have died in office overseas.

Mystery of Shastri’s Death

Although officially it was maintained that Shastri died of heart attack, his widow, Lalita Shastri kept alleging that her husband was poisoned. Many believed that Shastri’s body turning blue was an evidence of his poisoning. Indeed a Russian butler attending to him was arrested on suspicion of poisoning Shastri, but was later absolved of charges.

In 2009, when Anuj Dhar, author of CIA’s Eye on South Asia, asked the Prime Minister’s Office under an RTI plea (Right to Information Act), that Shastri’s cause of death be made public, the PMO refused to oblige, citing that this could lead to harming of foreign relations, cause disruption in the country and cause breach of parliamentary privileges.

The PMO did inform however that it had in its possession one document related to Shastri’s death, but refused to declassify it. The government also admitted that no postmortem examination had been conducted on him in USSR, but it did have a report of a medical investigation conducted by Shastri’s personal physician Dr. R.N. Chugh and some Russian doctors. Furthermore PMO revealed that there was no record of any destruction or loss of documents in the PMO having a bearing on Shastri’s death. As of July 2009, the home ministry is yet to respond to queries whether India conducted a postmortem and if the government had investigated allegations of foul play.

Circumstances of Shastri’s death do indeed make a case for close enquiry. On the night of January 11, Shastri was awakened by a severe coughing fit. Dr. R.N. Chugh came to his aid. Shastri was unable to speak and pointed to a flask kept nearby. A staffer brought some water which Shastri sipped. Shortly afterwards, Shastri became unconscious and attempts to revive him proved futile.

A cold case forensic enquiry which keeps these facts in consideration, could point to three causes - in order of probability.

(i) Myocardial Infarction (ordinarily known as Heart Attack)

(ii) Café Coronary (impaction of food in windpipe - in this case, drops of water)

(iii) Poisoning by some very quick acting poison, say cyanide although its probability is minimal.

Memorial

All his lifetime, Shastri was known for honesty and humility. He was the first person to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, and a memorial “Vijay Ghat” was built for him in Delhi. Several educational institutes, Shashtri National Academy of Administration (Mussorie) is after his name these were some examples. The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute was named after Shastri due to his role in promoting scholarly activity between India and Canada.

In 2005, the Government of India in Delhi University.

Personal life

Lal Bahadur Shastri had two sons,Anil Shastri and Sunil Shastri, who are politicians.

Quotes

• “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (”Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer”)

• “If one person gives up one meal in a day, some other person gets his only meal of the day”, spoken during the food crisis to encourage people to evenly distribute food.

• “Perhaps due to my being small in size and soft of tongue, people are apt to believe that I am not able to be very firm. Though not physically strong, I think I am internally not so weak.”