CHHOTI HOLI SHAYARIKI

HOLI MUBARAK

NA CHHAAHTE CHALATA GAYA
NA UMAZATE BASATA GAYA
NA JAANTE RANGTA GAYA
AYEE HOLI TO GAATA GAYA
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YAARI KA SANG MITAADE JUNG
HOLIKA RANG KHUSHIYONME DANG
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PAANI TERA RANG KAISA
JISME MILAAO WAISA
HOLI TERA RANG KAISA
SUB MIL JAAVE WAISA
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KISKI PUKAR KISKA SOR
KISKI NADANI KISKA JOR
NAHI JAANTE HUA KAISE KYA
HOLI AYEE TO BIGADATA GAYA
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HAR DINKA RANG HAIN APNA
HAR DILKA RANG HAIN APNA
HAAR-JEETKA RANG HAIN APNA
YAARI DOSTIKA RANG HAIN APNA
HAR NAATEKA RANG HAIN APNA
PHIR HOLIKA RANG HAIN SAPNA
JISME SUBRANG SHAAMIL HAIN
ASAAN BANI HAR MUSHKIL HAIN

PATNINE CHHODA FARMAN
NAM NA LENA ARMAN
ARMAN HOGA QURBAN
ARVIND TERA KYA HOGA ?

ARVIND
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

MARATHI BHASHA DIN

Today the 27th February is birth day of great Jnanpeeth award winning Marathi poet
" KUSUMAGRAJ" or V.V.Shirvadkar. This day is dedicated to his memory by observing it as Marathi Bhasha Din. Now don't rush to stamp me of regionalism. Remember the Hindi Bhasha Diwas is also observed. I do not know of other Indian languages but suspect similar tradition with them too. Nothing wrong in being proud of your mother tongue. That does not belittle importance of other languages. Kaka Kalelkar, Prabhakar Machve, Vinoba Bhave were equally competent in multi languages. Yesteryear Saints like Jnaneshwar or Tulsidas have begun their works with a prayer in Sanskrit before launching on vernacular. In fact some ancient Sanskrit Drama will have King's dialogue in Sanskrit. Queen's in Pali or magadhi and joker speaking is Pishachi. All in one play. Such co-existence is essence of Indian culture. Or it was till politicians inspired from Britishers sought to divide the nation on linguistic basis.

All Indian languages are suffering from encroachment of other languages. National Hindi and international English. Not long back an article was written by a Telugu Police officer against backdrop of Telangana unrest in which he blamed Telugu's neglecting their own language and adapting to Hindi and English. That need not be the case. One of the enriching factor for the vocabulary of any language is borrowing words from other languages. Rulers contributing more than neighbours. The victors have been vanquished through out the history by local cultural influence and the language being main contributor. Sanskrit, Urdu, English all have contributed in adding to the wealth of all Indian languages.

Why do we need a DIN then to assure good future for the language ? Have they become DEEN ( poor ) ? One of the parameters to judge the health of any language is the kind of literature produced in that language. How many books are printed in Marathi ? Thousands every year of large variety. Go to any SAMMELAN and you will find a bee line of poets carrying their manuscripts to be red before not so poor audience. Every District place in the State has its own news paper in Marathi. Why then hue and cry ? Not long back a seminar was organised in Thane which was addressed by a catholic origin poetess having English as mother tongue and strong Portuguese local influence. She did not think Marathi as deathbed language. In fact she now teaches Marathi to graduate and post graduate students. Such tradition is not new. We have church fathers, brothers, sisters writing in Marathi. So much so that they are organising separate Literary meet of their own.

The worry is seen amog Metropolitan elite. They any way have route from nowhere. Trumpet global belonging to overlook and neglect their forefathers. Let them be happy in their ivory tower ! Aam Aadmi is different. If Marathi or any other Indian language is going to continue to flourish, it is because of them. They don't mind speaking in Gujrathi to baniya and Hindi to Bhaiya freely interchanging words from one language to other . The communication is not hampered. Isn't that primary purpose of language ?

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

SPREAD OF INDIAN RAILWAY

Indian railway is gigantic by any standard. It is a legacy of Britishers like Indian Postal Services. Created to facilitate British rule over length and breadth of the country. The instrument created with such selfish motive did not stop at serving British rule. It had served and still serving as binding agent for national integration. Don't we remember the iconic photograph of Mahtma Gandhi travelling in third class compartment because it is most common denominator of Indian mass transport vehicle ? Third class is now abolished but the lowest class in Railways transport Indians in highest measure even now. Don't we remember how Indian railways transported refugees from both side at partition ? Don't we have fond memories of toy railways serving Hill stations like Matheran ? Don't we notice the same taste of bland food being catered by railway through out length and breadth of country ? Don't we hear same kind of announcements from all railway stations ? Indian Railway is in our stomach, ears, eyes,heart, brain and the whole system . Hardly any other influence can be cited as better for national integration.

Unlike America which chose road surface transport as chief means of transport, India chose railways as chief means of transport. Therefore Indian railway has graph of upward growth through all years since independence. Amazingly it has helped many other developing countries to follow Indian example. It is the biggest Industry on Indian soil even though 100 % state owned. We have a long list of illustrious railway meinsters. Average minsters and devilish ministers. Last being Lalu Prasad Yadav with his rural Hindi of funny accent. While many were busy laughing it him, he quietly delivered. He became a master in management by bringing Indian Railway into profit. Nobody thought one can outdo him except perhaps Mamta Banerjee.
Budget presented by her needs to be lauded. Not because she did not propose hike in fair. Not because she introduced more trains. But Because of the social commitment she has shown. New routes were introduced with a vision, with purpose. Linking masses. Not the high speed state of art and technology trains and routes. But because of going deeper into interiors of the nation. Laser known destinations serving rather neglected section. Providing for welfare of indirect staff like coolies. She has shown the vision and commitment that few can dare to share. Kudos to her. May Indian railway continue to prove a social service dedicated to common Indian citizen.

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

TALE OF TWO EPICS

Ekadashi day. One more programme for Swabod satsang seva parivar. It was discourse by Brahmchari Vivek Chaitanya of Mulund center of Chinmaya Mission. The topic was a pert of Tuls Ramayan. How Sage Vasishta baptised four siblings of King Dasharatha. Today's topic of blog is inspired by comparison between Rama & Krishna.
We Indians believe in abundance. Most of the civilisations can not name a single epic to their credit. Some like Greek can name one for it's credit. We have two equally popular and ancient epics. Ramayana and Mahabharata. Both continue to attract masses and classes alike. Old Sanskrit theatre derives plots and texts from both in almost same measures. But then old Sanskrit Hero of drama was required to be noble. People like barbers, fishers had their parts but not as hero. That is contribution of modern literature. Every century can boast of an outstanding poet who has composed on either of these epic tales. No Indian language is devoid of literature derived from them. Thankfully both belong to Vaishnava cult or we would have wars like wars between followers of Shiva & followers of Vishnu. Their influence on Indian minds is nonparallel. Majority of Indian names find their origin in either of them. It would not possible to tell which one is more popular. Both tale story of a dynasty. More than half dozen of generations are described before embarking upon the heroes. The stories don't end with their ends. Following generations are equally important. Both tell tales of a fierce war and its after effects. Both attempt to include Vedic philosophy in story telling. The Ramayana is older of the two and puristic in nature. Mahabharata comes from later period is more humanistic in nature. Ideal king is Rama. The best King's rule is Ramraj. The ideal brother is Bharat. Mahbharata in contrast tales about currents, sub-currents within family, intricacies of relations etc. The author makes a tall claim that nothing exists in the world which is not found in Mahabharata. Such a big canvas. But then that is minimum qualification to be called as Epic.

This tale has possibly no end.

Arvind M khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

TENDULKAR ie RECORDKAR

Quite a few topics were crossing the mind for writing the blog today. By the evening all faded back after double century by Sachin Tendulkar. Your blogger is not a cricketer. Not even a fan of the game in true sense. Still the occasion demands salute. As many as four records created in a single inning as we are told. How many records created and/or broken in his illustrious career will continue to be subject of study for cricket lovers for ages. Nick name " Tendulakar ie. Recordkar" given to him is just apt. Lot and lot is being said about the record, the game, the person, the humility, the patriotism, the fans, the adulation, the pride and what not. Your blogger is not qualified to contribute to any of it. Still it is too proud moment in the history of the cricket, the sports and the nation to miss mention. They say people did not sleep on the night of 14 th August 1947 because history was being written. The sensation of belonging to historic moment brought the euphoria. The sensation today is similar. Proud to belong to history being made. Thousands of blogger like this one are going to write today on this topic. Still it by no means diminishes the joy of expression.
Ordinary common citizen of India will be indebted to you Sachin for providing joy. The Indians don't need much to rejoice in spite of poverty, illiteracy, and many other shackles. Thank you Sachin for bringing smile on our faces. May it remain for there forever.
Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

SANT TUKARAM

The big influence on your blogger came from Sant Tukaram from Dehu of Maharshtra. Many phrases and idioms were used assuming that they came from old wisdom of the language. It was much later revealed that they came from ABHANGA's composed by Tukaram. OVI and ABHANGA are two poetic forms predominantly coming from Marathi. They can be some what compared with two liners and four liners used in Hindi by stalwarts like Sant Tulsidas, Kabirdas etc. " Pran jai per vachan na jai ( PROMISE TO BE KEPT AT COST OF LIFE )" has become proverb by repeated use but its origin is to be found in RAM CHARIT MANAS. Similarly " GATH PADLI THAKA THAKA" ( TIT FOR TAT )has become proverb in Marathi but its origin is to found in an Abhanga by Sant Tukaram. A famous composition credits SHLOKA to pandit Waman, ABHANGA to Sant Tukaram, ARYA to Pandit Moropant and OVI to Sant Jnaneshwar. Note the difference between Pandits who use more defined meters (VRUTTA)and Sants who use rather flexible meters (CHHANDA). The influence of Sant composition is of course much large based because of this fact. Sant compositions are simple in language citing examples of the day to day life, enlightening people in their devotion and duties alike. In enlightenment they had attained realised state for themselves beyond any doubt. They effortlessly compose something very elaborately explained in SANSKRIT by stalwarts like Shankracharya. Knowledge with compassion made Saints stand apart from only Scholars. In Maharashtra Sant Tukaram always come paired with Sant Jnaneshwar. No Warkai (pilgrim of Pandharpur) undertake the trek without chanting " Jnanoba Mauli Tukaram ". Jnaneshwar came from 12th century and Tukaram from 16th century. The tradition of pilgrimage to Pandhrpur is from much earlier period. No one is sure about its begining. The time of Sant Eknath came between Sant Jnanewhwar and Sant Tukaram. He is credited to come out with purified version of Jnaneshwari. Yet the honour of following name of Guru of the Guru Jnaneshwar goes to Sant Tukaram. No honour in the world could be greater than this. The Crembridge and Oxford universities may boast of the centuries of degree education but Marathi saints have matched them in imparting life education through their compositions. Sant Tukaram had been a fascinating subject alike to scholars and simpletons from past and present. If England had societies devoted to Wordsworth, Marathi had societies devoted to Tukaram. Today the maximum web search is for Sant Tukaram amongst all Marathi Literary figures.

This is a subject that cannot be fitted in a day's entry of Blog. So this topic is also to be continued.

Arvind M Khare ( Arman )
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

AGE OF SHAYARI

Age and shayari
Paan and supari
best after dinner
never mind if sooner

Start to dare
under child care
grow up romantic
youthfull fantastic

Old with maturity
pointed to divinity
person or civilisation
age has no definition

peace or war
near or far
laugh or sigh
low or high

Shayari is a state
ready to dictate
words and phrase
right to the grave

Again to rise
so say the wise
wake up ARMAN there
birds sing from where

Arman / Arvind
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

LIFE OF DREAMS

Thay say the world is a dream, a projection of your Vrutti You recognize, learn and project because you have a blue print deeply embedded in your sanskaar. If you happen to see an object, the blue print is activated and brought to your senses and then you come to know what is object. The names of object may be different in different languages but the knowledge is same. The object does not have to be physical. It can be an idea or a thought also. If there is no blue print knowledge, identification etc. is not possible. What is real then ? the object or blue print ? Neither. They co-exist as long as they are under influence of ignorance or Avidya. Too subtle to comprehend ? Too boring to follow ? Forget it then.
Let us say world is dream and make beginning from there. Even for living through the dream called life meaningfully, one needs another dream. The pen name adopted by your blogger is also a dream. Dreams of hope that are wished to come true in future. ARMAN. Wish is in present tense and hopes in future tense. A wish without back up action is of course a dream in awake state. An action taken without hope or purpose again is like walking in a dream. Somnambulist. Then there are some act as if they are living in a dream. Refuse to accept reality, adversities and failures. Refuse to accept death of a near one and continue to believe that he or she is just gone into hiding. They too dream but in past tense. Thus we have a dream lived in all three type of times. Klatrayattetah.
We have come to full circle and endorsed that the life is dream beyond time and thereby eternal. Why not then be happy and dare to dream ? Date to dream is another name of dare to live.

WHAT IS IN THE NAME ?

Puchke gaya Shakespere naamme kya rakhha hain
Is sawaalpar kitnonne kitna kitna likhha hain
Ham mardonka mabaapka diya ekhi naam kayam hain
Apna naam, pitaka naam kulka kissa alaghi hain
Maa baap bhai bhabhi bachhonko lineme bithaya hain
Jaat paat biradari rishtewale pahchan jate hain
Tang aakar koi kisine kulka naamtak chhoda hain
Ya unkahi naam logone kulka banakar chhoda hain
Kya kare phirbhi duniya kulka naam naa bhulati hain
Bahne bechari kiska naam kidhar lekar jaati hain
Narika to naamse lekar har koi kaam dugna hain
Pitaka naam, paitka naam, kabhi dononka saath hain,
Ekka rakhha ekka mitaya tisrabhi to mumakin hain
Bubbly bunty, pyare dulare sonu monu ban jate hain
Diniyabhi to naam rakhaneme kahan pichhe rahati hain
Lula langda koi kana har kamti puri kardi jati hain

Naamhi to pahchan hain sabki kaam kuch ho na ho
Bina naam kisika kaam kamyab ho to kaisa ho

Arman / Arvind
khare_am@yahoo.com
khaream47@gmail.com
9820701210

FUN OF THE SEARCH

Today your blogger had a chnace to witness from close quarters something funny. Funny for your blogger but may not be so for some others. Beg pardon for that. The occasion was search carried out by income tax officials in a builder's office. Nothing ususual in that but your blogger had no such experience earlier. Expectation was for the tension and melodrama. Nothing of the sort happened. Even the department people appeared to be little ritualistic. People came blocked entry to the office, trapped the visitors (including me). Game of patience began. The builder arrived at his own free pace. Nobody seemed to mind as if it was every day routine afair. The rituals were so well orchestrated that it beagn with the Aarti of Saibaba carried out with fanfare ( you see thursday, day of baba). Fine lunch served and eventually the search began. Files opened, notes entered, people questioned. All at such a pace as if tommorow is not going to dawn. Your blogger decided to use the opportunity to write the long awaited article for SWABODHSAAR. A commentry on the 19th Abhang of Haripath by Sant Jnaeshwar. Usually it takes about 2 to 3 hours. Dificult part is to get continuous time for it. The search was a blessing in disguise in the sense that forced concentration ensured that. The mood started elevating as the article neared completion. Soon I declared my intention to leave since self undertaken task was complete. No problems with that. Only a statement department people wanted to record. They had some questions. I had some questions. I solicited some information which they eventually passed on. I had some academic talk to make. Surprisingly that too was well accepted by the department people. Soon I gathered impression that I was not recording a statement but rather attending a class of bright enthusiastic students. We had quite intersting session of wits. At the end I gave this bloglink to the lady officer in charge. I have told her of my intention to write about this experience and she is welcome to visit and comment.

Never knew search could also be a fun. Of course I wont ask them come again and again. It may give heart attack to the builder who happens to be my ANNADATA. I do not know what will be outcome of the search. But then that is another game in which both parties are too well knowledgible.

WEDNSEDAY WISDOM

Till the death do us apart
All of us are piece and part
Part of the total beyond count
With the birth we began to mount
On the shoulders of family n friends
Living and leaving by the trends
Happy here and sad there
Asking how, when and where
Expanding horizon and limiits stretchied
In the hope of total fetched
Birth to belong and inquiry for inquisition
Kicking, running and gasping for acquisition
Or loosing interest and becoming broke
Waiting for the final penalty stroke
Till the death did us apart
All of us were piece and part

PUNE TERROR

Bakery may be German but city is PUNE.
Terrorist attack on Pune is killing many birds with a single stone.
To begin with original Punaite is a community in itself.
Koregaonkars are aliens to original Punekars.
For them river bank is end of civilisation.
Beyond river is land of enemy camps of Nizam, Moghul, Britishes and now Rajanishwale with international community.
Time did not advance after Peshwa rule.
To their dismay Pune grew by leaps and bounds.
Nothing can be more flexible than boundary of Pune Municipal limit.
Fathers buy land on the outskirts and sons become Pune residents.
This tradition is going on for generations.
City of rulers, politicians, educationists, industrialists, administrators, societies, artists, sportsmen and of course paradise of retirees.
Too many dimensions but all more snobish than Parisians.
Attack here is attack on history and geography of art and culture at local, state, national or global level.
They did their job seriously, let us not do our part lightly.
( PUNE TETHE NAKO UNE ). Let nothing be amiss with Pune.

VALENTINE DAY

Ek valentinevadi nikla bhare bazaarme
Kahte kahte ek saal beeta tere intazarme
Ab aya valentine din abto hume kahane do
valentine prativadiyo aaj to hume milane do

Pyar humara rahata adhura agar aap na aate ladte
Na poster fadte, kanch todte, hungama na khada karte
Aisehi aap gumsum rahte to pink chaddi kisko bhejte
Aise pyarme maza kya jo shadike baad sublog karte

Aap hi to ho cupid, aapki badoulat to nikhara pyar
Nahi to valentine din banke rahata sirf ek bazaar
Rupaye paisonko tolmolkar pyarki boli lagti thi
Bina chingari, bina aag, pyarki jwala buzti thi

Kaise aapke ehsaan na mane, jodi apni amar hain
Is saal aapko dekha nahi aao aapka intazaar hain

ARvind MANohar Khare ( Arman )
arvindmkhare.blogspot.com
9820701210

EMPOWERMENT OF VILLAGE

The thought for today's blog came from special presentation of YUSUF MEHERALI CENTER in 9.30 Sahyadri News in Marathi. Occasion was golden jubillee of the center. Idea is not to present case of the center, which too well known by its own work, but to muse on the thought prsented by Mr. Madan Marathe on behalf of the center.

India is a nation of villeges in the eyes of Mahtama Gnadhi. Strong villeges will make strong India was the simple logic. The empowerment of villeges is backbone of the work of the center. It would be aprrpriate to evaluate what is the reality vis a vis the dream.

The number of villeges is going down after being included in Metropolitan areas by Government notification. Those on the periphery have almost lost their rural character.Many of the villegers are agitating to be excluded from the notification. Therefore it cannot be said urbanisation is welcome all over. The ugly face of urbanisation is another subject and not to be discussed here. Idea is to eaxamine the changing face of villeges. Empowerment of villeges is not their inclusion in cities but making them stronger where they are.

Today itself your blogger had opportunity to visit a fair on the occasion of Mahashivratri in villege MADH and interact with resedents . This villege is part of murbad Tahsil but located almost on the junction of three Tahsils of Thane Revenue district in Maharashtra State, namely Murbad, Klayan and Shahpur. Not located even on Major District Road. A villege of few hundred houses and less than 5000 population. Therefore can be taken as a representative case.

Let us examine the status of development here in last 60 years. It has asphalted road right upto the Ganga Gurjeshwar Mahadev temple which is located on the bank of KALU river. Some villagers from other bank of the river were accessing tample by fery boats. It was learnt that State has budgeted some funds for erection of cross over bridge and renovation of the temple. The main shrine of the temple is submerged in water due to erection of a dam on the river. The villege does not have a post office so let us not talk of other facilities. Farming, brick baking, diary are the only employment opportunities available. Most of the Menfolk go out for service since the farm income is not good enough to sustain family. Still the villege could manage the fair. Most of the houses were pucca built and painted for the occasion. The villagers were well dresseed with not very old fashioned clothes and speaking urbanised Marathi Language. The self confidence in the talk was evident and at times even overconfident. On negative side is absense of drainage system, means of regular transport etc.

What needs to be done ? At least Yusuf Meherali center is clear about it. !) Self sustained economy by development of cottage industry and finding market for the produce. 2) Easy connectivity with rest of the world. 3) Women empowerment by formation self help groups which in turn can take care of cottage industries and even marketing. 4) Effective awareness programmes and organising group pressure to protect interset of the Villages from internal and external threats.

Of this self help group of women is real parameter of develoment. Educated and committed womenfolk is going to be back bone of further growth. We hear stories of women ensuring licquorless villeges. Many more such stories are possible.

SELF STUDY GROUP OF HINDU PHILOSOPHY :SWABODH PARIVAR

Yesterday was Ekadashi day. This day is observed by a group devoting itself to either discourse or discussion or kirtan or bhajan etc. Through discourses and discussions we try to keep on the path of knowledge and through kirtan and bhajan we try to keep on he path of devotion.

The name of the group is SWABODH SATSANG SEVA PARIVAR, THANE.
The object are 1) self enlightenment through study of scriptures, 2)Music for purification of mind, 3) charity and service for the needy And 4) group for community betterment. It was founded in December 2007 on auspicious day of GEETA JAYANTI which falls on a Ekadashi. We have conducted 53 programmes so far on every Ekadashi.We have membership of 60 plus. We are about to create web site devoted for the group. Your blogger will anounce launching of the web site and strongly appeal you to visit it.

We have started a bi-monthly publication for private circulation amongst our members and sympathisers named as "SWABODHSAAR" . The first issue was launched at the begining of Shalivahan Shaka 1931. The last issue was the sixth one published a fortnoight ago. The next issue will mark second year of its publication. Your blogger edits and contributes by way of Articles. He is right now presenting two serial articles. One is devoted to HARIPATH a composition of 27 Abhanga of Sant Jnaneshwar and other is commentry on a prakaran granth by Adi Shankaracharya " ATMA-BODH " in poetry of OVI form.

Our last programme of yesterday was discourse by Shri Vishwas Sardeshpande on " SOHAM-TATWA = ATMA-TATVA " Union of individual soul with soul of totality. The learned speaker dealt with subject quoting liberally from every day life incidences and scritpures.

Our next programme is free eye check up camp on Mahshivratri ( 12th Feb). It is planned as part of fair being organised at Village MADH which is about 60 KM from Mumbai between Khadavali and Titwala stations on central railway near Kalyan junction. The villege has an ancient Shankar Mandir called as GANGA-GURJESHWAR MAHADEV MANDIR. Over 10,000 villagrers are expected to assemble. We thought this as excellent opportunity for service combined with devotion.

Please feel free to ask for more on the ID or cell given below.

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

SHELTER

Food, clothing & shelter are three basic human needs. Looked after individually and as community since the time of paleolithic man. Today attempt is to explore evolution of shelter through times.

Earliest example of shelter is of course caves. First nature made and then man made. In the mountains for security reason. Started at dawn of civilisation and continued. therefore not as primitive as one may think. Very elaborate also. The education, worship users also added. Ajanta & Ellora are classic examples. Apart from them are rare wall painted caves of primitive man.

Tools and weapons brought safety. Plains were prefered over mountains. No more aggregarian society but cultivating one. When families started being defined over commne living. But still people were able to construct houses as they wanted.

With heirarchy came need of different kind of houses. Simple technolgies gave way to complex technologies. Elaborate asthetics required visualisation and a tribe called Architect came into being. Maya demon is earliest known Arhitect. He produced a house which brought in war. Had Duryodhana not falled inpond, Draupadi would not have laughed at him. No insult no war. Exampleof how a good house can also bring ill luck.

to be continued.

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

ERROR

Sorry for not being able to post for 2 days. Technical problem not sorted yet. Will come back as soon as possible
Arvind M Khare

LIONS CLUB AND YOUR BLOGGER

Your blogger is a Lion. Long association of over 25 years. Had served as the highest level grass root Lion and lowest level officer of the association. Read as Past District Governor. That was good 12 years back. He is not gone into oblivion. Still gets invited, all though for only decorative purpose, on Lions platform. One such occasion happened today. There is strong urge to tell about it.

The function was an activity jointly organized by 2 clubs. Bhivandi & Shahpur. Both from the rural part of Lions district 323-A-2.Activity was the care for high risk pregnancy in tribal women.

The geographical area is predominantly tribal. The population is thin and spare. Tribal people traditionally live in small hamlets away from civilisation. At difficult or inaccessible locations. Medical and educational facilities are almost non-existent. Hygiene leaves much to be desired. Pregnancy occurs at comparative young age. Each factor individually is capable of pushing pregnant women into high risk category. What must be effect of all these factors together is not difficult to imagine. This the need of activity is established beyond any doubt.

The activity took place at Shahpur Gramin Rugnalya. ( Shahpur rural hospital ). Location is vital. Not far way from hamlets and right on national highway. Easy for all, tribals, lions and doctors. One must record here the role of rural health programme being implemented by the state. In spite of deep rooted cynicism amongst urban high brow citizenship , the programme has delivered good results.

The activity was well participated by local Lions ( some of them gynacs ), well supported by the staff and officers of the hospital and well responded by the patients. Your blogger does not wish to make this blog as typical Lionistic communication of I praise you, you praise me. Compliments to all concerned for a need based, off the track project.

Few things in defence of LIONISM. It may not be force of committed workers. Service here comes after family and profession. No problem if criticism comes from devoted and dedicated persons who give their life to a social cause. But that is usually not the case. Such people rarely criticize. Those who criticize do not even give lip service and therefore have no moral authority to condemn. TUKA MHANE FAAR, THODA TARI PAR UPKAAR says great Marathi saint Tukaram. Small sacrifice is better than no sacrifice. There lies the strength and limit of LIONISM. Still proud to be one.

Arvind M Khare
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

PRO-ACTIVE PROGRAMME

Very interesting project is reported in Marathi Daily LOKSATTA today. Many progressive states can learn from a small project carried out by state of Himachal Pradesh.
We know plastic as enemy of environment. We have heard of BAN on the use of plastic. We also know that plastic bags have not stopped being used in spite of laws and many awareness programmes. The programmes designed by Himachal Pradesh state is unique in the sense that it has made use of the habit in a pro-active way. The plastic was collected and recycled by mixing with road surfacing material. First it was done on experimental basis and then on large scale (138 Km) . Too many things were achieved by the programme.
1) The creation of labour oriented small entrepreneur ship by collecting used and thrown plastic. generating small income for poor scavengers. ( 138 MT)
2) The threat to environment is diminished.
3) The quality of the road making improved and cost saved between 35000 to 40000 per Km.
4) Participation of NGO's in a constructive programme.
The programme is fit for large scale repetition in not only Himachal Pradesh but all states though out the nation. Center is carrying out ambitious road building programme where it can be implimented on larger scale. Chief Minister Dhumal and Himachal pradesh state deserve big complimnets.

PRINCE GANDHI

Latest Gandhi visited Mumbai today like a crown prince.
If he knows his inheritance , long inning is in waiting.
If he looks and walks like his forefathers, long inning is in the waiting.
If he imitates them to pull croud, long inning is in the waiting.
If he mixes with croud, long inning is in waiting.
If he excels in pulling stunts, long inning is in the waiting,
If he is doing best of his apprenticeship,long inning is in the waiting.
If he has no hurry to become king, long inning is in the waiting.
He knows that nobody will and can do anything to stop from becoming king.
That king would be called Prime Minister is different matter.
That his lords will continue to be his elected sychophants is different matter.
And same lords will become corrupt regional dectators is different matter.
They in turn will propagate nepotism is different matter.
Different is Indian democracy because different are Indian citizens.
Long live crown prince so we can continue with our slumber.
Good sleep and sweat dreams. They don't cost anything and definitely no effort.
Oh poorest of the poor welcome and avail of this inheritance
It has come from generations of forefathers.

NET FOR NOBEL

That the net has revolutionised world has to be accepted without contest. What is surprising is it's being nominated for 2010 Nobel peace prize.
Who will receive it ?
Its not a person, its not an institution. It is a system which has been established over years by continueous invention and improvisation. No doubt as important as invention of fire for cooking by prehistoric man or wheel for transport. It definitely has changed perspective of the world by redifining transfer of knowledge and vast reach of personal touch. In fact it has created an illusionary world of its own.
But credit for peace ? Where is direct connection between the NET and PEACE? The system dos not even appeal for peace. It cares only about laws and punishments rather than moralities and ethics. Quite on the contrary it has been abused by criminal minds. Entire new branch of Net Crime investigation is gift of net. Net has as little to do with peace as Mr. Nobel himself. It was obituory printed in hurry before his death that transformed Mr. Nobel. Who is writing obituory for NET ? Who is even predicting death for NET ? No one. Perahps indirectly it's contributing by making world a global villege. Better fraternity may lead to demolition of national, racial, cultural barriers. But its like bethroning an infant. That too an infant which is showing its angelic and devilish tendancies alike. Not very convincing to say the least.
ARVIND M. KHARE
khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210

POLITICS OF MARTYRDOM

Lot of debate is going on as to which martyr/s saved Mumbai under terrorist attack on 26/11.
It is not enough that one has sacrificed life while on duty and saved many, his native place must also be favourable to quailfy for martyrdom. That is necessary to claim some kind of right and title to live in a particular city. Rahul Gandhi thinks they were Bihari ( because he was speaking from Bihar ). Therefore all North Indians in general and Biharis in particular are saviours of the city and must get right to live by this virtue. If Rahul Gandhi forgets Unnikrishnan and some others, Uddhav Thakre is quick enough to point out not Unnikrishnan but Martyr Tukaram Ombale to him. Forgetting Tukaram is insult to all Marathi people according to him. No mention of Unnikrishnan by him. How absurd and shameless politicians can become. Even Martyrdom has become a tool in the hands of politicians. That neither Rahul Gandhi nor Uddhav Thakre had nothing to do with and were no where near the scene of fight has no bearing. Too many politicians and of course so called intellectuals in equal numbers continue to give sermons from the midst of their respective caucuses after the fight is over. I am sure none of the martyrs were thinking of their respective state while laying down the lives. It was call of duty answered with fearless gallantry. But then that has been always the case. Those who speak do not fight and those who fight do not speak. Speech can make the war and fight can end the war. Therefore real leaders are not those who speak but those who act. If the the nation is safe it is due to these real leaders rather than Doon school like products. Politicians and intellectuals have hopelessly spoiled the spirit of Martyrdom.
It is also necessary to examine what qualifies to be Martyr. Martyr is defined as one who sacrifices his life for a cause and refuses conpromise to gain lease of life. By this definition not even Mahatma Gandhi will not qualify to be called as martyr. If Indira Gandhi is killed on her way to office she becomes martyr then why not hundreds of Mumbaikar who lost their life in Train Bomb Blasts ? Karkare, Kamte get higher awards than Ombale by the state owing to their higher posts. What is qualitative difference ? Is not equally insulting to Ombale than Rahul Gandhi forgetting him ? A murder or sabotage does not make martyr. It is living for a cause till the end that makes martyr. Common Indian knows the difference between one who lives for a cause and who speaks for political and personal gains. The hope is alive in that discerning wisdom of common man.

SURROGACY

Very interesting story is carried by Times of India today. It tells how a baby was delivered to a couple of Americn husband, russian origin American Mother via surrogate Indian Mother. It tells about an agency "Surrogacyindia" helped the couple to find a CHEAP Indian Surrogate mother, How Indian laws and economics , ethics, are favourable for surrogacy and how adequate medical infrastructure is available to carry out surrogacy delivery. More interesting is how the Embryo took almost thee years to be BORN going through freezing, travelling through continents and overcoming ever adament beurocracy.
What a large canvass sread !
It has large motley of continental geography, synthesis of nationalities, economical compulasions of poverty, laws with famous loop holes, advanced medical science, endless debate of ethics and what not! It calls for both complimets and criticism. Frustration for being used as nation of poor and elation for break through scientific advancement. I am sure lot of debate is taking and going to take place.
But another thought is crossing my mind which is the purpose of this blog. REVERSE SURROGACY is taking place for quite some time involving brains. Ancient Indian Art, Culture has treasure of rich heritage. The embryoes are from Indian brains, deep frozen for centuries, cross the conitents to be brought back to life. It takes surrogate mothers like Maxmullar to deliver our own babies to us. Surrogacy is to be viewed as necessary evil after all natural options are exhausted. Can we say we have exhauted natural options ? What has happened to our own GURUKUL method to pass on arts like dance, music, trade skills in craftsmanship, medical knowledge of AYURVEDA and so on to next generation ? Probably killed by surrogate mothers like Lord Mecaule who cheated and delivered to us a British baby. We had our share of intellectuals calling the English & British as mother of all knowledge. We were swayed by the rulers and their culture. It took European intllectual surrogate mothers to deliver our culture back to our next generation Let us live aside feeble voices of few individuals fighting hopeless non political fight against rulers. Do we really want to depend on this surrogacy of thoughts and ideas ? We need not. After all pains of delivery makes motherhood all the more treaured. Let us carry and deliver our own babies.
Arvind M Khare
Cell No. 98207 01210

kh

are_am@yahoo.com

MODERN SWANYAWAR

A famous channel has anounced modern swanywar of rather an infamous person. The fellow is neither eligible nor bachelor. Earlier a provocatiove dancer also had her swanyawar in full puiblc gaze. That she was in public glaze for many other not so noble reasons is another matter. Nothing wrong in these people aspiring for first, second or hundredth marriage. It is definately a personal matter. What is difficult to understand is public interest channel is banking on. In old days Prince/s would marry in swanyawar style. No matter if the prince has no teeth left in his mouth. After all prince is prince. Royal superior blood and superior human rights were all part of the game. Poor subject would flock the court to take a look and cheer the Regality and hope for food. " MISTANAM ITARE JANA " Some times royal blood would also flow through bodies of the offsprings of their cucumbines. One wonders if such blood is flowing through the bodies of modern princes and princesses now offering themselves for modern swanyawar/s. Same arrogance and of shame go to prove it. Present generation glued to the TV is no more liberated than the poor subject flocking to witness regal marriage. The channel will sure have its share of TRP and income through advertisements. The viewers will have some cheap entertainment. The participants will have their share of lime light. If everybody is happy them who are we to complain and cry for something people do not want. Democrasy is after all off the people, by the people and for the people. We not only get the government that we deserve but TV channels also that we deserve. Glory to them both and glory to us !