DELHI-6

Delhi-6

I watched the movie named delhi-6. The theme of this movie as its subtitle indicates i.e. the journey within justifies it very well. Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor represent the modern changing perspective of India whereas others including Wahida Rahman, Prem Chopra and Rishi Kapoor represent old India. Rakeysh Omprakash Mahera has successfully balanced the contents of the movie. It is not surprising that it is the journey of Abhishek Bachchan whom I consider a new world man in this movie. It is due to the fact that only a new generation can bring the revolutions and can challenge the old blind beliefs. I myself am at the ambivalent situation. I have no guts to revolutionize myself or other people. The story is somewhat to the core of my heart. The movie addressed the changes in women, children, religions, media and the country. Love that is available everywhere but cannot............ YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT TO SAY.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

The maxim, ‘United we stand, Divided we fall’ contains pearls of truth. Human beings are social animals. They live in associations. This association may be as small as a family or as big as a nation. No individuals make achievements without co-operating with other members of their association. Actually, one cannot live isolated from one’s society. Due to this fact, we show unity and group altogether. It will be no exaggeration to say that the basic condition for survival is unity among us. It represents our state of co-existence.

We know the fable of the old man and his four sons. The moral of the story is very enlightening. The old man in the story brought the truth of the dictum by placing a bundle of sticks before his sons. He asked them to break the bundle but the sons failed to break it. But they broke each stick quite easily, when it was separated. His message was “Union is strength”. The bundle symbolizes unity. Thus, the old man taught them to be united. ‘If they lived together united, they would be strong. If they quarrelled among themselves, they would be weak.’ And then, peace and happiness returned to the family, bringing it prosperity and respect of all the neighbours. In fact, real strength lies in unity and earnest endeavours.

If we cast a cursory glance on our activities, we will observe that unity is needed in every walk of life. A family consists of two or more than two members must be in unity. Otherwise, it will be unable to find its qualitative as well as quantitative identity. A house divided against it, will disintegrate soon and will lose the splendour of a blissful life. Similarly, to be strong in a football or a hockey team, one must learn team-spirit. If each member plays his/her own game, he/she will lose the match. It is true for all situations.

Rabindranath Tagore conveys the importance of the unity in one of his national poems published in the Gitanjali. He writes, ‘Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls........into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake’. The poet prays to God to awake the country or his country men from the sleep of slavery. Tagore desires that in the ideal world his country should have citizens who are united. Narrow domestic walls means the division of the country according to religion, province and castes. They are the curse of the society because they create provincialism, casteism and communalism. People should be bound together by love and mutual understanding.

Actually, a nation raven by narrow domestic walls provokes troubles from foreigners. History bears testimony to the fact how foreign aggressors benefited from the disunity of India. When British came to India they understood that people were not united. So their task become very easy and they established their supremacy in India. They understand that if citizens would stand united, their position in India will not be secure. So they adopted a ‘divide and rule’ policy. It was that disunity that enabled The English to rule over our country for over two hundred years. It also resulted in political disunity of India and caused partition of the subcontinent into two states- India and Pakistan. There was no united front to check the diabolical and malevolence plans of alien authorities. But, once Indians were united, both the foreign oppressive activities and foreigners were thrown off. Only unity has led our country into the paradise of sovereignty.

What was behind the success of Napoleon as a conqueror? He knew the potential of unity. He, therefore, divided the friendly countries at first. Then, he attacked them one by one. All these are the evidences to prove the fact that strength and progress stem from the united effort, united self-control and united thoughts.

If truth be told, it is the principle of ‘Union is strength’ that is the foundation of society and nationhood. How did a nation evolve? Let us try to find out the answer in order to understand the importance of unity in life. When human beings originated on the earth, they were not organised. In course of time, they felt the need of co-operation of other human beings. At first they organised themselves into a family. They lived in their own separate families in ancient times. And the peace and happiness plus strength of each family depended on the unity among the members of the families. This required the members to stand by one another, even though this might require the sacrifice of some of their personal interests. But as the interests of these separate families often clashed, there were regular fights among them. It motivated several families to form a small group or tribe for attaining their common goals. But this was not enough. These groups or tribes were often at war with one another, or, they were comparatively too small to protect themselves separately against more powerful groups or tribes. So, several groups or tribes united themselves into a nation for greater security. This is the history of the escalation of nations. The evolution of nation is itself the evidence of the importance of unity in survival of an individual and a nation. One should remember that it was not the end of the process of evolution of the nation. A weak nation, however, remains an easy prey to stronger one. So, nations have begun to come together themselves into blocks for still greater security. The bilateral relationships among nations and the concept of globalisation support the need of unity. The whole world becomes a family due to the dependency. Disunity is always the other name of Achilles' heel whether it is in a family, an association or a nation itself. A united nation, a united family, a united team is strong. Hence, it is the wise saying-‘United we stand, divided we fall’.

It seems we have not learnt the lesson yet. We still quarrel among ourselves on questions of local or regional interest. Unless we give up these petty quarrels and unite with one another, the sad history of the past may be repeated. Each one of us is to endeavour sincerely to restore the unity and integrity of the country. The government, administration, judiciary, police and citizens all have to play their respective roles in removing the evil elements of disunity among us. Mass media and education institutions must propagate the ideals of tolerance, patriotism and beauty of our unified culture. When we unite, we stand firmly in every catastrophe.

Unfortunately, we do not always apply this lesson to our personal lives. We often quarrel with our relatives, which enables our enemies to ruin us all easily. As a nation too Indians have always suffered from want of unity among them. There was no dearth of great heroes at any time in this country; but they either quarrelled among themselves or remained aloof in one another’s difficulty. This is why the country could be easily conquered by one invader after another.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

What is the difference between humans and other living beings? Undoubtedly, it is knowledge that makes differences. The humans have the faculty to conquer nature but the animals cannot do so. The humans have not the wings for flying though they can fly in the sky. And what is the power behind it? The answer will be the power of knowledge. It is the power of the knowledge that fulfils the desire of humans to fly in the sky like a bird. Hence they constructed the aeroplanes. It is knowledge that evolves humans as the civilized and developed forms. Today they have numerous powers. All these have come through knowledge. Knowledge is the basic components for acquiring both the innate and learned powers. They at first become the expert in using their parts of the body. Later on they discovered fire which revolutionizes the human society. The knowledge of fire removes the fear of wild animals and darkness. Then knowledge after knowledge is piled up and they go on being more and more powerful. Knowledge of nuclear science is one such knowledge that has made the nations powerful in the eyes of other nations. It is thus axiomatic that knowledge is power. We feel that knowledge is power. That is why we are the master of all creatures in the world. We are not as mighty as the lion. But through the knowledge we are the master of the mightiest animals. Deep seas and high mountains, long deserts and marshy land create no problem for him. They discovered and invent a lot of things. We use and disuse them, too. We have given the world such things that make the world heaven. At the same time, things like atom bomb and neutron bombs can finish the world. All these inventions and discoveries are the results of knowledge. One who commands knowledge get respect everywhere? Nothing is more powerful than knowledge.

WORK IS WORSHIP

WORK IS WORSHIP

Work stands for duty. The work is of prime importance. Everyone is involved in some sorts of work. The successive and gradual evolution of human beings from uncivilized form to a civilized form is undoubtedly the product of their assiduous work. We are the man of wisdom because we can work for our progress. Its importance is beyond comparison and, therefore, all religion faiths of the world give work great worth. Without a ray of doubt, it is very important for the fulfillment of life. It is a symbol of sincerity, devotion, commitment, dedication and concentration. The blessings of the work are countless.

Worship stands for a religious activity which has an ingredient of devotion or commitment. It is a means of self-purification. It makes us noble and pious. It gives us internal peace and happiness. It also develops endurance. It makes us to form such good habits as carefulness, punctuality, reliability. It teaches us that God is to be realized not by renouncing the world but by being a part of it. After all, this is God’s world and all work that goes on here are blessed. It develops the sense of promoting ourselves along with other human beings.

Lord Krishana preaches in the Gita the importance of work in human life. He says to Arjuna, “If I ever cease to work, these worlds would perish; nay, I should prove to be the cause of confusion, and of the destruction of these people.” He further adds by saying, “Arjuna, there is no duty in all the three worlds for Me to perform, nor is there anything worth attaining by Me; yet I continue to work. Should I not engage in action, scrupulously at any time, great harm will come to the world; for, Arjuna, men follow My way in all matters.”

Both the work and the worship are two facets of the same quality. Both are equivalents in terms of importance. The world must not only go on as it is but, it should get better and better. This is possible only when ordinary work is shown to have religious significance. This is why the greatest of saints have been great doers of good to people. Some have gone so far to say that God can be realized only through good work done for the poor and the helpless. In this way work has been given the holiness of worship. It has a universal acceptance.

Honest work has the same purifying effects as prayers and meditation. In the hermitages of ancient rishis, the disciples were made to work to the best of their capacity. Work was the main part of their religious training. These views have continued all through the ages. Even today we say that work is worship.

Life without work is nothing. Life becomes sapless in absence of work. Whether work gives happiness or not is a debatable question. Much work is tiring and excess of work is always painful. There are in work all grades, from mere relief to tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker. In most work, success is measured by income and while our capitalistic society continues, this is inevitable.

Work gives relief from boredom. Sometimes work is not interesting but still it is advantageous and better than idleness. Work fills the day with purposeful labour. Most people cannot decide what to do, how to do and when to do things. Most of the idle rich suffer boredom. At times they may find relief in doing sensational things like hunting in Africa or flying round the world. Some of the intelligent rich work hard like the poor. Work undoubtedly makes holidays and leisure more enjoyable. On the other hand, paid work gives chances of success and wealth. Work builds up reputation and continuity of purpose in life. Work, therefore, is desirable.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that it is the firm and constant work that revolutionizes the modern world. It is the work that makes us the master of Nature. Worship is offered to the realization of God. Similarly, work is performed to the achievement of the goals. One who works hard with a strong resolution and an unshaken will attain success and one’s expectations. One must put forth oneself if one yearns for shaping out one’s destiny. One who is aloof from any kind of work has nothing but suffering and plights. Work is prerequisite for everything in this world.

Work is either good or bad. All work is not worship. Work which is valuable, constructive and nourishing for society is worship. The work becomes worship only when it leads us to the well being of all organisms and also dispels darkness of life.

WHY I LIKE GAME

Why I Like Games

Games are an essential part of our life and activity. They are indispensable for our physical and mental health. They are not only an inseparable part of human existence but also form the core of education. They have recreational value, too. They have always a humanising and civilizing effect on society. They infuse in us the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, obedience, honesty, discipline, tolerance and team-spirit. Games like football, hockey, cricket etc teach us the team-spirits and leadership also. They are one of the best kinds of physical exercises. They make us able to earn name, fame and jobs.

The civilized world has always been giving a sense of decorum and appreciation to the games since time innumerable. Even in the ancient Greece, Olympic Games were held where athletes showed their skills and accomplishments before the crowded onlookers. India had also a solemn tradition of giving recognition and respect to athletes, wrestlers and archers. In the modern competitive age, the government has well recognised the value of games. That is why these are gaining more prominence in our educational institutions and elsewhere. We organise friendly matches, indoor and outdoor competitions.

It is a fact now that a diseased body cannot have a healthy mind. Games are very useful from the point of view of health. They take us into the company of nature where we can breathe fresh and pure air. They refresh us and enable us to regain our lost energy. They improve digestion and breathing which make us more dynamic, energetic and healthy. They make our muscles strong. They keep our body smart. They enhance our physical growth and help in developing our all round maturity. We become able to take quick decisions. We get definitely a sharp mind.

We, the young, are full of energy, all of which cannot be used in our studies. Games provide us an outlet for that surplus energy. If no healthy outlet is provide for it, it expresses itself in the form of mischief, hooliganism and other undesirable activities. They build up in us cerebral awareness. They provide freshness to the mind after the day’s hectic work. Only then we can work harder and with greater interest in the night.

Every game has its own rules and regulations and all have to obey them which make the players well disciplined. Games teach us many good qualities. The players learn how to work under their captains and follow their pieces of advice. This sense of discipline helps in the players to bring regularity, punctuality and obedience. Side by side all religious, communal, sectional and national prejudices are shed away while playing games. They provide us a good training for playing the game of life in a sportsman’s way. We learn to face challenges. Games teach us to take victories and defeats with objectivity. As we learn while we play, they are also a source of education.

There are certain other advantages of games as well. It is therefore clear that games have a great value in life. They are useful and advantageous in many respects. That is why I like games. Let us promote them and win honour, reorganization and glory at national and international meets.

A CRICKET MATCH

A Cricket Match

Cricket is an internationally recognised game. It has both the values of entertainment and knowledge. It fills one with much enthusiasm whether one plays it or one watches it. Even to hear it on radios is attention-grabbing. All people love it. Man and women, boys and girls, the old and the young equally appreciate it. Its expansion is beyond the political boundaries and several human cultures.

Cricket is thought to be an imperative mechanism for the establishment of world peace. What happens during the National and International Cricket matches? Teams along with people from the far corners of the world visit countries where the matches are played and they often come with large additional delegations, assistants and cricket admirers. Such exchange of visits brings the nations closer and together. All these result in the peace among people and the nations.

I remembered the cricket match that was played between our school team and the District School team. It was played in our school playground. The play started with a toss. Our team won the toss and chose batting. Two of our batsmen stood in front of each of the wicket to defend them. The opposite party started bowling and fielding. The match was very slow in the beginning but after an hour it gained momentum. Our batsman did superb and scored four hundred runs. The opposite team then started playing. They did fine but our fielders stopped the ball and thwarted the opposite batsmen from making more runs. They could keep score only three hundreds and sixty runs. Our team won the game. We were in high spirits after the match was ended. It was an accomplishment at individual level. But, a cricket match is not meant only for an individual achievement. It has its universal appeal and also has a great scope of its own kind.

The cricket match always creates unprecedented fervour in the world. It is gazed at by millions of cricket enthusiasts all over the world as it is broadcast and telecast live over the radio and television networks of the world, respectively. The coming of people together from the different parts of the world during a cricket match make the people familiar with the culture and the way of life of different countries. This promotes understanding, fellow feelings and better understanding, on one hand and on the other hand, this knowledge results in more harmonious relations among the nations as well as people of the world. It is increasingly realised that human nature is basically the same, and national and regional differences are merely superficial.

Lack of knowledge and ignorance is the root cause of friction and quarrel, while knowledge and familiarity lead to peace, friendship and harmony. This is true both of relations on the individual plane and on the international plane. Cricket, doubtlessly, is important force for the world peace. This is more so the case in more recent times, when matches are broadcast live on the world television networks. The same scenes and sights, the same thrills and sensations are watched and shared by the people all the world over. This fosters both the emotional unity and psychological unity. It causes people of the world to come closer and together. Such feeling of closeness is an essential requisite for the world peace. The cricket match is beneficial in several ways. It must be encouraged and promoted in every possible way.

AN IDEAL TEACHER

An Ideal Teacher

A teacher is the person who teaches students. But, it is not an easy task to teach someone. To teach is to change someone. Actually, education is about human development. It is for the development of culture and knowledge, as well. Teaching is a job based on commitments between teachers and students. It is never a business or a market. It is, therefore, not wrong to say that every teacher is not a teacher in the true sense. For a teacher to become an ideal, it is compulsory to acquire some fundamental intrinsic values. Only those qualities can make the teachers to lead the future of their students. The teacher must possess a dynamic personality for the same purpose. A dynamic personality stands for the established set of internal characteristics and tendencies that determines the psychological behaviour of people. It includes qualities like honesty, sincerity and punctuality and an ability to lead as well as to make complex study materials a simple thing. Besides, a teacher must have the power of effective communication and display extreme simplicity. An ideal teacher has everlasting impression on the psyches of his students and dedicates his/her whole life to the cause of education. If an ideal teacher is found, students can surrender their life for their teachers. Otherwise, Students do not like a mediocre teacher. It was the ideal teachers who produced the great personality of the world in the form of Vivekananda, Arjuna and others. An ideal teacher is always like a beacon light before the students.

Mahatma Gandhi once told that the true teacher regards himself as a student of his students. Is it not difficult for an ordinary teacher? An ideal teacher knows that the whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards. s/he explains the importance of experience as it is the best teacher and is more lasting. It is accurate, complete and permanent. It is the first hand knowledge which teaches the art of living. In short, an ideal teacher should have to possess a number of qualities. He/she should be well qualified and good natured. The ideal teacher must have the depth of knowledge. S/he must take all pains to make the students understand and grasp the difficult chapters of the subject. S/he should come to the class always on time and well-prepared. S/He must teach students very sincerely. S/He makes the classroom teaching very motivating. S/He should try to answer very gently and patiently to the queries of students. S/He should be a hard task master. S/He should take care of the backbenchers. S/He is a strict disciplinarian. S/He must maintain faultless control in the class.

An ideal teacher has a play-way approach of the teaching. His or her teaching is generally based on the scientific methods. S/He always writes clearly on the blackboards the main points of the lesson so that students can find it much easier in keeping notes at home. S/He takes care of each student. S/He recognizes all students by names and by face. S/He should be a kind-hearted and affectionate person. S/He has a smiling face. S/He loves students like his/her own sons or daughters and guides them properly.

When students go to the ideal teacher and seek his/her help and guidance, s/he treats them gently. S/He helps them in time of need. s/He is a social worker also. The vastness of teacher’s knowledge and qualities of character intensely impressed students. s/He is busy in the pursuit of knowledge. s/He never allows students to be idle or undisciplined. Students draw inspiration from the ideal teacher. Hence, they have all regards and respects for him/her.

Brain Drain

The brain drain is the problem of almost all the developing nations. As far as India is concerned, there is no dearth of brains in the country. India has a very large and sound infrastructure of science, technology and industry. However, the uninterrupted brain-drain from India of experts, technocrats, scientists, engineers and doctors to the advanced nations of Europe and America has become a cause of concern. It seems that our IITs and IIMs have just become nurseries for the Silicon valleys in the USA, Canada and Europe. This has neutralized the great advancement which India deserves. India has made significant progress in the field of science and technology to a large extent. It is really a very apologetic state of affairs that India and its people cannot harvest the fruit of their understanding and skills. Many of them desert their mother country for green meadows outside. It is not in the favor of our country.

There are many causes of the brain drain. Similarly, there are many side effects of this problem. This dilemma is an outcome of development in both population increase and the technology especially information technology. The biggest cause of brain-drain is the monetary consideration. Scientists, engineers and doctors are tempted by the hefty salaries and perks in America and Europe. The increasing population has been facing the problems of unemployment, poverty, deficiency of opportunities and lack of basic things. All these form a bitter experience. One who manages to such situations improves oneself and tends to fulfill what one dreams of. It is natural. We all are made of emotions and dreams or desires. It is not a kind of philosophy but a true and natural nature of all human beings. In addition to the said reason, many other reasons also increase the process of brain drain. Lack of facilities, especially, of good laboratories, equipments, training and competitive atmosphere also compel one to go overseas. It is not true that India is devoid of such facilities. Actually, those facilities do not cover entire population. That is why the brain drain seems a safe and advantageous way. Lack of promotion, stagnation, corruption, nepotism and red-tapism are some other irritants. Perhaps all brains have felt them at the core of the heart. It is important to pay attention here on the role of our politics in this direction. No one deny this fact that Indian political environment has also contributed in the brain drain. The administrators, the rich and the political leaders exploit the resources of our country and what they do in return. Simply, they are eager to send their off springs to the abroad for studies and jobs. It seems that they do not care its results. They should be careful about the brain drain as they are the keys to success in India.

Who does not know the potential of Indian education? It is India where there were many prominent universities like Nalanda, Takshashila and Vikramsila. All these universities were great center for knowledge. These universities taught every subject including the study of art, literature, philosophy, religion and science. A number of students from the several parts of the world were come there to learn. Those universities were the symbol of the most glorious period of our history. It was not only due to the thirst for knowledge blossom here into the finest shape but was also due to the fact that it bound together the various parts of the Asia with links of knowledge, at that time. The history of Nalanda, for example, dates back to the age of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Scholars from such distant countries as China, Korea, Tibet, Turkistan and Magnolia came to Nalanda to study and collect Buddhism literatures. The academic attitude was freely kept exposed itself to the religion and philosophy of all mankind without any whatsoever. However, the entrance examination for those universities was too difficult for ordinary students. These things from our history signify the importance of Indian knowledge and her cultures. Now, the whole scenario is changed. The Indian students and the Indian brains are migrating to the foreign countries. The Indian students acquire education in higher and reputed institutions in India, and go to the other countries for earning wealth. It is depressing; our students cannot serve our country doing so.

The problems of the brain drain are perilous and infectious. The developed nations are utilizing our talents for their own benefits. Indian brains are utilized by the foreign countries at any cost. The countries that are benefited from those talented brains know their values. It is, therefore, the migration laws are made in such a way which promotes migration and brain drain. The motiffis behind it is clear. They want to be winners in the race of development, progress and making wealth. Their dreams will complete when they will use the best brains of the world.

According to a survey, about 10,000 talented students migrate to serve other countries from India. It is a large number and an alarming symbol for India. About 25% of all the students of the reputed institutions like IITs and IIMs go abroad. The students from medicine, engineering and computer sectors tend to migrate in a large number.

It is the age of globalization. The migration is not damaging. Indian students should go to acquire knowledge to the foreign countries, but they must serve their own country first. They should not stay there. They should not influenced by wealth and comforts of other countries. It is their prime duty to serve their own country first.

Everyone has freedom to make its future bright and full of achievements. But one cannot forget and ignore one’s own country. The pomp and show catches the attention of us. It is not a good sign after all. If we do not feel proud of our country, our culture, our languages, and our customs and traditions how will then we pay our dues to the country where we have grown up? This attitude of love and duty must be rooted to the heart and mind of Indian students by the members of their family and educational institutions.

The major changes are required in the present education system. It should be our aim to revitalize the educational system of the past age. Cultural revival can come about in the life of the nation only when a large number of determined scholars of every field devote a life time to search after truth.

One more Indian name has been added to the pantheon of noble prize winners this year when the name of fifty seven year old Venkatraman Ram Krishnan was announced for the Noble prize in Chemistry. He himself graduated in India. His message for Indian students is very motivating. He told the Indian students that they should avoid their feelings of backwardness because they have the strong and wider platform for development and progress in India.

We can also gain several benefits from our brains, but we have to do several things for achieving them. First of all, the brilliant students should be provided required financial support and other basic amenities. Besides this, the development of human resources is preferred to other things. The feeling of patriotism should be stimulated through educational medium. The opportunity for employments should be increased and given priorities. The Indian students should be familiar with Indian culture so that they feel proud of their glorious culture.

Only some effective and positive steps taken by the government in this direction can retain best of our brains for the development, growth and glory of our own country. If Indians want to make India a developed nation, they need those talented candidates who are migrating on an alarming rate.

Our Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (December 3, 1884 – February 28, 1963) was the first President of the Republic of India . He played a prominent role in the Indian Independence Movement and in the formation of the Indian constitution. He was born in Jiradei village of Siwan, Bihar. His father was Mahadev Sahai and his mother was Kamleshwari Devi. He learned Persian and studied at Chhapra Zilla School. He was married at the age of 12 to Srimati Rajvanshi Devi. He then pursued his degree in Law at the Presidency College in 1902. After the completion of the doctorate degree in Law, he started to practice as the Lawyers in Bhagalpur. He met Bihar Kesari, Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha as well as Bihar Bibhuti, Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha. Both influenced him and he participated actively in the Indian freedom struggle.

When Mahatma Gandhi launched Champaran movement in Bihar, Rajendra Prasad worked as a dedicated volunteer and succeeded the movement. He resigned from the post of a Senator of the University in 1921 for the freedom movement during Civil Disobedience movement. Besides it, he presented a great example before the Indians by dropping his brilliant son, Mrityunjaya Prasad from the University during Mahatma Gandhi’s boycott of Western Education. He was in favor of renouncing everything for the welfare of the people and the country. He never hesitated to do so.

He wrote articles for the Searchlight and the Desh to arise the feeling of nationalism among the people. Those articles were very inspirational and convinced all people. They made people aware about the need of the hours. He directed the young to be the part of Indian freedom struggle. He used all his knowledge and experiences to the welfare of the poor and the ignorant. He took an active role in helping the affected people during the 1914 floods that struck Bihar and Bengal. Not only floods but earthquakes also damaged almost completely the people of Bihar. He had its bitter experience. However, he was in jail during the earthquake of Bihar taken placed on January 15, 1934; he led the masses and controlled the miserable situation at his best. After his release, he collected money over 38 Lakhs (Rs. 3,800,000) and the necessary goods for the victim. He proved himself as the true son of the Bharat Mata again and again. During the 1935 Quetta earthquake he helped his countrymen by raising the funds for the sufferer.

He was appointed as the President of Indian National Congress during the Bombay session in October 1934 and 1939. It was his great contribution and potential that made him competent and to be worthy of the first President of Indian Republic in 1950. Once Gandhi ji announced that the president of India would be a farmer not a farmer’s son. Dr Prasad proved it. He was such a great personalities of India that is beyond the comparison. He glorified his work which should be followed. He served India for 12 years as President. In 1962, he expressed his will to retire. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award. He shared Gandhiji’s great vision – the making of a new man in society. He was a living embodiment of ‘simple living and high thinking’. He was a statesman, scholar, historian, educationist, exceptional idealist, social reformer and above all great constructive thinker. As president he had moderating impact on the political thinking of the period.

Our Munshi Premchand

Munshi Premchand was an unparalleled novelist in Urdu and Hindi language. He was born on 31st July 1880 in a penniless Kayasth family of Lamahee Village. His mother was Anandi. His father, Munshi Ajayab Lal was a post office staff. At the age of 7, Premchand lost his mother. His father wedded for a second time. Premchand was not happy with his step mother. His stepmother proved a nuisance for him. He did not receive love and motherly affection. The child needs the tender touch from his or her parents without which he or she cannot grow properly from within. But, Premchand had to suffer a lot. He lost his taste in studying. However, he managed, somehow, to pass his matriculation examination with second division. His academic performance was not so bright. As he had no interest in Mathematics, he had to fail twice in the intermediate examination. At last, he had decided to leave the school. Child marriage was a sacred tradition in society. He was also pressurized for nuptials in his adolescence. He tied the knot at the age of 15. He had to shoulder his family responsibility. He faced the problems of livelihood. He started to give tuitions to the students. He used to cover a long distance of several miles daily on foot for teaching his students. He was also appointed as school inspector at Gorakhpur. But, he resigned himself from the government jobs for contributing to the freedom struggle of India.

He had an instinctive quality to write stories. He was a kind man. He was deeply moved with the pathetic conditions of Indian people. His works expresses his sensitivity. Initially, he started to write in Urdu with a pseudonym nabab Roy. He expressed not only the miserable conditions of people but also revolted against injustice. The English became aware of that fact and banned his works under publications. But that could not bring to an end of his writing for people. He started writing in Hindi with his new name, Premchand. The actual name of Premchand was Dhanpat Roy. That was the starting point of real journey of literature. He contributed his whole life to serve literature.

His own life was full of difficulties and struggles. His sufferings gave him insights to observe the afflictions of others appropriately. He wrote against exploitation, unawareness, suppressions, poverty and brutality. He always favored farmers and untouchables. His novels communicate his contemporary society and its people. They are full of real stories and events. He added a new dimension to art of novel writing. His description of characters and themes in his composition is outstanding. His works indicate that the phony pragmatism and optimism cannot accomplish the welfare of the underprivileged. It seems that he was impressed by Marxism. He advocated that human characters are affected and transformed by company which one has. His extensive thoughts and visions educate us countless things. ‘Seva Sadan’ portrays very aptly the situations that make a good woman a prostitute. ‘Premashram’ illustrates the sufferings of Indian peasants and widows. ‘Nirmala’ depicts the problem of child marriage. ‘Gaban’ and ‘Godan’ are one of the best novels written by him. The description of farmers in ‘Godan’ is rare even in the world literature. He convinced us by his writing that man is the foe of the man. ‘Rangbhumi’ and ‘Karambhumi’ also tell the social problems. He also composed several dramas. ‘Karbala’, ‘Sangram’ and ‘Prem Ki Vedi’ are some of the great drams. The anthology of his prose pieces is published in eight volumes under the heading ‘Manasarovar’. Premchand was such a great author that one cannot write down everything about him.