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Volumes on India's Freedom Struggle Martyrs

http://www.thehindu.com/children/unsung-heroes/article19464112.ece?homepage=true

A look at some of our lesser-known but equally valorous leaders who made a mark in history.
Many people came together to fight for the country’s independence. However, not much has been written about them. This Independence Day let’s find out more...

Tirupur Kumaran

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Tirupur is a town near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu and it was Kumaran’s home town. In 1932, Kumaran organised a protest march against the British. He was carrying the Indian National Flag, which was banned by the British. This enraged British officials who then began assaulting the protesters, including Kumaran, insisting he put the flag down.

Kumaran held on to the Indian Flag even after being repeatedly beaten, He was mortally wounded and even when he fell into a faint before dying, he clung on to the Indian flag ensuring it did not fall to the ground. This incident gained him the title Kodi Kaatha Kumaran — Kumaran, the saviour of the national flag.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

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Born on April 3, 1903, she was a social reformer and freedom fighter. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay was best known for being the driving force behind the renaissance of Indian handicraft, hand loom, and theatre. She also fought for the upliftment of the socio-economic standard of Indian women by pioneering the co-operative movement. However, her contribution during the freedom struggle is not to be missed.

Married at 20, she was in London when she heard of Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement in 1923. She promptly returned to India, to join the Seva Dal, a Gandhian organisation set up to promote social uplifting.

In 1926, she met Margaret E. Cousins, the founder of All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), and was inspired to run for the Madras Provincial Legislative Assembly. She was also the first Indian woman to be arrested, when she entered the Bombay Stock Exchange to sell packets of salt. She spent close to a year in prison.

Khudiram Bose

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Bose’s tale of valour is one that simultaneously invokes pride as well as pity for perhaps the same reason. He was 18 years old, when he was sentenced to death for his role in the country’s freedom struggle.

In 1908, Bose was appointed to kill Muzzaffarpur district magistrate Kingsford, the Chief Magistrate of Calcutta Presidency. Kingston had become unpopular for passing harsh and cruel sentences on young political activists. He was also notorious for inflicting corporal punishment on them. Thus, when he was transferred to Muzaffarpur, Bose was sent to there to kill him.

On April 20, 1908, Bose threw a bomb at a carriage, believed to be carrying Kingsford, outside the European club. But the carriage was occupied by the wife and daughter of barrister Pringle Kennedy, a leading pleader at the Muzaffarpur Bar. An extra police force was deployed to find the perpetrator. Bose, in the meantime, had walked 25 miles and reached Vaini railway station. He was arrested by two officers there and hanged to death on August 11, 1908.

Peer Ali Khan

Peer Ali Khan was part of the 1857 rebellion against the British. He was born in Muhammadpur, in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. When he was seven he ran away, and arrived in Patna where he was given shelter and refuge by a zamindar who brought him up along with his son and educated him.

The start: Peer opened a book shop in Patna, which became the meeting point for freedom fighters to make plans to overthrow the British. In fact, the book shop was the point where everyone kept in contact not only among themselves but with Indian soldiers in the British army too. Ali conducted regular campaigns against the British, and became an integral part of the rebellion of 1857. While he was plotting with the soldiers of the Danapur Cantonment, two letters from them fell into British hands. They became aware of Peer Ali’s involvement.

Ali realised what had happened, planned to attack the British and gathered those interested. He collected 50 guns with the help of his co-worker, Maulvi Mehdi and distributed them among his group members.

On July 4, 1857, Ali and 33 followers were arrested. Most of them were hanged the next day without a hearing. Peer Ali was brutally tortured and cross-examined. On July 7, he was hanged.

Matangini Hazra
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Hailing from Tamluk (erstwhile Midnapore) in the Bengal Presidency of British India, Matangini Hazra was a champion of the Civil Disobediance Movement and the Quit India Movement. She was a force to reckon with. Born on October 19, 1870 to poor parents, she had no formal education. She was married early and was widowed at 18.

Turning point: In 1905, Hazra became actively interested in the independence movement. In 1932, she took part in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was arrested for participating in the Dandi March led by Mahatma Gandhi and breaking the Salt Act. British officials had introduced taxation on salt production, and so the walk to Dandi to make sea-salt was considered illegal. This caused resentment among people as it was the local practice in Dandi to produce salt from seawater. Hazra was imprisoned for six months in Baharampur.

A decade later, in 1942, she was a part of the Quit India Movement launched by Gandhiji, asking the British to put an end to their reign in India and leave. Hazra, who was 71 years at the time, led a procession of 6,000 supporters, mostly women volunteers, to take over the Tamluk police station. As she stepped forward, she was shot.

She eventually died from bullet wounds.
 
Ministry of Agriculture
21-August, 2017 16:55 IST
“Sankalp Se Sidhi” program being organized across the country to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement

Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Ministry organizing the program at 578 (KVKs), 29 ICAR institutes/SAUs & 53 ATMAs during 19-30 August 2017



New India Movement - A great success



“Sankalp Se Sidhi” program is being organized across the country to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement. On this occasion, the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Ministry has planned to organize the Sankalp Se Sidhi program at 578 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 29 ICAR institutes/SAUs and 53 ATMAs during 19-30 August 2017. Till 20 August 2017, 18 states including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andman & Nicobar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatishgarh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Maharashtra and Gujarat have organized the program at 32 locations.

The programs comprise of Kisan Film having message of Hon’ble PM to double farmers’ income by year 2022, followed by pledge for Sankalp Se Sidhi, lecture by agriculture experts and address of the chief guest. The farmers are also being shown various activities in the KVKs and institutes to acquaint them with the latest technologies. A film on patriotism is also being screened on this occasion to motivate the participants. In these programs, 33 Ministers/MPs/MLAs have participated so far. Around 129 other VIP dignitaries have also graced the occasion. A large number of farmers, extension workers, social activists and various organizations are participating in these programs. The programs are being covered widely by Doordarshan and other channels are also playing a key role in taking the message across the country. The participants have been very enthusiastic and are taking the pledge in letter and spirit to take the country forward.

The New India Manthan program will be taken up by the KVKs/ICAR institutes/SAUs/ATMA during this period with much zeal and dedication.

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya addressing the gathering at the inauguration of Tiranga Yatra, on the occasion of 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement, in Hyderabad on August 21, 2017.
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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya at the Tiranga Yatra, on the occasion of 75th Anniversary of Quit India Movement, in Hyderabad on August 21, 2017.
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Vice President's Secretariat
23-August, 2017 18:07 IST
Vice President Pays Tributes to Tanguturi Prakasam

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Nidu has paid rich tributes to ‘Andhra Kesari’, Tanguturi Parkasam, the first Chief Minister of Andhra State on his birth anniversary today.

Recalling the stellar role Shri Prakasam had played in the freedom struggle, the Vice President said that he was an embodiment integrity and honesty. He further said that like many leaders of his time, he left lucrative practice as a lawyer and plunged into freedom struggle. Tanguturi Prakasam earned the sobriquet ‘Andhra Kesari’ after he bared his chest and dared the British to open fire upon him during the visit of Simon Commission to Madras, he added. The Vice President called upon the people to strive for realising the ideals of the late leader.

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Ministry of Labour & Employment
24-August, 2017 17:56 IST
EPFO organizes Tiranga Yatra – Commemoration of 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement in Mumbai

“Corruption Quit India and make swacch India”, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya appeals


There are moments in the journey of nations that fundamentally alter the course of history. One such moment was the Quit India Movement that began on 9th August 1942 which finally culminated into freedom of India. Thereby the nation is observing the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement. The Tiranga Yatra is an opportunity to achieve ‘Sankalp’ to ‘Siddhi’ towards a ‘New India’.


Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, is participating in the celebrations of 75thanniversary of Quit India Movement by organizing Tiranga Yatra all the stakeholders i.e. workers from different industries, employers from different sectors and staff & officers of Ministry of Labour and Employment including EPFO participated in the Tiranga Yatra organized in Mumbai on 23rd August 2017. The Tiranga Yatra was flagged off by the Minister of State(IC) for Labour and Employment, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, near Indian Oil Office, Bandra(E), Mumbai and culminated at EPFO Regional Office at Bandra(E), Mumbai.



Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya has appealed to all workers, employers, staff & Officers of EPFO to identify themselves as Indians duly rising above from caste, creed and religion. Shri Dattatreya raised slogan “corruption Quit India and make swacch India”. Shri Dattatreya has appreciated initiatives taken by EPFO for use of new technology and Aadhaar based service to subscribers. He has reiterated that Government is committed for providing housing to all by 2022 and EPFO has launched Housing Scheme where 90% of the EPF money can be withdrawn in addition to monthly payment of EMI out of the future accumulations in their provident fund. He asked the employees and officers to the slogan ‘Karenge aur karke rahenge (करेंगे और करके रहेंगे)’.

The Tiranga Yatra was also attended by Shri Gopal Shetty, MP(Lok Sabha), Shri Ashish Shelar, MLA(Maharashtra Assembly), Smt. M. Sathiyavathy, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India, Shri Heeralal Samariya, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India, Dr. V.P. Joy, Central PF Commissioner and other senior officials from the Ministry of Labour & Employment.




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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being welcomed by the Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, on his arrival, in Chennai on August 27, 2017.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being welcomed by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri O. Panneerselvam, on his arrival, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao is also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurating a Photo Exhibition on ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu lighting the lamp at the inauguration of a Photo Exhibition on ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu looking at a Photo Exhibition on ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the gathering at an event ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the gathering at an event ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu interacting with the students at an event ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017. The Acting Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar addressing the gathering at an event ‘New India – Resolve to Make’, organised by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and DAVP, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark 75 years of the Quit India movement, in Chennai on August 27, 2017.
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Ministry of Agriculture
29-August, 2017 15:59 IST
First hybrid clone species 205 was developed for sub-tropical climate and it was launched in 1918 for commercial farming: Shri Radha Mohan Singh

Sugarcane farmers can make the best of intercropping technique and increase their income by growing oilseeds, pulses, potatoes, and cucumber with cane: Shri Singh

Shri Radha Mohan Singh address a gathering at “100 years of Excellence In Sugarcane Research and “New India Manthan – Sankal Se Siddhi” events organise by ICAR

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh addressed a gathering at “100 years of Excellence In Sugarcane Research: variety 205 to variety 0238” (sugarcane variety) and “New India Manthan – Sankal Se Siddhi” events, organised by ICAR- Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Regional Centre, Karnal here. Shri Singh informed the gathering that with the help of Sir Dr Venkatraman, for the first time, hybrid clone variety 205 (Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum) was developed for sub-tropical climate, which was launched in 1918 for commercial farming. The hybrid clone led to 50% increase in sugarcane production in North India and popular species like Saccharum Barberi and Saccharum Sinensis were left far behind.

Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that after developing species 205, Sugarcane Breeding Institute developed several other hybrid clones for sub-tropical condition and they remained sought after for a long time. After that, the institute developed species 312, first amazing cane variety for the subtropical climate in 1928 and in 1933, it developed species 419 for tropical climate.


Shri Singh said during three years of Modi government, a significant increase in sugarcane yield and sugar recoveries have been witnessed in the northern states after expansion of species 0238 in the region. In the last season, 0238 was cultivated in 36% cane area in Uttar Pradesh, 63% in Punjab, 39% in Haryana, 17% in Uttarakhand and 16% in Bihar. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said species 0238 and 0118 have become the first choice of sugar mills in north India. The sugarcane farmers are reaping higher yield from the species 0238 and sugar mills are getting more sugar. Sugarcane farmers can make the best of intercropping technique and increase their income by growing oilseeds, pulses, potatoes, and cucumber with cane.

Union Agriculture Minister said that he is not only here to celebrate the 100 years of Excellence In Sugarcane Research, but also to share that the nation is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement. On August 9, 1942, using sacrifice, penance, and courage as their tool, the youth pledged to free India from barbarous British Rule and the movement led to the country’s freedom in 1947. Shri Singh said that the grand campaign of the country's independence from 1942 to 15 August 1947 is remembered as Sankalp Se Siddhi.

In the end, Shri Radha Mohan Singh urged people to make a pledge to build a New India by 2022 when we celebrate 75th anniversary of Independence and take honesty to the highest level.

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Vice President's Secretariat
30-August, 2017 20:20 IST
Dr. Kalam was a creative leader who walked an unexplored path of developmental policies: Vice President

Delivers 2nd Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Dr. Kalam was a creative leader who walked an unexplored path of developmental policies. He was delivering the 2nd Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture, here today.


Following is the text of Vice President’s Lecture:


“Friends, today we have gathered here to remember and pay tributes to one of the iconic Presidents of India, the late Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, who was not only the country’s Missile Man, but the most popular “People’s President”.

Dr. Kalam was truly a human being extraordinaire. He epitomizes the teaching spelt out in a widely-quoted Hadees:

"If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise."

Coming from a very humble background, he used to distribute newspapers as a child to supplement family income, relentlessly pursued education in the most difficult circumstances and became one of the leading space and missile scientists of India. And as all of us know, subsequently he became Rashtrapathi. A newspaper boy becoming President of India is the greatness of this country. The beauty of the democracy of India is that it made an ordinary person as President of India. That is the greatness of the Indian civilization, the greatness of the Indian culture. We have many examples. We have the Prime Minister, who comes from a humble background. He used to distribute tea in the Railway station, who became the Prime Minister of India. I am a son of a farmer. None in my family were in politics, not even highly educated also. I used to walk three km a day to go to school. Because of the greatness of our democratic system, I became the Vice President of India.

Religion is a way of worship. We should feel proud of our culture, heritage, the great civilization. Every religion is great and we have to follow the teaching and preaching of the religion.

Irrespective of the position he had held, Dr. Kalam always remained simple and treated everyone with the same love and affection - be it a high ranking dignitary or a low-ranking official. In fact, his affection was so infectious and spontaneous that he became the darling of children and youth. He used to get mobbed by students and children wherever he went—that indeed was the kind of popularity he had earned.

His vision was to see a transformed, fully developed India taking its place among the most developed nations of the world by 2020. He called it vision 2020.

Way back in the late nineties as Chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council, he was instrumental in the preparation of a major document called Technology Vision for India up to 2020.

Subsequently a book titled ‘2020—A Vision for the New Millennium’ was co-authored by Dr. Kalam with Y S Rajan. In the preface to the book, the authors said: “We are aware of our systems of governance and social and political compulsions. We are fortunate to have gained experience in implementing projects involving people of various strata as beneficiaries, as well as projects entailing strong commercial pressures and those that are high profile, such as a satellite or a launch vehicle or missile project. The execution of these schemes provided varied experiences, which worked as base line knowledge for the shaping of this book.

Having taken these factors into account and after studying several vision reports of India and other countries, we still believe firmly that India can reach a developed country status by 2020. The Indian people can rise well above the present poverty and contribute more productively to their country because of their own improved health, education and self-esteem. India can have considerable technological strengths, so crucial for its strategic strengths and for economic and trade related strengths”.

Dr. Kalam’s Vision-2020 envisaged India to be a nation where the urban-rural divide is reduced to a “thin line”; where there is equitable distribution of, and adequate access to energy and quality water; where agriculture, industry and the service sector work together in symphony; where education with a good value system is not denied to any meritorious candidate because of societal or economic discrimination, a nation which is the best for the most talented scholars, scientists and investors from around the world; a nation where the best healthcare is available to all; a nation where governance is responsive, transparent and corruption-free; where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed, crime against women and children is absent and no one in the society feels alienated.

It further envisioned a prosperous, healthy secure nation devoid of terrorism. A peaceful and happy nation on a sustainable growth path and one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

To achieve the India he dreamt of, Dr. Kalam outlined an integrated action plan in five core competence areas: 1) Agriculture and food processing; 2) Education and Healthcare; 3) Information and Communication Technology, 4) Infrastructure development, including reliable quality power, surface transport and infrastructure for rural and urban areas under PURA-PROVIDING URBAN AMENITIES IN RURAL AREAS and 5) Self-reliance in critical technologies.

Dr. Kalam belonged to that rare category of statesmen-like personalities, who bothered neither about pelf nor power and always occupied the high office with humility. He was a creative leader who walked an unexplored path of developmental policies. He took everyone associated with him and utilized their core competencies, intellect and creative minds from all disciplines to realize the vision.

He always used to say that the ignited minds of the youth were bubbling with the spirit of ‘I can do it’ and the belief that ‘India will become a developed nation’. This feeling and spirit continue to inspire the youth of India, who always see Dr. Kalam as a motivator.

Only a fortnight ago, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the country’s Independence. Now we are celebrating 75 years of Quit India Movement.

Although, we can take reasonable pride in the progress made during the past seven decades in various fields from agriculture to science & technology, the questions that need to be asked is whether we could have done better? What is the real potential of India, have we tapped the full potential of India?

Focus should be on creating wealth, innovative, unleashing the force of growth. This is the area where the mindset of the people of the country has to be changed. Being constructive will be the befitting tribute we make to the great son of the soil, Dr. Abdul Kalam. The Parliament, the legislatures and other bodies also should function affectively, to get best out of every individual. And then have a collective determination to take the country forward and make good laws, good legislations.

Terrorism is a big menace to the society. Terror has no religion. Unfortunately some people are connecting terrorism to some religion, no religion supports terrorism. No religion preaches terror and no religion accepts terrorism.

These questions must trouble the conscience of every Indian, who wants to see a prosperous and thriving New India, where nothing but excellence should be the hallmark in every field - be it education, healthcare or governance. Yes, we can create an India envisaged by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam where nobody faces discrimination of any kind, where there is no urban-rural divide, where the farmer is prosperous, where women are respected and compete on equal terms with men in every sphere and where the last poor man in the line is uplifted. The person who is sitting last in the line should get his due.

Yes, this can be achieved when all Indians collectively and individually rise above narrow, selfish mentality and pledge to work with dedication and missionary zeal to banish poverty, corruption, illiteracy, communalism, regionalism and any kind of ism that will pull the country backwards. One of the major cankers posing a huge challenge to both, the government and the society, is corruption. This plague has to be completely eliminated. In the Holy Quran, Surah Al Baqara, 205 mentions that God does not like corruption.

Here, I would also like to point out that while the meaning of Islam is usually given to understand as “submission”, the word Islam in Arabic is derived from “salam”, which means peace. All religions preach peace and brotherhood, which are the two pre-requisites for the progress and development of any society or nation. Surah Al Ma’idah-48 says vie with each other in doing good deeds... so compete in righteousness. The spirit of that message should permeate every action of all individuals in building a Resurgent India.

India as an emerging economy cannot any longer brook delay in unleashing the energies of its young population and building a New and Resurgent India. With knowledge and technology driving the creation of wealth and accelerating the pace of development, the focus should be on research and innovation and firm linkages should be established between academia and industry.

At the same time, agriculture has to be made sustainable and profitable to the farmer to ensure food security. The Father of the Nation’s dream of ‘Ramrajya’ can be ushered only when there is ‘Gramrajya’. For this to be achieved, everybody from Parliament to Panchayat has to work with single-minded devotion towards building a New India.

The behavior of People’s Representatives should be exemplary and they should act as role models for others. Disrupting Parliament or Legislatures might make headlines for a day, but people and democracy would be the losers if this unhealthy trend is not checked. There cannot be any scope for obstructing the country’s development - there is only one mantra to move forward - discuss, debate, decide and not disrupt.

Friends as I conclude, I would like every citizen of the country to think of posterity and ensure that our future generations inherit a beautiful, bountiful, green and a livable planet.

Thank you, Jai Hind!”

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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event to deliver the 2nd Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture, organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre, in New Delhi on August 30, 2017.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being presented with a Honorary Membership of India Islamic Cultural Centre at an event to deliver the 2nd Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture, in New Delhi on August 30, 2017.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu delivering the 2nd Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre, in New Delhi on August 30, 2017.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu delivering the 2nd Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture organised by the India Islamic Cultural Centre, in New Delhi on August 30, 2017.
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Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
01-September, 2017 12:38 IST
Smt Sumitra Mahajan Inaugurates Exhibition-cum-Seminar
‘New India – We Resolve to Make’

Smt Sumitra Mahajan, The Speaker, Loksabha inaugurated Exhibition-cum-Seminar ‘New India – We Resolve to Make’ here today. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was present on this occasion. Shri Rajiv Yadav, Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was also present on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt Sumitra Mahajan, The Speaker, Loksabha said that this programme is not just an exhibition, it is like a Sankalp. India got independence just in 5 years of starting Quit India Movement due to its Sankalp. Every freedom fighter fought for Independence in a different method. In Loksabha, all parties have made a Sankalp to make a New India in next 5 years. She also said that Exhibition is for children who is our future of India to know that our India’s rich traditions and to make a New India in a better way.

Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs said that very few people who participated in August Kranti Andolan are alive today. In this context, it is very important to make our children know about how we have got our Independence. With programmes like these children would be connecting with the freedom struggle. Government is making every effort to take everyone in Sankalp se Sidhi to make India free of corruption; free of poverty; free of filth; free of communalism; free of terrorism and free of casteism. We have taken a pledge to make a New India by 2022.

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs coordinated in organizing Exhibition-cum-Seminar in association with willing Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs) at 39 places across the county on the theme ‘Naya Bharat – Karke Rahenge’ or ‘New India – We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate the 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022.

The focus of the exhibitions will be on India’s freedom movement from 1857 to 1947 showing the various activities initiated to attain the freedom from the British rule- “The First War of Independence, 1857”, “The Champaran Satyagrah”, “The Non-cooperation Movement”, “The Dandi Yatra” and “The Quit India Movement”. Besides this, the period of five years from 1942 to 1947 will be reflected to show how the movement of India’s struggle for freedom transformed the entire country into one to fight for the freedom from the British Rule and in the end, the vision of new India from 2017 to 2022 will be showcased, when we will be celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence.

The five year period from 2017 to 2022 is to give a unique opportunity of ‘Sankalp se Sidhi’ towards a ‘New India’. This programme is in tune with the mass campaign started by the Prime Minister to take the six resolves to make the country- free of corruption; free of poverty; free of filth; free of communalism; free of terrorism and free of casteism. This programme is organized with the purpose of spreading Prime Minister’s message amongst the people of the country to help in achieving the vision of new India.



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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan inaugurating the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Yadav and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan at the inauguration of the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Yadav are also seen.
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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan visiting after inaugurating the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Yadav are also seen.
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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan visiting after inaugurating the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017. The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Rajiv Yadav are also seen.
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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan visiting after inaugurating the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017.
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The Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan addressing at the inauguration of the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017.
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The Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressing at the inauguration of the Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, in New Delhi on September 01, 2017.
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The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati addressing the media at the inauguration of a five-day Photo Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on September 01, 2017. The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Visakhapatnam, Shri K. Haribabu is also seen.
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The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati addressing the gathering at the inauguration of a five-day Photo Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on September 01, 2017. The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Visakhapatnam, Shri K. Haribabu is also seen.
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The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati visiting the stalls after inaugurating a five-day Photo Exhibition-cum-Seminar, on the theme ‘New India - We Resolve to Make’ to commemorate 75 years of Quit India Movement and forthcoming 75 years of Independence in 2022, at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on September 01, 2017. The Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Visakhapatnam, Shri K. Haribabu is also seen.
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President's Secretariat
03-September, 2017 20:12 IST
President of India Attends the Launch of Various Social Welfare Programmes in Mehsana on the Occasion of the 83rd Birthday of Acharya Padmasagarsuriji

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind was the chief guest at the launch of various social welfare programmes in Mehsana (Gujarat) today (September 3, 2017) on the occasion of the 83rd birthday of Acharya Padmasagarsuriji.

Following is the full text of President’s address on the occasion:

“राष्ट्रपति का कार्यभार सँभालने के बाद यह मेरी पहली गुजरात यात्रा है। लेकिन गुजरात से मेरा नाता लगभग पैंतालीस वर्ष पुराना है। मैं लगातार यहाँ आता रहा हूँ। मुझे अपनी युवावस्था के दौरान प्रधानमंत्री मोरारजी देसाई के साथ काम करने का सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ था। मैंने उनके साथ भी गुजरात को नजदीक से देखा था। यहाँ मुझे अपनेपन का सहज अनुभव होता है। मेरा जन्म उत्तर प्रदेश में हुआ, लेकिन गुजरात मेरे लिए दूसरा घर है।

गुजरात का सौभाग्य है कि इस राज्य ने देश को दो प्रधानमंत्री दिए हैं। दक्षिण गुजरात के वलसाड जिले में मोरारजी देसाई का जन्म हुआ था। वे सन 1977 में प्रधानमंत्री बने। भारत के वर्तमान प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी उत्तर गुजरात के इसी मेहसाणा की धरती से आते हैं। मेहसाणा के किसानों ने पूरे देश में अपनी अलग पहचान बनाई है। यहाँ के फार्मर को-ऑपरेटिव सारे देश के लिए उदहारण हैं। यहाँ के लोग गुजरात ही नहीं, पूरे देश का गौरव हैं।

हाल ही में उत्तर गुजरात को बाढ़ की विभीषिका से जूझना पड़ा है। मैंने राष्ट्रपति पद की शपथ लेने के बाद मुख्यमंत्री श्री रूपाणीजी से फोन पर बातचीत की। वे बाढ़ प्रभावित क्षेत्रों में पांच-छ: दिनों तक कैंप करते रहे। यह राज्य के लोगों के प्रति उनकी चिंता, प्रेम और निष्ठा का प्रमाण है।

भारत की पावन धरती हमेशा से ऋषि-मुनियों एवं संतों की भूमि रही है। आचार्यजी उसी परंपरा को आगे बढ़ा रहे हैं। आज उनके 83वें जन्म-दिन के शुभ अवसर पर उपस्थित होना सौभाग्य की बात है। आचार्यजी से मेरा व्यक्तिगत परिचय सन 1994 में हुआ था। वे दिल्ली से बंगाल तक की पदयात्रा पर थे। मेरा परम सौभाग्य है कि उन्होंने मेरे निवास पर मध्याह्न के भोजन के रूप में गुरुचरी ग्रहण करना स्वीकार किया था। मुझे बताया गया है कि आचार्यजी समग्र भारत एवं नेपाल में लगभग एक लाख किलोमीटर की पदयात्रा कर चुके हैं। उन्होने लोगों में सत्य, अहिंसा, सादगी, सदाचार, परोपकार, करुणा एवं आपसी सौहार्द का संदेश प्रसारित किया है।

भगवान महावीर द्वारा प्रवर्तित जैन-दर्शन में अहिंसा को परम धर्म माना गया है। अहिंसा की भावना भारत के राष्ट्र-पिता महात्मा गाँधी की राजनीति का आधार थी। और यही भावना हमारे देश की ओर से समूचे विश्व के लिए एक अनमोल सौगात है। अहिंसा के साथ-साथ परोपकार की भावना पर बल देना भी जैन आचार्यों की परंपरा रही है।

आचार्यजी ने लोगों में सत्य, अहिंसा, सादगी, सदाचार, परोपकार, करुणा एवं आपसी प्रेम का संदेश फैलाया है। आज के युग में उनकी शिक्षा, जीवन को बेहतर बनाने और सामाजिक सौहार्द को स्थापित करने के लिए अत्यंत प्रासंगिक है।

किसी भी व्यक्ति की परख उसके द्वारा किये गए कार्यों से होती है। मुझे यह जानकर प्रसन्नता हुई है कि आचार्यजी की प्रेरणा से बड़े पैमाने पर व्यसन-मुक्ति, वंचितों को शिक्षा, दीन-दुखियों को सहारा, पशु-पक्षियों की सेवा, संस्कृति की रक्षा जैसे अनेक कार्य प्रभावी ढंग से हो रहे हैं।

मुझे बताया गया है कि आचार्यजी के अनुयायी नियमित रूप से शिक्षा के क्षेत्र में, दिव्यांगों के हित में, अनाथों और गरीबों के कल्याण के लिए अनेक कार्य कर रहे हैं।

इसी क्रम में आज मानव- कल्याण की विभिन्न योजनाओं का शुभारम्भ होने जा रहा है। इस पावन अवसर पर ऐसे ही कार्यों का संकल्प लेना संतो के प्रति सच्ची श्रद्धा है।

आचार्यश्री ने भारत की प्राचीन विरासत को सँजोने वाली दुर्लभ पांडुलिपियों को नष्ट होने से बचाया है और उन्हें विदेशों में जाने से भी बचाया है। देश के कोने-कोने में जा कर, लगभग दो लाख पाण्डुलिपियों को एकत्र कर, इस अमूल्य धरोहर को कोबा– गांधीनगर स्थित इस ज्ञान मंदिर में संरक्षित किया है।

यह शायद भारतीय पांडुलिपियों का विश्व में सबसे बड़ा संग्रहालय बन गया है। इस संग्रहालय को देखने का मुझे भी सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ है।

पाण्डुलिपियों का शोध करना, उनका संग्रह करना और उन्हें व्यवस्थित रूप से सूचीबद्ध करना एक महान सांस्कृतिक योगदान है।

आज, "कैलास श्रुतसागर-ग्रंथ-सूची" के 23वें भाग के लोकार्पण में उपस्थित होने पर मुझे प्रसन्नता हो रही है। मैं इस पावन व गौरवशाली कार्य से जुड़े हर व्यक्ति की हृदय से सराहना करता हूँ।

मैं यह कामना करता हूँ कि ईश्वर आचार्यश्री को आरोग्य और दीर्घायु प्रदान करे तथा उनके हर कार्य में उन्हें सफलता प्रदान करे।

जय हिन्द !”



***

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind lighting the lamp at the launch of the various social welfare programmes, on the occasion of the 83rd birthday of Rashtrasant Acharya Padmasagarsuriji, in Mehsana, Gujarat on September 03, 2017. The Governor of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, Shri O.P. Kohli, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani and the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Nitinbhai Patel are also seen.
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The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressing at the launch of the various social welfare programmes, on the occasion of the 83rd birthday of Rashtrasant Acharya Padmasagarsuriji, in Mehsana, Gujarat on September 03, 2017.
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The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visiting the Sabarmati Ashram, at Ahmedabad, in Gujarat on September 03, 2017. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani is also seen.
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The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visiting the Sabarmati Ashram, at Ahmedabad, in Gujarat on September 03, 2017. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani is also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being received by the Governor of Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, on his arrival, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017. The Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali is also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu being received by the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali, on his arrival, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017. The Governor of Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan is also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event to inaugurate the 78th Session of Institute of International Law, at NALSAR University of Law, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017. The Governor of Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, Justice Ramesh Ranganathan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the 78th Session of Institute of International Law, at NALSAR University of Law, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the 78th Session of Institute of International Law, at NALSAR University of Law, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017. The Governor of Telangana, Shri E.S.L. Narasimhan, the Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, Justice Ramesh Ranganathan, the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Shri Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other dignitaries are also seen.
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The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu interacting with the faculty members, at the 78th Session of Institute of International Law, at NALSAR University of Law, in Hyderabad on September 03, 2017.
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Ministry of Minority Affairs
07-September, 2017 14:21 IST
Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurates “New India- We Resolve to Make” exhibition cum cultural event in Mumbai

Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that tolerance is the culture and commitment of India and Indians and it is our Constitutional duty to protect and strengthen this culture, in Mumbai, today.

While inaugurating “New India- We Resolve to Make” exhibition cum cultural event at Bandra Railway Station, Mumbai, jointly organised by Parliamentary Affairs Ministry and Container Corporation of India, Shri Naqvi said that any type of violence and anarchy is a conspiracy to weaken the fabric of the country’s social harmony and strength of “unity in diversity”. It is our Constitutional duty to protect this unity and defeat such evil forces who want to disturb our social harmony.

Under “New India” vision, the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been working with commitment to welfare and empowerment of that poor section of the society which remained the below poverty line even after seven decades of Independence. Shri Naqvi said that our Government has worked keeping this section in centre of all the welfare schemes.

Shri Naqvi reminded that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a call for “New India” and all sections of the society have to work together to fulfil this commitment.

Shri Naqvi said that Cenre is making every effort to take everyone in “Sankalp se Sidhi” campaign to make India free from corruption, poverty, filth, communalism, terrorism and casteism. We have taken a pledge to make a “New India” by 2022.

Shri Naqvi said that with this objective, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is organising photo exhibition “New India- We Resolve to Make” at 39 places across the country. The exhibitions are aimed at promoting the campaign launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for “New India”.

The focus of the exhibitions will be on India’s freedom movement from 1857 to 1947 showing the various activities initiated to attain the freedom from the British rule- “The First War of Independence, 1857”, “The Champaran Satyagrah”, “The Non-cooperation Movement”, “The Dandi Yatra” and “The Quit India Movement”.

Besides this, the period of five years from 1942 to 1947 is being reflected to show how the movement of India’s struggle for freedom transformed the entire country into one to fight for the freedom from the British Rule and in the end, the vision of new India from 2017 to 2022 will be showcased, when we will be celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence.

The exhibitions are showcasing different aspects from India’s freedom struggle to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for “New India”. The exhibitions are also displaying various welfare schemes of the Central Government.


*****
 
September 12, 2017 00:02 IST
Updated: September 12, 2017 00:27 IST
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/reappraising-the-raj/article19664266.ece?homepage=true

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Can India continue to ignore Macaulay’s foundational contributions?
The grand narrative of modern Indian history has come to be dominated by the triumvirate of Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar. No doubt, it is a well-deserved recognition. But it also relegates several freedom fighters and national leaders to the status of foot soldiers. Towering leaders like Rajaji, Sree Narayana Guru, Lala Lajpat Rai are no longer part of our collective consciousness. Still worse, they are downgraded to local and ethnic levels. Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is only celebrated by Dalits and most backward class groups.

Our collective amnesia does more injustice to all those from the British Isles and associated with the Raj. A Lord Lytton or a Reginald O’Dwyer deserves all the opprobrium. What about a William Bentinck or a Lord Ripon? And what about, above all, Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay?

It is time the country embarked on a new estimation of the pantheon of modern India’s nation builders. Such a process will be fraught with contestation and controversy. And much needed.

Time for a forgiving gaze
Fortunately, the constant reappraisal of history is taking place, not at the behest of some government agency but by common people. Consider this. While scholars question the wisdom of ‘colonial hydrology’, Sir Arthur Cotton who built a barrage on river Godavari (and several others) is gratefully remembered by people in coastal Andhra Pradesh. He is called a Modern Bhagirath and his statue is kept in a temple. Newspapers in the State carry special articles on occasion.

It is natural that a generation remains bitter towards an oppressive regime, foreign or home-grown, that it managed to overthrow. And the subsequent generations would be more forgiving, if not forgetful. It is emblematic of the times that we now witness the reverse in India.

Generations that lived under British rule had had a more equanimous and sympathetic view of the times though people fought for its end. The self-induced outrage at British rule reflects home-grown jingoism.

Hardly a generation ago, it would be natural for a history teacher to extol the greatness of this or that Briton who may have happened to be associated with the Raj — and faced no consequences. Nowadays, even the students would drag such a teacher out of the classroom and teach him a lesson.

In 1982 I could write a newspaper article on Macaulay, using the vignettes my undergraduate history lecturer narrated in the class. It’s another matter that he had disapproved of my temerity to blindly print his memory without any research!

Macaulay’s bequest to India
Macaulay in 1833 was the first on record among those ruled India to reject caste and communal distinctions in categorical terms: “…the worst of all systems was surely that of having a mild code for the Brahmins… while there was a severe code for the Sudras. India has suffered enough already from the distinction of castes, and from the deeply rooted prejudices which that distinction has engendered. God forbid that we should inflict on her the curse of a new caste, that we should send her a new breed of Brahmins!”

“It is the genius of this man,” wrote eminent historian K.M. Panikkar in his estimation of Macaulay, “narrow in his Europeanism, self-satisfied in his sense of English greatness, that gives life to modern India as we know it. He was India’s new Manu, the spirit of modern law incarnate.” A generation later historian Ramachandra Guha echoes a similar viewpoint: “The software revolution in India might never have happened had it not been for Macaulay’s Minute. And India might not have still been united had it not been for that Minute either.” (These two quotes are taken from Zareer Masani’s excellent biography, Macaulay: Pioneer of India’s Modernization.)

Panikkar and Mr. Guha highlight Macaulay’s two gifts to India, the rule of law and English language; they have played — and still play — a critical role in building and keeping India as a functioning democracy. An unintentional side effect of an arrogant and racist coloniser? By no means. For Macaulay, the following ought to be the mission statement of British rule in India: “It would be, on the most selfish view of the case, far better for us that the people of India were well governed and independent of us, than ill governed and subject to us; that they were ruled by their own kings, but wearing our broadcloth, and working with our cutlery, than that they were performing their salams to English collectors and English magistrates, but were too ignorant to value, or too poor to buy, English manufactures. To trade with civilised men is infinitely more profitable than to govern savages.” Patronising? Yes. Lacking in good faith? No.

No doubt, his detractors dismiss him as an imperialist and a racist, tossing in a few other charges including that of incest. Save the last one, Macaulay left enough ‘evidence’ to sustain the charges against himself. He said things that can still upset several groups: Americans, Indians, Germans, Russians, the French, the Irish, Jews, Bengalis, and, above all, the Catholics. But his omissions and commissions are beside the point.

The case in point is the recent controversy over Mahatma Gandhi’s quite uncharitable comments on Black Africans and consequent demands in several countries from Ghana to South Africa to pull down his statues. The shortcomings of these two great men are not good enough to deny them of their rightful place in history.

Can we continue to ignore Macaulay’s foundational contributions towards making modern India? Is it a mere quibble about history? An informed public debate on what it means to celebrate the legacy of Macaulay will help us appreciate the whys and wherefores of much of the current angst in the country.

The current dispensation is seeking to replace the legacy of the Raj — especially, English education — with a desi version nobody knows anything about. Whatever one knows is the spectre of gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) performing their dharma of protecting the holy cow and also playing the ancient trick of lynching Dalits as cow-killers. In an India of Macaulay’s vision Dalits would enjoy equal rights and freedoms while gau rakshaks are put behind bars. And India would trade with Britain as an equal.

A man with such a vision must be an Indian and if he happens to be the first to have that vision, he must be a Mahatma!

D. Shyam Babu is Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal
 
Ministry of Finance
13-September, 2017 17:53 IST
SPMCIL to Mint Commemorative Coins on the Birth centenaries of Dr. M S Subbulakshmi and Dr. M G Ramachandran

Government of India has notified issuance of Commemorative Coins of Rs. 100/- and Rs. 10/- denomination on the eve of Birth Centenary of Dr. M S Subbulakshmi. Commemorative Coins of denominations Rs. 100/- and Rs. 5/- have also been announced on the occasion of Birth Centenary of Dr. M G Ramachandran. Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha had requested Government of India to release Commemorative Coins of Rs.100/- and Rs. 10/- denomination in honour of Dr. M S Subbulakshmi. Similarly the proposal for issuance of commemorative coins for Dr. M G Ramachandran was received from Government of Tamil Nadu. The aforesaid Commemorative Coins will be minted by Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).

Dr. Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi also known as Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi, was a Carnatic vocalist born on 16/09/1916 in Madurai under Madaras Presidency. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Bharat Ratna. She is the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay award, often considered as Asia’s Noble Prize in 1974.

Shri Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran (M.G. Ramachandran) was born on 17th Jan, 1917 in Kandy, British Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was an Indian actor, director, producer and politician who worked primarily in Tamil films and also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms. He made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. In the late 1940s he graduated to leading roles and for the next three decades dominated the Tamil film industry. He became a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly through its rank. In 1972, he left the DMK and formed his own party the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). In 1977 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. In 1988, he was awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.

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Dhekiajuli memorial was started in 1971 and unveiled in 1975. The Assam government on Wednesday decided to give a one-time financial package to the survivors of the 13 Dhekiajuli martyrs besides naming as many streets after each of them.(HT Photo)

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...1942-martyr/story-fGdXNRfjf31PMknCBWmlAJ.html


Tileswari Baruah was a few months short of her 12th birthday when a volley of bullets felled her at northcentral Assam’s Dhekiajuli on September 20, 1942.

On the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement, the committee that observes the day wants India to recognise her as the youngest martyr.

“My research on Quit India says Tileswari is the youngest martyr, and she was not collateral damage. She was one of 13 people, who laid down their lives while trying to hoist the national flag on the Dhejiajuli police station in 1942,” Ramesh Chandra Bora, a retired teacher and president of a public committee that marks the day, told the Hindustan Times from Dhekiajuli, 134 km north-east of Guwahati.

Official record names Tileswari of Bargaon village and 10 others. The other two unnamed martyrs are a beggar and an ascetic.

Bora, though, mentions 14 martyrs in his book titled Swadhinatar Andolan Aaru Dhekiajuli (Freedom Movement and Dhekiajuli).

While many in Assam see Tileswari as a martyr “whom India forgot”, another teenage martyr of Gohpur further east is recognised as one of India’s youngest to sacrifice her life for the country’s freedom from British rule.

Kanaklata Barua of Barangabari village was barely 17 when police bullets felled her, also on September 20 in 1942.

The Assam government on Wednesday decided to give a one-time financial package to the survivors of the 13 Dhekiajuli martyrs besides naming as many streets after each of them.

The Quit India movement was one of the popular and powerful mass movements in the series of agitations led by Mahatma Gandhi in the course of the freedom struggle.

The civil disobedience movement was launched on August 8, 1942, at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) demanding an end to the British rule of India.
 
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