Mahashivratri

Mahashivratri is an extremely important celebration for all Hindus who believe in the power of lord Shiva. Shiva and Shakti together mark the convergence of power, devotion and renunciation. The festival according to Hindu calendar is celebrated on Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi in the month of Maagha.

 

People all over the country go to Shiva temples. They chant Om Namah Shivay and offer Bell Patra and white flowers to the Shiva Ling. Thousands of devotees gather together at important Shiva’s temple all over the Indian Sub-continent. Pashupati temple in Nepal is revered by Hindus from all over the world.

 

According to another legend, Shiva saved the world from the disastrous effects of the poison that emerged as a by-product of the churning of the Milky Ocean (Samudra Manthan), by consuming the whole of the poison. Shiva could arrest the poison in his throat by his Yogic powers and it didn’t go down his throat. His neck turned blue due to the effect of the poison on his throat and henceforth he is also known as Neela Kantha or The Blue Throated.

 

Thanks for reading.

National Girl Child Day

24^th January is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year. This was started by earlier government in the year 2008. It appears neither the programme was conceived correctly nor its implementation brought any results till today. It appears the objectives of the celebration of the Girl Child Day was only to enhance the image of the Nehru Gandhi Dynasty. We have seen over the past few years that many such initiatives have proved to be counter-productive.

 

Actually the subject is far more serious than the conception of the programme and activities normally followed. Symbolic activities to address a problem which is far more serious should have no place in the society today.

 

There should be concentrated efforts to ensure that girls must be provided education. All facilities should be granted. More than that, there should be initiation programme to emphasis our cultural traditions. In Hindu tradition a lady is respected as an embodiment of knowledge, wealth and power.

 

When we do Saraswati Puja knowledge comes easier than ever. Likewise Mata Lakshmi brings wealth. When we want to evoke power to destroy the evil in the society we prayed to Durga Mata.

 

 

Devi Pujan is practiced in all the states of the country. This is also unifying force. At many Devi temples people of all castes and sects come to pray. Invariably their prayers are answered.

 

It’s important for the government to do all what it can to empower women. She is the mother of all creation.

Thanks for reading.

JAI MATA DI

Romantic Music Director of Hindi Films

Omkar Prasad Nayyar was born on 16^th January 1926 in Lahore in an educated respectable family. He had developed a love for music unlike any other member in his family. His father was extremely against singing. At that time most of the educated families thought in Lahore that music is practiced only by ‘Mrasis and Bhands’. These were the people almost like jokers who would come and entertain on celebrations of events by well placed families. O. P. Nayyar as he was always known challenged his father and left home to come to Mumbai. He thought that he would try his luck to become a great music composer.

 

After struggle in Mumbai he got his first break in 1952. He was given the opportunity to direct music of film ‘Asmaan’. There after he did a couple of movies of little merit. However, he met noted director and actor Guru Dutt. He impressed Guru Dutt who gave him a number of movies- ‘Baaz’ (1953), ‘Aar Paar’ (1954), ‘Mr. & Mrs. 55’ (1955), and ‘CID’. The music of all these films was appreciated by the audience. With these films to his credit, O. P. Nayyar came into limelight.

 

Aar Paar

 

CID

Nasir Hussain who was another important producer engaged him for his film ‘Tumsa Nahi Dekha’ that was released in 1957. Then there was no looking back for O. P. Nayyar. He became very important music director of the Hindi films.

 

 Tumsa Nahi Dekha

When he had left home he told his father and other members of the family that he would show his face only after earning fame. When he became famous he went to his father’s place in a new car. He flaunted his riches and fame in front of his family. He was well received though his father was still not very happy.

O. P. Nayyar never gave opportunity to the great singer Lata Mangeshkar. Instead female singers who sang for him were Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begam and later Asha Bhosale. It is said that when Asha Bhosale started singing for O. P. Nayyar, he stopped calling Gita Dutt. Once Gita Dutt who was suffering due to problem with unhappy relationship with Guru Dutt telephoned him for work. To that O. P. Nayyar answered that he had made contract with Asha Bhosale that he will not use any other female voice.

 

Life of O. P. Nayyar shows that he just followed his heart. He was less bothered about anyone including his family members and friends. In some ways O. P. Nayyar was like Steve Jobs. Both brilliant but both not worldly wise to maintain good relations with people around.

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Army Day.

15^th January is very important day for The Indian Army. It is called the Army Day. The day is celebrated to honor the courage and brave soldiers of our army who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The reason why the Army Day is celebrated on 15^th January is because the first Indian General K. M. Cariappa took over as commander-in-chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher. This took place on 15^th January 1949. Since then Army Day marks an important event to salute the brave soldiers of our country. General K. M. Cariappa was later designated as the First Field Marshal of the armed forces.

 

The celebrations comprise of a Parade with tributes being paid to Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate in New Delhi. In fact, the Parade starts after paying homage at the Amar Jawan Jyoti – the eternal flame that reminds us of the lives of brave Indian soldiers.

After the Parade which includes military shows to display new technology and accomplishment in the Indian army, Bravery awards and Sena medals are distributed on this great occasion. During the military show the developments like missiles, tanks, military vehicles, helicopters all are displayed. The nation celebrates the Army Day as an inspiration to all who are connected with Indian Army that protects our motherland.

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Makar Sankranti

According to the Gregorian Calendar Makar Sankranti is celebrated every year on 14^th January. There are only rare exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 13^th or 15^th January. Most of the other Hindu festivals fall on different dates.

 

 Til Gul Ladu

 

Gul Poli

It is a festival to celebrate harvest. In many parts of the country this harvest festival is celebrated with lot of activities. The great thing about Hindu festivals is that they promote social interaction. Makar Sankranti is no exception. In Maharashtra the festival is celebrated by exchanging sweets. Halwa and Til Gul Ladu are particularly prepared on this day. Gulachi Poli which is a delicacy a served during lunch. Gulachi Poli is a traditional Indian bread-chapati/paratha with a difference that there is filling of ground till, besan(gram flour) and lot of pure ghee. People greet each other with ‘Til Gul Ghya, Ani Goad Goad Bola’- promoting better interpersonal relationship. Haldi Kunku is distributed among married women. The gifts of utensils, clothes and sweets are exchanged.

 

Makar Sankranti is also an auspicious occasion on which Sun God is revered. Millions of people take bath in Holi Rivers. Ganga Sagar where river Ganges flow into the Bay of Bengal is particularly popular.

 

In Tamil Nadu the festival is known as Pongal and is celebrated by preparing lots of sweets and Tamilian dishes. These are served on planten leaves. Another marked feature of this festival is that people fly kites in open spaces. Very decorative and colorful kites are made for the occasion. It is a wonderful festival where people participate with the enthusiasm and gusto.

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Stream of Consciousness

In the earlier 20^th century fiction saw a unique change in disrupted treatment. James Joyce was the four runners who heralded this new movement. It was called stream of consciousness novels. This kind of literature was also known as a demonstration of the working of the mind. Before Joyce no writer of fiction of so four grounded the process of thinking. While on one side critics loaded the movements there are others who called it “inimitable, and also possibly mad”.

 

Born in Dublin, Ireland James spends most of his time in France and Switzerland. In fact he had migrated permanently to continental Europe. Yet most of his characters are drawn from different cities of Ireland where he spent his early days.

Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922), a landmark work in which the episodes of Homer‘s Odyssey are paralleled in an array of contrasting literary styles, perhaps most prominent among these the stream of consciousness technique he utilized. Other well-known works are the short-story collection Dubliners (1914), and thenovels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939). His other writings include three books of poetry, a play, occasional journalism, and his published letters. (From Wikipedia)

Time magazine considered James Joyce as one of the very important writer of the 20^th century. The magazine went to the extent of saying “Joyce….revolutionized 20^th century fiction”

 

On 11^th January 1941 Joyce had to undergo surgery in Zurich. After the surgery he improved a little bit. Doctors were thinking that he will regain good health. However he had a relapse and despite all efforts fail into a coma. On 13^th January 1941 he at 2 am he opened his eyes, asked for a nurse and requested her to call his wife and son. However within 15 minutes, before they arrived Joyce breathed his last.

 

In Dublin the work and life of Joyce is annually celebrated on 16^th June every year.

Thanks for reading.

Patriotic Saint

12^th January is a very important day in India. This is celebrated as National Youth Day. Swami Vivekananda who is also known as Patriotic Saint was born on 12^th January 1863. He was the Chief Disciple of Ramakrishna who was a well known saint in Bengal during 19^th century. Swami Vivekananda is credited with founding of Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. The latter has spread throughout the country and is engaged in learning many educational institutions.

 

Narendranath Datta (the real name of Swami Vivekananda) was born in an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta. His father Vishwanath Datta was an Attorney at the Calcutta High Court. His mother Bhuvaneshwari Devi was a devout house wife. The progressive rational thinking of Narendra’s father, and the religious temperament of his mother helped shake his thinking and personality.

 

Swami Vivekananda was instrumental in the introduction of The Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the western world. He was a great public speaker. His confident participation in the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893 brought him laurels. The beginning of his speech by addressing Sisters and Brothers of America… is remembered by religious leaders of various countries even today. He was considered the most effective and influential speaker at that meeting.

 

Swami Vivekanada’s teachings emphasize human development. According to him each individual has a soul potentially divine. The goal to manifest this divinity should be prime for everyone. This is possible through devotion to one’s duty. This is possible by mental discipline or prayers. Contemplation on human soul is also very relevant. This is the very essence of any religion. Rituals, dogmas, books or temples or forms are just secondary details.

 

Swami Vivekanada’s influence on Hinduism is paramount. According to him, Love and respect towards the Motherland was the solemn duty of every citizen. He is respectfully known as the Patriotic Saint.

Thanks for reading.