PEDONG: BEAUTY OF NATURE

I still remember 4th of October, the day I decided to move away from all the hustle and bustle of daily routine. I was very tired and bored of the time that passed each day. I unexpectedly left for Pedong, a village in district Darjeeling on the same evening. I grabbed a bus and enjoyed the overnight journey from Delhi. I reached the destination in afternoon the next day. 

I remember the unimaginable beauty of the place. It falls on the ancient silk route that connects Tibet with India through the Jalep La pass. Pedong (4500ft) one of the loveliest place in Darjeeling is situated between Kalimpong and Lava. A small picturesque hamlet situated on a ridge and surrounded by pine forests, Pedong commands some magnificent view of snow ranges of Mount Kanchendzonga. It’s a small village with the population of approximately 19000.

I was amazed to see the beautiful hills, meadows, and streams that dressed this small village exquisitely. I had my lunch under a tree with a huge shadow eclipsing me entirely. I was tired a little due the overnight travelling but I had a great sleep in the fragrant breeze of Pedong.

Rikisum Top is perhaps the most scenic location around Pedong. Situated on top of a densely forested hill, it provides a bird eye view of the surrounding mountains. It commands some magnificent view of the snow on the Kanchenjunga Mountains. There is an old Bungalow which was built by British in year 1902, the best view point of the Kalimpong sub-division where you can see the entire Kanchenjunga range. I spent a good time at this place watching outside through the wide window panes.

Within a 15 min walking distance from Pedong Bazar, you get to see the Damsang Dzong Fort. It was built in the year 1960 to stem any aggression by the troops of the East India Co. and other hostile tribes as well. The fort is in ruins after the Anglo-Bhutanese war of 1864. Apart from the Mystic and Historic interests one is also treated to a magnificent view of the Himalayas and lush green valley as it was built at a vantage point for the administration purpose. It is wonderfully beautiful and beautifully wonderful.

The climate is suitable and soothing in Pedong. Cold months are from October to February. The month of March and early May is quit abundant in sunshine. Summer is officially from September to June. No doubt, you enjoy all the seasons here.

Walking along the road side is unforgettable as the scenic beauty freezes your attention. I enjoyed eating Momos and Churpi, the famous foods at one of the stalls in Pedong Bazaar. I could explore very little as I packed up the next day to leave. It was a short, swift yet enjoyable and memorable journey.

Is US growing religious intolerant ?

US claims itself to be a peaceful democratic country in the world but as we put a closer look over it, we find something different, different from what it claims. The recent Mosque building controversy at a place near the ground zero has given a chance to the people around to discuss and doubt the very claim of US as a democratic and religious tolerant country. 

Almost a decade later after the notorious 9/11, a proposal to build an Islamic centre and mosque two blocks away from the World Trade Centre (WTC) site has sharply divided the country. The voices of rationality have gained pitch stressing America's constitutional tradition of strict separation of church from the state.

However, President Barack Obama has fueled the controversy by weighing in. First on the side of the rationalists, as might be expected, from a former professor of constitutional law. On August 13, 2010, Obama asserted, “Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country, and that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances”. 

The next day Obama clarified that he was only speaking of legal rights and was not commenting on the wisdom of making the decision to place a mosque near the ground zero. With this U-turn gesture, which came at the start of a ferociously competitive election season, Obama opened himself up for criticism, not just from conservative Republicanism but also from many Democrats.

 The portrayal of Obama as an ivory tower intellectual, out of touch with the average American is a wild card for the Republican plan of attack this November. The faltering recovery, and resultant discrediting of his economic policy, which was crafted by a group of Ivy League college professors, makes this an easy job on the economic front. Now, the president appears to have handed his rivals the perfect opportunity to broaden their attack. 

Former US President Bill Clinton also supported Park 51 (the proposed Islamic centre) after noting that many Muslims were also killed on September 11. Union supported it as well, citing principles of religious Freedom. The Interfaith Alliance also supported the mosque, while indicating that it agreed with the need for transparency as to who is funding the project.

On the other hand, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg strongly endorsed the project, saying that Ground Zero was an appropriate place for a mosque, because it would send a message to the world that US has freedom of religion for everyone. Responding to opposition, he said, “We want to make sure that everybody from around the world feels comfortable coming here, living here, and praying the way they want to".

 The statements are positive though but the public opinion tells some other story. It’s not a question of building an Islamic centre or a mosque, but it’s a question of an undefined and unremitting malice towards a particular religion. Has the 9/11 affected the religious tolerance of US? I think it has!

INDIA OF MY DREAMS

Sometimes, today’s India makes me want to weep. When I see the child beggars roaming the streets, the glaring sign of poverty and misery, the effects of drought and the result of poor education. I feel sorrow for the India that I live in. But the sorrow is short-sighted as I see also the evidence of India’s progress in different fields. Our scientific and economical progress has been commendable. We have always been proud of our cultural heritage. Perhaps, then the India of our dream is not unrealistic.

          The India of my dreams would be a symbol of all that is just, true and beautiful. India will be a mixture of the old and the new, the spiritual and the material, the urban and the rural and the scientific and technological. She will be a land of peace, calm, prosperity, progress, wisdom and knowledge. In the India of my dream, all will have the basic amenities with clothing, food, and shelter. There will be no barrier of cast, religion, colour, or sex. We will all only be an Indian.

          The social evils like illiteracy, ignorance, etc that plague us, will be vanished from India of my dreams. Her people will be self-reliant and will have blind faith in hard work. India of my dream will not be guided by any starts and fate but by the dynamic men who will write their own faith. Truth, non-violence high moral value of life and above-all integrity of character will be the hallmark of the Indian society. Where mind will be without fear and all small and big, ugly and beautiful things have their own dignity.

          In the India of my dreams, fine arts, handicrafts, sculpture, architecture, dance drama, literature, music and education will be perfect models. Science will be used for the welfare of mankind. Though we will have the knowledge of modern weapons, we will not the fist to use them against any nation. Scientists will be given all the facilities they require. There will be no bran drain.

          The political system of the country will be cleaned of all dirt. The field of politics will be only platform for social service and welfare of the people and the country. Corruption in public duty will be firmly checked.

          Of course, India of my dreams cannot be translated into short span. But if all of us work with national interest at heart, it can possible in real life. 

This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.13

मुझे इस जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें रुखसत कर दो....

मुझे इस जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें
रुखसत कर दो


यही मेरी मोहब्बत का इनाम होगा


आंसूओं के ये मोती मेरी मौत पर
बिखराओ ना

इससे जहाँ में मेरा प्यार बदनाम
होगा

मुझे इस
जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें रुखसत कर दो
यही मेरी मोहब्बत का इनाम
होगा.................

बेवफा तेरी बदोलत ही, मैं दुनियां से जा रहा हूँ

ज़िन्दगी को छोड़कर, रुक जा, ऐ मौत
तेरे पास आ रहा हूँ

TOWARDS THE EMPOWERMENT OF INDIAN WOMEN

From time immemorial, woman in India have largely remained a matter of joy and she has been used and misused by men to serve their evil ends. She has been used like a machine for procreation. Efforts have been made by the social reformer in the post to bring dignity to women. But the proprietors of the orthodoxy thwarted these efforts.

Man and woman together constitute the social structure of human society. Both are the inevitable part of society. Women constitute fifty percent population. For all round development, political and other development activities are desirable.

Envisaging the importance of women in nation building, the founding fathers of Constitution made several provisions, which not only grant equality to women, but also empower the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

In recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The women’s movements and the Apex Court have contributed a lot in inspiring initiatives for the empowerment of women.

The national Commission for women has been set up to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73^rd and 74^th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation for seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for woman. Various legislative measures have been designed to safeguard the rights and interest of women.

However, the picture today is still grim. Leaving a meagre number of urban women, the Indian women are still crying for simple justice. Cases of rape, molestation, dowry death, humiliation and gender discrimination are common and unstopped. The male child is given preference over the female childe. Women are ignored and marginalized from the mainstream.

There is no denying fact that whenever and wherever women have got opportunities, they have proved their worth and attained respect and glory in their respective fields. Today women occupy top ranks in almost all fields. Sonia Gandhi, P.T. Usha, Sania Mirza, Kiran Bedi, Lata Mangesker, Arundhati Roy, Romila Thapar etc. have become names to reckon with in the areas of their work. It is, therefore, must to maintain and protect chastity, dignity and modesty of woman. It is the need of the hour to give due share to each and every section of the Indian women.

First of all we must treat our female child at par with our male ones and create an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women to enable them to realize their full potential. Thenceforth, all possible steps must be taken to restore equality in terms of participation and decision making in social, political and economic life. Besides, elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child must be stopped.

Constitutional provisions and the legislations enacted by the Government have been bringing slow but effective change in social, economic and political status of women in India and thus laying a strong foundation of women empowerment. Let us hope that with the sustained efforts and effective implementation, full empowerment of women in all spheres will become a reality in the days to come.

RAMAZAN/EID

Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic year, based on the Lunar calendar. It is regarded as the holiest month in the Muslim belief, the month in which the Quran, according to tradition, was revealed to Prophet Mohammed. This month is of substantial importance, wherein fasting and other relating practices are observed. A Muslim is obliged to be at fast during this holy month. However, there are relaxations in certain cases like pregnant and nursing women, children younger than twelve, and women during their periods and of course the people with bad health. However, in such cases, people need to clear all the days missed during Ramazan in the following months.

The Muslims are not only supposed to fast but at the same time restrain themselves from anything that is not of good nature. And most importantly, a person needs to keep away from sex. The fasting days are observed with people refraining from eating, drinking, smoking or anything that satiates the hunger or thirst or anything that relieves him from it. This is accompanied by observing patience and controlling anger. Overall, a person undergoes a self-restraint and self-purification process.

As soon as the crescent is observed by most of the Hilal committees, a public announcement is made that the holy month of Ramazan commences from the next day. And so do the practices start, following the proclamation. The same night, people offer the prayers of “Tarawih” after Isha prayers. Tarawih is observed only in the month of Ramazan.. These are prayed in pairs of two; and eight or twenty Raka’ahs are prayed in total. The purpose of the Tarawih, which takes place every night after Isha prayers during Ramazan, is that Muslims attempt to complete recitation of the Quran by reciting at least one Juz (parah) every night. But in some cases, usual recitation of surahs that people know takes place.

The prayer of Tarawih is followed by the normal way of living till the time of Sehri. It is the period before the break of dawn. A meal is enjoyed at this time till the time the Muazzin calls to the mosque. (Azaan). Several dishes are enjoyed in this duration, but it is important to have something at Sehri or at least drink water, or else it wouldn’t count as a fast in religious terms, even if he starves throughout the day. After the fagir azaan (morning call)is heard, a Muslim is supposed to stop eating. Sehri is followed by the Salaha fagir (morning prayers).

During the whole day, a person is recommended to keep away from all evil things like deception, lies, anger and most importantly, sex. Usual prayers are observed during the day, and in most of the cases, people offer some additional prayers to get rewarded.

Dusk approaches, and Muslims get ready with their meals to break the fast, and mark the end of the first successful day. But it only takes place when the Azaan is heard (magrib azaan) This is the time of Iftar,. The time when people enjoy meals to break their fast. The same practice is followed on other days as well.

The practices are repeated all the days to come as mentioned above. And after twenty days, any odd day in the last ten days of Ramazan may be Lilatul Quadr. This is the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet. It’s believed that this is the night when their fate in the following year is decided. It is also the anniversary of the night in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed in its entirety. This night is better than one thousand months. So, people offer prayers and invocations throughout the night, keeping awake throughout.

One more practice is followed by most of the Muslims called Itikaf. It’s a form of worship, where a person stays inside a mosque with real good intentions to get rewarded, and washed of all his sins. This is done in the last ten days of Ramazan. The person is required to stay at least three days in the mosque. He’s assisted with food and all other necessities by any of his family members or relatives. It is a more self-restraint and self-purification process, being isolated from the rest of the world, and intimate with the Almighty.

The last Friday, ordinarily known as Jumait-ul-vida, is the day when people bid farewell to the month of Ramazan by reciting various invocations and naats in the mosques. In a way, people are sad about the departure of this holy month.

Eid-ul-fitr: This marks the beginning of the month of shawal and the end of Ramazan. The most auspicious festival Muslims keep waiting for. The meaning of the festival is happiness which is seen in every face. No fast is observed on this day, and special dishes are prepared on this occasion. The preparations are under process all through the previous week and most importantly on the day prior to this day. People are found with clean and fresh dresses on this occasion, and special Eid prayers, a prayer of two Raka’ahs, are offered in Eid Gaah (a vast field meant for congregations) or mosques.

A special tradition of Eidi is seen on this day, where small kids demand allowances and are provided without hesitations. The kids keep waiting for this day. On this day, they receive money from almost every family member and other relatives. After the Eid prayers, a heavy and delicious meal is enjoyed by people, and Sadqa-i-fitr is practiced, which includes giving alms to the poor.

Shawal: The month following Ramazan is called Shawal. It is recommended to keep fast for six days of shawal, starting from the day after Eid. However, keeping fast on Eid is strictly prohibited.