Dynamic Dust: History

Casteism..Hmmm!

09:00

Image Source: goseefeel

Casteism is a disease which has and has been dividing our society. I don’t deny the fact that world is rising above the stereotypes to some extent but the roots of casetism still lies beneath the ground of society. This casteism has always impacted the whole nation. I am discussing about the ongoing impacts of casteism:

1) Division of society: Society is divided into groups on the basis of the caste they belong. In spite of getting good education, we are unable to break this mindset of people. I am surprised to know that even the people who are quite qualified believe in it and show their superiority of blood. I don’t know do they possess blood of some other color which they feel is superior to other people?

2) Narrow Mindset: People have quite narrow mindset regarding castes. Today, this era is no doubt changing but there is still a root which makes them to create a distinction in them. Now people have divided the society in General, SC, ST, OBC categories. Moreover, there is clash of people in sub-categories. They act superior to one another. People say that they don’t believe in casteism but they openly preach about their superiority of belonging to some royal class or of ancestors. Whatever. Doesn’t they indirectly showing their faith in casteism by making other people inferior?

3) Distinction on the basis of caste: I don’t understand the criteria of Quota system. We want to unite our country in one thread of unity but we have divided it into classes. This has created distinction between different groups. In my opinion if we want to make everyone equal, we have to treat everyone equal. People who are really in need should be eligible for it. This criterion should not divide society. I wish one day this surname system will end when people will voluntarily choose to do it and recognition of individual would be done on some another basis.

4) Suicides: There occur many suicides because of this so called casteism. Many people who wanted to do inter caste marriages have ended their life with suicides. I think such society must feel their ‘Izzat’ after these acts which otherwise was spoiling by the youth!

The most recent example was of Rohith Vemula Suicide when he suffered caste based discrimination. I don’t think we can see a society of equality until we all change our mindset.

5) Murders: In the name of God, a lot of murders still happen in our country. Don’t they understand they belong to humanity first before belonging to any caste? They feel they possess different blood. I ask do they have blood A, B, AB, O (+ or -) other than this? I don’t understand their logic of killing someone just because they don’t belong to your co-called caste. It’s really haunting to even imagine the suffering of people who have witnessed this shameful act.

I feel casteism has a very deep impact on our society. Knowingly or unknowingly, we are becoming its part. I respect every religion but before respecting any other religion, I firmly believe in one religion of Humanity!

Cheers to Globalization!

08:23

Image Source: Working Capital Review

Since, we are a part of globalized world and imagining India without global trade would be disturbing. We have become a globalized society only after 1990’s when policy of globalization, liberalization and privatization came. It was our former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who gave us this LPG policy.

People may say that Dr. Manmohan Singh remains silent in most of his talks but he works silently and his silent works has made India what is it today. If he hadn’t chosen to implement this policy even I would not be able to write this blog today.

Due to Globalization, trade among international market has increased. Exchange of goods and services has only started after this policy came in existence.

Today India’s GDP rate has increased many times than in 1990’s. When this policy of LPG came, it focused on liberalization of trade, globalized trade among other countries and India and the most important step was privatization.

This policy ended the problems of trade among private entrepreneurs. There was a limit of investment and turnover for any industry but after this, those obstructions ended.

With privatization, Indian government sold firms which were in its control and kept only the most important industries like railway and steel industry.

This step was surely grand as it was a misconception that it might not be good to increase trade with other countries but due to this, many multinational industries invested and a lot of job opportunities boomed. This created employment which ultimately increased the standard of living of people.

Today ‘Make in India’ is a very impressive initiative which our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken. This might turn out to be an obligatory initiative and will be recalled with pride by the people of India.

India’s way for becoming a developed country is through ‘Make in India’. It is attracting international investors to invest in India which ultimately will be a step for creating jobs for every section of society. Industry provides jobs to people either rich or poor. PM Modi’s visit to different countries is earning fruits. Many countries including China, US, Russia, Japan has not only agreed but are happy to invest in Indian Market.

Indian Market is very big for investors because of its large population and it creates a major advantage of earning healthy profit with cheap labor cost. As country like India is in its developing phrase, it needs job opportunities for its growing population and with it, India have to make its way to become a developed country.

India is not only diverse in its culture and geographical structure but also it has diversity of living standards and thus multiplicity of people.

Globalization has more key advantages according to me. Some says that this makes rich people richer and poor people poorer but I deny this fact as industries provide job opportunities with skilled labor or by making the labour skilled. This increases the probability of getting job with less education.

I must say that this was really the step India needed!

Searching for the issue in kashmir

12:30

Image: SlideShare.net

Kashmir has always remained an issue between India and Pakistan. But what’s exactly the reason of these conflicts? How has they started? And why aren’t they settling down?

Answers to these questions can only be known by navigating through the pages of history!

Dating back to 1947 when India was about to gain its freedom finally. British people had introduced ‘Lapse of Paramountcy’. Under ‘Lapse of Paramountcy’ British people were ending their all agreements with the majesties of Indian Provinces.

India was divided into 565 provinces at that time. When British people were leaving our country, they asked 565 provinces to either choose to join India or Pakistan or they could choose to remain independent!

The majesty of Kashmir wanted to stay independent at that time. Remaining independent was not a good option to them in actual. The fact was that Kashmir was at boundary and its geographical setup could bring problems to Kashmir. The decision of Maharaja to remain independent could lead to future conflicts were earlier sensed by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Louis Mount Batten.

To guide Sh. Hari Singh, the majesty of Kashmir, Mt. Batten went Kashmir. He in his meeting told majesty to either choose to stay with India or Pakistan but remaining independent would not be feasible. Mt. Batten had also told Maharaja Hari Singh that India won’t be having any issue if they choose to go with Pakistan but remaining independent could create difficult situation for the state.

To decide further on this matter, Maharaja Hari Singh was supposed to meet Mt. Batten at Delhi but he didn’t came instead sent a message that he was ill.

Fate could have been different if that day Maharaja Hari Singh had come in that meeting. Destiny of Kashmir could be different!

Soon after Independence, Pakistan started to cover the boundaries of Kashmir and by breaking the standstill agreement, Pakistan withdrew the supply of petrol, food and other items to Kashmir.

Pakistan started to use force to occupy Kashmir. On October 22, 1947 thousand of tribal people of Pakistan with guns entered Kashmir and started to kill innocents and destroyed everything that came in their way.

It was the time when Maharaja Hari Singh became very much conscious. He had neither a big army to fight and moreover the army people who were Muslims and wanted to go to Pakistan joined hands with tribal people and started to attack their own state.

But as they moved further, they started to loot and rape women. It was not only Hindu women who were at their target but they killed and raped women belonging to every religion either it was a Hindu; a Sikh; a Christen; or a Muslim itself. It's rightly said that 'Terrorism possess no religion'.

Maharaja Hari Singh asked help from India to save Kashmir at any cost to which Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Patel were ready but Mt. Batten had a clear stand over it. According to him, sending army in Kashmir was against rules as it’s not a part of India. Sending army meant open battle with Pakistan.

V.P Manen was sent to Kashmir to ask Maharaja Hari Singh if they want to join India or not otherwise it would be irrational for India to enter in Kashmir’s territory. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of accession with India which made Kashmir a part of India. With it, Prime Minister also said that after the re-habitation of Kashmir, voting will be done and majority will decide whether they want to stay with India or Pakistan.

Despite having enough resources, India sent its army to Kashmir and moreover asked Mount Batten to take this issue in front of UNO. India was successful to save a greater part of Kashmir until UNO gave its decision by perceiving India and Pakistan as same and ordered ceasefire between both the countries.

Pakistan didn’t take charge of the attack despite said that it was an internal issue of Kashmir.

After the ceasefire on Jan 1, 1949 India had reoccupied a larger part of Kashmir but things didn’t became same instead they were more complicated now. Ceasefire is now called Line of Control (LOC). The area of Kashmir which is under Pakistan is now called ‘Pakistan occupied Kashmir’ by India and area under the control of India is called ‘India occupied Kashmir’ by Pakistan.

Till date, neither the issues have settled down nor have things become stable in Kashmir. They people are still in pain and Kashmir under threat. This terrible incident has left its bitter impact on the lives and minds of Kashmiri people!

“ Year of the Monkey”

11:46

Image: CNYCA

Chinese New Year is also known as ‘Spring Festival’ or ‘Lunar New Year’. This time it has brought "Year of the Monkey".

It is the time for people to feel lively and joyful. This fantastico colorful festival enjoyed by people with lion dances, dragon dances, family gatherings, fireworks and giving red envelopes.

Red color holds a strong importance to the Chinese beliefs. There is a secret behind it. Secret lies in the legend which recommends decoration with red color.

Legend:

There was a beast known as ‘Nian’ who ate villagers’ especially little children. Villagers used to fear from Nian. In order to protect themselves, villagers started to prepare food for Nian. They started to put that food in front of their door. After eating the food, Nian didn’t harm village people. Once a god visited a villager, he told him to put red paper on the walls and to place firecrackers. Villager wanted to take revenge from Nian and hence they did it. They frightened Nian with firecrackers and got to know that Nian is afraid of color red and firecrackers. When New Year was about to come, they started wearing red clothes and hanging red lanterns with red spring hanging on windows and doors.

Categorizing Years with Animals

According to Chinese calendar, every year is associated with an animal. There are twelve zodiac signs in Chinese astrology as in western astrology but the fact that differs both is that western zodiac sign represents 12 months and hence shows 12 month cycle. On the other hand, Chinese zodiac signs are linked with years and thus follow a 12 years cycle. There are twelve animal associated which gives a unique meaning to every year.

Chinese zodiac is based on four pillars. These pillars are year, month, day and hour. These four pillars determines the personality of a person depending upon the year, month, day and hour in which he/she is born. As animals are assigned to different years, months and hours,nature and behavior of those animals reveals the exact personality of a person.

Children who’ll be born this year will appear energetic and versatile as monkey to the outer world. The months in which they’ll be born signify their 'inner animal', day of birth will tell their 'true animal' and hours will tell the 'secret animal' inside them. This year is of much importance and delight to the people born in monkey years.

This zodiac forms a cycle of 12 years. But exact alike years arise after 60 years. It is because firstly there are 12 years cycle of animal zodiac to define a year, then to categorize it there is a 10 years cycle of five heavenly stems namely fire, metal, earth, wood and water which is rotated after a period of 2 years each. Further every year is linked with either yin or yang alternatively.

This year 2016 is a year of monkey. Specifically it is year of Yang Fire Monkey which is repeated after a cycle of 60 years. Last time, this same year was 1955 and the New Year day was January 24. Thus people who have their birth year Yang Fire Monkey will be believed to be the luckiest this year!

Life of Lal Bahadur Shastri ji

06:32

Lal Bahadur Shastri (Image: India.com)

After the death of India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru on May 17, 1964 a very big question arrived in front of the country. The question was that who will now become Prime Minister of India.

Gulzarilal Nanda was made caretaker Prime Minister of India. At that point of time, K .Kamraj was the speaker of cabinet and the decision for choice of Prime Minister lied on him strongly. Morarji Desai wanted to become the Prime Minister of India but due to his past records and his immediate responses, K. Kamraj and many other ministers didn’t want him to take that position. On the other hand, Lal Bahadur Shastri had come into cabinet through portfolio and this was in its favor that more people were in his support.

Morarji Desai wanted voting but K. Kamraj said that it could spoil the image of party, so he personally conversed with many ministers and on June 1, 1964 he told Morarji Desai about the decision for which Morarji Desai had to agree. Majority was on the favor of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Then, our country got its second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He belonged to a very poor family. His own daughter had died because they hadn’t enough money to buy medicines. He took loan to buy a small car when he became Prime Minister.

On June 2, 1964 Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri took oath and took India in his hands. With this, K. Kamraj also put Cabinet above Prime Minister’s powers. Now, Lal Bahadur Shastri couldn’t exercise the powers that Nehru used to.

People used to call him weak. On his first press conference, some journalists talked to him as if he was a low ranked person and not a Prime Minister. He felt offended and never did any Press conference after this.

In cabinet, various ministers used to offend him and he didn’t get respect which he deserved. Lal Bahadur Shastri has never feared of any critic but always found anything for improvement.

In 1964-1965, India was suffering from Food disaster. He gave a new idea to the country at that time. The idea was to fast a day in a week. He gave this idea after trying on his own children. When he found that his children too can live without food for a day, he decided to announce this idea publicly.

At his own residence, in his lawn, he did farming with bulls himself. He gave message to people that the land possessed by them should be used effectively to produce food.

In 1965, Pakistan crossed international border in Gujarat and occupied Rann of Kutch and took away 75 sq. kilometers of area. It was on August 5 that Lal Bahadur Shastri said that Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan wanted to fight and we can’t leave them without teaching them any lesson in a talk with ministers at his home.

On September 1, 1965 under operation grand slam, Pakistan sent its army in Chhamb in Kashmir. This broke connection of Kashmir with India. The only way to save Chhamb was with the help of air force to which Defense Minister Y.B. Chauhan agreed and General Arjun Singh told that the Air-Force will get ready in half an hour and after an hour, air strikes held. Pakistan tried to battle by indulging with all its efforts.

When water come up to head, Lal Bahadur Shastri gave permission to Army Chief to cross International boundary as Pakistan did from Gujarat and Punjab. India occupied 710 sq. kilometers of area of Pakistan.

Due to international pressure, when battle was over Shastri on October 21, 1965 went to Allahabad. This time people were appreciating him and he was not a weak leader now for them.

Lal Bahadur Shastri said in his speech that like the soldiers are shedding their blood, farmers have to work hard too. He gave slogan of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” which became famous and ideal for farmers.

On borders, there used to be ceasefire. On January 4, 1966 to January 10, 1966 Lal Bahadur Shastri went to Tashkent to attend a meeting with Pakistan hosted by USSR. There he agreed on the contract that both the countries will come to their original places. International borders should be in the way they used to be on the behalf of India. He signed on it. On January 10 at night, he called home and talked with his wife and told them to send newspaper to Lahore too.

Next morning, only the news came that our second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent due to heart attack!

Story behind Kamrunaag temple

06:11

Kamrunaag Temple (Image: Loopwhole)

Himachal is a land of fantastic tales. One more tale is about a temple situated on one of the highest hills of Sundernagar! Kamrunaag ji is a Hindu deity and is considered as a powerful god here. There is a lake in front of the temple where people use to throw money. A lot of coins and notes are thrown into that pond every year.

Technically, that currency became invalid and disappears from the market but people have utmost faith in god. It’s not like that people are blindly trusting on god but Kamrunaag deity makes sure that good should happen with good and bad with the bad.

Once, two thieves went to stole money from that lake in mid-night. They no doubt collected much money but as they turned back to run, they saw dark and nothing else and when they were turning towards the temple, their eyes were becoming normal. It happened many times and at last, thieves had to leave all the money in lake.

There was one more incident when a person who was very poor and needed money urgently. He went there and stole money but this thing which had happened to thieves didn’t happen to him. He took the money and used it where he needed that. There was another person who came to know about this stealing. He told about him to everyone. In this incident, bad didn’t happen to the one who stole money but to the one who told everything to the world.

There is a person known as ‘Gur’ in temples in which deity comes. Lately, he told people that it’s his money and his wish to decide whom he wanted to give money.

The story of establishment of this temple dates back to Mahabharata. Kamrunaag was a deity with strong powers. When Mahabharata was happening in Kurukshetra, he decided to go and see it with his eyes. He was on his way when Shri Krishan realized that some strong power is coming near to them. Shri Krishan turned himself into a Brahmin and came in his way. He asked Kamrunaag where he was going to which he replied that he was going to see the battle of Mahabharata. When Brahmin asked, on whose side you’ll be supporting, he said ‘I’ll take the side of one who is losing’. To test the powers of Kamrunaag, he asked him to make a hole on all the leaves of the trees in front of them with single arrow. Shri Krishan put one leaf inside his palm and one under his feet secretly. He made hole on all the leaves including the ones hidden by Shri Krishan. By this, Shri Krishan came to know that Kamrunaag was surely a powerful deity.

Shri Krishan knew that if Kamrunaag would see the battle, it is probable that Kaurav’s could win. Being a Brahmin, he asked a wish from Kamrunaag to which he couldn’t deny. Shri Krishan asked him to cut and give his head and Kamrunaag did so. When Shri Krishan came in his real form, Kamrunaag came to know about the whole matter. He asked a wish from Shri Krishan to watch the battle of Mahabharata with his own eyes without supporting anyone.

For his sake, head of Kamrunaag was placed on the hilltop to let him see the battle. One more thing started happening then. To which side Kamrunaag was watching, that side started to win. For this, Shri Krishan let him see the real thing happening behind the battle. After the battle ended, Shri Krishan asked him how the battle was to which Kamrunaag replied that there was nothing happening in the battle, it was you who was doing everything with your Sudarshan Chakra.

After this, Kamrunaag asked Shri krishan to settle him down at a peaceful mountain and so on one of the peaks of Himalayas, Kamrunaag is having their temple!

History of Sundernagar!

09:23

Image : Tan'sClick

Sundernagar is my hometown which is situated in the lap of Himalayas. It is located in district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. History of Sundernagar dates back to eighth century. It was named ’Suket’ and ancestors of this kingdom belonged to Rajputs of Bengal. Bir Sen was the first king known to this place and it is probable that Bir Sen established Suket in 756 AD.

It used to be in the area of 420 square kilometers. Its boundary touches Mandi, Bilaspur and Kullu. Sundernagar was the capital of Suket. The descendants of this kingdom fought many battles and the major one was held with Kullu. Under the administration of Raja Vikram Singh, Kullu was under Suket.

When Raja Madan Sen came into existence in thirteenth century, there was more stability and happiness and thus this turned out to be the longest period for a ruler. This time was also called ‘Golden era of Suket’.

Raja Madan Sen made a fort namely Madankot near Pangna and now this place is known as Madangarh. Raja Madan Sen gave Rana Bhosal area from Manali to Bajorra for marrying the princess of Suket.

There is a one more story lying in the pages of history. In one tale, it is said that once the king was sleeping and he saw Goddess in his dreams and Goddess warned him to leave Pangna otherwise fate could turn out Evil to him. King made a temple there and left that place. Then, he made ‘Lohara’ as the Capital of Suket.

After this, Raja Garud Sen and Raja Vikram Sen ruled in Suket. It is said that the queen of Raja Vikram Sen was a very intelligent lady and she constructed Suraj Kund in Suket.

In 1820, William Murcraft was first European to visit Suket! Under the rule of Raja Ugar Sen, the Governor General of India, Lord Mayo visited Suket. Then, Raja Bhim Sen built many buildings and roads.

The last king who has ruled Suket was Raja Lakshman Sen. His rule started from 1920 AD. His ruling period was although small but he did many important and useful works for the people of his kingdom.

He made primary schools for girls and boys. He appointed ‘Vaidh’ in every Tehsil and made administrative service strong. He built many new roads and reconstructed some to widen. He constructed orphanage, court and various public buildings.

On April 15, 1948 Suket and Mandi were combined to form a single district known as ‘Mandi’!

There are many festivals which are celebrated in Sundernagar and different fairs are hosted here in which the major one is ‘Nalwadi Mela’ which is a state level fair. It was started by Raja Vikram Sen in 1889 and this idea was given by W. Goldstein.

Currently, Sundernagar is in its developing phrase and many institutions, hospitals and schools are started here. There are many temples and peaceful places to visit around the town. A man-made lake is also constructed here under Beas Satluj Link Project which has actually increased the charm of this town. Hope it will dwell more and more!

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