‘I do not want that sort of Swaraj which will be for middle class alone. I want a Swaraj which will be for the masses,not for the classes. I don’t care for the bourgeoisie. How few are they? Swaraj must be for the masses and must be won for the masses’
C.R.Das
As Urdu press celebrates its lowkey bicentenary this year,it is the perfect time to tribute those who laid its foundation : A Brahmin, a Sikh and their weekly paper ‘Jam-e-Jahan Numa’
This article throws light on one such Hajj expedition undertaken by Nawab Sikandar Begum of Bhopal.
Just a day prior to his suicide, Hitler married Eva Braun, his long-time companion in a simple civil ceremony. But what followed next was no hunky-dory romance.
In the present scenario of cyberbullying, the name ‘Abdul’ is used to demonize and defame Muslims as illiterate creatures full of hate. But a lesser-known fact is that one such Abdul transcended from being an ordinary clerk to becoming a powerful figure within the British Royal Court. His name was Mohammed Abdul Karim, titled The Munshi.
On January 11, 2013, former President of India, Shree Pranab Mukherjee released a commemorative stamp on Silk Letter Movement. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the sacrifices of individuals and groups, such as those associated with the Silk Letter Movement, constitute a glorious chapter of India’s history of Freedom struggle and need to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Professor Abdul Bari’s tomb bedsheeted in layers of dust, very much like his accomplishment: unsung, ignored ,awaiting a long pending ballad.
The machine (EVM) could also eliminate booth-capturing as it would become possible for the Election Commission to introduce mobile polling stations to take the machines to the doorsteps of the people, especially the weaker sections.
Akbar Allahabadi was senior to Iqbal and he wrote a reply to Sare Jahan Se Achcha in form of another poem.
The idea of reservation to OBCs (Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs) came about in 1990 after the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented. The reservation under article 341 defined only SC community and most of these Pasmanda castes don’t come under this identification.
“This is the Congress radio calling on 42.34 meters from somewhere in India,” spoke Usha Mehta after the Quit India Movement had been silenced by the Britishers.
Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan plays Usha Mehta in her movie Ae Watan Mere Watan.
Read our special feature about India’s bravest Radio Jockey ,fondly known as Radio Ben
CAPTAIN LAKSHMI SAHGAL – Doctor by Job, Freedom Fighter by Will
During the Bengal famine, Sahir Ludhianvi wrote a poem which has a couplet:
In 1839, Samuel Morse, reputed as the telegraph pioneer, laid the first telegraph lines connecting Washington to Baltimore. In India, the same year, O’Shaughnessy completed 21 miles of a telegraph line wrapped around trees and vast stretches which included a river crossing of 4 miles as an experiment.
Democracy is an occidental idea. A Hindu cannot comprehend it as long as he is a Hindu. It is against his religious belief. The divisions of Varna are the basis of his religion. He cannot see without distress a Brahman or Kshtriya serving a Sudra. A Brahman may beg or even may die, yet he will never touch a dish from which a Sudra has partaken food.
Allama Iqbal Letter to Mahatma Gandhi, declining the offer of Vice-chancellorship of Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh, 29th November 1920.
