Lawyers and Spiritualism: Sounds Incredible Yet It’s Possible in Allahabad! ( Photo Feature )
( Lord Hari said to Narada in Padma Purana: “Naham Vasami Vaikunthe Yoginam Hridaya Na Cha, Madbhakta Yatra Gayanti Tatra Tishthami Narada”, “I am not in Vaikunthe and not in the heart of Yogis, but I am there where people worship me and sing my name, O Narada”. )
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ( Albert Einstein ) It’s not often the case that you find lawyers gathering at some place to discuss about issues pertaining to spiritualism. However, in a city like Prayag, which has been seat of intellectual discourse since time immemorial, the unconventional route is not a rarity. Lawyers may or may not emerge as spiritual giants yet they are potentially more divine than others. Let me explain how. Is there any other section of society other than lawyers which witnesses most tragic ironies from such close angles? It’s entirely impossible to beat lawyers in being face-to-face with chosen paradoxes of life. They witness darkest chapters of life almost daily from shattering of human bonds to heinous episodes involving treachery and killings! They see all. That makes their soul crave for peace more and more.
The commonplace observation about lawyers and doctors is that they are extremely materialistic, greedy and manipulative. There is, indeed, an element of truth in such misplaced notions. Yet the greater truth is that they are the most logical, methodical and damn accurate about happenings of life. It’s an easy task for lawyers to change the course of destiny only if they really desire so! Mahtama Gandhi did it for us in beginning of 20th century, and so did Muhammad Ali Jinnah, trained as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, when he played an instrumental role in creation of Pakistan.
The Indian Independence movement involved selfless gestures of so many lawyers having diverse political orientations. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, P.V. Narsimha Rao, Purushottam Das Tandon, Tej Bahadur Sapru and Pandit Madan Malaviya, to name a few, provided excellent leadership at different levels to make “India’s tryst with destiny” a significant affair in the history of world. Interestingly, Clement Attlee, Britain’s Prime Minister at time of India’s Independence, was also a trained lawyer! One thing more. Some of the these lawyers had close connection with Allahabad.
In modern India, nowadays, false notions about lawyers dominate psyche of average mass of people. In fact, a large section of Indian people still believes that studying law is last option for hopeless creatures rejected in other professions! It’s only now that tough entrance, introduction of standard professional approach, and creation of state-of-the-art institutions offering law degrees have virtually sealed the scope for mediocre minds to enter in this profession. However, even now there are lots of loopholes which have ensured that “black gown” is held hostage to lesser minds. If that’s not enough the irresponsible approach of Bar Councils have ensured that life for hardworking lawyers remains like walking on the razor’s edge! And how can we ignore the fact that block-headed, shrewd and arrogant judges are killing the scope of emergence of young lawyers as successful lawyers!!
( Kudos to all the souls involved in spreading the words of Lord Krishna )
Against the backdrop of this sorts of dismal scenario, the emergence of group of lawyers at Allahabad High Court for uplifting the cause of spiritualism under different banners comes as whiff of fresh air. Kudos to Mr S C Upadhyaya for spreading the message of Lord Krishna under aegis of “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being”. One also can’t ignore role of Adv. Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Ex Vice-President of High Court’s Bar Association, and Adv. Sanjay Mishra, to name a few, for ably steering the course of spiritual wave at Allahabad High Court. This should not sound as exaggeration that Devendra ji with his academic bent of mind is setting good precedents in an era wherein lawyers are being perceived as opportunist and shallow creatures. I have been lucky enough in having long conversations with both Mr Tiwari and Sanjay Mishra and realized immediately that both of them excel at carving excellent strategies. No wonder that augurs well for expanding cause of spiritualism in distant lands. Very recently “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being” organized a spiritual discourse on very first day of 2016 at Brahma Vidya Kendra situated inside historic Company Garden located in heart of Allahabad!
Overall, the year began on great note for lawyers-cum-spiritual enthusiasts! The pictures bear testimony to this assertion. It would be a fatal blunder on my part if I omit the name of few sincere activists promoting the message of Krishna with total application of mind and heart. I notice them in almost every event organised under different banners. Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha, Adv. Ramendra Giri, Adv. Adarsh Upadhyaya, Adv. Shashank Singh, Adv. Naveen Pandey and Adv. Pankaj Upadhyaya are some of the faces which are often involved in their tasks in fast and furious way. However, I need to appreciate Shashikant who happens to be my friend since college days. He deserves appreciation not because he happens to be my close friend. He deserves praises because he has evolved as good human being, performing with sincerity whatever tasks fell his way! His down-to-earth approach is infectious!! As concluding remarks I need to mention words of SMA Kazmi, former Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, whom I served as junior in early days of my legal career, that it’s talent alone which ensures bright future provided lady luck at the same time remains kind towards you! So hope and wish that lady luck smiles on all my colleagues serving both humans and Lord at the same time!!
( Neither the position of Brahma nor that of Indra, neither suzerainty nor the rulership of the nether regions, neither power that comes through Yoga nor liberation- the man who has surrendered his mind unto Me desires nothing else but Me- Words of Lord Krishna for Great Yogi Uddhava in Uddhava Gita )
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* Pics Related With Events On January 01 And January 02, 2016 *
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( As I headed towards Brahma Vidya Kendra situated inside beautiful Company Garden, the rustic charm prevalent there took my breath away )
( I love walking on such muddy routes than being placed on metalled roads )
( Although I was getting late for the event. these bright flowers stopped me for a while )
( That’s the Brahma Vidya Kendra inside Company Garden )
( Both these lady saints manage the affair at this Kendra. They were truly in league with divine wisdom. That was so evident in humility exhibited by them. )
( That’s the team which orgainsed this event at Brahma Vidya Kendra on very first day of 2016. Some of the prominent ones are Adv. S C Upadhaya, Adv. Sanjay Mishra, Adv. Dr. Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Adv. Ramendra Giri and Adv. Pankaj Upadhyaya besides , of course, lady saint. )
( Adv. S C Upadhayaya and Adv. Devendra Kumar Tiwari garlanded Adv. Ramendra Giri for ensuring excellent arrangement of Prasada distribution among the devotees. He prepared the prasada not from the hands but through the heart immersed in devotion towards Lord! )
( From Left To Right: Adv. Devendra Tiwari, Lady Saint, Adv. and Writer, Arvind K. Pandey ( i.e. myself 😛 ) and Adv. S C Upadhyaya. )
( Senior Advocate Mr. S C Upadhyaya, President, Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being, throwing light on the role of mission while addressing the media-persons present on this occasion. )
( Some of the other advocates- the spiritual stars 😛 – who made this event a memorable affair 🙂 From Left to Right: Adv. Ramendra Giri, Adv. Nawal Kishore Pandey, Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha, Myself ( author of this post 😛 ) and Adv. Shashank Singh )
( Green Bananas waiting to turn into yellow 😛 😛 😛 . The Kendra has lots of fruit trees, small and big ones which makes this place a spectacle of greenery. )
( Anwala Tree 🙂 🙂 🙂 )
( Peepal Tree is loved by Lord Krishna!! It’s considered very sacred. Probably that’s why some devotee thought it to be a perfect gesture to hang image of Gooddess Durga ji 🙂 )
( Well, first day of New Year gave others a nice chance to play Cricket in Company Garden. I noticed that at every corner of the park people of all ages were deeply involved in playing cricket!! )
( Advocates involved in a spiritual discussion at a different place on a different day in Allahabad! A pleasant sight since lawyers are usually involved in heated discussions 😛 )
( Advocates who visited my home ( and that’s my room 😛 ) and we had exchange of views on interesting issues. From Left to Right: Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha, Adv. Dr. Devendra Tiwari, Adv. Nawal Kishore Pandey and my father Mr. Ram Murat Pandey, who as a Review Officer at UPPSC dealt with legal issues pertaining to engineers and others )
( Advocate Sanjay Mishra also paid visit to my home. He is , indeed, a very capable lawyer, dominating both in legal and spiritual world with his distinct aura! His rich insights made me re-think over some of the life’s burning issues. I wish to meet him often. Hope that’s Will of Lord too 😛 In this short visit, he discussed about genesis of religion and effect of women empowerment in modern times! )
( On the second day of New Year we all advocates gathered at residence of Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha wherein party of “litti-chokha” was organised! Notice Shashikant that whatever be the role, he gets involved in it with total dedication! )
( My friend Adv. Shashikant Involved in preparation of Chokha with help of his brother!! )
( Tomatoes being baked with help of Upali fire! Upalis are prepared from cow’s dung! ! )
( Adv. Ramendra Giri here too ensured that people gathered here do come to relish on tasty food 🙂 Indeed, we all enjoyed his preparations )
( Guavas were tempting the child in us to steal them even as they were too close to us 😛 😛 At Shashikant’s place one notices lots of greenery comprised of fruit trees and flower plants of various types. )
( Felt glad on noticing Sri Tulsi ji! She is so dear to Lord. )
( Advocates getting a chance to relish on Litti Chokha 🙂 Once upon a time it was darling of poor people. Now I notice it party of elites 😛 😛 :P )
( Being inherently a village soul, enjoying background of farmer’s family, the Liiti-Chokha always manged to be part of my diet! In fact, it appears that Litti-Chokha manages to find me always 😛 😛 )
( Blessings of saints work wonders 🙂 )
( Feel glad to be in company of such good souls. Myself with Advocate Ramendra Giri ( Extreme Left ) and Advocate Sanjay Mishra ( Extreme Right ) )
( Let’s hope we all stay together helping each other in best possible ways. It’s need of the hour that good souls remain together. That’s the only way to rule over negative powers, weaken negative forces. Jai Radha Govinda 🙂 )
Srimad Bhagvad Gita: Why It’s A Perennial Source Of Divine Inspiration For Greatest Minds In The East And West?
( Srimad Bhagvad Gita has invited attention of great minds. )
One scripture which continues to amaze all curious conscious minds is, undoubtedly, Srimad Bhagvad Gita. It has invited attention of greatest intellectuals since time immemorial. One certainly needs to delve deep into actual purport of verses to realize why the best minds venturing on planet earth remain in awe of this scripture even when it’s primarily portrayed as icon of Hindu civilization.The great foreign minds like Aldous Huxley, Henry David Thoreau, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Carl Jung, Bulent Ecevit and Hermann Hesse beside great Indian minds like Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Sunita Williams and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, to name a few, struck a deep chord with essence highlighted in this scripture. What’s amazing that it lends different perspective to great minds belonging to different eras and different fields. That’s the reason why commentary of Sri Adi Sankara differs from commentary of Sri Ramanuja even as both treated Bhagavad Gita as highest source of divine inspiration!
( Participants {From Left To Right}: R S Verma, Retd. IAS; Sanjay Mishra, Advocate; SC Upadhyaya, Senior Advocate and President of “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being”; Sri Ram Yadav, Retd. IAS; Professor Janak Pandey, Former Vice-Chancellor Central University Of Bihar; N C Chaturvedi, Senior Advocate, and Mr. R R Upadhyaya. )
It’s natural for Indian minds to be in sync with messages of Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita, but if we closely study life-sketches of great foreign minds it would fill us with wonder to notice that even they too referred to teachings of Lord Krishna spread in this scripture!! Srimad Bhagavad Gita is amalgam of Upanishadic Philosophy popularly known as Vedanta. Now just ponder over the words of Erwin Schroedinger, the most celebrated Austrian Physicist known as the father of Quantum Physics and winner of Noble Prize for his invention of Wave Mechanics: ” Vedanta teaches that consciousness is singular, all happenings are played out in one universal consciousness and there is no multiplicity of selves.” The evidence of impact of Indian scriptures on these great ancient foreign minds gets revealed once we read such striking confessions on their part! Wilhelm von Humboldt ( 1767-1835) , Prussian Minister of Education, a brilliant linguist who gave birth to science of general linguistics, said about Srimad Bhagvad Gita; ” The Gita, the most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song existing in any known tongue- perhaps the deepest and loftiest thing the world has to show.”
No wonder I was thrilled with excitement when I was invited to attend the lecture of Professor Janak Pandey, renowned scholar in fields of Psychology and Indian Philosophy, who also served as Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Bihar in past. The lecture was held under aegis of “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being” on the eve of Gita Jayanti celebrated on Askhaya Ekadashi- a day dedicated to honour Srimad Bhagvad Gita. His speech was a lucid description of the beauty of Srimad Bhagvad Gita. I wished that he should have spoken for a longer duration but once again constraints of time played spoilsport. Yet I found his short speech quite thought-provoking, stimulating and rejuvenating. He raised an important question that why Srimad Bhagvad Gita continues to inspire West? After all, the West is champion of rationalism and scientific spirit!! Janak Pandey felt that it’s not surprising for us to flirt with verses of Srimad Bhagavad Gita since it serves our religious instincts besides enhancing our faith in glory of Lord Krishna. However, it’s very clear that neither religious ground nor issue of faith could be the real reason for Westerns to show their interest in it. In Srimad Bhagvad Gita there is certainly more than meets the eye! There is something which transcends the mind and intellect.
( Professor Janak Pandey Delivering His Keynote Address )
Professor Janak Pandey tried to solve this mystery in this brief speech as to why this scripture continues to haunt the imagination of Western minds. He highlighted his conversation with Michael I. Posner when he happened to deliver keynote address at UGC Centre of Excellence for Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad, few years back. Michael I. Posner is an American psychologist, the editor of numerous cognitive and neuroscience compilations, awarded with the National Medal of Science by U.S. President Barack Obama. Mr Posner revealed that he was a regular visitor to Gita Centre run in his city. He regularly visited the centre and listened the lectures there even as he barely commanded grip over Sanskrit. This helped him lot to carve out new psychological perspectives! At this juncture, it’s necessary to recall episode of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s meeting with an unknown stranger who was shedding tears while reading Bhagvad Gita even as he understood not a single verse! The point is that even when you understand not a single verse, it’s nothing sort of miracle that mere recitation of verses found in this scripture is highly rejuvenating ! The verses create emotional and intellectual turmoil within in a positive way even if we happen to intercept it in a passing way!!
Professor Janak Pandey referred to Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, who believed that a human being is bundle of desires. His theories led to modern branches of psychology in recent times. It’s really interesting that anybody who has read Bhagavad Gita would immediately realize that how Lord Krishna dealt with genesis of desires calling it interplay of three primary Gunas namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. In fact, Arjuna, rightly pointed out that “chanchalam hi manah krishna” ( mind is flickering in nature ). The actual purport is that Freud’s interception is quite limited even though Freud represents one of the the best minds in recent times! The various chapters of Gita are, in fact, different dimensions of advance psychology!
No wonder, as rightly pointed out by Professor Janank Pandey, Srimad Bhagvad Gita offers best scope for study of human nature. The West realized this quite well and thus applied fundamentals enshrined in Gita in their daily life! Unfortunately, the Indians lagged miserably behind their Western counterpart in terms of practical applications of enlightened principles spread in Srimad Bhagavad Gita. The Indians need to emulate approach of Westerns in this regard by introducing concepts mentioned in Gita in practical life. Let’s make it visible in our daily lives instead of keeping relevance of Gita alive only in intellectual discussions.
( Author of this post i.e. myself with Professor Janak Pandey. I found him to be extremely down-to-earth and having low profile approach. That’s sign of a genuine intellectual. Mr. SC Upadhayaya can be seen explaining certain point of view to Mr. Pandey and myself can be seen as an attentive listener 🙂 )
On this occasion, Mr. Rakesh Pandey, Professor, Department of History, Banaras Hindu University, also presented his scintillating views. Professor Rakesh Pandey, who was upset over growing influence of hatred and consumerism, said that unless we come to realize that man is essentially divine in nature, it would be hard for us to stop the regressive policies which have hit planet earth. Professor Rakesh Pandey said that concept of “sarva-bhūta-hite ratah” ( involved in welfare of all beings ) is not possible unless we have realized that “Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ‘rjuna tiṣṭhati” ( Lord alone resides in each being ). Professor Rakesh Pandey added a new dimension to the ongoing discussion when he said that true realization cannot dawn upon us if we do not absorb the sentiments expressed in the ultimate declaration of Sri Adi Sankara: “Brahma satyam jagat mithya jivo brahmaiva näparah” ( Brahman is the Reality, the universe is an illusion, the living being is Brahman alone ). In nutshell, this would alone ensure supreme devotion towards Lord the Devarshi Narada way!
The ever-increasing hatred would not stop in absence of true realization of one’s nature. The ultimate declaration on part of Sri Adi Sankara is bit difficult for average minds from point of view of grasping its actual purport, but there is no way out! You cannot wipe out hatred unless you realize that self in you is self in all the beings!! That man is “potentially divine” is the only escape route!
( Professor Rakesh Pandey, Department Of History, Benaras Hindu University, addressing the audience. He advocated the necessity of installing “Ishvara Bhava” ( feeling of divinity ) in each jeeva ( individual self ) )
Sri Ram Yadav, retd. IAS, who also addressed this event, eloquently expressed that verses of Srimad Bhagvad Gita serve as panacea for human beings chased by unspeakable problems. This scripture is going to stay with us in future generations since it has the capacity to elevate our spirit no matter what’s the nature of issue haunting us. For people who have given up hope of redemption, it’s Gita alone which offers solace to them when it says “sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ” ( Abandon all types of dharma – come and surrender unto Me alone! Do not fear, for I will surely deliver you from all reactions.) ( Chap. 18, Verse 66 ). In fact, Lord is ready to bear all the responsibilities of such a seeker who shows tremendous faith in glory of Lord Krishna: ” Ananyas cintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate tesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy aham” ( But those who worship Me with devotion, meditating on My transcendental form-to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have. ( Chap. 9, Verse 22 )
The event was also addressed by S C Upadhyaya, Senior Advocate, Allahabad High Court, who besides narrating the achievements of “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being” in the capacity of its President also came to reveal that Madan Mohan Malviya gave 100% concession in fees to any student who successfully quoted even one verse of Gita with perfection. He said that Gita inspired giants like Bal Gangadhar Tillak and Mahatma Gandhi to enter into selfless actions ( nishkama bhava ). Senor Advocate N C Chaturvedi, R S Verma, retd. IAS, and coordinator of this event Advocate Sanjay Mishra also spoke about effectiveness of being in touch with verses of Srimad Bhagvad Gita!
( Sri Ram Yadav, Retd. IAS, said that Srimad Bhagvad Gita serve as panacea for human beings chased by unspeakable problems. )
Mr Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Ex Vice President of Allahabad High Court Bar Association, presented fascinating views while presenting vote of thanks. Mr Tiwari said that it’s attachment with “Karma” ( action ) and detachment towards “Phala” ( gains or achievements ) which is the essence of Srimad Bhagvad Gita. In other words; let’s be highly focused towards “Shashwata” ( eternal or imperishable ) and remain unconcerned about “Mithyatva” ( transience ). It would be extremely pleasing to state at this juncture about the soothing Shri Radha oriented bhajans sung by Mr. R B Tripathi, Assistant Registrar, Prayag Sangeet Samiti. Mr Tripathi who also played flute at this event happens to be President awarded (1968) artist is also top-notch Akashvani ( radio ) artist as well. I must say his music presentations provided a much needed conductive atmosphere for intense discussions on Gita or else I noticed many advocates either rushing towards their home or food plates!
I need to end this write-up by reiterating words from keynote address delivered by Professor Janak Pandey. Let’s follow the footsteps of Westerners who have learnt quite well how to bring into application concepts unleashed by Sriamd Bhagvad Gita. It’s a scripture aimed at making human being an “integrated personality” since Gita provides us divine inspiration, supreme goal, and art of manifesting these goals! It’s a scripture which makes one aware of one’s true persona, realize one’s true nature. It’s time to apply essence of Gita this way. That’s the reason why Sri Aurobindo boldly asserted “Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a new meaning for every civilization.” Perhaps this is why in coming generations, Srimad Bhagvad Gita, would continue to show perfect way to both India and the rest of the world!!
( I need to thank Professor Rakesh Pandey, BHU, that he referred to declaration of Sri Adi Sankara: “Brahma satyam jagat mithya jivo brahmaiva näparah” . His commentary on Gita is the best representative of Indian intellect. Sri Adi Sankara also highlights that Guru can be young and disciples in the last lap of their lives! )
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( The post has been written by Arvind K.Pandey, Freelancer, Reputed International Blogger and Advocate, Allahabad High Court )
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Other images of this event:
( This boy named Aditya Upadhyaya did excellent recitation of Chapter 14 of Sriamd Bhagavad Gita. Well done, Aditya!! God Bless You! )
( Dr Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Ex Vice-President Allahabad High Court Bar Association, Allahabad, presented vote of thanks, with a message to remain attached to Karma ( action ) and detached from results arising out of particular Karma! )
( A selfie with Mr R B Tripathi, Assistant Registrar, Prayag Sangeet Samiti. A top-notch radio artist who has received award at the hands of President of India in year 1968. On this occasion he mesmerized the audience with his singing and flute recital )
( A selfie with Mr Rakesh Pandey, Professor, Department Of History, Benaras Hindu University ( BHU ) 🙂 It’s a great honour to be with such a wonderful academician belonging to such an iconic institution! )
( A selfie with Mr Janak Pandey, Ex Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Bihar. Life is a short affair and if in this short journey you come to spend few moments with such top-notch intellectuals then it gives rise to deep satisfaction within 🙂 )
( The busy advocates in great number attended this lecture! I must appreciate this fact that despite being chased by tight schedules they managed to pay attention to such wonderful listeners with rapt attention 🙂 And serious faces of my nieces show that they are pretending hard to pay attention to ongoing developments 😛 )
( The Hanuman Temple at Civil Lines. At this place this event took place. )
( The statue of Swamiji who laid the foundation of this beautiful temple. )
( Awesome Statues Of Sri Radha-Krishna placed inside this temple. Jai Radha-Madhava! Be Their Glory Remains Always Intact 🙂 )
References:
Suicide Of A Worker In Allahabad: Hope It Does Not Go Unnoticed!!
This power plant is generating more controversy than energy!!
Shankargarh, an area falling in Allahabad district, has gained notoriety for being in news for all the wrong reasons. This area is infamous for illegal sand mining. If that’s not enough labourers in this area keep dying due to consumption of cheap liquor. We also often hear about fatal road accidents happening in this area, which make many families lose their only bread earner. Very recently, a police officer posted in Bara Tehsil of Allahabad was murdered by dreaded criminals in this region. And now it’s in limelight again after suicide of a worker named Ramesh Tiwari previous week. He was working for Bara Power Project, managed by Prayagraj Power Generation, a subsidiary company under aegis of Jaypee Group,
The exact reason for his suicide remains unknown. It’s learnt that he was working at this power plant since last two years. For past one year, he had allegedly been irregular at work due to medical reasons. His falling physical and mental health did not permit him to gain regularity, leading to financial crisis at his home. Incidentally at the same period a group of farmers, who had previously registered their protest for land acquisition done for construction of this power plant, entered into fresh sit-in-protests at the head office of this company situated at Bara Tehsil. Among many demands the most pressing was regularization of workers who have been working at this power plant. They also demanded for hike in their salary. To avoid the confrontation between management and workers attaining a vulgar shape, a meeting was convened by the company which made workers, management and local government officials sit together to solve the impending crisis arisen out of sit-in-protest. However, the talks failed. That led to pale of gloom among the workers.
It appears that Ramesh Tiwari on hearing about failure of talks became hugely depressed and before anybody could think of making him gain normalcy, he committed suicide. The farmers who were already agitated in regard to sad developments lost their cool on hearing about death of this Ramesh Tiwari-a farmer turned worker! They took possession of the dead body, not allowing the police officials to carry out the regular process. In the form of procession, they all reached to company’s main gate and there they staged a dharna (sit-in-protest) placing the dead body there. They wanted to have dialogue with company’s officials to seek assurances about proper compensation and job guarantee to one member of the deceased family. Strangely none of the officials of this company thought about diffusing the latest crisis. The company officials did not arrive on the spot to have words with the demonstrators.
Farmers make lots of sacrifices and compromises! But what do they finally get? Nothing.
Soon huge number of police officials appeared with Sub Divisional Magistrate who first ordered mild lathicharge, followed by the order to forcibly take into possession dead body of the worker. That’s how body was sent for postmortem. It’s a tragic coincidence that few weeks ago at the same power plant a welder named Lal Bahadur Singh met with serious accident. After preliminary treatment at local hospital, he got hospitalized in Allahabad, wherein he succumbed to his injuries. That time too workers had gone berserk, forcing the management to grant compensation of Rs Ten Lakhs.
This is travesty of natural justice that farmers who were first made to give up their lands in name of land acquisition are being made to face this sort of animalistic treatment once they have decided to be part of power plant as workers. They would have never imagined about receiving this sort of discriminatory behaviour, This area is also reeling under environmental crisis after this power plant came into operation. Many serious health issues seem to have started bothering residents of this area. However, people who made many sacrifices to make this power plant a reality, have been left at the mercy of fate!! In case of Ramesh Tiwari, an official of this company, on condition of anonymity, said that this worker had already left this company few months back and thus management can do nothing about him.
This has become order of the day that MNCs and some well-known Indian companies are prone to act of omission and commission in wake of fatal accidents occurring on their premises. Their immediate effort is to sweep the incident under the carpet. At this point I come to remember tragic death of Ambika, who died on 31st October, 2010. She was a permanent employee of Nokia Telecom Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sriperumbadur in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. She met with fatal accident after she was allegedly compelled to work at panel loading machine in the factory. Originally she was handling task assigned to a assembly line worker and she did not at all have the expertise to get involved with technical task associated with panel loading machine. Unfortunately, call her bad luck that she met with terrible accident which killed her. A joint investigation by State Labour Commissioner and Factories Inspectorate swung into action but management at that point of time decided to play safe by engaging in shrewd manipulations.
Coming back to suicide of this worker, I am not sure what’s going to be the fate of this case. However, right now the situation remains tense in Bara Tehsil of Allahabad. Shankargarh area is once again in grip of volatile developments. Let’s hope Ramesh Tiwari gets justice. Let it not be one of the cases wherein death gets unnoticed.
( With inputs from Shri Rajendra Mishra, Human Rights Activist And Senior Journalist, Kashiwarta,Varanasi )
Negative side of generating power!!
References:
बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट में कार्यरत मजदूर ने की आत्महत्या: शुरू हुआ लीपापोती का खेल!!
Suicide of a worker in Allahabad: Hope it does not go unnoticed: LinkedIn
Death Of Another Worker At Bara Power Project
Death of Ambika: Kafila Publication
Pics Credit:
बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट में कार्यरत मजदूर ने की आत्महत्या: शुरू हुआ लीपापोती का खेल!!
बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट : हादसों की उर्जा से ग्रसित!
( Also Published On A Prominent Indian Website Related With Cause Of Workers, Sangharsh Samwad, On October 30, 2015 )
इलाहाबाद के शंकरगढ़ क्षेत्र का दुर्भाग्य ये है कि ये अक्सर गलत कारणो से सुर्खियों में रहता है. कभी अवैध खनन की गतिविधियों को लेकर तो कभी सड़क हादसों को लेकर तो कभी दूषित पानी पीने को अभिशप्त लोगो की व्यथा के कारण. जहरीली शराब के कारण होने वाले हादसे भी इस क्षेत्र में अक्सर घटते रहते है. इलाहबाद का चर्चित एसओ हत्याकांड जो बारा में पोस्टेड थें भी इसी शंकरगढ़ क्षेत्र में खूंखार अपराधियों द्वारा दिनदहाड़े कर दी गयी थी. इस बार की घटना बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट जो मिश्रापुरवा गांव में सक्रिय है से जुड़े एक कर्मचारी के कथित रूप से आत्महत्या कर लेने की है. बारा के मिश्रापुरवा गांव में बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट चल रहा है जिसे जेपी ग्रुप से जुड़े प्रयागराज पॉवर जनरेशन नाम की कंपनी चला रही है. सूत्रों के मुताबिक इसी कंपनी में गाँव कपारी का तीस वर्षीय युवक रमेश तिवारी काम करता था. विगत एक वर्षो से स्वास्थ्य कारणों से वो कंपनी में अपनी उपस्थिति पूर्व की भांति नहीं दर्ज करा पा रहा था. उसकी आर्थिक और मानसिक स्थिति बिगडती जा रही थी.
इसी बीच इस पॉवर प्लांट से प्रभावित आसपास के गाँव के किसान जो कि पहले ही पॉवर प्लांट से जुड़े भूमि अधिग्रहण के लेकर बवाल काट चुके है और इस क्षेत्र में इस पॉवर प्लांट से वातावरण को पहुच रहे नुकसान को लेकर अपनी गंभीर चिंता जता चुके है बारा मुख्यालय पर उन्होंने कुछ दिनों पहले धरना प्रदर्शन किया था. इस धरने प्रदर्शन में कुछ मांगो के अलावा जो किसान इस पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट में कार्यरत थें उन्होंने अपने को स्थायी करने की मांग भी रखी. इसके साथ ही उन्होंने वेतन वृद्धि की भी मांग की. इस बाबत बुलाई गयी वार्ता में कंपनी के अधिकारी, मजदूरो के प्रतिनिधि संघटनो और उपजिलाधिकारी बारा शामिल हुए पर वार्ता विफल हो गयी. इससे मजदूर वर्ग काफी आहत हुए. इनका आक्रोश अभी ठंडा पड़ता तभी इस किसान ने कथित रूप से आत्महत्या कर ली. बताया जाता है वार्ता विफल होने से ये किसान अवसाद की स्थिति में पहुच गया था.
किसान की आत्महत्या की खबर ने किसानो में खलबली मचा दी. आक्रोशित किसान शव को लेकर कंपनी के मिश्रापुरवा गेट पर धरने प्रदर्शन पे बैठ गए. वे कंपनी के जिम्मेदार अधिकारियों से वार्ता करना चाहते थें लेकिन मौके पे कम्पनी का कोई भी अधिकारी नहीं आया. प्रदर्शनकारी चाहते थें कि उचित मुवाअजे सहित किसान के परिजनों में से किसी को नौकरी दी जाए. पुलिस के आला अधिकारी क्षेत्राधिकारी बारा सहित घटना स्थल पर तुरंत पहुचे लेकिन प्रदर्शन कर रहे किसानो ने उनकी एक ना सुनी. बाद में उपजिलाधिकारी बारा श्रीमती सुशीला ने हलके लाठीचार्ज के बीच शव को अपने कब्जे में लेकर पोस्टमॉर्टेम के लिए भेज दिया. इस घटनाक्रम में बारा क्षेत्र को अशांत कर दिया है. किसानो में फैले आक्रोश ने स्थिति तनावपूर्ण कर दी है.
इसे आप दुखद सयोंग कहिये कि अभी पिछले महीने ही बारा पॉवर प्लांट में कार्यरत एक वेल्डर के घायल हो जाने के बाद काफी हंगामा मचा था. वेल्डर लाल बहादुर सिंह, निवासी ग्राम मड़हान, जिला जौनपुर, जो कि बॉयलर सेक्शन में था अपने ऊपर लोहे की रॉड गिर जाने के कारण गंभीर रूप से घायल हो गया जिसकी इलाहाबाद में इलाज़ के दौरान मौत हो गयी. मौत के बाद उपजे हंगामे के चलते 10 लाख रूपए मुआवजा राशि दिए जाने के आश्वसन के बाद आक्रोशित मजदूर शांत हुए.
ये खेदजनक है कि भूमि अधिग्रहण की मार झेलते, प्रोजेक्ट से उपजे पर्यावरण में व्याप्त प्रदुषण सहते किसान जो इतना कुछ सह रहे है उन्हें आये दिन कोई ना कोई विपदा कंपनी के गैर जिम्मेदाराना हरकतों की वजह से झेलनी पड़ रही है. कुछ सूत्रों ने जो कंपनी का पक्ष लेने की कोशिश में लगे है ये बताया कि किसान जिसने आत्महत्या की है उसने ढेढ़ साल पहले ही प्लांट में काम करना बंद कर दिया था.
रमेश तिवारी नाम के मजदूर की आत्महत्या से भड़के परिजनों/ ग्रामीणों को समझती पुलिस!!
ये अक्सर देखा जाता है कि बड़ी बड़ी कंपनिया मजदूरो से जुड़े अहम् मसलो को लेकर बहुत उदासीन और गैर जिम्मेदार रहते है. सबसे ज्यादा आश्चर्यचकित करता है कोई घटना घट जाने के बाद इनके द्वारा लिए जाने वाला रुख. ज्यादातर मामलो में कंपनी के लोग मामले में लीपापोती करके मामले को ठन्डे बस्ते में डाल देते है. मुझे इस तरह के हादसों से जुड़ा एक उल्लेखनीय मामला याद आता है जो अम्बिका नाम के महिला कर्मचारी के दुखद मृत्यु से सम्बंधित है. ये महिला कर्मचारी नोकिया टेलिकॉम स्पेशल जोन ( SEZ ) श्री पेराम्बदुर, जिला कांचीपुरम, तमिलनाडू, में कार्यरत थी. इसकी दर्दनाक मृत्यु पैनल लोडिंग मशीन में हुए एक हादसे में हो गयी. कहा जाता है काम की अधिकता की वजह से इसे इस सेक्शन में जबरन काम करना पड़ा जिसके बारे में इसे अधिक टेक्निकल जानकारी नहीं थी और ये हादसा घट गया.
बारा पॉवर प्रोजेक्ट से जुड़े कंपनी के अधिकारी इस मामले में क्या रुख अपनाते है ये तो वक्त ही बताएगा लेकिन फिलहाल अभी तो किसानो में भारी आक्रोश व्याप्त है घटना को लेकर और घटना के बाद प्रशासन और कंपनी के भ्रामक और गैर जिम्मेदार रुख के कारण. उम्मीद है इस मजदूर के साथ न्याय होगा.
क्या थर्मल पॉवर प्लांट से उपजे प्रदूषण की चिंता है किसी को?
( With Inputs From Sri Rajendra Mishra, Senior Journalist, Kashivarta, Chunar, Mirzapur )
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[ I am really thankful to Mr. Rajendra Mishra, senior journalist, Kashivarta, published from Varanasi, for giving me a chance to work on story pertaining to suicide of worker at power plant run by Jaypee Group. Mr Mishra is also a well known human rights activist. Initially I was reluctant to work on it since writing news reports is not my strength and they are also not my on par with my taste which likes to deal more with features and columns. Today I was informed that news report written by me has found place on a very prominent website of India, “संघर्ष संवाद”, which deals with cause of workers. Feel glad about it. Efforts did not go in vain!!! ]
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References:
Death Of Another Worker At Bara Power Project
Death of Ambika: Kafila Publication
Pics Credit:
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission: Let’s Hope It Regains Its Lost Glory!
The “Y” Factor Killed The Reputation Of Commission!
For a writer it’s a matter of great satisfaction if the issues raised by him get snowballed into crucial developments at grass-roots level. I am really happy that Allahabad High Court quashed appointment of Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission on grounds that it was “arbitrary” and “”breach of provisions of Constitution”. I had taken note of the grievances of agitating students much before it turned into a sub judice affair. I had kept a close eye on the affairs pertaining to the world of students besides taking note of key developments taking place inside the corridors of Public Service Commission. There was a personal reason as well. My father had served this institution and therefore issues related to it meant a lot for me at emotional level. It was really upsetting for me that such an impartial constitutional body had become playground of vested interests. The key posts went to people with chequered past. But none could raise objection since it was an autonomous body enjoying immense power. Of course, everybody knew that it was being controlled by “Y Factor” ( Yadav factor )
Being resident of this city, I always met students who informed me about the malpractices going on unabated inside Commission. The whole examination process for various examination had become a farce, interviews were being conducted in most discriminatory way. That meant end of road for meritorious students wishing to be part of system as government officials. Although I do not believe in being head on with district administration, I was devoid of saner choice other than asking students to demonstrate on the streets in a ferocious way. Fortunately, the agitations took the same shape with students going berserk! Number of petitions got filed in the court regarding the misuse of power and abuse of constitutional provisions. Like always Court had the last laugh when it showed the door to Secretary and Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission within gap of few days. The High court set side appointment of Chairman treating it to be “ultra vires” of Article 316 pertaining to the guidelines related with appointment of Chairman and other members of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission.
I came to vigorously pursue this issue through my writings. This post “The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!“ which first appeared this website on July 29, 2013, referred to dirty games and shady deals happening on the premises of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission. I dispatched this article to offices of mainstream newspapers but none dared to show enough guts to take anti-government stance in such a brazen fashion! Luckily, this article elicited huge interest of readers on my website. Obviously, now when High Court has finally ensured that natural justice and rule of law are above dubious interests of political masters by quashing the appointment of Chairman, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction within. At least, it makes me have this realization that pen is mightier than sword! That written words never go in vain if they truly represent anguish and dissent.
I need to clarify that Allahabad High Court dealt with this issue on entirely different grounds as ones raised in my article, “The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!“, published on July 29, 2013. However, in the end, it culminated into the end as desired by me.Let’s hope constitutional bodies come to serve the people instead of serving political masters!
Real Credit Belongs To These Students Who Protested On Streets And Took The Matter To Court!
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I am posting below my article which first appeared on this website on July 29, 2013.
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The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!
Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission is a constitutional body, which has been assigned the task to make selections in various governments department at a State level. One expects it to discharge its duties in impartial and sound manner. However, of late, this prestigious constitutional body has become like a caged pigeon in the hands of its incompetent officials, who are acting at the behest of political masters. The latest reservation policy row provides insight into the mindset of officers working at this prestigious office. The implementation of caste-based quotas at the preliminary level of many important examinations, mainly to benefit certain “caste”, without worrying about the collateral damage caused by it is an ominous sign. It’s supposed to act in neutral manner so as to ensure that the selections take place in a fair way. However, the new mantra for it seems to be that “foul is fair”. The appeasement of political masters is more important than selection of meritorious candidates through right process.
This government agency some decades back enjoyed a good reputation of conducting examinations, and later, making final selections in honest way. It had such an impressive track record that many other government agencies sought its help in making proper selections in their own departments, granting it the authority to conduct examinations. However, the scenario inside the office has changed dramatically in last few years, especially in the regimes of Bahujan Samjwadi Party and Samajwadi Party- the political parties which were in control of Uttar Pradesh in last few years. Their casteist approach demolished the reputation of this prestigious body. In their regimes, the key positions went to officers who played havoc with the selection process.
The students who ensured that controversial reservation policy gets scrapped are absolutely right in demanding that a high level inquiry committee should be formed to take note of the irregularities made in selections during last few years. The students need to be appreciated for their act of seeking relevant information in this regard under Right to Information Act. At present two officers from Yadav community are holding key positions in this office. Isn’t it highly shameful that students now treat Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission as ” Yadav Selection Commission”? Most of the bright students after completing the graduation go in for examinations conducted by Public Service Commission since selections to most of the the key administrative posts are made by it. Don’t these corrupt officials realize that by making selections in such arbitrary manner they are causing irreparable damage? First, they are destroying the future of genuine applicants, and second, they are paving way for incompetent people to act as government servants in future. What sort of decisions such government officials would make who got selected through such flawed process?
The reservation was introduced by makers of the Constitution for a specific period to enable marginalized castes attain a dignified position in the society. The sentiments of people, who introduced reservation, were really aimed at the welfare of weaker sections of society. However, that’s not the case now. It’s the most effective tool to destabilize societal structure. It’s the instrument to remain in power. It’s a weapon in the hands of dirty political minds to ensure that they remain relevant in political landscape. It’s high time courts and conscious citizens teach fitting lesson to corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats, who are demolishing the image of constitutional bodies.
Youth Icon, Akhilesh Singh, Playing With Future Of Students By Appointing Such Tainted Officials!!
References:
The Tragic Transformation Of Public Service Commission Into Yadav Service Commission!
NDTV
Firstpost
Images Credit:
Not Many Feel So Consciously About Leaving A Glorious Legacy For Future Generations In Legal Landscape !!
From Left To Right On Dais: Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Advocate & Author; B.N. Singh, Advocate, and Mr. Yogendra Jaiswal, Advocate.
Normally, I hate to be part of any election campaigning. That’s the reason why I am always at a safe distance from anything remotely associated with election process, no matter what’s the nature of it. That’s because I prefer to be a neutral and an independent observer. It’s something which gets severely affected once you somehow, much against your wishes, get associated with election process related to one particular group or, for that matter, any individual. Keeping my approach in mind, I have maintained a respectable distance from ongoing ferocious campaigning pertaining to Allahabad High Court Bar Association Elections.
Having said that, a deep curiosity drew me towards an election meeting organized in favour of Devendra Kumar Tiwari, whom I recently met during a book-launching ceremony. Devendra Kumar Tiwari besides being an advocate is also a noted author of many specialized books on legal matters. Recently, he penned a book “Lawyer’s Referencer” for wannabe lawyers who wish to attain excellence inside the premises of High Court in an easy-going way! I attended the book-launching ceremony of this book and that’s the time when I first became aware of this author’s heartfelt progressive views! His keynote address delivered on this book-launching event was very moving one! It was not charisma of oratory, but, in reality, it was reflection of deep concerns for betterment of legal world. Precisely that’s the reason why I preferred to be part of the election meeting organized by Devendra Kumar Tiwari even as I was initially pretty reluctant within. I wanted to hear him more and that made me attend the meeting!!
Needless to say, the time I spent there, listening his election speech did not appear to have go down the drain! I noticed that there were many other speakers who also spoke about improving “Bench and Bar” relations in aftermath of elections but none sounded so genuine as Devendra Kumar Tiwari, contesting for prestigious post of “Secretary”. Unfortunately, the meeting was devoid of suitable decorum, being marred by lots of disturbances, which made it almost impossible to hear the speech with proper concentration. However, even amid such chaotic atmosphere, some of the speakers spoke very eloquently and, powerfully too, for the cause of lawyers reeling under tyranny of Judges, who are using “contempt proceedings” in mindless manner! It was a great experience to hear them, to notice their genuine sentiments for improvement of happenings inside the Bar.
Pandit Kanhaiya Lal Mishra, Advocate. He commanded huge respect even in courts outside Uttar Pradesh!
What’s so unique about Devendra Tiwari is that he can speak at great length without any written note, yet at no stage he sounds out of tune or less authentic! That shows his genuine involvement with welfare of lawyers. On this occasion, he made important revelations. He was pretty unhappy that owing to fractured mindset of present generation of lawyers, the Bar is on verge of total collapse. It has got limited to vested interests of petty minds. That’s quite alarming since future generations would curse previous generations for leaving such a dark future for them, wherein nothing seemed inspiring! If that remains the case, parents will not prefer to see their child emerge as a lawyer since in their eyes it would be a sheer waste of costly education which they ensured for their child after bearing so much troubles!! That’s why Mr Devendra Tiwari so rightly pointed out that this generation needs to make “choices” in most judicious manner, keeping in mind the interest of future generations. He said that when he or the senior lawyers entered in this profession they had got a stable and strong bar in legacy. Today most of the institutions (like Board of Revenue) are facing identity crisis, having been weakened by corrupt powers in a systematic way. The same corrupt forces are deliberately eroding the influence of High Court, which can only be controlled when we have responsible people in Bar!
He sounded so true that representatives who get selected in aftermath of elections are reflection of thought-process exhibited by the lawyers. Hence, it’s futile to condemn their elected representatives inside the Bar after a certain period! After all, they got elected because of our own “flawed choices”. That’s the reason why we need to be highly conscious while making a choice! Allahabad Bar Association in the past has been associated with legal luminaries of great stature who went on to represent most important constitutional posts of this nation. R. S. Pathak, who belonged to this Bar, served as a Judge at International Court of Justice. Pt. Kanhaiya Lal Misra, belonging to this Bar, commanded huge respect to an extent, that whenever he appeared to argue in courts other than ones prevailing within Uttar Pradesh, the sitting judges used to stand up in admiration! No wonder it’s the responsibility of present generation of lawyers to add new dimensions in the stature of Allahabad Bar Association. That will remain a distant dream, if we keep making bad choices, taking into consideration flimsy aspects!
R. S. Pathak from Allahabad High Court (Second From Left). He served as a Judge at International Court of Justice
B N Singh, a very conscious and experienced lawyer, who spoke on this occasion, in support of candidature of Devendra Kumar Tiwari, referred to extraordinary power vested in young minds of new lawyers. The young lawyers constitute a huge section of lawyers practicing at Allahabad High Court. Unless they make decisions, based on equity, it would not be possible to change the face of Bar. The young lawyers need to sharpen their fighting spirit in a right way, by marginalizing all those elements which misguide and mislead them. A better and a strong Bar Association is need of the hour. The young lawyers will play a pivotal role in ensuring its emergence! Hope these young minds do not act like a drop of lemon juice added into boiling milk! Let’s pray that right people get placed inside chambers of Allahabad Bar Association, who ensure that future generation can boast of illustrious legacy! I need to end this post by praising Shashikant Kuswaha, a promising young Advocate, who worked really hard to ensure that no mess prevailed during the meeting of lawyers! I also need to point out perfect coordination of the event done by Advocate Mr. Yogendra Jaiswal, who also happened to be quite young!
Reference:
The book review can be be read here:
Lawyer’s Referencer: A Prefect Book For The Upcoming Lawyers
Writer of this post i.e. myself (second from left), Arvind K. Pandey, Writer & Advocate, with Devendra Kumar Tiwari, author of the recently launched book.
Pics Credit:
पिता को समर्पित दिवस पर अपने ह्रदय की कठोर बात!!
अपने पिताजी के साथ कालेज के दिनों की तस्वीर: मेरे पिता मेरे लिए पहले भी आदर्श थे और भविष्य में भी रहेंगे मतभिन्नता के बावजूद!
पिता को समर्पित दिवस, जिसे आज २१ जून को पूरे विश्व में मनाया गया, पर अपने ह्रदय की कठोर बात!! अपना इलाहाबाद शहर विचित्र है. हम कहते कुछ और है लेकिन हमारे मित्र तक वही बात पहुचकर वो बात हो जाती है जो हमने या तो कही नहीं होती या फिर वो चीज़ हमारे साथ होती ही नहीं वैसा ही उस बात का स्वरूप हो जाता है. आश्चर्य तो इस बात का है कि मित्र सक्षम है दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी करने में लेकिन वे भी जो बात का आशय नहीं होता या फिर जो वस्तुस्थिति नहीं होती उसी की चर्चा करते है. अपने पिता से मेरे सिर्फ वैचारिक मतभेद है और होना भी चाहिए लेकिन इसका स्वरूप विकृत नहीं है जैसा मेरा कुछ मित्रो ने दुष्प्रचार शहर में कर रखा है.
नजदीक के मित्रो से अपेक्षा ये होती है कि वो जो सच है उसी का पक्ष रखे ना कि मिथ्या या भ्रामक बातो को फैलाए. मुझे मित्रो से कठोरता से बात करने में कोई दिलचस्पी नहीं लेकिन अगर वे इस तरह का भ्रम मेरे बारे में फैलायेंगे तो उनसे दूरी बनाने में मुझे कोई झिझक नहीं होगी. मेरे पिता मेरे लिए पहले भी आदर्श थे और भविष्य में भी रहेंगे मतभिन्नता के बावजूद. ये शायद मेरे सक्षम मित्र हज़म नहीं करना चाहते, समझना नहीं चाहते, महसूस नहीं करना चाहते. ऐसे मित्र फिर ना तो मुझे जानते है और ना ही मेरे जीवन के किसी पक्ष से उनका कोई सही लगाव है. शायद इसीलिए वे मेरे और मेरे पिताजी के संबंधो का सतही आकलन करने भर में ही ज्यादा दिलचस्पी रखते है. खैर ऐसे लोग ना मुझे ही जानते है और ना मेरे पिताजी को!! एक पीढ़ी और उसके बाद की जो पीढ़ी होती है उसमे वैल्यूज को लेकर उठा पटक तो रहती है और ये रहनी भी चाहिए विकास की धारा को नए आयाम देने के लिए. बस कुछ इसी तरह की बात है अपने और अपने पिताजी के बीच. लेकिन ये कभी भी विकृति के स्तर पर नहीं पंहुचा और उस स्तर पर पंहुचेगा भी नहीं. हा जो लोग सिर्फ और सिर्फ नकारात्मक ख्यालात के चलते इस तरह की कल्पना के लिए विवश है वे सोचने के लिए स्वंतंत्र है लेकिन ऐसे लोगो का उस हकीकत से फासला हमेशा बना रहेगा जो मेरी तरफ है.
चलते चलते इससे इतर बात कहेंगे. आज हम ये देखते है, खासकर कोर्ट केसेज में, कि बच्चो के अधिकार को लेकर पति पत्नी आपस में लम्बी कानूनी लड़ाई लड़ते है जो शायद ना उनके रिश्ते के लिए ठीक होता है और ना बच्चे के भविष्य के लिए. बच्चे के बेहतर भविष्य के लिए आवश्यक है कि बच्चे को माता-पिता का साथ बराबर अनुपात में मिले. ये भी एक खतरनाक ट्रेंड के रूप में उभरा है कि माता पिता अपनी अपनी काबिलियत को प्रमाणित करने के लिए अपने अपने कार्य क्षेत्र में इतने व्यस्त है कि बच्चे की परवरिश अपूर्ण तरीके से हो रही है. इस लाइफस्टाइल से क्या हासिल हो रहा है ये अभिभावकों को गंभीरता से समझना होगा. शायद इसी वजह से समाज का बिखराव कुछ निश्चित सा हो चला है.
पिता को समर्पित दिवस पर अपने ह्रदय की बात!!
Remembering S M A Kazmi: My Mentor In The Field Of Law ( A Tribute )
Mr. S.M.A. Kazmi: A Perfect Lawyer
“The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike the inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
( Thomas Gray In ‘Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard’ )
When I was in school days these lines by poet Thomas Gray left an indelible impression on my mind’s landscape. I always wondered about its real purport. Now very recently when I heard about the tragic death of Mr. S.M.A. Kazmi, senior lawyer, Allahabad High Court, in a fatal road accident it not only left me in a state of deep shock but also made me realize the true purport of lines penned by Gray. In this world the only reality is death! Rest is illusion which looks real enough to keep humans trapped in life’s drama!
I met S M A Kazmi very shortly after Allahabad University granted me a law degree in year 2002. Although I was not pretty interested in getting enrolled as a lawyer at Allahabad High Court in prime of my life, I had to give way to destiny’s will of becoming part of Allahabad High Court- a High Court having a glorious legacy of delivering path-breaking judgements on par with global standards! I was fortunate that one of my childhood friends, Sampanna Kumar Srivastava, also a lawyer, and in those days a student leader associated with Communist Party, introduced me to Mr Kazmi in his chamber. I had by then carved a niche for myself in the world of media as a freelancer. Mr. Kazmi was a lawyer with a difference. He was a good orator besides being a good writer who enjoyed organizing literary gatherings. So he was quite happy in finding someone like me having similar mental orientations akin to his literary bent of mind.
In very short span of time I became one of his favourite juniors. I loved his penchant for perfectionism. His aggressive mannerism really threatened others but on me it had little impact. Like him I believed in working hard and, therefore, rarely felt short of his expectations. And that did not provide enough space to Mr. Kazmi to direct his anger towards me. He always believed that if one wishes to emerge as a good lawyer at High Court level then one must be ready to read enough besides being good at interpretation! It’s really saddening that emerging lawyers are merely interested in attaining riches than attaining right skills! As a result of that most of the lawyers fail to attain great heights in real sense!
That was not the case with Mr. Kazmi. He came from a teacher’s family with no previous legal history in his family. However, his legal journey which began in early 80s saw all glorious episodes which any lawyer wishes in his/her career. In prime of his age he became Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, and later became politically active which yielded him ministerial birth. Every successful person has many adversaries in form of friends! He too had many such friends who said good words in his front but despised him at his back being always loaded with set of conspiracies. He warned me that I should not waste my energy in forming counter-strategies to negate such vicious network! The best way to defeat negative souls in your profession is to keep doing exceptional work. That sort of attitude demoralizes negative souls! At this point I come to remember words of Indira Gandhi that there are many who wish to take credit in aftermath of any successful endeavour, but competition is less when it comes to do some original work!
Mr. S.M.A Kazmi: Attained Glorious Heights in Advocacy Very Soon!
Anyway, relationship between juniors and seniors has plummeted to all-time low. However, the juniors associated with Mr. Kazmi had better experiences and not bitter experiences. The ones who worked hard always managed to strike a favourable chord with both his personal and professional life. He did not believe in carrying aura of bossism but ensured that his leniency does not get misused. I must admit that he helped me financially besides making me in tune with various shades of advocacy. His chamber was not a dull place! Besides dealing with complex cases, the young lawyers also got introduced with lifestyle mired in royalty. The weekends were reserved for having a good time at some famous restaurant. He believed in spending money with people around instead of using the money to ensure petty personal gains. That’s why he was sincerely involved with several charitable trusts operating in Allahabad.
He was not happy with my decision to distance from legal profession for he was quite satisfied with my progress. He saw in me the rare attributes which had now gone missing. That’s why he lamented that people who should be really part of legal institutions are the ones engaged in different profession and the ones who are not supposed to be lawyers are the ones dominating the show at various legal institutions! Legal profession is now in grip of mediocre minds! He understood my temperament well, and, therefore, did not compel me to remain engaged in active advocacy. However, I did not wish to hurt his sentiments and, therefore, to honour his sentiments I remained part of Allahabad High Court via my legal reporting! I assured him that great values I intercepted at his chamber would always stay with me for rest of the life.
Indeed, right now when his death has left me in deep pain, side-by-side there exists a deep sense of satisfaction encircled by great mental peace within! I added a new dimensions in the values I inherited at his chamber. Happily, my friends never forgot that I was one of the juniors of Mr Kazmi! Their remembrance of my association with Mr Kazmi keeps me in right state of mind, enabling me to pursue different legal tasks with greater concentration and greater degree of perfection. Mr Kazmi believed that hard work never goes in vain and that has ensured I remain above short cuts to attain success! Yes, he had many flaw in his personality, like any soul trapped in earthly life, but the greater truth is that they took a backseat when contrasted against his noble virtues! His soul might have ascended to higher world, but for mine eyes he would always remain as real as any living person! May his soul rest in peace!
Alllahabad High Court: A Glorious Legacy!
Pic Credit:
An Evening With Friends At Historic Coffee House in Allahabad (Photo Feature)
“The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege.” (Charles Kuralt) That’s one of the reasons why I always look for moments when I can be in company of my old friends. Their company helps me to assess my one’s own growth in better light. It’s interesting that one always looks for substantial cause to enter into celebrations. That’s something which makes me uncomfortable since I love to celebrate even if there is no such weighty reason around! This time I managed to persuade all my old friends to be at historic coffee house, Allahabad, all in the name of celebrating grant of fellowship by Aavartan Research Institute, Gorakhpur. That was enough to tame the curious minds of some of my friends too anxious to know the exact reason! The real reason, however, was to spend some fun-filled moments with them. Life has become so hectic that it does not allow two individuals, however close they may be as friends, to sit together and get lost in old memories. That was the ultimate purport of organizing this get together with some chosen friends!
Why Coffee House? Allahabad has recently developed a lot having so many bright and glamorous food outlets but I selected Coffee House simply because being there means becoming part of its glorious history! This place is always occupied by legal hawks, writers and journalists during noon hours and by evening well-known oldies occupy the seats for long hours. This place in the past since early 50s witnessed development in lives of well-known geniuses belonging to Allahabad. Eminent literary figures like Firaq Gorakhpuri and Harivansh Rai Bachchan were frequent visitors to this place. Apart from them, the place has also witnessed rise of new creative wonders! The vibrations there ensure that there is no dearth of good souls in future!
I must thank to my friends from core of my heart that despite being trapped in busy schedules they managed to be part of this informal event at right time! It’s habit of the guests to worry the organizers with a deliberate delay! Mercifully, that’s not the case with events organized by me. I am spared this harassment for which I am really grateful to my friends. I must mention this fact that most of the friends who were part of this event have been my old friends and it makes me really happy when I state that they have all emerged as achievers! It was a moment of satisfaction for me to find them hale and hearty!
Obviously, the event was not solely attributed to dine together! We had some thought-provoking discussions. My friend Sheel, pursuing research in philosophy, rightly suggested that philosophy should also be taught at school level since that goes well with cultural legacy of this nation. Rajesh Kumar Pandey, legal correspondent associated with The Times Of India, lamented that Philosophy, of late, has become popular only because it helps students get good marks in competitive exams! It’s really hurting that a nation which is mired in philosophies of highest types has no mention about it at school level! My friend Ashish Nigam, on the other hand, asked me as to what was the method involved in my fellowship. I promptly informed him that besides books I was involved in interviewing concerned individuals. He also came to throw light on the glorious past of Coffee House, mentioning that visitors at this place love to sit here for long hours! It would not be out of tune to inform that most of the friends who gathered here were advocates associated with Allahabad High Court, who were also once upon a time had been my batch-mates!
There were some hilarious moments too when my childhood friend Pintu, lawyer at district court, got engaged in circulating images which showed us together as students in nursery days! Sangarsha Srivastava, who in past was a ferocious Communist leader and now an advocate, made everybody laugh by exhibiting that Coffee tastes less sweeter if you add more sugar in it! The only thing you should ensure is that stir it not well enough with a spoon and then drink it fast! Advocate Susheel Kumar Tiwary, Advocate Shashikant Kushwaha, Advocate Satyahdhar Dubey, Advocate Vinay Vishwakarma and Advocate Neeraj Shukla, who happens to be my brother-in-law, spent some qualitative time with me rising above constraints of time and without worrying about the fact that they have to return back home traveling long distance in night hours only to face ire of their anxious wives! It was heart-warming to hear Satyadhar ji asking me to make visit to this place till fag end of my life this way just like the oldies engaged in deep and interesting conversations sitting beside our gathering!
In the end I need to make special reference to contribution made on part of Arvind Kushwaha, advocate/computer programmer, and Arun Prakash Srivastava, District librarian. Arvind ensured that moments get captured in his camera while Arun ji ensured that all goes well in terms of management. Happily, the event ended on a high note with so many good feelings. That’s not possible without grace of Lord and, therefore, let’s thank the Almighty too for successful culmination of this event! “Take no pride in your possession, in the people (at your command), in the youthfulness (that you have). Time loots away all these in a moment. Leaving aside all these, after knowing their illusory nature, realise the state of Brahman, and enter into it. (Sri Adi Shankara in Bhaja Govindam; Verse 11)
With Friends At Historic Coffee House In Allahabad!
Happy to find old friends for one more time 🙂
It’s a herculean task to ask friends to be present at one place on a working day! And they all appeared at appointed time!
Between interesting talks from philosophy to business we also ate 😛 😛 😛
The ambiance inside Coffee House permits deep and meaningful talks! You can see few people engaged in deep talks 😛 😛 😛
This time I did not say anything and simply enjoyed the whole affair. My friend Sangharsha did say few words in hilarious style 😛 😛 😛
Coffee House is best known for South Indian dishes 🙂 Dosa is so delicious 😛 😛 😛
Sheel Could Not Resist The Temptation Of Riding Royal Enfield 😛
Some of us decided to sit again and taste Coffee for one more time 😛 It’s called partying after party gets over 😛 😛 😛
The Party Virtually Ended 🙂
Now Only The Memories Of This Get Together Prevail!!
The Party Ended On A Blissful Note! I Am Really Thankful To Lord For Sucessful Culmination Of This Event! Hope All My Friends Remain Hale And Hearty In Post-Party Life 🙂 Let me mention names of people who gathered: (From Extreme Left) Rajesh Kumar Pandey, Sangharsha Srivastava, Pintu Jaiswal, Sheel Kamal, Swajit Gupta, Arun Prakash Srivastava, Pankaj, Shashikant Kushwaha, Neeraj Shukla 🙂 The Author Stands In The Middle 😛 😛 😛 Those who are not in the frame Arvind Kuswaha, Satyadhar Dubey and Vinay Vishwakarma.
Hindi Is Strengthening Indo-Israel Relations Even As Indians Flirt With English!
Aavartan Research Journal In Tandem With Gorakhpur University Organized A Seminar In Gorakhpur For The Promotion Of Hindi. It Was Attended By Students Of Tel Aviv University, Israel, along with Dr. Genady Shlomper – Hindi Instructor at Tel Aviv University. Pic Source: Aavartan
( First published in Northern India Patrika, October 11, 2014)
Last month Aavratan, a reputed research journal, organized a seminar in coordination with Deen Dayal Upadhyay University situated in Gorakhpur. This Gorakhpur based research journal in the past has published excellent papers revealing lesser known facets of critical issues. The seminar was dedicated to promotion of Hindi- the official language of India. The star attraction of the event was the presidential speech by Dr. Genadi Shlomper, who happened to be Hindi Instructor at East Asia Department, Tel Aviv University, Israel. It was a pretty interesting experience to hear from Dr.Genadi about his involvement with Hindi during formative years of his career. It was evident from his speech that even if Hindi has failed to emerge as national language of India, it has emerged as an International language like its counterpart Spanish and English.
His insights proved to be an eye-opener for huge crowd which had gathered there to listen a foreign visitor throwing light on worth of dealing in Hindi! After all, despite constitutional obligations Hindi has failed to get status of national language. Even in routine life of an average Indian enjoying upper middle class stature Hindi enjoys position of illegitimate wife! Indians have beaten Englishmen in exhibiting their love for Victorian ideals and, of course, for English. Besides Dr. Genady, listeners also had a wonderful opportunity to hear Israeli students pursuing Hindi language course at Tel Aviv University. Offir Mizrahi, Tal Gorsky, Matan Massika, Yakir Dahari, Alexandra Fer and Adi Fischer who were visiting various parts of India to understand the essence of Hindi in more refined manner had so many interesting tales to narrate regarding their experiences which they gathered during their current visit.
Dr Genady Shlomper, who is credited with introducing Hindi in Israeli Universities, loves to visit India so as to enable his students have first-hand-experience of Indian culture. That in his eyes would make his students grasp the intricacies associated with Hindi language in a better way. Informing about the curriculum associated with Hindi he said that at initial stages more stress is laid on making students familiar with script and grammar rules. The students who wish to pursue Hindi more seriously can get enrolled in third year of three-year graduation course. At this stage it needs to be informed that a student has to learn at least one Asian language as one of the subjects in first two years. However, he made it clear that government does not get involved in framing the curriculum. Above all, the students who wish to learn languages are primarily guided by career concerns instead of being charmed by the intrinsic beauty of ay language. Interestingly, Hindi is easy to grasp but once Israeli students become face-to-face with grammar the enthusiasm gets a big jolt!
Writer With Professor Dr. Genady Shlomper And Hindi Students Of Israel At Gorakhpur University. Pic Source: Genady Shlomper
Dr. Genady, who got fascinated with Hindi since Tashkent days, said Universities in Russia in those days had no course specifically meant for Hindi learning. However, Urdu was being taught as one of the languages. He had no other option left other than to select Urdu. In those days there were also no books for learning these languages and students had to rely on lectures delivered by Professors in class. Finally, during one of his visits to India he managed to get hold of books related with Hindi. One of the reason he selected Hindi was that in eyes of his mentors it provided greater opportunity for career growth. Even in our times as India is on the verge of emerging economic superpower, learning Hindi widens the scope of landing your dream job. More and more foreign companies are entering in Indian markets to promote their brands. That means increased role of translators in the grand scheme of things primarily controlled by Capitalism!
Dr Genady finally moved to Israel from Russia to ensure a better future for himself. Ironically, students accompanying Dr. Genady had some bitter truths to share pertaining to materialistic world in the process of unfolding their love for Hindi. Yakir Dahari, a die-hard fan of Hindi movies, hit hard at the prevalent corruption in Israel. Citing India’s war against corruption, led by Anna Hazare, Yakir informed that youths in Israel have also waged a war against corrupt institutions, which had resulted in ouster of influential people from public domain. Adi Fisher, a married Israeli student, says that living a decent life has become a herculean task. She has delayed the birth of child so as to ensure better days! In fact, costly living standards have forced the youths to share the home built by their parents since owning a separate house in limited income is virtually impossible. In lighter vein, Alexandara’s sweet gestures on Bollywood numbers along with other Israeli students gave clue about the rocking presence of Indian movies in distant lands! It was an unique experience to see them singing a gem from classic era: Babuji Dheere Chalna Pyar Mein Zara Sambhalana!
The Students Had The Opportunity To Visit Various Places In India Rich In Cultural Terms. Right Now They Are At Sangam, Allahabad! Pic Source: Genady Shlomper
Israel continues to inspire Indians in one more way. Its aggressive stance against countries trying to sabotage its sovereignty appeals a lot to sentiments of Indian people who wish India to adopt similar line of action. Dr. Genady had to face barrage of questions in this regard much against his desire to be above controversial issues. He was interested in being seen as a professor involved in promotion of Hindi instead of being seen as a political analyst. He cleverly avoided all such disturbing questions but not without mentioning that not all Israelis agree with tough stand of Israel government against enemy nations. There are serious differences making it clear that opinion of people differ from the ones who rule the government. Whatever be the truth, Indian students who had gathered to interact with Dr. Genady were keen to know from him the elements that have gone into the making of an average Israeli committed to defend Israel at any cost! The questions from students give a clue about it. One student asked: Are students trained that way from the beginning? Another asked: Is the curriculum framed that way which ensures the rise of ferocious nationalists?
Dr. Genady is convinced that Hindi is going to strengthen its impact in coming days. It’s going to make its presence felt in a big way in International arena. What he does not realize that in India it’s losing its charm. Newer distortions like “Hinglish” and mindless aping of global values have made Hindi attain an object of ridicule in fast-growing middle class. It’s really unfortunate that Indians feel more pride in speaking wrong English than speaking flawless standard Hindi. That’s the reason why speaking courses in English are hot favourite among Indian students. It’s amazing that even after so many years of India’s independence the Central government is clueless about true status of Hindi in India. It continues to create ambiguity between “national language” and “official language”! The southern states continue to see introduction of Hindi not as something inspired by love for country but something arising of politics of language! That makes it obvious that foreign scholars like Dr Genady Shlomper might be a source of inspiration to embrace Hindi in a substantive way, the will to respect Hindi has to come from Indians alone. Indians alone need to develop an atmosphere conductive for growth of Hindi in significant way both in Indian landscape and in foreign lands.
This write-up first appeared in Northern India Patrika, a news daily published from Allahabad, on October 11, 2014.
Reference:
A Brief Meeting With Dr. Genady Shlomper- Hindi Instructor In Israel!
हिंदी सिर्फ हमारी ही नहीं है: इजराइल के हिंदी प्रेमियों के संग गुज़ारे कुछ यादगार लम्हे!
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