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Indian Weekender | May 14, 2010 | www.iwk.co.nz 7
Indian
India
Pawar made respondent in Gill’s eviction notice
IPL entertainment tax PIL
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court Wednesday
directed impleading the Union Government in a
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking levy of en-
arise.”
“This is a very important issue,” the bench
said, seeking ‘assistance’ of the Additional Solicitor
against Kalmadi
tertainment tax on Indian Premier League (IPL) General, who represents the Union, on this. New Delhi: Taking the tenure battle to the next warned yesterday that the bid to dismiss their au-
matches and allowed making Union Agriculture According to petitioner Desai, the state cabinet level, Sports Minister MS Gill filed an eviction tonomy may invite international ban on India.
minister Sharad Pawar a party to the case. had decided in January this year to impose enter- notice against Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Under the new regulation, secretaries and trea-
A division bench of Justices P B Majmudar and tainment tax on IPL matches, but the decision was President Suresh Kalmadi in the Delhi High Court surers can serve eight years at a stretch and can
R G Ketkar passed these order while hearing the PIL never implemented. with the aim of setting limits on tenures of office seek a re-election only after a four-year gap but
filed by Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai seeking a The state government has maintained that no bearers of all sporting bodies. NSF presidents including long-standing IOA chief
direction to the Maharashtra government to recover decision has been taken on whether to impose en- Saying that that the matter will be examined Suresh Kalmadi, are barred from occupying the
entertainment tax from IPL. tertainment tax on IPL though the issue was ‘dis- and all the copies of an affidavit are filed, the court top posts for more than 12 years, with or without
Questioning the official involvement of minis- cussed’ in a cabinet meeting. adjourned the hearing till May 19. break.
ters in sporting bodies, the bench said, “If a minister The court has also allowed the petitioner to According to the new amendments to the Gill said, “I passed this order in confidence
holds a post in a cricket association, and the state implead former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and in- guidelines announced by the court, while the that it will serve the best interest of the sportsper-
cabinet is to decide on granting some exemption cumbent Chirayu Amin in the case. office bearers can hold the post for two terms of 4 sons of the country and it will give an impetus
to the association...perhaps conflict of interest may The next date of hearing in June 22. years each, which totals to 8 years and then take a to transparent and professional management of
break of one term before making a comeback, the Indian sports, in the new century.”
President of any sporting body can hold the tenure The regulation also aims to end the more than a
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The special live recording released by Sare- A commemorative volume, depicting life and The policy of the Government is to facilitate
gama India Ltd, include a whirlwind tour of Memorial for Bhopal Gas creative works of Tagore will be published on orderly and legal emigration of Indian work-
key cities in the US, an exciting road trip with
Zakir at the wheel and Rahul navigating, and Tragedy victims this occasion. Many eminent scholars have ers, discourage illegal/irregular migration
contributed in this commemorative volume. and ensure the protection and welfare of
a magical concert at San Francisco. emigrants.
Mumbai: A proposal for construction of an
International Bhopal Gas Tragedy memorial
“Enjoy the entire raga Charukeshi, with Ra-
involving estimated expenditure of Rs. 70
Burqa-clad woman forces The Government is proposing the Emigra-
hul playing a deeply romantic composition
created by his father, the legendary Pandit crore was received from the State Govern- priority landing of Dhaka- tion Management Bill, 2010, to replace
ment of Madhya Pradesh in December the existing Emigration Act, 1983, said the
Shivkumar Sharma. Zakir’s expert touch on
2005, said Minister of State for Chemicals
bound plane minister.
the tablas ensures that this is an unforgetta-
ble performance, now captured for posterity and Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena in a writ-
Kolkata: A Dhaka-bound Spicejet flight last The proposed Bill is aimed at transforming
on CD,” said a Saregama spokesperson. ten reply in the Lok Sabha.
week made a ‘priority landing’ at the interna- emigration into a simple, transparent, ef-
tional airport here after a burqa-clad woman ficient and humane economic process, facili-
The Government of Madhya Pradesh was
Saregama launches WAP rose suspicion of crew members on board, tate legal migration, prevent illegal migration/
advised to approach the Planning com-
who was also reportedly heard ‘talking human smuggling, enable ethical recruit-
Portal mission directly for funds. The Planning
about hijacking’ with her fellow passenger. ment practices, and enhance protection and
Commission approved one time Additional
Central Assistance of Rs. 10.00 crore for this welfare of emigrant workers.
Mumbai: Saregama India Ltd, a leading mu- The Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka flight with over 100
sic company, has launched its WAP Portal purpose, during 2006-07 to the Government
passengers landed at the Netaji Subhash
where the country’s largest music collection of Madhya Pradesh.
Chandra Bose airport here around noon on Mumbai-Goa NH to be four-
will accessible on mobile phone.
A proposal for construction of Bhopal
Wednesday after the pilot requested the Air laned
Traffic Controller (ATC) for a priority landing
One year ago, in April 2009, Saregama had memorial with an estimated expenditure of
clearance. New Delhi: The Government is planning to
introduced full-song downloads on mobile Rs. 116.18 crore was received again from the
widen the Mumbai-Goa stretch of National
on Airtel Live and Vodafone Live through ag- Government of Madhya Pradesh in Novem-
The aircraft was parked at an isolation Highway 17 to four lane, said R.P.N.Singh,
gregator Techzone, which opened up a new ber 2009.
bay and the burqa-clad passenger and Minister of State for Road Transport and
revenue model for the music industry on the her fellow passenger were offloaded. The Highways, in the Rajya Sabha on Wednes-
mobile platform. The State Government of Madhya Pradesh
aircraft was also searched thoroughly. The day.
has again been advised to take up the mat-
papers of the two passengers were checked
Talking about the initiative the Chief Manager ter directly with Planning Commission for
and were found to be in order. The broad The Mumbai-Goa stretch of NH-17 has a
– New Media PK Prasannan said: “Sare- required funds.
physique of the passenger in burqa had led length of 475.210 km. in the State of Maha-
gama’s WAP ia an initiative to deliver full MP3 to initial suspicions. rashtra and 122 Km. in the State of Goa. In
songs from a rich catalogue of over 50000 Railways run ‘Sanksriti Yatra’ Maharashtra, four laning on a 25 km stretch
songs from 10 languages.” They were questioned by the authorities,
on Tagore anniversary though no indication of any terror plan on
between Zarap to Patra Devi is in progress
and is likely to be completed in December,
At a point when the physical sale is on a their part has come to light yet. 2010.
downtrend, Saregama has proved yet again Kolkata: To commemorate the 150th birth
that retro content has got good demand. anniversary of world poet Rabindranath
Since the launch of this service on mobile Tagore, Indian Railways have decided to run 4.5 mn Indians working in On the balance portion, the work is likely to
an Exhibition Train showcasing his life and commence in the year 2011-12. The entire
we have more than a lakh music lovers
philosophy.
Gulf countries: Min work is likely to be completed in 2014-15.
visited and downloaded songs from wap.
saregama.com,” Prasannan said. New Delhi: Indian workers are in demand The present estimated cost is around
The Exhibition Train will be flagged off by
abroad in various sectors including manu- Rs.7100 crores.
The new platform brings Saregama’s huge Mamata Banerjee, Minister for Railways, on
facturing industries. There are about 4.5
collection from artists like Lata, Rafi, Asha, Sunday afternoon-on the birthday of Tagore.
million Indian workers in the Gulf countries
Global Indians
Indian means business at Harvard
An Indian who is closely related to senior India and his stints chair of its Leadership Initiative.
community leader Roshan Nauhria (MNZM), at London Business Some of his students also recall how
of Auckland, has been appointed the new School made him the he, along with his brother-in-law Bharat N.
head of the prestigious Harvard Business right choice to bring Anand, the Henry R. Byers Professor of Busi-
School. in a global perspec- ness Administration at Harvard, are known
American Indian Nitin Nauhria, who tive to the dean’s po- for their hospitality and the receptions to cel-
takes up his new appointment in July, is an sition. ebrate Indian festivals and its culture.
alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology. The 48-year-old “As his student, I found his discussion
He joined Harvard as a faculty in 1988. leadership professor techniques and detailing immensely infor-
His latest work includes a combined will serve as the 10th mative and thought provoking,” said Manoj
effort with his colleague Rakesh Khurana to dean of Harvard Busi- Kumar, managing partner with the Hahhura-
instrument an oath for businesses globally. ness School by suc- bi and Solomon, a legal and corporate con-
Nauhria and Khurana were also the protag- ceeding the current sultancy firm.
onists behind the introduction of the MBA dean Jay Light. The “Prof. Nauhria also made the curriculum
Oath in 2009 that emphasised on the ethical chemical engineer turned professor Nauhria, and case studies very relevant to issues in
behavior of MBA grads. accepted the role on Tueday and will resume the Indian business context. He deserves a
Though one of the highest profile HBS his post from July 1. special mention for making the programme
professors, Prof Nauhria was not necessarily “I feel a profound sense of responsibil- so very insightful,” Kumar added.
the obvious choice for the job, Silicon India ity for continuing Harvard Business School’s Nauhria received his degree in chemical
reported. proud legacy of ground-breaking ideas and engineering in 1984 from the Indian Insti-
Many insiders predicted that senior as- transformational educational experienc- tute of Technology in Mumbai, which also
sociate dean Srikant Datar or Carl Kester, es,” he said. Currently he is the Richard P. awarded him with its distinguished alumnus
deputy dean for academic affairs, would be business at harvard: American In- Chapman Professor of Business Administra- medal in 2007.
appointed. However, his experience within tion at the century-old institution and co-
dian Nitin Nauhria; Roshan Nauhria (MNZM)
Look forward to RIL renegotiations: Anil brand in this country. The time is now and we
are very excited to be here”.
Known as a premium casual brand, Diesel
isting Diesel flagship in the world, claimed the
company.
- Indian Weekender news desk
Mumbai: ADAG Chairman said.
Anil Ambani on Friday said “The court has also directed that suitable ar-
The spread of
Naxalism
and Maoism
One of the biggest problems facing India today is the Naxal issue. The saga of violence continues daily across wide
swathes of the country’s hinterland. ANANT TRIVEDI analyses how this has come to be and looks at possible solutions
Tragedy consumed the lives of so many CRPF surpass the other in quantum of loot. It is of independence. These are areas where locals of extortion as a remedy against the miners thus
Jawans recently in Dantewala in an ambush naïve to believe that those elected are there for have been systematically repressed, their re- in turn making the erstwhile peaceful tribals
by Naxals. Media is busy with writings and reasons other than to acquire enormous illegiti- sources looted and fundamental rights violated. into a lawless mob.
debates and seminars are being held by con- mate wealth, and retain their hold on power. Police atrocities and feudal caste based hi- When they know no better, it is foolish to
cerned citizens – we love to debate issues. The nation is in the grip of a mafia, which erarchy has taken matters from bad to worse. blame them alone. Tribals have no experience
There is so much being speculated about how gets elected by hook or by crook. Political mafia These are not confined to the forest belts like of the benefit of a civilised administration and
the perpetrators of the massacre should be dealt whose strategy is to get cosy with groups who Dantewala. Pockets of neglect exist all round now do not trust a system which has exploited
with, who should be held accountable for the espouse violence and insurgency as a strategy the country and these are typically the breed- them and now offers the course of law to resolve
loss of so many lives, the failure intelligence, for winning political power continues. With ing grounds of miscreant activity and are also disputes. These locals are fighting for survival.
who should take the blame for lack of training this background, it is important to sit back and places where disruptive philosophy of Maoism They see their lives threatened by aliens who
and inadequate preparedness of those sent in to analyse the situation to determine what needs flourishes. have moved into their home and destroying
enforce the rule of law. to be done by the State and how should civil The particular belt where tragedy struck is them. They have to resist this invasion with
Politicians as always, are busy trading society intervene to arrest the slow but an where people live off the land, and have every means available.
charges at each other with the Home Min- sure decline into a state of law- been hunting for food and been tilling the It follows that the miners to protect them-
ister coming under a lot of flak with calls for lessness and anarchy. soil for subsistence for generations. This selves call for help from the administration
his resignation. No politician from the state of C a n land is there home. There are no roads, whose babus and politicians were no doubt in
Chattisgarh has accepted responsibility – the con- schools, hospitals and no presence of collusion and receiving bribes from the miners
problem belongs somewhere else. Nor even civil administration or the law enforce- to be allowed to extract minerals, coal, etc. re-
politicians from the ‘red corridor’ of Manipur, ment agencies. action of the state machinery is to violently put
Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, These are areas where subsis- down any insurgency. But is the consequential
Mizoram, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa , West tence is at a few rupees a day, collateral damage from such strategy clearly
Bengal have shed their silence. if you don’t hunt successfully understood?
The day after the massacre the CM and or are not able to convert What we are witnessing at increasing fre-
another politician could be clearly seen in a some vegetation into food quency today are symptoms of a gradually
jovial mood on this sombre occasion, caught you simply go hungry, if you failing nation. Our political class is at a loss
off guard no doubt by the cameras. It seems fall ill you die unless the local on how to deal with the situation sensibly. The
this was another item in their busy sched- voodoo doctor is able to cure nation is threatened not so much by Maoism or
ule – promise compensation to the be- you. There are still vast tracks even the spreading of Naxalism but by the in-
reaved and life moves on. of the country where millions creasing apathy for the well being of the citizen
Dantewala is not the first tragic event exist in such primitive ways, and total disregard for the rule of law by those
in recent times and sadly perhaps it abandoned by the State. whom we elect to govern and then fail to hold
won’t be the last. The country is suffer- Law enforcement has them accountable.
ing as a result of a chaotic state of gov- entered the scene only recently How should this situation be reversed?
ernance, which has been getting worse to help protect the mining mafia The law enforcement agencies will only
over years. Those elected to govern and contractors who moved into see this as a law and order situation. The
do not see the need for planning for the area to extract valuable miner- Home Minister who is charged with maintain-
the future and well being of those als but without any plan for compen- ing the rule of law has no choice but to restore
they are elected to govern. The sating those whose land is being usurped the respect for law. But should the rule of law
need to ensure proper civil ad- by providing them either money or enrich- only be enforced amongst these villagers and
ministration, communication, ing their lives with ‘value’ such as employ- tribals who are the true aggrieved in the first
adequate well equipped and ment, health schooling etc. instance from years of neglect? Should we not
trained and accountable law These are clearly encroachers who have also punish those who caused this situation –
enforcement and judicial moved in, in connivance with the elected and who allowed neglect and encouraged repression
delivery – for all particu- cerned the powerful of the area. The helpless local is to carry on for so long, who looted the land,
larly beyond the urban citizens forced to move away and make way. allowed mining mafias to move in and displace
sprawls, seems alien to afford to sit back the poor, who violated human rights for so long?
the elected leadership. and allow the nation Why would the miner or contractor need These villagers and tribals have never seen the
The elected, the to be further destroyed protection if they had reached out to the benefits of progress (food, livelihood, health,
supporting civil ad- by a minority that has local tribals and provided a package of em- education, roads, resolution of disputes....) they
ministration and proved repeatedly that ployment, education, and compensation at a have instead seen their place of abode of centu-
the law enforce- they cannot be trusted fair price? ries being occupied by strangers and they being
ment machin- to govern. At grass roots made to uproot and go some where else! They
ery are today there is very good nexus Where there is neglect by the state, there will have only experienced social injustice.
totally en- in between the bureaucrats, be poverty and social injustice. Where there is To address this problem requires a package
grossed in politicians, policeman and no redressal mechanism for disputes, there will of measures and it is questionable whether our
filling their the leaders of Maoist move- inevitably be an environment in which miscre- elected leadership is up to the task of delivering
coffers, ment. Without political pa- ants and anti State philosophies gather sympa- the required change, without a big nudge from
in fact a tronage and protection it is thy. the citizen who put them there.
AI
ES
race to not possible for such move- Where the state has failed to govern, people
YD
ments to sustain. will succumb to persuasion from the anti-state - Anant Trivedi is with the National
MA
How did we get into this situ- elements to take alternatives to safeguard their Network For India in New Delhi. NNFI con-
TA N
ation? interest and some will no doubt out of despera- nects like minded people across India as well
N:O
The troubled areas are typi- tion and foolishness take up arms. No doubt as NRIs facilitating good governance.
ATI
cally those where there has Maoists have moved into the area (often sup-
TR
US
tal activity over the 60 plus years and in many instances preached the philosophy
A Fiji Indian journalist was the first to break the news of the first military coup in Fiji to the world, exactly 23 years
ago today, May 14. SAM THOMPSON tells his story.
Democracy as we knew it in Fiji ended on the army fatigues, brandishing pistols barged into B grade movie I immediately put my hand up, release by Rabuka, officially telling Fiji citi-
stroke of 10 on May 14, 1987. parliament positioned themselves behind Gov- shaking my note pad, as if that was going to zens, their lives had changed for ever. By that
The chiming of the clock at Government ernment MPs. be any help, shouting “I’m a reporter, I’m a re- time the building was surrounded by armed
buildings was the signal for the then Colonel I remember thinking this is an unusual exer- porter”. He obviously had more pressing issues soldiers. I grabbed the first the copy out of the
Sitiveni Rabuka and his men, to storm parlia- cise for the army to conduct, but than my jour- to deal with and told me to “get the #@#* out printer and jumped through a window, my only
ment and kidnap the democratically elected nalistic instincts kicked in and I started counting of here”. way out of the building.
Government of Dr Timoci Bavadra. Every jour- heads and observing details. Among those were I didn’t need to be told twice. I raced into I ran to the road to flag down a car to get
nalist has a defining moment in their career. My Rabuka instructing Government parliamentar- the Ministry of information building, shouting to the radio station as soon as possible, to get
claim to fame was this one. I broke the news to ians to follow his men out of parliament. Prime give me a phone, any phone now. The Director the official statement to air. The first vehicle to
the world. But I almost missed out on being a Minister Dr Timoci Bavadra leaning back in of Information at that time was Peter Thomp- come along was a police van which I flagged
witness to one of the most momentous moments his chair, rolling his eyes upwards, slapping son. He wanted to know what the urgency was. down. Luckily I knew the officers from my days
that changed the course of Fiji’s history. At the doing the police round. They said hop in and
time I was a cocky 26-year-old editor of Fiji’s they will drop me and started asking what was
first commercial radio station FM96. I say that
because we were redefining radio from the
“I burst through that and came to a screeching the hurry. I said there had been coup. Their re-
sponse “Oh yeah, so what happened”.
drab drivel of the government run stations at I said “you know a coup, don’t know what
the time. We pushed the boundaries by start-
ing hourly news bulletins with a three man new
halt with an AK 42 riffle in my stomach and a the hell’s going to happen now” They looked at
me blankly so I explained to them the military
team, against the vast resources of the Govern- has taken over, guns are involved, elected gov-
ment broadcaster.
They said it couldn’t be done because Fiji
balaclava clad soldier at the end of it wanting to ernment is under arrest. It suddenly dawned on
them what a coup was, they both looked at each
was too small and many on the sideline were other and said to me “we can’t take you to FM96
watching, expecting us to fall flat on our faces. know what the #@#* I was doing.” anymore we’ll drop you at the nearest taxi
With this back drop of having much to prove, stand”. By that time the military had stormed
I was sitting at my desk on that fateful day ex- the Fiji Sun, The Fiji Time and FBC and shut
ploring options of how to generate fresh news his table with both hand, pushing himself up in While dialling the radio station, I said there them down. FM 96 was the new kid on the
for the top of the hour. The tedium of a parlia- defiance. A soldier, placing a gun in his back had been a coup. He and a few others around block, they forgot about us when they planned
mentary session, trying to make sense of what and ordering him to lead the way out of parlia- at the time laughed and said yeah right. By that the coup. When I arrived at the station there
out elected representatives were saying was un- ment. Other Government MPs roughly pulled time I had been put through to the studio, I told was no soldier in sight. I got Rabuka’s official
appealing, but I decided was a necessary evil. out of their seats and shoved along at gun point, the announcer to fade the music with breaking statement that he had taken over the country to
So I ended up at the press gallery, bored silly, some stumbling, others leaning on each other news. I started my report saying there has been air and had a field day getting reactions. Emo-
and because I had skipped breakfast hunger for support, in confusion. Fiji Broadcasting a military take over and gave details of Rabuka tional clips of Bavadra’s wife and relatives of
pains were setting in. This was the pre-mo- Corporation journalist Francis Herman (later and his men storming parliament and taking other MP’s, Opposition sentiments to the coup.
bile phone era where land lines were fiercely became chief executive of FBC) and I looked Government MP’s hostage. Peter Thompson It was picked up by the wire service. The news
guarded and faxes ruled. There was just one at each other and it dawned at us at the same heard the report in stunned silence and finally had got out. It took the military four hours to
phone next to the press gallery where Hansard time that this is a coup. Both of us scrambled for said “well they are going to be here wanting to realise people knew what was going on because
recording were taking place. At 10am when the the only phone. He got there first. The nearest put out a press release”. One of the Information they had tuned into FM96.
clock started chiming, I decided I had enough phone for me was the Ministry of Information Ministry reporters grabbed the phone from me By that time I had done numerous inter-
and got up to leave, when I noticed Rabuka building next door. I went charging down the and said I can’t use it anymore. Francis Herman views with overseas news organisations includ-
striding through the parliamentary chamber gallery stairs. The old parliamentary entrance should have broken the biggest story in Fiji’s ing Radio New Zealand, Radio Australia, BBC
towards the Speaker. My curiosity peaked and had bat wing doors, like the cowboy movies. history. He later told me he was trying to con- and Voice of America.
I decided breakfast could wait. Rabuka was not I burst through that and came to a screeching vince his superiors that there had been a coup,
in uniform, he was dressed smartly, coat and halt with an AK 42 riffle in my stomach and a but no one would believe him. I had no such - Sam Thompson now lives in Auckland,
tie and a sulu, no indication of what’s to come. balaclava clad soldier at the end of it wanting problems, I was the editor, no one was going and works for NewstalkZB radio station
Shortly after balaclava clad men, dressed in to know what the #@#* I was doing. Like any to argue with me. So I waited for the first news
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Sitiveni moedonu went to great pains to clarify that,
Rabuka’s coup, a coup that brought into the “Rabuka did not go there to apologise for over-
tranquil backwaters of the South Pacific the use throwing the Dr Bavadra-led government, but to
of might over right as a weapon to change gov- admit that what he did was wrong....It was up to
ernment. Sure this had been the mode of choice us whether to pardon him” (FT 16/4/10). This is
in the good old days, but colonisation and re- the type of attached provisos that have always
finement by the British was supposed to have characterised Rabuka’s initiatives. And this is
changed this more than a century ago. And like what makes people skeptical about his sincerity.
all old habits, it was supposed to have receded Some of the public reactions have been
into the mists of time. downright vindictive and unforgiving, but
Unfortunately, the transformative effects of others have shown that we still retain what it
colonisation and subsequent experiences with takes to rise above the pettiness that enshrines
responsible self-government were left wanting the darker side of human nature. I do not wish
on that fateful day as Fiji showed that it was not to go through the more pronounced reactions
prepared to join the ranks of democratic nations here, but would like to emphasise that I doubt
and that there was still some learning left for too many of these people have known Rabuka
its people. That was ultimately the unflattering in person.
verdict that Sitiveni Rabuka invited when he I have. And like anybody who knows
unleashed the coup genie at 10am on 14th May Rabuka, can vouch that he has that elusive yet
1987. priceless quality called leadership. Rabuka has
Fiji’s first coup involved a well orchestrated such charisma that he can effortlessly take over
military operation. Firebrand Taukei Movement a gathering regardless of size. I have no doubts
leader, Taniela Veitata, proclaimed “power flows that he had all the right intentions when he ex-
from the barrel of a gun” as Captain Savenaca ecuted that Father of Coups in 1987. I also have
Draunidalo and nine masked, silent gunmen no doubts that his attempts at seeking forgive-
executed Fiji’s “treason at ten” that brought ness are genuine – that is the nature of the man.
democracy to its knees in that pacific paradise Unfortunately, the web of lies and deceit
that was once referred to as “the way the world that he weaved through all of his public pro-
should be” by no other than the Pope. nouncements about that coup and subsequent
Today marks 23 years after the fall of Fiji developments in Fiji have come back to haunt
from that elevated pedestal from where when him. Rabuka was thrust into a situation that was
PM Ratu Mara walked into any international thought to be well above his depth; at some stage
forum, the world took notice. This was, after all, he decided to take control of the political game
the man who helped broker the Lome Conven- that had rationalised the 1987 coup. And the fact
tion between the ACP and EEC in 1975. And that he successfully swam through it for 12yrs
Fiji’s PM always walked tall and proud with has to be credited to the man.
Malcolm Fraser of Australia and Lee Kwan Yew That journey, which was initially meant to
of Singapore. Those were the days when Fiji had last for only a few days or weeks, called for
to be acknowledged. the continuous plotting of a path for his politi-
cal purpose once he decided to stay on. This is
Coup Fallout where the real legacy of Rabuka lies. He created
a web of lies, a complex facade of truth to keep
The fallout from that coup has kept Fiji both the aggrieved, angered and self-righteous hordes
hobbled and crippled since that fateful day as out and continue to appease the hungry factions
an unprecedented exodus of the largely Indo- that propped him. Fiji politics, which has largely
Fijian community began from a country that been Fijian, continued in that vein – that’s what
they had helped develop into what they saw as was being exploited by Qarase and his Gang.
“home”. In the euphoria of independence just 17 Coming back to the issue of forgiveness for
years before, this same immigrant community Rabuka, no matter what model we apply, two
had enthusiastically chanted and sung: Fiji desh factors stand out as pre-requisites for real for-
hamaara hae, praano se bhi pyara hae. giveness: the need for truth and repentance. I
Rabuka’s coup extinguished that flame of doubt that Rabuka will ever be able to tell the
feeling and passion that had been painstakingly whole truth; his lies that beget further lies have
nurtured through the tyrannical trials and tribu-
lations of Girmit. Heart-wrenching farewells
Today marks 23 years after the fall of Fiji from entangled and strangled the truth too strongly.
That leaves repentance. And that is what nobody
were made as tears flowed among unprepared
families torn apart in an unexpected new search
that elevated pedestal from where when PM can strangle Rabuka with; he is free to repent in
the unending web of his lies.
for a home outside Fiji. A lifestyle that had been
built around the undulating green cane fields Ratu Mara walked into any international forum, The Now
was suddenly not meant to be.
Indian leaders, civil servants and sympathi-
sers were hounded, seized and removed from
the world took notice. 23 years later much has changed; the Indian
threat is no more, attempts are renewed at every
their positions as an ethnic “balancing” exercise turn to castigate and ostracise Fiji even from the
ensued in the civil service amid an environ- by a sense of unfairness. nurtured through his silently intensifying power Pacific fraternity. The un-neighbourly outbursts
ment of distrust, fear and hatred. Any advantage A bigger, oft-understated, fallout from that tussle with Ratu Mara. from Samoa are shocking at best. Any attempt
that could be exploited for personal gain was coup was the release of variant ambitious ethnic The “coup culture” that Fiji finds itself to try to present a non-outraged position on the
pursued with relish. Any dislikes or misunder- Fijian interests that suddenly realised that there saddled with was thus seeded by Lieutenant- Bainimarama regime is seen as pro-coup and
standings among neighbours both near and far were opportunities to be exploited. This is when Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka more than 2 decades seditious. Where will the solutions come from?
were “corrected” as enough soldiers chose to the tightly glued Fijian traditional system began ago. There is also a link between all of Fiji’s 5 Do elections guarantee democracy, transpar-
look through only one eye. to haemorrhage with increasing speed. This is coups so far, the most direct being between the ency and accountability in Fiji?
The hounding continued to Nadi Airport when the chiefly system was first defied, tested 1987 coup and that of Bainimarama in 2006. Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the
where those who chose to leave had to contend and diverted towards narrow political interests. Rabuka thus, stands in the centre of the creation 1987 coup that transformed Fiji’s political land-
with embarrassing and demeaning clearance The coup had spawned a plethora of interests, and maintenance of Fiji as “Coup-Coup Land”. scape from one of smug complacence and ac-
processes in a system that suddenly had too demands, expectations and more importantly, it It is in this light that we need to evaluate his at- ceptance to one of forceful denial of the tenets of
many gaps for abusive interpretation. Officials brought to the centre a different type of Fijian tempts at shaking off his Coup-Karma. democracy and the verdict of the voter through
made on-the-spot rules to maximise discomfort bureaucrat/politician. It also centralised the role militant advocacy of the unfettered rights of a
and many still talk about the inhumanity shown of the Methodist Church in Fijian politics. And Forgiveness for Coup-Karma section of the community that could not com-
among humans who appeared to have metamor- of necessity, the demarcation between national There have been numerous reactions to prehend the responsibilities that went with that
phosed into demons overnight. government and the Fijian “system” was now as Rabuka’s recent attempt at making a public elevated political positioning and has continued
The propaganda machinery in the meantime, confused as ever. apology for the 1987 coup. This time he took to refuse to accept the same. The trials for Fiji
went into overdrive as crass attempts were made That was the source of the tightrope that the initiative to approach the Tui Vuda, former continue.
to use race to justify the unjustifiable. Unfortu- Rabuka was forced to walk throughout his President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo. Few realise that
nately the forcibly disturbed emotions did little reign; that’s why he was always reshuffling his Ratu Josefa has direct links with Vuniduva, the - Subhash Appana is an academic and
to calm these necessary official encounters. And cabinet and making constant political deals. Ul- seat of the Tui Cakau (one of Fiji’s 3 paramount political commentator. The opinions contained
it would be unfair not to mention the many of- timately that was what led to his fall from grace chiefs) at Somosomo in Taveuni. There was in this article are entirely his and not neces-
ficials who did help in those tight times. Unfor- at the hands of the voters in 1999. Rabuka could therefore, obvious Rabuka-type strategy in this sarily shared by any organizations he may be
tunately the bad too often outshines the good in not continue to please the myriad interests that latest move. associated with both in Fiji and abroad. Email
the human mind especially when it is outraged he had spawned with his coup and strategically The Taukei Sawaieke, Ratu Tevita Mo- subhasha@ais.ac.nz
WHAT IS GIRMIT? In Fiji, the Indentured Labourers had to use the term “Agree-
ment” as this was what bound them not only to their employers,
When the Indentured labour system was introduced by the but also to their destiny. Unable to pronounce “Agreement”,
British government in the 1830s, each labourer was required to they settled for “Girmit”, as it is known by Fiji Indians today.
sign an employment contract called the “The Indenture Agree-
ment”. The first batch of indentured labourers was brought from India
to work in the sugar cane plantations in Fiji in 1879. They first
For the Indian labourers who did not understand the English landed on Fiji shores on May 14 – the day of the first military
well, pronunciation of English words became a challenge. coup carried out by Major-General Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987.
Kantilal Patel, better known as Ken Patel has been recognized as one of Wellington’s Local Heroes
for his 40 years of community service at the KiwiBank Local Heroes Award ceremony in late April.
Mr Patel is a Justice of the Peace and a marriage celebrant. He received a Queens Service Medal
in 2004 and has worked with the Indian, Pacific Island and refugee communities helping them with
their transition to life in New Zealand.
Though retired, Mr Patel spends his time in social work. “I’m retired so I have all the time in
the world,” he says.
Mr Patel is not new to recognition. His part accolades have been: the Absolutely Positively Wel-
lington award, Pride of India Gold Award (which he won in London), Bharat Gaurav Award, Glory
of India Gold Medal and Pravasi Excellence Award.
- Indian Weekender nmews desk
Caption: Kantilal Patel with Grant McCabe and NZICA past president Ratilal Champaneri
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Mumbai: Actors Mallika Sherawat and Divya yet too hot to resist, claims the makers of ‘Hiss’.
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ity while shooting for ‘Hiss’. to Cannes Film Festival this year in May where
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An independent co-production between the the look of their film will be unveiled.
food and go the “I have under-
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When asked about and my family healthy, I
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his bonding with Ajay will do,” he added.
always; showing off her super curvaceous body revenge on the hunter.
and his new inspiration,
and wooing audiences with her groovy looks, The film will be released this year in English
Emraan says- “It has been
while Divya will be seen in some sensuous as well as in Hindi languages as it was shot si-
a fun working with
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22 Indian Weekender | May 14, 2010 | www.iwk.co.nz
KITES is a
story of lo
ve that go
relationshi es beyond
p that take barriers,
s two love boundarie
rs on a th s & culture
s. It
Indian
Bollywood
‘Don’t compare
me to Khali’
Actor Rajpal Yadav is in news
again for his forthcoming film
Kushti where he will be seen
wrestling with WWE champion
The Great Khali. Excerpts
It was the first time I am playing the role of such a humble and
simple postman; so the experience was quite interesting.
I have full faith and confidence that the movie which is filled
with so much laughter and comedy that the audience will be
rolling on the floors. All of us have worked extremely hard
towards making this movie and the director Rajeev Kumar
has done an excellent job in directing the movie.
eludes India:
To You” from the film ‘Farz’ sung by legend- seen and heard in the Hindi animation film
ary singer Mohd Rafi. ‘Bird Idol’.
The song has become a must for every “I have sung most of the songs in the film
Arnab
birthday party since its release in 1967. but when Jyotin Ji discussed about making
But with time comes a change and so has something new and historical and came up
a new age birthday song been created after with idea of this song, I almost took it as the
a gap of over 4 long decade which has been first song of my career, because it required so
sung by Bollywood’s most bankable play- much of justice to its soul. Then there always
was an anticipation of people comparing it
Entertainment overrides creativity in Indian Kashmiri and and Parsi traditional clothing, has with Mohd’ Rafi Sahab’s song, coz whenever
fashion weeks, says designer Arnab Sengupta, a lot of embroidery and thread work and brings something new is tried, comparisons are the
who showcased his collection for the upcoming out a splash of Indian colours and style. first thing we see. But now when people who
Indian Premier London Fashion Week. “The designs draw inspiration from the have heard it speak about it being a song of a
“The Indian fashion weeks are all about thepalaces and streets of Jaipur and has my cus- lifetime, I feel so happy to have been a part
entertainment and stars. Anybody can get away tomary traditional and ‘folk’ feel to it.” of it,” said Shaan.
with any design by simply roping in a cricketer With heavy use of nets, velvets, Georgette, The song was conceptualized and is the
or a Bollywood actor,” he says. Brocade, and similar materials, the collection output of efforts by the producers of ‘Bird
Calling the London Fashion Week ‘the highlights the Kalamkari style of prints, veg- Idol’, Goel Screencraft, who have a long
BAFTA, of fashion industry’, he says, “Over- etable dyed on 100 per cent muslin cotton with history of producing very popular children’s
seas, people are more interested in serious painstakingly intricate detailing. songs in movies.
fashion. The design matters, not who is flaunt- Bengali actress, Ritupara Sengupta, who Jyotin Goel, Director of the film, said:
ing it for the day.” was present at the launch, clad in a blue sari “Actually this song was conceptualized by
Arnab is among the few Indian design- from the collection, says, “The thing that I love me and my son. We were at a Birthday Party
about his work is that it’s so joyful; it always has
ers selected to present their collections at the and Humming Happy Birthday and here
event, and he said he is “honoured to be able a festive feel to it.” in India we normally say Happy Bird-Day
to showcase the designs among the stalwarts of “I think Arnab is doing an excellent job in instead of saying Birthday, So that’s where
fashion like Rocky S, Neeta Lulla and Narendra making fashion wearable. His designs are in- the idea struck us and when the song came
Kumar.” novative, gorgeous and intricate without being in to happening, only one name came across
Arnab says, his collection, featuring a over the top,” she adds. my mind- Shaan.
fusion groove primarily focused on Rajasthani Arnab too feels that it is indeed very essen- “Yes, we wanted the voice which
style intermingled with tial for a design to be wearable but he says that represents the youth of today and
when it comes to fashion, wearable or not, the who better than Shaan. In fact I
consumer is still stuck in the Middle ages. was very happy when I saw Shaan
“There’s a mentality among Bengali people with the same zeal that of a young
to not invest in designer clothes; they’d much kid, while singing the song.
rather spend money on jewellery and stuff. I feel Finally the song will be out now
this needs to change,” says the designer. and I am sure from now on along
He points out how ‘investing in fashion’ and with B’aar Baar Yeh Din Aaye’,
hiring Sabyasachi Mukherjee as her designer our song will become a must in
has worked wonders for Hindi film actress the birthday celebrations.”
Vidya Balan’s glam quotient. The story of ‘Bird Idol’ re-
Arnab, who has done 200 exhibitions all volves around a bird called
over, including the past three instalments of ‘Hummi’ who is not happy
Bridal Asia; Asian Fashion Extravaganza, with the bird music and is
Dubai; Bride & Groom, Bangkok; and DNA, greatly impressed by human
Mumbai said this collection took around two music and how he introduc-
months to complete and it features 20 outfits; es human music to the bird
the prices start at Rs 15,000. music by entering into a
Trained in Fashion Designing from the competition called Bird Idol
National Institute of Fashion Technology, and with his genuine effort
Kolkata and coming from a ‘humble back- he puts himself and his
ground and no connections’, Sengupta’s parents into trouble.
first show was ‘Angarakha’ in collabora-
tion with the Nagaland government in 2003
Mumbai: Popular music composer trio Shankar- derstand the depth of the song and hence we can’t
Ehsaan-Loy is all set rock at 12 concerts across 16 determine to which extent the audience would
cities abroad with Shri Balaji Entertainment Inc’s appreciate it. The thunderous clapping of the au-
‘Inspiration Rock On Live in concert’. dience to an artist’s performance is best music to
Singers like Mahalaxmi Iyer and Richa the artist’s ears. That’s why whenever we get an
Sharma will also be participating in the tour. opportunity to perform we try not to miss .I really
“Our main focus is on the music and the enjoy performing in front of a live audience.”
musical content,” said Shankar Mahadevan . The choreographers of the show are Kunjan
Asked about performing with Pakistani Singer and Danny.
Shafaqat Amaanat Ali Khan, he said: “We don’t “There is a huge difference in performing in a
mind performing in Pakistan as well. Shafaqat is a reality show and in front of a live audience. This stylish and elegant black kurta and salwaar. was clicked his beloved wife was in the snap
very talented singer and he is well known all over tour means a lot to us as it is challenging as well. The first arrival at the premiere was made along with him.
the world. The Pakistani people staying abroad We all feel privileged to perform in front of60,000 by producer-actor Anuuj Saxena, along with his Critically acclaimed director Tanuja
will turn up in huge numbers to listen to him”. live audiences,” the duo said. co-actress Tarina Patel. Anuuj Saxena looked Chandra also attended the premiere and looked
“We also want to spread the message of love, “We will be doing 12 concerts in more than dashing in his suit. His parents also arrived to smart and elegant in her ethnic wear.
friendship and peace though our concert,” Loy 16 cities abroad. We have the most talented artists bless their son for his successful –double stint Savita Prabhune, Narayani Shastri, and
added.“Music is to heal. When people listen to travelling and performing with us. We have made as an actor and as a producer. Raymon Singh Anuuj’s co-stars from his serial
our music they can relate to it. That is why people a commitment that we will successfully finish the Tarina Patel decided to turn up in wore a ‘Kkusum’ also attended the premiere.
loved Kal Ho Na Ho’s music because they could all the concerts in a span of 1 month,” Ehsaan said. beautiful orange color designer dress. ‘SarkarRaj’ actress Rukhsar attended the
feel the emotions hidden deep in every song.” Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are presently working Many of Anuuj’s co-actors from the tele- premiere in a dark green party dress.
Meanwhile, Mahalaxmi said: “When a singer on Nikhil Advani’s ‘Patiala House’ and a film with vision industry also turned up for the movie Model Muzzamil Ibrahim came with a
records a song in a studio, he or she doesn’t un- director Zoya Akhtar. premiere-some with their spouses, some alone. friend.
Actress Tasneem Sheikh attended the pre- Amongst others who attended the premiere
miere with her shippy husband Sameer Nerur- were actresses Poonam Dhillon and Deepsikha,
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26 Indian Weekender | May 14, 2010 | www.iwk.co.nz
Indian
Technology
The story of the iPhone 4 considered to be one of the most visible and suc- an improved display, split volume buttons, a me- Of course a story of this magnitude raises in-
Divyanshu Dutta Roy cessful blog-oriented media companies, went tallic finish to all the buttons and ‘what looks to numerable questions in the social media driven
New York: On Thursday, March 18 2010, a public with the scoop on Apr 19, 2010 10:00 a.m be a secondary mic for noise cancellation, at the world today.
North Carolina State University 2006 graduate (ET). top, next to the headphone jack’. Even though the web is buzzing with excite-
reportedly entered Gourmet Haus Staudt, a nice Gizmodo however was not the first one; Also, almost confirming its originality, the ment but questions such as why Endgadget did
German beer garden in Redwood City, Califor- when something as heated as the next iPhone new iPhone features an iPad-like micro-SIM not pursue the story.
nia, to celebrate his 27th birthday. is doing the rounds, whispers and murmurs are instead of the regular sized SIM cards used in Some bloggers believe that AOL, which
He also apparently updated his Facebook bound to come up. previous iPhone models. owns Endgadget, and is still a huge corpora-
status from his phone by typing “I underes- Around 7:48 p.m. (ET) on April 17, Giz- The device also sees several design evolu- tion, might have been discouraged from taking
timated how good German beer is.” And then on risks that could have otherwise put it at odds
somewhere along he lost his phone; and that’s with Apple.
where the night went wrong. AOL has in the meantime, reportedly said
The problem was that the just-turned-27,
Gray Powell, an employee at Apple Inc., was
The problem was that the just-turned-27, that they “aren’t in the habit of paying for
scoops” and this “encourages awful behaviour
using a top secret prototype phone made by
Apple - what now seems to be the 4th genera- Gray Powell, an employee at Apple Inc., was in tipsters”.
One will inevitably wonder what Apple’s
tion iPhone. action be, being a company that guards its
Powell, an Apple Software Engineer working
on the iPhone Baseband Software, the program
using a top secret prototype phone made by secrets with revered ferocity but Apple has not
yet made any signs of taking on Gizmodo on the
that enables the iPhone to make calls was using legal lawn.
the next-generation iPhone that he was testing
on the field, cleverly disguised as an iPhone
Apple - what now seems to be the Surprising many critics, on Monday,
Apple sent a polite letter to Gizmodo editor,
3GS. Brian Lam, asking for the ‘device’ back after
The man found it at the supposedly took it 4th generation iPhone. Gizmodo merely stated that all it needed was a
home thinking to be just an ordinary iPhone that written acknowledgement from Apple that they
he would return the following day. had indeed, lost the ‘device’.
Next morning he found that Apple had re- modo’s competitor blog, Endgadget, owned by tions such as a completely flat back, an aluminum At the same time, there are bloggers as well
motely ‘killed’ the phone and that’s when, after AOL Inc. had posted some images which it said border going completely around the outside, and who still feel that all this was actually a cleverly
some tinkering, the plastic disguise-case came it ‘thought’ to be the next gen iPhone. a general departure from the overall ‘rounded- executed sham for either to create the buzz or
off and there lay a distinctly different looking Endgadget, however, did not pursue the story ness’ of the designs of previous iPhones for a to get an idea public opinion regarding the pro-
iPhone. for some reason and after Gawker’s Nick Denton more ‘industrial’ or ‘squared’ look. posed iPhone specs without actually having to
Known for its legendary secrecy surround- shelled out 5000 USD for the device, Gizmodo The phone is also reported to be running the admit much.
ing its products prior to launch, the event turned brought out the electrifying piece of news. recently announced iPhone 4 operating system, The yet to be named 4th generation iPhone,
into somewhat of an embarrassment for Apple, Even though it raises many eyebrows to what is 3 grams heavier and features a 16% larger rumoured to be christened ‘iPhone 4G’ or
when almost a month later a technology blog extent a ‘story’ may be pursued and at what cost, battery. ‘iPhone HD’, is expected to be unveiled in June
completely dissected its top secret prototype in Denton, who seemed unabashed, tweeted, “Yes, Even though there is a possibility that this this year.
front of the world. we’re proud practitioners of checkbook journal- could be a fake device, but as Gizmodo reports, Apple, expected to reveal its quarterly earn-
Gizmodo, a technology blog owned and ism. Anything for the story!” it is very unlikely that ‘someone having to use ings on Monday, experienced a downward curve
operated by Gawker Media, an online media According to Gizmodo, the new iPhone fea- Apple components to design a functioning in its stock prices after the story flared all over,
company and blog network, founded and owned tures an all new front-facing video chat camera, phone, from scratch, and then disseminating it but has slowly started recovering.
by Nick Denton based in New York City and improved regular back-camera, a camera flash, to people around the world’.
Heritage
Why is Tagore still important?
ram lingam
Last week on 7th May it was the 150th birth
anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore
(7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941). Tagore as we
know him was a Bengali poet, philosopher,
Mind without Fear
artist, playwright, composer and novelist. Just
late last year we even saw the inauguration of a
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Tagore library here in Auckland at the Mahatma Where knowledge is free
Gandhi centre.
Tagore has been acclaimed as perhaps the Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
greatest literary figure in history. His extraordi-
nary output in literature includes approximately By narrow domestic walls
50 dramas, 1000 poems, 2000 songs, 38 plays,
12 novels, 100 books of verse (much of which Where words come out from the depth of truth
he set to music), 200 short stories, innumer-
able essays covering every important social,
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
political and cultural issue of his time. Tagore Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
also left numerous drawings and paintings, and
songs for which he wrote the music himself. Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
There is any hardly any Indian from main-
land India who doesn’t know about the great Where the mind is led forward by thee
bard of Bengal – Tagore. But do we know
enough about Tagore and his major ideas which Into ever-widening thought and action
renewed Indian culture in his writings?
We certainly know him to be the author of
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake
India’s national anthem – the ‘Jana Gana Mana’ - Rabindranath Tagore
and as a poet was the winner of the Nobel Prize
for literature in 1913. He was the father figure
who gave the title of ‘Mahatma’ to Mahatma home; and although at seventeen he was sent to by Rabindranath. Dr.S.Radhakrishnan who other poet. For the world he became the voice
Gandhi. It was given in response to Gandhiji England for formal schooling, he did not finish wrote his first book “The Philosophy of Rabi- of India’s spiritual heritage; and for India he
conferring the title of “Gurudev” (great teacher) his studies there. In his mature years, in ad- ndranath Tagore” believed Tagore’s philosophy became a great living institution. That’s why
upon Tagore. dition to his many-sided literary activities, he to be the “genuine manifestation of the Indian Tagore is still important.
Tagore who gave us our national anthem managed the family estates, a project which spirit.”
wrote -- “I have loved India and sought to serve brought him into close touch with common So why is Tagore still important in this
her not because of her geographical magnitude, humanity and increased his interest in social modern world? What are his major ideas? Here are samp
les of his
not because of her great past, but because of my reforms. He also started an experimental school Tagore is important because he is unquestion- famous quote
faith in her today and my belief that she will at Shantiniketan where he tried his Upanishadic ably the most towering figure of modern Indian s:
stand for truth and freedom and the higher ideals of education. Tagore was knighted by the and what he teaches us is timeless. l Faith
is the bird th
things of life”. ruling British Government in 1915, but in 1919 His major ideas some 130 years ago are sings when the da at feels the light and
His song ‘Amar Shonar Bangla (My Golden he surrendered it as a protest against the Mas- still relevant and implemented even today. His w n is still dark.
l Do not say, “I
Bengal) of which the first ten lines got adopted sacre of Amritsar, where British troops killed major ideas according to an article by Profes- dismiss it with a t is mor ning,”
na and
in 1972 as the Bangladesh national anthem. In some 400 Indian demonstrators protesting co- sor Narayan Champawat in the book ‘’Great it for the first tim me of yesterday. See
fact, in 2006, even China’s Communist Party lonial laws. Between 1878 and 1932, Tagore Thinkers of the Eastern World’ were: ‘Modern e as a newborn
that has no nam child
signalled its favourable view of the Indian visited more than thirty countries on five conti- civilisation has gathered its wealth and missed e.
l The soil, in retu
poet when the party organ, the People’s Daily, nents; many of these trips were crucial in famil- its well-being. True education must aim at keeps the tree tie rn for her serv
elected him as one of the 50 foreign person- iarizing non-Indian audiences with his works. freedom from ignorance of the laws of the uni- d to her; the sk ice,
nothing and leav y asks
alities who have influenced modern Chinese Tagore’s ideal was the universal human being verse and freedom from passion and prejudice. es it free.
l You can’t cross
thinking. The paper described his as “one of – rational, humane, creative and spiritual. He The supreme one is personality and creates the standing and sta the sea merel
India’s greatest poets, writers, artists as well was himself such a person. His philosophy was world and its people for self expression. The ring at the water y by
l If yo
u cr y beca .
as social activists”. Tagore’s poems were trans- founded on his vision of reality. Rabindranath supreme and humanity are related by mutual out of your life, use the sun has gone
lated in Chinese as early as 1915 and also pub- Tagore was not a stranger to the political arena love. The same stream of life runs throughout your tears will
you from seeing prevent
lished in influential publications of the time like either. He actively supported Mahatma Gandhi, the universe. Religion should establish unity in l Death
th e stars
is not extin
the Xin Qingnian (New Youth). and his agenda of social reforms through civil diversity.’ is only putting ou guishing the light; it
t
According to the biography available in disobedience. Gandhi and the other founding As a philosopher, he brought out the essence daw n has come. the lamp because the
nobelprize.org, Rabindranath was educated at leaders of modern India were deeply influenced of Eastern spirituality in his poetry like no
Column
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