iik iday supplement - 2011
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IndiansinKuwait.com Special supplement for India's 64th Independence Day AnniversaryTRANSCRIPT
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Table of ContentsTable of Contents
www.IndiansinKuwait.com
From the Editors Desk .................................................................4
Ambassador Message for the Independence Day of India ...........6
Small Steps; Big Change ...........................................................12
Twenty years after - Economic reforms in India........................16
What is India to the world then and now. ..................................21
The Spirit of Solidarity ..............................................................24
Development thoughts on the eve of Independence Day ...........28
To stay or to return? NRI in Dilemma .......................................32
Happy Birthday, India ................................................................36
India Demands Transparency .....................................................40
Stand on your feet ......................................................................43
Glorified with freedom Indian Independence ............................44
Proud to be Indian ......................................................................46
Fly to Freedom ...........................................................................47
Decide to work Together ............................................................49
Vande Mataram ..........................................................................50
Acknowledgments ......................................................................51
Let us remember all our Freedom fighters who fearlessly strived their life’s every single second for us, for this day, so that we enjoy the freedom of life
without fear and live independently. Happy Independence Day
Jai Hind!
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From the Editors DeskDear Readers,
On the occasion of Independence Day of India, our team at Indians in Kuwait joins me to extend warm wishes to our readers.
As we are celebrating the 65th Independence Day, we take this opportunity and feel privileged to present our 2ndIndependence Day-“Tiranga” the special Supplement of Indiansinkuwait.com. We are sure thecaptivatingarticlespublished in this supplement will make your day.
India is now a country with an economy that growing strong by the day. It is a force to reckon with on all fronts. This kind of state of success is not possible to achieve without contribution from individuals – all of us Indians – in our own way, however miniscule it might be. As a contribution to this steady growth of India, IIK also does its part by voicing the positive thoughts of Indians on our dear motherland through this special supplement Tiranga.
IIK has been at the service of Indians living in Kuwait for over a decade now with steady growth in its readership.Our recent additions to IIK, IIK Wtech which gives you the latest information in the technological field, IIK Kidz which was launched for the summer holidays and contains variety of contents for the kids to enjoy this summer and a new look in IIK Entertainment where one can play online songs and dedicate them to their loved ones has been very well accepted by all of our readers. We also provide a platform for our readers to showcase their creative skills by writing travelogues and other articles, which we are happy to publish on our portal. We are happy to learn that various online contests and Quiz we conduct often at IIK are well received by our readers. We look forward to your valuable support and contributions that will enrich this site and do more service to Indians living in Kuwait
This year too we are conducting an online quiz for the Independence Day supplement. So enjoy reading the supplement and take part in the quiz to win exclusive prizes!
Your support, gratitude, good wishes, and blessings have been the fuel that has kept us going. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We dedicate ourselves to serving you to the best of our capacity for the next coming years.
A special thanks to those individuals who have contributed their valuable time and sent their articles for this supplement.
We place on record our sincere thanks toIndian Embassy for all its support and encouragement extended to our community at large here.
We are enormously grateful to our advertisers for their immense support. Hats off to the IIKteam for working diligently and getting this supplement out on time. My sincere thanks to Mr. Surya Prakash for his stupendous support. A special thanks to ourmarketing associates M/s Badra International,without whose support this could not havebeen possible.
Thanking You
EditorIndiansinkuwait.com
Sunoj Nambiar
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Ambassador’s Messagefor the India’s Independence Day
On the occasion of the 65th Independence Day of India, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations and warm greetings to all members of the Indian community in Kuwait. I also take this opportunity to thank the Government and the people of the friendly State of Kuwait for their good wishes and felicitations.
As we celebrate this historic day with joy and fervour, let us remember with gratitude the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters during their struggle against colonial rule and pay homage to them. Under the leadership of our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, those brave men and women fought valiantly for the liberation of our Mother Land; they did it through non-violence, choosing to suffer themselves but not retaliate. It was a movement with no parallel in human history. We shall forever remain indebted to them for their selfless struggle for our independence as much for introducing ‘non violence’ into the political lexicon.
The building of a free, democratic and secular India has been one of the greatest achievements of humankind in the last century. In little over six decades, we have been able to achieve a lot in virtually every sphere of human endeavour. As the largest democracy in the world, and as home to the largest multi- linguistic, multi-religious and multi-ethnic population living in harmonious coexistence, India has been a role model for the rest of the world. Our secular traditions, rule of law, fair and just society, concern for the disadvantaged and inclusive development have captured the imagination of the entire world.
Today, India stands at the threshold of a new era of progress and development. There is a new dynamism among our people, a new feeling of confidence in their capabilities and a new sense of hope in their collective future - the Indian renaissance is truly underway. We are the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. Our economic growth rate is one of the highest in the world, with the last few years witnessing unprecedented growth in all sectors. We also have healthy foreign exchange reserves. Our fiscal and monetary policies are mature and sober; many now see them as a role model to follow. As a result, India has been one of the few countries around the world which could weather the storm of the global economic turmoil. With over 60% of the population in the working age group of 15-65 years, India’s ‘demographic dividend’ has translated into high savings and investments. This, coupled with vast natural resources and huge knowledge base, has transformed India into an economic powerhouse.
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The process of economic reforms in India is firmly rooted in consensus that spans the entire spectrum of political parties. Indian political system has fostered an open society with strong collective and individual rights and an environment supportive of free economic enterprise. Our time tested institutions - a free and vibrant press, independent judiciary and a sophisticated legal and accounting system - offer foreign investors a transparent environment that guarantees security of their investments. The highly competitive Indian private sector, which accounts for over 75% of the GDP, offers considerable scope for joint ventures and collaborations. Our skilled managerial and technical manpower match the best available in the world and are sought after by multinational corporations globally. Top management echelons of a growing number of large transnational corporations have Indian professionals. A large and growing middle class in India provides an alluring market. Not surprisingly, India is one of the most exciting emerging economies in the world today.
With numerous achievements in a short span of six decades, international acclaim for India has been increasing. Apart from having the third largest scientific and technical human resourcepool in the world, we are one of the handful of nations capable of developing and launching own satellites. With the launch of Chandrayaan in November 2008, India joined a select group of five countries that have sent lunar exploration vehicles. India is also self-reliant in nuclear technology, having mastered the complete nuclear cycle from exploration to power generation and waste management. Thanks to the revolution in its information technology industry, India has become the back office of the world today with a combined revenue of over US$ 55 billion in Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services. Our telecommunication sector has notched up phenomenal growth, with over 800 million subscribers. Indian companies have been making large business acquisitions abroad heralding a new era of entrepreneurship - Tata Steel’s purchase of British steelmaker Corus for US$ 12.1 billion; Birla Group’s acquisition of Novelis for US$6 billion; Bharti Airtel’s acquisition of African operations of Zain for US $ 10.7 billion and Tata Group’s acquisition of Jaguar Land Rover for US$ 2.3 billion are just some examples.
Notwithstanding such success stories, our country faces enormous challenges that remain to be addressed - poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, diseases and infrastructure bottlenecks. The government has embarked upon a series of socio-economic and targeted development programmes in order to uplift the marginalized sections of the society and make our growth inclusive. These include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme aimed at ensuring employment to rural households, Bharat Nirman Programme for scaling up rural infrastructure, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to universalize elementary education, Annapurna Scheme to provide food security and National Rural Health Mission for better health care
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delivery system. Through Self Help Groups (SHG) and Public Private Partnership, the government is trying to bring the fruits of such developmental schemes to the deprived sections so that the gap between the rich and the poor is bridged and inclusive growth is accomplished.
In the area of foreign policy, India’s approach has been to establish mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world, particularly with countries in our neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood. Independence of thought and action, resolution of conflicts by peaceful means and equity in the conduct of international relations are the guiding principles of our foreign policy. As a responsible member of the international community, India is closely engaged with other countries to tackle issues of common concern, such as terrorism, global economic crisis, climate change, energy security and reform of multilateral institutions to reflect current realities.
Terrorism is the scourge of our times that undermines peace, democracy and freedom, endangering the international community and humankind as a whole. Having been a victim of terrorism for decades, India has always unequivocally condemned all forms of terrorism. India remains committed to working at bilateral, regional and international levels towards a world free of terrorism. We have supported the efforts of the United Nations in providing necessary assistance to countries to put in place appropriate counter-terrorism legislations. We believe that the international community should work closely to combat terrorism through close cooperation.
The Gulf region, one of India’s largest trading partners, source for meeting around 70% of our energy requirements, and home to over 6 million Indians whose annual inward remittances are well over US $ 30 billion, is important priority for our foreign policy. It has been our endeavour to build on our traditional and historical relations with this region.
With Kuwait, India enjoys traditionally close and friendly relations. There have been regular cultural and civilisational exchanges as well as of trade and commerce between the two countries, which predate the emergence of both as modern nation States. Over the years, bilateral engagement has grown substantially to comprise significant political, commercial and economic ties. India-Kuwait trade is about US $ 10 billion, dominated by export of oil and oil products from Kuwait. Kuwait is an important partner in India’s quest for energy security, providing 11-12% of our annual crude oil imports. The two-way non-oil trade has also grown in recent years to nearly US $2 billion. As interaction between our two countries and peoples intensify, a plethora of opportunities are opening up in new and diverse areas like information technology and information technology enabled services, hospitality, human resource development, investments in third country projects, and medical tourism to name a
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few. We would endeavour to further broaden and accelerate the pace of bilateral cooperation in coming years for mutual benefit.
A host of high-level visits from both sides in recent times has imbued bilateral relations with fresh impetus. The State visit of HH Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, to India in June 2006 was a landmark event that culminated in the signing of important agreements. This was followed by the official visit of our Vice President HE M. Hamid Ansari to Kuwait in April 2009. In February 2010, Minister of External Affairs of India, HE S.M. Krishna paid a visit to Kuwait and called on HH the Amir, HH the Prime Minister and HE the Deputy PM & Foreign Minister. He visited Kuwait again in February 2011 to represent India in Kuwait’s 50-20-5 celebrations. Our Minister of State for Tourism visited Kuwait in October 2009 for an Indian tourism promotion event with special focus on health tourism. Other visits to Kuwait include that of our Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena, in December 2010 and that of our Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri R.P.N Singh, in April 2011. In addition to these visits, numerous events encompassing diverse areas of mutual interest have also been organized in the recent past. A “Festival of India” in Kuwait was arranged in November 2009, in which artistes from India provided a glimpse of our rich cultural heritage. Inter-governmental Working Groups on Hydrocarbon and on Labour, Employment and Manpower Development, were convened in Kuwait in December 2009 and January 2010 respectively. An Indian Food Festival was held at the Kuwait Towers in April 2010. Tourism to India was showcased at the “Travel World Expo 2010” in Kuwait in May 2010. More such programmes and visits are envisaged in future to further expand and deepen the friendship between the two countries.
The over 6,00,000-member strong Indian community in Kuwait plays a pivotal role in promoting bilateral relationship. It has built a reputation for being capable, industrious, sincere, disciplined and above all, law abiding. It has immensely contributed to the development and prosperity of Kuwait. Its presence is felt in practically every segment of the society – professional field, business, domestic sector, skilled and unskilled work. I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude for the benevolence bestowed on the Indian community by HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of the State of Kuwait.
India’s expanding engagement with Kuwait has resulted in growing demand for consular services. To provide efficient and prompt consular services in a comfortable environment we have outsourced our passport and visa services. These service centers are located conveniently and have been functioning satisfactorily. It would be our endeavour to ensure quality service delivery and address any shortcomings. From
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October 2009, we have also started “Consular Open House” at the Embassy during which a senior consular official could be met without appointment. In order to enhance the welfare support available to Indian workers in Kuwait, an “Indian Workers Welfare Center” was established in September 2009, which includes a labour complaints desk, accommodation for workers in distress, a free legal advice clinic, a work contract attestation system, toll free 24x7 exclusive telephonic helpline for domestic workers and a help desk to guide Indian nationals on routine immigration procedures, employment and other issues
This is my first Independence Day Celebration in Kuwait. I take this opportunity to wish all of you good health, happiness and prosperity. I would also like to wish continued good health and well- being of HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait as also the people of the friendly State of Kuwait.
Jai Hind!
H.E Mr. Satish C. Mehta
Ambassador of India
Kuwait
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A hundred years ago, in 1911,
The Jana Gana Mana, which later became free India’s National Anthem, was sung for the first time at the annual convention of the Indian National Congress at Calcutta...
The first flight (a Humber biplane carried mail from Allahabad to Naini junction) took place in India...
The first Indian team and the first Asian team defeated a foreign team when they won the 1911 IFA Shield defeating the East Yorkshire Regiment...(specify the game also)
Today, a hundred years later, in 2011—the free India that we live in has not much to boast about, other than the figures on paper which supposedly indicate our growth rate, and the billions in our kitty with which we go arms-shopping. The latter lures some of the leading leaders of the world to talk about India being their ally or even a nation which has significant potential.
All our national symbols are in a shameful state of extinction, death or bankruptcy. The Maharaja is on the verge of closure due to bankruptcy... the tiger is on the verge of extinction... the national game—hockey (yes, it is not cricket) is gasping for air and well, the national morale is dead, and national pride is outsourced.
Yes, a sense of apathy and gloom seems to be overwhelming us quite forcefully in the past few years. The media plays on our cynicism and does quite a good job of thickening its layers within us. While the panellists on the news channels scream incessantly and the members in the Parliament flex their muscles and each goes about guided by self-interest alone, can we pause and think a bit? Can we do our bit? No, not because our Independence Day is round the corner, but because our nation is our identity and we have no option but to live by it. If we make our identity a little less shameful, it shall make living easier for us. From the point of view of our self-interest then, let us take a few small steps...
There is not much meaning anymore in dwelling on the broader picture; on the macro-reality...as it is quite a humongous task to start ushering change therein. Hey! What if we cannot change the world at large... we can very well take our own small steps in our own lives... and usher in change that shall onset a chain reaction !!!
Just as we go about living our own private little lives, unmindful of others—so also,
Small Steps; Big Changeby Dr. Navniit Gandhi
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we can go about doing our bit, unmindful of what and how much are others doing. Beginning with whether we, our nation or rather this planet needs more children or not—take your call. Similarly, whenever we go about taking our shopping cart swirling around the super market, let us think three to five times, before we mindlessly consume. Do we really need all those creams and those many conditioners or those many cleaners and softeners or floor cleaners? Can we have a little mercy on the suffocating rivers and other water bodies? Do we need to keep buying newer models of cars, mobiles, laptops, watchers and other gadgets—all of which are going to increase that dangerous stockpile of non-biodegradable e-waste? At least, let us wait till humanity arrives at some solution to get rid of the toxic waste. Can we pause a while and then splurge? If each one of us can do that, we shall do our bit and the resultant change will not be miniscule but definitely a bigger one.
Can we also pause before we act and react with other fellow humans? Is it possible to detoxify our relationships? Maybe small steps but let us at least begin. Let us accept the rights of others to do as they please, and let go of the instinct to ‘control’. This one small step will drastically reduce violence in our societies. One small step in cutting our respective egos and urges a little bit, and we shall talk better with others. We shall be able to treat others more respectfully and lives shall be a little happier. Domestic violence, molestation, abuse of children, senior citizens and minorities, incest, and many other ills can be more effectively controlled by our small steps than the huge plans and policies of our governments. We alone have to live in our society. It will do us no harm if we can make it a little less ugly. Do not worry about what others are doing. Do your bit. You talk with and treat others respectfully and genuinely not try to control others and that shall be enough. In the chain reaction that ensues, a little less use of anti-depressants, sedatives, mind controllers, and sleep-inducers shall also beautify the society immensely.
There are roles for which we are paid and those for which we aren’t—at least not monetarily. We are engineers, doctors, teachers, system analysts or bankers...and then we are fathers, mothers, sisters, sons... Is it possible to take a small steps in the way we carry out the roles. Probably, we can borrow a few minutes from the time that we spend before the TV analysing whether the PM is playing his role well or not. Have you taught the right values to the children whom you have brought here on this planet? Are they turning out to be humane, intelligent, capable, and well-balanced individuals? Do they whine and complain; aggressive and angry; dissatisfied and selfish; insensitive and ignorant? Well then, that is the kind of society we and they will have to live in... Do they and do we throw the garbage of the house and the vengeance of our system out at the designated place? And what about the roles for which we are paid? If only every
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sweeper would have done his job; every minister his duty; every security personnel his vigil; every doctor, every teacher and every person his role effectively, our country would not have been on the verge of losing its national ethos within less than a century of its Independence.
Just a few minutes of reflection before we react, act, consume, spend, teach, produce, burst out, talk, write, and throw.
The decision is a big one.
The steps are small though.
The impact will be huge, nevertheless.
Dr. Navniit [email protected]
Dr. Navniit Gandhi is an academician and an author. She has authored two Books, two online-Booklets, and several articles in newspapers and magazines, till date.
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Twenty Years After- economic reforms in India
Introduction
Post independence, India embraced Soviet-style socialism. Jawaharlal Nehru, a Fabian socialist and a vocal and articulate fan of Soviet-style planning, put the ‘commanding heights of the economy’ in public ownership and created the classic insular economy: inward looking, skepticism of markets and international trade, high tariff barriers, pegged exchange rates, crippling entry barriers via industrial licensing etc. The populist and shrilly leftist Indira Gandhi, Nehru’s daughter, became prime minister in 1966. Among other measures, she nationalized banks, hiked marginal income taxes to nearly 98%, imposed a wealth tax of up to 3.5% ( to promote garibi hatao ) and forced multinational companies to disinvest majority stakes. The onslaught of socialist policies and programmes continued with debilitating effects. Moreover, during her tenure corruption began to get institutionalized. During the ‘80s, under Rajiv Gandhi (Indira’s son), a whiff of a change seemed to be taking place. With a mind for modern technology, he became a champion for computers and telecom, loosened a few hidebound socialist laws and created a climate in which private enterprise could be resuscitated. During his time the country witnessed its first equity boom. India’s GDP growth during the first 40 years after independence was: 1950-80 -- 3.5%( the ‘hindu’ rate of growth); 1980-92 -- 5.5% (attained by some economic liberalization and mainly runaway public spending). Despite all the ‘pro-poor’, ‘poverty alleviation’ rhetoric and programmes, poverty did not fall at all in the three to four decades after independence.
Reforms--1991
A foreign exchange crisis in 1991 (with foreign exchange reserves of just about 15 days’ imports), occasioned by political turmoil, a long history of interventionist policies and fiscal profligacy compelled India to abandon decades of inward-looking socialism and adopt economic reforms. The RBI was forced to airlift 47 tonnes of gold to the Bank of England as collateral for a loan, while it waited for more help from the IMF.
Ushering in the reforms, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then finance minister, in his budget speech paraphrased Victor Hugo: “No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come.”
The rupee was sharply devalued. Industrial licensing was abolished. Tariffs, excise and other levies were rationalized. Corporate, income and other taxes were reduced and their structure simplified. Shares of public sector companies were sold. Multinational companies were allowed to set up businesses. The currency was made near-convertible. Stock markets were thrown open to foreign capital. Entrepreneurialism was unleashed.
by R. Kuppanna
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Banking was thrown open to the private sector.
Doubting Thomases and Cassandras warned that opening up of the markets would allow multinationals to crush Indian companies, while fiscal stringency would strangle social spending and safety nets, hitting poor people and regions. These dire predictions proved wrong.
The result:
India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate has averaged over 8 percent in the last decade; per capita income has shot up from $300 to $1,700 in two decades; Indian businesses more than held their own, and many became multinationals themselves (Tata Motors, Hindalco, Bharti Airtel, Tata Steel, to name a few); poverty is down from 45.3 percent in fiscal year 1994 to 32 percent in fiscal year 2010; the literacy rate is up from 52.2 percent to 74 percent in two decades; several of the poorest states have doubled or tripled their growth rates since 2004, and their wage rates have risen by over 50 percent in the last three years; India’s savings rate has risen sharply - - from 18.5% (1980-81) to 22.8%(1990-91) to 23.7%(2000-01) to 34%(2010-11).
The Unfinished Agenda
Even after two decades of reform, a large unfinished agenda of economic reform re-mains. An even larger unfinished agenda for governance reform remains. India continues to be hampered by poor business conditions, mis-governance, inadequate economic freedom, social spending and waste, skill shortages, rigidities in labour laws, law and order issues, poor infrastructure, criminality in politics and above all corruption. India’s rankings, on several aspects, among the comity of nations, is pathetic indeed! For instance:
*The Heritage Foundation’s 2011 Index of Eco¬nomic Freedom ranks India at just 124th of 183 countries.
PRAVEENA MAKESHVII GULF INDIAN SCHOOL
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*The Fraser Institute’s 2010 Economic Freedom of the World report ranks India a bit better at 87th of 141 countries
*The Doing Business report of the World Bank places India at just 134th of 183 countries, showing it has a long way to go before it can be called business-friendly.
*Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International ranks India 87th out of 178 countries, be¬hind China (78th) but well ahead of Bangla¬desh (134th) and Pakistan (143rd)
*India comes close to the global bottom in ease of starting a business (165th), getting construction per¬mits (177th), and enforcement of contracts (182nd)
*India holds the world record for legal case backlogs (31.5 million) which will take 320 years to clear according to Andhra Pradesh High Court judge V.V. Rao
Conclusion
To conclude, while a considerable extent of economic reforms have been ushered in, much remains to be done. The ‘socialist mindset’ is still dominant in our polity and society. That we gave up on the insular, socialistic policies more out of compulsion than any genuine, positive desire for ‘market-oriented’ reforms is a telling commentary on the state of affairs. What happens in India is not because of the government but in spite of the government. Unless this mindset changes, we cannot expect to see real progress going forward. A one-handed cheer only for India’s reforms efforts!!
Data Sources: GOI, Economic Survey 2010-11; Central Statistical Organisation; Census of India 2011
Mr. R.KuppannaR.Kuppanna, presently, General Manager, Kuwait India International Exchange Co., is ex-General Manager of State Bank of India. A B.Tech graduate with diploma in Business Finance, he has served the bank in various capacities for more than 34 years and has rich experience in banking field and financial consultancy.
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What Is India To The World Then And Now by Surya Prakash
With its different states having as many different if not more spoken languages, diversified cultures, traditions, the common thread that connects us all is “Dil Hein Hindustani”.
If any good has been achieved by the recent spurt of reality shows that are invading the TV channels of late, this one is it –they are showcasing talents of people form every nook and corner of our vast motherland. It is really heartwarming to see so many people from diverse backgrounds with varied languages and dialects come on a common stage and perform. It is really touching when the winners in the competitions, coming from the diverse states uttering at the end, with patriotic fervor “Bharat Mata ki Jai”
Worldwide there is the feeling of this strong presence of India and hence on a subtle note the image of India is being tarnished by some unruly and foreign elements. This subtle cold shouldering to India is in itself a proof that these negative forces have accepted the fact that India is an emerging super power and they are at their wit’s end to bring down this good image of India.
Time has proven that India has withstood the onslaught of time. In spite of so many wars in the past, in spite of so many cultural invasions presently, right at the bottom of every Indian’s heart is a Hindustani Dil. This is so strong and deep rooted that any type or number of invasions cannot remove it.
There may not be any Gandhi or Vivekananda amongst us. But collectively we are a force to reckon with. If there is one country in the world that has contributed to the betterment of society in all walks of life undoubtedly it is India. Why is it so? The simple reason is that seeds of all such developments have already been sown in this soil. Our ancient scriptures are a proof of this fact. “Vimana” – the airplane of modern times – its aerodynamic principles have been well described in Vedas. GanithaShastra – the principles of modern mathematics and computers are described in it. Arrows that spew fire balls, akin to cluster bombs of today have been described in our ancient scriptures. The seeds are sown here through thoughts of the mighty saints who lived on this soil. These saints lived in different parts of the present India. These saints are revered in every part of India. That is one of the reasons why we all Indians stay connected.
There is a reason for everything that happens in this world. If the population of India is so high it is for reason. Now we see so many Indians spread far and wide. They are not only physically present but many of them are also making their presence felt by contributing their might to the progress of that country in which they are living. Some of big names in the corporate world have their CEOs and CFOs as Indians or persons of
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Indian origin. Some of the big industries established on foreign soil have been started by us Indians. As one gives a deep thought on India and its contribution to the progress of the world one recognizes the importance of India in today’s world.
Yes ladies and gentlemen and children this is India. It has been silently contributing to the progress of the world. It will do so in future as well. Nothing can stop it and nothing will stop it. India has to be on top some day and that day is already visible on the horizon. So let us all contribute in our own way keep the Indian flag fly always high and higher and still higher.
Mr. Surya PrakashA Specialized Corrosion engineer with KOC and an accomplished Toastmaster. He is presently an Area Governor in the Toastmasters Forum. He is a Motivational Speaker encouraging people to be self confident and self reliant through his personalized style. He is a free lance writer with articles in various forums.
R. HARSHNIVI - B INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
ANNA GEORGE ANTONYVII - D GULF INDIAN SCHOOL
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The Spirit of Solidarityby Rajesh Verlekar
‘Travel has been an ancient phenomenon to humans. Geologically, as continents drifted and were displaced under an array of conditions- so did the people in search for greener pasture, suitable living conditions, better livelihood, trade, commerce and so on. Many remained in their original land and thus carved out new ways and means of survival. Some moved away and thus, in the entire process until today, a vast number of people criss-crossed and got assimilated in their new-found place, which, over the time became their home. Many adapted to the new environment or sowed new seeds to create their own identity, culture or value system. Then those places became countries and thus I believe, cultures may have emerged around the world.’
I was reading this travelogue by a novice travel writer late last night. While sipping my tea over long intervals the next morning, I was in a pool of uncharted territory of thoughts. Something had awakened me up very early on the weekend morning – perhaps, a dream of leaving my home to some adopted home for better things to do. It had indeed puzzled me, because, I was already away from my original home and had begun feeling at home in the place I was currently residing. I was finding it hard to get over the heaviness that was caused by the dream. Somehow, the picture of Jassim was vigorously coming to my mind. Perhaps, the dream and his rather strange story were somewhere creating a nostalgic link. Jassim was my colleague for almost two years.
In the times when the Arab peninsula had active trade relations with India, Jassim’s grandfather and later, even his father were one of the pioneers in merchandise from this small desert country, Kuwait. Jassim took pride when he said, “We even had a house in the port city of Mangalore, where my folks used to stay during their business visits. Their first stop always used to be Mangalore and from there, they usually took the land route to wherever business engagements took them”. He always had a great desire to visit India which, however, had never materialized for reasons even he did not know. “I really long for it”, he used to say many times. He had fond memories of his grandfather bringing him toys, eatables and sweets on his journey back from India. He recounted us several interesting accounts narrated by his grandfather and father about their journey to India, its people, its culture and traditions, its legacy and their stay in several towns and cities. The story of India had kept him fascinated about the country. As time went by, Kuwait flourished with the discovery of oil and its trade route gradually expanded towards technologically more advanced nations and shrunk towards India. The visits of his father also diminished. Later, Jassim graduated from a European university and began his working life in the organization where I was employed. But his desire; his dream to visit India never had perished.
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Last winter, Jassim was taking a trip to the sub-continent. With a few DOs, DON’Ts and essential health precautions, I bid him well and bon-voyage. After about three weeks, Jassim wrote to me an email generally describing about his trip with six captioned photographs. He was still touring India. To my astonishment, the pictures were from different parts within India. The first one was of an old looking house with red roof tiles in Mangalore, which his father once owned. The second one was of ‘the oldest mosque in India which is also the second oldest in the world--the Cheraman Juma Masjid in northern Kerala’;‘the oldest church in India believed to be built by St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Christ, and perhaps the second oldest church in the world’; ‘the Konarka temple at Puri - an architectural splendour and an important place of worship of Hindus’; ‘the Lotus temple in New Delhi built by the Bahais’; and lastly the ‘Golden Temple at Amritsar’. In the second photo he was standing next to the mosque’s ‘Imam’ with the mosque at the background. The Imam was a very elderly person with deep wrinkles all over his face. I could see the emanating glow around their happy faces. I thought, ‘How in the world, in those wrinkled lines, Jassim had traced the routes his ancestors took from Arabia some 1400 years ago?’ The Imam could have been one of the descendants – who knows! He must have instantly felt some connection or bonding with him, as their graphic smiles reflected. Only I could imagine how proud I felt while thinking of India as the cradle for so many religions, languages and many other truly amazing treasures. And, what he wrote in his endnote settled in my heart like the Cupid’s arrow in lovers’ hearts.
Those words affected me so very much that I kept muttering them repeatedly. He had written, ‘Inshallah, may this great cradle never ever stop swinging; ‘Salaamu alleikum wa Rehmatullahi wa Barakatuhu’.The message of this revered salutation is quite profound and thought bearing. It means ‘Peace Be Upon You; God be merciful to you; His blessings be upon you.’It was obvious, I thought, taking quite a liberty that this reference was towards the country he was visiting and indeed for its people. It sounded to me like a call given in ecstasy than anything else - the genuineness in those feelings can not be discarded. He wrote that he concluded his visit in high spirits. I wrote back and while thanking him for the wonderful photos, I said, “My dear Jassim, Kuwait is no less a melting pot, may be smaller in size but all the same: a wonderful place – almost a home for thousands of us’.
That afternoon I narrated the whole episode to my wife and my two growing-up kids. My wife was so touched that she went silent for a while. Then, a little later, during our supper she said, “Is it not true that we are all interconnected in some way or the other- I mean, this whole human kind is interlinked or the people from other continents are in some way connected with the people of our continent and so on?” Hers was a view I had almost missed to perceive. Her voice had choked while speaking. I could
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guess what she wanted to say. The sparkle in her eyes was saying that that millions of people have left their signature in the space called India, so no one can bind India within a boundary. One may like to call it the ‘United Continent’. One can sense that the virtue or the value called freedom actually thrives there. There are more colours to India than seen on her tri-colour, and they can be seen through the spirit of solidarity of her people. She is the epitome of a homogenous society of a vast culture. She may be riddled with some petty problems but the unity woven amongst her people hitherto is much solid, vibrant and great. She has been, over thousands of years, a giant melting pot. The country is one enormous-whole; a resilient-whole; a united-whole. And, this solidarity amongst her people will let India triumph against even the highest mountain of obstables. Vande Maataram! Salam-e-Hind! Hail India!
Mr. Rajesh VerlekarThe wirter is a professional in the realm of Banking and has been a resident of Kuwait for over a decade. He writes poetry and short stories in English. He is a member of Writers’ Forum – Kuwait.
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Development thoughts on the eve of Independence Day.
by Mr. Nazar Thekkath
Dear All………………….Happy Independence Day!
Let us remember our freedom fighters and shower our tears over their memories. A bouquet of flowers too……
When the question of development arises, knowingly or unknowingly the memory takes me to our former President Sri Abul Kalam who refreshed India with his words and with his advice to the world ‘to dream’. ‘Development’ so far has been very well discussed, planned and implemented subject all over the world. And, Indian citizens got very great opportunities to dream about the development but not to enjoy it yet fully. Since time immemorial, India has been a homeland for all the human beings. India has been a noble host for all whoever came into its surface with various intentions. It will be monotonous to describe the history again as we all are aware of India and Indians.
So, coming back to the subject, ’the development of the Great India’, the entire mankind’s ever noble and proud host. Due to this quality, India had to surrender its own entity to the selfish people of Europe and Portuguese. All those painful histories were keeping India a non responsive and irresponsible county for many years after Independence. But, of late, India began showing the entire world some tremendous changes in a positive way. Being very cautious of other Countries’ development, as usual, America and other European countries started barking like bull dogs. India made them bull shit dogs and shut their mouths forever. Thereafter India and Indians have been shining everywhere in a far advanced and decent way without snatching out anyone else’s bread and butter by leaving a message too to the Americans and Europeans.
That is the summary of what India was till yesterday. So, let us keep aside all those things as we had possible outcomes and outputs out of our limited inputs and unlimited efforts. And let us discuss what India is today. Is India shining now as it had shined during the election campaigns of some political parties? Do politicians still rape India left and right? Are under world criminals, terrorists and other man eating communal societies still kicking the womb of Bharat Matha? Are all these questions important when the discussion is about development? Please know that these questions will not be answered by me, but you yourself will answer according to your own wish and will. We should think how the aforesaid questions are affecting the development of India. Our enemy’s devilish strategy is to destroy India by weakening each and every part of its body. India as a nation stands united in diversities. Being provoked by this unity, the cruel and ruthless butchers destroy themselves as to destroy others. They know very well that a bomb blast in any Metro City will be affecting Indian economy as well as life and money of many people.
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These cruel and bloodshed incidents remind the story of a monkey, who fell into well. When the monkey was trying to get out of the well by stepping two steps up through the slipping wall, he fell one step down. Again, he stepped three up and slipped two steps down and it went on like this. At last, he got out of the well after a long time of efforts. Won’t we think that if the wall was not of slipping but of firm so that the monkey could get rid of the well soon after he fell in? We would certainly think and we would wish to be so.
It will be interesting if we discuss some factors related to our population. We know that We Indians are more than 110 Crore. Out of this 110 crore, If just Ten Crore people think that they would contribute something for their nation, what a tremendous change it will bring forth! What can we do for our nation? Yep, that is the question… What can we do for our nation? It is agreed that we are not capable of discussing about the progress through the spacecraft to Moon and Neptune.
So, let us ask some simple questions each other:-
1) My great male friends….Can’t we avoid peeing on the road side? (Hope that it is not shameful to discuss here).We can avoid even spitting on the road side if we have got the intention to do so. But we will never do that. Instead, we will think “why should I keep the road clean? The road is always used by rich people’s foreign cars and other vehicles. I am using my legs and this is my standard. If you people are not interested to adjust with my culture, go and stay somewhere else”
When will we change these kinds of attitudes? When will we think that India is our own country and unlike in Middle East and other monarchist countries, we are qualified for becoming our nation’s ruler?
But I am sure that educated people will not be practicing like this.
2) Can’t we keep our railways and bus stands neat and clean by avoiding the habit of throwing the plastic covers and other wastages here and there around these places. Is it difficult to throw the garbage into the dust bin?
3) Can’t we think of planting a tree on the road side? When we do plant a tree, we are not losing anything but a plant of very less cost. But the grown tree is returning us the oxygen for life, the protection from sunlight, the return of water to earth, paper for our pen and at last the fuel for our oven when it is cut into pieces. What else do we want from this small investment?
4) Suppose, we all expatriates are rich and capable of spending a few thousands for our nation. Won’t you think that it will beautify our country’s face to a medium extent? I am sorry if I am dreaming.
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Here, the barriers are some thoughts like: - a) This country is highly populated by a particular religious people b) This state is of so and so community c) This district is well known for the shrines or of a particular religion. D) This community is the vote bank of so and so parties.
Wash out all those meanest thoughts and rejuvenate ourselves as to rejuvenate our nation. India is our own country, our own home, our own property and above all our own body and soul. Think not what our country did for us but what we did for our country.
What would be the impact if we take some oaths like:- to sponsor an orphan; to save a child from begging; to sponsor the education of drop outs, to direct a beggar how to live a life of an ordinary man by doing or engaging in any possible jobs ; to sponsor a bus waiting shed, to pave the footpath in front of our own house; to offer some books to our public libraries; to offer a bunch in the park or anywhere people rest; to offer sports materials to the needy athletes; to offer dust bins wherever needed; to provide free tuition to poor school children during our vacation.
At the beginning of every year, we shall be renewing the oaths as to improve our contributions.
If a foreign originated Mother Teresa was able to sacrifice for the sake of destitute and orphans of our country, why can’t we do something for our country. Remember, we are enjoying the fruits of our ancestors’ efforts, who dedicated themselves for the nation. Yesterdays are gone and became the part of history. We have hopeful tomorrows to forget all our painful histories. Let us become the part of our nations’ development right now and let us not procrastinate it for the next generation.
Mr. Nazar Thekkath
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To Stay Or To Return? NRI In Dilemma
“No matter under what circumstances you leave it, home does not cease to be home. No matter how you lived there-well or poorly.” ~ Joseph Brodsky
We all left our motherland, the beauty or poetry of the green fields, the blue skies and fresh air in our villages and came here looking for greener pasture. Our motherland, the place where we were born and raised, where we spent our childhood playing with friends running around the fields, playing in the rains, visiting our ancestral house that is built in red bricks, the smell of the sand, rain, the memories are endless... and finally when we grow up we leave the country to fulfil our dreams and ambitions.
Every one of us comes to this foreign land with a mind set of returning back with enough savings after 2 or 3 years job experience. But we get so adapted with the foreign country. The new culture, the new life and the new comforts have created a strong bond to the new land. Majority of the NRIs bring their loved ones over to live with them and often have the whole family living abroad. Even though the ties with the past remain, the family – especially the younger generation - has a strong attachment to the foreign lifestyle. This is the natural influence of local culture and social settings; the natural effect of the long term exposure to the western society. Is our younger generation forgetting the green villages which always added nostalgic colours to our dreams - the simplicity and plain thinking of Indian villages, the non-polluted air in our village soil? What prevents us from going back to India? Is it the foreign lifestyle we have got adapted to? India also has developed a lot. It has Malls, multiplexes, shopping arcades, fast food chain of restaurants, KFC, McDonalds, WalMart, Levis, Gucci, Rado and what not.
The days are already passed where we are getting proud day by day witnessing the development of our mother India. We are proud when the foreign Medias report the booming economy of India, the multi-million dollar companies eyeing India to be a part of the growth story. The standard of living is better now. Global recognition in the form of being an, “IT giant”, “Bio-technology hub”, “Economic powerhouse” and one of the finest medical tourism industry in the world!. When we hear all this it makes us really proud.
India has changed a lot. Young generations are stepping out from professional institution with fat packages from multinational companies. Many of the companies are hiring NRIs and expatriates who wish to return back, expecting them (NRI techies) to be comfortable in both the global work practices and local environment in India. Recently Bloomberg reported the great challenge of getting sufficient workers to fuel India’s expanding technology industry.
by Deepika Nambiar
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India is offering a lot for the young generation. The employment opportunities are very high and the packages companies are offering are in par with any other foreign land. Career growth opportunity is immense. The lifestyles in our metros are not less than any foreign countries. Time has crossed for the young generation among us to be a part of India’s corporate journey.
There is no doubt; the foreign countries have a lot to offer in terms of day-to-day facilities. The health-care system, for example, is very advanced and offers a piece of mind for any family. The schooling and education system is among many of the other benefits. The daily comforts, jobs opportunities and infra-structure of a developed country create a far better living experience, in spite of many social hurdles for immigrants.
The saying, ‘Home is where the Heart is’ goes well for NRIs in this foreign land; whose heart still beats for India, despite of residing miles away from their motherland. Are we frightened about the social existence if we return back to India? Our friends, relations, lifestyle and the own self will have to undergo so much transformation which might not be easy after getting accustomed to a foreign culture and lifestyle for so long years of our life. No matter how successful we become and how much adjusted we are to the adopted country, the craving for the homeland is always there. It feels good to be back and going back to the roots - being a part of our own culture, our own society is a major psychological boost.
To stay or to return is probably the eternal dilemma among most NRIs from any generation. Give India a chance, but always keep a window open to come back! The chances that it might not work for you are just as high as the chances that it might. As the famous quote saying, “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.” That’s the beauty of life.
Ms. Deepika NambiarA Freelance writer. She does regular contributions to the news por-tal IndiansinKuwait.com and also for Timesofindia.com. A Busi-ness Management (BBM) Graduate by education from Mysore University.
VII GULF INDIAN SCHOOL
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“Happy Birthday, India!”
From the time forward after 65 years, the living liberty ‘Sovereign India’ is glowing as a Young Nation with a vibrant democracy. Vedic India existed as a rich cultural imagery, but the sacred independence proclamation in 1947 profiled her as a Political body and as a Nation freed from the Colonial rule. After the initial sluggish growth, 1991 propelled her with valour and vigour towards prosperity levered with the benefits of Globalisation. This projected her as a sweeping powerful magnet in the last ten years on the World Economy map, which is not an exaggeration. We salute this anniversary with pomp and parade to all our old respected freedom fighters for their sacrifices. This Freedom Day celebration and those to come in future is to feel good about ourselves and the succeeding generations to pursue a life of hope and happiness. There could always be negative aspects. But every Indian has to help change their perceptions in a positive way to make India High-Tech on every anniversary of Independence, on which the country’s prosperity depends. Even if the political arrangement of independence is felt incomplete, we have to march forward with sincerity and determination fighting against ‘irregularities’ that outrage us on our journey. We are puzzled with the unholy alliance between some corrupt Politicians and Criminals. Indian media with Press freedom shall always be dutiful in their battle against high magnitude scientific corruptions emerging year after year that eat countries’ revenues.
The difficult and the prevailing sluggish situations of the Global economic crisis did not affect the rate of growth of Indian economy, but growing inflation is a worry to mull within. We, the NRI’s are fortunate to be part of India’s shielded and secured economy weighing up our hard earned money and assets back home while many of India’s neighbours failed, except China. Mahatma Gandhi designed the country with strong peaceful foundation and coexistence. Shrimati Indira Gandhi developed India as an international image. Shri Rajiv Gandhi pioneered the High-tech India and flared the strength of our hands and brains, the boon of our human-resources on the World market. In 1980’s, when Computers were resisted anticipating mass job-loss, India’s first C-DOT Telecom circuits were perfectly developed by Sam Pitroda, a NRI in that ‘decade of innovation’. Today, we have substantially achieved the visions of our Great leaders who had the guts to implement innovations 25 years back. The hard work invested by the last generations is being gloriously harvested by this generation. We the Young, with laptops on our shoulders have to acknowledge the sacrifices of our aged countrymen who devoted their life time services to uplift the country in various fields like Defence, Civil administration, Judiciary, Infrastructures, Agriculture, Education and so on amid criticisms, distress and nominal salaries. The past has to be remembered and renowned at this solemn moment.
by Indira Priya Rajan
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These days, there is an imperative need to stand united irrespective of our faiths and ideologies in preserving our ethics and sanity to lead a modest way of fulfilling life to mankind. It is agonizing with the terror attacks, Train derailments and the repeating traumatic days. But every Indian with a sense of responsibility has to stand united hand to hand with dedication and without dilution. The conspiracies of such heinous acts have to be defeated and will be. Under the providence of God, a common Indian’s emotions have matured immensely, but not for the anti-socials and those dishonouring the definition of Democracy. It is high time our lawful Government assert their authorities without interference to eliminate all security threats paving way for the Nation’s harmony and to sustain as a major and effective player in international Political scenario. Agreed that the ‘gentle and genuine’ method of democracy has to be followed in our approaches so that the ‘confidence in future’ will stay. Situation demanding and with exceptions, terror act of any nature need to be cracked down with stealth and pre-emptive actions. The collapse of Soviet Union raised doubts as much as our defence matters were concerned. Thankfully though, our defence dossier with USA cemented to new heights since 2006 reinforcing a great moral boost to our Armed forces. India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is rapidly developing excellent Electronic warfare systems and missiles for the Armed forces. Aerospace ISRO is celebrating with continuous successful series of Satellite launches. However, an exportable commercial Aircraft like Brazil’s Embraer jet is still far from easy, for our budding Aeronautical industry to manufacture which is also our Nation’s ambition.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has built 70,934 kms of Road network infra paving ways for the GDP growth. The power of 3G services and the low cost mobile services aid better interactive experiences. Prices of diesel, petrol and LPG will play a key role in the future economic scenario. The installed capacity of power-generation is 175,000 Mw, but projected power shortfall is estimated to be 10.3% during 2011-12. Grain godowns are overflowing, but could not be provided to banish inflation and poverty. Inflation costs Rs. 5.8 Lakh Crores extra in the last 3 years and is ‘far above the threshold level’. India’s unemployment rate falls to 2% dispelling fears of jobless growth. DGCA reports that civil aviation market registered a growth of 17.6% in the first half. But the benefits of our Indian economy have not percolated into the bottom of our populace. ‘Safety’ is still not a priority in few sectors. Like the biggest industrial undertaking Indian Railways, accidents are recurrent and conveniently forgotten after announcing compensations to victims. The Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India ensured real independence and their evidence is strong this year. Dynasty politics and caste equations are unpleasant trends affecting India’s changing dynamics of social and economic structure. India’s weak Foreign Policy makers have failed to understand the ground realities of Sri Lanka. Our country has few black spots, but
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should not be painted black.
We Indians always have the zeal that prevailed during independence fight and we know that none of us is as strong as ALL of us. Large, profitable companies and conglomerates also have a stake in doing business with honesty for their better future and the citizens. This 65th independence is not just paying homage to our freedom fighters. This day restores our faith ‘Nation before Self’. We the modern day freedom fighters have to fight the enemy within us and keep consistent efforts to instil self-confidence in women and the future generations of the Nation. Long live India! Jai Hind!
Ms. Indira Priya RajanThe author writes her travel tales in her leisure to enlighten her angelic thoughts on to the readers.
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India Demands Transparency
Transparency makes vision clear as if there is no intervening material and this becomes most important when it comes to the concept of ‘Good Governance’ in nations worldwide. It upholds a path for strong and sound economic development. Alas, corruption is into the blood of economic and political system regardless the national barriers. Corruption in simple words can be defined as ‘the abuse of public office for private gains’.
In India the concept of corruption dates back even to the age of ‘Arthashastra’ where it is mentioned ‘Just as it is impossible not to taste honey or poison when it is at the tip of the tongue, so it is impossible for a government servant not to eat up a bit of revenue’. Bribery comes into picture when people try to obtain services that they cannot get otherwise. As always, the system is hold accountable for the situation. Low wage structure, complex regulatory schemes, loopholes in the judiciary, all counts for the matter. It has strong negative effects, not just on static efficiency, but also on overall investment and growth.
Now, while celebrating the 64th independence day, a nationwide awareness and agitation for a corruption free society is being invoked in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. Decades back, he conceptualized the non-cooperation movement against the white superiority along with terrorism, deception, and corruption in political life. As early as 1928, he wrote in an article that, sooner or later, corruption would be brought to the public and any attempt to mask it will be a failure. The stimulation that got into the citizens of our country to strive for an anti-graft society is truly inspiring.
Convincingly, a nation should follow a self-created program designed with first-hand knowledge of local politics, economics and traditions. Good governance demands both transparency and accountability. Corruption intimidates domestic and international security and drives back the development of the entire mankind. Some good events towards creating this transparency in India have taken place recently:
India Against Corruption (IAC) is a citizen’s movement, bound by the IAC code • of conduct, to demand strong anti-corruption laws. Indian citizens worldwide are extending their moral support for the movement.
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s campaign triggered the wave on this issue. • The effort made by him supported by Baba Ramdev has set fire to the widespread activities in demand for a transparent system.
The Government of India constituted a 10-member Joint Committee of ministers • and civil society activists to draft an effective Jan Lokpal Bill. Mr.Hazare considers
by Reshmy Krishna Kumar
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it to be our duty is to keep on talking about the need for a strong system to defend deceit, so that people react and then it will be successful. Both Ramdev and Anna Hazare are part of a citizen’s effort to provoke the government into making more stringent laws against corruption.
Media is so powerful to go against corrupted system in any nation. Recently in India • it has brought to the fore numerous corruption cases, exposing high officials. It is working as a major force behind calling up the public opinion against corruption which indirectly exerts pressure on the respective governments to go against corruption practices. They stand out with intensified anti-corruption reporting, and permanently engage in public debate about corruption and the efforts to hold it back.
Good governance is always characterized by participation, transparency, accountability, rule of law, equity, etc. A booming economy like India can afford to provide a better life for its civilians and in long run one can expect democratic reforms with institutions that check corruption. The responsibility and the onus of combating corruption are as much of the people and the civil society institutions as that of the government. A combined effort is in demand, where the citizens are more assertive of their rights and the Government is more accountable, open and transparent.
Ms. Reshmy Krishna KumarA statistician by profession, she is working with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). Having done her post-graduation in Statistics, she worked as lecturer at St.Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, until her relocation to Kuwait. As a freelance writer, she is contributing to various magazines, blogs, and websites. Her passion includes writing poetry in Malayalam and Hindi.
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Stand On Your Own Feetby Nanditha Venkataraman
Independence is the very essence of life. We are dependent we cannot do anything on our own. We always seek others assistance and we will not be able to stand on our feet, we become like a weak plant. We would always need support, if we want to live. We will not be helpful for anyone, but instead, we would be a load on everyone’s back. But when we are independent, we are like a strong tree. We become helpful to the society just as the tree is helpful to animals, plants and humans.
Indians were under the British Raj for more than 200 years. The British treated us like dirt and we were sick and tired of them. Led by our leaders from all over the country, we began to revolt against the British. Thousands and thousands of people were heartlessly butchered by the British as they demanded freedom. Finally under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, we won our responsibility to prevent our freedom from getting misused. But is it really so?
When we got our independence we thought that there won’t be any more corruption and everyone would live in peace but, we were wrong. There is so much corruption in India. Many politically strong leaders do wrong things to get money as they are full of greed. They confiscate money from the poor, the needy and from the people who are deprived from their basic human needs like food, clothing and shelter. They neglect their duties and lie to people finally when they are caught for all the bad things they did, they become externally unpopular and are demeaned and humiliated in public thanks to people like Anna Hazari, because of whom people have become more aware of corruption.
Along with independence comes responsibility. We must not misuse our freedom when we misuse our freedom we get ourselves into problems, say for example your parents give you the freedom to own your own mobiles phone because they believe that you are responsible. You misuse your freedom by taking your mobile phone to school even though it is against the school rules. The teacher confiscates it, and when your parents find out about this, they lose trust in you. They won’t get you another mobile again. This happened because you misused your freedom.
When you do everything carefully and responsibly, you can work wonders. You can become very successful, and the best part is that you would feel proud of yourself and also happy as you become successful because of our own hard work. Once you get the taste of success you will always work hard to get it.
Nanditha Venkataraman
VIII - AIndia Internationa School, Mangaf
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Glorified With Freedom Indian Independence
by Afshan Zia
From time immoral people have been longing for less work and more fun. Humans have always to be free of their daily duties and to enjoy the beauty of life. Freedom has always been most people’s dream.
Even our country, India, once longed for freedom from the European traders who came and invaded and burdened us for over 250 years. We the Indians were treated lower than slaves; we lost battles because of our lack of unity. This made our condition worse. The Indians are burdened heavily. Finally a great war was fought between the two nations. The Indians led by the great leader Mahatma Gandhi fought the British with his weapon of nonviolence, no weapons and no military with arms just a few golden words and the British fled from India.
Among the world wide nations which gained independence from invasion, India’s way of chasing the British off is a truly great historical moments that is why we, Indians, should greatly celebrate the day, 15th August, Indian Independence Day, to remember the great souls who fought for our freedom and sacrificed their previous lives. The luxury we live in now is all because of those great leaders who fought. If they haven’t dared, just imagine how our life would be know. To show respect to our country’s history. Great celebrations are held every on 15th of August. Flags are hoisted, sweets are distributed and the national army performs wonderful parade and it is observed as a national holiday. Indeed Independence Day is something really to look forward to.
Afshan Zia
VIII - BIndia Internationa School, Mangaf
NEJWA MOIDUVII - B INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
MOHAMMED FAYASVI - CINDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
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Proud To Be An Indianby Sumayya Ayup Khan
15th August 1947
People are enjoying themselves by singing, dancing, bursting crackers etc. The people of India are so happy do you know what know what is the reason behind this? Let’s see.
200 years ago people of India were leading a happy life. The British took advantage and started conquering India and started to rule. The Britishers treated the Indians are their slaves. Having experienced this shameful condition, our freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Ambedhkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and many other sacrificed their life and fought against the British to get Independence for India. When Gandhiji stood in front, the Indians began to follow a different way of protest. At last through Gandhiji’s non-violence movement, India got Independence.
By the midnight of 14th August, India became an Independent country. All the patriotic hearts rejoiced at seeing India becoming a sovereign nation and the triumph of hundreds and thousands of martyred souls. It was the birth of a new nation and a new beginning. The only fact that marred the happiness of the fruits of the blood of the martyrs was the fact that the country was divided into India & Pakistan & the violent communal rights took away a number of live. It was on the eve of August 1947 that India’s tricolor flag was unfurled by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India on the ramparts of the Red Fort at New Delhi.
The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the biggest democracy as a nation holiday. People hoist the national flag throughout the country and put them up on the roof tops and building. The Prime Minister addresses the nation after the flag has been unfurled, recounting the country’s achievements in the year, discussing the current major issues and future plans for the progress of the country. Now India is an Independent country. Let’s all be proud to be an Indian and be a dedicated citizen who will strive tirelessly to uphold the flag of India.
Sumayya Ayup Khan
VIII - BIndia Internationa School, Mangaf
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Fly To Freedomby Andriya Elizabeth Mojo
“Independence”, the answer to our great leaders hard work.
The hard work they did to make our lives happy.
Which the mother India has witnessed for a long time.
Blood streams everywhere, just to make a nation happy.
Each blood drop spared to set us free from,
A caged life under the British rule.
The sleepless nights torments.
Just to make us free like a bird set out from a cag.
Or like a prisoner who is spared from being hanged.
Let’s give them a great salute.
For making us Independent.
Andriya Elizabeth Mojo
VIII - CIndia Internationa School, Mangaf
FATEMA MULLA ABBASIII - B INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
ABHI GAIL H. VAZِICSK - KAITHAN
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Decided To Work Togetherby Abeer Afsal
I = INDIA ASKED FOR IT & GOT IT
N = NOTHING COULD BE REPLACED
D = DEATH FOLLOWED BUT, MANY
E = EXPERIENCED FREEDOM
P = PAKISTAN TOO GAINED HER FREEDOM
E = ENGLISH LEADERS WALKED AWAY
N = NEHRU, JINNAH & GANDHI
D = DECIDED TO WORK TOGETHER
E = ENCOURAGING PEOPLE.
N = NEW-BORN COUNTRIES
C = CONTINUED THE SAME
E = ENDING LIVES OF MANY, GAINED FREEDOM AT LAST.
Abeer Afsal
VI - DIndia Internationa School, Mangaf
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Vande Mataramby S.M.Adeen Furqana Qavi
Vande Mataram“Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,Bright with thy orchard gleams,Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving, Mother of might,Mother free…..”
My India “Not where the musk of happiness blows,Not where darkness and fears never tread;
Not in the homes of perpetual smiles,Nor in the heaven of a land of prosperity
Would I be bornIf I must put on mortal garb once more…”
This and many other significant poems on India and its Independence have now become an important part of every Independence Day programs. In schools, colleges and various institutional organizations patriotic poems are recited on Independence Day to bring in the real essence and flavor. The poems are heart rendering and glorifies our nation. Young children are seen to be reciting it with zeal and enthusiasm that befits the stature of India’s past. Their forceful and powerful voice instills in us a patriotic feeling and we cannot help but take pride in our nation. Such is the effect of Indian Independence Day Poems.
S.M.ADEEN FURQANA QAVI
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