Arya Missionaries ! आर्य मिशानारीस !: #comment-form Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

Arya Missionaries ! आर्य मिशानारीस !: #comment-form Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

AUM

                       CELEBRATING ’65 WAR VICTORY

                              
By Brigadier(Retd) Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, Prime Minister of India ordered the
Indian Army to cross the international border in the Punjab and launch a two
pronged attack on Pakistan. It was a magnificent master stroke of high level
strategy that broke the back of attacking forces of Pakistan in the
Chhamb-Akhnoor sector of Jammu & Kashmir. The wily attackers had no choice
but to withdraw from their winning position and rush to the defence of their
homeland – Punjab. Shastri Ji’s strategic move to cross the international
borders and attack towards Lahore and Sialkot was indeed a Game Changer.

Pakistan Army, thereafter, could never achieve its Aim of War
to wrest Kashmir by force and annex it with Pakistan. That was a long cherished
dream of their founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It may be recalled that Jinnah’s
dreams were dashed in 1947 when the Indian Army had landed at the Srinagar
airport to turn the tide and stop the attacking Pakistan tribals commanded by
regular Pakistan army officers in their tracks. Jinnah kept waiting at
Abbotabad cantonment for a green signal from its army to move ceremonially into
Srinagar to accept the surrender of representatives of the Hindu Dogra ruler,
Maharaja Sir Hari Singh Ji but returned home deeply disappointed.

PAKISTAN’S GAME PLAN

Pakistan’s military rulers had made the Himalayan blunder of
underestimating the will power of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and the
fighting capability of the Indian Army. President Ayub Khan of Pakistan made
the greatest mistake of his life by launching Operation Gibraltar and sending
thousands of his army soldiers into Kashmir in disguise in the summer of 1965
to sabotage lines of communications of the Indian Army and incite the Kashmiri
Muslims to rise in revolt against occupation of their homeland by the Hindus of
Indian Army. The AIM was not achieved as the said operation failed to take off.
In fact the local Kashmiri kissans and Gujjar cowherds were the first ones to
inform the Indian Army of the massive enemy infiltration. Their element of
surprise was lost and their Operation Gibraltar collapsed like a house of
cards.

General Ayub Khan, then President of Pakistan made the second
major mistake of launching Operation Grand Slam. Their tanks and crack infantry
regiments were ordered to cross Chhamb-Jaurian and capture Akhnoor to fan out
in the plains of Jammu and cut the vital lines of communications and Supply of
the Indian Army located in J&K. His supposed master move was to paralyze
the Indian Army by starving them of rations, ammunition and weaponry, not
forgetting reinforcements.

The Pakistan Army initially met with major successes as their
armour cut deep into the Indian territory. Gen Ayub Khan had issued a special
Order of the Day congratulating Generals, officers and troops of his army on
their major military achievements. The Indian Air Force fighter jets were not a
bugbear to their tanks as the old time planes were shot down. “ You have
pierced the enemy flesh with your teeth, bite deep and let him bleed”, said old
Ayub in one of his statements to his soldiers.

And yet for no rhyme or reason Gen Ayub Khan made a major
mistake of his military career. He ordered a change of command at their
advancing infantry division level by replacing the GOC and putting Major
General Yahya Khan in saddle. The change of command halted the fast pace
forward and there was a period of inaction for a day plus. It gave times to the
Indian generals to regroup their forces and tie their loose ends. It remains
unexplained why Gen Ayub Khan changed the General Officer Commanding of the strike
division at a crucial moment.

The morale of the Indian soldiers in the Akhnoor area was
rather low. They did not perceive any major reinforcement coming from India nor
was there any material change in the battle plan. The civil population was also
perplexed. They had never anticipated such ferocious attack from Pakistan, an
underdog until then. What had emboldened Pakistan’s planners and executors was
their information that the Indian Army was incapable of fighting against
Pakistan. Its disastrous defeat in the 1962 India-China war and running away
from battle of both officers and soldiers was a proof of lack of training and
poor quality of weapon system. Although some mistakes had been rectified
between 1962 and 1965 but that was not perceived to be enough to make them
fighting fit.

Pakistan, on the other hand, had been preparing for a war
with India for quite some time to avenge their failure in J&K in 1947-48.
They had joined CENTO and SEATO and the USA poured military armaments much more
than what Pakis needed. The US strategists had organized a seminar to assess
the military situation in South Asia where the consensus was that should there
be a military engagement in South Asia, Pakistan was sure to defeat India.

Pakistan Army officers had been brainwashing their junior
commissioned officers and Jawans with the concept that man to man a Pakistani
soldier was miles ahead of an Indian soldier. It was indeed a morale booster
for the Pakistan Army. But their officers had overplayed their hand in this game
of cards.

SHASTRI FACTOR

A diminutive figure physically but Rishi- size mentally and
saint like spiritually, Lal Bahadur Shastri had an humble beginning but drew on
his reserve of honesty, tenacity, perseverance and problem solving. Never say
DIE was his motto and he lived by it. WILL TO WIN was a trait of his character
and mental personality. No wonder he made it to the high office of Prime
Minister of India and made an impact on the history of the Indian
sub-continent.

General Ayub Khan had failed to assess his adversary, Shastri
Ji.  Shastri Ji was a votary of AHIMSA
but once it came to killing the enemy to defend the motherland, he was second
to none. Both Ayub and later Yahya made a mistake in assessing the fighting
spirit of the HINDU soldier and what they mistakenly called Hindu India. With
the result the puffed up generals across the border lost all the wars they
fought against ”Hindu India”.

The Indian nation had great confidence in its national
leader, Lal Bahadur Shastri. When USA made a veiled threat of stopping grain
supply under PL 480, Shastri Ji advised the Nation to miss a meal once a week
and more often, if need be. Like a good leader, he followed his own advice. It
inspired all Indians to acquire moral courage, a quality that had enriched
personality of the diminutive man.

No wonder Shastri Ji ordered the Indian Army to cross the
international borders and launch a two pronged attack on the enemy country. He
achieved success. When departing for Tashkent to attend the peace negotiations
with Pakistan after the war was over, a journalist asked him,” Sir, you are
short statured but President Ayub is so tall, how would you face him?” Shastri
Ji’s prompt reply in Hindi was: “ Wo sar jhuka kar baat kreinge aur main sar
utha kar baath karunga”. The questioner was left speechless.

ASSESSING ’65 WAR

Many a time the question crops up; who won, who lost. In any
case both Bharat and Pakistan are celebrating their Victory Day on 6^th
September 2015. It was 50 years ago that India had launched its forces across
borders towards Lahore and Sialkot. They fought for 22 days when the Security
Council of the United Nations brokered Peace and ordered a Ceasefire on 23 Sep
65 at 0330 hrs.

Going by territorial gains, India had won 720 sq miles of
Pakistan. The enemy had captured about 400 sq miles of the Indian territory.
Casualty on Indian side was, 30,000 whereas on their side it was 30800. Who
knocked out how many tanks is a much debated point. However, all agree that
after WWII, Chhawinda and Asal Uttar were the two biggest tanks battles of the
1965 India-Pakistan war. The graveyard of Paki Patton tank in the Khemkaran
area is a glaring proof of incapacity of American tanks to win a war. One may
emphasis again that it is the Man behind the gun and not the GUN that becomes a
battle winning factor.

Gallantry awards were given to the Brave hearts by both the
countries. India honoured one officer and one Jawan with Param Vir Chakra, the
highest gallantry award for displaying extra-ordinary bravery above the call of
duty in the face of the enemy. Pakistan gave one award of this nature.

Let us assess what was the aim of Pakistan when they launched
Operation Gibraltar and operation Grand Slam? Pakistan wanted to snatch Kashmir
from India and make it a part of Pakistan. Did they succeed in their AIM? The
answer is a big NO. What was India’s aim in going to war against Pakistan?
Well, to defend every inch of India and not let Pakistan wrest any part of
India. Did India succeed in achieving its aim? The answer is a big YES.

India won the war and Pakistan lost.

Email:  sawantchitranjan@yahoo.com      
or   vedicupvan@rediffmail.com 

Mobile:  9811173590.  Mailing Address: UPVAN 609, Sector 29, Noida
201303 INDIA

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY - 2015

ओ3म्

अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस

ब्रिगेडियर चितरंजन सावंत, वी एस एम

संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ की महासभा में बोलते हुए भारत के प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र भाई मोदी नें महर्षि पतंजलि के अष्टांग योग की चर्चा की। उन्होनें कहा कि आज मानव मात्र योग साधना में या तो लीन है या लीन होना चाहता है। इस समय संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ जैसे अतराराष्ट्रीय संस्थान को वर्ष में एक निश्चित दिन को अंतरराष्ट्रीय योग दिवस घोषित कर देना चाहिए। इससे मानव मात्र के मन में योग के प्रति आस्था अटूट होगी । जो वर्ग योग से अभी तक परिचित नही है वे इस दिशा में आगे बढ़ना चाहेंगे। इससे मानव मात्र का तन और मन तथा उनकी आत्मा स्वस्थ होगी और विश्व में प्रसन्नता की लहर दौड़ जाएगी। जहां होगा हर्ष वहां विशाद के लिए कोई स्थान नही होगा। जब होगा आशा और उमंग का संचार तो हताशा और निराशा जन जन से, मन और मस्तिष्क से अपने आप पलायन कर जाएगी।

योग किसके लिए

नरेद्र भाई मोदी के सुझाव को संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ ने सर्वसम्मति से स्वीकार किया। योग संबंधी प्रस्ताव मूलत् भारत ने आगे बढ़ाया किंतु उसके अनुमोदन और समर्थन में 175 सदस्य देशो नें अपना नाम अंकित किया । इससे स्पष्ट हो गया कि विश्व के सभी देश चाहते हैं कि उनके नागरिक प्रसन्नचित रहे, निराशा और हताशा से दूर रहें जिससे धीरे धीरे आत्महत्या करने की प्रवृत्ति निर्मूल हो जाए। स्पष्ट है कि जीवन जीने के लिए है – उभरती समस्याएं समाधान के लिए हैं, विशाद को हर्ष में परिवर्तित करने के लिए विश्व बंधुत्व की आवश्यता है। इसीलिए तो वैदिक धर्म की प्राचीन परंपरा में पूरी वसुधा को कुटुंब मानने की परंपरा सदैव प्रोत्साहन दिया गया। इससे संबंधित मंत्र है, जिसे भारतीय संसद के केंद्रीय कक्ष के मुख्य द्वार पर बड़े बड़े अक्षरो में उभार कर लिखा गया है –

अयमं निज परोवैती गणना लघु चेतसाम

उदार चरितानाम तु वसुधैव कुटुंबकम

इसीलिए तो संकुचित दृष्टिकोण का भारत में और भारत की मानसिकता मे कोई स्थान नही है। योग इसी मानसिक दृष्टिकोण को प्रोत्साहित करता रहा है, कर रहा है, और सदैव करता रहेगा।

भारत का इतिहास कहता है कि दूसरी शताब्दी ईसा पूर्व में उत्तर प्रदेश के गोंडा नगर निवासी महर्षि पतंजलि ने परंपरा में विरासत से पाए योग ज्ञान को सूत्र में पिरोया और जन जन नें नाम दिया पतंजलि योग सूत्र। बहुत ही कम स्थान और कम शब्दो में योग की परिभाषा की गई और अष्टांग योग के आठ सोपान बताए गए।

पतंजलि अष्टांग योग

आज विश्व में जन जन में लोकप्रिय पतंजलि अष्टांग योग को सरल बना कर आम आदमी के सामने प्रस्तुत करने में योग ऋषि स्वामी रामदेव का योगदान महत्वपूर्ण है। उनसे भी पहले और आजकल भी जीवित स्वामी सत्यपति महाराज ने पूरे भारत में और विश्व के कई भागो में अष्टांग योग को सफल बनाया। एक मार्के की बात यह है कि स्वामी सत्यपति वैदिक धर्मी बनने के पूर्व इस्लाम के अनुयायी मुसलमान थे। निरक्षर और निर्धन थे। नदी के किनारे बलुही भूमि पर देवनागरी अक्षर बनाने के प्रयास करते थे। स्वामी दयानंद सरस्वती रचित सत्यार्थ प्रकाश की बाते सुनकर उनके मन में एक तड़प पैदा हुई वैदिक धर्म को जाननें, पढ़ने और उसका प्रचार करने के लिए। उन्होनें न केवल हिंदी बल्कि संस्कृत भाषा का गहन अध्ययन किया और वेद मंत्रो का अध्ययन करने के साथ साथ पतंजलि योग सूत्र का भी गहन पाठ किया।

एक अंतरराष्ट्रीय आर्य महासम्मेलन में भाग लेते हुए स्वामी सत्यपति ने इन पंक्तियों के लेखक से कहा

वक्ता होने के साथ साथ यदि आप मोक्ष की ओर बढ़ना चाहते हैं तो योग को अपनाइये ।

कहने का तातपर्य यह है कि दिन प्रतिदिन के जीवन में जिन जिन का संपर्क इन आर्य संन्यासियों से हुआ वे सभी स्वत् योग की ओर बढ़ने लगे। आज जब कहीं, जब कभी कोई सम्मेलन होता है तो उसमें योगासन का प्रदर्शन और योग के मर्म की चर्चा होना यदि अनिवार्य नहीं तो स्वत ही होने लगती है।

अष्टांग योग में जो आठ सोपान हैं, उनके नाम हैं –

1.       यम

2.       नियम

3.       आसन

4.       प्राणायाम

5.       प्रत्याहार

6.       धारणा

7.       ध्यान

8.       समाधि

प्रथम चार सोपान आत्म अनुशासन, खान-पान पर नियंत्रण, उठने बैठने, चलने और आसन गृहण करने की विधि और स्वास-प्रश्वास पर नियंत्रण करने पर और इनसे शरीर को बलिष्ठ एवं संयमी बनाने में सहायता मिलती है।

अंतिम चार सोपान में प्रथम है प्रत्याहार, इसके अर्थ हैं कि होने वाला योगी स्वत सांसारिक सुखो को जिसे उसकी इंद्रियां भोगना चाहती है जैसे आंख, जिह्लवा, नासिका आदि भोगना चाहती हैं उनसे अपने मन को खींच कर – इंद्रिय सुख से परे हो जाए।

धारणा का अर्थ है अपने मन मस्तिष्क को नियंत्रित करके केंद्रित करना। यदि समस्या है तो समस्या का समाधान ढूंढने पर मन मस्तिस्क को ऐसे केंद्रित करें जैसे अर्जुन ने बाण चलाने से पूर्व अपना ध्यान चिड़ियां की आंख पर केंद्रित किया।

ध्यान – योगी बनने की चेष्टा करने वाला व्यक्ति जब अपने मन और मस्तिष्क को पूर्ण रूप से शांत और दिन प्रतिदिन की समस्याओं से खींच कर केवल ब्रह्म में लीन होने के लिए दत्तचित्त हो जाता है तो उसे ध्यान लगाना कहते हैं। ध्यान लगाने वाला व्यक्ति इस दिशा में पारंगत हो जाने पर अनेक चुनौतियों का सामना करने के लिए तत्पर रहता है और समस्या समाधान ढूढना उसके बाएं हाथ का खेल बन जाता है।

समाधि – समाधि अष्टांग योग का अंतिम सोपान है और योग का यही लक्ष्य है। जब एक व्यक्ति समाधिस्त होता है वह योग की पराकाष्ठा पर पहुंचता है ।

इसलिए यह बात जानना अत्यंत आवश्यक है कि ओग मात्र व्यायाम नही है। इसे पी टी टेबल समझने की भूल नहीं करना चाहिए। इसमें कोई संदेह नहीं कि शरीर को बलिष्ठ बनना आवश्यक है कितु अंतत योग करने वाली आत्मा को लक्ष्य है मोक्ष की प्राप्ति।

उपसंहार

संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ ने वर्ष का सबसे लंबा दिन अर्थात 21 जून को चुना। वर्ष 2015 की 21 जून को शुभारंभ है और प्रत्येक वर्ष 21 जून को विश्व के अनेक देश योग दिवस मनाते रहेंगे। यह एक सुखद समाचार है कि चीन नें अपने युन नान प्रांत में योग विश्वविद्यालय की स्थापना की और भारत से अनेक योगाचार्यो को आमंत्रित किया के वे पाठ्यक्रम निर्धारित करने में मार्गदर्शन करें।

कभी कभी कुछ जिज्ञासु प्रश्न करते हैं कि अष्टांग योग केवल वैदिक धर्म अर्थात हिंदुओं से ही संबंधित है?

अष्टांग योग मानव मात्र के लिए है और किसी विशेष धर्म एवं समुदाय से संबंधित नही है। अष्टांग योग विश्व के किसी धर्म का विरोधी भी नहीं है। अष्टांग योग मानव मात्र के लिए है और जन जन के हित में है।

इसीलिए योगासन के पश्च्यात जो प्रार्थना की जाती है वो मानव मात्र के लिए है –

सर्वे भवंतु सुखिन: सर्वे संतु निरामया।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यंतु मा कश्चिद दुख भाग्भवेत् ।।

Email: sawantchitranjan@yahoo.com

Mob: 9811173590

SANSKRIT IS THE SOUL OF BHARAT

AUM

           SANSKRIT STAGES LINGUISTIC REVIVAL

                                           By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

Sanskrit language and literature are ancient and yet modern. Sanskrit has been spoken and written in Devnagari script from time immemorial. The language as known to us today is indeed different from the Sanskrit language of the holy book of Aryans, read Hindus, and intellectuals of other faiths. The Vedic Sanskrit has its own grammar and differs from the present day Laukik Sanskrit. Presently the intellectual world is seeing a major revival of the Laukik Sanskrit all over the world and linguists see it as a silver lining of the cloud of religious and sectarian conflict engulfing humanity.

GERMANS LEAD THE WAY

Germans are leaders in the domain of linguistic revival of Sanskrit today. Indeed Bharat has all along been the epicenter of learning of Sanskrit language and literature from the dawn of civilization until foreign invasions from the Arabian peninsula and Central Asia eclipsed the sun of Sanskrit. The foreign invaders came as marauders and after conquering large chunks of territory burnt libraries containing the wealth of wisdom of many a millennium. The learning and writing process in the Sanskrit language received a major setback when foreign languages like Arabic and Persian occupied the centre stage. When the British became rulers of India, English became the official language of administration as well as education. The Sanskrit language received a step-motherly treatment by rulers of Bharat for over a thousand years. With the dawn of independence on 15^th August 1947, lovers of Sanskrit language had hoped for a fair retreatment being meted out to the Sanskrit language. But that was not to be. The Nehruvian philosophy of administration did not cast a benign eye on the ancient culture, religion, language and way of life.

It was the inner strength of the Sanskrit language that saved it from extinction. The traditional system of learning Vedic language in an unwritten form helped the Vedic Thought survive onslaughts of foreigners and westernized Indian intelligentsia. The survival of the Sanskrit language is a miracle and the German men and women too made a contribution to the Sanskrit Renaissance.

SWAMI DAYANAND SARASWATI

The world stands beholden to Swami Dayanand Saraswati for his Herculean effort to revive the learning of the Vedas and also Sanskrit plus Hindi languages. “ Back to Vedas” was the clarion call of the great Swami, later addressed as Rishivar, and that generated an intense desire among Indians to learn the Ved mantras and the laukik Sanskrit too. Indeed it saved the day for the ancient language of Bharat from extinction and encouraged common man to be a part of the revival of the Sanskrit language and Vedic Thought.

Max Mueller is another bright star on the firmament of revival of Vedas and common man’s Sanskrit language. His insatiable desire to learn the Sanskrit language and the Vedas encouraged him as a young man to move from Berlin in Germany to Paris in France for attaining greater heights in the study and enunciation of Ved mantras. When the source of Vedic knowledge in France was almost exhausted, Max Mueller moved to Oxford in the United Kingdom and reached the phenomenal height as a Professor of Sanskrit and Vedas in the Oxford University. Unfortunately he could not be designated as Head of the Department because he was a German and not a British citizen.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Max Mueller had never met face to face but they were aware of each other’s works in the Vedic realm and appreciated each other’s erudition in the Sanskrit language. However, Max Mueller’s gigantic efforts to popularize the study of Vedas were dwarfed by his intense wish to use the Vedic knowledge as an Evangelist for propagation of Christianity and convert the Hindus. Max Mueller had written to Acharya Keshav Chandra Sen, a Brahmo Samaj leader of eminence, to find something in the Ved mantras to popularize Christianity in India. Sadly for him, Sen failed to find even a single mantra to eulogize Christ or Christianity. Nevertheless, Max Mueller will always be remembered in history as the famous German who devoted his life to the study of the Vedas.

MODERN GERMANS FOR SANSKRIT

The German men and women of the 21^st century are more enthusistic in learning the Sanskrit language than any other national of Europe or Americas. As of now, in the year 2015, there are 14 German universities teaching the Sanskrit language. In Heidelberg summer school is run to teach spoken Sanskrit to students who hail from many countries of the world. Since the number of applicants to take advantage of learning spoken Sanskrit language is growing by leaps and bounds, a number of branch schools have been opened in Switzerland and Italy, not forgetting Bharat. In fact some commentators give full marks to German people for their enthusiasm in contributing to the teaching-learning process of spoken Sanskrit.

An important side effect is that Vegetarianism is on the rise among Germans and students of Sanskrit language are leading the Veg Brigade. Devnagari script has naturally got an impetus from the enthusiastic learners of the Sanskrit language.

In contrast the Kendriya Vidyalayas in India had almost eliminated the Sanskrit language from the syllabus and replaced it with the German language. Young students of impressionable minds opted for learning of the German language in the hope of going abroad and getting admission in German Institutes for further studies. The wrong has now been righted by the Modi government with Smriti Irani, the Union HRD Minister leading the assault on unpatriotic education managers selling German language as a replacement for the home grown Sanskrit language.

It is pertinent to quote Justice Kuldip Singh of the Supreme Court who chastised the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan for equating Sanskrit with Arabic and Persian pointing to problems in teaching only Sanskrit language as the third language in the three language formula. Justice Kuldip Singh, a non-Hindu, emphasized the great importance of Sanskrit as the life blood giving sustenance to our culture.

Professor Hans Harder of Germany buttressed the importance of the Sanskrit language in these words: “ A significant part of the global cultural heritage will become extinct if major languages, read Sanskrit, fall prey to Indian English” Professor Ramesh Bharadwaj, Delhi University, expressed his opinion thus: “Sanskrit is an essential part of every Indian soul. Without the language, the Indian society loses its identity”

There is not even an iota of truth in the false propaganda that the learning of Sanskrit may make life regressive. The westernized Indian intelligentsia is of lop sided opinion in its criticism of the Sanskrit language. Even in the British Empire, many officers of the Indian Civil Service –the steel frame of the Empire, were good scholars of the Sanskrit language. Indeed when those who were Indians by appearance but more English than the Englishmen came to rule the independent India, the downward trend in the teaching of Sanskrit commenced.

Every cloud has a silver lining. The Sun has risen in the East and now supporters of the Bhartiy Sanskriri and Sanskrit language are at the helm of affairs. The ACHCHE DIN will be back and the story of the Karnataka village where even a washerman speaks the Sanskrit language will become the story of Sampoorna Bharat.

Email:  vedicupvan@rediffmail.com          Mobile: 0091-9811173590.

OUR GARDEN HOW SWEET HOW LOVELY

AUM

            OUR   GARDEN  SO  SWEET  SO LOVELY

                                          By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

Our neighbours and our families have shown that spirit of cooperation that is rather rare in housing societies. The motivation for them to use their time and energy in positive thinking, planning and execution of plans has been their ardent desire to see flowers, foliage and fruits in their backyards. The waste land behind our group of six independent houses used to be an eyesore not too long ago. The stench that emanated from the kachra dumps, the open air unauthorized shitting spaces behind hemp bushes, free for all urination points were just too much to tolerate.

Enough was enough. We put our heads together and decided to act on our own. No collection of money for cleansing the dirty area because that is the beginning of bickering, hurling accusative charges, getting back invectives with interest is just the beginning of community schemes. The intention may be good but execution of plans leads to charges of monetary corruption. The way to Hell is paved with Good Intentions, so said the Arya priest in one of his sermons and it is etched on my mind since then.

No hook no fish say the anglers. No money no manure, no seeds, no labour, leave the gardener aside – that was the end of the first round of deliberations in the makeshift Chaupal right in the middle of filth and squalor. Thank the Lord for guiding us on proper path and we all abjured use of filthy language. We had many rounds of chats and reached the conclusion that every householder would spend his or her own mullah but there will be no Lakshman Rekha between any two houses. Appreciate each other’s efforts, admire flowers when they bloom but pluck not. Look at fruits and vegetables of neighbours and be free to use them as your own. We had beaten the United Nations hollow in making so many decisions collectively without any acrimony.

WORK BEGINS

Cleansing operation was the most urgent one. Each householder employed labour on as required basis. No advice was asked for and none given. Of course, our pockets were much lighter as the money spent was no meager amount. No help was requested for from the RWA and none given. Once the area around looked clean and was free from stench, potential mischief mongers looked the other way waiting for an opportunity to disrupt the good work done by us on a self-help basis. Every elephant herd has a rogue pachyderm and we humans are no exception.

There was a flurry of activity for greening the area on a minimum cost basis. The cow-dung manure was procured from adjoining villages, inexpensive but green and pretty shrubs were planted, watering them was done on a daily basis. A couple of gardeners were employed by householders under own administrative arrangements. Our group was a perfect example of a federal system of governance with full autonomy given to the constituent units.

We went ahead with a Vedic missionary zeal, come rain come shine. Soon came the rainy season and that helped us a lot in our effort to green our surroundings and keep the stench away. The uninitiated drivers, servants, housemaids and others were advised to walk an extra furlong to ease themselves away from the glare of the green. They cooperated.

JAMUN plants made unexpected growth and were the focus of attention of passers- by. Guava trees were next in line to pick up strength and become noticeable. Mango saplings looked pretty but took a long time to grow tall. Unfortunately the survival data of mango saplings is not much to write home about. We could absorb the losses individually. No sweat.

Vegatables made a debut too. The vacant places between trees were utilized and seasonal vegetables were sown and duly harvested without any profit or loss. The beauty lay in the JOY that they gave to the householders. We did not mind the jibes of jealous residents of houses situated away from our Project Green area. Some of them were like the proverbial dog in the manger. Our Chanakya Neeti was to give them the royal ignore.

HELP CAME SUO MOTO

Mouth to mouth publicity is the best way to let your project be heard of and appreciated far and wide. It happened here too. Came suo moto the print media, followed by the electronic media. They all had a good word to say about our Green Noida project that was in keeping with the declared policy of NOIDA Prashasan. Even the Antim Niwas administrator dropped in to take a look around. All of us felt encouraged and our morale went sky high.

The Horticulture Department of NOIDA Prashasan invited us to their Vasant Utsav and Pushp Pradarshini. The plants galore displayed there by both private and public organizations gave us new ideas and encouragement to move forward and achieve greater heights. Some Ficus saplings were gifted to us by the Udyan Vibhag and were accepted with thanks.

There is a saying in the Vedic realm : when and where an Yajna is performed, rakshasas are bound to come to cause destruction. How true it is even today. Those who had gone green with jealousy made an accusation against us of encroachment. We humbly submitted that Greening Project did not amount to an encroachment. In any case, many among the accusers had built pucca structures on government land. They stand exposed and are liable to be proceeded against for demolition of their illegal structures. As of now the matter rests there.

FUTURE PLAN

In scorching heat of the summer many a plant like kagzi nimbu is prone to withering away. In any case their leaves dry and fall under the impact of the blazing sun. Watering them profusely is the only solution that can be thought of. The Jal Vibhag of Noida has its own limitations. The solution lies in having a bore well provided it is permissible under law and is within reach of our purse.

The NOIDA Prashasan has been coming to our help in more ways than one. Some retired officers who do not know how to keep themselves engaged in meaningful activities knocked at the door of Project engineers, New Okhala Industrial Development Authority crying wolf where no wolf existed. They filed written complaints against our Green Brigade accusing us that we had made encroachments on the Noida Land. They were proved wrong after an on-the-spot enquiry because we had done greening of the Noida land and helped improve our Environment. It was easier to breathe post-greening as more oxygen was available in the air and that too free of cost. The complainants against the green brigade had to cut a sorry figure. Nevertheless the Rakshas brigade is always thinking of pin prick methods to put the green brigade off the mark. Idle man’s brain is devil’s workshop – how true the age-old saying is.

Only living persons and societies face problems and solve them too. The dead have no problems. We have given ample proof of the fact that life is pulsating and hot clean blood flowing in our veins. It is our Garden that gives us enough oxygen to be healthy. Health and greenery around generates Happiness. To achieve a higher degree of happiness, it would be worthwhile to loosen strings of our purses as much as possible. Indeed reciting Shanti Path Ved mantra is another pious path to achieve good environmental results. The Ved mantra emphasizes on prevailing Peace in space, on planet earth, in water, in medicinal vegetation, and enjoins on Mankind to pray for that Peace of Nature and imbibe the same. AUM SHANTIH SHANTIH SHANTIH.

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS ARE A BOON granted to us by OUR GREEN GARDEN, SO LOVELY SO PRETTY.

Email:  sawantchitranjan@yahoo.com         Mobile:  9811173590

CLEANING ENVIRONMENT IS OUR DHARMA

AUM

             GREENING AREA AROUND IS OUR DHARMA

                                           By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

An Acharya of a Gurukul sent out the Brahmacharis into the forest around looking for foliage or creepers that were of little use to human beings and animals inhabiting the Tapovan and areas around. After a day or so all of them except one returned and reported to the Acharya that the foliage was of little use except presenting a green look to viewers. After a couple of days returned the Brahmachari  who had stayed back for an intensive research and said with aplomb that the entire vegetation in and around Tapovan was of immense benefit to both manushya and pashu for promoting health and happiness. The Acharya patted his back and said that his finding was in accordance with the analysis and research outcome of the great botanists and physicians of repute. The entire greenery could be put to some use or the other for the betterment of living beings.

The Ved mantra on Peace encourages human beings to emulate Vanaspati and Aushadhi to imbibe the Peace that emanates from them. The relevant segment of the Ved mantra runs thus:

      AUM…dyau shantih  prithvi shantih  aapah shantih  aushadhayah shantih  vanaspatayah  shantih…..sama shantiredhi ( excerpts from the YAJURVEDA)

A free rendition into English would be like this :

           O Ishwar! May the Enlightened Planets( besides the Earth), Planet Earth, Water, the Medicinal Herbs, the rest of the  Vegetation, pass on the Peace that they possess to us the Humans…

It is interesting to note that the water, medicinal herbs, the vegetation in general are at peace with the universe and , therefore, the Man prays to the Almighty that the prevailing peace of the greenery around may be passed on to him for his Peace- physical, mental and spiritual. Thus the greenery around is indeed  promoting Peace that Man yearns to imbibe for the good of the human race. The more the Man takes on the pleasant duty of greening the area around his habitat the more peaceful he will be. It is the inner peace, it is the outer peace, it is being at peace with his own self, with fellow human beings, with the four legged creatures and also with the area around that go to make the Environment  pleasant, livable ad, of course, non-poisonous. 

No wonder Rishis of yore laid an emphasis on achieving and maintaining Shanti and Santulan, Peace and balance leading to equanimity of mind which in turn keeps lives of individuals and the society that they live in peaceful. It is Peace of mind, body and soul that leads to Happiness that we all long for.

The present day social system is in turmoil because Man has stopped paying attention to achieving and maintaining the desired equilibrium of Mind. The present day craze for acquiring objects of sensual pleasures disturbs the desired Peace and may lead to violence. The ever growing number of sexual assaults and amorous escapades are the direct result of human beings paying more attention to sensual pleasures now than achieving perfect peace and equilibrium of mind of self and transmitting it to society. If individuals are happy, the groups that the individuals live in are bound to be happy.

The human beings and the Nature around have to achieve the perfect balance where one does not disturb the other. If Man interferes with the flow of rivers, causes deforestation, promotes disappearance of Greenery, there is bound to be recurrence of earthquakes, blowing of sand storms, deserts swallowing the Green belt or residual of it and thereby making that part of planet Earth unlivable. The resultant migration of human population from arid land area to green vegetation may cause friction of interests leading to violence and disappearance of Peace from the lives of affected human beings.

One may ask a pertinent question: where is Land available around human habitation that may be turned into green orchards or pastures. The query is partly correct but not wholly. If one looks around one finds some unused landfills, the government controlled pieces of land lying barren. The big military cantonments may have training areas that may be made green. The railways too possess large pieces of land lying unused and arid. These may be made available to good intentioned citizens for Greening without transferring the proprietary rights. The arid land will be turned into green belts by volunteers who may not be tempted to make an encroachment.

In the New Okhla Industrial Development Area many small and medium patches of land have been made Green by the residents by planting trees without building a permanent structure that may fall in the category of encroachment. It would be a good idea for the Administration to encourage such well intentioned citizens with a green finger by lending saplings of fruit trees and flowering creepers. Off and on a sarkari mali may be made available to lend a helping hand to the good Samaritans who are senior citizens. It may not cost much to the government or any Authority administering new Habitat to help retired army personnel with cow dung manure, compost and good earth for starting their mini-gardens. Thus many desert like patches will be converted into green pastures and orchards without anyone dreaming of making an encroachment on public land. Thus it will be feasible to stop march of the desert on human habitation for good.

It may be pertinent and relevant to cite rising number of cases of road rage. Of late the national capital, New Delhi and Delhi has been witnessing on congested roads brawls, fisticuffs, hitting with iron rods and even use of fire arms both licensed and unlicensed that lead to grievous injuries and even fatalities. Innocent lives of young men and women are being lost on roads because killers do not have Peace of Mind promoted by a healthy Environment. Greening all available areas will bring back Peace of Mind, Body and Soul that the Ved Mantra called Shantipath envisages.

Thus we realize that Greening an area and achieving the state of Shanti go hand in hand. May the concept take shape in as many human habitats as possible and bring back Peace and Happiness to the human beings.

Email:  sawantchitranjan@yahoo.com        or    chitranjan.sawant@gmail.com 

Mobile:  9811173590.       Landline:  0120-2454622.

Postal Address: UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA -201303,  BHARAT (India)

China Has a New Navy -- and It's Making the Neighbors Nervous (AUTLY, GD, LMT)

China Has a New Navy -- and It's Making the Neighbors Nervous (AUTLY, GD, LMT)

HINDI-CHEENI BHAI BHAI ONCE AGAIN

AUM

                 CHINESE STRAW IN INDIAN WIND

                                        By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China and the First Lady Mme Peng Liyuan paid a 3-day State Visit to Bharat in the middle of September 2014 and was personally looked after by Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi both in Gujarat and New Delhi. The Head of State of China and Head of Government of India had a free, frank and amiable exchange of views on bilateral and international topics of importance. Both the leaders were happy to know each other socially, diplomatically and politically in furtherance of mutual interests. They took pains to emphasize that they share common heritage in the form of Buddhist religion and culture that had in the past influenced the thought process across the Himalayas.

Mme Peng Liyuan was happy to visit Gujarat and see for herself its rich culture and taste vegetarian cuisine. She even sang a Hindi song from the movie Aawara of yester years. Both the President and the First Lady sat on a traditional Gujarati swing and enjoyed its movement to and fro. The cultural ethos could not have been better than this when President Xi made a specific mention of the Chinese Buddhist monk, Xuan Zang taking Buddhist religious literature from Vadnagar, the birth place of PM Narendra Modi to Xi’an in Shaanxi province, birth place of President Xi jinping.

We should carry forward well the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and well advance China-India relations. Both are in the “ great historical course of national rejuvenation” President Xi added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened India and China to “ two bodies with one spirit” and emphasized the importance of the two friendly nations situated across the mighty Himalayas to strengthen their resolve to stick together for peace and prosperity of peoples of the neighbouring giants.

Sincerity is the basis of mutual trust and mutual trust is the pre-requisite of cooperation, said President Xi Jinping. The bonds of mutual friendship between India and China were thus strengthened like never before in the last half a century.

Many a mutual agreements between India and China were signed both in Gujarat and in New Delhi and there never was even a shadow of doubt about the two countries faring together through thick and thin. Even the worst critic of the India-China peace process found no lacuna to tear the great leadership apart. An important point to remember is that both Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping are in power in their respective countries with the massive support of the people and the political party concerned. Nothing can shake their resolve to travel on the common path of Peace and Prosperity.

Lo and Behold! Storm started gathering from the unexpected quarters in Ladakh, India where soldiers of the India Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China stood face to face, eyeball to eyeball, both claiming that the territory in Ladakh around Chumar, Demchok belonged to their respective countries. India had brought it to the notice of China at the highest level that the PLA soldiers had intruded into the Indian territory and should be ordered to pull back. President Xi had confirmed on the Indian soil that the PLA troop had been redployed so that they were billeted on the Chinese territory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi felt satisfied that his request to not let minor incidents cloud major events had been auctioned upon. “ Sometimes a minor toothache paralyses the whole body”, so said Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi. President Xi Jinping had no reason to disagree.

While the photo of President Xi and Mme Peng went viral in the Chinese Media, a section of the Indian Press did mention that the warmth displayed in Gujarat was freezing in Ladakh. PM Narendra Modi, however, was firm in his belief that the strengthened friendship between India and China was on the right course and there was no cause for worry.

China witnessed an event that is not out of the ordinary. President Xi Jinping met the PLA Chief and other Generals to address them about the course of events and chart future course of action. The President of China exhorted the PLA Generals and troops to sharpen their armaments, improve their strategy so that they win a Regional War as and when it takes place. A section of the Indian Press mistakenly surmised that President Xi was asking the People’s Liberation Army to prepare for a Regional War and modernize their weapon system and strategy to win the war. It was a wrong conjecture of some Indian journalists that President Xi was referring to the Face off in Ladakh and the Regional War was likely to be waged against India.

It is heartening to note that the Prime Minister and the Government of India had no such misconceptions. The wise and learned commentators on strategic affairs saw eye to eye with the Indian government and were not at all anxious that the pudding prepared in Gujarat had gone sour. Modi and full faith in Xi and vice-versa.

Nevertheless the rumour mill was churning out new stories and some even compared the situation in 2014 with that of 1962. They were brazenly mistaken as the sagacious men and women across the Himalayas caught straws in the wind and surmised that there was no scope to liken the situation of today with that obtaining in 1962. It would be a wise course of action to leave it at that and scotch ugly rumours by quoting a statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Hue Chunying . She categorically stated in reply to a question:

There are reports that when meeting with PLA chiefs of staff, President Xi Jinping stressed that all PLA forces should improve their combat readiness and sharpen their ability to win a regional war in the age of information technology. Since President Xi just returned from India, some reports speculated whether his words were referring to India. What is China's comment on this?

A: Such speculation is far-fetched. As I have said when answering a question from your colleague yesterday, President Xi Jinping's recent state visit to India is very successful, and he received warm and grand welcome by the Indian government and people. During the visit, leaders from both sides reached a high level of consensus on the significance of developing China-India relations. They stressed the strategic significance and global impact of China-India relations from a historic and holistic point of view, decided to carry forward and build on the bonds of friendship, and ensured that cooperation will always remain the main melody of China-India relations. As for the boundary issue, leaders from both sides also reached a high level of consensus, and determined to continue with friendly consultation to resolve it. Pending final settlement, both sides should jointly safeguard peace and tranquility of the border area so that the boundary issue will in no way shadow the normal development of bilateral ties.

Both China and India are major countries with great influence. As President Xi said, when China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will lend ears. China and India should have such sense of historical responsibility, and courage to fulfill it. We should join hands to promote regional and global peace, stability and development. I hope you can convey this message to the Indian press.

We may say with all authority and confidence at our command that Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping have endeared themselves to each other and to the great peoples of the two great countries Bharat and Junggwo.

Email: vedicupvan@rediffmail.com         or  chitranjan.sawant@gmail.com   

Mobile:  0091-9811173590     Mailing Address: UPVAN,609, Sector 29

                                                                        NOIDA –201303,INDIA