" A day without sunshine is like, you know, night "~ Steve Martin
(ISSUE 63- YEAR 6)
In this Section: Talk About . Featured Poem:Thomas Fortenberry . Poetry Here & Now: Satyendra Srivastava, Shail Agrawal. Story : Maxim Gorky. Kids'Corner: A chinese Folklore.
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Monthly news & views in VIVIDHA & VEETHIKA
Details about the subject of the next issue : on the ' About us' page.
Way of equality is a big talk among Intellectuals of the world, without much result whatsoever. Poor still suffer and commit suicide world over. Our civilized society still has lot to learn at being a just society. We cannot be selfish and just and we cannot be lazy and just...rich or poor each individual has to bear his responsibility ,be it in a family, society or a country.Today is 1'st May. May day... a symbolic celebration of the victory of common man over rich .An imaginary victory of social justice. Are we really ready and willing for it! Nothing wrong in looking after one self but at what cost ?
Still most people living in the rich developed countries know little about the International Workers' Day or May Day. For many others there is an assumption that it is a holiday celebrated in state communist countries like Cuba or the former Soviet Union or far away in Asia in the countries like China or Vietnam. Most western don't realize that May Day has its origins in America and is as "American" as baseball or apple pie, and stemmed from the pre-Christian holiday of Beltane, a celebration of rebirth and fertility.
In the late nineteenth century, the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day. Working conditions were severe and it was quite common to work 10 to 16 hour days in unsafe conditions. Death and injury were commonplace at many work places . As early as the 1860's, working people agitated to shorten the workday without a cut in pay, but it wasn't until the late 1880's that organized labor was able to garner enough strength to declare the 8-hour workday. This proclamation was without consent of employers, yet demanded by many of the working class.At this time, socialism was a new and attractive idea to working people, many of whom were drawn to its ideology of working class control over the production and distribution of all goods and services. Workers had seen first-hand that Capitalism benefited only their bosses, trading workers' lives for profit. Thousands of men, women and children were dying needlessly every year in the workplace, with life expectancy as low as their early twenties in some industries, and little hope but death of rising out of their destitution. Socialism offered another option.
History can teach us a lot about the roots of our radicalism. When we remember that people were shot so we could have the 8-hour day; if we acknowledge that homes with families in them were burned to the ground so we could have Saturday as part of the weekend; when we recall 8-year old victims of industrial accidents who marched in the streets protesting working conditions and child labor only to be beat down by the police and company thugs, we understand that our current condition cannot be taken for granted - people fought for the rights and dignities we enjoy today, and there is still a lot more to fight for. The sacrifices of so many people can not be forgotten or we'll end up fighting for those same gains all over again. This is why we celebrate May Day & should keep on doing so...rich or poor it doesn't matter!
This issue of Lekhni has been centred around not the poor but the discomforted or disadvantaged mass of Society in a hope it may rekindle some sense of responsibility and fairness in us...at least a common sense not to discard othes'need outright. Enjoy Reading.
In a proclamation printed just before May 1,1886, one publisher appealed to working people with this plea: Workingmen to War .War to the Palace, Peace to the Cottage, and Death to LUXURIOUS IDLENESS The wage system is the only cause of the World's misery. It is supported by the rich classes, and to destroy it, they must be either made to work or Die. One pound of DYNAMITE is better than a bushel of BALLOTS!MAKE YOUR DEMAND FOR EIGHT HOURS with weapons in your hands to meet the capitalistic bloodhounds, police, and militia in proper manner.
What an indictment of our world that love of freedom and the desire of escape from oppression and hate has to be called "Revolutionary."
Isn't this normal? Isn't this the way it should always be? Free to do what we want, free to think what we want, free to be what we want, free to love who and how we want: This is basic, bedrock. A foundation of life. It is true that life can be tough and things aren't always what they seem but this, this insane atrocity of nature doesn't even deserve mention in the pages of our bloody history books, films, and fictions, much less become reality. But it has and worse yet, it could again.
This then is the reason for revolution. We need revolutions in hearts and minds and souls. We need a revolution inside Mother Earth herself, alive with eternal love and respect and sacred duty to each other: she will give birth to our ever-growing, ever-shining redeemed and hopeful future. It is a revolution against the horrors of death itself.
It was a pious gesture A saffron coloured swastika Embroidered on a silk handkerchief- An auspicious beginning- Tucked in my pocket On leaving Bombay Harbour
In London With a touch of sandalwood fragrance I put it with old clothes In suitcase To treasure
Later On a politically fuming day My fingers dug deep And pulled out that handkerchief To wipe away The sweat the anger And the frustration After Racist Powell’s blood river Speech
That was Many years ago Then changed house And habits No silk handkerchiefs Paper hankies do
And now While I watch the spread Of the blood swastikas printed from London’s Brick lane to Berlin’s Charlottenberg biting deep Into the bone marrow of our being I miss that lost handkerchief To wipe out my helplessness With those embroidered saffron colored Threads of Aryan benediction
-Satyendra Srivastava
Dream
Once in a pitch dark night his dream tiptoed and softly whispered “Why do you call me Only in your slumber And in your sleep only hold me tight ?”
There were marching soldiers in her silence And a raging battle in her sighs With a most delicate touch he lifted her and wore in those dreamy eyes.
Proudly he stood On the gateway of awakening with the sea in his voice Moon and stars lit up the sky As he spoke words so softly “ Friends I give you my dream.”
“Here comes the visionary!” Loud were the crowd’s applaud and scream. Suddenly they marched forward and snatched the dream from his eyes.
His wounds still raw and bleeding They hacked her into pieces Divided amongst themselves like a treasured little loot.
Violated , mutilated she lay there with those gentle eyes open still He sat by her without a word or a sob protecting the corpse of hiis maiden in his manly arms.
I hear, he still sits and waits: But forget about dream Even sleep doesn’t venture there anymore.
Ivan remained on the farm and worked to support his father, mother, and dumb sister. Once it happened that the old dog, which had grown up on the farm, was taken sick, when Ivan thought he was dying, and, taking pity on the animal, placed some bread in his hat and carried it to him. It happened that when he turned out the bread the root which the little devil had given him fell out also. The old dog swallowed it with the bread and was almost instantly cured, when he jumped up and began to wag his tail as an expression of joy. Ivan's father and mother, seeing the dog cured so quickly, asked by what means he had performed such a miracle.
Ivan replied: "I had some roots which would cure any disease, and the dog swallowed one of them."
It happened about that time that the Czar's daughter became ill, and her father had it announced in every city, town, and village that whosoever would cure her would be richly rewarded; and if the lucky person should prove to be a single man he would give her in marriage to him.
This announcement, of course, appeared in Ivan's village.
Ivan's father and mother called him and said: "If you have any of those wonderful roots, go and cure the Czar's daughter. You will be much happier for having performed such a kind act--indeed, you will be made happy for all your after life."
"Very well," said Ivan; and he immediately made ready for the journey. As he reached the porch on his way out he saw a poor woman standing directly in his path and holding a broken arm. The woman accosted him, saying:
"I was told that you could cure me, and will you not please do so, as I am powerless to do anything for myself?"
Ivan replied: "Very well, my poor woman; I will relieve you if I can."
He produced a root which he handed to the poor woman and told her to swallow it.
She did as Ivan told her and was instantly cured, and went away rejoicing that she had recovered the use of her arm.
Ivan's father and mother came out to wish him good luck on his journey, and to them he told the story of the poor woman, saying that he had given her his last root. On hearing this his parents were much distressed, as they now believed him to be without the means of curing the Czar's daughter, and began to scold him.
"You had pity for a beggar and gave no thought to the Czar's daughter," they said.
"I have pity for the Czar's daughter also," replied Ivan, after which he harnessed his horse to his wagon and took his seat ready for his departure; whereupon his parents said: "Where are you going, you fool--to cure the Czar's daughter, and without anything to do it with?"
"Very well," replied Ivan, as he drove away.
In due time he arrived at the palace, and the moment he appeared on the balcony the Czar's daughter was cured. The Czar was overjoyed and ordered Ivan to be brought into his presence. He dressed him in the richest robes and addressed him as his son-in-law. Ivan was married to the Czarevna, and, the Czar dying soon after, Ivan became ruler. Thus the three brothers became rulers in different kingdoms.
CHAPTER IX.
The brothers lived and reigned. Simeon, the eldest brother, with his straw soldiers took captive the genuine soldiers and trained all alike. He was feared by every one.
Tarras-Briukhan, the other brother, did not squander the gold he obtained from Ivan, but instead greatly increased his wealth, and at the same time lived well. He kept his money in large trunks, and, while having more than he knew what to do with, still continued to collect money from his subjects. The people had to work for the money to pay the taxes which Tarras levied on them, and life was made burdensome to them.
Ivan the Fool did not enjoy his wealth and power to the same extent as did his brothers. As soon as his father-in-law, the late Czar, was buried, he discarded the Imperial robes which had fallen to him and told his wife to put them away, as he had no further use for them. Having cast aside the insignia of his rank, he once more donned his peasant garb and started to work as of old.
"I felt lonesome," he said, "and began to grow enormously stout, and yet I had no appetite, and neither could I sleep."
Ivan sent for his father, mother, and dumb sister, and brought them to live with him, and they worked with him at whatever he chose to do.
The people soon learned that Ivan was a fool. His wife one day said to him, "The people say you are a fool, Ivan."
"Well, let them think so if they wish," he replied.
His wife pondered this reply for some time, and at last decided that if Ivan was a fool she also was one, and that it would be useless to go contrary to her husband, thinking affectionately of the old proverb that "where the needle goes there goes the thread also." She therefore cast aside her magnificent robes, and, putting them into the trunk with Ivan's, dressed herself in cheap clothing and joined her dumb sister-in-law, with the intention of learning to work. She succeeded so well that she soon became a great help to Ivan.
Seeing that Ivan was a fool, all the wise men left the kingdom and only the fools remained. They had no money, their wealth consisting only of the products of their labor. But they lived peacefully together, supported themselves in comfort, and had plenty to spare for the needy and afflicted.
CHAPTER X.
The old devil grew tired of waiting for the good news which he expected the little devils to bring him. He waited in vain to hear of the ruin of the brothers, so he went in search of the emissaries which he had sent to perform that work for him. After looking around for some time, and seeing nothing but the three holes in the ground, he decided that they had not succeeded in their work and that he would have to do it himself.
The old devil next went in search of the brothers, but he could learn nothing of their whereabouts. After some time he found them in their different kingdoms, contented and happy. This greatly incensed the old devil, and he said, "I will now have to accomplish their mission myself."
He first visited Simeon the soldier, and appeared before him as a voyevoda (general), saying: "You, Simeon, are a great warrior, and I also have had considerable experience in warfare, and am desirous of serving you."
Simeon questioned the disguised devil, and seeing that he was an intelligent man took him into his service.
The new General taught Simeon how to strengthen his army until it became very powerful. New implements of warfare were introduced.
Cannons capable of throwing one hundred balls a minute were also constructed, and these, it was expected, would be of deadly effect in battle.
Simeon, on the advice of his new General, ordered all young men above a certain age to report for drill. On the same advice Simeon established gun-shops, where immense numbers of cannons and rifles were made.
The next move of the new General was to have Simeon declare war against the neighboring kingdom. This he did, and with his immense army marched into the adjoining territory, which he pillaged and burned, destroying more than half the enemy's soldiers. This so frightened the ruler of that country that he willingly gave up half of his kingdom to save the other half.
Simeon, overjoyed at his success, declared his intention of marching into Indian territory and subduing the Viceroy of that country.
But Simeon's intentions reached the ears of the Indian ruler, who prepared to do battle with him. In addition to having secured all the latest implements of warfare, he added still others of his own invention. He ordered all boys over fourteen and all single women to be drafted into the army, until its proportions became much larger than Simeon's. His cannons and rifles were of the same pattern as Simeon's, and he invented a flying-machine from which bombs could be thrown into the enemy's camp.
Simeon went forth to conquer the Viceroy with full confidence in his own powers to succeed. This time luck forsook him, and instead of being the conqueror he was himself conquered.
The Indian ruler had so arranged his army that Simeon could not even get within shooting distance, while the bombs from the flying-machine carried destruction and terror in their path, completely routing his army, so that Simeon was left alone.
The Viceroy took possession of his kingdom and Simeon had to fly for his life.
Having finished with Simeon, the old devil next approached Tarras. He appeared before him disguised as one of the merchants of his kingdom, and established factories and began to make money. The "merchant" paid the highest price for everything he purchased, and the people ran after him to sell their goods. Through this "merchant" they were enabled to make plenty of money, paying up all their arrears of taxes as well as the others when they came due.
Tarras was overjoyed at this condition of affairs and said: "Thanks to this merchant, now I will have more money than before, and life will be much pleasanter for me."
He wished to erect new buildings, and advertised for workmen, offering the highest prices for all kinds of labor. Tarras thought the people would be as anxious to work as formerly, but instead he was much surprised to learn that they were working for the "merchant." Thinking to induce them to leave the "merchant," he increased his offers, but the former, equal to the emergency, also raised the wages of his workmen. Tarras, having plenty of money, increased the offers still more; but the "merchant" raised them still higher and got the better of him. Thus, defeated at every point, Tarras was compelled to abandon the idea of building.
Tarras next announced that he intended laying out gardens and erecting fountains, and the work was to be commenced in the fall, but no one came to offer his services, and again he was obliged to forego his intentions. Winter set in, and Tarras wanted some sable fur with which to line his great-coat, and he sent his man to procure it for him; but the servant returned without it, saying: "There are no sables to be had. The 'merchant' has bought them all, paying a very high price for them."
Tarras needed horses and sent a messenger to purchase them, but he returned with the same story as on former occasions--that none were to be found, the "merchant" having bought them all to carry water for an artificial pond he was constructing. Tarras was at last compelled to suspend business, as he could not find any one willing to work for him. They had all gone over to the "merchant's" side. The only dealings the people had with Tarras were when they went to pay their taxes. His money accumulated so fast that he could not find a place to put it, and his life became miserable. He abandoned all idea of entering upon the new venture, and only thought of how to exist peaceably. This he found it difficult to do, for, turn which way he would, fresh obstacles confronted him. Even his cooks, coachmen, and all his other servants forsook him and joined the "merchant." With all his wealth he had nothing to eat, and when he went to market he found the "merchant" had been there before him and had bought up all the provisions. Still, the people continued to bring him money.
Tarras at last became so indignant that he ordered the "merchant" out of his kingdom. He left, but settled just outside the boundary line, and continued his business with the same result as before, and Tarras was frequently forced to go without food for days. It was rumored that the "merchant" wanted to buy even Tarras himself. On hearing this the latter became very much alarmed and could not decide as to the best course to pursue.
About this time his brother Simeon arrived in the kingdom, and said: "Help me, for I have been defeated and ruined by the Indian Viceroy."
Tarras replied: "How can I help you, when I have had no food myself for two days?"
Formerly a poor man big heart, practicing the fisherman, lived with his family of three in a straw hut on the banks of a river in the middle of a dense forest.
Unfortunately, the fish had almost disappeared from the cormorants, and several days had an empty house shopping. There was nothing to eat in the pot. His children cried, his wife scolded, but all he could do was to knit his eyebrows.
One night when the moon had just disappeared behind the mountains, was restlessly tossing about in bed. wife and children were sleeping soundly. Suddenly seemed to hear a knock at the door. Thinking that nobody would be around at such a late hour, he paid no attention, until finally hitting was very stubborn. Since he is scared of ghosts, pulled on some clothes and he looked out the window near the bed.
The silvery-green disc of the moon shone through the pines in the western hills, and an icy wind blew through the window. Going to the door and shouted: "Who's there?" "I am," replied the voice. "I bring you fish. Open the door quickly. "" Oh, you little number three? "Asked the fisherman, because once he had heard that Little Three fish caught for other people. Since the voice replied to his question, yes, he opened the door .
A dwarf, dressed in a raincoat and a big straw hat, smiling, came in the room with a basket full of fish on his back. Said the fisherman to get half the fish and cook and eat the rest; In no case, however, must have spoken to other people who had brought them.
Three just did his own cooking with the simplest way. He used not only for spices, salt and oil, but the food tasted delicious. When it was finished eating, made a rendezvous with the fisherman for the next evening in a specific place to catch fish.
The next morning the fisherman fish sold, bought some rice, and told his wife that a friend had lent some money. He sat at home all day and mused about his experience. When his wife urged him to go outside, he merely replied that there were no fish and it was a waste of time to go down river.
Dark and soon time to go. His wife and children slept; silent fisherman took a large basket fishing and went to meet Little Three. He met the wild rocks near river. The spirit was impressed by the need to monitor this closely and not saying a word and breath as delicately as possible. The fish could not see Three Little but make noise if the fish will swim off together. The strangest thing was that the dwarf was able to walk on the water, and you only need to spit on the soles of shoes of the fisherman to allow him to do the same. Naturally, the fish could not see the angler, either.
The fisherman did just as he was told. He took great care not to breathe too loud when Little Three caught a fish that got by him and threw it in the basket. He was kept very busy, and soon became short of breath. Before they had gone a quarter of the way, the basket was full; Just threw the rest of the fish back into water again, because the spirit went to catch fish without any effort to see if there was a place to put them or not. Shortly after the two stepped onto the bank and ran shivers down the spine of the fisherman awesome spectacle of deep water that had been crossed. Returned home, cooked and ate half a fish, and put the other half designed according to the orders of the Spirit was given.
Every evening, except when the full moon, they went fishing, but the fisherman did not say anything about his wife. To avoid any suspicion, even went fishing during the day from time to time. But he won so much money that his wife became suspicious, and eventually found everything.
A night that made him asleep and watched to see what her husband would do. Saw him eating a fish with another person and then come into the bedroom and go to sleep. He there is no evidence, but when he was asleep he got up and saw what she had done.
The next day, bored a small hole in the wall plaster and watched the two men cooking fish. saw how they cooked only half of them, and thought to herself that if only they could keep the other half will have food for several days.
He had a plan, and the next night, when Little Three came back and put the pot on the fire, it suddenly went up in flames. The Spirit saw immediately that something was wrong and ran away. The fisherman was very angry, but not until she began to the room with a smile on her face, she knew that the pot was made of paper. Since then, the spirit never came to cook and eat fish.
हिन्दी ब्लॉगिंग और सोशल मीडिया एकदूसरे के पूरक बन चुके हैं
नई दिल्ली, भारत की राजधानी के दिल कनॉट प्लेस के द एम्बेसी रेस्तरां में एक हिंदी ब्लॉगर संगोष्ठी लखनऊ से पधारे हिन्दी के मशहूर ब्लॉगर सिद्धार्थ शंकर त्रिपाठी के सम्मान में सामूहिक ब्लॉग नुक्कड़डॉटकॉम के तत्वावधान में शनिवार को आयोजित की गई। इस मौके पर हिन्दी ब्लॉगिंग के प्रभाव के सबने एकमत से स्वीकारा। देश विदेश में हिंदी के प्रचार प्रसार में हिन्दी ब्लॉगिंग के महत्व को सबने स्वीकार किया और इसकी उन्नति के मार्ग में आने वाली कठिनाईयों पर व्यापक रूप से विचार विमर्श किया गया। संगोष्ठी में दिल्ली, नोएडा, गाजियाबाद के जाने माने हिंदी ब्लॉगरों से शिरकत की। सोशल मीडिया यथा फेसबुक, ट्विटर को हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग का पूरक माना गया। एक मजबूत एग्रीगेटर के अभाव को सबसे एक स्वर से महसूस किया और तय किया गया कि इस संबंध में सार्थक प्रयास किए जाने बहुत जरूरी है। फेसबुक आज एक नेटवर्किंग के महत्वपूर्ण साधन के तौर पर विकसित हो चुका है। इसका सर्वजनहित में उपयोग करना हम सबकी नैतिक जिम्मेदारी है।
सामूहिक ब्लॉग नुक्कड़ के मॉडरेटर एवं चर्चित व्यंग्यकार अविनाश वाचस्पति ने हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग को समाज की बुराईयों से बचाने और प्राइमरी कक्षाओं में इसके पाठ्यक्रम आरंभ करने को वक्त की जरूरत के मामले को इस अवसर पर भी दोहराया। जिसका सभी उपस्थिति ब्लॉगरों ने सर्वसम्मति से समर्थन किया। एक और हिंदी ब्लॉगर संतोष त्रिवेदी ने कहा कि बहुत ही छोटे से नोटिस पर दूर दराज से ब्लॉगरों का इस संगोष्ठी में शामिल होना साबित करता है कि हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग का प्रभाव शिखर की ओर तेजी से बढ़ रहा है। कंटेंट के स्तर पर आ रही गिरावट पर चिंता व्यक्त करते हुए जनसत्ता के संपादकीय विभाग में कार्यरत् फजल इमाम मल्लिक ने माना कि ऐसी स्थितियां तो प्रत्येक तकनीक के आरंभ में आती ही हैं। यह एक ऐसा मंच है जिसका पूरी जिम्मेदारी के साथ तभी उपयोग किया जा सकता है जबकि इस प्रकार के मेल मिलाप होते रहें। उन्होंने सबसे आवाह्न किया कि ब्लॉगर अपने अपने क्षेत्रों में इस प्रकार के भरसक प्रयास करें।
भड़ासफॉरमीडिया के मॉडरेटर यशवंत सिंह ने जानकारी दी कि आगरा में एक ब्लॉगर अपने तकनीक ब्लॉग के जरिए एक से डेढ़ लाख रुपये प्रतिमाह तक कमाई कर रहे हैं। इसके अलावा भी कई जगहों पर ब्लॉगिंग से कमाई हो रही है। यह स्थिति निश्चय ही सुखद है। प्रत्यक्ष न सही, परंतु परोक्ष रूप से हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग से हो रही कमाई को अविनाश वाचस्पति ने भी स्वीकारा।
स्वास्थ्य संबंधी ब्लॉगों के मॉडरेटर के. राधाकृष्णन, पी 7 से जुड़े हर्षवर्द्धन त्रिपाठी, स्वतंत्र पत्रकार विष्णु गुप्त, अयन प्रकाशन के भूपाल सूद, डॉ. टी. एस. दराल, हिंद युग्म के शैलेश भारतवासी, सुलभ सतरंगी, कुमार कार्तिकेयन, गौरव त्रिपाठी, खुशदीप सहगल इत्यादि ने हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग के स्वस्थ विकास के लिए कई पहलुओं पर उद्देश्यपूर्ण चिंतन किया। सबने माना कि फिजूल की अश्लील एवं धार्मिक उन्माद संबंधी पोस्टों पर जाने से हर संभव बचा जाए। इस दूषित प्रवृत्ति पर भी चिंता प्रकट की गई कि चार पोस्टें लिखकर स्वयं को साहित्यकार समझने वालों को अपनी आत्ममुग्धता से निजात पानी चाहिए। यह बुराईयां स्वस्थ ब्लॉगिंग के विकास के लिए हितकर नहीं हैं।
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प्रेषक : पवन चंदन, 1/12, रेलवे कालोनी, सेवा नगर, नई दिल्ली 110003 फोन 9990005904
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स्नेह ठाकुर के उपन्यास 'कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा' का लोकार्पण
कैकेयी
चेतना-शिखा
उपन्यास
इस उपन्यास में जहाँ एक ओर कैकेयी के नारी मन का, उन के मातृत्व का अंतर्द्वन्द्व दिखाया गया है वहीं राम-कथा ग्रंथों के प्रामाणिक तथ्यों से, उसके विभिन्न पात्रों द्वारा, यहाँ तक कि स्वयं श्रीराम द्वारा, महारानी कैकेयी के सकारात्मक पक्ष को उजागर करने का प्रयास किया गया है. उन पर युग-युगांतर से लगाए गए प्रचलित कलंक को धोने का, विसंगत मिथ्या अवधारणाओं का तार्किक रूप से साहित्यिक परिधि में रह खंडन करने का प्रयत्न किया है. मैं एक शोध-प्रबंध का सृजन कर रही हूँ और इस शोध-प्रबंध "चिंतन के धागों में कैकेयी" में श्रीमद्बाल्मीकीय रामायण, अध्यात्म रामायण, आनन्द रामायण, गोस्वामी तुलसीदास कृत श्रीरामचरितमानस, कम्ब रामायण एवं अन्य राम-कथा ग्रंथों की अवधारणाएँ निहित हैं. "कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा" उपन्यास में राम-कथा के महान ग्रंथों की अवधारणाओं का सम्बल ले महारानी कैकेयी के चरित्र की विशेषताओं को दर्शाया गया है।
कुरुक्षेत्र विश्वविद्यालय के हिन्दी विभागाध्यक्ष डॉ. महासिंह पूनिया ने 'भूमंडलीकरण के दौर में हिन्दी का परिदृश्य' विषय पर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी का भव्य आयोजन किया. मंचासीन थे कुरुक्षेत्र विश्वविद्यालय के कुलपति ले.ज. डॉ. डी.डी.एस. संधू, हरियाणा ग्रन्थ अकादमी की निदेशक डॉ. मुक्ता, कु.वि. के पूर्व अधिष्ठाता प्रो. लालचंद गुप्त मंगल, डॉ. मौना कौशिक, राष्ट्रीय साहित्य अकादमी के संयोजक डॉ. माधव कौशिक, हरियाणा साहित्य अकादमी के पूर्व निदेशक डॉ. चन्द्र त्रिखा, दैनिक ट्रिबुन के वरिष्ठ संपादक डॉ. जोगिन्दर सिंह, विश्व-विद्यालय, महाविद्यालय के हिंदी विभाग अध्यक्ष एवं धरोहर संग्रहालय के कुरेटर डॉ. महासिंह पूनिया. सभागार में अनेक गणमान्य व्यक्ति एवं भारी संख्या में छात्र-छात्राएँ उपस्थित थे. १३० शोधपत्र आये जिनका प्रकाशन हरियाणा ग्रंथ अकादमी कर रही है. अपने उपन्यास 'कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा के लोकार्पण, विशिष्ट अतिथि के रूप में दिये गए मान-सम्मान एवं आतिथ्य के प्रति कुरुक्षेत्र विश्वविद्यालय की आभारी हूँ.
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साहित्य अकादमी, मध्यप्रदेश संस्कृति परिषद्, देवी अहिल्या बाई विश्वविद्यालय इन्दौर एवं म.प्र. हिन्दी ग्रंथ अकादमी, भोपाल के समवेतरूप से अंतर्राष्ट्रीय साहित्य-संवाद 'साहित्य के प्रतिमान और प्रवाह' शीर्षक से दो दिवसीय अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी का आयोजन हुआ. उद्घाटन सत्र में मंत्री - संस्कृति, जनसम्पर्क, तकनीकी शिक्षा एवं कौशल विकास, उच्च शिक्षा, धार्मिक न्यास और धर्मस्व, मध्यप्रदेश शासन - माननीय श्री लक्ष्मीकांत शर्मा जी ने मेरे उपन्यास 'कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा' का लोकार्पण किया. अध्यक्ष महापौर इन्दौर श्री कृष्ण मुरारी मोघे, सारस्वत अतिथि श्री श्रीधर परारकड़, व अन्य मंचासीन विद्युत-गण थे कुलपति देवी अहिल्या विश्वविद्यालय प्रो. राजकमल व निदेशक साहित्य अकादमी प्रो. त्रिभुवन नाथ शुक्ल. संचालन मध्यप्रदेश हिन्दी ग्रंथ अकादमी के प्रो. गोविंद प्रसाद शर्मा ने व विषय परिवर्तन प्रख्यात उपन्यासकार डॉ. नरेन्द्र कोहली ने किया. यहाँ विशेष आमंत्रित अतिथि एवं एक सत्र की अध्यक्षता का सौभाग्य भी मुझे प्रदान किया गया था.
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एसआयईएस मुंबई एवं कथा यू.के. लंदन के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में द्वि-दिवसीय अंतर्राष्ट्रीय परिसंवाद के अन्तर्गत 'प्रवासी हिन्दी साहित्य : उपलब्धियाँ एवं अपेक्षाएँ' का भव्य आयोजन किया गया. उद्घाटन समारोह में मेरे उपन्यास 'कैकेयी चेतना शिखा' का लोकार्पण हुआ. संगोष्ठी की अध्यक्ष थीं डॉ. चन्द्रा कृष्णमूर्ति (पूर्व कुलगुरु, एसएनडीटी महिला विद्यापीठ), उद्घाटक डॉ. दामोदर खडसे (कार्याध्यक्ष, महाराष्ट्र राज्य हिन्दी साहित्य अकादमी), मुख्य अतिथि प्रो. डॉ. असगर वजाहत (वरिष्ठ कथाकार), विशेष अतिथि श्रीमती ज़किया जुबैरी (वरिष्ठ रचनाकार, संरक्षक कथा यू.के.), स्वागताध्यक्ष डॉ. हर्षा मेहता (प्राचार्या, एसआयईएस कॉलेज), एवं संयोजक थे कथा यू.के. महासचिव, प्रख्यात साहित्यकार श्री तेजेंद्र शर्मा व एसआयईएस हिन्दी विभागाध्यक्ष डॉ. संजीव दुबे. यहाँ मुझे 'प्रवासी हिन्दी सेवी सम्मान' प्रदान किया गया, साथ ही एक सत्र की गौरवपूर्ण अध्यक्षता का सौभाग्य.
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कर्नाटक की अम्माँ द्वारा आदेशित और उन्हीं को समर्पित अपने उपन्यास 'कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा' को चित्रकूट में, आदरणीय अम्माँ की झोली में आशीर्वाद ग्रहण करने के लिए डालते हुए अत्यधिक प्रसन्नता व आत्म-विश्वास की अनुभूति हुई कि अम्माँ की कृपा से यह कृति पुष्पित-पल्लवित हुई है; तथा निकट भविष्य में ही इसकी अवधारणाएँ और भी अधिक रूप से विकसित हो अपनी प्रौढ़ता को प्राप्त कर, उन्हीं के आदेश से ही आगे लिखे जाने वाले शोध-प्रबंध 'चिन्तन के धागों में कैकेयी' में परिवर्धित हो जायेंगी. अम्माँ के आशीर्वाद से शोध पर ही आधारित मेरे उपन्यास 'लोक-नायक राम' का सृजन भी आरंभ हो चुका है. चित्र में हैं - अदरणीय कर्नाटक की अम्माँ, स्नेह ठाकुर, श्री सत्यपाल ठाकुर, तथा नयी पीढ़ी के कर्णधार प्रतिनिधि प्रियान्शु चतुर्वेदी व प्राची चतुर्वेदी.
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प्रवासी दुनिया एवं भारतीय सांस्कृतिक संबंध परिषद- दिल्ली ने विष्णु प्रभाकर जन्म शताब्दी समारोह एवं अक्षरम् के दसवें अंतरराष्ट्रीय हिंदी उत्सव में स्नेह ठाकुर को ‘अक्षरम साहित्यिक पत्रकारिता सम्मान’ से अलंकृत किया। माननीय डॉ. रत्नाकर पाण्डेय जी ने शॉल, डॉ. कुँवर नारायण जी ने स्मृति-चिन्ह व डॉ. अशोक चक्रधर जी ने पुष्प-गुच्छ प्रदान किए.
गत नौ वर्षों से स्नेह ठाकुर कैनेडा से 'वसुधा' हिन्दी साहित्यिक त्रैमासिक पत्रिका का संपादन-प्रकाशन कर रही हैं.
स्नेह ठाकुर ने साहित्य की हर विधा में पुस्तकें लिखी हैं. उनकी सोलह पुस्तकें प्रकाशित हो चुकी हैं, तथा चार पुस्तकों का उन्होंने संकलन व संपादन किया है.
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राजस्थानी सेवा संघ की स्वर्ण-जयंती
'तक्षशिला की तरह शिक्षा का केन्द्र बनेगा राजस्थान, जिस प्रकार दुबई के शेखों ने दुबई को समृद्धशाली बनाया है उसी प्रकार राजस्थान में ऐसे कई शेख हैं जो इस सपने को साकार कर सकते हैं।' ये उदगार थे श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के अध्यक्ष श्री विनोद टीबड़ेवाला के। अवसर था विले पार्ले स्थित भाईदास हाल में आयोजित श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के स्वर्ण जयंती समारोह का। जिसमें अरुणाचल के राज्यपाल श्री जोगिन्दर जे.सिंह,मेघालय के राज्यपाल श्री रणजीत शेखर मूशाहारी,गुजरात की राज्यपाल श्रीमती कमला बेनीवाल, डी.वाय.पाटिल स्पोर्ट्स अकादमी के अध्यक्ष श्री विजय पाटिल,जे.जे.टी विश्वविद्यालय के कुलपति श्री विनोद टीबड़ेवाला, स्वामी विश्वेश्वरानंद गिरीराज महाराज तथा सांवरमल सांगानेरिया को श्री जे.जे.टी .विश्वविद्यालय के प्रथम दीक्षांत समारोह में डी.लिट की मानद उपाधि से सम्मानित किया गया। कार्यक्रम का आरंभ दीप प्रज्जवलन एवं नृत्य गीत से हुआ। जहां एक ओर मेघालय के राज्यपाल श्री मूशाहारी जी ने शिक्षा को केवल धन कमाने का साधन ही नहीं बल्कि देश और मनुष्य के विकास का मजबूत स्तंभ बताया वहीं गुजरात की राज्यपाल कमला बेनीवाल जी ने कहा कि मैं व्यक्तिगत तथा सरकारी दोनों स्तर पर राजस्थान को शिक्षा का विशाल केन्द्र बनाने में टीबड़ेवाला जी को सहयोग दूंगी।अरुणाचल के राज्यपाल श्री जे.जे.सिंह ने अपने रोचक भाषण में कहा कि मैं अभी तक मुम्बई से जे.जे. अस्पताल, जे.जे. स्कूल आफ आर्ट्स से अपने नाम को जुड़ा पाता हूं अब जे.जे.टी. विश्वविद्यालय से भी जुड़ गया हूं। कार्यक्रम तीन सत्रों में संपन्न हुआ जिसमें राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के मंत्री सुमती लाल गांधी को लाईफ टाइम अचीवमेंट अवार्ड सहित प्रेम शुक्ल संपादक सामना.द्विजेन्द्र तिवारी, संपादक हमारा महानगर,विश्वनाथ सचदेव संपादक नवनीत, विनोद तिवारी भूतपूर्व संपादक माधुरी तथा समाज के गणमान्य व्यक्तियों को सम्मानित किया गया। द्वितीय सत्र में श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ की पचास वर्षों की उपलब्धियों पर आधारित संतोष श्रीवास्तव द्वारा लिखित नाटक 'आधी सदी का साक्ष्य' तथा सुमीता केशवा द्वारा लिखित राजस्थान के गौरव गान पर आधारित नृत्य नाटिका जिसकी दो हजार सीडीज़ वितरित की गईं विशेष आकर्षण का केन्द्र रहे। अंतिम सत्र में वीणा प्रोडक्शन के राजस्थानी गीत एवं नृत्यों ने समां बांध दिया। छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज पर आधारित नाटक से कार्यक्रम का समापन हुआ। संचालन अश्विनी कुमार जोशी, श्री दुबे तथा श्रीमती वनश्री वालेचा एवं आभार जे.जे.टी विश्वविद्यालय के उपकुलपति डा. अग्रवाल तथा श्री विनोद टिबड़ेवाला ने किया। कार्यक्रम में भारी संख्या में पत्रकार, साहित्यकार,समाज सेवी तथा संस्था में कार्यरत पदाधिकारी एवं सदस्य मौजूद थे। प्रस्तुतिसुमीता केशवा
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The General Secretary of Katha (U.K.) and noted writer Tejendra Sharma has informed that for the year 2012 International Indu Sharma Katha Samman would be conferred upon Mr. Pradeep Saurabh for his novel Teesri Tali (published by Vani Prakashan, New Delhi). This is a unique novel as it deals in depth with the life of eunuchs. The award consists of an air passage Delhi-London-Delhi, Airport Tax, Visa fee for UK, a shield, a shawl and the award winner would be taken to important historical sites in and around London. The award will be handed over to Mr. Pradeep Saurabh in a glittering function to be held on 28 June 2012 at the House of Commons in London.
International Indu Sharma Katha Samman was instituted in the memory of promising poetess and short story writer Indu Sharma who lost her battle of life to cancer in 1995. The past recipients of this coveted award have been Chitra Mudgal, Sanjiv, Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi, S.R. Harnot, Vibhuti Narain Rai, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, Dr. Asghar Wajahat, Mahua Maji, Nasera Sharma, Bhagwan Das Morwal, Hrishikesh Sulabh and Vikas Kumar Jha.
An M.A. in Hindi from Allahabad University, Pradeep Saurabh was born on 1st July 1960 in Kanpur. He is working as the Political editor of a daily newspaper The Sea Express. He has had a long experience in the famous weekly Saptahik Hindustan as Assistant Editor. Besides the award winning novel Mr. Jha has to his credit Munni Mobile and Desh Bheetar Desh (both novels); Drakhat ke Dard(Poetry); Bhartendu Krut Andher Nagari and Sarveshwar ka Rachna Sansar. He was honoured for his reporting of the Gujarat riots. He has never followed the set paths of live and has carved his own ways for himself.
Padmanand Sahitya Samman for the year 2012 goes to Mr. Sohan Rahi from Surrey for his collection of poetry Kuchh Ghazlein Kuchh Geet (published by Modern Publishing House, New Delhi. Seventy five years old Sohan Rahi was born in village Lissahra of Jalandhar District. He has penned ten collections of poems (Ghazals and Geets) in Urdu and Hindi. He has been decorated with many awards – including the coveted BBC Channel 4 award for his Ghazals. According to Rahi creating ghazals is not his hobby, it is rather his devotion. He wears his songs on his inner self. Many singers of repute have given voice to his Ghazals and Geets.
Way of equality is a big talk among Intellectuals of the world, without much result whatsoever. Poor still suffer and commit suicide world over. Our civilized society still has lot to learn at being a just society. We cannot be selfish and just and we cannot be lazy and just...rich or poor each individual has to bear his responsibility ,be it in a family, society or a country.Today is 1'st May. May day... a symbolic celebration of the victory of common man over rich .An imaginary victory of social justice. Are we really ready and willing for it! Nothing wrong in looking after one self but at what cost ?
In a proclamation printed just before May 1,1886, one publisher appealed to working people with this plea: Workingmen to War .War to the Palace, Peace to the Cottage, and Death to LUXURIOUS IDLENESS The wage system is the only cause of the World's misery. It is supported by the rich classes, and to destroy it, they must be either made to work or Die. One pound of DYNAMITE is better than a bushel of BALLOTS!MAKE YOUR DEMAND FOR EIGHT HOURS with weapons in your hands to meet the capitalistic bloodhounds, police, and militia in proper manner. 
Ivan remained on the farm and worked to support his father, mother, and
Tarras replied: "How can I help you, when I have had no food myself for
Formerly a poor man big heart, practicing the fisherman, lived with his family of three in a straw hut on the banks of a river in the middle of a dense forest.
He had a plan, and the next night, when Little Three came back and put the pot on the fire, it suddenly went up in flames. The Spirit saw immediately that something was wrong and ran away. The fisherman was very angry, but not until she began to the room with a smile on her face, she knew that the pot was made of paper. Since then, the spirit never came to cook and eat fish.
नई दिल्ली, भारत की राजधानी के दिल कनॉट प्लेस के द एम्बेसी रेस्तरां में एक हिंदी ब्लॉगर संगोष्ठी लखनऊ से पधारे हिन्दी के मशहूर ब्लॉगर सिद्धार्थ शंकर त्रिपाठी के सम्मान में सामूहिक ब्लॉग नुक्कड़डॉटकॉम के तत्वावधान में शनिवार को आयोजित की गई। इस मौके पर हिन्दी ब्लॉगिंग के प्रभाव के सबने एकमत से स्वीकारा। देश विदेश में हिंदी के प्रचार प्रसार में हिन्दी ब्लॉगिंग के महत्व को सबने स्वीकार किया और इसकी उन्नति के मार्ग में आने वाली कठिनाईयों पर व्यापक रूप से विचार विमर्श किया गया। संगोष्ठी में दिल्ली, नोएडा, गाजियाबाद के जाने माने हिंदी ब्लॉगरों से शिरकत की। सोशल मीडिया यथा फेसबुक, ट्विटर को हिंदी ब्लॉगिंग का पूरक माना गया। एक मजबूत एग्रीगेटर के अभाव को सबसे एक स्वर से महसूस किया और तय किया गया कि इस संबंध में सार्थक प्रयास किए जाने बहुत जरूरी है। फेसबुक आज एक नेटवर्किंग के महत्वपूर्ण साधन के तौर पर विकसित हो चुका है। इसका सर्वजनहित में उपयोग करना हम सबकी नैतिक जिम्मेदारी है। 
कर्नाटक की अम्माँ द्वारा आदेशित और उन्हीं को समर्पित अपने उपन्यास 'कैकेयी : चेतना-शिखा' को चित्रकूट में, आदरणीय अम्माँ की झोली में आशीर्वाद ग्रहण करने के लिए डालते हुए अत्यधिक प्रसन्नता व आत्म-विश्वास की अनुभूति हुई कि अम्माँ की कृपा से यह कृति पुष्पित-पल्लवित हुई है; तथा निकट भविष्य में ही इसकी अवधारणाएँ और भी अधिक रूप से विकसित हो अपनी प्रौढ़ता को प्राप्त कर, उन्हीं के आदेश से ही आगे लिखे जाने वाले शोध-प्रबंध 'चिन्तन के धागों में कैकेयी' में परिवर्धित हो जायेंगी. अम्माँ के आशीर्वाद से शोध पर ही आधारित मेरे उपन्यास 'लोक-नायक राम' का सृजन भी आरंभ हो चुका है. चित्र में हैं - अदरणीय कर्नाटक की अम्माँ, स्नेह ठाकुर, श्री सत्यपाल ठाकुर, तथा नयी पीढ़ी के कर्णधार प्रतिनिधि प्रियान्शु चतुर्वेदी व प्राची चतुर्वेदी.
'तक्षशिला की तरह शिक्षा का केन्द्र बनेगा राजस्थान, जिस प्रकार दुबई के शेखों ने दुबई को समृद्धशाली बनाया है उसी प्रकार राजस्थान में ऐसे कई शेख हैं जो इस सपने को साकार कर सकते हैं।' ये उदगार थे श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के अध्यक्ष श्री विनोद टीबड़ेवाला के। अवसर था विले पार्ले स्थित भाईदास हाल में आयोजित श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के स्वर्ण जयंती समारोह का। जिसमें अरुणाचल के राज्यपाल श्री जोगिन्दर जे.सिंह,मेघालय के राज्यपाल श्री रणजीत शेखर मूशाहारी,गुजरात की राज्यपाल श्रीमती कमला बेनीवाल, डी.वाय.पाटिल स्पोर्ट्स अकादमी के अध्यक्ष श्री विजय पाटिल,जे.जे.टी विश्वविद्यालय के कुलपति श्री विनोद टीबड़ेवाला, स्वामी विश्वेश्वरानंद गिरीराज महाराज तथा सांवरमल सांगानेरिया को श्री जे.जे.टी .विश्वविद्यालय के प्रथम दीक्षांत समारोह में डी.लिट की मानद उपाधि से सम्मानित किया गया। कार्यक्रम का आरंभ दीप प्रज्जवलन एवं नृत्य गीत से हुआ। जहां एक ओर मेघालय के राज्यपाल श्री मूशाहारी जी ने शिक्षा को केवल धन कमाने का साधन ही नहीं बल्कि देश और मनुष्य के विकास का मजबूत स्तंभ बताया वहीं गुजरात की राज्यपाल कमला बेनीवाल जी ने कहा कि मैं व्यक्तिगत तथा सरकारी दोनों स्तर पर राजस्थान को शिक्षा का विशाल केन्द्र बनाने में टीबड़ेवाला जी को सहयोग दूंगी।अरुणाचल के राज्यपाल श्री जे.जे.सिंह ने अपने रोचक भाषण में कहा कि मैं अभी तक मुम्बई से जे.जे. अस्पताल, जे.जे. स्कूल आफ आर्ट्स से अपने नाम को जुड़ा पाता हूं अब जे.जे.टी. विश्वविद्यालय से भी जुड़ गया हूं। कार्यक्रम तीन सत्रों में संपन्न हुआ जिसमें राजस्थानी सेवा संघ के मंत्री सुमती लाल गांधी को लाईफ टाइम अचीवमेंट अवार्ड सहित प्रेम शुक्ल संपादक सामना.द्विजेन्द्र तिवारी, संपादक हमारा महानगर,विश्वनाथ सचदेव संपादक नवनीत, विनोद तिवारी भूतपूर्व संपादक माधुरी तथा समाज के गणमान्य व्यक्तियों को सम्मानित किया गया। द्वितीय सत्र में श्री राजस्थानी सेवा संघ की पचास वर्षों की उपलब्धियों पर आधारित संतोष श्रीवास्तव द्वारा लिखित नाटक 'आधी सदी का साक्ष्य' तथा सुमीता केशवा द्वारा लिखित राजस्थान के गौरव गान पर आधारित नृत्य नाटिका जिसकी दो हजार सीडीज़ वितरित की गईं विशेष आकर्षण का केन्द्र रहे। अंतिम सत्र में वीणा प्रोडक्शन के राजस्थानी गीत एवं नृत्यों ने समां बांध दिया। छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज पर आधारित नाटक से कार्यक्रम का समापन हुआ। संचालन अश्विनी कुमार जोशी, श्री दुबे तथा श्रीमती वनश्री वालेचा एवं आभार जे.जे.टी विश्वविद्यालय के उपकुलपति डा. अग्रवाल तथा श्री विनोद टिबड़ेवाला ने किया। कार्यक्रम में भारी संख्या में पत्रकार, साहित्यकार,समाज सेवी तथा संस्था में कार्यरत पदाधिकारी एवं सदस्य मौजूद थे। 
Padmanand Sahitya Samman for the year 2012 goes to Mr. Sohan Rahi from Surrey for his collection of poetry Kuchh Ghazlein Kuchh Geet (published by Modern Publishing House, New Delhi. Seventy five years old Sohan Rahi was born in village Lissahra of Jalandhar District. He has penned ten collections of poems (Ghazals and Geets) in Urdu and Hindi. He has been decorated with many awards – including the coveted BBC Channel 4 award for his Ghazals. According to Rahi creating ghazals is not his hobby, it is rather his devotion. He wears his songs on his inner self. Many singers of repute have given voice to his Ghazals and Geets. 
