Your Say: Happy Independence Day

By Krati Bansal
Published: August 14, 2010 | Last Updated: 27 September 2010 3:52 PM
Comments6 Comments

Today I was thinking what to share with you all on the eve of 64th Independence Day, and while swinging with my thoughts I went back to memories of my school days. It was then, when I loved participating in school parade, and top of it was the test before Physical Trainer to get selected as parade leader. That itself was alone to fill me with pride and feel special when I used to shout at top of the voice “Parade daayein dekh” before eminent chief guests.

I still remember preparations on the day before, washing white uniform so hard to make it new again, polishing black shoes so tight to see my face in them, iron my school ribbons, to get two small Indian flags for school, setting up alarm of exact 5:00 a.m.(never again). And on Independence Day, to wait eagerly for Auto, after entering in school premises and hearing “Deshbhakti Songs” deciding that I will do something great for my India.

Those were so special, innocent and true feelings. I miss those moments because now I have learned that we are still not free, we are bounded in our thoughts, actions & reactions.

What happened? What is missing? What actually means being Independent? Am I alone fighting back my old feelings or you also feel same?

And answers I got from Udaipurites went like this:

himanshu-agarwalHimanshu Agrawal, 21: Student, Insurance Advisor

In my views, actual independence has a different meaning. It’s not about freedom from British government, but it’s about freedom from prevailing corruption. It’s not about building the mesh of highways, but it’s about connecting the 70% of rural population to the mainstream. It’s not about opening of multinational banks, but it’s about saving poor from sahukars & all those who put them in a debt till death. It’s not about “Rakhi ka swayamwar” & all those shows, but it’s about insuring that there will be no “Balika Vadhu” in our country. Finally, it’s not about “I”, but it’s about “WE”.

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aditi-jainAditi Jain 21yr old, Software Engineer/ B.Tech

Independence Day for me is a day to pay regards to all those people who gave and are still giving their blood and sweat for the life we are enjoying right now. Since we do not participate at least we can respect. We thankless people don’t do it every day so it’s like a reminder for everyone to thank them at least once in a year.

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sahil-thakurSahil Thakur 19yr old, Bachelor Student

This is our Independence Day. It’s a time for celebration of the birth of our country and to know about who and what we are today. It’s a time for remembering the past and honoring the present as well as anticipating the future.

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parth-sainiParth Singh Saini 22yr old, Software Engineer

Are we really celebrating Independence Day or we are actually celebrating “Independence from British day” only. I really doubt if we have achieved the freedom our freedom fighters fought for. How come we are independent when Women are still unsafe in India, thousands of Child Labors are still working, Researchers still find India unfit for their growth, people are still comfortable being divided into Caste, State, Language and Religion, and the biggest of it majority still don’t believe in Democracy (40-45% votes only in elections) !

Was this the freedom we fought so hard for? I think our actual “Independence Day” is still to come….

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nagma-khanNagma Khan 24yr old, HR Manager

Every year when Independence Day rolls around, I get reminded of several things, how lucky I am to be an INDIAN, and the freedom that come with this privilege, the women and men who over the decades have fought and died to maintain that freedom, and the Declaration Of Independence.

Yes, to me, the Declaration Of Independence means that I live in a country where freedom of speech is still protected, my right for assembly is protected & We are so fortunate to have been born in this country. I am truly proud to be an INDIAN.

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varun-shrimaliVarun Shrimali 22yr old , Pharmacist

I personally feel that independence is the most expensive commodity we own. Independence Day is a festival of whole country regardless to religion, caste, creed and gender which unites people together despite of all differences between them. So in all, we should respect our independence and make best use of this expensive commodity that we own.

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Now comes your turn, I would like to know what Independence Day means to you?? So, drop in your comments.

In between, Happy Independence Day!!!!

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People

Bhakti Sharma Crosses Another Milestone

By Krati Bansal
Published: August 13, 2010 | Last Updated: 27 September 2010 4:27 PM
Comments3 Comments

bhakti-sharmaBhakti Sharma, mermaid of Udaipur proved her mettle once again when she crossed the Arctic Circle by Grimsey Island situated in the north of Iceland this week.  [Source: http://www.icelandreview.com]

She swam one nautical mile, about 33 minutes followed by her entourage. The ocean temperature was 9.2o C at the surface as per the sources.

She added one more feather in her cap after crossing English Channel in 2006,Gulf of Maxeco (25 km.); Pacific Ocean (6½) and Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico in one day (21 Km.) at U.S.A in 2007.She has also crossed 36 km. from Dharamtal to Gate way of India in Mumbai.

We as Udaipurites congratulate her on this brand new success. May she shine forever and attain heights through depths of Blue.

[image courtsey: http://bhaktisharma.com]

People

Charm Of Teej

By Krati Bansal
Published: August 12, 2010 | Last Updated: 27 September 2010 3:53 PM
Comments1 Comment

Celebration Time in Udaipur, monsoon is more colourful and charming with special Rajasthan festival TEEJ. Festivity all around , rains, fun and frolic is making environment of Udaipur more exciting!!!

This festival depicts enthusiasm and devotion of Hindu women towards their husbands. Two vital factors govern celebration of this festival – one is the dawn of monsoon and other is the legend related to Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Religious Significance of Teej
Religious significance of Teej festival lies in devotion of Goddess Parvati for her husband Lord Shiva. It was on this day that the divine couple Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reunited with each other after hundreds of years.

Strengthening Relationships
One of the foremost significance of Teej is that it helps in strengthening relationship between married couples. Women who observe fast for the long life of their husband in earnest devotion feel closer and more committed to their husband.

Celebrations in Udaipur

Today is Hariyali Teej, to celebrate the greenery with which we are endowed. Priest at Maha kaleshwar Temple told that according to Hindu calendar special “Thithis” are devoted to Gods and Goddess. Stroll yourself through streets of Udaipur, you will find sweet smell of “Ghevar” and “Malpuas”, these mouth watering dishes are special in Teej celebrations. Women dressed up in Lehariya (hand printed wavy designs) and Green sarees visits Shiva temples with extreme devotion towards their husbands.

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But did you know this all? Have you ever asked your mother, why she dressed up beautifully? Have you ever enjoyed swings in air during this season? Have ever sensed aroma of sweets with your friends and family???

If not, then it’s not late. Go out, feel the beauty and make your mother feel special. Let our Culture be our lifetime asset, may be that is true INPDEPENDENCE.

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People

Ramzan – A Unison With Self

By Krati Bansal
Published: August 11, 2010 | Last Updated: 16 October 2010 4:41 PM
Comments9 Comments

“The doors of the heaven are opened up on the first night of Ramdhan. Not a single door is then closed until the last night of Ramadhan.”

Self realisation,self-healing and self control are the stepstones to the pinnacle of mankind. RAMADHAN is the epitome of same virtue.

In Udaipur, Bohra Muslim community has already marked the start of this pious month on Tuesday. Namaz was offered in khanjipir, rasulpura, lukmani, mallatalai etc community mosques and wishes were exchanged. Sunni and other Muslim communities will most probably keep their first fast of pious Ramzan-ul- mubarak month on Friday, August 13, 2010. (Update : Last night of August 11th, Muslim community of Udaipur declared the start of Holy month of Ramazan, fasting started from today August 12th 2010)

ramzan-mubarak

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a “month of blessing” marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur’an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.

The typical day starts hours before dawn when Muslims wake up to remember God and spend time in meditation. This predawn prayer is called the tahajjud prayer.

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar.

Significance of Ramzan

Fasting in the Muslim tradition is designed to bring spiritual benefits, chiefly a release from physical constraints and desires so one can concentrate on worship and appreciation of Allah. The patience and forbearance induced by fasting extend to other areas of life. Simple fasting from food can be ruined – rendered not pleasing to Allah – if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.

The end of the month is marked by the three-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr, when gifts are exchanged, and families and friends gather for large meals. This can best be understood as a thanksgiving ceremony, where gratitude to God is expressed for having enabled the Muslims to advance in physical and spiritual endurance.

The month of Ramadan is also special for its particular emphasis on alms giving. In Islam, the institution of zakat — one of the faith’s five pillars, ensures the circulation of wealth between the rich and the poor. Spending generously for social welfare by helping the poor and needy and by partaking in other community welfare projects is encouraged.

Where the world is torn apart by differences today, we should strive to appreciate the enormous commonalities we share. Fasting is another of the many forms of worship found in almost all world religions, be it Christianity, Judaism, Jainism, Hinduism or Islam. Respecting that human connection and that bond of unity, let us wish a Happy Ramadan to our Udaipurites.

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