Rabindranath in his Heart : International Tagore Award for Ratan Bhattacharjee  

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Rabindranath in his Heart : International Tagore Award for Ratan Bhattacharjee 
                                       Dr. Daniela Rogeobete
All his life being an admirer of Tagore and of his poetry and philosophy as a World Poet , Dr Ratan Bhattacharjee himself is a globe trotting academician  who won both  International Tagore Award 2024 and Bhanu Singh Award 2024 and saw Tagore mainly as a Lover of Humanity and World Peace. Dr. Bhattacharjee focused on these aspects of Tagore in the  Special lecture delivered  in Farirleigh Dickinson University on ‘Love Poetry of Tagore and Whiman’ which was much appreciated in the Pre-Covid days .Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee  read Tagore’s  Red Oleander but he himself wrote more than 150 love poems only on Oleander , a floral image he chose as a postcolonial alternative image and for this The Statesman in a review described him as ‘Oleander poet’. However he loved fiction no less .Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee mused deeply on Tagore’s ideal of Education in ‘West Bengal ‘ and Yuba Manas ‘ and also in the Dainik Basumati paper. His book on Tagore’s Love poetry is coming soon from Patridge in 2025. His nearly 2000 poems of love both published and unpublished bear some influence  of Tagore and Neruda  and no less  so of Lorca. Dr. Ratan believed in Tagore’s concept of love .At present a senior columnist  and Affiliate Faculty of English, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond USA, Dr Ratan Bhattacharjee   has been selected for the  International Tagore Award by  DRDC, approved by the Ministry of India. DRDC is   the first Inter-Government Organisation and world’s first organization which is promoting entrepreneurship, Research & innovation, worldwide in a new way. Dr Bhattacharjee  also won the Bhanu Singh Award 2024 from   The Global Nation media house from Bangladesh.  Poems of Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee are being published for decades in Germany Phillipines Italy  USA , and many African and Arab countries poems are translated into Lebanese Italian French  His first poem appears as early as 2005  in  online sites of the social media and blogs  and over there he started writing pictorial poems  on Love and Nature . Later he compiled some of them in Melodyand Maladies . Cyberwit Allahabad inspired him to publish his first  book of poem The Ballad of the Bleeding Bubbles  which was translated into Assamese as Raktakta Burburanir Malita jointly  by Mr Utpal Datta ,famous writer and film director cum Deputy Director Guwahati Akashvani and Prof Karabi Hazarika of Naharkatia College Assam That was a huge inspiration for being connected to Assamese writers and poets.Legendary poet Jayanta Mahapatra released his book in Pondicherry. Later Akademi Awardee poet amd editor Anuradha Sarma Pujari published my Assamess poem in Sadin. Legendary Homen Borgohain actually inspired me over the phone to contribute to Niyamiya Barta . He started writing in Amar Asom ,Dainik Janambhoomi , and  Sadin. Mr Samdeep Sarma of Eastern Chronicle and Mr Rameswar Chouhan made me a regular contributor to Hills Times Patricia Mukhim persuaded me to write for Shillong Times and PJ Baruah published number of articles in The Assam Tribune  and now inspired by Smita Bhattacharya i am a regular writer of The Sentinel Saturday Fare and Sunday supplement Melange . All these developed his  love for Assam and its literature besides my writings in Bengali Aajkal Puber Kalom and Dainik Statesman
Travelling is his most favourite hobby and now universities in India and USA are inviting him for lectures on Promotion of Indian and American literature nearly every fortnight. Tagore’s poetry always inspired Dr Ratan as a poet and educationist. Tagore’s poetry primarily deals with love – love for humanity, love for divinity and love for nature. His early poetry is concerned with man’s love for  woman but his later poetry is mainly concerned with man’s love and longing for God’s beauty and love. Dr.Ratan subscribes to this poetic philosophy of Tagore and the award goes to him in this year. Tagore’s Red Oleander inspired him though his best seller Oleander Blooms is uniquely different from Tagore’s writings. He used the floral image of Oleander with a postcolonial motif and as a new alternative to Rose. Anthony Johae ,,Shakepeare Professor  of Essex university wrote in his Preface to the book that Oleander reveals the dialectics of joy and sorrow associated with love. The trajectory of love as blissful and  love as  poisonous is focused in the bouquet of love poems on Oleander. Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee  is fond  of  Keats’s worship of Beauty and Tagore too mentions Keatsian worship of Beauty. Like Shelley and Tagore , for  Dr.Ratan love is a basic principle of the universe.  His poems on this theme are published regularly in Saturno  from  Italy Global Nation and Kavya Kishore International from Bangladesh Raven Cage  from Germany . His poems  on Nature are published in Friendship of People from Tazakistan Antology from italy Summer Nights from Ohio and Orfeus .He is nominated as  international judge in Passion Of Poetry from Philippines.
All  through a poet , Dr. Bhattacharjee’s forte however  is his academic potentiality. Dr.Ratan  is a voracious reader and loved to teach  Shelley and Keats , Lorca and Neruda  in his long 40 year teaching career. Che Guevara also inspired him. Picasso and Beethoven are his good pastime. He loved to read ghost and detective books of Byomkesh, Swapan Kumar, Satyajit Roy and Nihar Ranjan.Basically a student of Calcutta University  he passed from Scottish Church College and then in University of Kolkata .He was formerly Associate Professor & Chair  Post Graduate Deot of English Dum Dum Motijheel College and also simultaneously  a Trilingual Columnist cum Poet . He is the Author of Six Feet Distance : Looking Back to Lockdown (AuthorHouse Bloomington USA ) Francis Scott Fitzgerald:His Art and Vision (Patridge Singapore ) Thr Ballad of the Bleeding Bubbles : Melodies and Maladies of Love  ( Cyberwit Allahabad) Oleander Blooms :A Bouquet of Oleander Poems of Love  (Authors Press New Delhi) Theodore Dreiser Going Beyond Naturalism  ( INSC ) Renee Rudhagnee (Authors Press) Our Daughter , Our Princess (Authors Press New Delhi) . He edited Journals Literary Confluence and Voice of Indian English Writers. He pioneered some ideas of Fourth World Literature in India  and worked as Resource Person in a number of International Conferences  on Gender Studies, Post Colonial and American literature in the country and abroad   . His Collected works Vol I (Patridge) and Our Time Revisited : a Collection of Essays on Man Literature and Society (Patridge)  My American Days are in press to be published in 2025 .Internationally acclaimed  Hon’ble  Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu of Andhra Prades awarded Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee in the International Meet of Multilingual Poets at Vijaywada Cultural Centre , He served as Part Time and Guest in Vidyasagar University and Rabindra Bharati University too.
Since his childhood days which he  passed in the idyllic environment listening to the songs of innocence all around him in the first decade  of the Post-Independence days. His grandfather as an employee organized labour movement in the Metcalfe Press and later Metcalfe  was acting governor-general of India who  particularly  promulgated  laws for freedom of the press .His grand father  was elected Member of Legislative Council in 1935.His  grandmother was married at the age of 9 but she used to teach the village girls and later she was appointed teacher in her own house and got a salary of 16 rupees in those days. It was a huge amount. This story was an inspiring one  as it shows  an atmosphere where service to the people was the motto and the house  was crowded by common people .During  1942 Famine huge amount of Kichdi was cooked for the poor hungry people of the locality . His leading of a very simple life was a story of inspiration for all . His father Chandranath Bhattacharjee  was a teacher and a man of poetic mind  and mother was a pious lady a worshipper of Durga mata and a lover of music . His wife too was a wonderful woman dutiful and compassionate . His wife  Anjali accepted his maverick mood and gave him inspiring support each moment for the last 40 years of their conjugal life. His daughter’s literary excellence   is also inspiration for him  The .little five year old daughter  inspires him everyday to write stories for her already one book of poems on her was published .In his boyhood days  he  used to bring out a hand written magazine where his school friends and family members used to contribute. .. He  compared Charles Dickens’s Great Expectation and  F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby in  MPhil Dissertation when few opted in India for American literature Later he was the executive member of Indian Association of American Studies IAAS in Mysore University ..Finally he  did his  Ph.D . on American Literature under Professor Laxmi Parasuram  who was a renowned professor in American literature and his book on Theodore Dreiser and F.Scott Fitzgerald were highly praised by Emeritus Professor of VCU and a great  Fitzgerald Scholar Dr. Bryant Mangum in VCU Richmond. .For his research interest he  specialized on Theodore Dreiser Studies , he  got offer for doing post doctoral from the USA. But for his  family  problems he did not accept the offers. His  guide was unsatisfied with him. Inspired by Dr. Bhabatosh Chatterjee Sir Gurudas Banerjee Professr of Calcutta University he developed a love for  ASRC Hyderabad and he was selected Scholar in Residence twice for  for three months..
 He along with Dr. Jill Blondin Associate Vice Provost Global Education Services of VCU opened a new Society KIAS ( Kaleidoscopic Indian American Society )  and they  are now opening regional centers all over indian Higher education institutions in  Nagpur,Dharbhanga ,  Delhi, Meerut Jaipur  ,Kanpur, Madurai  Annamalai Unviersity  and Manipal University and others. He got inspiration from his Principals Late Sukumar Gupta  Late Ranaji  Bagh and Dr. :Pradeepta Gupta Roy the later one being a writer and researcher of international height.  However love from his readers on social media and his popularity  in the universities in all over India and abroad are his real award,. They all are now happy when  he bagged the International Tagore Award and the Bhanu Singh Award at the same time this year. Other awards he got make  a  pretty long list which includes, APJ Abdul Kalam Education Excellence Award as Dynamic Professor of the Year 2021,Certificate of Commitment World Book of  Records Switzerland 2021,Winner of International Award 2020, Literamo Golden Star Awards 2020, INS Research Excellence Award 2020 ,Best Professor of the Year 2020 Award , International Research Scholar Reviewer ( Lifetime), International Educational Excellence Award Dynamic Professor of the Year 2021 etc. Still Dr. Ratan remains humble and down to earth in his approach to life. His message is simple but profound, “ Like Tagore I want to say , Love  for humanity is my motto and  Promotion of global peace is my mission.”Dr.Daniela Rogeobete Associate Professor  of American Literature and English University of Craiova, Romania  is a versatile writer ,Email, dani.rogobete@yahoo.com

Multi-Talented Faruque Ahamed : Promoting Minority Education in India 

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 Multi-Talented Faruque Ahamed : Promoting Minority Education in India
                                          Dr. Ratan Bhattacharjee
Faruque Ahamed’s versatility is manifested as poet, writer, essayist and above all as a socially alert citizen. It is a passion of the heart. His Udar Akash Publication is calling, let the light of literature illuminate every home. Michael Bassey Johnson in The Infinity Sign wrote “Creativity expands the mind, stretches it beyond ordinary human comprehension, resulting in the mind being elastic and capable of transcending and discerning complex ideas.”Every book fair in Kolkata witnessed his publications. He is a fountain of inspiration to many in the publication world as a ‘pole star of commitment’. Nearly all eminent intellectuals and academicians, poets and writers veer round him for a space in his edited journals and edited books. In the latest Book Fair issue of Udar Akash eminent Akademi awardee writers like Subodh Sarkar and Journalist like Mainul Hassan along with others contributed a good many articles on the socio-cultural life of Bengal and North East, nay India. Subodh Sarkar’s unique poems raise a big question “What is life’s meaning if we forget to dream”. In another poem he wrote “I wanna write like a young poet , I wanna do mistakes”. Side by side, in a serious essay Mainul Hassan wrote on Gulzar’s only novel Do Log which he wrote at the age of 83. The novel was written against the backdrop of World War II. Gulzar mused on the tragic story of Partition. Sumit Mukhopadhyay  handled a difficult topic  ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Shymaprasad Mukherjee : Their  Concepts of Nationalism”. The discussion on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s interpretation of John Rawl’s concept of Justice is truly a perceptive one and worth reading. Zahir Ul Islam mused on the sense of humour in the poetry of the revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and it makes happy reading. For the collection of such rare articles  and poems Udar Akash is regarded as ‘a cultural  heritage’ more than a mere edited journal.  Faruque Ahamed who hails from a backward community rises to a great height of intellectual commitment by connecting the great minds of Bengal, Assam and even Bangladesh. He focuses on the socio- cultural background of our country and the position of the backward minorities in his books and journals. He traces back the hitherto unknown roots  of their sufferings. This is a Herculean task and he continues with it. Recently he published one very important book Bangalir Astitwa Rakshar Sangram (A Struggle for the Existence of the Bengalee) which has stirred the intellectual mind. The book contains more than forty write ups by twenty two eminent writers and researchers including Barid Baran Ghosh, Safiunessa, Bani Basu,  Subodh Sarkar, Mainul Hassan, Jayanta Singha , Suman Bhattacharya, Jayanta Ghoshal, Manisha Bandyopadhyay, Mohd. Samsul Alam, Ekramul Haque Sheikh, Prabir Ghosh Roy, Dipak Saha, Kumaresh Chakraborty and many others. In his poem Subodh Sarkar wrote “Language survives in Salt and Turmeric” . Sahana Nag Chowdury focused on how a language like Bangla  fights for its own survival over the ages. Barid Baran Ghosh expresses his concern for the gradual decline of Bengali culture and heritage. Long ago Tagore  wrote about the ‘Unity of the nation’ which was forged through the unity of languages. But that too is in jeopardy and Safiunessa expressed her concern in her article about the cleavages found in this unity in Assam and Bengal and also in other parts of the country. In Bengal the existence of Bengalee people is at stake. In Mumbai the Marathi constitutes 68%, in Chennai, Tamil constitutes 82 % Kannad in Bangaluru constitutes 72%  but in Kolkata Bengalee are less than 55% of the total population. ‘Is the survival of the Bengalee at stake?” Suman Bhattacharya raises this question in his article. Faruque Ahamed who is deeply engaged in academic and research activities always made the exploration of the status of neglected backward ethnic groups as a focal point in his undertaken projects. As the Editor of “Udar Akash” magazine and Udar Akash publishing house and a researcher of Kalyani University, he concentrates on working for the dignity of the nation for the welfare of the society, in addressing  the grievances of the neglected and backward classes in their time-worn struggle to help them enjoy their due rights.
Faruque Ahamed is one of the representatives of Bengal’s new batch of thinkers that emerged in sthe early 21st century. He created a sage niche for himself in the field of social thinking at a rapid pace as one of those rare harbingers of new Dawn who are committed to the promotion of values in keeping with newly emergent ideas and  revolutionary theories in the pages of literature. Faruque Ahamed said ”Muslims had no contribution in the middle class and intelligentsia of Bengal that flourished in the early 19th century. However, it is universally accepted that the work of unifying all the towns of Bengal under the name of ‘Banga’ was not achieved during the Hindu period. This job was accomplished during the Muslim period. This was the most difficult time for the Muslims of Bengal during the six hundred (600) years after the arrival of Muslims in Bangladesh and the beginning of the propagation of Islam through Sufi mystics (bujargs). The period from 1757 (The year when the throne or the ‘Hukumati Takht’ passed from the hands of the Muslims) till the beginning of the 20th century can be characterized as a dark period for the Muslims of Bengal. It is notable that during the Mughal period Muslim Bengali literature continued to be discussed and practiced in Bangladesh and in two independent outlying states outside the Mughal Empire (namely Rosang and Tripura).2 In this context we have to remember the untold sufferings of Muslims in Hindustan after an unsuccessful Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.3 M.R. Akhtar Mukul’s book called “Kolkata-centric intellectuals” (Kolkata kendrik Buddhijibi) supports this statement.
 The period between 1905-1947 AD can be identified as the period of self-establishment and expansion of the middle-class Bengali Muslim class. 4 That is, since the beginning of the twentieth century, Bengali Muslims had been trying to find a form of society. In fact, between 1920 and 1947, it emerged as a prestigious ethnic group. A mindset of response to change is developed at every level of life. At such a time, independence came to this subcontinent through partition. Bengali Muslim’s self-development path soon became blocked in Bengal. A large section of the newly emerged Bengali Muslim intellectuals ‘migrated’ to the then East Pakistan seeking respect and establishment. As a result of the political evolution in the life of the Muslims of West Bengal, an indescribable misery descended. Then in Calcutta, the loss of life and property of Muslims was much more than that of Hindus. After the partition of the country, the Bengali Muslim society suddenly became guardian less. The political ideas of individual nationality, right to self-determination had disappeared over time in changed circumstances.
In such a situation, the intellectual field of Bengali Muslims was disturbed, though it was natural. Humayun Kabir (1906-’69), Qazi Abdul Odud (1894-1970), Syed Mujtaba Ali (1904-’74), Abu Syed Ayub (1906-’82) and Rezaul Karim (1902-’93). The people mentioned earlier in the country-division achieved special fame in the practice of literary culture. At this time a group of Bengali Muslim writers took initiative. Two literary organizations were established for that purpose. One was in Calcutta and the other was in Dhaka.6 The associations for Islamic Civilization and Cultural Aspects were saved by hard works of M. Abdur Rahman.
The void created in the field of literature and culture after the partition shocked the Muslims of West Bengal, but they did not lose heart. At this time, the principles of Renaissance Society and Sahitya Sangsad were adopted in the field of literature and culture. This principle was particularly noticeable in the use of the Bengali language.7 It’s manifestation had become noticeable later. The names of Syed Mustafa Siraj, Abdul Aziz Al-Aman and Abdul Jabbar are particularly memorable amongst the promising young Muslim writers of that time. After partition, when the cultural identity of the Bengali Muslim society had in danger, at that time Syed Mustafa Siraj had overcame various disasters and limitations to establish his dignity and nobility, at the same time, Bengali Muslims had tried to identify the centre of their self-esteem. Mr. Syed Mustafa Siraj was the top representative of ‘Composite Culture’. At this time, the Bengali Muslim writer’s eyes were particularly focused on his social and communal feelings. In this regard, the role of Muslim writers against social prejudices was memorable. Especially their efforts in modern education, gaining freedom, connecting with science and modern lifestyle were helpful in the progression of society.”
Udar Akash has already left a profound mark on the panorama of literary mind of our times. All great minds love to dream and it is the dream of writer Faruque Ahamed to show the new horizons of progressive thoughts as a new milestone of thinking.
Faruque Ahamed was not born with a silver spoon but his birth on March 7, 1983 in Natapukur village of South 24 Parganas district was probably an auspicious event for the people of Natapukur village which today feels proud of him. He was an inquisitive student in the village primary school with chalk in hand. He is the first in his generation to get an opportunity to work as a Ph.D. researcher in the prestigious Kalyani University. Earlier no other member from the family got a chance to get admission in Ph.D. Faruque Ahamed’s wife Mousumi Biswas is also working as a Ph.D. researcher in the Department of Education. Faruque Ahamed is currently working as News letter In-Charge and Office Co-ordinator of Chemistry Department in Kalyani University. But his creative urge is no less important .His notable poetry book is ‘Vishwaprem’. Essay collection ‘Promise and Development’, ‘Furfura Sharif’s Message’, ‘Muslim Vote Bank in Congress and Left Governance’, ‘The Paradox of Sunrise Political Empowerment in the West’, ‘Kazi Nazrul Islam Across the Vast Sky’ and ‘Bengali’s Struggle for Survival’ edited by Faruque Ahamed. Faruque Ahamed also edited a research book on Kalyani University written in English. “Udar Akash” edited by Faruque Ahamed has already published special issues on ‘Minorities and Chief Ministers’, ‘In Search of Dignity’, ‘Search for Self-Identity’, ‘Mirror of Self-Development’, ‘Backward and Minorities in Political Empowerment’, ‘Degradation of Values’, ‘Awakening of Bhoomiputras’ and ‘Advancing the response to ugliness’. These academic and literary efforts made the people of Bengal aware of the turning point in state politics. He is determined to continue efforts in search for human dignity in the future.
Editing anthology is nowadays a regular thing with the academicians. But when it is the versatile Editor Faruque Ahamed, the story is totally different. His recently edited books tell us the big truth. Everyone knows his peer reviewed Bi-annual Literary Research Journal ‘Udar Akash’ (Generous Firmament). It has crossed nearly twenty two years  as the journey started when he published the first issue of “Udar Akash” (in 2002) with the help and cooperation from many of his friends. During his school life, he had his debut in journalism. At that time, he started his career with scanty earning from farming and selling newspapers. More than 121 books have already been published by Udar Akash Publishing House. Several books of high academic standard have been published by Udar Akash publishing house which rightly deserved encomium from researchers and varied readers of West Bengal Assam or even Bangladesh which is promoting varied muslim minority issues.
[Dr Ratan Bhattacharjee is currently Affiliate Faculty Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond  USA and a multilingual writer   Email bhattacharjr@gmail.com

Over thinking Hurts

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Overthinking Hurts
By Nazema Parray
While going through my robotic routine my mind usually remain occupied with some things that are unimportant. The things that drains my mental health and makes me prisoner of my own unending thoughts.These endless thoughts that comes out of nowhere drags me to unknown places that seems horrible.

As a human we have become habitual of accepting commands and always thrive to finish them on time as if our minds are replaced with machines. Then comes the process of thinking that we  have kept on the loop in our mind. These thoughts and this phase of thinking is called Overthinking. Correct me if I am wrong if I would say this phase a Satanic phase because in this process we are at our lowest vis s vis our emann become weak.It is a process when our desires lead us to astray.
In this overthinking phase we want to understand the things according to our understanding.We want certain events to happen according to our wishes that has already happened or about to happen in future time. We don’t want to consider about the others way of thinking and their mental capabilities. We confuse our mind in tiresome issues that has taught us lessons and has made us better and stronger in present. We need to end this cycle by accepting the fact that past has gone future holds bundle of surprises and we need to concentrate on present moment.
Overthinking leads one to self doubts .If We really want to do something just act.  We as a Muslim should surrender ourselves and our future to Almighty as He Is The best planner in whole universe. We should break this satanic cycle by keeps our mind busy in zikr of Allah. Most of over thinkers are physically doing their work but they are mentally exhausting thier mind with the things that are not in our control.
Overthinking will lead you to nowhere.We cannot change others but yes we can change ourselves.Be The Change and stop overthinking about past and future.we should focus on what we have in plate at present and we should know the art of enjoying this platter as Everyone is not as fortunate as you .Be thankful Be Mindful Trust His Plans and Surrender Yourself To Him.

Pinky’s Childhood!

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PINKY’S CHILDHOOD!
( An Autobiographical story of eminent Odhisa writer Monalisa Parida to be taught in Nepal schools for Grade 7 Students)
      Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Pinky who lived in a small village, Chhoti. She was a lively child whose passion was playing, studying, writing poems, short stories. She was a bright student of Ramachandi Sikshya Niketan, Chhoti who loved learning new things and was always curious about the world around her. As she grew older, she realised the importance of education. Her parents were farmers who worked hard to feed their family. Despite their hardships, her parents valued education and always encouraged her to study.
       One day her father got some work in Cuttack, Odisha. Pinky convenienced her father to accompany him on the trip. It was a matter of  three days. So her father agreed. She packed her luggage and very excited to go there, where she could start her new professional life. When pinky reached at Cuttack, she saw the buildings, shopping Mahals, pakka roads etc. There were full of crowed where one couldn’t breathe fresh air. She felt suffocated. So, Pinky returned her own village where she could breathe clean air and played with her best friend Niki to whom she loved more than her life. Though Pinky was a bright student in her school but her family members especially her grandmother opposed her not to go to school whom Pinky loved more than her mother. But her family members allowed her cousin brother to study hard and supported him to reach his destination. When she saw the opposition of her family members, she was weird. And thought “Why is she not going to school?” But her father supported her to go to school where she can built her future.
    Pinky was inspired by her father’s word and decided to pursue her education further. Through her journey, Pinky realised that education was not just about getting a good job or earning money. It is about gaining knowledge, developing critical thinking skills and using that knowledge to make a difference in the world. She understood the value of education and how it could empower individuals and communities.
    By the blessings of Maa Ramachandi, support of her parents, relatives and friends now Pinky became an Assistant Professor of English at Bhubaneswar College of Engineering, Khordha, Odisha who is also an international recognised poetess of Odisha.
     The moral of the story is that education gives us identity and helps us to make the right decisions.

From Ancestral tradition to Uncertain Future: The Plight of Kashmiri Paper Mache

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From Ancestral Tradition to Uncertain Future:
The Plight of Kashmiri Paper Mache

A photo story by Farhan Sayeed Masoodi

The art of paper Mache has a long and rich history in Kashmir, dating back to the 14th century when it was first introduced by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a Daee who came to Kashmir from Hamdan in modern day Iran along with his followers, many of whom were craftsmen.
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Maqbool Jaan showcasing his products in his showroom which he has setup in his house.
The art of Paper Mache involves using of paper pulp to make decorative items, these items once moulded into shape are painted with vibrant colours and intricate floral designs. This art quickly gained popularity in the region and became an integral part of Kashmiri culture and at the same time, it became a source of skill work for Kashmiris and some, an ancestral profession. Gowhara (sister in law of Maqbool jaan) painting a paper mache flower vase.

(In Progress Paper Mache of Maqbool Jan in his in-house workshop)

 

Maqbool Jaan, a 58-year-old Paper Mache artist from the Lal Bazar area of Srinagar, has been practising this traditional craft since the tender age of 3 years after his father died and he had to learn this craft for it to become his source of livelihood and earning. Despite never having gone to school, Maqbool Jaan says that he not only learned the art of paper mache but also received moral education at the workplace of artisans, which he considers to be his school. He is deeply passionate about his craft and believes that it has the potential to provide livelihoods to many in the region.

Maqbool jaan giving final touches to a painting made for an costumer on order.

However, artisans like Maqbool Jaan face significant challenges in today’s world. Mentioning his experience, Maqbool says that he once visited the Craft Development Institute (CDI) to discuss increase in wages, he says that at CDI he was mistreated by the authorities and even abused by one of the higher officials, who said to him that “we should keep the artisans under our feet.” This lack of support from government officials has contributed to the decline in the number of artisans practising paper mache, bringing their numbers to a few hundred.
Maqbool Jaan fears that the younger generation would not be interested in continuing the tradition due to lack of opportunities and financial instability and that the art of paper mache is at risk of dying out. He believes that the government should do more to promote traditional crafts like paper mache and encourage younger generations to take up the art form. In particular, he suggests organizing workshops in schools and colleges to attract the younger generation towards the craft.

Maqbool Jan sitting among his finished Paper Mache showpiece works.

Despite these challenges, Maqbool Jaan remains dedicated to his craft. Working alongside his wife, brother, and sister-in-law, he creates intricate and beautiful paper mache items in his home. One room is dedicated as the workplace and one as a showroom. The products are sold both locally and internationally, providing a source of income for Maqbool Jaan and his family.

Family of Maqbool jaan working in a room which they have dedicated as a workshop.

  1. Maqbool Jaan’s story is a reminder of the importance of preserving traditional crafts and supporting the artisans who practice them. The decline of paper mache artisans in the region is indicative of a larger trend towards the extinction of traditional crafts. Therefore, the government must take steps to promote and preserve these crafts, ensuring that they continue to thrive for future generations.

Elections are soul of Democracy, opinion 4 March, 2024 issue by Syed Irfan Hashmi

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Elections are soul of Democracy
By Syed Irfan Hashmi
Elections are soul of democracy. The upcoming elections in UT J&K an opportunity for the people of J&K to change the fate towards betterment.
The upcoming elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) indeed present an opportunity for the residents to have a say in shaping the region’s future. Elections are a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, providing citizens with the chance to choose their representatives and express their views on the issues that matter to them.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang Pole has said that preparations were underway in full swing for the elections to the five parliamentary seats in UT of  J&K. Preliminary reports indicate that there could be around 8.7 million electors eligible to vote for the five Lok Sabha seats from J&K.
The parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in April-May.
Bharat as a vibrant democracy and J&K as integral part of Bharat. Every voter has responsibility to cast their votes for development, security, Peace and prosperity . This is the opportunity for 8.7 million people of J&K to change the fate. Everyone should Caste their votes for their potential candidates, through their votes, the people can express their aspirations for peace, prosperity, and inclusive development, as well as for the resolution of longstanding issues that affect their daily lives.
The complex history and unique circumstances of Jammu and Kashmir, the elections hold particular significance. They offer the potential for the selection of leaders who can address the region’s challenges, promote development, and work towards reconciliation and stability.
It’s important that the elections are conducted in a fair, transparent, and peaceful manner, allowing all eligible individuals to participate freely. Additionally, it’s crucial for the elected representatives to prioritize the welfare of the people, fostering inclusive governance and economic progress.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are an opportunity for the residents to contribute to the shaping of their own destiny, and it’s essential that the process is carried out with the utmost integrity and consideration for the diverse needs of the population. Upcoming elections are going to be proud event for democratic India.
The upcoming elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir represent an important opportunity for the people of the region to influence and potentially change the trajectory of their future. By participating in the electoral process, the residents of Jammu and Kashmir have the chance to elect leaders who they believe will best represent their interests and work towards addressing the unique challenges facing the region.
The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir offer the people an opportunity to shape their own destiny and play a crucial role in determining the future direction of the UT J&K.
Article written by Freelancer Journalist / Socio Political Activist SYED IRFAN HASHMI.

The NEP’s vision is to make India competitive in the field of Strategic education

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The NEP’s vision is to make India competitive in the field of Strategic education
Vijay GarG
NEP is fostering inclusivity and merit-based research to address security challenges and encouraging multidisciplinary practices
Nelson Mandela once commented, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Over the past few years, there has been a notable shift in the landscape of education, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping individuals physically, intellectually, and morally. Education is seen as a liberating force, breaking the chains of darkness and bigotry. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to integrate real-life experiments of democracy, environmental awareness, globalization, and governance into the framework of the new education system.
The intellectual establishment plays a crucial role in providing theoretical rationale and strategies for educational advancements. It is imperative to explore how innovations in higher education can drive positive changes, instil confidence among the masses, and disseminate the latest global research and developments in education. This discourse aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of the evolving higher education system, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and growth.
The strength of any higher education system lies in creating internal dynamism to ensure inclusive growth. Even a well-designed system is influenced by the individuals who make a difference. Human and financial relations are intricate matters that require constant monitoring by competent authorities. In India, universities are encouraged to improve their performance by transitioning towards a more merit-based, peer-reviewed research approach, aligning with the goal of establishing a highly efficient and inclusive educational apparatus.
The New Education Policy (NEP) has provided a framework to analyze and address multidimensional issues in the education sector, offering opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. These guidelines aim to meet the key demands of higher education while maintaining a synergy between various stakeholders. The constant monitoring of the education sector by authorities is crucial for growth, especially in changing circumstances.
Acknowledging the gravity of challenges faced by higher education, it is essential to address concerns related to competition, comparison, and personal greed, which may lead to manipulation and shortcuts. The right to freedom of expression in democratic societies has been debated extensively, and recent developments in the academic world present new challenges and competition.
The efforts by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have introduced fair practices and policies consistent with present circumstances. Reforms in the examination system are aimed at ensuring that only talent prevails, fostering an environment that supports academic excellence.
The NEP’s emphasis on exploring domestic underpinnings, gender sensitization, and addressing the concerns of marginalized communities through Special Education Zones is commendable. Provisions such as Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), the National Research Foundation, the National Educational Technology Forum, and the Indian Institutes of Translation and Interpretation create an environment for students to excel globally. These initiatives also highlight the importance of social responsibility.
The NEP encourages a new approach that provides a clear path for students interested in Security Studies, offering opportunities to learn new techniques. The provisions under NEP ensure the collaborative creation of ideas, providing insights into even the most complex issues.
At various educational levels, the NEP’s approach involves mentors fully engaging in new techniques and developing challenging strategies to meet the needs of all students. To enhance students’ standards, there is an imperative need for self-academic orientation and excellence, fostering problem-solving and inquiry-based learning activities. Introducing a new syllabus can provide a deeper insight into strategic and security-related affairs, offering a roadmap for foolproof encountering strategies. This approach addresses issues such as the rise of terrorism, its causes, and the funding nexus between organised crime and terrorism.
The NEP’s vision is to make India competitive in the field of Strategic education, attracting aspiring academicians and students. By providing multidisciplinary fervour, students will have wider exposure and opportunities for comparative studies, enriching analytical and theoretical rationale for crisis management in India.
As India faces myriad security challenges, there is an urgent need to address these issues on the international stage. The NEP’s input will undoubtedly make each discipline richer in content and varied in ideas, providing a holistic educational experience. Even science students will be exposed to the nuances of international, national, socio-political, and economic issues through multidisciplinary practices. The ingenious display of this government’s approach demonstrates a pure genius that promises to reshape the educational landscape.
Vijay GarG Retired Principal Educational columnist malout
2)” Face Examinations Without Fear”
Vijay GarG
If you are a student and are restless and nervous about the Board examinations, you are probably overcome with anxiety and fear. You find it almost impossible to concentrate, worrying that you might forget whatever you have studied so far. In a booklet titled Letter to a Student, Swami Purushottamananda discusses the crucial problem of examination fear.
He says fear of exams is the biggest enemy of students. Under its stress, some even fall physically ill. The word ”examination fever” has been coined in this context. Even students who have put in long hours of study become nervous at the time of exams. So, the Swami says, don”t lose heart, you can definitely gain control of the situation. To get out of the fear psychosis, Swami Purushottamananda requests students to ask themselves what they would gain by feeling afraid. For, fear brings sickness. But by being bold and brave, even an average student can do reasonably well in exams. But if a student shelters fear, it will deprive his mind and body of strength. “The only results can be this: You will ”forget” all that you have studied while writing the exam. It is this fear that makes you write confused answers”. He says, “Root out the fear complex lurking in your mind by combining self-confidence with disciplined study; have faith in your own strength and faith in your studies… The strong conviction that you would write the exams well, with a calm mind, is self-confidence. If you can develop this, fear vanishes and enthusiasm springs up in its place”.
Students can draw inspiration from the encouraging words of Swami Vivekananda, who had great faith in the power of faith. He exhorted the youth to first have faith in themselves. He said: “The history of the world is the history of a few men who had faith in themselves. That faith calls out the divinity within. You can do anything. You fail only when you do not strive sufficiently to manifest infinite power”. On different occasions Swamiji emphasised that “whatever you think, that you will be. If you think yourselves weak, weak you will be; if you think yourselves strong, strong you will be”. He would say: “Never say, ”I cannot”, for you are infinite. Even time and space are as nothing compared with your nature. You can do anything and everything, you are Almighty”.
Vivekananda”s prescription for success is: “To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. ”I will drink the ocean”, says the persevering soul, ”at my will, mountains will crumble up”. Have that sort of energy, that sort of will; work hard, and you will reach the goal…”. He further said: “If there is one word that you find from the Upa-nishads, bursting like a bomb-shell upon masses of ignorance, it is the word fearlessness…. Strength is life; weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is cons-tant strain and misery…”.
For students who cultivate fearlessness, and who face the exams boldly, success is waiting round the corner. True, sometimes, unfortunately, even the most hardworking and dedicated of students find that the results are not good. However, even in the worst-case scenario of failure you should not think that it is the end of the world. Swami Vivekananda has taught that there is success and failure in every work. In fact, failures make us even wiser. Constant practice makes one perfect, so no one should lose heart in the process of trying.
For “tomorrow is another day” with fresh hopes and opportunities, and you should look forward to taking up new challenges and responsibilities.
Vijay GarG is  Retired Principal Educational columnist.

Rest in Heavens Mohammad Amin Wani

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Rest in Heavens Mohammad Amin Wani
By Rameez Makhdoomi
A pious soul, helping hand for all and a heart that had hate for none Mohammad Amin Wani Resident of Naidyar Naidbooni,  Rainawari passed away  at Tata  Hospital Mumbai  on 14 January 2024.
On 15 January 2024, he was laid to rest at ancestral graveyard at Malkah  near Zaroo Gun Factory amid sea of people.
He was son of well respected and noble personality late Ghulam Hassan Wani.
Throughout his life ,he dedicated his life towards lending a helping hand to all.  He was also dedicated and honest during his service career in Power Development Department ( PDD), known  as an hard working  official and worked untiringly.
He had great love and dedications towards teachings of Islam,  and often visited with full respect the Sufi shrines of Kashmir.
After retirement,  he set a shop selling daily commodities of use. The shop was center of attraction for the locality, discussing their issues and exchanging greetings. With locals getting benefited from Shop in diverse ways.
Mohammad Amin Wani offered smiling face to all and jealousy, hate, indifference were non-existent in his nature. He followed kindness and soft hearted approach.
He followed the path of following every  relationships very wholeheartedly and respected every relationship.
He has special love for kids and they used to throng his shop.
Mohammad Amin Wani funeral was attended by huge number of people from surrounding, distant  areas and all were full of praise for his versatile, kind and dynamic personality.
His colleagues who had got opportunity to work with him during his service tenure were all of praise for Mohammad Amin Wani defining him a generous and magnificent personality.
His local friends defined him as a loving and caring personality.
The lovely sense of humor of Mohammad Amin Wani was liked by one and all. It had the power to light up any tough situation.
He had often and regular habit of inquiring the well being of one and all . Attending five time prayers at local Mosque was another of his strong traits. The children used to address him lovingly as Amin Uncle.
May God bless the departed soul with heavenly abode .
( The writer is son in law of Late Mohammad Amin Wani).

Examination season has come, opinion 22 January,2024 issue

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Examination Season has come
Vijay GarG
It is often seen that when the exams are about to start, students face a lot of problems in preparing the syllabus completely. This problem comes especially to those children who do not study anything throughout the year. Then they search the internet for answers to questions like how to prepare for papers in one or months. There are many children who start studying when they feel that there is no other option but to study. This is completely wrong because so much It cannot be completed in a few days due to the large syllabus. Therefore, one should keep preparing for whatever is conducted in the class throughout the year so that there is no trouble in the papers. Never assume that you will read near the papers. Well new year acts as an alarm for students to wake up kids, now your exams are near. Let’s know about the ways, by which you can study more in less time. Make a schedule and read.
The most important thing to keep in mind The only thing that happens is the schedule. Time table is the easy way. which helps you to use the time to study properly. Here it is important that every student should make his own personal schedule. If possible, it should be pasted on the wall in your room. The schedule should be such that your personal responsibilities can also be accommodated and you don’t have any problem in working accordingly. Whatever you do in your daily life. Prepare the schedule keeping that in mind. It is morning time appropriate All the materials you have available related to different subjects, keep them together in one place. After this you have to choose a time when you can concentrate only on studies. By the way, the morning time is the most suitable for reading because at that time what is read is remembered quickly, but whatever time you think is right and appropriate, give it priority.
Distance from social
There are some students who are not interested in studies at all. In today’s time, this The reason can be social websites, watching videos on mobile, online games etc. Therefore, it is important to create a conducive environment for learning. In such a situation, it is necessary to stay away from these social sites for some time and read in a peaceful environment. Family members should also not visit the child’s room frequently if he is studying. Relax for a few minutes while reading Breaks in between reading time are also important because you are not a robot who can read for hours without rest. According to experts, 45 minutes from reading a 10- 15 minute break is necessary afterwards.
If you do not understand some things even after repeated reading, then you can take the help of your teacher or classmate. While studying, don’t think that this subject is very difficult, I won’t be able to read t, so leave it, but study with our heart to get good narks. Ask yourself the question instead of memorizing any lesson, try to understand it, so that it does not leave your mind. Never read while. Lying down because that way you will read less and sleep. Repeat instead of ending new in the last days Pay attention to the e. f any important information is found, write n your copy and underline t. Solve various model test papers. Ask yourself how hard you are working onwards the goal you want to Achieve it down for not, why so?
Take care of health Also take special care of your health during the papers. Stay away from any kind of stress. 7-8 hours of sleep is very important because with a tired body he mind is not interested in studying. Do not waste time on difficult questions in the exam. Which questions you well as hey come, do them first. Mentally prepare yourself what if something comes out of the syllabus in the paper, if you don’t remember what you have read then. Low to solve it instead of Janicking. Give more time o difficult subjects In school, you get equal time or every subject, whether out find it easy or difficult, But at home you can give more time to that subject, in which you think that you leed more effort in it. Sometimes it is seen that many children eat and drink when the exams are approaching. They also leave They should not do this at all as doing so can harm our health. If you fall ill when you will not be able to prepare well for the exams. Do not be afraid of exams. We should always understand he objective of the exam. Don’t be afraid of exams. If you study carefully when you can never fail and have good syllabus in less time. You can pass with good narks by preparing. Always remember one thing that the harder the struggle, the more glorious will be his victory.
Vijay GarG is Eetired Principal Educational columnist malout Punjab

Significant climate milestones of 2023

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Significant climate milestones of 2023

Vijay GarG

Vijay GarG Retired Principal Educational columnist malout Punjab
From registering the hottest summer on record to some significant steps at the yearly United Nations climate summit, 2023 was a year of extremes. Here are some climate-related milestones from this time.
Hottest year: The year is all but set to be declared the hottest in history. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), 2023 was 0.1°C warmer than the 10-month average for 2016, currently the warmest calendar year on record, and 1.43°C warmer than the pre-industrial reference period from January to October.
Highest sea surface temperature ever: Marine heat waves – periods when ocean temperatures are warmer than 90% of prior observations for a given time of year were widespread in 2023. According to the U.S. National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 48% of global oceans experienced them in August 2023. Global sea surface temperatures (SST) are usually highest in March. But per C3S data, global average SSTs remained at record highs throughout April, May, June, and July 2023.
Lowest Antarctic sea ice extent: Sea-ice extent is the area of ice covering the Antarctic Ocean at a given time. In 2023, Antarctic sea ice had record low ice growth from April. According to NOAA, sea ice in the Antarctic reached an annual maximum extent of 16.96 million sq. km on September 10, 2023, the lowest since 1979. This year’s maximum was 1.03 million sq. km, below the previous record low set in 1986.
Record carbon dioxide levels: Global carbon dioxide emissions are expected to have hit a new high in 2023, up 1.1% from 2022. The Global Carbon Budget Report, published in December 2023, said overall CO2 emissions, which climbed to a record last year, had plateaued in 2023 due to a slight drop in deforestation.
Loss and damage fund: The world’s first loss and damage fund for the impacts of climate change was created in 2023, at the start of the COP28 climate talks in the U.A.E. in early December. The fund will be based at the World Bank but managed by an independent secretariat. According to a senior U.N. official, it has received pledges of $792 million from governments, which is a lot but still well short of the billions required to fulfil its purpose.
Impact of food systems: For the first time in the history of climate summits, 134 countries at COP28 pledged to tackle the climate impact of the food industry. These countries represent over 5.7 billion people, 70% of the food we eat, nearly 500 million farmers, and 76% of total emissions from the global food system. But observers noted the declaration doesn’t include quantitative targets.
Vijay GarG Retired Principal Educational columnist malout  from my iPhone