One of the big festivals celebrated in most of part of India is Dusshera. The festival is celebrated with zest and festivities as it also marks the beginning of the winter season after the long unbearable, hot summer. Dusshera marks the victory of Ram over the Demon King Ravana, and the rescue of his wife Sita. In north India, gigatic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are set aflame amidst bursting of crackers fairs are usually held on this occasion with lots to eat, buy and enjoy.
Dusshera means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of Aswin. The day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or the Victory Tenth, because of the victory Ram over Ravana.
At the same day, yesterday was the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. So, two celebrations at the same time. We went to the Red Ford to see the festival but unfortunately we weren't allowed to carry the camera and mobilephone during the celebration. At least, we saw Mrs Sonia Gandhi from very near to where we were sitting!!
2 October ; MAHATMA GANDHI - Father of the nation.
(A little refreshment about Mahatma Gandhi)
(A little refreshment about Mahatma Gandhi)
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the town of Porbander in the state of Gujarat on 2 October 1869. He studied law at University College, London. In 1891, after having been admitted to the British bar, Gandhi returned to India and attempted to establish a law practice in Bombay, with little success. He went to South Africa to work but found himself treated very shabbily and like someone of inferior race. The realization changed the face of Indian dependence and freedom struggle.
Political Awakening.
Gandhi emerged as the leader of the Indian Community, and it is in South Africa that he first coined the term SATYAGRAHA to signify his theory and practice of non-violent resistance. Gandhi returned to India in early 1915 and the next few years, he was to become involved in numerous local struggles all over the country. Gandhi became the international symbol of a free India. He lived a spiritual and ascetic life of prayer, fasting and meditation.
In 1921 the Indian National Congress, the group that spearheaded the movement for nationhood, gave Gandhi complete executive authority, with the right of the naming his own successor.
The British government again seized and imprisoned him in 1922 for the failure of the civil disobedience movement.
During the riots that followed the partition of the India, Gandhi pleaded with Hindus and Muslims to live together peacefully. Riots engulfed Calcutta, one of the largest cities in India, and the Mahatma fasted until disturbances ceased. On January 13, 1948, he undertook another successful fast in New Delhi to bring peace, but on January 30, 12 days after the termination of that fast, as he was assassinated by a fanatic Hindu.
A period of mourning was set aside in the United Nation General Assembly, and condolences to India were expressed by all countries.
Big kiss from NDH
Gros becs de NDH
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