" To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." -Confucius
LOST PARADISE: AN ENDLESS SEARCH OR A JOURNEY WITHIN
( YEAR 3-ISSUE 36)
In this issue: Mad Man: Khalil Gibran. Favourites Forever: John Milton. Poetry Here & Now: Milorad Krystanovich . Story: Divya Mathur. Kids Corner : A Tale of Akbar & Birbal & Kids Nursery Rhyme: Shail Agrawal + Monthly News & views in Vividha.
Toils we take, adjustments we make and scars we bear on our body and soul, in search of that ' lost paradise' ,that ' Utopia' which we don't know even existed; are unbelievable. But ' Paradise' are lost and regained everyday in each of our lives, sometimes so quietly that we don't get to hear even that thunder and lightening, or brewing storm and get struck . Should we just give in to the pressures of life and to search for happiness or ' lost paradise' is just a hope against hopeless? Certainly not! But our motto should be ' to live, not to deny present,'
Again is it that easy? ' To see the world in a grain of sand and hold the eternity on your palm' sounds romantic but takes titanic effort and concentration. In this last issue of the year, Lekhni is rooting for hope, for belief in our heart's goodness; for search for that ' Lost Paradise' when everything was right in our World.
Oso suggested an easier solution for it. He said instead rebelling, "Get deeper and deeper into yes. Say yes to each and every thing. Say yes to good and bad, to day and night, to summer and winter. Say yes to success and to failure. Say yes to life and to death. Forget everything else; just remember one word, yes, and it can transform your whole being. It can become a radical change, a revolution. "
In other words self restraint! Once again is it really that easy ?
Lekhni is trying to probe into this 'Lost paradise' ; that cosmic chaos out of which comes biggest creative energy- ' Our universe'; result of the biggest and most magnetic pull and passive resistance, or that theory of acceptance or Karma. That trick of accepting everything as it is...laughing on the face of every adversity and sticking to the path righteousness...core of our religion...our happiness! Managing to do what one really wants! Call it a self denial or a perpetual hope....an illusion or imagination; idea is worth pursuing and investing ...after all Rome wasn't built in a day, nor the heroes who built it.
On a second thought, some might totally disagree with it and say- Why bother, when life has its own way of unfolding ...but isn't it that very true also , ' every coin have its two sides' and it depends on us what we try to toss in our favour!
Enjoy reading and feel its' all tremors and toils...confusion it creates !
You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen, - the seven masks I have fashioned an worn in seven lives, - I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, "Thieves, thieves, the cursed thieves."
Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of me.
And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top cried, "He is a madman." I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, "Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks."
Thus I became a madman.
And I have found both freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.
But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief.
Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste Brought death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful seat, Sing, Heavenly Muse, that, on the secret top Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire That shepherd who first taught the chosen seed In the beginning how the heavens and earth Rose out of Chaos: or, if Sion hill Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flowed Fast by the oracle of God, I thence Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song, That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. And chiefly thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for thou know'st; thou from the first Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread, Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast Abyss, And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That, to the height of this great argument, I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men. Say first--for Heaven hides nothing from thy view, Nor the deep tract of Hell--say first what cause Moved our grand parents, in that happy state, Favoured of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress his will For one restraint, lords of the World besides. Who first seduced them to that foul revolt? Th' infernal Serpent; he it was whose guile, Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind, what time his pride Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host Of rebel Angels, by whose aid, aspiring To set himself in glory above his peers, He trusted to have equalled the Most High, If he opposed, and with ambitious aim Against the throne and monarchy of God, Raised impious war in Heaven and battle proud, With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power Hurled headlong flaming from th' ethereal sky, With hideous ruin and combustion, down To bottomless perdition, there to dwell In adamantine chains and penal fire, Who durst defy th' Omnipotent to arms. Nine times the space that measures day and night To mortal men, he, with his horrid crew, Lay vanquished, rolling in the fiery gulf, Confounded, though immortal. But his doom Reserved him to more wrath; for now the thought Both of lost happiness and lasting pain Torments him: round he throws his baleful eyes, That witnessed huge affliction and dismay, Mixed with obdurate pride and steadfast hate. At once, as far as Angels ken, he views The dismal situation waste and wild. A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames No light; but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe, Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace And rest can never dwell, hope never comes That comes to all, but torture without end Still urges, and a fiery deluge, fed With ever-burning sulphur unconsumed. Such place Eternal Justice has prepared For those rebellious; here their prison ordained In utter darkness, and their portion set, As far removed from God and light of Heaven As from the centre thrice to th' utmost pole. Oh how unlike the place from whence they fell! There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelmed With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, He soon discerns; and, weltering by his side, One next himself in power, and next in crime, Long after known in Palestine, and named Beelzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy, And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words Breaking the horrid silence, thus began:-- "If thou beest he--but O how fallen! how changed From him who, in the happy realms of light Clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads, though bright!--if he whom mutual league, United thoughts and counsels, equal hope And hazard in the glorious enterprise Joined with me once, now misery hath joined In equal ruin; into what pit thou seest From what height fallen: so much the stronger proved He with his thunder; and till then who knew The force of those dire arms? Yet not for those, Nor what the potent Victor in his rage Can else inflict, do I repent, or change, Though changed in outward lustre, that fixed mind, And high disdain from sense of injured merit, That with the Mightiest raised me to contend, And to the fierce contentions brought along Innumerable force of Spirits armed, That durst dislike his reign, and, me preferring, His utmost power with adverse power opposed In dubious battle on the plains of Heaven, And shook his throne. What though the field be lost? All is not lost--the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield: And what is else not to be overcome? That glory never shall his wrath or might Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee, and deify his power Who, from the terror of this arm, so late Doubted his empire--that were low indeed; That were an ignominy and shame beneath This downfall; since, by fate, the strength of Gods, And this empyreal sybstance, cannot fail; Since, through experience of this great event, In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, We may with more successful hope resolve To wage by force or guile eternal war, Irreconcilable to our grand Foe, Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven." So spake th' apostate Angel, though in pain, Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair; And him thus answered soon his bold compeer:-- "O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powers That led th' embattled Seraphim to war Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds Fearless, endangered Heaven's perpetual King, And put to proof his high supremacy, Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate, Too well I see and rue the dire event That, with sad overthrow and foul defeat, Hath lost us Heaven, and all this mighty host In horrible destruction laid thus low, As far as Gods and heavenly Essences Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains Invincible, and vigour soon returns, Though all our glory extinct, and happy state Here swallowed up in endless misery. But what if he our Conqueror (whom I now Of force believe almighty, since no less Than such could have o'erpowered such force as ours) Have left us this our spirit and strength entire, Strongly to suffer and support our pains, That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, Or do him mightier service as his thralls By right of war, whate'er his business be, Here in the heart of Hell to work in fire, Or do his errands in the gloomy Deep? What can it the avail though yet we feel Strength undiminished, or eternal being To undergo eternal punishment?" Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-Fiend replied:-- "Fallen Cherub, to be weak is miserable, Doing or suffering: but of this be sure-- To do aught good never will be our task, But ever to do ill our sole delight, As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist. If then his providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labour must be to pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil; Which ofttimes may succeed so as perhaps Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb His inmost counsels from their destined aim. But see! the angry Victor hath recalled His ministers of vengeance and pursuit Back to the gates of Heaven: the sulphurous hail, Shot after us in storm, o'erblown hath laid The fiery surge that from the precipice Of Heaven received us falling; and the thunder, Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep. Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe. Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, The seat of desolation, void of light, Save what the glimmering of these livid flames Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend From off the tossing of these fiery waves; There rest, if any rest can harbour there; And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, Consult how we may henceforth most offend Our enemy, our own loss how repair, How overcome this dire calamity, What reinforcement we may gain from hope, If not, what resolution from despair." Thus Satan, talking to his nearest mate, With head uplift above the wave, and eyes That sparkling blazed; his other parts besides Prone on the flood, extended long and large, Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge As whom the fables name of monstrous size, Titanian or Earth-born, that warred on Jove, Briareos or Typhon, whom the den By ancient Tarsus held, or that sea-beast Leviathan, which God of all his works Created hugest that swim th' ocean-stream. Him, haply slumbering on the Norway foam, The pilot of some small night-foundered skiff, Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, With fixed anchor in his scaly rind, Moors by his side under the lee, while night Invests the sea, and wished morn delays. So stretched out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay, Chained on the burning lake; nor ever thence Had risen, or heaved his head, but that the will And high permission of all-ruling Heaven Left him at large to his own dark designs, That with reiterated crimes he might Heap on himself damnation, while he sought Evil to others, and enraged might see How all his malice served but to bring forth Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy, shewn On Man by him seduced, but on himself Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance poured. Forthwith upright he rears from off the pool His mighty stature; on each hand the flames Driven backward slope their pointing spires, and,rolled In billows, leave i' th' midst a horrid vale. Then with expanded wings he steers his flight Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air, That felt unusual weight; till on dry land He lights--if it were land that ever burned With solid, as the lake with liquid fire, And such appeared in hue as when the force Of subterranean wind transprots a hill Torn from Pelorus, or the shattered side Of thundering Etna, whose combustible And fuelled entrails, thence conceiving fire, Sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds, And leave a singed bottom all involved With stench and smoke. Such resting found the sole Of unblest feet. Him followed his next mate; Both glorying to have scaped the Stygian flood As gods, and by their own recovered strength, Not by the sufferance of supernal Power. "Is this the region, this the soil, the clime," Said then the lost Archangel, "this the seat That we must change for Heaven?--this mournful gloom For that celestial light? Be it so, since he Who now is sovereign can dispose and bid What shall be right: farthest from him is best Whom reason hath equalled, force hath made supreme Above his equals. Farewell, happy fields, Where joy for ever dwells! Hail, horrors! hail, Infernal world! and thou, profoundest Hell, Receive thy new possessor--one who brings A mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. What matter where, if I be still the same, And what I should be, all but less than he Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: Here we may reign secure; and, in my choice, To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven. But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, Th' associates and co-partners of our loss, Lie thus astonished on th' oblivious pool, And call them not to share with us their part In this unhappy mansion, or once more With rallied arms to try what may be yet Regained in Heaven, or what more lost in Hell?" So Satan spake; and him Beelzebub Thus answered:--"Leader of those armies bright Which, but th' Omnipotent, none could have foiled! If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge Of hope in fears and dangers--heard so oft In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge Of battle, when it raged, in all assaults Their surest signal--they will soon resume New courage and revive, though now they lie Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, As we erewhile, astounded and amazed; No wonder, fallen such a pernicious height!"
The bleeding heart – it scares us all. That cry for help could have been mine! The very thought sends a chill up the spine. Perhaps, the pain of these tender, unguarded moments binds us all.
Ashok was well cognisant of the muffled groans of his wife, Viveka, but these piercing cries were new. She was all tensed up, feeling ignored and taken for granted. Ashok’s conduct on the birth of both their children was governed by the whims of his mother. How could he willingly accept his mother’s dictates? His continuous presence in the hospital at the time of the delivery was simply out of the question. “What has a man got to do at such occasion?” Queried his mother. Only if he could have been brave or caring enough to stand up to his mother! Alas, all her husband could contribute to her anxious and lonely moments was to deliver the tiffin at regular intervals. The very desire, the will to share, the oneness of it all, was missing. The agonies and ecstasies of motherhood were Viveka’s alone.
Viveka resented Ashok’s sublime indifference. He could spare only a cursory glance at the newly born, then turned his back on them and was gone. But Viveka refused to give up. She saw yet another light! The magazine these days were full of the new found equation between husband and wife. The traditional taboos were giving way to an open, shared living. She was delighted to point out how the husbands, not only in foreign lands but also in India now had awakened to the innate necessity of proving psychological and emotional support during various stages of motherhood. A little look, a tender touch, a smile, an encouragement here and there; was not too much to ask? But Ashok remained aloof. ‘Oh! Ashok, I could have smiled away the pains, the lingering doubts!’
Only last week Viveka had read an article that detailed the account of an experiment with regard to the artificial insemination, in which fathers to be carried the weight of a child in the womb tied to their back so that they could understand and appreciate what the women felt during the nine months of their pregnancy. Ashok’s response was typical – complete indifference. To him, cricket match on television held more attraction. Amma – the mother-in-law - however, reacted loud and clear. In a stinging voice, she made known to one and all, her poor opinion of the new generation of daughters-in-law the world over. From her high pedestal, she not only looked down upon their unashamed lack of decency, but their very value system was questioned.
“In our days, we were blissfully unaware of the pregnancy for the first three months, and when the reality dawned upon us, we went to great lengths to hide the fact from prying eyes. From conception to the actual delivery, it was all a very hush-hush affair. And now this new breed takes pride in announcing the pregnancy during the very first week itself! I know what they are up to! They want to browbeat their husbands into tamely catering to their slightest whims. The cunning, conniving lot! How they show off their swollen bellies! Chengiz Khan could not have been prouder of his conquests!”
This time Ashok accompanied Viveka to the hospital and as usual, he was uncomfortable. Suddenly, a cry from the labour room startled one and all. Ashok had no fears on Viveka’s account, “the abortion is a simple affair”, the doctor had assured him, “once the lower half of the body has been anaesthetised, one becomes immune to pain.” These frequent cries still disturbed him. Most of the men around him looked scared. The villager sitting next to him, happily puffing away at a bidi observed, “These women are a strong breed, don’t you worry, Lord Rama will take care of everything.”
A team of doctors had visited their locality. The males were to be operated upon, not only free of cost; there was the added incentive of a hundred rupees cash to every volunteer. ‘How very insulting!’ Thought Ashok,
“What downright rubbish you talk,” Amma had intervened conclusively, “they say a man is no more a man after the operation.”
“It is all so very humiliating!” Ashok retorted. Viveka was furious.
Only if Ashok had gone! Not only would Viveka have been spared all this torture, they would even have got a hundred rupees into the bargain. He could have bought a lot of fruit. What an irony, now they have to spend money on Viveka’s abortion. But even the men were having a good laugh at the cost of those who had consented to the operation. The glint in their eyes boasted of their own superiority. They were surely a class apart.
Last night was a turmoil. Both of them were restless, impatient, and quick to blame each other. Sleepy as he was, Ashok wanted to get away from visiting the clinic. He was tempted to bring in his mother to go to the clinic with Viveka but the fear that his mother would pounce upon the first opportunity to have a go at him, refrained him.
Viveka had broached this subject hesitantly, “Shall I go through with the abortion?”
“Do whatever you wish,” snapped Ashok. And he turned away from her. His difference egged her on, “As if it is always as I wish. Whenever you are in the mood, do I dare say no?”
“You don’t have any sense of shame or decency!” Viveka was cut to the quick. There was no stopping her now, “You are pretty hesitant to discuss it with your wife in the privacy of bedroom – but what will you do when you have to go through all the details with the nurses and doctors? Will you not be embarrassed then? Have you paused to think of my torment when they scrape me inside out?” She sobbed. Ashok was unable to express his sympathy. Finding himself unable to make up his own mind, he resorted to accusations, “Why do you put all the blame on me?”
“Who else shall I blame then?” Viveka was really angry now.
“You too could have taken some precautions.” he murmured; defeated.
“Oh! Oh! Now I must be prepared day and night, not knowing when your lordship may be in the mood, why can’t you come prepared?”
“You are getting rude now. You sure can put your tongue to good use.”
“How about the way you use me and my body?”
“Hush! Amma might be listening.” Ashok was sure the very mention of his mother would do the trick but Viveka’s convictions were goading her on, “Your mother knows. She does not want me to go ahead with the abortion.”
“That settles the issue then.”
“And who is going to feed an extra mouth – you or your mother?”
“Then, do what you want to, it is your body.” Ashok was exhausted. All he wanted was to sleep. Viveka was not pacified, “Even when I am not in the mood, you have your way, whose body is it then?” They were back to square one.
“Does the husband have no rights?” The words were barely audible.
“Rights and duties go hand in hand, in pleasure and in pain.” cried out Viveka.
Ashok had no answer to her logic. He tried to find an escape route, “Let us have some sleep now. We will discuss it tomorrow.” Suddenly he remembered something, “Your sister called on you yesterday?”
“Oh! Yes, she did not want me to go ahead with the abortion. She wants to adopt the child.” Viveka was on slippery ground now. Her sister did not have any issue. But Ashok and Amma would rather have her abort the child than let her sister adopt. To them, the very thought was repulsive. There was venom in his voice now, “So the whole world knows of your pregnancy.”
“Not because of me. It’s your mother who has been blabbering. She ran into my sister at the temple last evening.
“Who gave the right to your sister to interfere in our affairs?” Ashok wanted to have the upper hand before he went to sleep.
“She has the same rights as your mother. In any case, you and I have to make the decision, not your mother or my sister.” She retorted.
Ashok was taunting her again, “The Vedas say that the wife shares only the rewards of good deeds of her husband and for his bad karmas, he alone is answerable.”
Viveka was not to be outdone, “It is the other way round. During the times of distress and pain, it is the wives who suffer alone.”
“Why are we getting entangled in silly nothings again?” Ashok tried to philosophy, “If you consider abortion a sin, who is forcing you. Go ahead and have the child. This will give me also a chance to hold my head high in front of Amma.
“Is that all you are bothered about? Holding your head high in front of Amma?” She was flabbergasted.
“Oh! Viveka, do have some sense of decency! Keep your voice down, I don’t want any one to hear a word of it?”
“Will your sense of decency bring the child up?”
Ashok took refuge under his mother’s words, “God feeds every mouth.”
“You said the same thing at Tina’s birth. I have yet to see an extra penny come into the house.”
“You do know how to go on and on.”
“Could you answer me with a firm ‘yes’ or ‘no’?”
Viveka’s pregnancy was running into the sixth week now. It was time to decide one way or the other. The intellectual agony, the physical pain, the moral dilemma – she was prepared to ignore it all - she will not expose her children to any more difficult times. She does not have the heart to say ‘no’ every time her children come up to her with their little demands. It was difficult to meet their basic needs, let aside indulging them. No, no, with shortages all around, the very thought of another child in the house was frightening.
“I will find a way to convince my mother.” Anything to get a few hours sleep, Ashok thought. Viveka was still in turmoil, the humiliation of it all before the doctors and the nurses. She felt a tinge of jealousy. How could he sleep? He is prepared to persuade even his mother now. After all, it was her body that was to be violated. When it was a matter of a simple operation for Ashok, they would not even think of it. The irony of it all was not lost on Viveka. She kept on turning and twisting long into the early hours of the morning, cursing the society, cursing herself, cursing Ashok. Her silent tears numbed Ashok into stillness. He was too scared to move.
In the morning, Ashok was trying to wriggle out of the situation, “I will fetch the children from the school; you go to the hospital with Amma.” The offer failed to impress Viveka. He was on to his designs again. He wanted to watch the one-day international cricket between England and India. “So you want to take a day off to watch cricket on the television, but you are ashamed to accompany me to the hospital. Moreover, your mother’s knees are hurting. If something critical happens to me, she will not be able to run around.” Ashok knew he could not win the argument. He thought of telling Viveka to take her sister but he checked himself. He mumbled his willingness to accompany her. Lost in their own conflicts, unable to extend a reconciliatory hand, afraid of the morning ahead, they tortured themselves into an exhausted unawareness.
A stretcher was being pulled out. People gaped at the white face peeping out of a white sheet, looking quite bewildered, slowly realising that she was still alive. A cloud of doubt passed over the faces of all present in the hall. Normalcy restored soon. Ashok was again reminded of his mother’s furious mumble this morning, “It is murder, pure and simple. You are taking the act of God in your hands. Don’t you get carried away by what your wife says.” His mother’s taunts had followed him to the hospital. He felt the chill of an ill wind. His own doubts and fears were creeping up once more. Whenever Viveka was unwell or away from him, Ashok will pledge to look after her, to love her but the moment she recovered, his resolutions would fade away. The desire to be one with her, gave way to aloofness. The intensity of his tensions weakened his will-power, shook his convictions. He has realised how his mother coaxed him into a meaningless marriage, leading him to foolishly believe that once he got married to an educated, working, presentable young girl, and love would soon follow. And what had it turned out to be? At best an adjustment, living a lie, reconciling to an unacceptable situation! He could not honestly blame Viveka either. Love comes naturally – the realisation had dawned on him too late. There was no going back now. They had to resolve their differences, even if it were only for the sake of the children. Who knows, this could even ignite a spark in their own lives. Only if he knew how to translate his enthusiasm into practice!
Ashok’s thoughts were rudely interrupted. A husband’s pleas of discretion were falling on deaf ears. The expression on husband’s face said it all. Bewildered by his own helplessness, shamed by his wife’s accusations, finding a fleeting touch of sympathy in strange male eyes around him, he was stunned into silence. A strange current of hate and animosity had engulfed all the males in the hall. Psychologically, the females were ganging up on them. It was obvious the men were solely to be blamed for their predicament. By now, “guilt” was written all over their faces.
At this very moment, a smartly dressed lady entered the waiting hall. Her husband meekly followed her. Loaded with her handbag and other accessories, he tried to open the door for her. Pushing her husband’s extended hand aside, she announced, “All men are bastards!” The husband hastily cringed away. Her outburst readily stirred fading memories. Ashok thought of Mrs Menon who was on medical leave for the last six months. This had set some jealous tongues wagging, “she is just enjoying life, what do they need three months maternity leave for, this is bound to happen if you take on female staff on board,” were the popular remarks of their colleagues on leave. Their own sense of decorum kept the female colleagues quiet. Though some of them would have preferred Mrs Menon to come over to the office and prove her innocence. This would save them from ridicule. But there was a sneaking doubt in some minds.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if Viveka could also get six weeks’ leave?” Thought Ashok. She could visit her sister in Meerut. Once in a while he would also visit her and the children. The very thought was so soothing! Viveka worked for a private firm. She could never manage such long leave. Whatever paid holiday she could get would be more than welcome. Even a short respite away from the children would be a bonus for him. Though Amma will not take kindly to the children’s absence. He would certainly relish her fussing over him. The man sitting next to him tried to initiate a conversation. Ashok couldn’t be bothered.
It was Viveka’s turn. Ashok was touched by the look of resignation on her face. He wanted to reach out, touch her – reassure her it was not a final good-bye. His inhibitions came in the way, he kept glued to his seat. He had just missed another opportunity.
This abortion could turn out to be a blessing yet, for Viveka was going ahead with the other operation too. Then, there would be nothing to hold them back, no more cumbersome precautions to bother with. They will soon be able to build a rapport. Viveka’s irritability will give way to warmth perhaps. He will also spend more time with the children. For a start, he will help them with their homework. Carried away by his own compassion, he could readily appreciate Viveka’s point of view. A hard day’s work, a couple of hours in the kitchen and his mother’s taunts to cope with, surely she could not be blamed for her ill temper. Dreams, sweet dreams!
India had defeated England by eight wickets. There was uproar in the hall. Men surrounded the transistor radio sets. In their enthusiasm, they had forgotten where they were, flushed in their reflected glory. The female pride was wounded. Hurt egos were quick to act for a common cause. They exchanged glances, egging each other on. Some of them responded readily, bouncing and quickly weaning their husbands away from the clusters. Having realised the folly of their action, some went back to their wives on their own. The more stubborn ones stood their ground, postponing their dressing down. They did not want to be scolded publicly. A few more hesitantly went back to their seats, feeling the pressure of their wives elbows, reminding them they were not there for the cricket match. The more independent amongst them eagerly awaited the announcement of the ‘man of the match’. Their outrageous conduct shamed their wives into shrinking within themselves, shying away from the lucky ones.
The smartly dressed lady was now brought out on a stretcher. Though her eyes were closed, one could readily read accusations written all over her face. Her scared husband was timidly clinging to her side.
“Look at Mrs Karson! She was the last to come in and to be rushed like that. She must be a VIP.”
“May be there was an emergency.”
“Well, she did not look like it.”
The unusual sight in one corner of the hall caught everyone’s attention. A long-bearded man started to pray loudly, vigorously stirring the beads in his. The villager, who sat next to Ashok, ran to him, “How come you are here?” He bluntly asked of the Panditji, “Is your wife also…” Before he could finish the sentence, he was admonished by the holy man, “I am vowed to celibacy. I am here to pray for Mrs Karson. For God’s grace, she seems well, I must leave now.” He got up chanting his prayers, blessing one and all. Some were obviously impressed. To a few it was all an act, a well-rehearsed way of making money, others did not want to get involved. There was no shortage of men and women, who wanted to know whether they were going to be blessed with a son or a daughter.
Every time the nurse had led someone else into the operation theatre, Viveka was disappointed and anxious for her turn and now that it was her turn, she felt uncertain. Every woman, who was led into the labour room, had the same look of horror and helplessness – like a goat being led to the slaughterhouse. The unasked for expressions of sympathy and good luck from the people in the waiting room compounded the misery.
The cries from the delivery rooms added to the stress. But then, the labour cries are different. As there is something to look forward to. The sense of achievement, the pride of creation makes it all worthwhile. But the pain of abortion along with the conflict in mind - Is it a sin? It is more psychological than physical. The pangs of conscience gnaw at your very soul. The morality of it all is so confusing! The doctors and the nurses are destroying the unborn children day in and day out. Don’t they suffer from any guilt complex? But they look so cool! For them, it is only a job, like the hangman. If they knew it was a sin, would they do it? Control yourself, Viveka chided herself. When she looked at the blood stained surgical coats all around her, she wanted to get done with it, earlier, the better.
“Are you ready, dear?” Will there ever be an honest answer to it? Viveka could only manage a nod. She took a few hesitant steps. The nurse helped her on the table. She had an urge to run home...anywhere…the futility of an escape route!
The doctors were ready. The nurse had already reminded her she would not be able to bear any children after the operation. The clinging of the surgical instruments told its own story. What chance did a tiny blur have against them? She was embarrassed of the male nurses in a corner, if she ran into one of them in the market. Her legs were being strapped onto two metal stands. ‘Now, you can’t even run’, she told herself. They put a mask on her face. She was asked to take deep breaths. She could not protest anymore. The moment of decision was over.
Viveka wanted to be completely unconscious, unaware of this insulting situation. She could feel a couple of hands creeping over her body. “Relax!” Someone stroked her stomach. Amongst all this, could one relax! How absurd! Her body was numb waist down but all those touches, that probing, she could feel deep inside her. She could hear little pieces drop into the pot below. The tiny life gave them hard time. They went on and on. How could a tiny thing win against such odds?
“Oh Lord, let me die!” Viveka prayed passionately. Suddenly all her inhibitions were gone. She was no more shy of the doctors, the nurses or the assistants. They are definitely different to the people walking on the roads. The ones on the stretchers lose their identity. Her feet were unstrapped and mask removed. There was nothing more to say. Nothing went wrong. She was alive.
“Very good, you are very brave.” Even their little compliments could not make her feel good.
She wanted to go into a deep sleep but there was so much noise. ‘Why don’t they shut up?’ She wondered, blissfully unaware of the presence outside of her husband or of the children at home. Away from the pain of realities of life, she fell into a deep slumber. Death dare not scare her anymore. She could vividly see doctors and nurses bent over a body, like vultures tearing away at flesh, cutting a living creature to pieces, their hands and clothes stained with blood, a few tiny pieces lying in the pot below. Oh dear, this was her own body, helplessly lying on the stretcher, without any signs of life. Perhaps she was dead but how could she hear those little noises! If she was dead, wouldn’t she be at total peace?
Within a matter of hours, colour returned to her cheeks. She was alive to the realities of life, the bickering, the arguments and the chaos! Besides all this, there was this dilemma - was she right or was she a murderer? This for sure is going to tear her life apart.
Once, during the winter Akbar, Birbal and a few of other courtiers stopped for a while near a lake, a couple of miles away from the palace. As Akbar stepped into the ice –cold lake to wash his hands and feet, an idea struck him and he announced, ‘Anyone who can stand in this ice-cold water upto his neck for one whole night, will receive 50, 000 gold coins from me.’
‘ But Jahanpanah! No one who spends the whole night in this ice-cold water can survive. Let the conditions be easier.’ Birbal appealed.
‘ No , I will not change the conditions.’ Akbar replied .
A poor Brahman , who had heard the emperor debated with himself, ‘ If I try, I might die. On the other hand if I survive till morning, my family will get 50, 000 gold coins.’
He stepped forward, ‘ Jahanpanh, I ‘m prepared to accept your challenge’
‘Good ! I will leave two guards as witnesses.’ Akbar was amused.
The poor Brahman spent the whole night in the cold lake.
At sunrise , he came out of the water and said, ‘ Guards ! Please , take me to the Emperor.’
The guards brought him to the court.
He bowed down to the Akbar and said,’ Jahanpanah, I have spent the whole night in the lake.’
‘Yes jahanpanah!’ Confirmed the guards, ‘ What the brahman says is true.’
‘ Well then , let him be given 50, 000 gold coins, as promised by me.’ Akbar said.
But a jealous courtier intervened, ‘ Tell me, O Brahman, how did you spend the night?’
‘ As I have already said- I spent the night in the water.’ Replied Brahman.
‘ Were you looking at any thing? ‘ Jealous Courtier asked again.
‘ Well, I spent part of the time looking at the palace lights.’
‘ In that case, You did derive warmth from the palace lights. You didn’t fulfil the conditions, you do not deserve the reward.’ ‘ Jealous Courtier declared.
This was unfair, but the Emperor didn’t utter a word as the Brahman looked to him for justice.
Birbal, however made a vow, ‘ I will see to it that the poor man gets his due.’
A few days later Birbal invited Akbar and few courtiers for dinner.
After a couple of hours, when the emperor saw that there was no sign of food , Akbar asked,” Birbal, we are hungry, why are you making us wait? “
Birbal said , “ Khichdi is taking a long time to cook.”
Three hours later Akbar got very impatient. “ How long it will take?”
“ Let’s go and see!” Birbal replied.
Birbal led the emperor and his courtiers to his back yard . Where the khichdi pot was hanged on a very high branch and fire was burning on the floor.
“ What is this nonsense? How can the heat reach the pot!” Akbar was annoyed.
“ Why not, if a poor man can receive warmth by just looking at the palace lights, many-many miles away, why can’t the pot receive warmth from a fire burning merely a few feet away?” Birbal replied.
“ I see your point Birbal! We will give reward to the poor man, as soon as we return tu the court.”
Birbal immediately served them food and that evening emperor summoned the poor Brahman to the court and gave him his just rewaed.
***
Flowers have beautiful smell Butterfly colourful wings Stars shine brightly in the sky While birds do sweetly sing
All creatures great and small Are special in the nature All excel at different things.
साल –दर –साल शिखर की ओर अग्रसर सूरज कुंड मेले की ख्याति अब दक्षेस देशों की परिधि से निकलकर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर अपनी उपस्थित दर्ज कराने के लिए बेकरार है.इसकी ताजा मिसाल है इस वर्ष इस मेले में तजाकिस्तान, थाइलैंड, मिश्र और सार्क देशों के कुशल दस्तकार सम्मिलित हो रहे हैं. इस वर्ष हस्तशिल्प के लिए विश्वविख्यात राजस्थान को थीम के रूप में अवसर दिया गया है.मेला परिसर में इसबार राजस्थानी खान-पान,रंगों और रीति- रिवाजों की प्र्धानता आकर्षण का केंद्र रहेगी.मेले का मुख्य गेट शेखावटी गेट की अनुकृति है जो राजस्थानी वास्तु शैली और संस्कृति का प्रतिनिधित्व करेगा.केंद्रीय पर्यटन सचिव श्री सुरजीत बनर्जी ने प्रैस को संबोधित करते हुए बताय कि इस मेले का उद्देश्य एक ही मंच पर देश की कला, संस्कृति, संगीत,हस्तशिल्प और लोक कलाओं के प्रति संवेदनशीलता को बढावा देना है बल्कि उनके प्रति लोगों में सम्मान और आदर की भावना भी विकसित हो. आने वाली वर्तमान पीढी अपनी महान परंपराओं और इनसे जुडे परिवेश को जानने, समझने और उनको अक्षुण्ण रखने के लिए प्रेरित करना है.उन्होंने इस स्थल की ऐतिहासिकता और पर्यावर्णीय महत्ता पर भी प्रकाश डाला. उन्होने बताया कि दिन-प्रतिदिन बढ रहे सूरजकुंड मेले की ख्याति अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भी होने लगी है और यह मेला ऐसा माध्यम है जो हमारी परंपराओं से सीधे जुड़ेगे, देशी-विदेशी सभी पर्यटकों को सीधे दस्तकारों से मिलने का अवसर मिलेगा और दस्तकार भी उपभोगताओं की मांग को समझ्कर अपना हस्तशिल्प तैयार कर सकेंगे.इस मेले का आयोजन पर्यटन मंत्रालय द्वारा किया जाता है किंतु मेले के आयोजन में हस्तशिल्प तथा हस्तकरघा विकास आयुक्त ,संस्कृति मंत्रालय, विदेश मंत्रालय, हरियाणा पर्यटन तथा थीम स्टेट के पर्यटन विभाग का भी महत्वपूर्ण योगदान एवं परस्पर तालमेल होता है.
इस बार चार सौ से अधिक कुशल दस्तकारों और हस्तशिल्पियों को आमंत्रित किया गया है.मेले में प्रदर्शित किए जाने वाले मुख्य हस्तशिल्पों में लोक चित्रकला,पेपर मेंशी आइटम,टेराकोटा, लोहशिल्प,बेंत और बांस की दस्तकारी,लकड़ी और पत्थर के हस्तशिल्प,्राख की चूड़ियां,डोकरा क्राफ्ट,पटोला साड़ियां,चंदेरी साड़ियां,संबल्पुर साड़ियां,इक्ट और पस्मीना शाल प्रमुख हैं. राजस्थान से नगोरा आभूषणों की दस्तकारीको प्रदर्शित्त करते हुए विशेष प्रदर्शनी की भी व्यस्था की गई है.यह पहला मौका होग जब अफगानिस्तान,बंगलादेश,भूटान,श्रीलंका, तजाकिस्तान,थाइलैंड और मिश्र चालीस-पैंतालीस दस्तकार अपने शिल्प को मेले मेम रखेंगे. इस मेले का एक और आकर्षण राजस्थान की हस्तशिल्प तथा पेंटिंग, काष्ठ उत्पाद, चमड़े का उत्पाद,मिट्टी के बर्तन, टेराकोटा तथा प्रस्तर के हस्तशिल्प होंगे.
मेले का एक और आकर्षण नृत्य,नाटक और अन्य विधाओं के कलाकर भाग ले रहे हैं जिनमें प्रमुख हैं-उत्त्र-पूर्व का ओक्टेव नृत्य, राजस्थान का कालबेलिया,गुजरात्स का सिद्धिगामा,उत्तर-प्रदेश के ब्रज की होली और चरकुला,पंजाब का भांगडा,हरियाणा के बीन –संपेरा और बंचारी के लोक कलाकार शामिल हैं.
इस मेले का उद्घाटन साहित्यानुरागी, विद्वान महामहिम उपराष्ट्रपति श्री हामिद अंसारी करेंगे. एक फरवरी से पंद्रह फरवरी तक चलने वाले इस हस्त शिल्प मेले मेम हरियाणा के राज्यपाल श्री जगन्नाथ पहाड़िया,मुख्यमंत्री श्री भूपेंद्र सिंह हुड्डा,,केंद्रीय पर्यटन,आवास एवं गरीबी उन्मूलन मंत्री कुमारी शैलजा, राजस्थान के मुख्यमंत्री श्री अशोक गहलौत भी उद्घाटन समारोह की शोभा बढाएंगे.इसी प्रकार हरियाणा के पर्यटन,परिवहन,्नागरिक उड्डयन मंत्री श्री ओम प्रकाश जैन,बिजली श्रम एवं रोजगार मंत्री श्री महेंद्र प्रताप सिंह,राजस्थान की महिला एवं बाल विकास मंत्री श्रीमती बीना काक, राजस्थान के पर्यटन कला एवं संस्कृति राज्य मंत्री श्री राजेंद्र सिंह गुड्डा भी इस समारोह में शामिल होंगे.
मेले के पूर्व दिन मेला प्राधिकरण द्वारा प्रैस से मिलिए कार्यक्रम में मेले की संपूर्ण तैयारी, सुरक्षा व्यस्था,अन्य सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमोंकी जानकारियां दीं तथा तजाकिस्तान और मिश्र के अतिथि प्रतिनिधियों ने प्रेस से सहज बातचीत की.तजाकिस्तान के अतिथि प्रतिनिधि ने तो हिंदी में कुछ श्ब्दों में बोलकर प्रेस का मन मोह लिया.
शमशेर अहमद खान
2-सी,प्रेस ब्लाक, पुराना सचिवालय,सिविल लाइंस दिल्ली.110054
***
कलम आज उनकी जय बोल
राष्ट्रीय कवि संगम,दिल्ली (द्वितीय अधिवेशन, 2/3 जनवरी 2010)
राष्ट्रीय कवि संगम का द्वितीय अधिवेशन ‘कलम आज उनकी जय बोल’ दिनाँक 2/3 जनवरी 2010 को अध्यात्म साधना केन्द्र छतरपुर-महरौली, दिल्ली मेँ सम्पन्न हुआ । दो वर्ष के अंतराल के बाद देश की राजधानी दिल्ली मेँ एक बार फिर पूरे देश से आये हुये कलम के धनी कवियोँ एवं लेखकोँ का समागम हुआ । राष्टीय कवि संगम का आयोजन श्री जगदीश मित्तल तथा श्री राजेश चेतन द्वारा अणुव्रत न्यास,संस्कार भारती एवं राष्ट्रीय मुस्लिम मंच के सहयोग से किया गया । कार्यक्रम 2/3 जनवरी को विभिन्न सत्रोँ मेँ सम्पन्न हुआ । प्रथम सत्र उद्घाट्न सत्र था जिसमें आचार्य महाप्रज्ञ की कृति ‘अनुभव के बोल’ का लोकार्पण किया गया । सत्र का संचालन प्रख्यात कवि राजेश चेतन द्वारा किया गया तथा अध्यक्षता श्री जय प्रकाश अग्रवाल, प्रमुख उद्योगपति द्वारा की गयी । इस सत्र के मुख्य वक्ता श्री इन्द्रेश जी थे। उनके द्वारा आंतरिक एवं बाह्य सुरक्षा, धर्मनिरपेक्षता के नाम पर देश के साथ किये जा रहे छलावे, सरकार द्वारा आतंकवाद को दिये जा रहे प्रश्रय आदि पर तीक्ष्ण कटाक्ष किया गया तथा राष्ट्रवाद की अलख जगाने के लिये कलम के धनी सभी कवियों एवं लेखकों को प्रेरित किया गया । श्री बांकेलाल गौड़, राष्ट्रीय संगठन मंत्री,संस्कार भारती द्वारा सरस्वती वन्दना प्रस्तुत की गयी तथा आचार्य बलवीर सिंह करुण द्वारा एक ओज पूर्ण कविता प्रस्तुत की गयी । इस अवसर पर राष्ट्र के प्रमुख कवियों की एक निर्देशिका का भी लोकार्पण किया गया । सत्र को श्री सुदर्शन जी, पूर्व सरसंघ चालक द्वारा भी संबोधित किया गया ।
द्वितीय सत्र का संचालन देश के जाने माने ओज कवि श्री गजेन्द्र सोलंकी द्वारा तथा अध्यक्षता श्री कृष्ण मित्र द्वारा की गयी । इस अवसर पर विशिष्ट वक्ता डा0 विनय विश्वास द्वारा ‘भविष्य की कविता’ विषय पर एक महत्वपूर्ण शोधपत्र प्रस्तुत किया गया जिसमें कविता की मनोरंजनात्मकता से यथार्थपरकता, छन्दबद्धता से गद्यात्मकता, रूढ़िवादिता से प्रगतिशीलता आदि तक की यात्रा का विस्तृत विवेचन किया गया । इस अवसर पर प्रसिद्ध हास्य कवि श्री सुरेन्द्र शर्मा द्वारा अपने वक्तव्य में कहा गया कि लेखक अपने लेखन द्वारा समाज के छेद भरता है जबकि आलोचक छेद तलाशता है ।
तृतीय सत्र ‘कविता में राष्ट्रीयता’ विषय पर था । सत्र का संचालन श्री अशोक बत्रा द्वारा तथा अध्यक्षता श्री कृष्ण मित्र द्वारा की गयी । इस अवसर पर मुख्य अतिथि मुम्बई से आये प्रख्यात अंतर्राष्ट्रीय कलाकार बाबा सत्य नारायण मौर्य एवं विशिष्ट आमंत्रित अतिथि आगरा से पधारे लाफ्टर चैम्पियन तथा ओज कवि स0 प्रताप फौज़दार थे । इस अवसर पर युवा कवि शहनाज़ हिन्दुस्तानी द्वारा काव्यपाठ प्रस्तुत किया गया । वरिष्ठ कवि श्री कृष्ण मित्र द्वारा ओजपूर्ण रचना ‘ऊँचा रखना भारत माँ की शान को’ प्रस्तुत की गयी । उ0प्र0 के पूर्व मंत्री एवं प्रसिद्ध कवि श्री रविन्द्र शुक्ल ने भी सत्र को संबोधित किया । रात्रि में अखिल भारतीय कवि सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया गया जो चार भागों में अलग अलग सम्पन्न हुआ । कवि सम्मेलन के अलग अलग वर्गों का संचालन सर्वश्री अम्बर खरबन्दा, राहुल नील, प्रवीण शुक्ल एवं कृष्ण गोपाल विद्यार्थी द्वारा तथा अध्यक्षता देश के जाने माने कवियों एवं शायरों आचार्य देवेन्द्र देव, रविन्द्र शुक्ल, झाँसी, सीमाब सुल्तानपुरी व मंगल नसीम द्वारा की गयी । इस अवसर पर उत्तराखण्ड, देहरादून से पधारे गीतकार एवं कवि अनिल शास्त्री शरद् द्वारा भी काव्यपाठ प्रस्तुत किया गया । उन्होंने अपनी कविता के माध्यम से संसार में प्रेम और प्रकाश फैलाने का सन्देश दिया –
‘बाँटना यदि चाहते हो बाँटिये बस प्यार को, छाँटना यदि चाहते हो छाँटिये अँधियार को
कल रहें या ना रहें कौन है यह जानता, आइये प्यासी धरा को सींच दें हम प्यार से’
उक्त चारों वर्गों के कवि सम्मेलनों में लगभग ढाई सौ कवियों द्वारा काव्य पाठ प्रस्तुत किया गया ।
दिनांक 3-1-2010 को प्रथम सत्र ‘ कविता में छन्द एवं शिल्प का महत्व ‘ पर आयोजित किया गया । सत्र का संचालन श्री चिराग जैन द्वारा तथा अध्यक्षता उद्योगपति श्री अनिल गोयल द्वारा की गयी । इस अवसर पर विशिष्ट अतिथि एवं वक्ता डा0 कुँवर बेचैन, श्री राजगोपाल सिंह, आकाशवाणी के निदेशक डा0 लक्ष्मी शंकर वाजपेयी तथा प्रसिद्ध दोहाकार नरेश शांडिल्य थे । श्री नरेश शांडिल्य द्वारा छन्दात्मकता एवं लयात्मकता के काव्य पर विशेष प्रभाव को बतलाते हुए उसमें सहजता, सरलता एवं स्वाभाविकता के साथ आंचलिक शब्दों के प्रयोग एवं छन्द,रस,सौन्दर्य के समानुपात के महत्व तथा कविता की प्रगतिशीलता के भाव पर विस्तार से प्रकाश डाला । उन्होंने कवियों एवं लेखकों को उनका धर्म बतलाते हुए कहा -
’ हम भी औरों की तरह अगर रहेंगे मौन, जलते प्रश्नों के कहो उत्तर देगा कौन ‘
‘ जुगनू बोला चाँद से उलझ न यूँ बेकार , मैंने अपनी रौशनी पायी नहीं उधार ’
वरिष्ठ गीत / गज़लकार श्री राजगोपाल सिंह भी छन्द एवं शिल्प का महत्व विषय पर विस्तार से प्रकाश डालते हुए कहा-
’ अमरूद का दरख्त हो या आम का दरख्त पत्थर अगर न आयें तो किस काम का दरख्त ’
’ फंसी गले में रह गयी कोयलिया की कूक, दायें भी बन्दूक थी बाँये भी बंदूक ’
आकाशवाणी के निदेशक एवं प्रसिद्ध गज़लकार डा0 लक्ष्मी शंकर वाजपेयी ने अपने वक्तव्य में कहा कि हिन्दी गज़ल ने उर्दू गज़ल एवं शायरी में भी समसामयिक विषय जोड़े । उन्होंने कहा कि कविता में छन्द इतना महत्वपूर्ण नहीं है जितनी अभिव्यक्ति की गहराई एवं संवेदना । छन्द से कविता की प्रेषणीयता अवश्य बढ़ जाती है । उन्होंने करीम कशर का शेर उद्धृत करते हुए कहा –
‘ तुम्हें तो द्रौपदी सी शक्ति का साहस दिखाना है , कहाँ तक चीर खींचेगा दुशासन हार जायेगा ‘
इस अवसर पर विशिष्ट अतिथि एवं वक्ता डा0 कुँवर बेचैन ने पुंडरीक एवं शेखर की कहानी सुनाते हुए कहा कि छन्द एवं शिल्प ही कविता को गद्य से अलग करता है । उन्होंने हिन्दी के गणों तथा उर्दू की बहर में साम्यता के सम्बन्ध में भी विस्तार से प्रकाश डाला -
जनता की बेहद माँग पर आमंत्रित तीनों वरिष्ठ साहित्यकारों द्वारा काव्यपाठ भी प्रस्तुत किया गया ।
द्वितीय सत्र का विषय ‘राष्ट्र जागरण धर्म हमारा’ था । इस सत्र में ‘सम्मान समारोह’ भी होना था । सत्र का संचालन श्री कमलेश मौर्य जी द्वारा तथा अध्यक्षता श्री इन्द्रेश जी मार्गदर्शक, राष्ट्रीय कवि संगम द्वारा की गयी । उन्होंने अपने उद्बोधन में कहा कि हमें अपनी साँस्कृतिक धरोहर को बचाना है । इस अवसर पर मुख्य अतिथि हिमाचल प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री श्री प्रेम कुमार धूमल थे । उन्होंने भी सत्र को संबोधित किया। प्रख्यात अंतर्राष्ट्रीय कलाकार बाबा सत्य नारायण मौर्य एवं विशिष्ट आमंत्रित अतिथि आर0के0अग्रवाल,सी0एम0डी0, माइक्रोन ग्रुप थे । प्रख्यात अंतर्राष्ट्रीय कलाकार बाबा सत्य नारायण मौर्य द्वारा अपना ओजपूर्ण काव्यपाठ प्रस्तुत किया गया । उ0प्र0 के पूर्व मंत्री एवं प्रसिद्ध कवि श्री रवीन्द्र शुक्ल ने भी सत्र को संबोधित किया । उन्होंने अपने उद्बोधन में कहा - ‘ कोई चलता पदचिह्नों पर कोई पदचिह्न बनाता है ‘
इस अवसर पर सतना म0 प्र0 की डा0 मनोरमा मिश्रा को मीरा सम्मान, श्री दीन मोहम्मद दीन को रसखान सम्मान एवं बाबा सत्यनारायण मौर्य को वाल्मीकि सम्मान से सम्मानित किया गया । यह साहित्यकारों का एक अद्भुत कुम्भ था जो सदा-सर्वदा के लिये सभी प्रतिभागियों के स्मृति पटल पर अंकित रहेगा एवं सभी प्रतिभागियों के लिये आने वाले कई वर्षों तक पाथेय के रूप में कार्य करेगा ।
- अनिल शास्त्री शरद्
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प्रमोद वर्मा स्मृति संस्थान, छत्तीसगढ
।। प्रेस विज्ञप्ति ।।
आधुनिक व दार्शनिक दृष्टि से हिन्द स्वराज अधिक प्रासंगिक- आचार्य नंदकिशोर हिन्द स्वराज की प्रासंगिकता पर व्याख्यान सम्पन्न
रायपुर, १६ जनवर । ख्यातिनाम गांधीवादी, चिंतक और लेखक जयपुर के नंदकिशोर आचार्य ने कहा है गांधी जी की किताब हिन्द स्वराज्य आधुनिक एवं दार्शनिक दृष्टि से आज अधिक प्रासंगिक है। उन्होंने हिन्द स्वराज्य का विश्लेषण करते हुए कहा कि स्वदेशी, स्थानीय जरूरतों के, लिए स्थानीय संस्थानों से स्थानीय लोगों के लिए विकसित टेक्नालाजी है। यह विचार आचार्य ने महात्मा गांधी द्वारा रचित विश्व प्रसिद्ध कृति हिन्द स्वराज की 100 वीं वर्षगांठ के अवसर पर रायपुर प्रेस क्लब के सभागार में हिन्द स्वराज्य की प्रासंगिकता विषय पर आयोजित व्याख्यान के दौरान व्यक्त किए। कार्यक्रम का आयोजन प्रमोद वर्मा स्मृति संस्थान द्वारा किया गया। उक्त अवसर पर प्रख्यात आलोचक श्रीभगवान सिंह की नाट्यकृति बिन पानी बिन सुन का विमोचन भी श्री नंदकिशोर आचार्य के हाथों संपन्न हुआ ।
नंदकिशोर आचार्य ने हिन्द स्वराज्य की प्रासंगिकता पर कहा कि इस पर देश में गंभीर, चिन्तन नहीं हुआ। यह अपने आप में एक सनातन प्रासंगिकता है। प्राणियों में मनुष्य में चेतना का विकास हुआ और बाद में उसमें हस्तक्षेप करने की क्षमता विकसित हुई। वर्तमान मनुष्य पर निर्भर करता है कि वह उसका उपयोग विकास के लिए करें या विनाश के लिए। उन्होंने तीन महान विचारकों की पुस्तकों का जिक्र करते हुए कहा कि एडम स्मिथ ने उत्पादन पर जोर दिया उससे बाजार की समस्या उत्पन्न हो गई परिणाम स्वरूप यह सिद्धांत समस्या सुलझाने में असमर्थ हो गया। इसी तरह कार्ल माक्र्स ने उत्पादन पर समाज के अधिकार का सिद्धांत दिया जिससे कार्पोरेट सेक्टर के पास स्वामित्व चला गया और नतीजा यह हुआ कि रूस में एकाएक आर्थिक संकट उत्पन्न हो गया। जबकि गांधी जी के हिन्द स्वराज में ऐसी टेक्नालाजी पर बल दिया गया है जो समतामूलक एवं अहिंसात्मक हो। उन्होंने कहा कि प्रकृति और मनुष्य के बीच का संबंध ही आपसी रिश्तों को बढ़ाएगा। उन्होंने कहा कि हिन्द स्वराज्य सनातन सिद्धांतों पर आधारित है और आज के इस वैज्ञानिक युग में यह हम सब पर निर्भर करता है कि विकास अथवा विनाश में से कौन सी स्वतंत्रता चाहते हैं।
इसके पूर्व व्याख्यान कार्यक्रम के आरंभ में भागलपुर से आए चर्चित आलोचक श्रीभगवान ने कहा कि गांधी जी उपनिवेशवाद के विरोधी थे और सर्व समाज एवं सभी देशों के आगे बढऩे की बात करते थे। उन्होंने कहा कि विज्ञान का मतलब ज्ञान का सोच समझकर उपयोग करना है। गांधी जी भारतीय परिस्थितियों के अनुकूल आचरण, नीतियों और श्रुतियों के अनुसार विकास की बात करते थे। गांधी जी स्वावलंबन और स्वायतता की बात करते थे क्योंकि उससे ही देश में सबको रोजगार मिलने के साथ ही आत्मनिर्भर बढ़ सकती थी। कालान्तर से देश में ही उनके हिन्द स्वराज की कल्पना की उपेक्षा कर दी गई मगर आज उसकी प्रासंगिकता और बढ़ गई है। श्री भगवान ने कहा कि गांधी जी के सिद्धांतों में ग्रामीण स्वावलंबन की भावना छुपी हुई है। पश्चिमी दौड़ के कारण अपव्यय तथा धन का दुरूपयोग बढ़ा है जिस पर किसी का ध्यान नहीं है। उन्होंने कहा कि यदि गांधी जी के सिद्धांतों को याद नहीं किया गया तो हम सब पर भारी संकट आने वाला है।
व्याख्यान के अध्यक्षीय उद्बोधन में कवि विश्वरंजन ने कहा कि एडम स्मिथ कार्ल मार्क्स एवं समतावादी समाज की संरचना से ज्यादा वैज्ञानिक व्यवहारिक, सोच गांधी जी की थी। गांधी जी नए युग के मनुष्य के लिए सबसे बड़े प्रकाशपुंज की तरह हैं। आज हम उनकी बुनियाद को अपने अंदर कितना गहरे में उतार पाते हैं यह आज की सबसे बड़ी प्रासंगिकता है। उन्होंने कहा कि बस्तर में पहले सामंतवादी माहौल था उसके बाद वन संरक्षण अधिनियम, पर्यावरण अधिनियम के कारण आदिवासियों को काफी दिक्कतें आई। इन्हीं सबके चलते नक्सलवादी जैसी ताकतों को पैर पसारने के लिए अवसर मिल गया। उन्होंने कहा कि नक्सली सिद्धांत हिंसा पर केन्द्रित है और आखिर में वह टूटेगी पर बहुत नुकसान के बाद। उन्होंने कहा कि बस्तर की परिस्थिति अलग है कितने भी तथाकथित गांधीवादी हों वे नक्सली सुरंग के बीच जाकर बताएं। विश्वरंजन ने कहा कि सोच वाला व्यक्ति निडर होता है। गांधी जी बड़े सत्यान्वेषी थे। उनकी सोच समतावादी थी। जो लोक के लिए सुविधाजनक है वह प्रासंगिक है।
कार्यक्रम के अंत में प्रमोद वर्मा स्मृति संस्थान की ओर से संस्थान के अध्यक्ष विश्वरंजन ने नंदकिशोर आचार्य और श्रीभगवान को स्मृति चिन्ह भेंट कर सम्मानित किया। आरंभ में अतिथियों का पुष्पहार से स्वागत किया गया। इस अवसर पर श्रीमती इंदिरा मिश्र, विनोद कुमार शुक्ल, नंदकिशोर तिवारी, राजेन्द्र मिश्र, बसंत तिवारी, संस्कृति आयुक्त राजीव श्रीवास्तव, प्रभाकर चौबे, रवि भोई, अशोक सिंघई, केयूर भूषण, गुलाब सिंह, प्रभाकर चौबे, विनोद शंकर शुक्ल, सुभाष मिश्र, जयप्रकाश मानस डी.एस.अहलुवालिया, डॉ. प्रेम दुबे, डॉ. वंदना केंगरानी, एच.एस.ठाकुर, एस. अहमद, संजीव ठाकुर, डॉ,सुधीर शर्मा, राम पटवा, हसन खान, अलीम रजा, नईम रजा, विनोद मिश्र, रवि श्रीवास्तव, विनोद साव, कमलेश्वर, बी. एल. पॉल, चित्रकार सुश्री सुधा वर्मा, एवं बड़ी संख्या में दुर्ग, भिलाई, बिलासपुर और रायपुर के लेखक, पत्रकार, एवं प्रबुद्ध नागरिक उपस्थित थे।
राम पटवा
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मैं आवाज हूं
शमशेर अहमद खान
मैं आवाज़ हूं श्रीमती कुसुमवीर की कविताओं का संग्रह है. इसमें जीवन से जुड़े अनेक संघर्ष और अनुभवों की अभिव्यक्ति अक्षरों से युक्त होकर सतरंगी इंद्रधनुष का सा आभास कराते हैं. ये कविताएं केवल भावभूमि के स्तर पर ही उदात्त अवस्था में ही नहीं पहुचांती बल्कि यथार्थ के धरातल पर सामाजिक विद्रूपताओं और स्वंय की भोगी गई मानसिक यंत्रणा को भी बेहद सूक्ष्मता के साथ अभिव्यक्ति प्रदान कर देती हैं.वे अपनी मैं आवाज़ हूं कविता में कहती हैं-
मैं, एक आवाज़ हूँ,
जीती जागती,
झंझावतों को चीरेती,
जुल्मों को बींधती, म्यान से निकल, अत्याचारों को रौंदती,
तुम सोचते हो, दबा सकोगे तुम,मेरी आवाज़ को,मेरी ताक़्त को,
मेरी शख्सियत को, मेरे वजूद को,
आज तक कौन बांध सका है,मुझे अपने पाश में,न मानव,न दानव,
न सूरज, न तारे,
गवाह हैं, ये सभी मेरे सत्ता के,मेरे आस्तित्व के, मेरी आवाज़ के,
मेरी आवाज़ युगों से पुकार रही है, मुझे जीने दो, खुली हवा में,
सांस लेने दो.
संग्रह के आगाज़ में दिनेश मिश्र अपनी टिप्पणी में भी यही कहते हैं-कुसुमवीर की कविताओं में जहां एक ओर मानवीय संबंधों की उलझनें सामने आती हैं, वहीं दूसरी ओर रिश्तों की सच्चाई भी कुछ तल्खी बयां करती हुई नज़र आती है.
कुसुमवीर की कविताओं के संग्रह का लोकार्पण आज इंडिया इंटर्नेशनल सेंटर में श्रीमती कमला सिंघवी के कर कमलों द्वारा सम्मानीय विद्वतजनों के समक्ष लोकार्पित हो गया. इस अवसर पर कवियत्री कुसुमवीर ने अपने इस संग्रह से कुछ कविताओं का कविता पाठ भी किया.
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संगीतकार प्यारेलाल को मालवा संगीत सम्मान
मालवा रंगमँच समिति द्वारा 6 फरवरी 2010 की शाम को कालिदास अकादमी उज्जैन (मध्यप्रदेश) में आयोजित 15वें सम्मान समारोह में जाने माने संगीतकार लक्ष्मीकान्त प्यारेलाल के जोड़ीदार प्यारेलाल शर्मा को ‘ मालवा संगीत सम्मान ‘ से सम्मनित किया जायेगा । प्यारेलाल जी को यह सम्मान मध्यप्रदेश के संस्कृति मंत्री लक्ष्मीकांत शर्मा प्रदान करेंगें । युवा संगीतकार सिद्धार्थ कश्यप इस समारोह में लक्ष्मीकान्त प्यारेलाल की संगीत यात्रा पर प्रकाश डालेंगें । समारोह का संचालन मुम्बई के चर्चित कवि - गीतकार देवमणि पाण्डेय और रेडियो एफ एम की लोकप्रिय उदघोषिका स्मिता पारिख करेंगें ।
संस्था के अध्यक्ष केशव राय ने बताया कि लक्ष्मीकांत प्यारेलाल की जोड़ी ने पाँच सौ भी से अधि्क फिल्मों में संगीत दिया है । सात बार फिल्म फेयर अवार्ड जीत कर इस जोड़ी ने फ़िल्म संगीत के इतिहास में एक सुनहरा अध्याय रच दिया । प्यारेलाल जी के सम्मान में आयोजित संगीत संध्या में उनके सदाबहार गीतों को टेलीविजन पर प्रसारित हुए इंडियन ऑयडल, वॉयस ऑफ इंडिया, छोटे उस्ताद, सा रे गा मा प और क्रेजी किया रे फेम गायक कलाकार अपनी अपनी आवाज में प्रस्तुत करेंगें ।
प्रेस विज्ञप्ति पद्मश्री देकर महाकवि को अपमानित करने की भर्त्सना
देश के प्रख्यात कवि एवं मूर्धन्य साहित्यकार डॉ. बुद्धिनाथ मिश्र ने महाकवि जानकी वल्लभ शास्त्री को ‘पद्मश्री’ अंलकरण देने के लिए भारत सरकार की तीव्र भर्त्सना की है और कहा है कि जिस सरकार को साहित्य के क्षेत्र में एक महाकवि और एक चुटकुलेबाज़ के बीच कोई अंतर नहीं दिखाई देता हो, उस सरकार के हाथों यह अंलकरण लेना किसी भी साहित्यकार के लिए अशोभनीय और निंदनीय है । (ज्ञातव्य हो कि छत्तीसगढ़ के एक मंचीय कवि डॉ. सुरेन्द्र दुबे को पद्मश्री अंलकरण मिला है । )
डॉ. मिश्र ने देश के सभी वरेण्य साहित्यकारों से अपील की है कि वे अपने नाम के आगे ‘पद्मश्री रहित’ लिखें, जो उनके चरित्र की शुचिता का प्रमाण होगा । उन्होंने कहा कि पद्म अलंकरण ऐसे अयोग्य व्यक्तियों को दिये जाते हैं जो इनका दुरुपयोग उपाधि के रूप में करते हैं । वे दिन लद गए जब शासन की बागडोर नेहरू और इंदिरा गांधी जैसे संस्कारवान राजनेताओं के हाथ में था, और दिनकर और बच्चन जैसे अग्रणी साहित्यकारों को अंलकरण दिये जाते थे । अब पद्मश्री अंलकरण पाना किसी साहित्यकार के चापलूस, जुगाड़ी और घटिया होने का सबूत है । इसलिए जो भी साहित्यकार समाज के समक्ष अपने आदर्श चरित्र का उदाहरण रखना चाहते हैं, वे इसे स्वीकार न करें ।
आथर्स गिल्ड ऑफ इंडिया के वरिष्ठ सदस्य डॉ. मिश्र ने दावा किया है कि उनके आव्हान पर बनारस, प्रयाग, रावर्टगंज, लखनऊ, पटना, रायपुर, कोलकाता, मुजफ्फरपुर, दिल्ली, भोपाल, मुरादाबाद, मुंबई, देहरादून, काशीपुर चैन्ने आदि शहरों के साहित्यिकारों ने अपने नाम के सात ‘पद्म्श्री रहित’ लिखने का संकल्प किया है । डॉ. मिश्र ने कहा कि देश के साहित्यकारों का यह अभियान तब तक जारी रहेगा, जब तक भारत सरकार की ओर से अधम साहित्यकारों को पद्म अलंकरण देने पर खेद न व्यक्त किया जाये ।
-बुद्धिनाथ मिश्र
और अंत में चलते-चलते....
बेतुके भाषणों से शुरू हुआ 19वां विश्व पुस्तक मेला
शमशेर अहमद खान
30 जनवरी 2010 को अपने पूर्व घोषित कार्यक्रम के अनुसार 19 वां अं\तर्राष्ट्रीय विश्व पुस्तक मेला प्रगति मैदान ,नई दिल्ली में शुरू हुआ. हालांकि होर्डिंग आदि अभी बनते देखे गए किंतु कामचलाऊ चीजें तैयार कर ली गई थीं.2400 स्टालों वाले इस पुस्तक मेले में लभग पचास प्रतिशत विदेशि प्रकाशक हैं.हिंदी प्रकाशकों को हाल संख्या 12-ए आबंटित की गई है जबकि अंग्रेजी भाषा के प्रकाशकों को हाल नं.1व2 दिया गया है.विदेशी प्रकाशक हाल नं. 7ए व ब में दिखेंगे.इसी प्रकार अलग- अलग विषयों से संबंधित हाल आबंटित किय गए हैं जो पा्ठकों व विक्रेताओं को सुविधाजनक होंगे.
पुस्तक मेले के उद्घाटन अवसर पर माननीय केंद्रीय मानव संसाधन ने कहाकि बच्चों को वही क्षेत्र चुनना चाहिए जिसमें उसकी रुचि हो.उन्हें केवल किताबों न उलझे रहकराउर भी ग्यान हासिल करना चाहिए.उन्होंने ख्वाहिश जाहिर की कि देश में लिबरल आर्ट्स विश्वविद्यालय खोला जाना चाहिए जिसमें छात्र अपना कैरियर बना सकें.
दसवीं बोर्ड खत्म करने के निर्णय पर सरकार का बचाव करते हुए माननीय मंत्री जी ने कहाकि बच्चे किताबों के बोझ से इतर जाकर अपनी क्षमताओं को परखें. उन्होंने कहाकि हमने परीक्षा प्रणाली को नहीं छोडा है बल्कि छात्रों को अब व्यापक प्रक्रिया से गुजरना होगा. पुस्तकालय संस्कृति के विकास पर जोर देते हुए कहाकि अभिभावकों को नई पीढी में पढ़्ने के प्रति जागरूकता पैदा करनी चाहिए. तकनीकि विकास के चलते बच्चे किताबों से दूर हो रहे हों लेकिन डिजीटल किताबें इसका अच्छा विकल्प हो सकती हैं.उन्होंने पुस्तकाल्यों के अभाव की जिम्मेदारी केवल केंद्र व राज्य सरकारों की ही नहीं मानी बल्कि स्थानीय निकायों को भी दोषी माना.
इस उद्घाटन अवसर पर प्रो. इअमरान हबीब ने कहा कि वे शिक्षा प्रणाली से परीक्षाएं समाप्त करने के पक्ष में नहीं हैं.इससे शिक्षा का स्तर गिरेगा।
Toils we take, adjustments we make and scars we bear on our body and soul, in search of that ' lost paradise' ,that ' Utopia' which we don't know even existed; are unbelievable. But ' Paradise' are lost and regained everyday in each of our lives, sometimes so quietly that we don't get to hear even that thunder and lightening, or brewing storm and get struck . Should we just give in to the pressures of life and to search for happiness or ' lost paradise' is just a hope against hopeless? Certainly not! But our motto should be ' to live, not to deny present,' 
You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all
( Extract from book 1)
The bleeding heart – it scares us all. That cry for help could have been mine! The very thought sends a chill up the spine. Perhaps, the pain of these tender, unguarded moments binds us all.
Within a matter of hours, colour returned to her cheeks. She was alive to the realities of life, the bickering, the arguments and the chaos! Besides all this, there was this dilemma - was she right or was she a murderer? This for sure is going to tear her life apart.
Once, during the winter Akbar, Birbal and a few of other courtiers stopped for a while near a lake, a couple of miles away from the palace. As Akbar stepped into the ice –cold lake to wash his hands and feet, an idea struck him and he announced, ‘Anyone who can stand in this ice-cold water upto his neck for one whole night, will receive 50, 000 gold coins from me.’
All creatures great and small 
साल –दर –साल शिखर की ओर अग्रसर सूरज कुंड मेले की ख्याति अब दक्षेस देशों की परिधि से निकलकर अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर अपनी उपस्थित दर्ज कराने के लिए बेकरार है.इसकी ताजा मिसाल है इस वर्ष इस मेले में तजाकिस्तान, थाइलैंड, मिश्र और सार्क देशों के कुशल दस्तकार सम्मिलित हो रहे हैं. इस वर्ष हस्तशिल्प के लिए विश्वविख्यात राजस्थान को थीम के रूप में अवसर दिया गया है.मेला परिसर में इसबार राजस्थानी खान-पान,रंगों और रीति- रिवाजों की प्र्धानता आकर्षण का केंद्र रहेगी.मेले का मुख्य गेट शेखावटी गेट की अनुकृति है जो राजस्थानी वास्तु शैली और संस्कृति का प्रतिनिधित्व करेगा.केंद्रीय पर्यटन सचिव श्री सुरजीत बनर्जी ने प्रैस को संबोधित करते हुए बताय कि इस मेले का उद्देश्य एक ही मंच पर देश की कला, संस्कृति, संगीत,हस्तशिल्प और लोक कलाओं के प्रति संवेदनशीलता को बढावा देना है बल्कि उनके प्रति लोगों में सम्मान और आदर की भावना भी विकसित हो. आने वाली वर्तमान पीढी अपनी महान परंपराओं और इनसे जुडे परिवेश को जानने, समझने और उनको अक्षुण्ण रखने के लिए प्रेरित करना है.उन्होंने इस स्थल की ऐतिहासिकता और पर्यावर्णीय महत्ता पर भी प्रकाश डाला. उन्होने बताया कि दिन-प्रतिदिन बढ रहे सूरजकुंड मेले की ख्याति अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भी होने लगी है और यह मेला ऐसा माध्यम है जो हमारी परंपराओं से सीधे जुड़ेगे, देशी-विदेशी सभी पर्यटकों को सीधे दस्तकारों से मिलने का अवसर मिलेगा और दस्तकार भी उपभोगताओं की मांग को समझ्कर अपना हस्तशिल्प तैयार कर सकेंगे.इस मेले का आयोजन पर्यटन मंत्रालय द्वारा किया जाता है किंतु मेले के आयोजन में हस्तशिल्प तथा हस्तकरघा विकास आयुक्त ,संस्कृति मंत्रालय, विदेश मंत्रालय, हरियाणा पर्यटन तथा थीम स्टेट के पर्यटन विभाग का भी महत्वपूर्ण योगदान एवं परस्पर तालमेल होता है.
मेले का एक और आकर्षण नृत्य,नाटक और अन्य विधाओं के कलाकर भाग ले रहे हैं जिनमें प्रमुख हैं-उत्त्र-पूर्व का ओक्टेव नृत्य, राजस्थान का कालबेलिया,गुजरात्स का सिद्धिगामा,उत्तर-प्रदेश के ब्रज की होली और चरकुला,पंजाब का भांगडा,हरियाणा के बीन –संपेरा और बंचारी के लोक कलाकार शामिल हैं.
मैं आवाज़ हूं श्रीमती कुसुमवीर की कविताओं का संग्रह है. इसमें जीवन से जुड़े अनेक संघर्ष और अनुभवों की अभिव्यक्ति अक्षरों से युक्त होकर सतरंगी इंद्रधनुष का सा आभास कराते हैं. ये कविताएं केवल भावभूमि के स्तर पर ही उदात्त अवस्था में ही नहीं पहुचांती बल्कि यथार्थ के धरातल पर सामाजिक विद्रूपताओं और स्वंय की भोगी गई मानसिक यंत्रणा को भी बेहद सूक्ष्मता के साथ अभिव्यक्ति प्रदान कर देती हैं.वे अपनी मैं आवाज़ हूं कविता में कहती हैं-
30 जनवरी 2010 को अपने पूर्व घोषित कार्यक्रम के अनुसार 19 वां अं\तर्राष्ट्रीय विश्व पुस्तक मेला प्रगति मैदान ,नई दिल्ली में शुरू हुआ. हालांकि होर्डिंग आदि अभी बनते देखे गए किंतु कामचलाऊ चीजें तैयार कर ली गई थीं.2400 स्टालों वाले इस पुस्तक मेले में लभग पचास प्रतिशत विदेशि प्रकाशक हैं.हिंदी प्रकाशकों को हाल संख्या 12-ए आबंटित की गई है जबकि अंग्रेजी भाषा के प्रकाशकों को हाल नं.1व2 दिया गया है.विदेशी प्रकाशक हाल नं. 7ए व ब में दिखेंगे.इसी प्रकार अलग- अलग विषयों से संबंधित हाल आबंटित किय गए हैं जो पा्ठकों व विक्रेताओं को सुविधाजनक होंगे.
दसवीं बोर्ड खत्म करने के निर्णय पर सरकार का बचाव करते हुए माननीय मंत्री जी ने कहाकि बच्चे किताबों के बोझ से इतर जाकर अपनी क्षमताओं को परखें. उन्होंने कहाकि हमने परीक्षा प्रणाली को नहीं छोडा है बल्कि छात्रों को अब व्यापक प्रक्रिया से गुजरना होगा. पुस्तकालय संस्कृति के विकास पर जोर देते हुए कहाकि अभिभावकों को नई पीढी में पढ़्ने के प्रति जागरूकता पैदा करनी चाहिए. तकनीकि विकास के चलते बच्चे किताबों से दूर हो रहे हों लेकिन डिजीटल किताबें इसका अच्छा विकल्प हो सकती हैं.उन्होंने पुस्तकाल्यों के अभाव की जिम्मेदारी केवल केंद्र व राज्य सरकारों की ही नहीं मानी बल्कि स्थानीय निकायों को भी दोषी माना.
