Some Random Recent Events – As I Please

 

Some Random Recent Events – As I Please     

Ambedkarites meet to get united: - Some Ambedkarite intellectuals and awakened citizens met at Nakodar Road Ambedkar Bhawan on May 14 on a joint call by Retired IAS Khushi Ram, Retired IRS Dr. Jagtar Singh, Advocate and Social Activist Dr. Santokh Birdi, Social and Community Activist and a prominent businessman Thekedar Bhagwan Dass and NRI Activist OM Parkash Azad among others. The purpose of the meet as explained by Khushi Ram was to discussand consider the idea of floating an outfit of scattered and fragmented organizations and individuals pertaining to socially weaker sections of the society under the overall umbrella of Ambedkar Thought and Legacy with a view to get united to follow and pursue the lofty idea of Babasaheb Ambedkar – Educate, Agitate and Organize under the banner of ‘Bidhan Bachao - Loktantar

Jalandhar Meet of May 14

Bachao – Desh Bachao’. Khushi Ram and other speakers viz. Santokh Virdi, Bhagwan Dass, inter alia, endorsed the idea and underlined that the new organization would be a pan-Punjab. The roadmap given was to hold consultation meetings in various districts of Punjab as Jalandhar meeting was the second in the process after first in Chandigarh on May 4 and the third one was held in Patiala on May 16. Many prominent participants from various walks of life; Tilak Khinder from business, Prof. Balbinder Kumar, Sohan Lal and Dr. Gian Kaul, Prof Balbir Chander from academia, Retired IES M.S. Singh Virdi, Prithvi Raj, R.L. Sandhu, Retired IFS Satnam Singh, Ambassador Ramesh Chander from civil services, Community activists namely Ram Lal Dass, Chanan Wadala, Baldev Bhadwaj,Priya Ambedkar took active interest and participated in the interaction. Veteran Ambedkarite Lahori Ram Balley also spoke at the meeting.  The idea of launching an organization, non-political and non-governmental, to find and ensure due space for the socially weaker sections of the society both in the society and polity was widely accepted and appreciated.

Now the organizers led by Khushi Ram have circulated a concept note which, inter alia underlined the idea and said to make the ball rolling, “The idea behind the move is to bring our divided people and their multiple organizations closer to each other, pool our resources and efforts and take up and resolve the issues and problems of the society with one voice as a strong united force.” I responded and wrote to Khushi Ram on May 19, “Savidhan Bachao, Loktantar Bacho, Desh Bachao, no doubt, appears to be a catchy phrase or slogan but has, to my mind, agitational and confrontational connotation. We should avoid such a approach. Let us confine to simple and straight formulation “Matters of concern and interest to the socially and economically weaker sections of the society with a view to affirm and strengthen the ‘affirmative and empowerment’ intent of the constitution of India”, while giving my comments on the Note circulated b the organizers.

Let s see how things move forward. 

तू पहले बात फिर  बात का अंदाज़ पैदा कर;

फिर दुनिआ में तुझे  कोई नज़रअंदाज़ कर नहीं सकता। 

Buddha Purinima – May 16:- As usual like each consecutive year, Buddha Purinima – Vesakh was observed and celebrated with all solemnity at Sidharath Nagar (Bootan Mandi) Budh Vihar. The day has a special significance for me personally as my daughter Vaishali was born on Buddha Purnima Day in 1975. I generally tend to participate in such events in spite of the fact some of my friends who

run the show at the Vihar consider me a ’pseudo-Buddhist’.  Harmesh Jassal and Dr. Gian Kaul spoke about Buddha and Buddhism with good knowledge on the subject. I was invited, courtesy my friend and Master of Ceremonies Ram Lal Dass, to join in releasing the books – Bahujana De Nayak – Kanshi Ram written by Dr. Badri Naraian and translated by Dr. Paramjit Chumber and Dr. Harjinder Kumar and Mission Babasahib Da – a collection of songs written by Balwinder Puar. I also received a book, Chalo Budh Ki Aur – Behtreen Zindgi Ke Lye - as bonus in the process.  I would read these, in due course, and benefit.

बुद्धं शरणं गच्छामि। धर्मं शरणं गच्छामि। संघं शरणं गच्छामि।

Public Talk on the Role of Journalists in Nation Building:- Bharat Vikas Parishad, an outfit of RSS, invited me to preside over a Public
Talk on the topical subject of role and contribution of media in nation building – challenges and solutions in conjunction with the Narad Jyanti on May 17 who is considered as the first journalist by them. The Chief Guest and the Lead Speaker on the occasion was Col. Jaibansh Singh, a media personality and also a defense and security analyst. Col. Singh spoke with clear mind and conviction

from the historical perspective and also the current situation of the national media with his personal experience as a former executive of the ANI, one of the renowned media organs of India. He dwelt on two important props of journalism - ‘disinformation or misinformation’ and ‘lack of information’ and added in all candidness that Arvind Kejriwal was an expert practitioner of the former and BJP of the latter referring to the recent elections in Punjab. He also added that there was no ‘Goddi Media’ in the country as the narrative is being built by the vested interests. In my brief remarks, as the Chair, I said that in any democratic country media played an important role in creating, molding and reflecting public opinion and that is why the British statesman Edmund Burke termed media as the Fourth Pillar or Estate of the democratic system. Referring to the assertion ‘Media can never be silent; that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak and speak immediately’ quoted Allama Iqbal:

“Nahin Minnatkash-e-Taab-e-Shaneedan Dastan Meri
Khamoshi Guftugu Hai, Be-Zubani Hai Zuban Meri

My story is not indebted to the patience of being heard
My silence is my talk, my speechlessness is my speech

Ye Dastoor-e-Zuban Bandi Hai Kaisa Teri Mehfil Mein
Yahan To Baat Karne Ko Tarasti Hai Zuban Meri

Why does this custom of silencing exist in your assembly?
My tongue is tantalized to talk in this assembly

Journalist and Chief Editor of The Metro Encounter, Rakesh Shantidoot conducted the proceedings of the function aptly and ably as always and thoughtfully said that this talk cannot be complete if we didn’t mention and remember Babasaheb Ambedkar who launched and speared the Mook Nayak and Bhahiskrit Bharat in difficult times and circumstances. Advocate Bhupinder Singh, Senior functionary of Bharat Vikas Parishad while delivering the vote of thanks said that they would do their best to arrange such useful and informative talks on regular basis.

Before the Talk, we were received and conducted at Sarv Hitkakari Vidya Mandir now named after Brigadier Jagdish Gagneja, a school

established in 1983 for the benefit of the students from the socially and economically marginalized sections of the society. Both the Principal Madam and Sandeep Narang, the dedicated Swayam Sewak, were extremely kind and courteous.       

         

SAFASM – Annual General Meet

 

SAFASM – Annual General Meet  

The Annual General Meet of Jalandhar Sports and Fitness Welfare Association of SC Manufacturers (SAFASM) was held on May 6, 2022. SAFASM, still in its infancy, is an outfit of young SC entrepreneurs engaged in manufacturing and trading, including export of sports and health fitness goods and equipment in Jalandhar, a city of sports industry since independence and partition in 1947. Their forefather, skilled and semi-skilled migrated from Sialkot, now in Pakistan, and settled in and around Basti area with their small manufacturing units with their meager financial resources and supporting inputs. The lucrative aspect of the business, trading and export, was handled by the smart and educated belonging to the main stream of the society. Dalits or SCs remained at the fringes most of the time. With the slow process of evolution, some of the younger lot of SC families, after education, joined their family businesses and started trading and export from their manufacturing units against a stiff competition and rivalry from the

established players in the business having resources and wherewithal. A few of them viz; Balwant Brothers, Rattan Brothers, Kamal Brothers among others, succeed with their sheer grit and hard work and opened the doors for many in the waiting. Now with the changing times, the younger generation of SC community with much needed exposure has come, arrived but not yet reached. SAFASM represents these budding entrepreneurs.

SAFASM was the brain child of Mukesh Bassan of BELCO sports, Vivek Kumar of Waryam Sports, Vikram Jeet of Sachin Vikram & Co. and some of their young and aspiring associates. The AGM reelected Mukesh Bassan as the Chairman of SAFASM for another consecutive term by consensus and authorized him to pick up his own team to the run affairs of the Association. AGM also nominated and approved the association of a Former Executive of National SC Hub, Ravi Kant as a Consultant and a Retired Diplomat of IFS, Ambassador Ramesh Chander as an Advisor of SAFASM with a view to streamline and intensify the activities of SAFASM in the days to come. All the participants wholeheartedly and spontaneously welcomed and appreciated these appointments.

The formal celebratory part of the meeting started with welcome of the Chief Guest, MLA Sheetal Angural and Ravinder Birdi of SC Entrepreneurs Chamber of Punjab by presenting bouquets of flowers by Ambassador Ramesh Chander. Welcoming the Chief Guest MLA Sheetal Angural, other guests and participants, Vivek Kumar
informed the audience about the decisions of the AGM referred to in the preceding paragraphs and said that they were confident that with the blessings of MLA Sheetal Angural whose family itself was engaged in sports business and expertise and wide experience of Ambassador Ramesh Chander and Ravi Kant ASFASM would endeavor to do its best for the success and welfare of its members.

In their brief presentations, Ambassador Ramesh Chander, Ravi Kant and Ravender Birdi made some important suggestions and submissions to Hon’ble MLA Sheetal Angural with regard to providing much needed facilities and opportunities to the small manufactures of sports goods that generally belonged to the weaker

sections of the society. One such suggestion which found much support and appreciation was – developing a focal point by providing small plots of land so that the household industry could be shifted to proper space and location in around Basti area in conjunction with the proposed Sports University by the Punjab Government. Ravender Birdi and Ravi Kant gave an over-view of the plans, schemes and enabling provisions of the Government of India under MSME, NSIC, and National SC Hub among others to encourage and support SC businessmen to avail these and benefit from them. MLA Sheetal Angural, the Chief Guest of the function, was very enthusiastic in responding positively to all the suggestions made and promised to extend all due help and assistance from the Government of Punjab and Jalandhar Administration. In his emotional address, he said that

he would only be happy if he could do something to bring about further progress of his fellow brethren in the community to which he and his family belonged.  Newly re-elected Head of SAFASM, Mukesh Bassan delivering the vote of thanks briefed the audience about the activities of SAFASM to help its members in further development of their businesses and social activities to help the community at large as their gesture to pay back to the society. The AGM Meet concluded with a sumptuous dinner.

The taste of the pudding lay in its eating, it is said. With a view to carry forward the agenda of SAFASM, Head of SAFASM, Mukesh Bassan, along with his business associates, CA Vikram Jeet and Rajiv Sharma met Minister of Education and Sports, Gurmeet Hayer on May 12 at Chandigarh accompanying Ambassador Ramesh

Chander on facilitation by the Nakodar MLA Indirjit Kaur Mann. The purpose of the meeting was to study, explore, identify and exploit opportunity to create job opportunities in rural areas by engaging them in the manufacturing of sports goods. The Minister gave them a patient hearing. SAFASM would pursue the proposal.

It has been observed that SAFASM is a new outfit of young entrepreneurs belonging to the hitherto marginalized sections of the society but zeal and dedication appears to be excellent which would tend to bring in the desired results. Inshaalla!

 

Jai Bheem – Animation Film on Babasaheb Ambedkar

 

Jai Bheem – Animation Film on Babasaheb Ambedkar        

It is a matter of gratification to note that every successive year the month of April is dedicated to the greatest son of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar as his birth anniversary falls on April 14. This year yet another dimension was added to the Day – release of Jai Bheem, the first animation film on the life and thought of the icon, Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar. Over the year, of late, many films on Babasaheb

have been made in various languages by competent film makers and the last in the series was Jai Bhim directed by T.J. Ghanavel released in November, 2021. The Jai Bhim got many good reviews in the social media and, I think, it also received much needed popular acceptance and recognition. The commercial and mainstream media, obviously, expects paid marketing. I am confident that the Jai Bheem – an animation film launched on April 14 in Punjab would not lag behind and would receive its due, if I go by the social media feedback and my personal informal talk with my friend, Satnam Chana – Script, Story and Screenplay Writer and his son, Jassi Chana - Director of the film which has been produced by their associate, Dr. Joginder Singh Bhangalia of UAE.

Satnam Singh Chana

First on the making of the film – Satnam Chana, a son of the soil from the village Birpind near Nakodar in Jalandhar, is a known and intelligent social and community activist who himself is a staunch Ambedkarite since his student days and his work in the international
students movement in Eastern Europe with base in Prague, the capital city of then Czechoslovakia in late 1970s and early 1980s. He is fully qualified and competent to do full justice to the project in hand – Jai Bheem. The services of Dr. Santokh Virdi, a prolific writer and social activist, were handy as a resource person on the facts of the life and thought of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Yet another friend Dr. Lakhwinder Johal of Punjab Press Club chipped in as Adviser in the project and rightly so. The Director of the film, Jassi Chana is a fully qualified and a trained professional in Graphic Designing and

Jassi Chana

Animation having a post-graduate degree from a university of New Zealand. The Producer and financer of the film, Joginder Singh Bhangalia and Sonu Bhangalia, though I don’t know them personally, must be men of dedication to the social and community causes besides their commercial and business interests. Jai Bheem is a product of Pritam Film Production made and presented with high standards of film making with dialogue and narration delivery by the legendary film personally, Reza Murad and dubbing done by Ganesh Divakar of Bollywood. Jai Bheem, as such, is the end product of a highly qualified team.

I was under the impression that Jai Bheem was a film of short duration but no, it is full-fledged movie of about 156 minutes with almost as many scenes. The film touches all important aspects of life and thought of Babasaheb. It is not only an educative movie for the younger generations but also a telling commentary on the struggle and travails of the leader for bring about socio-economic equality and establish a democratic and harmonious social order in the caste ridden society, who is still, unfortunately, side lined and ignored by the main stream of the society. I hope the film would succeed in putting the things in right perspective for the greater good of the country and the society at large. The film tends to strengthen the principles of affirmative action to empower the socially weaker sections of the society on one hand and on the other warns ‘We the people of India’ by depicting the narration in animation format what Dr. Ambedkar said in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949 to ward off dangers to our newly gained independence. Some of the scenes of Gandhi-Ambedkar dialogue on matters of concern and interest to the country give us the flavor of role of both the leaders in the much needed political and social reforms in the run up to independence in August, 1947. One of the scenes, Ambedkar ‘s speech t one of Roundtable Conferences in London amply makes it clear, which many of don’t know, that Babasaheb was a nationalist of the first order. Ambedkar’s take on the role of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in the freedom movement is refreshing as many people do not know these details. The scenes pertaining to Babasaheb’s conversion and embracing of Buddhism in 1956 and his regrets and dissatisfaction with the behavior of his own people shared with his Aide, Nanak Chand Rattu, are really thought provoking. One can easily say that Jai Bheem is a film worth seeing and more so by the children and young students. The legacy of Babasaheb is fully potent to take India out of the emerging scenario of hate and distrust. We need to tell our children that our fore-fathers were great people who got us the independence and set us on the path of development with great sacrifices. The films like Jai Bheem would tend to do that job.

Satnam Chana and Jassi Chana told me that they were inclined to take up the matters of concern and interest to the community through visual communication like films. Their earlier film ‘Guru Da Banda’ on the life and mission of Baba Banda Bahadur was much acclaimed which also won the PTC Film Award. I wish Jai Bheem also scales those heights. But, obviously, we must understand that people like Satnam Chana, with meager budgets and financial sources, do require much needed and sought after patronage from the civil society and common people. Chana Sahib told me with a sense of satisfaction that educated people mostly service class of the weaker sections of the society gave their wholehearted support and went to theaters to see the movie.  General public showed due interest but on ticketing arrangements done by social activists and their organizations.  One should not shy away from the ground realities and admit the truth. It seems the general public from the main stream of the society are still to come forward and support the effort. I think they need to think over and leave the traditional bias against Ambedkar and his legacy in the larger interests of the idea of ‘Samrasta’. Mere lip service would not do. Since the film has been released only in Punjab as yet, the Punjab Government should consider and wave the entertainment tax on the film. The Education Department of the Punjab Government may issue a formal or informal advisory to all government and private colleges and schools to arrange special shows of the Jai Bheem for the benefit of young

students. The social and cultural organizations like SGPC, RSS among others may advise their cadres and followers to see the movie with a view to learn from the life and struggle of Babasaheb in making our country proud in the run up to attaining a due space and position in the comity of nations. It is demand of the time to meet the challenges before the country. Films and others instruments to spread the thought and legacy of Babasaheb Ambedkar, to my mind, would show us the way to take the caravan forward. PM Narendra Modi in his tributes to Babasaheb on his recent birth anniversary rightly said and rightly underlined, “He (Babasaheb Ambedkar) has made indelible contributions to India’s progress. This is a day to reiterate our commitment to fulfill his dreams for our nation.” Let us see the movie – Jai Bheem as part of the 75^th year of our independence – “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”

With this I wish Jai Bheem all success in the days to come.

 

My Fellow-BootanMandian – Seth Thakur Dass Suman

 

My Fellow-BootanMandian – Seth Thakur Dass Suman

Seth Thakur Dass Suman

I did not know Seth Thakur Dass very well till my return to my native place Bootan Mandi in Jalandhar on my retirement from diplomatic career. Before I left Jalandhar for Delhi in March, 1970, I had heard of the leather business family of Narain Dass and his clan
belonging to Jalowal Abadi, an extension of Bootan Mandi. Later, on occasional visits on home-leave, I came to know that one of the scions of Narain Dass’s family, Ram Aasra made good in politics and remained a Municipal Councilor for a couple of successive terms. On his demise, his wife Surinder Kaur took the gauntlet and filled the gap. She is now the Senior Deputy Mayor of Jalandhar and rightly so. Narain Dass was doing well along with his elder son Mehnga Ram who was addressed as Gora Mehnga

Senior Dy. Mayor Surinder Kaur

as one of the brothers/cousins of Narain Dass, Mehnga Ram who was also in the same business from the same premises, was of little dark complexion and was called Kala Mehnga.  With a view to shoulder the business of father Narain Dass, Thakur Dass who was serving in the BSF took voluntary retirement and joined the family business of leather in their company Narain Dass Menga Ram sometime in 1977-78, I understand. Here starts the phase of phenomenal success of the family under the nomenclature of Modern Group of Companies.

They came, arrived and reached and fortified their position and status as sons of the soil with sheer business acumen and grit. While concentrating on leather business, they spread their operations from Bootan Mandi to the new facilities at the Leather Complex in Jalandhar with technologically upgraded tanneries and show making units at Jalowal Abadi, their native place. The worthy sons of Seth Thakur Dass – Goldy, Ravi and Balwinder, after their College eduction, joined the family business and also diversified their operations. I was told that they did well in real estate business not only for making quick bucks but also adding to their fortunes in agricultural land in and around nearby villages and also urban real estate by way of shopping malls and residential villas in posh localities of Jalandhar. I gathered some of these details only recently when I visited and met Goldy Suman to condole the sudden death of Seth Thakur Dass some two months ago.

On my return to Bootan Mandi and in pursuit of my social and community activism, I met Seth Thakur Dass occasionally and found him a calm and quiet man with unpretentious dignity. He was genuinely involved in community matters with a view to seek the welfare of the needy and weaker sections of the society. Seth Sahib

With Thakur Dass at Guru Ravidass Jyanti

also remained the President of Guru Ravidass Educational and Charitable Trust of Bootan Mandi for couple of consecutive terms and as such contributed considerably towards the development of Guru Ravidass Dham, a nerve centre of community activities in the region.  I was told that at the nearby Jalowal Abadi too, Seth Thakur Dass and their extended family were actively involved in the development and running the Government school and Guru Ravidass Gurudawara and also helping the poor of the locality.

As I said that I did not know Seth Thakur Dass as it should be till his demise a couple of months ago. I joined the family at Seth ji’s ‘Antim Ardas’ at Guru Ravidass Dham, a ceremony which impressed me further. It was a huge and well hosted congregation participated by the different shades and hues of political, social and economic life of the area. Speaker after speaker spoke very high of Seth Thakur Dass and paid glowing tributes to the worthy son of the soil led by MP Santokh Singh, MLA Sushil Rinku, Former MP and Minister Mohinder Singh Kaypee, Former MLA and CPS Avinash Chander, Dr. Ram Lal Jassi in the presence of high-ups in the business, bureaucratic and spiritual circles viz. IAS Bhagwati Prasad, IAS Santosh Sandhu and CEO’s representing big business houses in leather and real estate sector. Sudden departure of Seth Thakur Dass has left a wide gap which would be difficult to fill. This I write as a humble tribute to the departed soul and a gesture of standing with the bereaved family as a fellow BootanMandian.

Postscript:- Not that I have had some deeper association with  Seth Thakur Dass and his family yet I decided to write as my usual trait to appreciate and recognize my fellow BootanMandians who did well in life by their sheer grit and dedication and were self made. I thought of appending this as postscript to justify my out of the blue pick, as I please.

                                                                    

Rashtar, Rashtarbad aur Ambedkarbad – a book by Dawarka Bharti

 

Rashtar, Rashtarbad aur Ambedkarbad – a book by Dawarka Bharti

Dawarka Bharti, who requires no introduction, is a renowned writer of poetry and prose on matters of interest and concern to the under-privileged segments of the society. He is a staunch Ambedkarite and a Buddhist to the core. I had reviewed his earlier book “Mochi” – a sahitiyak Atamkatha (a literary autobiography) in the columns of my blog which may be seen at the given link: https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2021/01/from-mochis-theeha-to-ignou-book-review.html

The book in hand – Rashtar, Rashtarbad aur Ambedkarbad written in Hindi is a compilation of 21 essays on interesting subjects pertaining

to some of the issues of current and contemporary interest and relevance. The book has been dedicated to the Dawarka ji’s father Bhagwan Dass Raju who himself was an Ambedkarite activist of his times. Dawarka Bharti acknowledges this fact with a sense of pride and gratitude that his pursuits to know and adopt Ambedkar Thoughts were initiated and instilled in him by his father.

The book was formally released on April 14, birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar at Sidharath Nagar Budh Vihar at Bootan Mandi in Jalandhar where I was invited to do the honours. It was a pleasure not only to pay my humble tribute Babasaheb but also stand with Dawarka Bharti at his moment of achievement, yet another feather in his literary hat. The title of the first essay in the book is the title of the book also. Publisher, Varinder Kumar of Navchetna Publications, has rightly said in his note, “

वैसे तो इस पुस्तक  में उठाए  गए विषय इतने गंभीर और महतबपूर्ण हैं की हर विषय पर  बिस्तार चर्चा होनी चाहिए”   The thought provoking essays are worth reading which have been written by the author with courage and conviction in these days of growing intolerance in the system and the society.  Bharti Sahib in his home-grown humbleness says at the outset, “मेरे लिखने से यां न लिखने से बहुत फर्क पड़ जायगा; ऐसा नहीं है; पर लगा शायद चुप रहना  सहमति न मान ली जाये मेरी ". It may be taken at its face value. Some of the essays have been devoted to various aspects of Ambedkar Thought. One of the headings rightly conveys the mind of the author - आंबेडकर एक आइकॉन ही नहीं; बैचारिक जवालामुखी भी है. Yet another aspect of Ambedkar Thought reflects in the essays on Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy and also on conversion, especially conversion from Hindu religion, to other faiths. The author’s take on Ayurveda and Yoga, medical and health systems of India, makes an interesting reading. Dawarka Bharti is very candid on some of the social ills of the society like big feasts on

death and ‘Antim Ardas’ events etc. Bharti is concerned and worried about the prevailing and emerging communal situation in the country and has touched the relevant aspect of the issue in a couple of essays in the book. It is said that the proof of the pudding lies in its eating. The book Rastar, Rashtarbad aur Ambedkarbad is worth reading.

While delivering my brief remarks on the launch of the book, I said that India was a land of multi-cultural and multi racial society and as such India that is Bharat was declared as Union of States in the constitution. The chief architect of the constitution Babasaheb Ambedkar said that India was never a nation. We are to make it a nation” Bharti Sahib has written about Ambedkarbad, while referring to the concept, I thought of raising a question which academics and historians would answer in due course and asked that what was Ambedkarbad? I don’t think that Ambedkar was interested in any “BAAD” but still I think, as a lay man, Ambedkar Thought, in concrete and crystallized form, stands for the betterment of the community, society and the humanity at large by way of harmonious social set-up, democratic polity, and equitable economic order, humanistic and compassionate spiritual endeavor which may be termed as Ambedkarbad.  As regards the ongoing unfortunate strife ridden atmosphere in the country as raised in some of the essays in the book, I said that we all should revisit and read Babasaheb’s speech of November 25, 1949 delivered in the Constituent Assembly before the constitution was finally passed and adopted. As a visionary leader he raised questions and answered himself which are as relevant today as it was in 1949.

I hope that the book will be received well. Dawarks Bharti is fighting fit to give us more at his age of past seventy. I wish him good health and prosperity in the years to come.