The Bits and Pieces – As I Please -2

 

The Bits and Pieces – As I Please -2

Confluence of India and Central Asia through the Ages - India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) hosted a book discussion on the book edited by Syed Akhtar Hussain ‘Confluence of India and Central Asia through the Ages’ on June 15 which was presided over by President of IICC, Salman Khurshid. The Panelists to discuss the book were eminent intellectuals, Prof Sanjiv Kumar Pandey and my senior colleagues in diplomacy, Ambassador Suresh Goel and Ambassador Sikand Tayal. Though I could not make it to the function yet my interest in the matters of India’s relations with

Central Asia motivated me to write something in this regard. It was just a co-incident that I replaced Ambassador Suresh Goel as Director of Central Asia in 1997 in the MEA and also worked with Ambassador Sikand Tayal in EE Division of MEA I 1989-91. Ambassador Tayal later served as Ambassador to Uzbekistan. It will not be irrelevant to add that I learnt quite a lot about the confluence of India and Central Asia from the audio-video tapes which were left by Ambassador Suresh Goel in the cup-board of Director (Central Asia)’s office room.

India and Central Asia share deep historical and cultural ties, with recent efforts focused on strengthening connectivity, trade, energy cooperation, and security partnerships. The two regions are seen as natural allies with a shared interest in regional stability and prosperity. We consider Central Asia as our ‘extended neighborhood’ as the border of Tajikistan is just about 10 kms. from POK which ultimately belongs to India. During my tenure as Director of the Central Asia Division of MEA, I observed that then EAM Jaswant Singh was much interested in reviving and nurturing cultural bonds with Central Asian countries. On his initiative, India observed and commemorated Bairam Khan jointly with Turkmenistan in 1999-2000. The then Couture Minister, Ananth Kumar headed the delegation for the purpose of which I was a member. PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President of Kyrgyzstan, Askar Akayev jointly released the Hindi version of the Kirghizia epic ‘Manas’ in New Delhi in 1999-2000. The songs and music of Bollywood movies are very popular in Central Asia. I witnessed this personally at a remote village of Turkmenistan at the border of Iran during my visit with a team to study rail connectivity with landlocked Central Asia through the Iranian port Bandar Abbas in 1999. Our Turkmenistan hosts arranged a lunch at the house of the village head. It was a traditional lunch spread on the carpet (Dastarkhan) in big trays (Praat) in the sitting room. I noticed that in a corner of the room there were photos of Hema Malini of the film Sita aur Geeta and of Mithun Chakarvorty of the Disco Dancer. Just to add to the pleasantness of the hospitable occasion, I asked whether they liked and enjoyed Indian films. There was a spontaneous response in Yes. The village head called the women folk of the house in and asked them to sing the famous song - Jimmy Jimmy for us. The ladies were visibly elated and so were we.

As regards the book, Confluence of India and Central Asia through the Ages is a compendium of papers presenting the colourful past and promising future of Central and South Asia. Scholars have discussed Buddhism as the leitmotif of the Silk Route, criss-crossing Asia, in this book. The volume also deals with Persian and Urdu texts which demonstrate the cultural richness of the regions. Equally good number of chapters in the book gives insight into connectivity, multilateralism, threats of terrorism to and hopes of peaceful coexistence and cooperation for India and Central Asia.

Sports Hub at Burlton Park in Jalandhar - Last week, aiming to restore Jalandhar’s legacy as the 'Sports Capital of India,' Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal laid the foundation stone for setting up of a Sports Hub at Burlton Park in Jalandhar.

The Burlton Park remained and retained its glory even after renaming it I the past as Gandhi Stadium and Bishan Singh Bedi Stadium and is still known as Burlton Park. According to some reports, the famous cricketer, Harbhajan Singh (Bhaji) who spent his formative cricketing years at the Park has been asked to suggest a new and befitting name to one of the important landmarks of Jalandhar. It has also been reported that ‘as per the historians, the Burlton Park was named after Major David Burlton, who was a British Commander and was instrumental in establishing the contemporary Jalandhar. The cricket stadium in the park used to be the venue of international-level cricket matches till 1994. Till 2006, the hockey stadium inside the park has been the venue for the India-Pakistan series. Interestingly, the Burlton Park has also been the venue for shooting of old Bollywood movies like 'Pardes' and 'Mera Gaon Mera Des' among others. The revamping of Burlton Park would include facilities for international hockey and cricket apart from other sports disciplines. It is a welcome initiative of the Government of Punjab.

The Sports Hub at Burlton Park will be a befitting recognition to the sports icons like Cricketer Lala Amar Nath and his and his worthy sons Mohinder and Surinder, Hockey Olympians Pargat Singh, Ajit

Pal Singh, Surjit Singh, Turbanator Harbhajan Bhaiji among others. Incidentally, Minister Mohinder Bhagat representative of Jalandhar in the Government is himself a leading manufacturers and exporter of sports goods. My own cherished memories of Burlton Park beginning my childhood and later an alumnus nearby Jalandhar DAV College are still intact at the back of my mind – enjoying international and national cricket matches, listening to PM Jawaharlal Nehru along with my father, participating in the National Day parades as NCC cadet etc.

Let us hope the new project to revive the glory of Burlton Park is completed well in time and does fall prey to political machinations.

Food for thought – Ambedkar Phenomena

It has been reported in the media that Statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar has been installed and unveiled in a school in Frankfurt. I quote from the social media post on the subject,

“A Historic Milestone for Global Ambedkarites 

Just yesterday, a statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who stands as a global beacon of knowledge, justice and human dignity, was officially unveiled at Goethe Public School in Frankfurt, Germany.

This is a groundbreaking moment as it marks the very first installation of Babasaheb’s statue on continental European soil, outside of the United Kingdom, where a few statues and busts already honour his legacy.

This occasion is not just a tribute to Babasaheb’s immense intellect and worldwide impact. It also serves as a powerful reminder that the Ambedkarite movement is transcending borders, resonating with international institutions dedicated to equality, rationality and education. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to everyone who played a role in making this historic milestone a reality — educators, organizers, and the global community of Ambedkarites who are tirelessly working to advance Babasaheb’s mission.

Jai Bhim  ”

It is a matter of satisfaction to note particularly in view of the fact that some anti-social and anti-India elements both in India and abroad are trying to damage Ambedkar’s statues under one pretext or the other to promote their vested interests. More and more statues and memorials of Babasaheb Ambedkar are coming up not only in India but throughout the World

The food for thought is that ‘it is just not possible to side-line Ambedkar and his legacy. Anybody would do so at ones on peril.

Meri ada ko dawana to khair mumkin hai,

Magar nai awam ki awaj kaun rokega