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[1] From: Regi P George <george_regi@yahoo.com> Date: Wed Jun 29, 2005 Subject: liquor offers new sops - educational aids to children. Catching them young K. Venkiteswaran http://www.hindu.com/2005/06/29/stories/2005062903881300.htm In Kerala, an association of hotels that sell liquor offers new sops to their customers, in the form of educational aids to their children. LOADED MESSAGE: To school, with a new set of bags, PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT KOCHI: By all appearances, it is altruism in full flow in Kerala. In the State with the highest per capita consumption of liquor, which also has the distinction of being the most literate in the country, the dispensers of the brew, represented by the Kerala Bar Hotels Association here, organised a function where children of their regular customers were supplied with school notebooks, school bags and umbrellas ??” free of cost. A State Minister, a Member of Parliament, an MLA and a film star graced the occasion on Sunday. Some 2,000 schoolchildren benefited. Informed sources in the association say this is the tenth year they have done it. They say that in the past it was being done on a low key, without seeking publicity. One of the organisers equated the gesture with the free supply of "touchings" (as the pickles provided free of cost along with liquor in bars in central Kerala are referred to in local parlance). He felt that such gestures are essential to retain customer loyalty. The trade in "Indian made foreign liquor" experienced a new high in the State after arrack was banned here in 1996. According to available data, the per person consumption of liquor in Kerala is 8.3 litres ??” which is several times the national average. Certain new liquor varieties are `test marketed' in the State, which takes to liquor, according to industry insiders, like fish to water. Liquor sales, which is in the state sector, accounts for one of the largest single contributions to the State Government's kitty. The Kochi initiative comes close on the heels of reports from Cherthala in Alleppey district of a toddy shop providing, on the one hand, freebies to regular customers, and on the other, pencils, pens and notebooks to the children of regular drinkers. However, as word got around, a group of women and social workers forced the establishment to stop the practice. ---------------------- [2] From: dnrad1 <dnrad1@sancharnet.in> Date: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:27pm Subject: A TRIBUTE TO VASANT -RAJAB ON THE GRAVES OF MARTYRS THERE WILL BE FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR (SHAHEEDOKEE MAZARO PAR LAGENGE HAR VARASH MELE) LONG LIVE A TRIBUTE TO VASANT -RAJAB A TRIBUTEON THE OCASSION OF 57TH59TH MARTYRDOM OF VASANT -RAJAB A SAGA OF AMITY AND COMMUNAL HARMONY IN GUJARAT The decision of partition of India had its echo in Ahmedabad too. There were many Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthis to sacrifice their lives for the cause of communal harmony through out India. Vasant Rao Hegishte and Rajab Ali Lakhani were one of them. It was the 1st of July, 1946 and the day of the RathYatra (Car Festival) when communal riot flared up and Vasant Rajab, two youths sacrificed their lives for the cause of communal harmony and amity. .. The people of Ahmedabad had experienced worst kinds of riots during the RathYatra . In Ahmedabad it starts from Jamalpur The day of Rath Yatra atmosphere was communally charged due to the politics of partition. The whole Ahmedabad was up in flame. The entire city was engulfed in arson , looting , killings, burnings. The riot was beyond control. The law and order situation was in disarray. The concerned people were trying their best to calm down the communal passion.Vasant- Rajab Through out the day of the RathYatra they were engaged in saving Hindu and Muslim Families and their houses and properties ThroughThroughThroughthrough out the day of the RathYatra . they They saved a Muslim driver from the rioting Hindu mob and a Hindu owner of a Washing Company from the Muslim mob. The news came from Jamalpur in the evening to the The Seva Dal workers in Congress office that at Khand -ni- SheriSheriSheriOffice were working round the clock. They were trying to do their best to pacify the people. In the meanwhile, a HarijanHarijanHarijandisturbing news from Jamalpur arrived that at Khand-Ni- Sheri, of Jamalpur area that a Dalit family was being surrounded by the frenzied mob. It was evening. As soon as the news came, Vasant- Rajab rushed to the spot on foot as quickly as possible because they did not have any conveyance. They reached the spot and tried their best to pacify the mob. Nevertheless, the mob was a frenzied one. Vasant- Rajab tried their best to appeal to their conscience. and was in no mood to listen them... Instead, the mob threatened them of dire consequences. to kill. But Vasant- Rajab did not budge an inch and said that they preferred would prefer to die at their hand and did not budge an inch and lay down inininslept on the path of the mobmobmobroad to prevent them.the mob. Their courageous actactactacts moved many who leftleftleft many hearts but they became victim of the rest of the mob. Of course their martyrdom saved thethe diehards killed Vasant-Rajab and then moved away sparing the Dalit family and the Basti (locality). Their sacrifice could finally put off the flame of communal fire. Therefore, the Vasant- Rajab became the Martyr and an icon of communal harmony. The people of the area still remember them dearly. Now there is a memorial in Khand Ni Sheri where Vasant Rajab laid down their Lives . It is known as Vasant- Rajab Chowk. For the last seven years the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD) has been paying rich tributes to Vasant Rajab at Vasant- Rajab Chowk, Khand Ni Sheri every year on 1st of July . Day by day 1st. of July is recognized as the day of communal harmony in Ahmedabad , and Vasant -Rajab are becoming the icon and heroes. The partion of India had its echo in Ahmedabad.. There were many GaneshChandra Vidyarthi to sacrifice their lives for the cause of communal peace through out India. Vasant and Rajab were one of them. It was 1st. of July, 1946 and the day of RathYatra.. Usually the day of RathYatra is very often known as the BLOOD YATRA. In Ahmedabad it starts from Jamalpur.during which several riots have taken place. The atmoshphere was communally charged due to the politics of partion. The whole Ahmedabad was up in flame. But two youths Vasant-Rajab of SEVADAL sacrificed their lives to put off the fire of communalism It is going to be 59th years of their martyrdom and they have become the symbol of communal harmony, amity and peace. Recalling and popularising Vasant- Rajab has become more relevant now, when the fascism is spreading its tentacles thrthrough cultural regimentation. It was the time of freedom struggle in the country. Vasant - Rajab were the products of the freedom movement of India. They were the dreamers of the Indian Freedom and prepared for any kind of supreme sacrifice. They were inspired by the glorious tradition of highest sacrifice heralded by Chauphekar Brothers, Khudiram Bose, Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Shaheed Bhagat Singh and hundreds known and unknown martyrs. Here is a brief sketch about them VASANTRAO HEGISHTE Vasantrao Hegishte was born on 16th.May1906 at Ahmedabad. Education can wait but not Swaraj was the call of the 1921 Non -Co Operation movement in the country. Responding to the call Vasant Rao at the of age of 15 left school and joined Gujarat Vidyapeeth which was started by Gandhiji. Gujarat Vidyapeeth was tempered in the spirit of patriotism and social service, which became the credo in his life. He joined in Dandi March up to Aslali (outskirt of Ahmedabad) with Gandhiji & was active participatant in Salt Satyagrah in 1930 and was jailed. There after he joined Sevadal .He took active participation in 1932, 1940 and 1942 movements for Freedom As he considered himself wedded to the country and society he decided not to marry. He gave utmost importance to physical exercises, a tradition of Akhadas that was created by Swami Vivekananda to keep fit and strong for the cause of the country. He never lagged behind in joining the struggle for freedom. As a youth, he was a disciplined volunteer ready for the utmost sacrifice. His youthful zest, cheerfulness, readiness to act was always a source of inspiration to all . He was fondly addressed by all as 'Dada' RAJAB ALI LAKHANI Rajab Ali Lakhani was born in Karachi in 1919. Their family hailed from Limbdi of Saurashtra.The Lakhani family came to Limbdi in1935. Rajab Ali matriculated in 1936 and joined Shyamaldas College at Bhavnagar and studied B.A. However, he refused to appear at the examination; because he was convinced that mere degree in life was of no use and that may lead to service under the British, which was not palatable to the independent minded youth like Rajab Ali. He jumped in the stream of freedom struggle and was imprisoned several times. He was a devout reader and his thirst for knowledge was unquenchable. He was always in search of opportunities to share his ideas and opinions. There was an audience ready to listen to him. He was taking classes on various subjects. He adhered to progressive views and was known as Marxist in the Sevadal and Congress circle He belonged to Khoja community of Muslim religion but as he was growing he was more attracted towards social reforms and as a result he was often in conflict with his father and their religious -priest. He wanted to be known as a Man and not by any religion or caste. In later years, he was shocked to observe that the top leaders of Congress and freedom fighters were not free from conservatism... He joined the Rajkot Satyagrah led by Gandhiji and did not appear his B.A. examination. In the college, he formed a Democratic group with the students. He joined the famous Limbdi Satyagrah HIJARAT (Exodus) against the Darbars (The then powerful landed gentry). That was the time of people's uprisings in Saurashtra against the Kings in Princely States. Rajab Ali joined the movement in full spirit in his brief period of his life; he was imprisoned in 1938, 1941 and 1942. There are sweet memories of friendship between Vasant Rao and Rajab Ali . There may be so many Vasant _ Rajab throughout the country who might have died for the cause of communal harmony. Recalling the spirit of Vasant- Rajab like Heroes may create a social and cultural movement against communalism and Fascism. A befitting tribute was paid soon after their death. A Vasant-Rajab Smarak Grantha was published in the same year edited by no less a person than poet Jhaverchand Meghani on dated. 17-12 - 46. The initiative in this direction was taken by Jayanti Dalal. Rich tributes were paid by Dadasaheb Ganesh Mavalankar, Ratilali Adani (Rajab's associate), Manubhai Pancholi, Vasant - Rajab's jailmates, co- workers, friends, and family members. Vasant Rao was cremated at in Dhudheswar burning ghat whereas RajabAli was cremated at Gomatipur Kabrastan. Lamented the sister of Vasantrao Hegishte, Hemalata Hegishte that both Vasant and Rajab lived together, breathed together and died together for a noble cause but death separated them.But they will never be separated. The spirit of both Vasant -Rajab will remain with us. As Shaheed Bhagat Singh said: HAWA ME RAHEGI MERE KHAYALO KI BIJLEE LET 1ST. OF JULY BECOME THE DAY OF PEOPLE'S FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR This write-up is prepared by,Dwarika Nath Rath ---------- |
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