HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!

Dehradun fast loosing its heritage landmarks

So, what is heritage? Well, in a nutshell heritage is that which is handed over to us from the past through our forebears, our ancestors. Heritage is something that, once lost, can never be regained again.

In fact heritage is the full range of our inherited traditions, monuments, objects, and culture. Most important, it is the range of contemporary activities, meanings, and behaviours that we draw from them. It is an identity with which one is linked and recognised.

Having grown up in Dehradun, what I saw in my childhood over forty years ago unfortunately, a large part of it does not exist here anymore. Yes, I am referring to the physical features and landmarks of this valley. While, I agree, change is inevitable and it is necessary for our development and progress, it cannot be at the merciless hands of shaving off our heritage. Unfortunately, we have seen the masters of the governance here during the past over a decade turning a blind eye towards the heritage places of this once “town of grey haired people”.

The government executors’ initiating the so-called development appears to have no idea of what they are destroying since they have not seen the past glory of this town which till over a decade and a half back was a small hamlet opted by retired and defence people and famous for its schools. Ignorant of the facts, the planners and executors here are bull-dozing on the heritage spots to make provision for a metro kind of town to emerge. They forget, this town is not cut out for such rampant development being a valley with fragile eco-system. We all have seen the wrath of nature in the recent Kedarnath tragedy and yet learnt no lessons. Dehradun is also facing a severe climate disaster in the recent past. God forbid any nature’s wrath here. These guys cannot gauge in their wildest dreams of what they have destroyed and what some heritage places meant for those who have spent ages here. An old resident who has been here for over 70 years says, destroying landmarks are like your home being destroyed by some hoodlums.

Lamenting on the present state-of-affairs, another old resident said, “I ask a simple question from these people in governance, what will they do if one tried to destroy and/or deface their personal family heritage and/or property just because it should look different”. Will they sit and enjoy the destruction or re-bound with their might to kick and toss the defaulters, he asserted. Another resident in his late eighties said, “If ones father gets old, one tries to restore his and not kill him to get a younger looking father”. Unfortunately, this is what is happening here to the heritage spots, he said with great grief. Please treat this town and its heritage as your own belonging. Don’t destroy it and expose your stupidity he appealed.

Unfortunately, the rapid, unplanned development seen here has led the town to bleed. A group of concerned residents here said - who has authorised them? Has a public consensus been taken or a public debate organised on this issue before eradicating or changing the landmarks and physical features here? Well, these are all questions which hold relevance for all of us as responsible citizens. It is time people at large should come forward towards these mis-happenings at the hands of few.

I would like to now throw light on some of the lost for ever heritage sites of Dehradun which comes to my mind while I write this piece. The once bustling Chakrata Road with its heritage structures, old-time shops, with which one always co-related oneself to Dehradun is gone. Chakrata Road is slaughtered beyond ones wildest imaginations just to accommodate the burgeoning traffic. This man-made burgeoning traffic problem here is mentioned in paragraphs below. This can be solved in no time with right approach.

The famous canal of Dehradun which flowed from the East Canal Road and which greatly had a bearing on the climate of the Doon is no more seen. One can imagine its effect on the climate here. The unrecognisable Eucalyptus Road has converted from a residential area to a commercial one. The landmark government city bus stand near Clock Tower is now in shambles with encroachers hovering on its site. The now-a-days private city buses prefer parking on roads, hindering flow of traffic, than be parked in the bus stand.

The quite and scenic beauty of Rajpur Road from Dilaram Bazar to Rajpur has been lost beyond recognition. This area is now more like Chandni Chowk of Delhi with make-shift shops mushrooming on both sides of the road and wherever they can and big malls spreading up to the main road adding to the traffic congestions. It’s a pitiable state of affairs to see Rajpur Road in such a state being the back-bone of the Doon. This road with greenery on both sides was once a treat to the eyes.

The shrinking of the Parade Ground is another matter of great concern. The recent mercilessly chopping of all the green trees around this magnificent ground worries every Doonite as the Parade Ground is the only big patch of open land in the center of the town for fairs and public functions. With the loosing of its trees which were all around this ground it has already lost its green look. God save this ground from its bleak future and encroachment.

My heart goes for the almost inexistent Patel Park opposite the HPO at Clock Tower. The Patel Park was once a small garden at the clock tower where tourists and local residents were often seen sitting there in the evenings after a stroll in the famous Palton Bazaar. Its renovation has been on for years but that poor small park has not got any shape so far. I do not know what was wrong in the earlier park and what the planners want to turn this into now. It has rather been destroyed beyond limits of its original identity; barring the fact that handsome amount of money may have already gone in its so-called development but to no use. The un-cared for statue of Sardar Patel lying here too is facing the brunt of this development.

These and many more such sites with which people of Doon once associated them are already gone for ever. Some more are on the verge of being swallowed at the hands of un-planned development if not checked. Can somebody responsible at the highest levels of the government ponder on these issues to save Dehradun and its identity and land marks?

What is interesting on the other hand is the shoving in of the Vidhan Sabha, the Secretariat and all crowd generating offices and government establishments in the midst of the small town of Dehradun since its formation as Uttarakhand’s Capital. Why has this been done? Can anybody tell? Nobody will see any good reason for pocketing everything within the narrow city limits. This has led to chaos of traffic (which I have mentioned above) due to countless number of government vehicles and vehicles of other government employees working here zipping all around the city. This segment of people accounts for almost fifty percent of traffic. All this will be addressed if the Vidhan Sabha, the Secretariat and all crowd generating offices and government establishment’s set-up here after formation of Uttarakhand be shifted out of city limits. There mere absence from the main town can substantially reduce the traffic and over crowding problems and bring back the lost glory.

Traffic woes are also because of dwellings coming up all in every nook and corner of present city. Whether it’s a “nullah”, river bed or water drainage path everywhere one sees rampant construction, as a result besides the beauty of the town being destroyed it is causing inundation of rain water during monsoons. The inundation problem was never there in Dehradun around 15 years back.

If true development of Dehradun is our concern, is it necessary to stop turning an un-turn able small town into Shanghai. Our planners should recognise the limit of this place. Setting up of new Dehradun outside the present city limits of the town, housing all the big and crowd generating government and private establishments and residences for people working there, which includes the highest level of government functionaries, will be a wise decision.

A live and an excellent example of this is Gandhinagar the capital of Gujarat. Gandhinagar adjoining Ahmedabad came to being because of similar problems and issues faced by Ahmedabad at one time. With hats off to planners of Gujarat that Gandhinagar is developed into a world class model town relieving Ahmedabad of the extra pressure and an example of fine development. Why can’t this model be put in place here too? A new Dehradun, adjoining the present one will relieve this town of its many man-made woes and also help save its heritage. Till this happens, God save my town!

Greetings on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism. Apart from Sikhs, Hindus and other followers of Guru Nanak's philosophy also celebrate this festival.

Guru Nanak Devji’s message of compassion and equality of all human beings is of timeless relevance. Let us on this day recall his sublime teachings and strive for the upliftment of the weak and downtrodden in order to create a society devoid of all social distinctions. May we imbibe the noble teachings of the Guru in our daily lives and strengthen the bonds of unity and oneness in our society

E.A.Tuck – An educationist par excellence

To Sir with Love!

My old fellow Cambrianites will agree the great teacher in our then Principal Mr.E.A.Tuck at Cambrian Hall. Teaching was a gift that came quite naturally to him. Today after over thirty years he last taught me, Mr.Tuck is still remembered as that great teacher we had in school! Besides his many qualities, his selflessly contribution in imparting education stands him apart. Truly teachers like Mr.Tuck are living example and institution in them.

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Mr. E.A.Tuck’s photo of 1980

I am writing about him the way I saw him while at Cambrian Hall. This piece fortunately coincides with his presence in town as an invitee at the ongoing Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Cambrian Hall School where he served for over a decade till the year 1982 to voluntarily opt out for being amidst his near and dear ones in Australia.

As I sit with my pen poised in mid-air, I can almost see the memories dripping through the nib. It was the time Cambrian Hall was approaching its silver jubilee sometimes in 1978-79 when Mr.Tuck advised us all by saying, “The year 1979 usher the Silver Jubilee of this school and with it recollections of the past twenty-five years, and vision of what the future will have in store for all here, must inevitably come to the minds of those associated with Cambrian Hall.” Let us look ahead, he had said, to the year of Cambrian Hall’s Silver Jubilee and in the words of the School Song:

Let us live with dignity

courage, hope and charity.

Let the name of Cambrian Hall

swell with pride within us all.

As we onwards, onwards go

Ever on “To Greater Heights”.

With years gone by when he spoke these words, today every Cambrianite swells with pride to see the school in the league of majors. Mr. Tuck re-visiting Cambrian Hall on its Diamond Jubilee is in itself an occasion. The school looks forward to his blessings, guidance and words of wisdom for onwards path to greater heights. His advice will once again energize the school like it did years back. Needless to say, his charisma and passion for education continues to mesmerize his associates and admirers in India and abroad.

For you who have not been associated with Cambrian Hall or even the today’s generation children and most of the teachers at the school this piece attempts to let the readers know of an ardent educationist like Mr. E.A.Tuck and his magnanimous personality. Educationists like him are pride for their profession. Dehradun is proud that he once taught here.

As student of Cambrian Hall over 30 years back, I remember the children when I was in school always looked upon their teachers and the then Principal Mr. E.A.Tuck with great respect. For us he was someone whose words were like holy sermons, for we knew his unintentional love for each one of us. Such teachers are unfortunately rare then and becoming rarer today. Hence respect for such beings come from within and not a handiwork of any special tutoring.

In the paragraphs below, I will try to mention some of the quotes of Mr.E.A.Tuck while he was in Cambrian Hall for the readers to gauge his personality and his way ahead thinking.

I am sure the readers will appreciate the selfless work and ideals of an educationist like Mr. Tuck that I may briefly discuss here. Through these words the intent is also to assure Mr.Tuck we still remember and practice his teachings, the great moral values imbibed by him and other teachers while at schools. Their hard work on every student definitely has helped parents do all that less work on our character and personality building.

Among the few memories dripping through the nib of my pen, I recollect Mr. Tuck once pointed out the dedication and love of Mrs. Maude Mainwaring, the founder Principal towards the school. Mentioning this when Cambrian Hall celebrates its Diamond Jubilee is very apt. He had said, “As the founder Principal of Cambrian Hall Mrs. Mainwaring had the arduous task of nurturing this school through its infancy starting in the year 1954. She looks upon the school as her special baby”. A lovely thought of Mrs. Mainwaring for there a very few who consider their place of work as their part. This quote equally stands at praise for Mr. Tuck who recognized his predecessor’s contribution to the school.

The era of Mr.Tuck saw Cambrian Hall grow, strengthen and shine on all fronts. It was undoubtedly the "Golden Age" of the school. Proudly once he said, "Each year the problem of trying to accommodate the numbers who qualify in the entrance test is becoming increasingly difficult. Whether this is Cambrian Hall's popularity in a town known for its educational institutions, I cannot say, but our enrolment has certainly grown beyond our expectations." Not taking the credit of the good reputation Cambrian Hall gained under him, Mr. Tuck was always seen his humble self with a no-nonsense approach by anyone. For him work has always been worship!

Photo of Independence Day Celebration at Cambrian Hall in the year 1980. 

Mr.Tuck in black robe reading the school pledge on the occasion. Among 

the then staff members Late. Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana is also 

seen standing with the chief guest near the flag post.

Working shoulder to shoulder with the school management and trying to lessen the financial load on the school where-ever it could, Mr. Tuck once mentioned during the Principal’s report of the academic year way back in early 1970s, the formative years of the school, “We can overcome the tremendous financial constraints by tightening our belts and so for the next couple of years we will have to live on bread and water – not literally, but for our many functions we will have to exercise a certain restraint.” A very good example portrayed by him that curtailed extravagant expenses for the cause of the school. Undoubtedly not many think the way he did for his workplace. This displayed a true educationist and a loyalist in Mr.Tuck dedicated to the noble cause of building the school in its formative years.

These feelings can only be felt if one sees deep. His level of commitment was exemplary! Today recollecting these memories the respect for Mr.Tuck only grows.

His unmatched qualities of being a fine educationist besides an efficient leader of men reflected in one of his annual reports where he said "I am fortunate to have under me a staff that work happily and in spite of certain problems, are willing to accept the rough with the smooth." On complementing the growing strength and well management of the girls and the boy’s hostel in the school which was something unique in those days, he said, "Managing good hostel for any school is very important. Cambrian Hall is fortunate in having competent staff to manage the hostel.” A fine example of leadership where every person associated with the school gave his best and stood by Mr.Tuck.

To the parents of the children who studied in Cambrian Hall, Mr.Tuck invariably in many of his speeches at the school on many occasions acknowledged by saying, “You have indeed helped me and through me the school. Your continued support can make this school one of the best in the State”. How true! Today, undoubtedly Cambrian Hall stands tall due to the selfless contribution of motivators like Mr. Tuck.

Mr. Tuck’s feelings about Mr. Meredith Doutré his predecessor show his very humane and humble personality. Without wanting a word of appreciation for self while as the principal, he said, “It is he who has put this school on the educational map and made it what it is today. No amount of words will be adequate to sing his praise for he was all that a man of his stature be. With Mr. Doutré’s passing away in September 1971, another spirit of a true “guru” has moved on leaving us poorer by his absence but ever so richer by his experience.”

Even now Mr.Tuck feels equally attached to Cambrian Hall. At his age only a determined soul can travel thousands of miles for being part of the celebrations where he had spent a part of his prime days. He says, “In all humility and sincerity I can say that I was fortunate to have worked here”. A great man! Sir, may you shine forever!

I remember, how as our English teacher when we were in the highest class of the school, the lessons so meritoriously taught by Mr. Tuck that while being taught we simultaneously learned them. His results were ever shining. His teaching was par excellence. Who would not love to once again be a student to such a fine teacher?

Such was his aura that even the naughtiest of the child in class would sit attentively. The morning assembly saw a pin-drop silence the moment he approached. His routine round in the school corridors kept both the teachers and the students on heals. His crisp voice still reverberates in my ears. Off the class his generous attitude towards all remembered with respect. I distinctively remember how his way of appreciating with a pat and saying “Shabash” (well done) to the good work done by class IV employees motivated them.

While academic results are an accepted yardstick to measure the worth of a school, it is not the only one. It is here that according to Mr. Tuck’s vision much that cannot be taught within the four walls of a classroom is learnt outside and the true quality of an individual is often more accurately assessed by his or her quality to accept and read just to a multitude of changing situations. To think and act independently and to develop a taste for all that is worth while around us. He kept balance of studies, games and extra curricular activities a prerequisite for all on the school campus. Sir, we love and respect the same we did when you were our teacher! May you visit Dehradun many more times!

Maude Mainwaring to Dr. S.C.Biala, Cambrian Hall’s journey to Diamond Jubilee

A nostalgic recount by an ex-student

From the principles lay down by Mrs. Maude Mainwaring the founder principal of Cambrian Hall to presently Dr. S.C.Biala, Cambrian Hall has stood the test of time and remained on firm footing as a true school in every sense. Be it academics or extra co-curricular activities, the school has always shined bright and carved out a special place for itself in the league of majors.

The principal ship of the school over the years has changed hands from late Mrs. Maude Mainwaring to late Mr. Meredith Doutré, Mr. Edger Allen Tuck, Mr. GW Mayer, late Mr. RC Singhal and presently to Dr S. C. Biala. All these eminent educationists were/are highly qualified with long and rich experience of teaching coupled with administration and ably assisted by talented, experienced and professional teachers that have taken over the challenging task of leading the school which very aptly has risen as its motto “To Greater Heights”.

In the efforts for continuous up gradation of educational standards, the school has always adapted to the most modern techniques of teaching and chalked a path keeping in view the need of the times and stood tall like the mighty oak. Cambrian Hall is lovingly called “CH” by its well-wishers.

Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee having completed 60 glorious years Cambrian Hall is one of the leading and oldest coeducational, day and residential English medium school of the Doon. With only five students on its roll having classes Nursery to Standard II when the school established on 12th July, 1954 at 12 Lytton Road, Dehradun with Mrs. Maude Mainwaring the then, one of the finest teacher in the town, as the founder Principal Cambrian Hall has grown over the years and is among the best in class. With its present sprawling over 35 bhigas green campus amidst the Dehradun cantonment adjoining to The Doon School, its alumina are countless number of the top-notch officers of the Indian defense forces, civil services, academicians, corporate executives and many other professionals and business tycoons.

The momentous journey of the school could not have been possible but for the dream and hard work put in by Late. Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana a philanthropist from the lineage of the Royal family of Nepal, the school’s founder Chairman/President and his team of dedicated educationists that Cambrian Hall today is a respected school of the town with over 1500 students in classes I to XII. Affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi for Cambrian Hall imparting education has never been a business unlike many new age schools cropping up all around. It believes in what a school is for i.e. quality education, high moral standards along with necessary extra-curricular activities must for any child’s personality development to the fullest. The only thing it does not indulge in is blowing its own trumpets for cheap publicity.

Committed to the cause of education since the demise of her husband the visionary Col. Shashi Shumshere J.B. Rana in the year 1988 Rani Chandra Raj Laxmi the present President of Cambrian Hall School Trust while maintaining a low profile for self has further cemented the vision and moral values of Col. Shashi and maintained high standards of education and overall grooming of a child. Her humility is her greatest asset which has made Cambrian Hall scales the crest.

A very inspiring school motto ‘To Greater Heights’ which is also the lead phrase of the school song, Cambrian Hall emblem depicts a hand holding “Khukuri” (Nepalese knife with an inwardly curved edge, similar to a machete) and snow-clad mountains in the background, as if extending invitation to most beautiful but challenging world of nature. One can well imagine the far-sightedness of the founders of the school who were extremely conscious of nature and environment way back in 60s.

October 30, 31 and November 1, 2014 will witness the school formally celebrate its Diamond Jubilee among its past and present students, associates, eminent personalities and well wishers.

As an ex-student I owe my education to this great school. I have studied here right through from Kindergarten onwards over 30 years back. In fact my family has a long association with Cambrian Hall of more than 40 years and still going. Ours is a family kind bonding with this great institution and have always considered it as a school of choice. My family is proudly associated with Cambrian in all its momentous occasions – i.e the Silver, Gold and now the Diamond Jubilee.

The school takes pride in the fact that many of the schools in the town and different places across the country are today led by once Cambrian Hall teachers. The present Principals of St. Thomas School, St. Jude School, Hilton’s School, Riverdale School, Carman School, Guru Nanak Academy, Bishop Cotton and many others have their roots in this great institution. Likewise schools like Col. Brown, Constantia School, Bishop Heritage School, Patna and few others had teachers from Cambrian Hall lead them. Truly Cambrian Hall is mother of all schools in the Doon!

Cambrian Hall has also set up many novel traditions and is a first on many fronts. It was among the first coeducational school of the town to cater to national and international students both as day scholars and boarders. It possessed an Auditorium way back in mid seventies when most of the schools did not have one. The early seventies also saw Cambrian Hall a proud owner of school buses fleet to ferry children from across the Doon valley. During those days none other school in its class possessed its own school bus fleet, Cambrian Hall did. The NCC too was a part of school curriculum, though optional was again an innovative way of imbibing the spirit of patriotism among the students.

In the sphere of games, its annual sports equated to the District level sports at one time. The inter school boxing matches with some leading schools of the country were once a regular annual fixture at Cambrian Hall. The only other local schools which saw this sport in those days were the Rashtriya Indian Military College, The Doon School and Indian Military Academy (IMA).

A Museum of birds and small animals to infuse the love for nature among the students was a pride of Cambrian Hall so were the many clubs which focused many activities every Saturday afternoon. An all religion temple at the school was among the many firsts here. Likewise there are countless fronts where Cambrian Hall has stood as a leader to date.

While Cambrian Hall celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, one cannot miss remembering the teachers of yester years whose efforts and dedication is matchless. Some names of teachers who I saw in my tenure up to early 1980’s which comes to my mind who have left unmatched impressions on me and to whom I feel offering my obeisance and respect are Mr. Eral Shephard and Mrs. J.Shephard, Mr. D.Bulter-White and Mrs. D.G.Butler-White, Mr.Shanti Swaroop, Mr.Mohinder Singh Siddhu, Mr.D.N.Sharma, Mr.P.P.Singh, Mr. K.N. Bahuguna, Mr.R.Jordan and Mrs. S.Jordan, Mr. Roshan Lal, Mr.D.B.Rana, Mrs. V.Saxena, Ms. Jagbala Singh, Major (Retd). O.P.Trihima, Mrs. D.Fanthome, Mr. W.H. Thomson, Mr.A.E.Lunn, Ms. E.Edwards, Mr.A.W.Hilton, Mrs.Ketley, Mrs.M.Chopra, Mrs.J.Ghosh, Mrs.N.Greenwold, Mr and Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. R.Hensman and her daughter Ms. I Hensman, Ms.C.L.Joyce, Mrs. Q. Barnes, Mrs. M.Barth, Mrs.Pritam Kaur, Mr.G.Mackrodt,  and Mrs. Y.Mackrodt, Ms.P.Mackenzie, Mrs.K.Matloob, Mr. V.McNamara, Mrs, N.McNamara, Mr.V.N.Nigam, Mrs.D.G.Peters, Mrs.A.Pitre, Mr.F.Sharp, Mr. and Mrs. Darshan Singh, Mr. D.Wangchuk,  Mr.R.Cearns, Mr.J.Dennis, Mrs.N.Gideon, Mrs.Veena Guha, Mr.R.Jenkins, Mrs.U.Khanduri, Mr.R.Lawless, Mrs. M.Mathews, Ms. Suman Mehra, Mrs.V.F.Peters, Ms.S.Alam, Mr.R.Gardner and Mrs.V.Gardner, Mr. and Mrs. Giani, Mr.A.K.Raina, Mr.M.Khare, Mr.K.K.Sharma, Mr.Sealy, Major (Retd) D.P.Kala, Mr.Thakur Singh and many more both academic and non academic staff members who I may not remember now but their contribution beyond words.

Today, like me all Cambrianites feel happy to see Mr. Shyam Singh Thapa, Mr. Birbal Chhetri the Physics, Biology laboratory keepers and Mr. Pushkar the Sports Store keeper as the longest-serving staff members who were in my times and still dedicatedly serving the school with same vigor and zeal what we saw them then. They have put in their whole life to the cause of Cambrian Hall. These gentlemen among the many others are the true custodian of this great school but for their efforts and efforts of similar great teachers Cambrian Hall would not have been where it is today.

Long live Cambrian Hall! 

Governor Dr. Qureshi Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai? *

( * What makes Governor Dr. Qureshi Angry? )

Dr.Aziz Qureshi

The other day I was thinking of sharing with the readers an aspect which is different from the traditional ones only to realize the need to capture the spirit of a “karamyogi” (English: One who live in inner peace and act with love for the happiness of all beings). I could not think of a better name than the first citizen of Uttarakhand, Governor Dr.Aziz Qureshi. The paragraphs below give a glimpse of his personality and why at times Governor Dr. Qureshi Ko Gussa Aata Hai (English: What makes Governor Dr. Qureshi Angry?). With due respect to Dr. Qureshi, I am attempting to share few of the many sides of his multi-dimensioned and larger than life personality.

Rarely one notices a man like the first citizen of a State who engages so much emotionally and physically for the cause of its people like the Governor Dr.Aziz Qureshi. I can say this as I have noticed his many humane qualities and his typical style of conversing so casually with one and all that he looks more like a commoner than the first citizen of a State. So what is it that stands him apart even being a commoner with his people? A good human being is what one sees in him. A no non-sense approach man, his empathetic attitude towards all, both in political and public life looked upon with respect and dignity not only by his party leaders but even by the leaders of other political parties. With a distinguished political career which has spanned over six decades having joined politics as a student leader in the year 1951 as Congress Seva Dal member, he is a seasoned politician, master of his profession and undoubtedly a true leader of men and a statesman!

His intellectual grasp of any subject is amazing. Today there are only handful politicians who have the intellectual power as that by Dr. Qureshi. A human knowledge bank with triple Master’s in Political Science, Arabic and Urdu Literature, LL.B. and a Ph.D in Political Science along with D.Lit stands him high in order. A fine teacher besides being a politician he has once been the Head of the Department of Political Science and Principal, Aurobindo Arts and Law College, Bhopal besides shouldering countless number of political and social responsibilities. Presently also in his ex-officio capacity as the Governor he is the Chancellor of various Universities in the State. A perfect fit!

My first face to face seeing Governor Qureshi was when I was an invitee at the Raj Bhawan for a Public Relation Society of India function where he was the Chief Guest. This was sometime when he took over the office of Governor of Uttarakhand. Having heard a lot about Dr. Qureshi as a doyen of Indian politics and a great human being, I was eager to listen to him and finally offered my obeisance and respect for his many great thoughts and clear vision on whatever he conversed. I got amazed to see his vast knowledge on a non-political subject like public relations and its importance. He narrated how public relations can make or break an issue. In a very brief interaction with him post event, on my asking how he knew so much of the subject, he smilingly said this was nothing new to him for he has practiced the profession way back in the year 1961-62 when he was In charge of Publicity and Public Relations Department, Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee. I got zapped to hear this after having known the long list of his academic qualifications, political achievements and public standing.

I am referring to the Public Relation Society event for a simple reason as this was the first stroke of knowing him that speaks volumes of Dr. Qureshi’s personality. The organizers during the event as a token of appreciation presented a sapling of “Tulsi” plant in a pot to all the eminent speakers and welcomed Dr. Qureshi with a bouquet of flowers. While accepting the bouquet with all humility, he in his typical straight-forward manner snubbed the organizers for making him an alien among the gathering. Red faced and taken aback the organizers and the audience came to a pin-drop silence not knowing the reason for Governor’s annoyance. For Governor Qureshi he was at par with other eminent speakers of the function having an equal right to get a Tulsi plant. I remember him saying he knew significance of Tulsi and Hindu ethos as much as he does of other religions. The silence in the auditorium saw a thunderous applause by the audience as Dr. Qureshi accepted a Tulsi sapling brought by the organizers of the event. The sequence greatly enhanced him in the eyes of many as a nationalist and up-right man; I am sure reading this makes you feel the same.

Such is his aura and encouraging attitude that non performers become active as seen and heard of him on many occasions. His feelings are rightly reflected when he says, “We must awaken in our hearts the light of virtues like humility, love, compassion and forgiveness to remove the darkness of anger and greed. We must also take a collective initiative to create a better society by helping the under-privileged people and spreading the light of happiness in their lives.’’

Governor Qureshi offers his whole-hearted support for uplifting of weaker sections of society, particularly rural youth, physically challenged and promotion of adult education. His feelings for the poor, down-trodden and helpless not being deprived of proper health care in the State shows his humane side. His mission of life in his words is to wipe out every tear from each eye and serve suffering humanity.

Rising above politics, Dr. Qureshi has always advocated that for any cause of national interest we should all work together without branding ourselves with our petty affiliations or on the basis of caste and religion. The nation for Dr.Qureshi comes first.

A true crusader for preservation of wild life and forests and for green technology for Dr. Qureshi the future for the humanity lies in preserving our environment and green technologies. I heard him stress recently on reduction of carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency and prevent the loss of our precious biodiversity and ecosystems. Preserving nature has always been an integral to the Indian ethos Dr. Qureshi feels.

Strange but the first ever three days International Conclave of Sanskrit scholars organized by the Sanskrit University, Uttarakhand during September this year was also a brain child of Dr. Qureshi. The conclave saw emergence of around 200 scholars from eight countries including US, Germany, Japan, Belgium, China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan besides from every corner of India where Sanskrit is either learned, taught or researched. The Uttarakhand government resoled during the conclave to make the State an international seat for Sanskrit education and learning with setting up of an International standard Sanskrit University here. Needless to say, Sanskrit is the mother of all languages with its linguistic ancestry back to Proto-Indo-Iranian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European. If Uttarakhand gains an international recognition as a seat of Sanskrit learning and research, it will go down the annals of history as sole efforts of Dr. Qureshi.

Dr. Qureshi often shares an interesting anecdote of how when he came to take over as the Governor of Uttarakhand he wanted the oath ceremony in Sanskrit language, but due to unavailability of a Sanskrit language oath draft it could not be fulfilled. One can only imagine the Governor’s love for the subject which even perplexes his critics many of whom look at him as a Muslim with unimaginable tolerance for all religions. Undoubtedly Dr. Qureshi is a patriot, great statesman, a man of principles with high values.

As a representative of the Central government, Governor Qureshi like his predecessors has held the political and socio-economic developments of the State in high order. Long live the righteous Governor!

Wishing a Very Happy and Prosperous Diwali

This Diwali don’t let this happen to your neighborhood and town!

Cleanliness endowed with a moral quality. Cleanliness is next to godliness and regarded as contributing to other ideals such as health and beauty.

It seems our Prime Ministers call for a “Swachh Bharat” is going deaf ears for many. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Campaign Clean India) is a national level campaign beyond politics inspired solely by patriotism by the Government of India covering 4041 statutory towns to clean the streets, roads and infrastructure of the country. Unfortunately the offenders to this campaign are mostly the educated and affluent lot living in the posh/good localities and areas not to talk of the illiterates. I hope you are not one?

Seen littered with filth and garbage a street adjoining Kalidas Road, Dehradun. 

Unfortunately this view is a common sight anywhere.

Going around the town or anywhere around the country, one notice a sudden flux of filth, garbage and trash spread all around when festive season approaches and especially during Diwali time. Why Diwali? Simply because in a bid to woo Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, prosperity and good luck which as per our Hindu scriptures comes home to a neat and clean surrounding, we clean our homes not bothering of dirtying the surroundings.

Shoving all the filth and trash upon cleaning our homes on road sides is a very common sight and practice by most. A very pitiable and sorry state of mental level! Remember, no Goddess will ever enter your abode for giving you good luck, wealth and prosperity if you keep your surroundings dirty.

One can see heaps of filth and garbage spread all around and more extensively during festive seasons when many take the liberty of offending to unfortunately no punishable offense in our country. Vacant plots of land, street corners, open drains and ‘nullahas” are a common ugly sight of filth and garbage littered all around. The people even do not restrict or feel ashamed dirtying their neighborhood for their convenience. A growing habit of shoving in all house-hold filth in plastic bags and hurling them over any where is but a pleasure for some. These filth bags in turn feast for the street dogs and other animals that dirty the entire area beyond ones imagination and in some cases a germs breeding ground with foul smell. For God sake rise above this and don’t project your mental sickness!

While this is a display of being literate, illiterates what to talk of the illiterates, the civic bodies also are equally responsible in not doing their task wholesomely. One agrees cleaning is not only the responsibility of safai karamcharis the civic bodies cannot have an easy exit on this account.

We all talk big of Green Diwali and what not, but keeping clean your surroundings and neighborhood not part of the green Diwali? Talk big if you can practice it!

As per a government estimate millions of government employees, schools, college’s students and countless number of residents of India lead the clean India drive. Witnessing this sorry state of affairs, one can say the every day many coverage’s in both print and electronic media where eminent people politicians, schools, big and small organizations seen engaged in the cleanliness drive is to a large extend a farce. Large section of people and many organizations are benefiting more out of this campaign for their personal ambitions and gains then for the real cause. If this campaign evaluated by a photo-opportunity, then we would be doing a disservice to the nation.

It is true when Prime Minister stresses "We reached Mars. No PM or Minister went. It was the people who did it, our scientists who did it. So can't we create a Clean India? India can do it. People of India can do it." 

Change mindsets and be human! 

Oh, Gosh! Not right under the nose!

I was in Mumbai the other day and fascinated, as always, admiring this lively city. This time being elections in Maharashtra, Mumbai appeared a mini political capital with election rallies, posters of various candidates of different parties splashed all around, blaring loud speakers, street and “Jugghi” cluster children dancing to the fancy tunes and jingles of political groups and maddening traffic. The city bore a chaotic festive time market place look. People however, were enjoying without any complaint.

To entice voters, many top political and corporate world leaders and many small time “Neta’s” sweeping roads during election campaigns of their localities in a bid to project their social work attitude as also to impress the Prime Minister that they stand by his recently launched “Swach Bharat Abhiyan”. Whether they actually brace it is a big question. While going around for my work, I enjoyed seeing this as also observing a top corporate leader sweep the road. I hope he engaged in this act with true intentions.

Staying on the 21st floor sea-facing apartment of a premium locality, where I often put up during my visits to Mumbai, I often emphasis to the apartment owner how beautiful and breath-taking view one gets peeping from the large window of the apartment opening towards the sea which allows in fresh morning cool breeze with sea all around, fishing boats far and near in sight and the distant horizon. This scenic view is a treat to anybody’s eyes and the minds only if one gauge straight ahead and not looks down. If one looks down the building hard reality of life is visible. Very true of Mumbai the “Mayanagri” or the financial capital of India which either has more than enough for some while nothing at all for others. Looking down to the beach side right below the building was a horrible sight.

I have noticed this strange sight when ever I visit Mumbai but thought of penning down something this time due to the Prime Minister’s ongoing massive “Swach Bharat Abhiyan” for a clean and green India which every State in India for political reasons vow to its accomplishment. Also, the days I was in Mumbai, the Prime Minister coincidently was there too addressing election rallies. His speeches these days invariably touch upon the cleanliness drive issue.

Many of you must have guessed what horrible sight I am referring to. For the ignorant ones I will tell you! The scenic view of the sea I have just mentioned vanishes into the blue the moment one peeps down the window or worst if one ventures to go to the beach side for a stroll in the morning when and where because of the low tides the sea water retreats far from the shore till at around 12 pm. Hundreds of “Jugghi Jhopri” cluster people, the people living in the nearby shacks - men, women and children, seen defecating all around the place cleared up because of water retreat and that which forms part of the beach. Shamelessly they would watch you eye to eye just if unknowingly you go to the beach. Chances are getting back hurriedly out of embarrassment you might step on somebody’s faeces. Horrible isn’t it! Viewing this from top floors of a building is even worse as you get a bird’s-eye view of the entire area. This view is like the Paradise Lost!

To add to this, stinking filth seen to settle around the place with hovering crows and sea birds, during low tide time every day, as the people living in the nearby shacks and otherwise also along with the merry makers of the last evening who may have visited the beach side and thrown paper and plastic bags, cups and all kinds of rubbish there.

A pathetic view of littered with filth, a Mumbai beach during low tide time. The pipeline seen in the picture leading from land to sea is a cool place for defecators in the morning.

I do not ever see any civic body or an NGO during my stay there engage in a cleanliness drive of these stinking filthy beach areas, alongside human settlements. Seeing this I only imagine if the fate of Prime Minister's "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" in a metro like Mumbai was such, what it would be in other states, small towns and remote parts of India.  

I asked the apartment owner about this. He laughingly answered; this is a common sight one finds in most or practically every sea-shore side locality. I was greatly dejected to hear this. Isn’t it pitiable and shameful for all of us?

The educated lot residing in sea facing buildings which are mostly the posh localities of Mumbai should rise to this cause. The Mumbai civic authorities should also take strict cognizance of this fact. To address this issue there is an urgent need to come up with mass toilets for people who defecate in open as the Prime Minister rightly emphasis. Some more CSR efforts by Mumbai based Corporate Houses, NGO's or any volunteer organisation needed for the cleansing drives least we will deface the beauty of beaches.

Do children need beware of their distressed parents for education?

In the lines below while I am writing some amazing facts I witness in my town of Dehradun which is growing graver with each passing day, the situation is quite similar in most parts of our country.

Schooling, education and its perspectives in various contexts are often discussed in Doon simply because this place has record number of educational institutes, a rare phenomenon. With the increasing number of educational institutes and some education imparting factories, our youngsters are at a cross roads on whether they should listen to the advice of teachers, focus on studies, self analyze the growing competition and choose a path of their interest to excel, or handle their distressed parents many of whom are a confused lot trying to draw a line between their days and way of studying with the present one and eventually lands themselves and the children in a big muddle and frustration leading to an overall decline in the child’s progress. These parents little realize every child has God gifted talents and needs encouragement in the field in which he or she may actually have interest in.

What I am trying to co-relate here is the simple fact that more than anything, the pressure the children face at the hands of the parents in the context of studies is reckless. A large majority of the children of today are an oppressed lot at the hands of their depressed and distressed parents each of whom want their pony’s leading the race in the field of education, surprisingly at any cost!

The aggressive behavior of parents towards their children to excel in anything and everything related to studies is a quite but impactful damage they cause not understanding the consequences of this in the overall character and behavior of a child. Parents often complain their children being rowdy, with swings in behavior, eating habits, often taken ill and sometimes even disrespectful and disobedient towards them and the society. Well, these in most of the cases is a result of the enormous silent pressures the child has to bear at the hands of the parents and even at schools without appeal, who all spur them up for their satisfaction and motives or in the name of better school results shielding themselves on the pretext of education. A school is “shikshalaya” that strives to bring out the full potential of a child, but is this happening is a big question.

The schools and parents may succeed in their mission but miserably fail in child grooming process.  

There are some much known schools of the town whose credibility is to produce parrots like students who mug up any thing and everything. There are children who may understand what they are mugging up but most of them don’t. For these lots, their parents want them as mugging machines to reproduce in examinations word by word what the text books say. Happy are these school to project exceptional educational results at the end of the term with equally happy parents of children who study in such schools and atmosphere. What are you up to and happy for parents? Don’t let your children end their childhood pleasures and their dreams at the altar of your personal aspirations. Countless cases we read and see where such efforts and aspirations collapse which land children as utter failure in life.

What we learn with pleasure we never forget, mugging up things never benefit. Such education is like a paper flower, however beautiful but without any fragrance. The parents of today fail to realize that their children have their genes, so you now need to understand whose going wrong!

On my morning walk everyday which starts between 5.30 and 6.30 am, I notice a very strange sight, some parents leading their children in school uniform. Of these some children are as small as that of kinder garden school and even the bigger ones. Being inquisitive to know which schools start that early in the morning, I interrupted some parents to know the fact. I came to know they were leading their children to early morning tuition classes. On my asking if this early morning studies were due to the approaching examinations to my utter surprise, I learnt from them that examination or otherwise this is always on. Hearing this, I thanked my parents a thousand times for not flogging us this way when we were children. Nor, now as parents ourselves we press our children this hard. My children also study early mornings or sometimes throughout the day, but these are occasions when the need is their and not on a daily routine. We are respectably placed in life and our children also doing well even after not having undergone this kind of pressure.

I realize and do not deny that times have changed over the years but not to the present day affairs, this is ridiculous!

Today even many tiny-toddlers are wearing thick glass specks, coping with heavy school bags and even lining up for early morning and after school tuition classes. I am sure a large majority of parents, if not all, are capable to explaining lessons to their small children at home. But the greed for making the child out-beat others, they try to inject over dose of extra coaching and tuitions whether or not the child needs it. This phenomenon has not only stressed the children, it has made many teachers not teach well in schools for the sake of roping children of literate illiterate parents to coaching and tuition classes. This has also disturbed the education system, which I will not deal here being a totally different and another mind-boggling issue.

This situation gets graver and more complex with every increasing class a child climbs.

Recently visiting a close friend of mine, a senior educationist in a leading public school here over dinner, I noticed him coming to and forth to the dining room. On my enquiry, he said he was teaching some students. You are well off, I said, why are you stretching yourself? Is approaching examinations the reason for your harvesting that long at night I asked jokingly. To my joke he lamented, some influential parents who have recommendations from the school management where he is serving or who are otherwise highly placed in the government whom none may like to displease for obvious reasons; are making their children take tuition with him, much against his wishes. These tuitions go as late at 10.30 pm at night he said. Eager to see such species of parents and children I tried to peep into the study room to find some children in school uniform at 10 pm at night. Perplexed, I asked my friend again the reason for this and he told me these children have extra after school classes with different teachers and have not been able to even go home for even changing the dress. Mothers of few of them were already waiting in cars outside his house. Hearing my friend’s plight and that of children there, I wanted to know the names of those parents to expose them, but he promised me not to do so. Here again, I feel such parents are mentally sick who in the course of time will make their children also go crazy or make them indifferent to life.

Education makes one move from darkness to light, but unfortunately the reverse of this is happening. The Prime Minister has also in his recent televised address on the Teachers Day 2014 to the nation wide students and teachers has stressed on our understanding the real meaning of education and the need for value-based moral education to excel in life. The parents need to take this lesson taught by the Prime Minister more than the children. They need learn the basics of how to deal with their children and their education. Those who still cannot learn made to go to reformatories. This will possibly show them the mirror of actuality.

Congratulations Shri Kailash Satyarthi and Ms. Malala Yousafzai

My heartiest congratulations to Shri Kailash Satyarthi and Ms Malala Yousafzai for the Nobel peace prize for 2014. The world needs many more great human being like you both.

E-shopping grows in India; Catching mind-boggling pace this festive season

Every other revolutionary idea comes with a baggage. Sometimes, certain drawbacks of those ideas remain veiled behind the glitzy appearance of the entity itself. The path-breaking online business idea of purchasing through the World Wide Web or www has broken down the physical barriers between the sellers and the buyers, making every other item available to people from all over the world at the click of a mouse. Internet has made a massive expansion and a technology boom has unleashed upon the world since 2000. In countries like India though the trend of online shopping took some time to develop, its growth pace is getting unimaginable with each passing day.

Online shopping or e-shopping is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from sellers over the Internet.

While the paragraphs ahead will shed light on how E-shopping volumes have grown in India and how its pace this festive season is mind-boggling one, we will also discuss the merits and demerits of this revolutionary idea. What is mind-boggling is the all time record of online shopping estimated to cross Rs.10,000 Crore during this Diwali season alone. The online retailing is seeing the biggest flip ever in the history. This trend will not only continue but it will grow unimaginably according to many market analysts.

A few days back I was chatting with some industry experts and became surprised to learn that presently this market estimated at Rs. 12,000 Crore and could cross Rs. 1,00,000 Crores a year in India over the next three to four years.

As per Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Indian e-commerce industry expected to spend around 500 to 1,000 million USD in the same period on Infrastructure, Logistics and warehousing, leading to a cumulative spend of 950 to 1900 million USD till 2017-2020.

e-shop store warehouse

India online shopping may increase by 350 percent during Diwali festival time as against the jump of 200% in August-September. As a result of this shopping malls have started feeling jittery as the footfall in malls is likely to go down by 50-55 percent. With no government regulations existing to check a level playing retail market, the situation is quite indifferent.

This festive season, shopping on ground appears to have taken a back seat. With abundance of choices people are avoiding the usual hassle of traffic and queues at shopping malls along with the convenience, rising fuel price, security reasons and online discounts are keeping a large section of the consumers indoors.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries survey shows besides major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Dehradun but even smaller cities are fast coming in grip of the online shopping fever.

Market analysis show Delhi-NCR has recorded the highest decline in footfalls at city malls. Shopping spirit in malls is lowest among residents of Delhi-NCR (49.5%), followed by Ahmedabad (48.2%), Chennai (46%), Mumbai (42%) and Hyderabad (39%). Around 250-300 malls came up in the country in the last two years but 80-85% of the spaces in these malls still lie vacant as per various surveys.

The online shopping has not only proved harsh for big shopping malls but even the traditional markets here are also facing the brunt of this phenomenon. Needless to say what the small time shopkeepers are experiencing or would experience in the coming time.

It is also learnt that there is more than a five-fold increase in revenue generated through e-commerce as compared to last year with all branded apparel, accessories, jewellery, gifts, and foot-wear being available at a cheaper rates and delivered at the doorstep within days of order. Buyers are turning internet savvy because of the fast and simple payment and delivery service.

There is a growing feeling among the retailers that this season the ‘first online Diwali’ may be observed with practically every item needed for the festival is up on the net for a grab. With services like click and collect growing in popularity, retailers are also adding to the options available, enabling their customers to shop online with convenience of collecting in store. 

In fact a whole new audience connected practically round the clock through their smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices which are leading to a gradual evolution of e-commerce into mobile commerce.

While there are some disadvantages of online shopping where you get delivered something, which is a distant-cry from what you were expecting it; likewise online shopping does not offer the liberty to bargain and we are bound to buy the item in the quoted price. Quality of products sometimes varies from that shown and delivered is also an issue. Many times description of the product varies from the product. As a result you might end up with inferior quality product. Returning an item is difficult in online shopping. Although seller accepts sells return, they usually want the item within a short period and you also have to pay for the shipping charges. One also needs to guard of to whom to share your debit/credit card and bank account numbers. There have been incidences when people duped and cheated monetarily while trying to grab a product at un-imaginable low prices.

On the other side of the coin there are some products which you don't want to buy publicly. You can buy any kind of product from online web store anonymously to keep your desired privacy.

Well what ever be it, e-commerce is bound to emerge in the coming time. The only thing is the government should make and make fast adequate regulations for e-shop sellers for a level playing field with the traditional market sellers thus making sure the market does not lose its balance.

Himachal roads are a joy to drive! “Rain Basera” concept amazing

The well marked road leading to Simla (Photo:Shrey)

Recently I had an occasion to drive down to Simla in my car. One thing which astonished me was the quality of road to Simla ahead of Nahan. Why I say “astonished” is we are used to driving on Indian roads in the hilly region and even some of the national highways which are usually in a pathetic state. What I had heard about Himachal Pradesh Government having taken up an ambitious road development plan for the over all economic development of the State proved true to me.

The Kumarhatti-Solan track to Simla was smooth road with not a single pot hole and above all well-maintained. This road was well marked with clearly visible direction signs, milestones and road surface markings all bright and sparkling which I failed to unfortunately see in my State of Uttarakhand. Driving on such a road is certainly any drivers delight. The width and the gradient of this mountainous track was one of the best I have ever driven on. Truly international!

The condition and up-keep of most of the Himachal roads where I went were in good condition.

The second aspect which caught my attention was the neat and clean “Rain Basera” or Rain Shelter & Bus Bay built every few kilometers on this route. These are something not seen even on national highways or on the pilgrimage routes of Uttarakhand where people flock from all around the country. On my enquiring about its purpose at a small way side shop where I stopped to have a cup of tea, I learnt that these shelters serve a great respite to the localities living in small village’s en-route to Simla where they wait for buses and other transport modes during rainy season. 

“Rain Basera” or Rain Shelter and 

Bus Bay on way to Simla (Photo:Shrey)

The well constructed “Rain Basera’s” approx 12 feet x 8 feet had concrete bench inside for seating. The cleanliness at most of these shelters was unique and needs to be complimented. Usually public properties are ill treated by users but this was not the case here. I am sure their up keep in a joint effort of the public and civic authorities of the government of Himachal Pradesh.

This model of good roads and “Rain Basera” should be recognized and adopted by other States and especially by Uttarakhand on route to the Char Dham yatra for the benefit of the localities and pilgrims alike.

Regaining ‘Dastongi’ the forgotten art of story-telling

Dastangos or storytellers

Many would wonder what “Dastangoi” actually mean. Well, it’s the ancient art of story telling which till recently even I too did not know much about other than having heard the name. Dastangoi is a 16th-century Urdu oral story-telling art form. It has its origin in the Persian language. Dastan means a tale; the suffix -goi makes the word mean "to tell a tale". This art form of story telling was popular especially in 18th and 19th century in India. It reached its zenith in the Indian sub-continent in the 19th century and it almost died with the demise of Mir Baqar Ali in 1928.

At the centre of Dastangoi is the Dastango, or storyteller, whose voice is his main artistic tool in orally recreating the dastan or the story. Notable 19th century Dastangos included Amba Prasad Rasa, Mir Ahmad Ali Rampuri, Muhammad Amir Khan, Syed Husain Jah, and Ghulam Raza. Indian poet and Urdu critic Shamsur Rahman Faruqi and his nephew, writer and director Mahmood Farooqui, have played significant roles in its revival in the 21st century. So why am I telling you about it? Well, although accidentally, but my recent experience of Dastangoi which exposed me to this art form was a pleasant one.

Having being invited by Welham Girls’ School at the inaugural session of the Literary Festival 2014 organised jointly by Dehradun’s Welham Girls’ and Welham Boys’ Schools in August this year, I was a bit sceptical as the invite prominently focused only one major item in the inaugural session and that was, exposure to the students and guests of the ancient ‘Dastangoi’, the art of story telling. Since my conversation with Mrs. Jyotsna Brar, Principal, Welham Girls’ School earlier where I expressed my interest in attending the literary festival, on an invite from her, not knowing the agenda of the inaugural session, I was a little hesitant going for hearing a story (not fully knowing what Dastangoi art form is), that too right in the morning. I thought I was going crazy, but I was totally wrong. Had I missed that opportunity, it would have been a chance lost to know about the ancient art of unending story telling, where stories weaved and interlinked one into the other so beautifully, that words cannot express it. In other words, the USP of this art form is connection of one tale with the other. If the story-teller wants he can go on and on unending as the audience want more of it with every narration being made. It is like addiction. In olden times Dastango’s made good fortune from this art form as people greatly addicted to it. Legends say some of the Dastangoi’s went continuously for days together and amazingly with committed audience.

The tales are woven extemporaneously as Dastango’s narrate it. They narrated the story without leaving their seats—trading costumes, music and stagecraft for sheer poetic jugglery. It is a battle of wits: a storytelling qawwali.

A mesmerising 90 minutes performance of this ancient art form in limerick style by the new age, an ex-Oxford and renowned ‘Dastango’ artists Mahmood Farooqui along with Manu Sikander Dhingra and Nadeem Shah left the audience spell-bound. They presented the ‘Dastan-e-Chaoubli’, a famous Rajasthani folktale which went on for full 90 minutes. It could have stretched longer but for the time that an abridged version demonstrated. For me besides being spell-bound, it was a totally different experience. Such beautiful was the performance; I am sure like me the audience were all carried away two centuries back.

These young men, the artists of Dastangoi have taken the initiative of trying to revive the almost extinct Dastangoi simply to save a heritage art form. Mahmood Farooqui over the last few years has worked to revive Dastangoi. Since the start of his revival initiative, Farooqui and fellow actors have travelled to venues abroad and across India with their performances. Undoubtedly the tremendous potential of this art form does not only entertain but I feel it also has an educative edge to it. The stories are often brain teasers, especially for children and in no ways less effective than today’s intelligence testers.

One could not have imagined a story being told by the story tellers in a limerick style, wearing the traditional muslim dress “kurta and a loose pyjama” with a "taqiyah," (a short, rounded cap made from a coarse cloth) so interesting which kept not only the guests but even the today’s internet age students from over 20 leading schools of India at the Welham Girls’ who were present for this occasion glued to their seats and enjoy every moment of it. Truly, if this is what the magic of Dastangoi today, what it would have been in the ancient times when this was in its full bloom.

The dastans or tales have every element of a modern masala film. They speak of everything from whoring to trickery and betrayal and one might wonder how these elements of popular narrative culture could have possibly fallen out of favour. The tales borrowed freely from other stories such as the Arabian Nights and the Panchatantra.

For novice audiences, Farooqui elaborates on Dastangoi etiquette before each performance: He asks the audience to make eye contact with performers, refrain from clapping (these Western ways of appreciation don’t go down well with Dastangos) and express its appreciation verbally with variants of “Wah wah” instead.

So be on a look out to grab your seat as an audience the next time Dastangoi performed anywhere near. Sure, you will enjoy it better than many modern-day entertainments. Needless to say your contribution as an audience to this forgotten art form will help in its revival.