On International Tourism Day (27th October), from Bihar............

Tourism is a boon for any country’s or state’s economy. It can serve as a great source of revenue but if only if it is utilized to its free potential. Like all other resources, tourism needs to be tapped for maximum benefit. Unless and until the government or the ministry in charge does not popularize tourist spots and promote tourism, we can’t hope of getting much from the tourism sector. Bihar tourism is a typical example of how negligence on part of a government can leave the tourism sector in shambles. There are many sites of great historical and religious significance in Bihar which if promoted amongst, will greatly help its economy. To see such sites being neglected is really something to be ashamed of.

 Out of numerous such sites, Gautam Sthan in Revilganj (saran district) is perhaps the most prominent. It was the birthplace of Mata Anjana (mother of lord Hanuman) . This place is also known for another famous event from the Ramayana –AHILYA UDDHAR. A temple dedicated to Maharishi Gautam is located in GODNA MATHIA locality. There is also an ashram of SHRINGI RISHI in the municipality. When i visited this place i really found out that this place was empty and desolate in addition to lack of suitable infrastructure.

Another such place is Maa Ambika sthan, claimed to be a shaktipeeth, situated 34 km from district headquarters and 4 km from Digwara . It is the place in the country that matchesthe narration in Durga Saptashati. Ami is said to be the yajna sthan, pyre of prajapatib Daksha where his daughter Sati, wife of lord Shiva gave her life after jumping into the fire.In Aami , the Kati-Pradesh (middle portion) of parvati fell. Here the idol is in the shape of Vulva with nine pinds. This place lacks the required infrastructure. 

Many such places escape the public eye like the temple at thave and Mahendranath temple. The state government does not seem keen to develop such places infrastructure, which would lead to a boom in the economy. If our state is to develop then such things need to be paid attention to lest it should be too late. Instead of demanding special status for BIHAR it would be better if the state govt strives towards developing these sites as it could contribute to providing numerous employment opportunities too. 

ANTODAYA: THE SOUL OF INDIAN CULTURE

ANTYODAYA the very heart of bharatiya culture as given by Deen Dayal Upadhya, meaning that the last person in the ladder or the chain gets the benefits of growth and development. Today’s neo-liberal era in stark contrast to it, where greatest good of the greatest number and survival of the fittest takes the centrestage everywhere.  Profit seeking market culture has become a part and parcel of social, economic and even political and cultural fields. Humanitarian ethics and values are being  given negligible importance. Unless and until we don’t put everything in black and white about market ethics and responsibilities, human values will continue their downward trend. Corporate ethics as well as social responsibilities and security are the cornerstones of Indian culture. Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s philosophy of antyodaya should set the norms for market economy. As Upadhayay stated in the following address before thousands of delegates in Kozhikode : “  We are pledged to the service not of any particular community or section but of the entire nation. Every fellow citizen is has the blood of our blood and flesh of our flesh. We shall not rest till we are able to give to every one of  them a sense of pride that they are the children of Bharatmata.  We shall make mother India: Sujala Suphala (“ overflowing with water and laden with fruits”) in the real sense of these words. As Dashapraharana Dharini Durga with her ten weapons, she would be able to vanquish evil; as Lakshmi, she would be able to disburse prosperity all over and as Saraswati; she would dispel the gloom of ignorance and spread the radiance of knowledge all around her with faith in ultimate victory let us dedicate ourselves to this task.”

   Thus, neo liberal theory is based on only one dimensional theory that is only profit making be it by hook or by crook. It completely lacks social and moral responsibilities which is the core of bharatiya culture. We believe in healthy materialistic and spiritual progress where everyone is benefitted and lives happily and peacefully. Deen dayal’s antyodaya philosophy should be a role model for today’s globalised world.

REMEMBERING DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAY ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Deen Dayal Upadhyay, born on 25^th September, was one of the pillars that played a key role in upholding the dwindling cultural heritage of India through his philosophical insight into integral humanism. In the era of neo liberalism, when individualism, market economy, consumer culture and materialism has taken the centrestage, Deen Dayal’s philosophy can act as a preventive measure against such alienation of humans from society, ethics, moral values and even self, as is prevalent today.Though the world today has integrated physically, a large void still remains between the individual souls due to lack of spiritual integration. Day by day we are becoming materialistically richer but we are not realizing the fact that we are becoming poorer in terms of inner wealth as each day passes. Out of the numerous contributions to the Indian society, his principle of INTEGRAL HUMANISM was probably the greatest one which laid emphasis on the integration of each human in terms of both intellect and soul. It is nothing but an offshoot of the karma theory i.e performing one’s duties with true loyalty and faith in God for the attainment of salvation or moksha. His idea was clear: DHARMA IS SUPREME AND MOKSHA, THE MAIN AIM OF LIFE. If its importance were to be realised in today’s scenario and followed wholeheartedly then no doubt we can achieve sustainable peace quite easily

कृष्ण जन्म की हार्दिक बधाई 

सच्चिदानन्दरूपाय विश्वोत्त्पत्यादिहेतवे।
तापत्रयविनाशय श्रीकृष्णाय  वयं नुमः।।
वसुदेव सुतं देवं कंसचाणूरमर्दनम्। देवकीपरमानन्दं कृष्णम् वन्दे जगद्गुरुं ॥
श्रीकृष्ण जन्मोत्सव की हार्दिक बधाई।

Krishna is ‘sat’ ‘chit’ and ‘aanand'. He signifies truth and aanand which is inner peace and can be attained only through spiritual awakening. Through the message of Bhagvad Gita he showed that the goal of human life is self realisation. It conveys the wisdom of ‘Brahma vidya’ which can only be attained through realising self and can be helpful in transformation of self. There are eighteen lessons in the Bhagavad Gita, each giving different glimpses of self –transformation which is very necessary for the progress of inward journey of life.  

The main aim of Bhagvad Gita is to establish equanimity in the internal world as well as external world, to develop tranquility with means to win in the internal as well as external world very skilfully. The teachings of Bhagvad Gita helps one to understand the difference between real self and the mere self. The mere self is subject to change and destruction; the real self is not. The first chapter of Gita starts with Arjuna’s Despondency and we all are in that Despondency phase. The message which Bhagvad Gita gives is to come out with that despondency phase by self- realisation which is the ultimate goal of human life. The teachings of Bhagvad Gita is the tonic which the world needs very today, very badly. Unless and until we do not realize its true potential and value we are unlikely to succeed in the long run.

REMEMBERING DR. RADHAKRISHNAN ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

It is really a pleasure to see that at last a government has shown interest over modernising our educational system on the lines of the Indian culture. ^th September is a very significant day as we celebrate teacher’s day on this day. Moreover it is the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:   great philosopher , educationist and above all a great human being who revolutionise the Indian cultural heritage by his great thoughts and practical approach. Value education was his main aim which he wanted to cultivate amongst the young generation. The main concern today is that though we advanced exponentially in science and technology, the very basic value education is continuously detoriating.  Sometimes it seem so painful to see the young generation feeling embarrassed in reading our holy scriptures. These holy books can act like a guiding light for those who seek guidance in any field of life. Due to the lack of moral education many youths, inspite of being highly educated, lack moral sense in their thought and action. Today it should be the responsibilities of teachers to not only provide theoretical education but also to cultivate morality in students. Bhagvad Gita which was the part and parcel of Dr. Radhakrishnan’s life should be made compulsory in the educational curriculum so that students  benefit by of it and it would be great tribute for a great philosopher who did a really commendable job for the country .Our education should be fully revolutionised on the basis of Indian cultural ethos. 

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