JASHN E AAZADI - By Allama Jameel Mazhari

After 62 years of Independence of both India and Pakistan, there are millions of our fellow citizens who live in abject poverty and are denied socio-economic rights. On the one hand, it is said that India’s economy is booming, but on the other hand the scenario in the rural areas is deplorable. The poor have become poorer and the benefits of a ‘booming’ economy haven’t translated into development. If the divide between the rich and poor is not addressed, our dream will remain unfulfilled. This Independence has brought a lot of change for the upper strata of the society but for the lower strata its just a freedom from the British rule,because they are still ensalved by the socio-economic problems due to the anti-poor policies of the government which has a direct effect on their livelihood. The lower strata is still trapped under the vicious circle of poverty.

My heartiest wishes to all my dear fellow Indian citizens and my Pakistani friends on the 62nd year of our Independence from the British rule . Here I would like to share with you a favourite poem from my Grandfather Late Allama Jameel Mazhari which he recited in The Bihar Assembly at Patna in the year 1950.

'' JASHN E AAZAADI''


Jashn matamkada e Hind mein aazadi ka
Kucch thikaana hai tumhari sitam ijaadi ka?

Aaj duniya mein na ahmaq koi tum sa hoga
Is andhere mein chiraagon se ujala hoga?

Kya andhere ko dikhate ho tamasha e sahar
Noor shammon ka hai ya khoon e tamanna e sahar

Tum ne muflis ke shabistaan ki bhi dekhi hai bahar
Us ke seene mein chiraaghaan ki bhi dekhi hai bahaar

Yeh bilakte hue bacche inhien dekho, idhar aao
Bashariyat ke kaleje key eh riste hue ghao

Jinki lalchayi nazar faqa kashi ki maari
Jinko roti hai khilone se bhi zyada pyari

‘’Nauhakhwan aaj na kis tarah hon aazaadi ke
Khelein kya khud hi khilone hain yeh barbaadi ke’’

Jashn e aazaadi e jamhoor Mubarak ho tumhein
Raunaq e khana e mazdoor Mubarak ho tumhein

Haandiyan shaam se aundhi hui qismat ki tarah
Chup hai dil maan ka chiraag e sar e turbat ki tarah

Aag chulhe mein ek ummeed ki kujhlayi hui
Jaise seene mein tamanna koi murjhayi hui

Ahl e beenash ko Mubarak ho yeh samaan e nishaat
Khoon e muflis se yeh gulkaari e damaan e nishaat

Fikr e aflaas se dhoye hue chehron ki qasam
Jin ko kajal nahin milta un aankhon ki qasam

Qasam us jism ki uryaani hi chaadar ho jise
Qasam us maang ki sindoor na muyassar ho jise

Rang e mehfil ki qasam raunaq e manzar ki qasam
Jis mein mitti ka diya bhi nahin us ghar ki qasam

Qasam us shahr ki jis mein ke diwali hai aaj
Qasam us raat ki jo aur bhi kaali hai aaj

‘’ Key eh marghat ka ujala hai, chita hai yeh jashn
Ek toote hue dholak ki sada hai yeh jashn’’

Aye dil e zaar e watan , ae lab e faryaadi e qaum
Aake hum aaj karein maatam e aazaadi e qaum

Khwaab e aazaadi ki sad haif yeh tabeer ae dost
Ban gayi saanp yeh tooti hui zanjeer ae dost

Toot kar rengne phirne lagi lehraane lagi
Das gayi rooh ko is tarah ke neend aane lagi

‘’ Hue aazaad to kya gardish e dauraan hai wahi
Hasrat ae subah e watan shaam e ghareebaan hai wahi’’

Diversity in Feelings, Culture and Society

Yesterday, after the PM Manmohan Singh's speech from the ramparts of the Historic Red Fort, I decided to go their to have a glimpse of the Historic 17th century fort and came back from there having a sense of proud in being an Indian. But there was also a feeling of sadness after seeing the children from our poorest of the poor section of the society outside the Glorious Fort.

Should we become so happy with our independence that we forget to think about the million Indians in whose life 15 th August is just another day on which they are as usual busy in their works, because if they stop their work then their family will have to starve.. We are a nation that is always swayed by milestones and landmarks. So, in the run-up to India's 61st Independence Day, there has been an all-encompassing euphoria and media hype surrounding this landmark. But is this brouhaha about Independent India's sixty first anniversary worth it?
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in the Capital to mark India's 61 years of independence and highlighted the his government' s key achievements and initiative towards the development of the nation and two of the most inportant dangers facing our counry i.e. communalism and terrorism. But what about Md.Arshad, a 13 year old boy, a vendor from Bihar's most backward district of Sitamarhi who sells drinking water outside the Red Fort. When asked what was the significance of 15th August in his llfe, he replie"d Nothing much, I want to enjoy like other children but cannot stop selling for a single day because I cannot manage money for my food and study." There were so many other poor boys outside the glorious century Red Fort selling so many things who don't even know what's this 15 th August is all about except that our country got freedom from the British Raj. Ravi aged 12 years from Bagpat had nothing to do till yesterday due to poverty started to sell kites for 15th august but was driven away by the police and he doesn't know what will he do tomorrow. Just after the Prime Minister's speech people thronged to the gate of Red Fort to get a glimpse of the magnificent 17th century fort but were driven by the police. Prem Anand, a vendor selling pens and papers outside the Red Fort when asked about the importance of India's independence in his life said" Though poor but proud of being an Indian and I like my country a lot and I am very much happy today". Many tourists also thronged to the Red Fort taking pictures and were fascinated by the beauty of the Red Fort. David, a student from England said " I am in India since last 2 months visiting various places and had a burning desire to watch the Independence day celebrations." My respect for India and It's people has increased a lot because of their friendly nature and I would like to visit India once more , I am deeply influenced by the diverse culture of India", said Claudia Robert a tourist from Hungary. Since India got independence sixty one years ago , the Independence has brought a lot of change for the upper strata of the society but for the lower strata this independence is just a freedom from the British rule,because they are still ensalved by the socio-economic problems due to the anti-poor policies of the government which has a direct effect on their livelihood. The lower strata is still trapped under the vicious circle of poverty.