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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 2nd November2013
As I See It
Dharmasya Moolah Arthah “Economic prosperity is the basis of sustaining civilisation�
- Chanakya (Kautilya's Arthashastra)
Mahatma Gandhi came to Britain some 83 years ago to attend a round table conference for the future of British India. During the visit, he (the Naked Fakir as per Winston Churchill) went to Buckingham Palace to meet the King Emperor. He also went to Lancashire and stayed most of the time in the East London. An English journalist asked Mahatma Gandhi a question, “What is your opinion about the western civilization?� Mahatma’s short reply was, “i think it would be a good idea.� Historians have interpreted these few words in various ways. But I do not believe that a good communicator like Gandhiji would have meant to insult the western civilization. For many people in the West, India is a confusing idea. To some, it is difficult to comprehend that India exists more or less as it is now for thousands of years. It was the philosopher and political Guru Chankya, who inspired and guided, King Chandragupta to create a huge landmass from present day Afghanistan in the west, up to almost the border of Myanmar (Burma) as one nation, Bharat Varsha. India at the time of partition had a landmass of 1.265 million sq miles and the population of India alone was just under 300 million. Today, Pakistan occupies almost half of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and it has gifted 25000 sq miles of India illegally to China. The population of India as it is now is 1.25 billion people. Hindus form about 900 millions and it is the largest faith group in an extended land mass all the over the world map. Many a people, abroad especially, are baffled how such a huge country, larger than Western Europe, with so many different faiths and linguistic traditions , can survive and live together and people are willing to describe themselves as Indians. Inspite of the variations and contradictions in terms of education, rituals, economic wellbeing etc Indians are wedded together in a living democracy and a secular nation. What is also very remarkable in spite of so many sects and forms of worships within Sanatan Hindu tradition, there is no internal warfare or violence. I don’t intend to go into the reasons and pros and cons of why it is inspiringly so, in spite of all the forces which would encourage separatism and divisions. Many reasons are there which acts as a unifying force. Festivals in India are going on all throughout the year. After all in the Bible, Jesus Christ said, a man does not live for bread alone. Societies are formed and they themselves create the individual identity, perhaps through the festivals available to themselves and created by themselves. Diwali is an all encompassing and the most popular Indian festivity, not confined to any faith or tradition as such, though Hindus, Jains and Sikhs have several important reasons to celebrate Diwali with all the fanfare and devotion. It is enjoyed by young as well as not so young. ‘Dharmashya Moolah Arthah’ – “Economic prosperity is the basis of
sustaining civilization� is linked with the Diwali Festival which extends over five days. A day is dedicated to the worship of goddess Laxmi – the goddess of wealth, which is called Dhanterash. When people worship the goddess of the wealth, motivations behind it are simple: 1. Wealth Creation 2. To increase the quantum of wealth 3. How to retain the wealth as a legacy According to Kautilaya’s Arthshashtra; Wealth creation is the foundation for sustaining civilization. However, Chankya and Hindu scriptures are very clear that the process of wealth creation has to be legal and ultimately in public benefit. Gandhiji’s principle of Trusteeship is also an extension of the Hindu teachings of wealth creation, wealth accumulation and its utilization. Last Sunday, I met a very successful entrepreneur at The Trafalgar Square during the Diwali celebrations. We were discussing about this. For me and many others, whatever is ones job, business or profession, if a person creates wealth lawfully and pays the taxes due to the country than wealth creation and accumulation becomes a very honorable activity. Our discussions went on further and developes some simple messages – each one of us while taking stock of the year that passed, perhaps can raise questions for himself by himself. 1. What is the purpose of my life? 2. How do I perform to discharge my duties or obligations? Philantropy is not the only avenue to serve the community at large. Compassion and caring 'samaydaan' (time devoted in serving others) are also very important. It reminds me that philanthropy and public service are always encouraged and appreciated everywhere. In Britain, there are so many Universities, Museums, Libraries, Art centres and other educational, cultural and health related activities funded by charitable organizations, and they are doing commendable service to the people because of the generous philanthropists. Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat is also very fortunate to have Indian Institute of Management (IIM), which is a world renowned management school. Apart from IIM, Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA), National Institute of Design (NID), Space Application Centre (SAC) and several hospitals as well as educational and research institutes exist today thanks to well-to-do people like Kasturbhai Lalbhai, Vikram Sarabhai and many others, who had the vision and the big heart to deploy their private fortunes for the benefit of public good Similarly people like Dipchand Gardy, Azim Premji, Tatas and others across India wholeheartedly offer their personal wealth for public cause. Pursuit for riches is good when the process of wealth creation is value based and it must be utilized with some inspirational motives. - CB
Spriha Srivastava
Tara Arts brings Journalists on Stage Tara Arts, a global theatre house has something absolutely brilliant to offer this time. It’s bringing the worlds of theatre and journalism together in a unique theatre festival where the journalist is the story. Journalists on Stage, curated & introduced by Steve Richards will feature one journalist each night. Polly Toynbee, John Pienaar and Mihir Bose will be interviewed live on stage. They will give their views on journalism, politics, sport and current affairs and there will be the opportunity for audience Q&A. At the end of the week, Steve Richards will perform his hit Edinburgh show, Rock N Roll Politics. Starting this week, the series involves four interesting stories. The first one with: Guardian’s star columnist, Polly Toynbee, who recently authored ‘�Dogma and Disarray�, co-written with David Walker, joined Polly and Steve in conversation. The second one on November 1st with Sports writer and former BBC Sports Editor, Mihir Bose was another hit. Mihir writes a weekly “Big Sports Interview� for the London Evening Standard, and also writes and broadcasts on sport and social and historical issues for several outlets including the BBC, the Financial Times and Sunday Times. His latest book is The Spirit of the Game: How Sport Made the Modern World. Continuing through the week, the third in the series is with BBC Five Live’s John Pienaar. John
Pienaar is one of the most prominent and respected political broadcasters. He presents a live radio show, Pienaar’s Politics and co-hosts Five Live’s broadcast of Question Time each Thursday. And finally, to conclude the event, Independent Columnist & BBC Presenter Steve Richards will present his one- man show Rock N Roll Politics. Steve Richards' sell out Edinburgh show will take you for a unique guide behind the scenes of politics and the media. Steve’s Rock N Roll Politics has received some extremely fascinating reviews including one from Independent which says “"Richards' hour is genial, comfortable and arguably more likely than even the best column to make the case for politicians and politics." This is an extremely interesting opportunity for audience to pose their questions to media and to know what goes behind the scenes. Talking about the series, Steve Richards said, "In the era of Twitter, blogs, Facebook and rolling news there is a danger we all hide behind our computer screens and never get out. For the last couple of years I have taken to the stage with my one man show Rock N Roll Politics, selling out in London venues and at the Edinburgh Festival. At Tara Arts we are going one step further by getting three other top journalists to take to perform live too. The audience can meet the likes of Polly Toynbee and the BBC's John Pienaar and they can engage with
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readers, listeners and viewers. Yes, there is a very big role for social media but I'm excited that some of the country's best journalists are also appearing on stage with me, bringing their columns, broadcasting and reports to life. There is no better theatre!" Tara Arts founded in 1977 by Artistic Director Jatinder Verma, began in life as touring company. It staged its opening p r o d u c t i o n , Sacrifice, a play by the Nobel Prize-winning Indian playwright Rabindranath Tagore, at Battersea Arts Centre in August 1977. Tara Arts aspires to be a carbon neutral theatre through their work in London and on tour. They are part of the pioneering Theatres Trust Ecovenue programme. Tara Arts was awarded a Green Business Award by Wandsworth Council in autumn 2008. The company also produces global theatre for local a u d i e n c e s . Positioned between East and West, Tara Arts has pioneered cross-cultural theatre for over 3 decades. The company tours vibrant adaptations of European and Asian classics and new work, brings the great stories of the world to children in junior schools and, at Tara Theatre, develops emerging artists and new audiences. It has produced work at the National Theatre, Trafalgar Square, the British Library and a host of other theatres across Britain, Europe, and Asia. For those of you interested in watching these shows, it’s running till 2nd November at Tara Theatre, Earlsfield and it’s available for £12.50, multi-buy (buy tickets for more than one evening): £11.50 or see all 4 Journalists on Stage for £40.00.
Let us know what you think. Email Spriha at aveditorial@ abplgroup.com