Remembering Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was the best author in Indian writing; a Bengali writer, author, instructor, Nobel Laureate for Literature [1913]. He was awarded a knighthood in 1915, yet he surrendered it in 1919 in dissent against the Massacre of Amritsar, where British troops executed 400 Indian demonstrators.

Rabindranath Tagore’s 74th demise commemoration was on August 7. He was born on 7 May. [1861-1941]

I recall reading his novel ‘Gora’. Gora is more than a novel; it is an epic of India on the move at a critical time of present-day history, when the social conscience and intellectual awareness of the new intellectuals were in the throes of a great stirring. It is an examination, of complex  Indian social existence, with its abounding disagreements, or of the character of Indian patriotism, which draws its roots from re-developing Hinduism and extends its arms towards all-inclusive humanism.

Tagore is a splendid writer as he puts the reader before issues of India. Everything, even the characters, has a reason, an obscure significance. Gora is a masterpiece and cherished jewel in Bengali Literature. The excellent novel inspects the social life amid The British period in India. It is a mind-boggling story of religion, adoration, patriotism and conviction.

I additionally can’t overlook these motivating lines from his poems

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake 

Endless Time

Time is endless in thy hands, my lord.

There is none to count thy minutes.

 

Days and nights pass and ages bloom and fade like flowers.

Thou knowest how to wait.

 

Thy centuries follow each other perfecting a small wild flower.

 

We have no time to lose,

and having no time we must scramble for a chance.

We are too poor to be late.

 

And thus it is that time goes by

while I give it to every querulous man who claims it,

and thine altar is empty of all offerings to the last.

 

At the end of the day I hasten in fear lest thy gate be shut;

but I find that yet there is time.

*/The above post is a tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his death anniversary /*

Words of wisdom

Everything changes, it’s an unavoidable truth.We all have things that come along that are different and new. Some of us can handle transitions better than others. Getting used to things that are unfamiliar is a real challenge for many. Being open-minded can help us adjust to things that come along in life. Nothing remains the same for too long. An idea, a revolution, a communal desire to see change can make some uncomfortable which presents a whole other set of issues. The one thing we have to do in our life is to keep our cool and hopefully have an open mind to doing something we aren’t used to doing.

So if you are going through a lot of change, know others have been down the same road as you. It will be alright. Have faith in your own abilities to adapt to the new. We all have changes ahead that we have to cope with. Keep the faith and things will be fine.

*/This post was inspired by someone, I know, who is going through this change.*/

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a ‘People’s President’

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a former President of India’s autobiography- ‘Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam’ is a must-read for every Indian. I picked up this copy and found it very engaging. Kalam scrutinises his early life, effort, hardship, fortitude, luck and chance that eventually led him to lead Indian space research, nuclear and missile programs. He began his career, soon after his graduation from Aerospace engineering at MIT (Chennai), India at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited where he was assigned to build a prototype of a hovercraft. Later, when he was in ISRO, he assisted in developing Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which became the first space launch vehicle program.

Wings of Fire’ has been divided into 7 sections Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, Orientation, Creation, Propitiation, Contemplation and Epilogue. The ‘Creation’ section traverses through Kalam’s life and works from 1963 to 1980. Thumba and Satellite Launch Vehicle and related projects have been covered here. He was conferred Padma Bhushan in 1981.

The ‘Propitation’ section covers years from 1981 to 1991 scientist’s journey. He assisted in shaping up the Guided Missile Development Program. The missiles developed are – Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and Agni.

Kalam is also poet and here is an example

“Do not look at Agni

As an entity directed upward

To deter the ominous

Or exhibit your might.

It is fire in the heart of an Indian.

Do not even give it

The form of a missile

As it clings to the

Burning pride of this nation

And thus is bright.”

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble origins and went on to become the President of India. As a President of India, he utilized every opportunity to address students mainly school students to dream big and become achievers in life. His contribution as a scientist and as President will remain unparalleled and he shall continue to inspire us.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

The ‘missile man’ who was also a former President of India is no longer in this world. Dr. Kalam suffered a massive cardiac arrest during the lecture at IIM, Shillong. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be revived by the medical team. The nation mourns the loss of this great scientist and an inspiring individual. I would like to conclude with a few quotes from this great scientist

“Dream, Dream, Dream

Dream transforms into thoughts

And thoughts results in action.”

This is my belief; that through difficulties and problems God gives us the opportunity to grow. So when your hopes and dreams are dashed, search among the wreckage, you may find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins.

Truly, a ‘People’s President’ who shall always be remembered.