THARU DR AJAY KUMAR OJHA: 2012

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

JP MOVEMENT, MISA ACT,JP SENANI SAMMAN YOJANA & RABINDRA NATH OJHA

JP MOVEMENT, MISA ACT,
JP SENANI SAMMAN YOJANA & RABINDRA NATH OJHA

(All the images are subject to IPR)

Photo by Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

An active Gandhian Social Activist Prof ( Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha always fought for the causes and welfare of Teachers, students & other deprived sections of society. In the process he has gone on fast -unto -death and courted arrest several times.

Prof Ojha jumped into JP movement whole-heartedly in 1974 and went to jail two times . First time for 18 days and second time detained under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act 1971) itself for more than two months ( In fact detention under MISA was experimented on him for the first time in Champaran). He remained in jail from 13th July 1974 to 16 September 1974. Consequently during Emergency he was suspended from his job in M.J.K College Bettiah . His family had to suffer tremendous tension & great hardship.

But detention order was quashed by High Court in the matter of an application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Rabindra Nath Ojha Vs The State of Bihar &Others (Cr.N.J.C.No.183 of 1974 dated 13th September 1974) in the presence of the Hon'ble Justice A.N. Mukharji & the Hon'ble Justice Muneshwari Sahay. On the basis of High Court's order his suspension was revoked and he could regain his job.

Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha represented several times after announcement of JP Senani Samman Yojana.He wrote a letter to the then Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Home, Government of Bihar along with a copy of the order of High Court for ready reference but he could not find his name in the published list of JP Senani. He again represented his case to Chairman, Advisory Council JP Andolan Samman Yojana. But he did not get any response and passed away on 13th May 2010 in Delhi without receiving the Samman he deserved. First man to be detained under MISA in the district was deprived of his rightful claim.

Even till date he has not been honoured under JP Senani Samman Yojana by Government of Bihar due to bureaucratic & other lapses for they could not find any proof of his stay in Bettiah & Motihari Jail due to destruction of the records in flood as reported by district administration. What proof is more authentic than the order of High Court which has everything in detail? Will the supreme sacrifice of a person go in vain just like this & justice be denied ? This is really a shameful state of affair.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

PROF(DR.) RABINDRA NATH OJHA: A UNIQUE PERSONALITY

प्रो (डॉ ) रवीन्द्र नाथ ओझा : अदभुत व्यक्तित्व,विलक्षण कृतित्व

(All the images are subject to IPR)

फोटो डॉ अजय कुमार (ओझा)

प्रो (MkW) johUnz ukFk vks>k (1932&2010)

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राघव शरण पाण्डेय ( भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा )

पूर्व सचिव पेट्रोलियम मंत्रालय , भारत सरकार

" मैं अपने जीवन में तीन लोगों से बहुत प्रभावित रहा हूँ - आइन्स्टीन , महात्मा गाँधी और रवीन्द्र नाथ टैगोर। ओझा जी में मैं तीनों महापुरूषों की छवि पाता हूँ ।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' के विमोचन के अवसर पर मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में बोलते हुए

" A tough administrator, a widely read teacher with a flair for literature, a warm individual and at the same time a stickler for discipline and man with the courage of his convictions."

From "Viprah BahudhaVadanti"

Krinwant Sahay
(Indian Revenue Service)

" Apart from being a distinguished teacher and a successful writer, another aspect of Shri Ojha's personality that touches me the most is the human element in him. In my opinion, it is this element that makes him outstanding. To appreciate others' problems and attempts to resolve them in the most possible humane manner has been the most focused thing in his nature."

From"Viprah BahudhaVadanti"

डॉ बालेन्दु शेखर तिवारी

" प्रो रवीन्द्रनाथ ओझा निबन्धकार नहीं , ललित निबन्धकार हैं। इस रूप में उनकी पहचान ललित निबन्धों की उस सुदीर्घ परम्परा में है, जिसमें हिंदी के कई समर्थ ललित निबन्ध लेखक हैं - आचार्य हजारीप्रसाद द्विवेदी, डॉ विद्यानिवास मिश्र, कुबेरनाथ राय।

ललित निबंध के स्थापत्य को एक प्रवाहमान और सार्थक विचरण प्रो ओझा ने प्रदान किया है और इसे संभव किया है - ललित निबंध के उपकरणों की सुघड़ अन्विति और भावनाओं की बरसात ने।.... उनके निबंध आत्मीयता की मनभावन रंगोली पेश करते हैं। इन रचनाओं में भावुक मन की पुकार है और अनुभव का संसार भी। इनमें सांस्कृतिक बोध का सारस्वत अनुष्ठान है और खुली बयार में रचनात्मक गतिशीलता का सुख भी।इन ललित निबंधों में लालित्य और स्वछंदता का पहला दरवाज़ा भावुकता के इलाके में ही खुला है।

परिवेश और प्रकृति , सारल्य और मनमौजीपन , सांस्कृतिक जुड़ाव और रचनात्मक लावण्य के समन्वय से बने हैं प्रो ओझा के ललित निबंध और इसी कारण अविस्मरणीय हैं।
'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

डॉ हितेंद्र नारायण मित्रा 'सदानंद '

"सर्वमान्य रचनाकार फिराक गोरखपुरी जी एवं हरिवंश राय 'बच्चन ' अंग्रेजी भाषा के अध्यापक होते हुए भी उर्दू एवं हिंदी साहित्य के क्षेत्र में अपनी अमिट छाप छोड़ गए हैं , क्यों न मैं साहित्य सेवक प्रो रवीन्द्रनाथ ओझा को भी इसी पंक्ति में मान लूँ। मेरे विचार में उनके ललित-निबंधों के संग्रह भी असाधारण सृजनशीलता के सनद हैं।

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

Dr. Sushil Raphael

" This fair-complexioned, handsome and intelligent man, Prof. R.N.Ojha is a rustic in toto with a lout-like simplicity within, has the guts of a warrior, laughs like a soldier, loves eating sweets and relishes them like child. Look into his eyes and you shall be amazed. They are beautiful and penetrating and in the course of conversation you will not fail to notice or observe occasional flashes or flare-ups of enlightenment and illumination in them."

From"Viprah BahudhaVadanti"

फोटो डॉ अजय कुमार (ओझा)

Prof. B.N.Chaubey

" His way of teaching impressed me very much because we felt no difficulty in understanding his lecture. What he was speaking was fully expressed through his facial and bodily language. His face and body while teaching, was most expressive. What we could not understand through his words, we could understand through his bodily movements, through his gestures and postures. In a way his body and language complemented and supplemented each other to make his teaching thoroughly communicative to the students.His pronunciation was so clear that the spelling of the words become clearly known to us, letter by letter. One more specialty of Prof. Ojha's method of teaching was that he taught the lower classes with lower standard and the higher classes with higher standard."

"Considering his love for and contribution to Hindi, Prof. Ojha was nominated a member of Hindi Advisory Committee of Ministry of Railways and then again to the Ministry of Law and Social Justice , Government of India."

From"Viprah BahudhaVadanti"

मंत्रमुदित

"हिंदी के प्रबुद्ध पाठकों को ज्ञात है कि ओझा जी जमकर पत्र लिखते हैं , लम्बे-लम्बे पत्र लिखते हैं और लगातार लिखते हैं। उनके पत्र 'सारिका ', 'दिनमान', 'साप्ताहिक हिंदुस्तान', 'नवनीत', 'मधुमती', कादम्बिनी', 'आजकल', 'हंस', जैसी पत्रिकाओं में बार-बार छपे हैं। अक्टूबर 1989 के अंक में 'हंस' द्वारा उन्हें प्रबुद्ध पाठक का सम्मान भी दिया गया है , उनका चित्र भी छापा गया है।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

फोटो डॉ अजय कुमार (ओझा)

प्रो जुबैर अहमद

"कुछ लोग टेनिस के बिना जी नहीं सकते थे। उन्हें tennis addict कहना उचित होगा। ओझा जी उसी श्रेणी में आते हैं। वह क्लास में पढाने और टेनिस खेलने में कभी भी अवकाश नहीं लेते थे। ओझा जी खेलते समय उसी तरह लीन हो जाते थे जिस प्रकार कोई साधू तपस्या में डूब जाता है।

एक बार Shri J.S. Barara IAS अपना कैमरा लेकर आये। उन्होंने केवल ओझा जी का फोटो खींचा और कैमरा बंद कर दिया। उन्होंने बताया कि ओझा जी में मैंने एक अनोखी बात देखी। संभवतः ओझा जी विश्व के एकमात्र   खेलाड़ी हैं जो धोती पहन कर भी इतना अच्छा टेनिस खेल सकते हैं। यह टेनिस का भारतीयकरण है।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

मोहम्मद शमी

" साठ के दशक के पूर्वार्ध में अंग्रेजी विभाग के वार्षिकोत्सव के अवसर पर श्री आर एन ओझा ने Shakespeare के एक कठिन नाटक   'A Mid-Summer Night's Dream' का मंचन अपने ही निर्देशन और निगरानी में कराया।हम सभी साथियों ने  प्रोफेसर  आर एन ओझा जी के कठिन परिश्रम से कराये गए अभ्यास से ड्रामा को बड़े ही कुशल तरीके से रंगमंच पर प्रस्तुत किया।

Chairman, District Collector Shri C.R.Vaidyanathan IAS सहित सभी ने नाटक के निर्देशक प्रोफेसर  आर एन ओझा की कोशिशों की भूरि -भूरि प्रशंसा की तथा उन्हें हार्दिक बधाई दी। बेतिया (Bettiah) शहर में पहली बार इस तरह के नाटक का आयोजन किया गया था जिसकी प्रशंसा दर्शकों ने इतनी खुलकर की। इस सफलता का पूरा श्रेय आदरणीय  प्रोफेसर  आर एन ओझा को जाता है।"

  'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

डॉ विजय प्रकाश

"मैंने विश्व का श्रेष्ठतम साहित्य पढ़ा है और श्रेष्ठ साहित्यकारों-कलाकारों की उपलब्ध जीवनियों के आधार पर मुझे पता है कि श्रेष्ठ साहित्य का सृजन करनेवाले लेखक -कवि के लिए श्रेष्ठ मनुष्य होना आवश्यक नहीं है , अपने पत्र में आपने अपनी जिन चार पुस्तकों की चर्चा की है , उन्हें मैंने नहीं पढ़ी है , इसलिए मुझे नहीं पता कि साहित्यकारों की श्रेणी में आप कहाँ बैठते हैं ; परन्तु विगत दो दशकों के पत्र-व्यवहार से मैं जानता हूँ और पूर्ण विश्वास से कह सकता हूँ कि ईश्वर ने आप जैसा श्रेष्ठ मनुष्य बनाना अब बहुत कम कर दिया है।"

"पत्राचार खूब हुआ है पर प्रत्यक्ष दर्शन नहीं हुआ। मैं बहुत भावुक हूँ।मेरे पिता बहुत छोटे में ही मुझे छोड़ कर चले गए। मैं नहीं जानता मेरा -आपका पूर्व जन्म का कोई रिश्ता है या नहीं। लेकिन आप ने मुझे अहैतुक स्नेह दिया है - It cannot be described in words. it is beyond all words."

  'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

शंभुनारायण ओझा

मेरे गुरुदेव , मेरे बाबूजी : रवीन्द्रनाथ ओझा

"प्रो ओझा 1988 से ही मेरे गुरु , मेरे शिक्षक ,मेरे अभिभावक , मेरे मार्गदर्शक , मेरे पथ-प्रदर्शक ,मेरे प्रकाश -पुंज एवं प्रेरणा-स्रोत रहे हैं।

वे मुझे इस तरह संजोते -संवारते -संभालते -अपनाते गए जैसे कि मैं उनका कोई खोया हुआ ,अरसे से बिछड़ा हुआ पुत्र ही हूँ। उन्होंने मुझे वह सब कुछ दिया जिसकी मुझे उस वक्त ज़रूरत थी और आज मैं जो कुछ भी हूँ,उन्हीं के स्नेह -आशीर्वाद की बदौलत। और सच पूछिये तो मैं तो यहाँ तक कह सकता हूँ 'एस एन ओझा माईनस आर एन ओझा बराबर जीरो।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

फोटो डॉ अजय कुमार (ओझा)

डॉ आदिनाथ उपाध्याय
पी एच डी ,संगीतशास्त्र (बनारस हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय )

"ओझा जी सपरिवार मेरे ही आवास में ठहरे हुए थे। ये उन दिनों एकांत कमरे में 'हरे राम हरे कृष्ण 'धुन गा-गाकर खूब मस्त होकर नाचने लगते थे। मगर तारीफ की बात यह थी कि इनका स्वर -ताल अंत-अंत तक मेंटेन रहता था।प्रायः ऐसा होता कि मैं जिस राग में गाने का अभ्यास कर रहा होता उसी राग में ये 'हरे राम हरे कृष्ण' गाने लगते।इनके द्वारा यह काम प्लानिंग अथवा पारस्परिक समन्वय से नहीं होता था , बिलकुल अनजाने में होता था। क्योंकि मैं अपने कमरे में होता था और ये अपने में।मैं इन्हें इस बात का कभी एहसास नहीं होने देता कि मैं इनके लिए लिए कोई प्रयोग कर रहा हूँ।एक दिन मुझे थोड़ा कौतूहल जगा , मैंने सोचा आज एक कठिन राग उठाता हूँ फिर देखूं क्या ये उसे भी अपने 'हरे राम हरे कृष्ण' में सेट कर लेते हैं। मैंने 'राग तोड़ी' जो उच्च कक्षा का एक कठिन राग है उठाया , यह सोचकर कि इसे तो हरगिज नहीं कर पाएंगे। किन्तु मेरे आश्चर्य का ठिकाना न रहा, मैंने देखा कि इनके लिए तो कोई अंतर ही नहीं पड़ रहा,बड़े आराम से एकदम कम्फर्टेबली राग तोड़ी कि धुन पर 'हरे राम हरे कृष्ण' गाये जा रहे हैं। इसे आप क्या कहेंगे ? क्योंकि इस लेवेल का प्रदर्शन तो एक निष्णात संगीतवेत्ता ही कर सकता है।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

प्रो ठाकुर रसिकचन्द्र सिन्हा

"ओझा जी में एक खूबी मैंने देखी है कि वे जिस काम में पड़ते हैं पूरे मनोयोग से पड़ते हैं, पूरे दिल से पड़ते हैं। इसलिए जिधर भी जाते हैं, जिस क्षेत्र में जाते हैं अपनी एक विशिष्ट छाप छोड़ते हैं, अपनी एक अलग पहचान बना लेते हैं।कॉलेज के शुरूआती दिनों में(कॉलेज की स्थापना 1956 में हुई थी ) उन्होंने Shakespeare के तीन कठिन नाटकों (Macbeth, Othello , A Mid Summer Night's Dream) का पुनर्लेखन कर उन्हें मंचित कराया जो काफी सफल रहा, काफी सराहा गया। यह काम बड़ा कठिन और दुरूह था पर यह उनके मनोयोग , उत्साह और प्रेरणा का ही परिणाम कहा जायेगा कि एक छोटी जगह (Bettiah, Champaran, ---------------------Bihar) के एक छोटे कॉलेज(M.J.K College) में Shakespeare के तीन-तीन नाटकों का सफलता पूर्वक मंचन हो सका।"

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

डॉ बलराम मिश्र

"ओझा जी एक सफल आदर्श प्राध्यापक रहे हैं। सहृदय ,श्रद्धा-सम्पन्न शिष्यों की विपुल संख्या है , उन सबके प्रति स्नेह-भाव से लबालब भरा हुआ ओझा जी का ह्रदय है, उनमें प्रगाढ़ता है ; किन्तु मूलतः वे साहित्यस्रष्टा हैं , रचनाकार हैं , सर्जक हैं। उनमें अध्यात्मिक रूचि की प्रगाढ़ता है ,दार्शनिकता की प्रवृत्ति भी उनमें चरम सीमा पर है।उन्हें रुढ़िवादी धार्मिक नहीं कहा जा सकता किन्तु उन्हें अधार्मिक नहीं कहा जा सकता। छद्म धर्म,

साम्प्रदायिकता, अंध विश्वास के वे विरोधी हैं। उनकी दार्शनिक चेतना प्रबल है।"

रवीन्द्र नाथ ओझा व डॉ बलराम' मिश्र
फोटो डॉ अजय कुमार (ओझा)

"खेल में उनकी रूचि है। कॉलेज में नियमित टेनिस(Tennis)खेलते थे।कभी Football भी खेलते होंगे किन्तु क्रिकेट(Cricket) की कमेंट्री (Commentary) सुनने का उनका शौक चरम सीमा पर है ; इस पर वे जान न्योछावर करते हैं। रेडियो -टेलीविज़न ( Radio-Television) पर उनके कान, उनकी आँखे लगी रहती हैं।वे अपना सुधबुध खो बैठते हैं, खाने-पीने-सोने की भी उपेक्षा कर देते हैं।प्रायः कमेंट्री अकेले सुनते हैं।एकांत में आत्ममुग्ध होकर उछलते,कूदते,हँसते , आनंदित हो तथा दुखी होते भी देखे जाते हैं। खेल का आनंद वे अपने पूरे व्यक्तित्व से लेते हैं।

'विप्राः बहुदा वदन्ति ' से

HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME POEMS OF RABINDRA NATH OJHA

रवीन्द्रनाथ ओझा की कुछ कविताओं के मुख्यांश

(All the images are subject to IPR)

रवीन्द्र नाथ ओझा

हम हों केवल हिन्दुस्तानी

मिट जाएँ अब जाति - धरम सब, मिट जाएँ नफरतरासी,

हम हों केवल हिन्दुस्तानी , हों बस केवल भारतवासी ।

मानववाद ही एक धरम हो, मानववाद हो एक करम ,

मानव सब धरमों से प्यारा , कोई न मन में रहे भरम ,

हर नर राजा , नारी रानी , मिटे सभी वैषम्य - कहानी ,

गूंजे चहुँ दिसि दिगदिगंत में साम्य और समता की बानी,

हर कुटिया मालिक हो अपनी , यहाँ न कोई दासादासी,

मिट जाएँ अब जाति - धरम सब, मिट जाएँ नफरतरासी,

हम हों केवल हिन्दुस्तानी , हों बस केवल भारतवासी ।

उठ ,मंगलम के गीत लिख

नैराश्य में , निष्कर्म रहना यह महा दुष्कर्म है ,

प्रतिकूल से संघर्ष करना ही महा सदधर्म है,

आलोक-उज्जवल जगत कर दे,तिमिरनाशन,तम को भगा ।

उठ , मंगलम के गीत लिख औ मंगलम के गीत गा ,

उठ , जागरण के गीत लिख औ जागरण के गीत गा ।

देश मुदित कब होगा ?

अन्धकार से घिरे जगत में सूर्य उदित कब होगा ,

कब होगा यह तमस तिरोहित देश मुदित कब होगा ?

अमर शहीदों के सपनों का सुख -स्वराज्य कब होगा,

बापू के सपनों का चर्चित रामराज्य कब होगा?

अन्धकार से घिरे जगत में सूर्य उदित कब होगा ,

कब होगा यह तमस तिरोहित देश मुदित कब होगा ?

आज विदाई लेता हूँ

मन को किया अब ईश-समर्पित ,

देह जगत को देता हूँ ,

क्या लेना-देना दुनिया से,

आज विदाई लेता हूँ।

जब तक जिया नहीं कुछ समझा,

अब समझा जब जाना है,

गलती हुई अनेकों लेकिन ,

उन्हें नहीं दुहराना है।

Saturday, September 22, 2012

IMMORAL TRAFFICKING & THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN

(All the images are subject to IPR)

Photo by Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

Tharuhat of West Champaran (Bihar,India) is full of beautiful spots and Bhikhana Thori is one such spot. During one of the courses of series of continuous interaction with the Tharus I came to know the story of stone quarries - yet another technique of exploiting the poor & innocent Tharu tribe.

Powerful people from outside manage to take lease for obtaining stone from an open excavation. These places are called stone quarries which unfortunately have turned out to be hotbed of exploitation and immoral trafficking. The Tharus happen to work there in large number as labourers for their livelihood. Most of the labourers employed here are the innocent Tharu women who get less wage compared to men. Other advantage of employing them is that they are more laborious and they cannot rebel. This apart, these helpless women labourers are seduced and enticed to do all sorts of illicit work. Most of the Tharu women get trapped into it unknowingly and once trapped it becomes difficult for them to come out of that vicious circle.

Thrown out from their land by the big farm owners' "Sarkar Raj" they become landless labourers and go to work for earning their livelihood and find themselves in the net of flesh trade. This has developed into an institution coming down from one generation to another. Tharuhat of West Champaran is close to Nepal border and wine of different variety is easily available which adds fuel to the fire of flesh trade and occupation of call girls. "So called cultured and civilized people" including officers of different departments visit this place, stay in Forest Rest House or Railway Rest House. They come, they enjoy and even take away along with them some girls and offer them to bigwigs including politicians for getting their work done.

Such heart-rending & soul-stirring stories earlier did not hit the headlines of any Newspaper because Tharuhat remained just like an island away from the radar of reporters. But recently, and specially after being made Schedule Tribe the Tharuhat has also become the focus point of journalists and other social activists.

"Poor Tharu Girls 'flee' Mumbai Bar" a report published in The Times of India is clear pointer to such flesh trade even after near-closure of stone quarries. Trafficking of girls from this remote area is a brutal onslaught on human rights. Two teenaged Tharu girls lifted the lid off immoral trafficking from Gaunaha block. Their saga is of abduction to Mumbai where they were sold to an agent who made them nautch girls in Mumbai bar.

Would there be an end to this inhuman & heinous crime of 'immoral trafficking' of the innocent Tharu women & girls by "so called educated , cultured and civilized people" ?

Sunday, September 16, 2012

CHARITY OR CONVERSION? ANOTHER EMERGING QUESTION IN THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN

CHARITY OR CONVERSION? ANOTHER EMERGING ? IN THARUHAT!

The question being raised is " if you claim that your purpose is entirely charitable then why are you pursuing dharmantaran or conversion ? " Tharuhat, whether it be in Nepal or Terai of Uttarakhand or Uttar Pradesh or West Champaran of Bihar there is rise in the activity of dharmantaran. Poor and innocent Tharus have become an easy target.They are being dishonestly misled and lured into this process through misrepresentation and false promises.

Here is a sharp reaction from some of the Tharus of Parsauni Panchayat of Ramnagar block when asked about conversion "Han!Dharmantaran shuru ho gail ba. Sushil kaji naam ke ego laika Cecil Kaji ho gaeel. Ka kaeel jao. Kuchh log birodh kara ta, ta kahal jata ki Hindutva attack karat ba. Ab batain dharam badalala ke ka zarurat ba? Bhalai ke kaam karata log ta karo per ee sab ka ha? E vajah se kaun na je gareeb deshan ke haal theek ho gail ba, aa berojgari dur ho gail ba? (Yes! Conversion is taking place. One Tharu has changed his name to Cecil Kaji from Sushil Kaji after conversion. When some Tharus are opposing this, message is being spread that this is the attack of Hindutva. Tell me what is the use of converting ? If charity is being done it should be done but what is this? Is it not a fact, that due to this, neither the condition of most of the poor countries has improved nor unemployment removed or decreased ? )

This is really a disturbing trend. The innocent Tharus have been exploited since decades and this is also a new kind of exploitation in the Tharuhat in a new garb. Is it not unreasonable and inconsiderate to exploit the poor & innocents in the name of charity ? Charity is a pious, honest and selfless act and it is expected that it should be done without any ulterior motive or interest.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

THARU TRIBE, THARUHAT OF WEST CHAMPARAN & AMENDED FOREST RIGHTS ACT

THARU TRIBE,THARUHAT & AMENDED FOREST RIGHTS ACT

(All the images are subject to IPR)

When I recently visited the Tharuhat & specially Bakhari Bazar village of Ramnagar block of West Champaran district of Bihar, I was told by some of the vocal Tharu brethren :

" The wood we used to receive under 'Charsa Permit' earlier has completely been stopped. We were used to get 'Ghar Sangha ' as per our rights. Now after being granted the status of ST in 2003 it has also been completely stopped. This is a gross violation of the Fundamental Rights of the Tharus and it has to be highlighted in Media".

Photo by Dr Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Through this article I want to spread this message that by changing the rules of Forest Rights Act (FRA) it is being ensured that tribals can not only extract minor forest produce such as leaves, tubers, bamboo, medicinal plants and resins but also store, transport, process and sell them."Bonafide Livelihood Needs" under FRA now to include sale of minor forest produce extracted by tribals and other forest dwellers beyond their personal use.The rules also clarify that tribals can store and transport the goods without any difficulty. Now bamboo has been re-defined as a grass and not a tree, consequently classifying it as a minor forest produce.

In the light of the new development, the government of Bihar is expected to implement these amendments in the tribal area of Tharuhat and see to it that the benefits of the changed Forest Rights Act should reach to the Tharu Tribe deprived of their forest rights for decades.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

GREAT THARUS ABHOR BEGGARY !!! A CASE STUDY OF THARUS OF WEST CHAMPARAN

GREAT THARUS ABHOR BEGGARY !!!

We do find a large number of beggars drawn from almost every caste or community on all the crossings of the big cities and even in small towns & villages or in bus or train ,or for that matter anywhere. Some of them are part of the big racket. Beggary has become not only a thriving industry but a big problem because it tarnishes the image of the country. People who are engaged in this profession,do not want to do any other work as they make a good earnings easily through beggary.

It is quite astonishing but immensely inspiring that despite backwardness & poverty there is hardly any beggar found in the whole of Tharuhat. A Tharu shudders at the sight of a Tharu beggar. Tharus are people of self dignity .

The Tharus do not hesitate giving alms to the beggars even though, they may not be in a position to give. This exhibits the humanitarian aspect of their personality which is hardly to be found in the so called highly educated civilized people of the big cities.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

PROF(Dr) RABINDRA NATH OJHA (PROF. R. N. OJHA): A RARE PERSONALITY UNHIGHLIGHTED

PROF(Dr) RABINDRA NATH OJHA: A RARE PERSONALITY UNHIGHLIGHTED

PROF(Dr) RABINDRA NATH OJHA:

A RARE PERSONALITY UNHIGHLIGHTED

(All the images are subject to IPR)

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha addressing the gathering on the occasion of release of a book on him "Vipra Bahudha Vadanti" in Satyagrah Mandap in Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Raaj Ghat , New Delhi on 26th April 2009

Shri Siddhanath Ojha & Devmuni Devi

Born to Devmuni Devi & Siddhanath Ojha in the village Badaka Singhanpura of Buxar district (Bihar, India) Prof (Dr.) Rabindra Nath Ojha did his schooling from Prathmik Vidyalaya Badka Singhanpura & K.P Uchcha Vidyalaya Dumri. He was married to Radhika Devi of Sonwani village, Balia (Uttar Pradesh).

Siddhashram (Village Home) in Badaka Singhanpura
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Sonwani Village, Balia(Uttar Pradesh)

Photo by Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

Prathmik Vidyalaya Badaka Singhanpura
Photo by Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

K.P Uchcha Vidyalaya Dumri
Photo by Dr Ajay Kumar (ojha)

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha with his friend Kailash Mishra
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

He studied in Bhagalpur University & later Bihar University ( Now B.R.A University).Just after completing his post graduation in English he joined M.J.K college Bettiah as Lecturer and retired from the same college as University Professor.

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha Bhavan, New Colony Bettiah
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

M.J.K College Bettiah
Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Prof (Dr.) Rabindra Nath Ojha has been rightful front-runner amongst the famous scholars of English, Hindi ,Sanskrit and Bhojpuri. He is a well-known name as an essayist, poet, critique, reviewer, analyst, translator, letter-writer, editor, powerful orator, Director (Play/Drama), successful organizer, trade unionist, champion of the causes of Teachers/Students & Deprived, social activist, philosopher, spiritualist above all humanist and what not. In the true sense of the 'saying' he has been embodiment of "Simple Living & High Thinking".

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha with his wife Radhika Devi & Grandson Arnav
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar Ojha

Prof ( Dr ) Rabindra Nath Ojha distributing school bags among poor children in Badaka Singhanpura
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar( Ojha)

Enlightened readers of Hindi must be aware of the fact that Ojhajee used to write letters very often. Long letters and that too continuously. His letters have been repeatedly published in Hindi Magazines such as 'Saarika', 'Dinmaan', 'Saptahik Hindustan','Navneet', 'Madhumati', 'Kadambini', 'Aajkal', 'Hans'.

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

'Hans' patrika has honoured him as "Prabuddha Pathak" in the October edition of 1989.

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha with Vishnu Prabhakar
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

Though Prof Ojha has used his pen on many aspects of Hindi literature but special mention may be made of his four published books on the collections of personal essays namely NAIVEDYAM, NIRMALYAM,SATYAM-SHIVAM, SHIVAM-SUNDARAM. After looking at the numbers of manuscripts of unpublished personal essays it appears that another eight collections can still be published. Apart from personal essays he has penned down hundreds of beautiful poems in Hindi as well as in Bhojpuri.He has also written a very extensive and impressive introduction of the "GEETA MAI" in Bhojpuri written by Ram Bihari Ojha.An introduction written in English by Prof Ojha of English Short Story "ICEBERG" has been highly appreciated.

After having retired as Head ,Department of English, M. J. K College Bettiah he has been nominated as member of Hindi Advisory Committee,Ministry of Railways and later Ministry of Law & Social Justice and has offered his important services for the spread of Hindi for three-three years.

Prof Rabindra Nath Ojha amidst Tharus in Tharuhat of West Champaran
Photo(c) Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Prof. Ojha has been honoured by various institutions.He has been appreciated and remained in news for being a very powerful & arresting orator. An active Gandhian Social Activist Dr. Ojha has always fought for the causes and welfare of Teachers, students & other deprived sections of society. In the process he has gone on fast -unto -death and courted arrest several times.

Prof. Ojha jumped into JP movement. He went to jail twice. First for 18 days and later detained even under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971) for more than two months from 13th July 1974 to 16th September 1974 (First to be detained under MISA in Champaran) and kept under suspension . His family had to suffer tremendous tension & great hardship.

Detention order quashed by High Court in the matter of an application under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Rabindra Nath Ojha Vs The State of Bihar & Others (Cr.N.J.C.No.183 of 1974 dated 13th September 1974) in the presence the Hon'ble Justice A.N. Mukharji & the Hon'ble Justice Muneshwari Sahay.

(But even till date he has not been honoured under JP Senani Samman Yojana by Government of Bihar due to bureaucratic & other lapses for they could not find any proof of his stay in Bettiah & Motihari Jail due to destruction of the records in flood. What proof is more authentic than the order of High Court which has the everything in detail? Will the supreme sacrifice of a person go in vain just like this? This is really a shameful state of affair.)

He has been the leading light of the Federation of Service Associations and Trade Unions of Champaran.

Dr. Ojha has been honoured with the degree of VIDYA VACHASPATI by Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth( Bhagalpur) and on 22nd March 2010 with "CHAMPARAN VIBHUTI" by the Government of Bihar on the occasion of BIHAR DIVAS 2010.

Prof. ( Dr ) Rabindra Nath Ojha has been a very successful Organizer & Director too. Be it a literary programme or cultural or social he has been successful in organizing all such programmes and even done compering too with all efficiency.He has been President or Chairman of various organizations such as "SAHITYA KALA SANGAM", "PRAGYA PAARIJAT".He successfully produced,staged and directed many plays of Shakespeare in the most backward district Champaran of Backward State Bihar and that too in early sixties.Really unparellel, unique, unimaginable achievement.

Very few people,rather hardly anyone know that Dr.Ojha has been expert in the field of Music also . This view has been expressed by Dr. Adinath Upadhyaya of Varanasi, who is a great scholar of Music. Very few people are aware that Prof Ojha has been a very good player of Tennis & Football. Playing wonderful Tennis clad in Dhoti -Kurta is again, may be the only one example in the world.

Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Prof (Dr.)Rabindra Nath Ojha , a great thinker, philosopher and messenger of Indian sanskar & sanskriti (Indian Culture) has been above all a very simple , sensitive ,down-to earth rustic, rooted to his soil, lover of nature, and pious human soul, devoid of any ego, any self interest - the only interest being to serve humanity , to give every thing for the welfare of the people without any expectation of any return either in the form of any prized post or any award or honour. That is why,may be, a multi-splendoured unique & unprecedented personality remained out of the lens of media or column of Newspapers which could not zoom in on him even when he breathed his last in the lap of nature during early morning walk , on 13th May in 2010, in HUDCO Park near ANSAL Plaza in South Delhi itself.

HUDCO PARK, ANSAL PLAZA, SOUTH DELHI
Photo(c) Dr Ajay Kumar (Ojha)

His has been a dynamic personality, restless soul, always aspiring after something good & great. He has been always on the march,never resting, never stopping.Thoroughly disillusioned and disgusted with various organizations- political or religious he went into deep introspection and meditation. Intensive study of scriptures helped him in discovering himself anew. He found peace and harmony deep inside himself. He has been in constant touch with his inner self,determining his life's course in the light of the dictates and directions of his deeper self.

Prof (Dr) Rabindra Nath Ojha with Dr K.K.Chakraborty IAS
Photo (c) Dr Ajay Kumar(Ojha)

Subsequently he developed his own philosophy of life based on his own personal experiences and realizations. His views and visions, feelings and realizations find free and full expressions in his speeches and writings . He has been humane to the core.Love and humanity - these two words have been two most valued words in his dictionary. Through the religion of love and humanity he has been able to achieve the supreme goal i.e. attainment of supreme bliss that is God-realization. All his thoughts ,words and actions directed towards this very end.

Chief Guest Shri Raghav Sharan Pandey IAS (The then Petroleum Secretary, Government of India) releasing the book "VIPRA BAHUDHA VADANTI"

VIPRA BAHUDHA VADANTI is a small effort but a rare book bringing out multi-sided assessment of this rare multi-faceted/multi-dimensional personality. This book was released in Delhi by Chief Guest Shri Raghav Sharan Pandey IAS, the then Petroleum Secretary, Government of India in April 2009.