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Rare Colour Video of 1947 – Indian Independence

By
Syskool
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6
indian independence rare video

This rare documentary having original video clips from 1947. These rare videos and narrations of Indian Independence were taken from different sources and compiled beautifully into in mini documentary which explains the situation at the time of independence.

This documentary gives us a glimpse of how Britishers interpreted the Independence, Partition and their departure from India.
In the March 1947, Earl Louis Mountbatten and his wife Edwina Ashley arrived at New Delhi. The great-grandson Queen Victoria and second cousin to George VI, Mountbatten brings a regal presence to the dramas of the Indian Independence. As the last Viceroy he bears responsibility for India’s fate.

2nd April, 1947, Mountbatten  –

“I have now completed my first week in office, I should like to be able to paint an encouraging picture of my first impressions but feel it would be misleading if I did so. The scene here is one of the unrelieved gloom. At this early-stage I can see little common ground on which to build any a great solution for the future India. The only conclusion I been able to come to that unless I act quickly I may well find the real beginnings a civil war on my hands.”
By May 1947, attempts to create a unified India have failed, Gandhi retreats from political life. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League and Jawaharlal Nehru of the Indian National Congress concede to divide India.
Fearing a total loss of control, Mountbatten brings forward the transfer of power to August.
Two nations will be created by partition the secular India and a new homeland for India’s Muslims – Pakistan.

On the day of Indian Independence, Nehru addresses the people of India,

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”
The 15th in August 1947 the British Empire in India has come to an end.

The last Viceroy Louis Mountbatten –

“The National flag raising in the surge was done amidst scenes of the most fantastic rejoicing. It is the flag broke brilliant rainbow appeared in the sky which was taken by the crowd as a good omen.”

Qasim Mohammed –

“On the 15th of August, came freedom, the freedom to burn, loot and murder. While Delhi and Karachi were celebrating, Central Punjab was burning.”
Between August 1947 and March 1948, four-and-a-half million Hindus and Sikhs were forced to migrate from Pakistan to India, six million Muslims must move in the opposite direction.
Britains in the Indians miss the bloodshed

Sahid Ahmed –

“It is a battle ground people have gone mad, trains to Pakistan are being looted and occupants slaughtered. We all knew that the carnage was in the offing so did Mountbatten. The British Empire that tried to build India over centuries can never let down this great tragedy”

Lt. Colonel Hudson

“The sight from the air owe inspired in this chaos millions of refugees were struggling to get to India or Pakistan thousands of others were doing their best to prevent them murdering them by the 100s. A death is nothing there are things more terrible than death.”
Ten million people are displaced in the partitioning of India, 1 million are dead.

By the summer of 1948 most to the British have left Boyd Hudson has been in India for fifteen years –

“India is full of ghosts, houses I have lived in now inhabited by Indians remind me of the days which will never come again. When viceroy drove past with the cavalry escorts redcoats, I have seen the greatness of the British India, but now it is all in good and we are the last to leave the few who are trying to tidy up the mess which the sudden splitting of old Empire has caused.”
Britain has lost its greatest Imperial possession,
Mahatma Gandhi once said that if India became free the rest in the Empire would follow. In the next 10 years the fire of Indian independence will spread around the globe home from the Middle East to Africa.
Must Read: Partition of India 1947: A tale of turmoil
The Revolt 1857: the First War of Independence
How East India Company Established British Empire in India? Explained.
Drain of Wealth – British Colonialism and Economic Impact

Harmful Effects of Eutrophication

By
Syskool
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0
eutrophication in India

Eutrophication is one of the several ecological problems visible on the surface of water bodies. Eutrophication is characterized by a layer of abnormally growing algae on the water surface and has several harmful effects. Before knowing about the harmful effects, one must properly know about the eutrophication process and its causes.

What is Eutrophication?

The process of eutrophication can be defined as the enrichment of water bodies by phosphorous and nitrogen nutrients. Due to the enrichment, dense algae and other floating plants like nile cabbage and water hyacinths         grows abnormally on the water surface. The causes of eutrophication can be varying. Some of the most important causes of eutrophication include:

  • Use of fertilizers with high concentration of nitrates and phosphates
  • Discharge of nutrients by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)
  • Directly discharging sewage and industrial wastes into the water
  • Due to other natural events including sediment accumulation in the waters bodies which contribute to the explosive growth of phytoplankton and cyanobacterial blooms.

In general, human activities have sped up the process of eutrophication and have resulted in several environmental problems discussed below.

Effects of Eutrophication

Eutrophication has several harmful effects on the environment and natural life cycles of organisms. Some of the most prominent consequences of eutrophication are discussed below.

  • Limits the Water Supply and Degrade the Quality

With algal blooms, the supply pipes get blocked and limit the availability of water. Also, as the algal blooms are highly toxic, the quality of water deteriorates. The growth of toxic bacteria is enhanced in anaerobic conditions which result in further deterioration of water quality.

  • Poisons the Water and Threatens Life

Toxic algae and cyanobacteria release poisonous toxins in the water. This poisonous water causes fatal health hazards in humans and other animals if ingested with drinking water. Also, the high concentration of nitrogen in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome and other severe health conditions.

  • Endangers Fishes and other Aquatic animals

With the overgrowing of algae, the presence of dissolved oxygen is limited. With limited oxygen in the water bodies, other animals and plant bodies fail to get the minimum amount of oxygen required for respiration.

  • Degrades Fishing Opportunities

As the water surface gets covered with dense mats of algal bloom and other floating plants, setting fishing nets becomes difficult. Also, as the water gets covered with dense plants like nile cabbage and water hyacinths, the mobility of boats and other fishing vehicles gets highly reduced.

Reducing water transparency and degrading recreational opportunities are few other important effects of eutrophication. Various efforts are already been implemented to reduce the effects of eutrophication.

Start a fresh after a failed attempt in Civil Services

By
Syskool
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0
girl reading after failed attempt

The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failures.

Failure is a teacher and we must learn to grab the best out of its experiences. Civil services is one of the most competitive examinations in India and thousands of candidates fail to get through, every year. But as this phrase says, ‘Pressure creates diamond and fire creates goals’, failures create conquerors.

With success stories of toppers from all over India, it is an evident fact that most of them have cleared UPSC only in their re-attempts and their never-say-die attitude is a big-time motivation. So in case you have failed in UPSC, or, for the matter of fact, in any aspect of your life, believe that it’s not the end, but a beginning of a journey with better experiences and lessons.

‘Success is just a trial away’.

Be Positive – Failures are a part of life and one must be open to accept, learn, get up again and give it another shot. It doesn’t mean that one cannot crack the Civil Services exam in first attempt, people can and do crack, but it vary from person to person. The one who successfully crack the exam are undoubtedly deserve applause, but those who fail to crack in first attempt should not feel disheartened at all, and must not distract from their goal of cracking the most coveted exam and serving the nation.

After backsliding in UPSC examinations, most of the students get depressed, and it is understandable because students indeed put lot of efforts, time and hardwork in order to make it to the list; but remember, hardwork never goes in vain. So use your failed attempt as a stepping stone to success and get ready to outshine in another attempt.

As Janet Fitch rightly quotes, ‘The phoenix must burn to emerge’; failure makes you wiser, experienced and courageous enough to stand again and thrive.

Rectify your mistakes – Rectify the flaws that made you stand slightly back from other CSE toppers. Reasons could be anything; such as;

  • Lack of preparation and sometimes, over-confidence
  • Abridgement of thoughts
  • Shortfall of apt vocabulary
  • Lowered confidence
  • Lack of revision or
  • Absence of proper guidance

While preparing for the re-attempt after having rectified the shortfall, keep a good check on the following:-

  • Strategize your preparation process well – It is not the time to prepare for the Civil services at a beginner level. You are already aware of the techniques; you only need to brush them up. Integrated preparation is the key. Study for both the prelims and mains together and shift your focus entirely to prelims only 2 months prior to the preliminary exam. Remember most of the GS syllabus of Mains is covered by Prelims too.
  • Read NCERT – Grab the NCERTs immediately, in case you haven’t already. New NCERT has a lighter language and is precisely informative. So find your pick according to your suitability. Even if you have already studied NCERT earlier, one round of mug up is recommended to strengthen the basic knowledge.
  • Grab previous year question papers – Previous year papers and the one you attempted are essential to go through and solve to get a good understanding about examination pattern and the kind of questions asked by UPSC. These question papers also help you assess and evaluate on points where you lacked. And of course, it helps improving writing skills and time management.
  • Revise your notes – With updates in numerous aspects of subjects that you cover while preparing, your notes need revision.  Focus on important subjects like History, Geography, economics, social science and especially your optional subject along with Current Affairs. Make notes of everything you study and keep one or two day in a week for only revision before moving further to the next topic.
  • Current affairs are priority – UPSC has lately changed the examination pattern quite much in terms of current affairs based questions. With increasing intent towards current affairs, manage your preparation priorities and stay well updated on same. Analyse news stories and grasp the logical explanations associated with current updates.
  • Read your Newspapers well – Current affairs can be majorly covered by reading ‘the Hindu’ and ‘the Indian Express’ for English and ‘Dainik Bhaskar’ or ‘Dainik Jagran’ for relevant information for Hindi medium students. Do not jump to multiple news sources as they will only confuse you more.
  • Be informed – Keep a keen eye on Government Schemes & Initiatives, Economic surveys, PIB notifications, budgets updates and other important government announcements.
  • Enroll in Test Series – IAS coaching institutions provide aspirants with updated test series time to time, enabling students to scrutinize their performances and let them experience the real-time exam pressure. Take these Prelims and Mains test series to check where you stand and find your holes to bank up on the relevant and needed information.
  • Practice writing for speed and clarity – Along with your knowledge, personality traits, UPSC Civil Services exam is a test of your speed and time management too. There is a lot to write, and time is in its limitations. Hence, focus well on your writing speed. Answer previous year question papers and make notes not in digital but written form. This will not just increase your speed but also let you improve your writing skills. Do not forget to scrutinize your writing and its clarity as it will be no use knowing it all and doing your best if the examiner is not able to understand a word that you wrote. A neat answer-sheet always carries its own impression.
  • Choose your Mentor Wisely – Subject matter experts are known for their expertise over a particular aspect. UPSC is one exam where not many are willing to take risks and hence a good mentor is necessary for the right guidance and positive insight about Civil services. Every person has their share of understanding and experience. Consult only one person whom you think you can actually rely upon. A good coaching institute is recommended, instead of searching for a mentor outside; as you will get experts’ guidance and support in a coaching academy to discuss your doubts and strategize your preparation process.
  • Nothing is Impossible if you have faith – A failure will never stop you from achieving what you have worked hard for. So is with UPSC as it gives you options to re-attempt (in set criterions, though), only because UPSC too know that it is a hard nut to crack and the right candidates deserve chances to prove them best to get into Administrative Services. Have faith and keep going. We do believe in you!

Saraswati Samman

By
Syskool
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0
sarswati samman

Saraswati Samman is given by K.K. Birla Foundation for outstanding literary works (prose, poetry) in any of 22 languages listed in Constitution of India. As award winner gets 15 lakh rupees, a citation and a plaque.

2019: Vasdev Mohi for Short Story Series “Chequebook” in Sindhi

2018: K Siva Reddy for poetry “Pakkaki Ottigilite” in Telugu

2017: Sitanshu Yashaschandra for poetry collection “Vakhar” in Gujarati

2016: Mahabaleshwar Sail for novel “Hawthan” in Konkani

2015: Padma Sachdev for Autobiography “Chitt-Chete” in Dogri

2014: Veerappa Moily for poetry “Ramayana Mahanveshanam” in Kannada

2013: Govind Mishra for novel “Dhool Paudho Par” in Hindi

2012: Sugathakumari for poetry collection “Manalezhuthu” in Malayalam

2011: A.A. Manavalan for “Irama Kathaiyum Iramayakalum” in Tamil

2010: S.L. Bhyrappa for “Mandra” in Kannada

2009: Surjit Paatar for “Lafzan Di Dargah” in Punjabi

2008: Lakshmi Nandan Bora for novel “Kayakalpa” in Assamese

2007: Naiyer Masud for short stories collection “Taoos Chaman Ki Myna” in Urdu

2006: Jagannath Prasad Das for poetry collection “Parikrama” in Oriya

2005: K. Ayyappa Paniker for poetry collection “Ayappa Panikarude Kritikal” in Malayalam

2004: Sunil Gangopadhyay for novel “Pratham Alo” in Bengali

2003: Govind Chandra Pande for poetry collection “Bhagirathi” in Sanskrit

2002: Mahesh Elkunchwar for play “Yugant” in Marathi

2001: Dalip Kaur Tiwana for novel “Katha Kaho Urvashi” in Punjabi

2000: Manoj Das for novel “Amruta Phala” in Oriya

1999: Indira Parthasarthy for play “Ramanujar” in Tamil

1998: Shankha Ghosh for poetry collection “Gandharba Kabita Guccha” in Bengali

1997: Manubhai Pancholi for “Kurushetra” in Gujarati

1996: Shamsur Rahman Faruqi for “Shere-Shor-Angrez” in Urdu

1995: Balamani Amma for poetry collection “Nivedyam” in Malayalam

1994: Harbhajan Singh for poetry collection “Rukh Te Rishi” in Punjabi

1993: Vijay Tendulkar for play “Kanyadaan” in Marathi

1992: Ramakant Rath for poetry “Sri Radha” in Odia

1991: Harivansh Rai Bachchan for Autobiography in four volumes in Hindi

Annihilation of India Social Evils

By
Syskool
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3
social evil

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had famously said, “A people and their religion must be judged by social standards based on social evils. No other standard would have any meaning if religion is held to be necessary good for the well-being of the people”.

What is a Social Evils or Issue

Social Evils, if defined broadly, include anything detrimental to a society or citizens such as alcohol, child abuse, prostitution, etc.

Social evils may be also referred as a social problem or a social illness or even a social conflict that indicates to an issue that influences and is opposed by a considerable number of persons within a society. It functions as a source of comprehended and perceived as a morality just in personal life or social order.

To a particular social issue, different societies have different perceptions. Anyway, social evils are issues that affect members, in one way or the other, of a particular society. In terms of moral values, almost all the time, these issues or social evils are most of the time considered controversial or problematic.

India has, in its basket, many social evil despite being an independent nation for almost 68 years now. According to some analysts, it may not be wrong to call India a world capital of social evils.

Must Read: Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) – 2011

A List of Salient Social Evils

Child Labour and Child Exploitation

It is said, and said with a profound gesture, that children are the future of any nation. Every responsible member of our society is supposed to bring up the children with tender care and love by providing them all opportunities to grow, develop and prosper.

The growth of children who are engaged in earning livelihood for themselves and their families, gets hampered. Even in their workplace, they are maltreated and exploited badly – physically, emotionally and even sexually.

Gender Inequality and Exploitation of Women

No one can deny that it is generally a male dominated world. It is a pity that in this 21st century, Indians are still orthodox and do not give equal rights to women; of course, not officially. This is done to make sure that women exploited and dominated by men.

Female Infanticide

It is said that female infanticide creates imbalance in sex ratio that is mostly responsible for increase in crime rate in India. Apart from this, female infanticide is not only an inhuman and an effort to create imbalance in human race, but also a punishable serious offence in law because it tantamount to murder.

Domestic Violence

It can only be pitied that even after 68 years of independence, women in our country, abused mentally, physically, emotionally and sexually in many families. The so-called high class and upper middle class, who boast of being well qualified and educated, are also major contributors in domestic violence.

Also Read:Social Conditions in the Era of Mauryan Imperialism

Traditional Expensive Marriage Ceremonies

At most of the weddings, spending money lavishly has become a symbol of showing and establishing status and stature. Poor families, or the families who do not have enough money to ‘save social prestige’, take even loans to maintain expensive marriage ceremonies. Many of them fail to pay back the loans which lead to many complicated happenings.

Dowry Tradition

Dowry, an ill tradition, at wedding is most of the time responsible for bride burning and other domestic violence crimes, because family from the boy side take it as their birth right, or perhaps human rights, to demand dowry. In this developed and free country one must ask the Question why should the parents of a girl give dowry at the time of marriage to the family of the bridegroom. Does a girl become a liability after marriage.

Blind Faith based on Outdated Rituals

In many parts of the country, particularly in tribal areas and remote villages, are followed foolish outdated rituals and traditions which often put life of people including small children/ infants at high risk.

Poverty

It is a big curse as it is directly linked to hunger. Poor people are those people who will do every possible thing, right or wrong, to manage their two square meals. Only one thing is suffice to say on this issue is that our country, our beloved Bharat Mata, is known as the hunger capital of the world.

The Way Ahead

We, all the responsible and sane members of the society, must take a pledge that we would not hesitate to do whatever we can do to annihilate the above mentioned social evils wherever these exist. It is only then in the long run, evils from society can be eradicated. We, instead of waiting for others to take action, must take first step to begin the long journey.

Read Also: Social Conditions Under Gupta Period

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