Understanding the National Anthem

                       There are many controversies associated with the national anthem of India.

 Let us try to translate the song and understand the meaning.

The main first stanza:

Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he, bharatha bhagya vidhata.
{Punjab, Sindhu, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, utkala, Banga.
Vindya, himachala, Jamuna, Ganga, uchala jaladhi taranga}
Tava shubha naame jaage;
Tava shubha aashish maage, 
gaaye tava jaya gaatha

It means that,
Oh bharatha bhagya vidhata! you are the adhinayaka (Leader) for us.
Indian people (people mentioned in the flower brackets above) wake up remembering your good name
ask for your blessings and sing your glories. 

There are four other stanzas in the song which we should know:

Second stanza: 

Around your throne people of all religions come and give their love and anxiously wait to hear your kind words.

Third stanza: 

Praise the King for leading the ancient travelers beyond misery.

Fourth stanza: 

Drowned in the deep ignorance and suffering, poverty-stricken, unconscious country,Waiting for the wink of your eye and your mother's true protection.

Fifth stanza:

In your compassionate plans, the sleeping Bharat will wake up. We bow down to your feet O' Queen, and glory to Rajeshwara.

 Why there is controversy associated with this?

•  When we consider India as 'Mother India' or Bharata Matha, why we refer India as Bhagya Vidhatha or Adhinayaka instead of calling Adhinethri?
• Why there is no mention of North-East, Andhra, Karnataka (All parts of Karnataka /Mysore and AP do not come under Dravida)
• Why there is no mention of Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea?
• Why there is no mention of Jammu and Kashmir?
• Why there is no Rajasthan?

Recently added controversies

• Why a mention of region 'Sindh' still active? Sindh is now region under Pakistan, and not India

 The Story:

                        In those days, His Highness, King George V of Great Britain planned a visit to India. To welcome him, Motilal Nehru asked Rabindranath Tagore for a welcome song. The composition was first sung during a convention of the Indian National Congress in Kolkata on Dec. 27, 1911 and the agenda of that day devoted itself to a loyal welcome of George V on his visit to India.

                         So, now, the Adhinayaka is King George who is supposed to be the bhagya vidatha for India. Now,  the translation would mean - Oh King, we Indians wake up remembering your good name, ask for your blessings and sing your glories.

                         In those days, Hyderabad, Mysore, Jammu & Kashmir, princely states of Travancore, Cochin etc were not under direct control of 'Adhinayaka'. Coastal areas were under control of French (Pondicherry, Yanam etc), Portuguese (Goa, Daman, Diu etc). North East was a different part controlled by tribals. So, these were not included in the list. Similar is the case of Rajastan., it had individual Rajput kings who used to pay some sort of tax to the British Government.

What benefits did Rabindranath Tagore get?

1. This song was composed in 1911. He got the noble prize in 1913.
2. He was awarded 'Sir' by the British.
3. He was awarded the tag of 'Biswa Kavi'.

                         However, let it be made clear that, this is not an attempt to insult a great poet. It is just to analyze the things. Whatever may be the meaning, a national anthem must always be respected.

Flag code of India

       There are many things that I have found recently which must be followed while using the Indian Flag.

Can we wear the flag as a part of stage show?

                             No, Indian Flag should never be used for wearing. Like, during any stage shows, if any one wears a flag as a shirt, it is a serious violation.

Can we keep the Indian Flag on our cars?

                             No, Only the President of India, PM, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Justice, Ambassadors in other countries, state CMs, cabinet ministers have such a privilege. Not even normal members of Parliament and legislative assemblies have the privilege of flying the National flag on motor car.

What to do with a damaged flag?

                            When the flag is in a damaged or soiled condition,it should be destroyed as a whole in private, preferably by burning or by any other method consistent with the dignity of the flag.

Can the flag be hoisted  on a private building?

                             Till 2002, private institutions were never allowed to hoist the flag. A FIR was lodged against Naveen Jindal for hoisting flag over a private building. He moved a  PIL in supreme court and won it. Since then, private citizens are allowed to fly India's flag inside and atop their buildings and institutions.

What are the common rules to be followed by private citizens?

• Indian Flag should be higher than all other flags.
• It should be lowered at night.
• Even in-case of heavy rain, storm or wind, the hoisted flag must not be lowered during day time.
• The flag can only be half masted in the event of the death of the important dignitaries. The following rules must be followed while doing the same as a part of observing state-mourning:

1. If the President or Vice-President or Prime Minister of India passes away, flag must be half-masted all over the Nation.
2. In the event of other cabinet ministers, speaker, Chief Justice passing away, it must be done all over New Delhi.
3. If the CM, state ministers, speakers of Legislative assembly etc pass away, it must be done in the respective state capital only.
4. What if, the death happens on a national holiday? (Independence day, republic holiday etc). If that is the situation, it must be half-mast only on the building where the body is kept.

•   The flag should never touch the ground, whatever may be the situation.
•   Nothing should be written on the flag, should not be a spoiled one and should not be a half-burnt one.

Some interesting situations w.r.t. Indian Flag, anthem and Map:

1. In 2007, Indian Cricket team has cut a cake that has Indian Flag made of cream on it. Indian players later apologized.
2. Indian cricket team used to have BCCI emblem over the Indian Flag. This lead to a big controversy.
3. In a Telugu movie 'Chathrapathi', the hero asks for one leg space in Vishakapatnam (okka adugu) by keeping his leg on the Indian Map placed against a wall. This was the main scene of the movie. A PIL was filed against this scene and the director had to apologize.
4. In the movie Kabhi kushi, Kabhi Gam there is a scene where people sing the national anthem in London. A PIL was filed in the high court to remove the scene.
5. Plastic Indian Flags are now banned as a part of go-green initiative.
6. When a President travels in an Indian Train, the Indian flag must be placed at the engine driver's cabin to the side of platform. The flag must be placed only when the train is stationary and must not be flying when the train is moving.
7. When the President or PM is on official visit to a nation, he must carry the flags of those nations along with him and they must be kept at the same level. Suppose if he is traveling from India to US via UK, he must keep both the flags alongside the National flag as a gesture of courtesy and goodwill.
8. When representative of other nation travels in same vehicle along with Indian head, the Indian Flag must be placed to the right while the other flag must be placed at the left.

 Any violation to above will be considered to be insult to the nation and it will lead to severe punishment. So, let us be extremely careful while using the Indian Flag.

The curse of Kohinoor...

                         The Koh-i-Noor is a 109 carat diamond. The Persian King Nadir Shah who gave the stone its name, which means “Mountain of Light”. It used to be the largest known diamond in the world for many centuries. Koh-i-noor diamond was originally found more than 5000 years ago in India and is mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit writings.

                         As per the hindu epics, it used to be known as Samanthika Mani, the diamond which was with the father of Sathya Bhama, then with Jambhavantha and then with Lord Krishna. The Puranas or the Mahabharata do not say what happens to the gem after the death of Krishna and the fall of Dwaraka.

                         Historical evidence say that the Kohinoor originated in Golconda kingdom. At that time it was said to weigh 793 carats, but through some cutting and polishing by a jeweller named Borgio it was reduced to 186 carats. This further reduced from 186 carats to its present size of just less than 109 carats.

                         It is believed that there is a curse associated with the diamond.

The Curse of the Kohinoor Diamond:

 "He who owns this diamond will own the world, but will also know all

 its misfortunes. Only God, or a woman, can wear it with impunity."

                             It is true that, the lives of the rulers who owned the Koh-i-Noor diamond were filled with violence, murders, torture and treachery. This diamond in history passed through the hands of various Indian and Persian rulers who fought bitterly over it from the 14th century onwards.

Here is the history...

Initially, the following dynasties owned the diamond:
                The Slave dynasty (1206-90),
                The Khilji dynasty (1290-1320),
                The Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413),
                The Sayyid dynasty (1414-51), and
                The Lodi dynasty (1451-1526)
All these were all brief reigns ending with war and violence.

1306   
The Rajah of Malwa was forced to give the diamond to the rulers of the Kakatiya Empire.

1323   
The Kakatiya Empire fell after a rule stretching from 1083 to 1323. Later, the diamond was taken by   Muhammad bin Tughluq  who became the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351.

1323 - 1526   
The diamond came into the possession of the Delhi Sultanate and the muslim armies consisting of Turkic, Persian, and Afghan warriors invaded India

1526           
The diamond passed to the Mughal Empire when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans, at the First Battle of Panipat. The Mughal Empire ruled most of India for two hundred years and the Kohinoor passed from one Mughal Emperor to the other. Violence followed these years often marked by the sons of the Emperors rebelling and overtaking their fathers.

1639
Shah Jahan had the diamond placed into his ornate Peacock Throne. A struggle for the Empire started between his four sons - Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, Aurangzeb and Murad Baksh when brother killed brother.Shah Shuja executed his brother Dara Shikoh and in then 1658 Aurangzeb defeated Shuja and Shuja who was tortured to death together with all his family.

1739
Persian King Nadir Shah invaded the Mughal Empire defeating their Emperor and stole the great Koh-i-Noor diamond. It was taken to Persia.

1747   
Nadir Shah was assassinated, the diamond passed to his successors, each were dethroned.

1800   
Ranjit Singh took the Empire and died in 1839

1851  
Dalhousie arranged that the diamond should be presented by Ranjit Singh's successor, Duleep Singh, to Queen Victoria, the Empress of India.

                         The British Royal family were aware of the Curse of the Kohinoor. It is believed that, when the diamond is in possession of a woman, the curse will not work. From the reign of Queen Victoria the Kohinoor diamond has always been with the wife of the male heir to the British throne.

Now, let us think...
India is planning a lot to bring the diamond back. Is it really needed...

Second Capital

                         I sometimes wonder, what happens if locals in Delhi revolt and ask non-locals, migrants, settlers to go out of the NCR. This is similar to the way that is on-going in Mumbai, the financial capital of the nation. To avoid such a situation, government made it clear that Delhi belongs to no one and just as a backup option, the government has setup administrative offices in Shimla and Hyderabad. Every year, the President of India stays in his second official residence called 'Rashtrapati Nilayam' in Hyderabad for some 10-15 days during winter. If we can closely see this phenomenon, it can be interpreted that, Hyderabad is 'The Winter capital' of India (for 10-15 days every year). Shimla is 'The Summer Capital' and New Delhi is 'The all-time Capital'.

                       Just similar to this, the government should now identify alternatives for every capital city of the states at-least now. I Have been to Jammu city last week. Jammu is the winter capital of the state Jammu and Kashmir. While, Srinagar is the Summer Capital and also the first capital. Srinagar is more closer to the disputed territory. While, Jammu, which is almost at the southernmost tip of the state and is less volatile. So, my understanding is that, if there are any problems in Srinagar and the local government is unable to function, the entire administration can work from Jammu. Even though, Jammu region and Kashmir region are two separate entities with many cultural and regional differences, the state is united due to this dual capital system.

Let us now see the case of Maharastra and Vidarbha. 

                         Nagpur was the capital of Central Provinces (the current Madhya Pradesh) and Berar. It became the important constituent of Madhya Pradesh, after it was formed in 1950. In 1956, Berar, the current Vidarbha region got separated from Madhya Pradesh, and was merged with the Bombay State. Nagpur thus lost the status of a capital city. In 1960, under the Nagpur pact, when Vidarbha region is merged with the Bombay State, Nagpur was made the second capital of Maharastra. Under the Nagpur pact, one of the preconditions for Vidarbha joining the state of Maharastra was that, at least one of the legislative sessions every year should be held in Nagpur. Moreover, these sessions are supposed to specially deal with Vidarbha's problems. As of now, even if few problems are there in the region, both the regions can function independently if any problem arises.

Case of Karnataka:

                        It is believed that North Karnataka is less developed when compared to South Karnataka. The current Karnataka is a merger of three regions - Mysore State + Parts of Hyderabad state + Parts of Bombay State. There are many problems as a result of this merger. So, Belgaum, where 60% of population speak marathi is (proposed) the second capital of karnataka. So, even in future, if the state is made into two, it will not be a problem.

What should have been done with Andhra Pradesh?

                        Hyderabad is located in the heart of Telangana region. Due to Telangana issue, the current AP government is unable to run assembly sessions properly for the last 1.5 years. Andhra Pradesh state is formed by merging two states and for the last 60 years no second capital is developed. When Andhra state is merged with Telangana, Kurnool lost the capital city status and it is not even a A-class city now. There is not even a High court bench set up in any other city of AP. As a result of this, for the last one and half year, entire administration is on halt. If we had a second capital city in Vijayawada or Vizag, we would have run the government from there and the current situation would not have been this serious. Moreover, since Hyderabad is the only capital of AP, people were left with no other option other than settling in Hyderabad. If a High Court bench is present in Andhra, 70% of lawyers would have moved out of Hyderabad. The same thing would have happened with other ministries.

As a result of this, the Telangana issue would not have been this critical.

Have identified few cities which are needed to be made a second capital to curb political issues.

• Andhra and Telangana - Vijayawada and Hyderabad respectively.For Telanagana, Mahabubnagar and Warangal to be developed (Agitations between North and South Telangana arise in future, since North is more backward than south)

• Saurastra - Rajkot (The Southern part of Gujarat)

• Kerala - Kochi (Kochi is more better than Trivandrum and it is the financial capital of Kerala)

• Karnataka - Belgaum and Mangalore (These two are the most problematic ones in the state.. one for Marathi population, other for Tulu population)

• Tamil Nadu - Madurai (keeping in mind, the unrest among South Tamil Nadu people that they are dominated by people from Chennai and Coimbatore)

                       I feel that the word 'Business Continuity Plan' that is used in corporate world, (esp in my company) should be applied everywhere in the country. We use this word to ensure that all the business functions will be available to customers irrespective of accidents, disasters, emergencies, and threats without any stoppage in its key operations.

National Emergency - Why it was imposed in 1975?

                       Indira Gandhi imposed emergency in 1975. In case of emergency, all the fundamental rights of citizens, freedom of press, media and opposition will be suspended. President, as the supreme commander, will discharge his duties in consultation with the Prime Minister.

What made Indira to impose emergency?

                        Indira's government had to face general elections in 1971 after the war against Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh. There was a great opposition against this war and many did not like the idea of war. Moreover, as a result of this war, we were in financial crisis.

                         In spite of all these, Indira and her government won the general elections with huge majority. Many alleged that Indira misused the state machinery for election purposes. Some even alleged that, she used a rare type of Russian ink on the ballot papers. This ink has a chemical property of being invisible till the time it is exposed to open air and light. So, these ballot papers when opened for counting had a vote being cast to the desired candidate. All such allegations were raised by the opposition in those days.

                          Raj Narain, who was defeated in election by Indira Gandhi, lodged cases against her in the Allahabad High Court. On 12 June 1975, Allahabad High Court found the Prime Minister guilty on the charge of misuse of government machinery for her election campaign. The court declared her election is not valid and also banned her from contesting any election for an additional six years. Some serious charges such as bribing voters and election malpractices were withdrawn and she was held responsible for

• Misusing the government machinery, 

• Using the state police to build a dais, 

• Availing the services of a government officer and 

• Use of electricity from the state electricity department. 

                         So, strikes swept across the country.And her close associates suggested that it would be better to impose emergency in order to control the situation.Many great leaders (now in BJP) were arrested, no permissions were given for dharnas, hartals etc. This emergency went on till 1977 when she faced defeat and opposition party for the first time rose to power.

                         But, as there is no proper unity in the opposition  it remained in power for just 2 years when again, she became the PM of India until her assassination.

                         Keeping all these things aside, one should admire the boldness of Indira Gandhi. If anyone else were in that place, we could have never seen them again in active politics. Opposition which was successful in rising to power was never successful in retaining that due to lack of proper leadership.

                         She moved from infinity to zero, then to minus infinity and again rose to plus infinity in no time.Even today, every congress leader names new policies on her name. She is/was a leader....

National Language of India...

What is the National Language of India?

Am sure that 90-95% of people say it as either Hindi or English.

But, it is interesting to note that the word "National Language" is not mentioned in the Constitution of India. Indian law specifies Hindi and English as the official languages of the Indian Republic.


The constitution of India which was adopted in 1950 said that for a period of 15 years i.e., till 1965, English along with Hindi would be the official language of India after which, Hindi would solely become the National Language which would be officially used all over the country. Non-Hindi speaking states are supposed to learn the language and start using Hindi for official purposes.In 1965, when Lal Bahadur Shastri tried to implement the same across the nation, it was  greatly opposed by the people of South India especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. By 1967, government made an amendment in the Constitution to make English and Hindi along with regional languages as the official language and did not make any language as The National Language.

Many of my friends oppose this move. They feel that if a single language is spoken all over the nation, national integration would be promoted. But, let us do a small exercise of thinking out of box...

What could have happened if no one opposed "compulsory imposition of Hindi Language"?

The National Language would have become Hindi, replacing English everywhere.. in office, in courts, in media, etc. and, we would have used Hindi in place of English.But we did not do that. We started using English., and it is estimated that by 2020, India will have the highest number of English speakers in the world.

What did we achieve by this?

Well, if Hindi is used in the place of English, we would never enjoyed the fruits of Globalization., and we would have not prospered in IT, ITES, Pharmacy and BPO sectors.All our jobs would have gone to Indonesia, Laos, Sumatra etc.



So.. are we supposed to thank the leaders who opposed Hindi...? One thing is evident.... Whatever happens.. happens for a cause.