Yesterday i went to book a ticket to my home
town. As usual I have decided at the 11th hour,so have to hurry so that the the tatakal tickets mite nt finish up b4 i reach.I dnt hav a internet conenction at office,so cant help myself with e-tickets.So,Bunked the office for 2 hours at 12 p.m.
I found a strange thing there at the railway station nearby my workplace, there is a seperate window for the reservations for ladies, handiecaps, and seniorcitizen.
see the irony buddy, ladies == handicapes== seniorcitizens .
I have never booked ticket tht way so m not aware if this happens at other stations also :)
But I am an Indian, if I am given a reservation, I have to avail. even if i m capable of standing in the queue :)
So I was there ,in the reserved queue.
For getnn ur resevation done from tht counter u need to be in a queue, ther too u have been agn provided one more reservation, i.e seperate queues for self travellers as well those gettn ticket done for others, so i was in reservations/ladies/self queue.
for every 2 candidates of normal queue 1 candidate from my queue, this is the sequence
they follow..
there were 8 people ahead of me which means my turn was 25th :)
as i forgot to tak my ear phons so there I was standing in the queue and
doin my fav job, i.e observation :P
and here I am presenting this to uuuuuu
there were 2 senior citizens in my queue.. lets name them.
1) Shri Satyaprakash Sadachari
2) Pandit Deena Nath Chouhan
Shri Satyapraksh, as i felt seems to b a freedom fighter, every now n thn he was
boosting wat he has done thruout his life, n tht state of affairs and all crap...
if u hav ever book a ticket tht way, u mite hav seen those small reservation forms, spread over the place on floor hardly left at their proper place...so whenever some1 cam n ask at the counter for more forms, our satya praksh uncle used to ask them to collect thm from the floor n keep thm at their proper place..n wont allow the railway clerk to gv more form unless the older ones have been collected n shown their correct place.
u cannot imagine hw i cntrolled my laughter..
but i need not wait for a long, after 3rd -4th time every one broke..those in hurry controlled their anger lookn at his age...
the other uncle, Pandit Deena Nath Chouhan, must be an angry youngman in his youth, he
considered himself responsible for maintaing the decorum of the queue, like a school PT teacher..hw to stand, nt to push, stand in attention,, hw he used to stand in his youth n all cribbling.He ddnt allow railyway clerk to book a single ticket back door of some relatives or friends.. he ddnt even allow ne one to brak the queue and just enquire...which according to him agn was making those standing in the queue for long a fool ,infact every1 was struggling hard to cntrol laughter while watching the LC.Whenever the phone at clerk's desk rang, he agn got the bitter scolding from Deenanath uncle for wasting the precious time of Indians...
other then this senior citizen entries, there were 6 ladies ahead of me, 2 aunties,1
senior citizen and the other was full of makeup so I was unable to makeout her age...
Also she was nt carryng a certificate so she must not be of age :P ,both filled the form wrong.. n we have to wait till they filled it correctly n got their reservations done...I was prayng to God
tht the clerk must not gv up in between
other were of middle age group n my group who ddnt create much trouble n were waiting
patiently for their turn.. and finally my turn cam n I got the ticket at 2, at which the counter closed for a 30 min break, I was lucky enough to get my wrk done in 2 hours at indian railways.
n I dd all this in office hours and my boss was missing me too, I was gettn cntinous misscalls( those were full rings, i ddnt pickup ;) from her for being absent from office for more thn 2 hours.But I like it tht way, rite nw m sitting idle( from work) and writing this for u :P
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Virile Destinations
wrote this somtime in march, in reply to a post by som friend in Hyderabad...
These are strictly personal views, so please dnt give ne biased comments...
If u thnk this is wrong, thn it mite nt hav meant for u, but always rememebr,"exceptions are always there"...
Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he wants himself to be potentially. The most important product of his effort is his own deceased personality he never knows, it was not him who had the power , it was her who gav it to him.. it was her who made him feel tht potent..
These are strictly personal views, so please dnt give ne biased comments...
If u thnk this is wrong, thn it mite nt hav meant for u, but always rememebr,"exceptions are always there"...
Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he wants himself to be potentially. The most important product of his effort is his own deceased personality he never knows, it was not him who had the power , it was her who gav it to him.. it was her who made him feel tht potent..
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Assasination of Gandhi
Though I never believed in the principles of"Naram Dal" during history n constitutional classes in yprimary and secondary schooling, but the ideals tht Gandhi supported were alws a point of discussion on our group...Whn I came across this play, my opinion, u can call it a prejudice, might have proved tht Wat GAndhi did was wrong...
So if u have got time, just check it out urself...
I will review the stuff and collect the other data and get bak to u soon...
But the controversial story in form of a play here, itself tells a lot :)
An assassin speaks 'Gandhi must be
stopped at any cost'
Pradeep Dalvi's controversial play “Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy” has once again
ruffled feathers. Like it did in 1989, when the playwright was denied permission
by the Maharashtra government to stage the drama. After its brief resurrection
nine years later, the state government has now banned the play.
Read the play and judge for yourself if the ban was justified.
(The stage is dark save for one spotlight, which is focused on Nathuram, who is
standing with his back to the
audience. Suddenly he turns and starts looking at the faces in the audience, as if
he is searching for someone. Ultimately, he jerks his neck indicating denial or
negation and looks up. Now he is directly looking at the audience.)
Nathuram: No all the faces are unknown. Actually 'unknown' is the wrong word
to use in this ... All your faces are very
fresh to me...fresh and new. They are, of course, new to me, but mind you, they
are not unfamiliar.
The youngsters among you, were not even born at that time. You must have read
about me as a Hindu fanatic in the history written by the government. The
middle-aged amongst you must be very confused clinging to their parents, who in
turn were running around to save themselves from themassacre of Brahmins as
the outcome of the assassination -- asking: 'Who is the Nathuram? Why are our
houses being burnt because of him?"
But the elders among you... You must remember me! You must have heard
about me on the radio. Some of you might have read Agrani, the newspaper run
by myself and Nana Apte. Some of you might have attended my meetings and
heard my speeches. Some of you may be knowing me directly or might have met
me, but must be refusing the
acquaintance after January 30, 1948.
Do you know how old I am? eighty-eight, nearly 90! Do you think I am lying,
because I look young? Do you know, the mystery behind my youth is my death.
My death...it was untimely, but it was heartily accepted!
I was born at the beginning of this century on May 19, 1910. My father
Vinayakrao was in the postal service, my mother's name was Laxmi.
Vinayakrao was drawing a salary of Rs 15 per month. He used to spend Rs10 on
his family and send Rs 5 to his parents.
Vinayakrao and his wife had three sons, none of them survived. They prayed to
God, had their fourth son, Nathuram. Nathuram survived because they were
destined to suffer for their young son's death and Gandhi was destined to be
assassinated.
The rest of my life was very smooth.
I never stole in my childhood, so there was no question of apologizing to my
father. I never took a vow of celibacy as I was already practicing celibacy. I was
moving around the refugee camps and helping the destitute with food and
clothes. But I did not wander half-naked because the refugees were naked. I
never spun yarn, never cleaned my toilet, never observed silence till I was
hanged. There was only one common factor in Gandhi's life and mine.
We were both the cause of each other's death. He wanted to live for his
principles and I was prepared to die for my principles.
But the interesting part of the biography of Nathuram Godse starts on January
30, 1948. After the assassination of Gandhi.
In a sense, I lived only for 655 days -- from January 30, 1948 to November15,
1949. But January 30 was an outcome of January 13.
The central government had taken a decision -- Pakistan will not be given Rs 55
crores. On January 13 Gandhi started a fast unto death that Pakistan must be
given the money. On January 13, the central government changed its earlier
decision and announced that Pakistan would be given the amount.
On January 13, I decided to assassinate Gandhi.
January 13, 1948
(The editorial room of Agrani. There is the normal chaos that exists in
the editorial room of any newspaper. Nana Apte enters.)
Nana: Pandit, where are you? Visu...
Visu: (Enters) Sir.
Nana: Have you composed and assembled the first page? Break the
compose. This is a stop press news.
Visu: You want me to recompose the first page? There will not be any issue
tomorrow.
Nana: Listen, we just have to reassemble the first
page. This is a very important news. It was on the radio.
Visu: But Panditsaab is rewriting the editorial. I have
to recompose and print that matter. How can we...
Nana: Where is Pandit?
Visu: He is sitting in the composing section. He is
completing the pages and giving them for composing.
Nana: Call him.
Nathuram: Call? Whom?
Nana: I wanted to call you. We have to prepare the
front page again.
Nathuram: No need. My new editorial is on the same
subject. Visu just get us coffee. (Visu goes)
Nana: Do you know the news I am talking about?
Nathuram: Yes, of course. The Cabinet has changed its
decision. It is giving Rs 55 crore to Pakistan. Gandhi has broken his
fast.
Nana: You changed your editorial?
Nathuram: Yes. I thought that my previous editorial was
nothing but a pack of lies.
Nana: Pack of lies? And written by you? Impossible!
Nathuram: Yes. Tomorrow is January 14, Makar Sankranti.
I had written in the editorial, 'Don't celebrate Sankranti tomorrow,
don't take sweets, don't behave in a sweet manner. Distribute rifles,
bullets, weapons. Don't talk sweet, talk of war. Kill the enemies.''
Nana: It is true, what you had written.
Nathuram: You have not asked me about the title of my
new editorial.
Nana: What is that?
Nathuram: Mere talk without actions is futile.
Nana: Meaning...?
Nathuram: It is time for protests in constitutional
ways, processions, pickets to come to an end when the establishment
resorts to mindless injustices. You can't just warn the government through
editorials at such hours. Tell me Nana. What do you mean by people will
not tolerate, people will revolt...and so on? Who are these people? Do you
mean our readers or those who attend our meetings and listen to our
speeches? No, Nana, people also mean you and me, us. If we forget what we
write and what we talk then our editorials and brave speeches in the
meetings and futile. A man addressing from the dais is also a part of the crowd
sitting before him. When we say that the people should revolt, it means that we
should revolt!
Nana: You have written all this?
Nathuram: Yes, I have written celebrate Dassera
tomorrow, the festival on which war is proclaimed.
Nana: Pandit, we will be arrested.
Nathuram: I don't think, our Agrani is the mouthpiece of Hindu religion. When the
government does not give importance to Hinduism, the question of being a
mouthpiece does not arise. Our restraint is misinterpreted. Our massacre is
neglected. They presume that we will bear everything with folded hands. Our
anger has lost its fuel to burn, we know only the art of pardoning. They will torture
us and massacre us and we will bear it coolly... it has become a law of nature. I
don't think they will take cognizance of this mouthpiece of Hinduism. Yes, the
government will think seriously while arguing the case in the court.
Nana: Which case?
Nathuram: IPC 302, the assassination of Gandhi.
Nana: Pandit, what are you talking?
Nathuram: Of course Nana, while writing the editorial, I was constantly telling
myself -- these are not mere thoughts, they are a prelude to an action!
Nana: I have utmost confidence that Nathuram can never
make a mistake, he is always right. But I want to ask you something
because a blind follower cannot be a genuine friend...
Nathuram: Gandhi must be stopped at any cost.
Nana: I do agree with you.
Nathuram: And there is only one remedy to stop him. His assassination.
Nana: But don't you think it's a hasty decision?
Nathuram: You are wrong Nana. Assassination is never as
easy as picking up a rifle and pulling the trigger, assassination is
never an accident. Yes, murder could be an accident but not assassination. In
this case of Gandhi, it could never be...
Nana: Are you convinced that it is inevitable?
Nathuram: Of course, it is not only inevitable, but is a delayed action.
Nana: Don't you feel that we would be tampering with an important era of
history?
Nathuram: I differ with the word era. It could be a page, a leaf of history. Certainly
not an era. Nana, if we don't turn this page today, the rest of the pages of the
history of our nation will remain unwritten, blank...
Nana: Listen, Pandit…
Nathuram: Time is eternal, indestructible. You can turn its pages but never,
never tear them out. Gandhi has acquired some position in history which nobody
can deny, not even Nathuram. The page will be there forever in fact. Sometime in
the future, in some storm, the pages will flutter and there will be that same
Gandhi's page before the world. I don't refute Gandhi's theory of non-violence.
He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies
self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival
as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.
Nana: I do agree with you Pandit, but don't you think that your decision is risky,
dangerous?
Nathuram: But somebody has to do it! You can't afford to wait for somebody else
to do it. It will be improper.
Nana: If we picket severely?
Nathuram: We have been doing it. Did it help? The division of the nation was an
unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as
compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate
nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in
India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was
divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never
greater than a nation, Nana. But Gandhi has stared considering himself greater
than the nation.
Nana: Jinnah wanted to be the prime minister...
Nathuram: But we never opposed a Muslim prime minister.
In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at today...
Nana: They are also equally responsible.
Nathuram: Of course, they are responsible! Gandhi blackmailed them with his
fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction --
geographical as well as economical -- of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken
a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again
dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What
remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the
British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not
ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an
independent Bengal?
Nana: Pandit, if you will write this, people will get agitated, the government
will get agitated, the government will have to bow down.
Nathuram: I had written this before. At the time of Partition, when Suharawady
surrendered only due to political pressure, but only Suharawady, not his
followers...they went on with the massacre. Gandhi started his fast, the Hindus
put their weapons down. I still remember that day. A poor Hindu told Gandhi, 'I
am putting down my weapons because I don't want your death on my conscience
but I am staying alone with my family in the Muslim area. That night, before
leaving Hyderabad I visited his home. The whole household was screaming,
weeping, his only eight-year-old son had been killed by the Muslims. He
had no weapon to defend himself. He threw his son's body on my lap and
said, "Take his blood to your Mahatma. Tell him, if he goes on fast again, he can
finish it by drinking not orange-juice but my son's blood." I could not say anything.
Gandhi was the Father of my Nation. For a moment, I was tempted to pull out the
Muslims from their homes and chop them down. But I controlled myself. Violence
for self-defence is justified, otherwise it is an ill-cultured act. I returned to where
Gandhi was staying but he had already left by car. Of course, there would have
been no point in meeting him... he would only have prayed for both the killer and
the victim.
Nana: Pandit, I sincerely feel that we should seek the advice of Tatyarao.
Nathuram: No. Because I am going to assassinate Gandhi even if Tatyarao tells
me not to. Then why involve him unnecessarily? I, neither want Tatyarao's
involvement nor participation. He has suffered a lot for the nation. Now it is our
turn. Tatyarao had once sad, if Gandhi is a political saint, then he should follow in
the footsteps of Ramdas Swami. Ramdas Swami was always there to advise
Shivaji whenever the need arose, but he never interfered.
Nana: Pandit, if you are firm, then I promise you...
Nathuram: I want two promises ...
Nana: I promise!
Nathuram: You didn't ask me what promises?
Nana: A shadow has not to ask the body as to where it is going and why it is
going? A shadow has just to be with the body, that's all. When I walk, you
become my shadow Pandit, now you are walking... I will be your shadow.
Nathuram: This is the first promise I want from you... This time I walk lone...mind
you, alone...
Nana: You have trapped me.
Nathuram: But you promised me..! I am going to assassinate him in the open,
before the public, because I am going to do it as my duty. If I do it surreptitiously,
it becomes a crime in my own eyes. I will not try to escape, I will surrender and
naturally I will be hanged.
Nana: Pandit!
Nathuram: One assassination, one hanging. I don't want two executions for one
assassination and I don't want your involvement, participation or company.
Nana: Pandit, you want to end our friendship of so many years?
Nathuram: Of course not. At the time of hanging. I will remember mymotherland,
my parents and my friend -- you, Nana...
Nana: But if I won't be with you, won't you feel lonely at the gallows?
Nathuram: You promised me.
Nana: What is the second promise?
Nathuram: Today I wrote two editorials. I have not put any date on the second
editorial as only God knows the date. I want you to print the second editorial in
Agrani, the day after Gandhi's assassination.
Nana: I promise you my friend. The first promise accidentally but the second
promise out of necessity.
(Nathuram is alone on the stage)
Nathuram: I was convinced that though Gandhi is called the Father of the Nation,
he delivers his paternal duties not towards India but towards Pakistan. I came to
the decision that as a son of the soil, it was my first, foremost and divine duty to
assassinate Gandhi. On January 30, I reached Birla Bhavan at 12 pm. Gandhi
was sitting outside on a cot enjoying the sunshine. Vallabhbhai Patel's
granddaughter was sitting at his feet. I had the revolver with me. I could have
assassinated him easily then, but I was convinced that his assassination was to
be a punishment and a sentence against him, and I would execute him. I
wanted witnesses for the execution but there were none. I did not want to escape
after the execution as there was not an iota of guilt in my mind. I wanted
to surrender, but surrender to whom? There was a good crowd to collect
for the evening prayers. I decided on the evening of January 30 as the
date for Gandhi's execution.
January 30, 5.00 PM
(Birla Bhavan. DCP Arjundas and a servant appear on the stage.)
Servant: No. Bapuji cannot spare any time now. He will be late for his evening
prayers.
Arjun: I know. But I have come because the work is important. In fact it is to do
with Bapuji's prayers.
Gandhi: (Enters) Who is it, Mahadevbhai?
Servant: Somebody to see you. I told him, you are getting late.
Gandhi: Who are you?
Arjun: (Salutes) I am DCP Arjundas, Bapuji...
Gandhi: We have met before... Wait a minute, don't tell me ... let me recollect.
Yes, when Jawahar had come to Hyderabad, you were with him.
Arjun: (Smiles) Your memory is fantastic. You were very weak at that time.
Gandhi: It is the body that becomes weak. But fasting sharpens of the mind. Why
have you come today? For prayers?
Arjun: Yes. I want to request you to let me accompany you for the prayers...
Gandhi: Anybody can attend my evening prayers. How can I refuse you?
Arjun: Okay then. I will be with some of my...
Gandhi: But not in these uniforms. Not with the revolver in your waistband.
Arjun: But Bapu...
Gandhi: Why do you need the revolver?
Arjun: For your protection.
Gandhi: If somebody attacks me, you will shoot him with this revolver. Kill at the
time of prayers?
Arjun: But Bapuji, if somebody attacks you...
Gandhi: He is welcome. I don't mind my own killing, but I don't want anybody to
die just for saving my skin.
Arjun: Panditji sent me. I am his bodyguard.
Gandhi: Then what are you doing here? Go, guard his body.
Arjun: Panditji said he had spoken to you, Sardar Patel also talked to you, but
you are adamant in this matter. Today the intelligence bureau sent this file to
Panditji. He has asked me to show it to you. Bapuji, you need protection.
Gandhi: I don't need protection.
Arjun: Bapuji... How can I convince you? Can you see the crowd gathered
outside? One of them might be a killer, your killer. All the people attending the
prayers are not devotees.
Gandhi: No. Only devotees attend the prayers.
Arjun: But those who threw a bomb here on January 20 were not devotees. The
bureau has cracked down on them. Madanlal and Shankar Kistaiyya. They are
talking. They are workers of the Hindu Mahasabha. Bapu, that bomb blast was
not an accident. It was sabotage, it was an attempt on your life.
Gandhi: The Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League ... I don't differentiate
between them.
Arjun: They don't understand it.
Gandhi: You are wrong Arjun, When I started the fast, both Hindus and Muslims
put their weapons down.
Arjun: Bapu, a bullet does not differentiate between a commoner and a saint.
Gandhi: But the trigger-puller knows the difference.
Arjun: The refugees are furious. They hold you responsible for their massacre.
The Hindu Mahasabha claims you are responsible for Partition. These handful of
people are conspiring to assassinate you. It is dangerous to move around among
the people at the time of prayers. Can you stop the prayers for a few days?
Gandhi: You want me to stop my prayers? It has never happened before. I did
not let it happen. Be it imprisonment, detention, fasting or sickness ... I never let
anything stand between me and the prayers. Kasturba was serious when prayertime
approached. I started getting up from her bedside. She held my hand,
pressed it. I waited ... Ba slowly slipped into death. I got up and went for my
prayers first, and then I mourned for my Ba. And today you want me to
discontinue the prayers... for my life?
Arjun: But your life we need Bapuji.. all of us. That day you waited for some time
for Kasturba, now for the sake of all of us wait for some days. If you want, let us
pray here... You, Mahadevbhai myself, Panditji, we all will join the prayers... here.
An Assassin Speaks!
'If it is going to satisfy them that they have penalised a criminal named Mohandas
Gandhi, I am prepared to give them my blood'
Gandhi: And what about the people gathered outside? There could be one killer
outside among them. But what about the others? They are not killers. I don't want
to disappoint them for one Gandhi!
Arjun: But Bapuji...
Gandhi: Jawahar is childish, and Arjundas... you also. You are banking on the
revolver that is in your waistband. My killer also has confidence in his revolver. I
don't want to participate in your gun war. My weaponless confidence is much
mightier than your gun-worn confidence.
Arjun: Maybe the weapons are small, but they do great harm.
Gandhi: That is the misplaced confidence of you gun-toting people. I was in
South Africa, where Jawahar was not with me to protect me, the police hit me,
imprisoned me. I didn't have a revolver, I had my confidence. Ultimately. I won
the war.
Arjun: Bapuji, I am not talking about canes, I am talking about bullets.
Gandhi: I am talking about non-violence, a powerful weapon like non-violence.
Arjun: It is a question of a few days...
Gandhi: It is a question of principle. I am not immortal. I have to die one day. If
my blood is going to cool down their anger, if it is going to stop riots and arson, if
it is going to satisfy them that they have penalised a criminal named Mohandas
Gandhi. I am prepared to give them my blood.
Arjun: Bapu...
Gandhi: I don't differentiate between Ram and Rahim or Krishna or Karim. I am
not overwhelmed about the fact that I am a Hindu and I don't repent because I
was not born a Muslim. I am I. And I am honest to my principles and to the truth.
Arjundas you want me to discontinue the prayers for a few days... but I say, even
today, if the killer is waiting outside for me. I am prepared to welcome him with
folded hands. He can kill Gandhi, not Gandhism.
Servant: Bapuji...
Gandhi: Aah! Today I am late for the prayers. Arjundas, feel like joining me?
Arjun: But of course!
Gandhi: Come on. Excuse me, please. Keep your revolver here... beside my
charkha.
Black out.
(Birla Bhavan. The prayer place is visible: It is a square cement block with
greenery in the middle. A small lake is on the left and an arch-shaped, small,
wooden bridge on it. Gandhi's sitting place is situated exactly opposite the lake.)
Nathuram: It was 4.45 pm when I reached the gate of Birla Bhavan. The security
staff at the gate was scrutinising the crowd entering and I was a little worried
about them. I mingled with a small gorup of people and sneaked inside.
It was 5.10 pm when I saw Gandhi and his close associates coming to the prayer
place from his room inside. I approached the passage from where he was likely
to climb the steps of the lawn, in such a way that I was covered by a few people.
Gandhi climbed the steps and came forward. He had kept his hands on the
shoulders of the two girls.
The revolver was in my pocket, I released the safety catch. Though Gandhi was
surrounded by people I was looking for an opening.
I wanted just three seconds more. I moved two steps forward and faced Gandhi.
Now I wanted to take out the revolver and salute him for whatever sacrifice and
service he had made for the nation. One of the two girls was dangerously close
to Gandhi and I was afraid that she might be injured in the course of firing. As a
precautionary measure I went one more step ahead, bowed before him and
gently pushed the girl away from the firing line.
The next moment I fired at Gandhi. Gandhi was very weak, there was a feeble
sound like 'aah' from him and he fell down. (Note: No “HEY RAM” sound from
gandhi)
Those who were close to me saw the weapon in my hand. They rushed away
from the spot. Gandhi had fallen to the ground, I was standing and the crowd had
formed a ring around us.
After the firing I raised my hand holding the revolver and shouted, 'Police, police'.
For 30 seconds nobody came forward and I scanned the crowd. I saw a police
officer. I signaled to him to come forward and arrest me. He came and caught my
wrist, then a second man came and touched the revolver... I let it go...
(Black out... Sounds of wireless, Hullo, Victor calling. Victor calling... Gandhi
killed in firing. IGP and home minister rushing to Birla Bhavan. Inform the PM).
So if u have got time, just check it out urself...
I will review the stuff and collect the other data and get bak to u soon...
But the controversial story in form of a play here, itself tells a lot :)
An assassin speaks 'Gandhi must be
stopped at any cost'
Pradeep Dalvi's controversial play “Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy” has once again
ruffled feathers. Like it did in 1989, when the playwright was denied permission
by the Maharashtra government to stage the drama. After its brief resurrection
nine years later, the state government has now banned the play.
Read the play and judge for yourself if the ban was justified.
(The stage is dark save for one spotlight, which is focused on Nathuram, who is
standing with his back to the
audience. Suddenly he turns and starts looking at the faces in the audience, as if
he is searching for someone. Ultimately, he jerks his neck indicating denial or
negation and looks up. Now he is directly looking at the audience.)
Nathuram: No all the faces are unknown. Actually 'unknown' is the wrong word
to use in this ... All your faces are very
fresh to me...fresh and new. They are, of course, new to me, but mind you, they
are not unfamiliar.
The youngsters among you, were not even born at that time. You must have read
about me as a Hindu fanatic in the history written by the government. The
middle-aged amongst you must be very confused clinging to their parents, who in
turn were running around to save themselves from themassacre of Brahmins as
the outcome of the assassination -- asking: 'Who is the Nathuram? Why are our
houses being burnt because of him?"
But the elders among you... You must remember me! You must have heard
about me on the radio. Some of you might have read Agrani, the newspaper run
by myself and Nana Apte. Some of you might have attended my meetings and
heard my speeches. Some of you may be knowing me directly or might have met
me, but must be refusing the
acquaintance after January 30, 1948.
Do you know how old I am? eighty-eight, nearly 90! Do you think I am lying,
because I look young? Do you know, the mystery behind my youth is my death.
My death...it was untimely, but it was heartily accepted!
I was born at the beginning of this century on May 19, 1910. My father
Vinayakrao was in the postal service, my mother's name was Laxmi.
Vinayakrao was drawing a salary of Rs 15 per month. He used to spend Rs10 on
his family and send Rs 5 to his parents.
Vinayakrao and his wife had three sons, none of them survived. They prayed to
God, had their fourth son, Nathuram. Nathuram survived because they were
destined to suffer for their young son's death and Gandhi was destined to be
assassinated.
The rest of my life was very smooth.
I never stole in my childhood, so there was no question of apologizing to my
father. I never took a vow of celibacy as I was already practicing celibacy. I was
moving around the refugee camps and helping the destitute with food and
clothes. But I did not wander half-naked because the refugees were naked. I
never spun yarn, never cleaned my toilet, never observed silence till I was
hanged. There was only one common factor in Gandhi's life and mine.
We were both the cause of each other's death. He wanted to live for his
principles and I was prepared to die for my principles.
But the interesting part of the biography of Nathuram Godse starts on January
30, 1948. After the assassination of Gandhi.
In a sense, I lived only for 655 days -- from January 30, 1948 to November15,
1949. But January 30 was an outcome of January 13.
The central government had taken a decision -- Pakistan will not be given Rs 55
crores. On January 13 Gandhi started a fast unto death that Pakistan must be
given the money. On January 13, the central government changed its earlier
decision and announced that Pakistan would be given the amount.
On January 13, I decided to assassinate Gandhi.
January 13, 1948
(The editorial room of Agrani. There is the normal chaos that exists in
the editorial room of any newspaper. Nana Apte enters.)
Nana: Pandit, where are you? Visu...
Visu: (Enters) Sir.
Nana: Have you composed and assembled the first page? Break the
compose. This is a stop press news.
Visu: You want me to recompose the first page? There will not be any issue
tomorrow.
Nana: Listen, we just have to reassemble the first
page. This is a very important news. It was on the radio.
Visu: But Panditsaab is rewriting the editorial. I have
to recompose and print that matter. How can we...
Nana: Where is Pandit?
Visu: He is sitting in the composing section. He is
completing the pages and giving them for composing.
Nana: Call him.
Nathuram: Call? Whom?
Nana: I wanted to call you. We have to prepare the
front page again.
Nathuram: No need. My new editorial is on the same
subject. Visu just get us coffee. (Visu goes)
Nana: Do you know the news I am talking about?
Nathuram: Yes, of course. The Cabinet has changed its
decision. It is giving Rs 55 crore to Pakistan. Gandhi has broken his
fast.
Nana: You changed your editorial?
Nathuram: Yes. I thought that my previous editorial was
nothing but a pack of lies.
Nana: Pack of lies? And written by you? Impossible!
Nathuram: Yes. Tomorrow is January 14, Makar Sankranti.
I had written in the editorial, 'Don't celebrate Sankranti tomorrow,
don't take sweets, don't behave in a sweet manner. Distribute rifles,
bullets, weapons. Don't talk sweet, talk of war. Kill the enemies.''
Nana: It is true, what you had written.
Nathuram: You have not asked me about the title of my
new editorial.
Nana: What is that?
Nathuram: Mere talk without actions is futile.
Nana: Meaning...?
Nathuram: It is time for protests in constitutional
ways, processions, pickets to come to an end when the establishment
resorts to mindless injustices. You can't just warn the government through
editorials at such hours. Tell me Nana. What do you mean by people will
not tolerate, people will revolt...and so on? Who are these people? Do you
mean our readers or those who attend our meetings and listen to our
speeches? No, Nana, people also mean you and me, us. If we forget what we
write and what we talk then our editorials and brave speeches in the
meetings and futile. A man addressing from the dais is also a part of the crowd
sitting before him. When we say that the people should revolt, it means that we
should revolt!
Nana: You have written all this?
Nathuram: Yes, I have written celebrate Dassera
tomorrow, the festival on which war is proclaimed.
Nana: Pandit, we will be arrested.
Nathuram: I don't think, our Agrani is the mouthpiece of Hindu religion. When the
government does not give importance to Hinduism, the question of being a
mouthpiece does not arise. Our restraint is misinterpreted. Our massacre is
neglected. They presume that we will bear everything with folded hands. Our
anger has lost its fuel to burn, we know only the art of pardoning. They will torture
us and massacre us and we will bear it coolly... it has become a law of nature. I
don't think they will take cognizance of this mouthpiece of Hinduism. Yes, the
government will think seriously while arguing the case in the court.
Nana: Which case?
Nathuram: IPC 302, the assassination of Gandhi.
Nana: Pandit, what are you talking?
Nathuram: Of course Nana, while writing the editorial, I was constantly telling
myself -- these are not mere thoughts, they are a prelude to an action!
Nana: I have utmost confidence that Nathuram can never
make a mistake, he is always right. But I want to ask you something
because a blind follower cannot be a genuine friend...
Nathuram: Gandhi must be stopped at any cost.
Nana: I do agree with you.
Nathuram: And there is only one remedy to stop him. His assassination.
Nana: But don't you think it's a hasty decision?
Nathuram: You are wrong Nana. Assassination is never as
easy as picking up a rifle and pulling the trigger, assassination is
never an accident. Yes, murder could be an accident but not assassination. In
this case of Gandhi, it could never be...
Nana: Are you convinced that it is inevitable?
Nathuram: Of course, it is not only inevitable, but is a delayed action.
Nana: Don't you feel that we would be tampering with an important era of
history?
Nathuram: I differ with the word era. It could be a page, a leaf of history. Certainly
not an era. Nana, if we don't turn this page today, the rest of the pages of the
history of our nation will remain unwritten, blank...
Nana: Listen, Pandit…
Nathuram: Time is eternal, indestructible. You can turn its pages but never,
never tear them out. Gandhi has acquired some position in history which nobody
can deny, not even Nathuram. The page will be there forever in fact. Sometime in
the future, in some storm, the pages will flutter and there will be that same
Gandhi's page before the world. I don't refute Gandhi's theory of non-violence.
He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies
self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival
as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.
Nana: I do agree with you Pandit, but don't you think that your decision is risky,
dangerous?
Nathuram: But somebody has to do it! You can't afford to wait for somebody else
to do it. It will be improper.
Nana: If we picket severely?
Nathuram: We have been doing it. Did it help? The division of the nation was an
unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as
compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate
nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in
India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was
divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never
greater than a nation, Nana. But Gandhi has stared considering himself greater
than the nation.
Nana: Jinnah wanted to be the prime minister...
Nathuram: But we never opposed a Muslim prime minister.
In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at today...
Nana: They are also equally responsible.
Nathuram: Of course, they are responsible! Gandhi blackmailed them with his
fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction --
geographical as well as economical -- of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken
a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again
dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What
remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the
British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not
ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an
independent Bengal?
Nana: Pandit, if you will write this, people will get agitated, the government
will get agitated, the government will have to bow down.
Nathuram: I had written this before. At the time of Partition, when Suharawady
surrendered only due to political pressure, but only Suharawady, not his
followers...they went on with the massacre. Gandhi started his fast, the Hindus
put their weapons down. I still remember that day. A poor Hindu told Gandhi, 'I
am putting down my weapons because I don't want your death on my conscience
but I am staying alone with my family in the Muslim area. That night, before
leaving Hyderabad I visited his home. The whole household was screaming,
weeping, his only eight-year-old son had been killed by the Muslims. He
had no weapon to defend himself. He threw his son's body on my lap and
said, "Take his blood to your Mahatma. Tell him, if he goes on fast again, he can
finish it by drinking not orange-juice but my son's blood." I could not say anything.
Gandhi was the Father of my Nation. For a moment, I was tempted to pull out the
Muslims from their homes and chop them down. But I controlled myself. Violence
for self-defence is justified, otherwise it is an ill-cultured act. I returned to where
Gandhi was staying but he had already left by car. Of course, there would have
been no point in meeting him... he would only have prayed for both the killer and
the victim.
Nana: Pandit, I sincerely feel that we should seek the advice of Tatyarao.
Nathuram: No. Because I am going to assassinate Gandhi even if Tatyarao tells
me not to. Then why involve him unnecessarily? I, neither want Tatyarao's
involvement nor participation. He has suffered a lot for the nation. Now it is our
turn. Tatyarao had once sad, if Gandhi is a political saint, then he should follow in
the footsteps of Ramdas Swami. Ramdas Swami was always there to advise
Shivaji whenever the need arose, but he never interfered.
Nana: Pandit, if you are firm, then I promise you...
Nathuram: I want two promises ...
Nana: I promise!
Nathuram: You didn't ask me what promises?
Nana: A shadow has not to ask the body as to where it is going and why it is
going? A shadow has just to be with the body, that's all. When I walk, you
become my shadow Pandit, now you are walking... I will be your shadow.
Nathuram: This is the first promise I want from you... This time I walk lone...mind
you, alone...
Nana: You have trapped me.
Nathuram: But you promised me..! I am going to assassinate him in the open,
before the public, because I am going to do it as my duty. If I do it surreptitiously,
it becomes a crime in my own eyes. I will not try to escape, I will surrender and
naturally I will be hanged.
Nana: Pandit!
Nathuram: One assassination, one hanging. I don't want two executions for one
assassination and I don't want your involvement, participation or company.
Nana: Pandit, you want to end our friendship of so many years?
Nathuram: Of course not. At the time of hanging. I will remember mymotherland,
my parents and my friend -- you, Nana...
Nana: But if I won't be with you, won't you feel lonely at the gallows?
Nathuram: You promised me.
Nana: What is the second promise?
Nathuram: Today I wrote two editorials. I have not put any date on the second
editorial as only God knows the date. I want you to print the second editorial in
Agrani, the day after Gandhi's assassination.
Nana: I promise you my friend. The first promise accidentally but the second
promise out of necessity.
(Nathuram is alone on the stage)
Nathuram: I was convinced that though Gandhi is called the Father of the Nation,
he delivers his paternal duties not towards India but towards Pakistan. I came to
the decision that as a son of the soil, it was my first, foremost and divine duty to
assassinate Gandhi. On January 30, I reached Birla Bhavan at 12 pm. Gandhi
was sitting outside on a cot enjoying the sunshine. Vallabhbhai Patel's
granddaughter was sitting at his feet. I had the revolver with me. I could have
assassinated him easily then, but I was convinced that his assassination was to
be a punishment and a sentence against him, and I would execute him. I
wanted witnesses for the execution but there were none. I did not want to escape
after the execution as there was not an iota of guilt in my mind. I wanted
to surrender, but surrender to whom? There was a good crowd to collect
for the evening prayers. I decided on the evening of January 30 as the
date for Gandhi's execution.
January 30, 5.00 PM
(Birla Bhavan. DCP Arjundas and a servant appear on the stage.)
Servant: No. Bapuji cannot spare any time now. He will be late for his evening
prayers.
Arjun: I know. But I have come because the work is important. In fact it is to do
with Bapuji's prayers.
Gandhi: (Enters) Who is it, Mahadevbhai?
Servant: Somebody to see you. I told him, you are getting late.
Gandhi: Who are you?
Arjun: (Salutes) I am DCP Arjundas, Bapuji...
Gandhi: We have met before... Wait a minute, don't tell me ... let me recollect.
Yes, when Jawahar had come to Hyderabad, you were with him.
Arjun: (Smiles) Your memory is fantastic. You were very weak at that time.
Gandhi: It is the body that becomes weak. But fasting sharpens of the mind. Why
have you come today? For prayers?
Arjun: Yes. I want to request you to let me accompany you for the prayers...
Gandhi: Anybody can attend my evening prayers. How can I refuse you?
Arjun: Okay then. I will be with some of my...
Gandhi: But not in these uniforms. Not with the revolver in your waistband.
Arjun: But Bapu...
Gandhi: Why do you need the revolver?
Arjun: For your protection.
Gandhi: If somebody attacks me, you will shoot him with this revolver. Kill at the
time of prayers?
Arjun: But Bapuji, if somebody attacks you...
Gandhi: He is welcome. I don't mind my own killing, but I don't want anybody to
die just for saving my skin.
Arjun: Panditji sent me. I am his bodyguard.
Gandhi: Then what are you doing here? Go, guard his body.
Arjun: Panditji said he had spoken to you, Sardar Patel also talked to you, but
you are adamant in this matter. Today the intelligence bureau sent this file to
Panditji. He has asked me to show it to you. Bapuji, you need protection.
Gandhi: I don't need protection.
Arjun: Bapuji... How can I convince you? Can you see the crowd gathered
outside? One of them might be a killer, your killer. All the people attending the
prayers are not devotees.
Gandhi: No. Only devotees attend the prayers.
Arjun: But those who threw a bomb here on January 20 were not devotees. The
bureau has cracked down on them. Madanlal and Shankar Kistaiyya. They are
talking. They are workers of the Hindu Mahasabha. Bapu, that bomb blast was
not an accident. It was sabotage, it was an attempt on your life.
Gandhi: The Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League ... I don't differentiate
between them.
Arjun: They don't understand it.
Gandhi: You are wrong Arjun, When I started the fast, both Hindus and Muslims
put their weapons down.
Arjun: Bapu, a bullet does not differentiate between a commoner and a saint.
Gandhi: But the trigger-puller knows the difference.
Arjun: The refugees are furious. They hold you responsible for their massacre.
The Hindu Mahasabha claims you are responsible for Partition. These handful of
people are conspiring to assassinate you. It is dangerous to move around among
the people at the time of prayers. Can you stop the prayers for a few days?
Gandhi: You want me to stop my prayers? It has never happened before. I did
not let it happen. Be it imprisonment, detention, fasting or sickness ... I never let
anything stand between me and the prayers. Kasturba was serious when prayertime
approached. I started getting up from her bedside. She held my hand,
pressed it. I waited ... Ba slowly slipped into death. I got up and went for my
prayers first, and then I mourned for my Ba. And today you want me to
discontinue the prayers... for my life?
Arjun: But your life we need Bapuji.. all of us. That day you waited for some time
for Kasturba, now for the sake of all of us wait for some days. If you want, let us
pray here... You, Mahadevbhai myself, Panditji, we all will join the prayers... here.
An Assassin Speaks!
'If it is going to satisfy them that they have penalised a criminal named Mohandas
Gandhi, I am prepared to give them my blood'
Gandhi: And what about the people gathered outside? There could be one killer
outside among them. But what about the others? They are not killers. I don't want
to disappoint them for one Gandhi!
Arjun: But Bapuji...
Gandhi: Jawahar is childish, and Arjundas... you also. You are banking on the
revolver that is in your waistband. My killer also has confidence in his revolver. I
don't want to participate in your gun war. My weaponless confidence is much
mightier than your gun-worn confidence.
Arjun: Maybe the weapons are small, but they do great harm.
Gandhi: That is the misplaced confidence of you gun-toting people. I was in
South Africa, where Jawahar was not with me to protect me, the police hit me,
imprisoned me. I didn't have a revolver, I had my confidence. Ultimately. I won
the war.
Arjun: Bapuji, I am not talking about canes, I am talking about bullets.
Gandhi: I am talking about non-violence, a powerful weapon like non-violence.
Arjun: It is a question of a few days...
Gandhi: It is a question of principle. I am not immortal. I have to die one day. If
my blood is going to cool down their anger, if it is going to stop riots and arson, if
it is going to satisfy them that they have penalised a criminal named Mohandas
Gandhi. I am prepared to give them my blood.
Arjun: Bapu...
Gandhi: I don't differentiate between Ram and Rahim or Krishna or Karim. I am
not overwhelmed about the fact that I am a Hindu and I don't repent because I
was not born a Muslim. I am I. And I am honest to my principles and to the truth.
Arjundas you want me to discontinue the prayers for a few days... but I say, even
today, if the killer is waiting outside for me. I am prepared to welcome him with
folded hands. He can kill Gandhi, not Gandhism.
Servant: Bapuji...
Gandhi: Aah! Today I am late for the prayers. Arjundas, feel like joining me?
Arjun: But of course!
Gandhi: Come on. Excuse me, please. Keep your revolver here... beside my
charkha.
Black out.
(Birla Bhavan. The prayer place is visible: It is a square cement block with
greenery in the middle. A small lake is on the left and an arch-shaped, small,
wooden bridge on it. Gandhi's sitting place is situated exactly opposite the lake.)
Nathuram: It was 4.45 pm when I reached the gate of Birla Bhavan. The security
staff at the gate was scrutinising the crowd entering and I was a little worried
about them. I mingled with a small gorup of people and sneaked inside.
It was 5.10 pm when I saw Gandhi and his close associates coming to the prayer
place from his room inside. I approached the passage from where he was likely
to climb the steps of the lawn, in such a way that I was covered by a few people.
Gandhi climbed the steps and came forward. He had kept his hands on the
shoulders of the two girls.
The revolver was in my pocket, I released the safety catch. Though Gandhi was
surrounded by people I was looking for an opening.
I wanted just three seconds more. I moved two steps forward and faced Gandhi.
Now I wanted to take out the revolver and salute him for whatever sacrifice and
service he had made for the nation. One of the two girls was dangerously close
to Gandhi and I was afraid that she might be injured in the course of firing. As a
precautionary measure I went one more step ahead, bowed before him and
gently pushed the girl away from the firing line.
The next moment I fired at Gandhi. Gandhi was very weak, there was a feeble
sound like 'aah' from him and he fell down. (Note: No “HEY RAM” sound from
gandhi)
Those who were close to me saw the weapon in my hand. They rushed away
from the spot. Gandhi had fallen to the ground, I was standing and the crowd had
formed a ring around us.
After the firing I raised my hand holding the revolver and shouted, 'Police, police'.
For 30 seconds nobody came forward and I scanned the crowd. I saw a police
officer. I signaled to him to come forward and arrest me. He came and caught my
wrist, then a second man came and touched the revolver... I let it go...
(Black out... Sounds of wireless, Hullo, Victor calling. Victor calling... Gandhi
killed in firing. IGP and home minister rushing to Birla Bhavan. Inform the PM).
If Forgetting You was easy
This, is not my creation, but this is worth publishing on my blog :) Its just a forward, but its one of the nicest verse i have come across, so my friends can also enjoy !!
If Forgetting you was easy . . .
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never cry,
I would have moved on with my life and lived like a normal gal,
There would be no more question marks hanging over my head,
norThere would be this thought” Why am I alive, I wish I was dead."
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never pray,
There would be more happiness with your thoughts out of my way,
Dreams would no longer wake me up in the middle of the night,
Gazing into the skies,
I would never wish to hold onto you tight.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never fear,
Every rising sun would bring a smile on my face and not a tear,
Putting back the broken pieces of my heart,
I will dance ahead,
With all the tears gone,
my eyes will no longer look dark red.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you, I
would never regret,
No more looking back and remembering the days I want to forget,
There would be no more mountains to scale,
no more oceans to swim,
There would be no more harsh feelings even if you start loving her.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never fall,
No more running behind you or waiting for your phone call,
There would be no more looking at the door you shut on me,
And no more building of dream homes sitting beside the sea.
Where ever you go,
there would always be this voice calling you,
Whenever you try to forget me,
it would whisper, “I still love you”,
It will make you sad, it will make you tense, it will make you realize,
Only my love is true and other things in your life are just lies.
You can go anywhere you want,
can hide in any place you desire,
My love will never die,
it will keep on going higher and higher,
Though you never realized my Value and have gone very far away,
On your mind,
in your heart- Forever Only My love Will Stay . . .
If Forgetting you was easy . . .
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never cry,
I would have moved on with my life and lived like a normal gal,
There would be no more question marks hanging over my head,
norThere would be this thought” Why am I alive, I wish I was dead."
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never pray,
There would be more happiness with your thoughts out of my way,
Dreams would no longer wake me up in the middle of the night,
Gazing into the skies,
I would never wish to hold onto you tight.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never fear,
Every rising sun would bring a smile on my face and not a tear,
Putting back the broken pieces of my heart,
I will dance ahead,
With all the tears gone,
my eyes will no longer look dark red.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you, I
would never regret,
No more looking back and remembering the days I want to forget,
There would be no more mountains to scale,
no more oceans to swim,
There would be no more harsh feelings even if you start loving her.
If forgetting you was as easy as loving you,
I would never fall,
No more running behind you or waiting for your phone call,
There would be no more looking at the door you shut on me,
And no more building of dream homes sitting beside the sea.
Where ever you go,
there would always be this voice calling you,
Whenever you try to forget me,
it would whisper, “I still love you”,
It will make you sad, it will make you tense, it will make you realize,
Only my love is true and other things in your life are just lies.
You can go anywhere you want,
can hide in any place you desire,
My love will never die,
it will keep on going higher and higher,
Though you never realized my Value and have gone very far away,
On your mind,
in your heart- Forever Only My love Will Stay . . .
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