THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK-
-Ramesh Chander
I was quite active and communicative through my Blogs, Lectures and Social Interaction to utilize my time positively to live a contented life. But some family diversions, over the last one year, and some unexpected engagements slowed down my writing schedule and I personally realized it. Many of my readers and friends enquired about it with a sense of concern.
Now I think that phase is over and I should be back on my feet to pick up the threads. I am taking a break, to re-charge my batteries, to spend a snowy month in Sweden with my son Naresh. Not that I did not do anything during the last year. In spite of the fact that my wife, Vidya passed away in December, 2023, I could finalize and publish my third book; Bootan Mandi: Nerve Centre of Dalit Chetna and launched it in April, 2024. One unexpected assignment fell on me – translation into English language the Granth of Roop Lal Roop ‘Guru Ravidass Pargas Di Khoj’ commissioned by British Ravidass Heritage Foundation (BRHF). It was a difficult but a rewarding experience in view of the fact that I was neither a professional translator nor a scholar of the subject matter of the book. Nevertheless, that job is almost done and I submitted the draft to BRHF for getting it vetted from some expert, if required. Now, I feel a bit relived with plenty of time to undertake some good work to keep myself busy.
Here I list some of the points and my thoughts which I intend to pick and work on them.
- Pursue the proposal on April 14, birthday of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar as International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN.
- Try and float a ‘Think Tank’ of likeminded and educated friends to pick and brain storm some of the important issues of concern to the community; particularly with regard to the socially weaker segments of the society.
- Horn my writing skills and write more on matters of current relevance to the polity of India, constitutional developments pertaining to the political and socio-cultural happenings in India, international developments concerning India and the world at large.
It may seem as a ‘Utopian’ thinking but there is no harm in dreaming to do something good in a humble way. I would love to listen on my shared ideas from my readers and friends. These musings, I conclude with a quote from Allama Iqbal –
Zara Dekh Uss Ko Jo Kuch Ho Raha Hai, Hone Wala Hai
Dhara Kya Hai Bhala Ehd-e-Kuhan Ki Dastnon Mein
Pay attention to what is happening and what is going to happen
What good there is in repeating the tales of the old glories?
Ye Khamoshi Kahan Tak? Lazzat-e-Faryad Paida Kar
Zameen Par Tu Ho Aur Teri Sada Ho Asmanon Mein
How long will you remain silent? Create taste for complaint!
You should be on the earth, so your cries be in the heavens!
