Gandhiji Ebooks

Autobiography


Experiments With Truth (In 5 Parts)


Freedom's Battle


Pebbles On The Shore


Essential Gandhi by Louis Fisher


Gandhi Is Life by J. B. Kirpalani


Mahatma Gandhi A Great Life In Brief by Vincent Sheean


Mr. Gandhi by Ranjee Shahani


Quest For Gandhi by Reginald Reynold

APJ Abdul Kalam

Born - 15 October 1931

Achievements - This eminent scientist and engineer has also served as the 11th President of India from the period 2002 to 2007. APJ Abdul Kalam is a man of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the country. He firmly believes that India needs to play a more assertive role in international relations. 

Apart from being a notable scientist and engineer, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from the period 2002 to 2007. He is a man of vision, who is always full of ideas aimed at the development of the country and is also often also referred to as the Missile Man of India. People loved and respected Dr APJ Abdul Kalam so much during his tenure as President that was popularly called the People's President. Read more about the biography of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam here.

APJ Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 at the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and received honorary doctorates from about 30 universities globally. In the year 1981, the Government of India presented him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan and then again, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997. Before Kalam, there have been only two presidents - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Zakir Hussain - to have received the Bharat Ratna before bring appointed to the highest office in India.

Read on about the life history of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who's also the first scientist and bachelor to occupy the seat of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. His perspectives on important topics have been enunciated by him in the book 'India 2020'. It highlights the action plans that will help develop the country into a knowledge superpower by the time 2020. One thing for which he received ample kudos is his unambiguous statement that India needs to play a more assertive role in international relations.

And Dr APJ Abdul Kalam regards his work on India's nuclear weapons program as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower. Even during his tenure as President, APJ Kalam took avid interest in the spheres of India's science and technology. He has even put forward a project plan for establishing bio-implants. He is also an ardent advocate of open source software over proprietary solutions to churn out more profits in the field of information technology in India.

MF Hussain

Born: September 17, 1915
Achievement: World famous painter; Recipient of Padma Shree

One can love MF Hussain or one can hate MF Hussain but one cannot ignore him. MF Husain is always in the news because of one controversy or the other. Maqbool Fida Hussain (MF Hussain ) is a world famous painter and an icon among Indian artists.

MF Hussain was born on September 17, 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. He lost his mother when he was one and a half years old. Husain's father remarried and moved to Indoor. MF Hussain did his schooling from Indore. In 1935, MF Hussain moved to Bombay and joined Sir J. J. School of Art.

He started off by painting cinema hoardings. He first came into limelight as painter in the late 1940s. In 1952, MF Hussain's first solo exhibition was held at Zurich and soon he became popular in Europe and USA. He went on to become one of the highest paid painters in India. His paintings have fetched millions of dollars at the auction.

In 1966, MF Hussain was honored with Padma Shree by the Government of India. In 1967, MF Hussain made his first film "Through the Eyes of a Painter". The film was shown at the Berlin Film Festival and won a Golden Bear. He has also made two Hindi movies, "Gaja Gamini" and "Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities."

MF Hussain also had his share of controversies. Many a times he has been charged with hurting sentiments of people because of his nude portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses. But he continues to enthrall people with his peerless artistry.

AR Rahman

Born - 6 January 1967
Achievements - AR Rahman holds the credit for totally overhauling the style in which music was being made in India. Though with a career spanning just over a decade, Rahman has already sold over one hundred million records world-wide and more than two hundred million cassettes. This has brought AR Rahman into the category of the world's top 25 all-time top selling recording artists.

Allah Rakha Rahman, who is better known as AR Rahman, is a world-class musician of India. Born as A. S. Dileep Kumar on 6 January 1967 at Chennai in Tamil Nadu, AR Rahman holds the credit for totally overhauling the style in which music was being made in India. Soundtracks and scores composed by him for Indian films have a strong impression of classical, folk, jazz, reggae, soft rock and other genres. Due to his creative brilliance, AR Rahman is often referred to as the Mozart of Madras by his fans in India and abroad.

The biography of AR Rahman's career spans somewhere over a decade, but he has already sold over one hundred million records world-wide and more than two hundred million cassettes. This has brought Rahman into the category of the world's top 25 all-time top selling recording artists. Though AR Rahman is the undisputed leader in Indian contemporary music in the present times, he has seen his share of struggle in the professional life.

His father, R K Shekhar, who was a composer, arranger and conductor for Malayalam films died when Rahman was just 9 years-old and his family rented out musical equipment as a source of income. Later there was a turning point when Dileep Kumar decided to rechristen himself as A R Rahman. This incident happened when Rahman's sister was very ill once. A Muslim friend suggested if he prayed in a particular mosque, his sister would recover and so did happen. This caused the entire family to convert to Islam.

The life history of AR Rahman's music career started scaling upwards 1991 onwards when began his own studio and started making music for advertisements, television channels and so on. Rahman got his very first break into the Indian film industry when film director, Mani Ratnam offered him a chance to compose music for his Tamil film, Roja at mere Rs 25,000. This movie turned out to be blockbuster hit and then there was no looking back for A.R. Rahman.

Roja debut made AR Rahman bag the Rajat Kamal award for best music director at the National Film Awards. This was a historic moment as for the first time ever in Indian film industry, this award was being handed to a first-time film composer. There was no looking back for AR Rahman after this as film offers just started pouring in. There are now an impressive number of music tracks created by Rahman and all of them have sold like hot cakes across India and even abroad. He has made songs for super hit films like Rangeela, Dil Se Taal, Rang De Basanti, Bombay et al.

Injuries and apparent Decline

Tendulkar continued his good form in Test cricket in 2001 and 2002, with some pivotal performances with both bat and ball. Tendulkar took three wickets on the final day of the famousKolkata Test against Australia in 2001. Tendulkar took the key wickets of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, centurions in the previous test.

In the 2002 series in the West Indies, Tendulkar started well, scoring 79 in the first test, and 117 in the first innings of the second. Then, in a hitherto unprecedented sequence, he scored 0, 0, 8 and 0 in the next four innings, getting out to technical "defects" and uncharacteristically poor strokes. He returned to form in the last test scoring 41 and 86. However, India lost the series. This might have been the beginning of the "decline" phase in his career which lasted till 2006.

Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, helping India reach the final. While Australia retained the trophy that they had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Tournament award.

He continued to score heavily in ODI cricket that year, with two hundreds in a tri series involving New Zealand and Australia.

The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003/04 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with 241* in Sydney, putting India in a virtually unbeatable position. He followed up the innings with an unbeaten 60 in the second innings of the test. Prior to this test match, he had had an unusually horrible run of form, failing in all six innings in the preceding three tests. It was no aberration that 2003 was his worst year in test cricket, with an average of 17.25 and just one fifty.

He scored an unbeaten 194 against Pakistan at Multan in the following series. The 194 was controversial in that he was stranded prior to reaching his double century as a result of adeclaration by Rahul Dravid. In meeting with the press that evening, Tendulkar responded to a question on missing 200 against Pakistan by stating that he was disappointed and that the declaration had taken him by surprise.Many former cricketers commented that Dravid's declaration was in bad taste.The media noted at the time that the decision had apparently been made by Sourav Ganguly, and Ganguly himself later admitted that it had been a mistake. The controversy was put to rest when Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and coach John Wright spoke to the media after the team's victory and stated that the matter was spoken internally and put to rest.

Tennis elbow then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for most of the year, coming back only for the last two tests when Australia toured India in 2004. He played a part in India's victory in Mumbai in that series with a fast 55, though Australia took the series 2–1.

On 10 December 2005 at Feroz Shah Kotla, Tendulkar scored his record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans.

In the test series in Pakistan in 2006, Sachin failed to get going in all three innings despite the pitches being flat tracks. In the third of those three innings, he was bowled comprehensively after making 26, and ended up on all fours. This prompted The Times of India to publish an article entitled "Endulkar" in which TOI opined that Tendulkar's batting prowess had declined and his career had slid permanently.

On 6 February 2006, he scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second one-day international against Pakistan on 11 February 2006, and then a 95 in hostile, seaming conditions on 13 February 2006 in Lahore, which set up an Indian victory.

On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against England in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, Wankhede, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd, the first time that he had ever faced such flak. Tendulkar was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity. Tendulkar was operated upon for his injured shoulder. In July 2006, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that Tendulkar had overcome his injury problem following a rehabilitation programme and was available for selection, and he was eventually selected for the next series.

Tendulkar's comeback came in the DLF cup in Malaysia and he was the only Indian batsman to shine. In his comeback match, against West Indies on 14 September 2006, Tendulkar responded to his critics who believed that his career was inexorably sliding with his 40th ODI century. Though he scored 141*, West Indies won the rain-affected match by the D/L method.

In the preparation for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, Tendulkar was criticized by Greg Chappell on his attitude.As per the report, Chappell felt that Tendulkar would be more useful down the order, while the latter felt that he would be better off opening the innings, the role he had played for most of his career. Chappell also believed that Tendulkar's repeated failures were hurting the team's chances. In a rare show of emotion, Tendulkar hit out at the comments attributed to Chappell by pointing out that no coach has ever suggested his attitude towards cricket is incorrect. On 7 April 2007, the Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a notice to Tendulkar asking for an explanation for his comments made to the media.

At the Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, Tendulkar and the Indian cricket team, led by Rahul Dravid had a dismal campaign. Tendulkar, who was pushed to bat lower down the order by the Greg Chappell had scores of 7 (Bangladesh), 57* (Bermuda) and 0 (Sri Lanka). As a result, former Australian captain Ian Chappell, brother of the then Indian coach Greg, called for Tendulkar to retire in his column for Mumbai's Mid Day newspaper.[65]

During this period from about 2002 to 2006–7, Tendulkar's batting often seemed to be a shadow of its former self. He was inconsistent, and his big knocks mostly came in sedate, accumulative, uncharacteristic fashion. He seemed to have either cut out or lost the ability to play many shots, including the hook and pull and many other aerial strokes. He also developed a tendency to go without scoring much for long periods and become overtly defensive. While players such as Ponting and Kallis were at the peak of their careers, Sachin's seemed to be in terminal decline. There were several calls from him to retire too.

However after the 2007 World Cup, his career had a second wind and his consistency and form have returned.

Sachin-The Cricket Legend

Full Name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
Born: April 24, 1973, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Major teams: India, Mumbai, Yorkshire
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Slow medium pace and spin

Achievements:

• Most runs and most centuries in ODIs
• Highest number of Test centuries
• First cricketer to make 10,000 runs in ODIs
• Most runs in World Cup history
• Highest individual score by an Indian (186 not out)
• Most Man of the Man awards in ODIs
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1997
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for 1997-98

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, generally known as Sachin Tendulkar is an Indian Cricket player who is considered to be one of the all time greatest batsmen to have ever played the game of Cricket. The renowned Cricket magazine Wisden ranked Sachin Tendulkar the 2nd all time greatest Test Cricket batsman, only after Sir Donald Bradman at the 1st place in the year 2002. Also, the magazine ranked him the 2nd all time greatest ODI batsman after Viv Richards at the first spot.

Accolades 
Shane Warne, the leg spinner from Australia had once remarked Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest player he has played with, and Tendulkar, also known as the Little Master has also to his credit the honor of being the only player of the current generation who was included by Sir Donald Bradman in his dream team named Bradman’s Eleven.

Sachin Tendulkar is the batsman to have scored the biggest number of runs both in Test Cricket and ODI Cricket the world over, and has also to his credit the biggest number of centuries in both the forms of the game. He has scored over 80 centuries in the game of Cricket till now, and is the first batsman ever to score more than 50 centuries.

He is the first Cricket player who has scored over 10,000 runs in the One Day International (ODI) Cricket. Sachin has been conferred upon the Padma Vibhushan award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award for his services to the nation as a sportsperson.

Early Life 
Sachin Tendulkar was born on 24th of April, 1973 in Mumbai to a Marathi Novelist, Ramesh Tendulkar. Sachin got inspired to play cricket from his elder brother Ajit, and started playing the game at an early age in his school, Sharadashram Vidya Mandir. Under the guidance of his coach, Ramakant Achrekar, he learnt the basics of the game and showed his prowess along with his school mate and another future batsman of the Indian team, Vinod Kambli.

Test and ODI Debut 
Sachin Tendulkar made his Test Cricket debut with a Test match played against Pakistan in Karachi in the year 1989, in which he scored 15 runs before being bowled out by Waqar Younis, a yet another Cricketer who debuted with this match. He began his ODI Cricket career in a match against Pakistan played on 18th of December 1989 at Gujranwala, Pakistan. He could, though, not make a single run in this match and just after facing 2 balls was caught by Wasim Akram on a Waqar Younis ball.

Remarkable Achievements 
Tendulkar has shown some of his best batting performances against the Cricket team of Australia, one of the strongest teams during his period. As a matter of fact, the legendry Sir Donald Bradman had at one time reportedly told her wife that the playing style of Sachin reminded him of his own game in his youth.

Sachin has always created new records and destroyed innumerable of them that had been already established. At the age of 17 years he scored his first Test century, and by the age of 25 he had scored 16 of them. At the moment he is the Cricketer with largest number of Test and ODI centuries to his credit, and outclassed Brian Lara as the biggest Test scorer in the year 2008.

Captaincy 
Twice in his Cricket career, Sachin had been nominated the Captain of the Indian Cricket team, but none of them proved to be much successful. Also, the pressure of Captaincy took a toll upon his performance as a batsman.

Overall Performance 
In his overall Test Career till April 2009, Sachin Tendulkar has played 159 Test matches and has scored 12773 runs in them, including 42 centuries and 53 half-centuries, with an average of 54.58 runs and a highest score of 248 Not Out. In these matches, he also grabbed 44 wickets giving away 2272 runs at an average of 51.63 runs.

In his One Day International (ODI) Cricket career, however, Sachin has played 425 matches till April 2009, and scored 16684 runs including 43 centuries and 91 half-centuries, with an average of 44.37 runs and a highest score of 186 Not Out.

Awards and Recognitions 
For his great capabilities as a Cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar has been bestowed upon the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India. The Cricket magazine Wisden named him the Cricketer of the year in 1997, and according to Wisden 100, he is the 2nd Best Test Batsman and the Best ODI Bestman of all times.

Collection of Melodies

Here are few of songs sung by Lata Didi :

MOVIE                     SONG                                            

Aadmi                           Kal Ke Sapne                      
Aadmi                           Kaari Badariya
Aah                             Jo Main Janti Unke Liye
Aah                             Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat
Aah                             Sunte The Naam
Aah                             Yeh Shaam Ki Tanhaiyan
Aakash Deep                     Dil Ka Diya Jalake Gaya 
Aaina                           Yeh Raat Khush-Naseeb Hai 
Aakhri Khat                     Baharon, Mera Jeevan Bhi
Aakhri Khat                     Mere Chanda Mere Nanhe
Aan                             Aaj Mere Man Mein Sakhi
Aan                             Tujhko Kho Diya Tha Hamne 
Aanchal                         Bhor Bhaye Panchi
Aan Milo Sajna                  Tere Kaaran Mere Saajan
Aap ke Saath                    Jind Le Gaya O Dil Ka Mahi
Aap Ki Kasam                    Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Aap Ki Parchhaiyan              Agar Mujhse Mohhabat
Aarti                           Bane Ho Ek Khak Se
Aarti                           Kabhi To Milegi
Aas Ka Panchi                   Hayi Meri Uljhi Nazar
Aas-Paas                        Bhare Bazaar Mein
Aas-Paas                        Hum Ko Bhi Gham Ne Mara
Aas-Paas                        Main Phool Bechti Hoon
Aasha                           Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho
Aashiq                          Lo Aayi Milan Ki Raat
Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka          Mere Gore Galon Ka 
Aarzoo                          Ajji Rhooth Kar Ab Kaha 
Aarzoo                          Bedardi Balma Tujhko 
Aaye Din Bahar Ke               Suno Sajna..Ki Aaye Din Bahar Ke   
Abhimaan                        Ab To Hai Tumse 
Abhimaan                        Piya Bina
Abhimaan                        Nadiya Kinare
Adaalat                         Jaana Tha Ham Se Door
Adalat                          Yu Hasaraton Ke Daag
Adalat                          Unko Yeh Shikayat
Afsana                          Abhi To Mein Jawan Hoon
Agar Tum Na Hote                Agar Tum Na Hote
Albela                          Balma Bada Nadaan
Albela                          Dheere se Aaja Ri
Alif Laila                      Bahar Aayi Khili
Amar                            Jaane Wale Se Mulaqat
Amar Prem                       Raina Beeti Jaye
Amrapali                        Jao Re Jogi
Amrapali                        Neel Gagan Ke Chaon Mein 
Amrapali                        Tadap Yeh Din Raat Ki
Amrapali                        Tumhe Yaad Karte-Karte 
Anand                           Na Jiya Lage Na
Anand Math                      Vande Mataram
Anamika                         Bahon Mein Chale Aao
Anari                           Woh Chand Khila
Anarkali                        Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai
Anarkali                        Aaja Ab to Aaja
Anarkali                        Duwa Kar Gam-E-Dil
Andaz                           Uthaye Ja Unke Sitam
Andhiyan                        Hein Kahin Par
Anhoni                          Is Dil Ki Halat
Ankhen                          Gairon Pe Karam Apno Pe Sitam
Ankhen                          Milti Hai Zindagi Mein
Annadata                        Jiya Lage Na.. Nis Din Nis Din Mera 
Annadata                        Raaton Ke Saye
Anokha Pyar                     Ek Dil Ka Lagana Baki Tha
Anokhi Raat                     Mahalon Ka Raja..Rani Beti Raj Karegi
Anpadh                          Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha
Anpadh                          Hain Isi Mein Pyar Ki Aabroo
Anpadh                          Jeeya Le Gayo Re Mora Savariya
Anupama                         Dheere-Dheere Machal Aye-Dil-e-Bekarar
Anupama                         Kuch Dil Ne Kaha, Kuch Bhi Nahi 
Anuradha                        Sanware Sanware
Anuradha                        Haye Re Woh Din Kyun Na Aye
Apne-Paraye                     Halke Halke Ayee Chalke
Asha                            Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho 
Asli Naqli                      Tere Mera Pyaar Amar
Awara                           Aa Jao.. Ab Raat Guzarne Wali Hain
Awara                           Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi
Azad                            Radha Na Bole Na Bole
Azad                            Apalam Chapalam
Badi Bahen                      Chale Jaana Nahin
Badi Bahu                       Badali Teri Nazar
Bahana                          Jare Badra Bairi Ja
Baharon Ke Sapne                Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon
Baharon Ke Sapne                Kya Janoon Sajan
Baharon Ke Sapne                O Mere Sajna O Mere
Bahu Begum                      Duniya Kare Sawal
Baiju Bawra                     Bachpan Ki Mohabbat
Baiju Bawra                     Mohe Bhool Gaye
Barsaat                         Barsaat Mein Humse Mile Tum Sajan
Barsaat                         Jiya Beqaraar Hai
Basant Bahar                    Ja Re Ja Re Balamwa
Basant Bahar                    Main Piya Teri
Bawarchi                        More Naina Bahayen Neer
Bazaar                          Dikhayi Diye Ki Bekhud Kiye
Bazar                           Sajan Ki Galiyan
Bees Saal Baad                  Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil
Bemisal                         Aye Re Pawan Dhoonde Kise
Bewafa Se Wafa                  Hum Jaise Kahi Aapko Dilbar 
Bhabhi Ki Chuudiyann            Jyoti Kalash Chhalake
Bharosa                         Woh Dil Kaha Se Laoon
Black Cat                       Main Tumhi Se Poonchhati Hoon
Bobby                           Akhiyon Ko Rehne Do
Buddha Mil Gaya                 Jiya Na Lage More
Call Girl                       Ulfat Mein Zamane Ki Har 
Caravan                         Dilbar Dil Se Pyare
Chacha Zindabad                 Bairan Neend Na Aaye
Challia                         Teri Rahon Mein Khade Hain
Champakali                      Chup Gaya Koi Re
Chand Ka Tukda                  Aaj Radha Ko Sham Yaad Aa Gaya
Chandni                         Mere Haathon Mein
Char Dil Char Rahen             Intazaar Aur Abhi
Chhote Nawab                    Ghar Aja Ghir Aye
Chhoti Si Mulaqat               Kal Nahin Paaye Ja
Chhoti Si Baat                  Na Jaane Kyon
ChitraLekha                     Sansar Se Bhage Phirte Ho
Chori Chori                     Panchi Banu Urati Phiru
Chori Chori                     Rasik Balma
Chupke Chupke                   Ab Ke Sajan Sawan Mein
Chupke Chupke                   Chupke Chupke Chal Ri Purvaiya
Daag                            Jab Bhi Ji Chahe
Dastak                          Baiyan Na Dharo
Dastak                          Maai Ri
Dard                            Ah-le-Dil Yuhi Chupa Lete Hai
Dard                            Na Jaane Kya Hua Jo Tune
Dard Ka Rishta                  Main Pariyon Ki Shehzadi
Dekh Kabira Roya                Meri Veena Tum Bin Roye
Devta                           Kaise Aaoon Jamuna Ke Teer
Dil Apna Preet Parayee          Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh
Dil Ek Mandir                   Ruk Ja Raat 
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya           Saare Shehar Mein Charcha 
Dil Ne Pukara                   Khai Thi Kasam
Dil Se                          Diya Jale
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge    Mere Khabon Mein Jo Aaye
Do Ankhen Barah Haath           Aao Honhar Bachon.. To Kya Karoge
Do Ankhen Barah Haath           Aye- Mallik Tere Bande Hum
Do Ankhen Barah Haath           Saiyan Jhoote Ka Bara Sartaj 
Do Raaste                       Bindiya Chamkegi
Dostana                         Kitna Aassa Hain Kehna Bhool Jayo 
Dr. Vidya                       Pawan Diwani Na Mane
Dulha Dulhan                    Humne Tujhko Pyar Kiya Hai Jitna
Dushman                         Chithi Na Koi Sandesh
Ek Kali Muskayee                Na Tum Bewafa Ho
Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka           Dil Mein Kisi Ke Pyar Ka 
Faraar                          Pyar Ki Dastan
Fifty Fifty                     Chal Diya 
Ganga Jamuna                    Do Hanso Ka Joda
Ganga Ki Saugandh               Mano To Main Ganga Maa Hoon 
Gateway of India                Sapne Mein Sajan
Gazal                           Nagma-o-Sher Ki Saugat
Geet                            Tere Naina Kyon Bhar
Ghar                            Aaj Kal Paon
Ghar                            Tere Bina Jiya
Guide                           Aaj Phir Jeene Ki
Guide                           Piya Tose Naina Lage
Guide                           Saiyan Be-imaan
Haqeeqat                        Zara Si Aahat Hoti Hai
Heer Ranjha                     Do Dil Toote
Heer Ranjha                     Milo Na Tum To Hum Ghabarye
Hero                            Nindiya Se Jaagi Bahar
Hindustan Ki Kasam              Hain Tere Saath Meri Waffa
House No.44                     Phaili Hui Hain Sapnon Ki Bahein
Humrahi                         Man Re, Tu Hi Bata Kya Gawu
Hum Dono                        Allah Tero Naam
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun             Choclate, Lime-Juice,Ice-Cream 
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun             Lo Chali Main Apne Devar Ki Baraat
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun             Mai Ni Mai Munder Pe Teri
Intequam                        Aa Jaane Ja
Jaal                            Chandni Raatein Pyar  Ki Baatein
Jab Jab Phool Khilen            Yeh Sama, Sama Hai Yeh Pyar Ka 
Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai       Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai
Jaagte Raho                     Jaago Mohan Pyare
Jai Ambe                        Jai Ambe.. Singhvahani Shaktidayani
Jalti Nishani                   Ruth Ke tum to Chal Diye
Jani Dushman                    Tere Haathon Mein Pehna Ke
Jewel Thief                     Hoton Pe Aaisi Baat    
Jewel Thief                     Rula Ke Gaya Sapna Mera
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje        Mere Aye Dil Bataa
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje        Saiya Jaaon
Julie                           Yeh Ratein Nayi-Purani
Junglee                         Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par
Jyoti                           Hamari...Thoda Resham Lagta Hain,Thoda Sheesha
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham     Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Kabhie-Kabhie                   Kabhie-Kabhie
Kabhie-Kabhie                   Mere Ghar Aayi Ik Nanhi Pari
Kacche Dhaage                   Tere Bin Nahi Jeena Mar Jana 
Kathputli                       Bol Re Kathputli Dori Kaun Sang Bandhi 
Kati Patang                     Na Koi Umang Hai
Karan Arjun                     Ik Munda Meri Umar Da
Kavi Kalidas                    Sham Bhayi Ghansham Na Aaye
Khamoshi                        Humne Dekhi Hain
Khandaan                        Yeh Mulalqat Ik Bahana Hai
Khel                            Jaate Ho To Jaaoo
Kohra                           Jhoom Jhoom Dhalati Raat
Kudrat                          Tune O Rangeele Kaisa Jaadu Kiya
Ladli                           Tumhare Bulane Ko
Lahore                          Bahare Phir Bhi Aayegi
Lajja                        Kaun Dagar
Lalkar                          Kabhi Hamne Nahi Socha
Lamhe                           Megha Re Megha 
Lamhe                           Meri bindiya Teri Nindiya
Lamhe                           Mohe Chedo na 
Lekin                           Kesariya Balma, Bavari Bole Log
Lekin                           Kesariya Balma, Ke Tumse Lage
Lekin                           Main Ek Sadi Se Baithi Hoon
Lekin                           Sunio Ji Araj Mhari
Lekin                           Yaara Silli-Silli
Libaas                          Silli Hawa Chuu Gayi 
Loafer                          Main Tere Ishq Mein
Love In Tokyo                   Koi Matwala
Love In Tokyo                   Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye
Love In Tokyo                   Sayonara-Sayonara
Madhumati                       Aaja Re Pardesi
Madhumati                       Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil
Madhumati                       Zulmi Sang Aankh Lagi
Mahal                           Aayega Aanewala
Mahal                           Mushkil Hai Bahut
Maine Pyar Kiya                 Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke
Malti Madhu                     Bhool Na Jaana
Mamta                           Chahe To Mora
Mamta                           Rahen Na Rahen Hum
Mamta                           Rahte The Kabhi
Mamta                           Vikal Mora Manwa
Manpasand                       Honthon Pe Geet Jage
Masoom                          Tujse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi
Mausam                          Ruke Ruke Se Kadam
Maya                            Jare Jare..,Panchi Baharon Ke Desh Jare
Maya Memsaab                    O Dil Banjare 
Mehboob Ki Mehendi              Jaane Kyon Log Mohabbat Kiya 
Mera Gaon Mera Desh             Marr Diya Jaye Ya Chodh Diya 
Mera Saaya                      Tu Jahaan Jahaan Chalega
Mera Saaya                      Naino Mein Badaraa Chhaye 
Milli                           Maine kaha Phoolon Se
Mrigtrishna                     Sun Man Ke Meet More Prem Geet
MR. Natwarlal                   Pardesiya Sub Kehte Hain 
Mughal-E-Azam                   Khuda Nigehban Ho Tumhara 
Mughal-E-Azam                   Mohe Panghat Pe
Mughal-E-Azam                   Pyar Kiya To
Mujhe Jeene Do                  Raat Bhi Kuchh Hein Bhigi Bhigi
Muqqadar Ka Sikander            Dil To Hai Dil, Dil Ka Aitbaar 
Naaz                            Tum Kahan Ho
Naaz                            Jhil Mil Sitaron Ke Tale
Nagin                           Jaadugar Saiyan 
Nagin                           Man Dole Mera Tan Dole
Nagin                           Mera Badli Mein Chup Gaya 
Nagin                           Mera Dil Ye Pukare
Nagin                           Sun Rasiya Man Basiya 
Nagin                           Sun Ri Sakhi
Nagina                          Main Teri Dushman
Naseeb                          Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hain Ki Nahi
Naubahar                        Dekho Ji Mora
Naujawan                        Thandi Hawaen
Nirala                          Mehfil Mein Jal Uthi Shamaa
Padmini                         Bedard Tere Dard Ko
Padosan                         Bhai Bastoor Ab Jayenge Kitni
Pakeezah                        Inhi Logon Ne
Pakeezah                        Chalte Chalte
Pakeezah                        Mausam Hein Ashikana
Parakh                          Mila Hain Kisika Jhumka
Parakh                          O Sajana, Barkha Bahaar
Parchhain                       Katate Hain Dukh Hain
Pardesi                         Naa Jaa Naa Jaa Balam
Patita                          Kisine Apna Banake Mujhko
Paying Guest                    Chand Phir Nikla
Prem Parvat                     Yeh Dil Aur Unki Nighahon Ke Saaye
Prem Pujari                     Rangeela Re Tere Rang Mein
Professor Ki Padosan            Mil Jhoom Ke
Pukar                           Ek Tu Hi Bharosa
Pyar Ka Mausam                  Na Ja Mere Hum-dum
Rajkumar                        Aaja Aai Bahar Dil Hai Bekarar
Ram Avtaar                      Ungli Mein Angoothi,Angoothi Mein Nagina
Ram Rajya                       Dar Lage
Ram Teri Ganga Maili            Ik Radha Ik Meera Dono Ne Shyam 
Ram Teri Ganga Maili            Sun Sahiba Sun Pyar Ki Dhun
Ram Teri Ganga Maili            Tujhe Bulaye Meri 
Rani Roopmati                   Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet
Razia Sultan                    Aye Dil-E-Nadaan
Reshma Aur Shera                Tu Chanda Main Chandni
Rishta Kagaz Ka                 Sajna Sun-Sun Teri Chabi
Roti Kapada Aur Makaan          Hai Hai Yeh Mujburi
Rudaali                         Dil Hun-Hun Kare
Rudaali                         Jhoote-Moote Mitwa 
Rudaali                         Samay Dhire Chalo
Rustom Sohrab                   Ae Dilruba Nazare Mila
Safar                           Hum The Jinke Sahare
Saiyaan                         Kali-Kali Raat
Sanam Bewafa                    Choodi Mazaa Na Degi 
Sangdil                         Woh To Chale Gaye
Sanjog                          Woh Bhooli Dastaan
Sangam                          Main Ka Karu Ram Mujhe Buddha 
Saraswati Chandra               Chandan Sa Badan
Saraswati Chandra               Chhod De Sari Duniya 
Sargam                          Koi Kisi Ka Diwana Na Bane
Sati Savitri                    Jeevan Dor Tumhin Sang Bandhi
Satyam Shivam Sundaram          Bhor Bhayi Panghat Pe
Satyam Shivam Sundaram          Satyam Shivam Sundaram 
Satyam Shivam Sundaram          Yeshomati Maiya Se Bole 
Sautela Bhai                    Ja Main Tose Nahin Bolun
Sazaa                           Tum Na Jaane Kis Jahan Mein 
Seema                           Baat Baat Mein Rootho Na
Seema                           Man Mohana Bade Jhootha
Seema                           Suno Choti Si Gudiya Ki
Shabab                          Mar Gaye Hum Jeete Ji
Shabab                          Marna Teri Gali Mein
Shabab                          Jo Main Jaanti
Shabab                          Jogan Ban Jaoongi
Shagird                         Dil Vil Pyar Vyar
Sharmili                        Megha Chhaye Adhi Raat
Sheerin Farhad                  Guzra Hua Zamana Aata Nahi 
Shin Shina Ki Bubalabu          Tum Kya Jano
Shree 420                       Eechak Dana Beechak Dana 
Sunny                           Jaane Kya Baat Hai
Swami                           Pal Bhar Mein Yeh Kya Ho Gaya
Taj Mahal                       Jurm-E-Ulfat Pe
Talash                          Khai Hai Re Hamne Qasam
Talash                          Kitni Akeli
Tarana                          Beiman Tore Nainwa
Tarana                          Woh Din Kahaan Gaye Bataa
Taxi Driver                     Ae Meri Zindagi Aaj
Taxi Driver                     Dil Jale To Jale
Teen Batti Char Rasta           Teen Deep Aur Char Dishaye,Juda-Juda ..
Ujala                           Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha Woh 
Uran Khatola                    Hamare Dil Se
Utsav                           Man To Nainon Mein
Woh Kaun Thi                    Jo Hamne Dastaan Apni Suna Di 
Woh Kaun Thi                    Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Yeh Hasi 
Woh Kaun Thi                    Naina Barse Rim-Jhim
Yasmin                          Mujhpe Ilzaam Bewafai Hain
Zameen Aasmaan                  Aisa Sama Na Hota, Kuch Bhi Yaha
Zanjeer                         Banake Kyon Bigada Re
Zanzar                          Chhed Gayo Mohe
Ziddi                           Chanda Re Ja Re Ja Re
Zindagi                         Hum Pyar Ka Sauda ..Ik Baar
Zubeidaa                     So Gaye Hain
Zubeidaa                     Pyara Sa Gaon
1942 A Love Story               Kuch Na Kaho
PRIVATE                         Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon
PRIVATE GHAZAL                  Dhuan Banake Fiza 

Other Awards

Other awards
1969 - Padma Bhushan
1974 - Recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for having sung the maximum number of songs in the world
1989 - Dada Saheb Phalke Award
1993 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
1996 - Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
1997 - Rajiv Gandhi Award
1999 - NTR Award
1999 - Padma Vibhushan
1999 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
2000 - Lifetime Achievement Award by IIFA in London
2001 - Best Playback Singer of the Millennium (female) by Hero Honda and magazine "Stardust"
2001 - Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award
2001 - Noorjehan Award
2001 - Maharashtra Ratna

Awards Won

Filmfare Awards (1958, 1962, 1965, 1969, 1993 and 1994)
National Awards (1972, 1975 and 1990)
Maharashtra State Award (1966 and 1967)

Career

Career
In the year 1945, she happened to meet the film producer S. Mukherji through Ghulam Haider. Haider personally wanted her to be given an opportunity to show her singing talent. However, S. Mukherji did not like her voice and said no for giving her a chance to sing for his film. At that point of time, Haider promised himself to establish her singing career in Bollywood. He even said to the producer that, one day will come when all the producers and directors will fall on her feet and beg her to sing in their films.

Lata got her biggest break, when she was given the chance to sing the song "Aayega Aanewaala" for the movie Mahal. The song was a super duper hit. The period of 1950s witnessed tremendous growth in her career. She rose to the top in the list of Bollywood singers. She worked with all the famous composers of that era like Shankar Jaikishan, S D Burman, Naushad, Hemant Kumar, and Salil Chowdhury. Shankar Jaikishan was absolutely stunned by her voice and used her voice for playback singing in almost all the movies that he got.

The period of 1960s made her the queen of Bollywood playback singing. She sang for almost all the prominent composers of the industry and set her foothold in Bollywood. Her songs got an overwhelming response from people all over the country. During the 1970s, Lata recorded songs for Bollywood actress Meena Kumari in the film Pakeezah, which brought her recognition and popularity. She performed tracks for S.D. Burman's films like Prem Pujari, Sharmilee, and Abhimaan.

In late 1970s and early 1980s, Lata Mangeshkar worked with the children of the music composers, with whom she had worked in the past. In the year 1990, Lata established her own production house. Their first and last film "Lekin" was a total flop. Mangeshkar has also sung some non film songs including ghazals with Jagjit Singh. Lata Mangeshkar has also sung for Yash Chopra`s films including Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Darr, Yeh Dillagi, and Dil To Pagal Hai. She sang quite a number of Bengali songs with renowned music directors like Salil Chowdhury and Hemant Kumar. 

Lata Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar is the pride of Indian music industry. Blessed with beautiful voice, she is the most well known Indian vocalist. Highly versatile, she has sung in more than 20 languages. To honor and give recognition to her works, Lata Mangeshkar is also known as the Nightingale of India. Well, in this article, we will present you with the biography of Lata Mangeshkar.

Early Life
Lata was born on September 28, 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh as the daughter of Dinanath Mangeshkar, who was a classical singer as well as a theater artist. She was the first child of the Mangeshkar family. She was born in Indore, but brought up in Maharashtra. When she was five years old, she began working as a theater artist in sangeet nataks. She also started taking singing lessons from her father.

Lata sang her maiden cinematic song for the Marathi film Kiti Hasaal (1942). Her father did not like the idea of her daughter singing for the films. So, her song was deleted from the movie. In the year 1942, she lost her father. Due to sudden demise of her father and unsound financial condition of the house, she decided to play small roles in various Hindi and Marathi films. She had to take up the acting assignments, despite the fact that, she was not at all fond of acting.

Veer Savarkar

Veer Savarkar

Born: May 28, 1883
Died: February 26, 1966
Achievements: Founded the Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society; brought out an authentic informative researched work on The Great Indian Revolt of 1857 called "The Indian War of Independence 1857"; founded Hindu Mahasabha.

Veer Savarkar occupies a unique place in the history of Indian freedom struggle. His name evokes controversy. While some consider him as one of the greatest revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle, others consider him a communalist and Machiavellian manipulator. Vir Savarkar was also a great orator, prolific writer, historian, poet, philosopher and social worker. He was an extraordinary Hindu scholar. He coined Indian words for telephone, photography, the parliament, among others.

Veer Savarkar’s original name was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. He was born on May 28, 1883 in the village of Bhagur near Nasik. He was one among four children born to Damodarpant Savarkar and Radhabai. Veer Savarkar had his initial education at the Shivaji School, Nasik. He lost his mother when he was only nine. Savarkar was a born rebel. He organized a gang of kids ,Vanarsena when he was just eleven.

During his high school days, Veer Savarkar used to organize Shivaji Utsav and Ganesh Utsav, started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (whom Savarkar considered as his Guru) and used these occasions to put up plays on nationalistic themes. Savarkar lost his father during the plague of 1899. In March 1901, he married Yamunabai. Post marriage, in 1902, Veer Savarkar joined Fergusson College in Pune.

In Pune, Savarkar founded the “Abhinav Bharat Society”. He was also involved in the Swadeshi movement and later joined Tilak’s Swaraj Party. His instigating patriotic speeches and activities incensed the British Government. As a result the British Government withdrew his B.A. degree.

In June 1906, Veer Savarkar, left for London to become Barrister. However, once in London, he united and inflamed the Indian students in England against British rule in India. He founded the Free India Society. The Society celebrated important dates on the Indian calendar including festivals, freedom movement landmarks, and was dedicated to furthering discussion about Indian freedom. He believed and advocated the use of arms to free India from the British and created a network of Indians in England, equipped with weapons.

In 1908, brought out an authentic informative researched work on The Great Indian Revolt, which the British termed as "Sepoy Mutiny" of 1857. The book was called "The Indian War of Independence 1857". The British government immediately enforced a ban on the publication in both Britain and India. Later, it was published by Madame Bhikaiji Cama in Holland, and was smuggled into India to reach revolutionaries working across the country against British rule.

In 1909, Madanlal Dhingra, a keen follower of Savarkar shot Sir Wyllie after a failed assassination attempt on the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon. Savarkar conspicuously did not condemn the act. When the then British Collector of Nasik, A.M.T. Jackson was shot by a youth, Veer Savarkar finally fell under the net of the British authorities. He was implicated in the murder citing his connections with India House. Savarkar was arrested in London on March 13, 1910 and sent to India.

After a formal trial, Savarkar was charged with serious offences of illegal transportation of weapons, provocative speeches and sedition and was sentenced to 50 years' of jail and deported to the Kalapani (Blackwaters) at Andaman cellular jail.

In 1920, many prominent freedom fighters including Vithalbhai Patel, Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak demanded the release of Savarkar. On May 2, 1921, Savarkar was moved to Ratnagiri jail, and from there to the Yeravada jail. In Ratnagiri jail Savarkar wrote the book 'Hindutva'. On January 6, 1924 he was h freed under the condition that he would not leave Ratnagiri district and abstain from political activity for the next five years. On his release, Veer Savarkar founded the Ratnagiri Hindu Sabha on January 23, 1924 that aimed to preserve India's ancient culture and work for social welfare.

Later Savarkar joined Tilak's Swaraj Party and founded the Hindu Mahasabha as a separate political party. He was elected President of the Mahasabha and toiled for building Hindu Nationalism and later joined the Quit India movement.

The Hindu Mahasabha opposed creation of Pakistan, and took exception to Gandhi's continued Muslim appeasement stances. Nathuram Godse, a volunteer of the Hindu Mahasabha, assassinated Gandhi in 1948 and upheld his actions till his hanging. Veer Savarkar was arrested and indicted by the Government of India in the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case. But he was acquitted by the Supreme Court of India, for reasons of lack of evidence.

Veer Savarkar died on February 26, 1966 at the age of 83

Photos

Famous Quotes of Bal Gangadhar Tilak

"Swaraj (self-rule) is my birthright and I shall have it"

Death

Death
Tilak was so disappointed by the brutal incident of Jalianwala Bagh massacre that his health started declining. Despite his illness, Tilak issued a call to the Indians not to stop their movement no matter what happened. He was raring to lead the movement but his health did not permit that. Tilak had become very weak by this time. In mid-July 1920, his condition worsened and on August 1, he passed away.

Even as this sad news was spreading, a veritable ocean of people surged to his house. Over 2 lakh people gathered at his residence in Bombay (now, Mumbai) to have the last glimpse of their beloved leader.

Extremism

Extremism
Bal Gangadhar Tilak joined the Indian National Congress Party in 1890. Realizing that the constitutional agitation in itself was futile against the British, Tilak opposed the moderate views of the party. This subsequently made him stand against the prominent leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He was waiting for an armed revolt to broom-away the British. His movement was based on the principles of Swadeshi (Indigenous), Boycott and Education. But his methods also raised bitter controversies within the Indian National Congress Party and the movement itself.

As a result, Tilak formed the extremist wing of Indian National Congress Party. Tilak was well supported by fellow nationalists Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal and Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab. The trio was referred to as the Lal-Bal-Pal. A massive trouble broke out between the moderate and extremist factions of the Indian National Congress Party in the 1907 session of the Congress Party. As a result of which, the Congress split into two factions.

During 1908-1914, Bal Gangadhar Tilak spent six years rigorous imprisonment in Mandalay Jail, Burma. He was deported because of his alleged support to the Indian revolutionaries, who had killed some British people. Following his growing fame and popularity, the British government also tried to stop the publication of his newspapers. His wife died in Pune while he was languishing in Mandalay prison.

Tilak returned to India in 1915 when the political situation was fast changing under the shadow of World War I. There was unprecedented jubilation in India after Tilak was free and back in India. After seeing such a grand welcome, Tilak decided to re-unite with his fellow nationalists and founded the All India Home Rule League in 1916 with Joseph Baptista, Annie Besant and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Newspapers

Towards his goal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak launched two newspapers called 'Mahratta' (English) and 'Kesari' (Marathi). Both the newspaper stressed on making the Indians aware of the glorious past and empowered them to be self reliant. In other words, the newspaper actively propagated the cause of national freedom.

In 1896, When the entire nation was gripped by the famine and plague, the British government declared that there was no cause for anxiety. The government also rejected the need to start a 'Famine Relief Fund'. The attitude of the government was severely criticized by both the newspapers. Tilak fearlessly published reports about the havoc caused by famine and plague and government's utter irresponsibility and indifference.

Social Reforms

Social Reforms
After completing his education, Tilak spurned the lucrative offers of government service and decided to devote himself to the larger cause of national awakening. He was a great reformer and throughout his life he emphasized on the concepts of women education and women empowerment. Tilak educated all of his daughters and did not marry them till they were over 16. To inspire a sense of unity, he introduced the festivals like 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and Shivaji Jayanti'. Today, Ganesh Chaturthi is considered as the prime festival of the Marathis. It is a sheer tragedy that for his allegiance towards extremism, Tilak and his contribution were not given the recognition, he actually deserved. 

Lokmanya Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Born: July 23, 1856

Died: August 1, 1920

Achievements: Considered as Father of Indian National Movement; Founded “Deccan Education Society” to impart quality education to India's youth; was a member of the Municipal Council of Pune, Bombay Legislature, and an elected 'Fellow' of the Bombay University; formed Home Rule League in 1916 to attain the goal of Swaraj. 

Bal Gangadhar Tilak is considered as Father of Indian National Movement. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a multifaceted personality. He was a social reformer, freedom fighter, national leader, and a scholar of Indian history, sanskrit, hinduism, mathematics and astronomy. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was popularly called as Lokmanya (Beloved of the people). During freedom struggle, his slogan “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it” inspired millions of Indians. 

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. He was a Chitpavan Brahmin by caste. His father Gangadhar Ramachandra Tilak was a Sanskrit scholar and a famous teacher. Tilak was a brilliant student and he was very good in mathematics. Since childhood Tilak had an intolerant attitude towards injustice and he was truthful and straightforward in nature. He was among India's first generation of youth to receive a modern, college education.

When Tilak was ten his father was transferred to Pune from Ratnagiri. This brought sea change in Tilak’s life. He joined the Anglo-Vernacular School in Pune and got education from some of the well known teachers. Soon after coming to Pune Tilak lost his mother and by the time he was sixteen he lost his father too. While Tilak was studying in Matriculation he was married to a 10-year-old girl called Satyabhama. After passing the Matriculation Examination Tilak joined the Deccan College. In 1877, Bal Gangadhar Tilak got his B.A. degree with a first class in mathematics. He continued his studies and got the LL.B. degree too. 

After graduation, Tilak began teaching mathematics in a private school in Pune and later became a journalist. He became a strong critic of the Western education system, feeling it demeaning to Indian students and disrespectful to India's heritage. He came to the conclusion that good citizens can be moulded only through good education. He believed that every Indian had to be taught about Indian culture and national ideals. Along with his classmate Agarkar and great social reformer Vishnushastry Chiplunkar, Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded “Deccan Education Society” to impart quality education to India's youth.

The very next year after the Deccan Education Society was founded, Tilak started two weeklies, 'Kesari' and 'Mahratta'. 'Kesari' was Marathi weekly while 'Mahratta' was English weekly. Soon both the newspapers became very popular. In his newspapers, Tilak highlighted the plight of Indians. He gave a vivid picture of the people's sufferings and of actual happenings. Tilak called upon every Indian to fight for his right. Bal Gangadhar Tilak used fiery language to arouse the sleeping Indians. 

Bal Gangadhar Tilak joined the Indian National Congress in 1890. He was a member of the Municipal Council of Pune, Bombay Legislature, and an elected 'Fellow' of the Bombay University. Tilak was a great social reformer. He issued a call for the banning of child marriage and welcomed widow remarriage. Through the celebrations of Ganapati Festival and the birthday of the Shivaji he organized people. 

In 1897, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was charged with writing articles instigating people to rise against the government and to break the laws and disturb the peace. He was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for one and a half year. Tilak was released in 1898. After his release, Tilak launched Swadeshi Movement. Through newspapers and lectures, Tilak spread the message to each and every village in Maharashtra. A big 'Swadeshi Market' was opened in front of Tilak's house. Meanwhile, Congress was split into two camps-Moderates and Extremists. Extremists led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak opposed the moderate faction led by Gopal Krishna. Extremists were in the favour of self rule while the moderates thought that time is not yet ripe for such an eventuality. This rift finally led to a split in the Congress.

Tilak was arrested on the charges of sedition in 1906. After the trial, Tilak was sentenced to six years of imprisonment in Mandalay (Burma). Tilak spent his time in prison by reading and writing. He wrote the book 'Gita-Rahasya' while he was in prison. Tilak was released on June 8, 1914. After his release, Bal Gangadhar Tilak tried to bring the two factions of Congress together. But his efforts did not bear much fruit. In 1916, Tilak decided to build a separate organization called the 'Home Rule League'. Its goal was swaraj. Tilak went from village to village, and explained the aim of his league to the farmers and won their hearts. He traveled constantly in order to organize the people. While fighting for people’s cause Bal Gangadhar Tilak died on August 1, 1920.

The Legacy of Non-Violence

Non-violence played a very important role in defining the course of Indian national movement, from the 1920s to the final achievement of the freedom. It formed the basis of the methods of Satyagraha that became closely associated with the Gandhian whirlwind in Indian politics. Gandhi understood economic profit to be the guiding force of the imperialist project and attacked the British government at where it hurt most, which was financial gain. Picketing, non-cooperation and organised resistance to British modes of oppression were the main modes of the non-violent political movements in India. It shaped the course of the Civil Disobedience Movement as well. Even at a later time, during the Quit India movement, Gandhi's theory of non-violence held strong in the face of the new and radical waves in the world of Indian politics like communism and armed revolution. Even at the dawn of independence, as Nehru was getting ready to eloquently unleash his 'tryst with destiny', Gandhi was busy on the troubled roads of Bengal, preaching non-violence to mad rioters. It was probably pre-ordained that he had to lay down his life for holding on to his ideals.

Gandhi was truly a martyr for the cause of non-violence, who not only preached but practiced what he preached. His life was a glorious example of his thoughts, and thousands of Indians from all walks of life, from cities and villages alike, took encouragement and force from his simple life and unshaken faith in the innate goodness of the human soul. He wielded the weapon of love and understanding, and succeeded to upturn even the strongest of the martial nations with it. Gandhi has left the world richer with a renewed faith in the dictates of non-violence. 

Gandhi's Use of Non-Violence in India's Freedom Struggle

Gandhi's championing of the cause of non-violence as the tool of India's freedom struggle was not without its share of criticism. That was, however, expected considering the fact that Gandhi entered the political scenario soon after the ascendancy of the extremists in the history of India's freedom struggle. Armed revolution was believed to be the only legitimate way to snatch political power from an oppressive regime. Gandhi's system of Satyagraha on the basis of non-violence and non-cooperation was largely unheard of, and generally distrusted. However, Gandhi's faith was strong. It was a faith based not on arms and antagonism, but on extreme moral courage that drew its strength from innate human truth and honesty. He applied his systems with success in South Africa and was convinced of its power. However, it was an uphill task for him to convince his countrymen. Gandhi slowly started to popularise the ideas in the ranks of the Indian National Congress, under proper guidance from his political mentor Gopal Krishna Gokhale. The Congress was suffering from a lack of national leadership following the arrest and execution of the extremist leaders like Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, and the protest to the insulting Rowlatt Act was an immediate necessity. Gandhi soon held the mantle and introduced his non-violence modes with great success in the non-cooperation movement. It was a new era in the history of Indian Freedom struggle. Though the movement ended on an abrupt note, yet its significance was immense. 

Sabarmati Ashram

Sabarmati Ashram occupies a special place in the history of Indian National Movement, being the controlling site of most of the major activities initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. It assumes a position of critical importance in India's pre independence history not only because it was a witness to a number of historical events during India's struggle for independence, but also because it was a symbol of Mahatma's political ideologies and the philosophies of his life.

Gandhian ethos of life and political doctrines permeated into all spheres of the Indian society from the Sabarmati Ashram. It was at this ashram, located at a distance of few kilometers from Ahmedabad, Gujarat that the political strategies and action plans of Mahatma Gandhi found shape.

Built on the lines of Gandhi's life views, it was from this place that Gandhi stimulated the political consciousness of the masses and garnered their support for India's struggle for freedom, thus drawing them into the mainstream of the national politics. Sabarmati Ashram, also referred to by a host of other names like Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram and Satyagraha Ashram is a place highly revered by the entire nation, for the great Mahatma left marks of his exemplary life over here. It is a repository of memories that immortalize Gandhi in the hearts of the millions of Indians.

Setting up of Sabarmati Ashram

In the month of January, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India after twenty long years in South Africa. The first thought that occupied his mind at that time was the question of settlement of his associates and his family, who were a part of the South African struggle. Many places likes Rajkot, Vidyanathadham and Hardwar were suggested by his friends. However, Gandhi decided to build his ashram in Ahmedabad. There were precisely three factors that influenced Gandhi's choice of Ahmedabad among the other suggested locations. According to Gandhi, being of Gujrati origin, he could best serve his country by using Gujarati language. Second, Gandhi felt that the potentials of the spinning mill, the charkha could be best explored in Ahmedabad, as it was the hub of Indian handloom at that time. Third, Gandhi expected that the rich people of Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat, would contribute handsomely towards the cause of the ashram.

The first ashram that Gandhi set up in India was housed at the bungalow of Jivanlal Desai, who was a barrister by profession and a friend of Gandhi. This ashram was built at Kochrab, near Paldi, a modest village near Ahmedabad, on 25th May, in 1915. There were twenty five inmates at the ashram. However, as Kochrab became infested with plague after two years, Gandhi had to relocate his ashram. This time, the bank of Sabarmati River was selected as the new site for the ashram. Located at a distance of four kilometers, towards the north of Kochrab, the new site for the ashram lay within close quarters of a prison house. The land was covered by a dense forest. What impressed Gandhi was the vast expanse of land, measuring thirty six acres. It was also in the vicinity of the temple of saint Dadheechi, which according to Hindu mythology is reputed as the epitome of self-sacrifice for the sake of higher ideals and universal well-being. In 1917, in the month of July, the doors of the new Sabarmati Ashram were thrown open. Residing at the canvas tents were forty ashramites. Very soon the entire ashram became buzzing with activities. Gandhi initially stayed at Vanatshala, where handlooms were set up. Later, Hridaykunj became his abode. This ascetic dwelling bears testimony to rise of the Mahatma as the voice of the masses and as the leader of the nation.

While laying the foundation of Sabarmati Ashram, Gandhi identified the aim of the ashram as; adequate training for and a constant effort to contribute towards national service. Incorporated in the spirit of national service, is the notion of well being. An integral part of the ashram life was prayer. The moral and spiritual developments of the ashramites were given immense importance as Gandhi sought to inculcate in the inmates the cardinal tenets of his philosophy of life. These were celibacy, religious tolerance, eradication of untouchability, self help, non possession, education, adherence to truth and win over fear, abstinence from liquor and meat and avoidance of foreign made articles. The ashramites lovingly called him Bapu, which soon became a common way of addressing Gandhi in the entire nation.

During the thirteen long years of Gandhi's stay at Sabarmati Ashram, several momentous events unfolded at this site. Gandhi bestowed his leadership to a number of satyagraha struggles, movements and programs from Sabarmati Ashram. Many of the critical social and political reforms and activities, initiated by Gandhi like campaigns against untouchability, campaign for basic education, charkha and prohibition, khadi related activities and swadeshi andolans were based at Sabarmati Ashram. The first incident of Gandhi's trial for violation of the British authorities, the first incident of Gandhi's imprisonment and Gandhi's first fast, all happened while his stay at Sabarmati Ashram.

In the year 1918, Gandhi gave leadership to the strike of the textile mill workers, which was the first struggle that he led from Sabarmati Ashram. A settlement was arrived at with the owners of the mills on the third day of Gandhi's fast. Later, Gandhi helped the workers to set up a Weavers School at Sabarmati. A very positive consequence of this agitation was the foundation of the Textile Labor Association. This was followed by the Kheda satyagraha, which assumed a national dimension, with the passage of the Rowlatt Act by the British government.

Perhaps the crowing glory of Sabarmati Ashram is the fact that it formed the venue from which Gandhi launched the very significant Dandi March. It is important to note in this context that the historic Salt March also marked the occasion when Gandhi bid farewell to the ashram, unleashing a crucial episode in the history of Sabarmati Ashram. On March 12th, in the year 1980, with an entourage of seventy nine followers, Gandhi commenced his two hundred and forty mile walk, as a gesture of violation of the Salt Tax, promulgated by the British government. Gandhi made a public announcement, before embarking on the Dandi Salt March that he would not be influenced by any circumstances to return to Sabarmati Ashram, until India was free from the shackles of the British. This event appealed to the sentiments of the entire country and acted as a major unifying force. By picking up a handful of salt from the Dandi seacoast, Gandhi defied the salt tax. The consequence was the launch of a large scale non co-operation movement, with the people of the country boycotting foreign made articles and violating the salt laws. The British government in a bid to contain the fervor of the struggle arrested Gandhi on 4th May, at Karadi Camp.

The commencement of the Dandi Salt March indeed proved to be the last moments of Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram. True to his vow never to return to the Ashram unless he saw an independent India, Gandhi never returned there again. He dissolved the Ashram itself in 1933. as history would have it, Gandhi did witness the glorious moment of Indian Independence, although with a heavy heart, but Sabarmati Ashram never could welcome the nation's hero back. In 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Vinayak N Godse.

Since 1951, the responsibility of preserving and maintaining the Sabarmati Ashram is being discharged by Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust. A place of immense historical relevance, each and every corner of Sabarmati Ashram reminisces the contributions of the Mahatma not only towards the political goal of Indian freedom, but towards the larger goal of moral and spiritual development of mankind. It is visited by vast multitude of people from all over the world. Vinoba Kutir, Upasana Mandir, Nandini and Gandhi Sangrahalaya are some of the important areas of Sabarmati Ashram.

Facts About Mahatma Gandhi

Here is a brief summary of some of the major facts associated with Mahatma Gandhi. These facts highlight some of the major achievements of Mohandas Gandhi and provide valuable information on Mahatama Gandhi.

Birth: October 2, 1869
Death: January 30, 1948
Place of Birth: Porbandar, Gujarat
Father: Karamchand Gandhi
Mother: Putlibai
Wife: Kasturbai

1888-1891: Studied law in London

1893: Sailed for South Africa

1906: Began Satyagraha campaign in South Africa to protest the requirement that Indians be fingerprinted and carry identification cards

1915: Returned to India from South Africa

1917: Initiated Champaran Satyagraha to alleviate the condition of indigo planters

1919: Instituted Satyagraha campaign in India to protest the Rowlatt Acts, which deprived all Indians of important civil liberties.

1922: Ended Non-Cooperation movement against British Raj after his followers were involved in a series of riots and disturbances that violated his policy of nonviolence

1930: Led Dandi March to collect salt in protest of the British salt tax.

1931: Signed a pact with Lord Irwin to suspend the Civil Disobedience Movement and went to London to attend Round Table Conference.

1932: Fasted to protest the treatment of people who belonged to no Hindu caste, the Harijans or Untouchables

1942: Launched Quit India Movement against British Raj.

January 30, 1948: Assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist

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Quotes By Gandhi

Here are some famous quotes by Mahatma Gandhi. These quotes reveal his thinking and are a guiding light and source of inspiration to others.

• I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away.
• Abstinence is forgiveness only when there is power to punish; it is meaningless when it pretends to proceed from a helpless creature.
• Action for one's own self binds, action for the sake of others delivers from bondage.
• What is faith worth if it is not translated into action?
• You assist an administration most effectively by obeying its orders and decrees. An evil administration never deserves such allegiance.
• Ahimsa is the highest ideal. It is meant for the brave, never for the cowardly.
• Ahimsa is the eradication of the desire to injure or to kill.
• Ahimsa is an attribute of the brave. Cowardice and ahimsa don't go together any more that water and fire.
• True ahimsa should mean a complete freedom from ill-will and anger and hate and an overflowing love for all.
• The removal of untouchability is one of the highest expressions of ahimsa.
• The strength to kill is not essential for self-defence; one ought to have the strength to die.
• Khadi has been conceived as the foundation and the image of ahimsa. A real khadi-wearer will not utter an untruth. A real khadi-wearer will harbour no violence, no deceit, no impurity.
• No power on earth can subjugate you when you are armed with the sword of ahimsa. It ennobles both the victor and the vanquished.
• The votary of ahimsa has only one fear, that is, of God.
• The hardest heart and the grossest ignorance must disappear before the rising sun of suffering without anger and without malice.
• The power of unarmed nonviolence is any day far superior to that of armed force.
• I know nothing of the science of astrology and I consider it to be a science, if it is a science, of doubtful value, to be severely left alone by those who have any faith in Providence.
• God is conscience. He is even the atheism of the atheist.

The Father of the Nation...Gandhi

 

Born: October 2, 1869

Died: January 30, 1948.
Achievements: Known as Father of Nation; played a key role in winning freedom for India; introduced the concept of Ahimsa and Satyagraha.

Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as Father of Nation played a stellar role in India's freedom struggle. Born in a Bania family in Kathiawar, Gujarat, his real name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (M.K. Gandhi). The title Mahatma came to be associated with his name much later. Before Gandhiji's arrival on the Indian political scene, freedom struggle was limited only to the intelligentsia. Mahatma Gandhi's main contribution lay in the fact that he bridged the gulf between the intelligentsia and the masses and widened the concept of Swaraj to include almost every aspect of social and moral regeneration. Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his death, famous scientist Albert Einstein said, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a man as this walked the earth in flesh and blood".

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, a small town on the western coast of India, which was then one of the many tiny states in Kathiawar. Gandhiji was born in middle class family of Vaishya caste. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a Dewan or Prime Minister of Porbandar. His mother, Putlibai, was a very religious lady and left a deep impression on Gandhiji's mind. Gandhiji was a mediocre student and was excessively shy and timid.

Gandhiji was truthful in his conduct right from the childhood. There is a very famous incident in this regard. A British school inspector once came to Gandhiji's school and set a spelling test. Gandhiji spelled all the words correctly except kettle. The class teacher noticed the mistake and gestured Gandhiji to copy the correct spelling from the boy sitting next to him. Gandhiji refused to take the hint and was later scolded for his "stupidity".

Gandhiji was married at the age of thirteen to Kasturbai. He was in high school at that time. Later on in his life, Gandhiji denounced the custom of child marriage and termed it as cruel. After matriculating from the high school, Gandhiji joined the Samaldas College in Bhavnagar. After the death of Gandhiji's father in 1885, a family suggested that if Gandhiji hoped to take his father's place in the state service he had better become a barrister which he could do in England in three years. Gandhi welcomed the idea but his mother was objected to the idea of going abroad. To win his mother's approval Gandhiji took a solemn vow not to touch wine, women and meat and remained true to it throughout his stay in England.

Gandhiji sailed for England on September 4, 1888. Initially he had difficulty in adjusting to English customs and weather but soon he overcame it. Gandhiji completed his Law degree in 1891 and returned to India. He decided to set up legal practice in Bombay but couldn't establish himself. Gandhiji returned to Rajkot but here also he could not make much headway. At this time Gandhiji received an offer from Dada Abdulla & Co. to proceed to South Africa on their behalf to instruct their counsel in a lawsuit. Gandhiji jumped at the idea and sailed for South Africa in April 1893.

It was in South Africa that Gandhiji's transformation from Mohandas to Mahatma took place. Gandhiji landed at Durban and soon he realized the oppressive atmosphere of racial snobbishness against Indians who were settled in South Africa in large numbers. After about a week's stay in Durban Gandhiji left for Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal, in connection with a lawsuit. When the train reached Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Natal, at about 9 p.m. a white passenger who boarded the train objected to the presence of a "coloured" man in the compartment and Gandhji was ordered by a railway official to shift to a third class. When he refused to do so, a constable pushed him out and his luggage was taken away by the railway authorities. It was winter and bitterly cold. This incident changed Gandhiji's life forever. He decided to fight for the rights of Indians. Gandhiji organised the Indian community in South Africa and asked them to forget all distinctions of religion and caste. He suggested the formation of an association to look after the Indian settlers and offered his free time and services.

During his stay in South Africa, Gandhiji's life underwent a change and he developed most of his political ideas. Gandhiji decided to dedicate himself completely to the service of humanity. He realized that absolute continence or brahmacharya was indispensable for the purpose as one could not live both after the flesh and the spirit. In 1906, Gandhiji took a vow of absolute continence. In the course of his struggle in South Africa, Gandhiji, developed the concepts of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (holding fast to truth or firmness in a righteous cause). Gandhiji's struggle bore fruit and in 1914 in an agreement between Gandhiji and South African Government, the main Indian demands were conceded.

Gandhiji returned to India in 1915 and on the advice of his political guru Gopal Krishna Gokhale, spent the first year touring throughout the country to know the real India. After an year of wandering, Gandhiji settled down on the bank of the river Sabarmati, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, where he founded an ashram called Satyagraha Ashram. Gandhiji's first satyagraha in India was in Champaran, in Bihar, where he went in 1917 at the request of a poor peasants to inquire into the grievances of the much exploited peasants of that district, who were compelled by British indigo planters to grow indigo on 15 percent of their land and part with the whole crop for rent. Gandhiji's Satyagraha forced British government to set up a inquiry into the condition of tenant farmers. The report of the committee of which Gandhi was a member went in favour of the tenant farmers. The success of his first experiment in satyagraha in India greatly enhanced Gandhiji's reputation in the country.

In 1921, Gandhji gave the call for Non-cooperation movement against the ills of British rule. Gandhiji's call roused the sleeping nation. Many Indians renounced their titles and honours, lawyers gave up their practice, and students left colleges and schools. Non-cooperation movement also brought women into the domain of freedom struggle for the first time. Non-cooperation movement severely jolted the British government. But the movement ended in an anti-climax in February 1922. An outbreak of mob violence in Chauri Chaura so shocked and pained Gandhi that he refused to continue the campaign and undertook a fast for five days to atone for a crime committed by others in a state of mob hysteria.

Gandhiji was sentenced to six years imprisonment but was released in 1924 on medical grounds. For the next five years Gandhi seemingly retired from active agitational politics and devoted himself to the propagation of what he regarded as the basic national needs, namely, Hindu-Muslim unity, removal of untouchability, equality of women, popularization of hand-spinning and the reconstruction of village economy.

On March 12, 1930 Gandhiji started the historic Dandi March to break the law which had deprived the poor man of his right to make his own salt. On April 6, 1930 Gandhiji broke the Salt law at the sea beach at Dandi. This simple act was immediately followed by a nation-wide defiance of the law. This movement galvanized the whole nation and came to be known as "Civil Disobedience Movement". Within a few weeks about a hundred thousand men and women were in jail, throwing mighty machinery of the British Government out of gear. This forced the then Viceroy Lord Irwin to call Gandhiji for talks. On March 5, 1931 Gandhi Irwin Pact was signed. Soon after signing the pact Gandhiji went to England to attend the First Round Table Conference. Soon after his return from England Gandhiji was arrested without trial.

After the outbreak of Second World War in 1939, Gandhiji again became active in the political arena. British Government wanted India's help in the war and Congress in return wanted a clear-cut promise of independence from British government. But British government dithered in its response and on August 8, 1942 Gandhiji gave the call for Quit India Movement. Soon the British Government arrested Gandhiji and other top leaders of Congress. Disorders broke out immediately all over India and many violent demonstrations took place. While Gandhiji was in jail his wife Kasturbai passed away. Gandhiji too had a severe attack of Malaria. In view of his deteriorating health he was released from the jail in May 1944.

Second World War ended in 1945 and Britain emerged victorious. In the general elections held in Britain in 1945, Labour Party came to power, and Atlee became the Prime Minister. He promised an early realization of self Government in India. A Cabinet Mission arrived from England to discuss with Indian leaders the future shape of a free and united India, but failed to bring the Congress and Muslims together. India attained independence but Jinnah's intransigence resulted in the partition of the country. Communal riots between Hindus and Muslims broke out in the country in the aftermath of partition. Tales of atrocities on Hindus in Pakistan provoked Hindus in India and they targeted Muslims. Gandhiji worked ceaselessly to promote unity between Hindus and Muslims. This angered some Hindu fundamentalists and on January 30, 1948 Gandhiji was shot dead by one such fundamentalist Nathu Ram Godse while he was going for his evening prayers. The last words on the lips of Gandhiji were Hey Ram.