Prakash Shenoy's Diary

  Combining in his career the diverse role of actor, director, producer and movie moghul Raj Kapoor (1924-1988) carved out a niche for him­ self in the history of Indian cinema. Son of the illustrious Prithviraj Kapoor, the legendary film and theatre personality, Raj Kapoor made his debut as an actor at the age of eleven in Inquilaab, directed by Debaki Basu. By the time he directed his first film, Aag in 1948, he had already acted in eight more films. Raj Kapoor's second film was a much bigger success at the box office and established him and Nargis as the leading romantic pair of Indian screen.  In 1950, he established the RK Studios at Chembur near Bombay which went on to become one of the best in the country. The following year saw the release of Awara, considered by many as the masterpiece of Raj Kapoor. The narrative of the film which established the power of truth and love in a decadent society struck a chord with viewers not just in India, but in different parts of the...

  Ramayana "Ram", a chant, a magic word, the divine personified, the omnipresent who is there in every grain of sand, a noble king, a gentle prince, the blue deity who roamed across the country carrying the people of different cultures along. Ramayana, the story of Ram composed first by Valmiki around 500 b.c., has possibly many retellings before that as well as afterwards. Such is the power and the appeal of this simple story, but a story of a hero who suffers many adversities in life, which remains, to this date, unsurpassed.  The story is loved by the millions not only in India, but now, practically all across the globe. Early migrants to Surinam, Fiji, Guiana, Mauritius etc. carried the story in their hearts that sustained them away from their beloved motherland. Many Asian countries such as Burma, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam have adopted and internalized the story giving them local flavours.  Within the country also differen...

  Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple Philosophy and morality are closely intertwined in Indian life. Dharma is the Indian word meaning morals and ethics. The word “dharma” derives from the root “dhr,” which means to hold. Dharma, therefore, serves to maintain the stability and development of human civilization by acting as a unifying force within it. Ramo Vighravan Dharma (रामो विग्रहवान धर्म:) means Shri Ram is Dharma incarnate. Maharishi Valmiki called Shri Ram ‘Dharmavigrah’ in Ramayana, God incarnated for the welfare of the people. Maharishi Ved Vyas said that the incarnation of Shri Ram was not just for killing demons but for teaching dharma to humans. Patience, forgiveness, control of mind, selflessness, purity, restraint of senses, wisdom, knowledge, truth and mercy, these ten characteristics of dharma have been properly reflected in the entire conduct of Shri Ram. A fundamental principle of Shri Ram’s life conduct is to be aware of one’s true self. If a man thinks about his real id...

  Major Durga Mall  Major Durga Mall was born on 01/07/1913 in Doiwala, Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, now (Uttarakhand). His father was Shri Ganga Ram Mall and mother Smt. Parvati Devi Mall. Durga Mall was the eldest son among all the siblings. His siblings were Laxman Mall, Padma Mall, Prem Mall and sisters Janaki Devi, Rama Devi and Shyama. Since childhood, he was a person of different nature. In 1930, when he was a student of ninth grade, he jumped into the freedom movement. When the Salt Satyagraha movement started, Durga Mall also started participating openly in local public meetings and demonstrations. Consequently, his father left him at his uncle’s house in ‘Bhagsu’ Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. On 26 January 1931, at the age of 18 years, Durga Mall joined the 2/1 Gorkha Rifles, Dharamshala Cantonment. Due to Durga Mall’s educated and calm nature, he earned everyone’s praises. He soon started the army’s training and acquired distinction. He was also admired as a football p...

  Surakshit Jayen Prashikshit Jayen  With the rise of fraudulent and illegal migration, Ministry of External Affairs has been making constant efforts to educate migrants about the perils of illegal channels. Illegal migrants may be forced to live a wretched existence in the target country through illegal channels because they will be unable to legitimately enroll in any assistance or protection systems introduced by GOI. Instead, they will be subjected to harsh, insecure, and unpleasant living situations, as well as a significant danger of being exploited by unlawful employers who may force them to accept flexible work schedules at low rates and in hazardous working conditions. As a result, international migration has become centered on the necessity for both safe and trained migration. Given our robust demographic dividend and rapidly changing global economic world order, Ministry of External Affairs has also been working on various activities such as aligning eMigrate portal...