Lt. Archit Verdia: Brave Son of Udaipur

-Mahavir Sanglikar

Udaipur born, 23 year old Lieutenant Archit Verdia of 175 Med Regiment – Indian Army was posted in Siachen Glacier few months back, Before Siachen, he was posted in Panzgam, Jammu & Kashmir.

Archit Verdia was commissioned to Indian Army in March 2010; he had scored 10th Rank in NDA exams before joining Officers Training Academy for one year in Chennai. Soon after the completion of training, Archit was posted in Kashmir as Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Archit Verdia in NDA

Lieutenant Archit Verdia in Siachen

A blast in army camp at Siachen brought out deadly fire on 20th July 2011. Archit died saving his seniors and other soldiers who were trapped in a bunker engulfed by a fire. Verdia showed the highest degree of courage and jumped inside the bunker to save his officers. In a bid to save others' life, he died on the spot due to suffocation and burn injuries.

Lieutenant Archit Verdia Funeral

The alumni of The Study School, Udaipur, Archit dedicated his life to serve the nation. it is also reported that Archit had urged his seniors to give him posting at Siachen. A dangerous wish, but he didn't care about the danger.

Recently Archit had posted following message on his face book profile: ’मौत तो सबकी आनी है लेकिन मेरी मौत याद रखी जाएगी’ (Everybody has to die, but my death will be remembered)

Archit was a nephew of Acharya Devendra Muni, and Rajni Dangi – chairman of Municipal Corporation, Udaipur.

Archit's Mother and Sister at his funeral

He is survived by his mother Beena Verdia and sister Divyanshi; and was only son of his parents.

Compiled from various News Sources

Captain Shreyans Kumar Gandhi

Born on April 30, 1976, in Raipur, Captain Shreyans did his school education from Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Bhopal, Reeva, Gwalior and Satna. He did his M.Sc from MBM College, Bhopal. Soon after his recruitment to the army, he was commissioned as an officer.

He sacrificed his life while deactivating the landmines in Rajasthan.

He belonged to 53 Engg. Regiment. He was awarded Sena Medal in 2003 (Posthumous) for his Gallantry.

He was son of Shri V.K. Gandhi and Smt Premlata Devi.

Dr. Daulat Singh Kothari

He was a scientist, got Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to Science.

Siddharth Jain

Siddharth Jain is one of the famous badminton players in India. He has won many natioal and Internatioal titles, icluding men's singles title in the French Open badminton championship.

Unsung hero of 26/11 saved seven colleagues at Taj

From Indian Express:

Without waiting for orders, this braveheart followed terrorists into the Taj hotel on the night of November 26.
By the time he came out, combating firing from the Pakistani terrorists, Inspector Deepak Dhole had saved lives of seven colleagues. An injured constable died in his arms.
 
"Fire had spread from sixth floor to the second floor, where we were at the hotel's CCTV room. We sought help from the police control and were informed that it was on way," said Dhole.
 
"From 11 pm to 3 am, we were told that help was on way. We had asked for long-range weapons and an assault vehicle. We kept firing from our short-range weapons but they were no match for the terrorists' long-range arms," Dhole, who is recovering from burns that almost disfigured his face, said.
 
When the fire reached the second floor, engulfing the policemen, Dhole created a temporary path through the firewall to escape. His colleagues owe their life to the bravery shown by the police officer.
 
The Inspector has not received any award, citation or cash prize from the Government. Asked if he was upset at being left out, Dhole shrugs "I was not thinking of a medal when I went into the Taj. I answered the call of duty."
 
When he came to know that terrorists had entered the Taj, the Inspector rushed to the iconic hotel. "I did not wait for an order to go in," Dhole said. I went in because the Taj is in my area," Dhole, posted at the Colaba police station, said.
 
"Although we were a small group, we kept on firing, which created an impression on terrorists that there was a large police team downstairs. This helped in rescue of several people," Dhole said.
 
The fire training course during a United Nations stint in Cyprus in 2004 helped the Inspector battle the blaze at Taj. "I could create a pathway through the blaze, using skills learnt in Cyprus," he added.
 
The four hours he was at the Taj was something he cannot forget anytime soon. "I saw colleagues being injured and killed," he added. "A constable died in my arms. I tried to bring the body out but had to leave it as the firing intensified."
 
As the skin on his face had peeled away in the fire, Dhole remained confined to his home for three months. "Doctors have told me to stay out of the sun for a year," he said.

Police Inspector Deepak Dhole

By VP

Another unsung hero in Mumbai

In 2004, when Police Inspector Deepak Dhole picked up basic fire-fighting skills during his year-long deputation to Kosovo as part of the UN Peacekeeping Force, he had no idea the training would save his life and that of eight others.

On the night of November 26, 45-year-old Dhole, a police inspector from Colaba police station, was stranded on the second floor of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel with eight others, including a police-sub-inspector, five constables, two hotel staff members and two SRPF personnel. A large portion of their floor was on fire. When he entered the Taj around 10.40 pm that night, Dhole was accompanying Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Vishwas Nangre-Patil, DCP (Special Branch) Rajvardhan and 12 others. Until 3 am, the team used the hotel's CCTV control room on the second floor to monitor the terrorists' movements and to convey crucial information to back up evacuations. But when a raging fire consumed the second floor, they were forced to give up their vantage point. However, on their way out, while the four people escaped, 10 others, including Dhole, were trapped. "We were constantly firing towards the upper floors to prevent the terrorists from coming down. They set fire to the sixth floor and threw grenades from above. As the fire spread, the CCTVs blacked out and we realized that our floor was on fire too," says Dhole. "That's when we decided to leave. But when we began moving in a line towards the nearest staircase, the terrorists rained bullets on us and our group was split." Dhole was behind SRPF constable Rahul Shinde when the latter fell to bullets, forcing them to retreat. "We saw him crumple to the floor and rushed back to the CCTV room. However, we had left the room's door open and the flames had spread inside too. We had to come out again, this time moving in the opposite direction," he recounts. Cupping his palms under Shinde's arms, Dhole began to drag his body, directing the others forward all along.

Having served 23 years in the police force, Dhole has been with the Crime Branch for 10 years. In 2001, he went on a mission to Kosovo and then on another to Cypress in 2005, as part of the UN Peace Keeping Force.

(Read the story at: Unsung hero of 26/11 saved seven colleagues at Taj  )

(PI Deepak Dhole belongs to a Jain family of Sangli, Maharashtra)

Pierre Amiel

Pierre Paul Amiel is born in PARIS, the 28th of September 1931. At the World War II, he went with his parents in the South of France at ALBI where his mother's family was originated. ALBI is worldwide known as the fatherland of the great painter TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, the great sailor LA PEROUSE, its huge cathedra1 in red bricks, the cruisade of Christians against heretics called "Albigeois"...

After brilliant studies at ALBI, Pierre went to the University of TOULOUSE to study Law. He his Master in Law and has a High Certificate of Local Government Administration.

After having been Deputy Chief Executive of MELUN in the South of PARIS, he became Chief Executive of BEAUVAIS a town twinned with MAIDSTONE ( Kent ) and after of the Great District of METZ, the chief-town of Region LORRAINE.

Passionate by INDIA and Yoga practice, he learned the existence of Jainism by his master of Yoga (a Brahman}.He established links with Shri Satish Kuma Jain, Secretary Genera1 of "Ahimsa Tnternationa1" in DELHI who initiated him to the tenets of Jainism and who sent him "Ahima Voice" a quarterly very well done and numerous books on Jainism in English he translated and was greatly impressed by. He established links with Dr. Bhuvenendra Kumar in CANADA who invited him with his wife to the JAIN A Convention in PITTSBURGH in 1993. Here; he was greatly impressed by the kindness of participants and by a11 the speaches on Jainism. It is on that occasion he made acquaintance with Dr Sulekh Jain and since they I became great friends. Absolutely conquered by this faith, he studidany books and reviews, took part to Jain meetings in LONDON, made acquaintance with Atul Shah, Alkit Malde and many other Jains who became in regular contacts with him.

Seeing that Jainism is totally ignored by common people in France, he made acquaintance with great Scholars/Madame Colette CAILLAT and Madame Nalini Balbir,and decided with their help and that of Dr Sulekh Jain to publish in 1998 his translations into Franch of "Lord MAHAVIRA" by Book CHAND and in 1999 of " Aspects of Jaina religion" by Dr.Vilas Sangave.

Being now retired in NICE, Pierre Amiel decided to study sanscrit and hindi and to publish a book into French on "Jains in the world today". He spent many time to co11ect matter, bought a computer and pub1ished the book in 2003 with the help of Madame CAILLAT, Nathubai Shah, Dr Sulekh Jain and Alkit Malde.

Pierre Amiel has contributed to the launching of "Jain Spirit' and written various articles on Jainism in French magazines, such as'' Actualite des Religions" and "Yoga et Vie". He afforded too his he1p to the translation into French of many chapters of the site web "Jainworld". He has a huge collection of books, magazines and copies of Jain sites in English and possesses a home caitya with Parshva, Mahavira and many. Jain artifacts. Now, he works on the translation of his book into English with the help of Alkit Malde and prepare an article on "Jaina Yoga".

Pierre Amiel is Chevalier de la Legion of Honour (the highest decoration in France), Officer of French National Merit, Officer of "Palmes Academiques" '(a medal for his great contribution to training of Local Government Employees and Officers). He has also the Golden Medal of Local and Regional Administration and of Trade Unions as past President of a European Union with NALGO and other apolitical unions.

Justice Vimla Jain

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha  Devi Singh Patil appointed Smt Vimla

Jain as Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Chief  Justice  of Madhya Pradesh  Shri Rafat  Alam  administered  oath  of  office  to Smt. Jain   on  13^th  September, 2010 at Jabalpur in presence  of  all  the Judges  and  Advocates  of  M.P. High Court. The eminent Jurists, senior judicial officers, Advocates, media persons and representatives of people congratulated her.

Smt Jain is the first Jain Lady to receive such honor in the judicial    history of India. Therefore, all the national Jain institutions and organizations felt proud of it and congratulated and appreciated her for her historical achievement. 

In her ovation, Shri R.D. Jain, Advocate General, Madhya Pradesh said that Smt. Jain has a vast and long experience of judicial working, which will prove a great asset to High Court and a guiding light to the new comers in the profession as also beneficial to the judicial institutions. Her long experience of three decades in the field of dispensation of justice will surely result in reducing pendency and heavy workload of the High Court. Similarly Shri Anil Khare, President M.P. High Court Bar Association, Shri T.S. Ruprah, President of M.P. High Court Advocates Bar Association, Shri K.N. Fakhruddin, Member State Bar Council of M.P. and Shri Radhelal Gupta, Assistant Solicitor General of India highly commended her judicial work.

In reply to her ovation, Smt. Jain paid reverence to Bhagwan Parshwanath at Nainagiri and to all saints. She thanked her parents, parents-in-law and family members for their support and encouragement. At the end, she recited in Hindi few lines from her daily prayer - MERI BHAWNA which followed:-

Let someone call me good or bad,

Let riches come or move away,

Whether I live for million years,

Or I face death this very day,

Whether someone frightens me,

Or even tempts me in any way,

May my steps never falter,

From proven just and righteous way.

Smt. Jain discharged her judicial duties as District and Sessions Judge in Rajgarh, Tikamgarh, Sehore and Datiya districts of Madhya Pradesh. She earlier worked in various judicial capacities at Indore, Bhopal, Dewas, Shivpuri, Raisen and Gwalior.

Smt. Vimla co-authored books namely Environmental Laws, M.P. Town and Country Planning Manual and M.P. Educational Laws with her husband Suresh Jain. She visited almost all the important countries of the western world. Her both sons and both daughters are highly placed in the field of management in India and abroad.

Her husband Shri Suresh Jain had been a senior member of Indian Administrative Service. He successfully worked as Collector and District Magistrate at Hoshangabad, Vidisha and Betul. He had been Founder and Managing Director of  Vidya Sagar Institute of Management, Bhopal for last 15 years. His services in the field of education and social work had been highly commendable.

Courtasy: Sulekh Jain

A. B. Shah

A. B. Shah is best known and remembered as the founder-president of the Indian Secular Society. The organization had its head quarter in Pune in Shah’s life time but has now shifted to Mumbai. Until his death, A. B. Shah was the editor of The Secularist, a journal published by the Indian Secular Society (ISS). He also the edited the New Quest published by the Indian Association for Cultural Freedom. Shah took much interest in the problems of Indian Muslims. Shah's writings include What Ails our Muslims? and Religion and Society in India. Shah also edited Jayaprakash Narayan's Prison Diary, written by the prominent Indian leader in jail during the Emergency of 1975.

A. B. Shah was born in 1920 in a Jain family in Gujarat. As a result, he was an atheist even in his childhood. However, till the age of seventeen he was to some extent a practising Jain. Ernst Haeckel's The Riddle of the Universe and Hyman Levy's The Universe of Science convinced Shah that not only God but even soul did not exist. Jainism believes in the existence of soul. Shah was also influenced by M. N. Roy. Hamid Dalwai, the author of Muslim Politics in India was a friend of A. B. Shah. Shah started taking interest in Islam only after meeting Dalwai. Dalwai co-operated with Shah in founding Indian Secular Society and Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal. Shah was the Director of the Institute for the Study on Indian Traditions in Pune, Maharashtra at the time of his death in 1981.

The Indian Secular Society is a non-political organisation, which works for promoting secular human values in Indian Society. Shah has paid much attention to Islam and to the problems of Indian Muslims in his works. Hamid Dalwai played an important role in the formation of the organization. The foundation-conference of ISS was presided by Prof. G.D. Parikh, who was an associate of M. N. Roy, a prominent Indian humanist of Twentieth Century. As elaborated by A.B. Shah himself, the Indian Secular Society works mainly at the level of ideas and communication. It has tried to document and discuss secularist and obscurantist trends in Indian society. Shah was also opposed to Hindu communalism. The ISS stands for the spirit of the Indian Constitution and the United Nations Charter of Human Rights. The organisation has published several books and booklets in English including those written by Shah himself.

In 1970, Hamid Dalwai and A.B. Shah, founded Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal in co-operation with the Indian Secular Society. This organisation provided a forum for secular Muslims for reforming and modernising Muslims in India. Dalwai was opposed to the notion that religion could help in encouraging modernisation and secularism. He considered "religious reformation" as an anachronistic concept. He wanted religion to be confined to its "proper sphere", that is, the personal relationship between the individual and his God. According to Dalwai, trying to justify social reform in the name of religion was counterproductive and would only strengthen those who were in a position to claim traditional authority to interpret the scriptures. Hence, Dalwai was in favour of making a clear distinction between religious revivalism camouflaged as a reform movement, and a renaissance based on reason and knowledge. Both Shah and Dalwai faced threats from conservative Hindus and Muslims for the reform-work they were doing.

Books by A. B. Shah
Religion and Society in India
What Ails Our Muslims?
Scientific Method (Bombay: Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,1964)
Religion and Society in India (Pune: Indian Secular Society, 1981)
What Ails our Muslims? (Pune: Indian Secular Society, 1981)
Challenges to Secularism Planning for Democracy and Other Essays

Madan Jain

Madan Jain is a Bollywood Film actor. Here is a list of his films:

Page 3  2005
Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke  2001  - Madhuris brother in law
Sangharsh  1999
Zakhm  1998  - Anwar Hashmi - Journalist
Vijeta  1996  - Advocate
Gundaraj  1995
God and Gun  1995
Pratibandh  1990
Kaal Chakra  1988
Thikana  1987  - Cameraman Avinash
Banoo  1987
Ankush  1986  - Shashi
Saaransh  1984  - Vilas Chitre
Ardh Satya  1983
Vijeta  1982  - Angads friend
Sazaye Maut  1981
Kalyug  1981  - Kulkarni
Chakra  1981
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai  1980

Magician Kruti Parekh

Kruti is India’s First Test-Tube baby by Birth, an I.T. Engineer by Education, World’s Youngest Artistic Illusionist & India’s Young Mind Genius MISS KRUTI PAREKH.

She has performed shows in countries like U.S.A., U.K., Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, Oman, U.A.E, Burma, Russia, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Australia & New Zealand.

At the tender age of 11, she received the FIE FOUNDATION NATIONAL AWARD, INDIA 1995 by the hands of Mr Shivraj Patil (Recent Home Minister of India), with the dignitaries like Mr Ratan Tata for doing charitable work with her tiny little hands.

At the age of 14, she received GLOBAL 500 ROLL OF HOUNOUR, AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1999 in Tokyo Japan.

At the age of 16, she received the YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD by American Consulate by the hands of the then Consul General, Mr David Good in 2001.

At the age of 17, the queen of Sweden selected her as a jury member FOR THE CHILDRENS NOBEL PRIZE in 2002

At the age of 19, she was invited as a youth leader for peace & was invited to the World Youth Peace Summit – Asia Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand 2004.

At the age of 20, She received “YUVA OJASWINI AWARD” a National level award. She was emplaned with Indian Council for Cultural Relations (Govt Of India Body ) for MAGIC.

At the age of 21, she passed her Engineering in Information Technology with Distinction She was invited to China as a Cultural Ambassador to perform at Tianjin Art & Cultural Festival .

At the age of 22, her story has appeared in a book about normal kids doing heroic deeds published by Free Spirit Publishers U.S.A. under the title of Kids Using Talent & Creativity. Her story was chosen amongst 30 stories around the world.

Now at the age of 23 , She is a lecturer of Degree Engineering at the D.J. Sanghvi College Of Engineering & NMIMS university Mumbai.

Mr Bill Clinton, the Past President of America has shown willingness to work with her & help to create a brighter future for young people,

Kruti does charity work, Environment awareness programme, Andha Shraddha Nirmulan (Removal of blind faith) etc.

She has also adopted a school named SHARDA MANDIR HIGH SCHOOL at Gamdevi, Mumbai & is working to make this school an eco friendly one & for child welfare Programme .

Kruti’s attempt to spread the message of Love & Harmony has been appreciated by societies around the world.
You Have to see her show to believe it !!!

Magician Suhani

She made her debut as a magician at the age of seven. She gets the world in a tizzy over her magic. She is Magician Suhani Shah, who has carved a niche in the field of magic.

The only magician to drive a four-wheeler blindfolded.

Leaving the traditional tantra-mantra look aside, Suhani has given magic a new face. Fulfilling public demands is Suhani’s first rule. Therefore, she has turned her magic show into a total magic event that includes dozens of illusions, fashion show, drama, dance, music, lightings and all that the masses wish to see. The teenybopper who is the youngest Indian magician drives a car blindfolded. With 11 years of experience as a professional, magician Suhani has performed more than 5,000 shows in India and overseas.

Suhani Shah – The only Indian magician to fly in the air. YES... You really watch her fly before your eyes.

Suhani entered the field of magic at the tender age of 7 when she performed her first magic show on the October 22, 1997 at Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India). The show was witnessed by the then chief minister of the state along with other ministers and the media persons. This gave her shows a kick start and since then there has been no looking back.

Suhani always wants and works upon removing the superstitious thoughts from the minds of the masses. She clearly informs that the magic performed by the magicians are sheer tricks based on science. Magic is an art of presentation and bears no relation with reality.

Justice D.K. Jain

Hon’ble Mr. Justice D.K. Jain is a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.

Born on January 25, 1948 . 
Enrolled as an Advocate at Delhi on August 9, 1974 . 
Practised on revenue, civil and constitutional sides in various Courts and Tribunals. 
Appointed as Special Prosecution Counsel for Income-Tax Department in 1983. 
Appointed as Additional standing Counsel for Income-Tax Department from January 2, 1986 and Senior Standing Counsel from September 1, 1987 and handled all types of civil and criminal cases. 
Appointed as an Additional Judge of High Court of Delhi on March 19, 1991 and became permanent Judge on January 23, 1992 . 
Appointed as Member of the State Advisory Boards under the National Security Act, 1980, Prevention of Black marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980, Prevention of Illicit Trafficking Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988 and as Member of the State Advisory Council under the Punjab Security of State Act, 1953 as extended to the National Capital Territory of Delhi on December 6, 1994. 
Appointed as Member of the Central advisory Board under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 on October 5, 1995 and then its Chairman on November 8, 2001 . 
Appointed as Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana on March 11, 2005 .  Elevated as a Judge of Supreme Court of India on 10.4.2006. Due to retire on 24.01.2013.

Sunny Jain

Recognized internationally as a musician with a distinct and recognizable sound, drummer Sunny Jain has performed with such artists as Kiran Aluwhalia, Seamus Blake, Kyle Eastwood, Kermit Driscoll, Norah Jones, Lonnie Plaxico, Kenny Wollesen, and has appeared throughout the States, Canada, Europe, Japan, India and West Africa at such notable venues as, Blue Note (NYC, Japan), Atlanta Jazz Festival (GA), Ravinia Jazz Festival (IL), Top of the Senator (Canada), Cork Guinness Jazz Festival (Ireland), Vitoria Jazz Festival (Spain), Pescara International Festival of Jazz (Italy), Pizza Express (England), Marian's Jazz Room (Switzerland), Jazz Yatra Festival (India) and the Musical Society of Nigeria (Nigeria).
Carrying a tremendous list of credits as a sideman, Sunny Jain is now pushing full steam ahead with his own musical mission.

After independently producing his first CD as a leader in late 2002, his group, Sunny Jain Collective gained the attention of critics and audiences around the world with his unique blend of jazz, Indian music and modern effects. Pulling together the jazz community, Indian community and people of all ages, this band has already given crowd-cheering performances in India, New York City's Blue Note and Joe's Pub and the Atlanta Jazz Festival. All the noise did not go unnoticed, as the newly formed record label, ZoHo Music, picked up Sunny Jain Collective's CD. Re-mastered and re-titled, SUNNY JAIN COLLECTIVE - MANGO FESTIVAL is now available in stores across the U.S., Canada and some European countries, as well as the Internet. Mango Festival establishes Jain as a leader with a unique sounding band, as he joins the ZoHo artist roster with such luminaries as Dave Liebman, Vic Juris and Arturo O' Farrill. Rounding out SJC and giving astounding performances are guitarist/sitar guitarist Rez Abbasi, acoustic bassist Gary Wang, and saxophonist Steve Welsh. “Our music combines the various influences and experiences that we in the band have been affected by. There's a little bit of everything in the music for everyone: jazz, Indian music, ambient sounds, and beats to dance to. Hopefully, we do our job and evoke some type of emotion or spirit in you.”

Lakshmi Chand Jain passes away

Noted Gandhian, freedom fighter, former bureaucrat and Magsaysay Award winner Lakshmi Chand Jain passed away on Sunday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 85. He is survived by his wife and two sons.



A fierce opponent of overwhelming state control and an ardent advocate of social action, Jain was closely associated with the Quit India Movement and organised refugee camps during Partition. Post independence, he was devoted to the cause of fighting corruption. His efforts to keep alive the legacy of the freedom struggle through the intervention of civil society led to him being awarded the Magsaysay Award in 1988 for “his informed and selfless commitment to attack India's poverty at the grass-roots level.”



“He was an outstanding social worker and was deeply committed to poverty alleviation and improving the status of the downtrodden. He was an intellectual and was deeply involved in improving the conditions of the poor,” C Rangarajan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council said.

K. Lal

"If you examined his blood, you would find nothing but magic in it." the late Raj Kapoor a true visionary once said about K.Lal.

Magic is the essence of K. Lal's life. Starting from the tender age of 7 and 70 years hence, he still strives to dedicate his life to this great scientific and technical art. He brings honour to his country by spreading the glory of Indian Magic in every corner of the world.

K.Lal whose full name is Kantilal Vora was born in Bagasra, a tiny village near Rajkot, in Gujarat. K.Lal's grandfather being the Nager Seth (village chief) of Bagasra, the family was extremely influential. Due to which the rural entertainers (singers,magicians, jugglers etc.) took their halt at their residence, while performing at Bagasra.Although his parents disapproved, Lal had his first lessons in magic from his guests.

In the early thirties Lal's family's migration to Calcutta for trading in cloth, gave him the golden opportunity to experiment in "the land of magicians" - Calcutta.

A visit to Ganapati's magic show in Calcutta with his uncle, became the turning point in Lal's life. Backstage K.Lal's explanation to Ganapati, as to how the "human skeleton dance" was performed, left the magician impressed beyond words. He not only prophesised K.Lal's world fame as a magician, but also offered to teach him magic.

After putting his parents doubts of "black magic" at rest, K.Lal went on to pursue his career as a magician at the young age of 15. From here on there was no looking back for him. Academic pursuits took a back seat to his dedication to magic.

Riots in Calcutta in the early forties, forced the family to go back to Gujarat. Much to the anger of his family, Lal gave his first public performance here. Some people even misconstrued his talent as black magic and supernatural powers. Only after his convincing them that magic is "sleight of hand" and nothing else, did people stop avoiding him, and start appreciating his talent.

Visit to Japan

K.Lal and Jr.K.Lal performed their first show in Japan in 1969. Following it's success they visited Japan 18 times, covering 61 cities. Their shows which were televised gained them popularity with the Japanese.

On returning to Calcutta, K.Lal discovered much to his sorrow the sad demise of his Guru, Ganapati Chakraborty. But fortunately for him, another Calcutta based magician, Geeta Kumar became his new guru.

From here on it was a climb to fame. His first professional show was at Roxy Theatre in Calcutta, in 1951. His performance in Bombay was no less impressive, and went on for a hundred days.

He began holding shows all over India, collected a troupe, invested in props , sets and a wide variety of costumes, and decided to call his show as 'Mayajal' (The web of illusion).

Over the years, he and his troupe covered various countries. To date Lal is said to have performed 16,800 shows, (up to Dec. 1996). In 1968, in the USA, the International bureau of magicians awarded him the title of the worlds fastest and greatest magician.

Lal changed the concept of magic from a dark, gloomy and scary show, to one that is bright, cheerful, and entertaining, comparable to anything in the tinsel world. This boy, who rose to become the president of the society, through his iron will and determination,

also became an unofficial cultural ambassador to India.

Honoured by Mrs. Indira Gandhi

Our Late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi learnt about K.Lals talents only during her visit to Japan, from the then Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Bhagaya Tak. Lal being busy with his commitments, only met Mrs. Indira Gandhi when she invited him during her visit to Bombay. At the end of the performance a part of her saree caught fire. Security guards came rushing pointing their guns at K.Lal. But nothing happened either to the saree, or to Mrs. Gandhi. It was only an illusion. With a hearty laugh she bid farewell to Lal.

With a collective troupe of 45 members working in front and back stage, K.Lal works 18 hours a day, practicing and innovating. To K.Lal, magic is nothing but a conditioning of the mind. Audience perceives only what he wants them to. "I am so obsessed with my show that even when I sleep I'm not free of it. Many of my ideas come to me in my dreams." -says K.Lal. "Through our item, ' Water of India' we spread the message of national integration that although we differ with language and religion, yet we are all one-Indians."

-says Jr.K.Lal.

Courtasy: http://www.gkindia.com/

Prof. Dr. Shantinath Desai

Shantinath Desai (1929 - 1998) was one of India's most prominent modern writers and was a part of the important Navya movement, the influential innovative movement in Kannada literature after India attained independence. Before 1947, modern Indian literature was largely characterized by the patriotism of the independence struggle or by an escapism into romantic dreamworlds. After a relatively short phase of Marxist-inspired socially critical literature (pragativada) that began in the 1940s, Navya came into being: its main characteristics are its emphasis on the human individual and the inspiration by European models - especially existentialist philosophy and psychoanalysis.

Although Desai's mastery of English was excellent (and he translated the novel Bhava by his friend U.R. Anantha Murthy into English), he wrote all his own works in his South Indian mother tongue Kannada. His most important works, besides Vikshepa ("Perturbation", soon to appear in English translation in Manya Verlag), are his first novel, Mukti ("Liberation"), Bija ("The Seed"), and his posthumous novel Om Namo ("Obeisance To..."), which recently appeared in a filmed version by Girish Karnad on Indian television. Desai's oeuvre also includes short stories and essays.

Shantinath Desai was professor of English in the University of Kolhapur (Maharashtra), and later he became the first president of the newly founded Kuvempu University in Shimoga (Karnataka).

Kanhaiyalal Sethia

Kanhaiyalal Sethia (Hindi: कन्हैयालाल सेठिया) (September 11, 1919(1919-09-11) - November 11, 2008) was one of the most well known Rajasthani & Hindi poets. He was born in Sujangarh, Churu District in the Indian state of Rajasthan. He was a passionate supporter of making Rajasthani, the mother tongue of the people of Rajasthan, one of the official languages of India at the union level. He was a government-recognized freedom fighter, social worker, reformer, philanthropist and environmentalist.

He died in Kolkata, West Bengal.

His father's name was Chhagan Mal Sethia and mother was Smt. Manohari Devi. He has two sons Jay Prakash and Vinay Prakash and also a daughter named Smt Sampat Devi Dugar.

The poetry of Kanhaiyalal shows his patriotic fervor for Rajasthan. His poems reflect the silent changes taking place in rural life of Rajasthan.His poetry is the meting pot of elements like Nature, Universal Humanism, Philosophy, Humility & Devotion, which find unparalled life like expression through his magical, miraculous and superflous command over the language where every word seems to have been appropriately generated to suit the meaning of what the poet wants to convey to his readers. Some of his poems are full of religious and spiritual overtones.His poetry has insight and a feeling of intense human sensitivity.His poetry emphasizes the sublime,selfless & righteous aspects of life which have the power to soothe the frayed nerves of society which is trapped in the whirlpool of confusion & uncertainty.

His first collection Ramaniyai ra soratha, was written in the traditional style of didactic poetry rich in images and similes.

His other books of Rajasthani poems are Minjhara, Kum kum, Lilatamsa, Dhara kuncham dhara majalam, Mayada Ro Helo, Sabada, Satavani, Aghori kala, Leek Lakodia, Hemani, Kakko Kod Ro, Deeth .

His book of poetic prose is Gala-gachiya.

He has written 18 Books in Hindi: Vanphool (1941), Agniveena (1942), Mera Yug (1948), Deepkiran (1954), Pratibimb (3rd edition), (1996), Aaj Himalaya Bola (1962), Khuli Krirkiyan Chaure Raaste( 1967), Pranam (1970), Marm (1973), Anam (1974), Nirgranth ( 1976), Swagat(1986), Deh Videh (1986), Akask Ganga (1990), Vaaman - Viraat (1991), Nishpatti (1993), Shreyas (1997), Trayee (1998), 14 Books in Rajasthani and 2 books in Urdu Taj Mahal (1975) & Gulchi (2001).

His two Rajasthani poems are world famous and have attained cult status. "Dharti Dhoran Ri" is recognized as the Anthem Song of Rajasthan through out the world. Internationally acclaimed film maker Gautam Ghosh has made a documentary based on this poem Titled "Land Of The Sand Dunes" which was awarded the "Swarna Kamal" (Golden Lotus) by the Government of India.

His other poems which are extremely well known are "Pathal'R'Pithal", "Kun Jameen Ro Dhani" which are in the hearts of more than 100 Million Rajasthanis living throughout the world.

The United States Library of Congress has chosen him as one of the literary geniuses of the 20th century. His books have been archived by the Library, and his recordings are available on the Internet.[3] His works have been translated in the following languages:

    * Pratibimb - Reflections In A Mirror -1973 - English,
    * Nirgranth - Nirgranth - 1984 - Bengali,
    * Nirgranth - Nirgranth - 2007 - English,
    * Selected Rajasthani Poems - Anuvartan-1994 - Hindi,
    * Leeltans - The Blue Jay - 1995 - English,
    * Leeltans - Leeltans - 1995 - Hindi,
    * Khuli Khirkiyan Chaure Raaste - Khuli Khirkiyan Chaure Raaste-Marathi,

Awards
Kanhaiyalal Sethia was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award for his work Lilatamsa. He also received Jnanapitha Moortidevi Award in 1986 and Surajmal Misrana Sekhar Award in 1987.

He was conferred Padma Shri award in 2004. He was awarded the prestigious "Sahithya Vascahpati" by the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag, the prestigious "Sahitya Manishi" by the Sahitya Academy, Udaipur.

He was also a nationalist and a social activist.

Asha Parekh

Asha Parekh (2 October 1942) is a Bollywood actress, director, and producer. She was one of the top stars in Hindi films from 1959 to 1973 and is said to have starred in more hit films than any other actress.

Asha Parekh was born into a middle-class Gujarati household on 2 October 1942 in Maharashtra, India to a Jain father, who was from Paldi near Pirana, Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Muslim mother, and her religious upbringing involved worshiping Sai Baba. Her mother enrolled her in Indian classical dance classes at an early age.

Career

Parekh started her career as a child artiste under the screen name Baby Asha Parekh in the film Aasmaan (1952). Famed film director Bimal Roy saw her dance at a stage function and cast her at the tender age of twelve in Baap Beti (1954). The film's failure disappointed her and even though she did a couple more child roles, she quit to resume her schooling. At sixteen she decided to try acting again and make her debut as a heroine, but she was rejected from Vijay Bhatt's Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) in favor of actress Ameeta, because the filmmaker claimed she was not star material. The very next day, film producer Subodh Mukherjee and writer-director Nasir Hussain cast her as the heroine in Dil Deke Dekho (1959) opposite Shammi Kapoor which made her a huge star.

The film also led to a long and fruitful association with Hussain. He went on to cast her as the heroine in six more of his films: Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), and Caravan (1971). She also did a cameo role for his film Manzil Manzil (1984). He also got her involved in distribution of films for 21 years, starting with Baharon Ke Sapne (1967). She was primarily known as a glamour girl/excellent dancer/tomboy in most of her films, until director Raj Khosla gave her a serious image by casting her in tragedienne roles in three of her favorite films: Do Badan (1966), Chirag (1969), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978). Director Shakti Samanta gave her more dramatic roles in her other favorite films, Pagla Kahin Ka (1970), and Kati Patang (1970), the latter earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Many important directors repeated her several times in their films, such as Vijay Anand, Mohan Segal and J.P. Dutta.


Asha acted in her mother tongue Gujarati by starring in three films at the height of her fame in Hindi films, the first film being Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963), which became a huge hit. She also acted in some Punjabi films and a Kannada film.

After her days as a leading lady ended, she took on supporting roles as bhabhi (sister-in-law) and mother, but she called this the "awkward phase" of her career. So she stopped acting in films, and her friends recommended that she become a television director. She took their advice and became a television director in the early 1990s with a Gujarati serial Jyoti. She formed a production company Akruti and produced serials like Palash ke Phool, Baaje Payal, Kora Kagaz and a comedy Dal Mein Kaala. She was the president of the Cine Artistes' Association from 1994 to 2000. Asha was the first female chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) of India. She held the post from 1998 to 2001 for which she received no salary but plenty of controversy for censoring films and for not giving clearance to Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth. Later, she became the treasurer of the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA) and also was later elected to be one of its officebearers.

Asha stopped acting in 1995 to pursue directing and producing television serials, but her acting accomplishments were not forgotten as she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. And she has continued to receive other Lifetime Achievement Awards: Kalakar Award in 2004; International Indian Film Academy Awards in 2006; Pune International Film Festival Award (2007); Ninth Annual Bollywood Award (2007) in Long Island, New York. She received the Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI).

In 2008, she was a judge on a reality show Tyohaar Dhamaaka on the Indian entertainment channel 9X.

Personal life

Asha has remained unmarried, claiming that her reputation of being unapproachable made people hesitate in asking for her hand in marriage. There were rumors that she was romantically involved with her married director Nasir Hussain. In her later years, Asha said that she had a longtime boyfriend but declined to elaborate on the relationship, only stating that "it was nice while it lasted." She said she hadn't seen Nasir Hussain the last year of his life, as he became reclusive because of his wife's death, but she did speak to him on the phone the day before he died in 2002.

Today, she concentrates on her dance academy Kara Bhavan. The Asha Parekh Hospital in Santa Cruz, Mumbai is named after her because of her many contributions.

Filmography


Asha Parekh has acted in over 50 films.

• Aasmaan (1952) (as Baby Asha Parekh)

• Dhobi Doctor (1954)

• Baap Beti (1954)

• Ayodhyapati (1956)

• Ustad (1957) .... Child Artiste

• Aasha (1957) (uncredited)

• Dil Deke Dekho (1959) .... Neeta Narayan

• Hum Hindustani (1960) .... Sudha

• Ghunghat (1960) ....Laxmi

• Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961) .... Nisha R. Singh

• Gharana (1961) ....Usha Gupta

• Chhaya (1961) .... Sarita J. Choudhary

• Apna Banake Dekho (1962)

• Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) .... Mona

• Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) .... Kavita

• Bin Badal Barsaat (1963) .... Sandhya Gupta

• Bharosa (1963) ....Gomti

• Akhand Saubhagyavati (1963) .... Usha

• Ziddi (1964 film) (1964) .... Asha Singh

• Mere Sanam (1965) .... Neena Mehra

• Teesri Manzil (1966) .... Sunita

• Love in Tokyo (1966) .... Asha

• Do Badan (1966) .... Asha

• Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966) .... Kanchan

• Upkar (1967) .... Kavita

• Baharon Ke Sapne (1967) .... Geeta

• Shikar (1968) .... Kiran

• Kahin Aur Chal (1968)

• Sajan (1969 film) (1969) .... Rajni

• Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) .... Seema Kumar

• Mahal (1969) ....Roopa Devi

• Kanyadaan (film) (1969) .... Rekha

• Chirag (1969) .... Asha Chibber

• Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969) .... Aarti

• Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) ....Dr. Shalini ("Shalu")

• Naya Raasta (1970) .... Shallo

• Kati Patang (1970) .... Madhavi ("Madhu")

• Kankan De Ole (1970)

• Bhai-Bhai (1970) .... Taaj

• Aan Milo Sajna (1970) .... Varsha/Deepali

• Nadaan (1971) .... Seema

• Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) .... Anju

• Jwala (1971) (as Ashaparekh)....Ranjana

• Jawan Mohabbat (1971) .... Komal Mathur

• Caravan (1971) .... Sunita/Soni

• Samadhi (1972) .... Champa

• Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) .... Janki/Kiran

• Heera (film) (1973) .... Asha

• Anjaan Raahen (1974) .... Geeta

• Rani Aur Lalpari (1975) .... Kamla

• Zakhmee (1975) .... Asha

• Udhar Ka Sindur (1976) .... Shanta

• Kulvadhu (1977) .... Chandan

• Adha Din Adhi Raat (1977)

• Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978) .... Tulsi Chouhan

• Prem Vivah (1979)

• Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979) .... Jamuna

• Sau Din Saas Ke (1980) .... Sheela

• Bulundi (1980)

• Khel Muqaddar Ka (1981)

• Kaalia (1981) .... Shanti

• Pakhandi (1984)

• Dharam Aur Kanoon (1984)

• Manzil Manzil (1984) .... Vijay's mom

• Lava (film) (1985) .... Amar's mom

• Car Thief (film) (1986) .... Mrs. Mehera

• Sagar Sangam (1988)

• Main Tere Liye (1988) .... Priti

• Hamara Khandaan (1988) .... Sharda Singh (Vishal's mom)

• Hum To Chale Pardes (1988)

• Hathyar (1989 film) (1989) .... Avinash's mother

• Batwara (1989) .... Bade Thakur's wife

• Professor Ki Padosan (1993) .... Shobha (Prof's Wife)

• Bhagyawan (1994) .... Savitri

• Ghar Ki Izzat (1994) .... Seeta

• Andolan (1995)

• Sar Aankhon Par (1999)....Herself

Awards and nominations


1. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Actress for Chirag(1969)

2. Filmfare Best Actress Award for Kati Patang(1970)

3. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Udhar Ka Sindoor(1976)

4. Filmfare Award Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)

5. Padma Shri awarded in the Arts (1992)

6. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2002)

7. Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association(IMPPA) felicitated Asha for her outstanding contribution to the Indian film industry (2003)

8. Kalakar Award--Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)

9. International Indian Film Academy Awards for outstanding achievement in Indian cinema (2006)

10. Saptarang Ke Saptashee Award (2006)

11. Gujarati Association of North America (GANA)'s First International Gujarati Convention-Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)[29]

12. Pune International Film Festival—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)

13. Bollywood Award—Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)

14. Living Legend Award from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI).[17]

15. Film Federation of India honored Asha at its Golden Jubilee celebration ceremony-(2008)[30]

16. Sahyadri Navratna Award given to Asha for being a "woman of substance" (2008)[31]

17. Solitaire for Life Award from the ABN Amro Solitaire Design Awards show (2008)[32]

18. Nashik International Film Festival-Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)[33]

19. 'Lachchu Mahraj Puraskar' Award for Asha's contribution to dance and acting (2009)[2]

20. 40th International Film Festival of India felicitated Asha for completing 50 years in Hindi cinema (2009)[34]

21. 'Legends Live Forever Award' from the Immortal Memories Event (2009)[35]

22. Golden Laurel Award—Ninth Gr8 Women Achievers Awards (2010)[36]

23. Prakarti Ratan Award (2010)[37]

Lakshmi Chand Jain

Lakshmi Chand Jain (born 1925) is an Indian economist, most known as a Gandhian activist and a freedom fighter. He has also remained member of the Planning Commission, Indian High commissioner to South Africa and one of the commissioner on the World Bank-backed, World Commission on Dams (WCD). He played an important in the foundation of Indian Cooperative Union as well as All-India Handicrafts Board and remained secretary of both. As part of the ICU, he helped set up the Central Cottage Industries Emporium and Super Bazaar cooperative stores.


He was awarded the 1989 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

Biography
As a young graduate at the time of independence from Britain he took part in the Quit India movement and around partition of India, he worked to organize relief for destitute refugees created by the partition. He was put in charge of the refugee camp at Kingsway Camp in North Delhi. After independence, he helped introduce cooperative societies for farming and cottage industries into rehabilitation camps, instilling self-reliance and hope. As a volunteer organiser with the Indian Cooperative Union (ICU) he joined the rehabilitation project in Faridabad, 20 km from Delhi of refugees from Pakistan.

Jain later helped Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay organize the Indian Cooperative Union and applied its principles to the handicrafts industry. As secretary of the All-India Handicrafts Board, he fostered decentralized production and directed training, technical services, and loans to India's struggling self-employed spinners, weavers, carpenters, and metalsmiths. He applied modern marketing techniques to promote handicrafts sales abroad and organized the Central Cottage Industries Emporium to expand the market at home. He championed artisans against mechanization and mass production, helping millions of independent craftsmen carry on traditional livelihoods in security and pride and assured the survival of precious arts and skills.

Jain became an expert on development, applying unique organizational skills to wed theory to practice. In 1966 he led the establishment of a chain of consumer cooperative stores where those living in cities could buy food, clothing, and tools at a fair price. In 1968 he co-founded a service-oriented consulting firm. By seeking the advice of farmers and workers, Jain and his like-minded colleagues helped government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) design modernization projects that were relevant and effective.

Jain worked with and on a number of development agencies as well as government committees and boards, such as the United Nations' World Dam Commission

Personal life
Jain's wife is the economist Devaki Jain; the couple have two sons and now settled in Bangalore. In 1989, Jain received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, for "his informed and selfless commitment to attack India's poverty at the grass-roots level".

Publications
• "Development of Decentralized Industries in India—Progress and Perspectives." Gandhi Marg. 2, no. 6 (September 1980): 307-29.

• "Obituary: Kamaladevi." Economic and Political Weekly, 26 November 1988, 2520-21.

• "Poverty, Environment, Development: A View from Gandhi's Window." Economic and Political Weekly, 13 February 1988, 311-20.

• Power to the People: Decentralization Is a Necessity. Policy Issue no.1. Hyderabad: Academy of Gandhian Studies, 1980.

• "A tale of Two Programmes: The Mahatma's and Mrs. Gandhi's." Times of India, 26 November 1983.

• (with B. V. Krishnamurthy and P. M. Tripathi) Grass without Roots: Rural Development under Government Auspices. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1985.

Further reading

• Naiptya Natak, Lakshmi Chand Jain (Hindi), biography

• Arati B. "A Crusader for Job Protection." Hindustan Times, 2 August 1989.

• Chattopadhyay, Kamaladevi. The Glory of Indian Handicrafts. New Delhi: Clavion Books, 1985.

• Indian Cooperative Union. Community Development: A Pilot Project under Non-Official Auspices. New Delhi: Indian Cooperative Union, 1961. Reprinted 1979.

• Indian Cooperative Union. Cooperative Law in India A Disquisition. New Delhi: Indian Cooperative Union, 1964.

• Industrial Development Services: A Profile. New Delhi: Industrial Development Services Private Ltd., 1986.

• Interview by James R. Rush. Tape Recording, 2 September 1989. Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Manila.

• 'Gandhi Works, Always' (Interview with Shri Lakshmi Chand Jain)