Birthday Tribute to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A Philanthropic Protagonist

      From Raja Ram Mohan Roy to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, all the leading personalities of the nineteenth century (including Gurudev Rabindranath and Swami Vivekananda) were in one way or another influenced by 'universal rationalism' and because of them many social reforms took place in those days in Bengal.  Among the top leading personalities, on 26September in 1820 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay/ presently many Bengalis write Banerjee instead of Bandyopadhyay i.e. inter changeably used) was born in then Bengal, present West Bengal of India. Because of his immense knowledge and wisdom, he is known as Vidyasagar means ‘Knowledge of Ocean’. He was also known as ‘Dayar Sagar’ or ‘Karunar Sagar’ (meaning ocean of kindness) because of his generous nature and kindness. His enormous contribution for the development of the society is gratefully remembered by all not only in India but also in Bangladesh which I observed when I was in Bangladesh. He was asocial reformer and advocated widow remarriage and worked against polygamy. Because of his initiative, the Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 making the widow marriage legal.   Ishwar Chandra ji worked relentlessly to deliver equal education to all men and women irrespective of their caste, religion and gender. He was a great figure for the promotion of women education. According to him, with education only women can live in society with dignity. Vidyasagar ji lobbied for girls’ school and for this; he went door to door requesting heads of families to allow their daughters to admit inthe schools. And it is believed that he could open 35 schools for girls throughout Bengal where around 1300 students were enrolled. It is pertinent to mention that because of his hard labour and subsequent support received from John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune, the first girls’ school in India, the Bethune School was established on 7 May, 1849 in Calcutta, now Kolkata. From1 May 1855, Vidyasagar was appointed as the Principal of Sanskrit College and also as Assistant Inspector of Bengali Schools in four districts of southern Bengal: Nadia, Hooghly, Burdwan and Medinipur. He toured the ends of four districts. One of his achievements was to establish a total of 20 'Model' /Adarsh Bangla schools, five in each district from 22 August 1855 to 14January 1858.He worked as a Sanskrit professor in Sanskrit College, Calcutta. While he was principal of the college undertook some reforms and one was admission of students belonging to marginalised groups (present SC/ST) as earlier they were not allowed admission. Further, when he was Professor in Sanskrit College successfully included English and Bengali as medium of learning, in addition to Sanskrit. During his lifetime, Vidyasagar wrote many books and thus enriched the education system. In present days, he is remembered inmany ways, inter alia of which are: Vidyasagar Setu, a bridge over the Hooghly River in West Bengal; Vidyasagar College in Kolkata is named after him, as well as Vidyasagar University in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal; for his selfless service for the marginalised people of then Bihar present Jharkhand, a railway station has been named as Vidyasagar Station in Jamtara district of Jharkhand and Indian Post and Telegraph Department issued commemorative stamp in the name of Vidyasagar  in 1970 on occasion of his 150 birth anniversary.       In addition to above, I have observed many people across India keep their son’s name Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar/ Vidyasagar (prefix as family name). When I visited Bangladesh I was astonished to observe his popularity among the people of Bangladesh.   Vidyasagar ji although had passed away on 29 July, 1891 but many still remember across India and Bangladesh. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore respectfully in 1891, soon after the death of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar ji wrote, “One wonders, how God, in the process of producing forty million Bengalis, produced a man.”

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

 

 

COVID-19 and World Economic Situation: A Glimpse  

COVID-19 has created havoc in the world as every country has been suffering quantitatively   and qualitatively and economic crisis is shuddering.  Let me first present quantitative data in this context and as per South China Morning Post (14/9/2020), altogether   confirmed COVID-19 cases were 28,999,180 (about 3 Crore). And unfortunately, total deaths across the world were 923,994 and cases of three top countries as per the number of deaths are concerned, were USA 194,081, 131,625 in Brazil and in India 79,722.  While talking about the qualitative data, I am presenting facts and figures from the e-book, “COVID-19 and Global Food Security” published by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), 2020. As per the publication, “little more than half of the world population is currently under some form of social distancing to contain the health crisis”. Further, as sequel of COVID-19 and social distancing etc., millions of businesses have been closed. The International Labour Organization has predicted around 200 million workers might lost their job because of COVID-19.  In the United States, virtually 22 million people lost their jobs by the first part of April 2020. In view of the grim situation, the Governments in Europe and the United States have promised unprecedented fiscal and monetary incentive measures to reimburse for the income losses of businesses and workers and to contain an unavoidable economic crisis. “But the relief responses of low- and middle-income countries have thus far been more limited”. Further, it is evident from the publication that 140 million people (20 % from the present level) could be in the group of extreme poverty (based on $1.90 poverty line) in 2020 which is very unfortunate.  This in turn would lead to food insecurity, low purchasing power of the people.

It is evident that COVID-19 is leading to global economic recession in 2020. And looking at the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) it is evident that in 2020 across the world many countries will face negative GDP. In one line GDP means, the total value of goods produced and services produced in a country during one year.  For the negative GDP, few data are presented here from IFPRI publication. In the world real GDP might scale down to (−) 5.0 percent and the prediction for the developed countries and developing countries are (−) 6.2 percent and (−) 3.6 respectively. And the real change in the GDP for other regions are, Africa south of Sahara (−) 8.9 percent, South Asia (−) 5.0 percent, Southeast Asia (−) 7.0 percent and Latin America (−) 5.9 percent. So it is evident that worldwide negative growth is observed because of COVID-19.  And if growth is negative then its impact will be awful on ‘Multiplier Effect’. For the benefit of readers I wish to mention that in macroeconomics, Multiplier is a factor that measures how much an endogenous variable changes in response to a change in exogenous variable. One simple example is if more people get employment then their purchasing power will scale up and they will purchase more goods and commodities and thus industry will flourish, economy will develop. On the other hand, high unemployment because of job lost will have bad ‘Multiplier Effect’. Anyway, in case of our country, I wish to mention, from the publication that, the Union Government’s relief package, popularly known as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (Prime Minister’s Scheme for the poor), is meant at providing safety nets for those badly hit by the COVID-19 lockdown. “However, it is inadequate in the face of the enormous scale of the problem. Nobel Prize economists Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerji say that the government should have been much bolder with the package’s social transfer schemes. The $22 billion in spending is only 0.85% of India’s GDP”.

Before conclusion, from the IFRRI Report I am quoting, “While the agriculture and food sectors have been identified as essential in most countries, we also assume some supply disruption caused by reduced labor mobility (for example, for seasonal migrant labor) and further, that perishable farm products suffer greater postharvest losses of 5% due to logistics problems and demand fallout”.

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

Because of my Parents and Teachers I could visit across my country and the World: Pronam to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan ji on Teacher’s Day

 

After my parents, I greatly respect from core of my heart to the teachers as they are the true architect of the society. From primary class onwards, a toddler gets education from a teacher which continues still he/she completes university education, in normal situation. I personally feel I could visit across my country and also many countries in the world for academic activities because of my education which in turn is attributed to my teachers.  I extend my Pronam to all the teachers including my teachers on occasion of Teacher’s Day i.e. 5 September 2020. From 1962, 5 September is celebrated in India as Teacher’s Day as on this day in 1888 a great scholar, philosopher, erudite person and statesman, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan ji was born at Thiruttani, Madras Presidency of India. His activities were so huge that volumes and volumes are required to write; anyway few lines are mentioned here.      

    He was genius from childhood and was awarded scholarships throughout his academic life. At the young age of 33 years in 1921; he was selected for the prestigious George V Chair in Philosophy at Calcutta University where he had proved his scholarly skill. While, he was in Calcutta (now Kolkata) two volumes of Indian Philosophy were published. Also during this time, his publication, the Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore was a brilliant publication and an excellent piece of work.  From 1920s, Dr. Radhakrishnan's reputation as a scholar continued to grow both in India and overseas. He was invited to Oxford to deliver the 1926 Upton Lectures and subsequently same was also published in 1927 as ‘The Hindu View of Life’, and in 1929 he delivered the Hibbert Lectures, later on it was published under the title of ‘An Idealist View of Life’. In 1931, Dr. Radhakrishnan ji was selected as the Vice Chancellor (at that time newly established), Andhra University where he served for five years.  And in 1936, Oxford University appointed him to the H.N. Spalding Chair of Eastern Religions and Ethics. In 1939, he took up Vice Chancellorship at Benares Hindu University (BHU), and served there till mid-January 1948. He was also one of the founders of Helpage India, a non-profit organisation for elderly underprivileged in India.

  Dr. Radhakrishnan ji wrote commentaries on the Prasthanatraya (main primary texts of Vedanta), the Upanisads (1953), Brahma Sutra (1959) and the Bhagavadgita (1948). He was awarded several prestigious awards including the Bharat Ratna in 1954. Also he was awarded honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963. Radhakrishnan ji was actively involved in UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), served there  in Executive Board as well as Indian delegation from 1946-1951. He served two years immediately after India's independence as a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. Later on, he served as the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and he was the Second President of India.

   I extend my Pronam to this great scholar, academician, erudite person who dedicated his life towards education and shaping up the youth of the country. Although, he passed away on 17 April 1975 in then Madras now Chennai but no Indians can forget such a great personality, legendary figure and erudite scholar.  

Before conclusion, I wish to mention one of the lines from his writing which greatly attracts as well as inspires me, "Reading a book gives us the habit of solitary reflection and true enjoyment."

                                 

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Important Tourist Places in and around Asmara, Capital of Eritrea: My Experience

 

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country located in Eastern Africa, with its capital at Asmara spread over to an area of 118, 000 square kilometers home of around 60 lakh people (as per an estimate in 2020). The country is having more than 1000 Kilometers of coastal line along the Red Sea with about 350 off shore islands.  I worked as Associate Professor in Eritrea and stayed its capital viz., Asmara for two years and enjoyed thoroughly different the place including other places of Eritrea. It is pertinent to mention that weather condition of Asmara is always very cold. When I was there a decade ago 365 days warm clothes, even monkey caps required for protecting from cold condition. Anyway here few important tourist places of Asmara which attracted me are presented for the benefit of readers.

a) The Church of our Lady of the Rosary (The Cathedral):

      Asmara is popular for the Church of Lady of the Rosary, popularly known as the Cathedral.  Till 1993 it was the Church of Apostolic Vicar of Eritrea and then of the Apostolic Administrator of Eritrea.  The present building of the Church was constructed in 1923 and in the same year it was blessed.  Before that there was a small church, which was constructed in 1895, but after demolishing it, the present one has been contructed.

The Church has a central nave, two aisles, and a transept.  It is 40 meters long, and its highest height is 25 meters. The Church is topped with a bronze statue of St. Michael the Archangel.  Internally it is decorated with array of illumination.  There are eight artistic bells on the tower. Weight of the biggest bell is 83 quintals.  Other buildings of the Church inter alia, include the theatre with 500 seats, the Friary, printing press, Catholic Institute of Theology, kindergarten school etc.  The Church may be considered as the main lung of the social life and religious activities of Asmara city.  It is the oldest among the Catholic Churches of Asmara. In few occasions I visited the church, it was really beautiful. Every time, I prayed my own way sitting in one corner of the bench - a different environment, a different situation. I believe God is one, only means of praying is different.  Ultimately we all pray to one God only.

b) Jamle at Khulafa’s el Rashedin Mosque:

     The mosque was built in 1938.There is large square area in front of the mosque where Friday prayers are held. The stone used in the construction of mosque was light colored. It is really attractive.

c) Tank Graveyard:

     The military tanks, armored vehicles, and other relics of war left behind by Ethiopian army were dumped.  Although it is place of interest but after watching the site, I was thinking what war gives us. I feel destruction, death, waste of money and resources are the outcome of war.

d) St. Mary’s Orthodox Church:

         The church was constructed in the year 1938. It is located on top of a small hill. It was built with red bricks with two huge bell towers located in front of the entrance. Inside the church there are large number of Byzantine paintings of Angels and religious icons including that of St. Mary’s. Location of the church including its inside view gives lot of pleasure to mind. One will have automatically spiritual feelings in the area itself. In addition, museum, zoo, architecture of the post office, Mainefhi-dam (20 kilometers away), cemetery etc are other places of interest in and around Asmara.

In addition to above, few other places where I visited were:

 e) Debre Bizen Monastery:

       Soon after leaving Asmara towards east, the road passes through Hindu and the British cemeteries. These persons died in Second World War.  After 20 kilometers drive from Asmara, Nefasit town comes. It is on way to Massawa (port city). In Nefasit, the monastery of Debre Bizen is located at about 2400 meters above sea level. It was constructed in the year 1361. One has to go on foot (rather climb) to reach the monastery. People normally start very early morning. Women are not allowed to visit. It is believed that Abune Filipos who constructed the monastery wanted that her monks should not be attracted by the women.

f)  Kohaito:

      It is located 11 kilometers south of Adi-Keih is known for archaeological site “Queen of Sheba Dam”, believed to be a place of worship. It was constructed in between 400 and 500 B.C. and archaeologists believe if site is excavated many things would be revealed.

 g) Metera:

     Metera is located about 135 kilometers away of South of Asmara. It was partially excavated.  Iron cross on mount Metera and five meters Steala (obelisk) with an inscription of third century are worthy sites to be seen.  Partial excavation has revealed that it was a growing city inhabited by large number of persons.

h) Ham-Debre Libanos:

        This is a monastery constructed in the early 6^th century by the Syrian missionaries.  The place is about 150 kilometers away from Asmara. Originally it was located in Ham village and later on shifted to below the Ham plateau. Its church contains “Golden Gospel”, a metal covered the Bible that date back to 13^th century. A large number of mummified bodies were discovered here. According to some experts these mummies were 500 years old.  The bodied were wrapped with cloth and animal skins.

Dr. Shankar Chatterjee

                                                                         Former Professor& Head (CPME)

NIRD &PR (Govt. of India),

Hyderabad-500 030

Telangana, India

Email <shankarjagu@gmail.com>