A Secular and Rebel Poet Born in India, expired in Bangladesh: Kazi Nazrul Islam

Kazi Nazrul Islam, popularly known as ‘Bidrohi Kabi’, or ‘Rebel Poet’, was one of the most important voices during freedom movement. He was born on 25 May, 1899 in Burdwan District of present West Bengal (birthday has been collected from livehistoryindia.com/story/history-daily/nazrul-bengals-beloved-rebel-poet). It is pertinent to mention here that he is the only person to appear on postage stamps in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Due to his powerful writing mainly through his poems reflecting Hindu-Muslim unity and patriot feeling British was always scared of him as sequel imprisonment him several occasions.  Nazrul's father Kazi Faqeer Ahmed was an Imam and caretaker of a local mosque and his mother Zahida Khatun, was a house maker. Kazi Nazrul Islam studied up to Class X and then joined in then British army in 1917 at the age of 18 but he left the army in 1920 when the 49^th Bengal Regiment was disbanded and joined as a staff in the Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society").

 He preached ‘revolution’ through his poems "Bidrohi" (The Rebel) and "Bhangar Gaan" (The Song of Destruction), as well as through his publications in "Dhumketu" (The Comet). His continuous support in Indian freedom movement antagonized the British and many times jailed him.  On April 14, 1923 he was shifted from Alipore jail to Hooghly jail in Calcutta for which he began a 40-day fast to protest against ill-treatment by the British jailer. Nazrul broke his fast one month later and was released from prison later on. He composed a large number of poems and songs during this period of imprisonment.  

      He was secular-mined person and married Pramila Devi, (belonged to Brahmo Samaj), on April 25, 1924. His  secularism is also reflected  when he kept his sons name keeping in mind both Hindu and Muslim background-  Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled(bulbul), Kazi Sabyasachi and Kazi Aniruddha. Anyway, in his ‘Kandari Husiar” poem he penned, “Hindu or Muslim should not be an issue. We should fight to save our motherland”. Nazrul wrote an editorial in Joog Bani in 1920 about religious pluralism, “Come brother Hindu! Come Musalman! Come Buddhist! Come Christian! Let us transcend all barriers, let us forsake forever all smallness, all lies, all selfishness and let us call brothers as brothers. We shall quarrel no more”. In another article entitled Hindu Mussalman, published in Ganabani on 2 September 1922, he wrote the religious quarrels were between priests and Imams and not between individual Muslims and Hindus.

     He felt for the poor echelons of the society which is reflected in his poem 'Daridro'(Poverty). Also in those days in Bengal dowry, exploitation of women etc., were also major issues and he wrote the poem Nari (Woman), where he has mentioned, “I don't see any difference between a man and woman. Whatever great or benevolent achievements that have taken place in the world half of that was by woman and the other half by man.”

    Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Narul Islam had special bonding to each other. Tagore called Nazul, "the mutinous child of the Goddess of the Universe". Nazrul was shaken by the death of Rabindranath in August 1941. He composed two poems in Tagore's memory; one, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi) was broadcast in All India Radio during that time. After the creation of Bangladesh, the then Government of Bangladesh invited him with his family members where they moved in 1972. He left for heavenly abode on 29 August 1976. He is officially recognized as the National poet of Bangladesh and his song “Chal, Chal, Chal” (move, move, and move) is the national song of Bangladesh.

 (For the writing of the article mainly this website www.livehistoryindia.com/story/history-daily/nazrul-bengals-beloved-rebel-poet has been consulted)

 Dr. Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad , 26 May 2021

International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day: Important Issues

 

International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day: Important Issues

As human beings, we should observe this day of 22 May every year and generations after generations seriously otherwise one day human lives will be in danger. The United Nations proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity (Biodiversity Day) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues (UNGA Resolution 1994, COP1 Decision (COP means Conference of the Parties, UNGA Resolution 2000).

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is pertinent to mention that Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. This diversity means a wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms. Around 1.75 million species have been identified, mostly small creatures such as insects. The researchers and scientists have estimated that there are about 13 million species, though estimates range from 3 to 100 million.

  It may be mentioned here that the rich tapestry of life on this planet is the result of more than 3.5 billion years of evolutionary history. It has been shaped by forces such as changes in the planet’s crust, ice ages, fire, and interaction among species. Human beings should take interest in conserving nature and its resources and it has to be admitted  that whether land or water or animals or plants all are the creation of nature and not by human beings so it is our responsibility to save and conserve these.  Further, we are responsible for declining numbers of pandas, tigers, elephants, whales, and various species of birds, fishes etc.  And many are at the verge of extinction.  It is observed from the Report that many species have been disappearing at 50-100 times the natural rate, and this is predicted to rise dramatically (cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-sustain-en.pdf). It is also evident from the Report that, an estimated 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species – including one in eight of the world’s bird species – face extinction. A few lines from the conclusion part of the Report is presented here, “although still in its infancy, the Convention on Biological Diversity is already making itself felt. The philosophy of sustainable development, the ecosystem approach, and the emphasis on building partnerships are all helping to shape global action on biodiversity. ……..Much, much more needs to be done. The passage of the Earth’s biodiversity through the coming century will be its most severe test. With the human population expected to rise dramatically, particularly in developing countries, and the consumer revolution set for exponential expansion – not to mention the worsening stresses of climate change, ozone depletion, and hazardous chemicals – species and ecosystems will face ever more serious threats. Unless we take action now, children born today will live in an impoverished world”.

    Anyway, this year (2021) in the International Day for Biological Diversity/ World Biodiversity Day the theme is “We’re part of the solution”. The slogan was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year under the overarching theme, “Our solutions are in nature”, which served as a reminder that biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. This important slogan we must adhere.

The following Reports have been consulted for writing the article:

1)   1)   https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-sustain-en.pdf

2)     2)  https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day

3)     3)  https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad

 

International Day of Families 2021: Titbit

In school days we all read the famous line ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (a Sanskrit phrase) which means "the world is one family". So, it is evident that family is sine qua non for a society, country and for the world. Although long long ago the Sanskrit phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ was used to mean the importance of family but in1985, the United Nations put importance on families in the world. The Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Social Development requested the then Secretary-General to raise more awareness about the issues and needs of families. On May 29, 1985, the General Assembly passed a resolution by including a topic, "Families in the Development Process" on the recommendation of the Council. In 1993, the General Assembly decided in a resolution (A/RES/47/237) that 15 May of every year should be observed as ‘The International Day of Families’. This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. On 25 September 2015, “the 193 member states of the United Nations unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 goals aiming to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere. Families and family-oriented policies and programmes are vital for the achievement of many of these goals” (www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families).The UN website further states, “Family policies are a mainstay of national public policies, and the most meaningful vehicle for governments to influence the living standards of upcoming generations. As part of achieving the global ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), family policies play an important part in meeting targets across many of the goals”. The theme of International Day of Families 2021 is ‘Families and New Technologies’.

 Today (15 May 2021) an  inaugural Conference was held in Bangkok , under the banner of Asia Pacific Leadership Conference ‘Providing Vision and Leadership for Nation Building and Peace’ 6th  Batch under Universal Peace Federation (UPF), an international and interreligious network of individuals and organizations, including representatives from religion, government, civil society and the private sector. UPF is dedicated to achieving world peace. An NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UPF supports the work of the United Nations, particularly in the areas of interfaith peace building, peace education, and the strengthening of marriage and family. In today’s Conference I was one of the participants as it took place as a virtual conference. All gave importance today’s day as International Day of Families. Anyway by quoting from UN website I am concluding, “Family trends: Families around the world are changing, many becoming smaller, as the number of single-parent households grows. Currently, 65% of all families are made up of either couples living with children of any age, or couples living with both children and extended family members, such as grandparents. The diminishing number of extended families and the increasing number of single-parent families put into sharp focus the issue of social protection”, (www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families).

Dr Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad , 15 May 2021