A Retired Professor from JNU, New Delhi/Fellow of Panjab University Chandigarh/Honorary Advisor-Bhagat Singh Archives and Resource Centre, Delhi Archives Phone: 09646494538 Address: 477, Kaveri Apartments, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070
Remembering Che Guevara on 65 th anniversary of visit to Afro-Asian countries Chaman Lal* https:/... more Remembering Che Guevara on 65 th anniversary of visit to Afro-Asian countries Chaman Lal* https://thewire.in/history/commemorating-che-guevaras-historic-visit-to-india-65-years-ago-a-personalreflectionhttps://bhagatsinghstudy.blogspot.com/2024/07/remembering-che-guevaraon-65th.html I greatly admire the Cuban Revolution, which was achieved on January 1, 1959, led by Fidel Castro, as one of the most remarkable revolutions in world history. A small group of just 82 determined revolutionaries, who sailed from Mexico on the ship Granma in December 1956, successfully overthrew the powerful army of dictator Batista, thanks to the crucial support of Cuban peasants and workers, achieving a historic victory.
On 75th martyrdom anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a look at his contradictions with other freedom ... more On 75th martyrdom anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a look at his contradictions with other freedom fighters
Spreading Bhagat Singh's ideas : The Tribune India It was a bit perplexing for me when I got a ca... more Spreading Bhagat Singh's ideas : The Tribune India It was a bit perplexing for me when I got a call from Sports University Patiala Vice Chancellor Lieutenant General (Retired) J S Cheema inviting me to be part of a discussion panel in a session on Bhagat Singh in Military literary festival, as I could not see any connection, since the military literary festival concentrates more on defence related books and matters, national and international. Among other panellists, he named Major General (Retd.) and Mahavir Chakra awardee Sheonan Singh, who is nephew of Bhagat Singh, but who never let it known during his whole military service, of this close relationship, as he thought it will be construed as seeking favour or privilege! Only after retirement, he let it be known in an interview in a national daily. That made me immediately accept the invite. He is not joining the panel due to urgent family function, but among mong all close relations of Bhagat Singh, he is one of most well read about Bhagat Singh and his ideas, as Ranbir Singh, his father and younger brother of Bhagat Singh had penned a biography of the great martyr in Urdu!
The story of Indian indentured labor sufferings in Africa and the Caribbean in 19th century in vi... more The story of Indian indentured labor sufferings in Africa and the Caribbean in 19th century in view of gaga over Rishi Sunak taking over as UK Prime Minister
Remembering Che Guevara on 65 th anniversary of visit to Afro-Asian countries Chaman Lal* https:/... more Remembering Che Guevara on 65 th anniversary of visit to Afro-Asian countries Chaman Lal* https://thewire.in/history/commemorating-che-guevaras-historic-visit-to-india-65-years-ago-a-personalreflectionhttps://bhagatsinghstudy.blogspot.com/2024/07/remembering-che-guevaraon-65th.html I greatly admire the Cuban Revolution, which was achieved on January 1, 1959, led by Fidel Castro, as one of the most remarkable revolutions in world history. A small group of just 82 determined revolutionaries, who sailed from Mexico on the ship Granma in December 1956, successfully overthrew the powerful army of dictator Batista, thanks to the crucial support of Cuban peasants and workers, achieving a historic victory.
On 75th martyrdom anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a look at his contradictions with other freedom ... more On 75th martyrdom anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a look at his contradictions with other freedom fighters
Spreading Bhagat Singh's ideas : The Tribune India It was a bit perplexing for me when I got a ca... more Spreading Bhagat Singh's ideas : The Tribune India It was a bit perplexing for me when I got a call from Sports University Patiala Vice Chancellor Lieutenant General (Retired) J S Cheema inviting me to be part of a discussion panel in a session on Bhagat Singh in Military literary festival, as I could not see any connection, since the military literary festival concentrates more on defence related books and matters, national and international. Among other panellists, he named Major General (Retd.) and Mahavir Chakra awardee Sheonan Singh, who is nephew of Bhagat Singh, but who never let it known during his whole military service, of this close relationship, as he thought it will be construed as seeking favour or privilege! Only after retirement, he let it be known in an interview in a national daily. That made me immediately accept the invite. He is not joining the panel due to urgent family function, but among mong all close relations of Bhagat Singh, he is one of most well read about Bhagat Singh and his ideas, as Ranbir Singh, his father and younger brother of Bhagat Singh had penned a biography of the great martyr in Urdu!
The story of Indian indentured labor sufferings in Africa and the Caribbean in 19th century in vi... more The story of Indian indentured labor sufferings in Africa and the Caribbean in 19th century in view of gaga over Rishi Sunak taking over as UK Prime Minister
India Venu's biography of Bhagat Singh, despite some errors in dates and narration, is one of the... more India Venu's biography of Bhagat Singh, despite some errors in dates and narration, is one of the authentic records of those times, and its new edition is welcome.
is perhaps her last published novel in her journey which started with Mere Bhi Sanamkhane, her fi... more is perhaps her last published novel in her journey which started with Mere Bhi Sanamkhane, her first novel, published in 1949. Incidentally, most of her novels have been translated and are popular in Hindi, except her first and the last. On my Facebook page comments, I got to know that her novella Sitaharan is also well rated by her readers. Apart from her above mentioned novels, Hyder has to her credit-Safina-e-Game Dil-1952, Patjhar ki Awaz (a short story collection)-1965, which fetched her the prestigious Sahitya Akademi award in 1967, Roshni ki Raftar-1982, four novellas-Chay ke Bagh, Sitaharan, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya na Keejo and Dilruba and Aakhri Shab ke Humsafar (Travellers of Last Night). Hyder, who had to her credit 12 novels and novellas, four collections of short stories, many translations from classic world literature, worked as journalist with
The book carries an introduction by Ramchandra Guha and the collection is dedicated "To independe... more The book carries an introduction by Ramchandra Guha and the collection is dedicated "To independent India and to liberal values, two things that Ramanand Chatterjee fought for.' The Modern Review journal was started by Ramanand Chatterjee in 1907 and it continued after Chatterjee's death in 1943. It was one of most influential journal and people involved in freedom struggle, belonging to even revolutionary stream were aware of it and read it. The journal represented the galaxy of writers from Gandhi, Nehru, Subhash to Tagore, Premchand and more.
/rupees and half Introduction by Dr. Yudhveer Singh Relook at a Book: Sushila Didi-Life of a Quie... more /rupees and half Introduction by Dr. Yudhveer Singh Relook at a Book: Sushila Didi-Life of a Quiet Revolutionary | NewsClick Sushila Didi in the revolutionary circles was almost as important as Durga Bhabhi, but she did not get as much famous as Durga Bhabhi. Sushila Didi who later came to be known as Sushila Mohan after marrying her friend Shyam ji Mohan, who provided her protection when the police was badly after her. It was in late sixties that some very important books were published on the life and activities of revolutionaries and many of these books were not published again and slowly got into oblivion, except some old libraries holding their copies on their shelfs, which are looked upon rarely by readers, only researchers or some diehard activists keep focussed on such books, but which due to lack of upkeep with modern technology, keep withering away. Such books include Manmath Nath Gupt's They Lived Dangerously in English and Didi Sushila Mohan in Hindi and many more. Lot many special issues of journals on Bhagat Singh, Azad and other revolutionaries also came out in 1970's, only few of these are found now in old hands.
It is life story of great woman revolutionary comrade of Che Guevara, who got martyred one month ... more It is life story of great woman revolutionary comrade of Che Guevara, who got martyred one month before Che Guevara in Bolivia in 1967
Relook at a book-Chaman Lal* Andreyev, Leonid, Seven that were Hanged, (Novella) first publicatio... more Relook at a book-Chaman Lal* Andreyev, Leonid, Seven that were Hanged, (Novella) first publication in Russian in 1891, many English translations, pages 80+ This is one of favourite books of Bhagat Singh and his fellow revolutionaries. In many memoirs regarding the revolutionaries, the reference of this book comes among few favourite books read and discussed by revolutionaries. The writer of this novella was Russian writer Leonid Andreyev, who was a friend of Maxim Gorki, who encouraged him to concentrate on writing as he noticed his story published in 1898. Andreyev born in 1871was working as police court reporter then. Later he turned out to be a celebrity as play wright. His most famous play was He Who Gets Slapped, out of 25 plays he wrote. During 1905 Russian Revolution, he defended democratic values. He also welcomed February1917 Russian democratic revolution, but was not comfortable with Bolshevik October revolution later that year. He shifted to neighbourly country Finland, where he died in 1919.
Earnest Jones, the British Socialist poet said in his long poem-The Revolt of Hindostan' that 'On... more Earnest Jones, the British Socialist poet said in his long poem-The Revolt of Hindostan' that 'On its colonies the sun never sets, but the blood never dries' John Newsinger, a British historian with left orientation gave the title of his 2006 published book-'The Blood Never Dried: A People's History of British Empire' Its second and updated edition came out in year 2013, in which the writer added new material. The book is dedicated to writers' old comrades from Leicester-Chris Lymn, Mal Deakin, Andy Wynne, Jim Tolton, John Peach and the late Ken Orrill.
Fidel and the Religion-Conversations with Frei Betto, People's Publishing House, Delhi, 1 st ed. ... more Fidel and the Religion-Conversations with Frei Betto, People's Publishing House, Delhi, 1 st ed. 1987, pages 276 These are Fidel Castro's conversations with Brazilian Dominican Friar, practising Catholic who believes in socialism. Cuban culture minister Armando Hart has introduced this conversation. In 'Paths to a Meeting', Frei Betto has narrated the background of these conversations, which he planned in 1979 as a book to be called-'Faith in Socialism'. Success of Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua with faithful Christians participating in it, where Frei was invited as advisor, encouraged him to work on this book. Lot many priests like Father Miguel D Escoto, foreign minister was part of the revolutionary government, whose ideal was Cuba. He first met Fidel Castro at the house of Nicaraguan Vice President Sergio Ramirez in July 1980. Fidel encouraged him to freely discuss Bible and Christian ideas with him, without getting 'irritate' as Frei apprehended and told him that 'at no time the Cuban revolution has been inspired by anti-religious feelings'. Castro has addressed Chilean clergy in 1971 during Allende period and in Jamaica also he addressed Protestant audience in 1977. In Nicaragua there was unity between Christians and Marxists during revolutionary struggle. Frei visited Cuba 12 times from 1981 to 1985 and had 23 hours recorded interview from 23 rd May to 26 th May in four days, an average of almost six hours a day of conversation. He wrote this note immediately after the conclusion of the interview on 29 th May 1985.
It is review of Aparna Vaidik Book Waiting for Swaraj, based on revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad... more It is review of Aparna Vaidik Book Waiting for Swaraj, based on revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad life
Promila, sister of BK Dutt and Durga Bhabhi were accompanying body on route to Calcutta. Hasrat M... more Promila, sister of BK Dutt and Durga Bhabhi were accompanying body on route to Calcutta. Hasrat Mohani had hheld meeting in the day, where Nehru spoke emotionally. Crowd was unprecedented in Kanpur history. Father of Jatin announced that he is proud of his son, but would not see his body and body was shown fire by Kiran. Jatindernath Sanyal the first biographer of Bhagat Singh in 1931, brother of Sachindernath Sanyal in his memoir has mentioned Jatin birth date as 27 th October 2004. B K Dutt has mentioned Rajendra Prasad leading procession in Patna and Jinnah's speech in assembly on Jatin. Translator's names are not given, could be MJS Waraich himself as well, but it is very useful book in Punjabi on Bhagat Singh's comrade and close friend Jatin Das.
On 9th July Prof. Brinsely Samaroo passed away in Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 83 years. I l... more On 9th July Prof. Brinsely Samaroo passed away in Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 83 years. I lost a dear and best friend during my stay at The University of the West Indies (UWI) as visiting Professor in Hindi on deputation during 2010-11.
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