Eric J. Hobsbawm
By FLAVY SEN SHARMA, II YEAR
Eric J. Hobsbawm, Britain’s preeminent Marxist historian, died on Monday, 1 st October, 2012
at the age of 95. We are indebted to him for his three-volume economic history of the rise of industrial capitalism.
Under Hobsbawm’s guidance in the British Communist Party, a group of historians were able to
recast the traditional understanding of history with greater focus directed towards the labor movements of the 19th century. Hobsbawm labeled these movements the “pre-political resistance of bandits, millenarians and urban rioters in early capitalist societies.” On referring to the period of his study, he coined the term “the long 19 th century.” An extensive understanding of this period is found in the three volumes- The Age of revolution: 1789-1848, The Age of Capital: 1848-1875, and The Age of Empire: 1874-1914.
In addition to the contributions he made to historical writing, he was also a Jazz critic for the
New Statesman. He published several essays in various journals which dealt with subjects like the conflict between anarchism and communism and the troubles of the labor movement. Among his final publications were Globalisation, Democracy and Terrorism (2007), On Empire (2008), and the collection of essays How to Change the World: Marx and Marxism 1840–2011 (2011).
Eric J. Hobsbawm will always be valued for incorporating astute ideals from his political
inclinations in his detailed historical narratives. Through his works, he continues to inspire every history student all over the world and he will be remembered as the most valuable Communist historians of all times.
By FLAVY SEN SHARMA, II YEAR
Eric J. Hobsbawm, Britain’s preeminent Marxist historian, died on Monday, 1 st October, 2012
at the age of 95. We are indebted to him for his three-volume economic history of the rise of industrial capitalism.
Under Hobsbawm’s guidance in the British Communist Party, a group of historians were able to
recast the traditional understanding of history with greater focus directed towards the labor movements of the 19th century. Hobsbawm labeled these movements the “pre-political resistance of bandits, millenarians and urban rioters in early capitalist societies.” On referring to the period of his study, he coined the term “the long 19 th century.” An extensive understanding of this period is found in the three volumes- The Age of revolution: 1789-1848, The Age of Capital: 1848-1875, and The Age of Empire: 1874-1914.
In addition to the contributions he made to historical writing, he was also a Jazz critic for the
New Statesman. He published several essays in various journals which dealt with subjects like the conflict between anarchism and communism and the troubles of the labor movement. Among his final publications were Globalisation, Democracy and Terrorism (2007), On Empire (2008), and the collection of essays How to Change the World: Marx and Marxism 1840–2011 (2011).
Eric J. Hobsbawm will always be valued for incorporating astute ideals from his political
inclinations in his detailed historical narratives. Through his works, he continues to inspire every history student all over the world and he will be remembered as the most valuable Communist historians of all times.
PAKISTAN: A LOVE STORY
By ANKITA MUKHOPADHYAY
The Weekly Blitz, a Bangladeshi tabloid, recently had its few minutes of fame on the international circuit, by publishing an article on an alleged love affair between Pakistan’s 35 year old Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar and 24-year old Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The tabloid apparently got information from a secret western intelligence, and also quoted a few lines from a letter that Khar had sent to Bhutto, in which she wrote, ‘The foundations of our relation is eternal and soon we shall be just ourselves.’ Khar apparently plans to divorce her millionaire husband, Firoze Gulzar, and settle with Bilawal in Switzerland. The roadblock to their union, however, is Bilawal’s father, who has a problem with his son marrying a woman much older than him, and is a mother of two daughters. The tabloid also claimed that Bilawal had threatened to quite PPP after his father advised him to end his relationship with Khar.
Now, it is believed that Islamist groups have threatened to issue a fatwa against Khar and Bhutto, since their alleged love affair is considered a crime in Pakistan. Also, the ISI is believed to be behind this ‘scandalizing news’, since they are unhappy with Khar for facilitating a UN investigation to find out the number of missing people detained by the security forces in Pakistan. But the main point is- Is it really necessary to bother about the love affair of two individuals, who due to some mysterious co-incidence, are holding important political posts? Both Khar and Bhutto are extremely powerful and famous and have been in the limelight for various reasons. Khar, for being Pakistan’s first female Foriegn Minister, and Bhutto, for being the Oxford educated young intellectual, reminiscent of his assassinated mother Benazir Bhutto, who is looked at as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan. There is currently a huge debate about whether this ‘alleged’ love affair would disrupt the young Bhutto’s chances of making it to the top post, who till now was being seen as the messiah to lead Pakistan out of its recent political and economic turmoil. There is also a debate on whether Khar will resign from her post.
The current situation in Pakistan is not a rosy picture. The government is in financial trouble, with lack of security in the country driving away foreign investors leading to fall in foreign investment inflows, and according to the Asian Development Outlook report, Pakistan’s economy currently faces considerable challenges, in the aftermath of the 2010 floods. Above everything, Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister, has been disqualified from office, and President Zardari will soon have to face the music of the Pakistani opposition as well as the Supreme court in light of corruption cases against him as well as the infamous ‘Memogate’ scandal. But what has currently become ‘hot property’ of every tabloid, magazine and newspaper is this ‘so- called’ alleged love affair, which may or may not be true. Khar’s husband Firoze Gulzar called this news ‘trash’ and according to recent reports, Khar had earlier tried to commit suicide, in light of an alleged love affair of her husband with a business associate. She later fell in love with Bilawal while recuperating from this shock. This news has again been reported by none other than the Weekly Blitz of Bangladesh.
The most interesting angle to this story is- if the affair is such a big issue, why did secret ‘western’ agencies sell the news to a Bangladeshi tabloid, and not a Pakistani one? Surely Bangladesh has better things to do than ponder about their once mother country and its politicians. The main characters of the plot seem to have disappeared into oblivion, with Hina Rabbani Khar currently attending a United Nations General Assembly session, and Bilawal Bhutto hiding ‘god knows where’. None of the two seem to be interested in either commenting or ostracising such news. In fact Khar, when asked to comment, preferred to use her diplomacy, which is quite effective in front of Foreign ministries, but I am not sure whether it should be employed while giving news interviews too. Her brilliant dodging of the topic has only resulted in more rumours and apprehensions. Love affairs seem to be the talk of the town now, with Kristen Stewart guiding the way to other renowned people admitting or alleging ‘deviance’ from the path of loyalty in ‘love’. Only time will tell whether this “love story” of Pakistan will blossom into a future political alliance, or the complete destruction of the image of two of the most powerful people in Pakistani history.
By ANKITA MUKHOPADHYAY
The Weekly Blitz, a Bangladeshi tabloid, recently had its few minutes of fame on the international circuit, by publishing an article on an alleged love affair between Pakistan’s 35 year old Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar and 24-year old Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The tabloid apparently got information from a secret western intelligence, and also quoted a few lines from a letter that Khar had sent to Bhutto, in which she wrote, ‘The foundations of our relation is eternal and soon we shall be just ourselves.’ Khar apparently plans to divorce her millionaire husband, Firoze Gulzar, and settle with Bilawal in Switzerland. The roadblock to their union, however, is Bilawal’s father, who has a problem with his son marrying a woman much older than him, and is a mother of two daughters. The tabloid also claimed that Bilawal had threatened to quite PPP after his father advised him to end his relationship with Khar.
Now, it is believed that Islamist groups have threatened to issue a fatwa against Khar and Bhutto, since their alleged love affair is considered a crime in Pakistan. Also, the ISI is believed to be behind this ‘scandalizing news’, since they are unhappy with Khar for facilitating a UN investigation to find out the number of missing people detained by the security forces in Pakistan. But the main point is- Is it really necessary to bother about the love affair of two individuals, who due to some mysterious co-incidence, are holding important political posts? Both Khar and Bhutto are extremely powerful and famous and have been in the limelight for various reasons. Khar, for being Pakistan’s first female Foriegn Minister, and Bhutto, for being the Oxford educated young intellectual, reminiscent of his assassinated mother Benazir Bhutto, who is looked at as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan. There is currently a huge debate about whether this ‘alleged’ love affair would disrupt the young Bhutto’s chances of making it to the top post, who till now was being seen as the messiah to lead Pakistan out of its recent political and economic turmoil. There is also a debate on whether Khar will resign from her post.
The current situation in Pakistan is not a rosy picture. The government is in financial trouble, with lack of security in the country driving away foreign investors leading to fall in foreign investment inflows, and according to the Asian Development Outlook report, Pakistan’s economy currently faces considerable challenges, in the aftermath of the 2010 floods. Above everything, Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister, has been disqualified from office, and President Zardari will soon have to face the music of the Pakistani opposition as well as the Supreme court in light of corruption cases against him as well as the infamous ‘Memogate’ scandal. But what has currently become ‘hot property’ of every tabloid, magazine and newspaper is this ‘so- called’ alleged love affair, which may or may not be true. Khar’s husband Firoze Gulzar called this news ‘trash’ and according to recent reports, Khar had earlier tried to commit suicide, in light of an alleged love affair of her husband with a business associate. She later fell in love with Bilawal while recuperating from this shock. This news has again been reported by none other than the Weekly Blitz of Bangladesh.
The most interesting angle to this story is- if the affair is such a big issue, why did secret ‘western’ agencies sell the news to a Bangladeshi tabloid, and not a Pakistani one? Surely Bangladesh has better things to do than ponder about their once mother country and its politicians. The main characters of the plot seem to have disappeared into oblivion, with Hina Rabbani Khar currently attending a United Nations General Assembly session, and Bilawal Bhutto hiding ‘god knows where’. None of the two seem to be interested in either commenting or ostracising such news. In fact Khar, when asked to comment, preferred to use her diplomacy, which is quite effective in front of Foreign ministries, but I am not sure whether it should be employed while giving news interviews too. Her brilliant dodging of the topic has only resulted in more rumours and apprehensions. Love affairs seem to be the talk of the town now, with Kristen Stewart guiding the way to other renowned people admitting or alleging ‘deviance’ from the path of loyalty in ‘love’. Only time will tell whether this “love story” of Pakistan will blossom into a future political alliance, or the complete destruction of the image of two of the most powerful people in Pakistani history.
CONFLICT BENEATH SERENITY- NORTH EAST INDIA
BY RAISHA GALIB, II YEAR
India’s northeast is a region cradled by the serenity of nature, frontiered by high mountains and shrouded by misty clouds. Where the land holds testimony to its rich cultural heritage and where the wind still whispers history. It is however also a land that is misted by varying perceptions, often tainted by a single hue and despite the tranquility that meets a romantic eye, the land beneath all the beauty has long been trembling.
The last few months have witnessed mammoth turbulences in this region that have claimed many lives and left many more homeless .According to Police and other sources, the unrest was triggered when unidentified men killed four youths on Friday night in a part of the Kokrajhar district in the state of Assam, an area dominated by the indigenous Bodo (pronounced as Boro) tribe. There are reports claiming that armed Bodos attacked Muslims in retaliation, suspecting that they were behind the killings. Soon afterwards unidentified groups set houses, schools and vehicles on fire and started firing indiscriminately from automatic weapons in populated areas. This manifestation of aggression was not entirely a result of the killing that took place on the 6 th of July, (this incident only proved to be a catalyst, perhaps long awaited) but can be traced back to a greater issue that is deep rooted in the history of this place. The issue of illegal infiltration of people from
Bangladesh.
Beginnings can be seen in the colonial period when the British ruled India. The British brought Adivasis from the Chhota Nagpur plateau to Assam, putting them to work in tea gardens, and assigning them small pieces of land in exchange. In mid-30s, settlers from East Bengal (what is now Bangladesh) started arriving here. They were hard-working and they were cultivators, who knew how to make the land work for them. The local tribals - the Bodos - now found themselves up against the adivasis brought in by the British, and Bengali-speaking Muslims from East Pakistan or Bangladesh. The immigrations
were suspected to have continued and by the mid-70s, the lines were so clearly drawn between the communities that the neighbors were now undisguised enemies. The tension between the communities found expression through student politics and spawning militant outfits with conflicting agendas. In the 1980s the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) demanded expulsion of these ‘illegal’ settlers and after a series of strikes, boycotts and deliberations it was decided that those would be extradited who had crossed the Indian border post-1971. This might have sounded like a solution but achieving this was
another mammoth task given the various political parties and student bodies at play in this field. Efforts towards this goal were halted by constant protests and claims by these bodies that these ‘illegal’ settlers had found their way into the voting lists which reestablished their greatest fear of this group of people being proved as Indian citizens. In 1985 the Assam Accord was signed between the central government and the government of Assam and among its various provisions one was of the formation of a national register of citizens (NRC) which aimed at creating an account of Indian citizens but this initiative didn’t take off in full swing till date because of similar hurdles that it encountered. Hence this problem that grips this land and threatens to tear its integrity apart has never been solved but its tremors also have never stopped.
Muslim population has grown modestly as a share of Assam’s population (from 24% to 31% in the three decades to 2001).In some villages the Bodos are now a minority. They say they feel ‘’swamped’’ by Muslim immigrants. However, the conflict is not primarily about religion. It is about land. The Bodos hold land in common. The Bengali-speakers are settled farmers, anxious to establish private-property rights as protection against dispossession. In 2003, after a long, violent campaign for autonomy, the Bodos got their own Bodo Territorial Council, on whose turf outsiders may not own property. Thus
undertones of the conflict that took place had been present in the society since long; it just found an evil form of expression in the recent string of events.
However repercussions travelled to different parts of the country. There were riots in Mumbai and attacks in nearby Pune on people from Manipur. Some 30,000 north-easterners fled from Bangalore, nine of them being thrown off a moving train. Some authorities encouraged the exodus by providing special trains: 30,000 tickets to Guwahati, Assam’s capital were sold in three days. The impact of electronic media further deteriorated the situation as, on August 12th people started getting text messages warning north-easterners to go home before the end of Ramadan (August 20th),failing which, they would be attacked. They also got video messages with doctored images showing the bodies of Muslims killed in Assam. However in reality these were victims of the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008.
The inability of the government to placate the minds of the people and bring the situation under control is a shame on a country that so prides itself on ‘unity in diversity’. It’s a shame that a Citizen of India could feel so insecure within the country, forcing him to retreat to his own state. It just mirrors the sheer lack of confidence people have in the state apparatus. These attacks took place because of miscommunication of the actual reason that triggered the violence. This caused people to have their own perspectives, which led to the painting of the situation in communal colours; whereas at the heart of the conflict, lay the issue of control over land.
Ignorant minds are easily manipulated which is what happened in this context. People were instigated and blinded by faith; they never saw reason. What also amazes me is the general ignorance towards the diversity of cultures in the North-east
and how hopelessly they are clubbed as a single entity every time. And this time, this entity had to collectively bear the brunt of a situation which was primarily between two communities in Assam and in no way had it started off as ‘communal’. It is a pity that lack of clarity and information on this episode caused this people to be yet again victimized for something that they were not responsible for. These incidents hint towards the general tendency of aversion meted out to a people that ‘look not like them’. Discrimination against the people of the north-east has sometimes been justified by stating that the
people themselves do not wish to be seen as a part of the so-called ‘mainland’. But before we make such derivations we must try and understand this region in a better way because such stereotypical notions make the ‘acceptance’of this people into the ‘’Indian Culture’’ difficult. However what is dicey here is the concept of a unique ‘Indian Culture’. When the country is laden with the existence of numerous unique cultures and ethnic groups, the existence of an ‘Indian Culture’ is baffling.
The north-east had led an exclusive existence till the 19th century when Assam was brought under the ambit of the British by the Burmese after the end of the Ahom rule. Sharing borders with three different countries caused the forging of a commercial and cultural relationship and also an affinity towards these cultures instead. The north-eastern region was merged with the Indian Union against the wishes of many tribal regions who had demanded for an independent state to protect and preserve their own interests. Hence a sense of resentment of these populations towards the central government
ensued, which is why we see a tendency towards confinement; for the promises made to them during the merging were never fulfilled. Though a few had prejudices, the majority of the population saw themselves and still see themselves as a part of the country and relate to her. It is thus sheer injustice to view them in a different light altogether, when all of us grow up together singing the national anthem and taking pride in our national history.
There is thus a dire need to better understand this region that has long been shrouded by misconceptions arising out of ignorance and ignorance alone. Broadening our perspectives is definitely a start. It’s about time we dismissed the pre-conceived notions that have been held; for before constructing views on a particular matter, it is of great importance t and o peer into its history and discover the causes for ourselves. The story of this region has to be told; the truth to be known.
BY RAISHA GALIB, II YEAR
India’s northeast is a region cradled by the serenity of nature, frontiered by high mountains and shrouded by misty clouds. Where the land holds testimony to its rich cultural heritage and where the wind still whispers history. It is however also a land that is misted by varying perceptions, often tainted by a single hue and despite the tranquility that meets a romantic eye, the land beneath all the beauty has long been trembling.
The last few months have witnessed mammoth turbulences in this region that have claimed many lives and left many more homeless .According to Police and other sources, the unrest was triggered when unidentified men killed four youths on Friday night in a part of the Kokrajhar district in the state of Assam, an area dominated by the indigenous Bodo (pronounced as Boro) tribe. There are reports claiming that armed Bodos attacked Muslims in retaliation, suspecting that they were behind the killings. Soon afterwards unidentified groups set houses, schools and vehicles on fire and started firing indiscriminately from automatic weapons in populated areas. This manifestation of aggression was not entirely a result of the killing that took place on the 6 th of July, (this incident only proved to be a catalyst, perhaps long awaited) but can be traced back to a greater issue that is deep rooted in the history of this place. The issue of illegal infiltration of people from
Bangladesh.
Beginnings can be seen in the colonial period when the British ruled India. The British brought Adivasis from the Chhota Nagpur plateau to Assam, putting them to work in tea gardens, and assigning them small pieces of land in exchange. In mid-30s, settlers from East Bengal (what is now Bangladesh) started arriving here. They were hard-working and they were cultivators, who knew how to make the land work for them. The local tribals - the Bodos - now found themselves up against the adivasis brought in by the British, and Bengali-speaking Muslims from East Pakistan or Bangladesh. The immigrations
were suspected to have continued and by the mid-70s, the lines were so clearly drawn between the communities that the neighbors were now undisguised enemies. The tension between the communities found expression through student politics and spawning militant outfits with conflicting agendas. In the 1980s the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) demanded expulsion of these ‘illegal’ settlers and after a series of strikes, boycotts and deliberations it was decided that those would be extradited who had crossed the Indian border post-1971. This might have sounded like a solution but achieving this was
another mammoth task given the various political parties and student bodies at play in this field. Efforts towards this goal were halted by constant protests and claims by these bodies that these ‘illegal’ settlers had found their way into the voting lists which reestablished their greatest fear of this group of people being proved as Indian citizens. In 1985 the Assam Accord was signed between the central government and the government of Assam and among its various provisions one was of the formation of a national register of citizens (NRC) which aimed at creating an account of Indian citizens but this initiative didn’t take off in full swing till date because of similar hurdles that it encountered. Hence this problem that grips this land and threatens to tear its integrity apart has never been solved but its tremors also have never stopped.
Muslim population has grown modestly as a share of Assam’s population (from 24% to 31% in the three decades to 2001).In some villages the Bodos are now a minority. They say they feel ‘’swamped’’ by Muslim immigrants. However, the conflict is not primarily about religion. It is about land. The Bodos hold land in common. The Bengali-speakers are settled farmers, anxious to establish private-property rights as protection against dispossession. In 2003, after a long, violent campaign for autonomy, the Bodos got their own Bodo Territorial Council, on whose turf outsiders may not own property. Thus
undertones of the conflict that took place had been present in the society since long; it just found an evil form of expression in the recent string of events.
However repercussions travelled to different parts of the country. There were riots in Mumbai and attacks in nearby Pune on people from Manipur. Some 30,000 north-easterners fled from Bangalore, nine of them being thrown off a moving train. Some authorities encouraged the exodus by providing special trains: 30,000 tickets to Guwahati, Assam’s capital were sold in three days. The impact of electronic media further deteriorated the situation as, on August 12th people started getting text messages warning north-easterners to go home before the end of Ramadan (August 20th),failing which, they would be attacked. They also got video messages with doctored images showing the bodies of Muslims killed in Assam. However in reality these were victims of the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in 2008.
The inability of the government to placate the minds of the people and bring the situation under control is a shame on a country that so prides itself on ‘unity in diversity’. It’s a shame that a Citizen of India could feel so insecure within the country, forcing him to retreat to his own state. It just mirrors the sheer lack of confidence people have in the state apparatus. These attacks took place because of miscommunication of the actual reason that triggered the violence. This caused people to have their own perspectives, which led to the painting of the situation in communal colours; whereas at the heart of the conflict, lay the issue of control over land.
Ignorant minds are easily manipulated which is what happened in this context. People were instigated and blinded by faith; they never saw reason. What also amazes me is the general ignorance towards the diversity of cultures in the North-east
and how hopelessly they are clubbed as a single entity every time. And this time, this entity had to collectively bear the brunt of a situation which was primarily between two communities in Assam and in no way had it started off as ‘communal’. It is a pity that lack of clarity and information on this episode caused this people to be yet again victimized for something that they were not responsible for. These incidents hint towards the general tendency of aversion meted out to a people that ‘look not like them’. Discrimination against the people of the north-east has sometimes been justified by stating that the
people themselves do not wish to be seen as a part of the so-called ‘mainland’. But before we make such derivations we must try and understand this region in a better way because such stereotypical notions make the ‘acceptance’of this people into the ‘’Indian Culture’’ difficult. However what is dicey here is the concept of a unique ‘Indian Culture’. When the country is laden with the existence of numerous unique cultures and ethnic groups, the existence of an ‘Indian Culture’ is baffling.
The north-east had led an exclusive existence till the 19th century when Assam was brought under the ambit of the British by the Burmese after the end of the Ahom rule. Sharing borders with three different countries caused the forging of a commercial and cultural relationship and also an affinity towards these cultures instead. The north-eastern region was merged with the Indian Union against the wishes of many tribal regions who had demanded for an independent state to protect and preserve their own interests. Hence a sense of resentment of these populations towards the central government
ensued, which is why we see a tendency towards confinement; for the promises made to them during the merging were never fulfilled. Though a few had prejudices, the majority of the population saw themselves and still see themselves as a part of the country and relate to her. It is thus sheer injustice to view them in a different light altogether, when all of us grow up together singing the national anthem and taking pride in our national history.
There is thus a dire need to better understand this region that has long been shrouded by misconceptions arising out of ignorance and ignorance alone. Broadening our perspectives is definitely a start. It’s about time we dismissed the pre-conceived notions that have been held; for before constructing views on a particular matter, it is of great importance t and o peer into its history and discover the causes for ourselves. The story of this region has to be told; the truth to be known.
"The Myth of the Holy Cow"
By Suhanjali Santha
Cow as a ‘sacred’ animal according to D.N Jha is not a notion that existed since the beginning. Those who trace back its sanctity to the Vedas; those very same Vedas are replete with references to consumption of beef. Even Gods like Indra; Agni & Soma consumed beef, with beef mostly being favored by Indra. Beef was too rich for everyday consumption hence; it was only used on special occasions like marriage,
reception of guests (hence a guest was called goghna or cow killer& the ceremony was referred to as arghya), also to gratify the Gods & the pitrs (dead ancestors) etc. In a ceremony called “Pancas aradiya seva” large number of cattle were immolated for the gratification of the Maruts.
In fact, its consumption is used for various therapeutic purposes. In Charka Sanhita there is a verse which says “the flesh of cow, buffaloes, & hogs should not be eaten daily” which clearly indicates that it
was then an article which was reckoned as food, but too rich for everyday use, like fish, curds & barley cakes, which are also prohibited for everyday use. D.N. Jha underlines the fact that beef-eating was not Islam’s ‘Baneful Bequeathal’ to India. Moreover, the literary evidences tie up very well with the archaeological evidence. He gives the example of H.D Sankalia & B.B Lal who had discovered cow/ox bones more frequently than that of any other animals in the river. Substitution of cattle for
sacrifices has been suggested in the “later Vedic period” itself.
However it was because of the two religions Buddhism & Jainism that, foundation to non –violence
was laid out. Buddhism and Jainism negated the idea of Vedic sacrifices, even though Buddhism believed that animals are inferior to human beings and their existence is unhappy as they lack insight and are incapable of attaining nirvana. Early Buddhist texts refer to the various types of animal food like beef, venison, flesh of sheep etc., and Buddhist stories provide substantial basis for the view that flesh eating was widespread. Both Buddhism and Jainism propagated the idea of non-violence though they did not lay sole emphasis that bovines in particular should not be slaughtered. Jha cites passages from early Buddhist texts suggesting not only that the Buddha ate meat but that a meal of contaminated pork may ultimately have been what did him in. (Mr. Jha dismisses a dissenting interpretation that the offending food was not pork but mushroom).
D.N Jha rightly mentions that “Needless to say, then, that the image of the cow projected by Indian textual traditions, especially the Brahmanical-Dharmasastric works, over the centuries is polymorphic.
Its story through the millennia is full of inconsistencies and has not always been in conformity with dietary practices current in society. It was killed but the killing was not killing. When it was not slain, mere remembering the old practice of butchery satisfied the brahmanas. Its five products including faeces and urine has been considered pure but not its mouth. Yet through these incongruous attitudes the Indian cow has struggled its way to sanctity.
But the holiness of the cow is elusive. For there has never been a cow-goddess, nor any temple in her honour. Nevertheless the veneration of this animal has come to be viewed as a characteristic of modern day non-existent monolithic Hinduism bandied about by the Hindutva forces.
By Suhanjali Santha
Cow as a ‘sacred’ animal according to D.N Jha is not a notion that existed since the beginning. Those who trace back its sanctity to the Vedas; those very same Vedas are replete with references to consumption of beef. Even Gods like Indra; Agni & Soma consumed beef, with beef mostly being favored by Indra. Beef was too rich for everyday consumption hence; it was only used on special occasions like marriage,
reception of guests (hence a guest was called goghna or cow killer& the ceremony was referred to as arghya), also to gratify the Gods & the pitrs (dead ancestors) etc. In a ceremony called “Pancas aradiya seva” large number of cattle were immolated for the gratification of the Maruts.
In fact, its consumption is used for various therapeutic purposes. In Charka Sanhita there is a verse which says “the flesh of cow, buffaloes, & hogs should not be eaten daily” which clearly indicates that it
was then an article which was reckoned as food, but too rich for everyday use, like fish, curds & barley cakes, which are also prohibited for everyday use. D.N. Jha underlines the fact that beef-eating was not Islam’s ‘Baneful Bequeathal’ to India. Moreover, the literary evidences tie up very well with the archaeological evidence. He gives the example of H.D Sankalia & B.B Lal who had discovered cow/ox bones more frequently than that of any other animals in the river. Substitution of cattle for
sacrifices has been suggested in the “later Vedic period” itself.
However it was because of the two religions Buddhism & Jainism that, foundation to non –violence
was laid out. Buddhism and Jainism negated the idea of Vedic sacrifices, even though Buddhism believed that animals are inferior to human beings and their existence is unhappy as they lack insight and are incapable of attaining nirvana. Early Buddhist texts refer to the various types of animal food like beef, venison, flesh of sheep etc., and Buddhist stories provide substantial basis for the view that flesh eating was widespread. Both Buddhism and Jainism propagated the idea of non-violence though they did not lay sole emphasis that bovines in particular should not be slaughtered. Jha cites passages from early Buddhist texts suggesting not only that the Buddha ate meat but that a meal of contaminated pork may ultimately have been what did him in. (Mr. Jha dismisses a dissenting interpretation that the offending food was not pork but mushroom).
D.N Jha rightly mentions that “Needless to say, then, that the image of the cow projected by Indian textual traditions, especially the Brahmanical-Dharmasastric works, over the centuries is polymorphic.
Its story through the millennia is full of inconsistencies and has not always been in conformity with dietary practices current in society. It was killed but the killing was not killing. When it was not slain, mere remembering the old practice of butchery satisfied the brahmanas. Its five products including faeces and urine has been considered pure but not its mouth. Yet through these incongruous attitudes the Indian cow has struggled its way to sanctity.
But the holiness of the cow is elusive. For there has never been a cow-goddess, nor any temple in her honour. Nevertheless the veneration of this animal has come to be viewed as a characteristic of modern day non-existent monolithic Hinduism bandied about by the Hindutva forces.
Indian society: A Slow Receptor to Change
By Flavy Sen Sharma, II Year
As one walks down the halls of LSR, the boards and the small crowds gathered around them
with students delving in to discover what is new in each society, reflect a very active and vibrant
college life. The multitude of events, talks and workshops announced by the different departments and
societies provide a means for the students to explore their talents and create themselves. But for many,
these groups within college mean something different altogether. By joining these clubs and societies,
the students hope to introduce a new idea based on what they have experienced over the years. They
wish to change a long established structure that has for so long been the basis of the functioning of the
club. But change does not come about easily. Implementing and introducing something new is not easy
as the societies and departments have already etched out a means of functioning and it is often difficult
to look beyond the box we create for ourselves. Most of us have faced a certain frustration in college
life when we wanted our voices to be heard and we wanted our ideas to be taken further but they were
overshadowed by the conventions which demand a certain position before the idea.
This difficulty in using individually inspired ideas to create an impact through these well
established groups transcends the walls of the college and is extremely evident in the society in which
we reside. Every institution, all over the world has a set of rules to execute any task. However, the
pace at which new ideas are heard and implemented within these ascribed rules vary from region to
region. While Indian society is one of the most prominent talent hubs in the world with all kinds of
people exploring very different, distinct avenues, it is exceptionally hard for the people or the governing
institutions to perceive change and hence work towards benefitting it through new ideas. Very often,
it is clear that deviation from the rules will give better results, but instead we choose to compromise
the betterment of society to adhere to the established rules. This tendency to abide by a structure that
is already in place, assists in giving more authority to those in power. To establish the legitimacy of the
hierarchical structure, the institutions hesitate to accept and endorse new ideas.
There is a need to identify specific situations that demonstrate this occurrence in present
day Indian society. The constitution has prescribed a set of procedures that allows us to bring about
changes after intense discussion and deliberation in the parliament. But the movement started by
Anna Hazare was a clear deviation which did not follow any of the procedures but is allowed in the
ambit of democracy. Corruption is not an issue that came about all of a sudden. For decades, India
has been plagued by corruption and there were voices which came out against it but did not find the
right agency that could execute the idea adhering to the outlined procedures. A culmination of these
voices is what forms the support base of the Anna Hazare Movement. Rebellious to a level, they still
seek constitutional remedies. Anna initiated his movement in 2011, yet till date very few changes have
actually materialized.
In extreme conditions when people are denied the recognition of their ideas they resort to
violent means leading to undesirable consequences. Not all ideas may be suitable for execution but they
definitely deserve to be heard and thought about. Movements like those led by Anna Hazare emphasize
the fact that it is time our society opens up to new ideas and accept the changes that would lead to its
betterment. It is necessary to work around the defined rules to maximize the output of the society in the
different spheres of life.
By Flavy Sen Sharma, II Year
As one walks down the halls of LSR, the boards and the small crowds gathered around them
with students delving in to discover what is new in each society, reflect a very active and vibrant
college life. The multitude of events, talks and workshops announced by the different departments and
societies provide a means for the students to explore their talents and create themselves. But for many,
these groups within college mean something different altogether. By joining these clubs and societies,
the students hope to introduce a new idea based on what they have experienced over the years. They
wish to change a long established structure that has for so long been the basis of the functioning of the
club. But change does not come about easily. Implementing and introducing something new is not easy
as the societies and departments have already etched out a means of functioning and it is often difficult
to look beyond the box we create for ourselves. Most of us have faced a certain frustration in college
life when we wanted our voices to be heard and we wanted our ideas to be taken further but they were
overshadowed by the conventions which demand a certain position before the idea.
This difficulty in using individually inspired ideas to create an impact through these well
established groups transcends the walls of the college and is extremely evident in the society in which
we reside. Every institution, all over the world has a set of rules to execute any task. However, the
pace at which new ideas are heard and implemented within these ascribed rules vary from region to
region. While Indian society is one of the most prominent talent hubs in the world with all kinds of
people exploring very different, distinct avenues, it is exceptionally hard for the people or the governing
institutions to perceive change and hence work towards benefitting it through new ideas. Very often,
it is clear that deviation from the rules will give better results, but instead we choose to compromise
the betterment of society to adhere to the established rules. This tendency to abide by a structure that
is already in place, assists in giving more authority to those in power. To establish the legitimacy of the
hierarchical structure, the institutions hesitate to accept and endorse new ideas.
There is a need to identify specific situations that demonstrate this occurrence in present
day Indian society. The constitution has prescribed a set of procedures that allows us to bring about
changes after intense discussion and deliberation in the parliament. But the movement started by
Anna Hazare was a clear deviation which did not follow any of the procedures but is allowed in the
ambit of democracy. Corruption is not an issue that came about all of a sudden. For decades, India
has been plagued by corruption and there were voices which came out against it but did not find the
right agency that could execute the idea adhering to the outlined procedures. A culmination of these
voices is what forms the support base of the Anna Hazare Movement. Rebellious to a level, they still
seek constitutional remedies. Anna initiated his movement in 2011, yet till date very few changes have
actually materialized.
In extreme conditions when people are denied the recognition of their ideas they resort to
violent means leading to undesirable consequences. Not all ideas may be suitable for execution but they
definitely deserve to be heard and thought about. Movements like those led by Anna Hazare emphasize
the fact that it is time our society opens up to new ideas and accept the changes that would lead to its
betterment. It is necessary to work around the defined rules to maximize the output of the society in the
different spheres of life.
To Spin A Yarn
By Rimjhim Roy, II Year
I sat and looked out of the tiny opening in the tent, waiting for my sons to return from the terrible war they had had to fight against their own kin. The sun was setting, dispersing its reddish yellow hue all over the sky. I sat, eyes fixed on the field and reflected upon the happenings of the day before-anticipating the consequences of a man's promise, wondering what grief this evening would hold for me.
The day before, Krishna and my son's, the Pandavas, had returned from the battlefield, an amalgamation of joy, sadness and despair coursing through their veins. The day had been successful. They had managed to kill their Guru, Drona, while he served in the capacity of the commander of the Kauravas. Now their next hurdle was to deal with Duryodhana's friend, Karna.
Karna had faced immense humiliation throughout his life from the Pandavas. He was bound to avenge this humiliation when he took command.My sons deliberated on how to tackle him. Arjuna, famed throughout the kingdom as a highly skilled archer was confident that he could do it single-hndedly, and perhaps he could, but Krishna, was not so sure. The rest of the Pandavas offered suggestions on various means to deal with him. Yudhishthira wanted to trap him, Bhima wanted to crush him with his bare hands. However, Krishna, he wanted to play with his psyche. It would indeed be a difficult task to sway someone as rooted, as patient, as tolerant as Karna. They thought a lot, deliberated, debated, suggested ideas which they thought would distract Karna, and shared their opinions, until Krishna unveiled his master plan. Slowly, and thoughtfully, while sipping on his Soma, he gave his wicked half-smile and suggested, " Why don't we tell Karna that he is actually one of us- a Pandava, Kunti's first born, and your eldest brother? Perhaps the burden of this 'truth' would make Karna sway,and soften his stand. Perhaps then he'd show some mercy?"
There was a silence-one of those rare silences in which silence itself shudders. My breath went still for a moment. A blur of thoughts passed through my mind. " Really, but how could..?! No, it couldn't be...It was well guarded...but, what if.."
My thoughts went wild. And then there was a burst of laughter. Nobody could believe that Krishna had said something so outrageously unbelievable. The man, whom they had belittled all their lives could not possibly have their blood running in his veins. It was unthinkable. But my sons also agreed that it was the best possible idea anyone could think of. But then another problem arose. Who could be so wily that they could make Karna believe this un-truth?
They put their heads together and thought until I quietly suggested that I would do it. After all, who better than Karna's own 'mother" to break the news to him and persuade him o show mercy on his brothers. " Who better indeed?" said Arjuna, "Maa could pull it off without a flaw. Who better than our mother, to spin this yarn?" Thus convinced, they rejoiced at the prospect of having found a brilliant strategy and filed out of the tent.
I went out in search of Karna.Quietly, slowly, I went and stood behind a tree observing his movements, waiting for him to complete his evening prayers. Karna sensed my presence and perhaps my purpose as well. "So have you come to seek mercy for your sons, now?" he asked, "Because if you have, I apologise, but that is one thing I cannot grant." He seemed firm in his resolve until I told him the true purpose of my visit.
"Mother, the world knows that you have five sons. When this war ends, you will have five sons and one of them will be an archer. I cannot promise more than that."
And after extracting this promise, I left Karna to his fate, assured that at least five of my sons would be alive the next day. Perhaps it would be wrong of me to expect more than that. I quietly entered the tent and couldn't help but realize, with some relief, that the Pandavas had almost stumbled upon the truth today. But I guess luck was in my favour and they believed it to be just one of Krishna's many tales.
By Rimjhim Roy, II Year
I sat and looked out of the tiny opening in the tent, waiting for my sons to return from the terrible war they had had to fight against their own kin. The sun was setting, dispersing its reddish yellow hue all over the sky. I sat, eyes fixed on the field and reflected upon the happenings of the day before-anticipating the consequences of a man's promise, wondering what grief this evening would hold for me.
The day before, Krishna and my son's, the Pandavas, had returned from the battlefield, an amalgamation of joy, sadness and despair coursing through their veins. The day had been successful. They had managed to kill their Guru, Drona, while he served in the capacity of the commander of the Kauravas. Now their next hurdle was to deal with Duryodhana's friend, Karna.
Karna had faced immense humiliation throughout his life from the Pandavas. He was bound to avenge this humiliation when he took command.My sons deliberated on how to tackle him. Arjuna, famed throughout the kingdom as a highly skilled archer was confident that he could do it single-hndedly, and perhaps he could, but Krishna, was not so sure. The rest of the Pandavas offered suggestions on various means to deal with him. Yudhishthira wanted to trap him, Bhima wanted to crush him with his bare hands. However, Krishna, he wanted to play with his psyche. It would indeed be a difficult task to sway someone as rooted, as patient, as tolerant as Karna. They thought a lot, deliberated, debated, suggested ideas which they thought would distract Karna, and shared their opinions, until Krishna unveiled his master plan. Slowly, and thoughtfully, while sipping on his Soma, he gave his wicked half-smile and suggested, " Why don't we tell Karna that he is actually one of us- a Pandava, Kunti's first born, and your eldest brother? Perhaps the burden of this 'truth' would make Karna sway,and soften his stand. Perhaps then he'd show some mercy?"
There was a silence-one of those rare silences in which silence itself shudders. My breath went still for a moment. A blur of thoughts passed through my mind. " Really, but how could..?! No, it couldn't be...It was well guarded...but, what if.."
My thoughts went wild. And then there was a burst of laughter. Nobody could believe that Krishna had said something so outrageously unbelievable. The man, whom they had belittled all their lives could not possibly have their blood running in his veins. It was unthinkable. But my sons also agreed that it was the best possible idea anyone could think of. But then another problem arose. Who could be so wily that they could make Karna believe this un-truth?
They put their heads together and thought until I quietly suggested that I would do it. After all, who better than Karna's own 'mother" to break the news to him and persuade him o show mercy on his brothers. " Who better indeed?" said Arjuna, "Maa could pull it off without a flaw. Who better than our mother, to spin this yarn?" Thus convinced, they rejoiced at the prospect of having found a brilliant strategy and filed out of the tent.
I went out in search of Karna.Quietly, slowly, I went and stood behind a tree observing his movements, waiting for him to complete his evening prayers. Karna sensed my presence and perhaps my purpose as well. "So have you come to seek mercy for your sons, now?" he asked, "Because if you have, I apologise, but that is one thing I cannot grant." He seemed firm in his resolve until I told him the true purpose of my visit.
"Mother, the world knows that you have five sons. When this war ends, you will have five sons and one of them will be an archer. I cannot promise more than that."
And after extracting this promise, I left Karna to his fate, assured that at least five of my sons would be alive the next day. Perhaps it would be wrong of me to expect more than that. I quietly entered the tent and couldn't help but realize, with some relief, that the Pandavas had almost stumbled upon the truth today. But I guess luck was in my favour and they believed it to be just one of Krishna's many tales.
“BECAUSE EVERY DAY IS HISTORICAL”
by Suhanjali Santha, II Year
OCTOBER
October 1
The first World Series Baseball game put on display at the Library of
Congress, 1944
October 2
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on this day in 1869, to
commemorate his birthday it is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti.
The Declaration of Independence, and other historic documents that had
been sent away from Washington, D.C. in December 1941 for safekeeping,
were returned and g World War II, 1943
October3
President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November,
Thanksgiving Day, 1863
The first woman U.S. senator, Mrs. W.H. Felton, age 87 of Cartersville,
Georgia, was appointed by Governor Thomas W. Hardwick of Georgia, to
the seat vacated by the death of Senator Thomas E. Watson. Voters chose
a successor that November, 1922
October 4
Construction of the ironclad ship, the Monitor, was authorized by the U.S.
Navy, 1861
Germany requested armistice during World War I, 1918
October 5
The first radio broadcast of the World Series occurred, 1921
The first nonstop flight across the Pacific Ocean was completed by
Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn, who flew from Sabishiro, Japan to
Wenatchee, Washington, a distance of 4860 miles, in 41 hours, 13 minutes,
1932
October 6
The American Pharmaceutical Association, the first nationwide
organization of its type, was founded in Philadelphia, 1853
Investigation began concerning rigged television game shows, 1956
The first woman university president in the United States, Hannah H.
Gray, was inaugurated at the University of Chicago, 1978
October 7
The first Colonial Congress met, 1765
The first practical folding machine to fold book and newspaper sheets was
patented by Cyrus Chambers, Jr., a Pennsylvania inventor, 1857
October 8
A telegraph line opened from Los Angeles to San Francisco, 1860
Franklin Pierce, fourteenth President of the United States, died at the age
of 64 in Concord, New Hampshire, 1869
October 9
Leif Ericson discovered Vinland, 1000
The Iceman Cometh, a play by Eugene O'Neill, opened at the Martin Beck
Theatre in New York City, 1946
October 10
The United States Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, Maryland. It
combined at one site a group of schools previously located in the port cities
of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Norfolk, 1845
The waterway across the Isthmus of Panama was completed when the
Gamboa Dike was blown up. President Woodrow Wilson set off the
explosion by pressing an electric button at the White House, 1914
October 11
The first steam-powered ferryboat, "Juliana" began operation, 1811
Kathy Sullivan was the first woman to walk in space this day, 1984
October 12
Columbus arrived with expedition in the present-day Bahamas, (Old Style
calendar; Oct.21, New Style), 1492
The first celebration of Columbus Day in America was held in New York
October 13
Roman emperor Claudius I died, A.D. 54
Italy declared war on Germany. The new Italian government was headed
by Pietro Badaglio. Mussolini, who had been arrested, was rescued by
German commandos led by Colonel Otto Skorzeny. Mussolini then formed
a new fascist government in northern Italy, 1943
October 14
The first mechanical switchboard was installed in the New York City
telephone system, and the exchange was called "Pennsylvania," 1923
German Field Marshall Rommel committed suicide rather than face
execution for conspiring against Hitler, 1944
October 15
The Edison Electric Light Company was founded at 65 Fifth Avenue, New
York, 1878.
The first American fishing journal, the American Angler, was published in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1881
October16
The Tremont Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, the first luxurious hotel in
America, opened its doors with a dollar-a-plate dinner, attended by Daniel
Webster and Edward Everett. This 170-room hotel offered many first-time
luxuries and conveniences such as private bedrooms with door locks, soap
and a pitcher of water in each room, indoor toilets (eight water closets),
menus in the dining room, room clerks, and bellboys. Many architects in
the future used the Tremont as a model for other luxury hotels, 1829
Anesthesia was given its first public demonstration before other doctors
by William T.G. Morton, a Boston dentist. Morton administered sulfuric
ether during an operation performed by John Collins Warren at the
Massachusetts General Hospital. Earlier on September 30, Morton had
painlessly removed an ulcerated tooth from a patient anesthetized by
ether, 1847
October 17
Columbus sighted the isle of San Salvador, 1492
President James Carter signed a bill restoring U.S. citizenship to Jefferson
Davis and Robert E. Lee, 1978
October 18
Alaska's flag was first raised, 1867
The sand blaster was patented, 1870
First Lady Bess Truman died, 1982
October 19
The Hundred Years War ended, 1453
The Concorde SST made its first flight from France to Kennedy Airport
in New York, 1978 (The Concorde SSThad already begun flights to
Washington, D.C., in May, 1978)
October 20
The United States Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, 1803
President Herbert Hoover died in New York City, 1964
October 21
A new typewriting speed record was established by Margaret B. Owen in
New York City, when she typed 170 words a minute with no errors, 1918
October 22
Sam Houston was sworn as the first president of the Republic of Texas,
1836
Airplanes were first used on battlegrounds, 1911
October 23
Blanche Scott, was the first woman to solo in an airplane, 1910
The first horseshoe pitching contest was held, 1915
October24
A patent was issued for the safety match, 1826
The first Pony Express ride ended, 1861
October 25
The "Charge of Light Brigade" occurred during the Crimean War, 1854
First Lady Caroline Harrison died in Washington, D.C., of Typhoid fever,
1892
October 26
The Erie Canal was opened, 1825
The International Atomic Energy Agency was established, 1956
October 27
The Federalist Papers first appeared in a New York newspaper, 1787
President Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City, 1858
October 28
Harvard College was founded, 1636
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor by President
Grover Cleveland, 1886
October 29
Sir Walter Raleigh was executed in London, 1618
The New York Stock Market crash occurred, 1929
October 30
President John Adams was born at Braintree (Quincy) Massachusetts,
1735
George Washington established the U.S. Cavalry, 1776
October 31
General Winfield Scott, the greatest U.S. military commander since the
War of 1812, retired as commander-in-chief of the Army at the age of 75,
1861
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh security guards, 1984
by Suhanjali Santha, II Year
OCTOBER
October 1
The first World Series Baseball game put on display at the Library of
Congress, 1944
October 2
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on this day in 1869, to
commemorate his birthday it is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti.
The Declaration of Independence, and other historic documents that had
been sent away from Washington, D.C. in December 1941 for safekeeping,
were returned and g World War II, 1943
October3
President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November,
Thanksgiving Day, 1863
The first woman U.S. senator, Mrs. W.H. Felton, age 87 of Cartersville,
Georgia, was appointed by Governor Thomas W. Hardwick of Georgia, to
the seat vacated by the death of Senator Thomas E. Watson. Voters chose
a successor that November, 1922
October 4
Construction of the ironclad ship, the Monitor, was authorized by the U.S.
Navy, 1861
Germany requested armistice during World War I, 1918
October 5
The first radio broadcast of the World Series occurred, 1921
The first nonstop flight across the Pacific Ocean was completed by
Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn, who flew from Sabishiro, Japan to
Wenatchee, Washington, a distance of 4860 miles, in 41 hours, 13 minutes,
1932
October 6
The American Pharmaceutical Association, the first nationwide
organization of its type, was founded in Philadelphia, 1853
Investigation began concerning rigged television game shows, 1956
The first woman university president in the United States, Hannah H.
Gray, was inaugurated at the University of Chicago, 1978
October 7
The first Colonial Congress met, 1765
The first practical folding machine to fold book and newspaper sheets was
patented by Cyrus Chambers, Jr., a Pennsylvania inventor, 1857
October 8
A telegraph line opened from Los Angeles to San Francisco, 1860
Franklin Pierce, fourteenth President of the United States, died at the age
of 64 in Concord, New Hampshire, 1869
October 9
Leif Ericson discovered Vinland, 1000
The Iceman Cometh, a play by Eugene O'Neill, opened at the Martin Beck
Theatre in New York City, 1946
October 10
The United States Naval Academy opened in Annapolis, Maryland. It
combined at one site a group of schools previously located in the port cities
of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Norfolk, 1845
The waterway across the Isthmus of Panama was completed when the
Gamboa Dike was blown up. President Woodrow Wilson set off the
explosion by pressing an electric button at the White House, 1914
October 11
The first steam-powered ferryboat, "Juliana" began operation, 1811
Kathy Sullivan was the first woman to walk in space this day, 1984
October 12
Columbus arrived with expedition in the present-day Bahamas, (Old Style
calendar; Oct.21, New Style), 1492
The first celebration of Columbus Day in America was held in New York
October 13
Roman emperor Claudius I died, A.D. 54
Italy declared war on Germany. The new Italian government was headed
by Pietro Badaglio. Mussolini, who had been arrested, was rescued by
German commandos led by Colonel Otto Skorzeny. Mussolini then formed
a new fascist government in northern Italy, 1943
October 14
The first mechanical switchboard was installed in the New York City
telephone system, and the exchange was called "Pennsylvania," 1923
German Field Marshall Rommel committed suicide rather than face
execution for conspiring against Hitler, 1944
October 15
The Edison Electric Light Company was founded at 65 Fifth Avenue, New
York, 1878.
The first American fishing journal, the American Angler, was published in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1881
October16
The Tremont Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, the first luxurious hotel in
America, opened its doors with a dollar-a-plate dinner, attended by Daniel
Webster and Edward Everett. This 170-room hotel offered many first-time
luxuries and conveniences such as private bedrooms with door locks, soap
and a pitcher of water in each room, indoor toilets (eight water closets),
menus in the dining room, room clerks, and bellboys. Many architects in
the future used the Tremont as a model for other luxury hotels, 1829
Anesthesia was given its first public demonstration before other doctors
by William T.G. Morton, a Boston dentist. Morton administered sulfuric
ether during an operation performed by John Collins Warren at the
Massachusetts General Hospital. Earlier on September 30, Morton had
painlessly removed an ulcerated tooth from a patient anesthetized by
ether, 1847
October 17
Columbus sighted the isle of San Salvador, 1492
President James Carter signed a bill restoring U.S. citizenship to Jefferson
Davis and Robert E. Lee, 1978
October 18
Alaska's flag was first raised, 1867
The sand blaster was patented, 1870
First Lady Bess Truman died, 1982
October 19
The Hundred Years War ended, 1453
The Concorde SST made its first flight from France to Kennedy Airport
in New York, 1978 (The Concorde SSThad already begun flights to
Washington, D.C., in May, 1978)
October 20
The United States Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, 1803
President Herbert Hoover died in New York City, 1964
October 21
A new typewriting speed record was established by Margaret B. Owen in
New York City, when she typed 170 words a minute with no errors, 1918
October 22
Sam Houston was sworn as the first president of the Republic of Texas,
1836
Airplanes were first used on battlegrounds, 1911
October 23
Blanche Scott, was the first woman to solo in an airplane, 1910
The first horseshoe pitching contest was held, 1915
October24
A patent was issued for the safety match, 1826
The first Pony Express ride ended, 1861
October 25
The "Charge of Light Brigade" occurred during the Crimean War, 1854
First Lady Caroline Harrison died in Washington, D.C., of Typhoid fever,
1892
October 26
The Erie Canal was opened, 1825
The International Atomic Energy Agency was established, 1956
October 27
The Federalist Papers first appeared in a New York newspaper, 1787
President Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City, 1858
October 28
Harvard College was founded, 1636
The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor by President
Grover Cleveland, 1886
October 29
Sir Walter Raleigh was executed in London, 1618
The New York Stock Market crash occurred, 1929
October 30
President John Adams was born at Braintree (Quincy) Massachusetts,
1735
George Washington established the U.S. Cavalry, 1776
October 31
General Winfield Scott, the greatest U.S. military commander since the
War of 1812, retired as commander-in-chief of the Army at the age of 75,
1861
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh security guards, 1984
I want to build with you.
by Sarah Ahmad, I Year
To be laborers sweating, construction workers, on a hot summer day, sweat rolling down the doughy lines of my back.
Perspiration, aching arms; sweet worldly proof of the weight of loving you.
We would stand on the edges of a rusty wire fence, awkwardly squinting into the sandy rock we would dig together. And we would dig, shovel scraping away, not talking much because this is all about real things, like how clothes stick to you and squelch when you pull them away, or how wet salty strands sticking to the nape of your neck is really not any kind of any Saki romantic.
I would see your hands tremble, your teeth grit, when rocks and gravel warm with the sun wouldn’t give in, and I would do nothing, say nothing, and we would go on, deeper, quietly, because we want to create something grand, and to lay the bricks, bury them alive, in safe secure graves, lay us immortal. Touching metal implements, our caked fingers mellow baking with their burn, false tribal tan streaks on our forehead.
In concrete and lime fizzle, I will leave the delicacy of words and all the riddles of language far behind. In so much time and so many confessions, what good have we come to, really?
Let’s make this up, make our own shade and shelter, holding bricks together with a mesh of patched up jeans and grey shirts which will always reek of exhaustion.
I want to build with you, that’s just how you make me feel.
by Sarah Ahmad, I Year
To be laborers sweating, construction workers, on a hot summer day, sweat rolling down the doughy lines of my back.
Perspiration, aching arms; sweet worldly proof of the weight of loving you.
We would stand on the edges of a rusty wire fence, awkwardly squinting into the sandy rock we would dig together. And we would dig, shovel scraping away, not talking much because this is all about real things, like how clothes stick to you and squelch when you pull them away, or how wet salty strands sticking to the nape of your neck is really not any kind of any Saki romantic.
I would see your hands tremble, your teeth grit, when rocks and gravel warm with the sun wouldn’t give in, and I would do nothing, say nothing, and we would go on, deeper, quietly, because we want to create something grand, and to lay the bricks, bury them alive, in safe secure graves, lay us immortal. Touching metal implements, our caked fingers mellow baking with their burn, false tribal tan streaks on our forehead.
In concrete and lime fizzle, I will leave the delicacy of words and all the riddles of language far behind. In so much time and so many confessions, what good have we come to, really?
Let’s make this up, make our own shade and shelter, holding bricks together with a mesh of patched up jeans and grey shirts which will always reek of exhaustion.
I want to build with you, that’s just how you make me feel.