A Visit to A Historical Building

            The Taj Mahal is a myth, a myth if the deathless beauty of the formless death that begets life eternal. This life is carved in the whiteness of milky marble of the Taj.
            I, too, could not express my enchanted wonder when I caught the first fleeting glimpse of that world-famous historical building, —the Taj Mahal. When I first set my eyes on the Taj from the window of my speeding train, I was simply amazed and awed to see its majestic minars. Then when on the next day I actually stood in front of the Taj. I was wonder-struck and I stood speechless.  My steadfast gaze feasted on the beauty of the marble-dream bathed in the bright beams of the young sun. After a long spell of reverie, I slowly traversed the garden- path to the tomb. The tomb stood on a big platform of white marble with magnificent minaret on each side. The main dome was hundred feet high. The mortal remains of Mumtaz and Shahjahan lay buried in the tomb. Architecturally every inch of the Taj is the creation of exquisite art. The walls are decorated with precious multicolored stones, — giving out a bright rainbow-like sheen.
            But the Taj must be visited in the moonlight that enhances its beauty thousand times. Fortunately, it was the full-moon when I visited The Taj next time. The sublime experience beggars description. The moonlit Taj seemed to stand like a poet’s dream conic true. The Taj is beyond Time. She is great in her reality, she is greater in reminiscences.

Rural Reporting

Points: Powers Villages neglected in the reports — False notions about village life prevail — New attention to rural reporting.

            Literacy has spread in our country. Al a result, more people now read newspapers. Newspapers print news and stories. But the villages are still neglected in them. The reporters are educated men of towns and cities. The readers, too, are mostly urban or semi-urban. That is why village scenes are not properly represented in the reporting’s. Only sensational news of the rural areas — murder, arson, robbery are reported.
            The reports present the rural world as either romantic and pastoral or base and primitive. Both the views are wrong. The villagers are poor, and they work hard for producing food grains. They have also their own beautiful cultures — the folk song, folk dance and the festivals and fairs.
            Now more attention is being paid to rural reporting. And the rural scenes and events are becoming more popular. Specially trained reporters are being sent to villages who can mix with the rural people more easily. Lady reporters are also going to villages. They are able to report on the conditions of women and children. Reporting on drinking water, health, sanitation, child care, local recreation etc. is assuming more importance now-a-days. Some of the reports have proved to be an eye-opener to the whole society.

The Non-aligned Movement

Points: The world divided between two super-powers — India and the non-aligned movement — The role of the non-aligned movement in the present world.

            The world is now divided, into two power blocs. One is led by U.S.A. and the other by U.S.S.R. America and Russia are two superpowers. Their rivalry causes anxiety. It may, we fear, lead to nuclear war, and total destruction of mankind.
            The non-aligned nations are a third force between the two power blocs. India, for example, does not belong to any power bloc. It is non-aligned. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the first spokesman of the non-aligned movement. Today more than one hundred nations are members of the non-aligned movement. Our Prime Minister is the present chairman of the Non-aligned Conference. The growing strength of the nonaligned nations is a great hope for mankind. It can keep off war and strengthen world peace. The nations freed from colonial rule are all joining the non-aligned group. For, they need peace for the reconstruction of their countries and for their rapid economic development.
            It is not correct to say that non-alignment means maintaining equidistance between the two super-Powers. During the Viet-Nam War, India was not last aloof, she condemned the America intervention.
            About Afghanistan, too, India does not support the presence of foreign troops indefinitely. The non-aligned nations take their stand judging each case on merit. The countries that are bound by military pacts like the NATO and the Warsaw Pact have no option. But the non aligned countries have their options. The non-aligned nations together command a great moral force in the world today.

Abolition of English from Primary Education

Points: Recent controversy — Importance utility of English remains — Practical considerations should prevail over theories.

            For many years English is being taught in India. But recently there was a government circular that English was to be abolished from the Primary stage in West Bengal. Naturally there was a long controversy over the issue.
            Why such a circular was necessary just now is not clear. English was retained because it certainly had its utility. Its utility still remains.That is why outside Primary schools many Spoken English Schools and institutions have sprung up. When English will cease to have any utility, it will automatically wither away. But just now we see that demand for English has increased rather than decreased. So the thought of abolition of English from any stage should be suspended now. The option should be there. If anybody chooses to learn English be should be allowed even at the primary stage. Theoretical debates should not override practical considerations.
            Something may sound excellent in theory but may not be so in practice. All theories about child education are such things. Monolingualism may be ideal. But in a country like India bilingualism, even multilingualism, cannot be helped. Moreover, the importance or utility of English is so great in the world today that its abolition directly or indirectly will be unfortunate.

Late Running of Trains

Points: Late running of trains a nuisance — Time-table to be followed strictly — Causes of late running should be rectified.

            Late running of trains is a nuisance. If anywhere punctuality is essential, it is in the railways. All trains should depart and arrive on right times, otherwise the time-table will be a mockery. Late running of trains means late arrivals. Suppose a train which was to arrive in the evening arrives at midnight. The harassment of the passengers can be easily imagined.
            The time-table should be fixed after trial runs. Sufficient allowance should be given for possible delay or slowness. But once a timetable is finalized, the trains must maintain the timing. Strict discipline has to be imposed in this matter. If late running of trains be tolerated we will allow all kinds of slackness in other fields also.
            The causes of the late running of trains should be ascertained. In many suburban sections there are no double lines. As a result, an up train has to be detained for ‘crossing’ till a down train arrives there. The trains carrying commuters to office get priority over other trains. Then the vacuum chain is pulled very often on flimsy grounds. This halts a train and causes delay. Failure of electricity, defective signals and other mechanical faults are also responsible for late running of rains. These should be looked into carefully and remedied.

A Street-corner Meeting

Points: A common sight — Held for different purposes — Description of an interesting street-corner meeting.

             Street-Corner meetings are held very often. They are held on various issues. Usually small groups of people organize such meetings. A person is seen standing on a soap-box and making speeches. Most often there is no microphone the speaker has to shout’ at the top of his voice. He collects a small crowd around him. Persons come and go, but the crowd remains.
             Street-corner meetings may be for political agitation or for ventilating certain public grievances. Sometimes people sell cheap things by organizing street corner-meetings. They are usually held in the evening and near crossroads.
             I once witnessed a very interesting street-corner meeting. A number of young men and women gathered at the crossing of Mahatma Gandhi Road and Bidhan Sarani. The place was not far from Calcutta University and the Coffee House. They were carrying a placard containing a slogan ‘Read More Poetry.’ Soon after the meeting started, a young looking poet made a short speech. He said by ‘poetry’ one should mean only ‘modern poetry.’ All other poetry, he said, was trash. The poet-speaker recited poems after poems from Jibanananda Das. I had never witnessed such a literary street-corner meeting before. ‘Read More Poetry’ sounded to me very much Like ‘Grow More Food.’

Suggestions for Improving the Radio or TV Progremme

  Points: Programmes should be more imaginative — News bulletins and interviews — Some innovations to be included.

             Radio or Television is an essential part of modern life. It both entertains and educates us. But if it programmes lack voracity or imagination, they may be boring.
             So far as news bulletins are concerned, they should he direct and clear. Long and complex sentences should be avoided. A newspaper story may be elaborate, for we can read a sentence twice. But what we listen over the radio or TV we listen only once. So everything is not suitable for a radio or TV programme. Long talks, thus, are not suitable. Interviews and cultural features are good. But radio programme should be very lengthy. There should be more rural and youth programmes. Live broadcasts or telecasts from country fairs will he appreciated.
             Many innovations may be suggested. We are now living in a Space Age. Direct communications between the satellites, and the earth should be included in regular radio or TV programmes. Every week there should be a Library Hour. This should be devoted entirely to our past, to our celebrated men and their works in various fields of life. Here we can hear the recorded voice of famous men, recitals by poets and artistes, famous speeches from history and so on. The last two minutes of each hour may be kept reserved for important news in brief. The art of storytelling, specially telling of fairytales, is dying out. Expert storytelling mothers or grandmothers should be engaged in children’s programme for this purpose.