आर्थिक व्यवस्था आणि समाज: परस्पर संबंध

  आर्य चाणक्य म्हणतात, 

"सुखस्य मुलं धर्म:। धर्मस्य मुलं अर्थ:।

अर्थस्य मुलं राज्यम्। राज्यस्य मुलं इंद्रियजय:।

हा श्लोक अतिशय स्वयंस्पष्ट आहे. भारतीय राज्य, समाजाची रचना, अर्थव्यवस्थेचा आधार, आर्थिक उन्नतीबाबत समाजाची धारणा भारतीय विचारात खूप स्पष्ट आहे. वेदकालापासून भारतीय विचार संपत्ती निर्माण यावर भर देतो. भारतीय विचारात गरिबीचे उदात्तीकरण नाही. भारतीय विचारात चार पुरुषार्थ सांगितले आहेत. धर्म, अर्थ, काम आणि मोक्ष. हे पुरुषार्थ सांगतानाही भारतीय विचार 'नाती चरामि' असे बंधनही घालतो. वेदांचा तो अर्थ आम्हासची ठावा म्हणणारे संत तुकाराम म्हणतात, 

"जोडोनियां धन उत्तम व्यवहारे।

उदास विचारे वेच करी।।

या उदास विचारे वेच करी मध्ये आपल्या धनाचा, संपत्तीचा गर्व असू नये. संपत्ती निर्माण, धनसंचय हा कोणाला लुबाडून, फसवून करू नये, हाच विचार आहे. 

भारतीय संस्कृती-सभ्यतेचा पाया हे वेद वाङ्मय आहे. अभ्यासक श्री प्रसाद जोशी यांनी 'Concept of Wealth in Vedic Culture' या प्रदीर्घ लेखात वेदातील संपत्तीची कल्पना उलगडून सांगितली आहे.

वेदात अभ्युदय आणि पुरुषार्थ अशा प्रमुख कल्पना मांडण्यात आलेल्या आहेत. 

अभ्युदय यात व्यक्ती, कुटुंबाच्या भौतिक संपन्नेतचा, प्रगतीचा विचार अभिप्रेत आहे. संपत्ती निर्मिती, अधिकाधिक संपत्ती मिळवण्याची ओढ सार्वत्रिक असते. म्हणजेच अभ्युदयाची ओढ नैसर्गिक असते. आणि ती असलीच पाहिजे. पण भारतीय विचार कुठल्याच अतिरेकाकडे जात नाही. कुठल्याच प्रकारच्या अतिरेकाचे समर्थन करत नाही. 

एका बाजूला अभ्युदयाची संकल्पना आहे, त्याचे स्वागत आहे, तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला ते 'निःश्रेयस' असावे अशीही संकल्पना आहे. श्रेयस, जे उत्तम आहे त्याची आराधना तर निःश्रेयस विचारात आहे हेच उत्तम आहे आणि याहून अधिक चांगले काही असू शकत नाही असे मानणे अध्याहृत आहे. निःश्रेयस हे अंतिम ध्येय आहे, किंबहुना असावे अशी ती संकल्पना आहे. 

आर्थिक व्यवस्था आणि त्या अनुषंगाने सामाजिक व्यवस्था हे सातत्याने बदलणारे घटक आहेत. प्राचीन आणि मध्ययुगीन काळात आर्थिक व्यवस्थेतील बदलांची गती संथ होती. या बदलांमागील कारणे नैसर्गिक आणि मानवनिर्मित असत. नैसर्गिक कारणांत अर्थातच वादळ, दुष्काळ, पूर, रोगराई इत्यादी करणे तर मानवनिर्मित कारणांत प्रामुख्याने युद्धांचा समावेश असे. व्यवस्था बदल आणि सामाजिक स्थित्यंतराची गती वाढली आधुनिक काळात आणि त्यामागचे सर्वात महत्त्वाचे कारण औद्योगिक क्रांती. या औद्योगिक क्रांतीने विज्ञान-तंत्रज्ञान विकासाची जणू स्पर्धा लागली. 

औद्योगिक क्रांतीनंतर युरोपात गरीब मजूर आणि श्रीमंत यांच्यातील दरी वाढत गेली. त्याचबबरोबर हेही तितकेच खरे आहे की मध्यमवर्ग हा एक नवा वर्ग उदयाला येत गेला. यंत्राधारित कारखानदारी, औद्योगिक मजूर, त्यांचे होणारे शोषण ही समस्या अधिकाधिक ठळक होत गेली. औद्योगिक क्रांतीपासूनच्या शंभर वर्षात कार्ल मार्क्स आणि त्यांचा कॅपिटल हा ग्रंथ आला. ज्याने त्यापासूनच्या पुढल्या साधारण शंभर वर्षात जग दोन विचारधारांत विभागले जाण्याची आणि त्यातील शीतयुद्धाची बीज रोवली. 

एका बाजूला समाजवाद, साम्यवाद हा सामूहिक विचार तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला पराकोटीचा व्यक्तिकेंद्रित भांडवलवाद वाढत गेला. या भांडवलवादी व्यवस्थेत उपभोगवाद, चंगळवाद मोठ्या प्रमाणात वाढला. व्यवस्था आणि सामाजिक बदलांचा हा झपाटा प्रचंड होता. उलटणाऱ्या काळाबरोबर हा वेग वाढतच चालला आहे. 

या सर्व जागतिक उलथापालथी मध्ये भारत कोठे होता? युरोपात औद्योगिक क्रांती सुरु असताना भारत एका राजकीय-सामाजिक घुसळणीतून जात होता. औद्योगिक क्रांती १७५० पासून सुरु झाली आणि त्याच काळात भारतात ब्रिटिश ईस्ट इंडिया कंपनीचा प्लासी-बक्सार पासून राजकीय विस्तार सुरु झाला. भारतात देखील तिथपासूनच्या शंभर वर्षात आधुनिक ब्रिटिश शिक्षणव्यवस्था स्थापित झाली, ब्रिटिश उद्योग, ब्रिटिश सरकारी व्यवस्था यातून भारतात देखील शहरी मध्यमवर्ग वाढीला लागला. 

भारतातील औद्योगिक प्रगतीचा, आर्थिक प्रगतीचा वेग युरोपापेक्षा निश्चितच खूप कमी होता. वास्तविक भारतात होणारी आर्थिक प्रगती ही भारताच्या आर्थिक शोषणाची, लुटीची द्योतक होती. पण व्यवस्था पातळीवर, सामाजिक पातळीवर निश्चित बदल घडत होते. सामाजिक-धार्मिक सुधारणांचा वेग वाढला तो ब्रिटिश शिक्षणामुळे की ब्रिटिशांच्या अंकित झाल्यामुळे आलेल्या अंतर्मुखतेतुन या वादात न पडता वस्तुस्थिती मान्य केली पाहिजे की बदल घडत गेले. 

या सर्व पार्श्वभूमीवर ज्येष्ठ आणि श्रेष्ठ अर्थतज्ज्ञ एस. गुरुमूर्ती यांना विचारात घेतले पाहिजे. ते मांडतात की महायुधोत्तर काळात विकसित राष्ट्रांनी, महासत्तांनी अविकसित देशांसाठी 'One Size Fits All' हे धोरण स्वीकारले. या अंतर्गत अविकसित देशांत आर्थिक शिक्षणात, आर्थिक सिद्धांत मांडताना तसेच धोरण निश्चिती करताना सर्व ऐतिहासिक धारणा, ऐतिहासिक ठेवा, संस्था बरखास्त करुन, मोडीत काढाव्या असा दृष्टीकोन होता. त्याजागी पाश्चात्त्य विचारावर आधारित संस्था, सिद्धांत आणि धोरण असावे. त्यायोगे जागतिकीकरणाची प्रक्रिया अधिक वेगवान होईल, वाद आणि वादाचे मुद्दे कमी होतील. उदारमतवादी, लोकशाही विचारांचा विजय होईल आणि खुली बाजारव्यवस्था अस्तित्वात येईल. थोडक्यात उपभोगवादी, चंगळवादी मानसिकता कशी वाढत जाईल, कंपन्या आणि त्यांच्या उत्पादनांना नवनवीन बाजारपेठा कशा खुल्या होत जातील यावर अधिकाधिक भर होता. किंबहुना आजही आहे. 

गुरमूर्ती यांनी भारताच्या संदर्भात कुटुंब हा घटक खूप महत्त्वाचा मानला आहे. कुटुंब हे भारताचे 'सोशल कॅपिटल' आहे अशी मांडणी ते करतात जे खरेच आहे. जगभरातल्या कंपन्यांनी भारतात मार्केटिंग, जाहिराती यांचा भडीमार करुन लोकांना अधिकाधिक खरेदी करण्यास उद्युक्त करण्याचा प्रयत्न केला, अजूनही केला जातो, किंबहुना तो होतच राहणार आहे. भारतीयांनी बचत कमी करावी अधिकाधिक खर्च करावा यावर भर दिला गेला. पण एक बोलकी आकडेवारी भारतीयांची बचत करण्याची मानसिकता दर्शवते. वर्ष १९९१ मध्ये भारतातील एकूण २३% बचतीपैकी कौटुंबिक बचत ही १९% होती. हे वर्ष महत्त्वाचे आहे, कारण उदारीकरण, खासगीकरण, जागतिकीकरण हे धोरण याच वर्षी मोठ्या प्रमाणात अंगिकारले गेले होते. 

देशात नवनवीन कंपन्या येत होत्या, आयात अधिक खुली झाल्यामुळे बाहेरच्या देशातील वस्तूंचा पुरवठा वाढला होता. त्याचबरोबर धोरणे देखील लोकांना अधिकाधिक खरेदीला उद्युक्त करणारी आखली जात होती. पण २०१३ ची आकडेवारी सांगते की भारताची एकूण बचत होती ३७% आणि त्यात कौटुंबिक बचतीचा भाग २९% होता. या काळात भारतीयांनी खरेदी कमी केली आणि बचतीवरच अधिक लक्ष दिले का? तर तसे नाही, भारतात थेटग परकीय गुंतवणूक, खासगी क्षेत्राच्या वाढीमुळे आणि सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे IT क्षेत्राच्या वाढीमुळे मध्यमवर्ग प्रचंड मोठ्या प्रमाणात वाढला. त्याचे उत्पन्न वाढले, क्रयशक्ती वाढली. १०० लोकांनी त्यांच्या उत्पन्नातील ३ रुपये बचत करणे आणि १०००० लोकांनी करणे यात संख्येचा जो फरक होतो तोच प्रतीत होतो. 

वर्ष २०१४ नंतर आर्थिक व्यवस्थेत काही मूलभूत बदल करणारे निर्णय घेण्यात आले. जागतिक पटलावर काही घटना अशा घडल्या की जागतिक अर्थव्यवस्था, समाजव्यवस्था ढवळून निघाली. 

भारतात एका बाजूला 'अंत्योदय' हा विचार घेऊन केंद्र सरकारने तळातल्या लोकसंख्येच्या मूलभूत गरजा भागवण्यावर भर दिला. त्या मूलभूत गरजा म्हणजे स्वच्छता, कमी प्रदूषण करणारे इंधन, शाश्वत वीजपुरवठा, इत्यादी. त्यासाठी स्वच्छ भारत, ज्यात सार्वजनिक आणि घरगुती शौचालये बांधण्यावर भर आहे. देशातील अनेक राज्ये आता 'ओपन डिफिकेशन फ्री' झाली आहेत, उरलेली त्या मार्गावर आहेत. स्वच्छ इंधनासाठी 'उज्ज्वला योजना' आली. त्यातून महिलांना सुरक्षित इंधन मिळाले. महिलांचे आरोग्य सुधारण्यात या योजनेचा महत्त्वाचा वाटा आहे. 

एका बाजूला जनजीवन सुकर करण्यासाठी कल्याणकारी योजना, तर अंत्योदय विचारातूनच, आर्थिक उन्नतीसाठी मुद्रा योजना, स्टार्ट अप, स्टॅन्ड अप इंडिया अशा योजना आल्या. त्यातून केवळ शहरीच नाही तर निमशहरी आणि ग्रामीण भागात देखील उद्यमशीलता वाढीस लागण्यास मदत झाली. त्याचे सकारात्मक दृश्य परिणाम अनेक पातळ्यांवर दिसून येत आहेत. ग्रामीण भागात उदयाला येणारे अनेक स्टार्ट अप हे त्याचे एक द्योतक आहे. 

वर्ष १९९१ हे भारताच्या दृष्टीने फार महत्त्वाचे आहे. देशातील तरुण वर्गाला मोठ्या प्रमाणात नव्या संधी उपलब्ध झाल्या. त्यातून कौटुंबिक व्यवस्थेत विभक्त कुटुंब, ज्याला न्यूक्लिअर फॅमिली अशी संज्ञा वापरली जाते ते वाढीला लागली. ग्रामीण, निमशहरी भागातील तरुण नोकरी-व्यवसायासाठी मेट्रो शहरात तर पालक, वयस्कर हे त्याच भागात हा खास भारतीय पॅटर्न आला. एस गुरुमूर्ती म्हणतात त्याप्रमाणे हे 'सोशल कॅपिटल' एका निराळ्या पॅटर्न मधून अधिक घट्ट होत गेले. 

भारतीय कुटुंबांत, नोकरदार वर्गात घर खरेदी ही निवृत्ती नंतर मिळालेल्या पैशातून होत असे. शहरात आलेला नवा तरुण वर्ग हा आपल्या कारकिर्दीच्या सुरुवातीलाच घर खरेदी करु शकत आहे. त्यामागे त्या तरुणांना उपलब्ध असलेले कर्ज इत्यादी आर्थिक साहाय्य आहेच, पण या 'सोशल कॅपिटल'चा देखील मोठा वाटा आहे. आणि ही केवळ एकतर्फी वाट नाही. शहरांत स्थलांतरित झालेल्या तरुण वर्गाने आपल्या मूळ गावी आपल्या कमाईतून काही मालमत्ता वृद्धी केली. कोविड काळात वर्क फ्रॉम होम मुळे तर यात अधिकच वाढ झालेली दिसून आली. कोविडचे संकट टळून आता वर्क फ्रॉम होम देखील आता कमी होऊ लागले असले तरी त्याचा एक सकारात्मक परिणाम हे सोशल कॅपिटल अधिक वृद्धिंगत होण्यात दिसून आला आहे. 

ग्रामीण भागातून शहरी भागात स्थलांतर होतच आहे. शहरांची बेसुमार वाढ हा प्रश्न अधिकाधिक जटील होत आहे. पण हेही लक्षात घेणे आवश्यक आहे की शहरी, औद्योगिक दृष्ट्या समृद्ध भागातील वाढते उत्पन्न हे इतर भागात, क्षेत्रांत आणि सामाजिक स्तरांत झिरपत जाते. एका बाजूला आर्थिक प्रगतीतून आलेली सुबत्ता ही 'ट्रिकल डाऊन' पद्धतीने झिरपते तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला 'बॉटम अप' म्हणजेच अंत्योदय पद्धतीने वाटचाल सुरु आहे. त्याला जनधन-आधार-मोबाईल आणि भारताची डिजिटल इकॉनॉमी क्षेत्रातील क्रांती युपीआयची मिळालेली साथ यामुळे भारत आर्थिकदृष्ट्या भरारी घेण्यासाठी सज्ज आहे, तर समाज देखील होणारे बदल झपाट्याने आत्मसात करत राष्ट्रीय उत्थानात आपले योगदान देत आहे. 

एकविसावे शतक हे आशियाचे आणि त्यातही भारताचे असणार आहे. आर्थिक विकास आणि समाज यांच्यातील सकारात्मक परस्पर संबंध हेच आत्मनिर्भर, सक्षम भारताचा पाया असणार आहेत. हा अभ्युदय निःश्रेयस असणार आहे आणि त्यात 'वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम'चा विचार अध्याहृत असणार हे नक्की. 

पूर्वप्रसिद्धी: एकता दिवाळी अंक 

आर्थिक व्यवस्थेतील बदल आणि बदलती सामाजिक समीकरणे

 आर्य चाणक्य म्हणतात, 

"सुखस्य मुलं धर्म:। धर्मस्य मुलं अर्थ:।

अर्थस्य मुलं राज्यम्। राज्यस्य मुलं इंद्रियजय:।

हा श्लोक अतिशय स्वयंस्पष्ट आहे. भारतीय राज्य, समाजाची रचना, अर्थव्यवस्थेचा आधार, आर्थिक उन्नतीबाबत समाजाची धारणा भारतीय विचारात खूप स्पष्ट आहे. वेदकालापासून भारतीय विचार संपत्ती निर्माण यावर भर देतो. भारतीय विचारात गरिबीचे उदात्तीकरण नाही. भारतीय विचारात चार पुरुषार्थ सांगितले आहेत. धर्म, अर्थ, काम आणि मोक्ष. हे पुरुषार्थ सांगतानाही भारतीय विचार 'नाती चरामि' असे बंधनही घालतो. वेदांचा तो अर्थ आम्हासची ठावा म्हणणारे संत तुकाराम म्हणतात, 

"जोडोनियां धन उत्तम व्यवहारे।

उदास विचारे वेच करी।।

या उदास विचारे वेच करी मध्ये आपल्या धनाचा, संपत्तीचा गर्व असू नये. संपत्ती निर्माण, धनसंचय हा कोणाला लुबाडून, फसवून करू नये, हाच विचार आहे. 

आर्थिक व्यवस्था आणि त्या अनुषंगाने सामाजिक व्यवस्था हे सातत्याने बदलणारे घटक आहेत. प्राचीन आणि मध्ययुगीन काळात आर्थिक व्यवस्थेतील बदलांची गती संथ होती. या बदलांमागील कारणे नैसर्गिक आणि मानवनिर्मित असत. नैसर्गिक कारणांत अर्थातच वादळ, दुष्काळ, पूर, रोगराई इत्यादी करणे तर मानवनिर्मित कारणांत प्रामुख्याने युद्धांचा समावेश असे. व्यवस्था बदल आणि सामाजिक स्थित्यंतराची गती वाढली आधुनिक काळात आणि त्यामागचे सर्वात महत्त्वाचे कारण औद्योगिक क्रांती. या औद्योगिक क्रांतीने विज्ञान-तंत्रज्ञान विकासाची जणू स्पर्धा लागली. 

औद्योगिक क्रांतीनंतर युरोपात गरीब मजूर आणि श्रीमंत यांच्यातील दरी वाढत गेली. त्याचबबरोबर हेही तितकेच खरे आहे की मध्यमवर्ग हा एक नवा वर्ग उदयाला येत गेला. यंत्राधारित कारखानदारी, औद्योगिक मजूर, त्यांचे होणारे शोषण ही समस्या अधिकाधिक ठळक होत गेली. औद्योगिक क्रांतीपासूनच्या शंभर वर्षात कार्ल मार्क्स आणि त्यांचा कॅपिटल हा ग्रंथ आला. ज्याने त्यापासूनच्या पुढल्या साधारण शंभर वर्षात जग दोन विचारधारांत विभागले जाण्याची आणि त्यातील शीतयुद्धाची बीज रोवली. एका बाजूला समाजवाद, साम्यवाद हा सामूहिक विचार तर दुसऱ्या बाजूला पराकोटीचा व्यक्तिकेंद्रित भांडवलवाद वाढत गेला. या भांडवलवादी व्यवस्थेत उपभोगवाद, चंगळवाद मोठ्या प्रमाणात वाढला. व्यवस्था आणि सामाजिक बदलांचा हा झपाटा प्रचंड होता. उलटणाऱ्या काळाबरोबर हा वेग वाढतच चालला आहे. 

या सर्व जागतिक उलथापालथी मध्ये भारत कोठे होता? युरोपात औद्योगिक क्रांती सुरु असताना भारत एका राजकीय-सामाजिक घुसळणीतून जात होता. औद्योगिक क्रांती १७५० पासून सुरु झाली आणि त्याच काळात भारतात ब्रिटिश ईस्ट इंडिया कंपनीचा प्लासी-बक्सार पासून राजकीय विस्तार सुरु झाला. भारतात देखील तिथपासूनच्या शंभर वर्षात आधुनिक ब्रिटिश शिक्षणव्यवस्था स्थापित झाली, ब्रिटिश उद्योग, ब्रिटिश सरकारी व्यवस्था यातून भारतात देखील शहरी मध्यमवर्ग वाढीला लागला. भारतातील औद्योगिक प्रगतीचा, आर्थिक प्रगतीचा वेग युरोपापेक्षा निश्चितच खूप कमी होता. वास्तविक भारतात होणारी आर्थिक प्रगती ही भारताच्या आर्थिक शोषणाची, लुटीची द्योतक होती. पण व्यवस्था पातळीवर, सामाजिक पातळीवर निश्चित बदल घडत होते. सामाजिक-धार्मिक सुधारणांचा वेग वाढला तो ब्रिटिश शिक्षणामुळे की ब्रिटिशांच्या अंकित झाल्यामुळे आलेल्या अंतर्मुखतेतुन या वादात न पडता वस्तुस्थिती मान्य केली पाहिजे की बदल घडत गेले. 

या सर्व पार्श्वभूमीवर ज्येष्ठ आणि श्रेष्ठ अर्थतज्ज्ञ एस. गुरुमूर्ती यांना विचारात घेतले पाहिजे. ते मांडतात की महायुधोत्तर काळात विकसित राष्ट्रांनी, महासत्तांनी अविकसित देशांसाठी 'One Size Fits All' हे धोरण स्वीकारले. या अंतर्गत अविकसित देशांत आर्थिक शिक्षणात, आर्थिक सिद्धांत मांडताना तसेच धोरण निश्चिती करताना सर्व ऐतिहासिक धारणा, ऐतिहासिक ठेवा, संस्था बरखास्त करुन, मोडीत काढाव्या असा दृष्टीकोन होता. त्याजागी पाश्चात्त्य विचारावर आधारित संस्था, सिद्धांत आणि धोरण असावे. त्यायोगे जागतिकीकरणाची प्रक्रिया अधिक वेगवान होईल, वाद आणि वादाचे मुद्दे कमी होतील. उदारमतवादी, लोकशाही विचारांचा विजय होईल आणि खुली बाजारव्यवस्था अस्तित्वात येईल. थोडक्यात उपभोगवादी, चंगळवादी मानसिकता कशी वाढत जाईल, कंपन्या आणि त्यांच्या उत्पादनांना नवनवीन बाजारपेठा कशा खुल्या होत जातील यावर अधिकाधिक भर होता. किंबहुना आजही आहे. 

गुरमूर्ती यांनी भारताच्या संदर्भात कुटुंब हा घटक खूप महत्त्वाचा मानला आहे. कुटुंब हे भारताचे 'सोशल कॅपिटल' आहे अशी मांडणी ते करतात जे खरेच आहे. जगभरातल्या कंपन्यांनी भारतात मार्केटिंग, जाहिराती यांचा भडीमार करुन लोकांना अधिकाधिक खरेदी करण्यास उद्युक्त करण्याचा प्रयत्न केला, अजूनही केला जातो, किंबहुना तो होतच राहणार आहे. भारतीयांनी बचत कमी करावी अधिकाधिक खर्च करावा यावर भर दिला गेला. पण एक बोलकी आकडेवारी भारतीयांची बचत करण्याची मानसिकता दर्शवते. वर्ष १९९१ मध्ये भारतातील एकूण २३% बचतीपैकी कौटुंबिक बचत ही १९% होती. हे वर्ष महत्त्वाचे आहे, कारण उदारीकरण, खासगीकरण, जागतिकीकरण हे धोरण याच वर्षी मोठ्या प्रमाणात अंगिकारले गेले होते. देशात नवनवीन कंपन्या येत होत्या, आयात अधिक खुली झाल्यामुळे बाहेरच्या देशातील वस्तूंचा पुरवठा वाढला होता. त्याचबरोबर धोरणे देखील लोकांना अधिकाधिक खरेदीला उद्युक्त करणारी आखली जात होती. पण २०१३ ची आकडेवारी सांगते की भारताची एकूण बचत होती ३७% आणि त्यात कौटुंबिक बचतीचा भाग २९% होता. या काळात भारतीयांनी खरेदी कमी केली आणि बचतीवरच अधिक लक्ष दिले का? तर तसे नाही, भारतात थेटग परकीय गुंतवणूक, खासगी क्षेत्राच्या वाढीमुळे आणि सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे IT क्षेत्राच्या वाढीमुळे मध्यमवर्ग प्रचंड मोठ्या प्रमाणात वाढला. त्याचे उत्पन्न वाढले, क्रयशक्ती वाढली. १०० लोकांनी त्यांच्या उत्पन्नातील ३ रुपये बचत करणे आणि १०००० लोकांनी करणे यात संख्येचा जो फरक होतो तोच प्रतीत होतो. ही झाली २०१३ ची आकडेवारी. त्यानंतर मधल्या काळात भारतात दोन घटना, निर्णय, कालखंड होऊन गेले की सर्व काही ढवळुनच निघाले. 

ते म्हणजे निश्चलनीकरण, चलन बदल असे बरेच त्याचे दृष्टिकोन आणि अर्थातच कोविड महामारी. त्याकडे जाण्यापूर्वी एका स्थित्यंतराचा थोडक्यात आढावा घेणे आवश्यक आहे. खासगी क्षेत्राच्या वाढीसोबतच अनेक घटक नव्याने पुढे येत गेले. यात आर्थिक, सामाजिक पातळीवर अनेक स्थित्यंतरे झाली, होत आहेत आणि होत राहणार आहेत. भारताने विकासाच्या प्रवासात प्राथमिक क्षेत्राधारित अर्थव्यवस्था, मग द्वितीयक क्षेत्र म्हणजेच उत्पादन आणि मग सेवा क्षेत्र अशी टप्प्याटप्प्याने वाटचाल न करता थेट सेवा क्षेत्रावर झेप घेतली. ही झेप IT क्षेत्रामुळे झाली. यामुळे पुणे, बंगळुरू, हैदराबाद ही शहरे सुरवातीच्या टप्प्यात IT हब म्हणून झपाट्याने वाढली. त्यानंतर दुसऱ्या टप्प्यात नागपूर, इंदोर, गुरुग्राम, अहमदाबाद अशी शहरे पुढे येत आहेत. हे असले तरी यातील मुद्दा असा की शहरांची वाढ झाली. भारताच्या ग्रामीण, निमशहरी, मध्यम आकाराच्या शहरातून तरुण मोठ्या प्रमाणात या शहरांत स्थलांतरित होत गेले. एकत्र कुटुंब पद्धती कमी होत न्यूक्लिअर फॅमिली म्हणतात ती वाढीला लागली. शहरातून ग्रामीण भागाकडे पैसे पाठवणे यामुळे ग्रामीण भागात एक सुबत्ता येत गेली हा एक भाग झाला. पण ग्रामीण, निमशहरी भागात असणाऱ्या कौटुंबिक आधारामुळे तरुण अगदी कमी वयात मोठ्या शहरात घरे, चारचाकी इत्यादी घेऊ लागला. हा सर्व पॅटर्न पाहिला तर लक्षात येईल गुरमूर्ती कुटुंबाला 'सोशल कॅपिटल' का म्हणतात! हे सर्व अर्थातच सरसकट नाही. पण एक प्रमुख घटक म्हणून लक्षात घेतला पाहिजे. 

भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था एका संक्रमणातून जात आहे. हे संक्रमण नोकरी मागणारी व्यवस्था ते रोजगार निर्माण करणारी व्यवस्था असे आहे. भारताच्या समाजवादी समाजरचना कालखंडात खासगी व्यवसाय, उद्योग करणे आणि त्यातून नफा कमावणे हे जणू पाप आहे अशी धारणा होती. ती निश्चितपणे १९९१ पासून बदलत आली आहे आणि पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी संसदेत खासगी व्यावसायिक, उद्योजक यांना वेल्थ क्रिएटर-संपत्ती निर्माण करणारे असे संबोधून, त्यांचे देशाच्या प्रगतीत असणारे प्रचंड योगदान अधोरेखित केले. हा बदल खूप मोठा आणि महत्त्वपूर्ण आहे. वर्ष २०१४ पासून पुढे अनेक धोरणे, परियोजना या उद्योजकता विकास यावर भर देणाऱ्या आहेत. स्टार्टअप इंडिया, स्टँडअप इंडिया आणि मुद्रा यामुळे अल्पावधीत भारत उद्योजकता जोपासणारा, वाढ होण्यास मदत करणारा देश झाला आहे. डिजिटल इंडिया सारख्या योजना आणि टेलिकॉम क्षेत्रातील क्रांतीमुळे इंटरनेट आधारित उद्योग, स्टार्टअप ग्रामीण, निमशहरी भागात वाढत आहेत. ग्रामीण भागात शेती, शेतीवर आधारित उद्योग या क्षेत्रातील स्टार्टअप पुढे येत आहेतच, पण खऱ्या अर्थाने जागतिक म्हणावे असे श्रीधर वेम्बू यांचे स्टार्टअप झोहो तामिळनाडू मधल्या त्यांच्या गावातून चालवले जाते. 

भारत हा इतकी वर्षे जगासाठी एक मोठी बाजारपेठ होता. युरोप-अमेरिकेत टेक आधारित उत्पादने तयार व्हावीत आणि त्यासाठी सेवा पुरवठादार आणि एक मोठा ग्राहक भारत ही परिस्थिती बदलण्यास कारणीभूत ठरली ती UPI  (युनिफाईड पेमेंट इंटरफेस) ही डिजिटल फायनान्स क्षेत्रातील क्रांती. याची सुरुवात काहीशी संथ होती पण निश्चलनीकरण हा घटक UPI च्या प्रचंड वाढीसाठी आणि त्यायोगे फायनान्स, व्यवसाय क्षेत्रात अनेक संधी खुल्या होण्यासाठी साहाय्यभूत ठरला. आता भारत में निर्मित ही प्रणाली जगाला आकर्षित करत आहे. अतिशय स्वस्त इंटरनेट डाटा, जनधन योजनेद्वारे वाढलेला बँक सुविधेचा पैस यामुळे भारत जगातील भल्याभल्या विकसित देशांना थक्क करणारी क्रांती घडवून आणू शकला आहे. निश्चलनीकरणाचा निर्णय आणि त्याचे फायदे-तोटे काय यावर त्या काळात होणारी चर्चा आता विरुन जात आहे. कारण आता त्याचा सकारात्मक परिणाम अनेक आघाड्यांवर दिसतो आहे. गिग इकॉनॉमी ही संकल्पना मोठ्या प्रमाणात रुजत आहे. मनोरंजन आणि माध्यम क्षेत्रही याला अपवाद राहिले नाही. सोशल मीडिया आणि इतर अवकाशांच्या उपलब्धतेमुळे या क्षेत्राचे लोकशाहीकरण झाले आहे. 

या सर्व पार्श्वभूमीवर जागतिक पातळीवर प्रचंड घुसळण करणारी कोविड महामारी आली. प्रत्येक देशाने आपापल्या मगदुराप्रमाणे ही कठीण परिस्थिती हाताळली. भारतात केंद्र आणि राज्य सरकारांनी धीरोदात्तपणे अनेक गंभीर प्रसंग हाताळले. मजुरांच्या स्थलांतराचा असो की गरीबांना अन्न उपलब्ध करुन देण्याचा असो. अपरिहार्य असलेल्या टाळेबंदीच्या काळात अनेक उद्योग-व्यवसाय बंद पडले. अनेक रोजगार गेले. सरकारने सर्व परिस्थितीचा अंदाज घेऊन मालमत्ता निर्माणाचा दृष्टिकोन असणारी, भविष्यवेधी अशी आत्मनिर्भर भारत योजना आणली. ज्यात उद्योग-व्यवसायांना थेट मदत देण्याऐवजी ते उद्योग पुन्हा उभे कसे राहतील यावर भर दिला गेला. त्याचे परिणाम आता दिसत आहे. जागतिक पातळीवर अनेक अर्थव्यवस्था प्रचंड महागाई आणि मंदीची शक्यता यात गुरफटलेल्या असताना भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था मात्र विकासाचा वेग राखून आहे. विकासाच्या प्रवासात थेट सेवा क्षेत्रावर घेतलेली झेप भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्थेसाठी उपकारक ठरली. टाळेबंदीमुळे 'वर्क फ्रॉम होम' संस्कृती अधिक प्रामुख्याने पुढे आली. अनेक तरुण, विवाहित-अविवाहित आपापल्या घरी-गावी परत गेले. खासगी क्षेत्रात, विशेषतः IT क्षेत्रात असणारे पगार धडाक्याने वाढत गेले. त्यातून ग्रामीण-निमशहरी भागात आर्थिक उलाढाल वाढली. त्याचा एक मोठा वाटा शेती क्षेत्रात देखील झिरपला. कोविड काळात भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्थेला मोठा आधार दिला तो सेवा आणि शेती क्षेत्राने. शेती क्षेत्रात भांडवली गुंतवणूक वाढली. आणि सर्वात महत्त्वाचे म्हणजे कुटुंब संस्था देखील एका 'Reorientation' ला सामोरी गेली. 

कोविड महामारी नंतर भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था इतक्या झपाट्याने सावरून मार्गाला लागली आणि अमेरिकेसकट अनेक विकसित अर्थव्यवस्था झगडल्या याचे कारण पुन्हा एकदा श्री. गुरुमूर्ती यांच्या विवेचनात आहे. ते म्हणतात अमेरिकी जनमानस मोठ्या प्रमाणात चंगळवादी आहे. बचत करण्याची वृत्ती फारशी नाही. त्यामुळे अमेरिकी नागरिक सरकारवर अवलंबून, विशेषतः संकट काळात होऊन जातो. त्याचे उत्तम उदाहरण कोविड काळातच दिसून आले. अमेरिकेसकट अनेक विकसित देशांनी नागरिकांना थेट पैसे दिले. त्यासाठी मोठ्या प्रमाणात चलन छपाई केली. परिणामी अर्थव्यवस्था ताळ्यावर येत असताना रशिया-युक्रेन युद्ध इत्यादी कारणांमुळे महागाई वाढत गेली. ही महागाई आटोक्यात आणण्यासाठी अमिरिकेने ऐतिहासिक व्याजदरवाढ केली. इंग्लंड मध्ये राजकीय गोंधळ झाला, अवघ्या काही महिन्यांत दोन पंतप्रधान बदलण्याची पाळी आली. 

भारत ५ ट्रिलियन डॉलरची अर्थव्यवस्था होण्याकडे झपाट्याने वाटचाल करत आहे. अर्थव्यवस्था वाढत असताना त्याची फळे विविध घटकांना मिळत आहेत. IMF च्या रिपोर्ट नुसार भारताने दारिद्र्य निर्मूलनात मोठे यश मिळवले आहे. आणखी मोठी वाटचाल करायची आहेच. नव्या शैक्षणिक धोरणाच्या साथीने भविष्यलक्षी मनुष्यबळ निर्मितीवर लक्ष देण्यात आले आहे. आर्थिक क्षेत्रांचे विस्तारते क्षितिज, भारताच्या विविध राज्यांत आर्थिक विकासाची फळे चाखण्याची वाढलेली ओढ आणि त्यासाठी निर्माण झालेली स्पर्धात्मक संघराज्यवादी व्यवस्था यामुळे सामाजिक स्थित्यंतराची घुसळण होतच राहणार आहे. भारताचा प्राचीन विचार "जोडोनिया धन उत्तम व्यवहारे। उदास विचारे वेच करी।" असा असला तरी जग कवेत घ्यायला निघालेला भारतातला नवउद्यमी स्वतःचे स्थान, भूमिका ठामपणे मांडतो आहे. हे करत असताना 'वसुधैव कुटुंबकम' हा विचार मनात राखूनच तो वाटचाल करणार ही देखील निश्चिती आहे. त्यामुळे आर्थिक व्यवस्थेत बदल होत जातील, भारत आता केवळ बदलांना सामोरा जाणारा नाही तर बदल घडवणारा होणार आहे. सामाजिक स्थित्यंतरे होत राहणार आहेत. पण या सर्वात जो भारतीय विचाराचा गाभा आहे तो कायम राहणार ही निश्चित खात्री आहे. 

Hyderabad Mukti Sangram: Part 4

The Tricolor

It is the Amrit Mahotsava of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram 'The people's struggle, frequent rounds of negotiations, and the final intervention by the Indian Army under the name Operation Polo termed as Police Action the Nizam State of Hyderabad was integrated with India on another day of National Importance, 17th September, 1948.' Here's a comprehensive yet brief introduction of the Unsung National Movement.. 

The Hyderabad State Congress under the leadership of Swami Ramanand Teerth continued the struggle with every possible means at their disposal. It was the violent movement which Mahatma Gandhi Ji approved. 

Mahatma Gandhi Ji had stated, 

"I would appreciate it if this struggle is painted with the blood of sacrifice of the fighters. I consider them great who fight for their rights than surrendering before oppressive state without any preparedness for resistance."

The Flag of United Bharat 

The second phase of the struggle commenced on 7th August, 1947, with the vision of 'Unconditional Unification' with Bharat. One of the defining incident took place on the Independence Day. 15th August, 1947. 

The third floor of Shamrao Bodhankar's residence in the Sarafa area of Nanded city housed the Nanded district office of the State Congress. The leaders decided to hoist the flag of independent Bharat on 15th August at the office. 

It was a risky business. The communal brutalities of Razakars were at their peak. The Rohilla Pathans, Razakars, and the State Police had unprecedented prowess with them. 

On the day, Bhagwanrao Ganjwe, unfurled the flag of Independent Bharat at the Congress office. Hindus had prepared for possible skirmishes. 

Gangs of communally charged Muslims were gathering mobs. At around 4 PM, the Dy.SP came to the office with around 50 troops, asking Ganjwe to take the flag down. Ganjwe simply refused it. 

The flag stood there for more than two days. The festival of Eid was on 17th August. Muslims were to come out in huge numbers on 18th August. The Police and State Congress feared of possible riots in the city. 

The Congress leaders asked Ganjwe to take a step back and take down the flag. Hindu traders of the area asked Ganjwe to take down the flag. Ganjwe stood firm. He stated, 

"This is the flag of United and Independent Bharat. Thousands have laid their lives for this day. Why not some more, including mine..."

The District Collector of Nanded Shahbuddin, personally came and begged Ganjwe to take down the flag. 

When all the attempts failed, the district president of Ittehadul Musalmin, Akhlakh Hussain came to the office of State Congress. He stated that their men are waiting for an opportunity to start riots. 

He asked Ganjwe if he could take the flag down by 1 foot? Ganjwe simply refused and asked Hussain to come and stand with beside the Tricolor till the Eid procession is passed. 

Armed freedom fighters were ready with guns, lathis, swords on the terraces of nearby houses around Shamrao Boshankar's. Hussain came to know about the preparedness and requested the Eid procession to pass quickly from the place. 

The flag of united, independent Bharat gave strength, determination to heroes like Bhagwanrao Ganjwe and thousands of common men to continue the fight. 

The Final Nail

All said and done, what if Nizam wouldn't have turned more greedy for sovereignty, becoming independent nation-state? We would have ended up having an independent nation and to be specific, another Pakistan, in the middle of Bhartiya peninsula. 

Nizam's orders to cut off the air space for Bhartiya spacecrafts exacerbated matters. Bharat stood firm on international arena, that Hyderabad is an internal matter of Bharat. 

One can conclude that Hyderabad Mukti Sangram was way too much larger than National movement against British, based on the participation to population ratio. 

In British India, number of Satyagrahis and Revolutionaries was not more than 20,000 at any given time. The population of British India was around 35 Crore. 

In Hyderabad Mukti Sangram, a National Movement against Nizam, more than 1.4 Lakh people participated. The population of the state was 1.6 Crore. 

While singing the ballads of freedom fighters, we must also remember the support it got from other areas. 

The then Chief Minister of Central Provinces & Berar Shri Ravishankar Shukla and Home Minister Dwarakaprasad Mishra wholeheartedly supported the movement. They provided safe heavens to revolutionaries, freedom fighters in border areas. They even supported cause with arms, ammunition supply and finances also. 

The State Congress had established 'Azad Hyderabad Radio' from Mumbai. It helped the fighters to get the information on movement of Razakars, State actions while they were underground. 

Sardar Patel had said to Swamiji, 

"We as GOI cannot take decisive steps till Lord Mountbatten is the Governor-General and British General is leading the armed forces. You have to continue with the struggle till we get full authority over forces."

In other words, Sardar laid down the fact that Nizam had sympathizers in the British establishment. 

C. Rajgopalachari took over as the first and last Bharatiya Governor General of Bharat, and General Cariappa as the Chief of Army Staff in July, 1948. Within 2 months, on 13th September 'Operation Polo' was commenced. 

The military action under the garb of 'Police Action' took place, as it was not an aggression against foreign country. The Nizam forces, Razakars who were on rampant atrocities with overconfidence surrendered within 3 days. 

On 17th September, 1948, Bharat united again, and is on the way to become Viksit Bharat by 2047. 

Hyderabad Mukti Sangram: Part 3

 

Swami Ramanand Teerth 

Vande Mataram

It is the Amrit Mahotsava of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram 'The people's struggle, frequent rounds of negotiations, and the final intervention by the Indian Army under the name Operation Polo termed as Police Action the Nizam State of Hyderabad was integrated with India on another day of National Importance, 17th September, 1948.' Here's a comprehensive yet brief introduction of the Unsung National Movement.. 

Sanyasi who led the Movement 

 Youth groomed under the social uprising movement came to the conclusion that in a state like Hyderabad extreme majors of resistance are a necessity. They needed a selfless, firm fighter to lead the struggle. They found their leader in a Sanyasi. 

Vyankatesh Bhagwan Khedgikar. A selfless, patriotic young man from Kannada speaking region came to Hipparaga in the then Osmanabad district. He started teaching at the National Highschool run by patriots like A.K Waghmare. He later became principal of the school. 

He came into contact with many like minded youth like Digambarrao Bindu (One of the prominent leaders in armed struggle), Babasaheb Paranjape, and others. The discussions among them shaped the way for the struggle. At this school Vyankatesh attained 'Sanyasa' and took the name of  Swami Ramanand Teerth.. 

Narhar Kurundkar states, 

"Around 20 Lakh Muslims in the state had their vested interests in the Nizam State. Hindus had no other option but to bear with the communal bigotry. Consistent oppression and lack of awareness made Hindu pessimist about their rights. Character, Endurance, and preparation to make supreme sacrifices were the backbones of resistance. On this background only a Sanyasi could have led the movement."

Swami Ramanand Teerth, a patriot who firmly believed in integrated, united Bharat, accepted the fate of Partition, and stated, 

"The partition of Bharat is indeed a sad thing. But one has to remember that it ended the protection for Hyderabad. (Independence put an end to British resident, and British Indian army stationed in Hyderabad) Let's fight for a year or two, the end of Hyderabad state is just a matter of time.."

Babasaheb Paranjape

Babasaheb Paranjape, who belonged to British Indian province of Bombay, from Solapur, ignited by the cause of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram, joined the National High School at Hipparaga. 

Students and Teachers used to live together. Paranajape not only taught science but ignited the minds of students with patriotism, cause of national integrity with his excellent oratory at the school. 

Babasaheb Paranjape had his college education at the Fergusson college in Pune. He had many contacts in Pune, including arms supplier Shirubhau Limaye and many others. 

In the year 1935 Swamiji and Paranjape came to Ambajogai, started the Yogeshwari Vidyalay with the same purpose. Babasaheb Paranjape became the backbone of armed struggle. He used his contacts, links to source arms and ammunition from Mumbai and Pune. 

He conducted arms training camps in border areas with Ahmednagar and Solapur districts. He started arms factories at Pune and Solapur. 

With brief introduction of two eminent leaders, let's move to some of the initial movements in the Mukti Sangram. 

Vinayakrao Vidyalankar

Arya Samaj 

In the year 1892 the Arya Samaj took its first steps in the Nizam state. The strong network of Arya Samaj carried out progressive social activities like widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, breaking of caste barriers. 

Justice Keshavrao Koratkar, his son Vinayakrao Vidyalankar played pivotal role in establishing and working of Arya Samaj. 

Arya Samaj played a key role in igniting Hindus for their social-cultural-religious rights. They encouraged common people to rise and fight against the communal brutalities. Arya Samaj started a people's struggle in the year 1938. It was more of struggle for religious rights than political. 

They brought back hundreds and thousands of women forcibly abducted by Razakars. They had violent skirmishes with Razakars. Shamrao Bodhankar, Kamtikar family, Pandit Narendraji, Gopalshastri Deo, Sheshrao Waghmare, Bhagwanrao Ganjwe, Dhanji Purohit were the prominent figures in this struggle. 

Bhaganagar Satyagraha

In the year 1938, the Hindu Civil Liberties Society, an off shoot of Hindu Mahasabha led by Swatantryaveer Savarkar carried out Bhaganagar Satyagraha. Though it was termed as Satyagraha, they had elements of violent struggle also. 

Vande Mataram 

The Osmania University of Hyderabad established in 1917, only institute of higher education offering courses like medicine and engineering in Urdu medium. It was evident that Muslim students had an advantage over Hindus. Singing of Vande Mataram was banned in the state. 

A separate hall was reserved for Muslim students to offer Namaz. Hindu students demanded a separate hall for them to offer pooja. The University and Nizam state agreed. 

Hindu youth were charged with patriotism and idea of United Bharat. They started singing Vande Mataram along with daily prayers, pooja. Vande Mataram was banned not just because it was some 'foreign creation' but it was a 'Hindu' creation. 

The news of students singing Vande Mataram spread across the state. Hindu students in various schools, colleges in the state started singing it. 

Oppression began with the suspension, termination of students from schools, colleges. The oppressive nature triggered students more, and it led to boycott of schools, colleges. Students were asked to submit an apology for readmission. Students refused. 

Many could not complete their education. Many got into schools, colleges in neighboring British Indian provinces of Central Provinces & Berar and Bombay. Nagpur University accepted many students with open arms. 

Vande Mataram has been the mantra for independence, unity and integrity... 

Part 4: State Congress Satyagraha, Important incidents in the struggle. 

Stay tuned... 

Hyderabad Mukti Sangram: Part 2

Justice Keshavrao Koratkar

 The Social Uprising 

It is the Amrit Mahotsava of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram 'The people's struggle, frequent rounds of negotiations, and the final intervention by the Indian Army under the name Operation Polo termed as Police Action the Nizam State of Hyderabad was integrated with India on another day of National Importance, 17th September, 1948.' Here's a comprehensive yet brief introduction of the Unsung National Movement.. 

The communal extremities of Nizam State

The Nizam state had population of 1.6 Crore. Hindus consisted of 86%, Jain, Parsis, Christians were around 4% and 11% were the Muslims. In absolute numbers, Muslims were around 16 lakhs in total population of 1.6 Crore. 

Majority Hindus were denied there religious and cultural rights. A firman issued on the background of Ganpati, Dusshera can substantiate, what it is a Muslim State in Hindu majority. 

The firman issued on 17 Aban 1326 Fasali (Persian calendar. The year is 1917 AD) stated, 

1: Hindus must celebrate their festivals in their homes without using any joyful musical instruments.

2: Those who want to go out for 'Simmolanghan' should go quietly, without using any joyful music or instrument. 

3: The flags and Gudhis should not be erected on the very day of Dusshera. Hindus can erect them after Muharram. 

Dreaded communal bigot Qasim Razwi: leader of Razakars

Incidences of Communal Brutality 

The armed Razakars inflicted unprecedented atrocities against Hindus in the state. It is evident to quote few of them to sense the grim of it.

Village Guda in Basmat Taluka of then Parbhani district (now in Hingoli district), on a particular day, the armed Razakars encircled the village. Captured as many people as they could in the village and threw them into a large well. Covered the well with stover, and torched it. People trapped in the well died a brutal death. Later, they torched the whole village. People who survived were the ones who were not in the village on the unfortunate night. 

Village Gorta in Bidar District. On 8th May, 1948, hundreds of Razakars stormed in. They raided 400-odd houses in the villages, dragged women out and raped at will, butchered children in front of the Lakshmi Temple, and shot anyone who posed a resistance. Over 200 villagers lost their lives. 

These are just few examples. There are hundreds of such atrocious incidents across the state. Many of them went unnoticed. However, the govt. of India published a white paper on Hyderabad. The incidences of Guda and Gorta find mention in the white paper. 

Gashti Nishan

With the advent of education, contact with people from British Indian provinces, people in the state started gathering for political, social, religious rights. To control such gathering and uprising among people, Nizam issued the 'Gashi Nishan 52 and 53' which made it mandatory for common people to seek permission from the officials, effectively from Nizam, to gather for social, political gatherings. Such permissions were never granted. 

Justice (Retd.) Narendra Chapalgaonkar of Bombay High Court, states in his book 'Kahani Hyderabad Ladhyachi' 

"Communal riots started in Hyderabad state in 1930s. It was not the case that there was communal harmony before. The Hindus were used to the communal oppression and never fought back, asserting their rights."

The communal establishment and the incidences of communal oppression are self explanatory. It gave rise to the people's movement. The people's movement was not just religious-cultural rights but had a clear vision of national integrity. 

Social Uprising 

Justice (Retd.) Chapalgaonkar states, 

"Denying their religious, cultural rights to Hindus resulted in a divide between Hindus & Muslims. Initially due to lack of social awareness Hindus were not assertive about their rights"

Hindus had accepted their fate in the feudal system of Hyderabad state. However, from 1901 a social awareness began. This was in the form of social gatherings, libraries, private schools and celebrating Hindu festivals on large scale. 

Dharmveer Vamanrao Naik, Justice Keshavrao Koratkar were prominent figures in the movement of social awareness. Justice (Retd.) Chapalgaonkar states, 

"The freedom fighters, revolutionaries who led the movement in 1940s, were the products of these social movements"

Ganesh Vachanalaya (library) established in 1901 in Parbhani (Proud to note that my maternal Great Grandfather was one of the founders), The Saraswati Bhuwan school (which now has expanded as a prominent education society running many schools, colleges in Marathwada) in Aurangabad, Nootan Vidyalaya in Parbhani, Selu and Bidar, Vivek Vardhini in Hyderabad, are few of such prominent institutes. 

Sarvajanik Ganesh Festival became popular in the Hyderabad state. 

These social gatherings led to interactions with people, leaders from various districts. It led to formation of organizations termed to be dedicated to social causes in Kannada, Telugu and Marathi speaking regions. These were Marathi Samajik Parishad, Karnataka Parishad and Andhra Mahasabha. 

In the year 1937, The Maharashtra Parishad conducted a seesion at Partud (now in Jalna district) under the leadership of eminent lawyer from Parbhani Shri Govindrao Nanal. 

The Parishad openly propounded the political rights and demanded a responsible government, elected by the people within Hyderabad state. The Maharashtra Parishad later expanded its scope and became Hyderabad State Congress... 

Part 3: The Unsung Heroes, and initial movement. 

Stay Tuned.....     

Hyderabad Mukti Sangram: Part 1

The Nizam State 

It is the Amrit Mahotsava of Hyderabad Mukti Sangram 'The people's struggle, frequent rounds of negotiations, and the final intervention by the Indian Army under the name Operation Polo termed as Police Action the Nizam State of Hyderabad was integrated with India on another day of National Importance, 17th September, 1948.' Here's a comprehensive yet brief introduction of the Unsung National Movement.. 

The modern Bharat we live in is the result of a glorious freedom struggle. We celebrate the Independence Day and Republic Day as the days of national importance. In the Amrit Kaal of Bharat we are remembering, celebrating the National movement. While celebrating the National movement against the British, the freedom movements against Portuguese and a despotic rule of Nizam of Hyderabad deserve equal attention. 

Bharat before 1947, was a conglomerate of colonies and princely states. If we closely look into history, we can find that the British probably were the last in the race to colonize Bharat. Though they entered the race pretty late but ended up winning it. 

The Portuguese managed to colonize few pockets around important ports on the western coast. They lost major parts to Marathas, and left with control over Goa, Dadara-Nagar Haveli, and Daman. The Azad Gomantak Dal led the violent freedom struggle in these areas. Mohan Ranade (who served a life imprisonment in a prison in Portugal) led the struggle. The struggle continued for quite a long time, and ended with the Operation Vijay in 1961. Giving another day of National Importance on 19th December. 

These were the struggles against a foreign rule.

With India Independence Bill,1947 the British sovereignty over the Princely states ceased to exist. All the powers and perks of the erstwhile British sovereign came in the hands of Govt. of Bharat. However, the princely states were left with the option to integrate with Bharat, Integrate with Pakistan or declare themselves sovereign. 

The minister for the newly created States department, Sardar Patel and Secretary V.P. Menon negotiated, convinced princely states to sign the 'Instrument of Accession' before 15th August 1947 itself. All the princely states were integrated with Bharat but four. 

Those were Junagadh, Travancore, Kashmir and Hyderabad. The Junagadh princely state had a Muslim ruler with more than 90% Hindu population. A referendum took place under army's observation, which outright voted in favor of integrating with Bharat on 9th November 1947. 

The question of Travancore was resolved. The story of Kashmir is very well known. There is no need to elaborate it further. 

There was a princely state in the middle of the Deccan plateau, largest in size. It had a population of 1.6 Crore. It was a 'Muslim State' with more than 86% Hindu population. The majority population was oppressed on the communal lines. 

The communal oppression forced the Hindus to unite against the despotic, brutal rule of Nizam under the leaderships of Justice Keshavrao Koratkar, Vamanrao Naik, Swami Ramanand Teerth, Babasaheb Paranjape, Bhai Govinddas Shraff and many more. 

The people's movement of Hyderabad was the only movement where the National Congress, under the leadership-guidance of Mahatma Gandhi accepted the necessity of violent struggle. Eminent thinker, scholar, author and a young comrade in people's struggle Narhar Kurundkar stated 

"Hyderabad was a state with no rule of law. It was educationally, politically and industrially backward state where a communal ruler was ruling."

He further states, 

"Armed Razakars (a communal militant organization Nizam created, which carried out brutal attacks on Hindus, including forced conversions) and the communal establishment was oppressing Hindus with all its bigotry and might, but people's struggle continued."

The Nizam State

A communal establishment that forced Hindus to unite against 

The Hyderabad State

The Nizam State of Hyderabad came into existence in the year 1724. A general in Mogul army Mir Qamaruddin also known as 'Chin Qilich Khan' declared himself an independent ruler in deccan. The Nizams faced defeats at multiple occasions at the hands of Marathas. Palkhed (1728), Bhopal (1737), Udgir (1760), Rakshasbhuwan (1763) etc. In the year 1795 the then Nizam accepted the 'Subsidiary Alliance' with the British. 

The 7th Nizam Mir Usman Ali Asaf Jah

The 7th Nizam Mir Usman Ali Asaf Jah came to the throne in the year 1911. He was the wealthiest man in the world at time. He had a complex personality. Despite being the wealthiest man, he was known to be a greedy for more wealth. He consumed opium regularly. He was smart, patient, and a visionary man in his capacity. 

The Hyderabad state consisted of three linguistic regions. The Marathi speaking region, now called as Marathwada. Kannada speaking region/districts, now known as Kalyana Karnataka and Telugu speaking region, current state of Telangana. 

1/3rd part of the state was under Jagirs. Most of the Jagirs were given to Muslim nobles. The largest part of Jagir lands was under control of Nizam himself. The state was divided into 16 districts, further divided in Talukas. One taluka in every district and its revenue was reserved for the private purses of Nizam. 

Nizam Mir Osman Ali

Mir Usman Ali, tried to organize the state on modern lines. At the same time he consolidated the power on communal lines. He removed Divan Kishan Prasad and appointed Salar Jung 3rd as the Prime Minister. 

It had its own currency. The exchange rates with Indian rupee and global currencies was determined. The state had its own railway, postal, and telegraph services. Nizam had created Hyderabad Civil Services. It had industries in Textile, Steel, coal sectors. 

It is evident that there was Mulism dominance in all sectors. It was a defined policy to not to have literacy rate of more than 10% at any given time. Higher education was available in the Urdu medium only. It resulted in advantage to Muslims over Hindus or Non-Muslims. 

The govt. jobs were divided into two categories. The 'Ohad-e-Qulia' consisted of jobs like Tahsildar, and senior ranks in revenue, police, Judicial services etc. 95% of these were Reserved for Muslims. The 'Ohad-e-Gair Qulia' consisted of jobs of lower ranks, school teacher, peons. 75% of these were reserved for Muslims. 

Nizam's Vision of a Independent, Sovereign State 

The 7th Nizam Mir Usman Ali had a strong desire and vision to be an independent, sovereign ruler of a sovereign state. To achieve his aim, he patiently took his steps. He started asserting being an sovereign from the 1920s. Eminent thinker and scholar Narhar Kurundkar stated, 

"The Nizam did not bother about his subjects much. He never bothered about Hindus in his state. He did not even think of common Muslims in the state. If he would have, he could have posed a great challenge for Bhartiya unity. He had a clear vision of becoming an independent, sovereign nation-state."

He used all the means available at his disposal. He had invested heavily in Turkish industrial ventures. He had invested in Iranian oil fields. He made matrimonial relations with the ousted Ottomon Caliph of Turkestan and Shah of Iran. His daughters-in-law were Ottomon and Iranian. 

He created lobbies of supporters in Turkestan, Australia, Portugal, France, England, Belgium, Holland, Brazil, Argentina, United State of America, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. He groomed, nurtured a bunch of Cambridge educated diplomats to negotiate with British and Bharatiya leaders. Nawab Aliyawar Jung was a prominent figure among those, who went on to become the Governor of Maharashtra. He helped Nizam to draft the 'Status Quo' agreement to which the Govt. of Bharat had agreed upon for a time being. 

The Nizam supported, nurtured the 'Ittehadul Musalmin' and a armed force of Razakars under Kasim Razawi. Those were created to assert Muslim superiority, that Muslims are the true conquerors and legitimately fit to rule over this land. 

The Razakars inflicted brutal atrocities against Hindus, including violence, rape, plunder, forceful conversions. It forced Hindus to unite. 

In Part 2: The communal Muslim rule of Nizam, communal extremities Hindus faced and the Social uprising among Hindus. 

Stay tuned.... 

Striking Balance between Freebies and Economic Growth

 

   

         "Wealth cannot be distributed unless it is created." The statement hits the bulls eye. It is not required to go into debate on Socialism, Capitalism, Marxism to get hold on it. 

The Socialist ideology also believes in creation of wealth, but in their own way of public ownership of means if production and all. Capitalism believes in, bring up an idea, raise capital and create wealth. There will be lease intervention of the Govt in business arena. Apparently both the systems ended up creating huge economic disparities. 

There is no much difference in Gini Coefficients of Capitalist economies, and former or current socialist regimes. When the economic disparity is rampant, when economically vulnerable sections form huge chunk of the electorate, populist measures of freebies come in. Economic disparity plays part in developing economies, but in developed countries such expenditure is a normal thing. The expenditure on freebies may turn out to be successful only if the society is tax compliant enough to sustain such outlay. Otherwise, it may turn out to be economic catastrophe.

Barak Obama administration could bring the Health benefit scheme popularly known as 'Obamacare' because USA economy is the largest economy. Moreover it has got set establishment of Wealth Creators and Taxpayers. Depending upon those USA can bring in such schemes. After change in regime President Trump thrashed that scheme in bin. 

Greece, in Europe, kept on spending on salaries & pensions raising public debt to the extent of 200% of its GDP. Spending on freebies, non productive sectors instead investing for wealth creation leads to economic catastrophe. End result ,EU is still trying to ease out crisis arose due to Greek problem. 

Oil rich country of Venezuela based its economy entirely on oil revenues. offered number of freebies to its subjects. almost neglected the other sectors. Global oil prices crashed and Venezuelan economy is collapsed. 

Another freebie that has been in discussion across the globe is the Universal Basic Income. India's Economic Survey for 2016-17 also discussed the possibility of such in Indian economy. In this case Switzerland put a precedence by rejecting the idea of Universal Basic Income in the referendum. Striking a balance between Freebies and Economic Growth is difficult yet necessary task. 

          

After independence for a long time Indian economy followed the socialistic pattern of society. India adopted a multiparty Parliamentary democracy with quasi federal model. Indian political system works from Panchayat level to Parliament. At every level issues are different, type of political struggle is different but one thing is common. That is announcements of 'Freebies' if come to power. 

The form of freebies change according to the institution. Pressure cookers, Irons, etc. are offered at the Municipality, Municipal Corp. elections. Farm loan waivers, Electricity bill waivers/concessions, Laptops, Tabs form the part of freebies offered at the Assembly elections. And the general elections to Loksabha comes in with different sort of freebies.

For example the 'Interim Budget' presented a month before announcement of General elections officially offered freebies such as PM KISAN and rebate in individual income tax up to 5 lac rupees slab. Congress party offered altogether different scheme that may seem like Universal Basic Income called NYAY, Offering 72,000 per year to 'poorest' 20 percent population. 

Tamil Nadu based Dravidian parties are leading in not just announcement but implementation of such freebies at the cost of neglecting/extending fiscal limits of state treasury. Amma canteen, Indira canteen, free laptops and most interesting to note is freebie for poultry farming and supply. 

These schemes put a huge burden on state's coffers. 

To implement the PM KISAN scheme with retrospective effect the union government provided for additional spending in previous year budget and revised the fiscal deficit target also. That's why striking a balance between Freebies and Economic Growth is necessary.  

         

To analyse this issue let us go with an example of farm loan waivers and schemes such as Rythu Bandhu and PM KISAN. Farm loans are given by banks at lower interest rates. Union government as well as various state governments offer interest subvention schemes for farm loans. Agriculture sector has been facing various issues. Those are irregular and inadequate supply of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, farm labor and loans also. Another major issue is price for the agricultural produce.    

Some regions of Maharashtra faced a classic problem. Failure of Kharip crop due to deficient rainfall, lack of irrigation and destruction of Rabi crops due to thunderstorms and hailstorms. In this scenario farmers were demanding farm loan waivers in various states. 

There was an unprecedented 'Farmers Strike' in Maharashtra. So Maharashtra government announced farm loan waiver scheme of 36,000 crore, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgadh, Rajasthan governments announced farm loan waivers. 

Clearing the loan accounts and enable farmers to seek new loans for new cultivation seasons, is the basic idea behind farm loan waivers. But, just after announcement of farm loan waiver scheme the NPA in farm loans rose to 24 percent in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers who fell under scheme criteria simply stopped repaying the loan and those who didn't refused to repay loan. They started expecting similar waiver.

Result, NPAs have risen. Farmer's previous loan accounts are not clear. According to Banking rules Banks are not ready to advance further loans to farmers. Half of cultivation 2019 Kharif season is gone with more or less average monsoon but farmers are not able to get funding for cultivation season. 

Here the PM KISAN and schemes like Rythu Bandhu, KALIA frames in with the objective of fulfilling the working capital needs of farmers. 

          

There are major policy level freebies in India since long time. Like the Public Distribution System, which eventually got the statutory status under Food Security act. Union Government passed it in 2013, but state governments such as Chattisgadh have been running it for many years before it. 

These systems work only when both the beneficiary and the supplier are benefitted.

Another policy level freebie is in existence known as MGNREGS. Annual Financial Statement for 2018-19 provides 89 thousand crore for the scheme. Has this scheme created any long term assets? 

There are few states which collaborated the NREGA with state programs such as Maharashtra. 'Magel Tyala Shet tale' (Farm pond on demand) and Jalyukt Shivar scheme were collaborated with NREGA. It has created a disintegrated watershed structure across Maharashtra, especially in drought prone areas. With this scheme 24 TMC water could be preserved and Ground water table rose substantially. 

Despite of deficient rainfall in successive years farm productivity rose substantially. 

The Mid Day Meal scheme for Government schools. Which might seem unnecessary expenditure, scope for corruption etc. But one thing must be considered that it has resulted in rise in enrollment in rural areas also improved health indicators of underprivileged children. In a way it is to be considered as an investment for the future. 

Balancing the fiscal prudence, maintaining the growth story is a tremendous task. 

While considering all the lacunae in spending on subsidies Direct Benefit Transfer has made a huge impact. Current Government is trying to cut down expenditure on subsidies. 

Prime Minister emphasized the importance of wealth creators in independence day speech. It is necessary to emphasize on wealth creation with least hurdle. Creation of a society which will not seek freebies but contribute more and more to economy has to be the objective. To achieve that objective Striking balance between freebies and Economic Growth is the way forward. 

Shivraj Ashtak: Digpal Lanjekar

A Perfect Blend of  Adhering to Historical Facts and Creative Liberty 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a scared, revered figure for the Maharashtrians, Indians. He is not any other king who found his kingdom by defecting a weak existing king. He is revered because his ideals, his actions, his vision changed the course of history. India, especially Hindus in India owe their existence today to Shivaji Maharaj. Maharaj always iterated that establishment of Hindavi Swarajya is will of Shri (Ishwar), I am the marshal of that will. Many historians have written biographies, historical accounts on Maharaj. Some of the most authentic historians are Gajanan Bhaskar Mehendale, Va. Si. Bendre, Jadunath Sarkar, Vi. Ka. Rajwade, T. S. Shejwalkar and many more. There are great scholars like Narhar Kurundkar who have put brilliant analysis on life and times of Shivaji Maharaj at various platforms. I would like to quote what Narhar Kurundkar has stated about Maharaj, and will go to the topic, 

"Shivaji Maharaj changed the course of history. There were Hindu kings in medieval period India. Their kingdoms maintained status quo in victories and faced complete destruction in loss in battle. They used to face destruction due to an invasion (Islamic Invasions in fact). Invaders used to march in their territory easily. One invasion could destroy their prosperous kingdoms. Shivaji Maharaj overthrown this legacy. He chose his own battlegrounds. He kept close watch on enemies. His kingdom expanded in victories, he managed to keep the core kingdom intact in backlashes. He looked after his subjects like children, his ideas, vision inspired common people. Common people believed its their Swarajya too. That vision gave common people the inspiration to fight Mogul forces of Aurangzeb for 27 years, defeating the greta Mogul." 

The great personality has been inspiring and will continue to inspire authors, filmmakers, playwrights, painters, sculptors. There is a great legacy of novels of based on life and times of Maharaj. There is a great legacy of playwrights. And the unforgettable legacy of Bhalji Pendharkar and his movies based on Shivaji Maharaj. In modern period Shivaji Maharaj came back to the screen with great production value, historical accuracy, with the TV serial, Raja Shivchhatrapati. Starring Amol Kolhe, Mrunal Kulkarni and many others. Director Digpal Lanjekar has brought Shivaji Maharaj to the big screen with his Shivraj Ashtak (8 Movies based on life and times of Shivaji Maharaj). Can be termed as Shivaji Maharaj universe, quoting the Marvel Movie Universe term. 

The saga started with the film 'Farzand' based on the valor of Kondaji Farzand and Annaji Datto who captured the Panhala fort with only 60 troops. The second one was 'Fatteshikast' rightly termed as India's first Surgical Strike. A daring attack led by Shivaji Maharaj himself, on Shahista Khan at Pune's Lal Mahal. Third is 'Pawankhind' the glorious saga of valor, sacrifice of Baji Prabhu Deshpande and Bandal Sena at the Pawankhind. And latest is 'Sher Shivraj-Swari Afjalkhan' a mind game of diplomacy and greatest strategic war planning. Next in line is the stunning, impressive act of escape from Agra. These movies have come and are coming in the right times. 

The cinema, storytelling, technologies have changed. One can use VFX and other technics to give a visual treat to audience. When the technology blends with entirely Indian stories, stories of valor, stories of Indic values, it profoundly puts forward the Indic perspective before the audience. Be it the magnum opus Bahubali or the Shivraj Ashtak. Though Bahubali was entirely a fiction, offering great visuals of Indic values, glory of Indian kingdoms, Shivraj Ashtak is based on a life of great man. There is little scope for liberty, especially in the current times when sensitivity is at its peak. Some or the other community gets hurt. But Digpal Lanjekar is class apart. 

Digpal Lanjekar has tremendous hold over historical facts. He has studied the primary sources of history. He has hold ancient texts. He has hold over folk tales. He has the great ability to build a perfect screenplay based on undisputed historical facts, folk tales, legends and creative liberty to make the art more attractive. For example, the first film Farzand. Where primary sources, writings of historians present only fact that 60 troops climbed the mountain, fought and captured the fort. To make this one liner into a feture length film, creative liberty was mandatory. So folk tales, stories of espionage, gathering troops, stories of families of generals, soldiers come in. But the fact remains, no one can question the writer-director Digpal over this liberty. 

Take the example of Fatteshikast and Sher Shivraj. A daring act like attack on Lal Mahal, a masterpiece of strategic planning like Afjalkhan Swari or should be termed as battle of Pratapgad to take it to broader level, were impossible without intel gathering. History mentions few names of spies in Shivaji Maharaja's armies. The head of intel department of Shivaji Maharaj, known as the eyes of Maharaj, Bahirji Naik's name is only mentioned in some sources. It actually is the great success of the intel force. So writer-director took creative liberty, creating characters who helped Bahirji Naik in intel gathering. When the creative liberty adds on the craft it takes the movie to a great levels. Lanjakar has got the knack. 

Finally the most important thing in the Shivraj Ashtak universe, is the unapologetic portrayal of Hindu symbols. There is an unnecessary, uncalled race to prove Shivaji Maharaj being a secular (in modern terms. The Hindu bashing type of secularism). Digpal Lanjekar portrays the Temples, Shivaji Maharaj performing daily offerings, Maharaja's court having big Bhavani Murti at the back walls, Big Hanuman Statue at the place where they practice warfare, References to Ayurveda, its use in strategic warfare, References to ancient texts like 'Agnipurana' for ancient weaponry, brilliant dream scenes depicting Bhavani herself blessing Shivaji Maharaj. This makes Writer-Director Digpal Lanjekar class apart. 

All the four movies have received critical acclaim as well as are box office hits/blockbusters. Honesty towards the topic, adhering to the history, taking creative liberty to enhance the visual experience is accepted by the audience. Digpal Lanjekar has proved it. The Marathi cinema industry has been recharged with the universe. It is equally necessary to take the saga of Shivaji Maharaj at pan India level with this kind of honesty and integrity. Let's hope for the best in future. 

 

Published: Swarajya Mag

Shivsrushti: Where History Becomes Alive

Photo Credit: Vaastu Vidhan

The magnum opus 'Shiva Bawavani' as "Kashi ki Kala Jati, Mathura Masjid Bhayi, Agar Shivaji na hote, to Sunnat hoti sabki," No other poet is as profound as Kavi Bhushan to describe the civilizational importance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Defense Minister of India Yashwantrao Chavan described the importance of Shivaji Maharaj, as, "Had there been no Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the entire world knows what would have the fate of India. There would not have been a need to go very far to find Pakistan border. Perhaps the border could have been found outside your and my house." 

Union Home and Co-operation Minister Shri Amit Shah quoted this in the inauguration ceremony of first phase of the Shivsrushti at Pune, a dream of the late Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare come true. 

Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare had dedicated his life to bringing Shivaji Maharaj to people with every tool at his disposal. He did extensive research from the primary sources of history on Shivaji Maharaj. He left no stone unturned to get hold on the sources of history like Sanads, Letters, Chronicles (Bakhar), foreign traveler's accounts and many more. His quest for studying and presenting the history of Shivaji Maharaj continued till his last breath. After doing a considerable research he came up with his magnum opus 'Raja Shivchhatrapati' a chronicle based on evidences (Purava Adharit Bakhar). 

Photo Credit: Vaastu Vidhan

Babasaheb Purandare didn't stop there. He gave a whopping 12,000 lectures on Shivaji Maharaj at multiple occasions, places across the world. He wrote and curated the magnum opus play named 'Janata Raja' where he staged Shivaji Maharaj's history at a massive scale. There have been 1,200 shows of the play across the world and counting. 

The idea of 'Shivsrushti' an exhibition where history shall become alive came to Babasaheb's mind. In the year 1967 he came together with Chhatrpati Pratapsinh Maharaj, descendant of Shivaji Maharaj at Satara, Rajmata Sumitraje Bhosale to form Maharaja Shivchhatrapati Pratishthan. He donated the proceedings from these 12,000 lecture and 1200 shows of Janata Raja for the erection of Shivsrushti at Ambegaon near Pune, of which the first phase has been inaugurated by Union Home and Co-operation Minister Shri Amit Shah. 

Shivsrushti is probably one of the best exhibitions where every modern tool, technology has been used to bring history to live. The technologies of holography, project mapping, motion simulations, 3D, 4D tech, Audio-visual tech are employed. Miniatures of historical forts Shivaji Maharaj built, captured have been erected. The historical tools, weapons are at display. In the second and subsequent phases the replicas of Rajsabha, Jagadishwar Temple at Raigad, replicas of various forts, temples shall be dedicated to people. 

Replica of Jagadishwar Mahadeo at Raigad. 
Photo Credit: Vaastu Vidhan

Union Home and C0-operation Minister Shri Amit Shah, being an admirer of the Maratha history stated that no other day would have been accurate to inaugurate the first phase than the Birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj. Shah quoted Maithilisharan Gupt's stanza about Shriram, "Ram tera charit swayam hi kavya hai, kavi ban jae to sahaj sambhavya hai.." Babasaheb also quoted it and stated that it also applies to Shivaji Maharaj. 

HM Amit Shah stated that Shivaji Maharaj carried out multiple projects of for Panchangshuddhi, he encouraged to write Karankaustubh Granth, the Raj Vyavahar Kosh for Bhasha Shuddhi. Where 1400 words were stated down to replace foreign words with Sanskrit, and Sanskrit originated Indian languages. Shivaji Maharaj carved his Rajmudra in Sanskrit, ending with the words "Esha Mudra Bhadray Rajate" that describes the vision of Lok kalyan. 

HM Stated that Shivaji Maharaj was the torch bearer of Dev, Desh, and Dharma. He rebuilt many temples razed by Muslim and Christian invaders. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured and rebuilt the Arunachalam temple of Tiruvannamalai during his Dakshin Digvijaya. He rebuilt the Raj Daivat of Goa Shri Saptkoteshwar razed by Portuguese forces. The Govt. of Goa has recently renovated the Saptkoteshwar temple and dedicated it to the people. 

HM Amit Shah also stated that the movement of Swaraj did not with Shivaji Maharaj but grew eternally to the glory. Sambhaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Bajirao Peshwa, Madhavrao Peshwa took the legacy forward to build the empire. The legacy of Dev, Desh and Dharma, in the form of recapturing, reconstructing the razed temples was also carried forward by many including Shahu Maharaj, Bajirao, Madhavrao Peshwa, and Ahilyabai Holkar. Shah stated that Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji is also following the legacy with the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, gold plating of the Somnath temple, Kedarnath and the Ram Mandir. Shivaji Maharaj not just brought in Swarajya, Sushasan, and Swadharm but also brought back the glory and 'Swatwa' among the Hindus. 

It is pertinent to quote Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare from his 'founder's message' for Shivsrushti, where he says, "To make our great nation even greater every generation has to develop their national character.. ideal values and ethics need to be installed in our youth. Hence, to endeavor this colossal task the life history of Shivaji Maharaj is one of the great sources from yore.. history is the most valued treasure." The project of Shivsrushti which will be Asia's largest historical theme park when completed shall inscribe a sense of pride, and righteousness in the minds of generations to come. 

पूर्वप्रसिद्धी: 

How poets personified Shivaji Maharaj

 

साजि चतुरंग सैन अंग में उमंग धरी 

सरजा शिवाजी जंग जीतन चलत हैं 

भूषण भनत नाद बिहद नगारन के 

नदी-नद मद गैबरन के रलत हैं 

ऐल-फैल खैल-भैल खलक में गैल गैल 

गजन की ठैल-पैल सैल उसलत हैं 

तारा सों तरनि धूरि-धारा में लगत जिमि 

थारा पर पारा पारावार यों हलत हैं 

This is how Kavi Bhooshan describes how Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj looks like when he begins his march for a war. He says, the sounds of kettle-drums are deafening and the young bull-elephants are secreting so much that, there are rivers of them flowing. The elephants are spreading such commotion that there is chaos and disorder in the paths of enemy, where this treads. So thunderous is there movement that the hills along are being uprooted. The feet and the hooves of this army raise so much dust that it covers the sky and the shining sun is reduced to but like a twinkling star. As the massive army marches through, the earth trembles like mercury on a wobbling plate. (Translation by Atul Sabnis. at thecustodiansin.wordpress.com)

There cannot be more apt description of great armies of Shivaji Maharaj that established the Hindavi Swarajya, that eventually went on to become Hindavi Samrajya. There are multiple heroic moments in the life of Shivaji Maharaj that prove his greatness. But one incident, one moment of his life that changed the course of the history of India is the Rajyabhishek i.e. Coronation. The 'Sabhasad Bakhar' (Chronicle) says, "या युगी सर्व पृथ्वीवर सर्व म्लेंछ बादशहा. हा मऱ्हाटा पातशाह येवढा छत्रपती जाला. ही गोष्ट काही सामान्य जाली नाही." meaning, There are only Mlenchh Badshah in current times. A Marhata king becoming Chhatrapati is not an ordinary thing. It indeed isn't an ordinary thing, and we are celebrating the 350th anniversary of Rajyabhishesk, to be rightly called as the Hindu Samrajya Din. 

The greatness of Shivaji Maharaj is sung by many, in multiple formats like chronicles, ballads, poems, Mahakavyas and many more. Here, it is an attempt to look at how contemporary and some modern poets described Shivaji Maharaj through their poems. There are contemporary poets who wrote on the greatness of Shivaji Maharaj, like Kavindra Paramanand Newaskar, Kavi Bhooshan and Ajnandas. There are many contemporary poets who have composed poems but here is an attempt to deal with some of them, including Mahatma Phule, Swatantryaveer Savarkar, Shankar Vaidya, Kusumagraj, etc.

 

Kavindra Paramanad Newaskar was contemporary to Shivaji Maharaj. He was with him during the Agra campaign of Shivaji Maharaj, where he mysteriously escaped from the captivity of Aurangzeb. Shivaji Maharaj had given an order to Kavindra Paramanand to write his biography. According to it, Paramanand wrote the biography in Sanskrit, known as the Shiv Bharat. This Sanskrit biography is in the form of a Mahakavya. Modern historians, authority on history of Shivaji Maharaj consider this as one of the most authentic source of history. Kavindra Paramanand being contemporary to the life and times of Shivaji Maharaj, describes the battles, incidences, the character of Shivaji maharaj as Dharm Abhimani very well. 

There is a glorious tradition of 'Powada' i.e. ballads based on heroics of the great men in Maharashtra. There have been many contemporary 'Shahirs' who compose these ballads. Shahir Ajnandas is one of the important among them, who has composed a ballad on the battle of Pratapgad i.e. slaying of Adilshahi general Afzal Khan. The ballads are mostly composed in Veer Rasa. There are some modern Shahirs, poets who composed ballads on the life of times of Shivaji Maharaj. Social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is among them. The 'Shivaji Cha Powada' composed by him is quite well known. There is another important name in this league is Swatantryaveer Savarkar, who composed ballads on the incidences of battle of Pawankhind and battle of Sinhgad. These ballads are sung, presented by many modern folk artists in Maharashtra, along with new compositions also. 

The topic of poems on Shivaji Maharaj would be incomplete without mentioning of Kavi Bhooshan. He was born in Trivikrampur (Tikmapur) in Uttar Pradesh. His family has immensely contributed to the Hindi literature. He was the one travelled across India in the 17th century, met multiple kings, people at different places, but he says it was Shivaji Maharaj who admire the most. Kavi Bhooshan has composed the 'Shiva Bavani' and many Chhand praising Shivaji Maharaj. The Chhand quoted at the beginning is from the Shiva Bavani. No other contemporary poet has described Shivaji Maharaj as Kavi Bhooshan has done. 

In modern times, a poetic, musical masterpiece 'Shiv Kalyan Raja' was created by the genius minds of Pt. Hridayanath Mangeshkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Babasaheb Purandare. In this musical the poems, Chhandas of Kavi Bhooshan, Swanatntryaveer Savarkar, Kusumagraj ( Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar), Govindagraj (Ram Ganesh Gadkari), Shankar Vaidya, Samarth Ramdas, woven in  such a way that described the life of Shivaji Maharaj. Babasaheb Purandare narrated the story background in brief and the songs described the story. 

It has lori (lullby), written by Govindagraj, where Jijabai is igniting little Shivaji's mind for the cause. It has the aarti of Shivaji Maharaj written by Savarkar, which he had written in his college days. The aarti was sung at the meetings of the secret revolutionary organization Abhinav Bharat. It has another poem by Savarkar, 'He Hindu Nrusinha Prabho Shivaji Raja' describing Shivaji Maharaj as 'Hindu Nrusinh'. It has two Chhanda by Kavi Bhooshan. It has the long open letter written by Samarth Ramdas, not just to Shivaji Maharaj but to the people of Maharashtra describing him as 'निश्चयाचा महामेरू, बहुत जनांसी आधारु। अखंड स्थितीचा निर्धारु. श्रीमंत योगी।।

The musical has another most important poem by Shankar Vaidya describing how the Rajyabhishek is saffron light emerged from a Yajna going on for centuries. 

शतकांच्या यज्ञातून उठली एक केशरी ज्वाला 

दहा दिशांच्या हृदयामधुनी अरुणोदय झाला

The coronation of Shivaji Maharaj is one of the most important moment in the history of India. It has changed the past, present of India, and going to shape the future surely. Historians have critically studied the sources and presented the history in front of us. The Shahirs, Poets have composed ballads, poems, Mahakavyas on that history that will keep us ignited. In the end, the last stanza of Shiva Bavani is evident to be cited as it sums it up the importance of Shivaji Maharaj in the history, present and future of India. It says, 

कासीहू की कला जाती, मथुरा मसीत होती, 

अगर शिवाजी न होते तो सूनति होत सबकी।

 

Published: Swarajya Mag special issue "350 Years of Swarajya"