Friday, June 25, 2021

संत कबीर जयंती

Kabir Jayanti special

Kabir Saheb was a living legend he was a mystic, poet and a saint whose philosophy influenced the Bhakti movement. Kabir was a rebellious and revolutionary spirit and he questioned the meaningless religious practices and traditions of Hindus and Muslims.

Kabir Jayanti is a celebration to commemorate the manifestation of Saint Kabir Ji. it is also known as Kabir Prakatya Diwas. Saint Kabir appeared on the day of the full moon in the month of Jyeshth of the Vikrami year 1456 that corresponds to the year 1398 AD. This couplet clearly ascertains the day of kabir’s appearance

We will be celebrating 623rd birth ceremony of the mystic saint Kabir on 24th June 2021.

He was a great believer of humanity. He tried to demolish the walls that separated the humans from each other through his simple philosophies which reflected in his poetry. The language of his poetry was straightforward and understandable by the common people. His verses were direct revelation of truth and full of spirituality. He believed in simple life full of purity. He was against false rituals and superstitions of both Hindu and Muslim religions which have no relevance.

His poems which were written in Hindi and had various dialect including Braj and Awadhi were seeped in devotion, mysticism, discipline and about seeking the truth.

पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय ।
ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय ।।

Meaning : Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise

मीठा सबसे बोलिए, सुख उपजे चाहू ओर |

वशीकरण यह मंत्र है, तजिये वचन कठोर ||

Meaning : Speak sweetly and politely, you will make all happy

This is just like a charm, give up harsh words

साँच बराबर तप नहीं, झूठ बराबर पाप।
जाके हिरदे साँच है, ताके हिरदे आप॥

Meaning: There is no sacrifice bigger than truth and no crime bigger than lie. God resides in hearts of those who speak truth/follow the path of truth (bhakti)

झूठी बात न बोलिये, जब लग पार बसाय।
कहो कबीरा साँच गहु, आवागमन नसाय॥

Monday, June 21, 2021

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually since 21st June 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental & spiritual practice which originated in India, The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address in 2014, had suggested the date of 21st June to celebrate international day of yoga.

He stated:-

Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man & nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.

— Narendra Modi

Following this initial proposal, the UN adopted the draft resolution, entitled Day of Yoga, on 2014. The consultations were convened by the delegation of India. In 2015 Reserve Bank of India issued a 10 rupees commemorative coin to mark the International Day of Yoga. In April 2017, UN Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 10 stamps on Asanas on a single sheet to mark International Day of Yoga.

The first International Day of Yoga was observed around the world on 21 June 2015. The Ministry of AYUSH made the necessary arrangements in India. 35,985 people, including Prime Minister Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations, performed 21 Asanas (yoga postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi, becoming the largest yoga class ever held, and with the largest number of participating nations (84 nations).Since then it is celebrated every year.

As per the scripture Bhagwan Shiva is the father of Yoga .The reference of Yoga is found in Rigveda and Upnishads. Yoga was First mentioned in the Rigveda it is only in three of them : 1.18.7, 1.30.7, 10.114. In India Rishikesh is the place which is known as birthplace of Yoga, it is also considered as Yoga capital of world. In India there was a great scholar namely Patanjali who has been written a book namely Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, which is collection of Sanskrit Sutras on theory and practice of Yoga. The Yoga Sutra was compiled between 500 BCE and 400 CE. The theme of International Day of Yoga of this year is "Yoga for wellness', a motto aligned to the current pre-occupations.

Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (01 March 1909 – 19 June 1995), The Father of the Library Movement.

Panicker was born in a Nair family on 1st March 1909 at Neelamperoor, India. His father's name was Govinda Pillai and Janaky Amma was his mother. In 1926 he started the Sanadanadharmam Library as a teacher in his hometown. he was a teacher and his influence on society was much greater than many of his time. Panicker led the formation of Thiruvithaamkoor Granthasala Sangham in 1945 with 47 rural libraries. The slogan of the organization was 'Read and Grow'. Later on, with the formation of Kerala State in 1956, it became Kerala Granthasala Sangham . He traveled to the villages of Kerala proclaiming the value of reading. He succeeded in bringing some 6,000 libraries into this network. Granthasala Sangham won the ‘Krupsakaya Award’ from UNESCO in 1975. Panicker was the General Secretary of Sangham for 32 years, until 1977, when it was taken over by the State Government. On 19th June 1995 the pioneer father of library movement P.N. Panicker has passed away.

P. N. Panicker who was the Father of the Library Movement. The activities of the Kerala Grandhasala Sangham that he initiated triggered a popular cultural movement in Kerala which produced universal literacy in the state in the 1990s.

June 19, his death anniversary, has been observed in Kerala as Reading Day since 1996. The Department of Education in Kerala also observes Reading Week for a week from June 19tth to 25th.

In 2017, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared June 19, Kerala's Reading Day, as National Reading Day in India .The following month is also observed as National Reading Month in India.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

National Reading Day : 19th June 2021

The National Education Policy 2020 has placed emphasis on ‘how to read’, ‘learn to read’, read to learn’ and underscored the critical role played by Public/School/Digital libraries towards this end. The P. N. Panicker Foundation has been a key contributor in this area.

Honouring the father of the Library Movement, the late P.N. Panicker, 19th June is being celebrated as Reading Day and the following week as the Reading Week. Started as a Reading Day Celebration on 19th June 1996, it has become a mass movement to promote the culture of reading. On 19th June 2017, Honourable Prime Minister launched the 22nd National Reading Month Celebrations and gave a clarion call to propagate the message of ‘Read and Grow’ among all the citizens of the country by 2022.

P.N. Panicker was born at Neelamperoor on March 1, 1901. He was a teacher in his hometown and then later on started Sanadanadharmam Library in 1926. Being the head of the cultural movement regarding reading in Kerala, he gained popularity. And further movement became more intense.

According to him, reading was the most essential element for the proper development of the country. The slogan of the P.N. foundation was “read and grow”. It symbolises the importance of reading in his opinion.

The foundation has laid down the online reading activities for this year on its official website. These activities include digital library, webinar on the importance of reading, digital reading pledge and so on.

The Foundation has suggested quiz, open art, essay writing and debate competitions for students. It has also organized a quiz and video book competition for the teachers, faculty members, and librarians.

The Government of India has also celebrated the legacy of Panicker by issuing a commemorative postage stamp in his name on June 21, 2004.

The 26th National Reading Day will be celebrated on 19th June 2021, the following week as Reading Week and Reading Month will be celebrated from 19th June to 18th July 2021. In the light of COVID19 pandemic, the P.N. Panicker Foundation has initiated and designed different online reading related activities. The details of these activities are available at the link: https://www.pnpanickerfoundation.org