Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
ARCHAEOLOGY
Title
of the Book : ARCHAEOLOGY
This
Archaeology book consist of 11 Chapters, which describe about archaeological
sources helps the historians to prove our culture is earlier than or parallel
with world civilization. The first chapter gives introduction about the term
Archaeology, aims and objectives, merits and importance of archaeological
sources to write history. The second chapter explains about Types of Survey Methods
by vertical and horizontal methods of survey, Archaeological evidences, methods
adopted in the field for collecting meterial and classification of sources,Third
chapter deals about pre-historic period with special reference to
Athichanallur, Keeladi,Arichamedu, Indus Valley archaeological survey and its
importance, graveyards and its structure. Fourth chapterexplains about Dating
Methods i.e.Value Phenomena, Fluorine Test, Pollen Analysis, Accurate Dating,
Carbon Dating Method, Dendro Chronology, Potassium Organ Dating Method, Fission
Track Dating, Thermoluminesensory Method, Tephra Chronology and Obsidian Dating
Method. The fifth chapter explains history with other subjects. History is a dwelling house of all subject
and vice versa. Archaeology with Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Botany,
Zoology, Humanities, Metallurgy, Numismatics, Inscriptions,Statistics and
Computer Science. The sixth chapter
explains the value of pottery and its historic values. Types of pottery and its manufacturing
techniques, internal and foreign pottery techniques found in archaeological
sites and trace the history of trade and commerce. The seventh chapter explains the Brahmi inscriptions
ofKeezhavalavu, Arittapatti, Tenkasi, and Azhakarai inscriptions and Tamil
inscriptions written in Brahmi letters at Arachalur, Pugazhur, Meenatchipuram,
Mankulam, Chinamannur copper plate, DharmapuriNadukal, and Irulappatti
inscription. The eighth chapter Ancient
scripts like paintings, graphitic andphoniticsletter, Thamizhi, Vattezhuthu,
Grantham, Dravidy and scripts. The ninth
chapter explains about the growth of tamil letters in inscription,
RajarajanMeikeerthi and Tanjore temple inscriptions, Uttiramerur, Ihole
inscription kathikumbha inscriptions, Allahabad Prasasthi, Rajasimha
Kanchipuram inscription, Arikameduand Azhakarai Archaeological survey
comparative study. The chapter describe about the early Chola’s art and
architecture and its value, Vijayanagar art and architectural development,
Pallava art and architecture and its special features, and the eleventh chapter
explains the life history of archaeologist,inscriptionist and
cartographers. Bibliography has given by
the end of the book.
History of Science and Technology in India
The book
entitled “History of Science and
Technology in India” consist of 14 chapters aims to highlight the
contribution of Indian Scientist to Science and Technology through the ages in
India in specific and to the world.
First Chapter “Development of
Science and technology through the ages” which covers Ancient, Medieval and
Pre- British and Post-Independence period in India. The second chapter explains
about the Science Society in India and its developmenthistory of Indian
Sciencedevelopment society, Calcutta medical and Physics Society, Asiatic Society of Bombay; Indian Science
Congress Society, Vingnana Parisad; Indian Mathematics Society; Science Society
of British and Development of
Meteorological Science in India. Third
chapter focus on Mathematicians and
experts of astrology and their contribution to science and technology of
India with special reference to Aryabatta, Brahma Gupta, Bhaskarachariyar,
Varahamikirar, Srinevasa Ramanujum and Magical Numerical expert Ramachandrar
Kapprekar. The Chapter four narrate the career andachievement of scientist of various fields like Agriculture, Medicine,
Physics, Astro-Physics, Atomic and Nuclear Energy. It gave a brief history of M. S. Swaminathan,
the Father of Green Revolution, Ellapragatha Subbah Rao’s Contribution to
Medicine, Sir. C.V. Ramanand Srinivasu Krishnan and Jagadesh Chandra Bose to
Physics; Austro physicsSubramanian Chandra Sekar, J.R.T. Tata, S.K. Sudirkumar
Mithra, Nuclear Research Scientist Homi Jahangir Baba, Dr. Brahma Prakash, Dr.
Sathish Tawan, and APJ. Kalam. The
Fifth Chapter refers the growth and
development of Atomic Power Stations, Atomic Committee and its aim,
designing Atomic Power Stations, Baba Atomic Research Centre, Indian Rare
Mineral Research Centre, Areas availablility of Rare mineral resources and
Indira Ganthi Atomic Research Centres, Indian Uranium Society, Indian
Electronic Society, Renewable Resource methods, Recycling and preserve Atomic
Waste, Uses of rare minerals, Policies of CTBT,
Power and strength of Atomic
Missiles of India, Kudankulum Atomic Research centre, installation and its
benefits to India. The sixth chapter
deals with Indian Meteorology research
department and its benefits; the eighth chapter explains the first women in
space with special reference to Valauntina Vildimiroavna Terescova, Kalpana
Chawla, Scientist N. Valarmathi; the eighth chapter describe about the Information Technology and its growth
in India. AIR, STD and ISD service, Information Net work, Electronic Mail,
Video Conference, mobile telephone, Radio Paging, VSNL, CTNI, Telex, Voice
Mail, Digital Network and multi media.
The ninth chapter describe about Satellite
and its designing with special reference to Launching vehicle, PSLV, GSLV,
INSAT 3D R satellite, GSLV F -05 Rocket; PSLV C- 35; Erian – 5 Rocket; G SAT 18
satellite and list of satellite with classification. The chapter ten exclusively for the career and achievement of APJ Kalam, a
Missile man of India, his role in ISRO
and DRDO, awards he received for his achievement in Space research. The eleventh chapter explains about the ISROs
achievement of sent satellite Chandrayaan I & II, Mangalyaan I & II and
recyclable launching vehicle. The
twelfth chapter explains thedevelopment
of technology in Space Research in India; the thirteenth
chapter detailed study on Defense
Research and Development Organization in India. Final chapter gave glossary of scientific terms and its explanation for understanding
growth and development of Science and technology in India. In Appendices,
Pictures collected and selected from ISRO and DRDO website for the readers to
understand the matter clearly about space research and creating interest to
know about the science and technical advancement of India. Bibliography has given for further reference. Totally this book
made the readers to be pride to be an Indian after using it.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
TAMIL PROVERBS: FORECASTING SCIENCE
-
“ Varappuyara Neeruyarum Neeruyara Nelluyarum
Nelluyara
Kudiuyarum Kudiuyara Konuyarum”-
Avvaiyar
Water, according to the
Americans, is poor man’s fertilizer. The
statement is true in the case of Tamils as well, as rain and water are identical
with fertility and productivity of the farms.
Water is so indispensable for growing plants and crops on soil, that it
appears, it is more important than manure and fertilizer. The rain water is the
best source of this supply and in order to create awareness about the value of
rain in Tamil country, they were using Proverbs related with rain and enhance
the knowledge on forecasting
agricultural science through the ages.
However, Modern methods of agriculture largely depend on a number of
implements and an element of technology and engineering is involved in every
agricultural operations. Ploughing,
pulverising, levelling of the soil, cleaning grading of seed, drilling, irrigating,
inter-cultivating, weeding, harvesting, threshing and finally hauling of the
crop to the markets are all operations to which the skill of the modern
technology may be applied to enhance
efficiency along with the traditional method of cultivation. But onething all should remember that the proverb used by our ancestors is the concentrated essence of the wisdom and
experience of ages, which will go a long way to help us to a knowledge of the
agriculture of the country and to
draw some useful, scientific deductions from them.
Hence this paper helps us to know
the past experience of our ancestors and lead the present and guideline for the
future generation to carriedout agricultural activities in a properway. Generally, Agricultural activities may be
classified into nine main heads such as
Husbandry, Soil, Manure, Ploughing, Transplanting, Sowing, Cultivating seasons,
Rains, and Crops. Therefore, this paper reveals only the proverbs used by Tamilians regarding Rain and how these proverbs helps the farmers to understand without scientific equipments
and forecaste the suitable weather to start cultivation. Tamil proverbs advise the farmers to take
preventive measures to save agriculture
from the natural calamities. Moreover, Tamil proverb helps the
cultivators to select the right time to start cultivation and increase agicultural production.
PROVERB
ABOUT RAIN-forecasting
agricultural science :
This
paper refers only couple dozens of proverb for this study, due to restriction
of pages. But this paper helps to
understand the contribution of Tamils to agricultural science by pridict the
future by Tamil proverbs. A few
references are as follows:
“Crops without rain and children
without mother will not thrive.” It
forecast the importance of rain for the crops cultivation in a simple way i.e. if the child has no
mother means do not expect repayment of a child to the society. In such a way , if there is no rain, crops
will not thrive or yield.
“Cessation of rain in Margali is just like
a place deprived of its woods.” If there is no rain in the month of Margali
means there is no plant can grow well. So the agriculturist can able to
understand that failure of rain in the month of Margali cause for
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the
dreary and sunburnt waste. It can
predict the future weather condition, and warned the farmer, not to carriedout
any cultivation.
“Three
rains a month are required to keep up proper agriculture.” This proverb advised the farmer that proper
agriculture required three times rain in a month.
“Summer commences in Thai” which
tells that the First part of summer starts in the month of Thai or second part
of January. This proverb urge the farmer that if the summer starts, the farmer
has to save water, foodgrains for future use.
“A great number of white butterflies
signifies heavy floods.” If we found more number of white butterflies in
the atmosphere which forecaste or pridict the heavy rain and flood. It forecaste the society to take
precautionary efforts to prevent flood, by desilting ponds, lake, or warter
reservoirs and storage of water and prevent flood and save men and material
from heavy loss may occurred due to flood.
“Nothing will prosper without rain.” This proverb teaches that the failure of rain cause for scarcity
of food and water and no sign for prosperity in life, which alert the society
and government to tackle the situation
by taking necessary steps well in advance
to store food grains and other necessay
commodities from surples areas to the deficity area or affected areas and made
an announce for the recovery measures
well in advance.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Excessive
wind indicates rain.” If the wind blow
excessively cause for the arrival of proper rainfall. If the wind blow
excessively, which forecaste the farmers to be prepare their land for cultivation.
“The greater the thunder, the less the
rain.” This proverb forecaste the less rainfall may occur as soon as the
greater thunder sound. If we heard the
greater thunder sounds, which is the warning bell to the people that we may receive less rain, needn’t
worry about the heavy rainfall may occur that time and change the pattern of
cultivation with the help of minimum rain.
“ Lightning forebodes rain.” If we can see the Lightning, after that surely expected to
gets rainfall and prepare the land for cultivation.
“Oh farmer get out of the field with the
young shrubbery in hand should you see the first Crescent Moon in Arpasi,” First crescent Moon
in the Arpasi observed carefully by the
farmers helps them to understand that, there is no use of transplanting in the
field. It they do it, it may cause for failure of crop in the year, led to
heavy loss to the farmers. If there is a
first crescent moon seen in the month of Arpasi, which insist that the farmers should not to do transplantation.
“No rain after Margali and no army after
Bharata War”. After the month of
Margali, the cultivators didn’t expect any rain for agricultural activities.
The proverb
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
compare
rain with the availability of soldiers here.
No soldiers available after Bharata war, the basic truth is , if rains
in the month of Margali means the farmers have agricultural work. So if there is no rain, there is no
agricultural work to the farmers to continue after Margali.
“ No
rain after Karthigai and no donor after King Karnan.” The rain in the month of
Karthigai is the greatest boon to
the cultivators.If it fails, after that the cultivators didn’t expect rain for
cultivation. Here the rain is compared
with the greatest donar King Karnan.
There is no rain in the month of Karthigai which is the greatest warning
about the experience of famine, to the farmers and the government to take
necessary recovery steps to save people from starvation.
“ If
the rain-bow appears under the auspices of Swathy star rain will not fail”. This proverb forecast or predict the future rainfall, which create confidence
and hope in the minds of cultivators. On the auspices of Swathy star, if we saw
the rain-bow, which ensure the rain fall, which is a symbol of definite rainfall
and helps the farmers to ensure regular agricultural activities.
“The
Crescent during the month of Thai should never be slanting”. The crescent seen in the month of Thai means which ensure
the regular agricultural activities. “Thunder storm on the 5th
Avani indicates plenty of rain during the year”. “When Venus enters Kumbam ( One of the Zodiac)
there will be abundant rain.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“ If
there be drizzling in Arpasi, there will be very heavy rains in Kartigai.” “The fall of rain on the 1st
Purattasy and the failure of rain on the Arpasi indicate rain.” “ If there is
no rain fall on the 1st of Karthigai the rains throughout the month
will fail.” The above mentioned proverbs
clearly mentioned about the time and month of the copious rainfall situations
and scarcity of rainfall, If the cultivator observed and understand the proverb
means no need to approach the scientific equipments to know about the weather
condition and lead him to select
suitable cultivable methods at that time. Rainfall is abundant and well
distributed, there is immunity from famine but mere abundance alone will not
secure it. Even abundant rainfall, if
unfavourably distributed, may lead to scarcity or famine. So construction of well, sinking new wells and
repairs to old ones, installation of persian wheels, Rahats and other lifting
appliances-dams and channels, tube wells, pumping installations and levers form
which will help in the reclamation of waste and the utilisation of rain
water.Moreover, In order to avoid,
untimely rainfall, we have to save environment and aware about global warming
and planting more trees to get proper rainfall in time.
“Pen your sheep if there be lightning in
one and the same time at the Elam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“ The rains at the time when the Moon
enters the Cancer (one of the Zodiac) will pierce the stones,” “ Water and theif should be first secured
as both have
got a tendency to run off and then let off”. “ There will be 12 showers, before a cow is milked everyday i.e. Constant rain
in Arpasi.” “ In Karthigai the rains won’t cease to allow you to clean your
vessels i.e. there will be incessant rain.”
The above proverbs clearly stated that the
heavy rain which cause for heavy damage
to men and material. It cautioned to take preventive measures to avoid
agricultural loss, by make the tanks really of protective value, they should first be put into good repair and be
provided with proper arrangement for controlling and distributing the water, so
that there may be not breaches of tank due to heavy rains or flood. It might be possible to start depleting the
reservoir a few days earlier anticipating floods based on rainfall in the
catchment and flood warning. Moreover,
these proverbs alert the farmers about the nature of rainfall and motivated him
to take preventive measure at the time of copious rainfall.
Hence, I conclude that The material and physical basis of agriculture
and the condition of the soil can be improved upon permanently only through the
provision of irrigational facilities.
Irrigation supplements the water supplied by rainfall, even in early
times the tamil poets who described the importance of irrigation that “a
King who brought land and water together was indeed the Creator of lives, and
bodies of
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
his subjects.” So, we should follow
the Tamil Proverbs of our experienced forefathers
forecasting agricultural science and increase agricultural production
and to be the creator of nation’s
prosperity and lead other countries to
follow our agricultural science.
Endnotes
Christianna P.A. Samuel, Cropping
Pattern in Tirunelveli District 1901-1950, Chennai, 1989.
Durgadoss.S.K., TamilNattup
palamozhigal,(Tamil) Vannathi Pathippagam Chennai, 1978.
Government of Tamilnadu Public Work
Department Water Resources Organization, Institute for Water Studies, Taramani,
IWS Report No. 14/96 , Chennai.
G.O. Ms. No. 3749, Public Works (1950)
Dept. dt 6/10/1950.
Irrigation in Southern
India (ASO-B533)
Jan Harold Brunvand, The Study of
American folklore an Introduction, University of Utilit, 1968.Jayaraman.N.V.,
Palamozhikalil Velalanmai Ariviyal,(Tamil) Tamilnadu Velanmaip Palkalaik
Kazhagam, 1980.
Kumarapillai.J., Vellalar Palamozhigal
Nanchil Nadu,(Tamil) Unpublished M.Phil., Dissertation, Nagercoil, 1981.
Lall.M.G.-Vide the Indian Review, VolIV,
1954, June, 1954, Hundred Facts about Indian Agriculture.
Lurdhu.D., Tamil palamozhigal Oor Ayvoo,(Tamil) Unpublished Ph.D., Thesis,
M.K. University, Madurai, 1980.
Maclean.C.D., Madras
Perumal.V. Principles of Classification
of Tamil Proverbs, Size and Structure, Vol.I, Indian University
Report of the Royal Commission on
Agriculture in India
Ramnad District Mannual,Part-I, TNA.
Sampath.R.K., & Ganesan Jeyalakshmi,
Economics of Dry Farming in Tamilnadu,Sangam Publishers, Madras
Sastri.K.A.N., The Culture and History
of Tamils
Singarajan.S., Compedium on Agriculture-
Technological and other Improvements , TNA., Chennai.1985.
The Indian Year Book & Who’s Who,
1942-43.
Zacharias.C.W.B., Madras
Agriculture, Madras
Proverbs collected from rural villages of Tamilnadu.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
MRS. KRISHNAMMAL AN ORDINARY WOMAN BECOME AN EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTOR OF SOUTH INDIA
ABSTRACT
Mrs. Krishnammal Jeganathan has done miraculous
changes in the society especially among the landless masses, downtrodden women,
NGOs, Government Reforms and National Committees and what not. Mrs. Krishnammal Jagannathan, either
independently or together with her husband, has established a total of seven
non-governmental institutions for the poor based on three main objectives viz, Bhoodan Movement i.e. Gifting land voluntarily
to needy with Acharya Vinoba Bhave; Land-reform movement to eliminate
atrocities of landlords on poor, and Coastal Farm Land protection from
Industries. In addition to this she has also played an
active role in wider public life. She has been a Senate member of the
Gandhigram Trust and University and of Madurai University. She was also a
member of a number of local and state social welfare committees and a member of
the National Committee on Education, the Land Reform Committee and the Planning
Committee. Her contribution to society recognized by awards and honoured her
selfless service. She is born an ordinary woman, who became an has extraordinary
contributor of South India, this paper is the testimony for her heroic deed in
Indian history. The unsung history fact
should be done research to made her attempt to become familiarize to create
social justice to downtrodden women and empowered women in India. As India celebrates 72 years
of independence, women were part of the Indian Independence Struggle. These
were ordinary women from all walks of life who managed to make extraordinary
contributions to the cause of freedom. Krishnammal Jagannathan was a prominent voice protesting
against social injustice in Tamil Nadu. She worked tirelessly towards uplifting
the condition of the landless and poor people in the Southernmost State of the
country. Krishnammal Jagannathan is also the founder of the Land for
Tillers’ Freedom (LAFTI) movement. Krishnammal Jagannathan was a woman and
activist who transformed South India by using the power of the Gandhian
principles.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
UNSUNG HEROINEOF INA FROM TAMILNADU - SARASWATHY RAJAMANI
BY DR. J. STELLA, M.A., B.ED., M.PHIL., S.D.T.D., PH.D., D.LITT.
The
history of freedom struggle narrated with the heroic deeds of great men with
little reference about prominent women fighters born with silver spoon or
belongs to ruling community or rich academic background. Thousands of women freedomsfighter’s contribution
to India were ignored or insignificant in the history of Tamil Nadu during the Indian
National Movement. These unsung heroines
deed should be included to fill the lapse in writing the history of Tamil Nadu
to regain its glory in the past. Many
women participants who were took active participation without any fear to face
the bullet with dare while fought for the freedom of India. One among the unsung heroine was Rajamani the
direct contributor of INA and also refer two more indirect participants of INA
and Indian Freedom Struggle.
The entire history of the freedom movement
is replete with the saga of bravery, sacrifice, military intelligence wing of
the Indian National Army and political sagacity of not only great women of the
country. Many prominent women played a
vital leading role in the Indian Freedom Movement. Many thousands of women
directly or indirectly support freedom struggle by providing their wealth and
demanding justice and led many agitations by raise their fist and take to the
streets demanding freedom from British.
When I was searched for women participants from Southern India, the
researcher has not found not exceeding ten freedom fighters in the history of Tamil
Nadu. Moreover, When Subhash Chandra
Bose made a call for joining INA, many young women sent their spouse for fought
for Indian freedom by joining INA. One
among them was Mrs.Shunmugaththai, who was the researcher’s own aunty. As a young uneducated women with one born
child and another elder son not complete the age of 5, at the age of 21she was ready to respond another call of her caste leader PasumponMuthuramalingaThevar
and prepared her mind and soul to sendher spouse to join INA. After He joined INA, he took a
group photos and sent to family members along with a letter worth mentioning
that INA is going to leave the country and marching towards Burma, If I am
alive I will back to home and see you all after World War II, otherwise accept
that I was no more and I sacrificed my life for India. As per his letter,Unfortunately,
he didn’treturn home after World War II. The only evidence that her husband in
INA was some black and white photos with my father Mr. M. Jesudoss, took before leaving India, Laterwhich
was the only evidence and main source of her to claim meagre freedom fighter’s
family Pension. In the meantime, the whole burden left on My
father M. Jesudoss’s shoulder as an elder boy of the family. As soon as he has completed III Form, and he
joined British Force as a trainee in Madras Boys Regiment, fortunately, by the
end of his training period World War II came
to an end. Fate played vital role,
sister’s husband in INA and M.Jesudoss in British during Indian Freedom Struggle. When My father Jesudossstood for roll call,
one British official came an asked him that anyone of your relative in INA, as a
young innocent boy answered that yes, my sister’s husband Sevaththa Pandian, by
hearing the name, that British official give a Great Salute to my father and
described his uncle’s heroic deed as a forceful officer in INA. After a year long hard military training he
was deputed as a drawsman in the
Department of Engineering, he earn Rs. 82/- as his salary which is almost equal
to British Official said by Mr. Jesudoss.
When the two nation theory announced all religious people fought each
other, he was deputed as a wireless operator on the day of implementing two
nation theory and declared India’s Independence.He
often recollected that I never forgot the day because everyone in Lahore to
Rawalpindi, Muslims move from India to Pakistan and Hindus from Pakistan to
India, migrants suffered with great grieve and sorrow due to loss of men and
material and a man was killed and through him on railway station nakedly with
wounds. I can’t forget that scene in my
life he said. Further, he added that
untold miseries happed on the day, all houses kept two kind of water pot with
religious mark on it in Punjab. When he
described to me, I don’t think that these were all the source material to write
history due to my ignorance. Even, hedon’t
keep his shooting medal, he melted it for anklet making for his sister’s
daughter. We never think the value of
the medals who won for his service. At
present, World War Medal and Independence Medal in the same cover that the
British officials send to his native address and preserve it as old article. On the day of declaration of India’s
Independence, he and truck driver alone went to Peshawar to brought back Indian
Army Official safely to India within a day.At
that juncture, when the truck enter into India – Pakistan Border, one young
Punjabi flat over Gelatins bombs hide underneath and saved his truck and army
official safely. Often, he remained this incident and said that
the
martyrdomPunjabi’s wife got only a medal and very meagre family pension, it’s
no way equal to his sacrifice.Today I am lived because of his
sacrifice, otherwise I was no more on the day itself. Punjabi are well known
for patriots and martyrdom. In such a
way many lakhs of Indians lost their life, happiness and think only about nation
and ready for sacrifice his soul for Nation building. Further researcher’s father narrated his
experience in army and His sister’s husband never turn back home. Ultimately, researcher’s aunty Mrs,
Shunmugathai Packiasamy Pandian of GurukkalPatti, accepted the reality that her
husband was a martyrdom for India and wore white saree as a symbol of widowhood
and other auspicious mark of removing tilak and flowers at the age of 16 years
old. Like her thousands of Indian
uneducated ladies lost their husband by sendingto INA. Now – a -days, the women who were lost their
husband in INA received meagre pension as recognized their service for the
nation.Here,
the sacrifice of a woman was not even respected by their own family and social taboo prevent them to access public
areas, which was see them as inauspicious symbols, throughout their life due to
widowhood, which is increasing their mental agony of the affected
woman. These pitiable women’s sacrifice their life and children lost their
father, sister lost their brother, parents lost their son and total devastation of their absence in the
family. So many of such women were not
inclusive in writing history of Tamil Nadu. Saraswathi Rajamani was a veteran
of the Indian National Army (INA). She is well known for her work in the
military intelligence wing of the army.
OBJECTIVES
This research
helps the historians to understand the role of women in freedom struggle in
India. To high light the contribution of
woman hailed from Tamil Nadu in India’s freedom struggle. To understand the sacrifice of women freedom
fighters to attain Independence. The readers enable to appreciate the role of
Saraswathi Rajamani who was worked as an efficient spy in INA. To enable the historians to appreciate women
who went through extraordinary struggles to make the dream of Independence a
reality. To stir the patriotic fervor among the public by highlighting the role
of women in Indian freedom struggle and made them as a courageous woman.Rajamani
was born in Rangoon, Burma (present day Myanmar) in 1927. Her forefathers were
belong to Thanjavur and settled in Burma.
Her father owned a gold mine and
was one of the richest Indians in Rangoon.Her
family was a staunch supporter of the Indian Freedom Movement and also financially
supported Indian National Movement.
SOURCES
This research was based on Primary Sources
gathered directly from Mr. J. Jesudoss
of Moovirundali Village, and Mr.
ChinnaDurai of Gurukkal Patti, Sankaranynarkoil Taluk, Tirunelveli district and
News Papers Special Correspondence Report, You Tube documentary acted by
Rajamani and available net sources.
HISTORIC
INCIDENT CHANGED RAJAMANI’S LIFE
Rajamani's life
changed when she was barely 10 years old. When, Mahatma Gandhi visited their
palatial home in Rangoon, the entire family played host to the Mahatma,while
Rajamani was practicing rifle shooting in their garden. Family members bought
her from Garder, Gandhiji asked her why
she needed a gun. "To shoot down the Britishers of course," replied
the young girl. Gandhiji told her that satyagraha was the only way to gain freedom. She said
no, I want to shoot them because the Britishers loot us so shot down them
to get freedom of India.
DONAR
OF INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY LIVES IN PENURY
At the age of 83,
SaraswathyRajamani lives in a one-room portion in a dilapidated house opposite
the Royapettah police station, where several photographs of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose adorn the cramped room's walls.
In one corner is an old sewing machine, which she used for stitching
cloth she collected from tailoring shop and used waste cloth, she stitched and
handed over to the needy or to the orphan homes. On a small narrow table is a
radio — her only companion — gifted to her by a friend in the early 1960s. It
is obvious, Ms. Rajamani is struggling to meet both ends meet. Not surprising,
as she lives off the freedom fighters pension given by the Government.
A
veteran of the Indian National Army (INA), Rajamani is too proud to admit that
she lives in penury. The tragedy is that she was born in a rich gold miner's
family that was a staunch supporter of the Indian freedom movement, in Rangoon
in Burma (now Myanmar) and it gave all their wealth for the freedom struggle.C.M.
Santhanam, another INA member, who even now calls on Rajamani regularly, says
that some of the members had petitioned successive governments to allot a small
flat for the old lady, but to no avail.
CONTRIBUTION
OF SARASWATHY IN INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY
Netaji's visit to Rangoon at the height of the
World War II to collect funds for the INA and recruit volunteers made a lasting
impact on her. As a 16-year-old young girl, inspired by Nethaji Subhash Chandra
Bose’s fiery speech at Rangoon, she donated all her gold and diamond jewelry to
the INA.Nethaji Realizing that the young girl might have donated the jewelry
innocently, Nethaji enquired about the
donor and visited her house to return it. However, Rajamani was adamant and
said that all jewels belongs to her and not to my father, so Rajamaniasked
Nethaji to uses it for the army. Nethaji
was highly impressed by her determination, he christened her Saraswathi. At this juncture,Sheexpressed
her desire to join the INA. Netaji said that Lakshmi [wealth] can comes but Saraswatithat need of an hour for INA
and recruited her in the
militaryintelligence wing and named her “Saraswathy.”
APPOINTED
AS SPY
In 1942, Rajamani was recruited to the
Rani of Jhansi regiment of the INA and was part of the army’s military
intelligence wing. Rajamani says that
she and four other girls in the unit masqueraded as men for almost two years to
gather intelligence on British agents.While posing as a boy, her name was Mani.As covert agents behind enemy
lines, they were responsible for intercepting government orders and military
intelligence from the British officers and handing these over to INA. Once, one of her colleagues was caught by the
British troops.
To rescue her, Rajamani infiltrated the
British camp dressed as a dancer. She drugged the British officers who were
in-charge and freed her colleague. Ms. Saraswathi, during her four-year stint
in the INA from 1942, played an active part in operations in the Indo-Burma
theatre of war. A member of the
intelligence wing, she was tasked with getting vital information from behind
enemy lines at great personal risk.
Recalling her experiences in the Eastern
sector with pride and patriotic fervor, Ms. SarawathiRajamani said among the
unforgettable episodes of those years was the successful rescue of a fellow INA
spy abducted by the British troops.
Along with some of her colleagues, they had secured their comrade's
release after tranquilising the British unit. However, while fleeing from the
enemy camp, she was shot and wounded. While they were escaping, Rajamani was shot
on the right leg by a British guard but she still managed to avoid
capture. Her work in the army ended when
Netaji disbanded the INA after World War II.For four years from 1942, when she
was recruited into the Rani of Jhansi regiment in Burma where she was born and
raised, Saraswathi was a member of the INA’s intelligence wing and joined
operations in the Indo-Burma theatre of war.
BULLET
WOUND
She recalls how one of the girls who
was caught by the British, she dressed herself as a dancing girl, drugged the
officers and rescued her colleague. She even suffered a bullet wound in her
right leg. Still bleeding as she ran, Rajamani and her friend climbed up a tree,
where theycamped for 3 days while the British carried out their search
operation. The bullet wound left her
with a permanent limp, but Rajamani was proud of it. She was given a medal by the Japanese Emperor
himself, along with the rank of Lieutenant in INA’s Rani of Jhansi
Brigade.
RETURNED
TO TAMIL NADU & SETTLED IN CHENNAI
When the INA was
disbanded after the British won the war, Saraswathy of Rani of Jhansi Regiment and the other INA members returned to India
on Netaji's instructions. After World War II, Rajamani’s family gave away all
their wealth, including the gold mine, and returned to India. In 2005, a
newspaper reported that Saraswathi Rajamani was living in Chennai and although
sustained by freedom fighters pension, she was struggling to make both ends
meet.
PRECIOUS
POSSESSIONS OF THE DONOR OF INA
Eighty-three-year-old Saraswathi proudly
carries a bullet wound ? a reminder of her time in the INA. The wound, a couple of certificates and at
least 10 portraits of Netaji that hang from the walls of a dingy tiled-roof
room that she calls home are among her most precious possessions. So are the INA khakis and cap that she donned
before limping to Jayalalithaa’s secretariat to receive a dole.
AN
APPEAL TO TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT
About 60 years later, ailing, alone
and with no money, Saraswathi turned to the Tamil Nadu Government for help. Ms.
SarawathiRajamani has appealed to the Chief Minister to allot the flat in
Royapettah, an area familiar to her, instead of Anna Nagar. Further she stated
that “Four times, I have suffered heart attacks and I do not know how long I
can go on.” In a pre-election year,
Jayalalithaa was quick to respond. When Chief Minister Jayalalithaa invited
Indian National Army (INA) veteran SaraswathyRajamanito the Secretariat, she
wanted to give her financial assistance and a home to call her own.
MUCH
GIVER AS A RECIPIENT
At the Secretariat, the 83-year-old Ms. Saraswathy had something to
present to the Chief Minister: a memento with a portrait of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose inscribed on it. Clad in
INA khaki, Ms. Saraswathi greeted the Chief Minister with a salute and a
"Jai Hind!" Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu Ms. Jayalalithaa
handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief
Fund and the Keys of a Tamil Nadu Housing Board flat where she can live free of
rent. The money will be deposited with
the Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation, out of
which Saraswathi can draw a monthly interest of Rs 2,917 all her life.During
the devastation tsunami of 2006, she also donated her meagre monthly pensionas a freedom fighter to relief fund to Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Rajamani answer to press people
that “I am not able to speak much these days,” said Saraswathi alias Rajamani,
whose parents belonged to Thanjavur. But she recalled with pride the rescue of
a “fellow INA spy” abducted by British troops. It was “after tranquillising
that British unit, we secured our comrade’s release,” she says. She was shot at
and wounded as she fled the enemy camp.
Overwhelmed with joy, the INA
veteran thanked Ms. Jayalalithaa: "I am immensely pleased as the Chief
Minister has quickly responded to my appeal for assistance. I wish her a long
life so that she will continue to extend a helping hand to the poor and the
needy." Saraswathi, who was one of
about 60 INA veterans in the city, only three of whom are women. “The
chief minister told me she would also arrange for medical assistance for me,
but I politely replied that it may not be necessary.”
CONTRIBUION
TO NATIONAL MUSEUM
She has donated
insignia to the INA gallery of the Netaji Subhash Birthplace National Museum in
Cuttack, Odisha.Netaji Subhash Birthplace National Museum (NSBNM) in Cuttack
would have an exclusive gallery to display the Indian National Army (INA)
memorabilia, including photos, portraits and regalia of its soldiers.The
gallery is expected to be completed and opened to public on the 112th Birth Anniversary
of Netaji on January 23, 2008."We are going to add three new galleries to
the existing eight of the double-storied museum
which would be inaugurated on the birth anniversary of the legendary
leader. Of these, one gallery would be exclusively dedicated to INA
memorabilia," museum Director Chandrabhanu Patel said.Further he stated
that, steps have already been taken to collect information and artefacts
relating to INA soldiers and persons associated with it- both dead and
alive."We hope we would have enough materials of interest to display in
the gallery," he added.Meanwhile, a beginning has already been made in
this direction when a Delhi-based artist Md Aanwar donated a portrait of
Captain Laxmi Panda which would adore the gallery, sources said. IndiaLaxmi was
the youngest woman soldier of INA and died at the age of 83.The museum now
houses several INA insignia which have been obtained from INA secretary S.Yadav
of Delhi.Efforts are on to contact the living INA associates to collect some
more artefacts from them to be displayed in the museum, the sources said.Among
the main displays is an INA regalia sword which was handed over to Captain D
Dasan of Chennai by Netaji himself in 1944.Dasan, now president of
Chennai-based Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Memorial National Welfare Foundation,
during his visit to the state in 2004 had donated the four-feet long sword to
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for display at the museum.Besides, a pair of INA
uniforms donated by Lt R Laxmidevi Naidu and other insignia donated by INA
associates Capt C. M Santnam of Tokyo regiment and Capt R SaraswatiRajamani of
Burma regiment are at the museum.
The researcher
conclude that remember unsung heroines of each village should bring in the lime
light of writing real history of Tamil Nadu.
India finally got its hard-wonindependence; the courage and
contributions of many little-known freedom fighters have faded away from public
memory. Many heroines, who walked
shoulder to shoulder with the men during trying times, still remain in the
shadows, their faces forgotten and their bravery unsung. One such unacknowledged heroine is a woman
few Indians know about, a woman who live a life of intrigue and danger to help
her nation fight colonial rule. Saraswathi
Rajamani was not interested in Gandhiji’s thought of Ahimsa. Whereas she was
deeply impressed with Subhash Chandra Bose’s fiery speech and removed all her
expensive gold and diamond jewelry and donated it to the Indian National
Movement and both inspired each other.
Ultimately INA got a Saraswathi, a bold spy with four of her friends as
spies in INA’s intelligence wing. However,
the researcher can’t find the names of her friends joined in INA. Further, this research concentrate to
identify unsung heroines of Tamil Nadu,
woman whose exceptional bravery and intelligence deserves to be
recognized and respected by everyone and documented to fill the gap in
rewriting history of Tamil Nadu.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
History of Chennai 1600-2018 in Tamil
MADARAS – GREATER CHENNAI CORPORATION DEVELOPMENT
1600 – 2018 - A
STUDY” [in Tamil]
Author Dr. J. STELLA
The purpose of this book is to serve as a text for
the undergraduate students, readers of history, and Tourist of Chennai
City. This book covers the History of
Chennai through the Ages with till date information. This book made an attempt to describe how do
the fisher hamlet become Corporation of Chennai City, the fourth Largest City
in India, the Peace City, Secular City with ethnical cultural centre, Gate way
of South India, Industrial City, and International Trade Centre and so on. It
also covers the legacy of British as an individual person and as a whole left
to this city as well as Tamil Nadu State.
Limitation of this attempt is unable to cover the entire history of the
city but I have endeavored my best to provide a comprehensive picture of
history of Chennai in the right historical perspective in the single book in a
simple and lucid style in simple and easy regional language to cater the need
of the reader to know about the development of Chennai and capital city of
Tamil Nadu.
There
are Nine Chapters in this book with 92 subtitles. First chapter entitled as “Government Administrative Departments”
deals about the origin and development of some of the Government Administrative
Offices like Ft. St. George, Madras High court, Chennai Corporation, Regional
Meteorological Centre, Guindy Lodge – Raj Bhavan, Bounquette Hall – Rajaji
Hall, and Bank of Madras.
Second
chapter explaining about the “Pilgrimage
Centres” of Chennai with subtitled of Christian churches, Hindu Temples,
Mosque, and Parsee temple.
Third
Chapter explain about the “Recreational
Centers of Chennai” like Marina Beach, Madras Zoological Park, Cinema
Theatres, the Anjelis Hotel, Victoria Memorial Hall, Valluvar Kottam, Chetpet
Part and fishing pool, Oomanthurar Government Garden.
Fourth
Chapter “Educational Institutions”
describes about 17 premier educational institutions in Chennai. This chapter focused on the incidents cause
for the origin and development of various types of educational institutions
like general educational institutions, Medical Colleges and Fine Arts College
and Institute of Film Technology and so on.
Fifth
Chapter “Historical Research Centres
Central Libraries and Cultural Centre” focused on Historical Research
Centers like Museum and Achieves, Central Libraries, and Cultural Centers in
Chennai under 11 subtitles.
Sixth
chapter entitled “Transport and
Communication”, which describe the origin of road ways – road transport and
railways; waterways, airways and telephone & telegraphic services in
Chennai City right from its inception to till date.
Seventh
chapter titled as “Development of
Industries and Trade Centres” “in Chennai City through the ages. It covers the history of Binny Mil, PRR and
sons, Integral coach Factory, MRL, MFL, Tetroid of India, Trade centres like
Higginsbhodams, Parry Dare House, Spenzer Plaza, Moore Market, Khaleeli Manson
and so on.
Eighth
chapter “Palaces and Graveyard” is
covered with the history of Arcot Nawab resident viz. Chepauk palace, Amir Mahal the only palace
now in Tamil Nadu as well as it cover the historical evidence or sources of
history i.e. Palaverkadu Dutch Cemetery, St. Mary’s Cemetery, St. Roque’s Cemetery help us to know about the trade
conduct with east and western countries.
Ninth
chapter “Chennai – Name of the Places
and Reason” explain the origin and development of Chennai City with the
reason for the areas’ names with historic incidents and its value in writing
the history of Chennai in specific and general in Tamil Nadu History.
Appendix
helps the readers to know the year and incident in the history of Chennai
through the ages. Finally glossary to
know the words used in writing the History of Chennai and some personalities
left legacy in the city of Chennai.
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