LEGENDS OF BIHAR
Samrat Ashoka
@BiharFF
''No society can prosper if it aims at making things easier. Instead, it should aim at making people stronger.''
Ashoka the Great was one of the most powerful rulers of the Indian subcontinent. He was the grandson of the Chandragupta Maurya - founder of the Mauryan Empire and was the third king of the Mauryan Dynasty.
He took the Mauryan Empire to its greatest geographic extent and ruled most of the Indian subcontinent. He recognized for his renunciation of war, the promotion of Buddhism across ancient Asia, and sending Buddhist monks to several countries.
Ashoka is also remembered for the edicts into rock and pillars, and for establishing monuments in the life of Gautama Buddha.
Do Kisse:
Story 1: After conquering Kalinga battle(one of the bloodiest wars in ancient India), Ashoka went out to survey the states where he found nothing but death and destruction. The moment touched him deeply, and he vowed never to practice violence again and dedicated his life to Buddhism.
Story 2: Once Ashoka was sent to Takshashila to put down a revolt. Ashoka's father, Bindusara, provided him with an army but without weapons. But, the weapons were later provided by supernatural means.
BHARAT RATNA
Jai Prakash Narayan
@BiharFF
“True politics is about promotion of Human happiness”
JP, one of the greatest political leaders in the history of modern India, who actively participated in three popular movements of the country - Quit India Movement, Bhudan Movement, and led the movement against corruption and Emergency - was born in 1902, in Saran district of Bihar. He was educated at Berkley university in the U.S. where he became a follower of Karl Marx. Upon his return to India in 1929, he joined the Indian National Congress and was mentored by Mahatma Gandhi. His commitment to cause of poor made him join Bhudan movement with Vinoba Bhave. But his greatest contribution to Indian politics was when he brought all non-congress parties under single umbrella in a David vs Goliath fight against Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. He was awarded Bharat Ratna in 1999
Do Kisse:
Story 1 : JP gave the call for “total revolution” against corrupt political institutions and asked for a closure of colleges and universities for a year during which time he wanted the students to devote their time to rebuild the nation.
Story 2 : There are several letters which JP wrote to Indira Gandhi and they all began with ‘Dear Indu’. But the one he wrote during Emergency he addresses her ‘My Dear Prime Minister’.
Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’
@BiharFF
“सि ंहासन खाली करो कि जनता आती है”
“Vacate the throne, for the people are coming”
Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, born in a village in Begusarai, Bihar to a family of farmers, was known as “Rashtrakavi”. His mother raised him and his siblings after his father died when he was only two years old. Dinkar completed his graduation from Patna University and later became the Head of Department of Hindi in Muzaffarpur College.
The poet whose words spoke to every Indian, was elected three times to the Rajya Sabha, and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1959. He was also winner of the prestigious Sahitya Akademi award & Bhartiya Jnanpith award. Some of Dinkar’s greatest works are Rashmirathi and Parshuram ki Prateeksha.
Do Kisse:
Story 1: Dinkar’s contemporary Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan had commented that Dinkar should be given four Jnanpiths and not just one — for his prose, poetry, language and service to Hindi literature.
Story 2: In 1974, Lokanayak Jayprakash quoted Dinkar’s poem Janatantra ka Janm. The lines Sinhasan khali karo ki janata aati hai (Vacate the throne, for the people are coming) became his warning to then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
AWARD WINNERS
Jagjivan Ram
@BiharFF
"Iss kambakht mulk mein chamar kabhi prime minister nahin ho sakta hai."
‘Babu’ Jagjivan Ram - a Dalit icon who dedicated his life for betterment of the untouchables - who holds the incredible record of holding the longest uninterrupted term (40 years) as a parliamentarian, was born in Arrah in Bihar in 1908. He also founded the All-India Depressed Classes League, dedicated to attaining equality for untouchables. He was the defence minister of India during the India-Pakistan war of 1971 when Bangladesh was formed. He later served as deputy prime minister of the country between 1977 and 1979.
Do Kisse:
Story 1 : In 1928, while pursuing his B.Sc degree in Calcutta, Jagjivan Ram organised a Mazdoor Rally, which was attended by over 35,000 people. This brought him into the notice of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who profusely appreciated his efforts.
Story 2: Babuji started his university education in Banaras Hindu University but had to leave due to casteism and discrimination and completed his education in Calcutta university where he later joined the freedom struggle.