‘Ethos of coexistence gives unique identity to Awadh’

Lucknow: The philosophy of coexistence was the bedrock of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb which became the distinct identity of Lucknow and this ethos of the erstwhile Awadh needs to be persevered by making the new generation aware of the legacy. This was the refrain at the literary session on the second day of the Begum Fest, on Saturday. Historian Roshan Taqui cited history to unearth the traces of the famed ‘Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb’, the syncretic fusion of Hindu and Islamic cultural elements. While India has been a land of synthesis for centuries, absorbing outsiders to form a unique mix of culture, Lucknow epitomised it and practised it unwaveringly during the Nawabi era, said the expert, adding that the first manifestation of this integration was celebration of Bada Mangal, whose origin dates back to 170 years. The second wife of Nawab Amjad Ali Shah not only oversaw the construction of Hanuman Mandir in Aliganj, she asked Hindu devotees to hold a fair too and that was the beginning of a tradition of unity that endured the test of times. “This began an era in which Hindus joined in the celebrations of Muslims, while the Muslim brethren built temples and joined in celebrating Bada Mangal. This became the main underpinning of the policies and despite divisive efforts of the British, this culture survived,” said Taqui.Taqui also mentioned a time when Safdarjung was offered to take over the rule of Ajmer but, instead, asked for Allahabad. “When his wish was granted, he told one of his trusted ministers, Naib Raja Naval Rai, that since the kingdom was placed between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, policies must be drafted to reflect this synthesis. And when Asif-ud-daula ruled, he continued the tradition and strengthened it,” Taqui added.“The dichotomy of modern advancement is that though we want people from different communities to become resources of progress, we are unwilling to integrate with their culture and tradition. If we do not make concerted efforts, the inheritance of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb will wither away,” said Anil Shukla, who heads an association Lucknowites in Canada.

On 'Bharat Yatra', 13 teenagers fromUS have a glimpse of Awadh's culture

Thirteen American teenagers and two mentors are experiencing a homecoming during their 16-day visit to India as part of the Bharat Yatra program. Organized by Hindi-USA, the non-profit organization aims to teach Hindi to Indian-origin students. The group, led by coordinators Chetna Mallaram and Manak Kabra, is exploring Indian monuments and history in cities like Delhi, Agra, and Lucknow. This is the fifth Bharat Yatra, held after a four-year gap due to the pandemic. The selected students underwent a rigorous selection process and have a strong command of Hindi.

Celebrating the food, culture of the Nilgiris

The Nilgiris Earth Festival (TNEF) celebrates the food, culture, and ecology of the Nilgiri biosphere. It includes talks, food, film festivals, and more. The festival, held at Kotagiri, Ooty, and Coonoor, features a Habba day with plenary talks, indigenous foods, demos, and stalls. Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa will speak on indigenous ecological and agricultural topics. The festival also includes a presentation on the importance of bees and pollinators, gardening without digging, integrating millets in daily diets, musical performances, art exhibitions, a haiku walk, and an environmental film festival. The proceeds support eco-development and conservation in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.

Innovate while maintaining tradition in forces: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath Singh emphasizes the importance of balancing tradition and innovation in the armed forces during a combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy. He urges officers to bring innovation to their thinking while maintaining a connection with tradition. Singh highlights the fading of ideals in various fields and encourages graduating officers to hold onto their idealism and openness to new ideas. A total of 213 flight cadets, including 25 women officers of the Indian Air Force, were commissioned at the parade. 'Wings' were also awarded to officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Vietnam.

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