NEED OF THIS MOVEMENT

Four years ago, when Ustad Bismillah Khan did not have money and resources to meet the cost of his needs, the then National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government arranged for his performance at Parliament Annexe, where Khan had to virtually give a charity show for his own benefit. It was then we – Shivenath Jha and Neena Jha - who had launched a programme – Bismillah:The Beginning, a nationwide movement – Aandolan Ek Pustak Se - to protect musicians, academicians and artists who brought pride and laurels to the nation, thought of bringing out a monograph on the life and art of the Ustad Bismillah Khan to extend financial support to him and other musicians, academicians, artists, policemen and others in needs. Our movement gained a victory of sorts after the Government of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed Bismillah:The Beginning movement to invite Ustad Bismillah Khan to play his shehnai at the India Gate to pay tribute to the 'unsung heroes of World War-I and for the global peace and security and fulfill his lifetime desire. But the fate did not allowed

ABOUT THE MONOGRAPH

Man is a mortal creature. Every born is destined to die. But, there are people who leave behind indelible footprints. History adores them in golden words. Shehnai wizard Bismillah Khan sits high in the galaxy of such exalted personalities. His shehnai has charmed every body around the globe. The uniqueness of Bismillah Khan’s shehnai lies in the fact that this lad from a faceless Bihar village not only scaled Himalayan heights in the world of music but also brought pristine glory to this innocuous musical instrument. He enthroned shehnai on a high pedestal. Without fear of contradiction, Bismillah Khan can be called modern Abhimanyu, but with a difference. Unlike the Mahabharata hero Bismillahhas torn asunder the musical Chakrabyuh. Born in a family of Shehnai players, he took to these instruments in the wee years of life and mastered the art to become Bismillah Khan (God) of Shehnai. His is a life of dedication, sacrifices, devotion, tenacity, etc, all rolled in one. For him shehnai is a medium for reunion with the God. ‘Music, sur and namaz are the same thing’, says the shehnai saint and adds ‘we reach Allah in different way.’ Bismillah Khan has become a living legend; an institution in himself. It is not possible to do full justice to such a personality in one small book. this is just a humble effort to pay tribute to the shehnai emperor, on his turning 90. an educationist Neena Jha and senior investigative journalist Shivnath Jha have penned this monograph on the phenomenon musician. It may be a coincidence or the God’s will that Shivnath’s life too has been a rag to rich story. He began as a newspaper hawker in late 60s and rose to become a senior journalist, passing through all steps of the professional ladder. The couple deserves kudos for compiling and editing this monography.Bismillah Khan is one-man army engaged in propagating and popularizing once innocuous musical instrument, called shehnai. Upcoming or budding musicians, especially shehnai players have many things to learn from this saint instrumentalist. He has gems of advice for theneo-musicians. “You should have the ability to efface an wipe yourself out.” Lord Krishna, in Shrimada Bhagwat Mahapurana, tells Gopis to shed every thing and dissolve yourself for the reunion with god. Pretentions and façade cannot bring success in one’s life. A million-dollar question arises as to why Bismillah Khan has not “groomed” his successor. Is the waiting for a devoted disciple mante? There is no ready answer.

USTAD BISMILLAH KHAN

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan died of cardiac arrest in the wee hours on Monday. The 91-year-old Bharat Ratna awardee, who had been admitted to Heritage hospital here on August 17 with age- related health problems, passed away at 2:20 am. Khan was born on March 21, 1916 into a family of court musicians and later trained under his uncle, the late Ali Bux 'Vilayatu,' a shehnai player at Varanasi's Vishwanath temple. During his long and fruitful career as an artiste, Khan enthralled audiences at performances across the globe. He was bequeathed the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, the Tansen award as well as the Padma Vibhushan. In 2001, Khan became the third classical musician after Pt Ravi Shankar and M S Subbulakshmi to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Despite his fame, Khan's lifestyle retained its old world charm and he continued to use the cycle rickshaw as his chief mode of transport till his deathPerhaps we were one of the luckiest family comprising me (Shivnath Jha), my wife (Mrs Neena Jha) and my nine-year-old son Master Akash Jha) of the world who met Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan more than dozen times during the past four years. Reason-We have compiled, edited and published a 200-page monograph on Ustad Bismillah Khan to take care him at the winter of his life.After forwarding the ornamental issue of the monograph to the President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam to mark the 90th birthday of Ustad Sahib on March 21, 2005, we moved pillar to post to get it printed at any cost. On January 26 when we went to visit Ustad at his Sarai Harha house to show the ornamental issue (before it goes for final printing) he told us "Alham-Dil-Lillah (God be praised)". He blessed us and said "Allah ney tumsey achcha kaam karwa hi liya. Then he autographed on the cover page of the monograph, which was released by Ustadji on his 91st birthday (four days later) on March 25th, 2006. We have presented him a three-kg silver shehnai, Rs 1.5 lakh cash and a 91 kilogram birthday cake to celebrate his 91st birthday. He was very happy. He had never celebrated such type of birth day in his life. On that very day he expressed his desire to play shehnai and fulfill his lifetime desire at India Gate. We took up the matter with the Government of India and within 10 minute got government's nod to invite him for shehnai rendition at India Gate to pay his homage, respect and regards to the warriors and soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. When we visited him in May, 2006 to invite to play shehnai at India Gate on July 15, 2006 he was very happy and told us "aakhir tumney meri khwaes pura kar hi diya". We strictly advised him and his family members not to leave Benaras and stop performance anywhere he plays his shehnai at India Gate. He had agreed to comply our requests. But, we don't know under what circumstances he went to Jaipur in the month of June 2006 and fallen ill. This led to extension of the programme from July 15 to August 9. In the meantime, when we again visited him in July, his condition started deteriorating. On August 16, we received a call from his sons, grand-daughters and other family members that he was looking for us, my wife and son, Aakash. We immediately rushed to Benaras by then he was hospitalised at Heritage hospital.We went to Herigate and spent more than 16 hours during my three day stay in Benaras. We were optimistic. He talked a length with my wife and my son Aakash and said: "Thora kamjor ho gaya hun....lekin tumharey saath India Gate tak jaunga...tum mere paas baithna..."When we inquired about his shehnai, which hypnotized the world for more than eight decades, he told us "beum ghar par hain...akeli hongi...jaunga to hal puchunga..."At about 5 in the evening when we told him that we are leaving for Delhi, he told my wife "tum gari lekar jaldi aana...hum tumharey saath India Gate chalengey....Shehnai bajayengey...." We left at 7 in the evening for Delhi. At about five in the morning when we were in train, we got a call on our mobile. We just can not believe this. We had no option. When we call back to his place in Benaras at 6 in the morning, when we were crossing Ghaziabad, till then we were late. He died of cardiac arrest.Back to home in Indiarapuram, my wife fallen ill and my son started vomiting.A man with whom the name of an instrument has been so inevitably identified as to become synonymous died without the instrument. And, the man was no other than Shehnai maestro Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan. He died without his ‘begum’ (Shehnai).We have launched a programme Bismillah-The Beginning to protect musicians, academicians and artists who brought pride and laurels to the nation, an also authored a monograph on the life and art of the Ustad to extend financial support to him.“The death of his wife decade ago had left the Shehnai maestro, shattered and inconsolable, but he came to terms with the tragedy by treating 'shehnai' as his 'begum' and used to keep it on his bed and under his pillow. It inspired him. It gave him power to think about 'ragas' and music.At last, after struggling for life for more than 96 hours, the master who took his last breath without his ‘begum’ in the wee hours on August 21, exactly five months later when he had celebrated his 91st birthday after cutting a 91 kilogram cake. Hardly two feet long instrument, Shehnai, after getting touch with the lips of Ustad Bismillah Khan had hypnotized the world for more than eight decades.In the last half a century or more, no one could think of shehnai without Bismillah Khan or vice versa. It is he who, in fact, gave a popular folk instrument the capacity and courage to rise to be admitted to the hoary company of instruments of Hindustani classical music globally.A man of tenderness, a man who believed in remaining private and who believed that musicians were supposed to be heard and not seen died without his Shehnai.We appeal people across the world, and more importantly the music lovers and youth to buy a monograph, join our movement to protect others and fulfill their wishes.

You may contact us at the following address:

SHIVNATH JHA & NEENA JHA
BISMILLAH:THE BEGINNING FOUNDATION
SRB-124D, SHIPRA REVEIRA,
GYAN KHAND-III,
INDIRAPURAM, GHAZIABAD (UP), INDIA.
Mobile: 09810246536/TEL-FAX: 0120-2605503
or mail us at shehnaimaestro@gmail.com/jshivnath@gmail.com/shivnath@journalist.com

NATIONAL OBTUARY

August 21, 2006 09:00 IST (PTI)Ustad Bismillah Khan: On the shore of the ocean of musicOn India's first Republic Day, Ustad Bismillah Khan had enthralled audiences with a sterling performance from the ramparts of the Red Fort. But fate did not allow the shehnai maestro to fulfil his last wish, that of playing at India Gate. The man who mesmerised generations of Indians with his mellifluous music wanted to make the performance a memorable one. But a concert at the venue, scheduled for August 9, was cancelled due to security reasons. The 91-year-old Bharat Ratna awardee, said to be single-handedly responsible for making the shehnai a famous classical instrument, had earlier alleged he had been denied the opportunity to play at India Gate because he was a Muslim. However, Khan was quick to point out he never faced any hurdles on account of being a Muslim. "Music has no caste. I have received love and affection all over the world. The government has given me all the four highest civilian awards in the past five decades," he said. Khan was born on 21 March, 1916. His ancestors were court musicians in the princely state of Dumraon in Bihar and he was trained under his uncle, the late Ali Bux 'Vilayatu', a shehnai player attached to Varanasi's Vishwanath Temple. Where others saw conflict and contradiction between his music and his religion, Bismillah Khan saw only a divine unity. Even as a devout Shia, he was also a staunch devotee of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of music. During his long and fruitful career as an artiste, Khan enthralled audiences at performances across the globe. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, the Tansen award as well as the Padma Vibhushan. In 2001, Khan became the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. He was also bestowed honorary doctorates by the Benares Hindu University and Shantiniketan. The maestro played in Afghanistan, Europe, Iran, Iraq, Canada, West Africa, USA, USSR, Japan, Hong Kong and almost every capital city across the world. In Khan's words, music was an ocean and he had barely reached its shores even after 91 years. Despite his fame, Khan's lifestyle retained its old world charm and he continued to use the cycle rickshaw as his chief mode of transport. A man of tenderness, he believed in remaining private and said musicians were supposed to be heard and not seen. He was critical of today's musicians and said they only craved instant success. Bismillah Khan has often been credited with taking the shehnai from the marriage mandap to the concert hall. He single-handedly pioneered the conversion of a mundane ceremonial instrument into one capable of expressing a range of human emotions and musical nuances. His long career and eminence assured him of a busy performance calendar as well as the highest fees. However, he was not very well off in his last days as his joint family of 60 members literally lived off him. In 2003, he had to appeal to then prime minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee to sanction a gas agency to his grandson. Life for an ailing Khan was far from easy. Hardpressed for money and after repeated pleas to the central government for financial assistance, Vajpayee granted him 'delayed aid' of Rs 5 lakh.On August 3 this year, Khan was given a cheque of Rs 2.51 lakh on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Varanasi. Four years ago, when he did not have money and resources to meet the cost of his needs, the then government arranged for his performance at Parliament Annexe, where Khan had to virtually give a charity show for his own benefit. It was then that Delhi-based couple Neena and Shivnath Jha, who had launched a programme to protect musicians, academicians and artists who brought pride and laurels to the nation, thought of bringing out a monograph on the life and art of the Ustad to extend financial support to him. Their movement gained a victory of sorts after the centre allowed Khan to play 'Tune India' from the India Gate to pay tribute to the 'unsung heroes of World War-I and for the global peace and security'. However, the programme was cancelled due to security reasons. His other wish, to perform at Darbhanga, where he had spent a considerable period of his early days, also remained unfulfilled. The Ustad was identified with the shehnai but found the greatest fulfillment in singing bhajans to children. "The applause that I get from children when I sing the bhajan Raghupati Raghav Rajaram gives me the greatest fulfillment," Khan had said in 2004 while performing at a cultural programme in New Delhi to mark Gandhi Jayanti. Khan said it gave him tremendous satisfaction to know that at least some of the children will remember the 'old man' for the song that he sang for the same.

Monograph on Bismillah Khan launched

New Delhi September 18, 2006 Admirers of late shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan and lovers of Indian classical music can leaf through a monograph on the musical legend. The autographed monograph was launched in India on Sunday to mark the ''chaliswan'', last day of rituals following his death on Aug 21. Bismillah Khan had released the monograph on March 25 on the occasion of his 91st birthday in Benaras. Delhi-based Om Arora of Variety Book Depot is distributing the monograph. He plans to make the book available to music lovers throughout the country and abroad, especially the US, Britain, Germany and France. "It''s a priceless book and a noble way to pay respect to the legend," said Arora. The proceeds of the sale are aimed to support artistes and educationists who have excelled in their fields. The has been brought out by a Delhi couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, who were great admirers of Bismillah Khan. The book has a foreword by noted Hindustani vocalist Rita Ganguli. Bismillah Khan had autographed the monograph after writing the first words with which the Koran begins - "Alham-Do-Lillah (God be praised) - Bismillah Khan". (IANS

USTAD’S LEGACY

Lalu to be ‘brand ambassador’NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 23, 2006 (UNI) A political veteran and the latest management guru, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will now become the “brand ambassador” of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan’s legacy.As a step to perpetuate the memory of the music wizard, Lalu Prasad is going to place the first-ever autographed monograph on him in over 7000-odd railway stations across the country.Pointing out that “charity begins at home”, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President said, “I will make the monograph on Bismillah Khan easily accessible and give an opportunity to the poor to know his contribution to Indian music and his secular philosophy.”Recalling the life-philosophy of the maestro, Mr Prasad said Bismillah Khan had once said “once we realise that we all are the creation of a single divine force, harmony and unity will prevail”.The 200-page monograph has been brought out by Neena and Shivnath Jha, a Delhi-based journalist couple, who were moved by the plight of Bismillah Khan who had to virtually conduct a charity show for his own benefit in the Parliament Annexe four years ago. The monograph was released by the shehnai maestro on his 91st birthday on March 25 this year.It was launched in India and across the world on September 17, coinciding with Khan Saheb’s chaliswan, the 40th and final day of his mourning. An ornamental issue of the monograph was forwarded to President A P J Abdul Kalam.“It is the first and the only book in the country to be launched as part of a movement to extend financial support to the needy artists. It is our responsibility to strengthen the movement and spread Khan Saheb’s philosophy of secularism,” Mr Prasad said. “I have gone through the monograph. Besides information on Bismillah Khan and his contribution to Indian music and cinema, it contains rare photographs of the maestro’s life, and his ancestral house in Bihar shot by Patna-based photo-journalist Alok Jain,” the minister added.“This monograph will help the youth and music lovers to know the legend and his association with Benaras and the Ganga river,” he said. Shivnath Jha said the monograph was not only a book, but also a movement.“Ustadji was not only thrilled to see it, but readily appended his signature after writing the first few words with which the Quran begins — Alhan-do-lillah (God be praised),” Mr Jha said

Delhi couple to fulfill all wishes of the maestro

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) - A Delhi-based journalist couple plan to fulfil the wishes of late shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, including the renovation of his ancestral house, from the sale proceeds of the first-ever autographed monograph on the musical legend.Neena and Shivnath Jha have also taken the responsibility of imparting education to Bismillah Khan's grandchildren.'Ustad Bismillah Khan hailed from Bihar and so do we. When he saw the photograph of his ancestral house compiled in the monograph, he had requested us to renovate his house and also impart education to his grandchildren, especially the girls,' the couple said. Four years ago, when the shehnai virtuoso did not have any resources to meet his needs, the then government arranged for his performance at Parliament Annexe where he had to virtually give a charity show for his own benefit.It was then that the couple, along with photojournalist Alok Jain, thought of bringing out a monograph on the life and art of the Ustad to extend financial support to him.Autographed by the shehnai maestro, the monograph comprises the life of Bismillah Khan, his love and affection for River Ganga, Benaras and music. The monograph, which also has some rare photographs, was released by the Ustad himself on his 91st birthday March 25, 2006.Ustad Bismillah Khan, who will always be remembered as the one who played the shehnai from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Aug 15, 1947, died of cardiac arrest Aug 21.However, Bismillah Khan's last wish - to play at India Gate in the heart of New Delhi - remained unfulfilled.Said Jha: 'Our mission was to make Ustad Bismillah Khan and his family economically viable. The government had given us permission for the India Gate shehnai recital. We did our best to fulfil his lifetime desire but Ustadji is no more. Still, we want to fulfil all his wishes which he had requested of us.'

Shehnai maestro seeks financial succour from government

BENARAS, JAN 26, 2006 (IANS) Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2001, is upset with the government for ignoring him and has urged that all the financial promises made to him be redeemed.The nonagenarian musician has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release all outstanding financial dues pending "since 1961" so that he could take care of his needs in his old age.The visibly upset maestro stated this while autographing the cover page of a book on him, compiled and edited by a journalist couple, at his dilapidated house in Varanasi last week.With tears in his eyes, the ailing musician said: "Mujhey yaad nahin hai ke kisne kya kaha tha aur kya ummid dilaye thi, lekin agar mere marney se pahley Bharat sarkar ek rupiya bhi de deti to shayad mujhey sukun milta. (I don't remember who promised what, but before I die if the Indian government gives me even one rupee then it will give me mental peace)."Delhi-based journalist couple Neena and Shivnath Jha, who got the great musician to autograph the book, also presented him two shawls and Rs.20,000 cash to buy medicine. Khan has also received the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.Khan said: "Since 1961, when I was awarded the Padma Shri, I have raised the issue with every successive prime minister and top politicians including Indira Gandhi, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, H.D. Deve Gowda, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani and Sonia Gandhi but none has paid attention to my plea."He alleged that he had requested that he be allowed to play at the India Gate in New Delhi, but was denied a chance because he is Muslim."Desh ne mujhe bahut samman diya lekin ek baat ka kaphi dukh hai ki mujey India Gate par bajaney ka mauka nahin diya kyonki mein musalman hun. (The country has bestowed on me great honours, but one thing that upsets me is they have not allowed me to play at the India Gate because I am a Muslim)."The musician, sitting on his wheel-chair, said he was deeply touched and overwhelmed by the journalists for bringing out a book on him. The couple has arranged a public felicitation at his home on his 91st birthday, which falls on March 21."Ustadji hails from Bihar and so do we. Till date, neither the Bihar government nor the people of the state have organised any public function to pay tribute to the living legend for his contribution to Indian classical music," Shivnath Jha told IANS.On his birthday, Khan will release the book. The Jhas will gift him Rs.150,000 on the occasion.

IMPACT OF THE MOVEMENT

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh forwarded a cheque worth Rs 2.5 lakh to the shehnai maestro to take care him at the winter of his life.

Ustad Bismillah Khan to perform at Darbhanga

New Delhi, April. 7, 2006 (PTI): A much-cherished desire of Shahnai legend Ustad Bismillah Khan, who recently turned 91, will be fulfilled when he performs for the first time at the historical India Gate in the national capital later this year.The performance by the legendary Khan will be held in July as part of the movement 'Bismillah: The Beginning' launched to benefit musicians, academicians and artistes who have brought laurels to the country, the organisers said.The Shahnai maestro, who lives in a narrow lane of Sarai Harha in the temple town of Varanasi, had expressed as his "last wish" on his 91st birthday the desire to perform at the India Gate in New Delhi and at Darbhanga in Bihar.Conferred with all four of the top national awards -- Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna -- Khan had played Shahnai at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. Mithila University Vice-Chancellor Rajmani Prasad Singh is organising the Ustad's programme in Darbhanga some time next month. Khan has spent a considerable part of his life in Darbhanga.Khan celebrated his 91st birthday in Varanasi last month, cutting a 91-kg cake brought by by his admirers. The 'Bismillah: The Beginning' movement has been launched by Delhi-based journalist couple of Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha. The two, who run a publication in New Delhi, also presented the 'ustad' a monograph of his life, promising him royalties from the book as a "token contribution" to help him lead a comfortable life as also a silver shehnai weighing three kg in recognition of his contribution to classical music.

IMPACT OF THE MOVEMENT

Jaiswal to invite Bismillah Khan for India Gate concertNEW DELHI, April 26, 2006 (PTI) Minister of State for Home, Sriprakash Jaiswal, will visit Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan's house in Varanasi on Friday to personally extend an invitation to the legend, who has expressed his 'last wish' to play at the India Gate in July for global peace and communal harmony. The non-agenarian Ustad, who enthralled a newly-independent India from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 1947, has now been given official nod to fulfil his wish of a solo concert, titled 'The Tune India' at the India Gate on July 15. The initiative was taken by the capital-based couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, who have launched an initiative "Bismillah" (The Beginning) to provide succour to musicians, academicians and artists who have brought laurel to the country. "As a part of the initiative, I am going to request the maestro to play his melodious 'sur' at India Gate for global peace and communal harmony and to pay respects to the World War I martyrs," said Jaiswal.... Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, who had announced a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per month for the ailing musician, said the concert would "play a key role in restoring peace and communal harmony not only in India, but across the world."

Musicians now seek 'instant success': Bismillah Khan

Benaras, September 13, 2006 (IANS) Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who received the Bharat Ratna in 2001, is upset with the musicians of today and their disciples, saying they only hunger for instant success. The 'guru-shishya parampara', the sacred relationship between the musician teacher and the disciple, is "finished", bemoaned the nonagenarian musician. "Sab kuch khatam ho gaya (everything is finished)," Khan told a Delhi-based journalist couple Neena and Shivnath Jha at his Varanasi home.Neena Jha runs an all-women magazine 'The Indraprastha NCR', while her husband works with Sahara Time, a weekly news magazine.Khan said the teachers and disciples of today have no patience to hone their music."Today, both the guru and the disciple want instant results and have stopped believing in the virtue of patience. The guru today has neither discipline nor does his shishya possess 'adab' (respect). Everything is gone. Ab to Allah ka hi karam hoga to music bachega... sab khatam ho gaya (Only if god is merciful will music survive)."The musician, who has been ailing for a while, reminisced how his forefathers would perform for a few rupees a month at a temple in Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges."When my grandmother performed, do you know what the deal was fixed for? Fourteen annas!" he told the Jhas at his double-storied dilapidated house in a narrow lane of Sarai Rohla in Varanasi, 280 km from Lucknow. (Sixteen annas made a rupee then)The Jhas presented the great maestro, who has also received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, a book on his life. They hope to raise money through the sales of the book to help the musician who is not well off financially.On his frail health, Khan said: "Sab Allah ki meharbani hai (it is all a gift of god). I am too old to fight age. But I still feel young. My begum (the shehnai) is with me."Khan, who turns 91 on March 21, will cut a 91-kg cake in celebration. He will pay tribute to the old maharajas of Dumraon and Darbhanga in Bihar whose palaces he used to visit as a child."I have never celebrated such a type of birthday," he said.Khan, who was born in Dumraon in Bihar, reminisced how he would do rigorous 'riyaaz' (practice) for four or five hours every morning under the guidance of his maternal uncle Alibux Khan. He regretted that his old age had made it difficult to go to some of the Hindu temples in Varanasi as he would do in earlier days. "I do feel like going there, but my old age prevents me," he said.To a question, Khan said he had never faced any hurdles on account of being a Muslim."Music has no caste. I have received love and affection all over the world. The government has given me all the four highest civilian awards in the past five decades." However, the maestro at the same time alleged that he had been denied an opportunity to play at New Delhi's India Gate because he was a Muslim.According to Khan, since musical functions had been held at the India Gate lawns earlier, he should also be invited to play there.The maestro became emotional when asked if the government had given him any financial aid. He received Rs.500,000 from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government when he was ill."No one in the government or any of the prime ministers has extended any financial support. Barring that (Rs.500,000), the government has extended no support. They have not released a single paisa which they promised me down the years."Asked how much he was expecting to get from the government, Khan said: "Not less than Rs.10 lakhs (1 million)."The maestro said he believes that music dispels all evil. "The shehnai is one such instrument whose melodious sound dispels all evil."

91 kg cake for Bismillah Khan on 91st birthday

NEW DELHI, January 18, 2006 (IANS) Shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan will be presented a 91 kg cake in New Delhi on his 91st birthday on Mar 21 by a young couple who say they want to focus attention on the government's apathy towards the musician who has been conferred the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour. At a reception in New Delhi on that day, Khan will release a monograph on himself authored by the journalist couple, Neena and Shivnath Jha, who will present the maestro Rs.150,000 "to take care of him in the winter of his life"."Ustadji hails from Bihar and so do we. Till date, neither the Bihar government nor the people of the state have organised any public felicitation to pay their tribute to the living legend for his contribution to Indian classical music," Neena Jha said of the celebrations."Bismillah Khan is a one-man army engaged in propagating and popularising the Shehnai globally. He had broken through the musical 'chakravyuh' (maze) through a life of dedication, sacrifice and tenacity.This is the least we can do to highlight his work," Jha added of the celebrations.

Bismillah Khan to perform at India Gate

NEW DELHI, APRIL 9, 2006 (PTI, UNI, IANS) :Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan will perform for the first time at India Gate in July to pay tribute to the unsung war heroes and maintain peace and communal harmony in the country.This was announced by "Bismillah: The Beginning," a movement lunched by New Delhi-based couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha to protect musicians, academicians and artists who have brought pride and laurels to the nation."It is my heartiest desire to render shehnai at the India Gate," a World War I monument in the heart of the Indian capital, Bismillah Khan said. The maestro played shehnai from the rampart of the Red Fort Aug 15, 1947.Central Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal said of the event: "It's virtually a movement launched by a couple through a book for a noble cause."The Jhas have brought a monograph on Bismillah Khan to extend financial support to the ailing maestro.Conferred with all the four national awards - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna - Bismillah Khan, who lives in a narrow lane of Sarai Harha in the temple town of Varanasi, had expressed his "last wish" to perform shehnai at Darbhanga in Bihar and India Gate in New Delhi on his 91st birthday.Khan has spent a considerable period of his struggle in Darbhanga.Neena Jha who runs an all women magazine "The Indraprastha NCR", is a teacher in St. Thomas School at Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), while her husband works with Sahara Time.Expressing concern over the physical and financial condition of the maestro, Sibal said: "The entire world of the maestro is limited to a small room of 8x10 on the second floor of the house as his physical condition and old age don't allow him to move around without the support of the others."It is our responsibility to spread the message though out the world and popularize the monograph and the movement launched by the couple," Sibal said.Around 30 percent of the earnings of the monograph would go to the Ustad for rest of the life, the Jhas said, adding they have also instituted two monthly scholarships of Rs.2,500 to promote shehnai in the country.Bismillah Khan was born March 21, 1916 in a family of a professional shehnai players of a princely state Dumraon in Bihar.He later shifted to his maternal uncle Ustad Ali Bux, an eminent shehnai player in Varanasi to learn shehnai. He started "riyaz" (practice) at the tender age of six.The couple said: "Bismillah Khan failed to get him and his shehnai marketed like other musicians in the country. Simplicity in his demeanor could take him nowhere in rumbling of marketplace, throbbing with hundreds of thousands of auction and mega deal with each passing day, but not a pence for the genuine player of historical gallery. If an artist has suffered on account of his simple living and simple considerations, it has been none but Bismillah."

Bismillah Khan treated 'shehnai' as his 'begum'

NEW DELHI: The death of his wife fourteen years ago had left Bismillah Khan, the shehnai maestro, shattered and inconsolable, but he came to terms with the tragedy by treating 'shehnai' as his 'begum'.''Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan used to keep his shehnai on his bed and under his pillow. It inspired him. It gave him power to think about 'ragas' and music,'' says the couple –Neena and Shivnath Jha - who took possibly the last interview of the maestro before his death early yesterday.The Jha couple, who has set up 'Bismillah'', an NGO dedicated to the welfare of forgotten artists, spent over 16 hours with the Ustad on August 18-19 to inquire about his health and other issues, including his desire to perform at the India Gate - a wish that remained unfulfilled.''I am still practising...I am trying to produce a new 'raag'' -- ''raag bhadai'' -- at India Gate,'' he had told the Jha couple while lying on the bed in Room No 101 of Heritage Hospital in the temple town of Varanasi.The Jha couple was to be the organisers of the August 9 concert that could not materialise.Terribly weak and fragile, the shehnai meastro, during the long-drawn interview, cried, slept, reminisced his past and talked about his yearnings and dreams. In particular, he wanted to meet melody queen Lata Mangeshkar before his death.''...woh (Lata) meri choti bahan hai. Uski awaaz mein jaadu hai.Kash main mil pata" (she is like my younger sister. Her voice has magic. I yearn to meet her),'' he said.

Maestro’s choice

Fulfilling the long cherished wish of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, a concert is being organised at the India Gate on July 15. Called The Tune India Concert, it will mark the 75th anniversary of the India Gate built as a tribute to 90,000 unsung Indian soldiers killed during the World War-I.According to the organizer Shivnath Jha when he along with his wife Neena Jha met the Bharat Ratna on his 91st birthday he shared his wish to give a lifetime performance from the precincts of India Gate. As Ustad Bismillah Khan reached the twilight of his life, he got mostly confined to his modest house in Banaras and his performances became rare. Ailing as he is mainly because of failing strength of his knees, the Ustad is not able to stand and has to be wheeled within the house for his basic needs. About four years ago when he did not have money and resources to meet the cost of his treatment and his other needs. The then Government arranged for his performance at Parliament Annexe where the Ustad had virtually to give a charity show for his own benefit. It was at this point that Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, thought of bringing a monograph about the life and art of the Ustad. After running from pillar to post the support came from Sunil Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Televenture Limited and his colleague Hemant Sachdeva. The monograph was released on the Ustad's 91st birthday. The Jha couple presented him a cake of 91kg along with an assistance of Rs.1.5 lakh and a silver shehnai weighing three kilograms on behalf of the Union Minister for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibbal, who also extended Rs.10000 a month grant to the maestro. Honour denied At that moment, the Ustad is said to have bemoaned the fact that he has been denied this honour despite his repeated pleas to successive governments. Jha says given such great insistence on the part of the patriarch of Indian music it was decided to make an appeal to the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal for fulfilling the wish of the Ustad. The Government, ultimately, agreed to the request. Given the Government support and the interest shown by various concerned individuals like Farooque Sheikh, Shabana Azmi and Sonali Bendre vis-à-vis Ustad Bismillah Khan, the Jha duo has launched a nationwide movement - Bismillah, the beginning - to not only protect musicians but also promote Indian music, art and literature.

Bismillah Khan to play at India Gate

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS, UNI) - With the government permission obtained now, nonagenarian shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan will fulfil his 'last wish' of performing at the India Gate here, with melody queen Lata Mangeshkar in attendance.The 'Meri Antim Abhilasha (My last wish) - Tune India Shehnai concert' is being performed by the Bharat Ratna recipient on July 15 to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of World War I and for global peace and communal harmony.'We have requested Lataji, who was awarded the nation's highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna along with Ustad Bismillah Khan on 25th January, 2001, to grace the occasion,' said journalist Shivnath Jha, who along with his wife Neena is organising the event.'It was Bismillah Khan's heartfelt desire to play the shehnai at the India Gate before he takes his last breath. He repeated his desire on his 91st birthday this year. We had assured him that it would be fulfilled and finally we got the nod from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs,' said Jha.Incidentally, the India Gate - a war memorial built to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who died in World War I and the Afghan wars - completes 75 years in 2006.Bismillah Khan had played the shehnai from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Aug 15, 1947, when India gained independence from British rule, said the couple who have also initiated 'Bismillah: The Beginning' movement to help the nonagenarian musician.The couple said they would meet Lata Mangeshkar personally and invite her for the event. 'We are confident that she will not reject our plea as she has a more than 60-year association with Ustad Bismillah Khan and treats him like a brother,' Jha said.Since his performance at the Red Fort, when he was in his 30s, almost 60 years have elapsed.According to the Jhas, on April 28 Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal called on the maestro at his abode in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to invite him to perform at the India Gate.The invitation left Bismillah Khan elated. 'Ab to mein India Gate par shehnai bajaunga. Hindustan meri hai, India Gate hamara hai (Now I shall play at the India Gate, India is mine, India Gate is ours,' an emotional Bismillah Khan said, according to the Jha couple.The couple has brought out a monograph on the maestro to help him financiallThe ailing maestro is mostly confined to his modest house in Varanasi and his performances have become rare. He is not able to stand with his advanced age and has to be taken around in a wheel chair, said Neena Jha.'More than 5,000 people, including from other countries, are expected to attend the function,' she said. The couple has received e-mail enquiries from the US and Britain about the function.While Neena is a teacher, her husband is a journalist with Sahara Times, an English weekly newspaper.

Bismillah, Lata to perform at India Gate August 9

New Delhi, July 11 - The India Gate lawns will reverberate with the sounds of music when legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan pay a musical tribute to the country's martyrs and freedom fighters on Aug 9.Congress president Sonia Gandhi is to inaugurate the function, called India Gate Salutations 2006. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, sitar maestro Ravi Shankar are among the eminent people expected to attend the event.Year 2006 marks 75 years of India Gate, which was built in 1931 in memory of the World War I martyrs. Aug 9 is also commemorated as 'Quit India Movement' day as the British rulers were asked to leave India for the first time on this day in 1942.A special postal stamp will be issued by the government on the occasion.The event is being organised by New Delhi-based couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, who have launched a movement to help eminent musicians.For Bismillah Khan, 91, it will be a special occasion as he has time and again expressed his keenness to perform at the India Gate. He had performed on Aug 15, 1947, from the rampart of the Red Fort to mark the beginning of India's independence

Prayers, get well messages for ailing Bismillah Khan

New Delhi/Varanasi, Aug 17 - Get well messages are pouring in from across the country for shehnai maestro Bismillah Khan, who was hospitalised in Varanasi Thursday morning following a brief illness.Musicians, Bollywood stars, artistes and many others have sent messages for Bismillah Khan, 92. He was admitted to hospital after he became very weak. He had fallen ill about a week ago and was being treated by a private consultant at his residence in Varanasi.Singing legend Lata Mangeshkar and her sister Usha Mangeshkar wished that the maestro gets well soon and is also able to perform at the India Gate - his ardent wish. 'We appeal to the people and music lovers to pray for his good health and early recovery.'Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar's Ravi Shankar Foundation, in a message, said they prayed for Khan's recovery. Ravi Shankar, a contemporary of Bismillah Khan, is out of the country.In a message, superstar Amitabh Bachchan said: 'I appeal to people across the world and music lovers to pray to god for Ustad Bismillah Khan's good health.'Actor Rahul Bose said: 'I hope that Ustad Bismillah Khan recovers and blesses us with the incomparable sounds of his shehnai again. India prays for his good health.''May god grant him a longer life with good health,' said actor Farouque Shaikh in a message, while John Abraham said: 'God bless and take care of him.'Get well messages also came from veteran actor Dilip Kumar and from noted classical musician Amjad Ali Khan.The priest of the Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Rajendra Tiwary, also sent a message for the maestro.The messages were sent to Bismillah: The Beginning, a movement launched by a Delhi-based couple - Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha.The maestro, who has been put on an intravenous drip, is well, said Haider Hussain, Khan's son-in-law, adding that his condition was otherwise stable.Bismillah Khan was admitted to the Heritage Hospital. 'Khan Saheb had been complaining of acute weakness over the past few days. He was also suffering from loss of appetite. So on the doctor's advice, we shifted him to a well-known private nursing home,' the musician's personal secretary Syed Javed Ahmed told IANS.The maestro, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian honour - in 2001, was presented last week a cheque for Rs.250,001 as ex-gratia grant from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav Thursday assured the shehnai wizard that the state government would bear the cost of his treatment. The chief minister's assurance was conveyed to Khan by the Varanasi district magistrate who visited the hospital in the morning.On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Governor T.V. Rajeshwar spoke to the Varanasi district magistrate and enquired about his health.

Rabri didn’t want to get married to ‘bhikhmanga’ Lalu, says new book

New Delhi, April 29: Barely days before their nuptial, she had complained bitterly to her parents for marrying her off in a penniless family. Years later, Lalu Prasad proved his `worthiness` and political acumen by making Rabri Devi the Chief Minister of Bihar -- a passage from kitchen to cabinet, literally! It was Lalu`s way of "paying off a debt to his wife," reveals a yet-to-be-released pictorial monograph on the Railway Minister. In her own admission, Rabri Devi says, "Shadi mein khoob ladai hua (my marriage involved a lot of family drama). The reason was that while all of my three sisters were married off to well-to-do families having huge landed properties, my in-laws had just a thatched roof. "Just everyone kept telling my father that why are you handing out your daughter to a bhikhmanga (beggar)?" The 300-page monograph, the first of its kind on the charismatic politician, is slated to hit the bookshops in India before the politician`s 60th birthday on June 11. Interestingly, the coffee table book will be released on June 5, the day Jaya Prakash Narayan had launched Sampoorna Kranti (Total Revolution), his social transformation programme. Authored by Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, the monograph comprises 20 chapters and carries several interesting articles on the veteran politician`s life, his `basic mantra` for success in his life and his incredible turnaround of Indian Railways. The book is dedicated to late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur (the political mentor of Lalu Prasad), Jaya Prakash Narayan (who re-shaped India politically), late Dhirubhai Ambani (who had the audacity to dream of a business empire and the resolve to realise it) and some other down-to-earth nationals, who made India proud. The monograph holds responsible at least seven former Bihar chief ministers, then Central leaders, and more than 100 senior IAS and IPS officials for the present sorry state of affairs in the eastern state and making it a "hell". "The upper caste people of caste-ridden Bihar always tried to suppress the lower caste people educationally, economically and politically. Lalu Prasad has given voice to all the voiceless people and empowered them to fight for their right in society," says the monograph. It also contains Rabri Devi`s impressions of her husband and the political turmoil in Bihar during the 70s. She vividly recalls how she had boarded a steamer at Pahleja Ghat in Sonepur (Chapra) to reach the Patna residence soon after her marriage on March 18, 1974 when curfew had been imposed all over the district. And, how she boldly tackled her husband`s hide and seek with the police who would always come to her dwelling at the peons` quarters of the Patna Veterinary College, looking for her spouse.

Book on Indian independence to be released at NRI meet

To commemorate India's 60th year of Independence, "India Calling", a pictorial book compiled and published by a Delhi-based couple, will be released at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, beginning at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi Jan 7.Inaugural copies of the 196-page illustrated coffee-table book, compiled by Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, will be handed over to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other delegates at the meet."India Calling" is dedicated to all freedom fighters, political leaders, armed forces personnel and policemen who sacrificed their today for the country's tomorrow. "'India Calling' is perhaps the first book brought out in commemoration of India entering 60th year of its Independence," the couple said. The couple had earlier authored a monograph on Ustad Bismillah Khan, which was released by the maestro himself on his 91st birthday in March last year.The husband-wife duo has also launched a nationwide movement through books to encourage musicians, academicians, artistes, policemen and others who have brought laurels and pride to the nation. "The principle of non-violence must become central to the ethics of human culture. A society as diverse in its mosaic as India must truly practise non-violence and embrace brotherhood in our onward march as a nation. We must exult in India's unique racial and cultural diversity. Indian art and music symbolises this. We must save it from crude modernisation," Sibal has written in the forward to the book. Reliance Industries Limited chief Mukesh Ambani, whose article finds a place in the book, said: The goal of removing poverty should force us to rethink the whole concept of business.Containing rare pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Rajendra Prasad and Indira Gandhi, "India Calling" carries profiles of other important Indian icons and various articles on globalisation, nuclear deals, economic prosperity, civil aviation, Indian polity, external relations, oil and natural gas, education and others besides eye-catching pictures of Indian heritage and monuments.A total of 2,000 delegates from over 70 countries have registered for the three-day annual event, organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).Indo-Asian News Service

All about Lalu

Delhi based journalist Shivnath Jha has put his thirty-three year long acquaintance with Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad to good use by authoring a 260-page book, Lalu Prasad: India’s miracle. The book, sans any controversies, holds up a mirror to Lalu’s struggles, his poor background, and the resistance from his bride-to-be Rabri to marry a man without any land or wealth.The author who shares his alma mater, Bihar National College, with Lalu, first met the rustic leader in 1974-75 during the JP movement. The writer was then working as a newspaper hawker. The meetings continued as Lalu often visited the office of the Indian Nation, a well known daily (now defunct) from Bihar, where Jha worked as a copy holder.Meanwhile, Lalu loyalists used the recent meeting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal National Executive as an excercise in sycophancy. The Executive went out of its way to pass a resolution titled “Achievements of the Railway Ministry”. While felicitating the Railway Minister for his “historic achievements”, the resolution stated that the turnaround of the Railways had attracted the attention of management students in different corners of the world (The Tribune)

Bismillah Khan seeks financial help

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, who was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2001, is upset with the government for ignoring him and has urged that all the financial promises made to him be redeemed. The nonagenarian musician has asked the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, to release all outstanding financial dues pending ‘since 1961’ so that he could take care of his needs in his old age. The visibly upset maestro stated this while autographing the cover page of a book on him compiled and edited by a journalist couple, at his dilapidated house in Varanasi last week. With tears in his eyes, the ailing musician said: ‘I don’t remember who promised what, but before I die if the Indian government gives me even one rupee then it will give me mental peace.’ He alleged that he had requested that he be allowed to play at the India Gate in New Delhi, but was denied a chance because he is Muslim. ‘The country has bestowed on me great honours, but one thing that upsets me is they have not allowed me to play at the India Gate because I am a Muslim.’ Delhi-based journalist couple Neena Jha and Shivnath Jha, who got the great musician to autograph the book, also presented him two shawls and Rs 20,000 cash to buy medicine. Khan said: ‘Since 1961 I have raised the issue with every successive prime minister and top politicians including Indira Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi, HD Deve Gowda, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and Sonia Gandhi but none has paid attention to my plea.’ (The New Age/Bangladesh)

Centre to rehabilitate Tantya Tope's heirs

New Delhi, June 19, 2007 (UNI) In the midst of pompous celebrations overthe 150th year of India's First War of Indepedence, a fact thatrankles is that the heirs of Tantya Tope, a frontline leader andmartyr of the 1857 mutiny, continue to languish in squalour and anonymity.The Centre has finally woken up to their plight with Minister ofState for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal announcing a Rs one lakh grantfrom his personal fund and assuring them of suitable arrangementsfor higher education and employment. Taking action on a plea initiated by ''Bismillah: The BeginningFoundation'', Mr Jaiswal said he would personally visit the place ofVinayak Rao Tope (the third generation descendant of Tatya Tope) atLav-Kush Nagar of Bithur in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh next week.''I will also urge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to releasesuitable amount from the PM's Relief fund and provide governmentjobs, if the family members desire,'' he said.The minister said he was releasing Rs one lakh straightaway toVinayak Tope and his wife from his personal account to give thecouple immediate succour.Hailing the efforts initiated by a Delhi-based couple Neena Jhaand Shivnath Jha who had launched a nationwide movement "Andolan EkPustak Se" two years ago to protect those who brought laurels to thenation, Mr Jaiswal said: ''My first priority is to make the familyfinancially viable, get their children admitted for higher educationand provide them employment.''Residing in Kanpur, Tantya Tope's heirs are now struggling toeke out a bare survival. They could not get his pension even aftergiving bribes. Due to the poverty, daughters in the family weredeprived of higher education.In a letter to the Home Ministry, the Jha couple had urged thegovernment to rehabilitate the family in view of the ongoingcelebrations of the 150th anniversary of the 1857 Uprising.''We have also decided to provide monthly financial support toVinayak Rao Tope and his wife Saraswati Devi to protect their familyand provide higher education of their daughters Pragati and Pravritiand son Ashutosh through the sale proceeds of the books -- amonograph on Ustad Bismillah Khan, India Calling and another on LaluPrasad:India's Miracle,'' they said.The couple will also extend financial support for the marriage ofPragati and Pravriti. ''It will be a great tribute to late UstadBismillah Khan and promote his secular philosophy,'' they said.Vinayak Rao Tope, a third generation descendant of Tantya Tope,sells grocery items and earns a pittance -- not enough for thesustenance of the entire family.Vinayak Tope opened a small grocery shop in January last year.Earlier, he was able to get some food from his 'jajmans' (masters)by conducting religious ceremonies from them.Expressing concern, Mr Jaiswal said ''it is unfortunate thatVinayak Rao Tope's wife Saraswati Devi had to pay a bribe to securesanction of pension in 1995 which is yet to see the light of the day.''Saraswati Devi reportedly paid Rs 500 as bribe for pension. Daughter Pragati is a teacher in the Laxmibai School on the salaryof only Rs 600 a month. Her elder sister Pravriti, a graduate, isstill unemployed.In May 1857, when the political storm was gathering momentumagainst the British rule, Tatya Tope won over the Indian troops ofthe East India Company, stationed at Kanpur, established NanaSaheb's authority and became the Commander-in-Chief of hisrevolutionary forces.Tantya Tope, whose real name was Ram Chandra Pandurang, was bornin 1814 at village Gola in Maharashtra. His father, Pandurang RaoTope was an important noble at the court of the Peshwa Baji Rao II.He shifted his family with the ill-fated Peshwa to Bithur where hisson became the most intimate friend of the Peshwa's adopted son, NanaDhundu Pant, known as Nana Saheb.After the reoccupation of Kanpur and separation from Nana Saheb,Tantya Tope shifted his headquarters to Kalpi to join hands withRani Lakshmi Bai and led a revolt in Bundelkhand. He was routed atBetwa, Koonch and Kalpi, but reached Gwalior and declared Nana Sahebas Peshwa with the support of the Gwalior contingent.Before he could consolidate his position, General Hugh Rosedefeated him in a memorable battle in which Rani Lakshmi Baiunderwent martyrdom.After losing Gwalior to the British, he launched a successfulguerilla campaign in the Sagar and Narmada regions and in Khandeshand Rajasthan. The British forces failed to subdue him for over ayear. He was, however, betrayed into the hands of the British by histrusted friend Man Singh, Chief of Narwar, while asleep in his campin the Paron forest. He was captured and taken to Sipri where he was tried by amilitary court and despatched to the gallows on April 18, 1859.

1857 war hero Tatya Tope's family to be rehabilitated

New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) As the country celebrates 150 years of the first war of independence in 1857, the central government has decided to provide assistance to the heirs of the war's frontline leader, Tatya Tope, who are unemployed and cannot afford to complete their education.Taking action on a plea submitted by an NGO 'Bismillah: the Beginning Foundation', the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal announced a financial aid of Rs. 1 lakh for the Tope family.Jaiswal also said that he would personally visit Vinayak Rao Tope, belonging to the third generation of Tatya Tope, at his hometown in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He would also urge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release an amount from the PM's relief fund for the family apart from providing government jobs to the members."I hail the efforts of the foundation. My first priority is to make the family financially viable, get their children admitted for higher education and provide them employment," said Jaiswal.Vinayak Rao Tope's family has been earning a livelihood from a small kirana shop opened near their house. The shop sustains them but does not provide enough for his three children to complete their education. It is not enough for their marriage either.One of his daughters recently got a job as a teacher in a local school which earns her a paltry sum of Rs. 600 per month while the other two children are still unemployed.Touched by their difficulties, Neena and Shivnath Jha, who run the NGO have decided to provide monthly financial support to the Tope family through the proceeds from the books - 'Monograph on Ustad Bismillah Khan', 'India Calling' and 'Monograph on Lalu Prasad: India's Miracle' which were brought out by the foundation.The couple initiated a nation wide movement, 'Andolan Ek Pustak Se', two years back in order to protect those who brought laurels to the nation. The foundation earlier worked for providing financial support to music maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan. Under their aegis, the Ministry of Home Affairs allowed the couple to invite the Ustad to perform at the India Gate to pay tribute to thousands of unsung heroes of World War one and for global peace.This was followed by a release of Rs. 250,000 from the Prime Minister's relief fund. However, the Ustad didn't live long to perform at India Gate and fulfill his last wish. (Indo-Asian News Service)