Bhangra: Punjab's beat of rythm

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http://www.worldsikhnews.com/7%20May%202008/Image/category_bhangra.jpgThe bhangra is a folk dance that has its roots in the region of Punjab in northwest India.Unlike other folk dances which usually fail to catch the interest of the masses outside their particular community or geographical region, bhangra has managed to transcend its label as being merely a folk dance to be performed by Punjabi sons of the soil. Bhangra has developed as a combination of dances from different parts of the Punjab region. The term "Bhangra" now refers to several kinds of dances and arts, including Jhumar, Luddi, Giddha, Julli, Daankara, Dhamal, Saami, Kikli, and Gatka. Jhumar, originally from Sandalbar, Punjab, comprises an important part of Punjab folk heritage.

NDA: Making soldiers out of normal men

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Sudan Block and Ashoka PillarThe National Defence Academy is a premier Inter Service training institution where future officers of Armed Forces are trained. The training involves an exacting schedule of 3 years before the cadets join their respective Service Academies, viz. Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy.The history of soldiering in India goes back to the medieval ages when India defended its western borders against attacks from the West. The names of Porus and Chandra Gupta Maurya immediately come to mind, who gave Alexander the great, his first taste of tough resistance and defeat. The history of present day Army can be traced back to the days of East India Company when the Presidency armies, namely the Bombay,Madras and Bengal Presidencies started recruiting Indian troops.

Char Dham: The 4 holy abodes

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http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Himalayas/Yamunotri/Yamunotri32.jpgChar Dham is the most important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas. Located in the Garhwal section of the state of Uttarakhand (formerly the northwestern section of Uttar Pradesh), the circuit consists of four sites—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath , and Badrinath. While each site is unique in its own fashion, inclusion in the Char Dham has, over time, caused them be viewed together in popular imagination and actual pilgrimage practice.

Yamunotri  is a pilgrimage site near the source of the Yamuna, a river sacred to the Hindus. Hundreds of thousands go up the 6 km path each year from the settlement of Janaki Chatti. Most walk up but some get carried up by others.

Lala Lajpat Rai: An irrepressible martyr

Lala Lajpat Rai the martyr was a store house of many good qualities. Efficiency, tireless industry and patriotism symbolized him. He was friendly. For the sake of his country he won a large number of friends both in India and abroad. From the platform he spoke for hours eloquently. His speeches were fiery and galvanizing. People heard him spellbound and his words opened their eyes. He was indeed a lion among men.

Lalaji: Leading the charge against the Simon Commission

The non-cooperation movement failed. Therefore there was a lull in political activities. In 1927 the British Government wanted a report on political reforms in India and on amending the Government of India Act. So it appointed a commission. The commission consisted of Sir John Simon and six other members. All of them were members of the British Parliament. There was not a single Indian as member. It was composed solely of White people. The commission was an insult to Indians. These White men were to shape the future of India.

Lalaji during communal problems in the country

The British began to employ the tried and tested Divide and Rule policy once again by harping on communal discord between Hindus and Muslims. Riots were justified by Muslim leaders as a fight for equal political rights if and when India became free. The Muslim leaders assured that the squabbles would stop if they were granted political rights according to their wishes. To cater to this request, the Congress appointed Lalaji and Dr. Ansari for bringing Hindu- Muslim unity. Chittranjan Das submitted his own proposal while Lalaji and Dr.

Lalaji: Taking India to the World

The Indian National Congress decided to send two representatives to England to acquaint the public with conditions in India. Lajpat Rai and Gopal Krishna Gokhale were the two represen- tatives. When they returned from their visit to England, thousands of people welcomed them at the Lahore railway station. During his tour of England Lalaji told the people they’re about the conditions in India during the British rule.

Lalaji: A "headche" for the British

Lalaji was not merely an outstanding politician but also an able writer. The biographies he wrote in Urdu are memorable. He wrote the biographies of the patriots Mazzini and Garibaldi who unified Italy. He also wrote outstanding books about Indian great men Shivaji, Sri Krishna and Dayananda Saraswati. The books on Mazzini and Shivaji contained passages, which encouraged people to fight for freedom. So the government even thought of arresting Lalaji.

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