Latest news with #Bismil
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Leaders pay tribute to freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary. Sharing a post on X, Kharge quoted Bismil's poem. In a post on X, Kharge said, "May the darkness of hatred and envy now be far from Hind (India), This is now the only desire, the only yearning in our hearts! Let us rise to the peak of glory through sacrifice for the nation, 'Bismil', this is the only longing left in our hearts now! A humble tribute on the birth anniversary of the great revolutionary, a man of multifaceted talent, poet, and writer who sacrificed everything for the nation, a great son of Mother India, Ram Prasad Bismil." — kharge (@kharge) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kulkas yang belum Terjual dengan Harga Termurah (Lihat harga) Undo Other prominent leaders also paid their respects to Bismil. Speaker Om Birla extended his tributes on X, saying, "Countless salutations on the birth anniversary of the immortal freedom fighter, Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil Ji. By playing a courageous role not only in the Kakori action but also in many revolutionary activities, he inspired countless youth to join the national movement. His spirit of living and laying down his life for the nation will continue to inspire us forever." Live Events — ombirlakota (@ombirlakota) Gen VK Singh , Governor of Mizoram and Former Chief of Army Staff, also shared a powerful couplet by Bismil on X, stating, "The desire for martyrdom now burns within our hearts, let us see how much strength the arms of the oppressor truly have." Singh further described Bismil as a young revolutionary and a great freedom fighter who inspired and led from the front. — Gen_VKSingh (@Gen_VKSingh) On the occasion of Ram Prasad Bismil's birth anniversary, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and G Kishan Reddy paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary freedom fighter. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi remembered Bismil as a fearless patriot, poet, and martyr who gave his life for India's independence. "Remembering revolutionary freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary. A fearless patriot, poet and martyr who gave his life for India's independence. His courage and verses continue to inspire generations," Joshi said on X. — JoshiPralhad (@JoshiPralhad) Union Minister G Kishan Reddy paid tribute to Bismil's revolutionary spirit, which was embodied through his powerful poetry. "My humble tributes to the great poet Shri. Ram Prasad Bismil ji on his Janm Jayanthi. His revolutionary spirit, embodied through powerful poetry, called for the revival of India's cultural and spiritual strength. Today, we reaffirm his vision for a united India rooted in our rich heritage," Reddy said. — kishanreddybjp (@kishanreddybjp) Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur. He played a pivotal role in the Kakori train action and was one of the four revolutionaries who were hanged on December 19, 1927. The Kakori Train Action or Kakori Conspiracy was a train robbery that took place at Kakori, a village near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925 during the Indian Independence Movement against the British colonial rule. The robbery was organised by the Hindustan Republican Association, and more than 40 persons were arrested in this incident. They were finally sentenced to death by the British government, and severe punishments were also given to those people who helped with the incident. Earlier in August, the Uttar Pradesh government renamed the 'Kakori Kand' to 'Kakori Train action' as the word 'Kand' denotes a sense of insult to this incident under India's Independence struggle.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Leaders pay tribute to freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary. Sharing a post on X, Kharge quoted Bismil's poem. In a post on X, Kharge said, 'May the darkness of hatred and envy now be far from Hind (India), This is now the only desire, the only yearning in our hearts! Let us rise to the peak of glory through sacrifice for the nation, 'Bismil', this is the only longing left in our hearts now! A humble tribute on the birth anniversary of the great revolutionary, a man of multifaceted talent, poet, and writer who sacrificed everything for the nation, a great son of Mother India, Ram Prasad Bismil.' Other prominent leaders also paid their respects to Bismil. Speaker Om Birla extended his tributes on X, saying, 'Countless salutations on the birth anniversary of the immortal freedom fighter, Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil Ji. By playing a courageous role not only in the Kakori action but also in many revolutionary activities, he inspired countless youth to join the national movement. His spirit of living and laying down his life for the nation will continue to inspire us forever.' Gen VK Singh, Governor of Mizoram and Former Chief of Army Staff, also shared a powerful couplet by Bismil on X, stating, 'The desire for martyrdom now burns within our hearts, let us see how much strength the arms of the oppressor truly have.' Singh further described Bismil as a young revolutionary and a great freedom fighter who inspired and led from the front. On the occasion of Ram Prasad Bismil's birth anniversary, Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and G Kishan Reddy paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary freedom fighter. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi remembered Bismil as a fearless patriot, poet, and martyr who gave his life for India's independence. 'Remembering revolutionary freedom fighter Ram Prasad Bismil on his birth anniversary. A fearless patriot, poet and martyr who gave his life for India's independence. His courage and verses continue to inspire generations,' Joshi said on X. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy paid tribute to Bismil's revolutionary spirit, which was embodied through his powerful poetry. 'My humble tributes to the great poet Shri. Ram Prasad Bismil ji on his Janm Jayanthi. His revolutionary spirit, embodied through powerful poetry, called for the revival of India's cultural and spiritual strength. Today, we reaffirm his vision for a united India rooted in our rich heritage,' Reddy said. Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur. He played a pivotal role in the Kakori train action and was one of the four revolutionaries who were hanged on December 19, 1927. The Kakori Train Action or Kakori Conspiracy was a train robbery that took place at Kakori, a village near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925 during the Indian Independence Movement against the British colonial rule. The robbery was organised by the Hindustan Republican Association, and more than 40 persons were arrested in this incident. They were finally sentenced to death by the British government, and severe punishments were also given to those people who helped with the incident. Earlier in August, the Uttar Pradesh government renamed the 'Kakori Kand' to 'Kakori Train action' as the word 'Kand' denotes a sense of insult to this incident under India's Independence struggle. (ANI)
Mint
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
The unknown lives of young Indian revolutionaries
Only weeks ago, reporters covering state-level Delhi politics were filling column inches about a storm-in-a-teacup controversy. The Aam Aadmi Party, recently removed from power following the assembly elections, claimed that the new victors, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had removed a portrait of the revolutionary Bhagat Singh from the chief minister's office. The BJP replied with a quick denial and hastily shot video rebuttals. To the unschooled observer, it might seem strange that circa 2025, Indian politicians are devoting so much time to the symbolic significance of Bhagat Singh. But that's the grip on the imagination that Bhagat Singh and the other revolutionaries of that era like Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru, among others, continue to have. I was powerfully reminded of this phenomenon while reading A Glimpse of My Life by Ram Prasad 'Bismil" (1897-1927), translated into English by Awadhesh Tripathi (the original Hindi memoir is called Nij Jeevan ki ek Chhata ). The book is a part of the 'Chronicles" series of Indian non-fiction conceived by the Ashoka Centre for Translation at Ashoka University. Bismil was a poet, writer, translator and front-line revolutionary involved in the famous Kakori train robbery of 9 August 1925 alongside the likes of Azad, Ashfaqullah Khan and Rajendra Lahiri. The group looted bags full of tax money collected by the British government from a train travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow. Years later Bismil was captured, convicted and eventually hanged for his role in the operation. A Glimpse of My Life presents his life story in a linear, largely chronological order. The book begins from his childhood in Tomarghat village near Gwalior, the midsection moves on to his youth and revolutionary exploits in the 1920s, and the final section is a kind of manifesto-cum-prison-diary, peppered with occasional verses of both mystic and nationalistic poetry. To my mind, this book is a reminder of why the writings of Indian revolutionaries form a sort of alt-history of the interwar period in India. Specifically, the writings of Bismil, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, among others, bust three major myths, which have been sustained and encouraged by mass-media depictions, such as the countless biopics produced by Hindi and Punjabi-language cinema, an honourable exception being Raj Kumar Santoshi's sincere and kinetic The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002). The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries were primarily youthful daredevils whose greatest feats were more physical than intellectual. The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries were monomaniacally focused on expelling the British, and therefore had no plans for 'what came after" for the newly-independent India in terms of laws and policies. The fallacious idea that Indian revolutionaries, on account of their relative lack of experience, were not sufficiently cognizant of the fault lines within Indian societies, especially with respect to gender, caste and religion. To the first point, let us consider Bismil: throughout A Glimpse of My Life , there are copious quotations of well-known lines from Kabir, the Gita and several other foundational Indian texts. A bit of a polyglot, Bismil was fluent in Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Bangla and probably a few other languages we do not know of. Indeed, in the original Hindi text, the narration of life events takes place in the Khari Boli register of Hindi typical of the 1910s and 1920s. But the couplets he composes and sprinkles liberally over the text are all in either Urdu or braj bhasha, a completely different Hindi/Hindustani-adjacent register. Also read: 'White Lilies': Life and death on the mean roads of Delhi As the moment of execution drew near, Bismil recited some of his own lines: Maalik teri raza rahe aur tu hi tu rahe/ baaki na main rahun, na meri aarzoo rahe./ Jab tak ki tan mein jaan ragon mein lahu rahe/ Tera hi zikreyaar, teri justujoo rahe (Lord, may your will prevail and may you prevail/ Neither I nor my desire may remain./ Till there is life in the body and blood in my veins/ May you be remembered and longed for). These were remarkably thoughtful and prescient young people with a cosmopolitan ease in the way they read and wrote about the dominant cultural and social issues of the day. In The Bhagat Singh Reader (edited by Chaman Lal and published by HarperCollins India in 2019), there is a letter Singh wrote to his beloved comrade Sukhdev Thapar on the subject of suicide. It starts on predictable lines, with the query: Is suicide justified for the revolutionary in the face of imminent capture? But the letter soon branches out to become something considerably stranger and more wide-ranging. At one point, Singh launches into a kind of comparative criticism mini-essay about realism in Indian vs Russian literature. 'Perhaps you recall that we have talked several times about the fact that the realism that one finds in Russian literature everywhere is not seen at all in our literature. We really admire the painful and sorrowful situations in their stories, but do not feel the sensation of going through that pain. We praise their intense passion and their characters to unprecedented heights, but never trouble to ponder over their reasons. I would say that it is the delineation of suffering in their literature that gives sensitivity, a sharp pang of pain and nobility to their characters." Reading Bhagat Singh makes you realise the true scale of the revolutionaries' intellectual ambitions and nation-building vision. In his letters Singh describes his vision for a socialist Indian republic where caste, gender and religion-based discrimination would be eliminated, where agrarian and labour laws would give the working-class lives dignity and security. He would cite everyone, from Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill to the Romantic poets, to support his arguments. His boundless curiosity and rhetorical flair, impressive for a man still in his mid-20s, were proof that India lost a future statesman with his passing. And Singh could be funny in a sardonic way, too, like when he writes about his British-loving classmates at college and their servile behaviour. Subhas Chandra Bose's unfinished memoir An Indian Pilgrim also has several funny episodes from his youth as well as his military career. While headed by ship to Cambridge, for example, the beleaguered Bose had to put up with the company of a pair of irritating, henpecked men who he describes with deadpan restraint. 'One fellow-passenger had been ordered by his wife not to touch beef. By another passenger he was tricked into taking 'copta curry" of beef (which he thoroughly enjoyed) under the impression that it was mutton 'copta curry". Great was his remorse when he discovered his mistake after twelve hours. Another passenger had orders from his fiancée to write a letter every day. He spent his time reciting love-poems and talking about her. Whether we liked it or not, we had to listen." Above all, these revolutionaries had the humility to concede that their paths were exceptional, and not replicable in a widespread way. Indeed, towards the end of A Glimpse of My Life , Bismil came to a similar conclusion. He suggests that for the average educated young man, 'organizing the working class and the farmers into unions" was even more important than 'secret revolutionary work". It's useful to remember that Bismil wrote this at the back end of his imprisonment, when he already knew his fate. He was thinking of the future of the nation even as his own ran the clock. It takes rare mettle to be able to collect one's thoughts in such circumstances, which is a big reason why these books by Indians revolutionaries remain enduringly relevant. Also read: Looking back at the intertwined legacies of Tagore and Ray
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
BMP suggests uniform 1pc sales tax rate on all medicines
LAHORE: As the federal government enters the final phase of preparing the federal budget for 2025–26, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) Businessmen Panel (BMP) has strongly urged the government to eliminate tax discrimination between different categories of medicines. The panel called for applying a uniform 1% sales tax rate on all medicines—whether allopathic, homeopathic, or herbal—to ensure fairness, accessibility, and consistency in healthcare taxation. The issue was discussed in detail during the meeting between Mian Anjum Nisar and a delegation from the Homeopathic Pharmac eutical and Chemist Association Pakistan (HPCA), who met him in the lead of Dr. Amanullah Bismil, Patron-in-Chief of the HPCA. The delegation included Dr. Ahsan Waris, Dr. Iqbal Hanif, Dr. Kashif Masood, and Saifurrahman Safi. The representatives shared their concerns regarding the unequal taxation structure, highlighting how it discourages the growth of the alternative medicine industry and limits consumer access to affordable treatment options. Chairman of the Businessmen Panel and former FPCCI president Mian Anjum Nisar pointed out that a significant disparity currently exists in the taxation system governing pharmaceutical and health-related products. Allopathic medicines—conventional pharmaceutical drugs—are taxed at a concessional rate of 1%, while homeopathic and herbal medicines are subject to a hefty 18% general sales tax (GST). This difference, he argued, is unjust and harmful, creating a disproportionate burden on consumers and manufacturers of non-allopathic medicines. 'The current tax system promotes inequality within the healthcare sector,' Anjum Nisar said. 'On the one hand, the government claims to prioritize public health and affordability; on the other hand, it penalizes manufacturers and users of homeopathic and herbal medicines with an unjustifiable tax rate. This contradictory policy undermines equitable healthcare access.' Dr. Bismil explained that the issue stems from outdated provisions in the Eighth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, particularly Entry No. 81, which only refers to drugs registered under the now-repealed Drugs Act of 1976. That Act has since been replaced by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Act, 2012, which regulates all therapeutic goods—allopathic, homeopathic, herbal, and nutraceutical. According to Section 32 of the DRAP Act, its provisions take precedence over earlier or conflicting laws. However, the sales tax framework has not been updated to reflect this change, resulting in a legal loophole that excludes non-allopathic medicines from receiving the same tax relief as allopathic drugs. Dr. Bismil urged the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address this gap by amending the Eighth Schedule so that all DRAP-registered medicines are treated equally under the tax regime. He stressed that the amendment should be included in the Finance Bill 2025–26 and take effect from July 1, 2025. 'This is the ideal time to correct this policy anomaly,' said Dr. Bismil. 'As budget preparations are underway, the government must take this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to inclusive healthcare, fair taxation, and support for local industries.' Anjum Nisar supported the delegation's demands and assured them he would take the issue to the highest level to seek a resolution. He emphasized that millions of Pakistanis—especially those in rural areas and low-income groups—rely on homeopathic and herbal treatments. By taxing these products at a higher rate, the government is restricting access for the underprivileged and effectively pushing patients toward more expensive alternatives. He further highlighted the economic potential of the alternative medicine sector, which has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite facing regulatory neglect and tax pressures. 'Pakistan has a rich heritage in traditional medicine systems, including homeopathy, Unani, and herbal formulations,' he said. 'If supported through progressive policy and tax fairness, these industries can contribute billions to the national economy and expand into export markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.' Anjum Nisar added that a uniform 1% tax rate across all medicines would promote transparency, compliance, and a healthier business environment. It would allow all sectors of the healthcare industry to grow side by side, encouraging innovation and ensuring that patients have access to diverse treatment options at fair prices. He warned that maintaining the current dual tax system would continue to distort the market, discourage formalization, and hurt small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that make up the bulk of the homeopathic and herbal medicine industry. 'This is not just a tax issue—it's a healthcare issue and an economic opportunity,' Nisar concluded. 'The government must seize this moment to harmonize the taxation structure, promote equity in healthcare, and support the broader goal of industrial development in Pakistan.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Hareem Farooq Is in No Rush to Get Married, and Here's Why
Hareem Farooq, a name that resonates with fans of both Pakistani television and cinema, has built a reputation for her versatile roles and captivating performances. Whether it's the fierce Masooma in the hit drama Bismil or her memorable performances in films like Parchi and Janaan, Hareem has solidified herself as one of the most popular and bankable actresses in the industry. Her knack for taking on strong, complex characters has earned her a loyal fanbase, and despite playing some challenging negative roles, like the one in Bismil, her popularity continues to soar. Fans are eagerly anticipating her next projects, and with every new role, she proves just how versatile and talented she is. Recently, Hareem made an appearance on Nida Yasir's Shaan-e-Suhoor show, where she discussed her career and personal life in a candid hour-long segment. Among the topics covered, one that fans were particularly interested in was her views on marriage. As the 35-year-old actress spoke about her thoughts on the subject, she revealed that, despite the usual societal pressures, she's in no rush to tie the knot. In typical desi fashion, the age-old question of 'when do you plan on getting married?' has become a familiar refrain in Hareem's life, a question that's inevitably asked at least once or twice a year in her household. She humorously added that while her parents never pushed her into marriage, they sometimes get frustrated with proposals that don't meet their standards. But in reality, they simply want someone who's a good human being for her. A relatable moment for many! Fans, of course, couldn't help but speculate when Hareem posted a video with her close friend Saad Sultan last year. Given the desi tendency to connect anyone in a video together romantically, people immediately began wondering if the actress was in a relationship. To this, she joked that she might be the only one still unmarried, especially when you consider the ongoing joke that whenever an actress works with Usman Mukhtar, she ends up getting married soon after. Take a look at the examples: Naimal Khawar, Sarah Khan, Mawra Hocane, and now Kubra Khan. So, what's the deal with Usman? Is he the secret to happily ever after? According to Hareem, it's just a coincidence—and she will get married when the right person comes along. One of the most refreshing things Hareem said in the interview was about her approach to marriage: It's better to wait for the right person and let things happen organically rather than forcing a relationship just to meet societal expectations. It's something many of us can resonate with. As for the type of person she's looking for, the actress shared that her ideal partner should be gentle, God-fearing, and compassionate. In closing, Hareem also emphasized that marriage will never be someone from the family, as her parents don't support that either. In a society where marriage is often seen as the end goal, it's a breath of fresh air to hear Hareem's perspective on waiting for the right time and the right person. Wouldn't it be great if we could stop asking people about marriage so much, though? The question is so deeply ingrained in South Asian culture that it's unlikely to go away anytime soon. But here's hoping that the pressure eases for future generations. So, to all the people out there constantly asking when she'll get married—Hareem's answer is clear: When the time is right, and not a moment sooner!
