A new scheme of work

Created by Arunabha 9 years ago
By the end of 2012 Arup and his 'Dada' were growing more and more impatient with the state of affairs in the country. They were going through lots of data, reports, and articles. The broad picture was rather gloomy. It definitely needed a boost in every channel of national life. That required a huge youth movement, not too solemn to keep the general run of people away, not only for men, but equally for women (maybe in two wings within the same organization), uniting all good endeavours. Awareness of historical, social, political, and economic factors of import were to be spread among youths, along with character and efficiency. Camps and rallies were to be arranged to rouse consciousness among the public. Honesty, public spirit, and scientific attitude, coupled with a deep feeling for the have-not - this will serve the purpose. The common people may devour high-strung theories, but cannot digest them. There were hours of discussion day after day, month after month on the strategies, obstacles, possibility of success, and even the name, emblem, flag, anthem, etc. of the organization. The ghost of Azad Hind Fauz was hovering before the minds. The name had to have a pan-Indian appeal. The anthem must be "Subh sukh chain ki barkha barse" of the Azad Hind Fauz. Arup wanted to get a fresh design for the emblem made by his artist friend Gopal. So many troubling issues were there! Women were left behind. They must be brought into the same organization. But, we had to be cautious: there could be two wings. And mind about their independence. What about NGO type work? Can we not stand beside the farmers? Work for the environment? Visit the remote areas? In the meantime, another young man from Shyamnagar, Subhankar, used to come with Abhirup and supply more and more books on Netaji to those ardent admirers of Swamiji and Netaji. It provided additional inspiration. Initial thoughts were jotted down in azadbharat.wordpress.com from March 2013. In the same month a tour was made to Jangipur-Murshidabad (where his friend Jamirul arranged everything) and Arup made some door-to-door enquiry in very poor areas. Are they getting the deserved benefits? Where do they work? And so on. From there to Jalpaiguri, where some members of the Mahamandal helped us better understand the problems of tea estates and the workings of the local governments. On 18 August 2013 a meeting of those who became associated with this line of thought was first arranged, followed by a few more in Calcutta and Kalyani. The decision was to start in an humble way, but with a great vision. The written proposal started with these words: "Many of us feel that India faces serious challenges today, which call for a sharp response. The fast economic growth of the recent decades is coupled with utter backwardness in education, health, and poverty, cultural and political rot, loot of natural resources, and environmental destruction. The affairs of the state are controlled, not by the people, but by a ruling elite. The fault lines along class, caste and ethnic lines remain to be resolved. Many people now feel the urgency for responding to the crisis. And there are many constructive efforts from individuals and organizations throughout the country. Only there is no common platform yet to consolidate all such efforts on a national scale with a holistic vision to deal with the situation. With this purpose of consolidation of all good forces for nation building, the new organization is formed." The last meeting Arup attended was held at Kalyani on 16 November 2013. His absence immediately created a vacuum that is hard to fill. Yet, "will" far outlives the gross body of man. Swamiji said, "One falls, and another takes up the work." And he prayed: "Thou helpful one! unselfish e'er on earth, Ahead! still help with love this world of strife!"

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