On 28 August, 1963, Martin Luther King delivered his magnificent "I have a dream speech" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. Below is the full text of his speech.

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds'

But 100 years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

And so we've come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a cheque. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we've come to cash this check - a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

Sweltering summer... of discontent

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. 1963 is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.

There will be neither rest nor tranquillity in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: in the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back.

Trials and tribulations

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights: "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied and we will not be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

The dream

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed - we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I will go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning: "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California.
But not only that.
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Martin Luther King (1929 - 1968)

Martin Luther King © King was an American clergymen, Nobel Peace Prize winner and one of the principal leaders of the American civil rights movements. King was born on 15 January 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. His father was a Baptist minister, his mother a schoolteacher. Originally named Michael, he was later renamed Martin. He entered Morehouse College in 1944 and then went to Crozer Religious Seminary to undertake postgraduate study, receiving his doctorate in 1955. Returning to the South to become pastor of a Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, King first achieved national renown when he helped mobilise the black boycott of the Montgomery bus system in 1955. This was organised after Rosa Parks, a black woman, refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man - in the segregated south, black people could only sit at the back of the bus. The 382-day boycott led the bus company to change its regulations, and the supreme court declared such segregation unconstitutional. In 1957 King was active in the organisation of the Southern Leadership Christian Conference (SCLC), formed to co-ordinate protests against discrimination. He advocated non-violent direct action based on the methods of Gandhi, who led protests against British rule in India culminating in India's independence in 1947. In 1963, King led mass protests against discriminatory practices in Birmingham, Alabama where the white population were violently resisting desegregation. The city was dubbed 'Bombingham' as attacks against civil rights protesters increased, and King was arrested and jailed for his part in the protests. After his release, King participated in the enormous civil rights march on Washington in August 1963, and delivered his famous 'I have a dream' speech, predicting a day when the promise of freedom and equality for all would become a reality in America. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1965, he led a campaign to register blacks to vote. The same year the US Congress passed the Voting Rights Act outlawing the discriminatory practices that had barred blacks from voting in the south. As the civil rights movement became increasingly radicalised, King found that his message of peaceful protest was not shared by many in the younger generation. King began to protest against the Vietnam war and poverty levels in the US. He was assassinated on 4 April 1968 during a visit to Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Jr For many, Martin Luther King Jr was the most prominent civil rights movement leader in the twentieth century. His most famous speech, which contains the words "I have a dream", has come to symbolise hope and faith for all. King was born in 1929 as Michael Luther King Jr. Growing up in separatist America, he attended the Morehouse College of Atlanta, a distinguished institution for black people, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. After receiving a doctorate from Boston University, he became pastor for the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Martin Luther King Jr tribute outside the Enoch Pratt library, Baltimore, USA © Always interested in civil rights, he was heavily influenced by Gandhi's policy of non violence, after he visited India with his wife and met with Muhammad Jinnah. His involvement with the black civil rights movement was closely related to his Protestant faith. After gaining a major victory in the Bus Boycott of 1956, when the boycotting of the bus services by black people led to their de-segregation, he became president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. The ideals for this organisation came from Christianity, but the method of non violence from Gandhi. Over eleven years from 1957 to 1968 he travelled over six million miles, gave over two and a half thousand speeches, and addressed a quarter of a million people in his 'I have a dream' speech alone. His policy of non violence led to his arrest twenty times, and he was personally abused four times. He became a figurehead for not only black people in separatist America, but as a leader for human rights wherever there was injustice, locally, nationally, and globally. After being the youngest ever person to win the Nobel Peace Prize at age just 35, he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. True to his revolutionary spirit, he had been just about to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking street cleaners of Memphis, Tennessee.

posted by Shanta Kumar @ 10:34 PM 0 comments

Rajmata Ahilyabai

(1725-1795)

“For thirty years her reign of peace,

The land in blessing did increase;

And she was blessed by every tongue,

By stern and gentle, old and young.

Yea, even the children at their mother’s feet

Are taught such homely rhyming to repeat

"In latter days from Brahma came,

To rule our land, a noble Dame,

Kind was her heart, and tight her frame,

And Ahalya was her honoured name”

In the glorious past of Indian women, Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her religious, pious, spiritual character and service to the people. She was a saint in the palace who ruled her country in best possible manner. She was even noted for her administrative skill and military organization. During her 30 year long reign, she accomplished lots of affection and respect from her people for her generosity, for her extraordinary amount of building at holy sites all over the country. This period is remembered in Malwa as a model of benevolence and effective government.

She was born in the village of Chaundi in Beed district on 31^st August, 1725. Her father, Mankaji Shinde was the Patil of Village. On those days, girls were not allowed to go in schools, but he sent her to the school for education. Once, Malhar Rao, a commander of Bajirao Peshwa and the lord of Malwa, was on his way to go Pune. He took halt in this village and saw one eight year old girl doing temple service. Being impressed her character; he took her with himself to Malwa for marrying her with his son Khandel Rao.

In spite of carrying all homely responsibilities, she also assisted her husband in administration. By her religious nature and service, she got immense affection and love from her in-laws. But time has taken different course and just after 9 years of her marriage, her husband Khandel Rao was killed in battle in 1754. Till then, she has one son and one daughter. She went for sati deliberately for keeping the honour of family tradition, but she was opposed by her father-in-law. He told her, after their son, only she could look after them and also their subject had great expectations from her. She left the idea of sacrificing her life. She was given all the administrative power to rule the country and people. She did all this with a feeling of doing service to her people. Twelve year later, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao died in 1766. Then her son, Maleram sat on the throne. His nature was different from her mother’s modesty and good nature. He also died soon. After her death, she took the power in her own hand. The main sardar of Malhar Rao, Gangadhar Yashwant, was not happy with this. He had his own opinion that Ahilyabai should adopt a boy in her own Kul and then should rule the country. But she opposed his plan claiming that she is the wife of a king as well as daughter in law of a king and so she had administrative skill as well experience to rule the country. So she will do the management of state by herself. Military has faith in her and in her command.

Jealous and unsatisfied Gangadhar Yashwant planned to capture the power by removing Ahilyabai with the help of Raghunath Rao, the military head of Peshwa. Showing courage and diplomatic skill, she got the assistance from Gaikawad and Bhonsle to fight with the Senapati of Peshwa. To see the courage and political cleverness of Rajmata, Peshwa went back leaving the message that he came there only to test that she was able to face the enemy or not. Showing her generosity, she forgave Gangadhar and reinstated at his position.

During her rule, Ahilyabai had done a lot of public works. Due to her better rule, her state progressed a lot and prosperity came to all. She got enough as revenue and lawful gains due increased production and economic activity. One of the remarkable works was the development of Indore from a small village into a prosperous and beautiful city. Her own capital was at Maheshwar, a town on the bank of Narmada River. She built forts and roads in Malwa. She built dozens of temples, ghats, wells, tanks and rest houses across an area stretching from the Himalayas to pilgrimage centres in south India. The Bharatiya Sanskriti Kosh lists as sites she embellished, Kashi, Gaya, Somnath, Ayodhya, Mathura, Hardwar, Kanchi, Avanti, Dwarka,Badrinarayan, Rameshwar and Jaganathpuri. Ahilyabai also rejoiced when she saw bankers, merchants, farmers and cultivators rise to levels of affluence but she did not claim that she had any legitimate claim to any of that wealth, be it through taxes or feudal right.

She took care of her subjects in all possible ways. She helped widows retain their husbands’ wealth. She made arrangements so that widows would be allowed to adopt a son. Once, her minister refused to allow a woman adopts a son on account of bribery, she herself financed to her for further rituals.

Literary, musical, artistic and industrial enterprises flourished in Ahilyabai’s capital at Maheshwar. She entertained the famous Marathi Poet, Moropant and the shahir, Ananthphandi from Maharashtra. She also patronized the Sanskrit scholar, Kushali Ram. Craftsmen, sculptors and artists received salaries and honour at her capital. She established a textile industry at her capital.

The only time, Ahilyadevi seems not to have been able to settle a conflict peacefully and easily was in the case of the Bhils and Gonds, "plunderers" on her borders; but she granted them waste hilly lands and the right to a small duty on goods passing through their territories. Even in this case, according to Malcolm, she did give "considerate attention to their habits".

Historian has described Ahilyabai Holkar as a saint and mentioned her as a magnificent woman, able ruler and a great queen. To honour remember her services and sacrifices, leading citizens of Indore instituted an award on her name in 1996 to be bestowed annually on an outstanding public figure. First award is given to Nanaji Deshmukh by the then Prime Minister.

One of her old retainers told Malcolm the facts of her daily life: She rose an hour before daybreak to say prayers. Then she had scriptures read to her, distributed alms and gave food to a number of Brahmins. Her breakfast, as indeed all her meals, was vegetarian. After breakfast, she prayed again, and then took a short rest. From two to six she was in her durbar; after religious exercises and a light meal, she again attended to business from nine to eleven. Her life was marked by prayer, abstinence and work, with religious fasts, festivals and public emergencies affording the only change in this routine. Her devotion was to Shiva, although she respected all religions. "Shri Shankara" appeared on all royal proclamations along with her signature.

In spite of all that is known about the warrior queen and all that she has left behind—timeless testimonies of her imagination and beneficence—she has not, in my opinion, been given the recognition that she rightfully deserves. Visitors to Varanasi know of the golden domed temple of Vishvanath, Lord of the World, in the heart of the city. Pilgrims headed for Pandharpur, a major sacred site in Maharashtra, go a little further along the same route to Mangalvadhe, to a place called Gopalpur, a large endowment for religious travellers. Both are part of Ahilyabai’s building and charitable legacy. It is said that she even repaired the road from Varanasi to Calcutta, as well as other routes to sites of pilgrimage.

"This great ruler in Indore encouraged all within her realm to do their best, Merchants produced their finest cloths, trade flourished, the farmers were at peace and oppression ceased, for each case that came to the queens notice was dealt with severely. She loved to see her people prosper, and to watch the fine cities grow, and to watch that her subjects were not afraid to display their wealth, lest the ruler should snatch it from them. Far and wide the roads were planted with shady trees, and wells were made, and rest-houses for travelers. The poor, the homeless, the orphaned were all helped according to their needs. The Bhils, who had long been the torment of all caravans, were routed from their mountain fastnesses and persuaded to settle down as honest farmers. Hindu and Mussalman alike revered the famous Queen and prayed for her long life. Her last great sorrow was when her daughter became a Sati upon the death of Yashwantrao Phanse. Ahalya Bai was seventy years old when her long and splendid life closed. Indore long mourned its noble Queen, happy had been her reign, and her memory is cherished with deep reverence unto this day

posted by Shanta Kumar @ 3:27 AM 0 comments