India’s civilization has been characterised by a lot of differences between the concerned authorities. As much as different individuals dedicate their lives to a better India, the results have entirely depended on the understanding and the capability of the authority. In this paper, ten individuals who have lived at different times and educated at different places will be examined to establish their position on “Allahabad Mela,” a film done concerning the civilization of Indifferent personalities arise on specific issues and different opinions are presented on the same, therefore, these differences have slowed down the civilization of India. India’s civilization has not been achieved a lot like the change of belief in modernization has been slow to come by since politics has much interfered with the implementation of better policies, much dictated by individual views.
Rabindranath Tagore
Features of Mela he would praise and why
As a cultured person, he can like the act of pilgrimage (Elder and Srivastava 5). He can also praise the use of poems as a means of passing messages like the translation of poems (Elder and Srivastava 9), and international relations amongst countries. In addition, Hindu-Muslim relations can offer a means of exchange of cultures among the people (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 228).
His cultural attitude can make him love pilgrimage because it maintains the rich old traditions about society and this can continue for many generations if the tradition is not broken. Because he loved art, poems can present appropriate means of communication in a manner that can deliver the set message (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 277). To him, the love of international relations presents room for interactions and thus the chance for development hence civilization.
Features of Mela he would criticize and why
He can criticize the denial of allocating land to private owners or family groups (Elder and Srivastava 9). In addition, the removal of the British influence from mela. The moral lay and the Hindu social system can be a brutal ways of governance and finally he can criticize the conflicts between the Hindus and the Muslims.
The denial of the mela authority to allocate land to individuals and family groups can be unfavorable to him because like his father’s source of stable income, many can fail to obtain such benefits hence (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 277). The use of moral law and the character of the Hindu social system can be criticized by Tagore because these two show “the evils of nationalism and materialism” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 228). Moreover, Hindu-Muslim conflicts can present a difficult situation in advocating for unity, which is an important part of civilization (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 284).
Bhim Rao Ambedkar
Features of the Mela he would most enthusiastically praise and why
As the film guide directs, Ambedkar can praise the devolution of the available resources as Monk Hsuan Tsang who gives his wealth to the poor (Elder and Srivastava 6), the use of handwritten protest signs (Elder and Srivastava 15) as it brings to the light the demands of the people. In addition, the use of loudspeaker to announce the lost and found at Mela, use of public forums concerning the demands of miserable people in protest of status disputes like akhadas (Elder and Srivastava 9) are features he can praise a lot.
The reasons for the above is that, having learnt in United States and with an extraordinary powerful mind he can understand well the sufferings of the disadvantaged in the community. In addition, Ambedkar, supports the democratic legislation which enables the improvement of “the status of all of India’s lowest castes in the constitution and legal system of his country” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 324). Born at a time of many protests, he can like to work as an activist who has set their goals to fighting for human rights. As a leader of a fast-growing movement, he can like the determination “to secure civil and religious rights and, the building of pride and self-respect” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 324).
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
Ambedkar can criticize the treatment of sanitary workers during the census, the structures of the moral law with no choice of the option of choice (Elder and Srivastava 13) and the unfavourable constitution to the minors. This is because segregation can deny the chance for a unified society. The brutal moral law can also be an obstacle in development of remote areas like Aurangabad where authority can put educational facilities for the benefit of the society. The society can then fail to receive such favours. Better relations between the government and people can offer a constitution favourable to all in the society therefore a bad constitution means poor living standards and it becomes hard to defeat such problems for many generations to come.
Mahatma Gandhi
Features of the Mela he would praise and why
Gandhi can praise bathing at the junction of the three rivers as well as the carrying of some of the water by the faithful as they left mela in believe that it cleanses and can transfer troubles to other people as well as get the extraordinary touch(Elder and Srivastava10). In addition, he can like the use of the Ramvati song. Moreover, he can praise the use of markings at the fore head (Elder and Srivastava 8) as well as discrimination amongst the people. In British India Gandhi can praise relationship.
In his believe of devotion, he can praise dedication to worship by pilgrims because is the belief they have that makes them acquire the spiritual healing they are seeking. Segregation on the other hand like that of the sanitary workers in the film shows oppression status of the poor. It can also give the green light that one has to stand up and fight for her freedom just as it “ made India rise to fight for her status” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 224). The British governance can bring economical benefit to India because of the good governance it can offer (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 225). Moreover, Poetry and publications as means of communication can assist in offering the spiritual satisfaction the people are seeking at mela (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 248).
Features of mela he would criticize and for what reasons
Gandhi can criticize the use of violence, the involvement of the British governance on a different side, discrimination of the disadvantaged in the society and the hardships experienced in the search of satisfaction (Elder and Srivastava 8).
This is because violence is against the societal morals and discourages unity as “all society is held together by non-violence, even as the earth is held in her position by gravitation” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 250). The British governance in India in addition has denied India the chance to decide for herself and determine her future as good governance starts from the grass roots (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 256). Moreover, discrimination “is wrong, it is sinful, to consider some people lower than ourselves” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 261).
Jawaharla Nehru
Features of Mela he would praise and why
Jawaharlal Nehru can like the business opportunities presented by Mela authority when they put efforts to build the tent city. He can also like the development of remote areas; he can also praise use of speeches as a means of influencing gatherings and finally the interest to uplift ordinary peoples’ lives. Finally, he can support end of private property ownership, as the film guide directs “they did not assign land directly to any individuals of family groups” (Elder and Srivastava 9).
As Allahabad resident at the junction of the two rivers (Ganges and Jumna) and son to a lawyer with abundance resources was vulnerable to becoming bad (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 315) as it brings material wealth. Because his father influenced him to politics, eventually becoming a member of the Indian National Congress, it can give the chance to make trips to the isolated villages where the real difficulties ordinary can be determined. General land use can give equal opportunity for everyone and this can simply change the living styles and new civilization would benefit other troubled areas.Nehru had support for future developments as his “ideal India was a decentralized modern state with planned industrial economy” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 317). Civilization of tomorrow from false political and economic theories did not interest him but believed in socialism because it could bring unity. He would support end of private property ownership and simply change the living styles and new civilization would benefit other troubled areas. New about possible opposition in his efforts and thus would not like the activists protests. His understanding about the future is beneficial because “the long chain of history and of social development appeared to have some meaning, some sequence, and the future lost some of its obscurity” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 319) and the future can predicted for better planning.
Features of the Mela he would most criticize and why
Believed in dialogue to solve problems therefore can criticize the demolition of the Mosque by Hindus (Elder and Srivastava 12). The serious devotion by pilgrims’ lives in Mela could not make him understand the reasons behind all this devotions. Pilgrimage the work of activists cannot please him as they come with serious consequences.
As a democratic leader, offering a “dynamic leadership essential for preserving national unity, fostering democratic procedures and acceleration democratic progress” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 349) and thus he can criticize the way the untouchables are being treated in the film because this cannot offer possible solutions to problems according to Embree, Hay, and De Bary (320). Inheriting pilgrimage by the coming generations can deny the opportunity to civilization because people are devoted to the still old traditions irrespective of the changing times. Being an activist can lead to incineration.
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Features of mela he would praise and why
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar can praise rioting by the Hindus as a means to express one’s displeasures. Chanting of poems like those translated by Hindu bhakti poets (Elder and Srivastava 7) and creation of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) movement that fights for their rights as Hindus can make him feel better. He can support the formation of “more permanent military and political bases” (Elder and Srivastava 10) as it would offer future protection.
Being a nationalist, and dedicated to advocating for unity, and any differences in the society are obstacles to unity. The meeting of people from far distant places gives the opportunity for worship and brings solidarity in the nation. With the difference in cultures, the use of easier means to communicate in languages understood well by the participants of Allahabad like the translated poems can make efforts to unite people cheap. For a safer stay at Mela, security can be a necessity especially for the business class, as the boats streamed down on the Ganges River (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 292).
Features of mela he would criticize and why
Being a Hindu nationalist cannot tolerate Hindu-Muslim interactions like when they could attend other’s festivals (Elder and Srivastava 10). He can criticize the change of religion and in addition cannot like the removal of British leadership. Segregation is a bad thing in the society just as if the minorities are called the untouchable and the suffering this can bring (Elder and Srivastava 14).
The relations between the Hindu and Muslims can spoil the Hindu social system that he advocates for as a Hindu. The removal of British relation from India Mela region can be a disadvantage to others who can benefit from international relationship because like him, others can fail to achieve their political ambitions by joining of joining the government and therefore fail to achieve their goals such as fighting for equality of the disadvantaged in the community.
Muhammed Ali Jinnah
Features of Mela he praise and why
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a Pakistan, can very much love the interaction of Muslims and Hindus (Elder and Srivastava 10) and the involvement of the British in Indian affairs. The dedication of individuals to fighting for rights and of the disadvantaged and bring unity in the society, as the work of the activists can please Jinnah. He can also praise the provision of chances for business for people coming to Mela.
Belonging to a foreign country, Pakistan, the good relationships between different countries and people irrespective of their religious backgrounds can be a major contributing factor in bringing unity amongst the people. Wealth creation ventures like at the building of tent city can give the opportunity for others, like him to rise independently therefore (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 223). Reforms in the governance system bring better devolution of available resources. Moreover, participation in pilgrimage according to him gives a chance to uplift peoples’ lives economically and thus civilization (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 223).
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
The Hindu social system can be a poor way of governance (Elder and Srivastava 7). Removal of the British from Mela to build the tent city can be a good example of rebelling civilization. Moreover, the Hindu-Muslim relations can be disadvantageous for those holding sensitive positions in the governance. Jinnah according to Elder and Srivastava (7) can criticize the use of poems as a means of communication.
In addition, the Hindu social system can make people suffer (Elder and Srivastava 14). Also to him, Hinduism is based on of racial grounds because it can cause suffering and it underrates peoples’ status just like the time it happened to him during a campaign session (Elder and Srivastava 9). The removal of British leadership cannot impress either him, as this can drive away international assistance that they can offer either financially or materially as they did to him (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 223). To him, Hindu-Muslim relations can be a criticized because it can lead to one losing a political position just as it once led to his ousting as a negotiator. Denying minors place to stay, and hiking accommodation rates at tent city during pilgrimage can be unfair treatment to the disadvantaged in the society.
Swami Vivekananda
Features of the Mela he would praise and why
Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu Missionary, can praise the efforts to assist the community just like the distribution of wealth to the poor by monk Hsuan Tsang (Elder and Srivastava 6). Despite being a Hindu, the moral law can be a better way to make people adhere to the teachings of pilgrimage (Elder and Srivastava 8). In addition, he can praise the belief in power of the invisible underground River Saraswati and the Hindu-Muslim relations. Book selling can also present the chance to pass the good news of a missionary.
Hindu –Muslim relationships can be a fair relation as “Man is God” (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 73) thus love should prevail amongst all people. Pilgrimage to him can offer time to find God and the chance to continue the old tradition. People from far coming to Mela gives the opportunity to interact and pass the good news because the meeting brought a large number of people. Book selling would be well with him as it was a way to pass the message about the reality. The support by Mela authority to build tent city and other social amenities that gave the pilgrims chance to worship. The belief in power of the invisible underground River Saraswati shows the devotion of the people in pilgrimage and the moral law encourages them to stick to the rules because of the consequences associated with the breaking of the law (Elder and Srivastava 8).
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
As much as he can praise the film, he can criticize parts of it. The termination of British India relations can be a bad approach. The Hindu social system is a poor way to govern people (Elder and Srivastava 6). The extra ordinary worshiping styles like the “procession of Naked Nigas” (Elder and Srivastava 14) are unholy means of worship. In addition, he can criticize the demolition of the Mosque by the protesting Hindus.
After failing to secure a chance to study at Britain, because of their ousting from Mela that destroyed India-British relations can also deny others the chance to achieve their education desires just like him. The dictating moral law of the Hindu social system cannot please him either because it brings suffering to the ordinary people in that they cannot obtain fair treatment (Elder and Srivastava 9). The destruction of the mosque by the Hindus is cannot be a solution because the as the religion dictates is that the bad can be repaired rather than get destroyed (Elder and Srivastava 12).
Syed Ahamed Khan
Features of the Mela he would praise and why
As a Muslim reformer and a teacher, Syed Ahamed Khan can be praise the international relationship between British and India. Public media can be a better means of communication rather than the oppressive moral law. Khan can also praise pilgrimage. The formation of movements like the VHP of the Hindus can also be an appropriate way to expressing solidarity.
Good international relations can bring civilization and thus better governance and economy, which eventually can better the lives of the disadvantaged in the society. The Muslim religion unlike the Hindu religion has room for civilization. Public media can be a better way to communicate and convey the message that there is a difference between God and man as compared to the oppressive moral law. Pilgrimage to Muslims, offers the remembrance of history unlike Hindus who forgot about their home (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 192). This can definitely mean that the history remains in the coming generations. International relationship between British and India can bring about good governance that can allow better teaching standards to the people. Use of media like the loudspeakers is an appropriate way to communicate and conveniently achieve the required goals.
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
Khan can criticize the differences between Hindus and Muslims. British relationship can unworthy relations ship. In addition, he can dislike the participation of pilgrimage without a specific devotion (Elder and Srivastava 8). The dependence of some of the people coming to Mela can be a bad way to show at such events. The belief in extra ordinary powers like that of the invisible river can be hard to belief in (Elder and Srivastava 12).
To him dependence cannot the best way to live thus people should work hard for themselves for a better like thus get civilisation (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 188). People should be well prepared when attending pilgrimage. Believing in extraordinary powers can be a poor way of worship and thus people should be realist about what they get involved. Khan can criticize the differences between Hindus and Muslims because this makes it hard to maintain peace just like at his work place (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 182). British relationship can be unworthy relationship because such relation can turn out to be uncompromising in that opponent can turn their back by criticizing the Muslims as the cause of the riots (Elder and Srivastava 6). Pilgrimage can make people loose the meaning of the whole activity and engage in unholy activities like the Babas (Elder and Srivastava 8).
Shri Ramakrishna
Features of the Mela he would praise and why
Ramakrishna can praise the act of pilgrimage as well as the devotion to undergo hardships for spiritual reasons (Elder and Srivastava 8). He can also praise The Hindu-Muslim relations, the act of bathing at the river and the devotion of time for pilgrimage by the pilgrims. In addition, helping the poor is a humane act and he can like the distribution of wealth like the monk Hsuan Tsang. Being a poet himself, he can definitely love the chanting of poems at Mela. The use of publications, poems and can be an appropriate means of communicating to preach the good news about Jesus.
Pilgrimage offers the opportunity to travel to far distances to where many can travel to Mela for the pilgrimage (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 278). Hindu-Muslim interactions can be a better way to interact and exchange cultures as when they are free to each other’s festivals (Elder and Srivastava 10). The action of monk Hsuan Tsang give a chance to the disadvantaged in the society to decide in his favour and accept change in their society thus civilization. Pilgrimage gives the opportunity to devote oneself and meditate about the spiritual needs of a person and thus dedication (Elder and Srivastava 7). The activities of bathing at the junction of the three rivers is a fulfilment of the pilgrimage and thus to him can be better way to perform worship. Being a member of a family of poets, he can love the act of poetry in the film because is a good means of passing the message (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 189).
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
Irrespective of the above, the act of many babas at Mela brings a bad picture on pilgrimage (Elder and Srivastava 8). Business in the pilgrimage can be a bad involvement in pilgrimage. Discrimination just like that of sanitary workers creates disparity in the community. He can criticize religious conflicts like when demolishing the Mosque by the Hindus.
When some people tend to divert from the act of worshiping, they cannot attain their spiritual fulfillment since they lack devotion. Business during pilgrimage makes the participants loose the whole meaning of pilgrimage. He can prefer people with a set mission when coming to Mela because this gives the whole event a crucial meaning. Segregation encourages disparity in the society and is a brutal show of the difference in the difference between the poor and the wealth (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 68).
Rammoun Roy
Features of the Mela he would praise and why
Rammoun Roy can praise the act of doing business at Mela. The desires for change just like the search for spiritual healing of pilgrimage are acts Roy can praise. In addition, efforts made to educate people by the selling of books can also impress him. Devotion at pilgrimage and the involvement of the British government can impress Roy.
Coming to Mela made business for the business lovers and are opportunities to make money as many potential customers arrive at Mela every 12 years (Elder and Srivastava 10). The civilization efforts can change lives of the Calcutta people just like education because they are opportunities and the way to a better future as it gives knowledge and understanding of the potential challenges. The involvement of the British in Indian governance gave the chance to bring out the needs of the disadvantaged people in the society. Dedication in pilgrimage and the need to make others benefit from it is a better means of enabling unity as there is the freedom of choice (Elder and Srivastava 8).
Features of the Mela he would criticize and why
Differently, pilgrimage and idol worshiping retains the same old traditions, and thus he can criticize that. In addition, he can criticize the British India relations as well as the use of moon cycles to mark the start and end of the Maha-Kumbha-Mela (Elder and Srivastava 9) event. The reason for the demolition of the Mosque by Hindus is not certifiable at all (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 23). Conflicts amongst different religious groups are a bad show to their believers and therefore he can criticize it.
Idol worshiping during pilgrimage is a show that the Devine one is no longer the mighty in solving the problems of the pilgrims, which should not be the case because this denounces the means of pilgrimage. The British India relations can change the manner in which pilgrimage make its participants understand about the meaning of worship. Using moon cycles to mark events of the Maha-Kumbha-Mela (Elder and Srivastava 9) activities can mislead the pilgrims because such natural occurrences can at some time end (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 18) just like the disappearance of the Moghl star in the horizon. Inter religion conflicts can destroy the efforts of unity in the society and should not occur to enforce harmony in the society. This is because harmony can bring development hence better living standards in the society irrespective of the challenges (Embree, Hay, and De Bary 23).
It can therefore, mean that in general, as much as efforts put forward to make any changes, the results will much depend on opinions of the affected members. Different people have different opinions about different issues and the stand one takes can determine the pace at which the influence of change can take place. With the politics as a means of governance, implementation of certain policies can proof difficult as there is always opposition and therefore change can be hard to come by.
Works cited
Elder, Joseph and Srivastava, Shashank. “Allahabad’s Mela: The People and their Great Fair.” 2009. Print.
Embree, Ainslie, Hay, Stephen, and De Bary, William. Sources of Indian Tradition: Modern India and Pakistan. Columbia University Press, 1988. Print.