A movement to humanise humanity
By Reeta Sharma

DR Mohini Madan taught English in Government College for Men. She had a perfect home wherein her husband Yash Pal Madan, an engineer by profession, helped her in household chores and in rearing their two children — Simmi and Dimpu. For years, they saved every penny to build their 10-marla dream house. They were happy that they would have a common park in front of their house.

But their dream park never meterialised. In fact, wild grass and garbage dumps came up all around it. Nobody owned the park yet everybody used it as their own piece of land for parking vehicles or dumping waste material. Dr. Mohini Madan one day decided to form a residents’ association to clean and maintain the park. Many people responded and went with her from house-to-house requesting people not to dump garbage in the park. The residents collected funds to maintain the park by hiring two gardeners.

"There were many residents who told us in a point — blank manner that they didn’t see any reason in wasting money on the park. They felt it was the government’s duty to maintain parks. A woman, who was running a school in her house and using the park for children’s morning assembly and as a playground, also did not hesitate to refuse us. But anyway, a few of us went ahead with our job because we wanted a clean environment around us; besides, a place for a short stroll", says Dr Mohini Madan.

What will you call a person like her? A cynic or a humanist? While many around us will not hesitate to call her a cynical person, I personally will refer to her with reverence as a humanist.

According to the Humanist Movement, " Humanists are persons who treat others the way they themselves want to be treated. They try to lead a coherent life by thinking, feeling and acting in the same direction. Humanists abhor all forms of violence and discrimination. They acknowledge cultural and personal diversity."

The Humanist Movement started in Latin America in 1969, where people were spontaneously inspired by the writings of ‘Silo’ (pen— name of Mario Rodriguez Cobo). He was an Argentinian thinker and philosopher who dreamt of a better world for the human beings. A large number of people got drawn towards the Humanist Movement which gradually spread all over the world, including India. Today in 19 states of our country, volunteers are striving to build a different India for its people.

Why do these volunteers need a different India? Sudhir Gandotra, a volunteer of the Humanist Movement in India, came all the way to Chandigarh to spread the message. Later in an interview, he said: "India is full of poverty, illiteracy, illness, casteism, communalism, discrimination against women, criminalisation of politics, fundamentalism, etc. All these factors contribute towards dehumanisation. In such a society and environment, our own lives cannot escape dehumanisation. We end up being disheartened, indifferent and cynical. We begin delegating responsibility while living in conditions that are below human dignity.

"The Humanist Movement is there to humanise the earth. If one individual strives to change, everything else around will have to change. The movement aims at working for a simultaneous change both in the society as well as in the individulals. Today there are 2000 groups who are involved in this direction in 500 cities of India. Historically speaking, all movements gain momentum gradually. The Humanists Movement is also catching people’s attention. Afterall, we all want to live in a different India and not what it is today."

The humanists will organise joint action programmes in their neighbourhood, city and at the national level. For instance, they are organising a public function on May 21, 22 and 23 at Mumbai. In and around Delhi, the Humanist Movement has already geared itself by organising weekly meetings on every Saturday. On April 4, between 3 pm and 7 pm, they will present a street play, besides, holding painting competitions. I wish and pray that their (humanists) tribe grohs. We need them.

An indefatigable artiste

He was born with partial eyesight and by the time he was 10 years old he was in a world of complete darkness. It was an unbearable blow. He lost the desire to walk the lonely, dark lane of life. But his mother, Renu Baruah, became the light of his eyes. A pillar of strength and inspiration, Renu Baruah evolved a concrete plan for her understandably disillusioned son.

Pragyan, born in 1969, could never attend a proper school due to his poor vision. But his mother made sure he learnt besides his mother tongue Assamese, Hindi and English as well. She organised private tuitions for him. Being far-sighted, knew that her child had to be engaged in an activity which should not only give him a sense of satisfaction both creatively and spiritually but also help him earn for himself. She introduced him to a divine subject — music.

Pragyan began learning Indian classical vocal music in Guwahati. He joined Kanak Kali Sangeet Mahavidyalaya in 1980 and became a disciple of Guru Birendra Kumar Phukan. For the next 10 years, he was immerced in the world of sur and taal. By 1984, he was armed with the degree of Sangeet Visharad from Bhatkhande Music College, Lucknow. Both All India Radio and Doordarshan selected him for rendering Khayal. On regular intervals, he is asked to perform as a qualified artiste, ensuring him a prestigious platform to give a boost to his career as well as a dignified earning.

Pragyan has won numerous awards and medals too. Currently, he is busy with his postgraduation diploma titled, "Sangeet Nippun."

He has now become a disciple of Pandit Jasraj, and is learning the intricacies of the ‘Mewati Gharana’ from him. What is amazing about Pragyan Baruah is that besides Indian classical vocal, he can also play the piano and tabla.

Pragyan Baruah was recently in Chandigarh. He presented his recital before a select gathering at Nehru Bhavan. His recital was received with a thunderous applause. He sang, oblivious of his surroundings. It appeared as if he was meditating vocally. I wonder if anyone in the audience at all remembered that Pragyan lacked vision in his eyes. He appeared to be in possession of innumerable eyes of suraas.

This feature was published on April 3, 1999