Prashant Bhatt's notes

My first 100 spent- Readings from Tolstoy

Posted on September 12, 2014 by prashant bhatt

Peace Lab-Halfar-Malta- Readings and reflections from narratives

“The strangeness and absurdity of these replies arise from the fact that modern history , like a deaf man, answers questions no one has asked”

Leo Tolstoy,Epilogue 2 of War and Peace.

In our reading discussion, we went through some works of Leo Tolstoy whose birthday was on Sep 9 (1828).

Adana-the Turkish restaurant- where we used to have many discussions, is closed.

A LETTER TO A HINDU

While reading the doctrine of Non resistance to Evil, and how Tolstoy makes it clear in his letter that not the English, but the Indians, have enslaved themselves. He makes us understand and act upon the irresistible power of the soul over the body , of love, which is an attribute of the soul, over the brute or body force generated by the stirring in us of evil passions.

The letter made us focus on the present –Resistance to Evil by trying to meet force by force and the three years of result which one sees in present Libya .

Wonder how many Libyans-common and those in power, have read and reflected upon this famous letter-written by Tolstoy from Yasyana Polyana on December 14,1908.

WAR AND PEACE

In the epilogues –there is discussion regarding the different forces which act in human history. He makes for three types of historians-the specific, the general and the cultural.

200 years on, one is left wondering who is attacking whom? If you ask a Russian, they will say, that the coup in Kiev was engineered by Financial aristocrats-Bankers and was a dress rehearsal for similar actions in Russia. If you ask a EU official- they have a very different story to tell. Leaves us common people confused.

Is the idea of European Union over? Have financial oligarchies breached the social contract. Disappearing social securities make us wonder about the many movements in different parts of Europe.

The migration-wars-killings from the Western Europe, led by Napoleon, the background of the French revolution and African and Russian campaigns of around 200 years ago, are being repeated. Alexander I was the Russian czar who countered it then.

FIRST 100 ROUBLES-ANNA KARENINA

On a lighter note- do you remember the first 100 dollars you spent.

Reflecting on the passage-describing Levin’s memories of the first 100 roubles he spent-

….Levin compares this matter to what is said to happen to drunkards- the first glass sticks in the throat, the second flies down like a hawk, but after the third they’re like tiny little birds.

The first 100 dollars spent question led to some interesting answers.

A Libyan friend… I spent it on books, the latest edition of Neurology texts

An Indian diaspora…I bought a bottle of Whisky for my father from Duty free-Dubai

(so the first 100 did flow down like little birds in this case)

AFTERNOTES

We all knowingly or unknowingly participate in different systems

which may have violence or exploitation in them.

Posted in life | Tagged 500 words a day, Book discussions 2014, Debates, Diary, Tripoli, Tripoli Reading Group | 1 Comment

Intimate links

Posted on September 10, 2014 by prashant bhatt

The Cemetery at Mansoura-Tripoli
Many intimate links and memories

In better times, we have visited many cemeteries across Libya.

MEMORIES OF TIMES GONE BY

In better times, we have visited many cemeteries across Libya.

(we also used to visit the museum-now closed and zoo –now closed and the Theaters-Temples at Sabratha-now limiting non-essential travel as much as possible)

Albert Schweitzer said- “The Tombs of young men, are messengers for peace.” I saw this inscription at the gates of the German cemetery of Tobruk (where the elected House of Representatives now sit instead of the capital Tripoli, safely away by over a thousand kilometers!).

The Eastern part of Libya has had many links with Egypt for millennia.

One such walk- I came across a Byzantium time church in Eastern Libya.

The mosaics here are said to be around 1500 years old-there is a mosaic which depicts the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria, showing the intimate links of these regions, before the imperial carving of national boundaries in the 20^th century.

On another walk through the Greek time city of Cyrene-Modern day Shahat in Eastern Libya- one feels the story of Simon of Cyrene more intimately. He helped Christ carry the cross to his crucifixion.

QUESTIONS FROM FAMILIES

Are there any living Bettuchis around Tripoli region?

Are there any living Bettucchis in Tripoli Region..one of their descendants once asked me..

An educator asked me about his family. They had lived in Tripoli region from the second half of the 19^th century to the first half of the 20^th century.

I could not find any living Bettucchis in or around Tripoli region.

Trying to follow their story made me familiar with this community of settlers who had lived and made Tripoli their home.

I did meet one Italian, born and brought up in Tripoli, who stayed on after the passing away of his parents-who were associated with the health sector.

The cemetery at Mansoura is where the parents of my friend Marino are buried. A walk through this beautiful place gives one a window into the world of communities who lived here in times gone by.

FAREWELLS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF CHURCH

Goodbyes are always difficult, but he will live on in spirits

Goodbyes are always difficult, but Daddy will live on in spirits

“It is difficult for me to say farewell to Daddy, whose pastor I have been for over ten years,” the Filipino priest said at the beginning of his prayers as the community gathered to pay their last respects to a veteran of the expatriate community originally from the Indian subcontinent.

As we went through the rituals, I reproduce a brief summary of a talk on the significance of Church-given in the Anglican Church of Medina-Tripoli by Reverend Vasihar.

Talks on Significance of Church – Medina –Tripoli-August 22-2014

The building which houses the Anglican church is a heritage building of Tripoli. It has a Maltese chapel and many interesting Murals.

Father Vasihar started his talk by telling about the differences in the Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian traditions.

For the Roman Catholics, Peter is the foundation of the church. As Bishop of Rome, Peter and all the subsequent Popes are the foundation of the church.

Father Vasihar talked about the Protestant tradition in which they say that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone upon which we are built. He quoted St.Peter himself on this issue to prove his point.

In the Protestant tradition, Jesus is the cornerstone, all Apostles are equal and the church is the living stone-the embodiment of the teachings of Christ.

Father Vasihar stressed on the question which Jesus Christ asked- Who do you say that I am? He repeated this question three times, and gave the different answers given by different people according to their orientation. People have described Christ as a great historical figure, a great moral leader, a great teacher. Peter has told that Christ is the Messiah, the son of God, our savior. Submitting to this belief in Christ is a central tenet of their faith.

Father repeated the main points of worship which he had told 2 weeks ago. To worship is to know, praise, enjoy and revere him.

Then Father Vasihar came upon a very important point regarding Church being the assembly of love and worship of God and also to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. He pointed out that many fall into the trap of worshiping God, but not extending their love to their neighbours. To have a living faith, one has to love our neighbours as one loves ourselves. Only then will the Church become a living stone of praise, worship and love. Without loving , doing good to your neighbours the worship of God is incomplete.

Then coming to the point of Who is the I in the church, Father categorically told that it is Jesus ‘s church-the cornerstone of the Church is Jesus Christ. He has the power, wisdom, glory, strength, blessing , honour-all is in Him.

What is the Gate?

The Gate is a defensive barrier to overpower hate. Jesus overpowered both Death and Hate by his resurrection and handed down these keys to the church.

You and I -are the Living Stones of the Church.

Jesus Christ- is the corner stone of the Church.

Father ended the talk with the example of a 300 feet high tree, supposed to be 4000 years old. The roots are intertwined with each other, giving it the strength to stand tall.

In conclusion he said we have to receive power from each other.

That is the significance of the church.

AFTERNOTES

After the rituals, I walked through some of the other parts of the Italian cemetery of Mansoura and the Commonwealth war Graves commission section.

Today..with the families of Bettuchis, Ostuni.who lived here over a century ago..a Pakistani family-of Isaac Almas will have a very intimate link with the Italian cemetery of Mansoura

Of Books, walks, narratives…on Teacher’s day

Posted on September 5, 2014 by prashant bhatt

THEBES- LUXOR TEMPLE-SOUTHERN EGYPT-
NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY..

Today I remember some of my teachers.

From 1962, the birthday of President S.Radhakrishnan is observed as Teacher’s day in India.

Scholars of Gita regard three commentaries of the Gita in the 20^th century as the greatest-those written by Sri Aurobindo, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and S.Radhakrishnan.

A UNIQUE GIFT

A Poem by the Ganga-Rishikesh: Is poetry just for pleasure or a source of moral instruction.Aristotle used to believe that Poetry is a greater moral instructor than history as poetry deals with the universal, while history deals with the particular P

EVENING AT MUNI KI RETI RISHIKESH-INDIA A Poem by the Ganga-Rishikesh: Is poetry just for pleasure or a source of moral instruction.Aristotle used to believe that Poetry is a greater moral instructor than history as poetry deals with the universal, while history deals with the particular

“Read a chapter of Gita every day, it takes just five minutes if you do it regularly,” Mr.Kishan Lal Sabharwal taught me this life lesson, which has enriched me in many ways.

Gifting his copy of S.Radhakrishnan’s commentary on Gita to me, he told

“ I am nearing 80. You will read and respect this more than my sons.”

This special edition –Not for Sale-by Blackie and Sons-Calcutta is one of my most cherished memories of Delhi. Over the years I have re-read it in many ways, sometimes reading with my sons. Each person understands things in his or her own unique ways.

Do you practice something from your culture or civilization in your daily life?

How does this practice affect your understanding of life?

WALKERS

VIEW OF ST.PETER’S FROM SPANISH STEPS- ROME

One fine afternoon, LC uncle and I went searching for the tomb of 19^th century writer John Lang in the Meerut region. Only a friend like LC uncle, a doctor, radiologist, writer and mentor could have come with me on that journey.

Other fellow radiologists were more happy in discussing the nuances of Lefort classification and seeing it on images.

His sons would call me “Uncle” though they were only a few years younger than me.

When I asked them why, they told me that all their father’s friends were Uncle to them.

“Whenever you come to our house, you talk more with our father and just say a brief hello to us.”

We never found the tomb of John Lang as we wrongly went towards Sardhana. But the basilica at Sardhana has many interesting marble statues and histories which enriched us in many interesting ways.

The biggest lesson LC Uncle imbibed in us was that of maintaining our Dignity.

This lesson keeps coming up as a challenge in many ways.

THE GRAND ROUND

Remembering a long walk with a veteran of Indian Diaspora Early morning by Lake Michigan..November 2010

LAKE MICHIGAN..CHICAGO Remembering a long walk with a veteran of Indian Diaspora, a mentor in many ways
November 2010

Medical life is centered around the grand round. Going away into Radiology robbed us of this in some ways. But the approach of having a round, keeping a register, case sheet has helped in many ways, tailored to our local settings.

Nalin sir is one Neurology teacher I remember, who taught me to think in systems, the many nuances of medicine and neurology, while keeping basics in mind.

We were associated closely in many other ways too, but I will stick to the medical lessons and support he gave me.

The grand round approach in medicine can be translated to many fields and is a useful tool to quickly get a snapshot of complex situations.

AN ORDINARY MAN

Seeking nuances and meanings in ordinary every day life came to us through reading literature.

While remembering some literature teachers in school, a Hindi teacher-Mrs.Muley comes to mind. This was in Kendriya Vidyalaya Southern Command-Pune. She taught us how to see the many layers of truth within literary art works of Indian literature.

Many years later-watching the play –Ek Mamooli Aadmi-(An Ordinary Man) being performed in Sri Ram Centre Delhi by the Asmita group brought those lessons back in many rich ways. The play is centered on a son retracing the footsteps of his dead father, who led a very ordinary routine life at home. However, after his death, when the son meets his father’s friends in work he discovers many interesting aspects of his father’s life.

In re-interpreting the essays and stories of Indian writers these teachers helped us think through different hats.

WE PAY OUR STORY TELLERS HERE

Moonrise at Strand-Malta. Evening musings

MOONRISE AT THE STRAND-MALTA Many diaspora taught us many life lessons here .. over walks, dinners, meditations, museums -theater trips

In the African tradition, they pay their story tellers.

Over the years, our reading group and everyday history society efforts have been enriched by many teachers who directly and indirectly influenced us to re-examine and re-interrogate the questions put forward by writers like Rosa Luxemborg, Gramsci, Fanon, Spivak in our contexts. This led to the evolution of a mass observation group in which we talked to people in and about their life through faith.

For further reading

See Blog- From Kabir to Safir

MEANINGS IN WORDS

Here we learn the meaning in the words of Rosa Luxemburg

The modern proletarian class doesn’t carry out its struggle
according to a plan set out in some book or theory;
the modern workers’ struggle is a part of history,
a part of social progress, and in the middle of history,
in the middle of progress, in the middle of the fight,
we learn how we must fight..

Rosa Luxemburg

https://prashantbhatt.com/2013/05/10/exploring-public-domains-from-kabir-to-safir/

SEE POSTS IN CATEGORY OF EVERYDAY HISTORY

See posts- https://prashantbhatt.com/category/everyday-history/

This has led to many interesting stories.

In the African tradition, they say that they pay their story tellers.

I sometimes wonder how we can every repay our teachers, who shaped the story of our lives in so many beautiful ways.

One doctor friend made it simple..Pay it forward..as you can never repay, so try to teach someone , something and this way you can pay it forward to enrich the legacy of your teachers.

Today , on Teacher’s day let us remember and honour our teachers.

Posted in Diary, Everyday History, life, photography, Tripoli Reading Group, Walks | Tagged 500 words a day, Book discussions 2014, Education, Indian Diaspora, Night photography, Tripoli Reading Group | 3 Comments

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My first 100 spent- Readings from Tolstoy

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