Dear Readers, 
This day, four years back, our dear colleague guide and philosopher S.M. breathed his last. But his memories linger on, urging us to adhere to one's commitments to the people of India. S.M. had earned the status of the 'Guru' neither because he commanded wealth nor because he was a doctrinaire 'Pundit' of any 'ism'. He was just like any other above average activist except that he was willing to stake his very life for the sake of justice and fair play.

But between 1989 and 1993, a whole lot of water has flown down the Ganga. Corruption and bribery have been internalised by the highest and the lowest in the land. The nation lies crushed under the weight of foreign debt. Our answer to this debt-trap could only be honesty in work, less ostentatious style of life and willingly accepted discipline. Instead of that unproductive government spending at the centre and at the states merrily continues. The government has decided to throw open India's doors to multinationals and cater to the ever expanding luxury demands of the 'haves'. No one seems to be worried about phenomenal growth of the population. Under its unbearable pressure violence and crime have spread in the metropolitan cities. It is now openly admitted that criminalisation of politics is growing apace. There is no political organisation which has the strength to ask the corrupt Congress to quit, though there is hardly any difference between the parties at the left. They seem to be frightened at the prospect of pulling their strength to create a worthwhile opposition to the Congress rule.

This is not to say that the situation has become catastrophic. How can we say that we are helpless witnesses of this semi-anarchic situation when we meet, from time to time, brave young men and women working with extraordinary patience amongst the backward tribes and communities? Take for instance, the recent tragic events in the city of Bombay. It encourages our hopes and steels our hearts to note that in spite of the unforeseen and terrific bomb explosions in the metropolis the people in Bombay refused to abandon their positions and to surrender. It is obvious that in Kashmir and Punjab, the sources of peace and constructive activities are gaining over the forces of violence and destruction. In Assam, the Bodos have decided to return to the civilian ways. This year the granaries are full and the wheels of industry are also turning smoothly. 

So India is going through a period of sunshine and shadow. Perhaps we are waiting for the emergence of a leader like Gandhi, Subhash, or Jayprakash. All that we can say to S.M. is, we have not given up hope. In our humble way, we are preparing for the second dawn. This venture of bringing out a joint special number of Sadhana and Janata to shed light on the communalised polity as it obtains today is a step in that direction. 
N. G. Goray

The communal carnage in the country following the demolition of the Babri Masjid and subsequent bomb explosions in Bombay and Calcutta have claimed hundreds of innocent lives, wounded thousands, rendered several families homeless, deprived many more of means of their livelihood, destroyed properties and productive capacities worth several thousands of crores of rupees and caused immense damage to India's secular and democratic credentials. Janata and Sadhana extend their heartfelt sympathies to the victims of these crimes and strongly condemn their perpetrators.
 

Tags: Jayprakash Subhash Bodos Assam Punjab Kashmir Bombay Ganga Pundit S. M. weeklysadhana Sadhanasaptahik Sadhana विकलीसाधना साधना साधनासाप्ताहिक