ज्ञानेश्वर महाराज, आपण मराठी जनांच्या मुलुखात विवेकवेलीची लावणी केली. अमृताशी ही स्पर्धा करणारे शब्द मराठीतून मुखरीत केले. आपल्या ज्ञान संजीवणीने व शब्द सामर्थ्याने जन्मोजन्मीचे दुःख क्षणभरात विसरून जाणाऱ्या तमाम वारकऱ्यांच्या मुखी आपले नाव ऐकत अनेक पिढ्या लहानाच्या मोठया झाल्या. आपला अनुभव अमृतानुभव झाला व या अनुभवामृताचा काठोकाठ भरलेला कलश आपण आम्हास दिला. एखाद्या विरहातूर प्रेमीकेस हुरहूर लागावी आशा उत्तमोत्तम विराण्या आपण किती सहज लिहून गेलात. समाजानी दुर्लक्ष केलेल्या कावळ्याला देखील आपण "दहीभाताची उंडी लावीन तुझे तोंडी" म्हणत पांडुरंग भेटीचे शकुन सांगायला लावलं. संसार टाकायचा नाही तर संसार करत परमार्थ कडेस न्यायचा ही शिकवण आपली. याच शरीराच्या योगाने पुन्हा शरीराला येणे टळेल व हे "पुनरपि जननं" च्या येरझाऱ्या मधून मुक्तता मिळेल असं आपण सांगता. मनशुद्धि च्या मार्गावर जर वेगाने विजयी असेल तर आपले कर्म सबळ हवे, इथे आळस करू नका असा सल्ला आपण दिला. तत्कालीन सामाजिक चौकटीत अध्यात्म क्षेत्रात लोकशाही आणून सर्व जातीजमातीत गीतारुपी देशिकार लेण्याची ज्ञानेश्वरी च्या रूपाने मुक्तपणे उधळण केली . किती लोभस शब्दकळा आपण मराठीला दिली. आपल्या अक्षर वाणीला परतत्वाचा स्पर्श झाल्या मुळे सातशे वर्ष झाले तरी आपल्या ओवीचं गारुड मराठी जनमानसावर अजून आहे. आपली समाधी म्हणजे आमच्या सारख्या अनंत मुमुक्षु साधकांसाठी तिर्थस्थळ आहे. आपण विश्वाची माऊली आहात. तुमचा अनुग्रह लाधलो। पावन झालो चराचरी।। मी कलाकुसरी काहीच नेणे। बोलतो वचने अतिभाविका।। संजीवन समाधी सोहळ्यानिमित्त शत शत नमन। प्रशांत पुरुषोत्तम धर्माधिकारी

Indraneel Chipalkatty's UK Diary

Some memorable pages of the diary written by Indraneel Chipalkatty, one of the participants of VPM's UK TOUR MAY 2018 ................. UK TOUR MAY 2018 Well, I honestly don’t know where to start from. The past few days have been so amazing to me personally that I can’t get over them, at least for now. Firstly, the thought of a common man like me travelling all the way to the UK is itself a dream come true in every sense. But this dream was made into a reality by many forces at work. It is just like a fantasy come true, right out of the freshly printed pages of a book! I feel it my first duty to thank the Almighty for everything I have been blessed with. Obviously VPM has played the major part by organizing this wonderful tour, so a big thank you goes to them without any question. And last but not the least; I would like to thank my entire family and my dearest friends for their constant love and support. Now, as a brief introduction I would like to mention here that VPM has been organizing this tour from 2004, this being the 14th time. It all started with a group of British teachers visiting India to study our educational system. So the dignitaries thought – why not take our teachers to learn about theirs? Eventually, students and parents were also brought in the focus as the years rolled on. Thus, began a series of amazing events that have since changed the lives of many people associated with this unforgettable journey. Thus, I would like to narrate my experience firsthand in the form of a short diary, and share this extraordinary adventure of mine through the streets of England. Fasten your seatbelts, here we go! Tuesday, 15 May 2018 The most awaited day had finally arrived! I was so pumped up that I couldn’t sleep the previous night. After a hearty lunch, I began the final packing for the tour. At around 4pm, I left with my parents in a cab for the Sahar International Airport in Mumbai. Throughout our journey from home to the airport, I had butterflies in my stomach. I just couldn’t focus on anything at all. Since it was my first time visiting the airport, I was so very excited. We reached the airport at around 6pm and found that almost everyone was already present at the designated location of gate number 5. The participants were then handed their respective ID cards for the tour. We all were briefed on the various aspects of the tour, focusing on the educative part of it. After a lot of photos, both selfies and group ones, all the participants bid their final goodbyes to their respective families. We lot then entered through one of the gates and waited in line for our boarding passes. After receiving them in a short while, we all waited for our flight to be announced. The staff confirmed that the immigration process would be done here itself in Mumbai. We then waited quite a long time before everyone had their customs and immigration done. Finally we boarded our flight, Air India flight AI 101, to Delhi. Now, the funny thing was that I had never experienced what it was like to travel by a plane, not even a domestic one. So I was both excited and nervous at the same time. I had a prominent rumbling in my stomach both before and after the take off, but got over it pretty soon. My heart was pounding so very fast, my mind was jumping up and down. I was finally sitting in a plane! I was so happy. This might seem too childish but just ask any person longing to sit in a plane for the very first time and I’m sure you won’t get a different answer. After about an hour or so, our dinner arrived. It was a veg meal consisting of rice, dal, a veg gravy, bread, butter, salad, and tea. It was decent in taste but more importantly it was enough to get the hunger pangs satisfied, which were due from a long time indeed, that is, directly after lunch in my case. And after about two hours of flight time, we landed at the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi. We again had to wait a long time before we could do the security check and board our flight, Air India flight AI 161, to London. I was then finally seated on the comfortable seats, taking us all the way to the UK. After about 2 hours, we were served our supper, which had vada, samosa, pattice, bread, butter, and coffee. After eating, it was time to sleep but I hardly got any because these were different conditions than at home. I had started fiddling with the remote and the TV, but couldn’t decide which entertainment option to go for. After switching through quite a number of both Bollywood and Hollywood movies, I decided to go for a nap. After a number of hours, daylight could be seen through the window and it was now time for breakfast. It consisted of paratha, aloo gravy, upama, and an orange juice. It was filling no doubt. And then, the moment came which we all were eagerly waiting for. Our flight successfully landed at the Heathrow airport in London and I gave a huge sigh of relief. We had officially touched down in England! Wednesday, 16 May 2018 After a long journey starting from Mumbai, we had ultimately reached our destination in London, via Delhi. We all then checked in at the Heathrow airport, where we were greeted by a cheerful Dr. Vijay Bedekar. He, along with his two friends, one being a doctor practicing in England, was introduced to us all. After sharing a few pleasantries, we were then briefed was Dr. Bedekar about the tour and its general importance. Also, we were strictly told to follow all the rules and regulations, to take care of our personal luggage and belongings, and most importantly, to keep hold of our passports at all time without which we would be stranded here in England! Our group then left for the bus stand outside the airport, waiting for our private bus to arrive. And here, we were exposed to the English atmosphere for the very first time. The change in weather was prominent. Cool winds were blowing all over the place, forcing us all to put on our sweaters and jackets. The bus finally arrived and was a big one considering our group. The driver turned out to be a cheerful “lad”, as they call there in the UK. The bus was very unique indeed, taking into account that we all hailed from an Oriental country, we all were bound to be stunned. It was very spacious, with tables and bottle holders on every seat. It also had a coffee machine! Throughout our journey to the YHA the one thing I personally noticed, and I’m sure everyone else did too, was that the roadways were so well planned and clean. Signs were eminent everywhere, lanes depicting where the current one would lead one to, electronic boards indicating the time required to reach a given destination, instructions painted on the roads in all white, separate lanes for bicycle riders, etc. Everything was so detailed and to the point. Apart from this, lots and lots of cars were seen by us all, carrying logos of the various brands who manufactured them. And the positive thing here was that none of them were breaking any rules or even their own lanes in that case. That was so good to see. But the one thing which mesmerized me so much was the fact that on either side of the road there was lush greenery to be seen as long as the eye could stretch. Endless fields of green kept on following the roads everywhere. Built in the midst of these fields, small cottages could be seen peeking out, smoke rising from their chimneys. It was a sight to behold in the whole journey. Among all these scenic beauties, we reached the Cambridge YHA Youth Hostel Association). As soon as I stepped out on the streets of Cambridge, a feeling of pride swept all over me but didn’t last long due to the cool air which made me, rather all of us, shiver desperately. We then took out our luggage from the bus, thanked the driver, and went inside the hostel. It was so warm inside! The smell of delicious coffee and equally delicious food was in the air. The interiors were so good that it all felt a dream to be honest. The ambience of the hostel gave a homely vibe to it as well, with the staff being so polite and friendly with all of us. But there was a nasty surprise in store for everyone. We were told that the rooms won’t be allotted to us before 2pm, and that we could stack up our luggage in the luggage room, which we did, got freshened up, and were eagerly waiting to explore this historically beautiful city. We were given a brief about our day’s schedule and we set off onto the streets. Literally, it felt so good walking down the calm streets of Cambridge. There were no tall buildings, no traffic, and no dense population. People were riding extensively on bicycles. There were trees all over the streets, with beautiful, bricked houses adoring the roads. Only a few modern day glass buildings were present. We all walked to the Cambridge station, which was a mere 10 minute away from the YHA. There, we boarded the city’s sight-seeing bus called the hop on, hop off bus. The bus was a double decker one with an open rooftop. I went upstairs along with a few others, after taking the brochure and the earphones with us. The earphones were plugged to the given port, and our journey across Cambridge began. We were briefed about all the important places, institutions, and so many other historically significant buildings along the way. The cool air splashing in your face, the sun gazing through the clouds and trying to glare your eyes through the sunglasses, the soft voice of the speaker guiding us through the various places, etc. was so satisfying that I still get goosebumps remembering that feeling. After going through the roads and lanes of Cambridge, we got off at one of the renowned places in the city, the American Cemetery. It was an American owned land here in England. It was a very important place in perspective of both these countries as the cemetery guided the fallen American soldiers who fought alongside their British counterparts and with the allies in general during World War 2. The American flag was swinging in its full pride. We then went inside its main center, where we saw a small documentary and were explained the importance of this place by an American himself. We were then ready to again “hop on” the bus and leave the cool winds blowing through the cemetery, with the fallen heroes, behind. After getting on, we travelled along some of the famous roads of the city and saw some very important buildings before getting off again at the Queen’s college. This is a very important institution as the “mathematical bridge” which connects the old and the new buildings of this college has a significance of its own. It is also believed that the world famous physicist, Isaac Newton, had crossed this bridge several times. We then returned to the YHA in the evening, were allotted our respective rooms, and were summoned for our dinner. I was excited to try the food and was drooling all over the place. We had veg lasagna, salad, and a cake. The food tasted fresh and was fulfilling. We then had a quick discussion and a short review of the day, and were given freedom to do whatever we wanted for the rest of the day, provided we would follow all the instructions. After a tiring day, no one wanted to do much, but I, along with others, started writing our daily dairies, just as I am writing now. I then quickly fell asleep as I hadn’t got much of it during the flight. Thursday, 17 May 2018 I got up pretty much on time, freshened up, and headed for breakfast. To my utter delight, we had something very indigenous in store. It was a pure English breakfast consisting of sausages, hash browns, beans, grilled tomato, salad, and coffee. I was in pure bliss after such a scrumptious breakfast and couldn’t get over it. We then had a quick preview of the day, and set out to learn and explore other parts of this brilliant city. First, we walked down the street to reach the Sedgwick Museum, which is in memory of Adam Sedgwick who collected many artifacts during his lifetime, the same which are displayed here. The museum is very well kept, displaying lots of ancient artifacts. It consisted of various sections, including one on the life and works of Sir Charles Darwin. This section was of particular, personal importance for me because I’ve always shown interest in his work on evolution, and his voyage across the world in HMS Beagle. It displayed his personal belongings, works, and instruments used throughout his life and gave a deep insight into his voyage. Next, we visited the museum of archaeology and anthropology (MAA), which was located right beside the Sedgwick museum. It had two floors depicting both the above mentioned sections in detail. The histories of all the major civilizations could be found here in extreme detail, including the Hindu one. We then had our lunch from the lunch packets provide to us by the YHA. Next, we walked down the street towards the zoology museum which we couldn’t explore due to the fact that it was under construction. But we got to see the huge skeleton of the fin whale dangling high above throughout the length of the museum lobby. We then went for a quick shopping session, our very first from the many more to come from this tour. It was a big shop and everyone was eager to start spending their pounds, which I did eventually. We then arrived at the King’s college, standing tall of its proud caricature. It was obviously closed for visitors at this time of the day so we had a little stroll around the nearby area, including a bit of shopping again. A truly unique experience for me was to have a closer look at the local market of the city. There were lots of shops selling items like clothes, accessories, chocolates, street food, etc. I had a very tasty Mac N’ Cheese pasta and also took a quick pic with the chef, who was very friendly. This was first of my many encounters and photos with the British people. Then we made our way towards the renowned Trinity College, which was explained and shown in detail to us by one of the Indian student doing his PhD in chemistry there, Krishna Sharma. We bid him farewell, and made our way back to the YHA, had dinner comprising of sausages, carrots, mashed potato, salad, and cake; had a quick review of the day, and went straight to sleep. Friday, 18 May 2018 It was our last day in Cambridge but we still had to visit a few more places. So we had a quick breakfast, similar to yesterdays, and left for our next landmark. It was the famous Fitzwilliam museum, which hosts a wide variety of artifacts including, armors, swords, gauntlets, daggers, guns, etc. A separate section was based on the artifacts from the medieval and the renaissance periods. The museum also hosts a broad range of paintings, cutleries, sculptures, etc. from the Italian and Greek periods. And guess what, I also met the American guy who served as our guide during the visit to the American cemetery. We then headed back to the YHA, packed our bags, and boarded the same bus from our journey here to the YHA. The jolly driver greeted us with a cheer. We then had our lunch packets in the bus while we were on course for Oxford. Again, the countryside feeling was kicking right in. We then finally reached the Oxford YHA, checked in, got allotted with our rooms, and made ourselves comfortable. This one was pretty big compared to the Cambridge one, and was right beside the station. After a few hours of rest, we went to have dinner, which was not that good. It was that of rice, veg gravy, and salad, and we were not satisfied at all. After dinner, we all had a brilliant discussion about Oxford’s history, England’s in general, and many such important terms related to various eras and periods of the human history. Since we were not at all satisfied with the dinner, we went outside to have some decent snack, and ended up eating in Domino’s! The pizza was really good and some of us even at the Indian Dosa Park restaurant, which didn’t disappoint too. Then we headed back to the YHA, wrote our diaries, and went to sleep. Saturday, 19 May 2018 The warning bells were ringing all over the place as I got up late in the morning but still managed to reach breakfast in time. It was the same old English breakfast yet again, but somehow I was okay with that. After filling our tummies, we had a brief discussion on the places we would be visiting that day. We left the YHA for the station, it being a minute’s walk away. There, we again “hopped on” the tour bus, this time it was the Oxford version. We listened to the information being given to us by the recorded voice and tried to sink it in. But our first stop had arrived – Sheldonian Theatre. We would come back to this place eventually but for now we moved on to Broad Street, which is considered one of the famous streets in England. Our very first place to visit was the Indian Institute, which was unfortunately closed due to some issues. But we got to see the big, bold Sanskrit copper plate from the glass doors. The unique thing about this building was that instead of an actual cock in the place of a weather cock, it boasted an elephant, signifying India. We then had a quick look at Wadham College from the outside, where we learnt about the origins of the Royal Society of England, and eventually the formation of the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, India. We then returned back to Broad Street and entered the famous Bodleian Library, where we got to see the all so mentioned Harry Potter hall! It was an amazing feeling just to stand there. Then we moved on to see the Radcliffe camera, which is England’s very first circular library. I suddenly remembered that the actor who portrayed Harry Potter in the world famous movie series was named as Daniel Radcliffe. The irony of it! Then we saw the Virgin Mary church, with its brilliantly kept interiors. It hosts a plaque in the memory of the three Darwin supporters who were burned alive as they were opposed by the Church of England and the Protestants. Next visit was to the University College, where we saw its church and the statue of William Jones teaching the Hindu laws to the Indians. We then went to see the new Bodleian Library and were fortunate enough to see a special exhibition on the women who dared. Then we had a quick lunch from our provided lunch packets. Next, we visited the museum of history of science, where we saw the major breakthrough instruments used in various fields of science. Some of them included microscopes, chemical instruments, the very first periodic table, etc. We next visited the Robert Hooke building, the scientist renowned for his discovery of the first living cell using the microscope. On the grass of this place, there are still the footprints of one of the dinosaur species present. Also, there is a small stone pillar erected which highlights the debate of Darwin and his supporters supporting the theory of evolution, which they won eventually. Here is also the location of the Pitts River museum, which hosts a lot of artifacts and collections related to evolution in general sense, including information on Dodo, Dinosaurs, human history, the big bang, formation of life on earth, etc. Also, a section in the ground floor includes all the historical equipment, clothes, etc. from people all over the world. After the museum, we walked to our final stop for the day – Ashmolean museum. But on the way we had a quick glimpse of the Oxford Centre for Hindu studies. The famous Randolph hotel stood tall just opposite the Ashmolean museum, which has been a site of some major movies shoots. The museum is so big, not only in its size, but with respect to its collection that you won’t complete it even in a month! We went to especially see the Indian ancient history section, which was on the first floor. It composed of numerous statues of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. One of the oldest Vishnu statues in the world is said to be in this section. Finally, we were so tired that we couldn’t go any more. We then returned to the YHA and had our dinner. It was that of a burger, peas, corn, and fries. It was worth a try for sure. We then had a quick review of the day, and went straight to bed. Sunday, 20 May 2018 This time I got up early and went directly to the breakfast table after freshening up. It was the proper English one again. Since it was our last few hours in Oxford, we all packed our luggage and stacked it in the library before leaving for a final sight-seeing. We had a great discussion on botany and related terms, undertaken by Dr. Bedekar. Then we walked to the Botanic gardens in Oxford, considered only second to the world famous Kew gardens in London. At first glance we knew that they were huge! We were then given a few hours to roam and have a good look at the gardens. First, I saw the various species of plants, spread in a large area. Then I moved on to see the glass house. They hosted many exotic and unique species, including the Venus fly trap. I had a quick cup of hot chocolate, which was super yummy and hot! We then returned back to the YHA, checked out, tucked the luggage in our same old bus with the same old “chap”, and left for London. On the way we had our lunch packets. Now, entering London was a completely new experience. Towering buildings, leaning skyscrapers, lots of construction vehicles working on new sites, more cars, more people, and less greenery and peace! It was a pure metropolitan vibe. We then reached and checked in at the Indian YMCA, got keys to our rooms, and quickly assembled in the lobby for our first walk of this humungous city. Firstly, we saw the giant building of University College London’s (UCL) medical center. We then walked through the streets and saw lots of historically important peoples’ blue plaques embossed on the bricked walls of many buildings. Next, we saw the Warburg institute, which hosts a lot of books, including many Sanskrit texts. We then reached the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), which is a big building with a statue of an Indian sage outside. We also got to see the London’s biological science center along with the contributions of Darwin listed on the outside walls. Then we also saw the RADA institute and then visited the famous Waterstones bookstores, which is very big in itself, consisting of lots of books. We then returned back to the YMCA, only to be amazed that they will be serving an Indian cuisine! We then had our dinner consisting of biryani, raita, veg gravy, and a dessert. It was really filling. After a full stomach, we had a discussion on today’s visits and then went to sleep. Monday, 21 May 2018 I got up on time, readied up, and went to have breakfast. I had cornflakes and coffee. And after that we were all in for a surprise. Dr. Agarkar explained us all about the London underground in so much detail that at the end of the tour, we all were equipped with the knowledge of surviving in London all on our own! We walked to the Euston Station, which was the closest from our current location, used our Oyster cards for the very time, and reached the platform all in excitement. We boarded the circle line to Tower Hill. We got to our destination after a few minutes. Outside the station, we saw the sundial depicting the history of England in a circle from start to the end along with depicting the time of course. We also saw the Tower of London, in its big shape, which also has inside its walls, the Kohinoor atop the Queen’s crown. We then moved to see the world famous London Bridge! It was a sight to behold no doubt. We clicked lots of photos and then moved on to walk the bridge. It had a black plaque depicting the places that could be seen from the middle of the bridge, including the information on the bridge itself. After seeing a beauty of a structure, we boarded the city cruise which was a completely awesome feeling. The wind flowing through your hair while you have a 360 degree look at the famous Thames River and its famous buildings, including restaurants, pubs, and the Canada Tower as well, was a great feeling altogether. Now, the Thames is almost 220 miles long and hosts over 100 species of fish. It also has along its coast the Royal Naval College. We finally reached the Greenwich pier, and saw Cutty Sark, the ship in which Nelson defeated Napoleon in 1805. We then climbed our way to the top to visit the Greenwich observatory which has a different feeling to it. The main attraction is the time ball going up at exactly 12 GMT, and fortunately we were there on time to see it happening. We also saw the prime meridian line and clicked photos standing with a feet either on its side. We then had our lunch packets and moved on to see the national maritime museum. It was a really big museum and had lots of caricatures of boats, ships, naval uniforms, weapons etc. We then travelled from Cutty Sark station to bank using the DLR line, then walked to monument, and took the circle line back to Euston station. We then walked back to the YMCA, had dinner of dal rice, rassam, veg gravy, and roti. After a quick review of the day, we all went to sleep. Tuesday, 22 May 2018 After getting up a bit late in the morning, I had to hurriedly freshen up and report for breakfast. It was a famous south Indian cuisine this time consisting of medu vada, sambar, and coffee. We then walked to the nearest bus stop and got down at the British museum. The very first thing lined up on the museum walls were the Indian Navagrahas, which were – Surya, Soma, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, and Ketu. They all can be differentiated by their different attributes, crowns and symbols. We then saw the contributions of the great Rodin, who mimicked the Greek structures and sculptures. I also saw of the replica of the basalt statue from Rapa Nui that is the Easter Island in Chile. We then visited our most awaited section of the museum – South Asia and China. There, the Indian section consisted of the following sub sections – The British period and the Independence, Indian culture, Gods and Goddesses like Shiva and Parvathi, etc. there was separate section called the Amravati section which hoisted the various wall carvings from Amravati itself. We were also given lots of information on Darpan Sundari, Bharatanatyam, and Nataraja by Dr. Bedekar and one of our fellow participant. The Nataraja is a symbol of Lord Shiva dancing, depicted by a circle, which represents the cycle of life. After seeing all these beautiful sights, we left for another similar one, this time to see lots of literary work – the British Library. We then visited the John Ritblat gallery, which hosts the treasures of the British Library. Here, we saw lots of famous works by similarly famous artists like – James Bond by Ian Fleming, the Beatles band, sacred texts of the various religions, Magna Carta, letter Gandhi wrote to the VC of India, Leonardo Da Vinci’s work, Shakespeare’s first folio, and so many others. It was a full on feast! We then had a quick lunch from our lunch packets and then travelled from Euston to Charing Cross, where we were mesmerized to see the bustling Trafalgar square. It was full of life and felt so vibrant. We saw the famous statues of Nelson, King George 4, Havelock, and Napier, who all had contributed in the rise and prosperity of the British Empire. We then walked to the Buckingham Palace and saw probably the most prominent building in the whole of England standing proud and tall. We then walked round to the Westminster Palace, the official parliament building. There we saw the statues of world leaders like Gandhi, Winston Churchill, etc. We also got to see the Canon Row police station where Savarkar was kept prisoner while his arrival in England. From there we returned to the YMCA, had dinner consisting of dal rice, and went to sleep. Wednesday, 23 May 2018 Today was a very special day for everyone, particularly myself because we were about to visit the house of Sir Charles Darwin. I got up on time, had no breakfast except a quick hot cup of coffee, and set out for our destination. First, we walked to Warren street station, got down at Victoria. This was the same station where Savarkar was arrested after his arrival from Paris. From Victoria, we took the train to Bromley South. From here, we boarded bus number 146 to Downe, the place where Darwin resided. We got down at the Downe church, and walked a bit to the Downe house. It was very well maintained by the staff and officials. We then grabbed our share of headphones, connected them to the headset, and started our tour of the house. Right from his childhood, from when he moved into this house with his wife, and the life of their children, everything was very well explained and we also saw the separate sections of his work and his voyage around the world in HMS Beagle. We then had lunch from our lunch packets, walked to the church where we had got down, took the bus back to Bromley South, and went shopping in Pound land situated there. We did a lot of shopping, and by lot, I mean a lot! Why not when almost everything was being sold at just one pound. We then returned back to the YMCA, had dinner of roti, veg gravy, and dal rice, and went to sleep. Thursday, 24 May 2018 I got up pretty much on time and went for breakfast, which I didn’t have at all apart from a steaming cup of coffee. Today was mostly a free day for us, but first we had to visit the two main places which we had joined the tour in the first place. We walked to Warren Street station, took Northern line northbound to Archway. From there we walked for around 15 – 20 minutes to Savarkar’s house, located at 65 Cromwell Avenue. We then again took the Northern line from Archway, but this time southbound to Charing Cross. From there, we took the train for Warwick Avenue. This was the place where Tilak’s house was located. We again returned to Warwick Avenue, took the Bakerloo line and got down at Baker Street. Yup, you guessed it right, the place where Sherlock Holmes lived! We then had a filling lunch at Pizza Hut where we ate unlimited pizza, pasta, and salad at the buffet. This party was funded by Dr. Agarkar. It was a total blissful feeling! I then paid a visit to the famous detective’s home at 221B Baker Street, where a museum and souvenir shop stood next by. It was an emotional moment for me as I had been and always will be a fan of the greatest detective that ever lived, even though in fiction. We then came back to Warren street, went shopping in Oxford Street, and returned back to the YMCA. We had dinner of roti, veg gravy, and dal rice, and went to sleep. Friday, 25 May 2018 It was unbelievable that the final day of the tour had dawned upon us so very quickly. I got up in the morning, feeling not to leave the beds and to stay there for a long time but alas, I had to freshen up and get down to for breakfast. This time as well I had a steaming cup of coffee and nothing to eat. We all were given a brief about where we would be going today – the London Eye! The name of it still reminds me of the amazing sight I had observed from the very top of the Eye. It was simply mesmerizing and altogether stunning. We took the London underground once more and reached our destined station in a few minutes. We walked the famous bridge right next to the Westminster Palace and reached the Eye. We bought our tickets and waited in a long, never ending queue when our turn had finally arrived. We got on board the Eye and had the ride of our lives for the next 45 minutes. The 360 view was so good looking through the glass that I felt very delighted to be a part of this ride. After our ride had ended, we sat down near the cafeteria and had quick bites at whatever we liked. We then again took the underground back to the YMCA. Some of us wanted to shop more and left their way. I, along with my friend, went to have a pizza at Franco Manca, which was an authentic Italian restaurant, with people occupying almost all the tables. We waited a few minutes and had one of the best pizzas of our lives, at least mine considering. It was full of toppings and flavors. We both then returned to the YMCA, packed our luggage, and tucked them in our bus with the jolly driver there again to smile at us. We reached the London Heathrow airport in around half an hour and waited a long time for our flight to be announced. Finally, but quite sadly as well, we were heading back home. We first took the Air India flight back to Delhi, had our customs and immigration there, and hurriedly boarded our next domestic Air India to Mumbai, which we reached in about 2 hours. We were back on home soil. There is nothing like home, nowhere in the world, wherever you might go. I was received by my relatives and was dropped safely at my home in Navi Mumbai. Overall, this particular tour has changed me a lot eventually. It showed me how to follow rules and regulations, not only on the streets but also to apply them in the prospects of our lives. It has given me the confidence to be independent and made me self-realize the beauty and importance of life itself. Through this amazing tour, I got to make lots of new friends and have a little insight into their lives as well. It has provided me with the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit places and experience different situations like never before. The educational aspect of the tour was very well organized and has helped me learn a lot of things about the past, the present, as well as the future. I would like to thank VPM once again, not to mention the constant support and guidance of Dr. Vijay Bedekar, Dr. Sudhakar Agarkar, Mr. Prashant Dharmadhikari, and Mr. Santosh Mirlekar. Sharing the same room with these people and sharing their vast array of knowledge in itself was a great honor and I am thankful to all of them from the bottom of my heart. And finally, I would once again like to thank VPM for making me a part of this wonderful journey, providing me with life changing experiences, and giving me an experience of a lifetime. Thank you very much.

वाचन प्रेरणा दिवस

15 ऑक्टोबर रोजी भारताचे भूतपूर्व राष्ट्रपती डॉ ए पी जे अब्दुल कलाम यांच्या जन्मदिनाचे औचित्य साधून महाराष्ट्र भर वाचन प्रेरणा दिवस साजरा केला जातो. या निमित्ताने ठाण्यातील विद्या प्रसारक मंडळाच्या जोशी बेडेकर महाविद्यालयात वाचन प्रेरणा दिवस साजरा करण्यात आला. महाविद्यालयाच्या ग्रंथालयात भारतीय इंग्रजी साहित्यात मोलाची भर टाकणाऱ्या लेखकांच्या साहित्याचे एक अनोखे प्रदर्शन भरवण्यात आले होते. आर के नारायण, मुल्कराज आंनद, राजा राव, अनिता देसाई, अमिश त्रिपाठी, आनंद निलकांतन, आश्विन संघी, चेतन भगत, शोभा डे, सुधा मूर्ती इत्यादी नामांकित लेखकांच्या साहित्यकृती ठेवण्यात आल्या होत्या. महाविद्यालयाच्या प्रभारी प्राचार्या डॉ सुचित्रा नाईक यांच्या हस्ते या पुस्तक प्रदर्शनाचे उद्घाटन झाले. या वेळी उपप्राचार्य प्रा सुभाष शिंदे , ग्रंथपाल प्रा नारायण बारसे, सहायक ग्रंथपाल सौ पाटील,प्रा अनिल भाबड इत्यादी उपस्थित होते. विश्व साहित्यात भारतीय लेखकांनी आपल्या लेखनाने एक वेगळी ओळख निर्माण केली आहे. त्यातील भारतीय इंग्रजी साहित्याला बुकर पारितोषिक मिळाले आहे. यातील अनेक साहित्य कृतीचे वाचन यानिमित्ताने विद्यार्थ्यांनी करावे तसेच वाचनाची आवड वृद्धिंगत व्हावी या हेतूने हे अनोखे प्रदर्शन भरवले गेले. कला व वाणिज्य विभागातील अनेक विद्यार्थी व प्राध्यापकांनी या प्रदर्शनाचा लाभ घेतला. वाचन प्रेरणा दिवसाचे औचित्य साधून महाविद्यालयाच्या वृत्तपत्र व संज्ञापन विभाग व मराठी भाषा विभाग यांच्या संयुक्त विद्यमाने प्रा प्रशांत धर्माधिकारी यांचे "वाचन संस्कृती आणि आपण" याविषयावर व्याख्यान आयोजित करण्यात आले होते. "दिसामाजी काही तरी ते लिहावे । प्रसंगी अखंडीत वाचीत जावे" हा समर्थ रामदास स्वामी यांचा विचार मांडत , विद्यार्थ्यांना वाचन कौशल्ये वृद्धिंगत करण्यासाठी कराव्या लागणाऱ्या अनेक नवनवीन प्रयोगांवर प्रा प्रशांत धर्माधिकारी यांनी प्रकाश टाकला. ज्येष्ठ लेखक व निबंधकार सर फ्रान्सिस बेकन याच्या Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man हे वचन उद्धृत करत वाचनाने व्यक्तिमत्त्व विकासात मोलाची भर पडते असेही प्रा धर्माधिकारी म्हणाले. यावेळी काही विद्यार्थ्यांनी त्यांचे आवडते लेखक व त्यांचे वाचन याविषयी आपले विचार मांडले, तसेच पु ल देशपांडे यांच्या "व्यक्ती आणि वल्ली" या पुस्तकातील काही निवडक उताऱ्यांचे वाचन दिशा सरमाळकर,गार्गी बोरगावकर व फरीयल सयद या विद्यार्थिनींनी केले. या कार्यक्रमास अनेक विद्यार्थी व प्राध्यापक उपस्थित होते. http://www.lokmat.com/thane/joshi-bedekar-college-thane-vidya-prasarak-mandal-celebrates-reading-inspiration-day/

Vivektirthachi Anand Vari

The July 2018 issue of Disha, the mouthpiece of Vidya Prasarak Mandal has published my editorial article. It is about the Pandharpur Ashadhi Vari.


http://www.vpmthane.org/Disha/July%202018.pdf

ऑक्सफर्ड केम्ब्रिज व लंडन: आंग्लभूमीचा रोमांचक प्रवासवृत्तांत May 2018

ऑक्सफर्ड केम्ब्रिज व लंडन: आंग्लभूमीचा रोमांचक प्रवासवृत्तांत

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विद्या प्रसारक मंडळातर्फे दर वर्षी मे महिन्यात ऑक्सफर्ड केम्ब्रिज व लंडनचा अभ्यासदौरा आयोजित करण्यात येतो. यावर्षी दि 15 ते 25 मे रोजी या दौऱ्यात भाग घेतलेल्या प्रशांत धर्माधिकारी यांचे अनुभव चितारणारा हा लेख : संपादक

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काही माणसं आयुष्यात पूर्वसंचित असल्याशिवाय मिळत नाहीत. डॉ विजय बेडेकर हा असा एक अवलिया माणूस. जे जे उन्नत उदात्त व चांगलं त्याचा ध्यास डॉ बेडेकरांनी घेतला आहे.    विद्याप्रसारक मंडळाने आयोजित केलेल्या 15 मे ते 25 मे 2018 दरम्यान झालेला अभ्यास दौरा हा एक उदत्ततेच्या शोधयात्रेचा महत्वाचा टप्पा. शैक्षणिक संस्था अभ्यासाच्या व संशोधनाच्या विचारपीठ व्हाव्या म्हणून जगभर फिरणारे डॉ बेडेकर म्हणजे एक विलक्षण व्यक्तिमत्त्व. त्यांच्या संपर्कात आल्यावर जगाकडे पाहण्याची एक दृष्टी मिळत जाते .

जैसे डोळा अंजन भेटे।
मग दृष्टीशी फाटा फुटे।।

असं माऊली म्हणाले आहेत. विद्यार्थ्यांना काहीतरी नवं देण्याची डॉ बेडेकरांची तळमळ नेहमी जाणवत राहते.

या शैक्षणिक सहली निमित्त अनेक विद्यार्थी व अभ्यासक मित्रांशी संवाद झाला. तीन हजार ब्रिटिशांनी येऊन 33 करोड भारतीयांना जवळपास दीडशे वर्षे लुटलं याचं नेमकं गमक काय हे या दौऱ्यात समजलं. अनुशासन, दस्तऐवजीकरण ,समयसूचकता, व व्यक्तीपेक्षा राष्ट्र महत्वाचं ही धारणा या काही महत्वाच्या गोष्टी लक्षात घेता येतील. पाच मिनिटं संसदेत उशिरा पोचल्यामुळे मंत्रिपदाचा राजीनामा फक्त इंग्लंड मध्ये च होऊ शकतो.

या दौऱ्यात शालेय विद्यार्थ्यांच्या सोबत धमाल करण्याचा योग आला . पाच महाविद्यालयीन विद्यार्थी, पालक, वेळणेश्वर च्या महर्षी परशुराम अभियांत्रिकी महाविद्यालयाचे प्राचार्य डॉ चिंचोलकर व सौ चिंचोलकर हे देखील सोबत होते. कुणाल, संजना, अनिशा ,इनारा व इंद्रनील हे कॉलेजचे विद्यार्थी सोबत होते. ए के जोशी इंग्रजी माध्यमाच्या शाळेच्या 17 विद्यार्थिनी सोबत होत्या.   संतोष मिर्लेकर व्यवस्थापकाच्या भूमिकेत तर डॉ बेडेकर व डॉ आगरकर यांनी या दौऱ्यात शैक्षणिक आयाम विकसित करण्यासाठी मुलांना प्रेरित केले.  डॉ आगरकर हे टाटा मूलभूत विज्ञान संशोधन संस्थेत दीर्घकाळ संशोधक होते व जगभर एक अभ्यासक म्हणून त्यांची भ्रमंती असते. विज्ञानाची परिभाषा सोप्या करून सांगण्यात त्यांचा हातखंडा आहे. या शैक्षणिक सहलीत डॉ आगरकर Friend Philosopher and Guide या भूमिकेत होते. 

फोटो 1

आमचा पहिला मुक्काम केम्ब्रिज च्या युथ हॉस्टेल मध्ये होता. युवकांनी घरातून व आपल्या देशातून बाहेर पडावं व आजूबाजूचे जग सताड उघड्या डोळ्यांनी पहायला हवं म्हणून जगभर 4000 वसतिगृह चालवणारी YHA युथ हॉस्टेल ही संस्था. केम्ब्रिज मध्ये  "हिप ऑन हिप ऑफ" नावाच्या बसेस सम्पूर्ण केम्ब्रिज मध्ये ठराविक वेळात नियमित चालू असतात. या बस मधून आपण कुठल्याही स्थानी उतरू शकतो.  इच्छित कॉलेज वा संग्रहालय पाहून झालं की पुढच्या बसने परत पुढच्या ठिकाणी जाता येतं. या बस मध्ये हेडफोन मिळतात, त्याद्वारे आपण गाडी ज्या ज्या कॉलेज व वास्तूसमोरून जाते त्याची ऑडिओ माहिती आपणास ऐकण्याची व्यवस्था केली आहे.  केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठ म्हणजे आपल्या विद्यापीठासारखं एकाच वास्तूत नसून ट्रिनिटी कॉलेज, किंग्स कॉलेज आदी अनेक स्वायत्त कॉलेजांचा समूह म्हणजे केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठ होय. कॅंम नदीवर ब्रिज बांधल्या मुळे याला केम्ब्रिज नाव प्राप्त झाले. इथल्या विद्यापीठांना आपल्यासारखे उठसुठ महापुरुषांची नावं देण्याची परंपरा नाही.  केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठापासून रेल्वे स्टेशन दूर आहे. विद्यापीठ स्थापना करतेवेळी तत्कालीन विद्यापीठाच्या अधिसभेने असा प्रस्ताव मांडला की जर स्टेशन विद्यापीठाच्या जवळ बांधले तर विद्यार्थी सारखेच लंडनला जातील, अभ्यासात व्यत्यय येईल म्हणून दूर बांधले. असो. आशा अनेक छोट्या छोट्या रोचक गोष्टी आपणास केम्ब्रिज चा फेरफटका मारताना कळतात. 

आम्ही केम्ब्रिज मधील अमेरीकन  सीमेट्री मध्ये गेलो. दुसऱ्या महायुद्धानंतर अमेरिकेतील अनेक सैनिकांना वीरगती मिळाली. त्या सर्व सैनिकाना अमेरिकेत विमानाने नेणे शक्य नसल्याने अमेरिकेने इंग्लंडला केम्ब्रिज येथे दफनभूमी साठी जागा मागितली. ती त्यांना मिळाली व एक खूप मोठे व विशाल सैनिक स्मारक अमेरिकेने केम्ब्रिज येथे बांधले. ही एक भेट देण्यायोग्य जागा आहे. ही जागा  अमेरिकन सरकारची आहे, तिथे या सैनिकांना आदरांजली देणारी व माहिती देणारी ध्वनिचित्रफीत लावली असून तेथील अधिकाऱ्यांनी आम्हाला माहिती दिली. माहिती देताना तो अधिकारी भावुक झाला व त्याचा डोळ्याच्या कडा पाणावलेल्या मी पहिल्या. युद्धानंतर अनेक वर्षांनी देखील त्याला त्याच्या मातीचे रक्षण करताना धारातीर्थी पडलेल्या सैनिकांची आठवण येते. आमच्याकडे मात्र या तोडीचं एकही स्मारक नाही. नाही चिरा नाही पणती.

फोटो 2

 पुढे आम्ही सेजविक म्युझियम ऑफ जिओलॉजी पाहिले. हे भूगर्भ शास्त्रावरील अप्रतिम संग्रहालय आहे. हे केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठाच्या भूगर्भ शास्त्र विभागाचे संग्रहालय असून त्याची देखभाल या विभागातील प्राध्यापक व विद्यार्थी करतात. या संग्रहालयात चार्ल्स डार्विनच्या अनेक दुर्मिळ पत्र व वस्तूंचा संग्रह आहे. त्याच्या प्रसिध्द "बिगल" या जहाजावरील समुद्र प्रवासात संग्रहित केलेल्या वस्तू व निरीक्षणे नीट जपून ठेवले आहेत. पृथ्वीच्या उत्पत्तीपासून कोणते जीव प्रगत झाले याचे खूप सुंदर प्रदर्शन आत आहे. ते भेट दिल्याशिवाय कळणार नाही. 

म्युझियम ऑफ अरकिऑलॉजी व अंथ्रोपोलॉजी, म्युझियम ऑफ झुलॉजी, व्हीपल म्युझियम ऑफ हिस्ट्री ऑफ सायन्स ही पण केम्ब्रिज चे भूषण आहे. डॉ बेडेकरांनी किंग्स कॉलेज चॅपेल दाखवली. हे एक अवाढव्य चर्च असून स्थापत्यशास्त्र चा एक अजोड नमुना आहे. इथल्या प्रत्येक चर्च मध्ये त्या वास्तुबद्दलचा इतिहास प्रदर्शनाच्या माध्यमातून खूप रोचकपणे लावलेला असतो व त्याला काही पौंड शुल्क असते. 

किंग्स कॉलेज ची स्थापना 1441 साली राजा हेन्री चौथा याने केली. या चॅपेल च्या इतिहासाबद्दल एक स्वतंत्र लेख लिहिला येईल तूर्तास या कॉलेजमध्ये भारतीय खगोलशास्त्रज्ञ डॉ जयंत नारळीकर शिकले एवढी माहिती पुरेशी आहे. एक गोष्ट मात्र नेहमी लक्षात येत राहते व ती म्हणजे या विद्यापीठांची सुरुवात एकतर चर्च मध्ये झाली व धर्मप्रसार करण्याचे ध्येय उरी बाळगून झाली.  डॉ बेडेकर ज्या त्रिव्हिएम व कोड्रिव्हिएम चा उल्लेख करतात तो या शिक्षणाचा गाभा. (Trivium= Grammar,  Rhetoric, Logic/ Quadrivium= Arithmetic, geometry, astronomy ,music) वरील ज्ञानशाखा या अभ्यासाच्या केंद्रस्थानी होत्या. भारतीय शास्त्र परंपरेत याला वेदांग म्हणता येतील. शिक्षा, कल्प, छंद, व्याकरण, निरुक्त व ज्योतिष अशी 6 वेदांगे होत. प्रत्येक महाविद्यालयाचे 4 मुख्य भाग पडतात: वसतिगृह, भोजनगृह, ग्रंथालय व प्रार्थनास्थळ. सहसा मुलं निवासी असतात व गुरूच्या सोबत राहतात. भारतीय गुरुकुल पद्धतीशी साम्य जाणवले. 

ट्रिनिटी कॉलेज हे केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठातील अत्यंत महत्वाचे ठिकाण. आयझॅक न्यूटन, लॉर्ड रुदरफोर्ड, फ्रान्सिस बेकन, लॉर्ड मेकॉले, श्रीनिवास रामानुजन तसेच इंग्रजी साहित्यातील जॉर्ज हरबर्ट, अँड्र्यू मार्व्हल, लॉर्ड टेनिसन, जॉन ड्रायडन, लॉर्ड बायरन इत्यादी महनीय कवी इत्यादी महान व्यक्ती ट्रीनिटी कॉलेजमध्ये शिकले तर प्रख्यात अर्थतज्ज्ञ व नोबेल विजेते अमर्त्य सेन इथे काही काळ प्राचार्य राहिले. एकट्या ट्रीनिटी कॉलेजने 32 नोबेल पारितोषिक विजेते शास्त्रज्ञ  इंग्लंडला दिले असून एका महाविद्यालयाने नोबेल साठी दिलेला हा अववल बहुमान आहे. भारतीय गणिती श्रीनिवास रामानुजन इथेच शिकले.डॉ आगरकरांनी केम्ब्रिज विद्यापीठाची माहिती दिली. श्रीनिवास रामानुजन या थोर गणिताची ह्रदयंगम कथा डॉ आगरकरांनी ट्रीनिटी कॉलेजच्या प्रवेश द्वारावर सांगितली.

 त्यांच्यावर आलेला The Man Who Knew Infinity हा चित्रपट ट्रिनिटी कॉलेज मध्येच चित्रित झाला. माझ्या 2016 सालच्या लंडन दौऱ्यावर असताना कृष्णा शर्मा नावाच्या एका भारतीय विद्यार्थ्यांची ओळख झाली. तो ट्रिनिटी कॉलेजचा विद्यार्थी. याही वर्षी त्यांनी आमच्या विद्यार्थ्यांना ट्रीनिटी कॉलेज च्या आतून फेरफटका मारला . आत हिरव्या कंच गवताने प्रफुल्लित झालेल्या विस्तीर्ण प्रांगणात फिरताना कृष्णा शर्मा म्हणाला की , "तुम्ही ज्या रस्त्यावरून चालत आहात त्यावरून न्यूटन आदी अनेक शास्त्रज्ञ एकेकाळी चालले आहेत" माझ्यासह सर्व विद्यार्थ्यांना तो एक परमोच्च क्षण होता. ट्रीनिटी कॉलेजच्या चॅपेल मध्ये लॉर्ड टेनिसन या प्रख्यात इंग्रजी कवीचा खूप छान पुतळा आहे. तिथे मला  एक इंग्रजीचा विद्यार्थी व शिक्षक म्हणून खूप छान वाटलं. या कॉलेजच्या संदर्भात एक स्वतंत्र लेख लिहिता येईल. या कॉलेजचा मागच्या भागात थेम्स नदी वाहते . इथे  पंटींग करतात. पंटींग म्हणजे छोट्या शीड वजा जहाजात बसून पूर्ण केम्ब्रिज चा पाण्यातून मारलेला फेरफटका. हातात एक मोठा दांडा घेऊन हातानी जहाज ढकलत नेणाऱ्यांना इकडे पंटर म्हणतात. आपल्याकडील पंटर जरा वेगळे!

फोटो 3

केम्ब्रिज मध्ये आम्ही फिट्झ विल्यम म्युझियम ला भेट दिली. हे एक अप्रतिम संग्रहालय आहे. प्राचीन वस्तू, नाणे, चित्र व कला यांचा अजोड संग्रह येथे आहे. भारतीय विद्यापीठांनी वस्तुपाठ घ्यावा अशी ही वास्तू . केवळ परीक्षा घेणे व निकाल उशिरा लावण्यासाठी विद्यापीठ नसून ज्ञानशाखा च्या सर्व दृष्टीने विकास घडवण्यासाठी असतात. विद्यापीठाच्या प्रत्येक विभागाचे एक संग्रहालय आहे व त्याची जबाबदारी तेथील विद्यार्थी व प्राध्यापक आनंदाने सांभाळतात.

केम्ब्रिज च्या भेटीनंतर आम्ही ऑक्सफर्ड येथे दोन दिवस युथ हॉस्टेल मध्ये मुक्कामी होतो. डॉ बेडेकरांनी ऑक्सफर्ड चा कानाकोपरा अनेकदा पिंजून काढला असल्यामुळे व ते तेथील जवळपास सर्व ग्रंथालयाचे सभासद असल्याने आम्हा सर्वांना खूप विशेष वागणूक मिळाली. ऑक्सफर्ड येथील ब्रॉड स्ट्रीट वर आम्ही फेरफटका मारला . सर्व महत्वाची महाविद्यालये या रस्त्यावर आहेत. 12 व्या शतकात जिथे ऑक्सफर्ड विद्यापीठ सुरू झालं त्या युनिव्हर्सिटी चर्च मध्ये आम्ही गेलो. तिथे विल्यम जोन्स भारतीय पंडितांना शिकवतोय असे एक शिल्प आहे. यारून इंग्रजांच्या वसाहतवादी मानसिकतेचा प्रत्यय येतो. याच रस्त्यावर चालत जाताना डॉ बेडेकरांनी एक क्रॉस दाखवला. इथे 1555-56 साली थॉमस क्रमर, निकोलस रिडली व ह्युज लॅटिमर या तीन प्रोटेस्टंट ख्रिश्चन व्यक्तींना जीवन्त जाळण्यात आले होते.  राणी मेरी हिने सम्पूर्ण इंग्लडला कॅथलिक ख्रिश्चन करण्याचा विडा उचलला होता पण वरील तीन प्रोटेस्टंट व्यक्तींनी तिला विरोध केला म्हणून त्यांना जीवन्त जाळण्यात आले. नवल याचं वाटतं की इंग्रजांनी भारतात येऊन सभ्यता व संस्कृती भारतीयांना शिकवायचा प्रयत्न केला , जे भारतीय कमालीचे सहिष्णु होते. दैवदुर्विलास, दुसरे काय? 

फोटो 4

ऑल सोल कॉलेज, रेडक्लिफ केमेरा, शेलडोनियन थिएटर, बॉडलीयन लायब्ररी अशा अनेक वास्तू पाहत आम्ही "इंडियन इन्स्टिट्यूट" नावाच्या वास्तुसमोर उभे होतो. डॉ बेडेकरांनी त्या वास्तूची इत्थंभूत माहिती दिली. मॉनेर विलीयम्स या थोर संस्कृत विद्वानाने ही वास्तू उभारण्यात मोलाचा वाटा उचलला. विशेष म्हणजे या वस्तूच्या प्रवेशद्वारी संस्कृतमध्ये लिहिलेला ताम्रपट आहे. तो असा 

फोटो 5

वरील संस्कृत श्लोक मॉनेर विल्यम्स ने लिहिले असून प्राच्यशास्त्रांचा अभ्यास करण्यासाठी व आंग्ल व आर्य भूमीची मैत्री वाढावी म्हणून ही वास्तू उभारत असल्याबद्दल लिहिलं आहे. राजा एडवर्ड अलबर्ट याने या वास्तूची कोणशीला ठेवली. भारतात आयसीएस म्हणजे सध्याच्या आयएएस अधिकारी बनवायच्या आधी इंग्रज अधिकारी इथे येउन भारतीय संस्कृती आणि भाषा शिकत. एखाद्या देशावर केवळ सैन्य आक्रमण करून जिंकता येत नाही तर त्या देशातील धर्म, भाषा आणि संस्कृती चा सांगोपांग अभ्यास करून वैचारिक गुलामगिरी करायला भाग पाडता  येते हे ब्रिटिश सरकारने करून दाखवले. आम्ही मात्र आमच्यात भांडत बसलो. 

नंतर आम्ही हिस्ट्री ऑफ सायन्स म्युझियम, पिट्स रिव्हर्स म्युझियम, अशमोलीयन म्युझियम पाहिलं. हा परत स्वतंत्र लेखाचा विषय होईल. 1621 साली हेन्री डेनवर ने औषधी वनस्पती चा अभ्यास करण्यासाठी उभारलेल्या  बोटॅनिकल गार्डनला आम्ही भेट दिली. जगभरातील जवळजवळ 6000 वनस्पती इथे आहेत. सुंदर फुलांपासून ते अनेक दुर्मिळ वनस्पती प्रजाती इथे काळजीपूर्वक वाढवल्या आहेत. दोन दिवसात खरंतर काहीच पाहून होत नाही. इथे एखादं वर्षभर तरी सम्पूर्ण पहायला लागेल अशी अवस्था होते. 

अभ्यास दौऱ्याच्या शेवटच्या टप्प्यात आम्ही लंडनला मार्गस्थ झालो. मुंबईत फोर्ट परिसरात गेल्यास  जसं वाटतं तसं लंडनमध्ये गेल्यास वाटतं. आमचा मुक्काम इंडियन वायएमसीए होस्टेलवर 4 दिवस होता. हे वसतिगृह लंडनच्या अगदी मध्यवर्ती भागात आहे. इथून आम्ही ट्युबस ( लोकल ट्रेन) मधून प्रवास करत लंडनमधील महत्वाच्या वास्तू व संग्रहालये पहिली. लंडन मध्ये ब्रिटिश म्युझियम, ब्रिटिश लायब्ररी हे दोन मानबिंदू पाहिले. चार्ल्स डार्विन या थोर संशोधकाच्या घरी गेलो होतो. मानवाच्या उत्क्रांती चे सिद्धांत मांडणाऱ्या डार्विनचे 22 एकराच्या विस्तीर्ण जागेतले घर ब्रिटिश सरकारने स्मारक म्हणून घोषित केले आहे. डार्विनच्या घरी असलेल्या प्रदर्शनात डार्विनच्या  समुद्रसफरी बद्दल डॉ आगरकर मुलांना भरभरून बोलले.

जगाची प्रमाणवेळ ज्या ग्रिनीच मेरेडियन वरून ठरते तिथे जाऊन आलो. जगाला विभागणारी ग्रीनिज मिन लाईन इथून जाते, या रेषेवर उभा राहिल्यास एक पाय दक्षिण गोलार्धात तर दुसरा पाय उत्तर गोलार्धात ठेवता येतो. या रेषेवर जगभरातील मुख्य शहरांचे अचूक ठिकाण गणितीय परिभाषेत कोरले आहे. घड्याळाची निर्मिती कशी झाली व ग्रहांचे अचूक निरीक्षण करून वेळ मोजणारे जे घड्याळ आज आपण मनगटावर मिरवतो त्याचा रोचक प्रवास कसा झाला याचे एक सुंदर प्रदर्शन ग्रीनिज ला आहे. इथेच नॅशनल मेरिटाईम म्युझियम आहे. डॉ आगरकर आमच्यासोबत होते.  ग्रीनिज वेधशाळेची इथंभूत माहिती डॉ आगरकरांनी दिली. 

 दुसऱ्या दिवशी आम्ही ट्राफलगर चौकात गेलो जिथे नेल्सनचा मोठा पुतळा उभा केला आहे. नेल्सननी नेपोलियन ला युद्धात हरवले व तो इंग्रजांचा राष्ट्रीय शौर्याचे प्रतीक बनला. नेल्सनचा पुतळ्याचे शिल्प असे बनवले आहे की त्याची दृष्टी ब्रिटिश पार्लमेंटवर राहील. त्याच परिसरात ब्रिटिश पार्लमेंट आहे. याच चौकात  नेपियर व हॅवलोक या दोन ब्रिटिश जनरल्सचे अश्वारूढ पुतळे आहेत. एकाने भारताचा सिंध प्रांत काबीज केला तर एकाने लखनऊ. भारतातील महत्वाच्या दोन प्रांतांना काबीज केल्यामुळे नेपियर व हॅवलोक या दोघांना इंग्रजांनी नेल्सनच्या बरोबर सन्मान दिला. त्या पुतळ्यांच्या खाली लिहिलं आहे की हे पुतळे लोकांनी पैसे जमा करून सर्वांच्या आर्थिक सहकार्यातून उभारले आहेत. सरकार इथे पुतळे बांधत नाही. ब्रिटिश देशप्रेमी व कडवे सैनिक आहेत हे या चौकात गेल्यावर कळते. या चौकातच मागच्या बाजूला रॉयल आर्ट गॅलरी असून जगभरातील उत्तमोत्तम कला प्रदर्शन इथे भरते. इथे एका चौथऱ्यावर देशातील सर्वोत्तम कलाकृती लोकांच्या प्रदर्शनासाठी लावण्यात येते. जगभरातील कलाप्रेमींची ही पंढरी.  टॉवर ऑफ लंडन,  जेथे आपला कोहिनुर हिरा ठेवलाय , बकिंगहॅम पॅलेस जिथे राणी राहते व बिग बेन, ब्रिटिश पार्लमेंट, लंडन आय आदी ठिकाण आम्ही पहिली. यावेळी लंडन मध्ये एका आगळ्यावेगळ्या लग्नाची चर्चा सुरू होती ते म्हणजे प्रसिद्ध हॉलिवूड नटी मेगन मार्कल व ब्रिटनचा राजकुमार यांच्या लग्नाची.  आम्हाला निमंत्रण नव्हतं म्हणून तिकडे गेलो नाही. उगीच पंक्तीप्रपंच नको म्हटलं. लंडनला जाताय म्हणजे केवळ मजा मारायला वा हुंदडायला नसून शिकण्यासारख्या खूप गोष्टी इथे आहेत. रस्त्यावर असलेली शिस्त, नियम पाळणे व राष्ट्रीयता या गोष्टी शिकण्यासारख्या आहेत. 

भारतीय क्रांतिकारकांनी इंग्लडच्या मातीत राहून  देशाच्या स्वातंत्र्यासाठी काम केलं त्यांच्या स्मृती ताज्या करण्यासाठी आम्ही त्यात्या ठिकाणी भेटी दिल्या त्यात विलक्षण म्हणजे वीर सावरकर लंडनमध्ये ज्या इंडिया हाऊस मध्ये विद्यार्थी असताना राहत होते तिथे आम्ही गेलो, टिळक इंग्रज सरकारने त्यांच्या वर केलेल्या खटल्याला उत्तर द्यायला लंडनमध्ये ज्या वास्तूत राहिले , जिथे मदनलाल धिंग्रा यांनी करझन वाईली ला गोळ्या झाडल्या ती जागा अशा  अनेक....

या इंग्लंड दौऱ्यात रोजनिशी वाचन हा एक फार छान उपक्रम असतो. प्रत्येकाला रोजची डायरी लिहावी लागते व त्याचे सामूहिक वाचन होते. या वेळी मास मीडिया विभागाचे चार विद्यार्थी सोबत असल्याने सम्पूर्ण सहल डीएसेलार कॅमेरा व ट्रायपॉड च्या मदतीने रीतसर छायांकित झाली. लवकरच त्याची ध्वनिचित्रफीत बनवण्याचा मानस आहे. 

 आमची शैक्षणिक सहल 25 मे रोजी सम्पली. सर्व विद्यार्थ्यांना हिथ्रो विमानतळावर सोडले. मी मात्र डॉ बेडेकरांसोबत आठ दिवस अधिक राहिलो.शेक्सपिअर चे स्ट्रेटफर्ड अपॉन एव्हन व सेंट पॉल अशा स्थळांना भेटी दिल्या. एक गोष्ट जाणवत राहिली की संत तुकाराम, शेक्सपिअर व शिवाजी महाराज हे समकालीन. ज्या दिमाखात शेक्सपिअर चे स्मारक त्याच्या जन्मस्थानी मिरवते त्याच्या एक दशांश सुध्दा भारतात आपण तुकारामादी संतांची व त्यांच्या वाङ्मयाची किंमत करत नाही.  शिवाजी महाराजांचे किल्ले सध्या ज्या अवस्थेत पडून आहेत ते पाहून दुःख होतं. इंग्लडच्या प्रत्येक नागरिकास त्याच्या परंपरेचा कडवा अभिमान आहे आणि आपण आजही प्रतिकात गुंतलो आहोत. अभ्यास, संशोधन व सांस्कृतिक वारसा यात आपली परंपरा उज्जवल असली तरीही सध्याच्या घडीला आपण कोसो दूर आहोत. 

फोटो 6

आमचा मुक्काम डॉ मधुकर आंबेकर व डॉ विदुला आंबेकर या पेशाने डॉक्टर  दाम्पत्याकडे नॉर्थवूड येथे झाला. आंबेकर प्रभृती हे मागच्या 40 वर्षांपासून लंडन निवासी आहेत.  आपली संस्कृती जपुन ठेवुन इंग्लंड मध्ये काम करणारी डॉ आंबेकर व सौ आंबेकर सारखी दाम्पत्य दुर्मिळच . त्यांच्या घरी अस्सल मराठी पदार्थ वरणफळे, उपमा, पुरणपोळी इ. चोखंदळपणे आस्वाद करता आली.  इथल्या भारतीय लोकांशी यांचं जिव्हाळ्याच नातं. त्यांनी माझे व डॉ बेडेकरांनी दोन व्याख्यान आयोजित केली.  लंडनमध्ये दोन वेगवेगळ्या ठिकाणी " Western Scholars of Upanishads" या विषयावर बोलण्याचा योग आला. हा विषय डॉ बेडेकरांनी मला सुचवला होता.  व्याख्यानं चांगली झाली. डॉ बेडेकर "Manipulation of Indian Education in 19th Century" या विषयावर बोलले. डॉ बेडेकरांनी व्याख्याना संदर्भात केलेल्या सूचना खूप फलद्रुप झाल्या. अभ्यासास वेगळे विषय मिळत गेले व माउलींनी म्हटल्याप्रमाणे "जे चालते ज्ञानाचे बिंब" अशी प्रचीती येत गेली. शेवटी आपल्या संवेदनांचा परीघ अधिकाधिक व्यापक बनवणे म्हणजेच माणूस म्हणून मोठं होणे.

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