He won gallantry award from Pandit Jawarhal Lal Nehru at the age of 14, but now at the age of 64, he lives the life of an unsung hero in the by-lanes of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi, India
An icon at the age of 14 and an insignificant person at 64. This is Harish Chander Mehra, the first gallantry award winner who now lives unsung in the bylanes of Katra Neel in Chandni Chowk.
The honour was bestowed on him in 1958 by then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose life he had saved. Still then, the awards are now given to children annually on Indian Republic Day and they pass through Rajpath, near India Gate, sitting on an elephant.
The reminiscences are stamped in Mehra’s heart and the pain of having been elapsed once the short dalliance with famous person’s status died.
Recollecting the incident Mehra quoted “On October 2, 1957 evening, during the Ram Lila celebrations in Old Delhi’s Ramlila Ground, Nehru along with his daughter, Indira Gandhi and some foreign delegates was watching the fireworks that preceded the function. Suddenly, some sparks fell on the tent in which they were sitting and it caught fire.”
The congested place had people running haphazardly to accumulate their lives. Mehra, then a boy scout, was standing at the entrance hall of the pergola. He entered the flaming tent and ran near Nehru and instantaneously pulled him in the direction of the dais. In a fraction of seconds, he climbed on to one of the poles, pulled out the scouts’ knife and cut off the burning tent. In the scuffle, Mehra’s hands got rigorously blistered and he gone unconscious.
Mehra was presented with a certificate on the nexdt morning by Minister Jagjivanram. After three months, while studying in Class 8, his Principal, Tej Bhan Sethi entered the classroom and took the dazed child to the string of media persons and photographers waiting for him on the school grounds.
In the same year,The following year, a special programme was organised to honour Mehra and he was presented the Gallantry Award by Nehru at Teen Murti Bhawan.
“Nehru had said that I needed no introduction, as he was himself an eyewitness to the whole account. He said it would be better if we could have more children of undoubted courage,” says the shuddering Mehra.
Newspapers published Mehra’s profiles and interviews. A documentary film was made followed by an invitation to participate in the Republic Day parade held on January 26, 1959. A civilian boy was made to lead the parade for the first time. Five years later, due to economic crisis, Mehra had to quit studies. He took up a job as Lower Divisions Clerk in Union Public Service Commission.
After few years he was transferred to the Controller of Publications with no incentive and promotion. He retired from there on February 27, 2004.Apart from the populace in close proximity to him, no one ever since remembered Mehra. Every year, Mehra sits with his three sons and four grandchildren to gaze at the Republic Day parade on TV. The award winning children surpass all the way through Rajpath, memoirs draw closer once again for Mr Mehra.
When Deepika Padukone met her idol, Rishi Kapoor not as a fan but Rishi’s son’s girlfriend she was flabbergasted and said “It’s amazing. But in his younger days my dad (badminton champ Prakash Padukone) was often told that he resembled Rishi Uncle. I grew up as his big fan, have seen Karz and Kabhi Kabhie number of times. When Ranbir took me to meet his parents, I was re-living my childhood images of the most compatible couple I’ve ever seen on screen.” Even the Kapoors has welcomed their would be daughter in law that’s why Deepika feels “Rishi Uncle is so warm. As for Neetu Aunty, she has an aura of natural grace and charm about her. She’s very poised and articulate. I’ve met her more than I’ve met Uncle. Me and Rishi uncle are going to be working toge
ther. We had a reading together recently. He’s so passionate about cinema. I’ve so much to learn from him.”
Deepika cannot go on without appreciating the Kapoors, she has lot of regard to both of them which is apparent from her statement which says “Both Ranbir and his sister Ridhima have been brought up with the right values. They come from such an illustrious family. And yet they’re so down-to-earth. I see many similarities between their upbringing and mine. Though both Ranbir and I were exposed to celebrity situations from childhood, our parents have made sure we’re firmly rooted to reality.” When asked about their marriage, Deepika expressed that “we’re both very comfortable in our relationship. Now that we’ve come out in the open about our relationship, our parents are very happy. Beyond that it’s too early to talk about marriage.” About her affair with Yuvraj and on the impressionable comment made by Yuvraj, Deepika says confidently that “I really don’t think she said anything against me. If she had a grudge she’d call me up and talk to me. I always say that no outside source can know what kind of a relationship two people share. I spoke to her after the statements attributed to her came out. I’ve always shared a fantastic rapport with her. She’s a wonderful and strong person. I’ve learnt a lot from her. As a woman and mother, I look up to Yuvraaj’s mother. She’s a multi-tasking mother. She has single-handedly brought up her two children. Yuvraaj is doing extremely well for himself. And his younger brother who has just started out is also doing very well himself. I wish the family all the best.”
Women are there in all types of job stream, teaching, secretatrial work, police, doctor etc.etc. But her job is different. Meet Bhavna Paliwal of New Delhi is, a private detective being hired by Indian brides to investigate about their suitors.
Bhavna Paliwal, is among one of India’s wedding detectives, who are being hired here in growing numbers to dig out out the truth about prospective mates.
In India, hiring a wedding detective like that of Paliwal has become a familiar prenuptial habit, as important as the heavy wedding gold and the multi-cuisine ten-course meal served on plates.
Confidential detectives are in business in India for several years but today their services are more essential than before. As there is a tremendous enhancement in the business class of Delhi, so is the augment of dowries. Those dowries, in turn, have boosted the encouragement for hoax.
Grooms from United States come in haste, marry, then rush back home with the booty, leaving behind what have become known as “abandoned brides�. Meanwhile, in India, young couples who meet over the internet are getting away with lies that gossip would once have exposed.
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, an internet portal that celebrated its millionth match last year says,
Aditya Chopra, Filmmaker of DDLJ and Choor Choori Chupe Chupke fame, recently finally got divorced from his wife and now intends to marry film star Rani Mukherjee. According the grapevines the Chopras (his father and mother) are not happy with the marriage, so to keep good terms with the alienated first daughter in law, they have gifted her with a bungalow in Juhu and some whopping crores to keep her lips lock. Aditya’s first marriage is 6 year old. Seems Rani too is following the steps of Hema Malini , Sridevi and Karishna Kapoor who all happen to marry , already married men and now that Kareena is also on the way. May be these girls are more fascinated in braking a contentedly nuptial home and also looks like that they have an affection to men much mature to them in epoch too.
Esha Deol is going to learn Ballet in the US after her completion of the movie Hijack
Being the daughter of a danseuse actress, Esha has dancing in her DNA. From her childhood Esha has been learning classical Indian dances under the tutelage of her mother Hema Malini .
When she comes back, Esha is looking forward to move in her family’s new building in Juhu with her mom and sis.
Sanjay Dutt tied the knot with Dilnasheen a.k.a Manyata according to the Hindu rituals on 11th February,2007 in Mumbai in one Manyata’s friend’s residence. Sunil Shetty did the job of her brother and did the kanyadan as none from the bride’s family were present. Even Sanjay’s sisters and daughter Trishala were indiscernible in the marriage. According to Priya Dutt, his sister, she was not aware of the marriage, she got the news via the media. According to the grapevine, Sanjay and Manyata had a court marriage on February 7th in Goa.
Now, Manyata’s previous husband Mr. Miraj has entered the scene in a cinematic comportment and claims that she was married to him on 5th April, 2003 in Oshiwala in Mumbai, her real name is Dilnasheen and they have a three year old son from their marriage, who is being brought up by her mother in Dubai and the attention-grabbing and exicting assert made by Mr Miraj is that Manyata is yet to divorce him. He is in possession of a Nikahnama issued by the Mumbai Shariat. If Manyata has not sought divorce from Miraj and is married now to Sanjay, a case of fidelity is probably to be filed against her.
It is also found that Mr. Miraj is presently in jail serving his term for prank calling female film stars and making indecent SMSs to various heroines and he claims that he used to exercise these activities at the behest of Manyata only. Miraj claims that recently Sanjay Dutt used to confront him and used goondaism to grab Manyata from him by using his power and influence.
Well, if the accusations prepared by Miraj are exact and accurate, Sanjay Dutt who is already undergoing court case against him for possessing AK 57, is likely to countenance more quandary, trouble, hullabaloo, corrupt and immorality case too for convincingly marrying Dilnasheen a.k.a Manyata as she still stands married to Miraj and has not separated from him legally.
1. Kangana Ranaut is shedding her blouse in the upcoming movie’Fashion’. Earlier it was decided that a body double would do the sequence, but later Kangana herself decided to give the shot. The shot would resemble the ramp walk sequence of the Lakme Fashion show, in which model Carol Gracious dropped her blouse during the ramp walk and termed it as ‘wardrobe malfunction’. In this present film, Kangana is playing the role of a supermodel.
1. King Khan will shake his legs along with the top ten bahus of television in an event of Balaji Telefilms ‘Global Award Function’ in Mumbai. He is thrilled to do dance with the super beautiful bahus of small tube. The tune of the song will be Chake De India, but the wordings will be different. Ganesh Hegde is the choreographer of the dance show.
2. Deepika Podukone has started keeping a distance from her mentor Farah Khan. According to Farah Khan, when success reins someone, often this type of arrogance is inevitable to some people.But deepika should keep in mind that she got overnight stardom because of the film OSO and she should never forget her first tutor and mentor.
3. Akshey Khanna recently purchased a Reva car, because it has zero fuel emission. He wanted to be just eco-friendly.
5. Ashutosh Gowrikar’s ‘Jodha Akbar’ would be facing immense crisis from historians and critics, because according to them, Jodha was Akbar’s daughter in law not wife. Well, in that case the film will be in doldrums even before it release and AG will have to face the music.
6. Saif Ali Khan would anything for his ladylove. Recently he slashed his palm to prove that he will do anything for Kareena.
7. According to the latest research of Denmark Scientists, film stars Aishwarya Rai and Anjolina are related to each other from their forefathers side, that’s why they both have blue eyes. Researchers allege that people with the particular colour of blue in their eyes belong to one family of ancestors.
8. Fardeen Khan has been awarded drug detoxification programme by the Mumbai Police. Earlier in the year 2001, he was arrested red-handed when he was caught buying cocaine in Juhu.
9. King Khan will be seen in small tube very soon as he will be conducting the KBC new series in no matter of time.
10. Emraan Hashmi’s newly married life is on the rocks as he is dating a Pakistani actress Sana. They became very friendly during the shooting their film Jannat in Capetown. His wife is now contemplating whether she should leave Emraan or just give him another chance.
For Shahjahan and Mumtaz it was a love at first sight, when in the year 1607 when Prince Khurram/Shahjahan of the royal Mughal household was strolling down Meena Bazaar, along with the courtiers, he wedged a glance of a girl Arjumand/Mumtaz Mahal glancing at glass beads. But Shahjahan’s stepmother Noorjehan wanted Shah Jahan to marry her daughter Ladli Begum from her first marriage. Shah Jahan had great conflict with Empress Noorjehan on this issue, but his revolution against his father Jahangir, in 1622, was fruitless.
Shahjahan, however, ascended the throne on his father’s death in 1627. At his juncture he married his dream girl at a time when Princes never married only for love. Other than Mumtaz, Shah Jahan had two wives and out of them Mumtaz was his true love. She gave birth to 14 out of his 16 children. Mumtaz Mahal obsessed immense supremacy authority and self-respect in her etiquette. Until her death, she was Shah Jahan’s undividable mate and psychoanalyst.
While breathing her last, Mumtaz Mahal took a promise from her beloved to build an structure in reminiscence of their love. This was the cause of work of a monument that still to draw millions of lovers even today.
The monument environment eventually became Sha Jahan’s prison as his son, Aurangzeb, detained the throne and caged his father for the last eight years of his life. Legend maintains that Shah Jahan spent his final years locked in the Agra Fort, gazing from the Jasmine Tower of his marble palace, down the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal, the tomb of his dearly loved wife.
When Shah Jahan was on his deathbed, his eyes was constantly glancing at Taj Mahal where lied his beloved. After his death, Shah Jahan was buried there beside his dead queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Their love never detached them in life, miseries and ultimately in bereavement. Taj Mahal tantamount with Mumtaz Mahal relics the everlasting gravestone for their never-ending care for each other.
The British in 1929 opened Delhi Flying Club to Indians and not many joined the Club. One of the student was P.D. Sharma, Sarla’s husband. After he became a full fledged Pilot, Sharma and Sarla got married.Sarla was 16 at that time.
But instead of giving kitchen as endowment to his wife, as a normal Indian husband, he convinced her to join Flying Club. You are talking about 1936, when you were fictional about women becoming pilot, they don’t expect the women to go out the kitchen. I mean it is a men’s world all the time, there are husbands who do not like their wives even to drive their personal car, it was awe-inspiring on the side of Cap. Sharma who persuaded his wife to join the Aviation Flying Club—standing ovation to him.
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Sarla had taken only 9 hours of flying lessons, but she was successful in ingoing the cockpit of a Gypsy Moth and flew into the blue skies, and made a history as India’s first lady pilot in the year 1936. That’s why Sarla Thakral’s accomplishment had got no more analogs. There was no barricade for Sarla from accepting that unaccompanied flight. She is so dashing and courageous, at a time when the flying was like dream, flying in air was like phenomenon.
On that point comprised entirely a fistful of manly pilots in India. For women, of course aviating constituted ludicrous.” I used to hand over my chunni to my flying aide before I sat in the cockpit. One day Rai Bahadur Roop Chand who later went on to become the Indian ambassador to America, told my husband to scolded me and told me not to be such a be-sharam and that I should not take off my chunni while flying,” she says with an express amusement.
In those days she could take flying lessons for Rs. 30 an hour. ” Learning flying was cheap because not many wanted to risk their life. Sarla obtained her ‘A’ license when she accrued over 1000 hours of flying.
Sarla was now gearing up herself to apply for the group B license that would permit her to fly as a commercial pilot, but the destiny did not cooperate, the Jodhpur club closed down soon afterwards with the outbreak of World War ll.
To append supplementary catastrophe, she was widowed at the tender age of 24.Her husband died in a crash. She had a four year old daughter too. Her parents got her re-married. But her new husband too very cooperating and did not stand up in his wife’s way of evolution. He took his wives interests also in view.her previous husbands’ bereavement ruined her. She did not want to become a pilot any more. Sarla abandoned her plans to adapt a commercial pilot and divulged into various fields much in advanced at that time. She joined the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore. Along with paintings she also began designing clothes and costume jewelery.
She had also started textile printing and her sari prints were a frenzy with the designer mass and one of the clients was Vijaylaxmi Pandit.Sarla Thakral is 91 years old young lady still flying high in her life.
She had later shifted to Delhi and now she stay put in Bengali market, a place where only the privileged lives. She supplied her jewellery designs to several cottage industries for over 20 years.
Sarla was in recent times honoured for being the oldest yet the fittest person in her neighbourhood. She is 90+ now. Women of today should take the epitomize life of this prototypical lady who had a dynamism and energy other than the far side that of the kitchen and office and attending the cockpit flying high; I salute the first lady pilot.
Sarla Thakral is all the same flourishing and thriving till date. May God make her more hale and hearty and prosperous life, she is a superwoman indeed, because success is being able to spend your life your own way.
This beautiful daughter of actor Sanjay Dutt and Richa is raised in Queens, New York. She lost her mother when she was very young. Her mother succumbed to brain tumour. She lives with her maternal grandparents and aunties.
She is proud to be a part of the Dutt legacy. Her grandfather (the late Sunil Dutt) was a wonderful person and completely doted on Trishala. Sunil Dutt died 2 years back. Her grandmother (Nargis), who was absolutely gorgeous and had such a beautiful smile. Nargis died some 25 years ago due to cancer. Trishala love her movies and watch them all the time.
Trishla says her other aunts (Priya and Namrata) are also huge amusing to be with and she is also very close to her two cousins, Saachi and Siya (Namrata and Kumar Gaurav’s daughters). In India, she is very close to Ranbir and Riddhima Kapoor (Rishi Kapoor’s children) because Ranbir studied in the US and her aunt Enna was his custodian.
Trishala studied in a private school and according to her private school teachers were not actually manner to little kids. So when she was really tortured in such a school her parents immediately switched her to a public school. Trishla that was fantastic and she enjoyed her schooling
In US too she has her limits, she is only allowed to go out once a week with friends when college starts. She also have a 11 p.m. time limit, and occasionally if she ask satisfactorily and if she has been excellent, then her folks make advanced it a bit by half-an-hour.
Trishla determined to get a degree in law from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, because she wanted to support herself with a degree in law, both for dad and for herself. She says even Sanjay Dutt too is happy with her decision.
Trishla’s eventual dream is to become honest lawyer and fight for her father. She says “my mouth would not stop rattling awaiting my aim had been heard, and until I get what I want. I would carry on skirmishing until I hear the reply my ears want to hear. They may say I’m a fighter as well, who is not afraid to say what is accurate. If I feel incredible can be ready, I will not snooze in anticipation unless it is done.�
On being asked about her fathers’ alleged marriage to Manyata, she said its her dad’s private life and she has nothing to do with it.
And so the fighter lives on….for her dad, for her family and for herself……
