news letter david sassoon - david sasoon library€¦ · · 2015-08-18contributions from the...

THE SASSOONIANPublication: In house Newsletter of The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room

Quarterly Publication

THE SASSOONIAN

David Sassoon Library & Reading Room 152, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Off. David Sassoon Library Marg, Kalaghoda, Fort, Mumbai - 400023.India. Tel.: +91-22-22843703 • Email : [email protected] • Web : www.davidsassoonlibrary.com

Vol.II – Issue - III - July-Sept.2015

Mr. V R Ajgaonkar,

President

Mr. Mustansir Dalvi

Mr. Deepak Velankar

Mr. Ralphy Jhirad

Dr. (Mrs). Rajam Pillai

Mrs.Vedavati Habbu

(Librarian)

****************************

* Membership Details:

Refundable Deposit: Rs.1500/-

Yearly Subscription Rs.3000/-

Entrance Fees Rs.500/-

Ordinary Membership:

(For 1year Rs.5000/-) breakup

Life MembershipPatron Membership:

: Rs.25000/- Rs.30000/-

Editorial Board Editorial by Mr. V R Ajgaonkar, President

th“The Sassoonian” started on 30 November 2013 ago has flourished. The contributions from the members have made every issue an enjoyable experience.It was an effort to make reading members, to write and to make a “forum” available, so that members could air their views and literary efforts. In our daily life, we should reserve some time, some place for creativity and help make our daily grind colourful. “The Sassoonian” gives you just that opportunity. Make the most of it!In our eternal efforts to spread the reading habit, this is another step. We are not allowed to enrol members less than 18 years, but we have to think and act so that the resources available in the form of books reach the readers at a young age, where a child is forming his future habits.The prevailing atmosphere in India right now, makes one feel that every walk of life is riddled with corruption. The general feeling is that there can be no selfless work without monetary gain. Members should realize that there are individuals and group of people who work not for monetary gain but for the betterment of Society at large. It is only because of such people that our country runs, otherwise there would be anarchy.This is the last issue before the impending elections to elect a new Managing

thCommittee for the term (2015-17). The 167 Annual Report would surely reach you and I feel, you would surely educate yourself with the functioning at the Library. I take this opportunity to remind all the members to exercise

nd ththeir franchise responsibly on the 22 or 24 August 2015. I also request th thmembers to attend the 167 Annual General Meeting to be held on 24

August 2015 at 6.30 p.m. in the Library's Reading Hall.I also take this opportunity to wish members a Happy Independence Day!

Contents

We invite write-ups and other pieces should be short i.e. upto 500 words and for long articles not more than 1000 words topics on which members can write articles (The subject list attached at the end)Please send your soft copy on the attached word file on email [email protected] and hard copy to the Librarian, David Sassoon Library & Reading RoomLife & Patron Members who had submitted passport size photographs to the office can get in touch with the Library office, during office hours and collect their new Identity Cards.Note: Every submitted piece should have declaration of originality by the Author.Note: The articles chosen to be published in the newsletter shall be at the sole discretion of the Editorial Board.

David Sassoon Library and Reading Room Tribute To Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Bharat Ratna, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam (1931-2015), known as Missile Man and India's 11th President as well as most popular personality amongst the youth!

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, was born in October 15, 1931 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He graduated in 1954 from Saint Josephs College in Physics and in 1960 from The Madras Institute of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering.

His contribution to India's satellite programmes, missile projects and LCA made him a household name. He was responsible for the development and operational zing of AGNI & PRITVI missile. It was a setting that, had

• Elections for New Managing Committee for nd the year 2015 - 2017 will be held on 22 and

th 24 August 2015 at 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.• Annual General Meeting will be held on the

th Library's Reading Room on 24 August 2015 at 6.30 p.m.• Members are requested to attend the Annual General Meeting,

1. Editorial by Mr. V. R. Ajgaonkar, President

2. Tribute to Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam3. Col. H.J. Barr IV President of our

Library (Tenure-1861-1863)Ed. by - Mrs. Vedavati Habbu Librarian & Ms. Sharddha Sankulikar - Life Member

4. Librarian's Message - Mrs. Vedavati Habbu

5. An Interview with Mr. Vivekanand R. Ajgaonkar, President by "Raga" (The St. Xavier's College - Malhar Blog)

6.7. Shantidoot - Gandhiji - by

Dr.(Mrs) Rajam Pillai, Life Member8. Amidst the concrete jungle of

Mumbai!- by Ms. Sharddha Sankulikar - Life Member

9. Vedanta - Article from Economic Times - July15, 2015

10. Humour Corner11.12.

From the desk of - Ralphy Jhirad

Subject listHighlights on New Books

Announcements

Disclaimer: All the opinions expressed in this Newsletter articles are by the author's themselves and do not represent the opinions or policies of the David Sassoon Library or its Management and of the Editorial Board of “The Sassoonian”.


Vol.II – Issue - III - July-Sept.2015 THE SASSOONIANPublication: In house Newsletter of The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room

thdefined his life, first as a scientist and then as India's 11 President.

We have all well known about his awards i.e. Padma Bhushan in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan 1990 and the highest civilian award “Bharat Ratna” in 1997.

Popular as a scientist and President, there was another side to Kalam – the “writer”. His books, including his autobiography “Wings of Fire” and his last book on his guru released recently.His following books are available in our Library:Marathi:-• Tejswiman • Dipstambha • Prajwlitmane English:-• A Manifesto for Change• The Kalam Effect• Beyond 2020• The Life Tree• Envisioning an Empowered Nation• The Scientific Indian• Ignited Minds• Wings of Fire• India

• You are born to blossom• Inspired India• Mission India• My Journey• Simply FlyGujarati:-• Aganipankh • India 2020 • Prajwalit Manas • Mara Sapnanu Bharat • Vikasit Bharatni Khoj • Aatma Vije Paankh Hindi:- Agni Ki Udan Mere Sapno Ka Bharat

••••Dr. Kalam was truly a Karma Yogi. He loved the

student community and the end came in the company of students!

We pray to the Almighty, that his soul may rest in peace.

The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room pays its tribute to Dr. A PJ Abdul Kalam!

Lieutenant – General Henry James Barr 1815 -1881th4 President, David Sassoon Library and Reading Room

Presidentship tenure -1861 - 1863Edited by: Vedavati Habbu, Librarian & Shraddha Sankulkar – Life Member

thThe 4 President of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room was Colonel Henry James Barr, his Presidentship tenure spanned from 1861-1863.Henry

thBarr was born in Bombay on 8 April 1815, the son of Lt.- Col. David Barr of the Bombay Army. The Barr's were a military family; in successive generation most sons joined the forces of the East India Company, the Company that lay at the heart of British Commercial, maritime and imperial activity for 250 years. After the Indian Mutiny in 1857, and subsequent demise of the East India Company, the sons of the family joined the British Army in India, served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Bombay Army. Henry received his military training at Addiscombe College, Croydon, from 1830 until 1832. Addiscombe Military Seminary was established in 1809, its purpose was to provide up to two years general and technical education for youths of between 14 and 18 who had been nominated for officer cadetship in the Company's forces. Attendance at Addiscombe was compulsory for artillery and engineer cadets, optional for cavalry and infantry cadets. Officer Cadets were instructed in a wide range of subject including Mathematics, Fortification, the Hindustani, Latin and French languages, and Civil, Military and Lithographic Drawing and Surveying.

th nd On 14 June 1832 2 Lieutenant Henry Barr was

ndcommissioned in 2 Bombay European Rifles and sailed to India to begin his military career. Army records have also mentioned about his

ndservice at 2 European Regiment as Acting Assistant to the Military Auditor General and also to be Muster Master at the Bombay Presidency.

Besides this, he had passion for plants and horticulture. He was Secretary to the Horticultural Society of Western India at Bombay and was a Non-resident Member of the Bombay Geographical Society which was established in 1832. A multi-talented, disciplined person, Col. Barr headed our library for a short period of three years, but he strived to organize the library and carry the baton of promoting education and literacy forward, to the best of his time and ability.

It seems his zeal for acquiring knowledge and propagating literacy and education is clearly seen from his association with educational institutions, Libraries

thand especially by his service as a 4 President of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room.

We are proud of Col. Henry James Barr, a military person as well as a scholarly person, who chaired our

thlibrary at its 4 President!!References:1. www.rh7.org/factshts/barr.pdf2. Annual Reports -1847-19133. Bombay Geographical Society 1832, Non Resident Member



Dear Friends,Welcome to July-September 2015 issue of “The Sassoonian”! During the last quarter we enjoyed a couple of wonderful events with a book release function of “Chitralipi” by Ms. Rahee Dahake, translation of “Hieroglyphys” an English Translation of Mr. V.A. Dahake's Sahitya Academy winning Poetry, was

threleased on 12 May 2015 by Mr. Ranjit Hoskote along with Mr. Mangesh Kulkarni. Inspiring plays, Stand up comedy and a Musical, from Hindustan Times sponsored event “NO TV DAY” from 29th May to

st31 May 2015 also held in the library garden. An Exhibition in the Art Gallery of “Sculptures and Paintings” by Mr. Devanand V. Deokar and Mrs. Aruna

st thD. Deokar from 1 June to 10 June 2015. It was really a treat in the summer's heat!The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room has many challenges, like:1. Increasing Membership2. Increase Community Participation3. Collaborate with Community for organizing events4. Creating awareness in public about resources and

services available in the Library.5. Finance, space and logistics for organizing events.

It is high time to move towards to promote the Library for generating funds, community intervention & move for its digitization, preservation & conservation!! It will help us to cope up with modern day technology and technological services like computerised issue – return, e-catalogue, on line facilities and so on.

The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room has been a treasure of rare & valuable books. Some of them are as follows:1 Letters & Correspondence Vol-2/ Bolingbroke,

Lord Visc (1798)2 Gimpses of India/ Furneaux, J.H. (1895)3 Paris ET Ses Monumens/ Baltard, (1803)4 Le Panorama Exposition Universelle / Baschet, L

(1900)5 World Atlas / Harmsworth (1935)I would like to bring to your notice that, in my service

thtenure from 10 October 2013 to till date, I have completed the computer entries of all the book collections in the Library. Members can now locate the book with one click.Weeding out books, Book sale, Book Exhibitions, cleaning campaign, Face book, Web-portal of the library etc. are implemented successfully with the help and support of President & Committee members. I am thankful to them. Friends your trust and appreciation has given me a lot of courage.I urge you to contribute freely your articles to “THE SASSOONIAN”.Apart from the suggested subject list, you may also share information about books, literary events, useful articles or websites and so on.Let us make “The Sassoonian” a successful tool to learn, to share and to grow!I hope you find this issue informative &useful.Greetings for Independence Day!

Vedavati Habbu, Librarian

Librarian's Message

An Interview with President – Mr. Vivekanand R. Ajgaonkar – A proud moment for “Sassoonians”!!

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Raga '15Tête-à-Tête with The David Sassoon Library

Raga in its attempt to chronicle certain famous locations and heritage structures in Mumbai, managed to gain entry into the reputed David Sassoon Library (founded 1847) which is located in Kala Ghoda in the Fort precinct.

The library is open all 365 days of the year from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

(a huge hurray is heard from all those who need last minute project submission resources)

We met with the President, Mr. Vivekanand R Ajgaonkar and he was kind enough to talk to the Raga team about the functioning of the esteemed DSL.

Mr Ajgaonkar reading The Sassoonian,

the newsletter of the DSL




Raga: Could you describe a few significant achievements of the library both in the past and present?

VA: Where do I begin? Well, during my first term as President during 1995-99, the year of 1998 was most significant as it marked a 150 years of the David Sassoon Library. Many eminent members graced us with their presence during said function, including Dr. Snehalata Deshmukh (the then Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University) and Mr. Aroon Tikekar (the Editor of the Loksatta) who was the Chief Guest.

Coming to the present, we have started an e-newsletter called The Sassoonian which caters to all age groups. We computerised our book catalogue, making all books in

stthe library easy to find. The 1 DSL Memorial Lecture was held this year and presided over by eminent author, Mr. Kiran Nagarkar.

Our lovely garden which serves as a site for relaxation and ambience to our members has been restored with swings and a gazebo.

Raga: How has the DSL been promoting reading throughout Mumbai?

VA: I am quite sad to see that conventional reading in libraries has been dropping owing to the vast availability of e-books. However to wrest back the initiative, the library in collaboration with the Strand Book Shop organised an exhibition cum sale which catered to all age groups.

We even tried to promote local languages including Marathi, using tie-up with The Ideal Book Company which met with a lot of success in inculcating interest in Marathi literature.

We also conduct numerous book-reading, poetry-reading sessions at the DS and we encourage people to attend them. We have even had a couple of book-launches in our library which have been an instant hit.

The view from outside

Raga: How active are the students who visit this deemed library?

VA: We cater to a variety of students- those who look to study for numerous competitive exams will always find the latest books here in terms of syllabus and material. We are a circulating library hence quite a few readers borrow books which cover a wide genre in both fiction and non-fiction.

Raga: It has often been told that the DS library houses a rich collection of old books. Could you tell us about a few of them?

VA: We do have a decent collection of very rare books. This also includes the Gazetteers of the Princely States before the time of Independence. We also have a collection of letters from 1797 written to the Queen of Anne. All of these are priceless treasures housed in the library.

Raga: Do you have a message you would like to share with the younger generation?

VA: Our world today is accustomed to growth and development, and in this rush to proclaim ourselves as 'developed' we are forgetting our roots- i.e Nature. With rampant deforestation and global warming, we need to make the student of today more accountable for his/her actions.

I would also like to repeat an oft told line- “Reading is a dying art”. Please inculcate the habit of reading, ours is a library and a reading room, we encourage all to come and read here. The atmosphere is serene and very conducive to creative thought. It is a magical place, one which will leave you feeling enriched.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the David Sassoon library for letting us click the pictures used in this post.This entry was posted in A Chronicle of Words & Places by Raga '15. Bookmark the permalink.

The statue of David Sassoon


Shantidoot- Gandhijiby Dr.(Mrs) Rajam Pillai, Life Member




Most nature lovers yearn to visit places that are known of its wilderness and natural beauty. The brunt of routine life, especially if one hails from an electrifying city like Mumbai, can sap one's energy even before the weekend arrives. A resident or visitor to Mumbai usually is well prepared to experience the hustle bustle of the city and seldom expects to visit a green patch amidst the concrete jungle of Mumbai. But the botanical garden at Veer Jijabai Bhosle Udyan (formerly known as Victoria Gardens), located in Central Mumbai, is a pleasant surprise to all nature lovers. Named after the mother of a 17th century Maratha warrior King Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, locally the gardens are referred as 'Rani Baag' (literally meaning 'Queen's Garden'). The place is known for its beautiful botanical gardens and for its once functional zoo.

It's a great place to unwind by exploring the botanical gardens of Rani Baag. A serene evening walk is worth an experience. The shade of some century old trees that the 150 year old institution proudly boasts of is a pleasant feeling, especially when Mumbai heats up. In May 1861, in exchange for the Sewri land, the Bombay Government offered the Agri-Hotricultural Society of Western India alternate land at Mount Estate, Byculla to

establish a botanical garden to be called 'The Victoria Gardens'. Mr. David Sassoon gifted the clock tower to the Victoria Gardens.

As I explored the garden premise I could feel the freshness that the city's lung was exhaling on me. No artificial air conditioners in the world can beat the natural operation of 3,213 trees of 286 species that the garden has been nurturing since long. It was practically impossible to photo shoot all the botanical wealth that surrounded me, but it was a delight to click few snaps and witness the bloom of some rare and endangered flora like Amherstia Nobilis Wall, Annona glabra L, Caesalpinia ferrea Mart and Colvillea racemosa Boj, to mention a few. The best moment of the evening was when I entered the Yokohama Japanese garden which radiates a Zen like aura. Situated in the centre of the botanical park, the garden is a gift from Mr. Michikazi Saigo, the Mayor of Yokohama, Japan, to the citizens of Mumbai. It is a token of Mumbai-Yokohama friendship which was inaugurated in 1986. The lotus pond and a mini temple housed on its bank, naturally inspire its visitors to resonate with nature and experience the serene ambiance which the garden offers.

As I furthered explored the botanical garden, I noticed that the trees serve as natural habitat to various animals, birds, insects and other organisms. It was a spectacle to see a family of flying fox on a huge tree above me. Many squirrels were seen running around as they fetched their day's food. Like me, if one visits the garden just for an evening walk then getting a glimpse of few animals around would be an added experience. Very few visitors are aware that the garden was once known for

its zoo, which housed different species of animals till few years back. In 2007 the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai announced about the zoo's revamp plans. Soon thereafter most of the animals were shifted to other zoos in India. The animals still seen around in the garden are the last ones awaiting migration, before Rs 150 crores worth reconstruction work starts. Besides this an activist group has started a 'Save Rani Baag' campaign to protect the botanical wealth of the garden so that the proposed modernized zoo plan doesn't disturb the ecology of the heritage institution. More about it on this site: www.saveranibagh.org

E lephan t s , spo t t ed deers , c rocod i les , hippopotamus, bear, and few exotic birds are seen



Amidst the concrete jungle of Mumbai ! by Ms. Sharddha Sankulikar - Life Member

Jijamata with little Shivaji. Statue at Veer Jijabai Bhosle Udyan.

Photo courtesy: Aditya Chichkar.

Exotic birds at the Jijabai Bhosle Udyan. Photo courtesy: Aditya Chichkar.

Beautiful flowers decorating the park. Photo courtesy: Aditya Chichkar.


around as one strolls through the beautifully maintained garden. I could see a drastic difference in body language between the free and caged animals & birds in the garden. The former seemed happy in God's nature and the later awaiting their fate at the mercy of 'human nature'. A board at the garden quotes few lines from the Atharva Veda, one of the ancient books of India:

"We are the birds of the same nest, We may wear different skins,

We may speak different languages, We may believe in different religions, We may belong to different cultures,

Yet we share the same home- Our Earth Born on the same planet

Covered by the same skies Gazing at the same stars Breathing the same air

We must learn to happily progress together Or miserably perish together, For man can live individually, But survive only collectively."

I found these lines to be a take away message from the garden for visitors to accordingly play their part in the conservation of Mother Earth. About Shraddha. C. Sankulkar Writing has always been a passion for Shraddha. She writes poems, lyrics, fiction, non-fiction and documentary film scripts. A consulting Psychologist and lecturer of Psychology by profession, Shraddha sees herself blooming into a creative writer and wishes to present her work world-wide. She manages her own website www.mindmatterz.net and writes content for it herself.



Care sows care. Happy Mother's Day! Centrally situated statue in the park.

Jul 15 2015: The Economic Times (Mumbai)

Vedanta - Be Creative in LifeSWAMI SUKHABODHANANDA

was doing sheet metal work. The third man he met was making strings. Disappointed, he sat on the bank of a river.

Suddenly, he heard the sweet strains of violin music. Something mysterious touched him. He suddenly got the answer he was looking for and he started dancing. The carpenter was preparing the wood for a violin. The sheet metal worker was preparing metal for the violin. When wood, metal and strings came together, there was music.Life has everything; connect the dots. You need to work out new combinations. And for that, you need creative perception. Be creative. Difficulty, seeking and discovering is joy.

A young boy left his home in search of truth. He met many people; he became richer in awareness of his ignorance. Since people went to forests to meditate, he too went to a thick forest. He did not know how to meditate. So he screamed at the forest to give him knowledge. For years, his only mantra was screaming at the forest to give him knowledge. He believed that if you are committed, existence will help you.

One day, a monk came to him. He asked, “What do you want, my son? “ “I want to know what the meaning of life is, “he replied. “Go to the town. The first three persons that you meet will give you the meaning of life, “the monk replied.

The boy went to the town. The first man he met was doing carpentry work. The work. The next man he met

Bamboo groove at the botanical park.


SUBJECT LISTHere are some suggested topics for members to write articles for “The Sassoonian”:

1. History and origin of the Library

2. Architecture and building of David Sassoon Library & Reading Room.

3. David Sassoon the Great Entrepreneur.

4. Rare Books in David Sassoon Library and Reading Room.

5. Introduction to important books of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room.

6. How I studied in David Sassoon Library and personal experience.

7. Members profiles of David Sassoon Library and Reading Room Eminent members of past.

8. The milestone of the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room- “Journey”.

9. Original Indian Libraries and their significance.

10. Archives and preservation.

11. My personal Library Experience.

12. Books and Reading.

13. Love of Books, the pleasures of Reading.

14. New books and their reviews.

15. One book that inspired me/ change my life.

16. Authors introduction / Classic Authors.

17. How to study, study procedure etc.



HEIGHLITS ON NEW BOOKSMarathi:

Ranbakhar - Thatte, Milind

Sahitya Yatra - Atre, Pralhad Keshav

Dhind - Patil , Shankar

Vand Vande Matram - Shevde, Sachhidanand

Katarvel - Karlekar, Shreekant

English:

One Life Is Not Enough - Singh, K. Natwar

Strictly Personal - Singh, Daman

Talking Of Justice - Seth, Leila

Gas Wars - Thakurta, Paranjoy Guha

Black Tornado - Unnithan, Sandeep

Hindi:

Mahamoh - Rai, Pratibha

Mira aur Mahatma - Kakkad, Sudhir

Aakhiri Kalam - Sinh, Dudhnaath

Upsanhar - Sinh, Kashinath

Katghre Me Loktantraa - Roy, Arundhati

Gujarati:

Vigyaan Vihar - Patel, Narendra

Yogpath - Dave, Makrand

Kalavihar - Joshi, Kannayalal

Vichar Vimrash - Shah, Hemraj

Sinhpurush - Thakar, Sharad

HUMOUR CORNER

* One day during a speaking tour, Albert Einstein's driver, who often sat at the back of the hall during his lectures, remarked that he could probably give the lecture himself, having heard it so many times. Sure enough, at the next stop on the tour, Einstein and the driver switched places, with Einstein sitting at the back in his driver's uniform. Having delivered a flawless lecture, the driver was asked a difficult question by a member of the audience. "Well, the answer to that question is quite simple," he casually replied. "I bet my driver, sitting up at the back there, could answer it!"

*Einstein was once travelling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't

find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.

The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.' Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket, the conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.' Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'


news letter david sassoon - david sasoon library€¦ · · 2015-08-18contributions from the...

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