Riddled with its own unique worries, migration has been an integral phenomenon of human society.While in older days it entailed much pain and suffering , in modern times it has become a tool of development and evolution. While in the past it could be caused by some calamitous compulsions and forced exodus, today it is more in search of advancement in fortunes and of green pastures. Indians have immerged as the first 'global men' who have not only kept their Indian identity and way of life but have also enriched the tapestry of the country they have made their home. Lekhni is an attempt to bridge this gap... bring two together...providing a deep understanding of India and its culture...it's deep rooted psyche as well. How far it is succeeding , Lekhni would like to hear from both communities alike ! Please tell us if you would like to have some new issues and viewpoints included in near future!Immigrant or not, a magzine for all, Lekhni wishes its readers a very happy Mothers Day and colourful Indian festival of Holi; both falling in this beautiful spring month of the March. As far as the calendar goes,Lekhni is entering its second year with this issue. It has been an interesting year for the magjine. Lekhni attracting the love and support from both its readers and writers alike. This landmark issue is ready to be explored so sit down with a steaming cup and enjoy!
The wind was running in a spiral, whistling, hooting, ruffling everything on it’s way like a playful little child. Suddenly snow flakes came rushing down and joined in the boisterous game. How could little Tony hold himself back now --
“Dad, Dad! can I go outside and play in the snow? Please, Dad, promise, I will ever be so careful!”
“No! Wait, I am coming with you.” Paul replied in a firm and decisive tone.
How can he allow him to go out on his own? ‘ careful ?’ it is perhaps the most deceptive word, mankind has ever invented!, putting his raincoat on Paul thought.,
“And where are your boots and gloves?”
“Here, Dad.”Little Tony was all beaming with a broad smile -
“Come on , hurry Dad. You promised to make a snowman today”
“Yes I did and I will”
Little Tony didn’t believe that he really meant, what he said and he will really make a snowman today, yet he was happy that he could go out to play .
Paul was still lost in his own thoughts, Yes, his brother Tony was also careful ---in fact very careful; even on that fateful day; that is what his mum keeps on telling him-
“Look Dad, I can catch the snow in my hand-”
Tony looked very happy-running around and rubbing his frozen hands again and again.
‘Catch what?’, Paul’s memory were playing hide and seek with him now.-‘You can not catch and hold on to anything in this world! Mum couldn’t keep Tony, though she loved him more than her life!’
Little Tony picked some snow from the ground and started rubbing it on his face.His brother Tony used to do the same thing --- put it behind his neck--- inside his shirt----everywhere.
“No, don’t do that Tony. Don’t put it inside my shirt”, Paul whispered.
Little Tony stepped back -“But I wasn’t going to do that Dad---I was just showing it to you-”
Paul noticed how Tony looked exactly like him-same slant of head, same smile! Suddenly Paul’s eyes were sparkling---‘Here is his Mum’s Tony--his Tony, our Tony!’ Yes, he will take him back to his mum --and tell her –‘ Mum here is ourTony!’
The radio was still playing in the background---bad weather forecast--- more snow on its way. Suddenly the door bell rang - loud and shrill. But Paul was still lost in himself, totally deaf to these outside noises . Enough was going on between his heart and head. ‘Mum was never unfair. she loved them both equally all her life. It is just because Tony is not there, she misses him more and keeps on talking about him. He should understand that ---understand both her pain and her loss.
Once inside the house Paul’s eyes were searching Lisa. It is getting late for the party. He has to go to mum’s place--today is very special --
“Lisa---It is eleven in the morning.- the door bell is ringing, perhaps it is the milkman!”
Paul switched the radio off.
“Of course it is Friday today--milk-man’s pay time ---how can I forget that ?”
Popping her head out of the shower Lisa reminded him.
“Where is the money?” He asked.
“ I put it in the envelope yesterday.” Lisa back in the shower replied hurriedly.
“And are you still in the shower? Come on hurry up! We have to leave in a few minutes-- going to mum’s place to celebrate Tony’s birthday --- all the kids are invited for 12-30.”
Paul was very restless to meet Mum now-
“Coming darling---coming.. Just relax and hold your breath for a sec. .. It will take us only few minutes to reach there.”
Lisa tried to calm him down .
But Paul was in a real rush---
“Is Tony ready--?”
“Yes!”
Clutching his muddy shoes and cap, Tony smiled and replied cheerfully.
Paul looked at him-‘Same red checked gingham shirt and navy jeans - yes it was Tony alright-- all ready to go’.
‘He was nobody else but Tony. .Same angelic smile, same ginger hair ’
More he looked at him more he was sure of bringing back all the happiness for his Mother.
“Come on Tony, lets go to grandma’s ”
Paul’s mind was racing like the car--- remembering each and every detail of that ill-fated day, still searching for each missing piece of that jigsaw, going through each and every detail again and again .
He was only four and it was a Friday
The phone kept on ringing and Little Paul hungry and bored, was continuously crying for his mother’s attention---.
It was too long since his play-mate, his brother - Tony went away for those piano lessons and he didn’t want to be alone anymore.
Half way to Paul mum had to return and answer the phone --
“ Hello,”
“ Hello, Helen - Sheena here-Tony’s piano teacher. Anthony has finished for the day. You can come and fetch him.”
“OK Sheena, I will be there in 5 minutes”
“Hello Helen--- I just remembered Anthony wants to walk back with his friends today --- that is if you let him. With your permission and if you don’t mind. It is a lovely day today and two of the boys live on the same street as yours ---only a couple of houses away-- Its only a short walk ---hardly hundred yards and he is six now. The boys are quite responsible.-- one is twelve and other ten. I can see no harm in it---infact this walk will do him good -----he is six now--- isn’t he ?”
Sheena paused for the answer----
But Paul’s cries were getting louder and louder--- he was indeed hungry and very very uncomfortable.
“ Helen--Mrs Wood, are you still there----?”
Waiting for Helen’s response Sheena asked again.
“ Yes---OK Sheena I must go and attend to Paul now. He is very hungry.”
“ Does that mean ‘yes’ for Tony, Helen---”
“Yes!”
Mum replied hurriedly , after all it was such a small distance only to walk.
At last she could put the phone down . She picked Paul up and started to warm his food. After changing and washing him, she would have fed him--it was already passed twelve –thirty. Paul is always a very patient and understanding child.---she sighed.
“And a grown-up adult also-- still to this day Mum..”
Paul mused himself---
Finally when he was just about ready to get his food, the door bell rang very loud and shrill as if someone had gone frantic or something was very- very wrong ---as if some child was scared of something----something very nasty indeed-and his little fingers are panicking in a rush--- that reminded her of Tony.
“Tony my baby----”
The plate dropped from her hands as she ran hurriedly-restlessly--- towards the door----
But it wasn’t Tony ---Instead a very sick and worried twelve year old-----
“Mrs Wood--- something very bad has happened to Tony--- He is hurt---very badly hurt”
“How badly? what are you talking? where is he?”
Helen couldn’t believe what she was listening-
But the boy could hardly speak. He was in a shock
“What has happened to my Tony---?”She shook the boy vigorously
“ No,--”She cried again and again, disbelieving every word, that boy was telling her.
“Mrs Wood, He’s been run over by a car. Honest to God we were very careful---walking very safely---Only on the pavement --I was even holding his hand, yet a car came----right there onto the pavement --- and banged straight into him. He was thrown like a ball ----didn’t even cry----just spinned in the air then thrown --- blood all over him. There—look, he is still there--- you can see him, even from here.”
Pointing his finger he was showing Helen where Tony was lying unconscious in a pool of blood and tears--- breathing his last ---perhaps .
“ See, he is still lying there. --just round that corner. Mrs Wood. --come quickly----hurry--- He is bleeding. Please come now.”
Helen ran and ran ---those few meters ---just round that corner were so far away from her that day---
After reaching there, she just slumped and collapsed by the side of her wounded Tony. Her baby was lying in a pool of his own blood ---uncared--unattended---All this blood and dust, all over him---in his eyes--in his nose--- everywhere ----and worst of all, he was not responding to her calls -- her affection--- to nothing in fact.
Probably he was unconscious--but then why was he all blue and still---Helen couldn’t think anymore-----she didn’t want to think anymore--- she fainted switching herself off..
She does not know even to this day what happened afterwards--- who called the ambulance or did what ----she went into a total denial.
It’s only Paul who knows exactly what happened after that----He was the only member of the family left to look after everything ----and that also at the tender age of four .
Paul felt the chill in his spine -- perhaps the car window had been left open as he tried again to close it again----
Those years are perhaps best forgotten and put behind--- Yet still why he keeps on remembering, how he stayed in numerous homes and shelters---away from his sick and lonely mother---
Is it just a feeling of guilt or he still wants to mend those frayed times---Paul hurriedly wiped his falling tears---he didn’t want to look like a weakling in front of his six year old son. Anyway things are different now ---since then he has managed to look after his mum and everything else very well--- in her own house--in front of his own eyes.
As long as his circumstances will allow him, he won’t let anything hurt his mum now--no, never again. ----
Aunt Edna was very kind and gentle--- she used to often give them things, they couldn’t afford---always ready with the bread and butter stuff at least---In fact she sustained both of them ---helped them as much as she could
keeping the house running and keeping both Paul and mum in it,
It is twenty nine years now to that ill-fated day --life has moved on ---he has married Lisa--- even got a son, but mum--- she is still there --- trapped in that same Friday ---by the side of her dead son.---- lost in his memory forever ---circling in her own dark shadow all alone and confused.
Even if Paul wanted he couldn’t enter into her imaginary world---Three is definitely a crowd there, in her heart--It is only Mum and Tony always--- How can he call her that Tony is no more, He died long time back?-----
"Tony”
Paul’s face went blue in pain--
“yes dad---did you call me -----popping his face from the gap of the back seats little Tony asked”-- smiling and cheerful as always.
“No---yes ---Paul murmured to himself----”
“Why do you keep on calling my name again and again then”----Tony asked innocently----
“Because I love you so much----because I want to be with you all my life”
Now Paul ‘s tears were flowing unashamedly .
He remembered how his brother Tony is no more yet mum prepares all his meals everyday. For twenty three years she has read the same bed time story to him ---every single night of his life Paul has listened to it and pretented that Tony is listening to it. Tony’s room is still there to this day as he left it -----Even today his football kit gets ironed and washed--- school-bag ready----and then lies there sad and neglected--- waiting to be picked up .
Paul has watched it all painfully -- often he has choked on his own tears---weeping silently in his own room over this futile situation yet helped his mother in every way exactly how she wanted ---playing her fancy---word to word, letter to letter.--- letting her do whatever she wanted to do----relive that memory again and again----even enact in it.---
In short --- he has sometimes even looked after and baby-sat his own lost brother.
He and Mum celebrate Tony’s birthday on 11’th of March each year--every year. And today again they will celebrate it, but today’s celebration should be a special one. No more tears for his Mum. So absorbed she has been in Tony’s memory that she has lost herself also---She has forgotten that Paul is also her son--not dead but alive and well -- with all his needs---and always by her side.
He cannot remember if ever she has called him by his name or even noticed him that how sad or unhappy he has been, bearing it all alone--- bolting it all inside.
Even at that tender age, when all the children of his age used to play football he just used to iron his brother’s football-kit only because his Mum wanted it.
--Its not her fault. Her shock is too severe and her loss too great---She never noticed how quickly he grew up trying to fill the void in her life . He is her shadow .--- her right hand --- There for her--without an identity and always unnoticed .
It used to hurt him a lot then in his childhood. But he didn’t mind the pain now, as long as his mum is happy. He just wanted her to be happy--very happy and normal ---like all other kid’s Mum. After all she hasn’t been happy for the past god knows how many years---
He often wanted her to call him by his name like all other mums do---atleast once in a while--that’s all his lonely childhood begged for---thats what Paul begged of her even today-- like she keeps calling his dead brother again and again---coming precious-- coming my son ---
He has only adjusted himself now just about---though still not forgotten his only remaining wish . But all his happiness lies in her mother’s happyness ---He is going to give her back hisTony today ---same six year old Tony----His very own Tony. Paul looked at his son and smiled.
Wiping his tears, wiping them hard again, he looked at his son and smiled,--ignoring that stabbing pain which was ripping him apart---No he won’t call his brother dead now--because he is alive and well sitting next to him in his own car---going to visit his mum.
Paul tried to imagine how Mum will look when she smiles He wanted to see her smiling---atleast a twinkle in her eyes ---for such a long time they have been just sad.
Though Tony’s room gets cleaned everyday, today’s special. And so he has made a special effort for it---
It was all decorated with balloons and buntings—after all Mum is going to get her six year old son back today-----
In his excitement Paul didn’t notice when he reached Mums house----Aunt Edna waved and asked him to stop. She opened the door as always,
“Is everything ready”-----he asked
“Yes even the cake ----as you asked in the shape of a car-”
“Good”--Paul mumbled----and picked smiling Tony up -----
“Mum”---his heart was jumping in his mouth but his voice was all controlled-
“Look Mum---Who is here--It is our Tony”--
Mum was dazed at first then slowly she got up from the chair and then she ran with open arms towards his Tony. kissing and cuddling him she stood there holding him tight in a long embrace. .
Where were you Tony where were you? You naughty boy!-frightened me to the death -----I asked, never to go out on the road alone----didn’t I?---but you didn’t listen--- and where is Paul? Paul, your younger brother, Tony! Where is Paul! I asked you not to leave his hand . he is so small.--- doesn’t know even how to cross the road yet.”
“ Paul—Paul!--- where are you?---Come now!”
-she was calling his name again and again.
“Yes mum I am here---I’m here”--
Paul replied with the same intensity and urgency in a happy though choked voice-But she wasn’t listening---
She kept on talking to her Tony only ---
“I asked you not to leave your brother for a second while playing---Go and fetch him--- Tony, are you listening?---- Paul----Paul, my son, my precious come inside! I have warmed your milk. Your dinner is also ready.”
Paul couldn’t hold his tears back--she was calling him---his own Mum--- after twenty five years --- calling him only -
“Yes mum, I’m here! Standing right next to you,” Paul put his throbbing head in her lap---
“No not you-----she stepped back ----see, I’m calling my son Paul---- he is only four and it is getting dark .There is lot of traffic around---cars and other nasty things------You see, he is so small--- very small and soon it will be very dark and cold.”----
In her worry and agony Mum burst out crying
“No mum,----please don’t cry--- look at me ---your Paul is here. He is a grown up man now--- waiting for you---for this moment all his life”---
But she didn’t look at him --just ran towards the door---
“We know Mrs Wood--we understand”--Holding gently by her shoulders Lisa tried to console her-
Mum suddenly turned and shook the slumped Paul by his collar---looking straight into his eyes-
Paul’s tearful eyes were begging ---begging for all the lost affection---lost twenty-five years----there was a tiny spark lurking in a corner of those eyes ---Hopefully mum would recognise him today--
“Please, help me ----You , Sir, Mr ---whatever your name is--. please go and find my little boy---I will be ever so grateful to you”-
It is generally observed that the people fluster to go in the uninhabited houses and ruined buildings in desolated remote areas far from population because it is a generally believed that desolated uninhabited houses are the refuge of ghost-demons, evil-spirits or Satan. Not only deserted places but many a times the people leave to distant places in search of services, businesses or other activities and before leaving they put heavy locks on the doors and gates of their houses but the persons with satanic mentality nevertheless enter in the houses by force opening the locks and encroach the houses in their absence. Even in metropolises too, these types of incidents are reported repeatedly. The house owner when comes to know and gets involved in bustle, till then it becomes too late because a person with malafide intention who may be named Satan till then takes abode in that house. The police and law are hampered because by fraudulent means he proves himself to be the legal tenant. He deposits the rent in court. Thus, the law-suit takes its own course and by the time the decision is pronounced, either the house-owner would have left for his heavenly abode or may be readying for it.
The same state of affairs is with our physical body. As and when the resistance power or the immune system gets weaken the disease-germs seize our body. Our mind also possesses the same state of affairs. The devil possesses the empty mind and does not apart easily from it. Here, the question arises that how the mind gets emptied and which is that devil, who settles in the mind?
What is mind? How can it be defined? One, who reflects, thinks with due care is called mind. It is said, "Sankalpavikalpatmakam Manah," means the mind is the form of intentions and alternatives. Every second the unnumbered thoughts pass and fro the mind and get changed. The mind being very restless does not concentrate at a point, keeps on scurrying. The second contrary thought immediately follows the first one and thus the conflict between thoughts continues. Your mind is busy if you are engaged and so the fickleness of the mind gets minimized. If the restlessness during a work continues, the perfection of work can not be expected and so is to take in due account the advice to work with concentration. And, as and when the work is completed the mind starts getting restless, and the thoughts in between may come in existence from anywhere. These undesired, uncontrolled, unwarranted, unusefull, negative and malign thoughts are Satans like computer-virus which utterly destroy the programmes feeded into computer. It is to say that as the mischievous and malefactors encroach the uninhabited houses so the Satans in the form of negative thoughts also occupy the empty mind. If there is an abundance of negative thoughts from earlier, they then to fill up the empty ends (corners) of the minds pull in immediately the new Satans i.e. new negative thoughts.
These only are our negative thoughts which cause to emerge the harmful feelings like as: fear, despair, worries, tension, frustration and pressure and lately result into the different type of ailments. These negative feelings cause to the secretion of harmful chemicals or the hormones which weaken the natural resistance power of body. The intention of Satan is to forward into wrong directions. Our negative thinking represents the Satan, a form of evils and negative feelings. The Satan thus is to be forced at every point of life.
The next problem now is, how to get rid of the Satan, in the form of negative thinking? As to guard and save the house it is a more appropriate way not to leave it vacant or unoccupied in the same way to safeguard the mind is not to leave the mind empty. Keep the mind busy not only with healthy and positive thoughts but also with auspicious thoughts.
The one more way to protect or save the house is to rent out it to a gentleman. It will serve two purposes; first it will yield the permanent and regular income and second the house will be safe and protected. The same method may be applied in the case of mind also. Let the mind be occupied by noble and useful thoughts as a gentle tenant.
As we can be selective in the case of a tenant so can we be about the selection of thoughts also. Select only the noble and useful thoughts amongst from endless chain of thoughts and fulfill the mind only with the positive thoughts. The unhealthy thoughts can not enter in mind till the noble ones exist there.
Now let us talk about tenant. A honest tenant always pays the rent regularly and in time. But the positive supporting thoughts are more beneficial than that of a tenant. Mind is very powerful. The mind is blessed with the ability to translate the thoughts into reality. If you, for your health or the personality development, have thought about or have planned about or have set an image then definitely it will become true. The thought or the imagination will became a reality. Your feelings or determinations will take a physical formation. What a benefit or the rent can be bigger than it. There can be no better alternate than this for achieving a goal in ones life. Handover the outlines of your goals or targets to your mind and it will help you in attaining these.
Don’'t let the mind wander hither and thither. Somehow keep it busy and for this motivate the mind towards positive thinking. Move toward self-study. Follow the stimulating and inspiring literature. Take interest in literature, culture and arts. Enjoy theatre instead of cinema. Try hands on any art as writing, acting or a creative art. Remove regularly the mind anyhow, from negativity. Keep it distinctive and stop on positiveness or healthy thoughts, own these forever. We all can differentiate between good and bad. Concentrate your entire mind only on worth using your prudence and collected knowledge. Imagine for good only. Think about good and let it be firmed. This imagination will become a reality.
The one benefit, which is most important of all above, is of positive useful thoughts and positive attitude in the form of experiencing of more pleasure if the mind is full of positive attitude. The feeling of pleasure helps in keeping the body healthy because in pleasure-state the beneficial hormones are secreted from the endocrine glands which provide us the resistance power. Thus, the positive attitude helps not only keeping us happy but also strengthens the immune system of our body so as to prevent us from being sick and to get rid of the diseases if we suffer from any ailment.
It is not bad to have day dreams as Shekhchilli used to have. It is very essential to have day dreams but the dreams must be positive. The ending of our dreams should be at a positive point. What are dreams? The only expression of the thoughts existing in our subconscious while in sleep. It is only a symbolic expression. But the dreams taken intentionally or positive day dreaming will change the entire scenario.
So, come. Let's transform our negative thinking by filling the mind by positive thoughts and ever new dreams. Do not let these slip out of the mind. No two contradiction can happen at the same time.
Therefore to avoid negativity choose positiveness and handover it to the mind. It is only the preventive measure, by using which the entry of Satan into the mind can be checked.
'Freedom of expression for some is not enough. We must work for freedom of expression for all. Human rights for some is not enough. We must work for the human rights for all. Peace for some is not enough. We must work for peace for all. I, come what may, will not be silenced. Come what may, I will continue my fight for equality and justice without any compromise until my death. Come what may, I will never be silenced.' -Tasleema Nasreen
New Delhi, 20 February: Writers from all the languages of India in a resolution have urged the Government of India to grant citizenship rights and asylum to Taslima Nasreen, the Bangladeshi writer now being kept in an unknown place in Delhi under severe surveillance.She is barred from making any statements, or see anybody at all in person, except those who keep a constant watch on her.The writers had gathered at the lawns of Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters, to greet and meet the winners of highly respected annual Awards in more than 22 Indian languages including English. The gathering was marked by an acute sense of dismay at the way Taslima was gagged and kept in complete isolation. Nearly 100 writers of repute, national and international , signed the resolution there as they discussed with one another her situation in a free and democratic country, India, with a long tradition of lending asylum to those who were unsafe in their own lands.The resolution drafted by the wellknown Indian-English poet, Keki Daruwalla, was accompanied by his poem on Taslima, which he would read in a poetry session in Delhi.The signature campaign is likely to be continued all over the country and abroad. Recently many writers , including Mahashweta Devi and Arundhati Roy had tried to see Taslima but the Government refused to arrange for it.Another wellknown fiction writer, Krishna Sobti also felt hurt at her failure to meet Taslima. It is known that a number of other many more writers are similarly seeking the permission.Those who have endorsed the resolution, include Krishna Sobti, Kunwar Narain,Lakshmi Kannan,Prayag Shukla, Mangalesh Dabral, Raji Seth. Some of the signatories are winners of the Sahitya Akaemi Awards in the past, while Krishna Sobti is a Fellow of the Akademi, the highest honour the literati confers on a writer. Vishnu Khare, a former Deputy Secretary of the Akademi, Purushottam Agrawal, a member of the Union Public Service Commission , Ashok Vajpeyi the poet and a former high official of the government are some of the other names.Kedarnath Singh,Uday Prakash ,Vishnu Nagar,Pankaj singh, Nand Kishore Acharya,Himanshu Joshi, Narendra Mohan, Kamal Kishore Goenka, Krishna Dutt Paliwal and other Hindi writers have signed the resolution along with writers of the Rajasthani language--Chandra Prakash Deol, Bharat Ola,Kundan Mali and others.Veteran Urdu writers Devendra Issar and Balraj Komal have endorsed it along with Professors Harish Trivedi and Alok Bhalla and from Punjabi, Karan Jit Singh.The newly elected convenor of Hindi at the Akademi, Prof Vishwnath P Tiwari and the outgoin convenor Giri Raj Kishore have also endorsed it. Some writers believe that since the venue and occasion had links to The Akademi, the newly elected office holders of it would adopt a pro- active stance vis a vis Taslima Nasreen, since the domain of free expression is under constant assault from a varied band of fanatics and fundamentalists if all hues. ** *
हिन्दी का उत्सवी विमर्श
"हिन्दी में अन्य भारतीय भाषाओँ के शब्दों के बढ़ते प्रयोग और समन्वय से हिन्दी और अदिक समृद्ध होगी। हिन्दी के संबन्ध में जो भी अभियान चलाया जाना है वह गैर सरकारी संस्थाओं की पहल से ही संभव हो सकेगा। हिन्दी के बढ़ते आयामों और वैश्विक प्रभाव को देखते हुए यह कहना अतिशयोक्ति नहीं होगी कि हिन्दी अब सही मायने में विश्व भाषा बन गयी है।" भारत के गृह राज्यमंत्री श्री प्रकाश जयसवाल की इस उद्घोषणा के साथ अक्षरम का छठा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हिन्दी उत्सव प्रारंभ हुआ। वैश्विक हिन्दी विमर्श और सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों से सजा-धजा यह त्रिदिवसीय हिन्दी उत्सव 1 से 3 फरवरी 2008 को नयी दिल्ली के इंडिया इंटरनेशनल सेंटर और हिन्दी भवन में भव्यता और गरिमा के साथ चला। विश्व में अन्तरराष्ट्रीय गैर सरकारी स्तर पर प्रतिवर्ष होने वाला हिन्दी का यह सबसे बड़ा अन्तरराष्ट्रीय उत्सव देश-विदेश में चर्चा का विषय बना है। इस उत्सव को भारतीय सांस्कृतिक संबंध परिषद , साहित्य अकादमी और उत्तर प्रदेश संस्थान का विशेष सहयोग तो प्राप्त हुआ ही साथ ही अन्य व्यक्तिओं, संस्थानों और न्यासों ने भी हिन्दी के इस महायज्ञ में अक्षरम को यथासंभव सहयोग दिया।
उत्सव की उल्लेखनीय विशेषता यह रही कि इस बार एक ही समय में तीन-तीन समानान्तर अकादमिक सत्रों का आयोजन , और हिन्दी से जुड़े कई नए विषयों को समाहित किया गया। सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रमों के स्वरूप में भी महत्वपूर्ण परिवर्तन किए गए ताकि उत्सव में और भी निखार आ सके।
भारतीय सांस्कृतिक संबंध परिषद के महानिदेशक पवन वर्मा, साहित्य अकादमी के अध्यक्ष डॉ . गोपीचंद नारंग, उत्तर प्रदेश भाषा संस्थान के उपाध्यक्ष गोपाल चतुर्वेदी, संरक्षक डॉ. प्रभाकर क्षेत्रीय, डॉ.अशोक चक्रधर, डॉ. सीतेश आलोक , अंतर्राष्ट्रीय समीति के अध्यक्ष डॉ. कृष्णकुमार के मार्गदर्शन में आयोजित इस महोत्सव में भारतीय सांस्कृतिक संबंध परिषद की ओर से गगनांचल के संपादक अजय गुप्ता और साहित्य अकादमी की ओर से उपसचिव ब्रजेन्द्र त्रिपाठी ने सक्रिय भागीदारी करते हुए समुचित समन्वय किया। तीन दिन के इस उत्सव का मुख्य संयोजन अनिल जोशी ने किया। उत्सव के समन्वय का दायित्व अक्षरम के अध्यक्ष नरेश शांडिल्य ने संभाला और सभी अकादमिक सत्रों के संयोजन में हिन्दी के प्रखर विद्वान डॉ. विमलेश वर्मा ने प्रमुख भूमिका निभाई।
***
विश्व हिंदी साहित्य सेवा संस्थान', इलाहाबाद द्वारा 17 फरवरी को आयोजित साहित्य मेला 2008 सम्मान समारोह कार्यक्रम में कवि कुलवंत सिंह को राष्ट्रीय प्रतिभा सम्मान द्वारा सम्मानित किया गया । देश के कोने कोने से पधारे अनेक साहित्यकारों का सम्मान संस्था द्वारा किया गया। कार्यक्रम में ही संस्था द्वारा 'विश्व स्नेह समाज' नामक प्रकाशित पत्रिका का देश की प्रमुख कवियित्री डा. तारा सिंह को समर्पित विशेषांक का भी उद्घाटन किया गया । डा. तारा सिंह की गजल पुस्तक का लोकार्पण भी इसी समारोह में किया गया। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता बंगलौर से पधारी 'कर्नाटक महिला हिंदी सेवा समिति' की अध्यक्ष एवं 'हिंदी प्रचार वाणी' की प्रधान संपादक सुश्री बी एस. शांताबाई ने की । विशिष्ट अतिथि थे हाईकोर्ट के वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता एवं उ. प्र. बार काउंसिल के पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री नरेश चंद्र राजवंशी तथा कार्यक्रम में आमंत्रित मुख्य अतिथि थे - 'महर्षि पतंजलि विद्या मंदिर' के सचिव श्री रवींद्र कुमार गुप्ता । कार्यक्रम का संचालन संस्था अध्यक्ष श्रीमती विजय लक्ष्मी विभा एवं कौशांबी से पधारे श्री अमर शिल्पी ने किया। कार्यक्रम के संयोजक थे, संस्था के सचिव श्री गोकुलेश्वर कुमार त्रिवेदी । कार्यक्रम के उपरांत काव्य संध्या का आयोजन किया गया।विश्व हिंदी साहित्य सेवा संस्थान', इलाहाबाद द्वारा 17 फरवरी को आयोजित साहित्य मेला 2008 सम्मान समारोह कार्यक्रम में कवि कुलवंत सिंह को राष्ट्रीय प्रतिभा सम्मान द्वारा सम्मानित किया गया । देश के कोने कोने से पधारे अनेक साहित्यकारों का सम्मान संस्था द्वारा किया गया। कार्यक्रम में ही संस्था द्वारा 'विश्व स्नेह समाज' नामक प्रकाशित पत्रिका का देश की प्रमुख कवियित्री डा. तारा सिंह को समर्पित विशेषांक का भी उद्घाटन किया गया । डा. तारा सिंह की गजल पुस्तक का लोकार्पण भी इसी समारोह में किया गया। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता बंगलौर से पधारी 'कर्नाटक महिला हिंदी सेवा समिति' की अध्यक्ष एवं 'हिंदी प्रचार वाणी' की प्रधान संपादक सुश्री बी एस. शांताबाई ने की । विशिष्ट अतिथि थे हाईकोर्ट के वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता एवं उ. प्र. बार काउंसिल के पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री नरेश चंद्र राजवंशी तथा कार्यक्रम में आमंत्रित मुख्य अतिथि थे - 'महर्षि पतंजलि विद्या मंदिर' के सचिव श्री रवींद्र कुमार गुप्ता । कार्यक्रम का संचालन संस्था अध्यक्ष श्रीमती विजय लक्ष्मी विभा एवं कौशांबी से पधारे श्री अमर शिल्पी ने किया। कार्यक्रम के संयोजक थे, संस्था के सचिव श्री गोकुलेश्वर कुमार त्रिवेदी । कार्यक्रम के उपरांत काव्य संध्या का आयोजन किया गया।
Riddled with its own unique worries, migration has been an integral phenomenon of human society.While in older days it entailed much pain and suffering , in modern times it has become a tool of development and evolution. While in the past it could be caused by some calamitous compulsions and forced exodus, today it is more in search of advancement in fortunes and of green pastures. Indians have immerged as the first 'global men' who have not only kept their Indian identity and way of life but have also enriched the tapestry of the country they have made their home. Lekhni is an attempt to bridge this gap... bring two together...providing a deep understanding of India and its culture...it's deep rooted psyche as well. How far it is succeeding , Lekhni would like to hear from both communities alike ! Please tell us if you would like to have some new issues and viewpoints included in near future!Immigrant or not, a magzine for all, Lekhni wishes its readers a very happy Mothers Day and colourful Indian festival of Holi; both falling in this beautiful spring month of the March. As far as the calendar goes,Lekhni is entering its second year with this issue. It has been an interesting year for the magjine. Lekhni attracting the love and support from both its readers and writers alike. This landmark issue is ready to be explored so sit down with a steaming cup and enjoy! 
Happy Holi & Easter to all!
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Poetry Here And Now
The wind was running in a spiral, whistling, hooting, ruffling everything on it’s way like a playful little child. Suddenly snow flakes came rushing down and joined in the boisterous game. How could little Tony hold himself back now --
(A Mother's Day Special) 
An Empty Mind is a Devil’'s Workshop
IN FOCUS (विविधा)
'Freedom of expression for some is not enough.
हिन्दी का उत्सवी विमर्श
विश्व हिंदी साहित्य सेवा संस्थान', इलाहाबाद द्वारा 17 फरवरी को आयोजित साहित्य मेला 2008 सम्मान समारोह कार्यक्रम में कवि कुलवंत सिंह को राष्ट्रीय प्रतिभा सम्मान द्वारा सम्मानित किया गया । देश के कोने कोने से पधारे अनेक साहित्यकारों का सम्मान संस्था द्वारा किया गया। कार्यक्रम में ही संस्था द्वारा 'विश्व स्नेह समाज' नामक प्रकाशित पत्रिका का देश की प्रमुख कवियित्री डा. तारा सिंह को समर्पित विशेषांक का भी उद्घाटन किया गया । डा. तारा सिंह की गजल पुस्तक का लोकार्पण भी इसी समारोह में किया गया। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता बंगलौर से पधारी 'कर्नाटक महिला हिंदी सेवा समिति' की अध्यक्ष एवं 'हिंदी प्रचार वाणी' की प्रधान संपादक सुश्री बी एस. शांताबाई ने की । विशिष्ट अतिथि थे हाईकोर्ट के वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता एवं उ. प्र. बार काउंसिल के पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री नरेश चंद्र राजवंशी तथा कार्यक्रम में आमंत्रित मुख्य अतिथि थे - 'महर्षि पतंजलि विद्या मंदिर' के सचिव श्री रवींद्र कुमार गुप्ता । कार्यक्रम का संचालन संस्था अध्यक्ष श्रीमती विजय लक्ष्मी विभा एवं कौशांबी से पधारे श्री अमर शिल्पी ने किया। कार्यक्रम के संयोजक थे, संस्था के सचिव श्री गोकुलेश्वर कुमार त्रिवेदी । कार्यक्रम के उपरांत काव्य संध्या का आयोजन किया गया।विश्व हिंदी साहित्य सेवा संस्थान', इलाहाबाद द्वारा 17 फरवरी को आयोजित साहित्य मेला 2008 सम्मान समारोह कार्यक्रम में कवि कुलवंत सिंह को राष्ट्रीय प्रतिभा सम्मान द्वारा सम्मानित किया गया । देश के कोने कोने से पधारे अनेक साहित्यकारों का सम्मान संस्था द्वारा किया गया। कार्यक्रम में ही संस्था द्वारा 'विश्व स्नेह समाज' नामक प्रकाशित पत्रिका का देश की प्रमुख कवियित्री डा. तारा सिंह को समर्पित विशेषांक का भी उद्घाटन किया गया । डा. तारा सिंह की गजल पुस्तक का लोकार्पण भी इसी समारोह में किया गया। कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता बंगलौर से पधारी 'कर्नाटक महिला हिंदी सेवा समिति' की अध्यक्ष एवं 'हिंदी प्रचार वाणी' की प्रधान संपादक सुश्री बी एस. शांताबाई ने की । विशिष्ट अतिथि थे हाईकोर्ट के वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता एवं उ. प्र. बार काउंसिल के पूर्व अध्यक्ष श्री नरेश चंद्र राजवंशी तथा कार्यक्रम में आमंत्रित मुख्य अतिथि थे - 'महर्षि पतंजलि विद्या मंदिर' के सचिव श्री रवींद्र कुमार गुप्ता । कार्यक्रम का संचालन संस्था अध्यक्ष श्रीमती विजय लक्ष्मी विभा एवं कौशांबी से पधारे श्री अमर शिल्पी ने किया। कार्यक्रम के संयोजक थे, संस्था के सचिव श्री गोकुलेश्वर कुमार त्रिवेदी । कार्यक्रम के उपरांत काव्य संध्या का आयोजन किया गया।
