I wake beneath the rusted bench, Where morning sun slips through leaves—soft, warm— And stretch my bones like old truths That still carry weight but ask no harm.
The street yawns open with honks and feet, I watch life unravel on concrete. Children run with bread in hand, One tosses a crumb—my breakfast, unplanned.
Vendors chant their daily hymns, A lady in red feeds pigeons near the temple rim. The chaiwala whistles an old film song— His cart smells of stories steeped too long.
I see a man cry near the lamp post, His suitcase shut like a locked-up ghost. He pets me gently, calls me “buddy,” His eyes spill secrets he won’t tell anybody.
I’ve seen police catch thieves, and goons running gangs, I’ve also seen protests rise like dust from marching bands. I once saw a bride walk out in rain, Laughing like sorrow had never known her name.
Monsoons flood my little square, But I dance in puddles with muddy flair. When winter bites, I curl like ink In the warm story of a shopkeeper’s wink.
They say I have no master, no home— Yet I’ve never felt entirely alone. I am painted in dust, stitched in city hum, A little wild hymn where no one comes.
Still, I stretch—tail high, heart free, This world may bruise, but it shelters me. And as the sky trades gold for gray, I keep stretching my sorrows away.
India is a land of linguistic diversity, with over 19,500 languages and dialects spoken across the country. Given this rich multilingual heritage, education systems in India must embrace and integrate multiple languages to ensure inclusive and effective learning. Multilingual education is not just a pedagogical choice but a necessity in a country where language plays a crucial role in identity, culture, and communication.
Understanding Multilingual Education
Multilingual education refers to the use of two or more languages in teaching and learning processes. In India, this is often implemented through a combination of the mother tongue, regional language, Hindi, and English. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has reinforced the importance of multilingualism, advocating for instruction in the mother tongue at least until Grade 5, and preferably until Grade 8.
Benefits of Multilingual Education in India
1. Strengthens Cognitive Development
Children who learn in multiple languages develop stronger cognitive abilities, including better problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability. Studies show that multilingual individuals tend to have enhanced memory retention and mental flexibility.
2. Improves Learning Outcomes
When students are taught in their mother tongue during early education, they grasp concepts more effectively. Research indicates that children learning in their native language perform better in subjects like mathematics and science compared to those who are taught in an unfamiliar language.
3. Preserves Cultural and Linguistic Heritage
Multilingual education helps preserve India’s linguistic diversity by ensuring that regional and tribal languages continue to thrive. It prevents language extinction and fosters a deeper appreciation for India’s rich cultural heritage.
4. Enhances Social Inclusion
Many students, especially from rural and tribal areas, struggle with mainstream education because they are taught in a language unfamiliar to them. Multilingual education promotes inclusivity by ensuring that children from diverse linguistic backgrounds have equal access to quality education.
5. Increases Employment Opportunities
In a globalized world, proficiency in multiple languages opens up better job opportunities. Knowledge of English, along with regional and foreign languages, makes individuals more competitive in national and international markets.
6. Strengthens National Unity
India’s linguistic diversity is often seen as a challenge, but multilingual education can turn it into an asset. Encouraging students to learn multiple Indian languages fosters mutual understanding, reduces language-based discrimination, and strengthens national unity.
Challenges in Implementing Multilingual Education
Despite its advantages, multilingual education in India faces several challenges:
Shortage of trained teachers proficient in multiple languages.
Lack of quality educational materials in regional and tribal languages.
Resistance to change, with many parents preferring English as the medium of instruction.
Administrative hurdles in standardizing multilingual curricula across states.
Way Forward
To fully harness the benefits of multilingual education, India needs:
More teacher training programs focusing on multilingual instruction.
Investment in developing textbooks and digital resources in various languages.
Public awareness campaigns to educate parents on the benefits of mother-tongue-based learning.
Policy implementation and monitoring to ensure effective execution of NEP 2020’s multilingual approach.
Conclusion
Multilingual education is vital for India’s future, as it enhances learning, promotes inclusivity, and preserves cultural heritage. By embracing linguistic diversity in education, India can build a more knowledgeable, united, and globally competitive society. With proper implementation and awareness, multilingual education can become a powerful tool for national development, ensuring that every child, regardless of their linguistic background, receives an equitable and enriching learning experience.
Once upon a time in the green jungle, there lived a little caterpillar named Clara. This little caterpillar is so curious; she likes discovering a lot of goods. She’d crawl over leaves, wiggle through the field, or indeed climb trees just to give herself another view.
One day, while wandering, Clara chanced upon a group of colorful butterflies that sounded to play about. They fluttered gaily in the air and sparkled under the sun with their bodies. She watched in complete astonishment and told herself that she wanted to be as enough and free as they were. There she stood for hours, imagining herself having wings and flying truly grandly over in the treetops.
That evening, Clara was back home describing the dreams to her ma.” Mum, will I one day become a butterfly?” she asked.
Her ma smiled vocally.” Clara, you are destined to do great things. Every creature in the timber has its special trip. Yours will come to light in good time. For now, keep discovering and enjoying the sheer pleasure of being yourself.”
And so, the little girl Clara was inspired by the words of her ma. She began to produce. From fallen leaves, outgrowths, and petals, she made colors on the timber bottom. Trees, by her, were painted with slush and berries. The timber became a living gallery. All the brutes came to see the view.
And Clara slowly started to change. The spirit that raised her appetite to explore and produce bloomed, so did the excitement to enjoy this lift. It was one morning, and she was truly sleepy, and over there on one of the coziest leaves, Clara long napped. When she rose, she was different — light, strong, and ever complete.
She had come a beautiful butterfly. Her wings held colours of the rainbow – all colours, tones, tinctures, tones and tinctures of all the art that she did in the timber. flopping her bodies, she soared into the sky. Feeling it blow beneath her bodies for the truly first time in her life, she rose grandly above the treetops, just the way she always conceited it to be.
Moral of the Story: Embrace your creativity and be your own true-self. Everyone grows at their own pace, and people shine when its their time to shine. All your dreams can just come true, you just need to be patient.
The primary function of political cartoons is to offer political commentary on current affairs and societal issues. Furthermore, cartoonists frequently view their creations as a weapon against the misuse of authority. They therefore want to discredit and expose the powerful. The outcome is frequently unexpected but not always humorous. In a country that is as culturally and politically diverse as India, cartoons can be a medium to educate the people as due to uneven distribution of resources, not everyone has the same access to information and education as each other.
Cartoonists sketch a unique and powerful story by combining wit, humor, and social commentary in their creations. From magazine pages to television, these masters of the pen use their artistic skills to entertain audiences and spark imaginations. Let’s take a look through the corridors of creativity and explore the works of some of India’s most famous cartoonists.
Father of Political Cartooning in India – Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989)
Indian cartoonist Kesava Shankar Pillai (31 July 1902 – 26 December 1989), popularly known as Shankar, was born. In India, he is regarded as the founder of political cartooning. In 1948, he started Shankar’s Weekly, the Punch of India.
{Cartoonists Abu Abraham (above) and Kutty (below)}
Cartoonists such Abu Abraham, Ranga, and Kutty were also produced by Shankar’s Weekly; however, the publication was shut down on June 25, 1975, due to an emergency. He then focused on helping kids laugh and have fun with life. In 1976, the Indian government bestowed upon him the second-highest civilian decoration, the Padma Vibhushan.
{The collection of costume dolls in the museum was inspired by a gift of a single doll that Shankar received from the Hungarian Ambassador in the early fifties. (International Doll Museum, Delhi)}
He is best known today for founding Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in 1965 and the Children’s Book Trust, which was founded in 1957.Shankar’s caricatures appeared in The Bombay Chronicle and The Free Press Journal. He was hired as a staff cartoonist by Pothan Joseph, the editor of the Hindustan Times, in 1932, and remained on staff until 1946.
Shankar was able to train in London for almost fourteen months. He studied advanced cartooning methods during that time by attending numerous art schools. He also travelled to Paris, Geneva, Vienna, Berlin, and Rome.
India was in the throes of an independence movement when he returned. Shankar’s aspirations for an independent publication were also supported by the onset of freedom. When Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru published Shankar’s Weekly, which Shankar edited himself, the concept was realised.Shankar was organised and adored children. The Shankar’s International Children’s Competition was founded by Shankar in 1949, and the Shankar’s On-the-Spot Painting Competition for Children was a part of it in 1952. In 1978, he started an annual competition for children’s book writers. This tournament, which started in English, is currently being held in Hindi as well.
‘A Symphony of Dreams’ was an exhibition held at the Lalit Kala Academy in Delhi in 2002 to mark the centennial of his birth. He drew a cartoon of Bhimrao Ambedkar in 1949, and when it was included in NCERT educational materials, it created “furor” in the Indian Parliament. As a result, concerned NCERT staff members resigned in May 2012. People who identified as “Republican Panthers” demonstrated against the cartoon. The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi created the Shankar Memorial National Cartoon Museum and Art Gallery in 2014 as a memorial to the well-known Indian cartoonist in his homeland.
A Not-So-Common Man – R.K. Laxman (1921-2015)
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Laxman was an Indian humorist, illustrator, and cartoonist who lived from 24 October 1921 to 26 January 2015. The Common Man, which he created, and You Said It, a daily comic strip that he launched in 1951 in The Times of India, are his most well-known works.
{In Photo: R.K. Laxman and R.K. Narayan}
In 1921, a Tamil Hindu Brahmin family welcomed R. K. Laxman into the world in Mysore. Laxman was the youngest of eight children—six sons and two daughters—and his father was a headmaster. The well-known novelist R.K. Narayan was his older brother. “Pied Piper of Delhi” was the moniker given to Laxman’s elder brother.
Early work by R.K. Laxman was published in magazines such as Swarajya and Blitz, as well as newspapers Rohan. also started drawing political cartoons for the Swatantra and local newspapers, and also illustrated stories written by his older brother R. K. Narayan for The Hindu while he was still a student at the Maharaja College of Mysore.
{ SAB TV aired an Indian comedy series called R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya(2011-2013). The famed cartoonist R. K. Laxman’s work served as the inspiration for it. The focus of the show was on the pleasures and sufferings of the average man.}
Additionally, Laxman created cartoons for Koravanji, a Kannada humour magazine started in 1942 by M. Shivaram, a physician with a clinic in Bangalore’s Majestic neighbourhood. When he first established this monthly journal, he focused on cartoons and stories that were lighthearted and satirical. In Kannada, Shivaram was a well-known humorist. He encouraged Laxman.
{The R. K. Laxman Museum is a single-artist museum located in the Balewadi area of Pune, Maharashtra. It was inaugurated in 2022.}
Laxman worked as a summer employee at the Madras Gemini Studios. His first permanent position was as a political cartoonist for The Free Press Journal in Mumbai, where he worked alongside Bal Thackeray. Laxman started working for The Times of India, Mumbai, in 1951, and he stayed there for more than fifty years. In his pocket comics, his “Common Man” persona is presented as a witness to the emergence of democracy.
Not Your Local Cartoonist – Mario Miranda (1926-2011)
Mario Miranda, also called Mario de Miranda, was an Indian painter and cartoonist who was headquartered in Loutolim, in the Indian state of Goa. He was born Mário João Carlos do Rosário de Brito Miranda on May 2, 1926, and passed away on December 11, 2011.
Miranda gained prominence via his writings published in The Illustrated Weekly of India, but he was also a regular contributor to The Times of India and other Mumbai newspapers, such as The Economic Times. In 2012, he received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, posthumously.
{15th August, 1988 “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” on Doordarshan- a song that showed India’s diversity and was created on the theme Unity in Diversity}
Miranda appeared in the 1988 “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” national integration video, which also starred a number of well-known Indian artists, writers, musicians, and athletes. He received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and a lifetime achievement award from the All India Cartoonists’ Association in Bangalore. On November 11, 2009, Don Miguel Nieto Sandoval, a tourism adviser, gave Mario the highest civilian accolade, the “Cross of the Order of Isabel the Catholic,” bestowed by King Juan Carlos of Spain at his family’s Loutulim residence. On December 29, 2009, he was appointed “Commander of the Order of Prince Henry,” a Portuguese National Order of chivalry, by President of the Republic Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
{Mario’s Mural on the streets of Goa, Maharashtra}
In March 2012, the Goa Legislative Assembly mentioned him in an obituary following his death in 2011. Miranda was honoured with the 2013 naming of a Mumbai Road intersection. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Google celebrated him with a doodle in May 2016. The doodle depicted a typical rainy-season neighbourhood scene in Mumbai.
{Aaron Renier – an American Comic Artist and Author (famous for his comic “The Unshrinkable Walker Beam”), and the guy who created Google Doodle for Mario Miranda}
— Aaron Renier (he/him/his) (@acornreindeer) May 2, 2016
{2016 Google Doodle by Aaron Renier}
As per Aaron Renier’s Google Doodle, which was made in honour of Miranda on his 90th birthday in 2016, Miranda’s most favoured cartooning style was “very flat with criss-crossing interactions”. Renier continued by explaining: That is what I liked most about his work. Trying to pick out who knows who, who’s watching who, who’s annoyed by who, who’s enamoured by who. (Source: Wikipedia)
No Prime Minister – Sudhir Tailang (1960-2016)
Tailang was born on February 26, 1960, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and died of cancer in 2016.Tailang’s childhood fascination with comics like Tintin, Phantom and Blondie is said to have inspired him to pursue cartooning.
In 1970, at the age of ten, he got his first cartoon published in a newspaper.Tailang began his career in 1982 with the Illustrated Weekly of India, Mumbai, after creating his first cartoon in 1970. He began working in Delhi for the Navbharat Times in 1983. He worked for the Hindustan Times for a number of years, taking brief breaks to also work for the Indian Express and The Times of India. The Asian Age was his most recent assignment.
He received the Padma Shri in Literature and Education in 2004. Several politicians were the targets of his caricatures as a cartoonist, including Manmohan Singh, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Behari Vajpayee, P V Narasimha Rao, Indira Gandhi, and Narendra Modi. His cartoons on Manmohan Singh during his first term as prime minister were included in the book “No, Prime Minister,” which he released in 2009.
Political Cartooning to Politics – Balasaheb Thackeray (23 January 1926 – 17 November 2012)
The famously known Bal Keshav Thackeray, also referred to as Balasaheb Thackeray, well as the creator of the Shiv Sena political organisation. However, he was a multi-talented man, and one of them was cartooning. He began his professional career with The Free Press Journal, but he soon left to start ‘Marmik’, a political weekly of his own. His drawings supported his protests against Mumbai’s growing non-Marathi population. Alert on his end, he rendered every detail with detailed drawings.
On June 19, 1966, Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena as a result of Marmik’s success. Aside from that, his writings mirrored and emphasised the growth in poverty, price increases, and even pressing problems like riots and the subsequent expansion of the nation’s armaments trade. The master of cartooning departed from this life in 2012.
Conclusion
As we draw the curtains on this exploration of India’s rich culture of Political cartooning in India, it becomes evident that their legacy extends far beyond the strokes of their pens. By reflecting the many dimensions of Indian society through their artistic expression, these artists have not only amused but also educated audiences and sparked thought-provoking conversations. As we honour their accomplishments, let’s not forget that a single cartoon’s ability to spark debate and motivate action is evidence of the lasting value of this distinctive form of visual expression. The ink may run in the dynamic field of Indian cartooning, but the influence of these forward-thinking artists will last for many years.
Note: Please note that the images used in this article are from across the web and this blog does not hold the copyright to these images.
Let us know if such articles are of your interests. This Blog is forever open to suggestions, views, and discussions.
It might be difficult to strike the ideal mix between style and functionality when you’re a busy mum. Nonetheless, adopting the bohemian style trend can provide a novel approach. Boho clothing seamlessly combines elegance and comfort with its laid-back yet trendy design, making it a great option for working mothers.
Here are five stylish boho looks to take into consideration if you’re ready to add some bohemian flair to your wardrobe:
Flowy Maxi Dresses
Wear flowy maxi dresses to embrace the carefree vibe of bohemian style. These floor-length beauties radiate bohemian flair and provide the utmost in comfort. To harness those boho vibes, go for earthy tones, floral prints, or ethnic patterns. Wear with sandals or ankle boots for a casually stylish outfit that works well for everything from school runs to brunch dates.
Accents of Tassels and Layered Fringe
Layered fringe and tassel accessories give your ensembles a whimsical twist. These whimsical accents, like a bold necklace, a kimono with fringe, or a purse with tassels, can quickly update your appearance. They’re ideal for bringing movement and texture to your ensemble, which will effortlessly create a fun and fashionable bohemian vibe.
Embroidered Tops and Blouses
Wear embroidered tops and blouses to embrace the bohemian fashion artistry. These tops infuse your wardrobe with a touch of workmanship, whether they are elaborate ethnic motifs or delicate floral embroidery. For a carefree daytime appearance, pair them with jeans or shorts; alternatively, dress them up with a long skirt and bold jewellery for a bohemian-chic nighttime combination.
Wide-Legged Palazzo Trousers
Breathable and comfortable, wide-legged palazzo trousers are the perfect alternative to constricting narrow jeans. These flowy trousers let you move freely and appear effortlessly stylish at the same time. They are both stylish and functional. To create a well-proportioned silhouette that’s ideal for running errands or meeting friends for coffee, pair them with a cropped blouse or a fitted tank top.
Items with a Vintage Feel
To round off your bohemian attire, incorporate items with a Vintage feel that infuse your ensemble with nostalgia. Imagine hefty jewellery with a nostalgic feel, floppy hats, woven straw bags, and large sunglasses. These accessories not only improve your ensemble but also give it a distinctively personal touch that makes it truly you.
Embracing bohemian design into your daily wardrobe as a working mother doesn’t have to be difficult. Flowing silhouettes, fun accents, and accessories with a vintage vibe will help you to effortlessly update your style without sacrificing functionality. So go ahead and embrace the stylish and carefree vibe of boho fashion by letting your inner bohemian goddess out!
Note: All the Images of this blog is taken from Pinterest.
Someone once asked me, “how would you describe the color of the sky if you were not allowed to use the words blue, cloudy, white, black and grey?’
I thought for a while and then I picked up a pen and a paper, and this is what I came up with.
You can find everything up there if you look for it. Grass not green and the flowers not purple, mountains not brown and rusty not a pebble. You see everything in the color of purity when it’s morning and you see everything magically colorful as the sun sets. When the night rises you fall in love with the shimmery dreams twinkling on the immensely wide canvas. The broken, the lost, the forgotten, the lovers, the poets, the over-thinkers and many others who believe in magic, look up at the vastness with hope and paint their dreams.
So, if you ask me what is the color of the sky? I would say it is colorless. And every tint, tone or shade you see there is purely of dreams, wishes, hopes, and imaginations.
Kulsoomified 
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