Dignity of Adivasi at stake, castigates London based Gandhi Foundation to select non-Adivasi to accept award

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Ranchi-
With the announcement of London based Gandhi Foundation organizationto give “International Peace Award 2011” to Adivasis of India and handing over the award to renowned doctor and civil rights activist Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam on behalf of the Adivasis of India has invited protest from tribal social activists and intellectuals here in Jharkhand.

The award ceremony would be held on November 9, 2011 at Amnesty International (UK) the Human Rights Action Centre, London.

The prolific writer, panel member of the Planning Commission and the opinion builder among the tribal masses, Gladson Dung-Dung wrote, “It is extremely painful to know that the foundation has decided to give the award to renowned civil rights Activist Dr. Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam on behalf of the Adivasis of India. We have high respect for both the recipients. However, we would not like them to receive the award on behalf of the Adivasis of India.”

According to him, it was an irony that the award would be given to the Adivasis of India but the recipients are not the Adivasis, which directly means there are no capable Adivasis in the country to receive the award. “We feel that this is a clear case of insult, humiliation and attack on culture, identity, autonomy, ethos and dignity of Adivasis of India by an international organization,” the panel member of the Planning Commission observed.

Tribals under the banner of “Jharkhand Human Rights Movement” and “Jharkhand Indigenous People’s Forum” jointly wrote on Saturday to the President of the Gandhi Foundation, Richard Attenborough, urging him to protect the culture, identity and autonomy as well as uphold the dignity of the Adivasis (Indigenous People) of India.

Reiterating their high regards for Dr Binayak and Bulu Imam, the tribal organizations firmly held that it was a crucial case of how the Adivasis were being neglected during contemporary days though there were number of renowned leaders, who could have been identified to receive the award. Citing examples of social leaders and activists fighting for the cause of Adivasis on different fronts like Munni Hansada, Dayamani Barla, C.K. Janu, Padamshree Tulsi Munda and Soma Guria, the Jharkhand Indigenous Forum pointed out that their invaluable contribution towards the promotion and protection of the Adivasis’ tradition, culture, dignity, autonomy and livelihoods could not be ignored.

It would have been better if the esteemed organization had identified any of these tribal leaders or activists to receive the award. “We humbly request you (Gandhi Foundation) that if you were willing to give the Peace Award to the Adivasis of India then you must give the award to the Adivasi recipients and not the non-Adivasis,” said Sunil Minj and Barkha Lakra of the Jharkhand Human Rights Movement.

In a letter to Binayak Sen and Bulu Imam, the “Jharkhand Human Rights Movement” and “Jharkhand Indigenous People’s Forum” jointly urged them not to accept Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award.

“We repeat that we have high regards for both of you. However, we would not like you to receive the award on behalf of the Adivasis of India. We believe that you would do it for the protection of the dignity of Adivasis. If the Gandhi Foundation was willing to award you (Binayak and Bulu) for your precious contributions to the society, in that case you should ask the Gandhi Foundation to change the title of the award,” leaders of both the social organizations said.

Meanwhile the tribal orgganisations are getting support from various parts of the country for raising the issue. Writer and Researcher from Chennai, Nityanand Jayaraman wrote, "It is important for communities to speak for themselves, and for others to acknowledge that this is important."

Media Consultant/Journalist

Land Acquisition is government's duty?

Sanjeev Shekhar
Ranchi-
With the draft on National Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2011 (NLAR&R) open for discussion and inviting opinions on the rural department website, the Jharkhand government apparently too has realized that the land acquisition cannot be left in the hands of the companies operating here.
The recent announcement of the Chief Minister Arjun Munda that the companies would not be allowed to purchase land from farmers is an indication that the government here too is concerned of the disenchantment and people’s movement at various places of the state.
The Jharkhand Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy 2008 talks about acquisition in the backdrop of Land Acquisition Act 1894. The new draft bill available for discussion talks about compensation and rehabilitation of landowners or raiyyats. Private investors willing to pump money in Jharkhand will no longer will be able to acquire land for industrial purpose.
Arjun Munda discards decision during President’s rule-
“The decision taken by the government during President's Rule is against the law of the land. No one can purchase land for industrial investment as most parts of the state falls under Schedule V area. At the same time, direct purchase by investors will make them owner of the land and the government will not be able to protect the farmers if the company fails to protect their interest later," the Chief Minister Arjun Munda said.
The industries in Jharkhand were asked to purchase 70 percent of land on their own while the government would provide the rest 30 percent. On the basis of this the several companies began their ground work and even managed to acquire land in few acres amidst protest by the villagers and ‘raiyyats’. During President's Rule, the state government had asked private investors to purchase land from farmers for setting up industries.
Government accountable for any acquisition-
Noted Human Right Activist, writer and a member of Assessment and Monitoring Authority under the Planning Commission of India, Gladson Dungdung, pointed out that the new Bill once becomes law will lessen incidents of violence and protests, as the government could be made accountable for any acquisition.
“If the government acquire land it’s accountability will be ensured and the ‘raiyyats’ too would be sure of the benefits. Earlier, the companies were told to acquire land on its own which was not right as it encouraged flimsy deal and growing network of brokers (dalaals) who were more interested to serve their vested interest than anyone’s else,” Dungdung claimed.
According to Gladson the act prepared during the British time in 1894 did not talk about rehabilitation. Any land could be acquired on the pretext of government need and requirement. Over the time, things have changed. People movement against such forceful acquisition started gaining ground and Jharkhand was no exception to this rule.
“In Delhi land may be seen as property for earning money but in this state the people are emotionally attached to their land. Farmers here see land as generation sustainability. Hence, the government here should keep in mind while acquiring land that it should guarantee sustainable rehabilitation for generations,” he said.
The thought of Gladson Dungdung finds its reflection in the mindset of some major companies working style. The Steel major like Tata Steel has been here for more than 100 years and it always opposed the idea of acquiring the land by any company directly. The Tata Steel officials in the last meeting with the Industry department a couple of months back had said that it believed the government should acquire land for industries, an official in the industry department said.
“Undoubtedly the project cost will rise in the wake of proposed draft bill but then it’s good that government would be directly acquiring land for a defined purpose and the willing villagers may or may not give the land. This has saved the companies with credibility to go into such mess of acquisition,” an official of the private company said.
New bills must fuse with CNT-
The social tribal leader and a front ranking leader of Jharkhand Janadikaar Morcha, Ratan Tirkey, welcomed the step of the government and supported development in the state. He said that the big corporate houses should be encouraged but the acquisition of land needs to be done through state. Tirkey believed that the new bill needs to seen as to how it fuse with the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT)-1949 and 1971 in the larger interest of the people here.
“The government is delaying the process of rehabilitation and resettlement. We have already given our suggestions pertaining to land acquisition and safeguard of farmers’ interest. The government has not moved a bit on this issue,” Tirkey said.
Several major proposed steel units like Arcelor-Mittal, South Korea's POSCO, Tata Steel, Monnet Ispat and Energy have been delayed by more than five years, due to the failure by the companies to secure land as well as mining rights.Delay in these projects is creating loss to the country. Despite the incredible efforts to raise the annual steel production of the country to increase the global market share by 2012, several proposed projects by steel giant Arcelor Mittal and POSCO failed to kick-start. The steel majors face multiple problems like delays in land acquisition and protests.The companies, which had proposed projects in the state include Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Bhushan Steel, Ispat Industries, Essar Steel, Abhijeet Group, Rungta Mines, Hindalco Industries, Welspun Energy, UltraTech Cement - Aditya Birla Group including many more. Tatas are moving ahead with their expansion programme but the new project at Seraikella-Kharsawan is yet to make any headway.Official sources informed that Jharkhand signed 71 MOU's (actually the government had signed 74 MOUs till date, but three MOU's got cancelled as the signatories were not interested) with an investment of Rs 3,95,000 crore, with the private players to set up industrial projects in the state. "Of these 52 MOU's signed during the tenure of Chief Minister Arjun Munda and when CM Madhu Koda was Mines Minister while 14 MOU's (3 got extension) signed during the tenure of Madhu Koda as Chief Minister, and 8 MOU's signed during the tenure of Shibu Soren when he was CM of the state", added the sources.Sadly only 13 among those have seen the light of the day amounting to just fewer than 900 crore of investment as against the estimated investment of tens of thousands of crores, while another 10 would tentatively launch during the next financial year.Such projects would definitely have put the State on the world map but unfortunately, it got entrapped in never ending controversies regarding allotment of mines and acquisition of land.

Proposed land acquisition in the state:-
· Knowledge City-Khunti-2500 acre
· Jindal Steel and Power Plant-1230 acre
· Arcelor-Mittal-Petarwar-5000 acre
· Solar Power Plant-Deoghar-1400 acre
· Bhushan Steel-Potka-1000 acre
· Ispat Industry-West Singhbhum-800 acre
· Monnet Ispat-Hazaribag-1000 acre
· Ballabh Steel-Bokaro-1000 acre
· Tata Steel Greenfield-Seraikella-Kharsawan-2400-acre
· SAIL expansion project-4000-acre
· Reliance Power Plant-Koderma-2200 acre
· NTPC-Tandwa project-1000 acre

Law of the State:-
In Jharkhand the law for land acquisition is different in various areas which included Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, Santhal Pargana Act and Panchayat Extension Scheduled Area Act (PESA)
Ends---

Jharkhand launch 'Bachpan Bachao Andolan'

Sanjeev Shekhar
With Jharkhand being the second state in number of malnourished children, the State government took a pledge to overcome the problem with the support of different section of society and launch the campaign “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” (Save Childhood Campaign).
Announcing this here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister Arjun Munda, pointed out that the government would set-up a Nutrition Council at the district level across the state and would try its level best to ensure the participation of all. “It’s high time everybody should come forward for the cause of children, as they are the present and future of the society.
The Chief Minister was speaking on “Media symposium on child rights and the role of media: laws and policies on children”. Around 28 select journalists from the various parts of the state had been to Kolkata Law College to attend the convention and training programme from August 28-30. This programme was organized under the aegis of the State Information and Public Relations Department with the support of UNICEF.
Admitting government failure to achieve the target of reaching out to children in the remote parts of the state, the Chief Minister Arjun Munda said malnourishment is unfortunate and regrettable for any state. However, there is always a chance of improvement and this could be achieved only with the help and cooperation of different strata of society. “We should launch the “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” as like the ‘war against malnutrition’ so that the future of any state could be given proper shape,” the chief minister stated.
He gave away the certificates to all the participating journalists and urged them to come to fore to help in launching of the save childhood campaign.
The Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and the IPRD, Govt of Jharkhand, D.K.Tiwari, welcomed the guests and assured media persons to carry out such interactive session and awareness programme in the interest of the fraternity. The IG Anuragh Gupta spoke on the policing problems that they combat with children. He said that the state lacks special homes and children home in the state and once the children come to thanas they are confounded as to where such kids should be sent or kept. He appealed to the chief minister to generate some special fund for such cases wherein children are recovered from trafficking to provide them medical help.
The UNICEF spokesperson Deeapak Dey made a presentation on the tour brief of the journalists and said that the state was suffering from malnourishment but at the same time it has got good sex ratio compared to the national figure, which is a positive sign for the state. Jharkhand has 943 girls against every 1000 boys, he said.
The IANS special correspondent Nityanand Shukla suggested to the government to tackle the problems related to children in an integrated manner with the help of the various departments.
The UNICEF Chief Job Zacariah strongly felt that there was a need of promoting education, filling of vacancies of nurses, doctors, teachers and to monitor the development pertaining to the child development with all the deputy commissioners twice a year.
The Resident Editor, Dainik Bhaskar, Raghvendra and Resident Editor, Dainik Jagran, Shashi Bhushan spoke as guest, while the state head of the Aryan TV, Bhujang Bhushan provided the feedback of the participants on the occasion.
The deputy director Snehlata Ekka proposed the vote of thanks.
Ends-

Will Jharkhand Govt execute Samata Judgement?

By Sanjeev Shekhar

With the recent announcement by the Chief Minister, Arjun Munda, to implement the Samata Judgement in Jharkhand for the protection of tribal rights, the social-tribal activists have outright ruled out the government’s intention to translate it in reality.

They have rejected unanimously that the Samata Judgement prohibits the growth of industrialisation. In fact, such advocacy is done by the government in connivance with the corporate houses to exert pressure on social groups and those opposing leasing the mines in private hands.

Prominent writers and noted social-tribal activists of the state struggling for the cause of Adivasis and Moolvasis strongly believed that the Chief Minister has apparently given the statement keeping in mind the Jamshedpur by-poll scheduled to take place on July 1, as the said parliamentary seat constitutes the major chunk of Santhali population, other than Bengalis and Mahatos.

“The statement of the chief minister is simply eyewash given for political gain,” agreed a major chunk of noted social activists of the state.

The firebrand social activists and tribal leader Dayamani Barla, who owns to her credit of postponing the site of steel plant by Arcelor-Mittal at Khunti & Kamdara block was vociferous in pointing out that the government was befooling the tribal mass here.

“On one hand the Chief Minister Arjun Munda set the precedent of signing the maximum number of MoUs with the private industrial houses while on the other he is talking of executing the Samata Judgment. This is ridiculous as his intention is under scanner so far the rights of the tribes are concerned,” stated Dayamani Barla.

In 1997, the Apex Court upheld the tribal rights and community mining. Samata, social action group working in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, fought for the rights of tribal communities and for the protection of the environment in the Eastern Ghats region. The Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides protection to the Adivasi (tribal) people living in the Scheduled Areas of nine states including Jharkhand from alienation of their lands and natural resources to non tribals.

Social activists held that this constitutional safeguard is now under imminent threat of being amended to effect transfer of tribal lands to non-tribals and to corporates. The move has serious implications to the 80-million tribal population of the country, their very survival and culture.

According to Dayamani Barla the government was trying to give mines and renew leases to the corporate houses thereby leading the heavy displacement on the pretext of development. Past record is an indication that the number of people displaced could not be rehabilitated due to the faulty policies of the government. Hence, the question is as to why the government is hell bent to oblige industrial houses.

“These industrial houses come to state with begging bowls so that government allows them accessibility to minerals and once it’s done they turn others into beggars particularly the local population of the area,” Barla castigated.

The government is shedding crocodile tears to save the interest of the tribals whereas political and administrative machinery remains a mute spectator to the transfer of the tribal land to non-tribal or industry here. The UCIL has been getting the land transferred in its favour with the help of local administrative machinery at gun point justifying that the move would help the state, said Dayamani.

The prolific writer and the opinion builder among the tribal masses, Gladson Dung-Dung, does not agree that the Samata Judgement of the Apex body would hamper the industrial growth in this state.

“I fail to understand that why the government want to provide land and displace people,” Gladson said. According to him, mining as like agriculture produce should be seen as the end product from that land. The Samata Judgement clearly talks about community mining. Here the welfare state should provide machinery at the subsidised rate to the landowners where the mining could be done. Tribals should be allowedto do the mining of minerals. The produce then may eventually be given to the state at a price which in turn can sell it to corporate houses interested to commission plant here,” Dung-Dung said.

He tried to rationalise that farmers produce like mangoes and guavas are sold in the market and not the land. Similarly the minerals could be sold and not the land.

Gladson argued that rural economy should be strengthened to make the state super power. Agriculture is the backbone of economy followed by horticulture, animal husbandry and eventually community mining. He said that land could be used in different stages to make is more sustainable not only for the people but also for the state. “We want development but in the right perspective. We are against exploitation and malpractices,” he asserted.

Reflecting the similar tone, the noted writer-journalist-social activist Vasavi Kiro categorically said that they are not against development. There are around 139 blocks that falls under 5th Schedule in this state. “It’s necessary that community mining and cooperatives should be allowed to do mining so that the larger interest of the people of Jharkhand are served,” said Kiro.

She strongly held that the private industrial houses create peer pressure and advocate that the Samata Judgement will hamper industrialisation, which is far from truth. “The Indian Constitution talks about civil rights but the industrial houses want to talk less about it. Can you believe that the Apex Court of the country can give judgment that would hamper growth of any state or country? This is impossible,” she asserted.

Kiro held that the industrial houses want all the rights and powers in their own hands so that they can twist and turn the locals the way they want it. It cannot be considered fair and the intention of the private corporate houses is always doubtful.

Given the circumstances, the government promise to execute Samata Judgment seems to be far-fetched. Lack of will power and alleged connivance of government machinery and industrial houses left the fate of Samata Judgment hanging balance.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/PR/Media Consultant

Global Warming- a concept well known to the Tribal people

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Contemporary humanity is pondering over the fast changing environmental conditions vis-à-vis global warming that has impacted life, the astonishing fact that deserves mentioning is, were the tribes of Jharkhand fully aware about such changes and had even felt the same in the days of yore? The answer is-Yes.
It is interesting to note that the ancient tribes of Jharkhand bears evidence of such narration and tales in their folklores, wherein there was fire-rain to destroy evil forces. Times of glaciations on the earth have followed by warm intervals and the duration of years of both cold and warm intervals has varied by several orders of magnitude.
Commonly known as “agni-warsha” (fire-rain), the experts working on this topic strongly felt that the planet Earth has passed through several warming phases as proved by different geological evidence, defying the thought and believe that the global warming is a recent phenomenon.
Geologist and expert in environmental studies Nitish Priyadarshi in his research has found that tribes of Jharkhand State have depicted in their folk tales that warming was a major factor of disaster in ancient times, which killed many people. It is not million years old, but it might have happened eight-ten thousand years from today. The tribes do not have any scientific way of presentation.
“They expressed global warming in the form of ‘fire-rain,’ which God showered from Heaven to destroy evil people,” he mentioned in his research. According to him tribes like Munda, Asurs, Marndis, Santhals & Ho have mentioned in their folk stories about ‘agni-warsha,’ to get rid of evil forces. The rising temperature of Earth has left the intellectuals confounded owing to which predictions and premonitions dominate human minds, whereas the trend is only the repeat of history that has already occurred in primordial days, Priyadarshi’s research read.
Singh-Bonga (the Sun God) had created the tribe called Munda (ancient tribe of India) owing to which they considered the Sun God as their deity. As per the folk tale among the Munda tribe, “It was long before the dawn of human history, the Earth was yet in its infancy. Sing-Bonga “the dreaded Lord of time” was seated on his throne of gold, engaged in happy converse with his heavenly consort. They were disturbed by the intolerable heat in the atmosphere.
Mundas complaint to Sing-Bonga that the heat was emanating from iron-smelting furnaces of the Asur tribe, one of the primitive tribes of Jharkhand. This heat was drying up streams, tanks and pools, and burnt vegetation. “We are dying of hunger and thirst. Nor do the birds of the air, nor the worms that crawl on the earth find any food to eat or water to drink,” Mundas told Sing-Bonga.
According to historical and anthropological studies, in ancient days Asurs the mighty tribe used to make arms manually by melting rocks rich in iron. Sing-Bonga sent warning to men on Earth through his servant bird ‘Kaua Bhandari’ (crow, the steward) & ‘Lipi-Susari’ (Lipi the cook). But mankind did not obey him. Sing-Bonga was enraged & showered below a terrible ‘rain of fire’ (agni-warsha) to destroy mankind".
Here rain of fire could be interpreted as scorching heat at that time, which affected human civilization, the research paper claimed. Rest of the tribes in the world have mentioned flood like ‘flood of Manu’ or ‘flood of Noah as destroyer of mankind. Munda is the only tribe that accepted fire-rain as destruction of evil, the paper read.
According to Santhal tribe of Bengal and Jharkhand, " when Pilchu Haram and Pilchu Budhi, the first man and Woman, reached adolescence, fire rain fell for seven days".
In Ho tribe of Jharkhand the myth of destruction of human kind is said to be based on the story, which tells that first people became incestuous and un-needful of God. ‘Sirma Thakoor,’ or ‘Sing-Bonga,’ the creator destroyed them by fire.
In another story when social distinctions were assigned to the various tribes, the Marndis were not taken into consideration by the society of that time. Ambir Singh and Bir Singh, two members of that tribe hailing from mountain area were enraged with this slight, and they prayed for fire from Heaven to destroy other tribes. Fire fell and devastated the country, destroying half the population. The home of Ambir Singh and Bir Singh was made out of stone, so they escaped unhurt.
However, experts held that more research is required about the ancient tribes to understand cryptic tale of folk-lores. Throughout the history of different ancient tribes of India, there are numerous similar examples of the effect of warming or climate change on the mankind.
Dry dust is blowing,
The earth o’erflowing,
Grey mist doth cover
The sky all over,
No rains on earth we get…...(as per Mundari folklore)


Mundari original folklore below-

Sing-Bonga Raja Devi Kunwari,
Kaji Kedh geh, kirdh bakmund,
Kedh geh kir,
Aaben hele tabu lundh chere lokhon,
Aaben hele tabu, bovo chere kajru,
Aabubwa dishum reh, aabubwa gamawa reh,
Aaeem bête k-wa duku aadh balay tana,
Baroh bhai hasur koh, tero bhai devta ko,
Nindh singhi koh sipudh tan geh doh,
Aelundh tan geh do, eeur tan geh doh,
Ubal-bah pu-khuri, aanjedh tan geh doh,
Ta-rdri ba badel road tan geh doh…

Hindi translation of the above folklore:-

Hey bhagwan, Raja Devi Kumari,
Bhangwan ne kaha, bhagwan ne bataya,
Hey bhai Lokon Lung Pakshi,
Hey Kajru Woh Cho Pakshi,
Apne Desh mein, Apni Duniya mein,
Hamein bahut dukh ho raha hain,
Hamein bahut kastha ho raha hain,
Ekashi Tarh mein, Terahsi Maidan mein,
Barah (12) Bhai Asur, Terah (13) Bhai Devta,
Raat-Din phoonkh rahen hain,
Raat-Din Dhowkh rahen hain,
Hamein Aanch Lag Rahi Hain,
Hum Jhu-lush Rahein Hain,
Kamal phool ki pokri,
Kumud phool ki bawli,
Sukh Rahi Hain, Tup Rahi Hain…

Sanjeev Shekhar

Bollywood comedian Sanjay Mishra bags second award for Phas Gaye Re Obama

Sanjay Mishra

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Ranchi-
The famed Bollywood comedian Sanjay Mishra is bit concerned but at the same time happy. Unwilling to do the film initially Sanjay was apparently the last person to think that PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA would fulfill his dream during his long-drawn struggle as an actor. The film got him the second award for his remarkable acting. First, it was Star Screen Award and now it’s Globe Award for the best actor in a comic role for PGRO.

“You can say that it was just a chance that the film for which I was apprehensive due to low budget has given me so much. When I heard about the role from the Director Sudhash Kapoor, I fell in love with it,” said Sanjay over the telephone from Chandigarh where he is currently busy shooting for his forthcoming film “Joker”.

He is also keeping his fingers crossed to know the feedback about the film “Satrangi Parachute” that was released today. “I do not have much hope, but let’s see,” he said. Sanjay is confident of his role and has already started getting feedback about his commendable performance but a down to earth person, as always, prefer to say less and do more in terms of deeds.

His proven versatility is now asking for more from “Bhai Saab” in PGRO. “The character of Bhai Saab has got negativity and I’m surprised a little bit as to why am I considered for comic role in it. I think the inherent comic in the style of the character particularly when Neha Dhupia fire gun shots between my legs and the expression thereof has been appreciated by many,” Sanjay held.

His two successful films last year GOLMAAL 3 and PGRO has put him straight into the hearts of the millions, though he will be remembered for the role of Bhai Saab for years together. “I must thank the director of the film Subhash Kapoor for his understanding and unflinching faith in me to do such a role. He was able to extract an actor from me, thereby putting life in the character,” the talented actor said on winning his Globe award.

Satrangi Parachute is the film for all with actors like Jackie Shroff and Rajpal Yadav. It’s a story about children and is good to watch for six to sixty. Sanjay is planning to come to Jharkhand as he is highly impressed with the natural sights and picturesque beauty of this place. “I want to do a film there, once locations are finalized,” he said from Chandigarh.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Sanjay Mishra creates rage in Bollywood, wins the Star Screen Award for the Best Actor in Comic Role

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Ranchi-
“During early days of my life, I did not pay attention to my studies and always wanted to do something wherein people will listen to me. I used to read books authored by Pharneshwar Nath Renu, Mahadevi Verma, Premchand, Nagarjun etc and developed a mindset of doing something out of the box,” says Sanjay Mishra, the Bollywood actor-cum-comedian.
He was here to attend a private function and see locations for his forthcoming film in Jharkhand, as he desires to direct a film now. He has worked in as many as 40 films and given hits like Golmaal, Apna Sapna Money Money, Welcome, All the Best, Dhamaal, God Tussi Great Ho, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Tango Charlie, and many more. He recently won the best male comic role Star Screen award for ‘Phas Gaye Re Obama’, and dedicated the award to his grandmother, Kamala Mishra.
Simple and soft-spoken constitute the basic characteristic feature of Sanjay. He is alive to all situations. He has seen the worst in his life before reaching the top slot. The stardom has not touched him. He is very well grounded and reply to any query after giving a thought for few seconds.
Devotee of SAI BABA
“Life has taught me to face challenges. It’s only due to Sainath (SAI BABA) that I’m able to do whatever I want. He is my strength and savior,” says Sanjay, who struggled for nearly two decades in film world to create an indelible mark for himself.
A firm believer of SAI BABA, who visits Sirdi every month, to seek blessings of SAI despite his busy shooting schedules till October 2011, says that he was sitting before Baba’s Samadhi when the Star Screen award was announced for his role in ‘Phas Gaye Re Obama’. Tears rolled down his eyes in happiness, when he got to know about it and thanked BABA for the achievement.
His emotion reflects the deep-rooted believe he has in himself and unflinching confidence that talent, consistency and perseverance pays in due course of time.
He was reluctant to do “Phas gaye Re Obama” as it was low budget cinema. Today he is happy that he did it as the role in the film suited him. “This movie proved its mettle when film like Guzarish, No Problem and Khelenge Hum Ji Jaan Se’ was released at same time. I’m thankful to the jury and dedicate this award to my grandmother,” said Sanjay.
Ranchi (capital of Jharkhand) is close to his heart, as this was the place, where he had spent his childhood days. His grandfather J.N.Mishra was posted as the ADM here. Presently his uncle, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, is the head of the Personnel Department at CMPDI, Ranchi and has lot of other relatives. Sanjay is personally touched with the Greenery of this place. He loves natural spots. He even visited forest areas of Pithoria to see the sight for his shooting. “Once the locations are finalized, the formalities of shooting the film will start,” he informed.
A symbol of Good-Luck
Going back in the memory lane, he claims that the Directors are now using him in their film as “Good-Luck”. If they want a hit film, they want Sanjay Mishra. He fondly recalled that in Bunty and Babli, the legendary superstar Amitabh Bachchan had remarked about his good chemistry with Abhishek Bachchan. Another film, Bluffmaster, with Abhishek too was a hit. “As like Pyarelal was lucky for Prakash Mehra, my directors are now thinking about me the same way,” he revealed in a modest tone knowing fully well that it is his histrionics, which put him on citadel.

Comedy is in vogue
Trend demands that the commercial film blended properly with humor and entertainment will cook a ‘hit story’. Sanjay firmly believes in this. He candidly stated that these days the directors too want fast bucks and a comedy-masala that will attract crowd. It is apparently because of this reason that stars like Ajay Devgan is acting in comedy film.
Mishra is fond of music and cooking and is a good tabla-player. He likes to listen to Bismillah Khan, Ravi Shankar, Rajan-Sajan and Girija Shankar.
“When my grandmother Kamala Mishra used to sing for radio and Doordarshan, I was one of the ardent admirers of music. My father late Shambhunath Mishra was in Indian Information Service and used to take me to small ‘mandalis’ (gathering) of stars like Bismillah Khan in Benaras. Gradually, I developed a penchant for such ambience. I loved hearing them and desired to become big like them,” he disclosed his childhood dream.
Non-veg foodie
A staunch non-vegetarian loves cooking. He carries his pressure cooker and cooks food on his own at the kitchen inside his SUV. “Chicken, sea-fish, chura-dahi (flattened rice mixed with curd) is few of his favourite items. I always watch television for learning some good recipe,” he said. He travels a lot and loves driving on highways. He drives hundreds of kilometers a day.
Forthcoming films
“To remain human and live like human is the mission and motto of my life,” he asserted. He admires Raj Kapoor, Guru-Dutt, Satyajit Ray and Manirattnam.
Sanjay is anxiously awaiting the release of his forthcoming films like ‘Naughty after 40’ with Govinda, Satrangi parachute with Jackie Shroff, Hum-Tum-aur-Shabana with Tushar Kapoor and Minissha Lambha, Rasgulla having Sonal Singh as leading lady, Bamboo etc.
Sanjay has lot of hopes from Hum, Tum aur Shabana and says that the film will surely rock after its release expected next month.

Brief Profile-Sanjay Mishra

Born in 1963 in the well known and well to do family in Patna, the ace comedian-cum-actor, Sanjay Mishra did his schooling from Bihar-Jharkhand. His grandfather J.N.Mishra was in the state administrative services and retired as the ADM, Ranchi. His grandmother Kamala Mishra was a noted singer of her time and used to sing for radio and Doordarshan. As his father, Late Shambhunath Mishra, was in the service of Indian Information Service owing to which the family faced transfers from time to time. He studied in different schools of the state. As his grandmother and uncle were singers at home, the ambience of music found its place spontaneously.
In 1989, Sanjay did his diploma from National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi for three years before stepping into films and television. He did several advertisements and small films. He got the break in the cold drink advertisement-Mirinda- with Amitabh Bachchan.
In the span of two decade of film career, he has done 40 films out of which Jameen, Charas, Plan, Satya, Golmaal 1,2 & 3, Aloo-Chat, Dhamaal, One-two-three, Bombay to Goa, Guru, Atithi tum kab jayoge, God tussi great ho are some the hit films. Last year the film “Phas Gaye Re Obama” bagged him a Star Screen award for Best Comic Role (male). Kader Khan, Anupam Kher, Ritesh Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan and Omi Vaidh (3-Idiots) have bagged this award earlier.
Sanjay has worked in over two dozen popular TV serials which includes Office-Office, Ram Lakhawan, Public Sab Janti Hain, LOC.
However, he has played serious roles of Don, Gangster, Kidnapper but he has been able to create a mark for himself as a prominent comedian. His comic role is based on situation and has intended puns on the system irregularities. The comedy does not seem to be imposed on anybody.
He has deep regards for Indian culture and heritage. He loves travelling and visits several destinations to learn the nitty-gritty of acting. He has travelled more than a dozen countries. Besides India, he is known as a popular and prestigious actor in Europe. Despite being a star, he is a simple man, a rare quality in the contemporary stars.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Media Consultant/PR