The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.

Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden.
The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop.

How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

This tree is low and is called graviola ! in Brazi l, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “soursop” in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest. This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types.

Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it’s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree..

The truth is stunningly simple: Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival. The future has never looked more promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections
* Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life

The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ‘s largest drug manufacturers, th! e fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970′s! What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing… Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectivelyhunts
down and kills only cancer cells.. It does not harm healthy cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched–so why haven’t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is

One of America ‘s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds–have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indi! ans in S outh America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis. Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties–and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.
But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients. If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back. Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated. There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt. Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed. Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola,! they be gan tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree. Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola–and its shocking cover-up–came in fast and furious….

….The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976. The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…

….Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials–the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a treatment’s value–were ever initiated….

….A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin…”

….The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

…A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers…. Seven years of silence broken–it’s finally here!

soursopgraviola

The present constitutional name of our state is Assam which occupies a significant place within the Union of India. As a matter of fact, the state or province of Assam, which is the valley of the Brahmaputra River, had other names too. Assam is known by different names in the Epic, Puranic and early historical literature.1 The oldest name, which we can find from these Sanskrit records, is Pragjyotisha, which covered the entire Brahmaputra Valley, from the place where the river enters to Assam plains flowing from Tibet southwards through the gorges of Himalayas. In both the Epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata the name of the kingdom of Pragjyotisha have been well mentioned. Slightly later than this, we get the name Kamrupa, which was specially the name of the western part of the state, centering round the modern town Gauhati and the ancient shrine of Kamakhya. It is known for the first time as Kamarupa in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudra Gupta (fourth century A.D. and in the early Puranas.2 From the records of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-Tsang we came to know that he visited the kingdom of Kamrupa in the second quarter of the seventh century. The name Assam, which has virtually made absolute the earlier two names, now used for Assam state or province in general and the Brahmaputra valley in particular.3 There are several explanations as to the origin of the name Assam. The most pertinent fact is that this name was not applicable to this region prior to the arrival of the Ahoms to this land. In Indian folk-lore, the name Assam has hardly any place.4 Suniti Kumar Chetterji has rightly said that, “It was not in use even in Assam in early times, and could not have been in use there or elsewhere before the beginning of the thirteenth century A.D., when the Ahoms, a Shan tribe from Burma, crossed the Patkai Range and penetrated into Assam, and established themselves as conquerors in Eastern Assam (1228).5

Names given by other Mongoloid people of China and Southeast Asia to the Tais: Many evidences verify that the name ‘Assam’ itself has close connection with the Tai and the other Mongoloid people mostly living in China and other places of Southeast Asia. “The word in this form (Shan) is derived from the Burmese. Assam and Siam are related terms. The Jingpho term for Shan is Sam”.6 The Thai or Siamese are referred to by the Karen and Burmese of Lower area of Burma as “Shan”.7 In fact, in old Burmese stone inscriptions and sometimes even now, the word “Shan” is spelled as “Syam” pronounced with the “n” sound, but as in all Burmese words ending with “m” it is, pronounced with the “n” sound. Wa, Karen, Palaung, and others, refer to the Tai as “Sam” or “Syam”. This is strange because the Shan never refer to themselves as anything but Tai. No one really knows the meaning of the word “Siam”, a name given by others to the Tai/Thai people, although theories abound.8Another important observation was made by Mojor H.R. Davies. According to him, “The name which the Shan race given to them is Tai or T’ai as it is pronounced in Siam. This name seems very universal, and is used by nearly all the branches of the race. Our word Shan is the Burmese name for them, and variations of this name are applied to them by many other tribes: for instance, the Kachins, A-ch’angs, Zis, and La-shis, call them Sam, the Ma-ru name for them is Sen, the Palaung name Tsem, the Wa name Shem, and the Talains call them Sem”.9 “The Shans are an extremely numerous and widely spread race. In the west they extend into Assam. In fact, in the 13th century A.D. they conquered that country”.10

The First Ahom king Chao-lung Siu-ka-pha came from Mong Mao which is now included within the Dehong-Dai Singhpho Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan in Peoples Republic of China. Historically, since the 13th century, the Mong Mao chief extended his power over other Tai kingdoms in the Yunnan-Burma periphery. The Ming Imperial Dynasty carried out large scale military conquest of Mong Mao and finally sub-divided Mong Mao into divisions under several chieftains. Mong Mao is located along the Mao River (call Shweli by the Burmese). The Tai people who lived in Mong Mao since early times call themselves Tai Mao.11 The ancestors of Dehong Dai were recorded as “Dian Yu” and “Sam” in ancient literature as early as West Han and East Han dynasties. In the tenth century they set up a kingdom “Mong Ko Tsampi”, and a regional government in Luchuan later. The army of this kingdom went on an expedition toward India, and set up Ahom kingdom in Assam. According to these historical records, it is known that Ahom and Dehong Dai are descendants from a common ancestor “Dian Yu” or “Sam”. This conclusion has been confirmed by many Chinese and foreign writers.12

From the above observations it can be proved that from the time immemorial, these Tai people were called as Sam/ Sem/ Sham/Shem/ Syam/ Shan/ Siam/ Tsen/ Xian/ Lacham/ Asam by many other bordering and neighbouring tribes such as Kachin (Singpho/ Jingpho), Karen, Kadu, A’chang, Daeng, Buleng, Nakhi, Minchia, Lolo, Laho, Lisu, Lashi, Lutzu, Mon, Maru, Miao, Palaung, Yai, Zi, Wa, Wangthu, Hani,, Akha, Naga, Burmese, Khmer etc. A strong relation had been grown up from the ancient time among the Tais and the other tribes who lived in the hills surrounding them. Thus one can very clearly understand that the history of the word Shan is very old. Even in China, Thailand and Cambodia, they were known as Syam/ Siam/ Sam or Xian. Many opine that this word has come from Chinese word ‘Shan’, meaning, mountain or mountain people. In Chinese language mountain names as such usually end with suffix ‘Shan’. Examples can be given of the mountain ranges of China like Tien-shan, Talou-shan, Kunlum-shan, Min-shan, Ala-shan, Chin-ling-shan, Shihp-pao-shan etc. The early habitat of the Tai people in Nan-Chao (Yunnan) is a mountain region. Rev Dr. William Clifton Dodd, an American missionary having worked for many years among the Tais of China, Laos and Siam, and backed by his personal knowledge, wrote a book under title The Tai Race: Elder Brother of the Chinese. In it he has stated that the original habitat of the Tai was in the vicinity of the Altai Mountains. Later they slowly moved to China proper in the north and about the sixth century B.C. they started migrating to South China, and from there, they moved to other areas of Southeast Asia. (Most of the modern scholars have discarded this theory of Dr William Clifton Dodd.)

The Records say that over a period of 2000 years the Chinese has called the Tai peoples as Siam/Sam. Professor Huang Haikun of the Yunnan Institute of Nationalities has proved with a good number of documents in his article, “A Research on Ancient ‘Siam-Dai’ Kingdom”, that the Chinese records of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 A.D. – 220 A.D.) contain the names Sam/Siam which were exclusively used for the Tais.14 Giving the reference of the ‘History of Later Han Dynasty’ he has clearly stated that in 79 A.D. the King of Sam had sent presents to the contemporary Chinese emperor On He Di. This was repeated in 120 A.D. and 139 A.D. It is recorded that during the time of the Ming Emperors (1368 B.C.-1644 B.C.) of China there was relation between China and Thailand. In the Chinese Pin-yin system the word Tai is written as Dai and the word Siam as Sam/Syam. In the history named Ming Silu which was written in the Chinese national language (PinYin system), Xian-lu means Siam. The word “Xian” was used for Thailand. The word Xian is another form of Siam/Sam.15 Thus from last two thousand years the Tais are called as Sam/Syam/Xian. In a rock inscription of ancient Champa kingdom of middle Vietnam, the word “Shyam” is found which indicates the Tais particularly. The Cambodians called the Tais as Siam or Syam. In the Angkarvat temple of Khmer Emperor, Surya Barman of twelve century the word ‘Syam kuk’, meaning (Sham soldier) is seen in the bas-relief of wall writings. It can be ascertain that in the twelfth century the name Sam/Sham entered Kombodia and the Khmers pronounced it as Syam/Siam. (In Sanskrit Syam means dark blue or black, but the Tais were not dark skinned). This name Sam made its entry more eastward in to the ancient city of Campa of middle Vietnaam. The Burmese too used to write the name ‘Sam’ to refer the Tais but they pronounce it as ‘Shan’. In the rock inscriptions of Pagan of eleven and twelve centuries the name ‘Sam’ is there. But the word Sam was not created by the Burmese. From long time back this name had been used by the hilly tribes to mean the Tais. Thus the Burmese learning from others started calling the Tais as Sam/Shan.16 It is believed that the Europeans imitating the Burmese used the word ‘Shan’ in their writings in the later period. Thus, it can be historically prove that in the ancient times, such names as Sam/ Sem/ Shem/ Sham/ Siam/ Shyam/ Sen/ Xian etc. were largely used in referring to the Tai people living in many places of Southeast Asia including China. All these names are found in various old rock inscriptions, writings on the temple walls, art, sculpture, architecture, folklore, government documents, writings of famous scholars and foreign writers etc.

Lasam or A-sa-m, the name, which was given by the Kachins of Burma and Yunnan, 17 came along with this Mau-shan group of Tai people while coming across to the other side of Patkai. When Siu-ka-pha came to the Brahmaputra Valley in the early thirteen-century, the existing hill and plain tribes of this region as the Nagas, the Singphos, the Morans, the Borahis, the Chutiyas, and the Kacharis also called them as Asam, Acham, Asyam, Aham, Ahom etc. according to their respective pronunciation. It is very peculiar to see that, although the Ahoms mentions themselves as Tai while writing their own Buranjis, they willfully accepted the different names given to them by their new friends. Without any hesitation they introduce themselves to others by these names. From Tai-Mao people of Mong-Mao they changed themselves to Asam/ Aham/ Ahom/ Ahomiya and finally to Axomiya of the Brahmaputra valley. In course of time, this Asam was changed to the Sanskritised form Axom. The newly emerged Assamese educated middle class intelligentsia started to write the Sanskritised Asama in their writings. We get such names in the Acham Buranji, written by Haliram Dhekial Phukan in 1829 and in the Asam Buranji Puthi by Kashinath Tamuli Phukan in 1829. It is to be noted that all these new writings started only after the Ahoms lost their rule in 1826. After the establishment of the colonial rule, when the British officers and writers asked about the meaning of Asam/ Asham, this Assamese intelligentsia failed to give any satisfactory answer as there was no such meaning of the word Asam and Asham in Sanskrit and Assamese language. So they gave the explanation as Na-Sama = Asama. According to them the actual name of this place was Asama which later on changed to Asam/ Asham. But this explanation was out rightly disapproved by the British writers as they found too much of Sanskritised essence in it. W.Robinson, in his book ‘A descriptive account of Assam’ wrote that this theory can not be accepted as the indigenous inhabitants of this region who are mostly of Mongoloid origin can not pronounce the Sanskritised Asama (Na+ Sama=Axom). 18

A good number of interpretations have been given by different scholars supporting the view that the name Assam has a strong bond with the Tai Ahoms (Tai-Mao) who established a kingdom in the ruins of the Kamrupa kingdom in the early part of the thirteenth century. In fact the name A-sa-ma itself is a cultural heritage of the Tai –Ahoms. Eminent historian Padmeshwar Gogoi writes in his journal, Lik-Phan Tai that ”Assam” is a combination of the Bodo word “Haa” meaning land with “Sham” meaning the Tais. Therefore the name Assam means, “Land of the Tais”.19 Gait writes that the local people of the Brahmaputra Valley applied the term in the sense of “the peerless” to the Shans. He further adds that the Burmese by Athan knew Assam.20 According to Banikanta Kakoti, “the word Assam was connected with the Shan invaders of the Brahmaputra Valley”. He points out that in Tai (Ahom), “Cham”, means “to be defeated” and with the privative Assamese prefix “A”, the whole formation Asam would mean “undefeated” or “peerless”. The word Asama was first given to the Shams (Ahoms) was later on applied to their country.21 Even noted scholars like Dr. Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Birinchi Kumar Barua, Debananda Bharale, Ananda Chandra Agarwalla, G. A Grierson supported the view that the name Assam originated form the name “Sam”. Grierson has noted that Assam (Asam) in the sixteen century meant the Ahoms and the Ahom country.22 Some of the non-Ahom Tai Tribes who migrated to Assam during the last days of Ahom rule and the early part of the British rule in Assam are still known to be the name “Shyam”.

Another interpretation regarding origin of the name Assam is given by B.H. Baden Powel. According to him, the word ‘Assam’ might have been derived from even older original Bodo word “Ha-Sam” meaning lowland.23 However this theory cannot be acceptable as we don’t get a single evidence of the name Assam in any of the records of the early Assam before the advent of the Ahoms.

Hence, what may be the course of word development according to the rules of Philology, Asam developed from “Sam” in the dialects of Brahmaputra Valley.

The Name in Assamese Historical Records

In the Ahom kingdom, regular records of history or chronicles known as Buranjis were traditionally maintained. Initially Buranjis were written in the language of the Ahoms and later on Buranjis were also written in Assamese language. As it has been discussed earlier that the Ahoms, while writing their Buranjis mentions themselves as “Tai” or “We”, there is no written record of the word “Ahom”, “Asam or “Asham” in the Tai-Ahom Buranjis. Before starting to write Buranjis in Assamese language the word Acham, Asam,Aham, Ahom had been used in the popular conversation only. When the system of writing the Buranjis in Assamese language started, the recorders use the term Asam or Acham for the Ahom kingdom and its subjects. One can get lots of proof of these in old Assamese Buranjis, a number of rock inscriptions, copper plates grants, political and non-political treaties of the Ahoms with different local and foreign rulers, different letters and records of the Ahom kings and the writings of foreign writers. As for example–

1. To denote the people of Assam particularly the Ahoms, the form ‘Acham’ has been frequently used in the Purani Asam Buranji, edited by the revered Assamese scholar Pandit Hem Chandra Goswami, dating seventeen century.

2. In another Buranji called Kamrupar Buranji, compiled from old Assamese Manuscript edited by S.K. Bhuyan and published by the DHAS, govt. of Assam, 1958, the word Asam can be seen many a times. It is an account of ancient Kamrupa; and a history of the Mughal conflicts with Assam and Cooch Behar, up to 1682 A.D.

3. The third important Buranji in reference here is the Tungkhungia Buranji narrating the reign of the kings of Tungkhungia clan of Ahom royal family beginning with Gadadhar Singha. This Buranji was compiled by one Srinath Barbarua of Duara family of Ahoms. The modern printed version was edited by S. K. Bhuyan and published by DHAS govt. of Assam.

4. In the Bahgariya Burha-gohair Buranji, written under the supervision of Atan Burhagohain (1662-1679) there is the clear mention of the term Aham used to denote the Ahoms. e.g.

“anara bangaha na-hay, dewa-manuha yi (=ji) kay hay, eyehe Aham: aka ane sama haota nai”.

(Deodhai Ahom Buranji, edited by S. K. Bhuyan, 1932, Art. 155, p. 93)

5. To denote the people of Assam, particularly the Ahoms, the form Acama has also been frequently used in the Asam-Buranji, obtained from the family of Sri Sukumar Mahanta, dating from the seventeenth century, and edited by S. K. Bhuyan in 1945. e.g.

Acame-o nao naora taiyar kari dalan bandhiche,

amakehe dhariba-lai yatna kariche. (Asam-Buranji, p, 87.)

(The Acams, too have erected a barrier by preparing their boats and their navy, and they are trying to capture us.)

Acame goda koriche, calacala cai yuddha kariba. (Asam-Buranji, p. 112.)

(The Acams (Ahoms) have erected a fort; carry on the campaign by taking note of the passages.)

Copper plate inscriptions of the Ahom kings also bear the name “Asam” and “Acham”. For instance the copper plate grant of Gaurinath Singha of A.D. 1783 bears the name “ASAM”. The Copper plate of Rajeshwar Singha of Saka 1677 bear the name ASAM and the copper plate grant of Lakshmisingha in Saka 1699 bear the name “Asham”.24

Even in the Charit puthis mention is made of the said names. From the early seventeen century onwards in the biographies of the Vaishnava saints of Assam, like Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva, writer have used the form Asam to denote, first, the Ahom tribe and secondly, the country ruled over by the Ahoms.25 Examples are plentiful in works like Ramcharana Thakura’s (1560-1620) “Biography of Sankara Deva” and Daityari Thakur’s— “Biography of Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva” (early 17th century).26

Nara-narayana bhaila Kamarupa raja,

Apuni barila an Asamara Praja.

(Ramacarana Thakura’s ‘Biography of Sankara-deva’)

S.K. Chetteri has also said that the two forms, “Asama” and “Acama” are found to be almost contemporaneous in early Assamese literature (the second half of the sixteenth century).As for example:-

1. Kirata Kachari Khachi Garo Miri Yavana Kanaka Gowala,

Acama-mulaka Rajaka Turuka Kuwaca Mleca Candala;

Ano Papi nara krsn- sewakara sanga-ta-pawitra haya,

Bhakati labhiya samsara tariya Baikunthe sukhe calaya.

(From Sankara-devas Bhagavata, II, padas 474-75)

2. Hari-name nahike niyama adhikari

‘Rama’ buli tare Miri Acama Kachari.

(From Madhava-dava’s Nama-ghosa pada 501)

From the above passage it would be clear that, with ‘Acama’, Sankaradeva and his younger contemporary and disciple Madhavadava meant only the non-Aryan speaking tribes- the Ahoms.27 It is to be noted here that the first written form of Acama is found in the line, ‘Acama-muluka Rajaka Turuka…’ of Bhagavata, by Sankara-deva. In the Darrang Rajvamsabali written by Suryakhari Daivajna, ((ed), N.C.Sarma, Patsala, 1973 the name Acama denoted the Ahoms. In the Kathaguru charit composed during seventeenth century we get the name Ahamiya for the first time, which has very close connection with the term Ahom. It can be presumed that, later on this Ahamiya was changed to Ahomiya and Axomiya.

Even before the establishment of the East India Company’s rule in Assam, there were exchanges of letters between the Ahom kings and British Governor General for various political purposes. In these letters the name of the country was written as “Asham Desh”, “Asham Mukam”, “Asham Muluk”, “Asham Rajya” etc. All the records go to the period between 1550 A.D. and 1826 A.D.

In the modern Assamese writings, wrote before the independence (1947) most of the Assamese scholars used the name Asham frequently. Examples can be given to a large numbers Assamese dailies, weeklies, fortnightlies, periodicals, monthlies, journals, magazines etc. Instances can be given of Assam Buranji of Haliram Dhekial Phukan (1829 A.D.), Asam Buranji of Kashinath Tamuli Phukan (1844), Assamer Itihas of Gunabhiram Barua (1884), Asam Bilasini (1871-83), Asam Darpan (1871), Asam Bandhu (1882-85), Asam Tora (1888-90), Asam Banti, Asam Rajat, (1909-1911) Asam Hitoishi and Asam Bandhav (1910) etc.

It is to be noted that prior to 1944, Asam Sahitya Sabha was known as Assam Sahitya Sabha.

The Name in Foreign Historical Records:

a) The name “Assam” appears in various forms in the records of the Muslim Rulers of India. In the Persian publications of Mughal period like Akbarnamah (1542-1605), Padsah-Namah (1627-1647), Alamgir-Namah (1657-1667) and Tarikh-I-Mulk-I Asham, the name Asham is mentioned. It appears in Boharistan-i-Ghaybi written by Mirza Nathan, a Mughal general who come to Assam during the time of Jahangir and Sahjahan.

b) In the peace treaty that concluded between the Ahom king Jayadhajsimha and the Mughal general by Mirjumla, 1662A.D., the Ahom kingdom is described as Bilayat Asama-kasya, i.e. ‘Wiliyat or State of Asam or Ahom king’.

c) A Muslim writer named Sihabuddin Talish who accompanied the Mughal general Mirjumla during his invasion of Assam wrote a book named “Fath-i-Twarikh-i-Asham”. This book deals with the causes which led to the invasion, the occupation of the country, the conclusion of the peace, and the return of the general and his death near Khijirpur. The second part contains the description of Assam and the Assamese. In this complete book, the author mentioned Assam/Asham .

d) A latter of Mr. Joan Maetsuyker, Governor General of Dutch Batavia to Mughal General Mirjumulah on 29-08-1663, where he addressed and congratulated Mirjumlah as “Grooten Mughal in Assam”. It is taken from the book ‘Vervarelijke Schiprbruck-Van’t Oastindische Jacht Terschelling’, published by De Haan Nv, Utrecht in January 1944.

e) There is also a diary of Dutchman published in 1675 which mention the name of Assam and the people of Assam as Assamer. This Dutchman was forced fought alongside the army of Mirjumlah 1662.

f) A map of “Kingdom of Bengale” (Kingdom of Bengal) drawn by a Dutchman named John Van Leenen was drawn in 1661 and published around in 1662 A.D. John Van Leenen was in “Bengale” in 1661 A.D. The document is currently in the Maritime Museum, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. There is clear mention of “Assam” bordering Bengal.

g) Jean-Baptiste Chevalier, a Frenchman came to Assam during June 1755 to June 1757. He wrote his account titled “Les Aventures de Jean-baptiste chevalier dans l’inde orientale (1752-1765), memorie historique et journal de voyage an Assem.” There apart from mention of “ASSAM” meaning Assam in the title page, the page-5 prints the paragraph titled “Voyage en Asam (Juin 1755-Juin 757)”.

h) “Assam” is clearly written in the Map of the said book which was published according to Act of Parliament by J. Rennell August: 1780.

i) The name “ASSAM” occurs in the account of Dr. John Peter Wade who came to Assam as the Surgeon with the troops of British East India Company, which was attached to the troops of Captain Welsh’s expedition to help the king of Assam. The title page of the book is “AN ACOUNT OF ASSAM BY DR JOHN PETER WADE, 1800.”

j) Sir G.A. Grierson has already noted that Assam (Asam) in the sixteenth century meant the Ahoms and Ahom country.*Linguistic Survey of India, Vol.11, p. 61

k) Travernier’s Travels in India published in 1676 uses the spelling Achen for Assam. It was written in original French language.

l) In the description of Mirjumla’s death in the book ‘A Geographical Account of Countries about Bay of Bengal’ by Thomas Bowry (Edited by R.C.Temple, Hakluyt Societies Publication) we get the name Acham in writings. e.g. “They lost the best Nabobs, the kingdom of Acham and, by consequence many large privileges”.

m) The treaty of Yandaboo between the British East India Company and the king of Burma in 1826, mention the name “ASSAM”.

n) Clara, a baby one-horned rhino traveled on a Dutch East India Company ship, named de Knapphhof, and reached Rotterdam in the Netherlands on July 2, 1741. From there, she visited almost all the countries in the continent and soon enough became a mini celebrity there. According to Dutch records, the rhino was captured in Assam in 1738 and was named Clara. After reaching the Dutch city, Clara criss-crossed Europe, making headlines in then leading news papers and stirred the imagination of artists and onlookers. In August 1741, two newspapers, Amsterdamse Couranten and Leidse Couranten, wrote about Clara’s visit in Amsterdam and mentioned “Assam”. The Austrian newspaper, Wienerisches Diarium, wrote about the one-horned rhino from the province of “Asem” in October 30, 1746. Even today, different paintings and statues of Clara can be found in different museums across the globe.28

The name “ASSAM” as written in Latin alphabets, is not given by the British as claimed by many and is certainly not a colonial legacy. Rather it is a historical name that has been in vogue during the last 800 years. All the records and documents enclosed here predates the period of British rule in Assam. The word ‘Assam’ and its various forms represent the original unaltered name of Assam state, which has remained as the sole external identifier word for the state for a long period of time. Apart from the use in the nomenclature of the land, it is used in various institutions, brands, books and also in scientific nomenclature of flora and fauna of the Assam state. The word ‘Assam’ has gained global acceptance as ‘Assam Tea’, ‘Assam Silk’, ‘Assam Oil’, ‘Assam Rhino’ etc.

The name Asam came along with the Ahoms:

This name came along with the Ahoms during the early 13th century and since then it has been in use in various dialects and languages, both local and foreigner. The Ahom advent and the founding of a Tai state in the Brahmaputra valley is an event of immense political significance with far reaching significance not only to Assam but also to the Northeast India. The arrival of Siukapha caused a new alignment in power in the decadent but glorious Kamrupa kingdom.29 The Ahoms were the extreme westernmost Tai group who migrated to the Upper regions of the Brahmaputra River Valley in the early years of the thirteenth century and established a powerful Tai kingdom after subjugating its local inhabitants. The Chinese annals and other available Tai/Shan chronicles provide us with evidences of this extreme westernmost migration of the Tai people that took place in the early years of the thirteenth century C.E. when Mong Mao, a Tai Yai power was at the zenith of its glory. The Tai (Ahom) chronicles record the advent of a group of Tai-Mao people in 1215 A.D from Mong-Mao, presently called as Ruili, in the Province of Dehong Dai Jingphou Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan, People Republic of China. Ethnographically the Ahoms were Tai Mao people and belonged to the Tai race, who once commanded a powerful empire in the Southwest China by the name Nan Chao that was vanquished by the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan, in a joint Mongol-Chinese invasion. They were led by Siu-ka-pha, a prince (chao) and established a principality in the upper region of the river Brahmaputra by subjugating its local chiefs. After making a good survey of the area Siu-ka-pha founded his capital at Charaideo in the present day Sibsagarh in 1253 CE. Siu-ka-pha fondly called his newly founded kingdom as Mong-Dun-Hsun-Kham meaning Land of golden gardens. In course of time these Tai Mao people of Mong Mao got a new name, the Ahom, given by certain tribes of Tibeto Burman linguistic group. The Ahom kingdom consolidated its power for the next three centuries by subjugating the neighbouring tribes mostly belonging to the Mongolian stock. In the 13th century the Upper Brahmaputra Valley was populated by certain tribes, such as the Moran, the Barahi, the Chutiya and the Kachari. Siu-ka-pha first encountered these people, befriended them by a policy of appeasement, conciliation, tolerance, acceptance, accommodation and co-existence. This is how; Siu-ka-pha laid the foundation of the Ahom kingdom and started the creation of a new model of state formation which lasted for a period of almost six hundred years. Siu-ka-pha’s later successors in the 16th and the 17th centuries successfully enlarged the Ahom kingdom in all directions particularly towards the West to cover the whole of the Brahmaputra valley touching Goalpara, then on the eastern frontier of the Mughal Empire. Subsequently this kingdom expanded to cover the whole of the Brahmaputra valley up to Jogighopa (river Manas) in Goalpara on the west, while its eastern boundary extended as far as Mong Khwan in the Chindwin valley covering both banks of the river Brahmaputra. This territorial limit of the Ahom kingdom remained unchanged till its occupation by the British during 1824-26 following the First Anglo-Burmese War.

One of the most important aspects about the Ahoms is that during their migration from their original homeland Mong-Mao, the Ahoms brought with them a kind of political philosophy, state craft and administration, territorial divisions, economic system, socio-cultural institutions, religious belief system, language and literature, script, custom and ceremonies typical to the Tai-Mao people of the Upper Mekong and Upper Salween Valleys of southwestern China in the last part of 11th century and first part of 12th century. The Ahoms had their own system of keeping records (Buranjis), oral and literary literature, living tradition, art and crafts, architecture, marriage system (Chaklang), calendar system, burial of the dead (Moi-dam), elder brother/younger brother relationship (Pi-nong) clan system, wet rice cultivation (Na-Culture in Tai and Pothar in Assamese), cultivation by single male buffalo, water management technique, agricultural ceremonies, textile and handloom culture, weaving tools, food habits, ancestor and spirit (Khwan) worshiping, music, dress ornaments, horses, elephants, a kind of sword (Hengdang) and many things. All these constituted the cultural heritage of the Tai people which descends to them from their forefathers. This Tai culture remained as the backbone of their socio-cultural life throughout the entire Ahom rule. Thus their Southeast Asian legacy is seen reflected in every sphere of the Ahom administration. In course of time, the Tai Ahom apart from giving ‘Assam’ the present name, helped in the process of evolution of a mainstream Assamese nationality and culture by bringing together various ethnic groups under one administrative umbrella and thereby giving political unity and economic stability to the people of this region which they have never experienced earlier. The Ahoms as ruling elite in Assam for centuries displayed an extraordinary sense of liberalism in dissolving their cultural distinctiveness in the mainstream of Assamese life and culture.30 They made their contributions in diverse fields such as society, economy, polity, religion, culture, philosophy, language and literature and art and architecture. The Ahoms have played a very distinctive role in the gradual evolution of the Assamese nation. It was only during the Tai-Ahom rule in Assam; we can observe assimilations of diverse ethnic and cultural groups to the highest degree which were due to their political strategies and friendly attitude and respect to the cultures of other communities and tribes. It was partly by their policy of matrimonial alliances and partly by socio-cultural assimilation the Ahom rulers paved the way for the growth of a composite nationality, which was recognized in course of time as the ‘Assamese’. Under the liberal patronage of the Ahom rulers a plural society was grown up where each and every community was allowed to grow freely. As the ruling class they didn’t impose their religion, language and other systems upon their subjects. Rather the Ahom rulers adopted political nationalism as their state policy under which every ethnic community got the space and chance to develop and prosper. A unique nationality was born. The Ahoms who ruled Assam for more than six centuries made single contribution to the development of Assamese culture and civilization specially through their patronage and benevolence and the secret of their uninterrupted rule for such a lengthy period lay in their extraordinary sense moderation and their positive eagerness to dissolve the pride of a conqueror race, a fact which by all means enhanced the legitimacy of their rule and ensured the credibility of their system of administration among the masses.31 For all these contribution they have made in the formation of the Assamese nation, the Ahoms consider themselves as the founder of this greater Assamese society and fell humiliated if any one tries to challenge their identity. Thus the small Tai principality established by the Tai-Mao prince Siu-ka-pha, who fondly names it as Mong-Dun-Hsun-Kham was grown into a large kingdom with the new name Asham or Acham and finally Assam. The English continued to use the Assam throughout their period. It was continued after 1947 and it is the official name even today. In the Indian constitution the name of our state is “The State of Assam”. At present, the Assam state with its Assamese nationality is an integral part of the Indian constitution.

References:

1) The Comprehensive History of Assam, Volume 1, Chapter One, Ancient Period, Edited by H.K.Barpujari, Guwahati, 2004.

2) Ibid.

3) The Name ‘Assam – Ahom’, Selected Papers, Bangla-Nibandha-Chayana, Suniti Kumar Chetterji, vol. 11, Peoples Publishing House, New Delhi, May, 1979.

4) Ibid.

5) Ibid.

6) Political Systems of Highland Burma, by Professor E.R. Leach, published by University of London, University, (originally by G. Bell & Sons Ltd in 1954, reprinted in 1964).

7) The Shan of Burma: A Memoirs of a Shan Exile by Chao Tzang Yawnghwe (alias Eugene Thaike), Published as Local History and Memoirs by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, 1987. (Chao Tzang Yawnghwe was a son of Chao Shwe Thaike, the ruler of Yawnghwe Shan State and the first President of Independent Burma. Chao Tzang, educated in the Rangoon University, turned himself as a rebel leader and fought against the Burmese army. Finally he fled to Thailand and remained in exile in Chiengmai till he migrated to Canada where he passed away in 2004 and never again saw his homeland. The Shan of Burma is both factual and informative about the Shans of Burma and their fight against the Burmese Government.)

8) Ibid.

9) Yunnan: the Link between India and the Yangtze by Major H. R. Davies, published by Cambridge University Press, 1900. (Major H.R. Davies was a military officer engaged in survey for railway line from Burma to Western Yunnan and he had traveled about 5,500 miles by road between 1894 and 1900. His journal was published by Cambridge at the University Press in 1909. The information contained in the book is a hundred years’ old but it gives some graphic description to understand the Tai people of Yunnan and their habitat.)

10) Ibid.

11) On the Relationship between Dehong Dai and Ahom Dai” by Xhao Hongyun and Ke Yuanxiuo of Yunnan Nationalities Research Institute, Kunming.

12) Ibid.

13) The Tai Race: Elder Brother of the Chinese, Rev Dr. William Clifton Dodd, published by Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1923.

14) The Tai Race: Elder Brother of the Chinese, Rev Dr. William Clifton Dodd, published by Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1923.

15) O’Ming Shi-lu as source for Thai History 14th to 17th Century, by Geoff wade, University of Hong Kong, Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Thai studies, SOAS, London, 1993.

16) Assam Namor Pom Khedi, (In Assamese) J.N. Phukan, published in the Souvenir Khe-nam-ti-ma by Purbachal Tai Sahitya Sabha, Sarupathar 2004.

17) Huang Haikun and Xie Yuan Zhang, Thai-Yunnan Project News latter, No.5, June 1989, p.6.

18) William Robinson, A Descriptive Account of Assam, Culcutta 1841.

19) Lik-Phan Tai, Padmeswar Gogoi. vol.1, pub. 1966, p.24.

20) A History of Assam, by E.A. Gait. Culcutta, (Second Edition), 1926, p.245-46.

21) Assamese-Its Formation and Development, Dr. Banikanta Kakoti, M.A., Ph.D., Published by the Government of Assam. In The Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Gauhati, Assam, 1941, P-1.

22) Linguistic Survey of India, G.A.Grierson, Calcutta, 1903-9 vol. II. pp 59.

23) Indian Village Community, Badan Powell, B.H, London, 1896.p.135.

24) Prashya Shasanavali, edited by Moheshwar Neog, 1974. Plate no. 82, 100, 110, 148.

25) Bangla-Nibandha, Select Papers, Vol, 11, Suniti Kumar Chetterji, Peoples Publishing House, New Delhi, and May, 1979.

26) Ibid.

27) Ibid.

28) Rhino’s 18th-century Europe tour backs ‘Assam’ name, The Times of India: 29 January, 2007.

29) Chao-Lung Siu-Ka-Pha, Dr J.N.Phukan, Margherita, 2009, pp.8

30) The Ahoms: An Analysis of their Folk Customs in Cosmogony Of Caste And Social Mobility in Assam, Bimal J. Dev, Dilip K Lahiri, Mittal Publications, Delhi, 1984,p.125.

31) The Ahoms: An Analysis of their Folk Customs, Cosmogony of Caste And Social Mobility In Assam, Bimal J Dev & Dilip K. Lahiri, Mittal Publications, Delhi,1984, pp.91.

By Sangeeta Gogoi
Assistant Professor & Head of the Department
History, Mangaldai College
Mangaldai, Assam.

India is on the ‘priority watch list in 2012’ of special 301 report on copyright protection and enforcement by the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA). In its submission to the US Trade Representative (USTR) as part of the annual Special 301 process, the IIPA highlighted those countries that failed to provide adequate and effective protection for US intellectual property.

The IIPA has identified India, China, Russia and Canada as well as over 30 other countries as some of the worst offenders for failing to adopt clear rules prohibiting services that are knowingly and intentionally operated to provide access to infringing materials.

The report was filed with the USTR last week and warns the federal office that numerous nations allegedly deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or that deny fair and equitable market access to US persons who rely on intellectual property protection.

As a response for these allegations, the IIPA suggested that the trade office take actions that range from increasing prosecution sentences for search engine operators, create legal incentives for cooperating Internet Service Providers and, in some cases, force foreign ISPs to block users access to questionable site altogether.

Among their grievances, the IIPA sites several popular file-sharing sites and torrent directories hosted internationally. For assisting in aiding in the availability of copyrighted material that could be downloaded online across the globe, the agency is asking the federal government to consider the countries in question with hopes “to reduce global piracy levels” and “aim to define and seek implementation of concrete solutions to significant commercial hurdles faced by the content industries of the United States.”

The result of the inquiry could prompt federal authorities to continue cracking down on non-US sites that violate American law.

In all, the IIPA recommends 41 distinct countries and territories for placement on a series of global watch lists that should be monitored due to concerns of copyright infringement. Elsewhere in the report, websites including Filesonic, isoHunt, Demonoid and the Pirate Bay are noted in the submission.

Members of the IIPA include the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America. Both the MPAA and the RIAA websites were crippled last month by Anonymous in retaliation for supporting online censorship.

RIAA EVP-International Neil Turkewitz said, “This report identifies some of the key shortcomings in the global protection of intellectual property, and highlights key reforms that could—and hopefully will—be undertaken to expand the opportunities for the creative community in the United States, and our global counterparts. According to IFPI an astonishing 95% of all downloads are estimated to be infringing. That is not a sustainable environment for allowing creators to earn a living from their craft.”

IIPA welcomed the Indian Government’s announcement of an initiative to develop a national IPR policy and to engage with industry stakeholders in this process.

Priority Actions Requested in 2012 from India

Enforcement

• Create a national anti-piracy task force with goals to reduce piracy, inter alia, by working with state Nodal officers, providing them with significantly increased resources; provide more accountability and power to the recently constituted task force by FICCI under the aegis of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

• Reinvigorate “IP cells” within the state police, provide them with significantly increased resources, and establish specialized IP prosecutors, to be more effective in addressing piracy, including Internet/mobile device piracy.

• Encourage judicial reform, including establishing IP courts or panels with expert judges and prosecutors, which will help in accelerating the adjudication process in criminal and civil cases, and imposing deterrent fines and imprisonment, and civil remedies, including statutory damages.

India is overlooked in a study conducted on the economic impact of the copyright industries by The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The study entitled ‘Copyright + Creativity = Jobs and Economic Growth’ is based on data retrieved from 30 countries across the globe.

Deep Emotions Publishing managing director Achille Forler said, “India’s creative industries were left out in this Report highlights the pressing need to have reliable data on their economic contribution to the country’s GDP. Such data, in turn, will help evolve supporting policies.”

Radio, TV, Music & Theatre are among the most labor intensive sectors, providing higher contribution to GDP compared to the labor input in them. The contribution of core copyright industries such as the music industry to GDP averages over 5% across countries, and provides for nearly 6% of employment.

With 40.5%, Press and Literature is by far the biggest contributor to generating added value, the other driver industries – Software and Databases, Radio & TV, Music & Theatre, Advertising, Motion picture and video exhibit together 55% of the share, with Software and Databases alone standing for almost half of that contribution.

Commenting on the study Forler said, “Copyright is the livelihood for millions of creators – individuals or companies – who are enriching the world with their talent, imagination and emotions. This WIPO study details the enormous impact these creators make to the global economy and corroborates the results of various earlier studies that, in many countries, this sector is more substantive than traditional economic sectors and fully comparable with tourism, hotels and restaurants.”

The study also shows a positive correlation between the level of contribution of the copyright industries to GDP and the importance of intellectual property rights in a given country, illustrating the significance of a functioning legal framework. It also finds that countries in which copyright industries are larger contributors to GDP tend to rank higher in terms of global competitiveness and investment in research and development. In general, countries which have experienced rapid economic growth also have an ‘above average’ share of GDP attributed to copyright industries.

The analysis highlights the economic significance of these industries in both developed and developing countries around the world. It also demonstrates their connection to other important factors such as growth and competitiveness.

International Confederation of Music Publishers secretary general Ger Hatton said, “Strong copyright protection can aid economic recovery and safeguard jobs as shown in this WIPO study and is a welcome vindication for the authors and composers throughout the world that depend on copyright to make a living.”

Source : Internet Media

We are delighted to have author Rachael Hewitson Dixon amongst us today at Musikdiv India Online Magazine at our Special ‘Authors Festival’ interview series to tell us about her new book Slippery Souls (Sunray Bay Series) !
Please read on …

Libby has hit a bad patch in life, and just when she thinks things can’t get any worse she’s killed in a car accident alongside her dog Rufus. During their transition to the afterlife’s Sunray Bay, Rufus somehow manages to absorb her soul – which, in turn, gives him human-like qualities and renders her soulless.
Accompanied by her now talking dog, Libby tries to unravel the mystery of her slippery soul, encountering many setbacks and dilemmas along the way. She has no idea why a group of monster slayers, headed by an ex-convict, are hunting her down, and when she teams up with rogue Peace & Order Maintenance Officer, Grim, she’s shocked to discover that there’s a mob of disgruntled vampires and a very angry mayor hot on their heels too.
Libby has never felt so unpopular, and begins to wonder whether it’s possible to die twice in one day…

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

So Rachael, we’ll start your Interview with the very first question

1. Please introduce and tell the readers something about yourself.

Hey everyone, I’m Rachael and I live in the northeast of England with my husband and our furry, four-legged son. I have a degree in Graphic Design, I’m qualified to do Indian Head Massage and I love dressing up as a pirate.

2.What brought you to writing?

I’ve always loved the escapism that books offer. I’m a very creative and imaginative person, and I find it easy to get lost in someone else’s ‘world’. And for that reason, I suppose, I’ve always wanted to create ‘worlds’ of my own. You could say I’m one of those people who always has their head in the clouds!

3.How long have you been writing?

On a whole, from around the age I could very first write – I’ve always been drawn to it. I’d always ask my parents to buy me notebooks – I had (and probably still have) an obsession with them. I’d fill them up with stories and poems, and I’d tell people I wanted to be an Arthur when I grew up (I couldn’t pronounce author).
I remember going to see Santa in his grotto when I was about five years old. He gave me a baby doll, which I was most displeased about – not because I didn’t like baby dolls, but because I saw that he’d given one of the other girls from my class the most gorgeous red embroidered notebook that I’d ever seen before. I was practically drooling all over it. Luckily, it turned out the other girl wasn’t impressed with the notebook, because she’d been hoping for a doll – so we traded gifts, and I was the happiest kid ever!
As I grew older I stopped writing short stories and poetry per se – because life just seemed to get in the way. But in 2009 I set aside some time to write again and I enrolled in a home study writing course. It was also around this time that I began writing my first book, Slippery Souls. So I suppose you could say I’ve been writing seriously since 2009.

4.Which was your first literary project?Tell us something about it.

My parents bought me a Petite typewriter in the mid-80s, and I undertook my first big literary project – a short story (which at the time seemed more like a novel to me, at around 20 pages long) called The Hound, The Wife & Vince. It was a great tale of murder and deceit – with a sprinkling of talcum powder – quite laughable really. But nonetheless, at the time, I was very proud of the finished piece. I still wonder what ever happened to it, but when I ask my parents they just shrug their shoulders – I suspect they probably lit the fire with it!

5.Is this your new/latest project?

I’m involved in quite a few projects at the moment – but thankfully they’re all better than The Hound, The Wife & Vince was. Honest!
Slippery Souls, the first book in the Sunray Bay Series, was my biggest undertaking to date because it was my first novel and I had a lot of learning to do along the way. Right now I’m marketing that and drafting up notes for the second book in the series (The Forgotten Ones). I’ve also completed the first draft of a women’s fiction novel called Monday – which needs the compulsory second, third and fourth polishing.
I have an idea for a horror/chiller rattling around inside my head too – which is just dying to get out. But it’s going to have to wait for the moment, there’s only so much multi-tasking I can do!

6. Traditional books or e-books? How do you prefer to see your works published? Have you tried ever publishing the traditional way?

I was on the fence for a long while regarding e-books – but when my husband bought me a Kindle for Christmas in 2010 I was completely won over. Don’t get me wrong, traditional books will never be replaced as far as I’m concerned – I just embrace both mediums now. So in answer to your question, I’m greedy – I love seeing my work published in both ways.
I never tried to go down the traditional publishing route with Slippery Souls. Call me impatient or over-enthusiastic, but I just wanted to see the whole project through from start to finish by myself. And I suppose, if I’m completely honest, I didn’t want to dampen my spirits with a whole ream of rejection letters. There’s nothing quite like rejection to fuel self-doubt, which is a writer’s worst enemy – well, it’s certainly mine anyway!

7.Can you give a chapter sample preview of your book here for our readers to know more about it.

Yes, certainly. Here’s the prologue, and the beginning of chapter one.
( Please look at the bottom of the interview for book excerpts )

8.What are your hobbies?Things that you enjoy doing besides books of course.

Apart from writing and reading, I’m always out walking the dog – we walk just over two miles every day. I get some great ideas when there’s just the two of us and the path ahead.
I also love travelling – whether abroad or in the UK, I like to explore new places (unusual and interesting places that I can write about later – I love to keep travel journals).
As with lots of other creative types, it would be fair to say, I love the odd glass of red wine now and then. Oh and horror films – I’m a sucker for scaring myself silly.

9.Who is your favourite author?

That’s a tough one, but if I had to whittle it down to just one I’d have to say James Herbert. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had a soft spot him. You could say he’s my literary hero. His books are fast paced, and exciting – books that you can’t put down until you’re finished.

10.What is your favourite genre to read and also to write?

My favourite genres to read are horror and thriller – there’s something about the grisly and macabre that attracts me. However, when writing I think I’m still finding my feet, dabbling in this and that. I don’t think I’d ever take on a thriller – but I definitely love writing horror.
Slippery Souls is more urban fantasy. It’s a bit of light-hearted escapism, if you will. Ultimately, I’m still experimenting with my writing ‘voice’. After I’ve completed the Sunray Bay Series, I’d like to get my ‘serious head’ on and write this dark horror that’s starting to take shape in my mind – I’m hoping it’ll come out as something deep and terrifying.

11.Do you have a role model that you get inspiration from?

I’d say my biggest role model is James Herbert, because he was probably one of the main reasons why I decided I wanted to be a writer in the first place. His books captivated me.
I also draw inspiration from other indie writers who put themselves out there professionally and do well for themselves. Indie writers have such a bad reputation, so it’s great when you get a writer who rises above all of that to prove that not all self-published work is sub-standard.

12.Where do get your ideas from?Do you take your story ideas from real life situations?

I usually start with a character or a first line prompt. For instance, the two main characters in Slippery Souls came to me in a dream. I liked who they were and when I couldn’t get them out of my mind for weeks afterwards, I knew theirs was a story that needed to be told. And with my novel, Monday, I started out with a first line prompt – “Nobody likes Mondays, do they?” Once I have a basic element that I’m happy and excited with, I’ll expand on it and let it go wherever it likes.
I sometimes do incorporate my own experiences into my work, wherever possible, to give some depth and believability – but with horror and urban fantasy, most of it just comes down to good old imagination.

13. Do you have a pseudonym?

No I use my real name – though I might consider using a different pen name when I publish my women’s fiction novel, Monday, just to differentiate the genre.

14.Whats your experience been like in the publishing industry?Postive or negative?Please share your experience with our readers.

So far I’ve found things to be very positive – yet time consuming.
The marketing aspect of self-publishing is definitely the huge challenge. Getting yourself out there and getting people to take notice is hard work!
Publishing on Kindle is easy enough, and there’s a big enough support network of friendly, like-minded people who are willing to help out if you run into problems.
For my paperback copies, I self-published via FeedARead.com – an Arts Council funded company in the UK. They’ve been brilliant to work with and I’d definitely recommend them to fellow self-publishers who want to see their work in print.

15.Where do you see yourself 10years from now?

Who knows – I know where I’d like to be in 10 years’ time, but I’ll leave that up to fate. Whatever happens though, I know I’ll definitely still be writing stories!

16. What motivates you to write?

That’s a good question – but I’m not sure I have a real answer. The motivation to write just comes from some weird desire inside to just get stuff down, as most writers will testify. With ideas comes a desire to write, and with a desire to write comes motivation. It’s just there.

17. How important is good cover art for your books?

Having a degree in graphic design, I know the importance of good cover art. Books are judged by their covers, and it isn’t something that should be taken lightly. I spent months creating my cover art, changing it and tweaking it until I felt it portrayed my book in the right light.
I will pick up a book on the basis that its front cover attracted me. Ok, so it doesn’t always mean I will buy the book, because I might not like the blurb on the back cover – but in that first instance, it at least makes me pick it up. On the flipside, I tend to steer clear of books with bad covers. I’m an arty person though, so, for me, the cover must be visually appealing. I think the interior and exterior go hand in hand; a book is a whole package. In my view, if you put all that effort into writing the book then you have to make sure that the outside of the book works just as hard.

18. Do you have a price strategy for your books?

Not really, I’d just like my work to be widely read and enjoyed – and as a new author, I feel it’s only right to keep my prices low so people will hopefully take a risk on me.

19. How does it make you feel when you read a bestselling book that you don’t feel is as good as yours?

Hmmm, I’m not sure I’ve ever read a bestseller that I thought wasn’t as good as mine, per se. I don’t think I have that level of cockiness. Certainly I’ve read bestsellers that I didn’t particularly enjoy, but the fact it’s a bestseller means that lots of other people do like it – therefore that author must be doing something right.

20.Why do you think readers should buy your book?What can you offer them through your book?

Slippery Souls is light-hearted escapism. It’s got vampires, werewolves, a talking dog in it – and, best of all, the e-version costs less than a pint of beer!

21.Where is your book available?Any Buy Link for our readers?

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007A451OE
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/132869
FeedARead: http://www.feedaread.com/books/Slippery-Souls-9781908481214.aspx

22.Do you have a website or a blog that you’d like to share here.

Yes, the official Slippery Souls website is www.slipperysouls.co.uk – where you’ll find competitions, news and updates on the subsequent books in the Sunray Bay Series.
I also have a blog that I update weekly, initially it was all about the Slippery Souls journey, but now it’s turned into a general writing blog (often featuring guest posts and blog tours) – www.rachaelhdixon.blogspot.com
And I have a generic website for all my writing news, which also includes a Writer Showcase section that features interviews from other writers – www.rachaelhdixon.webs.com

23. What advice would you give to other writers?

Don’t rush things. Edit, edit and then go back and edit some more. If you aren’t sick to the back teeth of your book by the time it’s going out to the public then you haven’t edited enough.
Also, read lots. And don’t just enjoy the story – pay attention to the way it’s structured. Pay attention to what you like/dislike about it, and take those things on board for your own work.

24.Anything else you’d like to share with our readers

Just a big thank you for reading this, and remember to always wear your best undies! J

We are delighted to have author David L Dawson amongst us today at Musikdiv India Online Magazine at our Special ‘Authors Festival’ interview series to tell us about his new book The Book of Fire (Cressida Widdershins)!
Please read on …

On a world where 99.9 per cent of the population have magic Cressida Widdershins often feels left out because she’s about as magical as a turnip. But when a school trip presents her with a magic book she feels her time has come. Unfortunately dark forces are also after the book; shadow beings with vast powers and their assassin, a man who can turn people to stone. The phrase “be careful what you wish for” springs to mind…
This is the first volume in the Cressida Widdershins series.
I’d recommend it for children aged 10 and up..
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So David, we’ll start your Interview with the very first question

1. Please introduce and tell the readers something about yourself.

Hello everyone. My name is David L Dawson. I live in Sheffield, England. I’m 32 and I love cats and theatre and chocolate. Hmm…that sounds like the intro for a dating site, doesn’t it? Never mind.

2. What brought you to writing?

I’m not sure. It just seems to be something I’ve always done for as long as I can remember. The arts is in my blood, though all the rest of my family are artists. As for writing now I find it a perfect way to cope with depression, which I’ve suffered with for decades. You can’t be miserable if you’re writing about fantastic things.

3. How many books have you written?

I’ve written three books so far, and I’ve got a couple more that are half finished and languishing in limbo. Someday I WILL finish them. I HAVE to finish them, otherwise I’ll be forever wondering how the characters in the books ended up.

4. How long have you been writing?

Like I said in question two I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, though for some reason now I do seem to recall being fascinated by Greek myths when I was seven and writing stories about them. I think it was the Greek myths that started me on my writing, and looking at my work now there seems to clearly be an influence from those myths in it.

5. Which was your first literary project?Tell us something about it.

It was a book inspired by the video to Kylie Minogue’s “Cant get You Out Of My Head” and it was set in the future and a sort of Douglas Adams scifi comedy with bits set on Mars and genetically engineered talking dragons and such. The main character was called Kyllie and she was a stewardess on a shuttle that went to and from Mars. I liked it a lot but it sort of floundered about half way through. I still think there’s potential in it and one day I will return to it as it’s sort of my baby, the thing that taught me what to do and what not to do when writing a novel.

6. Is this your new/latest project?What inspired you to write your (latest) book?

I have two projects on the go at the moment. There’s the Cressida Widdershins series, about a girl in a world of magic who has no magic (the first is called “The Book of Fire”); and “The Gods Slayers” trilogy, set in a world ravaged by two warring gods (the first is called “The Fall”). They’re both tonally very different; Cressida is for Harry Potter fans and The Gods Slayers trilogy is quite dark, for older children, and features a main character who is gay.
Cressida Widdershins came about because I’d just read the last Harry Potter book and I wanted to write something that would appeal to me and fans of that series. It was also huge fun to write as well. The Gods Slayers trilogy came from my love of apocalyptic fiction and my own want to provide a story set in that particular genre; plus I wanted a main hero that was gay. I felt that was important.

7. Traditional books or e-books? How do you prefer to see your works published? Have you tried ever publishing the traditional way?

Before I got an Ipad at Christmas I would’ve said that traditional books were the most important. I like the feel of them. But now I really like ebooks too. They are the way of the future and they can reach a whole new audience. I’d like to see my books published on paper as well in the future (I haven’t tried as of yet) but for now ebooks suit me just fine

8. Can you give a chapter sample preview of your book here for our readers to know more about it.

Not sure how to do that, though you can download a sample from Amazon.

9. Do you have any funny / interesting incidents on how you came up with plots or characters?

I take bits and pieces from people I know but everything I write is based solely on fiction. Some of the antics my cats get up to do end up in my stories, though, which is why a lot of my work has cats in it.

10. What are your hobbies?Things that you enjoy doing besides books of course.

I love going to the theatre, especially musicals. The Sheffield Lyceum puts on some pretty good stuff.

11. Who is your favourite author?

Terry Pratchett is the King. He can’t put a foot wrong as far as I’m concerned. His books are pure genius.

12. Is your writing style at all influenced by those of your favorite authors?

My short stories are quite heavilly influenced by Terry Pratchett; I like to write comic fantasy fiction. When it comes to writing full length books I tend to go down a more serious route, though I’d like to write a more comic novel one day.

13. What is your favourite genre to read and also to write?

My favourite genre at the moment is epic fantasy. I’m currently going through a phase of reading multi-volume epics. I tend to go through phases; I’ll probably be onto children’s sci-fi in a few months. I tend to write mainly children’s fiction. I find I can let my imagination soar a lot more.

14. Do you have a role model that you get inspiration from?

Any author who’s been told they’re rubbish and gone on to inspire people and sell millions is a role model for me. I would say JK Rowling, as I love the Harry Potter books but I think I’ll say Stephen King. His book “The Stand” is one of my all time favourites and my love of apocalyptic fiction stems from that.

15. Where do get your ideas from?Do you take your story ideas from real life situations?

I’ll take my ideas from anywhere I can get them. The whole plot of “The God Slayers Trilogy” actually came from this terrible nightmare I had. The same can be said as the plot for the third Cressida book, which also came from a nightmare.

16. Do you have a pseudonym?

You can have a guess as to what the L stands for if you like.

17.Whats your experience been like in the publishing industry?Postive or negative?Please share your experience with our readers.

I sent a few manuscripts off to a few publishers, got rejected, and sat in abject misery, thinking I was worthless and my writing was crap. I should’ve gone to more publishers but I didnt. I do give up quite easily.

18. Where do you see yourself 10years from now?

Hopefully in ten years time I’ll be doing exactly what I’m doing now; writing books and hoping people will but them and hoping even more that they like them.

19. What motivates you to write?

Writing is something I HAVE to do. It keeps me sane; it sieves my brain of all the ideas that are just waiting to get out; and overall it’s just something I really enjoy doing.

20. How important is good cover art for your books?

I haven’t got any covers for my books yet but I’m hoping to soon, as I love a good cover. The Terry Pratchett Discworld series is a good example. The covers enhance the enjoyment of reading them.

21. Do you have a price strategy for your books?

Not really. I came up with a figure that I thought was reasonable and put that down.

22. How does it make you feel when you read a bestselling book that you don’t feel is as good as yours?

It makes me angry, actually. I’ve read some pretty rotten books in the past few years that if I were a publisher I wouldn’t print in a million years and yet they sell a bucketload because they’ve got sparkly vampires in it.

23.Why do you think readers should buy your book?What can you offer them through your book?

If you like to read well written fiction with interesting characters, exciting and unpredictable plots, then read my books. You won’t be disappointed.

24.Where is your book available?Any Buy Link for our readers?

The Fall – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00734OB42

The Book of Fire – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00734L9WO

25.Do you have a website or a blog that you’d like to share here.

At the moment I don’t have a website or a blog but stay tuned; I’m working on it.

26. What advice would you give to other writers?

Write and write and write and never give up. If you do give up wait a while, eat a bit of chocolate, and try again.

27.Anything else you’d like to share with our readers

Be creative.

She’s a beautiful landscape for my eyes to gaze upon
A painting of beauty, delighting my mind and senses
She’s so perfectly conducted as a simple angels song
So soothingly through my lips, to my hearts entrance.

She’s the essence of pure beauty in my eyes presence
Rare as the rose in winter, in it’s most beautiful form
She’s beautiful as the sea, my loving heart sails upon
Sheltering me deeply with her love through the storm.

She’s my constellation, The beauty behind my nights
And the candle, igniting my hearts passionate desires
I see her true beauty, that only few could ever realize
In her precious eyes, I see beauty which God inspires.

She’s beautiful as the clouds shattered across the sky
And her tender lips has the sweetest taste as red wine
She’s the angel whom protects my heart and my soul
It’s in her angelic sweetness, I found a love so divine.

Thank you for your smile

I raised my head and saw you there,
Across the room from me
A smile had started in your eyes,
And it was good to see
One moment, then it reached your lips,
And lingered for a while
I wonder- “Do you know the joy that traveled with your smile?”
A smile is such a little thing,
And used so sparingly.
Sometimes it’s awfully hard to do,
But, oh-it’s good to see
When I feel tired, or low within
As often as I do,
It’s good to look across the room
And have a warm SMILE from you!

I love your eyes

I love your eyes, those twinkling eyes,
They speak of a thousand things.

It glows and I drown in its intensity,
I would love to stay there forever.

It evokes myriad memories,
And leaves an imprint on me.

I consider myself lucky enough,
To have experienced its warmth.

When cupid’s arrow strikes,
The world seems apparelled in celestial light,
Like the glory and freshness of your eyes.

Just like the morning dew,
Exotic and beautiful.

Every time I look into your eyes,
I’m lost in innumerable memories,
Thus forgetting the world behind me.

I wouldn’t expect anything much,
Than just being the Apple of your eye.

Poems sent by Suneel (AHMEDABAD)

We are delighted to have author Jennifer Marko amongst us today at Musikdiv India Online Magazine at our Special ‘Authors Festival’ interview series to tell us about her new book Loveless!
Please read on …

This isn’t your ordinary quaint little town, but she’s your typical girl next door.
Loveless has been the best kept secret for over three hundred years, but that’s about to change. Founded by a group of gypsies on the run for murder in the heart of Ontario, Loveless has been unchanged and home to a quirky, yet mysterious, group of people.
However, seventeen year old Chelsea Hawks is about to change everything.
When the Hawks family came to town everyone took notice…but the welcome was worn out before they even got there, and it doesn’t take long for Chelsea to notice.
No one seems to like her and she’s plagued with nightmares of a horrific ghost who seems have been following her since the beginning and dark shadows in the woods behind her family’s home.
Will Chelsea figure out Loveless’ secret before it’s too late? Will it lead to a terrible end for the young Miss. Hawks?
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So Jennifer, we’ll start your Interview with the very first question

1. Please introduce and tell the readers something about yourself.

My name is Jennifer Marko and I’m from London, Ontario, Canada. I’m 24 years old and I’m a graduate of the Conestoga College print-journalism program. I live with my fiancé, Ian, and our adorable kitten, Pom-pom.

2. What brought you to writing?

I’ve always had a very vivid imagination and writing has been a way to show just how creative I can be. I really enjoy immersing myself in the lives of my characters and it kind of makes me feel like one of those nosey neighbours who seems to know everything about them, only it can’t get me in trouble.

3. How many books have you written?

I have written one novel, one novella and a series of children’s books. I have two more novels on the go, as well.

4. How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing probably since I was seven years old. I can remember my second grade teacher handing out notebooks in class and my friends and I would take turns using our notebooks to write a story where we would each write a chapter for each other.

5. Which was your first literary project? Tell us something about it.

That would have to be when I wrote a series of stories about a little ladybug I named Lindsay for my eighth grade French-English newsletter. I shattered my left elbow one winter and had it reconstructed and I couldn’t attend school for about a month, so my French teacher suggested that I write a story for the newsletter and since she loved ladybugs that’s what I chose. That’s when I really got into writing seriously and Lindsay Ladybug stories became a monthly segment in the newsletter.

6. Is this your new/latest project? What inspired you to write your (latest) book?

“Loveless” is my latest project; it’s my baby. The idea of writing a book about a secret town deep in the woods is something I’ve always thought would be cool and I’ve always thought that it could be true. Whenever I’m driving down the highway and see a wooded area I’m always thinking to myself, “what if there’re people living in there?”

7. Traditional books or e-books? How do you prefer to see your works published? Have you tried ever publishing the traditional way?

I think both are a good way to go, but it’s always been my dream to have a book deal with a major publishing house . I mean, I’ve tried publishing the traditional way, but it’s hard when you’re just starting out. No one knows your name and if you’re an unknown author no one’s going to take a chance on you. That’s why I published an e-book. I figure it’s a great way to get my name out there!

8. Can you give a chapter sample preview of your book here for our readers to know more about it.

Yes!
( Please look at the bottom of the interview for book excerpts )

9. Do you have any funny / interesting incidents on how you came up with plots or characters?

Well, like I said, I’ve always wondered if it could be possible that there could be a small town in the middle of nowhere. But for my character, Chelsea, I decided to create the most paranoid, most timid person I could think of for my horror/suspense novel, “Loveless”.

10. What are your hobbies? Things that you enjoy doing besides books of course.

I really enjoy cooking and baking, and I love trying new things in the kitchen, not that they always turn out edible.

11. Who is your favourite author?

That would have to be Edgar Allan Poe.

12. Is your writing style at all influenced by those of your favorite authors?

Of course! Poe is so vivid in his descriptions, he’s been a big inspiration to my writing.

13. What is your favourite genre to read and also to write?

Horror/suspense/thriller/crime. I like the thrill of not knowing if something creepy/scary is going to come at you!

14. Do you have a role model that you get inspiration from?

Only everyone in my life.

15. Where do get your ideas from? Do you take your story ideas from real life situations?

I draw from personal experience for some things, like the way my characters look and some of the settings, but for the eerie details, action and scary parts I let my imagination do the work.

16. Do you have a pseudonym?

No, I prefer to write under my own name.

17.What’s your experience been like in the publishing industry?

Postive or negative? Please share your experience with our readers.
It’s been exciting, but tough at the same time. It hasn’t been easy because this is my first novel, but I’ve learned that it wasn’t even easy for the most famous writers, such as Stephen King, to get started. Even though I’m hoping to get picked up by a major publishing house, right now I’m just enjoying the ride. Self-publishing is a part of that ride.

18. Where do you see yourself 10years from now?

I would love to have more of my work published and I would love a book deal! That’s the ideal scenario for me.

19. What motivates you to write?

The thought of creating something of my own is exciting to me. I love sitting down at the computer and just letting my fingers type and seeing what crazy thing I can come up with next.

20. How important is good cover art for your books?

It’s very important. If your cover looks boring, people won’t even take the time to look at what’s inside. They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and in this case it’s literal, but people still do. I’m guilty of doing that from time to time, too.

21. Do you have a price strategy for your books?

Well, since this is the first book I’ve ever published I priced it at the lower end just because I don’t feel like I have enough readership to price it any higher. I’m just trying to get any kind of following right now.

22. How does it make you feel when you read a bestselling book that you don’t feel is as good as yours?

Of course I feel biased against my own work and I feel it’s really good, but those books are best-sellers for a reason. I’m just hoping to be up there with them someday.

23. Why do you think readers should buy your book? What can you offer them through your book?

I think they should buy it because it’s different. There’s a twist around every corner and a little something in it for everyone. It’s an exciting read for teens and adults as well.

24.Where is your book available?Any Buy Link for our readers?

“Loveless” is currently available on Amazon.com for the Kindle and Kindle apps for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, Android-based devices, and Windows Phone 7!!
You can buy it at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076R81GA
I’ve gotten requests to create a print copy so look for that in the upcoming months as well!

25.Do you have a website or a blog that you’d like to share here.

I do have a blog that gets updated daily and you can read it at: http://jenspurplepen.blogspot.com
You can also follow me on Twitter @JenniferLMarko

26. What advice would you give to other writers?

Write what you know and love. Don’t give up no matter what anyone says because someone out there is looking for a book just like yours.

27.Anything else you’d like to share with our readers

“Art is not a handicraft. It is the transmission of a feeling which the artist has experienced.” Leo Tolstoy

Godse is often a misunderstood character. He is referred to as a Hindu fanatic. It is often hard to understand Godse because the Government of India had suppressed information about him. His court statements, letters etc. were all banned from the public until recently. Judging from his writings one thing becomes very clear – He was no fanatic. His court statements are… very well read out and indicate a calm and collected mental disposition. He never even once speaks ill about Gandhi as a person, but only attacks Gandhi’s policies which caused ruin and untold misery to Hindus. Another interesting point to note is that Godse had been working with the Hindu refugees fleeing from Pakistan. He had seen the horrible atrocities committed on them. Many women had their hands cut off, nose cut off, even little girls had been raped mercilessly. Despite this Godse did not harm even single Muslim in India which he could easily have. So it would be a grave mistake to call him a Hindu fanatic.

Let us start by studying the motive behind Godse’s act. By seeing the nature of the assassination in public space and Godse’s act of turning himself over to the Police, we can see that Godse did not do this for personal reasons. He very well knew that he would be hanged and his name would be disgraced as Gandhi was considered a saint. And again Godse could have ran away and escaped punishment. But he did the reverse. He called a police officer and courted arrest. Before we proceed it would be wise to understand the backdrop of the assassination.

The central government had taken a decision — Pakistan will not be given Rs 55 crores. On January 13 Gandhi started a fast unto death that Pakistan must be given the money. On January 13, the central government changed its earlier decision and announced that Pakistan would be given the amount. On January 13, Nathuram decided to assassinate Gandhi.

Nathuram Godse was a learned man, very sharp and intelligent – editor of “Agrani” (one of the most famous newspaper of that time – with Nana Aapte). In his last editorial of “Agrani” which he changed overnight – he said “Gandhi must be stopped – at any cost” and he justified why Gandhiji’s assassination was not only inevitable but also a delayed action, sth tht shud’ve happened LONG AGO.

In Nathuram’s words – ” I don’t refute Gandhi’s theory of non-violence. He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.The division of the nation was an unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never greater than a nation.

In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at knife-point. Jinnah did it and Gandhi stabbed the nation with the same knife. He dissected the land and gave a piece to Pakistan. We did picket that time but in vain. The Father of our Nation went to perform his paternal duties for Pakistan! Gandhi blackmailed the cabinet with his fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction — geographical as well as economical — of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an independent Bengal?

I am going to assassinate him in the open, before the public, because I am going to do it as my duty. If I do it surreptitiously, it becomes a crime in my own eyes. I will not try to escape, I will surrender and naturally I will be hanged. One assassination, one hanging. I don’t want two executions for one assassination and I don’t want your involvement, participation or company. (This was for Nana-Apte and Veer Savarkar as they were against ghandhi’s policies too, Godse wanted to assassinate gandhi all by himself and took promise from Nana Apte that he will continue helping Veer Savarkar in rebuilding India as a strong free nation.)

On January 30, I reached Birla Bhavan at 12 pm. Gandhi was sitting outside on a cot enjoying the sunshine. Vallabhbhai Patel’s granddaughter was sitting at his feet. I had the revolver with me. I could have assassinated him easily then, but I was convinced that his assassination was to be a punishment and a sentence against him, and I would execute him. I wanted witnesses for the execution but there were none. I did not want to escape after the execution as there was not an iota of guilt in my mind. I wanted to surrender, but surrender to whom? There was a good crowd to collect for the evening prayers. I decided on the evening of January 30 as the date for Gandhi’s execution.

Gandhi climbed the steps and came forward. He had kept his hands on the shoulders of the two girls. I wanted just three seconds more. I moved two steps forward and faced Gandhi. Now I wanted to take out the revolver and salute him for whatever sacrifice and service he had made for the nation. One of the two girls was dangerously close to Gandhi and I was afraid that she might be injured in the course of firing. As a precautionary measure I went one more step ahead, bowed before him and gently pushed the girl away from the firing line. The next moment I fired at Gandhi. Gandhi was very weak, there was a feeble sound like ‘aah’ (There are proof that Gandhi did NOT say “Hey Raam” at that time – it’s just made up stuff ) from him and he fell down.

After the firing I raised my hand holding the revolver and shouted, ‘Police, police’. For 30 seconds nobody came forward and I scanned the crowd. I saw a police officer. I signalled to him to come forward and arrest me. He came and caught my wrist, then a second man came and touched the revolver… I let it go…”