Russian Revolution of 1905

Russian Ruler Tsar Nicholas II was an autocratic ruler who enjoyed absolute power. So people of Russia were not happy as their voice had no existence. The opinion of the common people didn't matter and there was no parliament for debates and discussion. Tsar had to take the final decisions.

Early 20th century was a time when the role of Liberals also became significant. Liberals demanded political change in Russia and aspired to establish a constitutional and parliamentary system in the country.

At the same time, year 1904 made the survival of Russian workers difficult as prices of essential goods increased. The angry workers started making their associations. These workers' associations came into action when four members of the Assembly of Russian Workers were dismissed at the Putilov Iron Works. Over the next few days over 1 lakh workers at St. Petersburg went on strike, demanding:

• reducting in the working day to 8 hours
• increase in wages
• improvement in working conditions

Soon, in January 1905 Father Gapon led a procession of workers. They reached the Winter Palace of Tsar Nicholas II. But their voice was not considered important and the workers were attacked by the police. Over 100 workers were killed and about 300 wounded. The incident is popularly known as Bloody Sunday.

Looking at the widespread anger, Tsar Nicholas II allowed the creation of a Parliament which was termed as DUMA. But soon after the 1905 revolution, the committees and unions were declared illegal. Strict restrictions were placed on political actions and protest activities. Even the 1st Duma was dismissed by the Tsar within 75 days and 2nd Duma was dismissed within 3 months. The ruler did not want anyone to question him or reduce his power or position.

Not only this, when the 3rd Duma was formed in 1907, Tsar Nicholas II kept the revolutionaries out of it. The Duma was packed with conservative politicians and followers of Tsar. 

With this the Revolution of 1905 came to an end, but the workers, peasants and common people of Russia were getting prepared for a big revolution, i.e. The Russian Revolution of 1917.

For a video on the Russian Revolution of 1905, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lBiCYF8-7g&t=17s

January 26

India - The Golden Bird, is known to the world as the land of prosperity. There are many reasons to term the country as 'Incredible India'. Hundreds of monuments, beautiful dance forms, languages, varieties of food, Gods, customs and festivals. Not only this, ideals of equality, liberty and fraternity are celebrated everyday. Republic Day is a reminder, not only for India, but also to the rest of the world that we are democratic and we believe in constitutional system and federal structure.

On January 26, 1950 the Indian constitution came into effect. January 26 was not an ordinary date. It had historical significance, i.e. January 26, 1930 was celebrated as the Poorna Swaraj Day or First Independence Day by Indian National Congress while opposing the British colonial rule.

Thus, even if our constitution was ready and was adopted on November 26, 1949, Constituent Assembly decided to put that into effect from January 26, 1950. The day was celebrated as our first Republic Day.


India is a Republican State as the head of the nation (President) is an elected representative, not a dictator or a monarch. We believe in the rule of the common people who elect their leaders to rule the
country.

Republic Day celebration is always grand. Let's make it more meaningful by taking a pledge to follow the ideals of the Indian Constitution as a responsible citizen of India, and contribute to this world in every possible way. We need to believe that every small step can bring a big change.

Click here for a video on January 26:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxdWPIvaOGQ

Electoral Bonds

The term Electoral Bonds is in news these days...

Do you know what is an Electoral Bonds?

The concept of Electoral Bonds is shared by our Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley. The idea emerged due to increasing corruption in political funding or contributions. Electoral system lacks transparency. The funds of political parties are not documented and thus misappropriation of money gets easy.

Thus, Government of India has taken up the responsibility to "cleanse the system of political funding in the country." The scheme of Electoral Bonds aims to keep a strict account of donations made to various political parties.

Electoral Bond is like a Promissory Note or Bank Note. It can be purchased by any citizen of India. This Bond will be issued in multiples of Rs. 1000, 10,000, 1 lakh, 10 lakh and 1crore. These Electoral Bonds will be available at specific branches of State Bank of India, for a period of 10 days each in the beginning of every quarter i.e. January, April, July and October as specified by the central government.

EXAMPLE
If you want to donate Rs. 1000 to a political party, you don't have to give that directly to any party. Rather, you may purchase Electoral Bond of Rs. 1000 from SBI by making payments digitally or through cheques. Then, you may donate the Bond to the political party of your choice. That political party may encash that Bond via the party's verified account within 15 days. This verified account would be allotted by the Election Commission of India. Electoral Bond transactions can be made only via this account. All the details will be maintained  by the Bank. The details of the donor will not be shared with the political parties.

This mechanism may bring positive change in the electoral system of India. Though, it would be possible only with the involvement of every Indian with responsibility.

For an easy video on the topic click here Electoral Bonds 

Unification of Italy (1815-1871)

Did you know that before 1815, Italy was a part of France? Yes it was under Napoleon Bonaparte's well knitted political and administrative structure.

But soon Italy was fragmented into small principalities when Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Europeon powers like Britain, Austria, Prussia, etc. divided the Napoleon's empire and it was shared by some powerful European countries.

Italy was divided into four main parts:

• The State of Sardinia (Piedmont and Sardinia) -- It was headed by the King of Sardinia
• Papal State (Rome and Central Italy) -- It was headed by Pope
• The region which came under the Austrian Empire. (Lombardy, Venetia, Modena, Parma and Tuscany)
• The Two Sicilies under Bourbon Dynasty (Sicily and Naples)

The people of Italy were not happy with the disintegration of Italy, and wanted to be a free nation. Thus 1815 onward, many nationalists of Italy started spreading the message of nationalism and unification of Italy.

Year 1848 is considered as a landmark in the history of Italy's unification, when many nationalists revolted against the Austrian Empire. The State of Sardinia took initiative for the unification of Italy. Sardinia led All- Italian movement against Austria. But the effort failed due to lack of coordination and organisation of the struggle.

Italy also witnessed the emergence of some secret societies like Carbonari with leaders like Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi. 

Giuseppe Mazzini started a political movement in 1831 called Young Italy to inspire nationalists in Italy, and aimed to establish a republican state.

Unification of Italy was the result of the continuous support and guidance of the King of Sardinia Victor Emmanuel II and his Prime Minister Count Cavour. And, North and South Italy were unified with the contribution of Giuseppe Garibaldi who was a revolutionary.

Main phases of the Italian Unification:

1. 1858-59: Lombardy was unified
2. 1860-61: Parma, Modena and Tuscany were unified. Naples and Sicily were unified with the support of Garibaldi
3. 1866-70: Venetia and Papal States were Unified
4. 1871: Rome became the capital of Italy

For an interesting video on the Unification of Italy, click on the given link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-13Dx5lLFc&t=10s

Bhakti Movement in India

The Video is an easy description of Bhakti Movement in India. The ideas of Kabir, Meera Bai, Adi Shankaracharya, Baba Guru Nanak and Alvar & Nayanar saints are discussed.