New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman quoted three literary figures while presenting her second Budget in Parliament Saturday.
First, she quoted some lines from a poem Myon Watan written by one of Kashmir’s greatest literary figures — Dina Nath Nadim.
After reciting the original Kashmiri poem, Sitharaman read out a Hindi translation: “Hamara vatan khilte huey Shalimar Bagh jaisa… hamara vatan Dal jheel me khilte huey Kamal jaise… Naujawaanon ke garm khoon jaisa… Mera vatan, tera vatan, hamara vatan. Duniya ka sabse pyara vatan.” (Our nation is like the blossoming Shalimar garden, like the blooming lotus on Dal Lake, like the warm blood of the youth. My nation, your nation, the world’s most loved nation.”
Jammu and Kashmir was under several months of security and communication lockdown after the Narendra Modi government scrapped Article 370 in August last year.
Several Kashmiri politicians, including three former J&K CMS — Mehbooba Mufti, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah — continue to be under detention.
The second literary figure that Sitharaman quoted was Tamil poetess Avvaiyar, a “saint-poet”, who lived more than 3,000 years ago. The minister said Avvaiyar in her poems would talk about the effective use of land.
Speaking further, Sitharaman said farmland must having adequate, and not excessive, manure and water. She said the government will also revise incentives for use of chemical fertilisers.
Warehouse building incentives will also be given to the farmers, she said, adding Mudra loans will also be provided and women will be the ‘Dhanya Laxmi’ in the villages.
The third poet that the finance minister quoted was Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.
Citing Thiruvalluvar’s “5 jewels” for a good nation, Sitharaman listed the steps taken by the government on this front.
She said Ayushman Bharat — the Modi government’s flagship health insurance scheme — will achieve no epidemics, wealth creators will be respected, the PM Kisan Scheme will ensure good crop, ease of living will result in happier citizens and national security will be the top priority for the government.
Dina Nath Nadim
Born in 1916 to Pandit Shankar Kaul in Kashmir, Nadim emerged as one of Kashmir’s prominent names in the field of literature when the Valley was being dictated by the circumstances imposed by the Qabali raid.
His works have been coloured by the founding fathers of the Left movement in Kashmir. Nadim’s poetry was aimed at exposing poverty and portraying “intense nationalism”.
He was awarded the Nehru Award in 1971. Nadim was also honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award for Shihul Kul (a collection of his poems).
Nadim was also closely associated with former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Sheikh Abdullah’s party, National Conference. Sitharaman citation of Nadim’s work during her budget speech was followed by disapproving call outs from the Opposition Benches.
The poet also dedicated some poems to Abdullah. This comes at a time when both Sheikh Abdullah and Omar Abdullah have been detained post the abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir.
Asked about why he chose to write his poetry in Kashmiri, Nadim had once said, “My mother tongue has greater claim on me.”
His strength was such that he was fondly referred to as the ‘Deodar’. Some of his notable works include, Bombur Te Yambarzal (Opera), Trivanzah (Monologue), Gris’ Kur (Peasant Girl), Bi G’evi Ni Az (Blank Verse).
Avvaiyar
Still remembered as one of the most prolific poets in the Sangam era, Avvaiyar’s work touched upon the prejudices faced by women.
Some of her poems also shed light on warfare.
Describing the taste of liquor and meat, Avvaiyar’s poetry was martial in nature. However, the Tamil poet’s legacy goes far beyond poetry — she was also involved in matters of regional politics. This has been documented in Purananuru, a Tamil poetic work, and her poems are a testament to the same.
In her previous budget speech presented in July 2019 too, Sitharaman drew heavily from Sangam era literature, Chanakya Niti and Lord Basaveshwara.
Thiruvalluvar
The Tamilian poet has been compared to Plato’s works, John Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Bible. He also authored Tirukkural (“Sacred Couplets”).
In these couplets, Thiruvalluvar wrote: “Adversity is nothing sinful, but laziness is a disgrace”.
He was also dismissive of the caste system — “One is not great because of one’s birth in a noble family; one is not low because of one’s low birth.”
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