Narain Kataria, the way I knew him

Narain Kataria, the way I knew him

By Gaurang Vaishnav

Vice President, Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV)

As I sit to write a few words about Sri Narain Kataria, who passed away on November 3rd, memories rush in like a torrent of floods. 40 years is a long time to be friends with someone, who also is a mentor. It is hard to write in the past tense for a giant Hindu leader who was with us till yesterday. I came to know Katariaji, as we affectionately called him in 1975-1977 when some of us NRIs were fighting Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s emergency rule. That intense struggle of 18 months brought us quite close. Later on Katariaji joined Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) as a member of its Governing Council. He also became a Life Member of VHPA.

Working with him, I realized that here was a man who was totally fearless, unwavering in his commitment to protecting Hindus and not caring to be politically correct. Katariaji had amazing ability to connect with one and all. He built strong relations with the Jewish leadership, Progressive Christians, Hindus from the Caribbean, Hindus from Afghanistan, Hindus from Bangladesh, Hindus from Pakistan, and the list goes on.

Narain Kataria (extreme left in striped shirt at a planning meeting of the year 2000 UNO Millennium Peace Summit)

Sometimes, some of us would get upset with a person who might not play the game by the rules but Katariaji’s standard response was, “he is also doing something for Hindus, he is our brother.” In that sense, he was an अजातशत्रु  (Ajatshatru, a man without enemies.) But that doesn’t mean that he was all goody-goody and naïve. He had no doubts about the danger that the Islamic Jihad, terrorism sponsored by it and Christian conversion posed to the very existence of the Hindus and Bharat, i.e., India. He minced no words to articulate his views on every forum. He spoke at rallies and demonstrations, he gave dozens of interviews on TV and he wrote his views in incessant emails that reached 100,000+ readers. He fought enemies of the Hindu society tooth and nail without respite.

There is a phrase, अत्र, तत्र, सर्वत्र (Atra, Tatra, Sarvatra, i.e., Here, there and everywhere) that aptly described Katariaji. If it was a cause of Hindus, he was there; if it was a program or event that would further the Hindu cause, he would be there. He would not mind driving from Queens, New York to the farthest end of New Jersey, Washington DC, or Boston if he felt that he should be there to provide moral support. Katariaji was accompanied most of the time by three persons- Arish Sahani, Nand Ramsinghani, and Subhash Arora. It was as if they were peas in a pod. At times, one or two of this quartet might be missing, but not Katariaji. He was a person of limited means, but he never shirked from giving. 100 dollars here, 500 dollars there, 1000 dollars somewhere else; there was no end to it. Only a few days back I was talking with him and the subject veered to finances. I asked him how he did it because I knew that only recently he had given assistance to a couple of Hindu activists from Bharat and Bangladesh. He said that it was getting difficult, but his children were well placed and didn’t need his money. His social security took care of his basic needs and his investment income went to support Hindu causes. He ended it saying, अरे भाई  देना पड़ता है,  कैसे चलेगा ? (Are Bhai, Dena padata hai, kaise chalega?, i.e., Brother, we have to give, how would I not, when someone asks?)

Katariaji was a master organizer, yet he was not a man of an organization. He told me, अरे भाई, मैं काम कर लेता हूँ , पर मुझे  और झंझट पसंद नहीं ।   (Are Bhai, main kaam kar leta hun, par muze aur zanzat pasand nahi.” i.e.,  I accomplish all the work but I cannot stand all the rules and constraints of an organization.) Thus he had excellent relations with some of the premier organizations, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP), Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV), Paramshakti Peeth (of Sadhwi Ritambharaji), Ekal Vidyalaya, etc., but he was not bound by any of them.

In mid ’90s Katariaji founded the Indian Americans Intellectual Forum (IAIF) to bring thinkers and writers on one platform and facilitate the dissemination of ideas to protect and strengthen the Hindu society. He started with the celebration of the Hindus as an annual Hindu Sangathan Divas in 1996, which morphed into Hindu Unity Day. I am a witness to 20 years journey of Hindu Unity Day. I might have missed only one or two programs in the two decades.  It started as a very much disorganized function. There would be so many cultural items and then speeches that the program would drag on and on. It was as if there was a start time but no end time! The program used to be in a squalid, old school building.  Over a period of time, the program became very professional, drawing the best minds to articulate Hindu issues; it became completely disciplined and moved to the modern facility of the auditorium at New York’s famous Ganesh Mandir.  Katariaji’s intense efforts resulted in the 700-seat capacity auditorium being “houseful” year after year. It became a much sought-after and “in demand” program. At the Hindu Unity Day program, people were treated to thought-provoking talks by luminaries like Dr. Subramanian Swamy (a regular speaker over the years), Sadhwi Ritambhara, Rajiv Malhotra, Suresh Chavahnke (Owner of Sudarshan TV) and dozens of others. Hindu Unity Day also became a venue for networking of several Hindu organizations.

Narain Kataria at Hindu Unity Day, 2015 (at microphone)

Katariaji excelled in the art of demonstration and rallies. I stood with him at countless demonstrations in front of the Bharatiya or Pakistani Consulate offices. Sometimes we would have 100 participants and sometimes only 10. But it didn’t matter to him. He was just focused on giving publicity to an issue at hand. At times, it was a march. It was mindboggling to see Katariaji whipping up a frenzy with a bullhorn. He was never tired of slogan shouting. Katariaji was in such robust health that at that time I didn’t know his age and assumed him to be my contemporary. It was much later that I found out that when we were protesting against 26/11 massacre in Mumbai on a cold November day in 2008, he was already 78! That was a demonstration where a big contingent of Jewish people joined us, again, thanks to Katariaji’s efforts and connections.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited New York in 2014 September, Katariaji was assigned the task to bring busloads of people to Time square where the organizers were planning to have live coverage of Modiji’s speech inside the Madison Square Garden for the overflow crowds. About two weeks before the event, Katariaji’s wife who had some ailments suddenly passed away. He didn’t inform any of us. Only a few very close people knew about it and we came to know about it only a few days after the fact. When we asked him, he said that this was bound to happen and he kept doing assiduously the task of bus management for Modiji’s program.

Katariaji had one distinct achievement. In 2007, he was sued by Overseas Congress on behalf of Sonia Gandhi for “defaming” her in a New York Times full-page advertisement. He was one of the four persons, thus sued. The advertisement costing upward of $30,000 was placed on behalf of all the NRI activists of USA to expose the misdeeds of Sonia Gandhi just when she was going to address UNO on non-violence Day. The multimillion-dollar suit was designed to break activists like Katariaji. The case was dismissed by the court since Sonia Gandhi and not Overseas Congress was the aggrieved party. A second case was filed then in a New Jersey court which met the same fate. This was a huge victory for NRIs who had been fighting Sonia Gandhi’s regime in Bharat by proxy. It cost upward of $50,000 in legal fees, but such was Katariaji’s standing in the society that all of us activists came together to take care of the legal fees.

       Narain Kataria at Sonia Gandhi protest- in a black jacket with a megaphone

           Narain Kataria at Global Dharma Conference, September 12, 2015 (extreme right)

Last I worked together with Katariaji in September of this year. We were asked at very short notice by the organizers to get banners and placards prepared and get volunteers to greet Modiji when he was to arrive at his New York hotel. Katariaji asked me to raise the funds and he took care of getting the banners and placards made. We stood together on September 23^rd to greet Modiji and on 25^th in front of the United Nations Building.  Katariaji played a very important role to diffuse the threatened anti-Modi demonstration by some misguided Patidars from Gujarat. Though Katariaji was a known and respected figure, he never hankered for publicity or being on the stage.

There is only one regret. The organizers for Modiji’s program in New York both in 2014 and 2015 took advantage of Katariaji’s sincerity and nobility.  While many questionable characters were invited to a dinner with Modiji in 2014, Katariaji, who had worked very hard despite losing his wife during this time, was ignored and not invited. In 2015, he was asked to do all the running around, but when it came to having an audience with Modiji, he was not invited; of course, many former Congress supporters and people who had not done anything for Modiji were given an opportunity to meet Modiji.  I had brought up this subject with Katariaji and for the first time, I saw that he was pained. Not that he expected anything, but it was painful to him that many less deserving people were getting to meet Modi, and he, who at the advanced age of 85 was standing with placards in the cold was overlooked. He asked me to take it up with powers that be so that in the future sincere workers wouldn’t be taken advantage of by so-called “leaders.”  I am writing this because society should know what kind of leaders it has, that surround Modiji when he comes to the USA. With all that, Katariaji told me, we have to keep working; we are not working for Modiji or BJP. We are working for the Hindus and for Bharat.

Very few people would know that Katariaji was fond of music and played the banjo very well. As a matter of fact, he gave me an audio cassette of his recording long time back.

It will be very hard to replace or replicate Katariaji, one of the tallest Hindu leaders in the USA. We will miss his can-do attitude, unbridled enthusiasm, and boundless energy. We will miss his sharp pen, accurate sense of history, and resounding voice. New York and the tri-state area will never be the same again.

The last I talked with Katariaji was on October 21^st, I asked the usual question: “How are you, how is your health?” And his stock answer as always was: “Vaishnavji, I am not going any place. I think I will be OK for another 20 years, there is so much to do.”

Dear Katariaji, yes, there is so much to do and we will take up from where you left off. I will say goodbye to you with your special greeting, “Jay Ho!”
Funeral Arrangements:

Saturday, November 7, 2015, ‎
‎11:00 AM to 1:00 PM‎
Park Funeral Chapels
‎2175 Jericho Turnpike
Garden City Park, NY 11040‎
Tel.: (516) 747-4300‎

Death Certificate of Bhagat Singh- Do not Forget..

Death Certificate of Bhagat Singh

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=713684&l=e702343de8&id=174934099233305

Do not forget the sacrifices made by Bhagat Singh and scores of others. Time has come to expect and demand death certificates of Afzal Guru, Kasab and corrupt and anti-national politicians, industrialists, businessmen and underworld associated members of the film industry.

 

Select Twitter Tributes to Dev Anand

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Nirala, Patita, Jaal, Baazi, House No. 44, Munimji, Taxi Driver, Nau Do Gyaraah One and only one-Dev Anand Jaye to jaye Kanha #Sadgati

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Funtoosh, Paying Guest, Love Marriage, Maya, Solhava Saal One and only one-Dev Anand Dukhi Man Mere Suno Mera Kehna #Sadgati

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Baat Ek Raat Ki, Kala Pani, Kala Bazar, Bambai ka Babu, Asli Naqli, One and only one-Dev Anand Chal Ri Sajani Ab Kyaa Soche #Sadgati

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Teen Deviyan, Hum Dono, Jewel Thief, Tere Ghar ke Samane One and only one-Dev Anand Abhi Na Jao Choodkar ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahi #Sadgati

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Amardeep, Jab Pyaar Kise se Hota Hai, Guide, Hare Raama Hare Krishna 1 & only 1 Dev Anand Tere Mere Sapane Ab 1 Rang Hai Live in our hearts

madhusudan41 Madhusudan Thakkar

Dev Saab you have turned BEWAFA youtube.com/watch?v=o6zkhN…

madhusudan41 Madhusudan Thakkar

youtube.com/watch?v=eiAbZe…  Essence of GITA realistically depicted.DEV SAAB’s ATMA is ALIVE

madhusudan41 Madhusudan Thakkar

This is the ULTIMATE.Best scene in INDIAN CINEMAyoutube.com/watch?v=z3ObN9…  ANAND may your soul rest in peace

madhusudan41 Madhusudan Thakkar

Dea Anand lives in our hearts youtube.com/watch?v=GfRGPD…

narendramodi Narendra Modi

During the 1975-77 emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, Dev Sahab was the one who stood up in favour of democracy with most conviction.

narendramodi Narendra Modi

The guide of entertainment industry, Dev Sahab has passed away. Our tributes to him…May his soul rest in peace.

mediacrooks MediaCrooks

Hard to believe.. but 1946 to date Dev Anand has had a career of 65 years in movies… Doubt that will be easily matched.

mediacrooks MediaCrooks

Man to great violinist YehudiMenuhin: “I’d give my life to play like U” Menuhin replied “I already did” One cud say the same abt Dev Anand

theprudent Prudent Indian

#devanand God Bless U Dev Sahib where ever you are gone now. Keep Shining Keep Smiling. My Pranam to U.

theprudent Prudent Indian

Aha! RT @sandymridul: RIP Dev sahab.. Abhi na jao chodh ke ke dil abhi bhara nahin.. #devanand

theprudent Prudent Indian

#devanand Exactly! RT @calamur: @theprudent i won’t . he loved life. he would have like to go out like this -n… (cont) deck.ly/~6iQKL

theprudent Prudent Indian

#devanand An ODE to Dev Sahib ‘The Great’. bit.ly/hgD8s2

anandmahindra anand mahindra

As long as Dev Anand was alive, I thought I would live forever too….

TandonRaveena Raveena Tandon

Sad to hear the Grand ol Gentleman of Indian cinema is no more…Rip Dev saab

AutoNazi mayuri sinha

Barbadiyo ka shok manana fazool tha.. Barbadiyo ka jashn manata chala gaya…RIP Dev Anand…….

SandeepShelke संदीप नारायण शेळके

“Guide of Bollywood” Shri Dev Anand passed away. My heartiest condolances. May his soul rest in pease.

keshav61 Keshav

RIP Dev Anand. Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahinbit.ly/cCXKGz

RajatSharmaLive Rajat Sharma

Met Dev Anand few days ago, he looked an inspring young at 88. He was planning his next film. Can’t believe he is no more.

Tarunvijay Tarun Vijay’s

The incomparable and invincible spirit of Dev Anand , Dev Saheb wil live for ever. My humble tributes to the greatest actor of the Guide

subodh1945 subodh khanna

Devanand song of ziddi ”marne kee duain .kya mangoo.jeene kee tamnanna kaun kare”was a gr8 song

subodh1945 subodh khanna

ka zindagi ka saath nibhata chalagayaRIP devanand

vicharak1 Gaurang G. Vaishnav

Dev Anand- one of a kind. Best in Hum Dono and Guide. Kabhi khud pe, kabhi halat pe rona aaya; Deen dhal jaaye par raat na jaaye Sadgati OM

 

RIP- Steve Jobs

Drawing Courtesy: Mahndra Shah

RIP Steve Jobs- You gave it all, and then some.

 

While we are all saddened by Steve Jobs’ passing, there is also a sense of pride that we lived in an era that would be equivalent of living in the times of Thomas Alva Edison.

A Tribute to Shammi Kapoor, the Spirited Actor

1931-2011

Shammi Kapoor, the actor nicknamed Elvis Presley of Bharat  died on early Sunday (August 14) morning in Mumbai. Though kidney failure had taken toll on his health in last few years he was always jovial and upbeat.

Those who grew up with him, watching light-hearted films like ‘Tumsa Nahi Dekha’, ‘Professor’, ‘An Evening in Paris’,’Kashmir ki Kali’, ‘Rajkumar’, ‘Singapore’, ‘China Town’,’Laat Saheb’, ‘Janwar’, etc., will agree that there has been none who could match his style, exuberance and body movements. One wondered, if he had springs in all parts of his body.

I did not have a chance to watch his acclaimed films  ‘Badtameez’, ‘Bluff Master’ and ‘Teesri Manzil’ but two of his outstanding roles were in ‘Brahmchari’ and ‘Pagla Kahinka’. parts of Brahmchari were copied in Sridevi-Anil Kapur-Amrish Puri  starrer ‘Mr. India.’ Personally, I found Shammi Kapoor at his best in ‘Pagla Kanhika’.  As a person who fakes being insane to escape being framed for a murder and then really losing his mental balance on loss of his beloved, he was superb. No one could imagine that Shammi who was known for prancing around trees and serenading his heroines with lilting melodies of Rafi saheb  could draw deep from within the reservoir of emotions and give a tear jerking performance in ‘Pagla Kanhika’.

Very few people know that when personal computers were infancy in Bharat, Shammi Kapoor founded and was chairman of Internet Users Community of India (IUCI).

He was a devout person who visited famous Ambaji shrine in Gujarat often. After losing his actress wife Geeta Bali to smallpox only within 10 years of marriage, he married Neela Gohil of a princely family from Bhavanagar, Gujarat.

With the passing away of Shammi Kapoor at age 79, an era of conscientious, disciplined and caring celebrities has come to an end. Kapoor family has lost a father figure who always held the vast family together. Just the way he remained popular even after retiring as a lead actor in 1971, he will continue to remain in the hearts of millions.

A tribute to Shammi Kapoor would be his immortal song from ‘Pagla Kanhika’: “Tum mujhe yun bhoola na paaoge; Jab kabhee bhee sunoge geet mere, sanga sang tum bhee gun gunaoge.”

(You won’t be able to forget me that easily; whenever you would listen to my songs, you would hum them along.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue-R3s_0paA

May Shammiji’s soul rest in peace and move on towards ultimate destination of Nirvana.

Om, Shanti, Shanti, Shantih!

Gaurang G. Vaishnav