NIZAM'S FOOTWEAR AND PANDIT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA

April 23, 2009

Here is an intersting incident narrated by Divya Ananad and her reflection on

the incident

Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedom fighter, author, editor & publisher of

newspapers, educationist, staunch Hindu. He is credited with popularising the

slogan " Satymeva Jayathe " . He was the first one to establish a private

university in India which based on the model of historical Nalanda, Thakasheela

Vidya Peetams.

When Malaviya was trying to build a good university, he had to overcome many

difficulties and barriers. He worked with determination to start the university.

There was a funds crisis; but he did not get disheartened. He went from town to

town, met many rich people and traders to collect donations.

He went to the Nizam of Hyderabad (then reputedly the richest man in the world)

to request him for funds. The Nizam was furious, " How dare you come to me for

funds and that too for a Hindu University ? " He roared with anger, took off his

footwear and flung it at Malaviya.

Malaviya picked up the footwear and left silently. He went directly to the

market place and began to auction the footwear. As it was Nizam's footwear, many

came forward to buy it. The bids kept going up.

When Nizam heard of this, he became uneasy. He thought it would be an insult if

his footwear were to be bought by someone for a pittance. So he sent one of his

attendants with the instruction, 'Buy that footwear no matter whatever the price

be!'

Thus, Malaviya managed to sell the Nizam's own footwear back to him, for a huge

amount.

He used that money to build the famous Banaras Hindu University !!

REFLECTION

It does not matter what you have, but how you make use of what you have, in your

life! Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold

well.

Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps ticking whether you are getting

somewhere or just standing still. Life is also a grindstone. Whether it grinds

us down or polishes us up depends on us.

So make the best use of your precious life and any situation given to you.Think

cleverly and act wisely!

12:08 PM 4/21/2009

Hari Om!!

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