by my wounds I have been intoxicated

by sadness,

my soul moans like a wounded wolf,

this painful howl looms over the moon

as days and destiny are painted blue,

all things are ridiculously seen,

the sun bounces on the platform of the sky,

the moon frolicks with the stars,

as all faith is made mute

by a melancholy fate

with fallen eyes I gaze at the wind,

death seems to be calling my name

from the darkest sanctum of an abyss,

I have never known till she left me

what ticket should I take to hell?

Is it poison?

no

Is it a gun?

no

now a river lies peacefully there,

bathing itself with itself,

my bed shouldn't worry tonight

because I desire to end my destiny,

here and now,

I shall go to sleep on the river's mattress

and drown myself in it's foul waters.

By Kakraba Afful

Sunflowers, Starry Night, Potato Eaters are master pieces in arts painting world. The painter is none other than Vincent Vangog. When he was alive he was not recognized b anybody. His life was full of pains and sorrows.

Vangog born on 30^th March 1853 in a village in Netherlands. His father was a paster. Mother hail from a family having arts connections. In childhood itself he was very much keen on watching the nature. He was interested in having a close look at various birds , animals and other lives in nature.

In the age of fifteen he had to stop his school education. Later he joined Goople and Company ,an arts and crafts distribution  company. In 1874 he was transferred to Paris. There he happened to visit many art galleries. This helped him to get involved with painting more. But he had to leave his job and involved more or religious studies. After studies he became teacher in a private school in England.

He lived with laborers in mines whom were going through a very difficult stage of pains and hungry. He gave his food and clothes for them. Very soon he left the job. He wandered a lot without having a penny in his pocket. All those times he never forget to sketch the painful stages of life in canvass.

In his younger age he happened to fall in many affairs but all gave him pain only. His brother was his only relief at that time. He happened to involve with many famous artists at that time. His works were different from impressionist artists like Pissaro, sessan etc. Most of his pictures were closely linked with nature and its life. He was an unrecognized artist when he lived. He did not earn high from his works but today his pictures worth crores.

In 27^th July, 1890 he went for a walk and shot himself on his chest and died. His words “There will be one day when world will give value to my pictures than the colors used” has absolutely come true.

His major paintings are The Potato Eaters, Sun flower, Iris, The Sover, Syprus, Starry Night, Landscape with cottages etc.

*The government of India recognizes citizens who have served the country with dedication and bravery. Di9fferent wards are given for different kinds of services, actions and skills.

• Bharat Ratna is Indian’s highest award given to a civilian. It is awarded for highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary and scientific achievements, as well as public service.
• The Param vir chakra is awarded to soldiers of al branches of military –army, navy, air force for the highest degree of bravery and self –sacrifice while fighting the enemy.
• The National Films awards are declared yearly for films produced in India in the previous year. There are various awards such as best film, best actor, best actress, best director and many others.
• The National bravery awards were started in 1957. The award was to recognized and honor children who performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice.

*The awards are announced every year on November 14, children’s Day. The prime minister presents the awards on republic Day in New Delhi. The children, riding on elephants, the take part in the republic Day parade.

• The Jnanpeeth Award started on May 22, 1961, is the country’s highest literary award. It is given for the best creative literary writing by any Indian citizen in any of the 18 recognized Indian in languages.
• The Madhya Pradesh government started the Kalidas Samman in 1980. It is a national award given to outstanding artists in the field of fine arts, literature, cinema and culture.
• The government of India launched the Gandhi peace Prize in 1995 0n the occasion of the 125^th birth anniversary f Mahatma Gandhi. This is an annual award given to individuals and instructions for their contributions towards society through non-violence and other Gandhi methods.

*MS Subbulakshmi, the famous singer, was awarded the Bharat Ratna n 1998. She died on 11th December 2004.