We present this video in tribute to Admiral (rtd) 'Ramu' Ramdas (5 Sept 1933–15 Mar 2024), a founder member of the Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan), longtime member Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy and anti-nuclear activist.
In January 2023, Admiral Ramdas joined his life partner Lalita Ramdas in singing 'Mat Baanto Insaan ko’ (Don’t divide humanity) by Vinay Mahajan, 1985 (see Women & Gender video 27 Oct 2017: [ Ссылка ])
Video transcript with transliteration & translation
Good evening, I am Lalita Ramdas, and I am Ramu Ramdas from Alibag.
This evening, we’d like to share a song, ‘Mat baaton insaan ko’, that we have sung and loved over many decades. The message is clear: No hate, No Genocide. But harmony, and Vasudaiva Kutumbakam ("The World Is One Family").

Mandir, Masjid, Girja Ghar ne baant liya bhagwaan ko,
Dharti baanti, saagar baanta, mat baanto insaan ko.
Mandir Masjid
(Temples, mosques, churches have divided god,
Divided the earth, divided the seas, don't divide humanity.
Temples, mosques)

Neta ne satta ki khatir, kaumvad se kaam liya,
Dharm ke thekedaar se lekar, logon ko nakaam kiya,
Bhai baate tukde tukde mein, neta ka hai maan badhaa,
Vote mile aur neta jeeta, shoshan ko aadhaar mila.
(For the sake of power, leaders used communalism,
In cahoots with religious power-brokers, they left the people powerless
When brothers were divided, the (political) leader stood to gain
He got votes and won, and gained ground for oppression)

Waqt nahi beeta hai ab bhi, waqt ki keemat jaan lo,
Dharti baanti, saagar baanta, mat baanto insaan ko.
Mandir Masjid…
(Time isn't lost yet, learn to value time
You've divided the earth, divided the seas,
Don't divide humanity.
Temples, mosques)

Prajatantra mein praja ko loote, ye kaisi sarkaar hai?
Laathi boli, “Ishwar Allah, ye saare hathiyaar hai”
Inse bacho aur bachke raho, aur ladkar inse jeet lo,
Haq hai tumhara chaen se rehna, apne haq ko cheen lo.
(Looting those who make democracy, what kind of government is this?
That speaks with violence, wields the names of gods as weapons.
Beware of such people, fight back, win against them.
Living in peace is your right, snatch it if you must

Agar ho tum shaitaani se tang, khatam karo shaitaan ko,
Dharti baanti, saagar baanta, mat baanto insaan ko.
Mandir, Masjid, Girja Ghar ne baant liya bhagwaan ko,
Dharti baanti, saagar baanta, mat baanto insaan ko.
Mat baanto insaan ko
(If you're tired of evil, put an end to the devil's reign.
Divided the earth, divided the seas, don't divide humanity
Temples, mosques, churches have divided god,
Divided the earth, divided the seas,
Don't divide humanity)

Translation: Urmi Chanda
Opening and closing music: 'The spirit of Sapan' by Nirvan Athreya
Video editor: Duaa-e-Emaan
(c) www.southasiapeace.com

свернуть