Ghss Andipattikottai Kunzru Scout Troop And Cheran mhss Cheran Troop participated in the march past in tha parade and received certificates frm our Respected PATRON ,
KARUR COLLECTOR
Mr.Govindaraj IAS sir
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Republic Day parade 2017
LOG-4 PATROL KNOWLEDGE
LOG -4: PATROL KNOWLEDGE: PS-14(II)(a) Learn about your PATROL, its flag, yell, song, Patrol corner and Participate in a Patrol-in-Council.
06.08.15
THE PATROL SYSTEM: A company shall be divided into Patrols. Each Patrol will have Patrol Corner, Patrol Song, Patrol Yell, Patrol Sign, Patrol Flag. Each Patrol may consist of six to eight guides inclusive the Patrol Leader and the Second. Each Patrol shall bear the name of a flower chosen in consultation with the Patrol-in-Council and every member of the Patrol shall wear the emblem of the Patrol on the Uniform. Eg.JASMINE, LOTUS, ROSE, SUNFLOWER.
COMPANY LEADER: One of the Patrol Leaders, with not less than 6 months service as a Patrol Leader, with Dwitiya Sopan Badge, may be appointed as Company Leader by the Guide Captain in consultation with the Court of Honour. She shall wear the Guide uniform and in addition TWO Green ARMLETS each 1.5 cm wide, stitched over the cuff of the left sleeves, each 1 cm apart and Company Leader’s Badge with its base 4 cms above the left pocket. She offers active assistance to the Guide Captain and Assistant Guide Captain and take charge of the Unit in the absence of the Adult Unit Leaders. Company Leader’s Badge is a rectangular Badge with Emblem in yellow on green background with a yellow ring round it and three vertical stripes to the left of the emblem.
ASSISTANT COMPANY LEADER: One of the Patrol Leaders with not less than 6 months service as a Patrol Leader, with Dwitiya Sopan Badge may be appointed as Assistant Company Leader by the Guide Captain in consultation with the Court of Honour. She shall wear the Guide Uniform and in addition TWO Green ARMLETS each 1.5 cm wide stitched over the cuff of the left sleeve, each 1 cm apart and Assistant Company Leader’s Badge with its base 4 cms above the left pocket. The Assistant Company Leader assists the Company Leader as directed. Assistant Company Leader’s Badge is a rectangular Badge with emblem and ring around it in green colour and three gren vertical stripes to the left of the emblem.
PATROL LEADER: There shall be a Patrol Leader for each Patrol. Patrol Leader is a Guide appointed as a Patrol Leader by the Guide Captain in consultation with the Court of Honour and the concerned Patrol to lead a Patrol of Guides. She shall wear the Guide uniform and in addition TWO Green ARMLETS each 1.5 cm wide stitched over the cuff of the left sleeve each 1 cm apart.
SECOND: There shall be a Second for each Patrol. A second is a Guide selected by the Patrol Leader with the approval of the Guide Captain and the Court of Honour. She shall assist the Patrol Leader and take her place in her absence. She shall wear the Guide Uniform and in addition ONE Green ARMLET 1.5 cm wide stitched over the cuff of the left sleeve 1 cm above the lower edge.
COURT OF HONOUR: There shall be a Court of Honour for every Company. The Court of Honour shall consist of the Company Leader, Assistant Company Leader and the Patrol Leaders, Seconds may be admitted as members of the Court of Honour, except when matters of discipline are dealt with. The Company Leader, Assistant Company Leader or one of the Patrol Leader elected shall function as Secretary. The Court of Honour shall plan activities and deal with the internal matters of the Company and also matters of finance and discipline. The Guide Captain and the Assistant Guide Captain shall act as advisers. PATROL-IN-COUNCIL: There shall be a Patrol-in-Council for every Patrol. The Patrol-in-Council shall consist of the members of the Patrol. The Patrol Leader shall be the Chairman. The Patrol-in-Council shall deal with all affairs of the Patrol. PATROL FLAG: Patrol Flag Colour = White. Patrol Flag Emblem Colour = Red. Patrol Flag size = 30 cms x 30 cms Sides & 20 cms Base – Triangle shape. Patrols (GUIDES): JASMINE, LOTUS, ROSE, SUNFLOWER
October 2 Gandhi Jayanthi
Gandhiji was one of the greatest Indian of all time. He is called the “Father of the Indian Nation”. His original name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was given the title of “Mahatma“, which implies “Great Soul“. People also call him “Bapu” affectionately.
The birth of Mahatma Gandhi took place on 2nd day of October in 1869 at Porbandar (Gujarat). His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a noble and pious man. Mr. Karamchand was the chief Dewan of the State of Rajkot.
His mother, Putlibai, was a simple and religious lady. In his early age, Gandhiji was deeply influenced by the religious and pious behaviour of her mother.
Gandhiji received his early education and training from such pious parents. He grew up to be deeply religious, truthful, honest, and fearless from his very boyhood. He was married to Kasturba Gandhi in 1883. The wedding took place according to traditional custom.
As a child, he was a brilliant student. He completed his matriculation examination in 1887. After a brief study, he traveled to England to study barrister-in-law. In 1891, he became a barrister and returned back to home country.
At the age of 24, Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa as a lawyer. He had spent twenty-one years at South Africa from 1893 to 1914. As a lawyer, he was mainly employed by Indians staying at South Africa. He found that Indians and other dark skinned people were the oppressed section of the society. He himself faced discrimination on several occasions. He was once disallowed to travel on first-class and thrown out of the train. He was moved by the poor condition of Indians and decided to fight against the injustice. In 1894, he formed the Indian Natal Congress to fight for the civil rights of the Indian community in South Africa.
While at South Africa, he fought for the civil rights and privileges of the Indians living in South Africa. Throughout his struggle, he taught people to fight for their rights through non-violence. Hence, he made his mark as a great political leader in South Africa.
He returned to India in 1915. Later, he was the president of Indian National Congress. He protested against the mis-rule of the British Government. He had been associated with several national movements during India’s struggle for independence such as Non-cooperation Movement in 1920, Satyagraha, Quit India Movement in 1942, etc. On several occasions, he was sent to prison. There was wide participation of women in the freedom movements led by Gandhi.
Non-cooperation was his great weapon. The Non-cooperation Movement as a non-violent protest against the use of the British made goods by Indians. It was a movement of the masses of India.
Salt Satyagraha or Dandi March was a protest against the tax regime of British in India. Gandhiji produced salt at Dandi without paying the salt tax. The Civil Disobediance Movement movement got support of millions of common people.
In 1942, Gandhi raised the ‘Quit India’ slogan. Gandhiji asked the British Government to “Quit India”. The Quit India Movement was the most powerful movement launched by Gandhi to end the British rule in India. He gave the famous slogan of “Do or die” for the freedom of mother country.
He followed the principles of non-violence, truth and peace throughout his life. He guided his fellow citizens to struggle for freedom, not by using weapons, but by following ahimsa (non-violence), peace (Shanti) and truth (Sayta). He proved that Ahimsa (non-violence) is more powerful than the sword. He adopted the principles of satyagraha in the Indian Independence movements.
His remained the most influential leader of India’s freedom movement during the period from 1919 to 1948 and thus the period is called the ‘Gandhian Era’in Indian history.
He is a well-known world personality. He shook off the British imperialism. The British were compelled to quit India. He secured freedom for our country following the principles of truth and non-violence. He was, thus, a saintly leader. Finally, India won its independence on 15th day of August in 1947.
In India, Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every-year on the day of his birth-anniversary. It is a national holiday. The world celebrates 2nd October as the International day of non-violence.
Unfortunately, the great saint was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January, 1948.
Thus, Mahatma Gandhi was both a saint and a practical leader of his compatriots. He was a simple, pure, unselfish and religious person. He did most of his personal jobs of his own. He fought for the freedom of India through non-violent and peaceful methods. He tried hard to raise the distressed sections of the society. He fought against illiteracy. He dreamt of providing mass employment through Charka and Khaddar. He always felt for the poor and untouchables people. He wanted to abolish untouchability from Indian society.
The life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi were so glorious that people around the world still pay homage to him. We will always remember his in our hearts.
Pravesh & Pratham Q&A
PRAVESH
Q.1 What is the full name of Baden Powell?
Ans Lord Robert Stephenson Smith Baden Powell.
Q.2 When and where was Baden Powell born?
Ans 22nd February 1857 at 16 Stenhope Street, London.
Q.3 What is Paxhil?
Ans Baden Powell’s house is named as Paxhil.
Q.4 What is the full name of lady Baden Powell?
Ans Miss. Olave St. Clair Soames.
Q.5 When did Scouting come in to existence?
Ans In the year 1907.
Q.6 When did Scouting begin in India?
Ans In the year 1909.
Q.7 When did guiding begin in India?
Ans In the year 1911.
Q.8 How many parts are there in Scout/Guide promise?
Ans Three parts
(a) To do my duty to God and my Country
(b) To help other people and
(c) To obey the S/G law
Q.9 When is Scout/Guide sign shown?
Ans (a) At the time of taking oath/promise
(b) To show his/her identification
(c ) At the time of reaffirmation of S/G Promise
Q.10 Who composed Scout/Guide Flag Song?
Ans Shri Daya Shankar Bhat.
Q.11 What is the duration of singing the flag song?
Ans 45 Seconds
Q.12 Who composed Scout/Guide prays song?
Ans Veer Dev Veer.
Q.13 What is the duration of singing the prayer song?
Ans 90 Seconds
Q.14 Who composed National Anthem?
Ans Rabindra Nath Tagore.
Q.15 What is the duration of the National Anthem?
Ans 52 Seconds
Q.16 What is the ratio of the National Flag?
Ans 3:2.
17. When was the First experimental scout camp was held?
Ans. In 1907 at Brownsea Island, English Channel
18. From whom did BP learn the practice of ‘Left hand Shake’?
Ans. Ashanthi Tribes
Q.19 What is the minimum age to join the scout movement?
Ans 10 Yrs.
Q.20 In which side of the pocket/Sleeve membership badge is to be worn?
Ans Left pocket (Scout)/ Left sleeve (Guide).
Q.21 Which level of Scouting Guiding movement is also known as ‘Tenderfoot’?
Ans Pravesh.
Q.22 In 1921 and 1937, who were the persons related to our movement visited India?
Ans Baden Powell and Lady Baden Powell.
Q.23 November 7th is an important day for BS&G. What is the importance?
Ans Flag day/Foundation day of BS & G.
Q.24 On whose honour is the Scout/Guide promise administered?
Ans On one’s own honour.
Q.25 A Scout/Guide saves every paisa .Which point of S/G law is being referred here?
Ans 8th point of S/G Law.
Q.26 Physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. To achieve What, do we
give this explanation?
Ans S/G Motto – Be prepared.
Q.27 When you meet somebody who is in uniform, but you are not in
Uniform, How do you identify yourself as a part of the movement?
Ans By showing the scout/guide sign.
Q.28 A flag is 120 cms long and 100 cms wide. Is this proportion correct?
Ans Wrong: 3:2 à120 cms : 80 cms
Q.29 Trefoil is imposed on Fleur–de-lis in our BS & G flag. What does it denote?
Ans Three fold of promise.
Q.30 Name the flower denoting the three parts of the promise in S & G
movement which is from Canada.
Ans Fleur-de-lis.
Q.31 B S & G emblem comprises of (a) Trefoil (b) Fleur-de-lis and a 3
part. What is it?
Ans Ashok Chakra.
Q.32 International brotherhood is denoted by a basic knot. Which is
that knot it?
Ans Reef knot.
Q.33 Where is our National bird seen in Scout uniform?
Ans On the cap badge.
Q.34. Who designed the World Guide Flag?
Ans. Miss.Frokh Kariass from Norway
Q.35 Who wrote the book Aids to Scouting?
Ans. Baden Powell
Q.36 Where is the international training centre?
Ans. Gilwell Park, London
Q.37 Who started scouting in India?
Ans. Dr.G.S.Arundale with Dr.Annie Besant
Q.38 Who wrote the story of Kim?
Ans. Rudyard Kipling
Q.39 For how many days, Mafeking war take place?
Ans. 217 Days
Q.40 Expand WAGGGS
Ans. World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Q.41 Expand WOSM
Ans. Wordl Organisation of Scout Movement
Q.42 When and where was the first All-India jamboree held?
Ans. Delhi, 1937, 1-7, Feb.
Q.43. Name the only world that can be replaced in S/G promise?
Ans. God with Dharma
Q.44 What do the two stars in the World Scout Flag denote?
Ans. Law and promise
Q.45. What does Ashok Chakra in the middle of BS&G Flag denote?
Ans. It denotes the Indian character of the movement.
PRATHAM SOPAN
Q.1 Who is the chairman of Patrol in Conrail?
Ans Patrol Leader.
Q.2 What is Patrol Corner?
Ans A place where the members of a patrol meet discuss and carry out the patrol
activities.
Q.3 How can protect the end of a rope from fraying out?
Ans By whipping.
Q.4 Which knot is used in bandages?
Ans Reef Knot.
Q.5 Which knot is used for Life Saving?
Ans Bow Line.
Q.6 Who is the Chairman of Patrol-in-Council?
Ans Patrol Leader Concerned.
Q.7 Who is the leader of the smallest unit of a group/company?
Ans Patrol Leader.
Q.8 To join two slippery ropes, which knot is to be used?
Ans Fisherman Knot.
Q.9 To call the troop leader, what whistle signal would you use?
Ans One long blast followed by three short blasts.
Q.10 Which exercise is the only BP six exercise done with feet apart?
Ans 5th
Q.11 In first aid, base, point , ends and sides are all the parts of what?
Ans A triangular bandage.
Q.12 Which sling is used to support only the wrist?
Ans Cuff and collar sling.
Q.13 Which knot is used to tie parcels?
Ans Reef Knot.
Q.14 Which knot is used to shorten a rope without cutting it?
Ans Sheep shank.
Q.15 Expand COH
Ans Court of Honour
Q.16 What is the size of the Patrol Flag?
Ans 20cm X 30cm X 30 cm(Base = 20 cm, Side = 30 cm)
Q.17 If two stones are kept one over the other, and the smaller one to
one side, what does is show?
Ans To go to the side shown by smaller one.
Q.18 Which knot is known as the king of knots?
Ans. Bowline
Q.19 What is the shape of the patrol flag?
Ans. Triangle
Q.20 What is the smallest unit of a troop/company?
Ans Patrol
Q.21 Which knot is known as the Hercules Knot?
Ans. Reef Knot
22. What is the health salt called?
Ans. ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution)
23. What does drill mean?
Ans. It means training the individual to certain movement immediately.
24. Which knot is used to tie a sheet of cloth to a rope?
Ans. Sheet Bend
25. If the strands of a rope are getting frayed out in the middle, how can your secure
and give strength to the weak portion?
Ans. With the help of a Sheep Shank
26. Which hitch is used to make a cloth line?
Ans. Clove hitch
27. Which hitch is the starting point for all the lashings, except diagonal lashing?
Ans. Clove hitch
28. Which BP’s Six exercise is known as cone exercise?
Ans. Fourth exercise
29. Which is the only BP’s six exercise which is supposed to be done barefoot?
Ans. Sixth exercise.
30. Write any four contents of a First Aid box.
Ans. Adhesive plaster, roller bandage, triangular bandage, gauze, cotton, Dettol,
Scissors, salt
31. Write any five pressure points.
Ans. Occipital, Facial, Temporal, Carotid, Subclavian, Brachial, Radial Ulnar, Palmar
Arch, Femoral, Anterior Tribal
32. Who are all the members of COH.
Ans. Troop leader, Assistant Troop leader, troop scribe, troop secretary, patrol leaders
Asst. patrol leaders can attend on invitation. SM and ASMs-are supervisors.
Dr.Annie Besant
ANNIE BESANT (1847-1933)
Annie Besant (1847–1933), second President of The Theosophical Society from 1907 to 1933, was described as a ‘Diamond Soul’, for she had many brilliant facets to her character. She was an outstanding orator of her time, a champion of human freedom, educationist, philanthropist, and author with more than three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit.
She also guided thousands of men and women all over the world in their spiritual quest.
Early Days
Annie Wood was born on 1 October 1847, and educated privately in England, Germany and France. She was a devout Christian, and was married at the age of twenty to an English clergyman, Rev. Frank Besant, Vicar of Sibsey, Lincolnshire, by whom she had a son, Arthur Digby, and a daughter, Mabel. However, the awakening of her character made her challenge several of the Christian dogmas. ‘It was not the challenge of unfaith’, as Jinarâjadâsa was to say later, ‘but rather of a highly spiritual nature that desired intensely not only to believe but also to understand.’ Unable to make logic out of Christian traditions, she left the Church in 1872 and became a freethinker, thus ruining her social position through her passion for Truth; consequently she had to leave her husband and young son. In 1879 she matriculated at London University and went on with her studies in science but met obstacles there owing to the sexist prejudices of her time.
She joined the National Secular Society in 1874 and worked in the free thought and radical movements led by Charles Bradlaugh, MP. She co-edited the National Reformer with him and wrote many political and free-thought books and pamphlets from 1874–88. At this point her husband moved court to take their little daughter away from her, alleging that she was ‘unfit’ because of her ideas. This deprivation caused her profound grief. However, when the children were older they became devoted admirers of their mother. She was prominent in the Labour and Socialist movements, a member of the Fabian Society and Social Democratic Federation, and took an active part in Trade Union work among unskilled labourers; with Herbert Burrows she led the path-breaking 'match girls’ strike to a successful conclusion.
Meeting with H. P. Blavatsky
Feeling dissatisfied with the negative approach of free thought, Mrs Besant now made researches into spiritualism, hypnotism, and so forth. At this juncture Mr W. T. Stead, the editor of The Review of Reviews, sent her Madame Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine to review. As she read the book, it was as if a long lost vision of truth flashed through her mind.
She asked for an interview with the author, and from that first sight of HPB, her whole life changed. She abandoned her secularist ideas and also to some extent the socialist philosophy, but the new light which she received inspired her more firmly than ever to the service of the world. Her approach towards the various evils in the world changed and she began to deal with the root causes in the light of the laws which govern all existence.
The Theosophical Society
Annie Besant joined The Theosophical Society on 21 May 1889, and became a devoted pupil and helper of HPB, pledging her loyalty to the President-Founder, Col. H. S. Olcott, and the cause of Theosophy. She became the most brilliant exponent of Theosophy, both as orator and author. In 1893 she represented The Theosophical Society at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
In India
In 1893 she landed in India, made a tour of the country in the company of H. S. Olcott, and, by her splendid presentation of Indian philosophy and her undisguised personal preference for the Indian spiritual heritage, won the support of orthodox Brahmins to Theosophy. The transformation of the religious life in India, particularly among Hindus, is one of the wonders she performed. She was an untiring worker for the upliftment of women, and pleaded again and again for a radical change in social conditions, but never desired any modification of the Indian woman’s temperament which she held to be one of the most spiritual in the world.
She soon gathered round her a band of Indians to work for the regeneration of the country and in 1898, after much planning, founded the Central Hindu School and College in Benares (now Varanasi). A few years later she started the Central Hindu School for Girls. Theosophists from overseas came to help her in the work of the college, which was established with the object of impressing India’s past glory on the minds and hearts of the students. A brilliant band of workers gathered round her, including Dr Bhagavan Das, his brother Govinda Das, Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti, Upendranath Basu, I. N. Gurtu, and P. K. Telang, all of whom worked in an honorary capacity. Later the college became the nucleus of the Hindu University, and in recognition of Mrs Besant’s services to Indian education the degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred upon her in 1921.
As Lord Baden-Powell deemed that Indians were unfit to be scouts, the Indian Scout Movement was founded by her in 1918, the boys wearing Indian turbans! When Baden-Powell came to India and saw how successful was the movement created by Annie Besant, it was amalgamated with the world movement, and she was made the Honorary Scout Commissioner for India. In 1932 Baden-Powell sent her from London the highest Scout distinction, the ‘Silver Wolf’ medal.
Second President of the TS
In 1907, after the passing of Col. H. S. Olcott, Annie Besant became the second International President of the Theosophical Society, an office which she held until her death in 1933. Mrs Besant had always been a great traveller, having visited in the course of her Theosophical work nearly all the countries of Europe more than once, and making several visits to the United States and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Her great organizing capacity was used to ‘make theosophy practical’, and action became her ‘slogan’. During her presidentship, the Society grew considerably, with the addition of more than thirty-six Sections or National Societies to the initial eleven.
Dr Besant continued to tour and lecture all over India, dealing extensively with education. Lodges of the Theosophical Society undertook to open schools wherever they could. She also tried to draw women into the movement wherever possible, for at that time women were not encouraged to take part in public life.
Clear explanations of the many enigmas of life and the universe were presented in her outstanding books such as A Study in Consciousness, which is used in some universities as a textbook. Another of her major works, Esoteric Christianity, has been considered a historical document; and has helped to revive true knowledge of Christianity. Her lectures at Theosophical conventions on the great religions of the world were put into a valuable book entitled Seven Great Religions, presenting the core teachings of each one of them. The first edition of her English translation of the Bhagavadgitâ was published in 1905.
Dr Besant was a practical mystic, exemplifying in her life and in all her actions a lofty idealism and a truly religious awareness — a combination found in very few people. In 1908 she announced the formation of a Theosophical Order of Service, which aimed at banding members together in groups with the motto ‘Union of all who Love in the Service of all that Suffer.’
From 1908 onwards Dr Besant proceeded to enlarge the Headquarters estate at Adyar. In order to link Adyar more intimately with the rest of the Theosophical world, she started The Adyar Bulletin, which continued until 1929. Presently the Adyar Newsletter fulfils a similar function.
Annie Besant and J. Krishnamurti
A new phase of Dr Besant’s activity began when she came into contact with two remarkable Indian boys, and declared that the elder of them, J. Krishnamurti, was destined to be the vehicle of the ‘World Teacher’, the Bodhisattva Maitreya. In 1910 she assumed the guardianship of J. Krishnamurti and his brother, and despite great difficulties launched him on his remarkable career.
Mrs Besant saw her role in Krishnamurti’s life as that of a catalyst: ‘Amma never told me what to do’, Krishnamurti gratefully recalled in later life. She merely tried to prepare him for a worldwide regenerative mission. He was encouraged to meet people, to give talks and lead discussions. The Order of the Star in the East was organized to pave the way for the very special work he was to do.
Political Work for India
A new period in Annie Besant’s life began in 1913 when she became active in Indian politics, and gave a lead by claiming Home Rule for India. She entered politics because she saw that India’s independence was essential for her age-old wisdom to become a beacon for the whole world. The Home Rule movement she organized spread all over India. She used all her resources to bring together on the common platform of the ‘All India Home Rule League’ the two sections of the Indian National Congress which had been divided since 1907.
Later she was elected President of the Indian National Congress inspiring Indians with a dynamic vision of India’s future. Since the British government merely suppressed agitation but did little to remove the grievances, she started the Young Men’s Indian Association in 1914 to train them for public work and donated Gokhale Hall in Madras as a centre for national awakening and free speech. She also started two journals: The Commonweal, a weekly dealing with issues of national reform; and New India, a daily newspaper which for fifteen years was a powerful instrument promoting Home Rule and revolutionizing Indian journalism.
Ten months after she began her political work, the Great War broke out. India was called upon to make great sacrifices, which she did gladly but not a single word was said by any British statesman as to India’s contribution. It was this blunder of British statesmen that convinced Dr Besant that the political work in India had to continue, and could not be modified or slackened because the Empire was at war. She was interned in 1917 for three months because of her success in arousing the love of freedom in the Indian people. She took as her motto not only ‘strike while the iron is hot’, but also ‘make it hot by striking’. She taught Indian journalists to write strong leading articles denouncing the action of the government, yet keeping within the letter of the law. As President of the Indian National Congress; she made the office one of active work throughout the year, instead of only presiding over it during the four-day annual meetings, as was the practice earlier.
Annie Besant’s life was one of incredible activity. By 1918 she had started the Madras Parliament, opened Madanapalle College (now in Andhra Pradesh), inaugurated the Adyar Arts League, started the Home Rule League in Bombay, started the Girls’ College in Benares,founded the Order of the Brothers of Service, presided over the Women’s Indian Association at Adyar — from which grew the All-India Women’s Conference at Poona (now Pune) in 1927 and the All-Asian Women’s Conference at Lahore in 1931 — and started the Society for the Promotion of National Education (SPNE). Unfortunately, she fell into disfavour with the Indian National Congress because of her opposition to Mr Gandhi’s plan of non-cooperation and civil disobedience as she foresaw the danger of instilling disrespect for the law. Although she had a deep regard for Gandhi as someone whose life was guided by truth and compassion, she herself stood by constitutional methods for achieving political reform. Mr Gandhi’s policies were adopted and the disasters she had anticipated occurred in various parts of India. Though she became unpopular and lost her position as a political leader, she still continued with her work for India.
Clairvoyant Investigations
Those who came into intimate contact with Annie Besant were aware of her spiritual powers and first-hand knowledge of many occult matters. She used certain of her yogic powers to investigate the nature of the super-physical realms, and several books on this recondite subject were written in collaboration with her colleague, C. W. Leadbeater. A remarkable piece of writing done by them was Occult Chemistry, in which they described the chemical elements examined by them. The first edition was printed in 1908, when it did not appear possible to reconcile their observations with the scientific knowledge of atomic structure of those times, but recent developments in the field support them. C. Jinarâjadâsa, a former President of the Theosophical Society, published in 1951 a third, enlarged edition of Occult Chemistry,containing descriptions of 111 atoms, including 14 isotopes, and the molecules of 29 inorganic compounds and 22 organic compounds. Dr Stephen M. Phillips, a theoretical physicist, made a detailed analysis of the Besant–Leadbeater studies in the late 1970s and provided a lucid explanation and reinterpretation of their observations, reconciling them with present-day physics.
Last Days
On 20 September 1933, Dr Besant laid aside her physical body at Adyar. Her Presidentship spanned twenty-six years full of glorious devoted service to the Theosophical Society and to mankind at large, and she passed away as she had lived — a warrior Soul. Mr N. Sri Ram, who was then her Secretary, wrote the following tribute:
'Dr Besant was nothing if she was not wholehearted and whole-souled in all that she undertook, in every aim and every inner impulse. . . . Almost always, as I know from personal knowledge of how she affected various people, they were struck with the extraordinary magnetism that seemed to surround her, the brightest energy, which seemed to leave her at the end of the day almost as fresh as at the beginning.'

Name
Annie Besant
Sources
1. ‘Dr Annie Besant’s Work for Education in India’, N. Sri Ram, The Theosophist, Vol.124, No.1, October 2002.
2. A Short Biography of Annie Besant, C. Jinarâjadâsa, TPH, Adyar, 1996.
3. The Indian Theosophist, Vol.103, No.10, October 2005.
4. ‘Commemoration of Dr Besant’s Birthday’, N. Sri Ram, The Theosophist, Vol.78, No.2, November 1956.
5. Annie Besant, An Autobiography, TPH, Adyar, 1999.
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