Rahul Writes

Bangladeshi Migrants - Hindus Vs Muslims

2011-01-08T04:09:00.000-08:00

This is where I completely hail BJP for standing up for the genuine rights of Hindus. I am happy to read this news and I hope government sees the point. I believe India indeed has a moral responsibility to accept all Hindus from either Pakistan or Bangladesh who have to flee from these countries due to religious discrimination. We created separate nations for Muslims, but we also need to think of the plight of the Hindus who suffered because of our decision.

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Enrol Bangladeshi Hindus as voters: BJP
NEW DELHI, January 4, 2011
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The Bharatiya Janata Party has no problem with Bangladeshi Hindus settled in Assam being put on the electoral rolls. Its objection was only to Bangladeshi Muslims, the party in-charge of political affairs in Assam Vijay Goel said here on Monday. In fact, he said “Bangladeshi Hindus must be put on the voters’ lists.”
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Mr. Goel led a BJP delegation to meet the Election Commission and submitted a memorandum asking the Commission to undertake a proper revision of rolls ahead of the Assembly election and ensure Bangladeshi Muslims – those who have come after 1971 – are taken off the rolls.
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However, the memorandum emphasised: “India has a moral responsibility to accept all Hindus of Pakistan and Bangladesh who have been displaced due to discrimination and persecution on the grounds of religion. Therefore, all such displaced persons must be granted citizenship status.”
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It also noted that Bengali-speaking Hindus settled in Assam were facing intimidation and harassment from governments and this issue should be dealt with urgently and they should be granted citizenship and voting rights.
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The party also talked about the “high fertility rate” among the Bangladeshi Muslims settled in the State.
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/article1030359.ece

Telangana: for Economics or Politics?

2011-01-08T04:08:00.000-08:00

For anyone who ever supported a separate Telangana State (including me), here is a piece to ponder over:

Telangana state: Is there an economic rationale?

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/view-point/telangana-state-is-there-an-economic-rationale/articleshow/7207987.cms

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(The author teaches finance at Indian School of Business)

Gujjar Quota: Jiski Lathi Uski Bhais

2011-01-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

I believe most of my friends think that Gujjars’ demand for caste-based reservations was wrong and their violent methods of protests which caused grave inconvenience to commuters for weeks should have been dealt with harsh rap. But, ultimately they have succeeded in what they wanted.

Gujjars start returning home from rail tracks

Jaipur, Jan 6 (IANS) Hundreds of Gujjars, squatting on railway tracks near Bayana in Bharatpur district for the past 17 days to press their demand for job quotas, have started packing their bags to return home after an agreement with the Rajasthan government.

The Gujjars were Wednesday assured five percent quota in government posts following several rounds of talks.

http://www.sify.com/news/gujjars-start-returning-home-from-rail-tracks-news-national-lbgnkkddhdh.html

I feel it’s a shame and cowardice for the world’s largest democracy to give up to the unjust demands of violent mobs. But when political power in India is shared between so few hands (or political leaders), we can expect more such situations to arise. Wonder where our discriminatory system of giving jobs and educations after looking at our castes and religions would take us to!

Bhishma’s Role

2011-01-08T04:05:00.001-08:00

It is interesting to note how Devdutt Pattanaik evaluates Bhisma’s role vis-a-vis the ideal role during the Ramayana times:

1) Family more important than Kingdom for Bhisma: In the Ramayana, the kingdom of Ayodhya is more important than Raghu-kula, the family that govern it. In the Mahabharata, the Kuru-kula family is more important than the kingdom of Hastinapur it is responsible for. In the Ramayana, Ram, son of King Dashrath, upholds the tradition of the Raghu-kula, goes into exile so that the integrity of the royal family is never questioned and Ayodhya feels secure under its leadership. In the Mahabharata, Bhisma, son of king Shantanu, gives up conjugal life, not for the sake of his kingdom, but so as to satisfy the lust of his father who wishes to marry Satyavati, the ambitious daughter of an ambitious fisherman.

2) Renouncing throne results in Dharma collapse: In the Mahabharata, like Ram, Bhisma gives up his claim to the throne for the benefit of his half-brothers. His half-brothers however do not behave like Bharat. They claim the throne. Focus of the cousins is all about inheritance rights, not royal responsibilities. Dharma collapses. Rather than share, the kingdom ends up being divided.

3) On Bhisma’s inability to Retire: The ashrama system of Vedic times was an attempt to ensure smooth transition to the next generation of kings while the old king was alive. After being a student, one became a Yajama or head of the household, then when the son came of age, one had to retire and finally renounce the world. This explains Dashratha’s decision to retire when Ram comes home with a wife. Bhisma, however, is never happy with the capabilities of the next generation and refuses to retire even after his grandnephews (the Pandavas and the Kauravas) have children of their own. His over-protective nature results in over-dependence upon him. No talent is nurtured and the family collapses. In the end, Bhisma has to be pinned to the ground with arrows, so that a new world order can finally be established.

Ref: Devdutt Pattanaik; ‘Indian corporates are looking to mythology for inspiration’, 19 Nov, 2010, Economic Times.

Loss of making ‘Desh’

2010-12-16T04:15:00.000-08:00

In a very positive note, government of Bangladesh has decided to honor 226 Indians for their crucial support to the country during 1971 Liberation War. As this TOI news tells:

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Bangladesh to honour 226 Indians for role in 1971 ‘Liberation War’
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Bangladesh will honour some 500 foreigners, including 226 Indians, for their crucial support to the country’s 1971 ‘Liberation War’, as it marks the 40th Victory Day anniversary next year.
Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi would be conferred with a special honour for her “immense” support for Bangladesh’s independence, officials earlier said.
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Apart from the late Indian Prime Minister, then Indian army chief, Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw and the army commander in India’s eastern theatre, Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, figure in a list of eminent people to be honoured by Bangladesh.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Bangladesh-to-honour-226-Indians-for-role-in-1971-Liberation-War/articleshow/7100272.cms#ixzz18GcilMme
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At the same time, I am horrified to read the concluding part of the article:
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On March 26, 1971, Bangladesh - then East Pakistan - declared its independence from West Pakistan.
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According to official figures, Pakistani troops, aided by local collaborators, killed an estimated 3 million people, raped about 200,000 women and forced millions more to leave their homes during the bloody nine-month guerrilla war.
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Now this is shocking and completes the story of Division of India in 1947. I don’t know how many men and women would have died if there was no division of India, but certainly ‘a lot’ suffered due to it; be it in 1947, or 1971. All those who died or suffered, were sons and daughters of the same soil.
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While sons and daughters of soil suffered in all three artificially created nations of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, interestingly, three dynasties grabbed power in the three respective nations, for decades. Nehru/Gandhi in India, Sheikh Hasina (daughter of BD’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) and Bhuttos in Pakistan, these are strong dynasties which have survived and thrived. Their tales are full of ups and downs, with some members of dynasties paying price by their lives. In any case, I think situations with less separate “Desh”s would have been better and bigger.

Creamy Layer Income Limit

2010-12-16T04:13:00.000-08:00

Caste Politics is perhaps the ugliest part of Indian democracy. Those leaders who claim to be supporting the weakest, often are those who grab their opportunities away, all in the name of political vote banks.

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Caste based reservations in jobs and in schools and colleges was a very bad idea to start with. That is why it was planned to be applicable for a limited period of 10 years. But the corrupt politicians made the policy become an eternity – as they secured them strong vote banks from amongst beneficiary castes. The list of so called ‘lower’ castes was regularly enlarged in order to attract votes from maximum castes possible, and even those castes which took pride in being ‘upper’ are now fighting for a ‘lower’ tag. It is indeed a race towards the bottom. To ensure the politicians get patronage of maximum voters; they expanded the bracket of ‘Creamy Layer’ income limit. Therefore, today the poorest among the benefitting castes (from reservation policy) remain in oblivion while richest among the same benefitting castes (covered under quota) grab and swallow all the seats meant for the poor.

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In a very welcome move the Supreme Court has allowed a petition which challenges this unfair raise in Creamy Layer income limit:

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Creamy layer income: SC admits plea
TNN, Dec 13, 2010, 08.51pm IST

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NEW DELHI: The SC on Monday admitted educationist P V Indiresan’s petition challenging the legality of the UPA government’s decision to raise the creamy layer income limit from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 4.50 lakh per year for OBCs.

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Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate K K Venugopal said that by this increase, the poor among OBCs would be pushed out of reservation benefits by the rich among the backward classes.

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The government had defended the decision saying it was a reasonable increase despite many elected representatives demanding raising it to Rs 25 lakh.

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Creamy-layer-income-SC-admits-plea/articleshow/7094417.cms#ixzz185NDq94Q

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This is good news. I believed Creamy Layer limit has been hiked for political aspirations of corrupt leaders. It should be set at 1 Lakh maximum, otherwise the rich among the OBCs swallow the seats meant for really poor. Let us hope some sense prevails in the “mad rush to the bottom”.
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Chidambaram is a Migrant too

2010-12-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

One of my colleagues tells his story from the childhood days. He was very bad in studies and when caught to some difficult question, he would become philosophical and would give vaguely thoughtful answers which even the teachers won’t be able to make solve. This strategy of his, worked. The confused teachers often asked him to sit down. I think our Home Minister has reached a stage in life where he is qualifying himself to be incapable of handling really demanding jobs. One can only infer this, if one hears from him his recent remarks:
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Chidambaram blames migrants for crime in Delhi, Opposition hits back
TIMES NEWS NETWORK & AGENCIES, Dec 13, 2010, 02.30pm IST
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NEW DELHI: Union home minister P Chidambaram on Monday came under heavy fire by the opposition for blaming the spate of crimes in Delhi due to migrant population.
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Stroking controversy, home minister Chidambaram said, “I condemn the heinous crime of rape. Migrants are behind such crimes in the capital.” “Crime takes place because Delhi attracts a large number of migrants,” said Chidambaram, whose ministry is responsible for law and order in the sprawling city of 14 million people.
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Chidambaram was reacting after an 18-year-old girl was gangraped on Sunday in a moving car while 600-700 policemen, who were trying to locate the car went in vain. The policemen from the six police stations immediately launched roadblocks after her abduction but failed to save the modesty of the girl.
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On the other hand, BJP leader Kirti Azad also criticized Chidambaram and said that Congress government has been trying to hide its failure and mistakes by blaming migrants. This was the fourth incident of abduction and gangrape in a span of one month. The rising incident of rapes in the capital have been raising serious question over the safety of women. Around 433 cases of rapes have been reported so far in this year in the capital. According to the statistics, Delhi witnessed one rape each day in the year 2010.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chidambaram-blames-migrants-for-crime-in-Delhi-Opposition-hits-back/articleshow/7092575.cms#ixzz18GrwZntX
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To find the ‘originals’ in Delhi – a place where almost entire population was butchered by Muslim invaders so many times in its history – is puzzling enough. And then to blame ‘migrants’, as if the ‘locals’ (so called) would never rape a girl – shows one’s own imprudent state of mind.
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I think it is fine and doable to look at the demographic profile of criminals and make some observations (still, I wonder if Chidambaram could make a comment on ‘religion’ of a lot of criminals). But for a home minister of a country as diverse as ours, it is given that he would see the repercussions of his statements and judge appropriateness to audiences. This is why I strongly feel his statements were very wrong and even ‘evil’ in a sense. As the news arrives, the Thackerays from Maharashtra have expressed their ‘agreement’ over Chidambaram’s statements and went ahead with spreading their ‘divisive’ agendas.
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In any case, if 700 policemen couldn’t stop a rape, as the case is in this one, I think Chidambaram’s plain ‘philosophical talk’ won’t save him or his government anyhow.

2010 Varanasi Terror Blast

2010-12-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, we went to a specialty restaurant near Jama Masjid in Delhi. The restaurant was very close to the Masjid and we could see people on its stairs. Then I noticed something. There were big posters fixed on the walls of the Masjid, which said, “Kahin Hum Bhool Na Jayen (Let us not Forget) – Babri Masjid Demolition”. I remembered the day – it was one day before 6th of December. Those who would have erected the posters, would be feeling great about it – may be they would have raised charity to get the posters printed. And what would the posters achieve? Some hatred and some trouble – for all.

On that day, I wondered why not someone printed and erected posters and banners saying, “Kahin Hum Bhool Na Jayen (Let us not Forget) – Babar’s Ram Temple Demolition”. Since Babri Temple was constructed at the ruins of a Hindu Temple, it was an un-Islamic structure – as experts say. But those who want to spread hatred in the society – and claim to hold power among Indian Muslims - hardly care for “righteousness”. All they care about is their own sources of income. A lot would be coming from funds raised from Indian Muslims, and a lot more from across the border.

Today’s newspaper tells there was a Blast near a Hindu Temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It was carried out by Indian Muzahiddin to avenge deconstruction of controversial Babri building. A young child has died and dozens are injured. I am not surprised. If our government supports the ‘hatred mongers’ in erecting those avenging posters and banners – a sample of which I saw near Jama Masjid – we would get only such hateful and disastrous incidents in return. When all power in India lies in the hands of a lady which has no accountability, and the man holding responsibility has no real power; our future remains at stake.

If the Name is Thomas

2010-12-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

It seems there can’t be any demi-gods in “God’s own Country” Kerala. In the proceedings of the 2G Scam case, the Supreme Court had made some serious doubts about continuance of Mr. PJ Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner. Here is what the court said,

“CBI is functioning under the CVC, at that time he (Thomas) was functioning as Telecom Secretary. It would be difficult for him to objectively monitor.” “He had justified the actions which are being subject to scrutiny by this court and CBI. It would be difficult for him to objectively supervise.” the bench observed. His appointment as the CVC is also in question as he is charged in a criminal case in Kerala.

http://tprone.com/p-j-thomas-central-vigilance-commissioner-set-to-resign-on-wednesday/

Now, in an interesting twist in the tale, the IAS officers association from Kerala has come out fully in the support of Mr. Thomas. I wonder if such kinds of verbal supports matters in the court of law?

Kerala IAS officers come out in defence of CVC
KOCHI, December 3, 2010

The 180-member IAS Officers Association of Kerala has come out in defence of the embattled Central Vigilance Commissioner P.J. Thomas who was Chief Secretary of Kerala before being made Telecom Secretary at the Centre. The association has issued a press statement questioning the targeting of Mr. Thomas in the 2G spectrum scandal ‘without ascertaining the facts.’ T. Balakrishnan, president of the association, told that IAS officers in the State were pained by the way Mr. Thomas was being harassed for no fault of his. He said every IAS officer in Kerala knew that Mr. Thomas, who served in Kerala for more than 35 years, was an honest and upright officer. He had an impeccable career record and was always above board.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article929299.ece

It is fine for individuals to think Mr. Thomas is either corrupt or honest. For associations too, it is fine to keep an opinion. But to make public statements in support of persons against whom the Supreme Court of India has passed doubtful comments and the person himself being in the midst of scam enquiries, I wonder what the Kerala IAS association wants to prove here, other than its regional-bias or favourism?

Is Sonia not a Roman Catholic?

2010-11-30T07:28:00.000-08:00

Should a national level politician holding stakes in the government disclose one’s personal detail, when asked by the public? UPA head Sonia Gandhi or her children don’t really believe in this.

High Court dismisses appeal seeking information on Sonia Gandhi’s religion

Press Trust of India, Updated: November 29, 2010

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday dismissed an appeal seeking details of the “religion and faith” of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her children under the RTI Act, saying the petitioner was trying to encroach on their privacy.

“It is evident that the petitioner is making efforts to make unjustified inroads into the privacy of the individuals even if they are public figure and consequently the information cannot be made public,” a division bench of the High Court said.

Former Haryana DGP PC Wadhwa had sought details of “religion and faith” mentioned by Sonia Gandhi and her children during the last census under the Right to Information Act from the Central Public Information Officer (CIO) of the office of Registrar General, Census Operations, under the Union Home Ministry.

Ref: http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/high-court-dismisses-appeal-seeking-information-on-sonia-gandhis-religion-69356?cp

I want to make two points here:

1) Compare this case with the USA where world’s best functioning democracy exists. Here is what current President Mr. Obama said, publically: “I’ve been to the same church - the same Christian church - for almost 20 years,” Obama said, stressing the word Christian and drawing cheers from the faithful in reply. “I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible.” he said. (Ref:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22767392/ns/politics-decision_08/ ) So what makes Obama confident enough to declare his “personal” faith in public, while in India, we have to file an RTI request and still get rejected to know the “personal” faith of Sonia or Rahul Gandhi? Our democracy should think about it.

2) Congress party and UPA government supported the idea of “Caste Census” which is scheduled now at the expense of Crores of rupees. The census would gather data on people’s religion and castes. The exercise is done at the request (or threat) of casteist politicians like Mulayam and Laloo. The census is done so that the politicians can know the castes (and religion) of the masses. If it is proper; should not it be done the otherwise too? Don’t the masses deserve to know the religion and caste of their leaders, if they are made to reveal their “personal” religion and castes in front of the politicians?

I think we have a long way to become a proper democracy. At present our democracy is lost to suit the needs of one dynasty.

Friends of Bihar

2010-11-30T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here is very interesting news.

In Nitish’ backroom, students from Harvard, IIT and TISS

It started with a student from Bihar at Harvard with a question as ambitious as it was simple: How can the leadership evolve in a predictable manner, not left to genetics or accident? The question had a specific context. It was encouraged by the spectacular turnaround story scripted by Nitish Kumar back home, evidence of the difference that good leadership can make. Beginning January 2010, when he came to Patna on a month’s break, Ghanshyam Tiwari’s question grew in size and reach. Soon, it drew a team around it. Eventually, it became a shared seven-month project that fed into Nitish’s poll campaign. The “Bihar leadership project” is one of the small untold stories of this election that was all about new things happening in the state.

Read Full Article here: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-nitish-backroom-students-from-harvard-iit-and-tiss/716132/0

Also visit: http://beta.friendsofbihar.org/

‘Vivek Chudamani’

2010-11-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

'Vivek Chudamani’
By Adi Shankaracharya
Hindi Translator: Munilal
Gita Press, Gorakhpur
ISBN 81-293-0324-8; Pp 158; Rs 12

“Vivek Chudamani” Adi Shankaracharya ki un rachnaon me se ek hai jo aaj bhi hamare beech vartaman hain. Adi Shankara jaise mahaan darshnik ke rachna ki samiksha karna mere liye sambhav nahi hai. Is lie mai bas unke kuchh shlokon ke Hindi anuvaad ko yahan prastut kar raha hun jo is pustak me sankalit hain.

(Dhanyavaad Gita Press ka jisne is mahaan rachna ko sarva sulabh kiya hai)

“Ghade ke nast ho jane par jaise ghatakash mahakash ho jata hai, waise hi upadhi ka lay ho jane par bhaav-vetta swayam hi brahma hi ho jata hai.” (566)

“Vriksha ke patte, phool, aur phalon ke samaan naash to jeeva ke deh, indriyan, praan aur buddhi adi ka hi hota hai. Sadanand swaroop swayam atma ka naash kabhi nahi hota; wah to vriksha ke samaan nitya nishchal hai.” (561)

“Brahma-vetta purush atyant saghan atmanand ras ke paan se matwala ho kar sakshi roop se sthit hua indriyon ko na to vishyon me lagata hai aur na hi unhe vishyon se hatata hai. Wah apne karmo ke fal ki or to dekhta bhi nahi hai.” (553)

“Jo samast mayik bhedon se rahit, antartmroop aur sakshaat prateeti ka avishay tatha atyant sachchidanand swaroop adwait brahm hai, vahi mai hoon.” (515)

“Mai kriya rahit, vikaar rahit, kala rahit aur nirakaar hun tatha nirvikalp, nitya, niralamb aur advitiya hun.” (516)

The Shame of 2G Scam

2010-11-25T07:25:00.000-08:00

2G Scam is worth Rs 1700000000000. That is Rs 1.7 Lakh Crores. Who is responsible for it? Many. But the list would start with the telecom minister Mr. A. Raja. The irony is that he is still in his chair. Reason? His party supports one of the most honest men to retain his chair of PM. Do people of India win in the end - corrupt ministers costing it billions while honest Prime Minister sits on his chair? We know the answer.

The BJP says that the PM is guilty of not taking a firm stand on 2G issue. The accusation is right.

“Prime Minister is guilty of culpability of not taking a stand firmly and not acting beforehand before the damage was done. He is guilty of it and we are charging that,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters outside Parliament.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/PM-guilty-of-not-taking-a-firm-stand-on-2G-issue-BJP-/articleshow/6988182.cms#ixzz16ILh1BVL

The Supreme Court asks the CBI why it didn’t questioned A Raja. It knows the answer but needs evidence.

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the CBI why the agency has not questioned former telecom minister A Raja and his secretary in connection with the 2G spectrum scam. “The CAG report is replete with remarks about direct involvement of A Raja in the irregularities,” observed the SC bench.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-Why-have-you-not-questioned-Raja-SC-asks-CBI/articleshow/6988539.cms#ixzz16ILsqn3u

The scam has attained new heights when some Congress-friendly journalists have been found to have played a curious role. We suspected, and now we have proof.

Two high-profile journalists, Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi, whose names figure in the tapes, have also been internet and TV celebrities of sorts. But their images have taken a severe battering online since the Open and Outlook magazines published on their websites the tapes of their separate conversations with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. In the tapes, the journalists are heard promising Radia help for her cause of getting A Raja the telecom portfolio again in the UPA 2 government by talking to their Congress contacts.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-sideshow-Netizens-lambast-high-profile-journalists/articleshow/6984715.cms#ixzz16IMAatz8

The dimensions of 2G Scam may be many, but I am sure about two things. Our Prime Minister must have known something and didn’t act in time. He has to face the nation. Secondly, the nation is fed up of corruption and scandals involving our grand old national party - INC. It is high time the party should introspect. Sonia Gandhi should even consider the option of dissolving it – after all, she came to join INC to do something good for it and the nation, not to see the party become the most corrupt political party in this world.

Bihar Shows the Way

2010-11-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

The BJP-JDU alliance has won the Bihar assembly elections 2010 in a manner which would be remembered in the history. Together, the alliance has won 206 out of 243 seats.

The JD(U) and the BJP won 115 and 91 seats as against 87 and 55 seats respectively in the October 2005 polls. The JD(U) had contested 141 seats and the BJP the remaining 102. The RJD-LJP alliance, led by Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav, won just 25 seats. The Congress, which contested all 243 constituencies and raised hopes for itself, won just four seats as opposed to the nine it had won in the 2005 polls. Ref:http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/200324

Bihar Assembly Polls
Party	2005	2010	GAIN/LOSS
JDU	88	115	+27
BJP	55	91	+36
RJD	54	22	-32
LJP	10	3	-7
CONG	9	4	-5
OTHERS	27	8	-19

Chart Ref: http://news.oneindia.in/2010/11/25/nitish-ends-lalu-reign-in-bihar-assembly-polls.html

There are many messages out of the results. But the most important in my opinion is that people care for all round development, irrespective of who is doing it. Nitish Kumar had done a wonderful job in the last 5 years and people of Bihar knew that and hence rewarded him. BJP had been a responsible partner and a national party, which anyway has a strong base in the state. It reflected in a 90% success factor for its candidates, which is seldom seen for any party in any state.

I don’t agree with a section of media’s assertion that BJP performed so well because it compromised on Hindutva demands, e.g. it didn’t send Mr. Narendra Modi to campaign in Bihar. I believe that the same results or better would have come if Narendra Modi campaigned in Bihar – because this time people had a strong resolve to support the present government because of the development work it had done. Irrespective of religion, caste or any other dividing factor, everyone likes development and prosperity – and this message is nothing new for anyone. Just that this time it surprised the cynics.

The results have also proven that Rahul Gandhi’s campaigns and his childish statements (e.g. against RSS in order to garner Muslim votes) would not stand anywhere, until the state government is doing its job properly.

In a way, Bihar has shown a way for all parties and all governments. I don’t say that Nitish Kumar has pioneered it. It was proven by Narendra Modi in Gujarat – people from all sections voted for him because they saw in him a true leader for the interests of his state. Every time Narendra Modi asks for votes, he simply asks his reward for doing so much development. Nitish did the same thing, and won.

We can hope that all the political parties and governments would learn lessons from the success of NDA (BJP-JDU) government in Bihar and would look at their performance card rather than making some discriminating policies for appeasement of sections, in order to win votes.

A Take on Dowry System

2010-11-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

Many people demonize dowry system and can’t say anything about it other than monotonous criticism. Here is my quick take on the system in which bride’s parents give a sum of money to the groom’s side at the time of their marriage. This often happens by demand – boy’s side fixing the amount and groom’s side can either pay up or leave the proposal – or else it can happen voluntarily.

When we come to the criticism of dowry, let us remember that most often the same parents who criticize dowry when asked for their daughters, demand dowry for their sons. Is it not hypocrisy? Of course yes it is.

Going to the roots, I think the dowry system is a social evil for which none of us are responsible for, personally. The system was symbolic in the ancient India because women were seen as bhagya Lakshmi – goddess of wealth, purity and fortune. I think the system became ugly when the Muslim rule came. Hindus and all natives were harassed and became poor - and marriage served purpose for them to show off their social status - a false pride - by taking money from the girl’s side. Once the situation changes, as it is already happening now, dowry system would go away.

Also, let us understand that it is not possible for individuals to protest and come out of this system all of a sudden. I would like to share a personal experience with you. The boy didn’t take dowry, but the girl’s side spread a rumor in the society that they had given 12 lakhs of ‘dahej’; in order to enhance their social status. So let us remember that it is not only the boy’s side that uses dowry to show off its high social status - it is the girl’s side too which equally boosts the high dowry paid in order to enhance its social prestige and pride. Therefore, I think we can’t blindly blame only the boy’s side for the dowry system.

I would also like to make two other points on the same page. (1) Harassing brides for dowry is a completely different matter than dowry system; because domestic violence can happen because of a plethora of reasons and insufficient dowry is often made a ‘justification’ for such harassments. Government should be severe in such cases and the guilty should be brought to justice pn priority because dowry-harassments are often contagious – it becomes a norm after some time. (2) Often dowry is given as part of division of family wealth. So in many families daughters are given their ‘share’ at the time of marriage, while sons are given their share after death of parents. This system takes dowry into a completely different plane, as part of a wider and somewhat fair social system.

I think dowry system would go away with time sooner or later, just like it had seeped into our social system. And it would be for the good of all.

- Rahul

PS: I don’t know if it is an appropriate revelation here, but I didn’t ask for dowry at the time of my marriage. But I see the practice as part of a wider social system and at times I don’t find it completely evil.

Attack to Defense – Congress knows Best!

2010-11-15T07:09:00.000-08:00

It is said that attack is the best defense. Congress, virtually the family business of Nehru dynasty definitely understands it better than anyone else. Here is an interesting article which makes a very good point: how Congress is using a “communal” attack in order to hide “corruption charges” against it.

How Congress dodged raging scams

The Congress party on Tuesday attacked the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) for its ‘involvement in terrorist activities’ but studiously avoided all reference to two raging controversies - the Adarsh housing society scam and the corruption in the Commonwealth Games - at its special All India Congress Committee (AICC) meet in New Delhi.

http://sify.com/news/how-congress-dodged-raging-scams-imagegallery-national-klda0Cgjcid.html

Well, that is very much expected. You can’t rule over this country for 50 years without any propaganda!

When to say “India Shining” again?

2010-11-15T06:59:00.000-08:00

Here is one very disappointing piece of news about our nation’s current competitiveness. More than the rank, the “trend” is what is really worrying.

World’s most prosperous nations: India slips 10 places to be at 88

India has slipped 10 places to the 88th spot in the World Prosperity Index due to poor healthcare and education systems coupled with a weak entrepreneurial infrastructure. The prosperity index is based on 89 variables and claims to comprehensively rank the level of prosperity in 110 nations of the world.

http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/nov/03/slide-show-1-worlds-most-prosperous-nations.htm (November 3, 2010)

I think government should really wake up to the realities. Note the areas where India has gone down the trend: it’s about healthcare and education systems - the prime targets of our so called “govt for aam adami”. We need some genuine soul search.

On Obama’s India Visit

2010-11-15T05:09:00.000-08:00

I want to make two comments on American President Barack Obama’s recently concluded visit to India.

What Obama Wanted: During the most of his visit, Obama acted like the CEO of USA, which is good as such. His visit seemed to be focused only on a few issues related to interests of the US. And he got what he wanted – several publicized deals. Though I don’t think the much touted 50,000 jobs is a big deal. Population of US is 31,02,16,000 and with 10% unemployment rate, absolute unemployment becomes 3,10,21,600. 50,000 is only 0.16% of the unemployment figure. Even if he visits 100 countries in a year and win 50,000 jobs in each nation – he would only make up 16.11% of the unemployment figure. The remaining would be a challenge hard to tackle. This is why I see error in his strategy of “winning jobs”. He should be doing something for American economy and a boastful economy would generate far more jobs. (Though controversial, but facilitating the sale of some American companies to Indian or Japanese hands (in deep pockets) would help the US rather than giving American companies some subsidies. And I see even the reverse strategy paying off to the US – allow more Indian and non-US based MNCs enter, expand, and diversify in the US market – that would create far more number of jobs in the US than trying to open up Indian market for the troubled and uncertain American companies.)

How Opposition behaved: Following up the press coverage, I noticed a very good trend. The opposition has really been constructive and responsible on the issues related to Obama’s visit. It may be because it was AB Vajpayee of BJP/NDA who had forged Indo-US alliance in real terms. During his visit to the US, Mr. Vajpayee used the term “Natural Partners” for India, which Obama is accepting now. At that time the US President Clinton reciprocated to Vajpayee’s gesture and then on a new era of Indo-US partnership started. May be the BJP is still carrying on with its policy. Also, this time the BJP has not been only goody-goody. The party took a strong line and pushed the govt to be a bit assertive about US response on terrorism and Pakistan. During the last leg of his visit, Obama did make some strong anti-terrorism statements in a way targeted to Pakistan, and with his support for India’s candidature for UN Security Council, the relationship turned towards becoming win-win than being only one sided affair. Credit goes to the BJP in particular and opposition in general too.

In any case, I wish only the best for Indo-US friendship. What started from Swami Vivekananda’s visit should culminate in better ties and a close relationship between the two great nations.

Making Mess of the Great American Dream

2010-11-04T03:16:00.000-07:00

There are some fundamental principles which managers and economists follow for better effectiveness. One of them is: “Cure the cause, not the symptoms.” After reading Barack Obama’s recent comment, I wonder when he would understand it.

I have to protect American jobs: Obama on outsourcing

President Barack Obama indicated that he was unlikely to accommodate India’s concerns about his policy of discouraging outsourcing of US jobs, saying it was his responsibility to support jobs and opportunity for the American people. Obama has recently spoken against outsourcing of American jobs to countries like India and offered tax breaks for those creating jobs in the US.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/i-have-to-protect-american-jobs-obama-on-outsourcing-64306 (Nov 3, 2010)

I strongly believe that a dearth of jobs in an economy is a symptom rather than a cause. It is a symptom indicating towards some rot beneath a decently looking economy. It should ideally make one re-look at one’s economic model and at some fundamental review of policies; rather than trying some popular gimmicks like tax-breaks or subsidies. After following Obama’s speeches and policies from before his election, I have always felt he is more bent towards taking popular decisions rather than the right but difficult ones. Whenever Obama compares American education system with India’s, I think about our basic literacy rate and brain-drain and shrug off his worries. When he talks about concerns for American companies and Indian IT, I just compare the size of IBM ($103.6 billion in 2009) with that of India’s biggest TCS ($6.5 billion in 2010) and laugh at his contention. India has more number of jobs because Indians do jobs on the lower value chain, at cheapest rates; which not many Americans would choose to do. And if you force such jobs back to the US at those high salaries, American companies would become uncompetitive. So why should there be all this hype? I think Obama has his priorities wrong. Instead of saying, “I have to protect American Jobs”, he should think, “I have to prosper American Economy.” And he should remember the basics: free movement of human resources is key to achieve that economic development in today’s knowledge based economy. Just imagine one Indian-born PhD making a Patent for one American company – it would sustain so many other jobs both in the US and in other parts of the world – for years.

Sometimes I feel Indians have a better choice of their leader. Dr. Manmohan Singh may be modest in his oratory skills, but he is an economist who understands things much better. Mr. Obama is a great orator, but he is a politician having a degree in law. As we know, economies run neither by oratory nor by myopic populist decisions. These turbulent years would decide the fate of both the US and India and I only wish the US would be in the right hands.

Arundhati and Kashmir

2010-11-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Recently, the ‘famous’ Indian activist Arundhati Roy made a statement that “Kashmir has never been integral part of India”.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Kashmir-has-never-been-integral-part-of-India-Arundhati/701793/

Before becoming an activist, Arundhati was an author. In fact “The God of Small Things” is the only novel written by her. Since winning the Booker Prize, she has been writing on political issues. I read Arundhati Roy’s “God of small things” after it won the Booker Prize 1997. Story was complex and treaded on many dimensions. But one part made me bewildered: the story showed a sexual relationship between a brother and a sister. At that time I wondered what kind of a perverted writer she was. Later on I read that her book “God of small things” is semi-autobiographical and a major part captures her childhood experiences in Kerala. (She was born in Meghalaya to a Keralite Syrian Christian mother and a Bengali father. She spent her childhood in Aymanam in Kerala. She married twice and she and her present husband Pradip Krishnen had no children.)

In any case I believe Arundhati wanted to create a public debate on Kashmir issue. Here is what I have to say:

1) First of all, let us remember why “freedom” or “azaadi” is so precious for Indians. If Indians won’t understand “azadi”, after being under foreign slavery for 1000 years, I don’t know who will. Innumerable sacrifices have made us achieve our precious freedom from the British and we have been tolerant enough to allow creation of Pakistan/Bangladesh on religious ground, so as to achieve long term peace. We have also tolerated confrontation with Pakistan and China even if they keep a portion of our land, in order to avoid war. In conditions like these, giving autonomy or freedom to one of our states, is out of question because it threatens the “India model”.

2) Arundhati has been supporting Naxals and now she is supporting Kashmiri separatists. She might have an opinion and reasons to support Maoists or Separatists, but she is definitely making India weak by supporting them in public and giving them limelight and legitimacy. In democracy, we are allowed to have radical opinions, but to work full-time in spreading anti-India violence, she should be told to restrain. I would support her right of expression greatly, if she supported a non-violent movement. But she supports Maoists who kill Indian police and military forces as a way of life; and separatists in Kashmir who killed thousands of innocent Indians - and I would be happy for a case against her to be filed. My personal opinion is that she is a publicity hound and has serious psychological deviations which make her invite public attention, and her ego even feeds on their outrage. She should be treated well.

3) Arundhati seems to have become an overnight expert to understand problems in Kashmir and is passing verdicts. I don’t know who would support her but only “elitists”? Look, Arundhati is famously wise and globally popular – if I too support her, may be some of hers would brush off on me too? I am glad rest of India is not with her.

4) For Kashmir, much of the protest is “sponsored” and stones thrown are “funded” by money coming from Pakistan – and hence the problem has many dimensions.

‘Kashmir stone-pelters funded by Pakistan’

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kashmir-stonepelters-funded-by-pakistan/133688-3.html

5) Someone said why Kashmir should not get “azadi” when Pakistan got it in 1947? If we allowed Pakistan to get created, it doesn’t mean we would allow every Muslim dominated locality to become a separate nation. Today, India is not slave to Britain or anyone else, and hence can protect its soil from anti-nationals.

6) For those who blame Indian govt and think Kashmiri Muslims have got caught in the cross-fire, I suggest they search and read History properly. Read what is and how “Martyr’s Day” celebrated in Kashmir even now, remembering the dead Muslims who revolted against Hindu Dogra king, in 1931. Alas, the same kind of protest is going in Kashmir at present in 2010, as what was going on in 1931. Do read about it.

7) In my views, solution to Kashmir’s problem can be done in this way: India should first force a peace by sending all separatists to jail, take back special status of the state by removing Article 370 from our constitution and allow migration in and out of the state, and thereby inculcate the spirit of “national integration”. The special status for the state, no matter what was the historical reason behind it, has reached us to the point where our great nation which finds no parallel in history for being peace loving, is being accused like a murderous and curbing autocracy.

The bottom line is: I feel sad that the Kashmiri separatist Muslims have hijacked and abused the word and spirits of “Azadi” so much. India should strive for a proper solution to Kashmir in the long term and should strongly protect our sovereignty in the short term. And our governments should stop supporting antinational elements.

Happy Durga Puja!

2010-10-22T04:53:00.000-07:00

Got to read three amazing articles to make our Durga Puja special:

Divine Mother Everywhere - Recall During Durga Puja
http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/anecdotes/2010/divine-mother-durga-puja-141010.html

Durga Puja - The Manifestation Of Durga
http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2010/durga-puja-the-manifestation-of-durga-141010.html

Navaratri Worship of The Divine Mother And Significance
http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2010/navaratri-worship-divine-mother-081010.html

India Shining and CWG!

2010-10-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

All of us remember the NDA government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee with various feelings. Some of us appreciate that government, some of us like its decisions, some of us miss the quality of ministry it had, and I think most of us miss the sheer charisma of Atal Ji. But if “all is well that ends well” goes true, then most of us also remember NDA/BJP government with the curious slogan of “India Shining”. Some of us ridicule it (mostly because our media ridiculed it after NDA/BJP lost elections); some of us think it was a bad idea; some of us remember it as most massive PR campaign we ever had, and then some of us have also learnt a lot from it. One lesson that came out of it was, as per a popular view, that most Indians get a ‘nationalistic feeling’ only when either there is a war or there is a victory on Cricket grounds. Otherwise, our nationalism is a sleepy and stumpy creature. This explains why we got so very agitated when 26/11 happened, but soon after, we gave back power to the same guys who had created it. So much blood, tears, candles and TRP, went for nothing. Our public memory is so short that it takes only a cracker or a Saina Nehwal to forget all. This is why I suspect if we would still feel a need for a proper investigation of CWG corruption, after we witnessed such a grand inauguration and closing ceremony for the games.

Anyways, let me get back to the theme I started with. The NDA/BJP government had inherited a weak national economy. Our forex reserves were not good enough; our share markets were not hot. Loss making and bleeding public sector companies were a burden on the tax payers who were subsidizing them. Our private sector was craving for FDI and had a glass ceiling to break in the international space. Then came the NDA government which had the brightest non-political set of ministers India ever had in my opinion. These ministers had a lot to prove and a less incentive to care for their own political dynasties. The result was a complete turnaround. Our forex reserves touched new heights, share markets became hot-bed for investors, golden-quadrilateral roads were built, sick PSUs were divested with, and salaried class Indians had more money in their hands to spend. In those days, to whichever country our PM went, the Premiers broke protocols to welcome him warmly. Indian businesses became behemoths with less red-tape and NRIs started looking back to India because it had now prospects for them. In those times, somewhere around 2003, the government of A.B. Vajpayee also won the bid to organize Common Wealth Games after much effort. The Games were to showcase what we had achieved; the Games were to be a Gateway to the New Resurgent India! But as we realize some times now, such highly patriotic show-offs and our nationalistic feelings slip away even from the word go. So I guess we would just enjoy the opening/closing ceremonies of these games, would hail our sportsmen and would get back to our individual personal lives, completely forgetting that these games were also the most Shameful Games for India. Would we care to remember the mess that our corrupt government officials had thrown at us in terms of lousy preparations, the roads dug and covered, the shameful media reports which tore down our international image, the apathetic response of corrupt politicians at the helm of affairs and the crores of tax payers money which were siphoned off by corruption in the contracts and organization.

As a nation, we love entertainment. These Games have provided us with more entertainment than any other. Now I guess it’s time to go back to our collective numbness. Until, perhaps, the next time when we are again in similar mess. Then we would again curse the politicians, light some candles, watch TV news and then go back in our cozy couches. After all, this life is a game. But if we don’t play it, they will. If we don’t reject those corrupt ones in power, they will keep doing this again and again to us. Dozing, already?

- Rahul

Grandfather’s Death and No Cry

2010-10-22T04:50:00.000-07:00

I still clearly remember the day my grandfather had died. I was in high school at that time. For about a week he was hospitalized in a different city. We used to get updates by phone. Father and uncles were with him. Almost whole of the extended family had gathered in his house and we waited everyday for some good news. But that day we woke up into a morning which was so very different. Grandfather’s body was brought back. They had just arrived and he was still inside the car.

Though I woke up because of the noise, I still remained in bed. I had sensed what had happened, but I didn’t know what to do. Then I heard someone sobbing. I thought it was inappropriate for me to remain in bed and hence I came out. The person sobbing was my elder sister! I was shocked. I and my sis had grown up fighting and competing for everything, as there was a difference of only 2 years between us. And I used to consider her stone-hearted (because many times she beat me up bitterly). I was so shocked that she was sobbing.

When I went downstairs, I saw my cousins (brothers). One asked me if I had cried. In a sorry state, I said no, because I was too awkward at the moment to cry. I didn’t know what to do; I didn’t know what to say. But I didn’t feel like crying for sure. He said that it seemed so, seeing my eyes. I said it was because of (lack of) sleep. I saw my cousins even smiling – perhaps they were happy to see us and to come to grandpa’s house after a long time. But my sister had cried.
For a long time, may be even today, I feel sorry that I couldn’t cry that day. My ‘stone hearted’ sis had cried – and perhaps I felt outcompeted. Did that make her better grandchild than me? I don’t know. But she had a heart…

Part of it was also because of our age: I was younger than my sis, and my cousins were younger than me. But I also realized how different boys and girls were… Even now I can see my tough sister sobbing. And my cousin bros smiling. And I, not knowing what to feel… Are men from Mars and women from Venus?

"Hinduism, doctrine and way of life"

2010-10-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

by C Rajagopalachari (1878-1972)
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

“Hinduism, doctrine and way of life” is a wonderful book explaining the fundamental beliefs, doctrines, and way of life of Hindus, or practitioners of Sanatan Dharm. Like in his other books, the author has explained the concepts in such a simple yet scientific language which all of us can understand. “If a religion is contrary to the scientific findings, it makes itself nothing but hypocrisy”, he says. Vedanta, as he elaborated in most of the pages, is both scientifically proven and finds inspirations in so many other world religions. Is Sanyasa about renouncing Karma or attachment? What is the concept of Karma - the scientific law of cause and effect? What is Maya? What is Leela? Is God one? All these questions are answered in the book. Nowhere else, you can find such a wonderful compilation of world’s ageless wisdom which comes from the land of Bharat or India.

Basically, all of we living beings are like reflections of the One eternal soul - the Parmatma, over water-like Maya. Like the same sun is reflected in so many water drops and we can confuse if there are suns in every drop, similarly all of us are reflections of the same Paramatma over Maya. This is part of Vedanta. Also, a Vedantin would obey the rules or dharma which one is expected to because of his/her birth or place in society. And Karma, based on scientific cause-and-effect process, makes us think farther and beyond the confines of this body made of flesh and bones. Karma is also one concept which is a contribution of our land - and is common and unifies most of the religions and sects which developed in the holy land of India. Also, concepts like how Hinduism doesn’t preach fatalism but we believe in “vidhi” – law, and how free will is an ingredient in many concepts, are explained very well.

It was a wonderful experience of having read this book from a learned thinker and great politician like Rajaji, also popularly known as Chakravarti or C.R. I am looking forward to read it again.

This book is part of a series of books from Rajaji published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. It is a small size book of about 100 pages. If you are in Hyderabad and not finding it, one place is the bookshop of Birla Mandir.

Jai Shri Ram!

2010-09-30T01:22:00.000-07:00

High Court verdict on the controversial Ram Janmabhumi – Babri case is out. The court has established that the land on which the disputed structure and mosque stood, was the actual land on which Lord of Ayodhya, Raja Ram was born. First of all it’s a relief that the court verdict has finally come out. And I also believe that if the court verdict had come a bit sooner, there won’t have been any blot on the Hindu population with reference to the Babri demolition.

I have a few observations to make, which I think are far-reaching in consequences.

After Babri-demolition, the Hindu pride suffered hugely. For the secular Hindus who had never attacked or harmed people from other faiths in their history spanning ages, the blame of destroying a mosque, even if abandoned, was a shame. In fact the Hindus had even never attacked their violators by virtue of their faith; and their toleration and peaceful co-existence over a thousand year of atrocious rule by foreign faiths is a shining example for the world at large. Today’s court verdict, which establishes the fact that the disputed land was the place where Shri Ram was born, and the mosque which was built by invading fighters stood on the ruins of a Hindu temple, turns those painful accusations down. How would you feel if an invader demolishes your home and builds own, in its place? Attacking for self-defense is not totally wrong! Though I still believe demolition of Babri structure was not right, I hope from today, people would take the whole dispute in perspective instead of plainly blaming one side and turning away. Hindu pride is resurrected once again, in a way.

I also appreciate the mature and unprovocative manner in which the Hindu organizations have went about in the days before the verdict. I also note that the BJP’s take on it was very responsible, and Congress too acted just. I heard advocate Ravi Shankar Prasad speaking to media persons outside the HC sometime back and his appeal to the Indian Muslims to reinstate brotherhood was very apt.

We should also understand that had it not been the Hindu Organizations who relentlessly fought the case in the court, this decisive verdict won’t have happened. Many congratulations to them!
I guess another far reaching effect of this outcome would be that Hindus would start thinking fairly and highly of the Hindu social organizations. Even the skeptic of the lot would now wake up and realize that they were unintelligently believing in all the so called secular views aired for political convenience in our polity which is based on minority-appeasement at its core. The Muslim invaders did destroy Hindu temples, and we have to learn to accept our past history even if it is disgraceful. And the most important lesson: we can still get justice for us in our secular democracy, by fully democratic and non-violent means.

On a lighter note, I think it is not unfashionable to be a ‘Ram-Bhakt’ now :) It’s because the truth is on your side. Or should I say, better, you are on the side of the Truth…

What is Personal?

2010-09-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

We often use the word ‘personal’, but at one time I wondered if there are things in our life which could be called ‘personal’ to us in real sense. I would start with the closest guess. Are our feelings really personal to us? There are people who can guess our feelings accurately by looking at our face or into our eyes. And then we by ourselves show our feelings in many ways, unconsciously. And then there would be people close to us who would feel a part of our own feelings – out of empathy. Our life itself is also not personal. There are interferences from our parents and friends which we can’t avoid. In fact if we look back into our life, we would realize that most of our life was shaped by external events and circumstances. What if my parents didn’t have money to fund my education? What if I was born into a remote location with no school? What if my wife said no to the marriage proposal? What if I missed that train to attend that interview on time? Our life is definitely not entirely in our hands. So what others can be our ‘personal’ in true sense? Any relationship that we share has different aspects and many stakeholders in it. The properties and assets we own really don’t amount to be counted in the personal list – they won’t be there if we don’t have finances to retain or maintain them. Our parents or our relationships with our parents are very close to our personal in the sense – but then they have other children apart from us; some others too call them papa and mom.

But I think there is one thing which we can call entirely personal. And there won’t be any others to guess what it stands for us and no others to claim a stake in it. It’s the feeling of nostalgia. What you feel seeing that locality, or that design of chair, or the name of that school, or any mention of that teacher or person, no other in this world can feel it the same way. No other person knows about every memory behind our recollections at the moment and there are no stakeholders present today in the events of the past that make us feel nostalgia. I think our feeling of nostalgia is such a unique thing that it should qualify for our truly ‘personal’ by any definition...

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Judging?

2010-09-25T22:06:00.001-07:00

I was watching a movie. The story revolved around a father searching for his abducted daughters. A gang of organized criminals used to traffic women and his daughters had fallen into their trap. The man was an ex-detective. The only thing he had to start his search with, was the voice sample of the abductors. He sent the sample to an expert, who, noticing the accent and choice of words, identified the criminals to belong to a particular nationality and origin. Now matching their ‘way of doing crime’, he guessed that they belonged to a particular gang (gangs were formed also on the basis of the area from which the members had migrated from). This gang was found to be more active at airports, so the man concluded that he would find the culprits there. And he was right! He laid a trap for the abductors to come out again and nabbed them.

What interests me is the fact that the detective’s predictions were based on some common traits existing in the communities and groups. If a particular suspect had a particular type of beard, he would be from a particular community. If he pronounced a certain word in a certain manner, his origins would be guessed with confidence. His choice of words and even body language would tell where he came from. And then detectives would go on their trail. But, all these seem to me in contrary to what we have been taught to practice, by our civilized society. Just because a person behaved in a certain inappropriate manner, it should not mean that he came from uneducated or uncultured parents. Just because a person’s language is derogatory, we should not judge about one’s upbringing. We are asked not to judge people – “judge not lest ye be judged” as they often quote. So are we really judging people by their actions, in instances like interrogation and detective services? And are we doing right?

The question may be answered in different ways. In my view, the question arrived in my mind because I got confused between ‘personal judgments’ and ‘speculations’ or ‘suppositions’. To understand it we should go deeper into the way investigations are done. Many a time we really don’t have any other choice than to start with whatever smallest clues and evidences available. We make a story around it – we form hypotheses – and then we test the hypotheses. The hypothesis is a tentative theory provisionally made to explain certain facts. As we go along the investigation, we test our hypotheses. If the actual facts encountered during the course of investigation indicate our hypotheses to be wrong, we look along a different line. This way of forming and testing hypotheses is actually not the same as judging others.

Therefore, in my opinion it is nothing wrong in the way the detective in the movie went about in his trail– guessing about the criminals based on their appearances and way of doing things. If the facts would contradict his hypotheses, he would have to take a different line. Judging is like concluding and making verdicts. If we make verdicts and judgments based on incomplete facts, we have high probability to commit mistakes. Therefore, let us not judge others; but at the same time nothing is wrong in forming a hypothesis when we are going to test it.

What do you say?

- Rahul

'Our Culture'

2010-09-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

By C Rajagopalachari

Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

It’s a very interesting book on an equally interesting and puzzling topic of ‘Our Culture’. C. Rajgopalachari is one of the enlightened Indians who have presented ancient Indian/Hindu wisdom in the simplest yet very scientific language for the future generations to come.

I recommend this book for anyone and everyone, especially those who are interested in knowing India and Indian culture better.

- Rahul

A Short Life of Sri Ramakrishna

2010-09-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

This is a very good biography of the divine saint. There are many incidents from his life which are beyond explanation by conventional ways. His experiences make him a unique person, a Guru which every one of us would long to have. There is so much to learn from him and his teachings. This is a very short biography, yet complete in some aspects.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

- Rahul

Deshi and Videshi

2010-08-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

“Deshis suck big-time!” this is how he began. And then he went on saying, “Indian migrants show little willingness to integrate with the local culture and to mix with the other country’s people. On the other hand, migrants from many other nations do mix with locals and adopt their ways of living. For example, why can’t they (Indians) dress according to the local flavour?” To me, the most shocking part was to find that the writer was an Indian. A Westernised Indian, if I borrow the phrase, because I see the same thinking in him what has been systematically taught to us since the British times: the thinking which curses us with an inferiority complex as a nation and as a culture. I will explain how.

Let me start with asking one question. Which other set of migrants do you think ‘integrate well’ with local culture? Here, I would ask to specifically consider the migrants and visitors from other countries to India. Do you think the British integrated well with India when they came in? Did they respect the local culture, their religion, or their language? Do you think the Afghans who came before them integrated well with the locals? Or did they enslave the locals, converted them into their own foreign faith or taxed them discriminately? Why go back into history; do the Westerners and Arabs of the present times integrate well with Indians? Picking up the dressing, don’t the Muslims always dress differently in their own Arab garbs, wherever they go – from India to the US (including the popular styles of beard)? Going further on dress, don’t the Sikh males always wear their symbolic turban wherever they go or settle down, with others accepting them as they are? Do most of the Westerner ladies in the present India wear sarees or an Indian dress, and do they really respect Hindu symbols? Leaving the foreigners aside, don’t our own Indian converted Christians start behaving differently and try to ridicule ancient local customs and symbols, and thereby showing disintegration rather than any ‘integration’?

Why should Indians (Hindus) start taking wine or beef, if the local culture says so? Why should Indian migrant women shun their sarees and pick up miniskirts, if that is what locals wear? Why should Indian migrants to the Middle East start wearing Burqa or sporting a typical beard? On the reverse, why there is no need for the Westerners or the Arabs, when they come to India, to respect the Indian culture in the same spirits of dressing?

I think many of us have today forgotten our own strengths. This is why such inferiority complex sets in our psyche which makes us willing to ‘integrate’ with locals in ways which would destroy our own identity. One central trait of Indians is that they have always respected diversity. (When I say Indians, I mean Hindus and the practitioners in indigenous faiths. I don’t include Islamists and Christians who have mostly been intolerant of diversity.) This is why there have been no wars between the competing faiths like Sanatan Dharma or Jainism or Sikhism. In fact, the most ancient religion Hinduism easily embraced gods from other faiths like Lord Buddha or Lord Mahavira as their own gods and worshipped them. There was no protest when the Sikh Guru Shree Guru Govind Singh went on touring India and people flocked to accept his sect. Even the Arabs and Muslims have been allowed to live in India peacefully for centuries without any pressure on them to abandon their own cultural traits. So when we Indians ourselves practice so high level of tolerance and we embrace diversity, should we not also expect the other nations to practice the same spirits, which by all evaluations are peaceful and beneficial for the world?

I think it is high time we Indians and Hindus should get rid of any inferiority complex which may have set in due to foreign education. The pressure to be ‘like them’, even if we have migrated to other countries, is an unwanted and weakening psyche. We Indians and Hindus have always practiced highest levels of tolerance to diversity in others, and there is no reason why we should ourselves abandon our customs, culture, and religion, in order to destroy our own diversity.

- Rahul

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Hen Vs Cow

2010-08-20T22:18:00.000-07:00

Someone asked if there is any difference between killing a hen (chicken) or a cow (beef) for our food. His underlying challenge was to prove both were equal because both have souls. Here is my reply:

“No one justifies killing hens for food. But when you are forced to eat non-veg because nutritious veg food is not available to you, you would obviously choose the lesser evil. A cow, in its utility and in its service to us, is a far superior animal than a hen. I am sure you would know this too.

Spiritually too, we can't say that since both cows and hens have souls in them, both are equal. I believe, and I suggest you should think about it too, a cow is a much more evolved animal than a hen. We keep on rising as species of higher evolution along our birth cycle if we do good karma. Therefore, it is a lesser evil to kill a hen which is much less evolved animal than to kill a cow which is much higher on the hierarchy.”

- Rahul

Dilli aur Dil

2010-08-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Recently I was in Delhi. The amount of construction work half-completed for Commonwealth Games is startling. The whole of Connaught Place is dug up and gives the image of a war-wrecked area. Given the pace, it will take more than two months to paint the under constructed buildings, leave alone finishing them. And then we have heard enough of corruption and misappropriation in the finances meant for the games.

Another side of the same sad story is the outbreak of Dengu. Dengu in Delhi doesn’t only happen in slums or shady areas but also in posh areas and government hospitals! Tells much of government’s claims of Delhi being clean and beautiful!

During the last state assembly elections, I had talked to some Dilli-wallas who were happy that a lot of works were being done. The fact that the work was being done for the games and not for the people’s convenience, didn’t matter to them. That is why they elected the previous Congressi government back to power, despite its dismal performance in issues like power, housing, or women’s safety. But now, after all this, will the public see, listen and speak out?

In matters like democratic elections, we should decide more by the head than by the heart. If Delhi has given its heart to non-performing Congressi governments due to some infatuation, it is time to evaluate the repercussions. There is no glory in getting exploited even by infatuating faces.

- Rahul

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Memories - As a Class Monitor

2010-08-13T00:23:00.000-07:00

I have been appointed as a class representative in most of my schools and colleges. I think it was because I was always a more sincere student than most others. In school, my important role was limited to maintaining the attendance register and making some announcements. But in the high school, perhaps my role reached a pinnacle. I remember the days very well.

That was first year of my high school days, means I was in class 8th. I had done best in the exams and that made my teachers appoint me as the class monitor. In those days very less things interested me apart from studies. I was a serious student, exceptional for others, very introvert, very well mannered and these qualities definitely make us favourite of teachers. In those days whenever a teacher was late to report for the class, the class would become a pitched fish-market and the noise would reach even the Head Master’s cabin. So our class teacher fixed my major role as maintaining discipline in the class. In between two classes, no one would make a noise and if one does I would note his (it was all boys’ school) name on the blackboard. The next teacher who comes to the class would punish those guys. I came out as a very strict monitor. I didn’t allow anyone even to make a minute noise. For example, no one could even ask another for a pencil. The boys asked me to allow them to chat with each other in the lowest of voice possible, but I won’t accede. Some guys threatened me but I won’t budge. In those days it was not uncommon for some guys to even beat up opponents. But what came to my support was that I myself was always high on moral sense and always practiced what I preached. But for sheer sympathy towards the guilty, some times I would erase all the names before the teacher came. But many times I won’t show mercy and the guys would be punished, mostly by being made to keep standing up in front of the class. I can feel the silence that prevailed in the recess.

I now remember those days and can laugh at myself. I had taken the role so severely which my class mates didn’t deserve. If I allowed them to talk in whispers or to move around a bit by asking permissions, no great indiscipline would have happened. And I feel it was important to allow them to unwind in between the classes. What I did was to discipline them at the cost of them losing their humour and fun. And I now wonder at the patience of my class too – why they never revolted!

- Rahul

Father Sergius by Leo Tolstoy

2010-08-11T00:07:00.001-07:00

Father Sergius is a wonderful story of human dilemmas in front of divine expectations. It is the story of an ordinary man on which greatness and sainthood was thrust upon. He continuously faced dilemmas of life, also because he had a genuine and pure heart which always did introspection. At the end, he found the true peace in most unexpected place and way, which he never got in the Church. During the course of the story, the book details what is wrong with the Church, and also with the organised religion in general.

When I finished reading the book for the second time, I wondered if Leo Tolstoy was inspired by Hindu philosophy. The crux of this story can be summed up in what Father Sergius realises in the end. He realises that one small act done without selfish intent is far better than prayers. “One good deed — a cup of water given without thought of reward — is worth more than any benefit I imagined I was bestowing on people (by praying for them)” This is exactly what Bhagawat Gita teaches us. Also, there is a comment which tells God is within us. “The less importance he attached to the opinion of men the more did he feel the presence of God within him.” Now this is Hindu philosophy which tells us not to seek God outside but within us. That we need not worship or believe in those who claim to be God’s only son, or real prophets, but each one of us have God inside us, waiting to be realised by our own efforts.

Some excerpts:

“But as soon as he left the church the crowd of people rushed to him soliciting his blessing, his advice and his help. There were pilgrims who constantly tramped from one holy place to another and from one ‘starets’ to another, and were always entranced by every shrine and every ‘starets’. Father Sergius knew this common, cold, conventional, and most irreligious type. There were pilgrims, for the most part discharged soldiers, unaccustomed to a settled life, poverty-stricken, and many of them drunken old men, who tramped from monastery to monastery merely to be fed. And there were rough peasants and peasant-women who had come with their selfish requirements, seeking cures or to have doubts about quite practical affairs solved for them: about marrying off a daughter, or hiring a shop, or buying a bit of land, or how to atone for having overlaid a child or having an illegitimate one.”

“So that is what my dream meant! Pashenka is what I ought to have been but failed to be. I lived for men on the pretext of living for God, while she lives for God imagining that she lives for men. Yes, one good deed — a cup of water given without thought of reward — is worth more than any benefit I imagined I was bestowing on people. But after all was there not some share of sincere desire to serve God?” he asked himself, and the answer was: “Yes, there was, but it was all soiled and overgrown by desire for human praise. Yes, there is no God for the man who lives, as I did, for human praise. I will now seek Him!”

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God’s Own Terror?

2010-08-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

A disturbing trend has developed in Kerala.

Taliban-style courts in God's Own Country

'Hotbed of terrorism' is not the usual label for Kerala. But intelligence gathered by disparate agencies over the last few years suggests the description may not be far off the mark. Confirmation of this came with the horrifying incident of July 4, when a college lecturer's right hand was chopped off in Moovattupuzha, a town in Eranakulam district. The attack on T J Joseph was apparently in retaliation for setting a question paper that allegedly hurt Muslim sentiments. Police raids on offices of the Popular Front of India (PFI), whose activists are believed to be behind the attack, have exposed a well-oiled, pan-Islamist network fed by a heady mix of Wahhabism and hawala. Kerala's deep-rooted Gulf links also come in handy for the PFI.

The revelations of the last two weeks are startling. It includes al-Qaida training tapes, Taliban-style courts that dispense justice according to Shariat law, literature on conversion, explosives enough to kill dozens, and documents indicating unusual interest in the Indian Navy.

The policemen who seized the CDs from PFI offices later reported disgust and disbelief at videos showing brutal punishment – such as the severing of limbs – inflicted on "enemies of faith". Some shots had activists slaughtering animals, apparently to harden them.

Fingerprints of the banned al-Umma, which was behind the Coimbatore bombings, were found to be all over the murder of three Hindu youth – in Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur – reportedly for having relations with Muslim women.

In July 1993, reformist Islamic scholar Moulavi Abdul Hassan Chekannur was abducted from his home and slaughtered allegedly by hardliners.

But perhaps the jihadi network first became really visible in Marad, a sleepy fishing hamlet in Kozhikode district. On May 2, 2003, eight Hindu fishermen were executed on the beach by a crack team, which appeared out of nowhere. It was said to be a revenge attack and the execution betrayed a chillingly high level of training.

Barely two years later, Kerala's links with the global jihad became clear when four young Malayali men were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kashmir. They were en route to PoK for training. The incident brought some disquieting facts to light, not least the extensive recruitment of Kerala's young men for jihadi operations. Official estimates say as many as 300 young Malayalis were recruited from different parts of the state.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Taliban-style-courts-in-Gods-Own-Country/articleshow/6182633.cms

New Kerala outfit on terror radar

TNN, Aug 5, 2010

NEW DELHI: A new outfit is under scanner in Kerala for its alleged anti-India ideology. The Popular Front of India (PFI) calls India its enemy and asks for 'total Muslim empowerment'.

Times Now has access to documents seized from activists of the controversial outfit, which prove its anti-national ideology. The documents portray the nation as its enemy and calls to work towards 'total Muslim empowerment’.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-Kerala-outfit-on-terror-radar/articleshow/6260122.cms

Kerala CM reignites 'love jihad' theory

TNN, Jul 26, 2010

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan's charge that the Popular Front of India (PFI), which allegedly masterminded the Taliban-style attack on a college lecturer, had plans to Islamize Kerala in 20 years using "money and marriages" has reignited the "love jihad' controversy, hotly debated in the state last year.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Saturday, VS said PFI was trying to multiply Muslim numbers in the state "by influencing youth of other religions and converting them by giving money, marrying them to Muslim women and thus producing kids of the community."

In a way, the CM was endorsing the concerns expressed by the Kerala high court, which in August 2009, asked the state police to probe if there was an organised racket working to lure youth for conversion using love and money.

The HC order followed allegations levelled by two girls that they were lured using love by boys who later tried to expose them to jihadi literature and sexual abuse by their friends. The judge called for a probe inviting protests from Muslim groups.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-CM-reignites-love-jihad-theory/articleshow/6216779.cms

Hindu Scriptures

2010-08-06T23:51:00.001-07:00

Cynicism

2010-08-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

Many times our friends and relatives ask us for suggestions. I hope we give suggestions without any hidden intentions or bias and our suggestions are made to only benefit our friend from our knowledge of the matter. It is up to the seeker whether to accept or discard the suggestion.

But I have observed a new trend these days. In many cases, the seeker takes decision which is opposite and in conflict with the suggestion one has received. The underlying cynicism is that the suggestion must have some hidden intent.

I think I can guess the reason behind such cynicism. Some times we come across people who give suggestions which are either biased – made keeping in view the selfishness of the person giving the suggestion rather than the one seeking it, or they are conspiring – made to confuse and harm the person seeking suggestion. If we come across many such persons then we start thinking negative about the process of suggestions itself. (We still ask for suggestions because it is human nature.) And this negative thinking makes us see hidden intent even where there is none.

I think we should be careful in this regard.

- Rahul

Remembering Rocket Singh

2010-08-04T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a speech made by one of the close friends of departed (to somewhere) Rocket Singh:

“It so happened that the night he was born, it was Diwali. As soon as he emerged in this world and started celebrating it by crying, a rocket came rushing in to greet him through the window. He went silent from that moment. Then one day his grandfather thought to name him as Sailen(t) Singh. As soon as grandpa announced this idea, another cracker rocket came in and burst at the widows. It was Sandi Singh’s wedding party. After everyone settled in recovering from the surprise attack, they heard a kid crying! From that day, he came to be known as Rocket Singh.

When asked what he wanted to become when he would grow up, Rocket Singh would go into a deep meditation. It took him to finish class third before he could make up his mind. He decided that it would only be best for a person with his name to become a Space Scientist.

Like many others who sported Sikh turbans, Rocket Singh grew up with the idea of settling down in America. By the time he cleared his graduation in third attempt, he had already became masters in passing exams. So no one was surprised when he cleared his visa interview too.

He indeed went to America, as was told to everyone during the days he was not seen on the mithai shops. He reappeared after about a month. He announced how he was fulfilling both the dreams of his life – to become a rocket scientist and to work in America. He had gotten into a deal with American scrap dealers who would export the scrap generated from scrapped metallic parts of the American rockets, and Rocket Singh would melt and recycle those in India. From that day onwards, Rocket Singh is remembered as the one who is a successful entrepreneur and the one who went after his dreams to fulfil all of them.

The reason why we all are gathering here to remember Rocket Singh is that perhaps the role of rockets in his life had not come to an end even then. One day, accidentally a real rocket which was thought to be scrap burst in his workshop. His whole workshop gave a look of the planet Mars. It seemed to be attacked by aliens. After the devastation, Rocket Singh was not to be found anywhere. Few knew at that time that in that peculiar manner, Rocket Singh had fulfilled his third dream which he had not revealed to anyone – to ride a rocket. We don’t know where Rocket Singh’s rocket would have landed him on, but we are sure he would be happy and smiling wherever he is.

I would conclude my speech with saying that each rocket that we see on a Diwali night reminds us of Rocket Singh. We miss you yaar, come back soon.”

- Rahul

Memories of those fateful days

2010-07-31T22:53:00.000-07:00

In those days I was studying in the 12th. I and another cousin (brother) used to stay in the same room. It was winter at that time. One morning, while he was heating bathing water with an electrical heating rod, we had a discussion about the device. I said that I would check if the water was hot by touching it while power was on. He asked me not to do so otherwise I would get an electric shock. I had read about the heating effect of current and I said that I believed there should not be actual currents running in the water but it was the rod which was heated and conducted heat to the water. When he didn’t agree, I said that I would demonstrate it. I went ahead and touched the water. He didn’t stop me from doing so. When I touched the water I didn’t get any shock. He was surprised and checked the heater. And he said, “Rahul, God saved your life. The plug was not fitted well.” Later on, I realised that I had a near miss. I don’t know what would have happened if I really touched the water while current ran through it.

Afterwards, I had at least two serious near death experiences in my life. Once I had a close pass from a luggage train. And another time my motorbike slipped on a crossing of a highway, and thanks to my helmet I was saved because my head (helmet) banged on the road many times. Also, fatefully, there were no trucks on the road at that time.

Our life is full of uncertainties. No matter how much we try to control the events, we won’t be 100% successful. Those who think of themselves as too powerful should think about the kings who have died having fallen from a staircase or from a horseback. It makes us realise the importance of the good days in our life. We should be grateful to the fate or to the God that we are safe, alive, and in a state of peace. Because, the good days are neither permanent nor given.

- Rahul

Irony

2010-07-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

In our life it’s not easy to discriminate what is right and what is wrong. And then this nature’s turn of events or God’s will is confusing enough. Therefore, very often we are left baffled at what we witness. Here is a story based on a real life incident:

Ramesh ji was an old face in the locality. He worked in a university, in an administrative position. He was in his fifties. He had two sons who had gone the wrong way, and others avoided them. He lived with his wife and his sons. One peaceful afternoon, news about his accidental death broke out. What had actually happened was very disturbing. He had a fight with his younger son - perhaps the quarrel was going on for quite some time. That day, Ramesh ji got too agitated and went to the railway track and committed suicide. His dead body arrived at his home after post-mortem. Ideally, and from what we can think about it, society should have deplored his younger son and would have sympathised with the old man’s situation that made him fed up of his life. But what actually happened is as follows.

Realising that it was a case of suicide and hence it would create problems for the family, some plans were made backdoor. The university gave it in writing that Ramesh ji had gone to catch a train with some college work on duty when he had died. That made his son eligible to get a job in his position. And the fact that it was an accidental death causing loss of life, the insurance claims would also be substantial.

His deviated son, because of whom he took such an extreme step and ended his life, would now enjoy his government job. And with the insurance money pouring in, it would indeed be a life full of material pleasures.

What an irony!

- Rahul

OBC Population: As Much as They Please

2010-07-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

UPA government has included some more castes in the OBC list in the caste-sensitive states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan and some others.

Government approves inclusion of more castes in OBC list

July 22, 2010 15:07 IST Email

New Delhi: The government today approved the inclusion of more castes in the central list of OBCs for various states. Sources said the Union cabinet has given approval to most additions from Jharkhand and Chhattishgarh in the Other Backward Castes list.

"Inclusion of these communities in the central list of OBCs will enable them to avail benefits of reservation in the central government services as well as in the central education institutions" an official spokesperson said.

The Adrakhi Mahato caste of Bihar is one such community, whose inclusion in the central list of OBC for Bihar was approved today. Similar changes have been approved for inclusion as well as amendments in the names of castes and communities in the OBC's central list for Chhattishgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan and the union territory of Daman and Diu.
Link: DNA India

When we had debated about the SC/ST/OBC population in India and whether we should count them, I had made a point that their population and % can be as much as politicians desire. By including more castes in the OBC list, the government can easily inflate the OBC % out of total population and later make it a ground to aim for higher reservations and quota.

Caste based reservations are clearly an attempt to divide our society on the basis of castes and are part of divide-and-rule policy of political parties including the Congress (INC). I hope the party looks back at what the view of our first PM Jawaharlal Nehru was on the issue of reservations. Caste based reservations are part of caste based vote-bank politics and should be strongly denounced.

Our Ideals

2010-07-24T22:41:00.003-07:00

The Hindu mythologies are perhaps the world’s richest, with unparallel epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In India, children from all families irrespective of class or sects, grow up learning moral values from these epics. I try to quickly sum up my thoughts on who can be considered ‘ideal’, in roles and deeds:

Ram: Ideal Husband

In my opinion, Ram was the ideal husband. The reasons are many; main one is that Ram and Sita, even after being God and Goddess themselves, chose to sacrifice their togetherness - this was the biggest test which they passed. Ram deserted Sita in order to carry out his Raj Dharma - this was the ultimate sacrifice which he made, being a loyal "husband" - without any ill feeling towards Sita. His trust in Sita was beyond any comparison. Another very strong point was that Ram never married again even after leaving Sita. Without Sita, he didn't sleep on the bed and always remembered her. When he did yagya after Sita was not there, he kept her idol at his side. He installed Sita's son as the next king after him. Before that, in order to take back Sita, Ram went on and destroyed Ravana and his kingdom of Lanka - risking his and his follower's life. Because Ram and Sita passed the biggest test - of sacrificing association for the wellbeing of this world - Ram and Sita are the ideal couple in this world.

Lakshman: Ideal younger Brother

Lakshman, the younger to Ram is also considered ideal brother. He went along with Ram to the forest as vanvaas. As soon as he heard about Ram’s vanvaas, he resolved to go along with Ram even when he had no business there. And there, he passed the biggest test – he even chose to stay away from his parents, his wife, his state, just to be with his elder brother Ram and to service him… He even risked his life in the war with Ravana. Lakshman represents the ideal younger brother…

Ram: Ideal Son

Ram played the role of ideal son in his life. Just to fulfil the wish of his father, he went to jungle for 14 months. And his father’s wish was not his own, his father’s wish was actually the wish of one of Ram’s step mothers. But Ram loved his father so much, that he took up all troubles in order to fulfil the wish of all those whom his father respected – Ram treated all his (step) mothers as his real mother… Ram represents the ideal son…

Hanuman: the ideal devotee

Hanuman ji is considered the ideal devotee. So much was his love and bhakti for Ram, which can be cited with so many events and examples throughout the stories of Ramayana that I think there has been no other devotee like Hanuman ji so far in the entire world… His bhakti took such a form that he considered himself a sevak – a servant – of Ram. And he served all his life in the bhakti of Ram, serving him as a servant. His this form of Swami-Bhakti is still practiced and taken inspiration from, by many Hindus…

Sati or Parvati: the ideal wife

Sati, wife of Shiva is considered the ideal wife. At the mere sight of insult to her husband, she chose to die in order to take another incarnation to get Shiva back. She did lots of Tap in order to get Lord Shiva as her husband. And all this despite the fact that she was Shakti – the power of God – herself. But she never showed-off her powers in pride and remained attached to her husband for whole life. Shiva in returned, loved her more than anyone else, despite always being in renunciation…. Parvati, Shiva and their sons – Ganesha and Karthik – are considered symbol of a happy family by all Hindus…

Sita: the ideal wife

Sita, wife of Lord Ram, is considered the ideal wife by all Hindus. She is worshipped as a Goddess too. She and Ram were made for each other, and they enjoyed period of togetherness. She also did sacrifice when she decided to remain with Ram when Ram was sent to the forest for 14 years: meaning her life without her husband was incomplete. When Ram had to leave her, she showed some real strength of character and gave birth to and raised her children in the best manner possible. Later on, according to legend when she saw Ram again and when Ram was in a dilemma to accept her back or not: she chose to leave this mortal world and free Ram from all dilemmas: showing the superiority of the feminine… Sita is worshipped as the ideal wife…

Parshuram: the ideal Kshatriya

Sage Parshuram is can be seen as ideal Kshatriya (warrior) by all Hindus. The legend says at one time, the kings and kshatriyas of the time had become too oppressive and had deviated from the path of dharma. Then one day while Jamadagni, Parshuram's father, was sitting near his house deep in meditation, the king Kartavirya Sahasrarjuna arrived there seeking hospitality. But as Jamadagni was deep in meditation, he did not offer the king the customary salutations. Greatly angered, the king killed the sage. When Parshuram returned he deduced what had happened and was so enraged that he not only slayed the king but all the despots of the world. In the end, tired and weary of war, he began a long penance on the western coast of India on a tract of land (now known as Kerala) reclaimed from the sea. Later, he left for Kamarupa (now called Assam) where he changed the course of the river Brahamputra, turning it towards India. All his work were selflessly done with great show of strength and bravery. We can see him as the ideal Kshatriya.

Krishna: the ideal Brother

Krishna can be called an ideal brother, which can be seen in his relationship with Draupadi. Draupadi regarded Krishna as her elder brother and Lord Krishna had promised to protect her. At the time when her husbands failed her at the site of unfortunate gamble, it was only Krishna who came and saved her modesty and honor. Not only this, but Krishna guided the Pandavas in their righteous war and never failed them. Krishna can be seen as an ideal brother by all Hindu women…

Parshuram: the ideal Son

Bhagwan Parshuram, an Avatar of Vishnu, is also considered ideal son in his life. Once his father, sage Jamadagni, became very angry at his wife Renuka (Parshuram’s mother) because of suspected breach of marital trust. In his rage, he asked Parshuram to slay his wife, Parshuram's mother. In obedience and devotion to his father, Parshuram did this deed. However, when his father offered him a reward for his obedience, he requested his mother be given back her life. So he got his mother alive again. From this story comes the recognition of this avatar with parental devotion. Seldom in our figures we find such an example of "equal" devotion towards both parents. So Parshuram is an ideal son.

Arjuna: the ideal Disciple

I think Arjuna was an ideal student. It was because he didn’t believe whatever his Guru said with a blind attitude, but he kept questioning and reasoning. His attitude towards learning was that of one perfect learner and student. And he never showed any disrespect towards his teacher – Krishna. Arjuna can be seen as a perfect disciple or student.

Pandavs: the ideal Brothers

We can take the five Pandavs as the ideal brothers. The story of Mahabharatha is full of incidents when one brother made a sacrifice for others and even risked his life. All younger brothers loved and revered their eldest brother Yudhisthir – while Yudhisthir fulfilled the role of elder brother as a father. We never find such love and bonding among real brothers, as we see it between the five Pandavs.

Sage Rishabha: the ideal father

Lord Risabha is considered an ideal father in Hinduism. He is even considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. I read from the Wiki article on him: “In Hinduism, Lord Risabha is regarded to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He appeared in the womb of Marudevi, the wife of King Nabhi. The King underwent many severe austerities and penance to please Lord Visnu to get a son like Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu accepted his plea and thus appeared as Lord Rsabha - son of King Nabhi and Merudevi. Jains accept Lord Rsabha as Rishabha, as the first Tirthankar. Hindus regard their practices are atheistic and contradictory to the teachings of Lord Rsabha in the Bhagavata Purana. (Ref: Srimad Bhagvatam: Canto 5, Chapter 6, Verse 9) Rishabha Rishi is also mentioned in the Markandeya, Vayu, Brahmanda, Skanda, and Vishnu Puranas. He followed the orders of His guru and accepted a wife named Jayanti. He begot a hundred sons in the womb of Jayanti. Of these hundred sons, the eldest was known as Bharat. Since the reign of Maharaja Bharata, the Indian sub-continent has been called Bharata-varsa. Rsabhadeva's other sons were headed by Kusavarta, Ilavarta, Brahmavarta, Malaya, Ketu, Bhadrasena, Indrasprk, Vidarbha and Kikata. There were also other sons named Kavi, Havi, Antariksa, Prabuddha, Pippalayana, Avirhotra, Drumila, Camasa and Karabhajana. Instead of ruling the kingdom, these nine became mendicant preachers, following the religious precepts of the Bhagavata Purana. Their characteristics and activities are described in the Eleventh Canto of the Bhagavata Purana during the talks between Vasudeva and Narada at Kuruksetra. To teach the general populace, King Rsabhadeva performed many sacrifices and taught His sons how to rule the citizens. (Ref: Bhagvata Purana. Canto 5, Chapter 4 Summary) Thus Lord Rsabha was an ideal father, who gave ept instructions to his sons. The instructions of Lord Rsabha to his sons are present in Canto 5, Chapter 5 of the Bhagavata Purana.

Rishi Dadhichi: the Ideal Brahmin

I think Rishi Dadhichi can be considered as the ideal Brahmin. He performed the biggest sacrifice – he donated his own bones to make a weapon for the gods to destroy the demons. A Brahmin always spreads light and positivism in this world and shows others the right path, while himself being on the difficult path of sacrifice and tap. Dadhichi, with having achieved epitome of sacrifice, can be considered the ideal Brahmin.

Quota Beyond Barriers

2010-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

It seems the Supreme Court has had a change of heart and has begun making populist judgements.

SC allows 69% quota in TN for a year
India Blooms News Service

New Delhi, July 13 (IBNS):

A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice Swatanter Kumar, ordered the continuation of providing for 69 per cent reservation for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in jobs and educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.

The apex court bench was hearing a petition on the constitutional validity of the state law.

The court also directed the Tamil Nadu Backward Class Commission to study the quota introduced and see if it is justified. The Commission has to consider the exceptions provided under the Mandal judgement - that in certain circumstances, the 50 per cent cap on quota can be exceeded.

http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails130710g.php

The reasoning that jobs should be granted to castes proportionately on the basis of their % headcount out of total in a state is unreasonable and illogical. Anyone who has merit and clears the entrance test or exam and is eligible based on fair criteria should get the job, irrespective of his or her caste. This is what was supported by the freedom fighters and this is what our corrupt divisive politicians are trying to ignore.

Unjustified 69% quota in TN must be scrapped. The politics of divide and rule and politics of vote bank should stop. We are one nation and we should not allow petty politicians to divide us on the basis of castes or religions.

- Rahul

Ma Ke Kamre Mein

2010-07-01T00:12:00.000-07:00

Ma ke kamre mein palang purana
Ma ke kamre mein pooja ka kona

Ma ke kamre mein sheesha salona
Ma ke kamre mein bolne wala pankha

Ma ke kamre mein peti aur bakse
Ma ke kamre mein lambi aalmari

Ma ke kamre mein gulabi deewarin
Ma ke kamre mein diwaron par chitrakari

Ma ke kamre mein powder ki dibbi
Ma ke kamre mein khuli hui khidki

Ma ke kamre mein rajai aur chadar
Ma ke kamre mein chhipe hue khilone

Ma ke kamre mein sab kuchh apna
Ma ke kamre mein duniya ek sapna

- Rahul

Forgetting History?

2010-04-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article titled “Prithviraj beat the Ghorids, but they later took revenge” by Akhilesh Mithal, in a series called “Forgotten Delhi” (Published in The Sunday Guardian 20; New Delhi; 18.Apr.2010; Page 24). The article was about the shrine of Devi Yogmaya in Mehrauli and it went into the historical episode of battles of Tarain. Goddess Yogmaya was the deity of Chauhan Rajputs including Prithviraj Chauhan.

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It was a part of the article which made me stop in the state of awe.

“No trace remains of the original Yogmaya structure except the inscription on the first Ja’ama Masjid (congregational mosque) which claims that the building materials from 27 Jaina and Hindu temples, each of which had been built at great cost (20000 Delhiwaals) were used in its construction.”

The fact coming out evident here should not have been a shock to me. Breaking Hindu temples and using their construction material in building up of Islamic mosques in their exact place is nothing unique about the Yogmaya temple; such examples are scattered all over India or all over the world. The same was alleged as the case for Ram Temple in Ayodhya; I am not sure if the evidences by now would be preserved by our so called secular government. The same was the case for Somnath Temple in Gujarat, which was broken down and enormous wealth carried away to build mosques and palaces in Afghanistan.
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Does knowledge of history or lack of it change one’s way of thinking?
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- Rahul

Haj Subsidies: Thankless Help?

2010-04-22T08:27:00.002-07:00

Recent news says Muslim bodies are supporting the UPA Govt’s plans (however genuine) to cut the annual Rs 900 Crores Haj Subsidy. And they have come up with some very interesting theories and reasons.

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Muslim leaders back cutting Haj subsidy
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The UPA government’s plan to gradually stop financing the Haj pilgrimage is a step in the right direction, several Muslim leaders have said.
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Their backing is crucial for a clean pullout, without rubbing the community the wrong way.
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From the Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind to the Milli Council, influential Muslim lobbies on Saturday said it was time the government pulled out of the Haj business. “The subsidy has been inconsequential,“ Rajya Sabha MP and Jamiat leader, Mahmood Madni told Hindustan Times.
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About 1,50,000 Indian Muslims flock to Mecca each year for Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam. The government bankrolls the pilgrimage by partly paying the airfare.
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Madni said the subsidy actually went in bailing out Air-India, while exposing Muslims to charges of appeasement. So, Muslim leaders want global tenders for airlines so that the lowest bidder gets the job.
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A decades-old bilateral treaty between India and Saudi Arabia stipulates only the state carrier will fly pilgrims.
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A major gripe is that Air- India’s fares are sharply higher than routine fares. Each year, the Cabinet decides how much the Haj Committee, the facilitating agency, should charge as airfare. Last year, passengers were charged Rs 12,000 each.
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Going by last year’s subsidy of about Rs 826 crore, the Air India fare must have been between Rs 80,000-90,000 per passenger, according to Haj Committee CEO Mohd. Owais.
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The current round trip economy fare to Jeddah at present is about Rs 18,000, a Saudi air- line official said.
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“Air India’s monopoly should be ended,“ Jama Masjid imam Ahmed Bukhari said.
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The state carrier charges higher fares on the ground that it has to pull out planes from regular operations for dedicated Haj travel.
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“The Haj Committee should be given three-years’ subsidy at one time as seed capital and the subsidy stopped after that, “Manzoor Alam, Muslim Personal Law Board member and Milli Council chief, said.
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Ref http://bit.ly/bH0xCq (Hindustan Times)

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I think this is a new propaganda that Muslim leaders are coming out with. They want it both ways - one, to receive the (unfair) benefits and two, no acknowledgement (and hence no gratitude/accusations) of having received the benefits. So GOI has been turned into a thankless entity, forgetting that without govt’s support not many of the poor Muslims would ever have gone to do Haj-pilgrimage.
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If Muslim leaders want GOI to release global tenders for airlines, they are still asking for GOI’s help, which is in conflict with their so called support to subsidy-pull-out.
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And the question arises as to why should govt of India pay them 3 years subsidy as a seed capital? The sum would be about 2700 Crores which is huge. When we look at the sum they are asking for, the true intention of the Haj committee and other Muslim organizations come out: they want power. They want exclusive power.
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If GOI doesn’t manage the Haj trips and gives the right to Haj committee or to any other Muslim body along with Rs 2700 Crores pay cheque, it would be giving too much of power in too few hands with two few checks and balances. Such Muslim groups and hence their leaders and chairpersons would create very powerful places for themselves. We would never know how exactly they would spend the money: they can always show crores of rupees spent to build their offices, (or homes), or ghetto Madrasas or to buy stationary or to build toilets.
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The best way is to leave the Muslims to manage their own Haj trips. Let them save enough to go to Mecca or to Switzerland, if they feel it is good for their religion, and hence allow them to keep their religion as their personal belief. Let them book their own tickets in the airline of their own choice. Let them truly fulfill the requirements for one of the pillars of Islam, as it is called. Afterall, I hope GOI doesn’t hope of receiving some of Allah’s blessings by helping thankless Muslims do the Mecca journey, right?
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On the other hand, countries like UAE and Saudi have been earning lots of money from Haj tourism. Also, they keep enjoying some blind reverence from people of foreign nations like India, just because of religious sentiments, which poses a long-term political risk. Indian Govt should not keep being a victim of the religious fancies of Indian Muslims. It is a huge capital that goes outside India - in thousands of Crores of rupees. Such money should come from those who choose to go outside India on tourism or on pilgrimage. Why should I and you - the common tax payers - pay for their religious trips?
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I think GOI should apologise to our secular constitution for the years it has been paying Muslims their Haj subsidies, and immediately get out of the scheme. It should not become yet another victim of Muslim Mullahs by getting into debates about Air India and global tenders for airlines. (Though I doubt if our UPA govt would do that - almost all actions of our govt are guided by minority-appeasement.)
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And yes, we should also push for UCC - uniform civil code and strive towards India’s secularism from existing pseudo-secularism.
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- Rahul

Home Minister Vs Naxals

2010-04-22T08:24:00.000-07:00

In the wake of worst ever Naxal attack in Chattisgarh on April 6th, I think it is time our Home Minister should realise that his so called hard talk would only result in more such retaliations from the Naxal terrorists. The average Naxal militant is not literate enough to read P. Chidambaram in newspapers when he challenges Naxals calling them cowards. The average Naxal cares for the food, money and power that comes to one through him/her remaining part of the ‘revolution’. GOI should rather do something to cut supplies to Naxal’s food, money and arms rather than our Home Minister keep visiting affected villages and the Naxals killing other innocent men in frustration.

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The recent attack on April 6th should be taken as a verdict that our Home Minister’s art of passing the buck to the state governments and going the populist way to newsprints to challenge the Naxals won’t work. The moral responsibility of the deaths is on his chair. I think its time when GOI should seriously rethink its decision not to oblige states like CG who have asked to deploy Indian Army to finish the Naxal menace once and for ever. Srilankan success in routing LTTE should serve as inspiration.
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- Rahul

Padma Shree Sania Mirza and Pakistan

2010-04-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

Recent news space has been buzzing with the wedding announcement of Indian tennis queen Sania Mirza and one Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. It’s true that marriage between two persons is a personal affair, but if the person has enjoyed boundless love, affection, accolades and fan-following from the Indian masses for years, it is natural for the masses to have an opinion about his or her decision. Sania Mirza has not been like any other tennis player – she was awarded Padma Shree by the President of India – Padma Shree being one of the highest civilian awards in our country. Before that, she was awarded Arjuna Award by the government of India. She has worn our Tricolor for so many years and all of we Indians have showered our support and love every time she went out to play for us. The whole nation supported her against the Islamic Mullahs who objected her skirts and short tennis clothes. The national media supported her when she was charged with showing disrespect to our national flag. And in the end, if she decides to marry a man who competes against our national cricket team and bears the stars of a nation which has fought at least four wars with us and is responsible for terror attacks on our soil; and if she decides to get settled in a foreign country, we are in our rights to doubt her integrity and patriotism. Her declarations of keeping Indian passport and not settling down in Pakistan are only delusions to prevent controversies – who can guarantee if a married couple changes mind afterwards?

Shoib Malik’s first marriage with an Indian woman Ayesha Siddiqui and his alleged dumping is a totally new dimension to Sania-Shoib wedding. But I guess government of India won’t try to protect the rights of one Indian Ayesha due to political reasons.

We can’t know truth that lies in the hearts of Sania or Shoib. But one thing is sure: Sania Mirza is now no role model for Indian women.

- Rahul

Bachchans Vs Sonia Gandhi

2010-04-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

The manner in which the government of India is officially and unofficially harassing the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan is a very sad face of our so called great Indian democracy. (I find anything written by me on this topic as fruitless; because I fear those would neither change nor console anyone: decades of such deeds have been tolerated by our masses and the same culprits are elected back to power term after term.) Yes, I am definitely talking about Nehru/Gandhi dynasty. Any individual or family which challenges or harms the interests of this dynasty is doomed. The harassment may start from the levels of slandering (accusing AB of supporting so called mass murders in Gujarat) and reach allegedly to the limitlessness of being sent to the gallows (so many stories on the round about politicians eliminated for challenging one Mrs or Mr Gandhi – who knows how many of them are true). If there is a permanent enemy (anyone who challenges the dynasty is seen as an enemy) like one CM of Gujarat – the person would be damned for life, thanks to the sponsorships and seeding that our main stream media gets from the ruling deities (Nehru dynasty).

So many years have passed, but some Special SIT is still probing a Chief Minister who called Sonia Italian (which was no lie). On the other hand, it seems no one cared to bother if our late tainted Prime Minister (courtesy Bofors scandal) Rajiv Gandhi was probed for his role in anti-Sikh genocide. So a Narendra Modi would be ostracized and an Amitabh Bachchan would be seen as a pariah if they dared to question and criticize a party or its leaders. I wonder if this was the democracy which we opted in 1947.

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Is it time we ask the despots to step down? Is it time we reclaim our democracy? I doubt – after all just a few days back Sonia Gandhi was again made chief of National Advisory Council which gave her the rank of a Cabinet Minister (and still some people say she never enjoyed power herself). This happened after the chair was removed from the Office of Profit list – especially for her to enjoy it! The sad state of our democracy is that it has been scrupulously tailor-made to serve the interests of one family and one political party. Real democracy and Amitabh Bachchan, both can wait till eternity.

- Rahul

Kittu on Gudi Padva

2010-03-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today is Gudi Padva. There was a special program in our society. All of us, means kids, were asked to dress up like our parents. I was very happy. Mommy Papa had purchased a green saree for me. There was a blouse too. Mommy too had a green saree. Secretly, we two had tried our sarees on us yesterday and we kept on laughing. Mother said I was looking just like her when she was small.

Today when we reached the venue, we saw many other couples – mother-daughter or father-son, all in matching dresses. Boys had a clear disadvantage. Since their fathers would not wear half-pants and half-shirts, the boys had dressed in full pants and full shirts and were looking like chubby old men. One of them had come in traditional attire – but the boy’s dhoti was getting stuck in his feet and he was irritated and troubled. He was removing his topi and was envyingly looking at other boys who were in much comfortable clothes. Anyways, there I was along with my mother – both of us in green sarees. We had also put flowers in our hair. Of course the same white flowers. Suddenly, Milli arrived along with her mother. Seeing her, everyone stopped and watched them. Her mother always wore Western attire and never a saree or a salwar kurta. Many times she wore very colourful dresses. In fact all of us girls were envious of aunty for her dresses. Aunty looked very pretty in those dresses. Some times she wore frocks, just like us. Today aunty and Milli both had come wearing similar dresses – frocks – and both were looking like kids! They were odd men (women) out.

Today, I didn’t feel envious of aunty. I was happy with my mommy who wears a saree. Mommy also looks very nice in a saree. Aunty looks like a girl in her dresses. But today when all of us were dressed like our mothers, I realised that aunty was dressed like her daughter. And she was dressed like her daughter not only today but always. If mothers would start behaving like children, whom will we children look up to when we grow up? That is not fair!

Political Quota for Women

2010-03-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

It was amusing to see our national media singing a political raga and standing behind the bill reserving 33% of parliament seats for females. When Rajya Sabha passed it yesterday (attempt to pass it on world women’s day was a political gimmick), the media and the government celebrated the move as if some great contribution has been made towards women’s rights and cause. If we think about it, there is hardly anything done yet.

Democracy can’t work with symbolism and political gimmicks. Given what the women politicians have done so far – be it Sonia Gandhi who used her status as a widow as an entry pass in politics, or Mayawati and Jayalalita whose are names synonym with corruption, or Uma and Mamta as political hysterics, or Sheila Dixit who sits on chair while her state makes worse records of crime against women everyday, women politicians have proven remarkably nothing of note. If we go back in time then we had Indira Gandhi as our first elected dictator. I believe we have seen enough of politics in India to come to the conclusion that women politicians are as corrupt, as weak, as brainless, as power-hungry and as self-obsessed as their male counterparts; if not more.

India or Indian women would gain nothing just because there are more sarees than kurtas in the parliament – unless the ground realities of politics change.

The government which virtually forced an achiever like Kiran Bedi out of her badge doesn’t deserve the rights to self-glorify itself as one fighting for the women’s cause. The party (INC) and the man (Rajiv Gandhi) who decided to appease some minority mullahs at the cost of women’s rights (Shah Bano case) don’t deserve the right to be called pro-women. The women who entered and thrived in politics due to their husbands and fathers (living or deceased) don’t deserve to be called representatives of new-age women.

When real democracy fails, politicians ask us to settle for symbols. This women’s political quota bill is one of the same. We should not rejoice, but feel sad about our state of politics.

- Rahul

Screen or Real Life Hero?

2010-03-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

The world will remember ‘Three Idiots’ (3-Idiots) as an Amir Khan movie. Out of the many other hugely celebrated movies he has acted in, 3-Idiots is one of the most discussed ones in the recent times. 3-Idiots is the story of a man who not only lives life his own way, but also inspires others to go beyond what the society thinks conservatively fit for them. The movie scoffs at our society’s those typical blue-eyed guys like Chatur who toe the line and attain success by definition which encourages obedience and disheartens those who break the mould and want to build a life creatively on unusual patterns. Promotion of this ‘idea’ was very much needed for India which has already crossed its period of licence-Quota-Raaj and now thrives on creativity and new-age technologies. We no longer need lines of babus to fit the kind of jobs the colonial governments (pre and post 1947) would open up, but now we need guys who transcend the expectations and can provide innovative solutions to unique Indian cases and concerns. Who fits this more than a guy who became (in)famous even as the 3-Idiots gained popularity? That is Chetan Bhagat.

I have interacted with Chetan once. Having done his engineering (and hence satisfying his typical Indian parental expectations) and then going ahead and having an MBA from IIM-A (and hence proving his academic excellence), Chetan Bhagat did join the rat race as anyone given his profile was expected to do. But then, he moved ahead and did what others rarely do – follow one’s dreams. If writing was the passion in his life, he can be put in the category of achievers rather than dreamers. His books created a completely new set of readers (college going kids who previously wasted time surfing the net rather than reading literature) and showed to the aspiring Indian writers how to be famous (his books came at a price under Rs 100 and were available everywhere). Through his every book, he sent out a message that mobilised the youthful energy of our nation that would create a better India.

It was not a surprise to discover that Chetan Bhagat’s most famous debutant book ‘Five Point Someone’ (5.Someone) was chosen to be made into a movie. That Bollywood movies are often cheap duplicates of foreign-made movies is well known. These movies in general run because of the face value of actors and actresses rather than on the strength of a storyline or on any other aspect of moviemaking. Bollywood movies in general scarcely addressed the issues our youth faced, and hence such a movie would be an idea welcomed by all. There a change came in the form of 3-Idiots and became an instant hit all across India. But what came in its fringe was a disturbing trend.

The audiences found it surprising that the movie didn’t acknowledge on screen that it was based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel. This declaration would obviously not have deteriorated its popularity in any way and such a declaration is definitely an expected thing. Therefore, it was natural for Chetan Bhagat to express displeasure about his missing name. And then the hell set loose. I watched in horror as the producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and director Rajkumar Hirani of 3-Idiots publicly (on TV screen during a press conference) denied that their film was based on Chetan Bhagat’s 5.Someone. It was appalling to see Amir Khan himself taking up the mike and literally spitting venom against the author, repeating that the movie was not based on his novel and accused Chetan of garnering cheap publicity by claiming authorship. To any journo who challenged them, the movie makers asked: have you watched the movie as well as read the book? They claimed that the two were entirely different, which of course was untrue. 3-Idiots is an adapted Bollywood version of the novel 5.Someone merely changing the storyline to give Amir Khan’s character a larger-than-real-life image.

3-Idiots grossed Rs 400 Crores plus. Chetan Bhagat had to leave claims and his most famous book (whom he calls his baby) got lost to the Bollywood-wallahs craving for exclusive name and fame. Today people remember Amir Khan when they think of 3-Idiots. They take inspirations from the larger-than-life character he played on screen, asking others to be humane and follow their dreams. But the reality of his real life, as evident from this case, is that that he rather portrays the picture of the villains whom the 3-idiots fight – be it the controlling Professor or the intelligent Chatur. If sacrificing others on way to our own success, stealing credit from others and caring about only our own name and fame is what the villains in the movie personified, the makers of 3-Idiots including Amir Khan definitely are the villains which the idiots warned us against. And ironically, Rancho, the lead character from the movie, is portrayed in the real life by no other than Chetan himself. Setting out to follow his dreams (writing), inspiring others to get their goals (his books setting the youth pulse all over India), and winnig hearts on the way (fan following that Chetan enjoys) – are not these what Rancho tried to depict? Is the whole episode therefore, in a way, victory of screen life over real life? Its disturbing if the answer is yes.

Club Chetan’s accusations with other controversies around the movie (the producers paid a paltry Rs 10,000 to National Innovation Foundation (NIF) for using several innovations and scientific inventions in the movie; Amir Khan’s overzealous creativity costed a hotel-owner in Varanasi to lose his licence; there were allegations of using abusive words against singer Sonu Nigam over payment of royalties), and we realise that this movie’s success is imbedded with so many forced failures for the righteous. The success and failures in this case also tell about our fixation for the cheeky performances rather than for soulful efforts.

Yet all is not lost until we surrender our individual discretions to discriminate. Heroes on the screen can be failures in the personal life (Amir fathering illegitimate son with British journo Jessica Hines), while those who don’t get to have their names on the screen can be real life heroes (I count Chetan Bhagat as one such). In the end, wealth, clout and being celebrity won’t count more than having a clear conscience.

- Rahul

MF Hussain Issue

2010-03-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

A very interesting Open Letter written by Dr Mrs Hilda Raja, addressed to our Press:

An Open Letter to N Ram, Editor in Chief, ‘The Hindu’

03/03/2010

http://hildaraja.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/leter-to-the-editor-in-chief-of-the-hindu/

Goa Inquisition and the Portuguese

2010-03-04T05:10:00.000-08:00

What do you remember when you think about Goa? Most probably it would be its sea beaches. But here is someone who found out some uncomfortable truths about history of the same beautiful place we call Goa.

Richard Zimler is an award winning author and journalist who also wrote a book titled ‘Guardian of the Dawn’. This novel documents the little-known Portuguese Inquisition in India of the 16th century.

Some portions of his interview titled ‘Goa Inquisition was most merciless and cruel’ published with Rediff is here for your read and pondering over:

About 15 years ago, while doing research for my first novel, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon, I discovered that the Portuguese exported the Inquisition to Goa in the sixteenth century, and that many Indian Hindus were tortured and burnt at the stake for continuing to practice their religion. Muslim Indians were generally murdered right away or made to flee Goan territory.

I couldn’t use that information for my novel but decided, a few years later, to do more research into that time of fundamentalist religious persecution. I discovered that historians consider the Goa Inquisition the most merciless and cruel ever developed. It was a machinery of death. A large number of Hindus were first converted and then persecuted from 1560 all the way to 1812!

Over that period of 252 years, any man, woman, or child living in Goa could be arrested and tortured for simply whispering a prayer or keeping a small idol at home. Many Hindus — and some former Jews, as well — languished in special Inquisitional prisons, some for four, five, or six years at a time.

I was horrified to learn about this, of course. And I was shocked that my friends in Portugal knew nothing about it. The Portuguese tend to think of Goa as the glorious capital of the spice trade, and they believe — erroneously — that people of different ethnic backgrounds lived there in tolerance and tranquillity. They know nothing about the terror that the Portuguese brought to India. They know nothing of how their fundamentalist religious leaders made so many suffer.

Few people in today’s Portugal know anything about the Inquisition. Many of them would rather not examine what their ancestors did, both in Portugal and its colonies. But others are very curious about what they didn’t learn in school about their own history. Yes, in a sense I am opening old wounds. But I think it’s important to do that. I think that we need to face the bad things we do — both individually and as a society. In general, the Portuguese have been very receptive to my books.

Full article: http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/sep/14inter1.htm