Sabaah*, a 27 year old woman with her face covered and only her eyes vulnerable to the world. Her house, well, nothing more than a dumping ground. A very low ceiling, just three zero watt bulbs, one gas stove, one battered folding bed and very little to eat.
The dirty street in which her "house", even if you could call it, was the only thing which had character. Still, she is not allowed to walk out without her face covered. The moral police of the village have condemned her from the normal facilities. A social boycott, if you call it! Her breath is fading with each passing day. But that doesn't make a difference to the "people" of her own village. For them she had been a thing to use and just like we throw away our stuff when it stops working, they threw her too.
She was a sex worker. How do I know about her? My cousin and I went to this village whose name cannot be disclosed here, to meet Sabaah. My cousin has come from some University in US to shoot a documentary on the situation and condition of Indian sex workers. So she got in touch with a NGO and they asked her to go meet Sabaah. Though my mother would not have liked me going to meet someone like her, she was just being protective, I wanted to go. I and my cousin reached that village.
I belong to a village even though I have never gone more than five times. I know that a village is full of joy and fresh vibrations. Not this one. We had to cover our faces as well so as to hide our identities from the men watching us with drooling eyes! The road was not made of coal. It was mud mixed with the sewer water coming out of the culverts. An extremely dirty place with an unbearable smell. Honestly, I was scared, probably a little skeptical about going to her house once we reached her house. After all, I belong to a dignified family and hasn't it always been told to me that girls of good families do not walk just like that to some "characterless" woman. No! Sabaah was not characterless.
My cousin(Gia) knocked the fragile wooden door. She came to open it. Her hands were rougher than those of my maid who washes utensils in more than ten houses. still, she welcomed both of us with a warm "Salaam".
Though she welcomed with tea in glasses that had turned brown, her eyes seemed to be crying for help. My cousin told me that Sabaah was a victim of HIV-AIDS. The conversation among the three of us was going to a very painful end. She told us both of us that the people of her village have denied her all basic facilities. They have even cut the water supply to her house. When asked by my cousin that she should fight against them, she replied that all her money had been wasted in her sister's diagnosis. She had a sister too?? Yes! Her younger sister who died of AIDS too. Both of them had gotten the syndrome from their mother who was also a sex worker.
Sabaah had no knowledge of something called "AIDS" before her sister died. She had no intention of continue working for men's hunger. But had to! For money, which she thought, would cure her sister. Life's not a hunky dory. Specially for these women. Her sister died and as soon as the news spread that she had AIDS, the villagers, some of whom are even educated...bloody educated illiterates...told her clearly, "Our way or the highway!"
Today she doesn't know when she will die. She wants to die soon. Her basic needs are being taken care of by the NGO who directed my cousin to meet her. Gia asked her, "What about the men who've had a one night stand with you?" A brave 27 year old, shattered by life and fate, replied with a smile, "I'm glad they had a one night stand with me. All of them have HIV."
This is OUR society. There is no protection. No love. No rights. No peace. People are just interested in using each other. When will the real India wake up?? When will we really have an equal life?? Being a sex worker is still a taboo. But having sex with a prostitute is still shoved under the carpet.
Sex workers are looked at in such a filthy way, while those who pay them for a night, never really get recognized. When the police catches them, why do they hide their faces??
While coming back home, my cousin summed the meeting and all the things we got to know in just three words.... "Mera Bharat Mahan".
[* name changed]
IMPORTANT!!
I'm sorry for breaking the 48 hour period once again... but this important piece of news has come my way and i think we all should read this and LAMENT and CRY at what our country and its populace has become!
Cowards! Blech!!
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/26/stories/2009022658410300.htm
http://www.babajob.com/person.htm?user=10041
And she wept...
"I have never felt like leaving my country for good. Yesterday I felt that. For that day I was homeless and orphaned and helpless in a way like never before. The residual feeling today is one of deep sadness at the frailty of humanity. The end of innocence for having stared at the nobility of the human spirit caving into the heart of darkness.
I am tired."
And so should we all!!
Cowards! Blech!!
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/26/stories/2009022658410300.htm
http://www.babajob.com/person.htm?user=10041
And she wept...
"I have never felt like leaving my country for good. Yesterday I felt that. For that day I was homeless and orphaned and helpless in a way like never before. The residual feeling today is one of deep sadness at the frailty of humanity. The end of innocence for having stared at the nobility of the human spirit caving into the heart of darkness.
I am tired."
And so should we all!!
Its Time Folks!!
-> Muthalik's cry against Valentine's Day or his horrific beating of defenseless girls in Mangalore. (disgraceful but i'm sure he was jealous coz he is still a bachelor at that ripe old age)
-> Bombings planned by Hindu Religious Leaders and the emergence of "Indian Mujahideen". (stupid fools can think of only violence and even a sadhvi was a part of this. I'm sure each everyone is corrupt. I won't be surprised if they were working for some islamic terrorist group)
-> The atrocities against Christianity in Mangalore and Orissa. (Shows that our country's intellectual level is growing in reverse!!)
-> Curtailing of pub culture in the Pub City of India. (Again socialistic losers who think they are correct and people should live in only way!! U asses democracy means freeedom of individuals and an individual never lives in the same way as others do!!)
-> Rajasthan CM announcing that he will do away with mall culture. (I think he is working for the terrorists or enemies who wants to stop India from growing economically and industrially!! Stupid fool, wonder how he even got elected)
-> Narendra Modi is still the CM of Gujarat and is walking free even though he did not do anything to stop the Godhra Carnage. (The failure of democracy!)
-> Parties like RSS, VHP, Sri Rama Sene, Shiv Sena et al are rampant and growing and nothing is being done by the Executive or Judiciary powers in this country to deal with the extremist menace. (we can't ban extremist parties but we can certainly restirct their growth and teach people and our children about the horrors of extremism leading the extinction of these parties)
-> Advani announcing openly that he and the BJP will fight this year's election on building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. (I'm shocked beyond imagination!! A national party fighting a national election on the basis of religion and outrightly disregarding democracy. Proves the fact that these old timers have to go)
-> Minister in Karnataka openly in public stating (without making it clear that its his personal opinion) that modern art is destroying Indian culture!! (need i say more??)
This is the face of the emerging India that we are seeing. An India which is desperately trying to revert to the old socialistic norms which thrives on curtailing public rights. The funny thing is that this is the face put on by the old leaders of the country who want to go back to the India in which they grew up. One would think that in their 70-80 years of life they would have learned something!!
Its election time again and once again the leaders will be elected by the people. But who will we elect? Are their any leaders left? Manmohan Singh is a learned man but he is certainly not leadership material, Advani on the other hand is an extremist maniac who can not see past his nose and will run this country into a taliban regime.
But that is not the question, the question is should we let our country be run by half dead morons who are looking for only 5 years of personal profit becoz after that they will die anyway? Should we let the country be ruled by criminals who can't read or write their own names? Every job in this country, even the chaprasi's job has certain requirements then why shouldn't the most important jobs in this country have requirements? Why cant we specify that any member in the government :-
1) should have a minimum IQ of 85
2) should be minimum 25 years of age or maximum 70 years of age
3) should have a bachelor's degree with 1st class.
4) should NOT have any criminal cases against him/her in the court of law or be under investigation of any criminal offense.
5) the PM should have been a member of parliament for atleast 10 years with a 95% attendance record.
6) the PM when elected can not be more than 65 years of age and must have a minimum IQ of 90.
and several such requirements. These oldie nincompoops will turn the country into shambles and destroy democracy. Its is our age out time to live, not some 80 yr old buffoons who can hardly walk and look more and think like they are a 1000 years old.
It is us, the youth, who have to take up the helm, its our time to lead, its our time to shape the world. We've been told throughout our childhood that we are the future leaders of the world, well people guess what!!? the future is here, wake up; see the bright light, smell the fresh air and stop fooling around. Its time to get serious and take over. Its time to revolutionise this country into a modern avatar which will lead the world; not hand it over to a bunch of fossils who refuse to change with the times. Any person, any corporation or any any country can only survive if they change with the times; if they evolve and grow into new ways of thinking discarding the old, its time to do just that. Its time to tell the old baggage to retire and rest, its time for us, the current generation, to take the helm. Its time to change India into a modern country. The last time that happened was when Rajiv Gandhi was the PM. A young and vibrant leader who could see the future. Its time again to change and embrace the future.
Rise oh younguns rise into the light and take this country into a new era. An era marked by peace, tranquility, tolerance, and growth.
--> SJ
-> Bombings planned by Hindu Religious Leaders and the emergence of "Indian Mujahideen". (stupid fools can think of only violence and even a sadhvi was a part of this. I'm sure each everyone is corrupt. I won't be surprised if they were working for some islamic terrorist group)
-> The atrocities against Christianity in Mangalore and Orissa. (Shows that our country's intellectual level is growing in reverse!!)
-> Curtailing of pub culture in the Pub City of India. (Again socialistic losers who think they are correct and people should live in only way!! U asses democracy means freeedom of individuals and an individual never lives in the same way as others do!!)
-> Rajasthan CM announcing that he will do away with mall culture. (I think he is working for the terrorists or enemies who wants to stop India from growing economically and industrially!! Stupid fool, wonder how he even got elected)
-> Narendra Modi is still the CM of Gujarat and is walking free even though he did not do anything to stop the Godhra Carnage. (The failure of democracy!)
-> Parties like RSS, VHP, Sri Rama Sene, Shiv Sena et al are rampant and growing and nothing is being done by the Executive or Judiciary powers in this country to deal with the extremist menace. (we can't ban extremist parties but we can certainly restirct their growth and teach people and our children about the horrors of extremism leading the extinction of these parties)
-> Advani announcing openly that he and the BJP will fight this year's election on building a Ram temple in Ayodhya. (I'm shocked beyond imagination!! A national party fighting a national election on the basis of religion and outrightly disregarding democracy. Proves the fact that these old timers have to go)
-> Minister in Karnataka openly in public stating (without making it clear that its his personal opinion) that modern art is destroying Indian culture!! (need i say more??)
This is the face of the emerging India that we are seeing. An India which is desperately trying to revert to the old socialistic norms which thrives on curtailing public rights. The funny thing is that this is the face put on by the old leaders of the country who want to go back to the India in which they grew up. One would think that in their 70-80 years of life they would have learned something!!
Its election time again and once again the leaders will be elected by the people. But who will we elect? Are their any leaders left? Manmohan Singh is a learned man but he is certainly not leadership material, Advani on the other hand is an extremist maniac who can not see past his nose and will run this country into a taliban regime.
But that is not the question, the question is should we let our country be run by half dead morons who are looking for only 5 years of personal profit becoz after that they will die anyway? Should we let the country be ruled by criminals who can't read or write their own names? Every job in this country, even the chaprasi's job has certain requirements then why shouldn't the most important jobs in this country have requirements? Why cant we specify that any member in the government :-
1) should have a minimum IQ of 85
2) should be minimum 25 years of age or maximum 70 years of age
3) should have a bachelor's degree with 1st class.
4) should NOT have any criminal cases against him/her in the court of law or be under investigation of any criminal offense.
5) the PM should have been a member of parliament for atleast 10 years with a 95% attendance record.
6) the PM when elected can not be more than 65 years of age and must have a minimum IQ of 90.
and several such requirements. These oldie nincompoops will turn the country into shambles and destroy democracy. Its is our age out time to live, not some 80 yr old buffoons who can hardly walk and look more and think like they are a 1000 years old.
It is us, the youth, who have to take up the helm, its our time to lead, its our time to shape the world. We've been told throughout our childhood that we are the future leaders of the world, well people guess what!!? the future is here, wake up; see the bright light, smell the fresh air and stop fooling around. Its time to get serious and take over. Its time to revolutionise this country into a modern avatar which will lead the world; not hand it over to a bunch of fossils who refuse to change with the times. Any person, any corporation or any any country can only survive if they change with the times; if they evolve and grow into new ways of thinking discarding the old, its time to do just that. Its time to tell the old baggage to retire and rest, its time for us, the current generation, to take the helm. Its time to change India into a modern country. The last time that happened was when Rajiv Gandhi was the PM. A young and vibrant leader who could see the future. Its time again to change and embrace the future.
Rise oh younguns rise into the light and take this country into a new era. An era marked by peace, tranquility, tolerance, and growth.
--> SJ
Jagruti @ Rambhai & NewsCola .... Do vote
The Great Indian Rooster coop
I have two questions to ask to all the readers,
who created this rooster coop and why it is working so effectively?
For me the answer is our SAB CHALTA HAI attitude, with whatever injustice we face we won’t speak up, we won’t rebel and it’s this attitude that has created this rooster coop.
Second question is can we as a country break free from this rooster coop. yes we can but we need bold steps, we need that change, yes in our political and judiciary system but before that in our own mind set. We need to stand up in our own life’s and try to remove this inequality on our daily basis, this inequality among society is eating our country away and we need to stand up and become a white tiger as described by Arvind adiga in his book.
(inspired by the book WHITE TIGER)
cross posted on In an uncertain world
The Indian Taliban
The nomads searched for source of water. So, they settled down near a river – a natural source of sweet water. People started taming the wild and growing crops tearing apart the torso of the Mother Earth. Then they invented fire, wheel, axes and knives and walking on the same streets, man invented the computer and sent satellites to their orbits. All these things have taken a long time. Man became civilized in the meanwhile. Civilization brought many more things into our lives which we never thought of while being nomads hunting only for food and living. Prostitution and religion being such things that came into existence once we had sufficient food in our stomach. And once we had enough to eat ourselves and help our families with it, people became greedy and took to crime!
If you just read all these in one go, you would realize that the evolution has been like this. Religion has always been an engagement – a thing of attachment. I’m a prolific blogger myself. I’m saying so because I spend a lot of time in a day working on blogs – reading, writing and commenting on others’ blogs. So, this engagement can be named religion for me. This is the way it should have been – and it is. Then, civilized people came up with different thoughts and gave birth to different religions. Every religion talks about a way of living a life. That’s all about it. Anything apart from this is either politics for personal benefits or it is mere greed and jealousy.
Well, religion has been the mainstay of any civilization. This is said only to justify the presence of a religion. We do not live for a religion – but we follow a religion so that we can live a better life. Ignorance is the demon of this age. In older days, saints and sages with universes of knowledge used to be the spiritual leaders and preachers of religions. Illiterate, ignorant people who have no other job left in life have taken over from them and have given religion a peculiar immoral look and all what they are doing here on the name of religion is only for their personal benefit. And another bunch of immoral fools who do not have spines of their own think themselves to be greatest followers of the crooked ones and start doing all kind of antisocial works. The culprits are no more than a handful, but the sad spiritless people comprise the mass of these sects all around the world.
Be it Taliban, Sri Ram Sena or Shiv Sena, they are being abused, misguided and maltreated by a handful of greedy outlaws, which should be eradicated just immediately. But, it does not seem to happen soon. The dubious governments still lick their feet. How sad! It was bad news today when Pakistani government surrendered to the scoundrels in the Siwan district – the Talibans! And the speech given by Karnataka’s CM about religion (and Sri Ram Sena) and the youths in India was even more eventful – ridiculous, to the point I could understand. It was clear submission to criminals and crime. How long will this continue? When will we kill the serpent in our sleeves or will we continue to feed it with milk?
I am writing this with a heavy heart. After knowing the Talibani rules and laws that has been imparted in Siwan anyone who is not insane would cry out aloud! Have you seen the news about the happenings in different part of India during Valentine’s Day? Even the saviors (the police) acted like fanatics. Where would we go? Where would a common man go? Whom do we think of when we are in trouble? The police? No, as the police are the troublemakers themselves. A few months ago, I was asking here, where we should go when we are being bombarded every time we go out of our homes. Now, it’s the same thing. Only difference is that earlier we were under threat from outsiders and now, we are being threatened by our own people. Who else we need to flee from? Where to hide to live a normal, sensuous life? There is not a place left – there ought to be one!
My question: Religion should set us free and lead us towards Moksha. If religion is this bad, that we need to hide from it, and we are being punished, then why should we follow it? Why should be a religion for that matter?
How long will we continue molesting and killing each other in the name of God? God teaches us, but to kill.
Written on February 17, 2009: 2:30 AM. Cross posted at: Thus Spake Tan!
Understanding the man we call Mahatma... and many more
Below are purely my views which are based out of my understanding of not the man but the shibboleths he lived on, the principles he lived by and the word principle. Thus I shall play safe by being very generic and not pin pointing to any particular incident(lest i shall face a lot of fire ...) and try to bring out why a man was feared by the empire and respected by them as well.
Why is it that we always try to question someone's greatness ? Why is it that we pit one great man against the other ? Why is there this undying urge, this incessant need to compare and pass a judgment on someone great, within us ? Why is it that we hardly understand what these people stood for and only seem to know as a fact what they stood for and then use these facts to question the pillars of their strength ? I guess we do so because we are not great, we are just mere mortals..
I have held people like Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh, Azad, Netaji etc in very high esteem even though each one of them took totally different paths for trying to bring India it's freedom. It's not just that their means were different, they were polar! exactly opposite and in complete disagreement with each other. Yet I respect them all ??? Does that mean that I have no set of principles which tell me what is right or what is wrong ? Don't i differentiate between violence and non-violence? Supporting the fascists or fighting the fascists? Ever wondered ???
No! It does not mean any of these things. It just means that I understand that these were men who lived by their principles and compromise was never an option for them. Never! even if it meant turning many hindus against him or many patriots against him or not trying to save the life of a brave patriot or abruptly ending widespread and strong movements over a small violent incident or joining the fascists to drive out the Britishers, Never. You see to me that is the character of a leader and sadly it is this character our pseudo leaders today lack apart from a book of other things.
I beg of people who debate over the actions of such great men, to understand what it means to be a leader. What it means to make the choices a layman cannot make. What it means to bear the blame, to be held culpable for the death of a young brave man. No, i am not asking for their sympathy but quoting that principles demand stern action and rigid stance. They demand to be treated supreme. Nothing stands in front of them, nothing weighs greater. Yes it may seem impossible for us to achieve but then we are not the great ones, are we ??
Having quoted that it is also mandatory to understand that principles are not generic and they surely are "to each his own". It is our duty to live by those principles and if we manage to do that by never compromising we ,even according to lord krishna in Bhagvad gita, attain greatness. Your principle maybe using force or being non violent. The point is you always stick to it.You might question saying that,"Then a terrorist can be justified saying his principle is taking lives of the innocent!". No it can't be because I never attributed a right or wrong to your principles, there come ethics and humanity. It is your actions based on your principles and ethics that will judge you in the end. But if you have truly lived and given up everything for the sake of them as these great people did you are great and I do not have the stature to question your greatness. The jist being that, being principled does not mean you will never do anything wrong, hence their decisions and actions can be questioned but not their greatness. Ofcourse if the person is a total maniac ... things change but then every rule has an exception but for this one ;)
same should be the character of the government - populist and not popular ... As he says in the movie V for Vendetta," A government should be afraid of it's people, not the people of their government". I know i digressed here .. but wanted to put it in here ...
now fire on ...
Mr. Bin Laden.....With Love From Tara
Dear Mr. Bin Laden
Hi. My name is Tara. I'm 8 years old. I live in India. I'm writing this letter to you because I read about you in the newspaper.
The newspaper used many big words. I asked my papa about it. My papa works in a big office. He said that you made wars and killed people. I asked him why ? Papa smiled and said I won't understand. I like it when my papa smiles.
I wanted to ask you why ? But I think you'll also not tell me why. I'm a very small short girl. Papa calls me his little bumblebee. He says all papas have special names for their little girls. What is your daughter's special name ?
I don't like it when people hit each other. When Mehul hit Rohit in school, blood came out. Then Mehul and Rohit were crying, even though they are boys. Madhu ma'am was very angry. Then she told us not to hit anybody. She says it is wrong. Did your class teacher forget to tell you ?
When I told papa about it, he looked sad. He said life was too precious to waste. Then he started talking about Mumma. I don't remember Mumma very much. She died when I was a baby. Madhu ma'am says you feel bad when someone you love dies. I saw a movie where a lady was crying while a man was dying. Sometimes I feel sad about Mumma. I wish she was still here. But papa and granny say they are enough for me. But I still love my Mumma. I just wish she could come to PTA meeting like Sonia's mother.
I saw people crying and shouting on T.V. Papa said it was because of you. You shouldn't make people cry. I don't like to cry, even if papa gives me an ice-cream afterwards. Why do you kill people ? Does it help your friends ? I'm sure there are people who love those people who died, and I'm sure they feel very bad. I know papa feels very bad when we talk about Mumma. I don't want people to be sad like him. That is not how you should live life.
I read in my book that God created all men and women to be happy. He/She is a big man/woman who lives in the sky and watches everything. That is why you should not do wrong things, because God will punish you. Are you God and my God different ? Papa says that you pray differently. But that does not mean that the big man/woman in the sky looks different too ? Granny gets very angry when I ask her about this.
I have decided that in my life I will never do anything wrong. That you can never be punished. Isn't that clever of me ? Papa says it is. I think it would be good for you too.
It is raining outside today, after a long time. Everybody was really happy, because it was very hot. I was also very happy, like when I got what I want, after a long time. It's a very nice feeling. Do you know that feeling ? I don't mind the thunder or lightening also !
I saw two planes in the TV. When they were flying, they made a sound like the thunder outside. Then there was a flash. And then there was a lot of smoke and the houses were gone. The news lady says that this was happening in Afghanistan because of Mr. Bush and you. She said that the people in Afghanistan wanted peace a lot. Can you and Mr. Bush please give it to them ?
I'm sure it would make them very happy. I know that it makes you also happy when you give people something that they really want. Don't you feel sad that people are dying ?
Don't you want to be happy ?
At night, when papa and I were praying, I said your name. Papa asked me why ? I said it was because I thought you needed it. Papa said yes, praying for people gives them strength. So we prayed for you. Then I asked, why didn't anybody pray for Mumma ? Maybe she wouldn't come back, and we should pray that other people shouldn't die like that.
So, I prayed that other children's papa and Mumma shouldn't go away. Children really need their Papas and Mummas.
But maybe God won't listen to me. He/She took my Mumma away, didn't He/She ? So I'm writing this letter to you. If you stop making wars, dropping bombs and killing people, kids like me will have both their papa and Mumma. It's much better than one Papa.
So, I want you to stop war, and give peace to the people. You will feel good then, because you will make people happy. you should also do good things in life, because then God will not punish you.
With love
Tara
Cross posted at C'est La Vie
Hi. My name is Tara. I'm 8 years old. I live in India. I'm writing this letter to you because I read about you in the newspaper.
The newspaper used many big words. I asked my papa about it. My papa works in a big office. He said that you made wars and killed people. I asked him why ? Papa smiled and said I won't understand. I like it when my papa smiles.
I wanted to ask you why ? But I think you'll also not tell me why. I'm a very small short girl. Papa calls me his little bumblebee. He says all papas have special names for their little girls. What is your daughter's special name ?
I don't like it when people hit each other. When Mehul hit Rohit in school, blood came out. Then Mehul and Rohit were crying, even though they are boys. Madhu ma'am was very angry. Then she told us not to hit anybody. She says it is wrong. Did your class teacher forget to tell you ?
When I told papa about it, he looked sad. He said life was too precious to waste. Then he started talking about Mumma. I don't remember Mumma very much. She died when I was a baby. Madhu ma'am says you feel bad when someone you love dies. I saw a movie where a lady was crying while a man was dying. Sometimes I feel sad about Mumma. I wish she was still here. But papa and granny say they are enough for me. But I still love my Mumma. I just wish she could come to PTA meeting like Sonia's mother.
I saw people crying and shouting on T.V. Papa said it was because of you. You shouldn't make people cry. I don't like to cry, even if papa gives me an ice-cream afterwards. Why do you kill people ? Does it help your friends ? I'm sure there are people who love those people who died, and I'm sure they feel very bad. I know papa feels very bad when we talk about Mumma. I don't want people to be sad like him. That is not how you should live life.
I read in my book that God created all men and women to be happy. He/She is a big man/woman who lives in the sky and watches everything. That is why you should not do wrong things, because God will punish you. Are you God and my God different ? Papa says that you pray differently. But that does not mean that the big man/woman in the sky looks different too ? Granny gets very angry when I ask her about this.
I have decided that in my life I will never do anything wrong. That you can never be punished. Isn't that clever of me ? Papa says it is. I think it would be good for you too.
It is raining outside today, after a long time. Everybody was really happy, because it was very hot. I was also very happy, like when I got what I want, after a long time. It's a very nice feeling. Do you know that feeling ? I don't mind the thunder or lightening also !
I saw two planes in the TV. When they were flying, they made a sound like the thunder outside. Then there was a flash. And then there was a lot of smoke and the houses were gone. The news lady says that this was happening in Afghanistan because of Mr. Bush and you. She said that the people in Afghanistan wanted peace a lot. Can you and Mr. Bush please give it to them ?
I'm sure it would make them very happy. I know that it makes you also happy when you give people something that they really want. Don't you feel sad that people are dying ?
Don't you want to be happy ?
At night, when papa and I were praying, I said your name. Papa asked me why ? I said it was because I thought you needed it. Papa said yes, praying for people gives them strength. So we prayed for you. Then I asked, why didn't anybody pray for Mumma ? Maybe she wouldn't come back, and we should pray that other people shouldn't die like that.
So, I prayed that other children's papa and Mumma shouldn't go away. Children really need their Papas and Mummas.
But maybe God won't listen to me. He/She took my Mumma away, didn't He/She ? So I'm writing this letter to you. If you stop making wars, dropping bombs and killing people, kids like me will have both their papa and Mumma. It's much better than one Papa.
So, I want you to stop war, and give peace to the people. You will feel good then, because you will make people happy. you should also do good things in life, because then God will not punish you.
With love
Tara
Cross posted at C'est La Vie
Of Muthali, Pink Chaddis and How some children never grow up
I am bored, irritated and appalled enough to hear about a moron named Muthali, Muthalik or whoever he is, and now I have to read here about some underwear campaigns, listening to which I was shocked more at Karthik's judgment to post it then to bother about the pinky chaddis.
So, a kid named B, snatched C's chocolate and C says, 'Maza chakkata hun tujhe bachu', (I am going to teach you a lesson dude). This looks so awesome on kids, but on adults, *Sigh*.
So this chap forms some crazy sena of some sorts and now the public, (who never likes to see their own sins, the times they evaded taxes, the times they deserted their family and friends, seldom bothered about the poor on the streets, except discussing their plight in hi-fi coffee shops etc.,) has claimed moral high grounds too. They will teach the guy a lesson.
The moron wanted attention desperately and public is more then giving with their large hearts.
Along with attention, he is getting chaddis, free !!! free !!! free !!!
And what will he do with the chaddis? Perhaps sell them to hire a PR agent who will manage the glory these people are giving him.
It is not that am a miser who won't part with a chaddi. I can lend him a pink chaddi with white polka dots, to give a designer touche, but am not doing any thing of that sorts.
If I would give a Chaddi of any color including pink, I would give it to:
* The small girl or boy on the streets, whose rags have been recently torn apart by the monster who invaded their sexuality.
* The children who die every year in millions because of mosquito and insect bites, as they don't have enough clothing on them.
* All those kids, who never have worn a brand new clothing all their life.
<<<<<<<<
At least my attention to them wont go completely waste and even if media does not notice my gesture, I do not want to be a hero too.
So guys and gals. After you are done by taking that loser dude on the heights of chaddi's oops!!!
popularity, I mean, get down for some serious stuff for the moral development of earth.
Also start voting for the awards on Poll and also please suggest me nominations for the rest of the categories.
So, a kid named B, snatched C's chocolate and C says, 'Maza chakkata hun tujhe bachu', (I am going to teach you a lesson dude). This looks so awesome on kids, but on adults, *Sigh*.
So this chap forms some crazy sena of some sorts and now the public, (who never likes to see their own sins, the times they evaded taxes, the times they deserted their family and friends, seldom bothered about the poor on the streets, except discussing their plight in hi-fi coffee shops etc.,) has claimed moral high grounds too. They will teach the guy a lesson.
The moron wanted attention desperately and public is more then giving with their large hearts.
Along with attention, he is getting chaddis, free !!! free !!! free !!!
And what will he do with the chaddis? Perhaps sell them to hire a PR agent who will manage the glory these people are giving him.
It is not that am a miser who won't part with a chaddi. I can lend him a pink chaddi with white polka dots, to give a designer touche, but am not doing any thing of that sorts.
If I would give a Chaddi of any color including pink, I would give it to:
* The small girl or boy on the streets, whose rags have been recently torn apart by the monster who invaded their sexuality.
* The children who die every year in millions because of mosquito and insect bites, as they don't have enough clothing on them.
* All those kids, who never have worn a brand new clothing all their life.
<<<<<<<<
At least my attention to them wont go completely waste and even if media does not notice my gesture, I do not want to be a hero too.
So guys and gals. After you are done by taking that loser dude on the heights of chaddi's oops!!!
popularity, I mean, get down for some serious stuff for the moral development of earth.
Also start voting for the awards on Poll and also please suggest me nominations for the rest of the categories.
V-Day Notice... ;)
I guess all of you would be aware of this by now... There is a campaign on, a la Gandhigiri style! To know more, go here -
As quoted from the page -
The Pink Chaddi Campaign kicked off on 5 February 2009 to oppose the Sri Ram Sena. The campaign is growing exponentially (4,500 at this point in the life of our Consortium of Pub-going, Loose and Forward Women) and that is not surprising. Most women in this country have enough curbs on their lives without a whole new franchise cashing in with their bully-boy tactics. Of course, a lot of men have joined the group as well.
Facebookers can join the campaign at -
For right now, ask not what Dr VS Acharya, Home Minister of Karnataka can do for you. Ask what you can do for him. Here is his blog. Send him some love.
Good day, folks. ;) Love is in the air... Oooh la la! ;D
Peace.
The Renaissance
The European Renaissance was a not just a cultural and literary revolution but also a social one. The middle of the fourteenth century saw the beginning of a number of events that would shape the future of the world and how we live. This era of the renaissance saw a complete change in the approach to literature and writing, Science and Technology, Religion and culture. It is only necessary that we take a look at this fascinating period of transformation in the European society.
The Renaissance writers, unlike the European romanticists who preceded them, were more interested in the expression of the classical view than on self-expression. The Renaissance writers found solace in 'imitation' of the classical style of writing and thoughts but were in no way cheap plagiarists. To the renaissance writing consisted of three things: art, imitation and exercise. This Renaissance age, which means 'Rebirth', that lasted for over three centuries from 14 th to the 17 th, saw the revival of 'poetry' that was accused of being an aid for the corruption of the youth in the society by elaborating and glorifying all that is immoral including lust and wantonness. Poetry was seen by the philosophers as an enemy to the social good and so was excluded.The Renaissance Literature glorified war and invasion and praised the courage of defending one's nation. Though these writers prescribed to imitation, they never accepted any thought without careful considerations. Thus mere antiquity did not earn the patronage of these writers.
The Renaissance saw a great deal of religious reformations including the launch and propagation of the Protestantism by Martin Luther King. This marked the beginning of the end of the supreme control that the papacy had over the entire European continent. This led to drastic religious and moral reforms and put the power back in the hands of the people.
Science was probably the biggest beneficiary of the Renaissance revolution in Europe. Almost all important discoveries, to which the modern science vows everything, was made in this little span of three centuries. Renaissance probably gave these scientists the courage that they needed to publish their discoveries which were earlier suppressed by the church, deeming it as heresy and punishing these great men as enemies to Christianity.
The Renaissance writers, unlike the European romanticists who preceded them, were more interested in the expression of the classical view than on self-expression. The Renaissance writers found solace in 'imitation' of the classical style of writing and thoughts but were in no way cheap plagiarists. To the renaissance writing consisted of three things: art, imitation and exercise. This Renaissance age, which means 'Rebirth', that lasted for over three centuries from 14 th to the 17 th, saw the revival of 'poetry' that was accused of being an aid for the corruption of the youth in the society by elaborating and glorifying all that is immoral including lust and wantonness. Poetry was seen by the philosophers as an enemy to the social good and so was excluded.The Renaissance Literature glorified war and invasion and praised the courage of defending one's nation. Though these writers prescribed to imitation, they never accepted any thought without careful considerations. Thus mere antiquity did not earn the patronage of these writers.
The Renaissance saw a great deal of religious reformations including the launch and propagation of the Protestantism by Martin Luther King. This marked the beginning of the end of the supreme control that the papacy had over the entire European continent. This led to drastic religious and moral reforms and put the power back in the hands of the people.
Science was probably the biggest beneficiary of the Renaissance revolution in Europe. Almost all important discoveries, to which the modern science vows everything, was made in this little span of three centuries. Renaissance probably gave these scientists the courage that they needed to publish their discoveries which were earlier suppressed by the church, deeming it as heresy and punishing these great men as enemies to Christianity.
Also in this little time were born the Greatest of painters and scupltors the world has seen including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Boticelli, Caravaggio, Massacio and others. Their works have been regarded as the greatest ever and have been very rarely matched afterwards.
The concept of 'The Great Chain of Being' was one of the important thoughts of the Renaissance era. In simple words this thought provided that every being in this earth has its own place in the chain and this place depended upon the manifestation of the spirit inside. Thus everyone was expected to play his role according to his place in the chain and deviation from this causes chaos. But Political leaders of some European nations during this era were accused of using this concept to their own selfish ends.
The Renaissance also gave rise to a very important school of thought called 'Humanism'. Humanism shifted the focus from the other world to the present life that a man lives thus putting an end to the over emphasis on religion and rituals for the sake of the after world. This in turn resulted in the growth of the modern political system by making public life more important and fashionable to man. Social involvement was seen as the epitome of a dignified human life rather than futile religious doctrines.
Thus the age of the renaissance can very well be credited for ushering in the modern age and the improvement of the human society.
The concept of 'The Great Chain of Being' was one of the important thoughts of the Renaissance era. In simple words this thought provided that every being in this earth has its own place in the chain and this place depended upon the manifestation of the spirit inside. Thus everyone was expected to play his role according to his place in the chain and deviation from this causes chaos. But Political leaders of some European nations during this era were accused of using this concept to their own selfish ends.
The Renaissance also gave rise to a very important school of thought called 'Humanism'. Humanism shifted the focus from the other world to the present life that a man lives thus putting an end to the over emphasis on religion and rituals for the sake of the after world. This in turn resulted in the growth of the modern political system by making public life more important and fashionable to man. Social involvement was seen as the epitome of a dignified human life rather than futile religious doctrines.
Thus the age of the renaissance can very well be credited for ushering in the modern age and the improvement of the human society.
Some News to Share
Dear Members,
Some good news first. The website Post of the Week has chosen Karthik's poem on this blog,,,
A reason to Pray.
I hope Karthik wins this for us.
==============================================
A new feature, we have for all of you and your friends and known ones. Now you can write a post related to the blog theme anywhere and e-mail us at teamjagruti@gmail.com and the admins will post your write up here, ASAP. You would also be informed via mail, about the date and time of your post to be published here.
===============================================
My Strategy to take this blog to new heights, has many dimensions. One of these is to find blogs which are no longer active and relate to Jagruti's theme and then merging them with this blog.
I need your help, support and suggestions for the same.
To kick start this campaign I would be merging my own blog Dharma& Karma with Jagruti very soon. "We are initiating an awareness campaign on religion, by starting an active discussion on various religious views. Hindus,Muslims,Sikhs,atheists,Buddhists,Christians,
People of all faiths and religions are welcome." With this mission I had started that blog, and now I feel, we have enough discussion on religion on this blog as well.
With this merger, twenty one posts shall be added to Jagruti's archives and a dozen new members shall be invited to contribute here.
======================================================
Karthik's efforts to promote this blog on the popular social networking site face book deserves special appreciation. On our networked blogs page, we have 14 members and on the Jagruti group we have 48 members. I appeal to all of you to actively participate on the group and join the networked blogs page.
Our Orkut community is in for a refurbishment and would be revamped very soon.
================================
Coming to Awards now. Polling is already underway forThe Young & Budding writer on Jagruti Award and the response has been great so far.
Now the time has come to chose for another award
1) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award
Simply put, this picture award is for the best writer on Jagruti yet. We have two sub categories for this award
a) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award - Popular choice - to be decided through polling on the blog
b) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award - Administrators choice - The admins will mail me their choice and I will be compiling them.
Before announcing the nominee list, Let me inform you all that
For the award 3) The Driving forces of Jagruti Award the winner would recieve a book, mailed to his/her address and the prize is being sponsered by the blog The Thakur Boy.
Hence the person drawing up the award should take note of it and the rest of the members as well.
The Nominees are
Richa
siddharth.k kaul
Karthik
Akansha Agarwal
Sushant Jaipuria
Vote for the best writer you think is on this blog.
<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Some good news first. The website Post of the Week has chosen Karthik's poem on this blog,,,
A reason to Pray.
I hope Karthik wins this for us.
==============================================
A new feature, we have for all of you and your friends and known ones. Now you can write a post related to the blog theme anywhere and e-mail us at teamjagruti@gmail.com and the admins will post your write up here, ASAP. You would also be informed via mail, about the date and time of your post to be published here.
===============================================
My Strategy to take this blog to new heights, has many dimensions. One of these is to find blogs which are no longer active and relate to Jagruti's theme and then merging them with this blog.
I need your help, support and suggestions for the same.
To kick start this campaign I would be merging my own blog Dharma& Karma with Jagruti very soon. "We are initiating an awareness campaign on religion, by starting an active discussion on various religious views. Hindus,Muslims,Sikhs,atheists,Buddhists,Christians,
People of all faiths and religions are welcome." With this mission I had started that blog, and now I feel, we have enough discussion on religion on this blog as well.
With this merger, twenty one posts shall be added to Jagruti's archives and a dozen new members shall be invited to contribute here.
======================================================
Karthik's efforts to promote this blog on the popular social networking site face book deserves special appreciation. On our networked blogs page, we have 14 members and on the Jagruti group we have 48 members. I appeal to all of you to actively participate on the group and join the networked blogs page.
Our Orkut community is in for a refurbishment and would be revamped very soon.
================================
Coming to Awards now. Polling is already underway forThe Young & Budding writer on Jagruti Award and the response has been great so far.
Now the time has come to chose for another award
1) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award
Simply put, this picture award is for the best writer on Jagruti yet. We have two sub categories for this award
a) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award - Popular choice - to be decided through polling on the blog
b) The Most Insightful writer on Jagruti Award - Administrators choice - The admins will mail me their choice and I will be compiling them.
Before announcing the nominee list, Let me inform you all that
For the award 3) The Driving forces of Jagruti Award the winner would recieve a book, mailed to his/her address and the prize is being sponsered by the blog The Thakur Boy.
Hence the person drawing up the award should take note of it and the rest of the members as well.
The Nominees are
Richa
siddharth.k kaul
Karthik
Akansha Agarwal
Sushant Jaipuria
Vote for the best writer you think is on this blog.
<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Debate: Capitalism is the only solution for India for its economic growth
Capitalism, Socialism, Communism or Marxism, what do you think will help India, given the present economic situation of India, and in general too... What do you think should be the policies of the government given the recession and the economic slow down and if they should've been the same had the situation been hale and hearty as before? And if not, what are the changes you would suggest?
How do you think will Capitalism help India and is it the best way?
Debate : Do the ends justify the means...
Note : Give it all a fair thought before you jot down... Flaming and religion-bashing will not be tolerated. Your participation is gladly appreciated.
I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind...
Anyway, let us look at some facts -
Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself.
The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had assassinated Saunders, the Assistant Superintendent of Police at Lahore as a means of avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death, he was not arrested then. It was later, when he along with his co patriots threw a bomb in Delhi’s Central Legislative Assembly, that he was captured though escape could have been possible as he wanted to embrace martyrdom. Consequent to that, once sentenced to death, he made no further appeals to the higher courts or the Privy Council in the House of Lords.
There is some controversy about the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the attempts that were otherwise made to save him from the gallows. The Gandhi – Irwin talks were going on at the time and it was felt that a word from Gandhiji could have made a difference. Other leaders like Motilal Nehru made public appeals, but it seems that Gandhiji kept away, ostensibly because he believed in non violence but according to some historians, because he perceived Bhagat Singh to be a threat like Netaji to his own stranglehold over the Nationalist movement.
I dunno if you folks remember this incident; a couple of yrs back, the UPSC exam had a question where the emainee had to assert his views on *revolutionary terrorism* initiated by Bhagat Singh. As is typical of the government, hue and cry was not far behind...
Anyway, let us look at some facts -
Bhagat Singh was an atheist, considered to be one of the earliest Marxist in India and in line with hi thinking, he renamed the Hindustan Republican Party and called it the Hindustan Socialist Revolutionary Party. Bhagat Finally, awaiting his own execution for the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh at the young age of 24 studied Marxism thoroughly and wrote a profound pamphlet “Why I am an Atheist.” which is an ideological statement in itself.
The circumstances of his death and execution are worth recounting. Although, Bhagat Singh had assassinated Saunders, the Assistant Superintendent of Police at Lahore as a means of avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death, he was not arrested then. It was later, when he along with his co patriots threw a bomb in Delhi’s Central Legislative Assembly, that he was captured though escape could have been possible as he wanted to embrace martyrdom. Consequent to that, once sentenced to death, he made no further appeals to the higher courts or the Privy Council in the House of Lords.
There is some controversy about the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the attempts that were otherwise made to save him from the gallows. The Gandhi – Irwin talks were going on at the time and it was felt that a word from Gandhiji could have made a difference. Other leaders like Motilal Nehru made public appeals, but it seems that Gandhiji kept away, ostensibly because he believed in non violence but according to some historians, because he perceived Bhagat Singh to be a threat like Netaji to his own stranglehold over the Nationalist movement.
We are not new to terrorist attacks... And when we are subjected to one, religion comes to play. Are we beginning to generalize *terrorism* and associate it *only* with certain faiths? Remember to cast a look as to why the said terrorists commit such acts.
Question: Are we Indians no less than hypocrites whilst breaching the topic of *terrorism*? Take your time, and leave your thoughts. Do the ends justify the means...
Morality a conundrum, i say!
I thought assault was a criminal offence and i also thought Lord Rama was a just and fair king who never deliberately imposed himself on others. So then why is this stupid party who call themselves Sri Rama Sena imposing themselves on others and attacking girls. In India we have a heritage of non-violence against girls. We have a heritage of respecting the female sex, protecting them and upholding their virue; then why are these right-wing fundamentalist parties doing the exact opposite?
Is Mr. Mutalik so insecure threatened that he goes out and attacks girls who only want some relaxation and enjoy time? He says girls drinking wine is not the culture of India, then Mr. Mutalik what is the culture of India? Let me answer that, India does not have a culture of her own. She has always adapted to the culture of the current times over the thousands of years she has existed. She adapted when the rajputs and Hindus ruled the country, she adapted towards Islam when the Mulsim kings ruled and had a separate culture when Akbar was king, she also adapted to the modern times when the British ruled the country. Freedom and right to live as how each Indian wants, is the culture of India. India never had a culture where rights were imposed on others. The current times dictate that every individual is free to choose how HE/SHE wants to live HIS/HER life. If HE/SHE wants to drink alcohol then HE/SHE has a right to go and drink alcohol. You "Sri Rama Sena Party" have no right to interfere in the lives of others.
Sri Rama Sena Party has also threatened dire consequences if lovers want to celebrate their love on the globally declared and accepted most romantic day of St. Valentines Day. Why have you done that? Is that not the culture of India? Let me tell you that it is. Lord Krishna celebrated his love for Radha. He had a girlfriend. You have named your party after Lord Rama, let me tell you he also had a girlfriend Lady Sita. He too was in love. So Mr. Mutalik don't go about saying its not in the culture of India. Why do you go about shouting that couples cant hang out together? well if they cant then you too cant; you should not be seen in public with your wife and this goes for all the parties including the people in J&K who say guys and girls should not hang out together. I dont understand why these parties want to kill humans so fast!! I fear the day when these parties become popular, the reproduction and propagation of Humans as a species will stop and we will simply die out! Sheesh talk about hypocrites!
These kind of people and parties are mostly looking for their 5 minutes of fame rather than achieving something good and constructive. They are destructive and can only offer destructive criticism rather than doing good for the people. Mr. Mutalik if you havent noticed India is still plagued by POVERTY and ILLITERACY which are REAL SOCIAL PROBLEMS and you should divert your resources towards correcting them rather than trying to stop the propagation of the species. Girls and boys in love is NOT a social problem in fact it is a good thing atleast it will ensure that more children will be born and hopefully children who can accept and celebrate individuality.
To the audience reading this: These parties and people are a black spot on democracy and are dictators worse than Hitler. They are tramping on our fundamental rights as individuals and should be shot dead like any other terrorist. We all stood up when the Mumbai attack took place and i call on everybody to organise another massive movement across the country to put a ban on the Moral Policing. These people have absolutely NO authority in saying how or how not we should live our lives. Let us young people gather and raise our voices against these people. We are the future and how our future turns out is in our hands. The oldies of these countries are becoming senile and now its time for us to rise and revolutionise this country into a model to be followed.
I call on everybody here and reading this to join hands and start a revolution to teach India to celebrate individuality and reinstate every person's, every dog's and every other animal's except the right wing people's fundamental right to live HIS/HER life in a way that HE/SHE wants to live.
I am tired of this moral policing. I'm tired of all the communal disharmony. I'm tired of everybody and anybody rising up and questioning how a person wants to live HIS/HER life.. It makes me think that Indians have become degenerate beasts.
On this blog we talk, talk and talk.. BUT WHAT DO WE DO? will talking and fussing amongst ourselves solve anything? No, its time we did something.. its time we became more proactive and raised our voices. Its time we stood up and tell the people of India to let the past be the past and to change according to the times.
Does India Need communal parties?
I think, it was Tan's post on this blog itself, Republic Day Event, where this question was raised.
My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India.
Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire.
The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year.
Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we?
Who complains? No one.
But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse then a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was created a communal country. The communal card as usual worked.
We Indians, it seems never learned lesson from the bloody massacre. In India, our constitution has a separate law for Hindus and Muslims and you tell me that we are secular. cool. The constitution of my motherland has been written in a foreign language by the leaders of my own country. cool.
In 1980's the congress, encouraged Bhindranwale in Punjab, which resulted in heavy militantization in the state. Educated young men, even some holding doctorate degrees were killed in fake encounters, and many themselves turned militants.
What happened? People still love the congress here. It is being estimated that they may win the next Lol Sabha election in the state.
Move forward, some more years. The same man Bhindranwale, whom the congress was preparing as an answer for the Akali Dal, was killed by the congress Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi in the complex of Shri Harminder Sahib, Amritsar, by using military forces. Who wins? Everyone. The man is now seen as a martyr. The congress did gain a lot of votes it wanted. The public at large is satisfied.
Who bothers? No one. Communal Politics once again wins.
Shortly after this incident, a Sikh bodyguard of Mrs. Indira Gandhi kills her. And the congress party men, allegdley started killing every Sikh in sight due to this logic that a Sikh killed their leader. The bloodiest, riots of Independent India perhaps. The mayhem in Delhi in 1984, I think has very little parallels. Where are those leaders who did this now? They all are respectable, public servants, involved in active politics, of course no case was ever proved.
Who wins? Communal politics. For more then ten years Congress is ruling over Delhi. People are very satisfied. Content. Forgive and forget, till the next thing happens.
How many people could blame Rajiv Gandhi for this? No one. His mother just died. He is smart, intelligent, well educated etc. etc. Everyone was in shock. The president of India was so shocked that even without consulting the Parliament or the cabinet at that time, he made Rajiv the PM. What a mockery of this motherland.
But no. Rajiv Gandhi is one of the most popular Prime ministers of all time. He of course could not have not stopped his party leaders at that time. But people, many even on this blog, claim Narendera Modi could have stopped the fury that poured when people saw thier own men killed on the name of religion. He has to be blamed for the 2002 riots in Gujarat. He is not a foreign educated, suave gentleman whose family dominated Indian politics for decades. His back ground stinks of Hindutva, people tell me. A RSS man, he must have done all the wrong. Forget his economic brilliance and blah blah.
We Indians have so much double standards. Yes, we encourage communal politics. Modi has since 2002 won the elections twice.
Now come, to 1993. The riots in Mumbai. Tell me, wise people, how many people were really hanged to death? Where are those people who were the cause of so many rapes and loots, of arson and of violence?
They all are doing awesome. I hear, even Sanjay Dutt, is contesting elections, even when the court told him he was guilty. And his winning chances are high too.
Even Bal Thackrey and all the others are doing fine. People in Mumbai even support his nephew in shooing away North Indians, when the need arises.
Yes, communal politics we demand. And communal politics we get.
If you ask me to study history and fish out the best strategy to win elections in India, this particular one is the most favored one. No, not by politicians but by the people.
They want communal politics. They demand for it. And they get it.
One last example, with due respect to every Muslim on earth. I was watching nuclear issue debate going on in the parliament. A smart young M.P. stood up to tell us all, why he was supporting the Congress on the particular issue.
The reason given: The congress government increased the Haj subsidy by several hundred crores of rupees, to enable Muslims to go on a Holy Pilgrimage on tax payer's expenses. (Of course we are a secular country. Did you never read the Preamble of our Constitution?)
Now for this reason, he speaks that Muslims will always support the government headed by Congress.
How much I ever wish, that a Hindu would get better facilities on Pilgrimages, leave alone subsidies on travel and expenses, I am not in favor of appeasement of a religious community for petty gains of votes, especially with the use of public money on a large scale.
So if you ask me, that a large part of the country favors the Congress for its appeasement of other religions and some part of the country likes the communal BJP, and which will I choose?
I am frankly in favor of the party which at least speaks out in support of my religion, instead of bluffing up with different religions and playing dirty games.
For communal politics, is what people vote for. I proved you through history.It does work.
You choose now. Indirect communal tactics or direct communal strategies.
I made a choice. Now you make one.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< .................................. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In continuance to my last post, according to the replies received, one award's polling has now begun. This is 2) The Young & Budding writer on Jagruti Award
An award specifically reserved for the minors writing their best on this blog.
Keep voting.
My answer. YES. we need communal parties even in Independent, Secular India.
Now let me take you, back to events before 1947. When India was a colony of the British Empire.
The congress party, in its attempt to gain momentum for the independence movement, heavily used Hinduism, an example of which is the famous Ganesh Utsav held in Mumbai every year.
Who complains? No one. But at that time, due to various policies of the congress, Muslims started feeling alienated. Jinnah, in these times got stubborn over the need of Pakistan and he did find lot of supporters. Congress, up till late 1940's never got bothered by it. And why should we?
Who complains? No one.
But there were repercussions. The way people were butchered and slaughtered during that brief time when India got partitioned, was even worse then a civil war scenario. All in the name of religion. And there indeed was created a communal country. The communal card as usual worked.
We Indians, it seems never learned lesson from the bloody massacre. In India, our constitution has a separate law for Hindus and Muslims and you tell me that we are secular. cool. The constitution of my motherland has been written in a foreign language by the leaders of my own country. cool.
In 1980's the congress, encouraged Bhindranwale in Punjab, which resulted in heavy militantization in the state. Educated young men, even some holding doctorate degrees were killed in fake encounters, and many themselves turned militants.
What happened? People still love the congress here. It is being estimated that they may win the next Lol Sabha election in the state.
Move forward, some more years. The same man Bhindranwale, whom the congress was preparing as an answer for the Akali Dal, was killed by the congress Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi in the complex of Shri Harminder Sahib, Amritsar, by using military forces. Who wins? Everyone. The man is now seen as a martyr. The congress did gain a lot of votes it wanted. The public at large is satisfied.
Who bothers? No one. Communal Politics once again wins.
Shortly after this incident, a Sikh bodyguard of Mrs. Indira Gandhi kills her. And the congress party men, allegdley started killing every Sikh in sight due to this logic that a Sikh killed their leader. The bloodiest, riots of Independent India perhaps. The mayhem in Delhi in 1984, I think has very little parallels. Where are those leaders who did this now? They all are respectable, public servants, involved in active politics, of course no case was ever proved.
Who wins? Communal politics. For more then ten years Congress is ruling over Delhi. People are very satisfied. Content. Forgive and forget, till the next thing happens.
How many people could blame Rajiv Gandhi for this? No one. His mother just died. He is smart, intelligent, well educated etc. etc. Everyone was in shock. The president of India was so shocked that even without consulting the Parliament or the cabinet at that time, he made Rajiv the PM. What a mockery of this motherland.
But no. Rajiv Gandhi is one of the most popular Prime ministers of all time. He of course could not have not stopped his party leaders at that time. But people, many even on this blog, claim Narendera Modi could have stopped the fury that poured when people saw thier own men killed on the name of religion. He has to be blamed for the 2002 riots in Gujarat. He is not a foreign educated, suave gentleman whose family dominated Indian politics for decades. His back ground stinks of Hindutva, people tell me. A RSS man, he must have done all the wrong. Forget his economic brilliance and blah blah.
We Indians have so much double standards. Yes, we encourage communal politics. Modi has since 2002 won the elections twice.
Now come, to 1993. The riots in Mumbai. Tell me, wise people, how many people were really hanged to death? Where are those people who were the cause of so many rapes and loots, of arson and of violence?
They all are doing awesome. I hear, even Sanjay Dutt, is contesting elections, even when the court told him he was guilty. And his winning chances are high too.
Even Bal Thackrey and all the others are doing fine. People in Mumbai even support his nephew in shooing away North Indians, when the need arises.
Yes, communal politics we demand. And communal politics we get.
If you ask me to study history and fish out the best strategy to win elections in India, this particular one is the most favored one. No, not by politicians but by the people.
They want communal politics. They demand for it. And they get it.
One last example, with due respect to every Muslim on earth. I was watching nuclear issue debate going on in the parliament. A smart young M.P. stood up to tell us all, why he was supporting the Congress on the particular issue.
The reason given: The congress government increased the Haj subsidy by several hundred crores of rupees, to enable Muslims to go on a Holy Pilgrimage on tax payer's expenses. (Of course we are a secular country. Did you never read the Preamble of our Constitution?)
Now for this reason, he speaks that Muslims will always support the government headed by Congress.
How much I ever wish, that a Hindu would get better facilities on Pilgrimages, leave alone subsidies on travel and expenses, I am not in favor of appeasement of a religious community for petty gains of votes, especially with the use of public money on a large scale.
So if you ask me, that a large part of the country favors the Congress for its appeasement of other religions and some part of the country likes the communal BJP, and which will I choose?
I am frankly in favor of the party which at least speaks out in support of my religion, instead of bluffing up with different religions and playing dirty games.
For communal politics, is what people vote for. I proved you through history.It does work.
You choose now. Indirect communal tactics or direct communal strategies.
I made a choice. Now you make one.
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In continuance to my last post, according to the replies received, one award's polling has now begun. This is 2) The Young & Budding writer on Jagruti Award
An award specifically reserved for the minors writing their best on this blog.
Keep voting.
Urban Transport Policy: For the betterment of future
Without any kind of orders from government, urbanization was happening in our country at a frentic pace. Our cities doesn’t have more space or proper infrastructure to accommodate people who are kept pouring in. Due to the huge number no. of peoples, the no. of vehicles is also increased which results in traffic congestion. As already the traffic in cities increased to alarming levels and with the no. of vehicles and people is only going to increase in the coming years Government of India has launched National Urban Renewal Mission to analyse and bring about improvement in urban infrastructure. Now the NURM has came up with the National Urban Transport Policy keeping the growing population in mind.
Urban Population:
As per the report 30% of the total population of India is in urban areas now and it is expected to grow to 60% with the economic growth. In 2001, the urban population is 285 million and it is expected to grow to 473 million in 2021 and 820 million in 2051. So its very much important to take measures not for the present scenario but with keeping an eye on the future numbers.
While the population is increased by 1.9 times, the vehicles are increased by 7.75 times from 1981 to 2001 and the rate at which our people have bought vehicles during the past 10 years, we can assume the cause of all of our problems on the road. I have seen Anna Salai one of the most frequently used roads in Chennai for more than 10 years, there is no change in breadth of the roads but the no. of vehicles just doubled and tripled and I am sure it is not going to reduce in near future by any rise in fuel prices. With the increase in the no. of vehicles it’s almost conclusive that accident also increased so as the air and noise pollution.
Objectives:
The objective of this policy is to ensure the safe, quick, affordable, reliable and easy access to jobs, educational institutions, residents and recreation activities so that the no. of man hours will be saved.
- To bring about an equitable allocation of road space with people, rather than vehicles.
- To encourage people to use public transport systems and non-motorized vehicles.
- To establish multi-modal public transport system those are well integrated, providing seamless travel across the modes.
- Enhancing and ensuring the safety of the transport system users.
- Reducing the pollution levels through changes in traveling practices, better enforcement, stricter norms, technological improvements, etc.
Let us see what the current scenario is and how the objectives can be fulfilled:
Equitable allocation of Road space:
Present Scenario:
- The road space is allocated to whichever vehicle occupies it first, which means that space is allocated on vehicle basis and not on no. of people basis. For example, a bus may take approx. a space of space of 3 cars. But about 50 people were traveling in bus, where in cars a maximum of 10 people may travel. So the poor people who are using public transport systems were made to pay higher travel time and high travel costs.
- Due to the increase in personal motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles were squeezed out due to the safety concerns.
Propasals and Solutions:
- With more no. of people were traveling through public transport it is important to allocate more space to them. And this can be achieved by reserving separate lanes for public transport, personal motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians.
- But our people were not following the lane rules at present, so it needs some strict laws to enforce it.
Public transport usage:
Present Scenario:
- Many of the people from the middle class to upper class were using their personal vehicles to travel around the city as they are convenient.
- And also another reason is there are no proper infrastructure for public transport and no sufficient no. of vehicles to make the travel easier.
Proposals and solutions:
- The public transport system must be made more attractive by including the proven technologies around the world in it.
- With the inclusion of superior technology, the problem of pricing occurs as the quality is increased. So keeping an eye on economic conditions of the people different levels of public transport varying with technologies must be operated. With most of the economically backward people were using public transport it must be ensured that they are getting services at affordable prices, if possible at subsidized prices.
Integrated transport system:
Present Scenario:
- There is no proper system which provides an integrated transport which involves roadways, railways and waterways according to the travel needs of the people.
- Different corridors which are having different travel density and the existing systems are not taken them into consideration.
Proposals and Solutions:
- Single agency must take the responsibility of co-ordination so that there will be a common approach to public transport planning and management.
- The interchange between the transport systems must be seamless and making the pricing for all the system common will make wonders.
For example, in Chennai, MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) and Southern Railways has opened a bus bay inside the Tambaram railway station that would benefit the train commuters. This move has been a huge relief for the passengers and it reduces the traffic chaos in GST (Grand Southern Trunk) road. Read about this here.
Safety of the users:
Present Scenario:
- The most vulnerable as far as safety is concerned are the pedestrians and cyclists, and if we take a close look at it those modes, they are non-pollutant way of transport.
Proposals and Solutions:
- Encouraging the use of cycles by providing a segregated path for them. With the segregation of lanes for different vehicles, the average speed of the vehicles will increase. And also the parking space must be allocated for them and facilities must be improved.
Reduce Pollution:
Present Scenario:
- Today the pollution levels of our cities have been increased considerably due to the increase in usage of personal motorized vehicles. With most of the vehicles were petroleum products driven the emission levels are on the higher side.
Proposals and Solutions:
- Incorporating different cleaner technologies and finding the alternative fuel to petrol, which has lesser carbon emission. Some initiative has been taken by Delhi to reduce the pollution. Here is the news which says:
Delhi is a showpiece example of making air quality safe with its entire publictransport fleet converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) on a scaleunparalleled anywhere else—80,000 CNG vehicles including 9,000 buses. Delhi has banned taxis, buses and auto rickshaws older than 15 years...more.... - Vehicles must be periodically tested for their emission levels and maintained well. Some strict norms must be enforced to keep the violators in check.
Parking:
This is another important proposal which affect the individual motor vehicle owners in a big way.
Present Scenario:
- There are no proper and enough parking facilities within the cities and in most cases parking of the vehicles just adds up to the traffic woes of the people.
Proposals and Solutions:
- Land is valuable in all urban areas. Parking places occupy large portions of such land. This fact must be recognized in determining the principles of allocation of parking space.
Parking fee must be in such a way that represents the true value of the occupied land. - Each and every shopping must have a parking complex according to the frequency of the people. And also multi level parking complexes must be developed at appropriate places.
Summary:
From my view, this policy has more useful things which will benefit both the people and environment. I consider the increase in the usage of cycles and the implementation of integrated transport systems as the very important aspects of the policy. But it requires lot of work to envision it and we can believe that our government has chosen a right path by forming the National Urban Renewal Commission to develop the urban areas.
The only thing which may get some brick bats is the parking fee charge. But I feel if the standards of public transport were increased means people will refrain from using their personal vehicles. If the above said things were implemented means we can say our cities are on par with any another city in the world. Along with the above proposals, if the government shows the interest in growing the trees along the sides of the roads means the cities will be more greener and there is no need say about their helpfulness in keeping the air clean.
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