2008- What did we learn?
Indeed, one of the most trying periods in the history of modern times. I call this as trying since the world was subjected to events that called for extreme patience and caution. In a way, perceived as a great leveler by many. Rich and developed societies were dealt with in exactly the same was as the not so rich and the not so developed ones. In fact, if one delves deeper, one is tempted to believe that there was greater testing time for the more privileged one. As a student I did study some one and his theories of nature having its own unique way of settling the scores. Then I was skeptical. But today, something seems to be touching me somewhere which makes me feel that perhaps, he was correct? Nature cradles existence. And nature , perhaps, is aware of those whom it cradles. And when these people test Nature, it reacts. Disasters surface. What we see across the globe today is a consequence of our very own doing. If reports are to be believed, then close to 250,000 people would have been killed in some kind of a disaster or the other before we close the year. Cyclone Nargis which swept through Myanmar accounting for more than half the deaths, and the earthquake in Sichuan, China was the second most serious, killing 87,449 people. Looking across the world, we saw hundreds killed in Kenya due to violent rioting, Tornadoes in various parts of the US, the severe snowstorms in Southern China, earthquakes in Congo, dengue and Cholera in Brazil and Zimbabwe. I suppose almost every region was hit,be it Philippines, Japan, South Eastern Europe, India, Pakistan, Spain, Canada , France. Just name the country and you will find a disaster. However, the worst year of natural and man-made catastrophes was 2005, with 374,042 people killed.
However, one disaster which never gets reported and known to the people in the world is the man made catastrophe on the Palestinians. What happens in the Gaza strip is nothing short of what happened in Mumbai, India. The world was outraged and shocked to see how man can kill a fellow human being without even batting an eyelid. How his eyes would light up in glee when he knocks yet another innocent fellow human being. Palestine faces brutality of another kind but of similar dimension. Perhaps more sadistic and gruesome for it is planned and executed over a long period of time. Here, no terrorist are behind the killing. And that makes this even more unpardonable. Imagine over 1.5 million people living on subsistence level? It is said that around 70% of the people of Gaza live on the UN relief! There are virtually no hospitals to care for the weak and the sick. Children have long lost dreams of going to school, as no such thing exists for them. And children have no idea what a playfield is all about. They see none and they see no games except war games. They are growing up with gunshots as part of their daily lives. No innocent laughter or even the small curving of these small lips. They know not what is happiness. Perhaps happiness to them is when there are no burials on a day. No industries, No commerce. No electricity. One lives for another day not in hope but in despair. Yes, only hoping, that tomorrow is not worse than today. But the ruthless blowing up of living beings on the 27th of December shatters whatever dreams might have existed for this battered community. Even their modern day "ghettos" are targeted with vengeance by the marauding soldiers. This is a part of a nation? Is it? And yet, the world waits. For what?
The world is talking about the great economic meltdown, the horrendous, cold blooded, inhuman terrorist attacks in India, Pakistan, Palestine. Let us add the shrieks of the small maimed Iraqi kids and the desperate howls of the weak in Afghanistan. This is our world of 2008. Natural disasters coupled with man made destruction. And the world looks on-in despair, in disgust, in shame. Perhaps, in frustration as man realizes how the Frankenstein devours the world and he can just look on. We can do nothing? Are we ourselves responsible, by our own deeds, for the natural punishments which we are incurring? Maybe it is time to remember the fate of the people of Luth, Aad and Samud. Allah reminds us in Sura Raad,chapter 13, verse 11, that .." Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves".
Come the 1st of January 2009. And probably history will repeat itself. But is there nothing that a normal, sane, citizen of the world do? Are we impotent to a degree of no return?
Let me assure you that no Obama or Sarkozy or Putin or Brown can really address the situation if we, the world citizens, do not seize the initiative. India has shown the way. The people woke up and addressed their problems themselves. They dropped the politicians aside. They understood that no one fights for a cause better than he himself. He is now ready. This attitude needs to spread worldwide. Let us hear the howls of the weak and the sick. Let us, as world citizens give a ear to the poor beleaguered Palestinian, the skin and bones only hungry African, the terrorized Iraqi, the shocked and awed Afghani and the rest of the weak world.
Ducking is an art that comes in handy when confronted with flying size 10 leather missiles, but the Arabs need to get out of their "ostrich mode" and be more upfront when taking on to their real problems-head on.
Join all voices and make it be heard. This world of today is callous to the core. It cares not for the weak. But it fears the strong. And then, does it hear.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Haj 2008: A new dimension
Haj 2008: A new dimension
Many would think why am I wanting to take this year’s hajj out of the pack. And I would not blame them for such a thought. After all, by the grace of Allah, hajj has been going on for centuries. Well, what makes this year’s hajj different?
The governor of Makkah region, Prince Khalid Al Faisal set a new tone when the rolled out the slogan,” No permit, No hajj”. And it is from here that the entire hajj took a new turn. By the way, the concept that he has promoted is not new. It has been going on for a long time now. But the difference was in the spirit of his attitude. And this rubbed on to his colleagues. He led by example and was seen on the TV showing his own hajj permit. Such an example set the trend. And this is why I see this hajj as adding a new dimension, the touch of personal attention coupled with a professional management attitude.
For long we have been hearing cynical comments from different quarters. It seems that everyone else knows how to handle the Hajj except the authorities!! And since in the past we have had mishaps, the cynics got emboldened. Hajj 2008 was different because it has silenced the critics in many ways. Prince Khalid and his team went about the whole issue very meticulously and methodically. They reviewed each and every aspect of Hajj especially the stoning. And they came out with some excellent solutions to ensure that crowd controlling and management was handled with due diligence. Movement of the hajjis was streamlined to ensure that there were no bottlenecks and each hajji was comfortable and at ease. Each hajji who went for stoning was free of tension and performed his act devoid of any stress or panic. I especially single out the Governor because he has shown what determination and good planning can do. He had a plan and he did not allow any deviation from that. Perhaps this is what was lacking in the previous years? Controlling crowd movement is always a tough task. And this becomes even more when the movement has to be done within a time frame. Imagine 3.5 million (unofficially) people moving at the same time!! Indeed, there must have been some problems and this is but natural. But the Governor and his team was up to the task in ensuring that people moved to their destinations within the stipulated time. And with NO ACCIDENTS. Perhaps this is the only of its kind in the world when 3.5 million people have collected and disbursed in one day! And then to have NO mishaps...NO shortage of food and drinks… NO black marketing of essential commodities…Almost a miracle! Let’s be fair and offer heartfelt kudos to those who made this a reality. We salute you all!!
The check points were strict and sent back many who came without their permits. Sure, many also managed to slip in unnoticed. But the success, I felt , lay not in sending back those who were sans the permit but in the fact that a huge population realized that the Government was serious and hence they just did not start at all. This is where the true success lay and I feel that in the coming year, this will be felt more. One of the many reasons why people were dissuaded from even trying was the highly publicized penalty and punishment for the violators. The policy of deterrence worked. The government spent a lot of money on publicity. And this paid rich dividends.
“ There were young boy scouts and other volunteers who ensured that anyone lost was restored to his camp. I believe that there was some kind of an incentive schemes for these volunteers which resulted in them going out of the way to help the lost ones”, said Dr.Rasheed, a hajji from Dammam.
“Over 17,000 hospital beds were available for attending the sick. Best of medical facilities were rolled out for the needy. And what more would one expect when serving a huge sea of humanity”? asked Abdul Majeed, a young hajji from India.
Indeed, this hajj was different. But I am sure that the authorities would be looking at this as just the beginning…not the end. Indeed, many vociferous critics have been silenced. But the magnitude of the task at hand cannot allow complacency. With the right attitude and planning, much more awaits to be achieved. Well, a Six Sigma attitude is all that we need….rest falls in place!! I remember Robert Frost who said, “ Miles to go before I sleep…Miles to go before I sleep”
Many would think why am I wanting to take this year’s hajj out of the pack. And I would not blame them for such a thought. After all, by the grace of Allah, hajj has been going on for centuries. Well, what makes this year’s hajj different?
The governor of Makkah region, Prince Khalid Al Faisal set a new tone when the rolled out the slogan,” No permit, No hajj”. And it is from here that the entire hajj took a new turn. By the way, the concept that he has promoted is not new. It has been going on for a long time now. But the difference was in the spirit of his attitude. And this rubbed on to his colleagues. He led by example and was seen on the TV showing his own hajj permit. Such an example set the trend. And this is why I see this hajj as adding a new dimension, the touch of personal attention coupled with a professional management attitude.
For long we have been hearing cynical comments from different quarters. It seems that everyone else knows how to handle the Hajj except the authorities!! And since in the past we have had mishaps, the cynics got emboldened. Hajj 2008 was different because it has silenced the critics in many ways. Prince Khalid and his team went about the whole issue very meticulously and methodically. They reviewed each and every aspect of Hajj especially the stoning. And they came out with some excellent solutions to ensure that crowd controlling and management was handled with due diligence. Movement of the hajjis was streamlined to ensure that there were no bottlenecks and each hajji was comfortable and at ease. Each hajji who went for stoning was free of tension and performed his act devoid of any stress or panic. I especially single out the Governor because he has shown what determination and good planning can do. He had a plan and he did not allow any deviation from that. Perhaps this is what was lacking in the previous years? Controlling crowd movement is always a tough task. And this becomes even more when the movement has to be done within a time frame. Imagine 3.5 million (unofficially) people moving at the same time!! Indeed, there must have been some problems and this is but natural. But the Governor and his team was up to the task in ensuring that people moved to their destinations within the stipulated time. And with NO ACCIDENTS. Perhaps this is the only of its kind in the world when 3.5 million people have collected and disbursed in one day! And then to have NO mishaps...NO shortage of food and drinks… NO black marketing of essential commodities…Almost a miracle! Let’s be fair and offer heartfelt kudos to those who made this a reality. We salute you all!!
The check points were strict and sent back many who came without their permits. Sure, many also managed to slip in unnoticed. But the success, I felt , lay not in sending back those who were sans the permit but in the fact that a huge population realized that the Government was serious and hence they just did not start at all. This is where the true success lay and I feel that in the coming year, this will be felt more. One of the many reasons why people were dissuaded from even trying was the highly publicized penalty and punishment for the violators. The policy of deterrence worked. The government spent a lot of money on publicity. And this paid rich dividends.
“ There were young boy scouts and other volunteers who ensured that anyone lost was restored to his camp. I believe that there was some kind of an incentive schemes for these volunteers which resulted in them going out of the way to help the lost ones”, said Dr.Rasheed, a hajji from Dammam.
“Over 17,000 hospital beds were available for attending the sick. Best of medical facilities were rolled out for the needy. And what more would one expect when serving a huge sea of humanity”? asked Abdul Majeed, a young hajji from India.
Indeed, this hajj was different. But I am sure that the authorities would be looking at this as just the beginning…not the end. Indeed, many vociferous critics have been silenced. But the magnitude of the task at hand cannot allow complacency. With the right attitude and planning, much more awaits to be achieved. Well, a Six Sigma attitude is all that we need….rest falls in place!! I remember Robert Frost who said, “ Miles to go before I sleep…Miles to go before I sleep”
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Mera Sheeshay ka Ghar
Mera Sheeshay ka Ghar
I have had the urge to put pen to paper. Every time I cajoled myself into procrastinating it. I knew that whatever would have flowed would have been less objective and more emotional. Hence off target. Letting the dust settle was my mantra to ensure objectivity and avoid the path of almost all, most notably the TV channels. Even seasoned campaigners like Barkha Dutt fell prey to emotional mudslinging. Rather sad and unfortunate. Why the rush?? Things have happened. No way we can rewind and relive. Can we? Then why the sudden haste in all matters? And that brings me to the one in maximum hurry. The otherwise reticent and cool, MM Singh-the PM, wasted no time in pointing a finger in the most obvious direction. Why?? We were still amidst the drama being unfolded. We were still fighting the enemy. We were still capable of apprehending the callous terrorists. Why, even before we could really say we have hard core evidence, did MMS go to the nation and cried foul against the obvious nation? Indeed, we believe that this time we will certainly nail the scrip writers to their coffin-Lock stock and barrel. But somehow I get the feeling that the haste by MMS was perhaps more out of political frustration? The prospect of loosing out on the assembly elections??
Anyways, what hurts me most is that we have been blasted as a nation. Not just Mumbai. I feel distressed to see that almost all the voices seem to be talking about Mumbai being jolted. Indeed yes. But I see as my nation being taken to ransom. My nation cried. My nation bled. Not just one city. Indians cried, not just Mumbaikars. Let’s mourn for India.
Now the other moot issue. How did it happen? And this is where the public anger and disgust is most visible. And rightly so. How come such a huge operation is unknown to our intelligence agencies? "Alex Neill, head of the Royal United Services Institute's Asia security programme, . . . reckons up to 100 terrorists would have been involved in the planning and execution of the attack and said it was surprising they had managed to keep it a secret." Strange but true. Incompetence or corruption leads to ears and eyes being closed? Regrettably, we wait for an event to occur and then we galvanize into action. We cry over spilt milk.
Emotions are running high. The “aam aadmi” is shell shocked yet he realizes that something is bizarre, totally wrong. Indeed, violence is a part of the world today-Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq all have learnt to live with violence. But we Indians have always been the “seedha saadha innocent aadmi” types. Each very happy in his own small world. And suddenly BANG BANG and the dream is shattered! Who does this to us? Realization has dawned that some one is taking us for a ride…Someone has not his duty for which we have elected him. Someone has a rather casual attitude since he is safe and protected. And then the ‘Aam Aadmi” responds….and this anger will be felt across the nation. Believe me, what one is seeing just now is just in the Metro cities. This will engulf the entire India. Where will you run away, Mr. Politician? The Goliath has finally woken, albeit after a huge price.
But let me briefly touch some very sensitive issues. I am reminded of a lovely and beautiful house which has many neighbours. Some good, some unsure, some jealous, some envious. The we have a Joint Family living inside this wonderful house. Unfortunately, this family has difference of opinion between the family members. Sometime, these differences get accentuated and the internal affairs become public. This goes on over a period of time. Most of the neighbours pay no heed and go on with their own chores. But some envious ones start relishing the discord. And one day, one of them throws a small stone in the house. This does not do too much of a damage just breaking some small items. No family member really takes exception. The neighbour realizes that there is no unity in the house. After some time, he throws a huge stone. This not only shatters the external glass but also the exquisite historic chandelier that adorned the living room. Still none of the family members approach the neighbour as a family. The family is badly split and infighting resulted in them not realizing the loss that they have incurred-the exquisite historic chandelier has breathed it’s last. Gradually, the beautiful house is battered from all sides. The only sound one hears now is the shouting and hurling of abuses between the family members. This house is doomed. Will WE allow this?
Anger managed is resources harnessed. Let me become “Angry Young Indian”. Each should feel this way. Let the movement permeate into the rural India. We need to save our house, our own very beautiful house- from within and from the neighbours-near and far.
I narrated this story as I felt we as Indians need to relook at our huge joint family. Tom Alter and many more sensitive Indians have expressed similar anguish. Our family seems broken….Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs need to be reassured that the family cares for each other, feels for each other and hides or cradles no animosity towards the other.
I wish to end with a note for Hemant Karkare. Reading the way he was shot, all does not seem ok. Seems that some one was actually waiting for him and the other top shots of the ATS. Moles in the ATS? People had threatened to blow up his house. They actually blew him up. Heavy price for honesty indeed.
By the way, any idea what happens to the Malegaon enquiry after Karkare?
Long Live our Bharat….the land of Unity in Diversity….the land of warm and affectionate people, the land of honesty .
I have had the urge to put pen to paper. Every time I cajoled myself into procrastinating it. I knew that whatever would have flowed would have been less objective and more emotional. Hence off target. Letting the dust settle was my mantra to ensure objectivity and avoid the path of almost all, most notably the TV channels. Even seasoned campaigners like Barkha Dutt fell prey to emotional mudslinging. Rather sad and unfortunate. Why the rush?? Things have happened. No way we can rewind and relive. Can we? Then why the sudden haste in all matters? And that brings me to the one in maximum hurry. The otherwise reticent and cool, MM Singh-the PM, wasted no time in pointing a finger in the most obvious direction. Why?? We were still amidst the drama being unfolded. We were still fighting the enemy. We were still capable of apprehending the callous terrorists. Why, even before we could really say we have hard core evidence, did MMS go to the nation and cried foul against the obvious nation? Indeed, we believe that this time we will certainly nail the scrip writers to their coffin-Lock stock and barrel. But somehow I get the feeling that the haste by MMS was perhaps more out of political frustration? The prospect of loosing out on the assembly elections??
Anyways, what hurts me most is that we have been blasted as a nation. Not just Mumbai. I feel distressed to see that almost all the voices seem to be talking about Mumbai being jolted. Indeed yes. But I see as my nation being taken to ransom. My nation cried. My nation bled. Not just one city. Indians cried, not just Mumbaikars. Let’s mourn for India.
Now the other moot issue. How did it happen? And this is where the public anger and disgust is most visible. And rightly so. How come such a huge operation is unknown to our intelligence agencies? "Alex Neill, head of the Royal United Services Institute's Asia security programme, . . . reckons up to 100 terrorists would have been involved in the planning and execution of the attack and said it was surprising they had managed to keep it a secret." Strange but true. Incompetence or corruption leads to ears and eyes being closed? Regrettably, we wait for an event to occur and then we galvanize into action. We cry over spilt milk.
Emotions are running high. The “aam aadmi” is shell shocked yet he realizes that something is bizarre, totally wrong. Indeed, violence is a part of the world today-Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq all have learnt to live with violence. But we Indians have always been the “seedha saadha innocent aadmi” types. Each very happy in his own small world. And suddenly BANG BANG and the dream is shattered! Who does this to us? Realization has dawned that some one is taking us for a ride…Someone has not his duty for which we have elected him. Someone has a rather casual attitude since he is safe and protected. And then the ‘Aam Aadmi” responds….and this anger will be felt across the nation. Believe me, what one is seeing just now is just in the Metro cities. This will engulf the entire India. Where will you run away, Mr. Politician? The Goliath has finally woken, albeit after a huge price.
But let me briefly touch some very sensitive issues. I am reminded of a lovely and beautiful house which has many neighbours. Some good, some unsure, some jealous, some envious. The we have a Joint Family living inside this wonderful house. Unfortunately, this family has difference of opinion between the family members. Sometime, these differences get accentuated and the internal affairs become public. This goes on over a period of time. Most of the neighbours pay no heed and go on with their own chores. But some envious ones start relishing the discord. And one day, one of them throws a small stone in the house. This does not do too much of a damage just breaking some small items. No family member really takes exception. The neighbour realizes that there is no unity in the house. After some time, he throws a huge stone. This not only shatters the external glass but also the exquisite historic chandelier that adorned the living room. Still none of the family members approach the neighbour as a family. The family is badly split and infighting resulted in them not realizing the loss that they have incurred-the exquisite historic chandelier has breathed it’s last. Gradually, the beautiful house is battered from all sides. The only sound one hears now is the shouting and hurling of abuses between the family members. This house is doomed. Will WE allow this?
Anger managed is resources harnessed. Let me become “Angry Young Indian”. Each should feel this way. Let the movement permeate into the rural India. We need to save our house, our own very beautiful house- from within and from the neighbours-near and far.
I narrated this story as I felt we as Indians need to relook at our huge joint family. Tom Alter and many more sensitive Indians have expressed similar anguish. Our family seems broken….Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs need to be reassured that the family cares for each other, feels for each other and hides or cradles no animosity towards the other.
I wish to end with a note for Hemant Karkare. Reading the way he was shot, all does not seem ok. Seems that some one was actually waiting for him and the other top shots of the ATS. Moles in the ATS? People had threatened to blow up his house. They actually blew him up. Heavy price for honesty indeed.
By the way, any idea what happens to the Malegaon enquiry after Karkare?
Long Live our Bharat….the land of Unity in Diversity….the land of warm and affectionate people, the land of honesty .
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