The Living dead

 Nothing remains static,bereft of motion, unless, of course, one is done and dusted with! Gone with the wind! 

Talking about gone with the wind, obviously life has a value. or is it only for some? Not for all? Ukraine and now Palestine. What's the value of a life? People died in big numbers during the Covid period. But mostly all got a decent burial. Palestines dead lie on the streets. Some in many pieces and spread over the rubble. Burial? not for many. People lamenting? Perhaps. But who is there to lament when the entire families are blown to smithereens?

They await their turn but don't show their backs. They are brave and bold. They live by the minute but don't despair. They have almost no food to eat or water to drink. But they still smile and prostrate before their Lord. Lord will have mercy on them, In sha Allah soon. Very soon.

Feel your heart...

The last few years have actually changed the canvas of life, for everyone, small or big, rich or poor! Life suddenly took a new hue! The impact of the deadly Corona was felt in every household across every nation across the world. Many lost their loved ones, other managed to survive but lost their means of livelihood.A perfectly normal sneeze suddenly acquired demoniacal proportions.An insipid face mask suddenly became more valuable than gold! Life changed. People changed. Attitude changed. Today we sit back and reflect on the days gone by....Probably we value life just a little more. We perhaps have become more humane in our dealings with the lesser mortals in life. Our capacity and spirit to empathize has increased. Sharing has become more meaningful. Offering a meal to the hungry is more satisfying and humbling. Aggression in life has merged with humility and now one stops, thinks and does.

Just relax...close your eyes...run the reel of your life.....and see....have you REALLY changed for the better??? Or you are still wearing a mask of pretension ?

Facades wither away

Whoaa!The world does change fast!The socio-eco-political canvas in India has undergone a dramatic change in just a few days! The mind is dynamic and quick to see through the carefully cultivated facades.The facades just wither away when the probing eye sets in.

Parents need to grow up!

Mir Ameer Ansari, a bubbling teenager of IIS Dammam, bid adieu to this world. Why? The stimulus for this action was the results of the class 12 Board exams where Ameer got a compartment in one paper Why? What forced this teenager to take the drastic action of apparently leaping from a tall building? Was it the System, the Parents, the society? The pressure got the better of a young mind and his life ended even before it had the chance to bloom, leaving the Indian community in Dammam not only shell shocked but bewildered at what went so horribly wrong? Indeed we need to ponder over this. It is not a case of one young Ameer. It concerns our children, our future. Post exams results, we see and hear sulking children, angry and despondent parents, snarling teachers. There is dejection and feeling of rejection. Poor result makes the child uneasy. The fear of parental rejection looms large. There is loss of self esteem as ridicule from the peer group only adds to the growing unbearable pressure. This is when little children are forced to extremes. Perhaps this is the first point to stop and ponder. The society has created a monster called MARKS. Today, marks are everything. Be it the school or the home. Poor marks means that the child is a good for nothing character and deserves castigation. The teacher will pass comments, friends will ridicule and parents will express disgust. The child is lost. Parents remind me of the advertisements of Onida TV and Nirma detergent. The parent growls , “how come our neighbour’s child got better marks’?? Parental expectations become overbearing. This needs to stop. Parents need to understand that there is world beyond Marks. They need to take stock of reality. Each child is unique and should never be compared with another. Each child deserves to live his own life as per his own abilities and capabilities. Parents role should be to develop the child’s abilities and to attempt to create when none exist. School Management committee is as dazed as we are and I reached out to them to share my grief and feelings.” I have tried to counsel parents that they must focus on the concept of integral and inclusive growth of the child. Class 12 marks have a short life span and are forgotten once the child enters the college. But the overall growth will be an asset all his life”, said the school chairman Theeru. “ I am shocked to hear about our student Mir Ameer. He had the whole life before him, so what if he got a compartment in one subject? “ Life is not a bed of roses and each student should realize that hardships and failures are part and parcel of life”, said E.K.Mohammad Shaffe, the principal of IIS Dammam. Shaffe, holding a condolence meeting in the school appealed to the parents to build a warm relationship with the child and try to understand each child. “ Teachers should also be on the look out for those children who show tendencies of withdrawal and take them personally to the school counselor”, said the principal.I do see wisdom in his expressions. A teacher has first hand interaction with the child and can surely feel the pulse. Ambitions and aspirations of parents become a burden on their children and this adds to the burgeoning pressure. Parent child relationship needs to be redefined. The child is immature and he should be counseled by the parents that results of any exams are not a testimony of one real abilities. Parents should look at one’s efforts and not the results and learn to live with the reality- not everyone can be brilliant. Learn to appreciate what one has and not what one looks for. “ We should do a reality check and know the capability of our child. This will be good for all. I see so many parents wanting their child to opt for science stream although he is just not fit for it. Rather than accept the fact, parents pretend to be like the ostrich and force the child into subjects which he cannot handle. For sure, he will do badly and then the parents will humiliate and punish the child. This should stop”, said a shocked Shoaib A Qureshi, a parent and one who has been associated with education for decades. “This is the first time the community in Dammam has faced such a shock. Let us ensure that this is not repeated,” said Dr Khawaja Zubair, a parent and whose wife is a teacher. This is a wake up call for the community that values superficial achievements over their wards life. This is a wake up call for those who though love their children, nevertheless get lost somewhere in the mad rush for worldly gains. Parents need to realise that each balloon has its own capacity and we should blow as much air as the balloon can take. A burst balloon has no value and can only cause distress....if only I had blown less air, the balloon would still be there !

Let the Doves prevail!

Yes, we did !! Indeed, the whiff of “ Yes, we can”, could be felt even before the bullets tried in vain to scare the enthusiastic voter away! The people of the nation had made up their mind. They were determined and no amount of bullying could deter them! “Yes, we did it” ! shouts a beaming a young Pakistani as he watches the nations flags fluttering proudly! Earlier Indian films and music found favour with the Pakistanis, but this time shades of Karnataka elections could be seen as the PPP was decimated beyond recognition a la BJP style! Not just Karnataka, India seems to have influenced the outcome in a big way. Imran Khan became the Anna Hazare , raising the torch of Anti Corruption, but regrettably, with limited success. Coalitions of India have followed them with no single party emerging with outright majority though Nawaz Sharif might just cross the line. Different governments in provinces will be the Achilles heels in the days to come. And governance is bound to suffer. Hence, rejoicings in India may be either premature or short-lived. If we do not go into premeditated and willing amnesia, we would remember that Nawaz Sharif was the spirit behind the Kargil misadventure. Allegations of rigging may never be proved and the nation has to accept the results as they are. Yes, it is acknowledged that the route to ruling Pakistan goes through Punjab where around 55% of the parliament comes from there. Probably a couple of decades back, Nawaz had chanted “Jaag Punjabi Jaag”! Punjabis have woken up 20 years late! Although there was mass hysteria about Captain Khan, the reality was that he was still a novice in the art of politics. Imran Khan certainly inspired the youth but then not all youth are voters and not all voters are youth. Then the rural youth has a different perspective and they are followers of preconceived notions, prejudices and biases. Voting in rural Pakistan is also like rural India. Vote for all factors other than efficiency, honesty and integrity. Money power, muscle power and regional power powers the voter to take decisions that are suicidal not only for himself but for his community, his society, his nation. I have always said that democracy sans literacy and drenched in poverty is an albatross that sinks you deeper into the quicksand. The more you try to extricate yourself, the more doomed you are. Democracy needs education and enlightenment Democracy is no panacea for ills unless literacy is the guiding force. Until then, criminals will continue to get elected under the garb of politicians. It is indeed unfortunate that Pakistan’s politics is like that of Tamil Nadu. Either Jaya Lalita or Karunanidhi! Tahreek-e-Insaf party did flatter to deceive! If Pakistan has to benefit from this current flirt with Democracy, then the people of the nation have to learn to be honest and then practice honesty. They need to ensure that Nawaz delivers by piling on sustained pressure on the government. Being an eternal optimist, I expect the provincial governments of PPP, PTI (possible) to pressurize the central government by doing good work in their regions. It is expected that conservatives will call the shots in the coming days. Not only at the national level but also in the provinces. Captain Imran has the most unenviable task of balancing the drone riddled Khyber Pakhtun khan. He has to now walk the rather bold and aggressive talk. This is a wonderful opportunity for neighbouring India to not only provide stability to a floundering democracy but also to ensure minimum reliance on extreme and fringe elements. Business with Pakistan should be based on hard realities and not sentiments of the rightists. Let the doves prevail over the hawks and create a unique and pleasant Indo-Pak history!

Raja Bhaiyya, Modi and the Pup

Yesterday three things caught my attention. One was Raja Bhaiyya, the other was Modi and the last one was a beautiful German shepherd pup next door whining all night in his new home. Much as the little pup attracts me, I have to focus on the two “honourable” men as they have been making decibels the whole day yesterday. All the TV channels had forgotten their ‘Pups’ and latched on to these two who made headlines for reasons best known to them. Intriguingly enough, I found a fair similarity between Raja bhaiyya and Modi. Both are famous(infamous) in their own territory and they wield power which is unique to them. Both are politicians. Both have won their elections in our free democracy. Both claim to be leaders of the masses. Both are feared in their regions and both have scant respect for democratic functioning. And yes, one more. None of them have been convicted in any court of law across India! But perhaps, the long arm of law shall catch up sooner or later…… Now, let’s focus on Modi. One must confess that the he has hired one of the best PR honchos for his upliftment( remember Adnan Sami’s Lift kara dey…?) All kinds of Gurus are busy in “Lift kara dey” for Modi. And I am not looking at the volume of moolah that must have flowed to achieve what we are seeing! Now, this latest brouhaha over Wharton is very fascinating! Just see the bigger picture…The Students body of Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania invited Modi as one of the keynote speakers at the prestigious meet scheduled to be held on March 23 in Philadelphia. However, the management has reservations over his inclusion in the speakers' list and asked for his name to be dropped. One must note that it was NOT the University that had invited Modi! And they are well within their rights to review a decision taken by the students. And since there was almost three weeks, they cancelled the invite. Is there anything wrong??? I do suppose they must have expressed regrets or apologies for the cancellation. Why are we wailing our heads off? One Chetan Bhagat comes on TV and says that this is not fair, another Suresh Prabhu says that this is disrespect to India!! I wonder what they see that I cannot. And I am not short sighted, at least, as yet. Bhagat should know that this is the privilege of the host to invite or cancel( yes, with due courtesy). When Modi was invited, did he seek the permission of the Govt of India? No! This was a very personal decision. So, why poke barbs at the government that this is a huge disrespect to the nation!! This was a personal invite and it should have remained so. Why waste the time of the nation? And this should be realized by the overzealous TV anchors. Adani withdraws from Wharton. Well, he had to. After all, past favours need to show up for future continuity. And now to Minister Raja bhaiyya. He too is crying foul! Claims innocence! But ask Mrs Haq….the wife of the slain cop. Similarity with Zakia Jaffrey is purely coincidental? But the poor Pup. His cries attract none. Tied and threatened, his whining becomes faint. I get the feeling of Déjà vu!

Modi can change the equation

Once again Narender Modi is in the news. And this time it is for some very different reasons. And he is enjoying every bit of the media clamour for him! He is already strutting around as the next PM of India! Well, why not? After all, he is a citizen of India and has every reason to visualize his future. And also because there is acute shortage of leaders and issues in the BJP. They are bereft of genuine leadership and issues on which they can lay a claim to run the nation. Modi comes in handy. Being controversial helps at times. You may hate him, you may detest him but you cannot ignore him! And this is where Modi has emerged as the front runner for 2014 hustings. Honestly, I do not see a scenario where Modi becomes the PM. Probably even he knows it. But it is a good ploy from many aspects. Firstly, it sort of cuts down the light weight( but voluminous) leaders who pretend to be heavy weights! Then, it gives them a chance to polarize the nation. And this suits the BJP. They all know that the NDA allies will not accept Modi as a PM candidate. They may ultimately accept him if the numbers allow, is a different matter. But, none would like to begin the campaign with this perspective. Today BJP is celebrating Modi. They are smart. They have killed two birds with one stone. They have thrown the cat amidst the pigeons. Also they have thrown an issue to the general public at large and now they wait to see which result suits them…the pigeons being slaughtered or the public swallowing the pill! Nitesh Kumar is under pressure and test. BJP is assessing what they gain of Modi declared PM even if they loose Nitesh. Nitesh is in a quandary and Laloo has rubbed it in already by asking Nitesh to make his stand clear. Congress waits and watches. After repeated hara-kiri attempts, the UPA has still survived and may well survive if Modi is declared PM candidate and Nitesh walks away to the UPA camp.

Gujarat was always a model of excellence!

Gujarat always a model of industrial excellence

Persistent and unrelenting denial of a reality coupled with loose and inaccurate figures , is the dream of people following Dr Joseph Goebbels, the Propaganda manager of Hitler. This Goebbellian approach does not serve the purpose any more for the world has changed and people have moved on to effectively separate the truth from propaganda. One Mr.Sahil believes that nothing has been proved against Modi. Sure, yes, we know that. One must remember that even murder cases in India take years to come to their logical conclusions. Law will deliver justice. If not today, then tomorrow even in Trial courts of Gujarat. By the way, Sahil, Why were so many cases shifted out of Gujarat? You know the answer. Let me add that though the matter is sub judice, the public perception is that Modi has failed to protect his citizens when criminals raved in glee.The other is one Mr.Somalya
To both the Goebbelians in context, Gujarat has always been a state with a positive attitude towards business. Nothing new. A double digit growth rate has been seen in the 90’s. Entrepreneurs and huge companies have dotted the Gujarat business horizon since ages. Multiple business ventures of the Ambanis, Amul group, Ahmedabad-based Dishman Pharma, , Zydus Cadila, founded in 1952, is one of the top five pharma companies in India with a turnover of(Rs 37 billion) today, the Rs 35.50 billion Nirma group , the Sandesara group with a market valuation of about $6.5 billion , Rs 27,000 crore Ahmedabad-based Adani Group, $2.02 billion worth Torrent Pharma, multi million $ worth Arvind Limited (formerly The Arvind Mills Ltd.) , $455 million AIA Engineering Ltd was incorporated in March 1991, Electrotherm (India) , Sintex Industries has grown to an over Rs 3,200 crore (Rs 32 billion) company , the Indian Institute of Management, the institute of Rural Management, the introduction and growth of Cooperatives and so on. How many more do I have to name!!!!! And finally, Ahmedabad has been known as the Manchester of the East long before one Mr.Modi appeared on the horizon! Let us give credit to the illustrious Gujaratis who have been exemplary since ages! Modi has just flown with the tide. He has been like any other normal leader. Mr. Somalya should get his facts correct before heaping unwarranted eulogies. He sounds like a hollow vessel with a cracked base . Every state in India has progressed in the last couple of decades-some more some less. This is because India as a nation has gown by leaps and bounds. Growth at the Macro level has reflected on the micro level. I hope this settles the issue of Modi being the messiah and the harbinger of industrial excellence in Gujarat and the Sahils and the Somalyas will stop parroting the same.

Now, comes the last issue of Muslims and Modi. As one Director General of police says, “No Rioting can continue beyond 24 hours except if there is complicity of authorities”. And this is very true. What we say to Modi is that why riots were not contained for almost three days!! Either the CM was downright incompetent and did not know what was happening and had no clue as to how to control or he deliberately looked the other way. Somalya can choose whichever option he likes. In both cases, Modi is culpable. This is why we say “ Modi fiddled and twiddled in glee while Gujarat burnt”. Mr. Somalya, two wrongs do not make a right. If Congress party is guilty of rioting, they need to be punished. Just because they failed in 1984 it does not mean Modi can slaughter Muslims and claim innocence. Somalya prescribes that Muslims should forgive and forget. Indeed yes. It should be. But for this, one must see sincere repentance on part of the perpetrator. Is this there? Rather, it is to the contrary! Modi has never been to a single victim’s family or a refugee center, to express regret and pacify the bleeding heart. Did he even try to assuage the feelings of those whose lives have been ripped apart? Somalya, you forgive one who seeks forgiveness…not force it on him! Atal Behari Vajpaee was dismayed and saddened at the atrocities perpetrated. And he expressed that the Rajdharma was not followed. And yet, Somalya praises heaps on that very man whose governance saw hundreds of gallons of blood flow from thousands of innocent children, pregnant women and old and helpless bodies ! What bigoted thinking!

Modi's Charade at it's best!

Modi’s Fast is a Farce

I blame the media for this yet another round of theatrics. It is now a Fashion to fast. And with the 24X 7 media blitz of Anna’s fast, the ground has been prepared for the media hungry polticos! Good for the channels…good for the politicos…but bad for the aam admi! Why the channels are focusing so much on the copy cat? Leave the man alone and see the results. Modi needs Iballs as his daily diet!
Coming to Modi and his farce, a travesty. Did I say Farce ? Just a slip of the tongue….I mean his fast which is aimed at sadhbhavna. What does this mean? To me as a layman, this means “twist the arm further” You understand anything different? Sadhbhavna, as per Modi, is the ability to squeeze the last bit out of the hapless victims. After almost 10 years of taunting the victimized community, he now feels it is time to go for the Jugular. He wants to ensure that those whom he trampled mercilessly should now realize that absolute power lies within his reach and that he will suck the last drop of blood once the case comes to the trial court! Hence, the fast to intimidate and communicate. Modi is in no “pashchatap” mode. He has no regrets, no qualms. Given the opportunity, he would gleefully do the same again! After all, he consolidated the majority votes after his genocide. His face reveals a unique , wry , limited extension of the end of his lips. We cannot call this a smile. It conceals more than what it reveals. In Islam, fasting is for cleansing the heart and mind. If this is the case with Modi, we will support him and forgive him. But alas, this does not seem to be the case. It is just the façade! A charade!
Modi says that he has been exonerated. Really? And how? I am no legal brain but I suppose I can still read English. I read that the court has taken cognizance of the appeal of Mrs. Jafri and felt that, as per the law, let the matter be heard in the trial court, where both the SIT and the Amicus will be given an opportunity. The SC opines that this is the privilege of the trial court. Where is the exoneration? Let me quote Mr.Sanjiv Bhatt, the IPS officer who has dared to speak the truth, “Mrs. Jafri had approached the Honorable Gujarat High Court with a prayer for registering her complaint as an FIR. The said petition was disallowed by the Honourable High Court of Gujarat. Mrs. Jafri, therefore, approached the Honourable Supreme Court of India by way of a Special Leave Petition against the order of the High Court. The Honourable Supreme Court directed the SIT to look into her complaint and subsequently also directed the learned Amicus to examine the evidence collected by the SIT. At the end of this long and arduous exercise the Honourable Supreme Court has not only allowed the Appeal of Mrs. Jafri and directed the SIT to virtually treat the complaint of Mrs. Jafrri as an FIR, but has also directed the SIT to file a report under section 173(2) of the Cr.P.C. Let me clarify for your benefit and for the benefit of your Six crore brothers and sisters of Gujarat, that this report under section 173(2) of the Cr.P.C. is colloquially known as Charge-Sheet or Final Report.” Where does the Supreme Court say that charges by Mrs. Jafri are baseless and hence Modi “ba izzat bari keeye jaate hain”. Has anyone read or heard this? So, from where is the exoneration? Yes, I do suspect that the catch lies elsewhere and for which the celebration under the guise of a fast! Can we hear someone saying, “ab aaya oont pahad kay neechay”?
Yes, Modi is eyeing the centre. He feels that he needs to get out of the state and reach Delhi. But he is in for a rude shock. Not only him, but his sycophants , which includes the grand old Advani. Modi is dishing out meaningless figures boasting of his great entrepreneurial spirit and expertise. He is taking the media for a ride. While speaking to Rahul Kanwal of Headlines Today, he compared the riots of 1969,84,92 with the Gujarat massacre and challenged him why no one speaks of them and only wants to corner him. He actually toyed with Rahul like a kid who did not answer him! A sad commentary on the level of the channel. Let me answer Modi with this simple one liner. “In the cases mentioned by you, NO CHIEF MINISTER WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED like you were”!!!
He tried to conceal his glee while stressing that he is adroit at all that he touches. Let me ask his cohorts if they have heard of a man by the name of Nitiesh Kumar? If they have, then they should know that he has a better track record of governance that Modi. Kumar has transformed one of the most backward states( Bihar) into a model. He has fought odds to show brilliance. He is the Anna of Bihar and will be backed by the NDA allies( and possibly some BJP leaders also!). Gujarat, on the contrary, has always been more entrepreneurial and has always shown very high growth rates. Even before Modi, double digit growth rates have been recorded. By nature, a Gujrati has been ambitious and hard working. And finally, the nation as a whole has seen a sea change. Just a decade back, communicating from smaller cities was an ordeal; villages were in a world of their own! Transportation was a luxury. Electricity was a rarity. Education was for the elite and few. Today, India has evolved. Naturally, also the states have benefitted. This is not a case wherein the whole nation has been a laggard except Gujarat which has grown by leaps and bounds. So, Modi has done nothing exceptional. He shows no outstanding managerial and organizational skills. He has carried on what he received in legacy…the magnificent spirit of the Gujarati!
Modi needs to sincerely apologize to those whom he trampled. He needs to honestly apologize to the community which gave him mandate ( to become the CM) and was then humiliated ruthlessly. He needs to humbly apologize to the nation which gave him everything and in return he decimated its children and ransacked its gardens.
But there is another view point. An apology will be words only! He can conveniently shed a few crocodile tears and pretend remorse. Justice should be done. And justice means punishment to the guilty. Punishment commensurate to the crime committed. If all criminals plead remorse and walk away , India would have to abort its IPC’s and the Cr.PC’s!

Anna needs to mellow

My sincere apologies to the die hard Anna supporters. I have always professed my appreciation of the issues that Anna raises. But I am not on the same page when it comes to the methods he adopts. He however, is as free as anyone else, to pursue his methods. But they should be based on mutual respect and within the framework of our robust democracy.
I felt that Anna has always had that streak of autocracy in him. Beneath the Gandhi topi rests a very authoritarian mind. It has surfaced before when he dismissed Digvijay Singh as one fit for the mental asylum and is now once again very much visible when he points his pudgy fingers and rolls his eyes and says that those MP’s who have opposed his Jan lok Pal bill, should be identified and then harassed by virtue of “gheraoing” their residence. I consider that as utterly Hitlerian in attitude. This reflects that he is not willing to see any opposition to what he considers is the ultimate truth-either my way or the highway approach. Anna fails to realize that we are a free and a democratic nation and like him, each citizen f India has the right to his own opinion! Why should Anna attempt to “terrorize” others into toeing his line?
I find this ridiculous to the core. Why does he utter diktats? Are we living in a country ruled by Emperor Anna? If the MP’s have not favoured his bill, so what? And why not? They may have a reason for it.Even otherwise, they are free citizens of a free nation. Who is Anna to pass a Pheronic judgment? I have always feared that the so called Gandhians have always betrayed a different hue when they are in their own elements. And this is what bothers me . Anna and his team have bulldozed their way to fame. Yes, the government played further into their hands by mismanaging the Anna fast and the proposed Jan LP Bill. Anna, the simple man from the village, suddenly was propelled to the International pedestal at such a felicity that he probably wondered if he was enjoying a Midsummer Night’s dream or was he Anna in wonderland! Suddenly, he realizes that he carries a clout more powerful than the politician! And then, the thrill of wielding it! Step on it…tells the heart! And this is where I see a conflict between the heart and the mind of a septuagenarian! Not to mention some over zealous advisers who are eager to cash on his growing fame and stature!
But as citizens of India who feel that India is going through very trying times, we feel that Anna needs to exercise caution and wisdom. He has to ensure that the masses who are trusting him are not betrayed by his attitude. India stands at a cross road which is very crucial. We could go in any direction. Anna has raised the issue of corruption and the performance of MP’s. Both are very vital and should not be allowed to fizzle away. He needs to reign in his autocratic leanings and become a Gandhian in a true Gandhijis spirit. Anna, the nation needs you. I know that 73 years is too old an age to change, but still for the sake of the movement that you have initiated, bridle your instincts and adopt flexibility ….at least till the time you have belled the cat!!
I do hope that a fresh diktat is not issued to gherao the write of this blog!

India is not Egypt nor a Libya..we are a throbbing democracy!

Just a brief taste of public adulation and power! Just a few days of limelight at the national level! Suddenly he started feeling larger than life. Fall came even before he could really taste success! Anna Hazare has lost the prestige, the status, the almost iconic status with one single stroke of supporting an allegedly corrupt Baba who is, ironically, crusading against corruption!! Anna was supporting a movement against corruption and the Indians were excited with new felt enthusiasm. Massive support was pouring in from Indians across the world. He was being hailed as the messiah. But alas! India seems destined to be saddled with the corrupt for some more time when a genuine messiah emerges.
Anna was going well till as long as he was the same old Hazare whose name and fame was limited. Suddenly his tenor changed. Gone is his gentle, soothing voice only to be replaced by a voice of arrogance laced with contempt. His choice of partners has shocked the enthusiastic Indian. How could he be chums with the man whose rise to riches has been dubious? On one side he dedicates himself to fight the hydra headed corruption whilst on the other he supports a Baba who is soaked in corruption! The whole of Baba’s kingdom is based on allegations of corruption. What a contradiction! And now to top it all, the Baba has threatened to raise an army of 11,000 men and women who will fight the police if they dare to take on them in future!! I wonder what is the definition of terrorism? Advaniji might help me here for he too supports the Baba. And just a few more words on the Baba. I see a lot of hue and cry in the media. All the channels are vying to use adjectives that can be as romantic as possible. We hear the police “ brutally thrashed the women and children”. If true, then it deserves complete condemnation. But I have a larger point. And I want the media and the politicians to answer this. Why did the Baba not surrender to the police????? Why did the Baba dodge and hide? Why did he make the police chase him?? For a politician, it is the ultimate to be arrested! Baba should have expressed his dissatisfaction to the police, given a press statement( the press was all ears to him 24 hours!) and gone with the police. NOTHING WOULD HAVE HAPPENED and he would have become a hero! So, should we not blame the baba for the pains and sufferings of the innocent and gullible followers?? Rahul Gandhi was arrested in Greater Noida. Later he was released. Varun Gandhi was arrested and put in Jail. Advani and Vajpaee were arrested. No politician runs away from the police unless he has something to hide!! It’s a politicians dream to be arrested!

Anna and his team have adopted a rather condescending tone. I read the letter that Shri Shanti Bhushan has sent to the Government and I am taken aback at the rather rude and intimidatory tone. It seems that except for team Anna, no one else neither has the right not the ability to draft a Jan lok pal bill. This is dangerous and disappointing. Dangerous because an air of aggression and superiority complex is the perfect mix for starting well but getting lost midway. Personal ego derails one from his mission. Disappointing because there was a lot of hope for the demoralized Indian who had suddenly found a new vigour due to a bright future that he had started visualizing!
Anna and his team need to revisit their strategy. They need to see that a new India cannot be buried under the debris of a five star jet hopping and “jumping” Baba who has some very strong personal interests. And yes, Anna, please do not disgrace and humiliate our valiant martyrs. Jallianwala bagh was a crime against India, against humanity. It slaughtered patriotic Indians. Comparing that with the Ramlila event is pathetic. By the way, Anna seems to be blissfully unaware of the genocide in Gujarat! He did not make such sweeping statement when thousands were slaughtered….
On the Jan Lok Pal bill. Anna and his team should not make this an ego issue. If they feel for India as they claim, then work with the objective of getting things done. Do not threaten and intimidate the other partners. If there are issue of strong dissent like the coverage of the PM and the judiciary, then do not become adamant. Go for whatever is acceptable to all. Let there be an “ interim Lok Pal Bill”. At least get the ball rolling! The bill can always be amended. It is not the end . Rather, it will be a beginning. Yes, the politicians will always try for a weak bill and we must resist them. Let’s be more astute and wise. Compromise a little bit to get the larger interest accomplished.
India is not an Egypt or Libya so let us stop giving examples of Tahrir square etc.. India is a vibrant and a throbbing democracy which is even more democratic than America. Let the elected government work. Yes, do chastise them with vigour but do not throttle the functioning. Wait for the next hustings to annihilate the poor performers. Some states are going to the polls. Let us elect people who can deliver. Let us focus on setting an example in the state elections so that the centre knows what is in store for then. As a mature democracy start educating the voter. All those who are voicing for a change need to consolidate at the state level elections. Work together with a focused interest and strive for a clean election by electing clean and competent people. Reject the corrupt candidates.

Its not WHO but HOW and WHY...Obama Saheb!

Obama is grinning from ear to ear! He is the toast of not only the town but the whole of the American nation! After all he has wiped out the most dreaded terrorist in the world! What Bush could not do in two terms, Obama has done it in one only! Hence, he sure is a happy guy. Americans are celebrating this with a frenzy that outweighs the thanksgiving also! Such is the power of the machinery called Propaganda. I am reminded of Bhindranwala. One can see that Osama was to America what Bhindranwala was to Indira Gandhi.
It is not the killing which is significant. It is the manner in which it was done. Brazen, cold blooded, sodden in arrogance and one which sends a chill down the spine of lesser nations! It shows that the Americans have scant respect for International protocols. It is another aspect of the Jungle Raj. Might is right as one muscles ones way least bothered of the possible repercussions. Today, a nation stands undermined and humiliated.
We re not debating what Osama was. We do not debate why he was never on the CIA’s web list of wanted terrorists for 9/11 and yet Obama has related him with this and has garnered sympathies so as to shoot up his rapidly declining public rating! Just one of the many contradictions involving this “shoot out at Abbotabad”.
I write with a sense of trepidation and consternation. A feeling of fear of things to come. The modus operandi used in elimination of Osama is a sign of the times. Here is a group of elite commandoes flying into another nation, making a mockery of sovereignty, shooting the target dead at point blank range. The body is picked and taken from one nation to another and finally dumped into the sea. All this is coming from one of the most civilized nations. From the nation that teaches others about the freedom of expression and freedom of democracy and freedom of values. If one has to be taught a lesson, then it should be done, no doubt. But within the rules of decency and civilized society. Any one who is a scourge on society needs to pay for his misdeeds. Catch the man and bring him to justice. Put him before law. Try him for his crimes. Like what was done to Slobodan Milosevic. Taking law into your own hands is not the best example set by the most progressive nation on earth. What would the US do if India does the same to get Dawood ? The term sovereignty would loose all meaning. The world has watched in disbelief. Violence has been preferred and chances of truth coming out in the open have been buried forever….deep down where none can reach. It will always be felt that the accused should have been given a chance to prove his innocence. India stands out in the way it treated a sadistic killer Ajmal Kasab and gave him all the chances to prove that he in innocent. Obama needs lessons from India.
Wanted Dead or….dead! Yes, this seems to be the motto of the forces chasing Osama. It appears that they could have possibly apprehended the unarmed old man. But they decided otherwise. Why? Deadly silence from those who matter. Since the time they went out to “smoke em out” policy, they have bunged thousands of tones of bombs on just about any place they thought he was hiding in. This hurt not only the poor society where the bombs were dropped but also the economies of nations! Who benefited?
Now I come to the whole drama that has been enacted. Pakistan and the US are hand in glove in this rather filmy sordid episode. However, none can admit this openly for obvious reasons. Hollywood and Lollywood combined!! As per the news reports, Osama has been staying in the house for almost five years, oblivious to the nosey parkers of all so called “smart intelligence agencies! US is blaming Pakistan for its intelligence failure. And we are to believe that the CIA- the mother of all intelligence agencies across the world- and which is all over Pakistan, does not know this on it’s own!! Have a heart , Obama, yes, people are gullible and innocent and the civil society is very forgiving. But to swallow this one has to be more naïve than the silly dodo! And what to say about the frequently changing versions of the whole act! Once we hear that Osama was unarmed and trying to hide behind the skirt of his wife! Then we hear that he was killed in gunfire exchange and then we hear that he was killed by one other than the Americans! What do believe?? But one thing is for sure, I cannot imagine Osama, a man first fighting the Russians and now the Americans for nearly three decades, will run away from death! Going by the earlier reports in the media, he was fighting for a religious cause and such people would be looking forward to embracing death! Mission accomplished, is what he would say and not hide behind a skirt to save a life that he always wanted to loose!
And the last video that we saw on the TV adds more mystery and makes things murkier. We are shown a video of Osama using the remote control of a TV. If one notices, this is in the right hand. Now, go back to the scene so frequently shown on the TV-Osama firing a machine gun. Notice the hand? He appears to be a left hander! And why would a leftie use the remote in his right hand? Unless that hand has been left behind in the Tora Bora! And yes, why did Osama get himself filmed from such weird angles and then leave the cassettes for the Americans to conveniently discover?? Elementary , dear Watson!
No civil society permits killing of innocents. Whosoever is guilty of doing so should be punished severely. No mercy. But there should be one law for the same crime. When asked to relate 9/11 with 26/11, the Americans have looked the other way!! They were deaf to the shrieks of the people who lost their dear ones in the Mumbai Massacre!
The buzz is that Obama thought that if Bush could resurrect the ghost of Osama and win his otherwise almost lost elections, then a dead Osama should surely get him a second term! And the deal is “buy one, get one free! Free is the exit from the labyrinths, quagmire of the monstrous Afghanistan!
My fear is that this John Wayne type of action might be counter productive. Swooping into another nation under the cover of darkness and technology, smashing the guy to smithereens, collecting the body and flying off to dump it into the sea may just about make the killed a martyr. And this would spell disaster. Not only for the Americans but for the world.
We can only pray that such juvenile bravado by the gun slinging Obama does not create more Osamas.

Baba Culture-pulling India back?

India chained

The recent event that lingers in my mind and just refuses to fade away is the smiling , fuzzy haired Sai Baba. He was indeed quite a character who courted controversy although the presence of Sonia Gandhi and Man Mohan Singh at his funeral does give a glimpse of what kind of political clout he wielded when alive.
It is always difficult for anyone to accept humans as Gods. Kind of weird that the guy next door could possibly proclaim to be a God, albeit supposedly in an Avtar! It is certainly possible to accept one as a holy fellow who connects better with his creator and displays more human values than an average person. And then comes the final clincher. A picture of the thronging devotees praying for the Sai Baba! Asking for health! Asking for his Life! A plethora of questions flashed upon my mind: are they praying for their God….their God NEEDS the prayers of the devotees? To whom are these devotees of Sai Baba praying??? Are we to suppose that there is a bigger God who can cure the smaller god? Gods can get sick? Gods need the prayers of humans?
Let’s take a quick flash into the past. We must remember that as a child, Sai Baba was described as "unusually intelligent". And what is more relevant is that the young Baba was exceptionally talented in drama, music, dance and writing, and was an avid composer of poems and plays. He was said to be capable of materialising objects such as food and sweets out of thin air, but alas! He could not escape death by using his own vibhuti! The power of the vighuti vanished when he needed it most! By the way, the glass casket in which the body of the Baba was on display, was air conditioned ! An over zealous devotee felt that reincarnation occurs better under more pleasant conditions!
Sachin Tendulkar was seen crying sitting besides the body of Baba. Was he crying at what would be Baba’s fate in the herafter or was it because he realized that humans die, Gods do not. I am still guessing……And the news that is going around is that the Baba will reincarnate in about a decade. Whatever be the truth of the matter, at least this gives us hope that the world will not finish as predicted by the calculating priest, Harold Camping, a preacher from Oakland, California or the other doomsday theory of the world coming to an end in 2012!

That brings me to the other bigger issue. The issue of Rs 45,000 crores. What crores? As I understand, the value of Baba’s Trusts could be touching a whopping 45,000 crores! And will this issue be ever investigated? What taxes have been paid by the Baba or the trust? What has been the source of this humoungous income? I know that many charitable pursuits have been initiated by the Baba. Why not? If peanuts can fetch you Gold, then why not! Simple logic.
And then I thought of the other living soul who has been in the news. Anna Hazare. And I wondered to myself , can this living Gandhian ensure that the Jan Lok Pal bill will be passed and implemented? If he can, then I am sure that the late Baba can be brought under it’s ambit. After all, movement against corruption does not begin by seeing the colour of the dress that one wears or by the volume of ones hair? Or does it?
Before I digress into more worldly matters, let me continue with the Godman who was, as I understand, an avatar of the Shirdee kay Sai Baba. Quite a contrast, I must confess. The original Sai baba was a “fakir” when he passed away, probably not possessing even Rs 400 at the time of his death! Well, it is all a matter of modern economics. Demand and Supply. Probably the “kalyug” can be seen when economics determines rebirth! The idea of an Avatar , as I understand, was to improve the society and rid it of it’s evils. Now it seems that Avatars rids the society of their money!
And now let me come to the worldly matters. India is huge nation sitting on the brink of glory and greatness. What stops us from achieving greatness are such avatars. India as a nation is like South Africa in cricket. Chokers.
India’s step into the world of greatness is choked due to it’s gullible ,highly emotional and immature masses. They are pulling us back. Anna Hazare can continue his fasts till as long as he likes. India will be like a cat catching it’s own tail. Corruption, as it appears, will never be weeded out because corruption cares about colour of the dress and the volume of the hair that dons the head that weaves a magic spell on those who matter. Masses as well as classes fall prey.

Decade best forgotten

The first decade of the new millennium draws to a close. A rather angry, volatile and capricious decade. Sprinkle some unpredictability as a topping. Overall, not too many pleasant memories to cheer us up. On the contrary, too many gruesome, gory pictures remain imprinted in the mind-the senseless killings in Afghanistan, Iraq and the cold blooded slaughter of the Palestinians keeps us awake at night. The pictures of the ravaging Tsunami across the east, the devastation in Pakistan, Haiti are still vivid. Then we had the mighty Katrina swallowing all that came its way. The flotillas being attacked by the Israelis was another blot on humanity. In brief, a rather bloody and chilling decade.
However, what is more alarming to me is the attitude of nations. This , to me , is more hurting than anything else. Julian Assange may not have thrown anything sensational as yet. But he has exposed the mindset of nations. Especially the big and powerful and how they reek of arrogance with little remorse as they trample the weak. The supercilious, haughty, and dismissive view of the so called elite League of Nations has shown that nothing has change over the centuries. Still the strong chews the weak albeit under the garb of providing a helping hand! 2010 witnessed the same air of the strong roaring with disdain. Their condescending attitude , though camouflaged with sweet exterior, is disgusting. So much for civilization and a civilized civil society!
India , save for the sportsmen, could have said, a decade to forget! If it were not for our “ men/women in shining armour”, we would have been drowned in the deluge let loose by the Narender Modis, Rajas, Radias, Chavans, Yedurappas and the Bangaru Laxmans. In India Kautilya was the first person to mention the forty ways of embezzlement in his famous Kautilya’sArthashastra during the ancient Mauryan Times (321-296 BC). Today, our politicians have perfected these forty and keep adding new ones by the dozen! The scams horizon is big and wide and cuts across political parties, professions, regions and so on! The CWG, the Satyam, the cash for question, the housing loan scams, the AICTE, the MCI….The list is steep, endless. To quote a survey by S Daniel Rathinaraj , “commodities of greater value are bartered for those of small value; what is of smaller value is bartered for one of greater value; price of commodities enhanced; price of commodities lowered; number of nights increased; number of nights decreased; the year not in harmony with its months; the month not in harmony with its days; inconsistency in the transactions carried on with personal supervision, misrepresentation of the source of income; inconsistency in giving charities; incongruity in representing the work turned out; inconsistency in dealing with fixed items; misrepresentation of test marks or the standard of fineness (of gold and silver); misrepresentation of prices of commodities; making use of false weight and measures; deception in counting articles; and making use of false cubic measures such as bhájan - these are the several ways of embezzlement.”
Ketan Parekh was probably the one who started the scams roll for the decade with his scam which hit the stock market where it really hurt! We still have a couple of days to go for the New Year, a new scam of unforeseen proportion can hit us any time!
The so called saviours of society-the Journos-too had their hands full. Well, they probably always were-but this time the lid just blew away! But they are tough nuts and they faced the world with dour grit and determination. Almost making one believe that the poor souls have been hugely wronged , targeted and victimized and that they are as clean as a new born soul!
Tendulkar and Saina bring solace to our scams riddled nation. They and a bunch of really talented and professional sportsmen/women bring honour and prestige. They provide hope and succour. They give us belief that India is still a proud nation. They give India the strength to go up the ladder. Long live the sportsmen of Bharat!
But strange it may sound, we are still the darling of the West! Obama, Cameroon and Sarkozy are dancing to our tune and even prepared to do a bhangra..if we so choose to demand! Even after all those pan spit photos of the common wealth village screaming across the globe, even the Chinese are prepared to waltz! Man Mohan Singh has been a let down. If only he had played his cards as well as he can, India would have been the judge in “Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’ being competed between Merkel, Sarkozy, Obama ,Cameroon and who( Hu Jintao) and when ( Wen Jiabao)!
Singh Saheb, you still can. But for that, you have to step out and take the bull by the horns.
Saree ka palloo chodna padega……khud qadam uthana hoga!

Bang on target! Bihari Babu brings cheers!

Results in Bihar are a huge signal that if there is a will, there is a way. Bihar had become the playground of the ruthless politician who toyed with the state as if it was his personal fiefdom. He would dole out to whomsoever he wished. No attempts were made to tread the path of growth and development because if the average Bihari would become educated then how would he fall a victim to the baits of caste and religion!
The Bihar of 2010 ushers in a new dimension to not only Bihar but to the nation. Nitish Kumar has shown that if there is adequate amount of political will and determination, the civil society can be reformed in quick time! Laloo languishes deep down somewhere where even his political obituary cannot reach him. By the way, as of now, Samosa in Bihar will be sans aloo!! Rabri's humiliating double loss at the hustings speaks volumes about how the voter has ditched rhetoric and prejudices and today demands performance and achievement.
Congress and the other players have reasons to introspect. Nitish has proved that social reengineering can also mean deliverance without touching the caste/religion cards. He has actually successfully reengineered the concept of Community management. He understood the needs of the society. He developed the products and services they needed and delivered! As simple as that! But there is another feather in Nitish Kumar’s cap. Successful coalition management. JDU and BJP did not cut into each others votes. As a matter of fact, they complimented. On the contrary, Laloo and Paswan could not come to terms with the Congress due to their inability to seize the needs of the moment. They cut into each others votes and aided the JDU, BJP.
Somehow, the relevance of the symbols seems striking. Laloo's Lamp has been doused. Why? Not because there was any flaw in the lamp. It was just that the lamp failed to provide the light that the society needed. A lamp as a lamp has no value till as long as it does not serve a purpose. It was lost in the darkness. Some one trampled on it. Pawns Bungalow could provide to comfort to anyone. He forgets that first it is Roti, then Kapda and finally the makaan! And not vice versa! And Nitish struck with his Arrow! Bang on target!
Yes, the PM is like what Obama is today . Not really lame duck but probably quite close. But Singh sahib can take a positive out of Bihar. You still have a couple of years to go and public memory is notoriously short. Get cracking on the non performers. Reengineer your policies and attitude. Redraw your relations with your allies and stop accepting their bullying , bellicose and pugnacious attitude. Start delivering with a firm hand. Corruption is your main disease. Start weeding out the parasites and the blood suckers.
For a change, let the hand try the arrow!
If Bihar can do it, then can India be far behind? Are you listening Dr. Man Mohan Singh?

Indian Renaissance needed

Indian Renaissance needed

People have been writing and talking about the various scams that surround us. There is immense anger, angst and disgust amongst the so called civil society. Amongst all this, the media is having a ball. Histrionics is the order of the day.
Mud slinging has now acquired a new dimension. Today a Manish Tewari hurls a super slander at a Ravi Prasad without even batting an eyelid! It comes as a matter of routine! And the recipient receives the hurling brickbat with a smiling face! Such is the level of shamelessness amongst our people.
Coming to the main issue. It is not the silence of the Dr.MMS but the sheer audacity and brazenness of the small time, small city, small thinking politician who sits smugly on the national scene. I am not angry with the likes of Raja or a Chavan or a Yedurappa. I am not disappointed with the Congress or BJP or CPM. I am not unhappy with the Mushrooming angry young Anchors of the media.
I am devastated by our Civil Society. I am shocked by our apathy and our capacity to bear the pain inflicted by the politician and the political parties! We groan, then cry and later shout. But this is where it all stops. Then we crumble and give up. This is where the politician and his party capitalizes and seizes the jugular vein.
The 2G scam did not happen yesterday. It was a good few years back when this puny, petty politician from Tamil Nadu ravaged in glee. Where were you all this time, Mr. Swamy ? Sushma Swaraj says that she cannot settle for anything less than a JPC ? May I ask why so? Where were you and your JP colleagues all this time? Twiddling your thumbs? What will you now achieve what you have not done so in years? Strange. There is a demand for a JPC when the entire corruption is due to them! Perhaps a JPC should not stand for Joint Parliamentarians Corruption! Just a small sixth sense goads me to say that this JPC is just a means to protect the corrupt parliamentarians- Jab Sainya bhaee kotwal, to dar kahey ka? Were you oblivious of the happenings? Or were you waiting for your share which never came through? Hence the pitch. I suspect this is not because Raja looted but because the share in the loot did not come through! On the heels of the super duper 2G comes the reprimand from the supreme court questioning the very appointment of the CVC! And once again, we see the same pattern. All the political parties raising a limited brouhaha ( for public consumption) and then signing the dotted line. Sushma Swaraj and her BJP is as much culpable as Dr.MMS and the Congress party. I am reminded of he old saying about the status of all the bathers into the Turkish bath! Corruption in India is now a hydra headed and a behemothian ogre of unimaginable proportions. It needs gigantic efforts to tame this ever growing monster.
The time has come when we ought to realize that we live amidst scams. Scams are in various stages in our daily lives. Some become big and some remain small or medium. Some catch the attention of those who could not get their pound of flesh, so they run to the nearest hill top( read TV channel) and shout and dance till they can do no more! And then the Herd mentality takes over. All join in. Some join in because they want to be a part of the pandemonium, even though they know not why they shout!
Indian Society shall continue to unearth scams with alarming frequency. Political Parties will continue to suck the blood of the poor tax payer. Politicians will continue to build palaces in Switzerland.
But this can be stopped. Surprised? Cannot believe me? Can’t blame you. However, before we begin, we need to have the political will at the centre. Regional players like Nitiesh Kumar have shown that if there is a political will, the state of affairs can change. Bihar was trampled under jungle raj for years. Today’s Bihar is perceptibly different from the days of Laloo. If Bihar can change, so can India! Yes, we Can!!!!
I do believe that the effort begins with the Judiciary. If Dr.MMS is serious, let him start with our system of dispensing Justice. Look at those nations where Law is designed to act as a deterrent also. Today, there is no deterrent in our Indian system of Justice. Raja will never be made to return the money he swallowed! Worse, it will take years( if at all!) to convict him! If a crime is suitably punished and within a short time, the perpetrator will think twice. Laloo and his Fodder Scam still goes on. I have even forgotten how many years have passed by! Laloo does not even bat an eyelid!
Have a look at the Sharia and how it can be used. It has proved to be an excellent deterrent and has stopped many a criminal from implementing his evil plans. Even the British have looked up to the Sharia for succor. India needs strong system of governance to back strong laws.
Let us re-look at our law books to review the laws. Rewrite the IPC and the CrPC. Add many more courts to ensure speedy trials. Make the Judges more accountable and transparent. This is where we begin from. Clean up the Judicial stables. Restructure the Courts. Restore the ethics. Once done, the next step becomes easier. It will take time, yes, but then, there are no short cuts when cleaning the nation.
But the above needs the aam admi to stand up and be counted. Let there be a renaissance, resurgence of the society. We redefine our values. Start believing that education is a must for ALL. Stop being a sucker. Prepare to fight it our when the salivating bureaucrat or politician demands his “bakshish”. Stop giving bribes. Stop being a whimp and gather courage. Stand by your values. And above all, castigate and ostracize the cheat from the society. Let there be an awareness that a criminal will have no place in our society. Blacken his face with disdain and banish him. Let values take their due place in our society. Let us sift the muck from the good and condemn the muck in strong and unequivocal terms. Then bury it deep.
Label a cheat. And hit his psyche. Let him suffer. Do not turn a blood sucker into a hero…what we saw for Raja in Chennai!
And finally, when the time comes to vote, do not get sucked in by the age old prejudice of voting on cast and religion lines. Vote as an awakened and aware community. Vote in numbers. Vote for ethics. Vote for Honesty. Vote for efficiency. Vote for your child’s future.
Vote for India.

India in reverse gear!

Judicial Justice sacrificed at the altar of Reconciliation


Just before the verdict was delivered, all the TV channels were asking, “Has India Moved on? We were patting ourselves that India of 2010 is not the India of 1992. Have we… ? Let me leave this issue till the end.
When the first batch of lawyers emerged from the court premises waving
an emphatic and a victorious V, the Muslims were distraught and
dejected. It appeared that all was lost for the country’s largest minority community.
But as the details filtered in and a clearer picture emerged, it dawned that the V waving lawyers were either celebrating premature or were deliberately misleading the nation. Either ways, the joy was short livid. The judgment had varying proportion of happiness for all.
Muslims though feel that they have less to cheer. It is essentially a judgment that in leaning towards reconciliation. How else does one explain the non cognizance of a mosque that stood for over four centuries? History has been expunged. The verdict may have cast a pall of gloom over those who had great expectations from our judiciary. Purists feel that the verdict is based more on emotions and less on hard core evidence. Even the BJP luminary Arun Jaitly feels the decision is based on Perception!
And this may well be true . However, it has attempted to open doors for possible amicable settlement. The verdict needs to be seen from two perspectives. One is the purely legal angle and the other is the political tangle. Each actually contradicts the other as the premise for each is tangent to the other. One has to have real patience to study the over 8000 pages long judgment to know the judges mind but prima facie it does appear that facts have been sacrificed to contrive upon a populist judgment. Legally speaking, there is a lot to be desired. Interestingly there are many aspects of the judgment that many have chosen to either deliberately ignore or are unable to read between the lines. The court has not proved that this is the Ram Janam bhumi. On the contrary, it has said that this is the belief of the Hindus.( If now, according to the judgment, we are expected to beleive that Lord Ram was born under the central dome, then, what is the date of birth of Lord Ram?).
Not only does the court throw out the idea of the idols emerging miraculously inside the mosque, it goes on to state unequivocally that there were placed by people. But the decision to let the idols stay where they are is mind boggling! Huge contradiction! But this is the political side of the verdict!
The court also believes that no temple was destroyed to build the mosque though it is built on old forgotten ruins which were probably a temple. And this is a very significant part of the judgment that needs to be publicized to the masses to dispel erroneous impressions( as spread by the fundamentalists) that Babur desecrated, defiled or dishonoured a temple to build a mosque.
The court may have also thrown out the petitions by the Sunni Waqf board and the Nirmohi Akhara, nevertheless, the decision that the title of the disputed land has to be shared, is a “bouncer” but is presumably aimed at ensuring the secular fabric of the nation. But will this work in the long run ? This, as I see it, is the huge political inclination of the bench. They have lost track of the judicial process to achieve this! Sharing it equally gives equal opportunity to all. A possible win win situation for all could not be reached but could have been had the land partition been half to the Sunni Waqf and the remaining with the other parties. If land partition was the objective, then the court could have opined that the entire area be leveled and then allot subsequently to the parties. By insisting that the central dome be given to the Ram Lalla party, the honourable court has faltered and given certain quarters the feeling of triumph. It sort of appears to vindicate their stand of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Yes, the judgment sticks out like a sore paw. Justice Sachar, Supreme court lawyer Rajeev Dhawan and many others have blasted the bench in very strong terms.
Yet, I feel this could be the turning point in Indian society. Many of us may not agree with the judgment in totality and may move the Supreme court with a fresh battery of more efficient and capable lawyers. We may have serious reservations and consider the verdict a blot on the name of the Indian Judiciary. But Muslims, who have shown great maturity, restraint and dignity, have to brush aside their huge disappointment and move a step ahead and look forward to the new scenario- they are legal joint owners of the Mosque! Now, they can contemplate building a majestic and a glorious mosque alongside the temple. Le them become the two glittering eyes of India! This is a glorious beginning of communal harmony and inter faith acceptance. The community needs to move on and focus on issues that inhibit its development. Let us live in peace and devoid of any fear.
However, one issue still needs to be resolved. It is now the turn of the parliamentarians. They should enact a law that prohibits opening up issues on so called disputed shrines across India. A special ruling to maintain a status quo should be passed within the next three months. Yes, there is the Places of Worship( special provisions) Act 0f 1991. There is another passed in 1993 also.
It is imperative that all the political and religious parties acknowledge the above with a solemn promise to abide by the above in letter and in spirit. Anyone raising the bogey of another place of worship should be sentenced summarily and the party de recognised.
This will certainly ensure that no party would move the Supreme court
and the issue of Babri Masjid controversy will lie dead and buried. Forever. And no judge needs to tread where even no angels dare !
Coming to the issue of has India moved on. The three judges, ( no reference to Amir Khan’s recent movie) have converted our gallop to a slow trot. I sadly feel that though we have moved, it is a sluggish and feeble movement. If the CWG negative publicity showed us as inept, inefficient and corrupt ,the world today does sniggers at the skewed verdict and reserves a knowing smile. One more step gone awry.

Syed Abdallah Rizvi

CWG- possible glory goes awry

Arnab Goswami and the likes who are intoxicated with a heavy dose of megalomania have done more harm than good to the nation. An overzealous Arnab perhaps visualizes himself as the Angry Young Man of the Indian TV! And with that comes his poker faced jibes at one and all who was or is, associated with the CWG. Not to be left behind is the rapidly graying Rajdeep Sardesai who makes great efforts in shooting incisive questions! Those which are supposed to “Knock out” the already punched and battered office bearer of the CWG working committee! Coming to the Hindi channels. Less said the better.
I do not opine that Kalmadi and his Man Friday Bhanot are whiz kids who deserve any accolades. On the contrary, I also dub them as spineless and worthless organizers. But I stop here and ponder. By publicly( Internationally) castigating the likes of Kalmadi, am I really doing a favour to my motherland? The way we have blared our vocal chords ( accompanied by that devilish glee in the eyes) on almost all the TV channels, it seems that there is some kind of an award for the most aggressive, high pitched and self centered presenter. The expose by the TV should have been sent to the PMO and not to be aired all over the world. Those pictures of the Pan spitted walls, dirty loos going across the world have caused long term damage to our image. This should never have happened. Yes, the guilty should have been brought to justice. The inefficient should have been bunged out with little remorse. And at the right time. But all this with dignity and purpose. If there is a problem in your house, then you settle it tactfully and wisely even the nosy neighbours knowing nothing. Right? Why do we treat our nation differently?
We have washed our very dirty linen in public. We have shouted from the roof top that we Indians are excellent when pulling the legs of our fellow country men. We have shown the world that we do not understand the meaning of freedom of expression and speech. We have shown that all our TV channels are far from mature and in their quest for a higher TRP, they will embarrass the nation. I stand dejected and embarrassed. India has been belittled and dirty filthy muck thrown with little compassion and compunction. As I write this, I can see the headlines in all the TV channels castigating and demonizing India. One snake has been “seen” in one of the African delegates room, a bed has caved in and so on. Such issues deserve HEADLINES on TV which is seen the world over?
The West and some other prejudices nations are on the look out to find faults with this growing super power. Yes, India is a growing super power. The likes of pseudos like Suhail Seth etc would leave no opportunity to gun India down. Still, India will survive and emerge stronger. The Australians have the temerity to say that we did not even deserve to get the games. He did not say it for years! But he is emboldened due to the mud slinging by our own folks. They rake up the issue of security when it comes to India but sent their cricket team to England even when the IRA was at it’s peak, blasting bombs like crackers! As one gold medal winner said, “ The athletes normally stay in University hostels and all facilities are as per university level only. But none complains. Why? Because their media does not do what our media does! Blast not for the sake of improvement but for the sake of TRP!!! So much for media emancipation. Maybe we will have to wait for more time to see a more mature and a responsible media. Especially the powerful audio visual media. Most of the presenters have “cowboy approach of firing first and talking later’. They need to understand the power of their “ journalist gun”. They have single handedly brought the Progressive and Nuclear India to the level of the corrupt, inefficient, archaic, “third world” India
Kalmadi and co have lost a great chance. Rather than his name coming in the Hall of Fame, he shall be hung on the Wall of Shame. He should be suitably punished . Not because he went wrong but because he went woefully wrong . Kalmadi’s punishment should be such that it should become a deterrent for future administrators of sports in India. A massive shakeup of 10 points on the richter scale is needed to wake up the lazy, lethargic and laid back sports organizers in India. At least this is one good I can see emerging from these CWG.
But before I sign off, a small point worth pondering over…..who was responsible for organizing the games? I seem to understand that it was a team of two. One, the IOA, headed by the likes of Kalmadi and VK Malhotra and two, the likes of Janab Mike Fennel and Mike Cooper, the Commonwealth Games Federation big wigs. If Kalmadi gets the boot, then what about Fennel and co.?

Step up and offer!

Step up and offer!
It has been close to two decades when we witnessed a mad frenzy of convoluted and perverted thinking. We saw an orientation that was completely alien to the normal Indian psyche. The politicians and other disoriented vandals attempted to hijack the true Indian ethos when they mauled the spirit of the Indian constitution and in a brazen display of arrogance and malevolence they raised the Babri Masjid to dust. They had trampled the rich heritage of India when they sought to sow seeds of hatred within fellow Indians only on the basis of religion. There were cracks within the nation. Or at least it appeared so. Muslims were vary and apprehensive of the intentions of the Hindus. There was a feeling of suspicion that there would be attempts to attack and capture more mosques across the nation. This feeling got strengthened as militant and rambunctious saffronites took to the streets airing their plans of taking over mosques in Varanasi, Mathura etc. Muslims were petrified, mortified and a pall of gloom shrouded the community. And then they prepared to fight back, come what may. People lost faith in government and governance. They were prepared for the worst.
Today, in 2010, we stand with our heads high. Indians have proved once again that brotherhood among fellow citizens is strong and vibrant. Hindus and Muslims have not blown the battle bugle. They have, on the contrary seen through the façade of the bigoted , overzealous politician. They are seized of his hidden agenda. No more blind faith or following as each one realizes that the significance of the destiny of his community is linked with the fate of the nation. A strong and resilient nation ushers well for a dynamic and bubbling community.
Since Dec 1992, there have been no more attempts to capture any more mosques. Muslims were no longer facing a bellicose opposition. Better sense prevailed upon all concerned. The nation prospered. We prospered.
We as Muslims have shown our courage and resilience in ensuring that no places of worship can be bullied into acquisition. We can wait for the court to decide and then abide. Today when the decision of the court creates a huge suspense and anxiety, let me float a small thought, albeit with trepidation. Hindus and Muslims have shown remarkable maturity in dealing with the changing scenario. I felt that we Muslims can step up and hug our Hindu brother and say, “ Irrespective of the court order, we gift you this land. We will cooperate with you in building the Ram temple”. If we do this, do we Muslims loose anything? Is there any loss to the community? I really do not see any. On the contrary, we build a huge reservoir of goodwill and camaraderie. This goes a long way in bettering the future for all concerned. Some diehard extremists and opportunists may take affront to this suggestion, but when mulled over in tranquility, they will also see merit in this idea. Islam is all about forgive and forget and then move ahead. They should remember the treaty of Hudaibiyah and the conquest of Makkah. Islamic history is replete with instances of sacrifices for the sake of the community.
The Government, on its part, can also show benevolence by appreciating this gesture in the form of a reciprocal gift. They can do it in many ways, but what comes straight to my mind is that it can offer the Muslims a special reservation for a period of time. Reservation in Education and in Jobs, say for five-ten years. The Ranganathan or the Sacchar commissions have already shown the pitiable and pathetic condition of the average Muslim. This will benefit the community and make it stronger and more mainstream. Also it will seal the lips of the opportunists and myopic leaders. It takes two to Tango?
History can be made. A beautiful chapter can be written. This shining chapter will be the one which the future generations will refer to with pride and joy. Let us put our hands together and pen the glorious event of a marvelous gift , one which ensures a Gabrial Oak
smile across the nation, cutting through religious and community lines. Mera Bharat Mahaan.

Long Live the Flotillas!

Long Live the Flotillas!

A bellicose Israel indicates the impotency of the world at large. What they did to the flotilla should convince humanity of the insanity that shrouds the powers in Israel. It should also shake the sleeping world to wake up and realize that here lies the epicenter of the turmoil that engulfs the world today. The normally sensitive Americans are now totally sedated under a heavy dose of the Israeli intoxicants. The British have ceased to be a nation of alert and asserting statesmen. The French and the other Europeans are busy finding ways and means of banning anything that is even distantly related to Islam. Israel ravages with impunity and in sadistic ecstasy.
But the courage of Greta Berlin and others of the Free Gaza Movement is worth applauding. Undaunted by the killers, they are now ready with another boat to set sail into the bloody waters. They know that death is waiting but they are ready to face it . This should put the Europeans , Americans and the others to shame. Small groups have the courage whilst nations buckle. Ironic and depressing. The killing of the volunteers in the flotilla is appalling to the world. But not to Israel. They do it regularly with the newborns, infants and the weak! Occupied Palestine is a witness to such blatant atrocities. But the world is blind and deaf. The UN Security Council is as helpless as the dying man. It’s feeble condemnation cannot be heard even by Mr. Boon himself!
Following this brutal bloodbath, the same old story will be repeated. There will be protests in the Arab world. Flags will be burnt by slogan chanting youth. Some Europeans will organize a march. Some national heads will come up with a stifled condemnation. That’s it. It will pass. Netanyahu and his cohorts know the pattern. They snigger and smile. They shall continue their massacre unabated. And the world will be a passive spectator to the drama. More innocents will be put to the grave as the butcher of humanity knows that the so called elites of the civil society are deaf, blind and also dumb.
When will the International civil society take cognizance that Israel is a nation that can be tamed? Yes, they can be! If only the civil society rallies in right honest! We do not need the Sakozy’s and the Obama’s if they are unable to deliver. History will show that cowardice of International leaders was the sole cause for the marauding, stomping autocracy of Israel.
We need more of Greta Berlins, Mairead Corrigan Maguires, Denis Hallidays and the others who made this flotilla a reality. We need flotillas every week! I am convinced that this six ships flotilla which had members from various religions, regions and beliefs has set the first ball rolling!
Long live the courageous and the bold! Let the civil society rise and over throw the barabarics who are akin to a hydra headed Dracula who sucks the blood and life of the innocent and the weak.
I am reminded of Gandhi’s very successful Civil disobedience against the then powerful British. We need an International Civil disobedience to bring the Zionists to their knees.
The fountainhead of peace has been set afloat and none can stop it!