And finally my country has witnessed, what the whole world has been experiencing in last few months but what I would not have perceived couple of weeks ago – a mass revolution against the single biggest issue of India, cancer of our society – Corruption ! Salute to Anna Hazare and whole of India who are doing it possible – we guys will do it, this time !

While India is great country, brilliantly tolerant and thus this sustainable society – we are not extremist by any sense. Our economy is growing, the money is flowing and things look good but they could have been much better, had Corruption not being an integral part of our nation. This tolerance while is one of big strength, it has created the atmosphere of “Chalta hai”  … 4-5 people are adjusting in 2 seat berth,we say – “Chalta hai”. Police stops at check point and the first thing we do is bribe. We are 1.2 billion people, fastest growing economy, everyone is looking towards us to lead the world – still we are poor, we are not progressing on education reform front as quick as we should, we are unhealthy, we die in flood as well as in droughts … why ? If corruption is not the answer to all the questions, it’s the answer to most of those.

Our politicians are most corrupt people in the world, people say that we choose them. Right – we choose them but do we have a choice? We choose a lesser incompetent than more incompetent, but everyone around is incompetent. Look at my home state, UP, what are the options – Mayawati vs Mualyam Singh? Whom to vote? Congress is banking on Gandhi dynasty popularity wave while BJP is busy in shuffling off and on Ayodhya. Politics is a gutter, all are dirty and we choose one who stinks less at that point of time.

While Congress government has done well in its first governance, it has been screwed up badly in this part – scam, after scam and more scams – and these are the ones which are unearthed. Prime minister is saying that he was not aware – then why is PRIME MINISTER? He must be aware and if not, then quit. He is clean but so is my maid’s dad? He is knowledgeable, so what, we have large pool of scientists in the country ? He is everyone but politician? He is filling up the time for Rahul Gandhi to be ready and become prime minister one day – such a hypocrite country !

Ohh, this blog is about the recent mass movement that’s taking place in India. Every square is on the verge of becoming Tehrir Square under the leadership of Anna Hazare – the person behind the RTI Act. Few sentences on the objectives of this movement – this is to bring Lokpal bill in the country. This lokpal bill is similar to office of Ombudsman in other countries where there will be body consisting of former chief justice of Supreme courts and high courts, independent of politics just like our Election commission and Supreme court. They’ll have authority to prosecute ministers, public servants and all those cases will be done on fast track courts, leading to quick execution of judgement. There is this whole tussle on the draft of this bill. Politicians, as always wants this bill to be as symbolic, derogatory and symbolic as possible to make mockery of one more bill. Then there are lot of fine prints and media has been printing all that since last so many days and you all should be aware by now? Are you? If not then please be as it’s your India as well.

I repeat that ours is great country and the next wave of development will belong to us. We need to get rid of this corrupt politicians, there is no limit of their greed. Comeon guys, crores make sense but crore of crores are just way too much. All this money is kept in Swiss bank or coming back to India through Tax Havens. This is all our money – our hard earned tax money. It’s we people who are getting bad roads, bad schools, bad healthcare system, bad security, bad transport. Our national sport has died, not because we couldn’t produce players but because our politicians have eaten all their money. After Olympics, China has been talked and praised everywhere – they have shown the world their might and what have we shown? Our corruption. No talks on the success of Commonwealth or to leverage the infrastructure for Kalmadi has made more than the whole event. Bridges were broken, dogs were found in the athlete’s room, labors litter everywhere. I am surprised that we have not got the threat from International Olympics association to get debarred from the games. Alas, they could not – we are the second greatest economy and continue to do so.

My this blog is not my usual or perhaps my most usual. I didn’t proof read it and nor checked the flow of thoughts – there is anger, frustration, sadness. I pray and wish that this movement should not die in the gallop of time and this time, enough is enough. It’s time to rise and do Egypt, Libya and Tunisia in India !

Amen !

Regards,

Pawan

Photo Credit: Deepak

In Cricket world, there can’t be anything bigger than this – India vs Pakistan semifinals. Suddenly after second quarterfinals, when India defeated Aus and it was decided that India will play against Pakistan, rest of the matches started looking abased (Sad for NZ who have beaten the favorites yet choker SA and for SL who have lead marvelous 10 wicket win over England !). Perhaps they play cricket but India-Pak eat, live, breathe, worship Cricket.

Why did I turn to my forgotten blog (yet again)? Because if something as big as this can’t move me then perhaps no news ever will. In Bollywood terminology (though I have given a Hollywood title), this match is going to have everything one can imagine- strategy, action, drama, politics, emotions – you name it and you have it !

Though like every Indian who thinks that he is a Cricket expert, I can plan to give stats- how Sachin is on verge of 100th ton in International cricket or how out of top 10 batsman in the tournament, three are Indian and Pakistani batsmen don’t even figure in top 25 or how if Afridi is bowling great (Alas, I always think of Afridi – the batsman, if he has started bowling then he’s going to be India’s 12th player) and is no.1 in bowling ranks, then Zaheer is no.2. There is never ending stat sheets on how India has beaten Pakistan in all the previous four world cup clashes but has lost in both matches at Mohali or how Yuvraj, wearing Purple patch, will do in front of his home crowd? There are so many things to write but will I (ohh or did I? ) ? No !

No doubt, this is important. The looser team has to face wrath of their people and winner team perhaps can afford to loose the finals without public anger, Ohh… yeah ! It’s more than a game especially after reading and listening various newspapers and channels since last couple of days. The stage has been set between the two countries with Indian Prime minister sending invite to Pakistan President and Prime-minister and Pakistan in turn accepting it. If I have my facts correct then it’s going to be first visit in a decade of a Pakistani PM to India. Indian PM and his Pak counterpart with atleast 100 of their associates, alongwith all the industrial heavyweights – Mukesh Ambani, Vijay Mallaya and various Bollywood personalities and a huge crowd of fans from both sides of borders – Mohali is going to present the best site, one can imagine in a a game, atleast in India sub-continent !

At the same time, Mohali has been converted to a fortress, with TOI reporting that there are jet planes and anti-aircraft guns deployed in the city and there’s multi-layer security arrangement right from highly sophisticated Black CAT commandos to Central and State force, intelligence agencies like NTRO has also been roped in. The intelligence already has been conveying how extremists can target the tournament, I have full faith on Indian security agencies. They have been hit before but only the people who stay in hotel or travel in train. I am not denying that there might be numerous attacks which has been uncoiled by our security agencies before they even get executed but has even one of our leaders or politicians hurt in these terrorist attacks? Recall, recall more …. Ohh the parliament attack but none of the leaders have been hurt even then. It was just the policemen deployed at the gate. Without dragging the topic to one of my favorite trajectories, I’d say to all my Indian and Pak friends that nothing is going to happen in this match because India and Pak PM are present, their security is in safe hands.

About the results, like all my country mates, I wish India to win but out of no hatred to Pakistan. If you see then these people are most like us, they are our neighbor, they eat the same food as us, speak the same language and has same dialect as us, we share the same genes and same natural disasters like floods every rainy season and famine in Summers, hear the same songs, watch same movies – we are born out of same country ! We are like a family whose younger brother has gone on a wrong path and the elder brother being engaged and convoluted in his own affairs, instead of giving support and helping hand to it’s younger brother started putting the blame of its problems over him.

While the politics is the root of all evil between India and Pakistan, may this 6 hrs game of Cricket change things, hey Ram and Ya khuda !

Happy Republic Day !

I recall to dedicate a post  on Republic Day in 2007. I would say things have not changed much or should say that things have improved by far or ohhh no …. things have deteriorated a lot…. err, am I confused? Guess, no …. let me explain !

Things have not changed much:

Things are same as they have been three years back.

1. We are growing steadily, being seen as world’s future economy, maintaining the recession proof growth etc etc.
2. There are no changes in corruption, terrorism, population, floods, all the problems in the India. You can swear India by them and them by India.
3. Our relations with our neighbors are nearly same with slight ups and down but on a graph, it would be a zig-zag straight line.
4. Our IT indsutry is thriving as usual and so are our cities, with lot of village people migration.
5. To connect all the rivers and to built all the national highways, was a dream three years back and it’s still the same. 
6. We are still religious fanatics and bomb blasts are realties.
7. Bollywood was and is producing the same and highest number of movies.

There are so many things but this is just a spot-on post and has it’s limitations.

Things have improved:

Yes, things have improved.

1. After a long long time, when coalition has become synonym with the Indian politics, people have voted for a single party majority. We should not care if the correct people have been voted, that’s not important but India has voted unanimously. United we stand !
2. We are having better and more consistent cricket team than ever, got 1st position in Test cricket though it’s a short time now.
3. We have given IPL to the world showing our business acumen and now in a position to kind of dictate our rules on the ICC.
4. Our private companies are on buying spree, when US companies are getting bankrupt, we are buying them out.
5. Came out with World’s cheapest car, launched rockets to Moon – all showing that Science is now no more West’s domain.
6. Bihar has got the second highest growth rate in India, much higher than national average.
7. More IITs are setup and so does more Supreme Courts (I count it even though it’s a proposal only).

Things have worsened:

No, things have worsened

1. We are the largest democracy but never has become so family dependent. Rahul is next Prime master unless something extremely unfortuante happens- are democracies this predictable ?
2. President has become a real Rubber stamp. Though, he has always been quoted so in India but this time, she has really been. I was reading somewhere that there are no controversies in President Pratibha Patil’s time : Do you really believe that there would be any? Rubber stamps don’t create controversies ! And I even don’t care to write about Vice President which has always been second highest authoirty in country (FYI: Primeminister comes third in hierarchy!)
3. We are less safer. Fine, Chandni Chowk and Mumbai trains- common man has never been safe but we have been beaten, killed inside Hotel Taj, rich man is also unsafe in India. (I would disagree if you quote Parliament attack as then only police guards have been killed and not any politician. The loss was much less severe !)
4. Localisation, division is all time high. Don’t know Marathi, can’t get a Taxi permit is what signifies India? Are we on the verge of breakup? Name it as biggest threat which should be checked immediately.
5. With all the radical economic developments, we are worse than Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Bangladesh on nourishment.

We are soaring at 60 and I wish that we  continue to have such strong democracy for next thousands of years but that doesn’t make us any lenient towards our responsiblities at home. 

Regards,

Pawan

Photo Credit: Sujesh

Should India be divided and no, I am not talking about dividing India into more states but into several nations. This is hurting but this is where we are leading to. Look at now not-so-uncommon articles in daily newspapers, be it growing intolerance towards other states as a nation, demand for more states, Fatwa against Vande Mataram, unconstitutional demands of disallowing Indians to work in India by a person sitting at the state highest constitutional post.  I have pulled these articles from just last couple of days and nevertheless, all are highlighting the growing intolerance of Indians towards India.

Seems, Indians don’t want India anymore. There has been news to make Marathi billboards compulsory in Maharashtra else shopkeepers’s face the heat from local hulligans. There has been a growing wrath in Northern states towards north eastern states. Biharis don’t waste a minute to burn trains (in Bihar !) on every remark that’s passed by any street leader somewhere in Mumbai. What’s all this? Where’s our philosophy of ‘Unity in Diversity’ or ‘United, we stand’ ? I don’t feel that we are united anymore and this diversity which I was so proud of once upon a time, is making me fear the very worst, a nightmare. I recall, how delightfully I use to explain that India has 26 states and every state has it’s local language and how people in our country, invariably knows 3-4 languages. Now, I wish, had we had just one language, we would have had peace.

There is a growing intolerance from everyone to everyone. Marathis don’t want Biharis in their land, for Mumbai is already too crowded and all the Mumbai resources should belong to Mumbaikars. What they don’t realise is that what is Mumbai or who has made it up? Why is Mumbai a Mumbai and Patna not a Mumbai ? I’ll not divulge much but similar is the analogy, why is USA an USA and India not an USA? Guys, it’s all about people. Mumbai consists of more than 60% of migrants from Gujarat, Bihar, UP etc who just not don’t come themselves but  brings humanpower, their intellect, an ambition, a dream and lot of hardwork as they have to prove themselves, establish their identities, to achieve their dreams. Who moves out of one’s home?  Either one who is ambitious & good enough to utilize opportunities present in the outside world than his homeland can offer or one who is extremely needful, to toil and do any job that is needed to survive him and his family. And isn’t it that these are the people who build cities and demarcate Mumbai from Patna.

Guys, let’s break the bollywood and send every actor to it’s native. Amitabh can work only in UP movies, Shahrukh in Delhi cinema, Aishwarya, Bipasha in Bengali. Would Bollywood remain same ? If no then how can Mumbai remain same by sending people back to home who has been what Mumbai is.

I agree that there is a set of problem : Urbanization, Resource crunch, City infrastructure getting handicapped because of mass-migartion.  But the way, it’s currently handled is unconstitutional or is the only way that any local leader will stand tall and issue warnings against every non-local? Why is India getting buried in Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu? And if our policy makers are not able to control this daily rape of India then let there be separate nations, let there be a Maharashtra country where every Bihari need Visa to move to.  Let there be Tamil Nadu with the forced language as Tamil and complete ban on Hindi. This is where we are leading to and this is what our shrewed neighbor analysts have put in a white paper to divided India into several nations by providing fuel, arms, everything that the local leaders need.

The spirit of accomodation is needed to make a nation what it is. There is no limit to shrink to localisation, you can restrict another states to enter your state then you can restrict other cities’ people and then one neighborhood to another, finally shrinking everyone to one’s home. Do we want and need a secluded home? Isn’t it what we were couple of years back when we have to lend our gold to World Bank to feed ourselves ? Isn’t it when Government opened up the doors to another countries’ companies, we become what we are today. I believe, India has kept alive it’s culture for centuries while similar ones of Mesopotamia and Egypt are long vanished, it’s because we have been tolerant, we have been compassionate and we have taken the good out of every civilization that has come and ruled us, be it Arya or Mughal or English. What has happened that we have become intolerant towards our fellow nationals ? Our fundamentals are strong and we are not weak culture but now it’s an attack on those foundations and before the foundations are hurt, we need to do something.

Image Courtesy: carolyn

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I am neither a homosexual nor a big Celina Jaitley fan but I am glad and relieved when Indian HC passed the verdict in favor of gays and homosexuals on 2nd July. A lot of discussions and emotional melodrama has been going on in Indian media on how some people get the wrong body and by the time, they realize that then gets too late, all blah-blah … might be true but not very convincing or appealing to me and thus this is not the reason why i am appreciating court’s judgement.

What’s really heartening in HC’s decision is that emphasis is given on Freedom rather than religious dictums, they weighed the equality more than the morality which demarcates the maturing society. We don’t want to be counted among one of the many non-liberal countries and decisions like this will have their significance.

I personally hate to see gays, i believe they look disgusting, neither they are soft and charming like females nor masculine and strong like males but my opinion is not the truth. The truth is that gays and lesbians exist and they are residing among us, hiding their identity from the society for the fear of being homosexual. Whatever, they are humans first and in every bare civilized society, they should not be deprived of their fundamental rights – the freedom of speech and the freedom of sexuality.

I believe this is a landmark decision and sincerely wish that one day Indian courts would ban all the castes and declare ‘Castism’ as ‘Racism’ with a jail of minimum 10 years. Amen !

During my 30 hrs journey from Bangalore to Gwalior, I read “India:From Midnight to Millennium” an appealing book by Shashi Tharoor. I have an affinity for books giving any kind of information about India, be it its diverse geographical limits or controversial age old traditions, its myths, its ideas. The book is an mix of fascinating account and eloquent argument  for the importance of India to the future of industrialized world. Although book is being written sometime in 1997, so some of the economic reforms talks have become byzantine, yet the social political sketch is a masterpiece.

I am in a habit to write the book reviews, and i may do so with this book so, but i am unwilling. Reason being, there is so much to comment and if i begin writing, i might not justify it with the depth. So, no book criticism! Something deviant this time and that would be chalk talk about religion, an exhilarating chapter in the book.

I am Hindu by religion and during my 23 age of age, i have grown expressions from strong fanaticism to school age atheism to antagonism. At tender age, Shivaji used to be my idol for just because i hate Aurangzeb and foe’s foe is your friend. Later, i grew up in body and brains, saw riots, understood religious extremism, gone bitter towards religion itself, stop praying and participating in the rituals happening. Further, i became more matured and got confused, for I begin to reason and question the very basic of religion and more precisely Hinduism, should say that this subject fascinates me and at present age i am trying to understand it. But this is strange, having born in a highly religious family (my grandparents have spent 18 years in Rishikesh where my grandfather did honorary administrator job at Parmarth Niketan Ashram and as a child i have invariably spent at least one month of my summer holidays there.) The stories of Rama, Krishna, Ganesha, Ravan, Kansa, Vishnu etc fascinate me but  my reasons are not willing to accept them as god. However at the same time, if given a choice i’ll choose Hinduism in all religions, for the reason that religion gives you infinite flexibility and it lacks fanatic dictum.

But whenever i read about Hindu fundamentalism, it pains me. Hinduism by itself lacks fundamentals, it’s most customized religion. There are not even guidelines, leave alone fundamentals. If you like serious idealism, pray God Ram and if you are notorious and jubilant by nature, there is Lord Krishna as choice. Noone will complain or ask. There are no organized way of praying, no particular architecture of temples, no rituals or rites to perform compulsorily nor any particular sacred book. Infact the very word ‘Hindu’ is not mentioned into any of our holy books but given by foreigners. French and Persian language define Indian as Hindu. History also remarks that all those living beside river Indus are Hindus. To make matters more funny, Indus river is now in Islamic Pakistan.

Hinduism has never been extreme. Its basically the indigenous religion of India, with wide set of practices and doctrines but no dogmas. Hinduism is perhaps the only religion that accepts the existence of other religions too and confirms that there are various ways to reach ultimate salvation. Hinduism has been most tolerant and most adaptive throughout in the history, be it Aryans or Mughals or English or Portuguese. They were welcomed, and even when Hindus suffered from atrocities committed over them time to time have never turned hostile (like zazia tax during Aurangzeb regime, destruction of temples etc).

Then what turned suddenly ? We are having mosque demolitions by Hindu fanatics, they are celebrating killing of muslims in Gujarat riots. We generally think about this, chuckle and attribute this to age old Hindus harassment and reason that its some mental emotional turmoil state and stop. Lets move one step forward, its not just emotional problem but it arises out of deep political and social erosion into the faith.

Its mainly twentieth century politics of deprivation that has caused this. The vote bank politics has put most liberal religion on the verge of identity crisis. Now there is fight for resources and resources are not divided on some rational basis but on caste basis. Minorities, SC,/STs. Backward castes are preferred in contentious democracy. Voters are mobilized on this basis and promised are made so. Now Indians have become more conscious than ever before of what divides us.

Take the case of Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. Just before this, there was Mandal affair trauma. The upper and middle castes erupted into protest over that. BJP, another political party smell the situation, diverted the already heated people towards Ramjanambhoomi andolan and finally led to mosque demolition. The point which i wish to prove is that had there been not Mandal issue, it would have been difficult for then BJP to attract such huge support from fanatics. Our socialists may laugh at my thesis that its Mr. VP Singh who is responsible for mosque demolition more than anybody. He is the cause, rest everything is symptom.

In this nation, when everything is seeming to go well, the appalling state of politics is worry. Despite all odds, our entrepreneurs are doing great and our state which should at least show some signs of improvement with time is moving backward. Perhaps the only nation, where people say proudly that they are backward and where in order to be forward, you have to be backward.

Photo Credit: elishams