This One Is For Vincent

The moment I stepped my foot in Amsterdam, the only thing I wanted to do was visit the Van Gogh museum. A city famous for its canals, windmills and Anne Frank’s home. But everything else could wait.

I can’t explain the fixation with Van Gogh. I feel a connection with him. A friend calls it ‘romanticism’. As I said, I can’t explain it.

I dedicate a post to him because it is his birthday today.

Those were the pre historic days of no Internet when the fascination began. A twelve year old me was channel surfing and stopped on a channel showing a film on Vincent the painter and Vincent the man. Years later when I saw a documentary of his, I was taken in.

I think it is something to do with the fact that he was misunderstood and he wasn’t perfect. Its the imperfections that draw me to him. If you ever check out the potato growers painting, you'll see the perspective and the angles quite wrong. I feel what’s the point of copying a beautiful scene exactly as it is and not have your creative inputs? Your interpretation is your individuality. And Vincent wore it on his sleeve.

Starry, starry night.

Paint your palette blue and grey,

Look out on a summer's day,

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

Moving to France, his art started to change. And change is the only thing constant in our lives. The point is art never stagnates. It grows, changes, influences and is influenced by what is happening around it. It evolves. So do human beings. So did Vincent.

Shadows on the hills,

Sketch the trees and the daffodils,

Catch the breeze and the winter chills,

In colors on the snowy linen land.

Over the years, many physiatrists have tried to pin down his mental illness to from schizophrenia to bi-polar disorder, none been able to reach a conclusion which satisfies all. He was an enigma.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,

How you suffered for your sanity,

How you tried to set them free.

They would not listen,

they did not know how.

Perhaps they'll listen now.

After fellow painter and friend Gaugin refused to stay with him, his illness started to magnify. But when his brother got married, he blamed his sister-in-law for taking Theo away from him. It is ironic that after his death, his sister-in-law worked tirelessly to bring glory for his work.

For they could not love you,

But still your love was true.

And when no hope was left in sight

On that starry, starry night,

You took your life,

as lovers often do.

A mystery called Vincent van Gogh lives. Happy birthday Vincent, wherever you are.

Song lyrics: Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) by Don McLean

Originally posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 5:04 PM

The Journey So Far

The journey so far has been wonderful. I started blogging on O3 because of Anant (of Anant Rulz fame) happened to read my blog on rediff and suggested that I join the O3 community.

Curosity got the better of me and I came here and bloghopped reading blogs of Anant, Taira, DTE, Godo, Pramod, Pesh, Samy, Savy, Sunny, AF, Konfi, Max and Wise Donkey, getting hooked on to them. The easy camaraderie that they all shared was something I hadn’t expected in a virtual world. I jumped from one blog to another, getting fascinated by the minute. I kept coming here for more.

With baby steps, I tentatively shifted bag and baggage to O3. I can say that I don’t regret the decision at all!

And after coming here I met some more wonderful people along the way. I shall not name anyone with fear of missing out on someone.

I would like to thank all the people for listening (rather reading) to my view points and commenting. The feedback just gives a kick!

As you all know, I have been infrequent on O3 since the last month and a half. The work load means I get to write fewer posts and reply to comments on my posts very infrequently.

I am not sure if I’ll be posting anything new in sometime. But it doesn’t mean I shall be leaving O3. I shall be here leaving my foot prints in the sands of O3 in form of my comments and post something, once in a while as well.

I would also like to thank my fellow bloggers for voting for me in the O3 awards and making me win which, by the way, led to incessant teasing by family members because I don't discuss the serious issues with them (me being the baby of the family :D).

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Update 28th March: My friend's mother passed away yesterday. She is devastated. Pray for my friend to give her strength. Her father is still in the ICU. I won't be replying to comments for some time. Kindly Adjust.

Originally posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 5:29 PM

India In The Eye Of The Storm

India is a unique country because of its rich cultural diversity, ethnicity and amalgamation of different religions. This country epitomizes what religious tolerance means. How many times have we heard the above lines, read them in our textbooks and essays or described this while explaining to someone what our country is like.

The intricate fabric of life which gives life to this country is unravelling and we have taken the easy way out - either watching it with detachment or lashing out with misplaced frenzy.

Islamophobia has not just seeped into the psyche of the common man, it has gripped us and paralyzed us to an extent where rational thinking is disappearing only to be replaced by us looking at our countrymen with mistrust and asking them to prove their loyalty to us.

The common refrain I hear all the time is let the liberal Muslim rise and speak out and the mullahs didn’t condemn it (the cartoon protests, the Bush visit, the blasts – a list which is ever growing).

When the liberal Muslim speaks out and condemns it, we look at him and say, “He has to say this if he has to live in this country. How do you know he’s not happy from inside?” And when the mullahs condemn it, then it becomes a page nine story in an obscure one coloumn box or a 20 second sound byte in 1.40 minute news story in an 11.00 am bulletin which no one watches.

When a fatwa is passed saying no religious monument (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Christian) should be a target, somehow we push this ‘news’ to the back burner. But when a fatwa about Sania’s skirt is passed, we have special programs on it. I remember Aaj Tak doing a graphic and visual of what Sania would be wearing if her head was covered or if her legs were covered. Without deviating further and driving my point forward, I shall talk about the political parties.

Political parties and politicians have gained mileage and will continue to do so by whipping up emotions of people. We are nothing but pawns in their game. To be remembered when we have to vote or to keep the vote bank intact and to be forgotten all other times. Just like Yaqoob Quereshi, who desperately wanted a political upheaval and his ticket to the big league. The pawns took to the bait.

And then we cry hoarse that the Muslims are destroying our country. I agree, there are snakes amongst us but putting everyone on the same pedestal is acceptable? Why can’t we address the roots of the ‘snakes’? Unfairly bracketing every person from the Muslim community as a terrorist or a terror loving, hindu-hating, anti nationalist person is myopic. Oh! And we have brackets for Hindus who write posts like is, they are called minority appeasing pseudo liberal secular people.

Err…Did I just throw myself out of the frying pan and into the fire?

Also read this and this
Originally posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 1:52 PM

Disjoint Thoughts II

Feeling low coz one of my friend's Dad was struggling for his life since the last month in the ICU and now her mother got injured in an accident, causing 75% burns and she is in the ICU in another hospital. I hope my friend will get through this tough time.

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And in an unrelated event,
WHY cant men ask for directions?? I mean if you are lost, why can't you just ask? Aaargh!!

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Another thought...Why do we have politics everywhere? School, College, Office, Inter-personal relations? Why can't people be not-malacious, gossipy and be straight forward? Its a vicious cycle and we are trapped in politics for the rest of our lives.

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Originally posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 4:24 PM

Disjoint Thoughts

If you peak in my head, these are just some things you will find scrambling across the brain of this eccentric twenty somebody at this point of time. Wonder if they make sense :)

Nobody said that moving on is easy.

The eternal optimist that I am, I believe that what happens, happens for the best.

Sometimes things don't happen the way you plan them and when you are caught unaware, your life turns upside down.

But there is order in chaos.

Moving on and running away are two different things. Sometimes we think that both are same. If you don't differentiate, you can't move on and get stuck in a time warp.

When you want to live your our safe world (the cocoon) and not venture out, something has to happen which will force you to come out. And turn everything upside down. Like a ship in stormy seas. And till the calm prevails, you will be fighting to get a semblance of life. Once you touch the shore and feel the ground beneath your feet, everything will be alright.

I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate said Vincent van Gogh. I second that.

I read somewhere that some people come into your life for a reason and when their job is done they go away.

The pain always fades and then comes a time you don’t feel it anymore.

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Originally posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 12:08 PM

Do They Make This Kind Anymore?

This post is dedicated to a friend. Somehow after participating in the blog-a-thon and reading experiences of so many women and men across the board, my thoughts flew to you.

It seems appropriate that I dedicate this post to a guy, who at the risk of been a social outcast would not disrespect women. He would not be the part of the 'cool gang' or try to 'fit in' with the rest of guys because these so called cool people would do ‘cool’ things like disrespecting women. Because sometimes words, roving eyes and the vibes can be as violating as a dirty physical touch.

I have called you ‘uptight’ at times. Asked you why you can't gel around with people. But you just shrugged it off saying you have better things to do.

I have respected you for being that guy who would not succumb to peer pressure. Whose one look would quiet anyone. Who practices what he preaches. Who respects women the old fashioned way. Yet treats them like an equal.

You may not be the chivalrous man, always teasing that since men and women are equal, I should pay for our meal. This been the only argument I have ever lost. I can proudly say today that I know a person like you.

I wonder if they make ‘em like you anymore.

Orignally posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 4:31 PM

Woman

Her boss doesn’t look at her face when he talks. He looks about 6 inches south and talks to a different body part. It doesn’t matter that her vocal chords and the brain aren’t situated there. She may be wearing a suit, decently covering her or a shirt. It doesn’t make a difference.

Or he coos to her, “Don’t call me sir. Call me by my name.” He brushes past her and pretends like it was an accident.

He calls her to his cabin or asks her to stay late. Then without any guilt, he asks her for ‘favours’ so she can get her well-deserved promotion.

There are times she keeps quiet and takes it all. At other times, she raises her voice. People say that maybe her character is flawed and she asked for it. The man is obviously allowed to get away with harassment.

Welcome to the workplace, girl. Your fight for dignity, equality and respect continues. It starts from the moment you are born and it continues throughout your life.

You can don any hat – of a daughter, mother, wife, sister, juggle housework with office work and yet be called the weaker one.

You forget your inner strength sometimes. Or are made to forget it.

This is for all the stronger sex aka men-
One last thing, be man enough to be labelled as the "fun-spoiling" guy (read Spark’s post for the reference to context).

To recognize Women's Day, a blogathon was being organized for Tuesday, the 7th of March 2006. Blank Noise is asking bloggers to put up a post about their opinions and experiences of sexual harassment - as a victim, perpetrator, observer or bystander - at work, at home or in the public sphere. Some of my fellow O3 bloggers Jitu, Maya, Sapphire, Savy, Surabhi, Smile Girl, Spark, Scarlett, Sumit, Wild Child, Techie, Tejbir, Sunny and Maxx have already done their bit. I tag everyone - man and woman to put up their posts.

Originally posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 11:38 AM

Jessica

Someone is shot dead in front of hundreds of people, witnesses dont remember this because of collective amnesia and the accused walk scot free. No its not a script of any Hindi masala movie.

Its reality.

Jessica Lal, a model was killed seven years ago, the witnesses turned hostile in the courts of this country, the judges said that there was ‘lack of evidence’ and all the nine accused have been acquitted.

It is not coincidental that the accused were politically well connected and powerful people. I cannot say anything against the judgment of the Court because I shall be held in contempt of court. But I can ask a few questions, hoping that someone can answer these-

If this is how the system works, the rich and the powerful can twist their way around, why the hell was the system created?

Does the common man stand a chance?

Can we rely on the system anymore?

How do the hostile witnesses and the alleged killers sleep at night? With no feeling of guilt?

What is this world coming to?

Imagine the kind of message it gets across. That it is acceptable to commit a crime because I can get away with it? That the system will 'protect' me. Loss of life is just a byproduct of the heinous crime and nothing more.

Since our childhood it is ingrained in our psyche that ‘Truth Shall Prevail’ and the law of this country makes sure that justice prevails. A judgment like this has left me disillusioned and pissed off.

P.S: I hope all the killers rot in Hell. Because in this lifetime they are walking freely on earth.

Also read Savy's post for more.....

Update 1: Sorry for not replying to comment on time. Just neck deep in work. Will reply soon. Till then cheers, take care and keep coming by and commenting ... hugs to all ....

Update 2: Someone mentioned to me in the comments section to keep quiet and accept this because its NOT going to make a difference if we raise our voice. To that person and everyone who thought that this was a lost cause, the case has been reopned. We the people of THIS country have done our bit, the media has done its bit. Now hopefully the government machinary will do its bit. So that we don't lose hope.

Originally posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 1:38 PM

Hot and Happening

If the title got you all interested and you think I am going to write about somebody hot then you are reading a wrong blog post.

Flashback to February 1990:
Its mid February. I mind wanders over to a decade and a half back when I detested winters mornings because I used to feel cold. Getting up early in the morning to a foggy day and going to school was nothing less than a torture. I used to feel very cold and remember wearing layers of woolies to protect myself.

Fast Forward to February 2006:
It so hot that leave alone wearing a sweater, I am wearing my summer clothes. Its not cold at all with temperature steadily creeping upto 23oC. Using a fan a decade back - even the thought of that would chill me to the bone.

I am deeply concerned with the weather change which has slowly but steadily taken place in the time being. ‘Global warming’ is something we have all heard about but never really thought or cared about.

The term simply means that the climate all across the world is changing and the world is becoming warmer by the day. According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Earth's surface temperature has risen by about 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century, with accelerated warming during the past two decades.

The Asian region spans polar, temperate, and tropical climates and is home to over 3 billion people. As the climate warms, many mountain glaciers may disappear and the northern forests are likely to shift further north. Rapid population growth and development in India will put additional pressures on natural ecosystems and will lead to a rapid rise in the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere unless steps are taken to curtail emissions.


The Kyoto Protocol seems like a step in the right direction. It is an agreement under which industrialized countries will reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% compared to the year 1990. The goal is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases. India signed and ratified the Protocol in August 2002.

I leave you with a thought:
Glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at an average rate of 50 feet (15 m) per year, consistent with the rapid warming recorded at Himalayan climate stations since the 1970s. Winter stream flow for the Baspa glacier basin has increased 75% since 1966 and local winter temperatures have warmed, suggesting increased glacier melting in winter.

For our sake and the sake of future generations, I hope this phenomenon is controlled lest we end up having more natural calamities and drastic temperature change. I don’t want my winter to look like summer or fancy my home submerged in water!

Originally posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 5:41 PM

Dalits: Also A Part Of My India?

After spending a great evening reasserting my independence and spending time with friends, I woke up today only have my friend call me up early in the morning.

During our conversation we talked about two incidents which happened in the past 24 hours and triggered me to write this post.

In one part of the country a Dalit girl was paraded naked by Upper castes in a village for no fault of her’s and in another part, Upper caste men tried to rape another Dalit girl, weren’t successful in the attempt and so cut her arm cut off, taking it away with them.

As I write this, another story trickles in. A nine year old girl this time.

I have one grouse with the mainstream media. It isn’t doing enough to highlight this. Why can we have specials on Valentine’s Day or length of Sania’s skirt but no talk of issues which ail this county? Is there an unspoken code where we don’t talk about the ‘caste divide’?

In my knowledge, the only person writing about Dalit issues in the mainstream is Chandra Bhan Prasad. Though it is an issue close to his heart because he belongs to that community but are enough opportunities been given to this community to rise? There are other issues pertaining to Dalits which I haven't touched in this post which I may in later posts.

We talk about communalism being a problem but casteism can’t be ignored either.

Obviously the caste divide is very wide. When the Indian constitution was been formed, it was B R Ambedkar’s dream that the constitution should give equality to one and all. He also added, “Rights are protected not by laws, but by the social and moral conscience of society”.

In letter we have equality but in spirit we don’t.

For more, read this

Originally posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 6:08 PM

The Day I Landed On Planet Earth

At mid night the phone calls began and the SMSs started flowing in. Till 4th I wasn't feeling too excited with age catching up and I don't even look that old :D

But the phone calls and the messages got me all exicted. My friend had come over on 4th night and we spent some time doing what girls do best. Don't get any ideas, we were catching up on girlie talk, taking about our teenage years (and the crushes, tution, school, college) and bitching about bosses and colleagues.

Finally I went to sleep but kept getting calls and missed calls from my friends till about 4 in the morning. Messaged my one of my friend in my sleep. I have no idea what I wrote! My friends were coming over to spend a lazy sunday at my place (all working people can't afford to stay up late on Sunday night) and they were excited. Got up at 9.00 in the morning with more wishes from old school and college friends. Was pleasently surprised that so many people remebered my b'day :)

By 10.30 we dragged ourselves out of the bed and were roaming around in the home in our payjamas, unruly hair and sleepy eyes :D :D Got threatening calls from friends that they are landing up at my place in half and hour so decided to take a bath coz I didn't want them to get scared.

Checked out my blog and read comments by some of you. It was kinda sweet. Told my family about it. The feel good mood began by this time.

By 12.15 people started trickling in. By 1.00 everyone including assorted relatives, child hood friend and college friends had turned up. The young people sat together and the oldies were chatting amongst themselves. We all sat, taking in the sun, eating paranthas, butter, dahi, pulao, paneer, choley and stuff... (no non-veg at my place) courtsey mommy.

My friends had got the cake for me. The icing on the cake(and I mean this literally not metamorphically) read:

Dear Banput,
Wishing you Happy B'day

Now my name is not banput. I am half baniya and half rajput, hence the nick name banput. Not to say my parents had a hearty laugh on reading it. As for me? I got my photo taken with the cake :D

Then we listened to Bryan Adams (the next best thing) after I told everyone to buy me plane tickets and ticket to his concert as b'day present. Which by the way, no body got for me. We all chilled out and since I don't know how to make tea, one of my friends made it for all of us. By late evening the party broke up. But I was in a feel good state for a long time after that and today I am in no mood for working :D :D

Hope the boss doesn't decide to chuck me out....

Update: Happy Valentines day to all you people :)

Originally posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 12:45 PM

Man O Man!!!

So I am tagged thanks to Tejbir, Sanjeev and Dirty Doggy

8 different points seem like a very difficult task. I don’t think that a perfect man exists (and it’s a myth :) but I’ll try my best.

The list for a mythical man is as follows -

He has to give me my space, let me be and accept me as I am. He shouldn’t try and change me. He should be like the ‘wind beneath my wing’. Let me fly. Rest assured I’ll come back to him.

He has to mentally stimulate me i.e. he has to be well read and should be able to hold forth on a range of topics from art to literature to politics.

He has to live with my idiosyncrasies. He should be able to tolerate my moods, cribbing, rantings and ravings.

I have friends of different shapes, size, caste, colour, creed and he has to tolerate them. If not all, them some. :D :D

Which brings to the next point that he should be secure and self confident. He should be able to speak his mind and be straight forward. Am I asking for too much?

He should be adventurous, impulsive and be able to surprise me; be ready to pack his bags at a moment’s notice or whisk me away for an unplanned holiday or anything like this.

He has to be a good cook and help me look after kids and generally help in house work.

Make me smile when I am upset. This means he has to be funny and cute and have a sense of humour.

In conclusion such a man doesn’t exist…par hope par duniya kayam hai…

Almost everyone is tagged, so I’ll try and tag some people who haven’t come out with their list.

i_otta, Saba (My Memories), SKJ, Konfusd, Deeps (ketharaju), Pluto and anybody else who may want to tag him/herself…

Instructions: 1. The tagged victim has to come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
2. Need to mention the sex of the target.
3. Tag atleast 8 victims to join this game & leave a comment on their comments saying they’ve been tagged.
4. If tagged the 2nd time, there’s no need to post again.

P.S: Wishing everyone a Happy Republic Day

Update: Hey everyone I'll be a little irregular on o3 because work responsibilities have increased though I'll sneak in and read your posts and drop a line as well :) Till then wishing everyone a rocking time. Hugs and cheers to all :)


Originally posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 12:48 PM

Do You Know What Secularism Means?

Yes, the timing of this post coincides with Sanjeev’s. I told him that I was about to write on the same topic and he urged me to put forward my views and so here goes my post.

On Sunday I was as usual ranting and during a discussion came out the issue of Secularism and Pseudo secularism.

A general observation states that our country could be on the verge of been divided on religious lines.

I said that in our country people are secular only because they have to be and not because they want to be. Because we have such diversity and we have to live together, that’s why we pretend to be tolerant. Does that make the people of this country pseudo secular?

I was rudely interrupted by a wise old man to look up the meaning of the word ‘secularism’ in the dictionary.

Secularism, according to the dictionary doesn’t mean religious tolerance, it means the lack of religion. We tend to use both words interchangeably but that isn’t the case. It actually means ‘the belief that the state, morals, education etc. be independent of religion’.

In our country neither the state nor the morals, education etc. are independent of religion. Bal Thakeray once said that that politics and religion can’t be independent of each other. Many were offended by his views and many editorials were written. I was of the opinion that they should be independent of each other.

But sadly, religion has been woven in the fabric of politics and they both go hand in hand. They co-exist whereas they should be independent of each other i.e. the separation of church and state. To think that it exists only in this country is wrong. My earlier blog on fundamentalism points this out.

Are we, as the common man, pawns in this game of religion politics often dubbed as a fight of secular vs. communal? We often get swayed by words of certain people, formulate our opinions and spew venom against each other.

Before I deviate from the topic further, lets check out another definition of the same word. I checked up another dictionary and it said secularism is ‘indifference to or rejection or exclusion of religion and religious considerations’.

Which brings me to the question - Can we be indifferent to religion? Can it be excluded? It cannot be excluded from our personal lives. So does it mean that we can’t be secular? Or should this definition be taken in some other context? I leave this open to debate.

Originally posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2006 4:32 PM

I Search, Therefore I Am

Everything is an illusion. Created by man or God? Through smoke and mirror I search for something. I think it is truth I seek. What is an illusion and what is reality. The lines have blurred and one mixes with another.

In search of answers, I read the scriptures. The religious text I read is truth? No. When I read the interpretation, I realize it is distorted by different people to suit their needs.

I read the scripture and search for my answers. I find something. Yet another person finds something else. We are all searching for our truth. We all find different things in the same. So how can it be truth if it is subjective? If it is relative?

With a thousand questions running in my head, I blurt out my dilemma to someone. A wise old man tells me that there is nothing like absolute truth.

Then what is it? The opposite of absolute is relative. But if it is relative, then my truth is another man’s lie. And if it is someone else’s lie how can it be truth. I am not sure if I make sense or if anyone understands my dilemma.

But what I look for, I shall find. My faith in God tells me so. It is not absolute it is not nothing. It is something. Undefined. Because if something is relative, it cannot be zilch. Zero. Nada. Nothing. I don’t know what I am searching for. All I know is when I find it will make sense.

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This post may not make sense to fellow bloggers and readers. These are just rantings of a crazy person

Originally posted on Monday, January 16, 2006 11:50 AM

Godess of Social Thoughts Is Here

After my induction into the religion of Bardism, Lord Bardy has made me a Goddess of social thoughts. I shall live up to the responsibility given to me.

Since social thoughts includes a range of issues, I will like to highlight the plight of bloggers who were waiting to receive pink hundi with yellow dots as promised by Lord Bardy on his December 9th post. This has in turn raised a stink at O3 and now it is not operating properly.

Another issue which has cropped up, time and again, is of lungis or as the stylish people call ‘sarongs’. Male devotees are exempt from wearing such a contraption which may unfold itself and drop at inappropriate places and be a cause of amusement for this Goddess and other female goddesses and devotees. On second thoughts, let all the male devotees wear the sarong.

While I am on this, let me also point out the need for free popcorn and pepsi which are required when posts are hijacked and important discussions regarding technique, amnesia, jungle etc. take place. These life changing discussions shape the future of this country and I request err.. demand O3 to provide the free food.

Another pressing issue as pointed out by the Great Lord Bardy is of holy alcoholic water(HAW). As fellow bloggers would like Vodka, Beer, Whisky, Breezers or any other HAW listed out by Pluto in his post, these should be made available to them on-demand by O3.

Devotees keep in mind that Lord Bardy would like the above mentioned holy alcoholic water as prasadam. A (few) bottles should be offered to the Lord everyday so that your life goes smoothly. Also the miracle of Lord Bardy’s statue drinking Vodka can be seen on Thursday (with Vodka provided by devotees).

As there is a problem of water scarcity, the great God requests people to take bath once in a decade. Please try and understand that people are dying because to lack of water in various parts of this county and world. As for problems relating to hygiene I request devotees and others to drink HAW and forget all about it.

Issues which have been left out may be pointed out to me via the comments section. They shall be duly updated in the post.

Originally posted on Friday, January 13, 2006 12:59 PM

Dilli Ki Sardi

I got a call at 10.30 a.m yesterday. Cursing the person who wanted to disturb my sleep, I reached out to the irritating phone which would not stop ringing. Sleepily I managed to say “Hello”. The rest of the conversation woke me up.

Brrr...this is the coldest winter I have ever seen in Delhi. Teeth chattering, layers of woolies, sitting in the sun curled in my easy chair, reading a book, eating aloo paranthas with dollops of butter. That’s how I thought I’d spend the weekend. Being the eccentric oddball that I am, I didn't.

I was at a Kashmiri refugee camp of people dislocated after the earthquake. I met people of different ethnic and religious groups. There were widows, orphans, young boys and families. Their living conditions were appalling. Small tents of about 3X4 feet, along a dirty nullah is the land given by the Government. Interestingly, the metro (a sign of development) ran above the camp as did a Sonia Vihar pipeline (Sonia Gandhi project to bring water to people).

I met a young man who is in his early twenties, around 21. He spoke about the conditions back home, where it was snowing and the tents provided by the Government were not enough to sustain. The compensation amount was also meagre, not enough to rebuild lives.

So they had been given this land in Delhi. They had reluctantly come to Delhi and were living in conditions where they didn’t have enough food or clothes. Sometimes they went to bed, hungry.

The young man, a Bachelor of Arts student, spoke in decent English. On asking what he did, he told me that twice a week, he went around asking people to give them food, clothes and blankets. Rest of the time, he worked in a subzi mandi in Delhi, packing crates or selling vegetables. Unwillingly, his education had been halted.

He told me, “Work is worship and in times of adversity we have to do things which we otherwise wouldn’t”. Leaving behind a carpet business, destroyed by the earthquake was the hardest thing he did.

The people at the camp hoped that the Government would send them back as soon as the harsh winter was over. As children ran about playing with each other, I was told that about 100 of them were orphans and there were around 40 widows. With pleading eyes and folded hands, an elderly lady asked me to help them in any possible way. I could see that the plea for help was genuine.

I know there is so much hatred and distrust for Kashmiris. We all have our biases based on what we hear, what the media reports say, what we are taught. Do we ever try and meet people with open minds and hearts. Shouldn't we overcome those biases?

Later that evening, in the comfort of my home, I was sitting in front of a heater, eating garam gajar ka halwa, wrapped in my blanket with a thousand thoughts running in my head. What if I was in such a situation? Would somebody leave aside his biases to help me?

Originally posted on Monday, January 09, 2006 1:36 PM

Terror In My Backyard- And Its Home Grown

The naxalite problem has been gnawing my mind for a few months now. What really triggered me to write is post was a comment by fellow blogger Wise Donkey on my post 'Death So Unlikely'.

Once I was travelling in a remote area of Andhra Pradesh. I had to come back late at night. The car's interior roof lights/reading light were switched on for about two hours in which we traversed through some villages, small townships and a forest clearing. Reason? It was a naxalite area and gun-toting naxals could watch our every move. They didn’t want to kill anyone who was helping the village people.

We were told by locals that since we did not have police or government officials accompanying us, we wouldn’t be harmed. Moreover we were doing something for the downtrodden and the naxals were quite happy.

On my way I passed a police station, bombed a long time ago and some bullet marks visible on what was left of the walls. Needless to say, I did not come across any police personnel in that area.

That’s when I decided to understand the dynamics behind the naxal problem and where it is heading now.

The name ‘naxal’ comes from the village of Naxalbari situated in the narrow corridor between Nepal and what is now Bangladesh. It connects mainland India with the northeastern states.

In 1967, when the leftists were forming the government in Calcutta, three sharecroppers with the help of members of the breakaway wing of the CPI–M, armed with sticks, bows, and arrows, removed the entire stock of grain from a landlord's granary in Naxalbari village. At that time, it was considered to be a socio-economic problem in one state of India.

It slowly spread to Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttaranchal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. With Maoist supporting (as media reports say) their cause the problem has become a security as well as socio economic problem.

If proper measures are not taken, this could take a deadly turn.

And as Wise Donkey said, if Professor Puri, was gunned down by Naxals would there have been so much hype? The answer is ‘NO’. Why? Because we don’t consider it as a security problem or the fact that it is home grown terror supported by poor and down trodden as well as some politcial parties in parts of this country? The poor have no choice sometimes. As for the political parties - if it serves their purpose, why would they stop such a thing?

The Naxalite problem is tackled at three levels - first at the state level in which the individual states deal with the problem; second at the union level, in which the union government provide funds and security forces to tackle the Naxalite groups; and third at the intrastate level, where the states cooperate with each other to deal with the situation.

Some examples of states making an effor tinclude –

In December 2000, the governments of Bihar and Jharkhand mounted a coordinated offensive against the Naxalites.

The AP government has also tried to win back the peasantry by redistributing some of the land in the north Telengana region and has initiated programs to lure the Naxalites into surrendering by helping them to reintegrate into the mainstream society.

In West Bengal, extremist tendencies have been brought under control through an effective socio economic program, including land reforms, and an effective (police) administration.

While at the center, it has been more ‘talk’ and less ‘action’. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that a line has to be drawn between violence that is a law and order problem only and violence that has socio-economic and political underpinnings. This complexity of countering Naxal violence is widely recognized and the committee has been set up which would need to address socio-economic, developmental and political factors.

How effective has that committee been? When a local leader is shot dead in West Bengal or a jail break been perpeterated, why has the Centre kept mum on the issue? Why has the Centre not accepted it as a ‘terror’ problem behaving like a pigeon with closed eyes? Why has the media not made a sincere effort to bring this to the fore? What if these were Islamic terrorists? What kind of action would have been taken then?

Since 1960s, it is known that Naxals thrive where there are no or less land reforms or there is a poor section of society, with no resources to meet their daily requirements. Then, why the delay (of about 35 years)?

Lest this problem grows bigger, the Government should wake up and take a long term action to solve the problem. A start has been made but sincere efforts have to be made to eradicate this problem. Since the remote contolled Prime Minster will not be able to do this own his own, I hope Sonia Gandhi thinks for the common man.

P.S: I would like to attribute the some facts to articles published by Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. Any opinion and error is soley mine.

Orignally posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 4:19 PM

Death So Unlikely

29th December, 2005. 9.30 AM. An uneasy calm lies at IIT, Delhi. The whirr of engines of OB vans of various news channels breaks the silence. For people at IIT it hasn't sunk in yet.

Beacuse it is a death so unlikely. You go to attend a seminar and die because of a terrorist attack. What are the chances of that? This is probably the first of its kind attack in India (excluding J&K).

By now, I hope you realize I am talking about the attack at IISc Bangalore. As I write this, it hasn't yet been ascertained who is behind the attacks. One thing which is trickling in is the news that there was a 'lapse' by security agencies. I would not blame them in totally here beacuse the target was unexpected. Though there was probably information that vital installations were on a hit list but somehow you never expect something like this to happen.

Leaving apart the why and the how, the reactions by political parties (they have got something new to talk about), lets talk about how it will affect the psyche of the people.

Some people have vested interests have decided to divide this country. I am ashamed to say that they have been fairly successful. Successful in terms of creating mistrust among two communities and spreading some amount of hatred for each other. Incidents like this will amplify that.

It will also create some amount of fear. Someone says “We are not safe while shopping or attending seminars”. This is the fear which some people are trying to instill in our minds. We can’t allow them to be successful.

This does not mean that we indulge in verbal (or otherwise) bashing people/common man belonging to the ‘other’ community. Lashing out at them is no solution. It means that we understand that this is a part of a bigger plan to destroy this country as interests of many lie here. It also means that we need to get provoked at the people who are really responsible for it. Can we as educated, literate people, rise above it?

Originally posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 11:57 AM

Awakening

When I started to write this, I had no idea why I wanted to post this today. Then I realized maybe it was because we have lost our sense of wonderment. As we grow up, we get bogged down by responsibilities, doing the right thing and forget that life is passing by.


"One such time I left town and on my way back, at a point where the land was high and I could see the sea to my left and down the road a long ways, I suddenly felt I was in heaven. The spot was in fact no different from when I had passed it not long before, but my way of seeing it had changed.

The feeling, a paradoxical mix of pulsing energy and profound peace, was intense and blissful. Whereas before the road, the sea, the trees, the air, the sun all spoke differently to me, now they spoke one language of unity. Tree took account of road, which was aware of air, which was mindful of sea, which shared things with sun.

Every element lived in a harmonious relation with its neighbour, and all was kith and kin. I kenlt a mortal; I rose an immortal. I felt like the centre of of a small circle coinciding with the centre of a much larger one. Atman met Allah."

- Yann Martel, Life of Pi

When I read the above, it was so powerful. I needed to share it with all you people. Have you ever had that Hallelujah moment in your lives?

When you have felt deep inside that life is what you make of it? That you have woken from a long slumber and realized that things are meant to be a certain way, you just need to look at them in a different light?

That the universe will conspire to give you something you need, only if you keep your eyes and heart open? Like there was something in front of your eyes and you did not see it before?

---------

P.S : This post was inspired by an old blog post of mine

P.P.S : Merry Christmas to everyone

Originally posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 2:24 PM

Duryodhan Say Chkravuyh Tak

Yawn! Another sting operation. Actually when another prominent Hindi news channel came out with a set of sting operations, it didn't excite me. Actually, It has left me disillusioned.

You may ask me why? It is because everytime a politician(in any capacity- MP, MLA, Cabinet Minister) is seen defaulting/not following the laws, there is hue and cry for a few days then it dies down.

Also the size of the scam is proportionate to the the position i.e. higher the post, bigger the scam. Which automatically means longer the time taken for any any action to take place.

Now, look at Laloo Prasad Yadav and the fodder scam. The Congress goes on to make him the Railway Minsiter of this country. Another case in point is Bangaru Laxman. Look now what BJP has done with him. He is in the list of 'leaders'.

Both political parties suffer from amnesia and there is no mention of the scam or the money taking incident in their official biodatas. So that is what we have to look forward to. The above are some off-the-cuff examples, there are others too on that list. The post will become too long if I start naming all - which just shows how corrupt both the opposition and the ones in power are.

Back to the question of sting operation. The following will happen-

The person may get suspended from 'active' membership but retain primary membership of the party. An enquiry committe is setup. The findings take years to come. We go back to our life, media finds something new and the case is forgotten. A few years later that politician is inducted into the party again. This time with a better post and position.

The problem lies in the loopholes of the political system. It also lies in the Judicial system. If laws were stringent and everybody taken to the book then it would deter people from breaking rules. Suspending the MPs is a stort term solution to the poblem. An overhaul of the entire system is the need of the hour.

The country runs on three important pillars- The Legislature, The Judiciary and The Executive. The fourth unofficial pillar is media. All these pillars support India. I can see cracks in the pillars. My only hope is that these pillars don't crumble in times to come.

Originally posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:57 PM

Open letter to George W Bush

Dear Mr. Bush,

Well, well, well..... looks like your foot-in-mouth disease has increased with age. This is what you had to say at Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholors:

"It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. As President I
am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq."

So today you have accepted the responsibility for going to war with faulty intelligence. Now that you have accepted that your were at fault, will you bring back to life the 30,000 people killed in the Iraq war? I hear you saying a faint “No“. If God gave you the right to kill these people, surely he gave you the right to bring them back to life. Oh, he forgot to give you that power? Too bad, because now the blood of these people is on your hands. I wonder how you sleep at night.

Now that you have managed to sway the precarious balance of cultural ethnicity (Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, Others) in Iraq, how you bring back the peace? How will you stop the suicide attacks? Oh, maybe they solve your purpose. More people dying means less population to rule over and lesser number of people to raise their voice against you.

You stood at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre while you said the above words but forgot what Woodrow himself once said. I will jog your memory and remind you that Woodrow Wilson once said “I would rather belong to a poor nation that was free than to a rich nation that had ceased to be in love with liberty.“

Well it seems Mr. Bush you have forgotten what liberty means. The meaning of the word in this context is 'freedom to live and freedom to choose'. You have ceased to give this to the people of Iraq. You chose to come into their country, kill people, give them a government which runs on your tunes.

To say -I am sorry, I was wrong is as bad as saying 'All is fair in Love and War'. You have forgotten the love part but remember the part which talks about 'war' and implemented it to the T.

But you still believe:

“We are in Iraq today because our goal has always been more than the
removal of brutal dictator.It is to leave a free and democratic Iraq in his
place....My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision. Saddam was
a threat and the American people and the world is better off because he is no
longer in power".

Your goal has always been more that removal of Saddam. A country rich in oil and it prime geo-political location is your favourite country. Remember when you installed your men in northern Iraq (Kurdish region), years ago? The 32nd parallel where Iraqi planes were not allowed to fly? You were waiting for the right moment to capture the rest of the county.

Now that you can keep a watch over this part of Asia, why not spare Iran, the agony?

Love and Peace.

Regards
Zephie

Originally posted on Thursday, December 15, 2005 2:18 PM

License to Kill

The drama began when I decided to learn driving. It is a nightmare to drive on Delhi's killer roads. If anyone can drive on Delhi roads, he can drive anywhere. The concept of lane driving is different here, so are the road rules. If three lanes have been designated for the traffic then people will create six lanes out of three. You can overtake only if you have the bigger vehicle.

Keeping this in mind, began my tryst with driving. After much coaxing and cajoling, I learnt to drive. The D-day came when I had to go for my driving license test. With nervous butterflies in my stomach, I reached the test centre. (For easier understanding, from here on Test Centre with be called TC in this post.)

My driving school had fixed the day and time of the test for the people in my batch. A motely group of people (including me) were told to come in a back lane near TC at a certain given time. All of us assembled there (a college student, an office goer, a teacher, a doctor and other assorted people). We huddled together in a group. It looked like we were involved in some shady drug deal as passerbys gave us suspicious looks. I didn't know how the day would unfold.

After a roll call of all our names, we were told in a low voice by the driving school guy “Aapko fikar karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Aap test may pass ho jaogey.” Then he gave an all knowing smile and told us to follow him.

We walked in the lane towards the TC. At the TC, we entered from a back door and then proceeded to walk past counters where the normal junta was not allowed. Then we stopped and signed a form at a particular counter. The list had already reached the counter wallah guy. By this time I realized that a few palms had been greased so that our license would be made without much difficulty.

Then we went to the area where we were supposed to drive the car. Again, the driving school guy told us in a tone full of conspiracy “Dekiye abhi apka driving test hoga, sirf 100 metre agey jaana hai phir 100 metre reverse. Bas. Apka test khatam.”

The car in which we were supposed to give our test arrived. It was a car provided by the driving school. It had double accelerator, break and clutch. Now comes the fun part.

The person who was supposed to take our test, stood on the road (with loads of money in his pocket - This I deduced from what happened next). He did not bother to get in the car to test us! The driving school guy sat in the car with each one of us. A college student whose number was just before mine looked a bit nervous coz she wasn't sure about reversing properly. After the test, she got down and with a puzzled face came upto me and said “Kuch bhi nahi hua.”

My number was just after hers. Before I could comprehend her statement, I was called for my test. With butterflies playing circus in my stomach I sat down in the car. The driving school instructor told me - don't put your foot on the accelerator. Just hold the steering wheel and pretend you are driving. I told him I can drive, but he ignored that! With a questioning look on my face, I followed his instructions.

I held the steering, he put his foot on the accelerator, moved the car forward. Stopped. Asked me to look back and yet again pretend that I am reversing the car. He then reversed the car and we stopped. With a smile on his face he told me “You have passed the test. You can collect the license in one hour.“

What test? That was a driving test? I think it was an acting test.

Needless to say, I have a driving license and that too for twenty years!

P.S : In retrospect I just wonder, if people get license like this, no wonder road accidents are increasing day-by-day.

Originally posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 11:42 AM

Main Ek, Mere Paanch....

Pluto and Navin tagged me…so here goes my list of fivers…

10 years ago
Was a lil kid in school who did not know that the opposite sex existed for reasons other than studying with, copying homework, tying rakhi, playing football and fighting with….

5 years ago
Just came out of school and entered college..
While in college…bunked every Friday to watch ‘first day, first show, first row’
Clueless about what I wanted to do in life…

Last Year
Met some great people…
Found a great job…basically, had a rocking year….

Yesterday
Was running like crazy to get some work done…lots of frayed nerves… lots of irritated people… L…basically everyone screwing everyone….though by end of the day, things were in control…phew!

5 Yummy things

Chocolate (except anything which has caramel or liquorice flavour)
Piping hot Aloo chat in rainy season
Gol Gappe…in road side stalls
Crispy Waffles with chocolate sauce
Chocolate truffle pastry with hot chocolate sauce

I guess I am obsessed with chocolatey stuff….

...I am salivating now….thinking about these things….

5 Things I know by Heart

My phone number…Finally!!
7 times 3 in Table of 7 – which I learnt after a lot of struggle in class 3rd and threats by my Dad … I had a maths test the next day…
P.S: This does not mean that I don’t know other tables :D
Lyrics of my Fav songs by Bryan Adams
Nursery Rhyme – Twinkle Twinkle little star – which I sing for my nephew
Gayatri Mantra

5 Things I ‘d do if I had lots of money

Do nothing!! Just laze around in front of TV, eat junk, wake at 12.00 in the afternoon and live a completely spoilt and unhealthy life…
Go on a loooong world tour…visit all countries of the world and spend quality and quantity time in each of them…basically live a life of nomad
Have a private library of thousands and thousands of books…it should be situated by the side of an ocean, have large french windows so sunlight can stream in, have wooden floors, comfy chairs and good music…that’s my dream….
Have many homes – one in the middle of a bustling city, one in the mountains, one beside the ocean, one in the middle of a farm, one in some secluded area on a cliff.. (hopefully in many countries)
Last but no the least- Help my Mom in her endeavour of helping socially and economically backward children to live a life of dignity…

5 Places I escape to
My room (its heaven!!)
My fav book café
My loo…whenever people bother me, I go sit there with my book….
My blog :)
Mountains…if I get a chance

5 Things I’d never wear
Leaves
Only body paint
Platform heels
A skirt which is too short
Garish Makeup

5 Favourite TV Shows
Don’t really get time to watch TV…. I just keep surfing channels and watch whatever catches my fancy… there are some shows which I try and watch regularly…

Friends
Desperate Housewives
Big Fight (NDTV)
Gilmore Girls
Monk

5 Things I enjoy doing

Reading (which must be apparent by now)
Eating head of anyone in ‘talking range’
Listening to music (its therapeutic and helps me unwind in the evening and helps me get my groove in the morning….)
Dancing though I have 2 left feet… I can dance all day long with good peppy upbeat music, food and susu breaks….
Sitting on my terrace watching the birds play with each other (many species reside around my home), squirrels jumping from one branch to another, green trees, blue sky, clouds and appreciating nature in all seasons

I want to Tag
Navin
Angelz Fear
I otta
Skj
Does it matter (Archana)

I wanted to tag Peshwa, Taira, Bard, Sanjeev and other people as well but they were already tagged....

Originally posted on Thursday, December 08, 2005 1:18 PM

Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan!

Mumbai. City of dreams. A city of pretences. A city of contradictions. A city divided, yet a city united. A city so complex.

A glittering city awaits me as I reach in the night.

My car stops at the red light in front of Victoria terminus. A landmark, a gothic Italian structure built by the Britishers. A young man on a motorcycle stops next to me. A burka clad woman sits behind him. Her hand clutching his shoulder. In front of me is a taxi with 'Hey Ram' written on it. A Parsi man crosses the street. I want to capture this moment forever. Because it gives me hope. I see a melting pot of multi-religions, multi-ethinicity and multi-cultures.

As I reach my hotel in South Mumbai, I see lots of cars parked. Some (well dressed) people have decided to stop their car on the road and there is a jam. It seems there is a Page 3 party going on somewhere closeby as some of these people (in shiny clothes) stoll upto their cars. My driver honks the horn. They turn back and glare him. The expression on their face saying 'You don't know me or what?'. I see. This is also a city of pretences.

Tired, I go to sleep. In the morning my friend comes to meet me. She apolozies for not coming and meeting me the previous night. She says her home in the suburbs is too far from South Mumbai. She works in the the area of investments and finance. We walk towards the Marine Drive. She tells me about the Business district at Nariman Point. The dream of anyone who has made it in the world of Finance has an office here. She hopes, hers will be here one day too. I know, this is afterall a city of dreams.

We look for a place to have breakfast. Nothing is open so early in the morning. We go back to my hotel room and eat biscuits. We sit and talk. She tells me South Mumbai is like South Delhi. Posh. Anyone who is 'Anyone' lives here. She tells me people smirk if she tells them she doesn't live in the town. No autorickshaws ply here. I see provocation for the dreams to come true.

I go for my business meeting. I meet some people. I see some not so straight men at high posts in big organizations. In Delhi, they will feel the discrimination straight on (no pun intended) . I see this city absorbing everything and weaving it in its fabric.

Later as I go to the airport, my driver apolgetically tells me that he'll have to take another route. I ask him why. He tells me its because of Ambedkar Punyathi the next day. I nod in acknowledgement. As we go, I see people living on the pavements. Children happily scamper away as women sit and chit chat. Some men take a bath. But they don't even once look at the cars which pass them. It seems they live in another world. Moments later, my driver breaks my reverie and tells me in a disdainful tone that these are the 'famed' slums of Mumbai. In a tone which is full of contempt for the people living in those shacks, he tells me its 'jaisey log, waisa area'. Moments later, we hit a road which is wide, slum-less, neat and looks like a better area of the city. I see a city divided.

I ask him whether the city is divided on religious lines. Do people live in seperate areas or are they integrated. He tells me they live in segregated areas. In a city which is a hub of Hindu fundamentalists and a city which has seen gruesome riots, I see scars not yet healed. There are some whose lives have not been affected. They air kiss each other at nights. I see a city so complex.

It compels me to come there again. I hope I do. For there is much to scratch beneath the surface. Different layers waiting to be unfolded. Different stories waiting to be told. Much to be seen and understood. Much like Delhi.

The two cities have evloved. From the time of Mughul rule to the time of British rule and the currently, some things have changed and some have stood in time. I am facinated by this complexity and simplicity rolled in together. I feel a connection.

Mumbai, I will see you again.

Fundamentalism. An Ugly Word?

Fundamentalism. The word has a new meaning these days. I wanted to delve into the meaning of the word and how it has evolved into a 'bad' word these days.

The dictonary gives the following definition

Fundamental : Serving as a foundation, essential, primary,
important
Fundamentalism: Belief in the literal truth of the Bible, against
evolution etc; adhere to strictly orthodox religions or political
doctrines

Fundamentalist: Person who profess such a belief

Historically Speaking

No one person can be credited with founding Fundamentalism. Nor does any single group comprise the history of the movement.

The term `fundamentalism' has its origin in a series of pamphlets published between 1910 and 1915. Entitled "The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth," these booklets were authored by leading evangelical churchmen and were circulated free of charge among clergymen and seminarians. By and large, fundamentalism was a response to the loss of influence traditional revivalism experienced in America during the early years of the twentieth century.

Theological fundamentalism : theological movement concerned with defending traditional religous doctrine against modern thinking

Political fundamentalism : combination of theological fundamentalism and the personal commitments of religious adherents to combat wordly vices

Where does the problem lie?

The problem is when we try to implement our beliefs/fundamentals on other people or feel threatened by fundamentals of other people. A sense of fear or power struggle ensue and fundamentalism rears its ugly head. Sometimes it is in-your-face. Sometimes subtley given to you in small doses that you don't even realize that you are been swayed or affected.

Now theological and political boundaries seem to have merged and fundamentalism has a new definition.

I got 19,40,000 results on google when I typed Christian fundamentalism. I got 20,50,000 results on google when I typed Islamic fundamentalism. Jewish fundamentalism fetched me 10,30,000 results and Hindu fundamentalism 4,16,000 results.

What's happening now?

Almost everyone knows about Islamic fundametalism (in the world context) and people in India must be aware of Hindu fundametalism. What about Christian fundamentalism? We don't even know about it.

A lot has been said about Islamic and Hindu fundamentalism and I am not going to repeat it again. I would like to bring the attention to a third form of fundamentalism i.e. Christian Fundamentalism.

According to Yoginder Sikand:

“....If Christian fundamentalists are to be believed, America’s invasion of Iraq
and the consequent brutal slaughter of thousands of innocentcivilians in that
country are all part of a grand divine plan that willfinally culminate in the
‘second coming’ of Jesus Christ. Establishing anempire that will extend all over
the globe, Christ will rule like apowerful monarch, saving those who believe in
him and dispatchingnon-believers, all non-Christians and non-conformist
Christians, toeverlasting perdition in hell....”

Question is why do we never come to hear about this? While the Western press is awash with stories, real and exaggerated, about ‘Islamic fundamentalists’, rarely is mention made about Christian fundamentalists. The reason is their vast resources and close links with the current American administration.

Another example of this fundamentalism, and we tend to overlook it, is what the president of US said.

Before the Iraq war, George Bush went on to say: "God told me to strike at al
Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I
did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East."

Just because it is said in such a sophisticated manner, we don't tend to think that it exists. The reason for writing is post are many. Firstly, I want my fellow bloggers and readers to ponder over this. Secondly, I am tired of muslim-bashing because we just don't look beyond it. We don't acknowledge the power struggle between the East and the West.

To conclude, I condemn ALL forms of fundamentalism. Why is it said that extremes are not good and why is it said moderation is better anyday. If we advocate moderation in eating, spending, wordly pleasures, then why not in our religious and political beliefs and thinking. If the man on the street does not spew venom, then we can live peacefully. Because, as someone said, in the end all forms of fundamentalism are self-destructive.

Originially posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 1:42 PM

Wake Up Call

There has been some public outrage over the killing of two Indians- Maniappan Raman Kutty and S Manjunath. The Indian Government's (alleged) lack of action and lawless in one state have been pin pointed as the cause.

Well every cause has an effect. So did this. The blog world condemned this. Nespaper headlines screamed out

“Why, dammit!“

“Taliban kill hostage, PM says no giving in“

and something similar though it got overshadowed by Nitish Kumar winning the election. As you may be aware politicians in this country are more important than the common man. Loss of life is no big deal. Scores of Indians are killed everyday. We have a huge population, one person killed- so what? The attitude needs to change.

and something similar though it got overshadowed by Nitish Kumar winning the election. As you may be aware politicians in this country are more important than the common man. Loss of life is no big deal. Scores of Indians are killed everyday. We have a huge population, one person killed- so what? The attitude needs to change.

Till when will this stay in public consciousness? This week? Maximum next week. The week after that we will ask - who Kutty? who Manjunath?

Obviously the following will happen

1. Government will issues a warning against travelling and working in Afganistan like the way did it when truck drivers were captured and later released in Iraq.

2. A Jaanch committee will be set up to look at how Manjunath was killed, who was behind it and what action can be taken. The findings will take a few years. Then maybe court case against the 'killers' will be filed. The case will drag for years. And this will fade from public memory.

When something similar will happen, these names will be quoted as examples or used a 'filler' information for print and electronic media. Same story. Just another name.

Afterall, Satendra Dubey is just another name.

This is how we treat the people of this country. Long live India and her people!

Wake Up Call - Revisited: The story continues

Originally posted on Thursday, November 24, 2005 6:25 PM

Less is More?

The other day I was watching television. While channel surfing, I landed on a music channel. I saw lots of women dancing or rather gyrating in clothes which seemed like they belong to my 5-year old neighbour Pinki. Next three songs (of different movies) also proceeded to show half clad women dancing around. Is there something like overkill?

Anyway, this led to the following conversation between me and my sister-

Me: Er...it seems like the women forgot to wear clothes (collective amnesia)...

My sis: Maybe the designer is a desh bhakt. He is saving the money on clothes so he can give it to charity.

Me: Or the producer didn't have money (read:budget) to afford buying clothes and he borrowed clothes from his little daughter.

My sis: What if the spot boy stole the clothes for his girlfriend and the shoot was the same day, the women were left stranded and are wearing (er...not wearing) these clothes.

Me: Or maybe (hungry) rats in the studio attacked/nibbled away the clothes and the women are wearing whatever the director could salvage...

I think that hindi films show more skin than their western counterparts. They are more explicit (in terms of clothes, dances, song lyrics). There are some hindi films I can't watch with my family! I wish we could tone it down a bit. When young (7-8 year old) kids say certain things, I feel that innocence and childhood is the casuality somewhere.

When we ape the west in terms of skin show, I wish we could also ape them in giving appropriate ratings to the films. The Indian censor board has only 2 ratings (A and UA) while the Motion Picture Academy of America has 5 ratings which make sure that content not suitable for children or family viewing does not creep into such films.

They have no item songs. No songs with women wearing clothes 4 sizes too small until and unless its a musical and the script really demands it. Thank you Sanjay Leela Bhansali for no item song in Black.

Proper ratings will deter film makers from using un necessary show of explicit sexuality where its not required.

I am not here to be the moral police. No sir, thats not my job. Its the job of the censor board. Somebody wake them up please!

Originally posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 4:51 PM

Paris. (Dont) Burn on you crazy city.

Paris Burning? Whose fault is it anyway? Finger pointing at it its highest. French (non-Muslims) say its the Muslims and the Muslims say vice versa.

Someone grumbled to me “Muslims everywhere are creating problem. Look at France, now.“ I jumped back. I asked the preson to see both sides of the story before passing a judgement. Then I was 'accused' of been a pro-Muslim.

I was in Paris a few years ago. Curosity has been my second nature. It pulled me to travelling in parts of the city where people generally don't go to. I landed up at Pl. de Clichy. Well I decided to explore the area. As I walked around, I realized that I had entered a ghetto like area where French Arabs and African Muslims stayed. I saw many young men in hooded jackets, hijab clad women, people huddled around bon-fires, small grocery shops and shopkeepers of this community. To say the least I retreated fast from that area.

I had never seen this side of the city. Everyone goes to the chic places but the underbelly speaks of a different sub-culture.

At that time I did not understand the implication of such a lifestyle, now I do.

Later as I walked into this chic store in a good part of the city, I faced discrimination. I was wearing a black kurta and probably mistaken for an Arab Muslim. The security kept following me thoughout the store. I never felt more humiliated in my life than this. They thought I couldn't afford buying from there (which was not true) and was probably trying to shop lift. Well, I left. Another incident regarding racial discrimination in the Paris Metro also stays in my mind.

When people say that the minority is not 'integrating' with the mainstream, I think- are they given a fair chance of that? Imagine. I was there for a few days and this happened, what about the people who have lived there for a long time who face this on a daily basis?

Statistics say that French Muslims contribute to something like 5%-10% to the total population of France. The exact figure is not availabale as it is said that the French Government doesn't carry out census survey/poll about religion. The problem comes when youth of the minority community are not given 'equal opportunities' or integrated properly in the society.

I quote BBC here: "There is a dangerous cocktail here," said Ahmed Belmokhtar, a taxi-driver of Algerian origin, like many of those who live in the poor, crime-ridden estates like Clichy, which ring Paris. He listed the rampant unemployment, heavy-handed policing, discrimination, poor housing and a concentration of large numbers of immigrants from North and West Africa, along with their descendents.

Many feel that the state ignores them at best and at worst stands in the way of their attempts to escape the estates. The country has no black or Arab TV presenters, and all MPs from mainland France are white.

While there are others who believe that because the state takes care of immigrants, they are not willing to work or 'integrate' themselves to the mainstream. They (the others) add that these minority communities think it is okay to live such a life and they don't make any efforts to become a part of the society. What do people think after burning Paris has left scars? "All this only means our taxes will have to go up to pay for the damage," said an old woman taking her poodle for a walk.

I rest my case.

Tell me, who is right? Where does the problem lie?

........................................

Also check out : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1294108.cms

Orignally posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 12:48 PM

Save me from Reality TV

Somebody save me.

Onslaught of reality TV is killing me. Why do the TV channels think that their audiences are dumb? Picture this:

Some celebrity singing contest

A channel takes a few (read: unknown) out of job TV actors, who (allegedly) CAN'T sing and put them in a music 'talent' show. A donkey will sound more surila then some of the contestants.

Throw in a child star, a cross dresser and other assorted people, highlight the bitchiness, add a pinch of drama and bang, you have a show. I never knew the formula was so easy. Alas! the show gets very less TRPs and after a few episods, they wind up. The torture is over.

They try to sing, I change the channel. Somebody help me- saas bahu on one and breaking news about Karishma's trip to Goa on another. This is called dumbing down.

Another singing contest

Now you have Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul, many contestants, some bitchiness and drama and probably some talent. Well only one is going to win, what happens to the rest? Duh! its simple. The peole chucked out of both these shows are called for another show. Confusing? You bet. Now the ones who couldn't win on the original show are called and they sing again and the torture continues. I change the channel. Well the same thing happens again :(

Some celebrity dancing competition

Well atleast its a little less torture as compared to above coz some of the contestants can dance! More entertaining than the above two. Though the concept is (allegedly) a lift from a UK based show where celebs and and an expert dancer dance together.

We have had reality TV for finding actors, singers, dancers, chefs, fashion designers, models...

What next?

A TV show on who is better at cutting vegetables- colony A ki Mrs. Sharma or colony B ki Mrs. Gupta? May be we can vote through SMS and help make Airtel and Hutch make some money. Wat say?

Or maybe a TV show on who can brush his teeth better? Chintu, Pintu or Mintu. Note: One contestant will be eliminated every week. Keep those phone lines open, vote for your favourite. (Make money for MTNL or BSNL as well)

Any more you guys would like to add?

Originally posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 11:37 AM

I have (a few) Questions.

After an emotinally draining past few weeks, I am back.

When the bomb blasts happened in Delhi, I was appalled and shocked. Somehow you think that terrorism can't touch you. When an obscure Kashmiri group claims responsibilty, it puts Kashmir back on the map.

When I wrote the blog about Qazi (of fame gurukul) and Kashmir, I had written the following about Kashmir and Kashmiris-

Is it a sign of changing times? Does it mean that things are improving? I also see a feeling of mutual mistrust melting away. For once, I hope I am right.

After the Delhi bomb blasts, the mistrust has creeped back in. Someone speaks to a Kashmiri friend of mine and says “Yaar, yeh tuney kya karwa diya?“. Though that someone says it jokingly, the underlying tone is not. The friend tells me in despair “Look, they start pointing fingers at anyone belonging to a certain community.“

I remember this comment on my blog by Sam:

But then it takes just a couple of bomb blasts in the mainland to weave the
mistrust right back in.

The man on the street condemns the blast. Shows the spirit and fights back. Doesn't bow down. Says this is wrong. Some even tell me “Maybe Hindus might do something on Eid.“ People see it as a fight of Hindu Vs Muslim. The educated ones probably don't. This statement makes me think that we are solving the pupose of those f*$#ing terrorists, you know, dividing the people of this country. I do not want to classify it as a fight between the communities. Its much more deeper than that if you scratch the surface.

I ask you all, why do we equate everything

Bad+Muslim+Terrorist=Kashmir(i)

How do you know they weren't from accross the border? Why don't we see that it is the vested interest of many to make sure the divide between the people remains afloat? Gullible as people usually tend to be, I wish we could all be a little more skeptic and question things around us.


A gentleman named Amit comments:

We indian need to solve the lable such as Kashmiri, Punjabi, Gujarati and
Madrasi...it is a high time that we come out of our ethnic groupings and start
realizing that we are indians...i am not saying shut your door completely on the
ethnic background..becuase it is something that makes our homeland so diverse
and one of the most exciting places in the world..but i guess we put too much
stress on our ethinicity....

Atul tells me:

I'm sick of reading about killings and bomb blasts. Let's do the right thing now
- ask people of Kashmir what they want. If we are so sure that most of the
Kashmiris want to be part of India then what are we waiting for - let's go for a
poll.....However, there are many good things about this country called India. We
Indians are more tolerant to different cultures, people and religion. Can you
imagine a Hindu, Muslim or Jew president in the US or a holiday for Eid or
Holi?

Why do we forget the above when something like Delhi blasts occur? Is it because the majority is a Hindu population? What about innocent people killed in J&K? How many would say that J&K issue has not been solved because at stake lie careers of many terrorist(pun intended)politicians and leaders.

Syed says:

....please treat it as a human issue. India has mistreated us badly, rigged our
elections(as finally accepted by Mr vajpayee as regretfull ),never allowed
access to amnesty international, human rights watch or any other internatinally
aclaimed human rights organisation.There are still eight thousand people missing
in indian custody. nearly twentfour thousand in jails even without access to a
trial, another corrupt puppet regime. We are just a prestige point for india and
humans in the place dont count...I dont hate INDIAN PEOPLE , if people of
kashmir, choose INDIA i will be an INDIAN .....we can be (called) an
offspring of bitterly divorced parents(INDIA AND PAKISTAN)

WeRUnited adds:

In India, democracy doesn't gurranty that all our issues will be solved but
there are ways to tackle issues here, there is process at least. You are
thinking of injustice to Kashmir who is more responsible, answer is "Terrorism"
which vanished all business out there. We should together fight to eliminate it
as united country..... I think, whatever may be the cause terrorism is not the
solution. If everybody start doing that, there won't be any question of "Human
issue"..... we all be end up fighting.

I want to conclude by saying that we as citizens of this country must make sure that the government is answerable to us (Right to Information act is a step in that direction). We must question things happening around us. We can't afford to be passive because if we are, then the politicians of this country will take us for a ride.

If we, together, project a united face then no force can divide us. Five fingers together make a fist The fingers may be of different sizes and shapes (as is our cultural ethenicity) but there is strength in a fist. We must be able to look at the deeper meaning of things than pass a judgement based on the superficial information/media reports/opinions. Wat say guys??

Originally posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 1:08 PM

What divides the people of this nation?

First of all I want to thank all the people who came to my blog and read my last post. 7,000 web views and still counting. The topic in itself was not controversial but many responses were. I hope that such a debate can help us understand what ails this country and its people.

What divides the people of this nation?

Perceptions. It all boils down to it. Half baked information and masalafied media reports play truant sometimes. I will not play the blame game here coz we have done enough of finger pointing. My finger hurts now.

**************

Originally posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 12:56 PM

Kashmir+Fame Gurukul= Hope. Or Is It?

Qazi has become one half of the fame jodi (The music show on Sony called Fame Gurukul). The guy recieved many brickbats ranging from he can't sing to he is the poor man's version of Hritik Roshan. I am not going to defend him.

I like to look at the bigger picture. A young guy from Kashmir comes to Mumbai with dreams in his eyes and those dreams get fulfilled. You would say- no big deal. I think its a big deal because this generation of Kashmiris have seen nothing but strife and aggression. The people of Kasmhir picked up arms in 1989. Rebellion followed but by 1994 most surrendered. The young children saw many of their ilk been killed, brutally tortured and if you look in the eyes of any Kashmiri (Hindu or Muslim) you will see this haunted expression.

Kashmiris were at fault and created unrest and the Indian army had to control the 'situation' somehow. But if someone takes an extreme step like this, there has to be a damn good reason. In the process many innocent people lost their lives. Ask any Kashmiri if they have lost someone in their family to militancy and their answer will always be in affirmative.

Decades back, Kashmir was the jewel of Indian crown. And it was said that if there is heaven on earth, then it is here. Ironically the situation has become if there is hell on earth, it is here. Where once hindi movies were shot, there are no movie halls in Srinagar anymore. They have all closed down. Where you could hear the music once, you only hear bullet shots. So if a young lad from the strife torn region of this country comes out the shadow of guns to pursue music, I see hope.

Is it a sign of changing times? Does it mean that things are improving? I also see a feeling of mutual mistrust melting away. For once, I hope I am right.



Originally posted on Friday, October 21, 2005 11:39 AM

Paradox - Its My Life

Life can be paradoxical. Some say it is what we make of it. Others say it's destiny. We always have a choice. What governs our choice?

Social surroundings, religious upbringing, conviction. To put in simpler terms- heart, head, people and faith. We make a decision based on these. Where does destiny step in? Somewhere its written that life is meant to be like this. I may go against the tide and yet not get what I want. i may put in my best efforts and things will still not work out. And if things are meant to be, then even if the whole world is against me, I'll get what I was pining for.

So is life a pradox or not? Wat say guys?

Originally posted on Monday, October 17, 2005 10:52 AM

Men Dont Cry

I was talking to a male friend of mine the other day. He said to me “I can't stand women crying.”.

I asked him”Why?”

He shrugged his shoulders and mumbled something which I couldn't get. (Why are men like this?).

On further probing he said “I wouldn't know what to do, you know how to make her stop crying. I would feel so uncomfortable.”

Huh! As if you don't cry. And then he said the 'W' word which saw me in anger. What 'W' word? You guys must be wondering. Its called weakness. Why do men think that crying is a sign of weakness??? Somebody answer that question for me.

Bet you men didn't know that more than two thousand years ago, Aristotle theorized that crying "cleanses the mind" of suppressed emotions by a process called catharsis: the reduction of distress by releasing the emotions.

I seem to agree with Phil Donahue. He recently remarked, "I think that people who never cry are like people who never laugh: There's something wrong with them."

"Crying is natural, healthy and curative," according to Barry M. Bernfeld, Ph.D., director of the Primal Institute in Los Angeles. "[But] crying which should be the most natural, accepted way of coping with pain, stress, and sorrow is hardly mentioned in psychiatric literature. Now we seem finally to recognize that crying is good for people."

Why do you keep the hurt and the pain inside you? Crying is good for the soul. And finally here is a song (written by men). I want to dedicate it to my male friend who never cries and looks lost if I ever do.

Roy Orbison and Joe Melson wrote this song together


I was alright for a while.
I could smile for a while.
Then I saw you last night;
You held my hand so tight
When you stopped to say "hello."
You wished me well;
You couldn't tell
That I'd been crying Over you.
Crying Over you.
Then you said "so long,"
Left me standing all alone;
Alone and crying.
Crying. Crying. Cry--ing.
It's hard to understand
That the touch of your hand
Can start me crying.
I thought that I was over you,
But it's true, so true;
I love you even more
Than I did before.
But, darling, what can I do?
For you don't love me.
And I'll always be
Crying over you.
Crying over you.
Yes, now you're gone,
And from this moment on I'll be crying.
Crying. Crying. Cry--ing, OOOver you

Originally posted on Thursday, October 13, 2005 3:12 PM

What Did I Create?

So why am I put on this earth? I am but a miniscule part of this entire universe. Here today. Gone tomorrow. Human beings were created by this divine force who we call God. I am sure he sits on a throne up there and watches over us. He probably watches in amusement at our mistakes though if there is a grave situation, he helps us too.

And he probably wonders and says to himself "What did I create?". These humans who look like ants to me (from that far) scurrying about are never ever satisfied about anything in life. They always want more. When they get more, they still want something else. They keep praying to me "Bas mujhe yeh dedo, main kuch aur nahi mangunga/mangungi". When their wish is fulfilled, they eye something else.

Why do we humans want more? Are we ever satisfied? We always strive for something more. Its like we are looking towards the sky and in search of that elusive star which will fulfill all our wishes and dreams. What would happen if we all got what we wanted. I am sure the one who created us has that power with him.

I think that he does not want that to happen. You see this world is not complicated without a reason. There is a hidden lesson for all of us to learn. Reason? Its very simple.

Senario 1:If a person 'X' wants a certain designation and so does person 'Y' at the same time. God cannot fulfill wishes of both at the same time. Thus a situation of conflict arises and one of them gets the job.

Senario 2:Person 'X' ans person 'Y' are in love with 'A' and want to be her. Then if A reciprocates feelings of one and not another, is god been unfair? Is this life unfair?

I think he wants us to learn something here-
I think he is trying to say 'If I give you what you want, you will not understand what you need. Then you will not cherish what you have. You will not be grateful that you are alive each day to see a beautiful sunrise, hear the birds chirping, see dew drops on grass, admire the clear blue sky and cotton fields of clouds. You will not cherish family and friends. because there is a life beyond a job, deadlines, irritating neighbours, hateful relatives, pesky kids, boozing all night and feeling wasted."

P.S : My heart goes out to all the people affected by the earth quake which hit Pakistan and India. Many lives were lost. Many are on the roads. Devastation was immense. I hope these people can reuild their lives and aid reaches them quickly. With winters knocking on their door, life will be tough. Love and Peace.

Originally posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 6:38 PM