DISGRACE

An intergral part of any democracy is for society and individuals to express their views, though some may not accepted it and even a few may get offended. And this is bound to happen, it never happens so that a single particular view is accepted by all. In today’s day and age it is the duty of the Government to protect such freedoms.

The death of M F Hussian bought up the question of the freedom, of a painter who was hounded away just because he expressed his ideas differently. Many mourned the loss of the painter who had put himself in self-exile due to threats from fanatical groups and who eventually gave up his Indian citizenship. The controversy surrounding the arrival of Salman Rushide is a disgrace to the Indian Government and the people have been against him.

In today’s day and age, I would have not thought it possible for such a thing to happen, but a large number of people are still in the dark ages, where freedom of expression seems to be denied and yet in the name of stability and communal harmony the Government bows down to these pressure groups.

And though is physical presence was denied by the Congress led government of Rajasthan, the organizers tried to get his virtual presence and even this was denied. This is a direct violation of anyone’s freedom of expression.

The Government cannot point towards concerns of stability and communal harmony, when it is the one who is supposed to the safe guard the them; and by denying Salman Rushide’s presence they have admitted that they are agreeing to their inability to keep stability and communal harmony.

And yet it is not just so simple. The Congress led Government is playing a vote banks politics for the Muslims as the election were about to take place in neighboring States with significant Musilm population and as it were a large number of Muslim groups that objected to the presence of Salman Rushide in the first place.

One of my greatest fear is that the Indian society is growing more intolerant and even as open minded as it seems, that much underlining intolerance is present. 

Where is it Going at Delhi??

Heck... Personally I have no idea how to react to the way the state Parliament is in. The fact of the matter all the political parties are doing it.

The BJP seems be doing it just to show that it is with the people. 

The SP and RJD are scared that if an effective Lokpal Bill is enacted then people like Lalu Prasad Yadav would actually be behind bars. 

The TMC which is always positioning itself as the people's hero is afraid that the Lokayutta will be an instrument of the Center to control West Bengal State. 

The Left has just been crying out that that it wants corporate sector to come under the Lokpal ambit, just to say that we are marxist and we are against corporatism.

Every party different demands. Its not getting anyway.

What a waste. 

Perhaps there is a need for Indian Democracy to evolve to today's need. There is a need for the legislative and executive powers to be separated. In such a way which ever government is running should have more flexible is running laws and policies. A fractures multi-party system at the legislative level seems to be hindering a lot of the exective powers and working of the government. 

"That's Occupy Wall Street and Capitalism is going to Bow to It"

They are angry, young, unemployed and yeah they are not happy.
Though such a protest originated in Spain, it began to be called as Occupy Wall Street when the media took notice of similar protest in New York, Wall Street and hence the name. And now we have across the globe similar movements. This movement is demanding for large corporations not be greedy and corrupt. The protest brings social and economic inequality, unemployment to the forefront in this post rescission world. The protest has even got an anti-capitalist   tone about it which has been embraced by the movement.
This movement... this movement is just amazing to see. In today's world use of the internet it is amazing to see people all with one single attitude gathering across vast space of land and sea in a common cause and common goal just because of their extremely similar experiences.
However whether such a movement is going to be successful, of that I am doubtful.
The movement is frankly almost look like a mob, a mob which is likely angry. They walk... not walk, they walk and crowd the financial districts of the cities and countries. They hold banner, scream slogan. Do a lot of social media stuff. All this is very effective. It has caught the eye of the globe. It is effectively spreading information on the movement, their demands, what they want to be changed. People are aware of Occupy Wall Street. Some politicians have even given comments and some foreign countries have even commented on this.
BUT... is this going to change anything. From what I know of movements, revolutions I am skeptical. This movement has no leader for the governments and corporate organizations to look to. There is no person or group of persons who the government or corporate organizations can talk, communicate or discuss with. The demands are there, but they are not targeting any corporate and it is within the clubbing of all the corporates together that many of the corporate organizations feel save. And lastly there is still a view that this movement is just a large number of people on the street as a effect of recession and this is just an angry mob on the street which will disperse once the economy picks up.

Ruben & Keenan... Another Lost Movement?

Like so many movements, the murder of Ruben & Keenan has sparked of anger among citizens of India and Mumbai. This anger has been channeled by the family, the media and whole host of netizens into a movement of anti-teasing. The movement began on social network sites and now has spread across to signature campaigns and cries for strong laws against eve-teasing. The media has played a strong role in this on-going event, by first expressing shock over the incident and now seemingly putting its support behind this movement.
However I would like to point out a few things.
The people who are signing anti-eve teasing petitions and joining this movement whether on the web or in life... are people who are educated Indians who are similarly shocked and more importantly are people who in no way conduct eve teasing themselves. By all means let this movement demand strong laws against eve teasing.
Still in all this shock, anger, media glare the public... the netizens, the outspoken voices of this movement in the media have failed to dwell into the deeper issue of eve teasing.
I am not claiming to be an expert on such a topic... however it is of my strong opinion that the problem of eve-teasing lies in Indian tradition... and to be more specific I am talking about repressed sexual freedoms. Sex has a topic is not open India. Many individual not only in rural areas but in urban areas are closed minded on the topic of sex. To dwell deeper when I write sex I want to signify not only the topic, but the clothes one is allowed to wear, the media one is exposed to and the taboo put on certain sexualised objects. People are bought up from childhood with such connotation.
And then to be exposed in this world, to be more precise an urban setting... where things are open. Couples now kiss in the open, girls who have the freedom to wish what they want to wear, media that is no more careful about just a kissing scene. To be bought up in a manner which is contrary to what is taught within the confines of a family and what is shown by society will come as a shock to such individuals.
And this shock will cause a social failure among such individuals as how to act in this open minded society.   

Anna Hazare Face of India

I Think Not.

“Anna Anna Anna”, that’s all you me, I and everybody else has been hearing in the last man. What a waste?

He stands behind Gandhi’s statues and symbols. He claims that it is the second freedom struggle. The media overplays the role of the public claiming everyone is with and supporting Anna.

For one I am not everyone, and hence ‘everyone supporting Anna’ is just a load of crap, from the media of course.

Second Anna should become a person to be studied in marketing and adverting schools, spin doctor/ activist Arjun Kerjewal has done a brilliant job.

Third Anna is not even close to Ghandi. Only a significant number of India’s population has emerged in support and protest for Anna, but the real bulk lie dominate, the target audience that real made the Independence movement a real chance of success; the rural populace.

Fourth, this movement is not secular. Throughout Ganpati newspapers were filled with pictures of the Anna Camp that performed puja at Ganpati Mandals. Sure, you may say its their religion and all, then a question arise what other members are there. Still don’t believe, Anna complimented Narandra Modi for the management of Gujarat. Yeah right, Modi managed the State sponsored riots very well.

Do not trust him. Question this patriotism that he is spreading around.

Buck Stops Here?

The 33^rd President of America was Harry Truman and in his presidential office in his table he has a sign which was written, “The Buck Stops Here”- taking responsibility for his country.

A month ago, A. Raja former telecom minister and main accused in the 2G Scam, named and incriminated the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

A question has arisen whether the Prime Minister should be implicated and held accountable for the Scam as he is the head of the cabinet.

The action and conduct of the Cabinet members is held accountable by the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet is held accountable by the Parliament. The responsibilities of every Cabinet portfolio is looked over by the Parliament. Considering the actions of the A. Raja as a Telecom Minister was not questioned or found suspicious of the PM is question is being asked by many. In reply to this the Prime Minister and his office (PMO) has denied knowing of the A. Raja’s action and that he had also managed to deceive them.

Whatever it may be, the Prime Minister is responsible for every Cabinet member’s action and has the power to review their actions. The questions to be asked is whether he should be not be charged for accountability of his Cabinet. Whether he should be forgiven for his ignorance?

In my personal opinion whatever it may be the Prime Minister should not be implicated, because simply before anyone can realize he will become a scapegoat for Indian society and every form of corruption will be blamed on him.

India?

What is India? A country, which is truly a country that has unity within diversity?

The people of South India, believe that they are related to the people of Central India. The people of North-East India believe that the people of North India are their brothers. A country where all the States celebrate Independence Day together. A country where across the State, the national flag is raised up on Independence Day and all the national heroes that are learnt in the school books are remembered. A country where all the people unite to see the Indian cricket team win.

Is this India?

The South Indian States one will find that when you try to communicate to them in Hindi or English they refuse to help and do not reply inspite of maybe... knowing either of the languages. Kashmir is a State where over half the Indian army is present there with arbitrary rights and they are there to protect the rights of the citizens of India. A country where minority communities are killed by State sponsored violence.

Could this also be India?

A greater thinker once said that countries are imaginary.

Perhaps imaginary lines that are needed. Where a number of the people just imagine, they just believe they are truly all related, they are all brothers and sisters, while some do not feel the spirit.

Could this also be what India is?

Is India just imagined?

What, if States had a chance to separate today? What would happen?

There is a possibility of Kashmir and the States of North-East grasping their freedom. But there is also the real threat of Pakistan, occupying Kashmir and the real threat of China occupying the States of North-East. It is a real threat, because that is what is happening in this present world, they are slowly encouraging and encroached upon these States.

In my personal opinion, India is imagined, but very, very much necessary inspite of its flaws.