All in the name of the Almighty!

I did not for once wince, nor complain,
For, I was born in a feudal society,
Where I was not to go to the school,
I was a girl and below par, so I was told,
All in the name of the almighty;

I did not for once wince, nor complain,
For being denied my rightful childhood,
My right to wander and play like boys,
I was a girl and below par, so I was told,
All in the name of the almighty;

I did not for once wince, nor complain,
For being denied the colours of the flowers,
And being decked in the woeful black,
I was a girl and below par, so I was told,
All in the name of the almighty;

I did not for once wince, nor complain,
When I was taught in the farthest rooms,
That I am a slave of the man I would wed,
And bear his children like many other machines,
All in the name of the almighty;

You have now laid and tied me flat,
Demonic ladies massing over me,
To maim my genitals and deny my delight,
It was the norm for girls like me, ever below par ,
All in the name of the almighty;

I stir and struggle, scrambling free,
Tearing the age-old rusted chain,
I am a girl and am at par, so I say,
I run to the west in search of thee,
To wince and complain of my pain!

Bloody world

I was born to lead by the front,
I was born to carry the cocked gun,
I was born to fight the holy war,
I was chosen as the rising star,
So did the holy men say;

What if I kill a few innocent kids,
Or, what if I bury a few obstinate alive,
And what if I rape a few hapless girls,
All is forgiven in the name of God,
So did the holy men say;

To plant the car bombs in the square,
To burn the places of worship and peace,
To keep a cold face amidst burning corpses,
All acts are to please my God,
So do the holy men say;

It’s wailing entry into this bloody world,
My new born obliterates the chasing gloom,
The innocence wins me over my mold,
Picking the buds with a hope of bloom,
Throwing the gun, I forever shun the holy men.

Will you stand up too?

Morals in Indian politics, which in the early days, have witnessed greats like Lal Bahadur Shastri, who lived in rented house even as he served as a Union Minister and who promptly resigned assuming moral responsibility for a train accident.

India has fallen a great deal and is now regarded as one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Most Indians wishing to overcome the bureaucratic delays and the cumbersome laws, offer speed money for a gas cylinder to a rail ticket. Though the liberalization and de-licensing has begun fifteen years ago, the wily politicians and the officers have mastered the art of milking the industry from a coal bed allotment to allotment of bandwidth for telecom. Gandhian principles have been cremated with Gandhi and there is a blind hurry to loot as if there is no tomorrow, to a stage that, neither the public nor the vociferous media are interested in the story, if the size of the loot is not large enough for a repeat look or telecast.

There may not be a single party aboveboard, resulting in most parties staunchly opposing inclusion under RTI Act. Political parties want Supreme Court to review and recall their order proscribing criminally tainted leaders from either fighting elections or holding any office.

The country despite having a reserve of nearly $ 300 Bn. Is close to bankruptcy (on which I shall write shortly) and is on to announce grandiose schemes involving lakhs of crores, increasing the deficit and weakening the rupee like never before.

A brave IAS officer Durga Nagpal acted decisively against a sand mafia, to be suspended in 41 minutes flat, the feat being boasted by a SP minister claiming that this was ‘Democracy.’ Every self-respecting Indian should hang his head in shame. The Central Government depending on the support of the SP more than ever, particularly in the wake of resignations by several Andhra MPs, has not batted an eyelid, when a phenomenal show of strength between the Legislature and Executive is being fought on the streets.

As concerned citizens of this country we are appalled at the most corrupt central government seemingly oblivious of every abrasion of our constitution and democratic values. The hunger for materialistic gains has overridden moral values and the chase is on to acquire wealth at any cost.

As a first step as responsible citizens, could we demand inclusion of all political parties under the purview of RTI Act?

 

Why increase in rape incidents?

Male dominance over females has been from time immemorial, when females used to tend homes and males used to be bread winners and thus the society evolving as a patriarchal one. Female foeticides and infanticides have been common and strong legislation had to be enacted to stop the sins. The choice for a birth of boy still prevails in Indian homes, be it rural or urban.

Times have changed in the recent past and women have attained a visible growth and position in the society, though largely confined to urban and semi-urban areas. Though the highest office of the nation was until recent held by a lady, and there are three lady chief ministers in the country presently, increase instances of rapes are witnessed daily.

Nirbhaya’s case and the resultant public anger shook the Indian government, which enacted stringent laws against rapists. What was ending as rapes are now ending to more gruesome rapes and murders, so as not to leave any evidence.

Rapes cases were not heard as frequently in Bengal or Kolkata as frequently as it used to be from Bihar or UP, which used to witness notorious caste related gang rapes. Phoolan Devi turning into a dreaded bandit queen to avenge her gang rape is an example. Kolkata never witnessed such cases, which was considered a safer city as compared to several other metropolises in the country with Delhi leading the ignominy.

The revealing western outfits worn by the modern women are attributed as one of the reasons for increased incidence of rapes. However, comfort wear has come to stay and women cannot be forced to cocoon themselves in yards of saris.

The migrant labour, living in dorms and messes, devoid of any recreation was earlier perceived to be a threat. The apprehended culprits profile does not confirm this theory as far as Bengal cases are concerned. With the government keeping away from land acquisitions, a new band of acquirers have emerged, who are touts and wield considerable muscle power and influence in their respective localities. Sudden inflow of big sums have created a neo-rich, politically powerful young land mafia in every locality, who arrogantly tend to acquire anything with their money power. The new threats from these youngsters flaunting political affiliation from powerful politicians are the worst kind. Political bosses use them for wrong reasons and it is a quid pro quo that they are provided the necessary cloak of political security. Even if they are apprehended due to public outcry or pressure, liberal sections are slapped by the police, rendering the offenders obtain bail easily and thus getting back into business. The police have largely become helpless pawns in the hands of politicians setting a dangerous trend. Lack of severity of punishment, timely justice, lackadaisical attitude of the police and crooked stand of the political party is encouraging fence sitting offenders, who earlier limited their chivalry to eve-teasing, to now molest and rape hapless girls and women.

Lastly, there is an animal in most men. Some can rein it themselves, and for some others the society has to rein them in. If the government does not decisively act with force, the vulnerability of women would increase posing challenges to a civilized society like never before.

What ails Bengal Politics?

As one who had hobnobbed with several ministers, political leaders and senior bureaucrats during my career, I can see the difference between the quality of leadership between Bengal leaders and those from other states.

Most of the leaders live in their own small cocooned worlds, daring and roaring inside their shells and are neither articulate nor focused to have any visible impact on the National scenario.

I take on the Trinamul leader Mamata di, how she trusted and embraced wily leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav during the Presidential election. She was isolated and was an object of ridicule in and outside the state.

She committed the same mistake, this time walking with Anna. For the present Anna is a spent force! All famous faces are leaving to join BJP; Gen (Retd.) VK Singh, Kiran Bedi (in the queue) etc. He is isolated and cannot resist to be alone during the most critical political battle in the country. He cannot openly support BJP or Modi, though he has not uttered anything against both so far. He cannot go to Congress, against whom he was fighting all along. He has no support from any other major political party. Justifiably he was looking for a shoulder, which Mamata di lent. How royally he ditched her! The Ramlila maidan with a capacity of 12000 had a mere 2000, who could have been a few dozen bonafide listeners and the rest could have been the contractors’ men who had supplied chairs and the sound system. What a shame!

Trinamul IS a regional party. Didi should keep the whispering astrologers that she could become a PM, away from her and concentrate on the State, which has stood by her in the assembly elections and then at the Panchayat Polls.

100 number candidates spread across the country is a harakiri and would further erode her and her party’s national image.

Her sudden found love for Jayalalitha is another example of Mamata’s political naivety. Has Jayalalitha uttered any word in public supporting Mamata? No, because Jayalalitha is far more matured, clever and crafty. The simplicity and trust of our leader should not result in the rout of her party’s image and result in another change, nullifying her hard fought victory over 34 years of left misrule.

Unify

Unify, not alienate!

Shahi Imam extending support to Congress party, pursuant to Sonia Gandhi’s visit has thrown open new dimensions in the voting pattern and the control of clergy over the process.

Firstly, it seems the secular credentials are reserved for non-Hindus, as a similar visit by any opposition leader to Hindu religious leaders would have invited scathing criticism from the so called secular elements.

Shahi Imam, by deviating from the role of a religious head to give political advisory to Muslims, has further strengthened the belief that despite six decades of our independence, a large section of the minority lives in isolation, failing to merge with the mainstream India and wish to retain their identity primarily on religious lines!

The relations between the two communities have never been so suspect prior to the independence, when the war to oust the British was fought shoulder to shoulder by both the Hindus and the Muslims. It was the wily English who sowed the poison of religion and divided the country on the lines of same. The war with Pakistan and the part occupation of Kashmir by Pak army, leading to exodus of the Kashmiri Pundits, further fueled bitterness among the two communities. Ever since the two communities have been living in mutual distrust and disharmony.

Babri Masjid and the events that followed in Gujarat have left an indelible scar on the relationship between the two communities. The Bombay misadventure, the Parliament attack and the regular intrusions by Pak elements, aided and abetted by fundamentalists living in India have only catalyzed the cause of further alienation of the community.

Christians have been increasing their numbers, by large scale conversion in the southern states and are backed by the Catholic Church rich with funds. However this largely gets any notice, compared to Muslim overtures of any kind to woo the Hindus drawing loud protests.

What if, the Imam’s plea is endorsed by the Muslims and in retribution the Hindus tend to polarize and support any rightwing party? India would further be weakened economically and would become a hotbed of internal strife.

Parties need to win elections, but at what cost? An average Indian is struggling to make both ends meet. Corruption, scams and inflation are having its impact on the growth of our nation. Can we not have an Indian Manifesto and shun religion and religious leaders in this greatest exercise of democracy?

TOI Heroes

The tanneries of Kolkata worked without any pollution control in Tangra, Topsia and Tiljala. Supreme Court ordered the industry to shut down. The State Government had to be sensitized, The Supreme Court had to be convinced, above all the industry had to be motivated to move. Against several attacks, threat and attempts on his life, Kumar handled the largest relocation project of any industry in Asia successfully to Karaidanga, as per the orders of the court, freeing the city of the pollution. Mr. Kumar was the National Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports during the tumultuous time. He was recognised by Italian Government with a knighthood in 2006. The Calcutta Leather Complex proudly stands today with pollution control plants in place. He heads the Board of Governors of the Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology, Kolkata. Kumar also is an ace photographer, poet, writer and a social worker.

The Goan Circus

The country is witnessing a sordid drama for the last few days, which began with the BJP meet at Goa. The eulogizing of Modi by several leaders honed the tone for an urgent anointment of Narendra Modi as the top leader of the party. The delay in the announcement resulted in a so called ‘Narendra Modi army’ protesting in front of the house of party’s senior leader LK Advani. Such protests, while are only too common amongst the different factions of the ruling congress party, it was unheard of in a regimented party like BJP. Rajnath Singh lost no time in announcing Modi as the top leader to lead the 2014 polls. Things seemed to be normal with a sulking Advani and few of his supporters staying away.

The drama reached its next scene with Advanii quitting from posts that he held in BJP, thus revealing that neither he, nor his party was as disciplined as once thought to be, and were susceptible to emotions like disappointment and anger, not usual in leaders of his stature.

Advani ji cannot disown his age to lead from the front any longer, for a country of youth. He should have taken the changes in the party he founded by his stride and should have given his blessings, and continue to offer advice to the younger leaders. The nation feels betrayed, because, a strong opposition is also a pillar of governance and the infighting has belied the hope of millions of citizens, who are merely watchers and do not support either the Congress of BJP party. Even if the BJP leaders smilingly appear for a photo shoot in the coming days, the deep scar from within would not remain invisible to any discerning citizen.

Rajnath Singh too, in his capacity as the leader, has failed as he did not read the pulse of several leaders of his party and was too speedy in his announcement of Modi’s name to the top slot. The NDA Allies, who were sitting on the fence until now (save Nitish Kumar) have also come out openly siding with Advani ji, complicating the matter further, perhaps eyeing for a greater pie in the NDA government, if it is able to muster a majority at all.

Modi, today, is one of the most important and proven leaders of the party, but carries a stigma of his role in the Gujarat riots, which India may find difficult to forget. Congress party, neck deep in a variety of scams and the likes of Digvijaya Singh should be having a hearty laugh at the discomfiture of the largest alternative to the present government.

Let us wait and see if Advani relents, or Modi’s chariot bulldozes its way in carrying the party ahead dusting off the present imbroglio.

Tehelka

India shamed, yet again!

I could not stop commenting on two recent episodes that hog the headlines today:

Firstly, the episode of Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka and his molestation of his daughter’s friend, colleague and journalist on 7^th November at the Tehelka Think Festival at Goa.

Tehelka itself was shot into fame with its expose and sting operation singeing BJP’s then top leader Bangaru Laxman (who had to resign), Barak Missile episode, match fixing stories, Naroda Patiya case, revelations on Dayanidhi Maran, leakage of defence files and many more. Tehelka kept us on the edge of the seats and grew to be a metaphor against corruption.

Tarun, after quitting his job as the editor of Outlook, started Tehelka in 2000, to start as an online news and later grew into a full-fledged magazine. Tarun was considered an outstanding and an upright journo, unafraid of any eventualities from the increasing number of enemies, whom would have loved to scald him.

That the news of the molestation has broken out and made breaking news and headlines in the newspapers is not strange. The way in which the editor E mailed the incidence, which falls under attempt to rape, under the present amended criminal acts, smacks of another royal poke, empowering himself to introspect (only on the victim’s going public of the story), adjudicate and abdicate his throne for a brief while as an atonement. Come on, “Tarun, you know the laws of the land. There is no scope to escape arrest and stand trial as per the present laws.”

Secondly, the sting operations and Anna’s allegations on corruption at AAP party. Arvind Kejriwal, broke out from Anna, who seemingly had softened his stand on the Government, gloating over his success in making the Lok Pal bill taken for discussion in the parliament. The wily and crafty parliamentarians laughed their way back home and his movement was dumped, belying the confidence of the youth and the public dreaming for a corruption free India.

Arvind started with a Aam Admi Party, with a broom as his party symbol and chasing every conceivable mis-governance without coming strongly on his own stand. How after his own presumed winning of the Delhi elections, he will grant statehood to Delhi is anyone’s guess, that is, if he wins at all. He also has been instrumental in plotting to bury a nationwide movement against corruption by Anna Hazare, by breaking away and taking a political route, forgetting Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement against the British and Jaya Prakash Narayan’s Sampoorna Kranti movement.

The sting operations conducted by crafty journalists, bent upon bringing a fact to the world that the important people around the seemingly savior of mankind, could be normal mortals, professing usual traits, when it comes to facing allurement with cash offers. My personal feeling is, AAP has distanced itself further from the Delhi Assembly’s winning post.

I wrote on the two episodes, one on a person, who rose to the stature of messiah, exposing corruption at high places and another, a party with a leader, who until the other day was considered standing atop an invincible fortress of integrity.

We are shamed!

Secularism

Secularism

-noun

Meaning

1. Secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship.

2. The view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.

Questions:

• How secular India really is?
• Can religious spirit be ripped away from an individual, simply because one is a politician?
• It is possible to be a member of a majority religious faith, while carrying the minorities well too?
• Is it necessary for political leaders of Hindu faith to sport dresses like skull caps, or hijabs to exhibit their concern for minorities?
• Is political leaders posing as if in prayer in the tradition of religious minorities not communal?
• Is calling oneself Hindu a matter of expression of communalism?

Never before, in Independent India, secularism has been selectively chosen to attack common belief in God and in age-old religious traditions. I am largely a tolerant liberal, and not personally greatly religious, but do not question the existence of God, many Hindu Gods at that, as well the wisdom of our great ancestors, which have been inculcated from an orthodox parents and family elders.

I have exchanged visits to homes of every religious minorities in Kolkata, where I live, as well as wherever I travel around the globe. In my lifetime, I must have visited countless Mosques, Churches, Synagogues, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh and Taoist religious shrines, apart from Hindu temples and I do not feel the difference, when it comes to Godliness, reverence and the aura surrounding all these places.

The rhetoric of being communal, reserved for Hindus alone, is however not digestible by me, and could be, by many like me.

In the process of electioneering, raising the already ugly pitch of communalism, the fragile poor communities are fragmented and the divide would be deeper in the future, requiring great statesmanship of politicians to usher a new beginning and foster understanding and trust between communities.

I do not know much about Jews, but know that they also are a minority in India. Will any political leader dare to pose for photographs with a Jewish ‘Kippah?’

Dear politicians, do pose with skull caps, Hijabs, niqabs or whatever else, if that is the only way to show solidarity with the minorities. Do not call one with a mark on the forehead, communal. This could be the first step in rebuilding the burnt bridges!