If fair is fair, is being dark unfair?

A national debate is raging over a comedy show, Roast, apparently making comments on actor Tannishtha’s skin colour, resulting in the actor’s walking out brusquely midway from a show.

To me, while world over the dark-skinned are discriminated against, it is even more blatant in countries like India, where the citizens’ skin colour hang between mostly brown to dark. In most cases the affluent families opt for fairer women as their daughter-in-laws, while willing to go an extra mile to give away their own daughters in marriage with more cash or kind, in compensation.

We see in alarming regularity, white cops in the US shooting to kill unarmed African Americans causing severe prejudices and deep divisions within the American society, ironically, which is led by President Barak Obama, himself having African roots.

The world had viewed Africa and their dark skinned people as sub-optimal human species, and the master-slave mentality, which ruled for centuries still apparently lingers. A world, which claimed to be inclusive and tolerant, and which seemed matured, looked away at the many decades of apartheid in South Africa afraid to lose their control over the steady supplies of gold and diamonds from the country.

The MNCs sell dreams of bestowing fairness like film stars and dish out fairness creams by tons, many containing harmful steroids and Nano titanium dioxide that settles inside the pores of the skins. This give a false sense of fairness to cause serious health issues later. My take is not on the fairness creams, or the wily corporates that exploit and cash on the craze of becoming fair. My take is on the idiocy and the prejudice that we have for the dark skinned. Secretly, we shun them, we discriminate against them, we despise them, we taunt them, and we avoid them whenever we have a scope and an option. It is only the women who are largely the victims of such discrimination. Outwardly we pretend to be equal, inclusive and non-racial.

The comedy show Roast is merely a reflection of our nation’s bigoted notion of fairness being superior. This has to change by according the right opportunities to the dark skinned in every sphere of our life.

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix

The enemies within!

India has witnessed many adversities, both from outside and internally, ever since it became independent. There have been water wars, battles for reservation as backward classes, on job reservation…

Source: The enemies within!

The enemies within!

India has witnessed many adversities, both from outside and internally, ever since it became independent. There have been water wars, battles for reservation as backward classes, on job reservations, on pension and perks, creation of new states, for or against imposition of Hindi language, on fear of abrogation of personal laws, on food choices, political fights, communal clashes etc. which could happen only in a democracy, immature though it often is.

Our neighbours, in addition, are promoting terrorists in attacking our symbols of governance and democracy in alarming regularity. The country faces a grim situation in Kashmir and I cannot for once disagree the slipshod handling of J&K all throughout the last 65 years. We have failed in homogenizing the local populace with the mainstream Indian citizens; article 370 coming in the way.

Be that as it may, my objective is about the rise of a pseudo-secular group of so-called intellectuals, journalists and TV anchors who only carry their diatribe against the government. The opposition parties no longer carry the onerous burden of patriotism and national fervor. Their objective is merely to zero in on the errors of the government and to entrap it. What is forgotten is that the inherited legacy of 65 years is now handed over. There is a clamor for war! There cannot be a magical solution through war alone. The repercussions could be as damaging to our economy as well, which is struggling to standout against the overall economic depression around the world.

These pseudo secular, opinionated writers, journalists never fail to jump at the first given opportunity to criticize anything that happens, good or bad. Through their myopic vision and forked tongues they have unleashed invectives that would make any self-respecting Indian ashamed. The time is not akin to Dalits being beaten up, or Muslims being punished for consuming beef or raped girls committing suicide. Damn it! It is a more than proxy war by a recalcitrant neighbour, propped up by their Godfather China, who has all the grouse on our growth.

I was angry, when a minister of NDA used the term ‘Presstitutes,’ a couple of months ago, in reference to a few bigoted media persons. If the term had any remote analogy to prostitutes, I can dare say the minister had grossly erred; prostitutes have morals; presstitutes do not have one! News making has become lucrative. Foreign powers are interested in propagating the lines of their choice, a few opposing political parties too fund their lines of thoughts, our enemies have their say which a few media persons gobble up and spread.

All these fattens the purses of a few crooked newscasters, anchors, editors, journalists, writers and now also a few who are active in forming opinions in social networking sites. They merely have to keep embarrassing the government, criticizing, if any decisive action is taken or otherwise. For them it is an easy path to glory by throwing a shoe at a leader on the podium, propelling them to otherwise unattainable prominence at the gaping nation.

We may have many ills, Hindutva, Ganga ma, cow urine, beef, pork, Patidars, Jats, JNU and many such. A grim scenario of terrorists killing our jawans, sneaking into our land is in no way anything similar to above. We have to stand stoically behind the government and help it tide over a crisis by taking corrective steps. Give some positive suggestions if you do have!

Citizens of no other country in the world would have been divided in their stand, while dealing with a pariah state like we do. With these enemies within, we may not need one outside at all!

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix

Quagmire – war!

There have been repeated attempts to subvert democracy of our nation by Pakistan and China. India was poor and famished and we looked up at the US to help alleviate our hunger. The US helped then i…

Source: Quagmire – war!

Quagmire – war!

There have been repeated attempts to subvert democracy of our nation by Pakistan and China. India was poor and famished and we looked up at the US to help alleviate our hunger. The US helped then i…

Source: Quagmire – war!

Quagmire – war!

There have been repeated attempts to subvert democracy of our nation by Pakistan and China. India was poor and famished and we looked up at the US to help alleviate our hunger. The US helped then in the 60s but through the World Bank, which it dominated, we were made to yield several of our resources, including precious water of Indus River. We signed on the dotted lines in 1960 keeping 20% of the river waters and giving away 80% to Pakistan. We received PL 480 food assistance from the US then.

China was quietly preparing on their western front and was checking India’s might and response by sporadic infiltrations of their forces. The war of 62 that China won, and resulting in their occupation of the Aksai chin, broke the morale of India, which is struggling with want of a decisive policy on China.

We leaned towards the Soviets, while claiming to be ‘Non-aligned,’ pushing the Western powers away from us. Pakistan exploited the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the resultant war, supporting the US and becoming their cohort. Having been defeated and losing a prime segment of their country, East Pakistan, hurting India has been an important agenda for all those who mattered in Pakistan.

China had quietly moved up in the world economy and had become a potent force in the intervening years, boasting of a huge nuclear arsenal, member in the UNSC and a manufacturing hub for the US. They did not blink an eye, while occupying Tibet or taking away a portion of Karakoram Range from Pakistan, which belonged to India and intruding and claiming Arunachal as their territory! Our managers have flag meetings every time and sunk in their stupor of misperception, that cultural exchange and trade could ease the situation.

China owns Pakistan. They have invested nearly USD 50 Bn. The economic corridor is going to be a lifeline for China, both economically and militarily. Keeping India under pressure is the Chinese appeasement to their trusted Pakistani friends as a quid-pro-quo.

Uri was bold; the attack was on the Indian army base camp, with same ramifications like the attack on our Parliament and Pathankot. India is unable to retaliate, not because of Pakistan, but because of the ground realities that it is facing. On one end, its trusted ally, Putin of Russia is himself surrounded by the Nato warheads, China has comforted Pakistan on any aggression on their lands by India, the OIC has given their support to Pakistan, Iran wishes to co-operate with Pakistan and China in extending the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, extending it up to Chabbar port, being developed by India!

As far as Indus water is concerned, the river originates from Chinese held territory, belonging to India. The raging flow of the river, if tamed could result in the deluge of J & K. Notwithstanding this the treaty heavily disfavoring India should be revisited and reworked.

Though a war is never a lasting solution, as it will hurt the economy for a long run for any country, we have limited options. India unfortunately does not have several friends, save perhaps Japan at this moment to support us. Europe, the US and Britain would all be spectators to rush in for the rebuilding of the destroyed economy of our nation, thereby propping up their own interests.

Neither is tolerance to the present laughable levels is good, when terrorists walk in as they feel and cause mayhem each time. If we have the generals, a committed army and citizens, this could be the right time to enforce our stand, tough though it could be! I only wish and pray that our own countrymen rally behind the government, unlike the main opposition party, which is craftily indulging in raising a bogey of fear against China, and against revisiting the water treaty. What a shame!

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix

Mind and social networking!

Social networking has come to stay, at least for the present, amidst us. We witness, participate and contribute to various information, exchange and share cultural preferences and performances and …

Source: Mind and social networking!

Mind and social networking!

Social networking has come to stay, at least for the present, amidst us. We witness, participate and contribute to various information, exchange and share cultural preferences and performances and of course unwittingly reveal our true and hidden character to the world. I carry my smart phone and use it the best, as often, posting my original thoughts, poems and photos. I also forward jokes; I am good at enjoying, but not remembering them. I enjoy studying characters every moment and Facebook media is no exempt.

Celebrities are possessive about their wall and confine to their own posts, rarely ever commenting on anyone else’s postings. There are several celebrity friends of mine, very few who standout to be different. The least aberration and you can get blocked. More than blocking, the threat of blocking gives many a sense of glee and satisfaction. Tagging without permission, mentioning their names with a hash tag prefix could end your connection. They may be watching you, or your posts, but could be shy of commenting, even if the posts fall within their area of main interest like politics, arts or literature.

The literary heavies would post and further respond to the comments on their posts as well. Their walls are like post boxes. You can drop, but cannot retrieve anything ordinarily. They would love to tear you publicly for even some simple grammatical errors. One can wonder of the fate of dissenters then! I often wonder, what would have happened to the ego of the above two kinds egos, had they not found a platform like Facebook to mingle with commoners?

There are a few who would post only humor and of particular kind. It could be Aunty acid, cartoons or Simpsons. Their choice of humor could reveal a bit of their traits, either militant or simplistic, plain fun loving or sad from the heart.

There are a few ‘know-all’ kinds, posting everything; on economy, war, culture, religion, ancient history, environment or apocalypse. These kinds of people work hard, do research and keep inundating with their posts. I feel their knowledge has not been properly recognized and therefore they could be secretly suffering in seeking a large number of people approving their posts.

The chain-letter types are lesser seen these days, pushing for typing Amen and a chosen number to get all the wealth, or to enjoy all prosperity, with a shortcut to heaven or Sai baba’s feet. The difficult are the ones who believe that medical science is all humbug. They will suggest from guavas to avocados for all ailments, from cold to cancer. Some have not even spared the fiber from the banana skins inner side!

The political ones are queer. They are divided into two groups, Modi opponents and Modi supporters. Everything the one group views as communal, the other retorts as nationalism. Patriotism often transforms to duel between communities. The other group is pro or anti US. The anti US is also anti Pepsi, anti Coke, anti Monsanto, anti McDonald etc. They can bombard you with excellent mined data to support, rendering you sleepless as whatever could happen to the world without all these.

There are a few secretive types, stalkers, keeping a low profile. A few likes and small comments to begin with and then they start seeking personal details to disturb. I had a funny experience, which I shared with the friend who introduced me and who was aghast and quickly followed me in blocking the culprit.

The press of ‘likes,’ for a few is like rejuvenating tonic, anti-depressant and confidence booster, though such people suffer from any minimal slight too. For the happy ones, it is an excellent medium to interact, learn, debate and enrich their knowledge. Keen observance of one’s posts and their likes and dislikes would reveal if they are egoists, feminists, or suffering from any deficient social standing. Enjoy social networking by being responsible.

Oh, and there are poets!

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide voix

The International day of peace!

i know not what peace could be ever in future my man in the olives, bereted with medals adorning his brave heaving chest lies still inside the coffin wrapped with honours in eternal peace the day h…

Source: The International day of peace!

The International day of peace!

i know not what peace could be
ever in future
my man in the olives, bereted
with medals adorning
his brave heaving chest
lies still inside the coffin
wrapped with honours
in eternal peace

the day he went away
kissing my daughter and waving at me
to guard the troubled frontiers
he promised to be back home soon
alive, if not, riddled with bullets
only in his chest and dead
but never would show his back and run
in fear of the enemy ever

the bombs hurled at the barracks
on the peacefully resting men
have burst as the world celebrates peace
the shrapnel has torn many hopes to pieces
many dreams are shorn to pieces
it may be the international day of peace
but my peace lies shattered
as my man lies in pieces

Sampath Kumar