VIBGYOR

I am a secular child! I'm a rainbow with hints of green and saffron. (Didn't like to use the cliché of green and saffron). I'm influenced with philosophies of compassion, equality and sensitivity. My mother is a Hindu and my father is a Muslim. Life for me has been a continuous celebration. Starting with the new year, all the festivals wait in a row. Vibrant Holi, Crowded Ganpati, Eid, Bakri Eid and the Colourful Diwali. Celebration in my life signifies a mouthwatering feast. I enjoy Biryani as well as Puran poli, Laadu, Sheerkhurma and they all come from the same kitchen. 

I have an enriched language. A first-hand acquaintance of Marathi and Konkani. I use words like Dastarkhawn, Bismillah. The voices of secularism entered my life at a very young age. Even before I could lay my hands on the books with pop up pictures, I was introduced to the Quran, and then my bedtime stories would be the ones from the Ramayan and the Mahabharata. 

I feel my spiritual sensibilities are heightened by all this exposure. To see my Daadi engrossed in her Namaaz and my Aai (Naani) reciting the morning pooja was a normal sight. Not surprisingly, the Ganpati aarti has the ability to bring goosebumps and the Na'ats and the Qawali makes me lose myself in the trance of reverence. I'm privileged to bow down in a temple and also do sajdaa in a Masjid. And sometimes when I visit a Church or a Gurudwara, it atsounds me how all houses of Gods have the same sensation of oneness, tranquillity and acceptance, and how I am able to feel this. I am a secular child!  

I believe in Karma, the concept of an afterlife and also in the day of Qayamat. I believe in the omnipresence of the almighty, the one who is Nirankaar (without any shape). I can recite the Gayatri Mantra and also Ayat-al-Qursi. I'm a. Child who totally understands divinity in diversity. You cannot label me, you cannot categorise me, I'm secular, I'm spiritual, the chosen one. :p

I'm able to greet with a Namaskaar and with an Assalamualaikum with the knowledge that the meaning of the two is one- peace and truth. 

People might think I'm lost, they might assume I'm confused and when they raise their eyebrows in judgement, astonishment and sometimes resentment, I smile because I know I am a blessed soul. I smile because I couldn't be more aware of the words 'religion' and 'secularity' if I hadn't been born in the image of my parents who come from slightly different cultures (Purposely used the words 'slightly'; because both the religious cultures are quite same and equally good and equally pathetic) but who truly share the same heart! 

The United States Of Double Standards

It's been more than a week now after the horrific Paris attacks. It was Diwali morning when in India, we all woke up to a threatening news. "France Under Attack" and some other headlines flooded the news channels. Everyone knew who was behind it.  
 Every time Islamic extremists carry out an attack, the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims are expected to collectively apologise; it has become a cold cliché at this point.
Who benefits from such clampdown on Muslims and refugees?
Two primary groups: One, Islamic extremist groups themselves, who use the clampdown as 'evidence' that there is supposedly no room for Muslims in the secular West that has declared war on Islam; and two, Europe’s growing far-right, who will use the attacks as 'evidence' that there is supposedly no room for Muslims in the secular West that should declare war on Islam. 
The after effects are then seen in the Asian countries and yeah, of course the US. 

Well, let's just give some justice to the title of the very article. THE UNITED STATES OF DOUBLE STANDARDS, indeed. The US has always been in front and has been aggressor of talks and actions against terrorism.(As known by the common people all over the world) Though the statement is nowhere to be true, the complete opposite of it is definitely a scary one. It is like a policy where the US officials fund the comparatively weaker sections of a particular area to form a rebel. A rebel which obviously would be of a great deal for them. Be it, Al Qaeda or the ISIS, all such organisations have come out of a Ameican mind. I won't be surprised if Asad follows the same procedure which Sadam Hussain did. 

Also, there were statements released by Barack Obama sympathising the Paris attacks, minutes after they took place. (Which is a good thing) But, Notable was the official silence surrounding another horrific terrorist attack that took place only the day before. Two ISIS suicide bombers killed at least 43 people and wounded more than 230 in attacks on a heavily Shia Muslim community in Beirut on November 12. President Obama did not address the world and condemn the bombings, which comprised the worst attack in Beirut in years. Nor did the White House condemn the Turkey attacks of the ISIS in October. Why go far to Turkey and Beirut? Even any Indian terrorist attack is not condemned or talked about by the US offices. 

Obviously, the European countries get more sympathy after any such incident. Not just from governments,   but from commoners all over the world.  But who's responsible for this situation? Who's responsible for the refugee crisis? Why isn't America or even the Western European nations taking any notable steps to end terrorism? Why are the right winged ideologies and the right winged associations in Europe nationalised? Fascism, fascism ever

ywhere. 

No one really cares to examine why are there so many refugees fleeing from Middle East, it's indirectly due to the western invasions. US, particularly is responsible for the attacks in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libiya, which eventually  led to the emergence of ISIS and Al Qaeda. (No need to mention the financer of these organisations) Saudi and other allies of the US also share the responsibility of the devastation which is happening throughout Iraq, Syria, etc. 


Unfortunately, the tragedy. Which we saw in Paris are daily events for some countries due to policies of US, UK, France, etc. This does not mean, we should not condemn or mourn the Paris attacks. What happened there was ugly. It was something which the Europeans and the World including we Indians would never forget. #PrayForHumanism 

Surviving Democracy

15th August, 1947. Exactly 68 years ago, India was granted freedom. (I purposely didn't use the word 'achieve') World War 2 was just closing the door, Britain was bankrupt, huge economic and financial losses were suffered. Absolutely, they didn't have any choice but to leave the colonies and return back to the UK. Also, cannot underestimate the fact that Congress leadership in India was finding it's base and intellectuals in the truest sense. Anyway, my blog today isn't about the pre-Independence 'struggle' or anything of that sought. That I would rather leave to the newly introduced history textbooks for the school going kids by the RSS. (Govt of India)


I am here to talk about the niches in our democracy. According to me, the successful working of parliamentary democracy depends on two factors:
#1 : On a broad measure of agreement among all classes of citizens about the objective of government. 
#2 : On the existence of a two party system, in which each of the big political groups posses effective and continuous leadership and is strong enough to take over the responsibilities of government when majority of the country's voters wish it. 
Unfortunately in our country, there's no solid leadership with Intellectual minds nor is the opposition doing anything except for breaking parliament norms. 


Well, even after 68 years of Independence, have we really achieved the essence and purity of democracy? I'm afraid, the answer would be 'No'. I'm not only complaining, like generally people do. But I'm worried. I'm worried looking at the poor in the country, I'm worried looking at the polarisation in our country, I'm worried about the growing financial lobbies of the government which are compressing the working and the lower class, I'm worried looking at the illiteracy of the people, I'm worried about the lowering moral values in our country, I'm worried looking at our leadership, I'm also worried about the minorities. We (who consider ourselves to be among the civilised section of the society) need to look beyond. We need to look beyond the boundaries of the cities and peep into the country side and realise how unfortunate some people are. We need to look beyond the first A/C and enter the general boogie just to understand how people travel on a littered floor from Mumbai to Delhi. These are just petty examples which I gave. The condition of our country is far worse than it seems. The rich is getting wealthier and the poor is getting compressed. And without any afterthought, I would blame the current and the previous governments for this situation in the country. 



Well, these were some very common and cliché issues which I spoke about. Generally everyone knows about them. But that's what the tendency of the nation has become like. People just don't like to read, watch what they don't like and hence 'Abki baar, Modi Sarkaar'. I'd rather say that there's no room left for individual thinking, forget intellectual thinking. Just simple individual thinking. People are afraid to go against the public opinion. A few days ago, I wrote an article about the Prejudice people have about certain people from certain communities. I still stand firm on that point of mine. Why are the people afraid? 'Fear' is a big emotion. An emotion which is also used to manufacture terrorist by some. Okay, forget about it! Are we idiots? Why do we always have to fall prey to certain negative thoughts and ideologies. For example : Sanjay Raut (Editor of the newspaper 'Saamna') gave an opinion saying that the voting right of the Muslims in India should be reconsidered and should not be allowed to vote. Interestingly, he stated this just before the Aurangabad local elections. What happened after this statement is, the Muslim votes eventually went to the MIM and remaining Hindu votes to BJP-Sena. The sensible ones went to the Congress. (Doesn't mean the Congress is sensible) Shockingly, the sensible voters were hardly 3-4% in total. Others just got polarised and influenced due to a statement by umm.. probably an editor. This shows how immature the voters in our country are. Well, does the question of illiteracy arise here? NO! The elections were in Aurangabad city when we have a class of 'educated' people. I very clearly think that the problem lies in the cities rather than in the villages. (I'm talking about the polarisation and the increasing gap between the communities) But that's another issue which I would be coming to very soon. 


As per me, the only way to tackle most of the problems is by having a country where people are educated and literate. Literacy doesn't arrives by completing a degree or Ph.d, but it comes from the inner self. Why are we going back in the 19th century again? Why is that so that even after 68 years of Independence, our government fails to provide bread for 100% population of the nation. Today on this beautiful morning of 15th August, I was near the Mantralay (Maharashtra state, Mumbai) due to some reason. Got to see the police and army forces that were providing security to the ceremony at Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralay. Felt really proud to see such good quality police force. But then, when I was sipping Mumbai's famous 'cutting chaai' two small kids came to me selling flags. I scarcely think that they would have good parents to nurture them and look after them. It was so touching to see the kids in such a disgusting way! (I should not go deep in this matter as most of us know the dark background behind such cases)


I'm not saying India is lacking way behind in comparison to the other countries. Yes, we are a progressing country and doing great in various fields! Today's Indian is everywhere around the world. We are matching many countries in almost all departments. But the fact that the common man is still surviving democracy even after 68 years of Independence is a big concern. Our country is built on beliefs, it is and will remain strong forever. Wishing you all a very happy Independence Day and hoping that we all strive for the betterment of the nation and become responsible citizens of India. 

"Jo Mann se nahi wo bhagwaan kaisaa..
Aur jo Dill se nahi wo Hinsutaan kaisa... " 

Media Created Superstars

                                      The field in which I'm currently pursuing my education is Media. But that doesn't mean that I would not be critical of its hypocritical and pathetic behaviour. 

                             Anywhere in the world, media plays a great role in development and degradation of a country. India is not an exemption in that list. Something happens, someone sits on a highway without eating food, someone slaps someone, someone abuses someone, etc etc etc. These all things go down as 'Breaking News' in our country. The greed for TRP is tending to degrade the essence of journalism. Anyway, the people involved in such news become Superstars of the country for that brief period of time. The latest and the most chirped example is of the two AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) 'leaders', Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav! The popularity that Prashant Bhushan is getting is understandable, but Yogendra Yadav? Let me make it simpler... Did you even knew about Yadav prior the Delhi elections? NO? Okay.


               Now the question is why? Why do we have to give importance to the internal party politics of the AAP. Okay they both are senior leader of the party and deserve some footage, but that doesn't mean you'd telecast them 24/7. Indian media seems to enjoy the negative publicity of the anti-BJP parties. Be it Congress, or AAP, nowadays. (Media's soft corner towards BJP is no longer a hidden secret). Let's just talk about Yadav and Bhushan here. AAP came out as a very strong party in the recently contested Delhi Assembly elections, this was seen as a threat of a rising alternative to Congress as a secular party. "Oh, What we(BJP leaders) do now?, How do we put a break to this expansion?, let's just hire all the channels to show the 'dirt' internally in the AAP! "

                           Let me make clear, that I'm not a AAP supporter. If you feel I'm being biased, then answer a few questions. Why wasn't there much light thrown when the fight for the BJP President was going between Rajnath Singh and Gadkari with RSS (which is the grass-root level pro-BJP organisation) having a different opinion as with the BJP? Why no one knows about the valley between the opinions of Gadkari and Fadnavis in the Maharashtra politics? Also, Advani and Modi conflicts prior the 2014 general elections weren't given much of importance. It is very easy to understand about the hypocrisy of our Indian media and it's 'love' for the BJP.


                Media have the power to make or break anything. Be it a 150 year old strong party like the Congress. The only thing I want to tell through this blog is that the power that the media possess currently shouldn't be misused and it should also not be biased towards a particular party or an organisation. Some may not understand the gravity of the situation, but it does affect the thought process of the people which ultimately is the reason for a successful election campaign. I really hope that there is real news shown and printed in the near future and the room for the created superstars is squeezed

The Prejudice

Some motivations and some feelings which couldn't resist coming out are leading me to write this article. 



                          'Prejudice', something that we Indians are masters at. A society where even in the 21st century, no one is treated equally. And while saying 'equally', I don't mean the gender equality, but the general fractions which are seen just around us. I want to share with you all a personal incident which happened on the 12th of February, 2015 in Hyderabad. 




                               It was an Industrial Visit by the Ruia College's Department of Communication & Media. Students of age group between 18-21 were having a great time exploring new places and people over a period of four days.12th February's evening saw us going to the famous Hyderabadi monument, The Chaar Minaar! Those typical Muslim lanes taking us to the Chaar Minaar started (a bit like the ones at MohammedAli road in Mumbai) with ittar (perfume) shops, kebab thelaas, etc. It was all seeming colourful and wonderful. But perhaps, I was the only one in the group of 80-85 who was loving the place and the charisma around. I was sensing some tensions going through in the minds of my colleagues. Flat faces, rare smiles, tensed reactions were the only things visible when I looked at my friends. I wasn't able to understand the reason for such an invisible panic at that moment. (Although, my subconscious mind had something to say me). My female friends felt unsafe to even ask for washroom in the nearby hotels. 




                                Later on, the tensions were no longer invisible. The teachers accompanying us decided to leave the place without watching the Chaar Minaar. Everyone was said to reach the bus in a line with boys walking from outside and girls inside that 'so called' protection. It was due to some perverts and some verbal inappropriate things said to few of my female colleagues. The fact that we were leaving that place without seeing the Minaar made me really sad. But more than that, it raised so many questions in my mind. So many questions, that I hardly remember what happened in that short journey of 15 minutes to the hotel from those lanes! 
                                 



                            It wasn't just about some perverts or some inappropriate language used there. And speaking about perverts; such people can be seen in hundreds in every radius of our country. (Not needed to mention the amount of rapes and other female crimes happening in our nation) Even near our very own Ruia Katta. No one really seemed to enjoy that atmosphere near the Minaar. The question arises 'Why?'. Oh, don't tell me it was just about the "tensions" around. What if that type of incident happened in Benaras or Pandharpur pilgrimage? Would all of us have reacted the same? Obviously, No. Everyone, in the back of their minds had this fear of a Muslim area. One of my friend (whom I consider to be the most intelligent and wise person in our class) said that, "Even I get scared when see those 'Arabic' hoardings". This was not only his feeling, but a feeling which was in the minds of each boy and each girl boarding that bus. One thing I want to make clear is that the hoardings we see in India are in Urdu language, which is a sacred language originated in India by OUR Indian Islamic scholars for the convenience of the normal people. Like Sanskrit, like Hindi, Urdu is also ours. 




                             Okay, I can understand that the teachers had the responsibility of 85+ students and taking any risk was out of the books on those 5 days. But, these actions weren't acceptable. (At least for me) I did not react at that moment because I was in thoughts and a war was happening inside my thinking tanks. I also had this fear of battling the numbers game where it could have been a 'One vs. Everyone' game. 
This incident will remain in my memory for a very long time. The things have to change, people need to have a feeling of oneness and secularism. Sharing a class or working together won't just help the cause. The fear and prejudice about a particular community and manipulating the conditions and situations accordingly is the worst a person possibly could do. We live in a country shaped by the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Azad, where all religions and communities are at the same levels. No one is superior and no one is inferior. Muslims in India are misinterpreted. There's always a fear, there's always a feeling of awareness when we are around a Muslim person or a region. Prejudice kills relationships, as well as it narrows our mindset. People have to open their minds and accept the fact that not every Muslim is a bad person. There are many reasons for this invisible communal tension. Political influence of the anti-secular parties is the one reason. But let's not get into that! Our country is a well dressed bride where some religions are the ornaments, while some are the ethnic clothes. They all have to be together for the bride to look beautiful. Our nation is a secular country, it will degrade if it gets influenced by anti-secular thoughts.




                      It's not because, I'm a Muslim that I thought about the things, but it was a feeling of an individual who does not likes and tolerates injustice happening around him. And I ain't a religion sensitive person that I would feel bad about the incident which took place. If such a thing took place where Muslims have a feeling of prejudicial insecurity, I'd have written the same article. 


               In this hope that I see a changed and free environment, I end this article. 
Jai Hind!