Remembering Allama Iqbal:

For the past many days I have been thinking about Iqbal's two famous quotes,
one being:
Kuch baat hai ki hasti mit-tee nahi hamari,
Sadiyon se raha hai dushman daure-zaman hamara.

And then,
Vatan ki fikr kar naadaan museebat aane wali hai,
Teri barbadiyo ke mashwure hain aasmano me,
Na samjhoge to mit jaaoge aye hindostan walon,
Tumhari dastaan bhi naa hogi dastaano me.

I can't solve this dilemma, if our existence can't be erased easily why should we worry, right from Vedic age people came to India, some settled here and enriched it in someway or other. Even those who went back, they too enriched India. Our cultural continuity is intact while all other ancient civilizations are now a part of history. Or is this plain myth created by scholars.

I am no expert in history but as far as I know stiff resistance and use of force have never been a part of our history barring a few exceptions. What we had in plenty was infighting and small kingdoms, all over the country.

When a poet like Iqbal says 'Watan ki fikr kar naadaan' what does it signify, we by default neglect/ignore our nation and nationality, or we simply don't care about it (use of the word 'fikr'), we are so engrossed in our daily lives that a detached perspective is impossible for us. Did it emerge from the frustration and anger of being unable to eliminate the inaction and indifference from fellow citizens. What was it that made him write this?

Is it not something that I can identify with, a part of me says nothing will change, go back enjoy your life but the other part says have patience God takes tests before granting wishes.

Whatever it is, I can't get past this dilemma, which statement is correct or which one carries more weight if both are true.

Am I fooling myself. . . .

I just recalled this point, Even (if I remember correctly) Gandhiji too criticized this independent nature of the little republics (our villages) being a hurdle to socio-religious reforms.

Are we still living in these little republics or have we made the big republic called India by merging these.

Parliament Attack 2001, Mumbai Attack 2008 and Me !

For the past many days I have been thinking about the 2001 Parliament Attack, today I thought of sharing my views with you.

Starting from the start, Even in 2001, my view was that the brave policemen should not have done their duties, let a dozen of MPs die so that politicians get a sense of reality, I knew or rather we all knew their relatives will suffer, and it happened and is going on. Is it that people shout unnecessarily against government or the government doesn’t do anything for them, Afzal Guru’s example can be used for showing government’s outlook in the matter.

Coming to 2008, the Mumbai Attack never came as a surprise, we all knew it is going to happen, we imagined BLASTS but they used guns this time as they used in 2001. I asked myself, why common people rather than high profile politicians then it came to my mind, in the Parliament Attack the terrorists were five in number and were able to kill seven, mostly policemen or lower staff. This was a failure on large scale for them, first because of the extent of damage and people’s response (I see myself here for I am always ready to spare a dozen of politicians’ life, they deserve it.)

This time they attacked people and not high profile politicians because they knew the people are not bothered by politicians’ death, even more why kill a person who is helping in one’s mission, don’t we all know what our politicians are doing. I can cite personal examples other than that of my social circle and what I have read and saw, for it but I think it isn’t required. (I don't want to rant that the terrorists are cowards, lets fix a day and place and have a war like older days, etc. When time comes it will all be seen.)

But the question is what do they gain from these attacks, they can’t subvert us by these tactics rather they bring us together and closer, they instill motivation in us to eliminate them, what makes them believe that we are cowards, we will never step on the line of fire for our nation, what’s missing in us that makes them believe this.

Is it not our indifference to people like Bal and Raj Thackray,

Is it not our indifference to our surroundings,

Is it not our support of Narendra Modi brand of leadership,

Is it not our support of Lalu Prasad Yadav brand of leadership,

Is it now our ignorance of our fellow citizens’ problems,

Is it not our indifference to Riots,

Is it not our indifference to people dying of hunger and diseases,

Is it not our disregard of fellow citizens when we fail to speak for them,

Is it not the number of NGOs in this country that do what the government has to do,

Is it not the our silence on killings of people like Satyendra Dubey,

Is it not our outlook of life where our pleasures matter even if they cost others pain,

Is it not our belief that nothing can be changed in this country,

Is it not our disrespect to people like Gandhi, Netaji Bose, Swami Vivekanand whose vision and ideas we have burnt in their funeral pyres,

Is it not our lack of will to cleanse our system,

Is it not our apathy to the victims of various crimes,

Is it. . . .

Sorry, the list seem endless.

The second aspect of this is if the politicians can plan and organize riots systematically, why can’t they explode a couple of bombs or pay for a couple of young boys to attack us.

I am genuinely skeptic about this, I wanted to write this point in detail later but, take for example the US War on Terror, Saddam Hussein was captured with ease but the Osama Bin Laden is still not captured. Can’t it be America’s ploy of having a permanent base in Pakistan and Afganistan to guard against Communist states Russia and China. Couldn’t they have paid Al Qaida for the Twin Tower Attack, like they paid them to fight USSR. You may call me paranoid but what can I do if such thoughts come to my mind.

What I can promise to do is to change myself, try my best out to reform the system, I would write about it here, in my blog.

(Swami Vivekanand once said Life's a battle, Let me die fighting, but a non-entity like me have small issues to deal with. My problem is the weight of the guilt that comes from my inaction and indifference , I can't carry it to my deathbed.)

SHOULD WE SEE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF A PERSON SEPARATELY OR FORM A COMPOSITE PICTURE OF HIM?

I have been thinking on this topic for quite some time, many people have outstanding professional record, they are darlings of media yet their personal life is/has been controversial.

We all know the case of KPS Gill, even Kiran Bedi has been criticized for being publicity monger and attention seeker, and getting admission of her daughter through tribal quota (I don’t claim factual accuracy of this point), etc. but the point is do we have a right to look into their lives or it is none of our business.

I think that the responsibility of a public figure is much more than a common person, they are role model to public, and people pay great attention to what they say or do. Apart from the needed privacy (nobody is saying to peep into people’s bedrooms) I think they should not evade public gaze because the real you comes out in private not in public (except for mob situation), how you behave in private reflects your general orientation towards your family, friends, society and life at large.

My belief is strengthened by the fact that Lashkar-e-Taiaba, which we all know is a terrorist organization, was doing charity and social work in Pakistan. Now, we see its profession (Terrorism) separated from its personal life (Charity & Social Work) but they see its profession (Charity & Social Work) and personal work (Terrorism) then what we call it would depend on which side of border we stand, but if we consider an overall, a composite picture of the organization we can easily decide on the matter. (kindly pardon my faulty reasoning,. . .)

So I think we must not be tunnel-visioned in viewing only professional life of the person while ignoring his personal life, at least not in the case of public figures.

Stop Piracy. Why?

Piracy is stealing; it kills the industry associated with it. But it poses a greater threat, most of the pirated music and film business runs from Pakistan. Their websites as well as people earn money that belongs both legally and ethically with Indian Music and Film Industry.

But our industry is also at fault, they don’t listen to what the people are saying. Can you compete with a Free of Cost Download or a Cheap DVD by calling it illegal? No. The problem is first you yourself steal tunes, stories, etc. from somewhere else without paying royalty. Then you hide the actual cost of making the movie/album and financial sources thereof. Adding to that, you fail to understand the Demand and Supply.

Most trade analyst agree that the Film Industry now runs on the first three days. Why can’t you release the DVD or telecast it online or put it up on Movie On Demand channels of various DTH that are available on the fourth day. Plus the price of many DVDs is still prohibitive. You don’t give the customer a choice and call his actions flawed. Make the services available and people will turn to you. Nobody likes to steal, with proper awareness campaign more and more people will join in.

Similar is the case of Music Industry. The Technology has all changed but even before that people preferred Top 10 or Double albums than whole album. It is fooling yourself to say each and every album has all 8-10 songs perfect and likeable. Often there are only a couple of songs people want from your album nobody has the time or patience to analyze your album. Whatever pleases the person is in rest all is out. Coming to technology people now are keeping their songs on ipods, computers and mobile phones. The game of Tapes and CDs is gone. The Music Industry should start selling music online, that too individual song not the complete album (they can even have special offers for complete albums) at right cost. Start doing this and see people coming to you automatically.

What have they to loose. Music Albums and movies are made available for downloads the same day what do you gain from it? The person or rather country that gains from our efforts is Pakistan. THINK AGAIN !

I am child of a corrupt person. Now what?

With corruption a way of life now, a non existing issue now, we all a part of this great ‘Chakki’ (grinder). I find the concept of Karma useful here.

You are responsible for your acts and not others’. Hindu mythology has a number of stories that deal with the issue. A solution was seen recently seen in the movie Rang De Basanti. Nobody is asking you to kill your parents, but try not to use the money or try to do some good work with it rather than conspicuously consuming it on yourself. Try to explain to them that you don’t need that much money.

Also remember they have lived their lives based on their principles, we can never understand the conditions they grew with. But we are responsible for our future and the coming generations, do you want your child ponder over this question, ASK AGAIN.

America is Unreliable. Why?

Whatever people claim, the reality is that USA funded Al Qaida and Taliban which turned into a menace. Even now, in lieu of the Pakistan’s support of War on Terror they are giving away million of dollars. Will they disclose the accounts that show what is happening to that money. Even the Iraq War started with the issue of WMD but it was part of their Oil Diplomacy.

War with Pakistan: Not now. Why?

First, proof is not out there. Then, as we are facing, Pakistan could also have disconnect between the government and the citizens. Even if we consider Pakistan guilty of the attack, we must also consider the scale of operation. They might have researched a number of loopholes in our system, bought off a couple of officers, consider the aftermath of attacking them. The whole world will laugh at us, let us first clean our house then take on the external enemies.

Politics is the field of scoundrels. Not correct.

The scoundrel line is the triumph card of those in politics. Through it they can keep away people from politics thereby reducing competition and securing a place for their generations to come. Also by doing this, they can do whatever they want without any accountability.

The onus is on us to break this code.

Information Technology can change our politics. How?

First, you are reading this blog so its impact and reach can’t be doubted. Then the advertising cost can be severely cut through it. It can also help bringing in transparency as every step of politics and governance can be debated and discussed on it. Even the choice of candidate can be made on it.

Nobody has tried or proved it cannot be done, so we can try it. Remember, the smallest action is much better than the noblest intention.

A Faceless Party. Why?

The whole sub-continent is suffering from the problem of Family-based parties. Rather than focusing on What one has currently done, emotive statements are made of sacrifices made in distant past. Moreover, sacrifice is made voluntarily; nobody pushes one to it. If people want to show their respect they will. What kind of person are you if you sell the sacrifices of your near and dear ones. (N.B. Mark the difference between the People and the Government, their roles are different in such cases).

A Faceless Party is one where any ordinary citizen can become an MLA/MP based on his qualities and qualifications, not by serving the narrow self-interests of an individual or a group of individuals.

As the people are faceless so should be their party.

Narendra Modi style of leadership will do no good. Why?

It is based on fear. He instills confidence because all other leaders are simply non-leaders. It’s like ‘Andhon me kana Raja’.

Fear feeds on fear. Everyday new stories will be floated about some sleeper cells, bombs will be discovered, rights and freedom will slowly be usurped by the State. A kind of dictatorship will run with our permission. It is not imagination this has happened everywhere in world even think for a second what happened in Gujarat.

Before criticizing me think if you wish to visit the Ram Mandir (if ever built because the issue dies with its construction) in Ayodhya. I don’t.

Politicians’ passing the buck to Bureaucracy and Police is unacceptable. Why?

Politicians are elected to lead the government; they are people’s representatives in the government, they have authority to choose their team and if team fails the leader goes, as simple as that. If you didn’t have the strength to control the department leave the chair, let other do the job.

SMSing and Candle Vigils are good only for TV cameras. Why?

As the candle will burn out, so will your patience. Your whole effort and emotion will get wasted without making any worthwhile change in the polity. For TV channels too, some other issue will crop up. Kindly note that I was myself in front row to sms my views but this time I thought of becoming active, taking things in my hand.

To make a dent in politicians’ contempt of citizens (along with the bureaucrats’/policemen’s arrogance) we have to hit at their weakest point POLITICS. Join Politics, take active interest in it or be prepared for worst.

I want give a simple example: everyone wishes to build a house for himself, the property is registered, so government is the one you will turn to in case of a dispute, what if the records don’t name you as owner. (From the hindi movie Khosla Ka Ghosla). Your money is of no use in a FAILED STATE.

Corruption: an easy Model.

We cannot deny the impact of corruption. It affects us through Terror Attacks but a major part of its impact lies hidden. But the main point is it affects us all. First let us talk of bureaucratic corruption.

I think that about 15-20 percent of the officials are perfectly honest, about 30-35 percent absolutely (and compulsively) corrupt and the rest 50 percent form the marginal category.
The marginal category has both kinds of people: one who can be honest (provided the leadership and laws are perfect) and others who aspire to be Billionaires (at the cost of . . .).

Now the solution is simple. Identify and execute the compulsive corrupts (This of course have to start from judiciary and police). For the marginal corrupts aspiring to be compulsive corrupts create a ministry called the Ministry of the Corrupt, Under-Performers and Responsibility-Shirkers (MOCUPARS). Transfer the dead weight to this ministry, advertise their posting here, give them work similar to jail inmates (Constitutionally and Legally they cannot refuse work) and telecast it on MOCUPARS Channel.

This exercise should be done fairly, not like that is practiced today where honest ‘hard to crack nuts’ are targeted while those guilty walk free.

I think this model can be applied to society as a whole, where a majority of people sit at the margins to make a fast buck but if properly motivated they can be good and honest citizens.

IMAGE FROM: http://www.icgg.org/downloads/CPI_2006_Map_1024px.png

What is the most basic problem of our political system?

People have no say in the selection as well as rejection of candidates. Candidates are selected on the basis of their winning potential not what’s their background, experience and training. Also there is the Cash for Ticket policy.

Much has been debated on the demerits of ‘First Past The Post’ system, when only 50-60 percent voting takes place, the winning candidate does not represent more than 15-20 percent of the population, even when 70+ percent of them don’t want him.

Democracy is good for us. Why?

Believe it or not Democracy is good for us. The beauty of Democracy lies in the Secret Ballot. Nobody can tell who have you voted. As I see it the problem lies in our Attitudes and Mindsets.

Answer this question: Do you think that a person from slum is inferior to you. We all are prejudiced to some extent or more, so don’t be ashamed. Our political parties feeding our prejudices and mindsets take it to another level. But consider him inferior or a monster, you can’t change the reality.

Only in two places, Man is equal to Man, either in front of God or in Democracy. The value of your vote is equal to the value of his vote.

The time has come to treat each other with dignity and respect and leave the feudalistic mindset behind.