Happy 2016!

I think our determination as much as I thought we would need, to make ourselves better, was a bit lacking. I would still call this year as a year of Determination like last year.

Therefore, my New Year wishes from this blog is referred to last year's as the request is still relevant!

Live and let Live! Happy New Year to one and all!

- Raj

Tolerance in India

What the FFFF is called intolerance growing?

First up, apologies on the foul language that I would use on the title and the below write up..

Second, am not a supporter of any party or organization, a pure common man and I think I'm a bit rationale...

I have been reading the stories of intolerance growing in our country and the intellectuals that most I do not even (frankly, but unfortunately) know were giving up their awards or accolades given by pervious government. Frankly, I do care, because it is their right of expression. But what I do care is the notion of intolerance growing within India. So here is my perspective and frankly a frustrated angry one! Just to sum it up before I write the entire emotions down, I see that India is the most tolerant nation and if not, tell me what the FFFF you mean by intolerance.

Let me tell my rationale why I think India is tolerant.....

In a country with so many children, we have made Education a business sector. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

In a country with 1.3 billion population, healthcare is business sector. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

A land that was once agriculture rich country, we let farmers die. They die not because of starvation, but because of the fact that their dignity is not spared. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

A nationalized bank says it cannot recover loan from a baron who owns an airline, a cricket team, a liquor company and of course few girls each (I mean no disgrace to females here), we run an OTS scheme for farmers and threaten to take away his land if he does not comply. And we who are fed by them do not do anything about. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

Just for one exceptional torrential rain, cities like Mumbai, Chennai just go under water. We know the cause, we still will let it happen. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We know IPL is scam and yet we follow. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We allow politicians or the rich to run BCCI. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

When we drive, we see a signal, we see someone ahead of us jumping it what we do is we jump along with that someone. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

In a country where a lot of young bearcats join civil services, they join as corrupt ones. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We followed an election were voters were only 3000+ with lot more enthusiasm than a state or a central elections. Because Cinema! Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We let corrupt politicians come back to power and we hug them, get blessings from them and claim them as king makers. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

And these corrupt politicians come out of a case not because they are corrupt free, but this is corruption spree within the Judiciary. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We are made to think that Indrani Mukerjee is more important than the rape victims within India. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

When chief minister or a minister or even a leader of the opposition or even worse a small time MLA councilor goes through the traffic and everyone else stops because he has the flag of a party. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

When a greedy influential person wants to encroach someone's land, the entire systems supports and we learn to live with that. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

We even take Nature for a ride, deforestation, CO2, land, Lakes, canals and what not?! Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

In a country where all 4 pillars of democracy (Legislature, Judiciary, Executive & Media) is corrupt, we keep our mouth shut and still listen to their stories and worst is, we believe in their stories. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

The rusted pillars have effectively made our enablers (Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure etc.,.) as the blockers and we still get going with them. Now if this is not tolerance, what the FFFF is tolerance?

And there are many more like jumping queues, tatkal for Gods, to conversions, to beef to what not! And we are more tolerant than what we thing we are!

Yes! I lived in a country for a while where healthcare and education are free and equal! I'm not writing this because am an NRI or someone who lived abroad and come back to complain against the country. This for all I know used to be land of morality and honesty. We have lost both for greed of power and money. If this country has to change, it has to be us who does the change and not expect an IPS or a MLA or an advocate or Journalist or a doctor or an engineer to be perfectly honest!

Again, am sorry about my language. But I do not think the F word is worse than the ones that were/are used by the so called intellectuals, the political parties and the media! 

I have learnt and now believe that we are most hypocratic country in the world! And Yes I know I need to be a bit more tolerant now! What the FFFF!!??!!

- Raj

Alyan Kurdi....

May you rest in peace after making quite a lot of us restless and helpless inhuman!

While the pressures of migrants are real, all this family was doing is trying to find a way to live. And the world leaders are responsible for this, not for stopping immigrants, but to have created the conflicts in the first place. 

It is just GREED!!!! This greed of only an handful of people is moving out ethnics of their own country fleeing their homes. I strongly feel that this is the start of the end of this world and this civilization however modern we think we are. If the greedy do not understand the needy it is their bodies that need to be washed to the shores and not a 3 year old's! I dare not post that picture for after a long time it brought tears to my eyes!

Am sorry Alyan Kurdi.

India Salutes Indu Mukund

In the memory of Major Mukund Varadharajan. Jai Hind!

I was watching the Indian Republic day parade of 2015 and the first on the agenda was Ashok Chakra which is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. First to come up was Mrs. Indu Mukund wife of Major Mukund who lost is life while fighting terrorists in Kashmir. She stood there before the most powerful men of the land President Pranab, PM Modi, the most powerful person on the earth, President Obama and watched by millions around the world. What struck me was how composed and calm she was, head held high with no tears, no expressing of pain or sorrow but a sheer exhibition of Pride of being Mukund's wife. I was thinking, if Mukund was around he would have been so proud of this young lady who was not perturbed by any of those nuances as she was just doing it for Mukund and her daughter. He would have been more proud to have Mrs. Indu Mukund as his wife than probably the award in itself.

While like everything in life around us, from a plane crash to an hurricane to a conflict to even an homicide, for everyone who is not related to Major Mukund his martyrdom and the emotions it created should have been long lost in memory. No complaints because that is just the way life is. None of us can carry everything with us all the time. But those memories and emotions were back at the moment I saw her walk up those steps and stood up in the most dignified manner one can! Courageous! Not about standing in front of those many people but to fight those emotions that she alone can understand; to fight the pain that she alone can feel! Courageous! This shows the love she has for her man.

And it just so happened that I had to watch her interview to Barka on NDTV, I was so inspired for the strong will she exhibited on TV which strikingly similar to what I thought she would have gone through those moments while walking up those steps. There were quite a few quotes during that interview which will linger in my mind forever. 

It's because of the love I have for him; not had.

He would love to see me happy. My strength to lead an happy life and give my daughter an happy life comes from that.

Every love is different. 

The Tag line in NDTV sums up all "India Should See The Man Mukund Was, Not My Sorrow." 

She could have become emotional or been on tears at every single moment in that interview, but she chose not to; not even during read out of the poem she wrote the day after Major Mukund's death. 

For me, she is an inspiration to continue to live on, no matter what happens. I've lost quite a few so close to my heart and of course I have learnt to live without them. But, that's not what am talking about that now. Its also about those small issues, petty politics at work, small differences within relationships, a rainy day, a sunny day, a snowy day, a small feeling of victory in all of these and what not! This young but strong lady showed me how life can't be shallow; how to celebrate life; how to celebrate one's life; how to life an happy life for other's sake!

Mrs. Indu Mukund, I do not know if ever you would get to read my post, but do know that you have an admirer. I hope the nation and the government supports you to lead an happy life and help you in fulfilling your dream of giving your daughter an happy life! I wish that nature gives you all the strength and courage in life and reach the end you wish for (albeit slowly), that is to reach Major Mukund who will be waiting to hug you with all the smiles!

To me you are not a soldier's wife, but a soldier.

I cannot be emotional. Am just inspired!!! .

Cheers! 

On Behalf of every Indian, Raj

PS.: I do realize there are a lot of soldiers like Mrs. Indu Mukund and this is dedicated to all of them. Hail them all!