Saturday, December 06, 2008

patriotism is like charity -- it begins at home.

Professionalism : The meaning of this word has changed to me over time. When I passed out of college I wanted to be a professional, I believed it means someone who has an attitude to bring effectiveness and efficiency. Unfortunately it only means someone who does not have a heart, emotionless creatures trained to follow standard set of procedures which they themselves may not believe in.

 If I have to compare our “free media” and politicians, there is at least one thing in common. They are both hardcore professionals, the only difference may be that they have different rule books and code of conduct. Both are equally heartless and ruthless. This became all the more evident after November 26th.  

The Tag “Breaking News” Has become as annoying and meaningless as speeches of politicians. When Government, opposition, common and uncommon should all have look concerned and united. They all looked at it as opportunity. For some it was an opportunity to ask for resignations while for others it is there chance to be CM. If few have shown insensitivity by visiting the “Wrecked Palace” to visualize climax of a film, others have ensured they make it an issue that takes priority over all.

After 26th I have been asking these questions to me.

Is this an attack by Pakistan and should we attack them back?

Unlike the popular, and my initial, reaction I would say, no. I too believe that these organizations are the pets that the masters can no longer control. It should not be mistaken with a cancer which goes off with the patient. It will just transfer its roots. The country which can help the most is the one who helped them grow in there backyards. We need to pressurize and persuade Pakistan to help eradicate them. We should look at the facts that now these organizations are biting there own masters more then they have barked at us.

Is this terrorism preached by Islam?

Well, no straight forward answers. But if I have to be precise, the religion is certainly used as a tool. Not most Muslims are terrorists but unfortunately most terrorists believe they are Muslims. They believe they are doing it for Islam. I really appreciate many Islamic organizations which have come out after the attacks and shed tears and shown resolve to fight terrorism. It hurts when I see my Muslim friends lower there eyes in shame, because they feel guilty, as these people have shared the same religion. We should also understand that the bullets that take life do not ask religion.

Are our politicians at fault and should we ask them to resign?

Fault Yes, Resignations No. Till now I have always tried to pick lesser of the evils, but no more. At least on this subject I am pretty clear in my head. Resignation of Home Minister or CM and getting a new one is not a solution in fact it is a distraction that should not have happened. All common and uncommon should participate in devising a system that can bring accountability and transparency. I want to remind you all what happened on 22nd of July, when the MPs flashed money in the parliament. Irrespective of whether it’s true or not, it is a bigger shame and threat than the attack by outsiders. These were our very own representatives. The outburst of Narayan Rane after not getting the chair “Post of CM Maharashtra” was another act. It seamed like for him what ever happened was nothing but just another opportunity. At least here I should mention the name of “Raj Thakre” and “Shiv Sena Leaders” who chose to keep quite and not trying any of the political gimmicks. I have seen a few ambulances sponsored by MNS and Shiv Sena helping people that day. Although I would love to ask him if he still think Mumbai should not welcome people from other parts of India. Has this changed him from a politician to a human, an Indian, a Mumbaikar. Well I guess it would be clear as soon as he opens his mouth.

We need a change in the overall legislative system. Judicial, Police should all get a overhauling. We need a system that promotes Nationalism rather than Partyism. We need to get a structure where performance of ministers can be evaluated on a quarterly basis. Office holders should have the right qualifications and experience. Accountability should come in. Ministers swapping loyalties, having a criminal record, with foul language, and those who misuse government machinery for personal or political use should be trialed in the court of Law and should not be allowed to contest again. Well unfortunately this would mean 90% pink slips.

Let us not mourn 26th of Nov, but celebrate it as a Day when a Nation awoke. Let us make proud all the Martyrs and our brothers and sisters who lost there lives or loved ones. Let the spark that has ignited simultaneously in our heart, not faze out. Please do not waste your anger out on streets in protests, keep it within and channelize it constructively to form a revolution. We should have woken up a long back, but lets not waste this one. Let us throw out the fear and start asking questions. Only the right Questions

 

NEWS CHANNELS AND REPORTERS:  PLEASE BE A BIT SENSITIVE. WE NEED A RESPONSIBLE AND UNBIASED VOICE TO REPRESENT US

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Another day to forget

Aftermath the mumbai terror attack on Taj, Oberoi, CST and Nariman House where 10 youths took the whole city in there hands, killing people at will:

Once more Nothing but Regret and Shame. Not only politicians but Media and even the common man who seem most enraged are trying to take a bite out of it. The blame game is on. The praise game is on. Its the time when we should shut up and let the actions speak. Its an absolute disgrace. 

Yes, whatever happened should not have happened. But shouldn't we make sure that this doesn't happen again. the memories of earlier bomb blasts though out the nation hasn't even faded and we get this. We should think why these youths didn't had any fear in there eyes. Did they believed that they will leave alive after the mayhem or were they convinced that the act is justified and had a purpose more than there lives. 

Its an absolute shame. Shame to everyone, even to the military organisations who did this. I Would be very thankful to those young militants if this incident can really bring some change in the overall system, which seams very unlikely. If you look closely its a lose - lose situation for those terrorist organisations. In a country were people fight over cast, religion, state they belong, its a waste for these organisations to spend so much money and human life. We are barbarians, Not even close to be called a sensitive society.  If the incident brings out a change, no one could have done better in uniting the nation. If not no one is shedding a tear. Utter waste and shame for achieving nothing.

I wish at the time of this attack all our blabbering Netas were there at Taj. I have proven that i am a part of this nation as all i will do is forget this day and continue as if nothing has happened. Playing the blame game. Its an amusement like a movie and will stay in my memories like that. Like an action thriller. Who cares if this movie had live characters than actors. So this is all before i forget it all.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Re - Curse - Un

I was thinking of what changed from yesteryears. The days of the kings, the revolutions, struggle for independence. The era of hunters, the Alexander’s, the era of wars between kingdoms and the world wars. It looks the same, at least the operating system, Just the UI and hardware changed. Pace has changed, the clock is ticking faster. Bullets travel faster than the arrows and so do the emails than pigeons and postmen.

We tend to live in a world that we create for ourselves, a world with a 3D virtual reality glasses fixed on our eyes. We interpret how we want, define on what we know and act on what we believe. We want what we never need, know what is not real and believe what was never ours. And we have built a complete world out of it, a world that we constantly want to change.

This is not something that has evolved. In fact this is the only thing that remained unchanged in all the evolution cycles. This is how an intellectual life is defined. Intelligence is all about proving, proving supremacy. It’s not about asking why, but in making one ask that question.

Well this time it’s not about individuals, although it always gets back to it. The pace with it brought lack of patience or acceptance. The world has gone digital. Societies cannot bend, they either have to be accepted or be broken. Even the bones are not flexible anymore. Everyone is either gratifying or killing.

Lets be more specific, point at events, the recent ones. The twists and turns, allegations and video tapes, the WIN on trust vote in parliament on 22nd July.

Series of bomb blasts in various cities across country. Enough questions asked, both socially and individually. People stand hurt and ashamed, powerless. Soon the feelings will dissolve. May be a few will do their bit. No matter how loud we say that we don’t like war, the fact remains. We are at war, war against philosophy, against classification, against beliefs, against social structure, war against war.

No matter against what but if we are at war then we are doing just what we stand against. We tend to find the cure without knowing the disease. A war against the symptoms. Radicals/ extremists or more commonly known as terrorists put in more efforts and focus than the one who are talking. There has to be a source to such undivided dedication.

The rules of the game are clear. Rule or be ruled. Everything is there to satisfy the pride of an individual or a group or majority. It’s a design that the creator (we) made to satisfy our own desires. Its not about religion, it never was. It’s all about human senses, their ego, their fantasies and unfulfilled desires. It’s a war for supremacy.

It’s a curse we humans EVOLVED with. Cursed to Love, to feel, and be happy, curse of Emotions.