tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26875218566763493942024-02-19T07:57:43.554-08:00The India EternalPerspectives on the contemporariesPrabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-53235148493074954352019-08-30T06:09:00.001-07:002019-08-30T21:29:48.249-07:00Article 370: Let’s Not Give in Anymore to Islamic Exclusionism and Separatism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Note:</u></b> The following article is in response to the article '<a href="https://nationalinterest.org/feature/lets-not-turn-kashmir-another-gaza-74676" target="_blank">Lets not turn Kashmir into another Gaza</a>' by two Pakistani authors, and the same should be kept in mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Authors: Prabhat Shankar, Geetanjali Yadav</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The world cannot afford to
turn a blind eye anymore to an ideology which is in dire need of immediate
reform to make it compatible to the universally acceptable and moral ethos of mutual
acceptance, peaceful coexistence, gender equality and secularism.</span></em><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXmG19DWiQ1L_fPXPqoJ7qvi9KTjzpALqj_d-DViMtxzlP0us13873P42SvuSpQEwJVGssF1t4LmnsK7eXTudr5KRq0ZnWrjRsm8n5TZI2YJ4D-JanmnqT52Ommh5JqlP9wMoNUAkMSEn/s1600/p-2-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXmG19DWiQ1L_fPXPqoJ7qvi9KTjzpALqj_d-DViMtxzlP0us13873P42SvuSpQEwJVGssF1t4LmnsK7eXTudr5KRq0ZnWrjRsm8n5TZI2YJ4D-JanmnqT52Ommh5JqlP9wMoNUAkMSEn/s400/p-2-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iconic <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharada_Peeth" target="_blank">Sharda Peeth</a> was one of the greatest temples of learning for Kashmiri Hindus. Unfortunately it went to the side of Pakistan, and lies in tatters. With a government antithetical to minorities and only for Islam, the minorities have only the option to leave Pakistan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></em></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
History<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seventy-three years ago, the prolonged war of independence
of India against its British occupation, saw fruition on 15 August 1947. Inspired
by its century’s old civilizational ethos, and led by Mahatma Gandhi, the
movement was seeped into non-violence, peace, equality and brotherhood.
Subsequently, this Indian struggle of Independence inspired many such other movements
world-wide and was emulated by the likes of Martin Luther King and Nelson
Mandela.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Ironically, this unifying theme of equality and peaceful
co-existence could not appeal enough to a section of people with vested interests. Inspired in the name of Islam and Muslim brotherhood, a movement led by Mohammad
Ali Jinnah arose to demand a separate country, exclusively for Muslims. Rooted
in the supremacist ideology of Islamic superiority, it negated the principles of co-existence and acceptance of personal choice. This idea was naturally resisted, as the same Hindus and Muslims
had been co-existing from centuries. But the attempts of keeping the country unified were met with the calls
of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_Action_Day" target="_blank">direct action day</a>. To force their demand of the new country, the same mob perpetuated violence and massacre of the unsuspecting population. Thus, the nation of Pakistan was born by rejecting the principles of peaceful co-existence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Unification of the States<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The undivided India consisted of British occupied India, and 565 princely states. In the ensuing partition, the princely states were given a
chance to join either of the two newborn nations. Despite Pakistan forcing itself as a nation exclusively for Muslims, India instead of giving in to this madness, chose to remain a secular nation which would accept one and all religions. This allowed India to gain the trust of
many princely states. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the holiest places of the Indian civilization since centuries. It has been the seat of a number of holy places, shrines, places of learning. During the time of partition, this state was ruled by Maharaj Hari
Singh. The state had a majority Buddhist population in the area of Ladakh, majority Hindu population in the area of Jammu, and a majority Muslim population in the area of Kashmir. Thus, the king took his own time in deciding matters. After due negotiations
on both sides of the new-born nations, he chose to join the Indian federation on 26 October 1947, and signed the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_of_Accession_(Jammu_and_Kashmir)" target="_blank">instrument of ascension</a> for this. When this news reached Islamabad,
unable to digested this decision, Pakistan chose to send its forces towards Kashmir for a forceful annexation. India responded promptly, and the attacking forces
were quickly pushed back. Unfortunately, before the invading forces could be flushed out completely, a premature ceasefire was declared. The land thus occupied was Pakistani forces came to be known as ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’. In search of peace, this area thus came under the forceful and illegal occupation of Pakistan. The other half constitutionally became the part of Indian federation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Fast-forward to the Present Era<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Since 1948, the above status quo was
maintained, despite the fact that in 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, 72,000 Pakistani solders had to surrender to the Indian forces after a humiliating defeat, and which saw the birth of Bangladesh. On the other front, what happened to the trajectory of the two new-born nations where
one chose to follow a secular constitution, the other choosing to put Islam
above everything else?<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Islamic State of Pakistan<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Pakistan was born by placing Islam superior to everything
else and imagined it to be its binding glue. With that attitude, it forgot the
principles of natural justice. No wonder, it started to unravel faster than a
pack of cards.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">According to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Pakistan" target="_blank">Pakistani constitution</a>, only and only a
Muslim can occupy the top post of the country. Non-Muslims don’t have this
right.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Taking it further, Muslim faiths like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmadiyya_in_Pakistan" target="_blank">Ahmadiyya’s have been proclaimed as non-Muslims</a> by constitutional declaration. Their first Muslim
Nobel laureate in Physics, Abdus Salam, finds no mention as he was an Ahmadiyya.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The two-nation theory was debunked in 1971, when
eastern Pakistan chose to dissociate itself from the western Pakistan, and thus
a new nation of Bangladesh was born.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The population of all minority reduced to an
insignificant amount of less than 1% in Pakistan.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Any remaining minority population is forcibly
converted, and under laws like Sec 295, where offering even a rational critic
of Islam, Prophet or the Quran needs to be punished by Capital Punishment.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pakistan has been internationally recognized as
the epicenter of terrorism. Almost all terrorist events have some Pakistani
connection to itself. Osama Bin laden was found living close to Army
headquarters for over a decade. The government supported Taliban in Afghanistan
for a long time.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">After three military defeats against India (1965,1971,1999),
Pakistani government is openly harboring global terrorists as Hafiz Saeed. Its
efforts to promote terrorism have been rewarded by a <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/fatf-asia-pacific-group-puts-pakistan-in-enhanced-blacklist-1566543500250.html" target="_blank">FATF blacklist</a> recently.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In pursuit of terrorism, the country is on a
verge of bankruptcy, and surviving on doles of China and USA.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Despite fashioning itself as ‘champions of
Muslims’, it is forced to remain silent at the treatment of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-45474279" target="_blank">Uighur Muslims inChina</a>, where more than a million of them have been put in several internment
camps.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Secular Republic of India<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The mother country, though stabbed by the deep wounds at this
betrayal, chose to gather itself, and refused to fall prey to this madness.
Let’s look at its present state:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">India is a Secular republic, agnostic to the
personal beliefs of its citizens.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Union of more than 30 states, which has many Hindu
majority, Sikh majority in Punjab, Christianity Majority in North east, Muslim
majority in the Kashmir section of J&K.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Muslim population itself has ballooned from
5%in 1947 to more than 15% at present. Equality of opportunity has seen them
occupying top-most post in every sphere of life.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Sikh, Jain, Parsi minorities count as the
richest and most influential section of the society. The secular, plural and
accepting all nature of Indian constitution has allowed this.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Indian democracy is well known for its
elections, where more than a billion people participate in franchise. Never
ever a military coup happened here.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->This unifying approach has placed India in the comity of nations which are developing fast, are preferred destination of
investment, and more than that, are loved and trusted by almost all nations for
its humanitarian, compassionate and bipartisan approach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Article 370 and its repulsion<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now let’s come to the matter of Article 370. While J&K
became a part of India in 1947, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_370_of_the_Constitution_of_India" target="_blank">Presidential notification</a> in 1954 inserted the Article
370 in the constitution. It allowed for some special provisions in the form of special powers to frame its laws, and was meant to be a temporary provision to facilitate smooth integration. Let’s see how this
special feature impacted the polity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Salient Features of Article 370 </h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The law was discriminatory against the citizens
of India, where the cardinal principle of equality before the law was not being
followed.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The central laws to improve the life of the
people, like right to education, right to information, reservation to the
backward classes, anti-corruption laws: none of them were applicable in
J&K, and the state politicians were hardly bothered.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The law was blatantly discriminatory to the
women of J&K, as if they chose to marry outside the state, they lost all
their property rights due to this!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The article denied rights to its refugees, who
had escaped the massacre of partition and chose to come to this state, as they
were denied any job opportunities.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The word ‘secularism’ was not included in the
constitution of J&K, unlike the Indian constitution.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Does any state of India, which has a Jain, Sikh, Christian majority population need special
privilege? Why does a single Muslim majority state need that special privilege? Are we not equals, not part of the same constitution? India has provided a level playing game to each section of society in the form of supportive policies. If an outsider buying land in J&K is a threat to the demography of Kashmir, then are such people arguing that rise of Muslim population in India from 5% to 15% is a threat to India? Equality is a two way street, and must be respected both the ways. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Eviction of Kashmiri Hindus</h3>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In this entire episode, one aspect which is always blatantly
overlooked is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exodus_of_Kashmiri_Hindus" target="_blank">forced exodus</a> of more than 1 million Kashmiri Hindus, who were the
inhabitants of Kashmir Valley. Though the original inhabitants of Kashmir, these Kashmiri Hindus were over-numbered as Islam spread and multiplied in demography. Taking
advantage of demographic superiority, these Kashmiri Hindus were threatened and
forced to evict the valley in January 1989, rendering them penniless and
homeless. Till date, they have remained like that, with no efforts on anyone’s
part to make them return. Their homes are deserted or forcibly occupied. This
is what is the actual legacy of article 370. The abrogation of 370 is just a
small solace to these displaced millions, with no hope of return in sight as yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Advice to Pakistan<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Pakistan has failed to learn the values of pluralism,
secularism and equality before law, irrespective of religious
identities. In the pursuit of Islamic supremacy, it is destroying itself by radicalizing own
citizens. In their article, when the
authors are reminding us of Gaza, they are following the same course of threatening terrorism and violence to meet their objective. They should remember that the world has become much wiser, has seen the Twin-tower attacks of 2001, French london terror attacks, and has refused to bow down to any form of terrorism. Such scorched earth policy will only hasten and expose the true nature of their threat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It would be well advised for Pakistan to accept that
multi-religious states exist which don’t discriminate between its citizens based
on religions. The difference between India and Pakistan is too glaring for the
world to miss it. Kashmir is just one shining example of that. While it can keep fooling its own impoverished citizens in the name of Darul-Islam for some more time, but its citizens are already paying a very heavy price for that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
We urge the authors to wake up to the reality of the new world which refuses to judge a citizen based on their religious identity. We have a couple of amazing friends in Pakistan, and it would be a travesty if their country is ruined in the name of antiquated ideas. For the beginners, can we urge the authors to acknowledge and start a movement for constitutional amendment of Pakistan, where a non-Muslim too can reach its top
position? For a Pakistan where an Ahmediyya too can be embraced by them? The world is waiting for an answer, alas, without much of a hope!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Prabhat Shankar</b> is a Senior Research Engineer in Industry<br />
<b>Geetanjali Yadav</b> is a Fullbright scholar, working in an Academic Institution</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-25693702249205149832018-11-21T20:11:00.003-08:002018-11-21T20:11:43.951-08:00The discredited BBC report: How it satisfies five out of six criteria of publishing false findings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, BBC published a report on Fake news, and
summarized its findings with the words ‘Nationalism is the Key driver of Fake
news in India’. The report was summarily dissected and called out for its miserably
small sample size, reliance on biased sources, questionable design and
definitions, and flip flops over qualitative/quantitative/ethnographic research.
In the note on the authorship, the writer claims: ‘This is a work of empirical
evidence, and not of opinions’. The strong claim implies full reliance on absolute
quantitative methods but is being defended as a ‘qualitative report’, which is ‘just
a starting point’. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The strong rebuttal of the report led to it being taken
down, and there was a hope that probably the authors will address the specific
queries raised, and subsequently have an objective look at the entire report.
Unfortunately, none of that happened, and without any explanations to the core
issues raised, BBC was back with an ostrich like attitude of ‘We stand by our
report’. In this light, it becomes even more important to call out their report
which is completely opaque on the most important points and seems to be driving
an agenda. This would not have been so harmful had it been an opinion piece.
But furthering a biased agenda by appropriating the word ‘research’ to it must
pass through the rigor that is demanded of scientific methods. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For considered to be a work of research, any work should
fulfill these criteria:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The data on which the report is based must be
free of sampling bias. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The conclusions obtained from the data, based on
suitable methodologies, must be independently verifiable and reproducible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The articles dissecting the BBC report have already demonstrated
the biased sources of this report. That alone is enough to deduce that the findings
of this ‘research report’ are false. Nevertheless, let us have a detailed look
at the phenomena of reports with false findings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
False research papers are flooding us continuously<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A landmark paper was published in 2005 in PLoS Medicine by John
PA Ionnidis on the phenomena of false findings of published research and is titled
‘<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124">Why
Most Published Research Findings are False</a>’. This paper has more than 6000
citations till date, demonstrating that published reports with false findings
are an epidemic in the academic field. The paper ascribes several reasons for research
paper with fake findings, which fall under the umbrella of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bias</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bias</b>: “It is the combination of various design, data analysis and
presentation factors that tend to produce research findings when they should
not be produced” is the definition of bias in this paper. The corollaries or
impact of having bias in a given study are listed as follows and has been taken
from the paper.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The smaller the studies conducted in a
scientific field, the less likely the research findings are to be true (It
studies the effect of small sample size).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The smaller the effect size, the less likely the
research findings are to be true (analyzes how small effect distorts the
findings).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The greater the number, and the lesser the
selection of tested relationship, the less likely the research finding is true (studies
impact of pre-study bias on the final outcome).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Greater the flexibility in design and
definitions, the less likely the research finding are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The greater the financial and other interests
and prejudices, the less likely the research findings are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The hotter a scientific field, the less likely
the research finding are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The study shows how the above factors often seep into the
publications, making their findings inaccurate or outright false. The idea of
scientific rigor exists to assure the above factors have been accounted for,
and the findings can be objective and verifiable. If the above points are not
adhered to and biases are not systematically eliminated, it is the purported research
findings which become “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">simply accurate
measures of the prevailing Bias</b>”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
Examining the BBC article on the above criteria of reliable research<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s examine the BBC article in the light of the six points
discussed above, where we also take into account their response to the
criticism and updated methodology as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The smaller the studies conducted in a scientific
field, the less likely the research findings are to be true<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sample size of 40 people has been defended by BBC as being
a qualitative report. In contrast, in the note in authorship, they have claim that
this is a work of empirical evidences and thus the conclusions are undeniable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The smaller the effect size, the less likely the
research findings are to be true:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The above point implies that research findings are truer
with large effects, and more tending to be false with small effects. Without
more transparency coming from BBC and them addressing their bias, this can
explain some aspects of their ‘research findings’. It looks probable that BBC found
certain instances of ‘Nationalism driving False news’ which may or may not have
been significant but has amplified this finding as its main conclusion without rigorous
cross check and analyzing alternate hypothesis. That is, they found some qualitative
evidence for this phenomenon, and have elevated it to their main conclusion due
to their confirmation bias.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The greater the number, and the lesser the
selection of tested relationship, the less likely the research finding is true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
This means “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that the post study probability that a finding is true, depends a lot
on the pre study odds</i>”. As many have pointed out, it seems entirely
possible that BBC first decided its conclusion, and then set out to find the evidence
for it. This aspect is supported most by the response of the BBC to its
criticism, where they have without responding to the point by point criticism,
have simply announced that they ‘stand with the conclusions of their articles’.
The questions of bias, political affiliation of the fact-check websites, have not
even been touched upon. The most glaring evidence for it comes from the fact
that there is no justification for the seed handles, which are used to
determine the fake news cluster. One is simply required to take the BBC word
for it on face value. This can only happen if the conclusions were already
determined due to the political bias of BBC. The evidence of the leftist bias
of BBC is well recorded here. (opindia article link)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Greater the flexibility in design and
definitions, the less likely the research finding are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The article mentions that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Flexibility increases the potential for
transforming what would be negative results to positive results</i>”. BBC has staged
a coup here, where they come with their criteria of ‘sources having produced at
least one fake news’. There is no reference to any community wide accepted
definition of ‘sources of fake news’, no attempts for its justification, and no
signs of acknowledging its mistake. The definition looks tailor made to include
certain seed handles and reach an already decided conclusion. The worst part
is, even for their own selected criteria, they refused to bring transparency by
showing the purported fake news of the listed handles for fake news. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The greater the financial and other interests
and prejudices, the less likely the research findings are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This seems to an equal contributor to their report full of
false findings. It need not be elaborated here as it has been covered in detail
in various links (opindia link). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The BBC
has relied on the ‘fact-check’ website altnews and factcheck, both of whose
founders have connections to the congress party, which are political rivals of
BJP and have been maligned in the report. As no explanation seems to be coming
from BBC on this link, the explanation which is left is the report is an outcome
of such prejudice, instead of being a work of honest analysis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The hotter a scientific field, the less likely
the research finding are to be true.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The arrival of social media has posed a great challenge to
the traditional media and has broken their hegemony. Consequent attempts of
portraying social medias as conveyors of fake news have been rampant and
articles about this phenomenon are appearing in traditional media with high
frequency. BBC seems to be capitalizing on it by publishing shoddy research, and
they might have thought it may go unchallenged due to the high volume of such
articles. But the contribution of this aspect looks rather small, as honest
mistakes arising due to this would have been corrected after pointing fingers
at it. In the face of their political bias, we are inclined to give BBC benefit
of doubt on this count.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, what we find is the already discredited ‘research
article’ satisfies five out of six criteria which contribute to publishing
reports with false findings. It is rather unfortunate and unbecoming of this
institution to have adopted an ostrich attitude and refused to honestly answer
the points raised about its articles. Its response has been nothing but an eyewash
and does not augur well for its further credibility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It brings to us the most likely explanation offered in the
landmark paper, that what we are observing is the quantified bias of the people
who have participated in this report. Such a bias maybe forgivable for an opinion
piece but appending the word ‘Research’ to it must muster questions and probes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
Can BBC salvage the situation<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no salvation for BBC until it comes clear of the questions
of methodology to select the twitter seeds, why the particular definition of ‘sources
with at least one fake news’ was chosen, the questions about the political bias
and transparency of the websites altnews and factcheck etc. However, as the
article mentions, ‘this may require a change in the scientific mentality, that
maybe difficult to achieve’. Will BBC try to regain any of its lost honor? <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
Postscript: The need of Transparency<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are few glaring questions which need to be addressed
by BBC in this regard on an urgent basis. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The BBC report builds heavily on other reports. Was
the veracity and bias of its reports analyzed, or the same was accepted as it
was? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The report lists a number of twitter handles and
websites as have ‘published fake news at least one time’. Please provide the source
data for this. That is, please list ‘fake news’ spread by these handles which
were found to be fake. The entire exercise is meaningless without this step,
and independent verification is crucial to eliminate bias.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Were the above handles and websites contacted
with the allegation of fake news against them, and was an effort to hear their
side of the story? If yes, please list their response. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The criteria of ‘at least one fake news’ is
satisfied by multiple websites, including BBC. Do you agree or disagree with it?
Please refer this article(opindia) for a detailed list. On what basis was BBC
excluded?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The website ‘The Better India’ was included in
the list of handles having at least one fake news. Subsequently it was
attributed to a ‘human error’. Please list why it was included initially, and how
this was removed subsequently. This too is an elementary step.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><!--[endif]-->On
the criteria of ‘at least one fake new’, who was responsible for preparing the labeled
data or fake news and true news. Was it an algorithm or a human? If it was a human,
what steps were taken to ensure eliminating any political bias? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->There have been lot of reports of bias against
Altnews, factcheck etc. Despite the multiple evidences, why are these not
labeled as source of fake news and having political bias.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->OpIndia has been a fact checking website which
has exposed multiple lies. Its editor was invited by BBC itself in the panel
discussion over Fake news. Why was this website not contacted for research purpose
during the research phase? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Citation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why most
published research findings are false: author's reply to Goodman and Greenland. </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">PLoS Med</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">. 2007;4(6):e215.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-10817629675028880892017-02-02T06:05:00.002-08:002017-02-02T06:05:46.643-08:00Few thoughts on Trump's executive order<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Trump's executive order on halting immigration from 7 country's have kicked up a storm in many parts of America, and the order is being projected as something unprecedented, diabolical, and unexpected from a civilized world. But looking at the coverage, I think some very important points are completely being overlooked into this debate. I will try to point them briefly.<br />
<br />
1. <b><u>Most critics are in denial of a problem in the first place:</u></b> While India has been a victim of Islamic separatism, radicalism and terrorism after it's partition in 1947 on religious lines, the problem has expanded worldwide in the post 9/11 era. There have been regular terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 26/11, Thailand, France, Belgium, London, Spain, China and numerous other countries which have direct links to Islamic radicalism. But instead of recognizing the JIhadi inspiration and link behind such attacks, many commentators try to cover them with the apology of 'Terror has no religion'. To prevent such attacks, governments have been forced to step up the security at airports, and are trying to spy in the digital world, which have created another uproar in the the form of Snowden leaks. But until the ideological fountainhead of these attacks are identified and countered, increased security measures will only lead to a police state with limited effectiveness.<br />
While Trump's order may or may not be correct, he is spot on in identifying the problem. The critics who fail to recognize the problem in the first place don't have enough credibility left, howsoever noise they will make. Advent of social media has ensured the such people don't retain monopoly on disseminating their ideas.<br />
<br />
2. <b><u>Golden principal is not a one way street:</u></b> While Trump's order must be criticized, it must be pointed out that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_passport#Countries_that_do_not_accept_Israeli_passports" target="_blank">sixteen countries ban Israel passport holders</a> to enter their countries, all of which are Muslim majority. It is just one example of discrimination against people of different religious beliefs from these countries, and in most of them, the situation of minorities can be termed pitiable at best. If Muslims are not ready to treat other religious beliefs with respect, why should they expect equal treatment from other countries. Trump's order should be criticized, but only after these countries revoke the ban on Israel passport, right?<br />
<br />
3. <b><u>Immunity of religious criticism is inconsistent with freedom:</u></b> While most religious beliefs are mocked and criticized, Islam has been given a free rope due to the fear of violent reprisal. Many movies mock and have uncharitable portrayal of Jesus, TV series like South Park are acerbic to every one, but they dare not portray Muhammad. Books like Satanic verses has been banned, and the authors is still in hiding to protect his life. The editorial staff of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was gunned down. Islamic society is plagued with problems such as Sharia law, which allow polygamy and divorce by saying 'Talak' three times. Criticism of such practices are met with the labels of 'Islamophobe' and 'Intolerant', while it is the other way round. Such a myopic and 'my way or highway' attitude towards religion is inconsistent with the principles of free movement and integration. Granted that not everyone is like that, but even a small fraction of people with such attitude are enough to bring the system out of equilibrium. Remember, not every Muslim demanded that Pakistan be created out of India, not everyone wanted Charlie Hebdo punished. Thus immigrants in need must be helped, but at the same time, it must be recognized that special efforts need to be in place to ensure that the integration is smooth, that freedom and criticism including satire should be accepted as a part of life.<br />
<br />
In my personal view, Islam needs lot of reform, the most important among which is the rejection of Sharia. Religions are private belief, and they should not be allowed to affect legislative matters. Immigration without efforts coupled with such reforms will continue to increase the problem due to few bad apples. And while immigration helps a small fraction of population, a majority of them continues to suffer under the regressive Sharia laws. It is time that the world takes notice. </div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-66338377138917824552016-06-11T08:33:00.000-07:002016-06-11T08:33:09.416-07:00Shocking new revelations about the 26/11 Mumbai terrorists attack<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbnTkXCfBE3H5YdA3pXtAxhkETrBg9-ZqOuihNVhebvk5l0gXkj7FCyZWZ9B4P_GuUrBWddw_K38e4-mtx_cAvZKNHiA_SIPvV_8Pv2WYFpt_bgydsMQ5GmX6MpBRl0qJXjWrRRctd8CF/s1600/mumbaiAttack2008_2258195b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbnTkXCfBE3H5YdA3pXtAxhkETrBg9-ZqOuihNVhebvk5l0gXkj7FCyZWZ9B4P_GuUrBWddw_K38e4-mtx_cAvZKNHiA_SIPvV_8Pv2WYFpt_bgydsMQ5GmX6MpBRl0qJXjWrRRctd8CF/s320/mumbaiAttack2008_2258195b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/While-Mumbai-burned-home-secretary-other-top-officials-were-busy-enjoying-Pakistan-hospitality/articleshow/52696250.cms" target="_blank">Certain shocking revelations</a> about the Pakistan sponsored terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26/11/2008 attacks have come to light following an RTI by RVS Mani, former Under Secretary, Home Ministry.<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>It was well known that Indian delegation, consisting of Union Home Secretary(Madhukar Gupta), Director and Joint Secy of Internal Security, Joint secy of Foreign division, Joint Secy CBI to name a few were in Islamabad for the 'Composite Dialogue' process. </li>
<li>What was completely unknown that after this dialogue ended on 26 evening, Pakistani establishment proposed to take them to a hill resort at Murree, a place 50 km away from Islamabad, to which the Indian delegation agreed.</li>
<li>As a result, when the attacks unfolded in Mumbai, the control room at the Home Ministry was almost empty, and there was confusion about coordinating information and action. </li>
<li>The Indian delegation returned only next afternoon, after loosing critical hours in the beginning phase. Surprisingly, this critical piece of information, and strong circumstantial evidence on Pakistani duplicity was not let known to the public.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Even more surprisingly, instead of raising storms, Madhukar Gupta who was silent for all these years, made the following points in an interview with Times Now, where he mentions that</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>dialogues were hold in a 'very cordial' manner, hence they had no reasons to mistrust their hosts</li>
<li>what difference would it have made had they been in Islamabad or Murree</li>
<li>What is to be gained by raising this issue after 7 years</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6cCVSyNIm48/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6cCVSyNIm48?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Contrast the above information with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6RJ7-PaXg6TIH2BzZfTV7w" target="_blank">actions of the Indian establishment</a>(6:20 min). The Pakistani Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary were in India the same fateful night. As soon as the information about Mumbai attacks emerged, they were provided an immediate flight to Pakistan, as the Indian establishment was concerned about their safety and security.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now it is an incredulous task to pin point the real issue at hand: are our bureaucrats incompetent beyond belief, or they have something nasty to hide. Also, whether the Indian media is much more obnoxious than it usually seem to be. While the reporting of Barkha Dutt, and the Tamasha by news channels has been heavily criticized on this issue, what have been the investigative journalists doing? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even though Kasab had been caught alive, Digvijay and co. tried to blame this event as '<a href="http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/rss---2611-digvijaya-flags-it-off-again-this-time-in-mumbai/730077/" target="_blank">RSS ki Sazish</a>'. What would have happened if all the 10 Jehadis had been shot dead, and thus there would have been no testimony of Kasab? Looking at the coverage of media, it was highly probable that 'Hindu groups' would have been blamed for this by a very large section of the media. Tukaram Ombale, the constable who paid by his life, but caught Kasab alive foiled this very likely scenario. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Are the above suspicion just a wild goose chase? Consider other revelations related to security issues during UPA2:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The role of a Lashkar-e-Toiba Fidayeen Ishrat Jahan has been tried to be whitewashed by the entire UPA machinery, and tried to be portrayed as 'Fake encounter'.</li>
<li>The same issue was used to break the morale of IB, create a fissure between IB and CBI, where CBI tried to arrest top officers of IB, including Rajinder Kumar who provided intel for Ishrat Jahan.</li>
<li>Recent revelations have shown that Col Purohit was framed in false cases, just because the term 'Hindu terror' could hang in air.</li>
<li>Samjhauta blasts, in which initially the <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/let-behind-samjhauta-blasts-nia-to-quote-us-agencies-in-court/articleshow/52430085.cms" target="_blank">role of Lashkar was being investigated</a>, was suddenly turned towards some 'Hindu groups'.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The criminal rot brought in by UPA 2, and the complicit role played by 'secular liberal' media has brought things to a dangerous juncture. If national security can be thrown to the winds, and doesn't invite intense scrutiny, how long can this vast nation remain together? </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-7812248216760451772015-11-03T05:08:00.000-08:002015-11-03T05:08:33.415-08:00Introducing a Scholar Hindu Monk: Swami Sarvapriyananda <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe1J7gdkXDNek_iCemV-ze9EuCCq0z6X_Ilnw5FpNO-c5l567fPca5VhoQr6aIgp5Wa10h2N0MmCBVSgOI2EoCpFzmiELvk7NqaSZp9D2ueU-Jb6mWt_1sy3MJFwhsIVOb2OqqzMePgMo/s1600/Temple-at-Ramkrishna-Mission-deoghar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe1J7gdkXDNek_iCemV-ze9EuCCq0z6X_Ilnw5FpNO-c5l567fPca5VhoQr6aIgp5Wa10h2N0MmCBVSgOI2EoCpFzmiELvk7NqaSZp9D2ueU-Jb6mWt_1sy3MJFwhsIVOb2OqqzMePgMo/s320/Temple-at-Ramkrishna-Mission-deoghar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We all have fond memories of our childhood, including the time spent at the school. If your childhood was spent in a residential school, away from home, then the school memories occupies a larger part of your persona. I have been fortunate to spend my childhood at the very beautiful and scenic campus of <a href="http://www.rkmvdeoghar.org/" target="_blank">Ramakrishna Mission Deoghar</a>, now in Jharkhand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The entrance test of this school had consisted of two parts, a written and a "kind of" interview part. In the interview, all the children were collected in a classroom, and were required to do various tasks, assigned by various people. During that period, a monk dressed in white came to our class. He showed us some examples of mathematical calculations, based on multiplications of 11. For example, he showed that 11x11=121, 11x11x11=1331, etc, and asked us to compute us some larger products. That's all I can recall today from that time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After joining the school, we had chance to meet many monks, and the above monk also was present, and we came to know him as Vishwaroop Maharaj. Soft spoken and smiling, he was also present many times during the computer labs in those times of BASIC language. But there was not a lot of interaction with him, until we moved to more senior classes. I don't remember if he taught us ICVE(Indian Culture and Value Education) or not, as I remember this being taught by some other monks to my class. But Vishwaroop Maharaj had an opportunity to come to our class for short period during our final years. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During class 10, we had to study world history, primarily the history of World war 1 and 2, modern world, and modern India. History classes are supposed to be soporific, though world history did seem interesting. Vishwaroop Maharaj was not our history teacher, but he was substituting for the absence for some teacher for few periods. He offered us to narrate the history of a specific war during world war II: The attack on Pearl Harbor. We happily agreed, but nobody had thought his narration would be so spellbinding and will leave a lasting impression. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He started his narration with the context of world war II, and how the Japanese involvement started. For the next two or three classes, he told us minutely about the different aspects of the preparation for the attack, how they were able to keep it as a secret, and how the micromanaged the plan. For example, to not let the military radars detect the fighter planes, they practiced flying as low as a few hundred feet over the land! He talked about the minute planning attack, best case and worst case scenario in the plans and so on. As mere students, we all were left mesmerized and craving for more after his periods were over. A bit more we got indeed, as the movie "Pearl Harbor" was released during that time, and he arranged for us to watch that movie. But after his narration, the movie actually looked quite stale :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After my passing out from the school, he soon got sannyas and the ochre robes, with the new name of Swami Sarvapriyananda, a very apt name. I had few chances to interact with him after that, as he came once to IIT Kharagpur for a lecture on Vedanta, and other time when I went to Belur Math. Fortunately, he also made me say hello to another monk Mahan Maharaj(mathematician). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Though we had know Vishwaroop Maharaj as a very learned monk during that time, but since, he has been introducing Hinduism and Vedanta at various platforms in a very beautiful manner. His lecture series at IIT Kanpur has been really popular. I am not sure, but I think he has been transferred to a Vedanta society in United States. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many of his video lectures are available on Internet, where he talks about various aspects of Hinduism, consciousness, body and mind, Vedanta in his beautiful voice. Beyond any religious dogma, he focuses on the essential questions of life, and provides lot of material for thinking and pondering over. I am giving link to one of the lectures, and others can be seen over youtube. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D2jH_3eU6lE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D2jH_3eU6lE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Swami Sarvapriyananda at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BGswR0tMqCM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BGswR0tMqCM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Swami Sarvapriyananda at IIT Kanpur</div>
<br />
<br />
I hope that he will introduce the elegant and beautiful ideas of Hinduism to the world, which are strew across the various texts of Upanishads, which will provide a way out for religious harmony in the coming decades.</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-86735636446084130662014-08-29T18:15:00.000-07:002014-08-29T18:17:01.197-07:00Spiritual cities in India: Open meditation centers near the holy temples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dUqskI5EreGHbALE3QUbGNqCyslAcp_Jd6algJxXy-Di2kCres6FCM1ct7GAdLnIoNRvAPunT06DmUorNfM-ImeccFy-940Jj3cKMfwhmsdMTDvVMAcIWEtcD6osT11HSdZ4nsfBJQj_/s1600/Ahilya_Ghat_by_the_Ganges,_Varanasi+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dUqskI5EreGHbALE3QUbGNqCyslAcp_Jd6algJxXy-Di2kCres6FCM1ct7GAdLnIoNRvAPunT06DmUorNfM-ImeccFy-940Jj3cKMfwhmsdMTDvVMAcIWEtcD6osT11HSdZ4nsfBJQj_/s1600/Ahilya_Ghat_by_the_Ganges,_Varanasi+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Narendra Modi has been elected the Prime Minister of India from the most ancient and holy city of Varanasi on a new dawn of hope after a very long era of pessimism, neglect and stagnation. While Varanasi has been one of the center points points of Indian spiritualism, in its present condition, it is disorganized and dirty. After taking over, Modi is fast tracking the ways to take the city out of its sorry state, and to scale it to new heights. He has added Kyoto on his upcoming visit to Japan, so that Varanasi can learn something from the development of this charming city.<br />
<br />
While there must be hundreds of proposal to transform Varanasi and other heritage cities into vibrant centers of spirituality and culture, I would like to add one more suggestion to it. This has got purely to do with the spiritual aspect, rather than the infrastructure of the city. In present Kyoto, while there are hundreds of very beautiful temples who have preserved the rituals and cultures of Japan, they have mostly become a tourist destination. On the contrast, in India, many people visit Varanasi or other holy cities primary for the spiritual purpose rather than tourism. Thus, while developing these cities, this aspect has to be kept in mind.<br />
<br />
Indian spirituality definitely emphasizes rituals as a way to take the mind deeper into itself, but it prescribes self-introspection, primarily via meditation as the most important tool of self upliftment. Meditation has recently gained traction all over the world due to its perceptible and tangible benefits. Thus, while upgrading our own holy cities to the next level, it should be important to upgrade them spiritually as well. One of the ways to achieve it is to construct meditation centers for people in the vicinity of the holy temples, so that people can not only meet their deities, but they can also meditate upon them in peace for sometime. A beautiful statue of the deity related to the holy city can be placed in the meditation center. In many cases, there is no space near the temple as it is a very crowded area. In this situation, the meditation centers can be located as close as possible to the temple area.<br />
<br />
Having such a meditation center will help the devotees to quietly sit down and infuse himself with the spirit pervading around the holy city. Meditative postures in holy atmosphere is a breeding ground for noble and uplifting ideas. It is the way forward for self upliftment, and to understand the true meaning of spirituality.<br />
<br />
I am sure many other additions can be made to this suggestion, though I keep myself confined to this simple idea. Any other related ideas are welcome.</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-54564991932006789002014-08-22T21:15:00.001-07:002014-08-22T21:16:39.305-07:00School toilets in India: Statewise Comparision<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Narendra Modi, the most popular prime minister in India in about three decades, delivered his maiden independence speech from the ramparts of red fort on 15 August. The speech, delivered extempore, was memorable for a number of reasons. Instead of talking in abstract terms and eloquent visions, he surprised one and all by talking about the most elementary and banal things related to day to day life of the common Indian men. One of the things he dwelt upon at length was related to cleanliness, hygiene, and <b>toilets. </b>Indian public places, even those in the so called metro cities are unfortunately indescribably dirty. But again, instead of talking in jargon, Modi set a simple goal: to have toilets in each and every government school in India. Unfortunately again, many of the government schools are devoid of this basic amenity, and is one of the big reasons that many students, particularly girls, stay away from schools in rural areas.<br />
<br />
After the speech, the human resource ministry, taking quick action, put up the complete list of all schools in India, along with the data about how many of them lack toilets completely of separately for boys and girls. The data for toilets can be accessed at this <a href="http://udise.in/SRC-New/ReportModule/Toilet/Report.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>. The population data has been taken from wikipedia.<br />
<br />
The above list is a good indicator about the development index of every state. In the above list, I have added the data of population of each state, and computed the ratio of schools, populations, and toilets without schools. Also, the data for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has been combined in the same state, as population data for them were not available to me separately.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u> The best performers</u></b><br />
The following states had toilets in all the schools!<br />
<div>
a) Lakshadweep b) Daman & Diu c) Pondicherry d) Delhi e) Chandigarh </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All of them are union territories, and are not large in size. Despite, kudos for showing everything is not lost in India.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
B) States/UT with maximum number of schools to population ratio:</div>
<div>
If a state has larger population, it should have more number of schools. Computing the number of schools to total population may give an idea about the teacher-student ratio. Meghalaya was found to have the highest ratio, and all other states were normalized with respect to its ratio. Hence, Meghalaya has shown to be the highest ratio of 1. The top 10 states in this regard are:<br />
<style type="text/css">
.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;border-color:#aaa;}
.tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#aaa;color:#333;background-color:#fff;}
.tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#aaa;color:#fff;background-color:#f38630;}
.tg .tg-e3zv{font-weight:bold}
</style>
<br />
<table class="tg">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-e3zv">States with best<br />
school/population <br />
ratio</th>
<th class="tg-031e">Ratio</th>
<th class="tg-e3zv">States with worst<br />
school/population</th>
<th class="tg-031e">Ratio</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">1) Meghalaya (Best)</td>
<td class="tg-031e">1</td>
<td class="tg-031e">1) Chandigarh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.05</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">2) Arunachal Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.94</td>
<td class="tg-031e">2) Delhi</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">3) Himachal Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.85</td>
<td class="tg-031e">3) Kerala</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.07</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">4) Mizoram</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.8</td>
<td class="tg-031e">4) Pondicherry</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">5) Chhattisgarh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.72</td>
<td class="tg-031e">5) Daman & Diu</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">6) Jammu And Kashmir</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.71</td>
<td class="tg-031e">6) Tamil Nadu</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">7) Uttaranchal</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.67</td>
<td class="tg-031e">7) Andhra Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">8) Assam</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.62</td>
<td class="tg-031e">8) Gujarat</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">9) Madhya Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.61</td>
<td class="tg-031e">9) Maharashtra</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.23</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">10) Sikkim</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.55</td>
<td class="tg-031e">10) Haryana</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.23</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The interesting thing about above ratio is, Chandigarh, Kerala, Delhi, all three have the worst ratio of schools, but these places are supposed to have good education in schools. It will be interesting to actually investigate the further effect of this ratio.<br />
<br />
The north-eastern states figure prominently in the best ratio of schools per population. Hope the bigger and central states learn something from these places.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The worst performers:</u></b><br />
Now we take a look at the best and worst performers in the number of dysfunctional toilets. The data shared by the ministry lists the number of schools with no toilets for boys, with no toilet for girls, dysfunctional toilets for boys and for girls. To get a simple picture, I have added the number of schools with absent toilets and dysfunctional toilets, for boys and girls separately. The total (dysfunctional+non-existent) toilets for boys and girls are very closely similar, so for the sake of convenience, I am presenting the results on the basis of data of boys toilet.<br />
<style type="text/css">
.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;border-color:#aaa;}
.tg td{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#aaa;color:#333;background-color:#fff;}
.tg th{font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-weight:normal;padding:10px 5px;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;overflow:hidden;word-break:normal;border-color:#aaa;color:#fff;background-color:#f38630;}
</style>
<br />
<table class="tg">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th class="tg-031e">States with minimum <br />
absent+dysfunctional <br />
boys toilets per school<br />
Best Performers</th>
<th class="tg-031e">Ratio</th>
<th class="tg-031e">States with maximum<br />
absent+dysfunctional<br />
boys toilets per schools<br />
Worst Performers</th>
<th class="tg-031e">ratio</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">1) Lakshadweep</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0</td>
<td class="tg-031e">1) Arunachal Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.63</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">2) Daman & Diu</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0</td>
<td class="tg-031e">2) Meghalaya</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">3) Pondicherry</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0</td>
<td class="tg-031e">3) Assam</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">4) Delhi</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0</td>
<td class="tg-031e">4) Bihar</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">5) Chandigarh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0</td>
<td class="tg-031e">5) Jammu And Kashmir</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.41</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">6) Karnataka</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.01</td>
<td class="tg-031e">6) Odisha</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.39</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">7) Andhra Pradesh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.01</td>
<td class="tg-031e">7) Mizoram</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">8) Maharashtra</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.04</td>
<td class="tg-031e">8) West Bengal</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">9) Gujarat</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.04</td>
<td class="tg-031e">9) Chhattisgarh</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.24</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="tg-031e">10) Kerala</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.05</td>
<td class="tg-031e">10) Jharkhand</td>
<td class="tg-031e">0.22</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Gujarat and Kerala figure in the top 10 performers in this regard. In the worst performers category, the north-eastern states, which came out on top in the list of maximum school to population ratio, unfortunately they come on top in this regard also. Among the large states, Bihar, West Bengal take the top positions.<br />
Honestly, I expected UP to be in this list as well, but it was a pleasant surprise that UP's performance is very good in the situation of toilets, and only 6% of its schools are without or with dysfunctional toilets.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Unique position of Bihar:</u></b><br />
Combining the two data above has unfortunately put Bihar in a unique special distinction: It is the only state which has a worse dysfunctional toilet ratio, as compared to its number of schools per population. All other states, from the worst to best performers in any category, have a better ratio of schools per population than its dysfunctional toilets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1zmC8T3j3Jk-9-Ew-o7P418cEaj-tWNhwBwsg5V2MncHkgRIhedYAxVUJ5CQv3WMF5mObekmoU2e8b1PPY2Vz-06o6q5nmGl55dfl_iOHyO2GpqzviyPcHMh98Cjiiq3WdOpYh8xFXDG/s1600/final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1zmC8T3j3Jk-9-Ew-o7P418cEaj-tWNhwBwsg5V2MncHkgRIhedYAxVUJ5CQv3WMF5mObekmoU2e8b1PPY2Vz-06o6q5nmGl55dfl_iOHyO2GpqzviyPcHMh98Cjiiq3WdOpYh8xFXDG/s1600/final.png" height="316" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The above statistics are an interesting indicator to the state of education in different states. I hope that the initiative taken by Narendra Modi will lead to fully functional toilets in all the schools. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The data for the above analysis can be downloaded from here :<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B24bIbJuIQJ-NVU2Tm1jX3dzeEE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">.xls format</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B24bIbJuIQJ-cXFxR08tMzZ2dzg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">.pdf format</a>, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B24bIbJuIQJ-S3czeEZGcXNxdVU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">.ods format</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-23466012375672392202014-02-17T07:35:00.004-08:002014-02-17T07:35:35.019-08:00What AAP could have done differently<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><u>Prologue</u></i></b><br />
AAP unexpectedly got 28 seats in the Delhi MLA elections 2013. Though it contested on primarily an anti-corruption platform, the election manifesto was full of populist promises as well. A combination of both of it, combined with the enthusiasm of young generation propelled it as the second largest party. As its ascendency was coupled with lot of hype, the largest party, BJP, deemed it prudent to give AAP a chance to form a government, and show how an efficient and honest government ought to run. But sadly, and to the disappointment of its supporters and opponenets alike, it failed to live up to its promise, and visibly ran away from the challenge of a meaningful government. As suggested by my friend, I would like to point out how AAP could have provided a better government for all the people who had deposed their faith in it.<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>What AAP could have done differently:</b></i></u><br />
First of all, governance is not a 100m sprint, it is a marathon. There are no shortcuts here, and a good vision needs sufficient time to implement. That AAP chose to quit so early points to nothing but a lack of vision. Yet, even in such a short span, there are some things which could have been done differently to set an example.<br />a) <b>Holding of Janta Durbar</b>: AAP had promised regular janta durbar. Its first darbar saw enthusiastic participation, but that led to Kejriwal running away from there, promising a subsequent date, but only to announce two days later that no more janta durbar would be held at all !! This episode could have been handled in a much better way. Kejriwal should have made it a point to hold at least one efficient Janta durbar after the failure of the first one to set an encouraging example. This was the basic minimum which was expected of him, and to me, it is one of biggest disappointment.<br />
<br />
b) <b>Cleaning of Yamuna</b>: Delhi has become notorious with the stench of one of India's historical symbols: Yamuna river. Sheila Dixit promised but did not give a damn on this issue. Spontaneously taking a resolve and initiating the work towards cleaning of Yamuna would have been a very positive and meaningful action. But not being a populist measure, it did not figure anywhere on the to-do list of AAP.<br />
<br />
c) <b>Introducing a work culture of efficiency and punctuality</b>: India is notorious for its laziness and not sticking to office timings. It is as much a part of corruption, as much is taking bribe. From the day AAP came into office, it could have tried to send a message of sticking to disciplined timings, and efficient work. That is the key to the corporate governance of India's ailing public sector. Emphasizing this would not have cost a dime, and such public conduct would win the hearts of one and all.<br />
<br />
d) <b>Announcing to make Delhi an entrepreneurship hub</b>: If Bangalore can be an IT hub, if Gujarat can be Milk hub, why cannot Delhi be an enterpreneurhip hub? Kejriwal could have done some announcements to give special incentives to young graduates for supporting entrepreneurship. That would have dispelled all the negative doubts about its economic vision. But it was too bogged down with populist promises.<br />
<br />
e) <b>FIR against Sheila</b>: You have a 370 page "proof" against Sheila in numerous cases, and in the end you don't have even an FIR against her in 50 days! Whom is AAP trying to fool?<br />
<br />
These are just a few examples which came in my mind. If a party is ready to be in power, and supposedly has a vision, it should have 100s of such things in mind.<br />
<br />
<b><u><i>What AAP should not have done</i></u></b>:<br />
This list is long, and I would keep it short, and would not put much comments for it:<br />
a) <b>Announcing electricity dues exemption only for the people who had given in to the call of AAP </b>for not submitting electricity bill: Without exception, it is extremely despicable, corrupt and divisive move. This would anyway have been challenged in the court, and party would have had to apologize in the end. But AAP tried to do it is itself extremely dangerous as a precedent.<br />
<br />
b) <b>Protecting Somnath Bharati to any extent</b>: The list of antics of Bharati is long, and a prominent founding member of AAP resigned from the party as Bharati was untouched for his actions. For a party which demands the resignation of others over accusations, it was blatant double standards. For a party which seeks to set the bar higher, it has to adhere to its own principles.<br />
<br />
<b><u><i>Why AAP ran away in this manner:</i></u></b><br />
<b>Three principle reasons</b> in short:<br />
<br />
a) It had not expected coming in the power in the first place, and thus its manifesto was full of populism. Being in power, and not being able to fulfil those promises was exposing it everyday, and AAP chose to became a martyr instead.<br />
<br />
b) Feeling the heat due to media scrunity of its accountability: Apart from the manifesto, the actions of its members like Bharati, Binny were attracting lots of negative press, and its image was taking a beating. AAP decided to quit to stop the erosion of this public goodwill, if you don't perform. It feared perishing to the hopes it had generated.<br />
<br />
c) Lure of Loksabha: This was the most important reason for its quitting power. Having the responsibility to govern chained AAP to delhi, while it was looking forward to assuiming more power in central elections. It decide to ditch delhi government, only to garner more votes in center. But what for??? To stop Modi.<br />
<br />
<b>Many people had predicted before the Delhi polls, that AAP would eventually have a coalition with congress.</b> That proved true after sometimes, when AAP tried to fool the people by an "SMS Poll". This time also, it is quite evident that it would be happy to take outside support of congress, but would never take or give support to BJP. And that would lead to the backdoor entry of congress again. Precisely why Sheila Dixit was not chargsheeted in Delhi.<br />
<br />
<b>Some questions raised by "quitting power" by AAP in Delhi:</b><br />
1. AAP wants majority government in Delhi, as it says a coalition makes it difficult to take decisions. Doesn't the same hold true in center? BJP with its pan-India presence and under able leadership of Modi is in a position to deliver it. So AAP itself is giving best arguments to support Namo. Why it is hypocritically opposing BJP then? Lure of power?<br />
<br />
2. In a post poll scenario, whom would AAP support? Third front or Congress? Which of these two is better for the country.<br />
<br />
3. Why Kejriwal is not at all interested in governing and providing good administration to Delhi any more? What about his promise to Delhi people, and why this hurry for Loksabha?<br />
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-50901523770065331122014-02-10T07:31:00.000-08:002014-02-10T20:11:16.470-08:00Samjhauta, Aseemananda, and Ishrat Jahan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My main contention in this post: Despite sufficient evidence, and despite contradictory, inconclusive evidences, present congress government is trying to malign RSS or BJP through leaks to media purely for political gains, and is already jeopardizing national security for this. Both Aseemananda and Ishrat Jehan point to this.<br />
<br />
First the Aseemananda case. The relevant links are:<br />
a) <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links-1463614" target="_blank">US review finds five warnings of Headley’s militant links</a><br />
b) <a href="http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/samjhauta-express-blast-vs-mumbai-terror-attacks-3328.html" target="_blank">Samjhauta Express Blast Vs Mumbai Terror Attacks</a> (Former director, NIA)<br />
c) <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Post-Samjhauta-bombing-Kamal-Chouhan-was-saving-cows/articleshow/11907374.cms?" target="_blank">RSS man Kamal Chauhan also was alleged</a>: Read its last paragraph, according to villagers, his presence in a marriage was video recorded.<br />
d) <a href="http://www.un.org/spanish/sc/committees/1267/NSQIQ27109S.shtml" target="_blank">Spanish news article on Arif Quasmani</a>. UN resolution was passed condemning LeT and this terrorist role in Samjhauta blast.<br />
e) <a href="http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/Samjhauta-Blast-Case-Counter-Investigation-To-NIA-Investigation/2013/01/23/article1432735.ece#.UvjiCd_E_JV" target="_blank">A comprehensive listing by S Gurumurthy on all aspects</a>: Gurumurthy is an RSS ideologue, but he would be last few person who can be accused of taking help of falsehood to forward their case.<br />
f) <a href="http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/exwife-spoke-of-headley--samjhauta-link-/708027/" target="_blank">Ex wife of David Headley had implicated him in Samjhauta blast</a>.<br />
e) An opinion piece: <a href="http://www.thestatesman.net/news/38367-is-india-blind-and-deaf.html" target="_blank">Is India blind and deaf</a><br />
<br />
So while there is enough smoke to do an impartial investigation, government is using it a tool to malign RSS and BJP in the election season. There have been numerous blasts, but the investigation seems to be going in only one of them.<br />
<br />
The case of Ishrat Jahan is even more sinister. She was a fidayeen, recruited to participate in eliminating Narendra Modi. But such is the hatred of Congress against Modi that it is trying to punish the officials involved in averting this catastrophe. Lets first see who all say whether Ishrat Jahan was a terrorist.<br />
<br />
a) <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/fbi-to-ib-headley-says-ishrat-was-let-terrorist/article1-1076397.aspx" target="_blank">Headley confessed the role of Ishrat Jahan</a><br />
b) <a href="http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/home-ministry-affidavit-called-ishrat-a-terrorist" target="_blank">Home ministry affidavit had called Ishrat a terrorist</a><br />
c) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KaBovkLXFE" target="_blank">Ishrat had come only for a "chota-mota blast", and not to kill Modi</a>, thus says a journo on Prime time TV.<br />
d) <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/154037321/nia-ishrat-jehan-headley-note" target="_blank">NIA note o</a><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/154037321/nia-ishrat-jehan-headley-note" target="_blank">n Ishrat</a><br />
e) <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ishrat-jahan-gujarat-cop-produces-us-embassy-letter-linking-david-headley-to-ishrat-jahan/1/304357.html" target="_blank">US embassy letter on the same</a><br />
f) <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/politics/ishrat-jahan-the-inconvenient-story-no-one-wants-to-tell-867173.html" target="_blank">Inconvenient story no one wants to tell</a><br />
g) <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/india/leaked-nia-document-indicates-cover-up-in-ishrat-jahan-case-958401.html" target="_blank">Again leaked NIA documents with more links</a><br />
h) <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/india/ishrat-jahan-case-intelligence-wont-survive-the-investigation-939229.html" target="_blank">IB won't survive this attack on itself</a><br />
i) Analysis: <a href="http://amishra77.com/2014/01/04/the-real-game-in-ishrat-jahan-case/" target="_blank">Why it is important to "prove" that Ishrat was not a terrorist</a><br />
j) <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fake-encounters-congress-ruled-states-narendra-modi-gujarat/1/286891.html" target="_blank">Fake encounter statistics</a>: Gujarat is on number 17, with only 12 fake encounters out of a total of 880. But newspapers make us believe that this happens disproportinately higher in Gujarat.<br />
k) <a href="http://creative.sulekha.com/let-website-called-ishrat-a-martyr-gk-pillai-india-news-ibnlive_42472_link" target="_blank">LeT website had listed Ishrat Jahan</a> as a Martyr after her death. (Original link doesnt seem to be working).<br />
l) <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Ishrat-Jahan-was-an-LeT-fidayeen-Headley/articleshow/6129125.cms?intenttarget=no" target="_blank">Ishrat Jahan was an LeT fidayeen: Headley</a><br />
m) Analysis: <a href="http://www.mediacrooks.com/2013/07/ungrateful-people_20.html" target="_blank">Ungrateful People</a>, Read about the case of Punjab officer A S Sandhu, who contributed in eliminating terrorism from Punjab.<br />
<br />
Last year, papers were full of leaks to NDTV, Tehleka with stories of "kali dadhi, safed dadhi" etc, to keep the pot boiling against Amit Shah, and Narendra Modi. There was not even so much evidence to chargesheet him, but he has been held guilty without a trial. This is the real game of central government.<br />
<br />
Can you understand the implications of a government destroying its own anti-terror infrastructure? A government must act very maturely in such a sensitive manner, but congress party is acting against National interests.<br />
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-7224334046930608072014-01-20T02:47:00.002-08:002014-01-20T03:00:46.563-08:00Why you should Vote for Modi in Loksabha elections?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Without any preambles, I would go directly into the main topic: Why you must vote Modi in Loksabha elections, and why you must not vote for AAP there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQIo829EufFDpeqqx2Ui8iN6LiJcegbnjZ_2Ma_PK6U9Xo2dDeBp9fwB20GPhCf52ypPu78gTYPZ63VvjT_CQFKd_-5i1-Y9YeEBjsIYKK8cDNsA6mUA7ShJk6kNZSax_d-WUcQqBfcIs/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQIo829EufFDpeqqx2Ui8iN6LiJcegbnjZ_2Ma_PK6U9Xo2dDeBp9fwB20GPhCf52ypPu78gTYPZ63VvjT_CQFKd_-5i1-Y9YeEBjsIYKK8cDNsA6mUA7ShJk6kNZSax_d-WUcQqBfcIs/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. </span><b><u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">need good</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> intention+experience+stability at center</span></u></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: AAP has only the first one, and it cannot provide the other two critical factors at the present moment. Only BJP can provide the three factors together. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AAP has shown good intentions, and people have rewarded them with the delhi crown. But now it is the turn of AAP to justify it by establishing itself as an entity capable of governance, instead of demanding more power from the AAM Aadmi. BJP has been working for 3 decades, has a pan-Indian presence, track record of governance, and a galaxy of capable leaders, making it the suitable candidate for the national stage. But any set of people need an able leader as well, which they have found in Modi.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AAP in center will be a recipe for instability and inexperience, despite any quantum of good intentions. The challenges being faced in Delhi by them, and their immature reaction is orders of magnitude smaller when compared with what they will face even in a stable India. You simply can’t trust your Mercedes with a driver with learning license.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't forget: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>The road to hell is paved with good intentions</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Modi has shown path-breaking good intentions coupled with delivery</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: It didn’t start in 2012, but started in 2001.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a) Read about his very good management post 2001 <a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/allaboutnarendramodi/know-narendra-modi-learn-why-gujarat-needs-him/article1-946987.aspx" target="_blank">earthquake relief work.</a> Read it <a href="http://www.swaminarayan.org/news/2001/01/earthquake/Rehab13.htm" target="_blank">here</a> too. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b) Vibrant Gujarat summit <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibrant_Gujarat_Global_Investor_Summit" target="_blank">starts in 2003</a>, to attract investment.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">c) Opposition leaders told him its impossible when he talked about 24 hours electricity. But the work started in 2005, a new grid was established, and <a href="http://guruprasad.net/posts/modi-phenomenon-propaganda-or-reality/" target="_blank">project was successful</a>. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d) Path breaking initiative of <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujarat-narendra-modi-asia-largest-solar-field/1/185189.html" target="_blank">Solar powers over canal-tops</a>.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">e) Reviving and beautifying the <a href="http://www.narendramodi.in/glimpses-of-the-scenic-gardens-at-sabarmati-riverfront-jointly-inaugurated-by-shri-l-k-advani-and-shri-narendra-modi/" target="_blank">Sabarmati river-front</a>, and providing dignity to Indian cities.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">f) Kejriwal talked of Janta durbar, failed, and gave up on alternate form. Gujarat has UN award winning <a href="http://www.narendramodi.in/to-achieve-justice-swagat-has-become-a-ray-of-hope-for-citizens/" target="_blank">SWAGAT</a> initiative back from 2003, with a<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-swagat-says-un-to-gujarat-cmos-initiative-1405061" target="_blank"> very high success ratio</a>. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">g) Award winning public <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-ahmedabad-s-bus-rapid-transit-system-wins-sustainable-transport-award-in-washington-1334188" target="_blank">Bus transport system</a> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The above are just a few examples of good governance. He didn’t achieve this by sitting on a dharna, but by silently working for decades. His prominence is only a recent phenomena, after 2012.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>His call for India first, without any division is what exactly India needs</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. To be honest, I would not trust AAP at all in this front, and they seem to be going the congress way in this regard. Few examples:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a) Their prompt <a href="http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anna-hazare-rss-links-ramlila-maidan/1/148751.html" target="_blank">removal of pics of Bharat Mata</a> from the anti-corruption stage.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b) Calling <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/kejriwal-justifies-demand-for-probe-into-batla-house-encounter/article4950895.ece" target="_blank">Batla house encounter fake.</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">c) Pandering to <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-the-charges-levelled-against-tauqeer-raza-regarding-issue-of-fatwa-against-taslima-nasreen-are-wrong-arvind-kejriwal-1914198" target="_blank">Taukeer Raja</a>. Slammed <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-06/india/43731188_1_taslima-nasrin-arvind-kejriwal-aap" target="_blank">by Tasleema</a>.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d) Yogendra Yadav demanding <a href="http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-01-06/news/45918537_1_aap-aam-aadmi-party-additional-quota" target="_blank">even more reservations</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These examples are important, because they came up when AAP was dealing with as small an entity as Delhi. Looking at the central stage, many more of such things would come up. Modi is very clear on these counts: No pandering to anyone.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u> India does not need free water mindset</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: The people who came up with free water mindset, cannot be trusted to lead into a entrepreneurial and energetic India. Congress, NAC and socialists are driven by this mindset. True that BJP too has shown this tendency, but under Modi, the singular focus will be on efficiency, rather than cheap votes.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>National integration and foreign affairs</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: AAP cannot be trusted with Kashmir, and it is incapable of driving any type of foreign policy. Indian cannot stab itself by giving itself to inexperienced hands here. Small mistakes in this area costs very dearly. Atal Bihari Vajpayee had shown a strong foreign policy in many ways because of his long experience and vision. Modi will follow in those footsteps.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Because all parties are not equally bad, and we need a congress-Mukt Bharat</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: The snake-oil sold by AAP that "all parties are equal" is not true. The disgust in last few years arose because of the gigantic scams of congress, and not because of BJP. BJP could be accused of being a lethargic opponent, but that is not the same as being corrupt and traitors. The rule of Atal, Modi, Shivaraj Chauhan, Manohar Parriker, and a long list of leaders show that BJP is capable and ready to steer India in a good direction. AAP got what it deserved in Delhi, let BJP get what it deserves in Center.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><u>Given 80% wightage to track record over poll manifesto:</u></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You cannot vote on a promise alone, if you are being shown two beautiful promises.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe that we think for India, and not for Political parties. Coming of BJP in center is in the best interest of India, and I don't care if it is in the best interest of BJP or AAP or not. Let other parties get experience first, and not rush in for power when they are untested. And given the negative agenda and vested interest of Media to keep BJP away from power, it is necessary that the campaign to bring Modi in center will have to be run by the AAM Aadmi himself. Most people are realizing it, and thats why there is so much interest in promoting the name of Modi. I hope everyone will do his bit by spreading the message, and working for a stable and well governed India. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You may read this as well: <a href="http://www.theindianrepublic.com/tbp/support-narendra-modi-pm-2014-2-100013687.html" target="_blank">Why Modi?</a></span></div>
</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-8668465700622754482013-08-29T08:42:00.002-07:002013-08-29T08:46:48.977-07:00A crash course to congressi secularism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<ol>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIQlv4LVtqSt3UMOSNEHVs77haHKOluFLSN7dzgLzLUimMY5IxxZkqKqAMGx-eEWwb88Zz2TVyH0zHJLJJVp_oOBtIe7KcNRBv0ZxhQ3EUV6WS6wR4SUWN6C1-N-wsTP0yRAkqz6s82IU/s1600/sec3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIQlv4LVtqSt3UMOSNEHVs77haHKOluFLSN7dzgLzLUimMY5IxxZkqKqAMGx-eEWwb88Zz2TVyH0zHJLJJVp_oOBtIe7KcNRBv0ZxhQ3EUV6WS6wR4SUWN6C1-N-wsTP0yRAkqz6s82IU/s320/sec3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
<li>India is secular because of congress. It was communal back in
history, except for a few secular leaders like Akbar. Gandhiji made it
somewhat secular, and Indira Gandhi completed the process during
emergency by constitutional amendment.</li>
<li>Appeasing Muslims is secular and inclusive. But appeasing Hindus is communal and divisive.</li>
<li>Riots
in congress rule are secular and spontaneous. State is not responsible
for controlling it. Riots in BJP time are communal and pre-planned. </li>
<li>There
is only one minority in India, which is around 20% of the population.
Other groups, which constitute 5%, 2% etc are not fit enough to be given
special care.</li>
<li>Hindus will never be a minority,
even if they constitute 2% of a region, after they have been drove away
by open threats. No one will be bothered to talk about "justice" to
them.</li>
<li>State will try to reform, control and
tamper with Hindu’s customs and traditions. But traditions of Islam will
not be touched upon, well, because they are "sacred traditions".</li>
<li>State
will not interfere in religion, which is a personal matter. But state
will control the functioning of temples. The same state will not control
mosques and churches.</li>
<li>Hinduism talks of equality of
all religions. But talking of principles of hinduism is communal.
Constitution talks of no discrimination on the basis of religion. But
giving religious reservation is secular.</li>
<li>90% of
Islamic nations implement sharia. But Islam is not to be blamed for
that, and it is secular. Hinduism gives equal respect to all religions.
But Hindutva is communal.</li>
<li>Birthplace of Rama was
ransacked and converted to a mosque. This is a secular act. But asking
to take it back, because of faith, is communal. After all, Rama is a
figment of imagination of poets, and other beliefs supersede it in
importance.</li>
</ol>
</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-63573053201569444342013-08-19T03:38:00.000-07:002013-08-19T03:54:36.798-07:00Mediacrooks: The Nidhi Razdan of Social Media<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently, Nidhi razdan of NDTV did an interview of a British MP, and tried to put him down because he had invited Narendra Modi to England. Nidhi was giving the excuse that as we are a democracy, we can trash the Supreme court in front of a foreign country representative. As expected, the eminent social media blogger Mediacrooks put up a sharp blog, debunking her lies and exposing the media celebrities for their manipulations.<br />
<br />
The continuous flow of sharp observations via his blog has been an eye-opener for thousands on the social media, and has played a very important part in destroying the anti-India propaganda commonplace in the the mainstream media. It became so popular that the best 50 blogs of the site was published in a book called Social Media as Watchdog. Numerous people ordered a copy for themselves, and many went for free distributions of its copies among friends. I too ordered 10 copies, and made 2 other friends do the same.<br />
<br />
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the blogger enjoys cult like reputation and popularity. Yet, intermittently, there have been outbursts of abuse by him of his own well wishers and followers. Social media is not a one way road of airing your own views, howsoever important you be. It looses its meaning without feedback and criticism.<br />
<br />
Not taking criticism is also equally fine. Being arrogant is also ok, as long as one doesn't step on to someone else's toe. But to degenerate to abuse women in the filthiest of language is simply not acceptable. Particularly when one intends to be a saviour of Hinduism from vested interests. I was absolutely shocked when I read this tweet<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/NeenaRai">@NeenaRai</a> A pair of tits dont make you worth googling.. get that into you brain.. you moron...<br />
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) <a href="https://twitter.com/mediacrooks/statuses/369198766441496576">August 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
Without a prior context, the tweet seemed to be completely tasteless. The language and abuse, on a public platform, is not at all justified sir, even if you are addressing a sex worker, and who wants to offer her to your great self. <br />
<br />
Subsequent to the tweet, the blogger tried to justify his actions by providing "proofs" in the form of snapshots of DMs. This is what makes him the Nidhi Razdan of Social Media: justifying his abuse on the pretext that the behavior of other party was not speckless. If the other party was indulging herself in DMs, she could have been abused in your DMs as well. To use such a filthy language in public is not done. And even if she offered herself to your holy feet, its complete lack of decency and civility for you to address her publicly like that.<br />
<br />
I would like to clarify here that I don't know what actually transpired between the two parties, and who has more share of blame. I am writing with the assumption that you are "spotless" in this episode. The moot point is, does it give you a license to abuse others in the way you have? It does not, particularly when you want to be a "torchbearer" of propriety in a number of things. I would like to apologize to Ms Neena Rai for my presumption of her guilt here. I reiterate, the facts could be otherwise, and I have no interest in that detail. <br />
<br />
Does her being a woman make a difference? No it doesn't. You are free to call the bluff of anyone and everyone. But it has to be in the limits of civility. Breaching that barrier makes you stand in the same company of MSM celebrities, whom you are never tired of lampooning.<br />
<br />
Recently you had put up a mail, requesting volunteers who want to help in protecting Hinduism. You had over 700 mails, and were "overwhelmed". You thank your readers when your blog reaches million marks. But the same readers are blocked and treated like trash, just because they put forth their honest opinion to you. Though that is entirely your prerogative, you have to remember that you are in a position to behave like MSM celebs just because of your readers. You may not "give them a damn", but then stop writing your hypocritical messages, "thanking your readers".<br />
<br />
You have set out on the path to "protect" Hinduism. First learn to recognize its virtues like humility and enhanced respect for women folks. Otherwise, dharma is safe if it is away from the protection of people like you. Also, to quote your own "favorite" leader, remember that "power is poision", even if it is a virtual(online) power. <br />
<br />
Thank you very much.</div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-31607106515163050862012-12-12T05:04:00.000-08:002012-12-12T05:04:27.312-08:00A Response to Justice Katju<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Justice Katju has <a href="http://justicekatju.blogspot.jp/2012/12/mreply-to-young-students-tanaya-and.html" target="_blank">written a blog</a> on the many problems being faced by India, and lamenting the lack of scientific and rational thinking in present day Indians. To substantiate this, he presents his views on some topics, including communalism. <br />
<br />
I would like to address the issue of Communalism particularly, as it is highly misunderstood due to political propaganda. As Justice katju talks of "scientific and rational" mindset, I will try to proceed in that way to understand the problem of Communalism. He has presented certain opinions of him, and I would like to discuss them "scientifically", based on some assumptions.<br />
<br />
Further, there are two types of communalism, the reflecting in the state policy, and the one reflecting in one's private views. As India is already a "declared secular" state, I assume that Justice Katju is talking about being secular in one's personal faith.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Axioms:</b></u><br />
1. Laws of a civil society are equal for everyone.<br />
2. What is communal is not secular, and what is secular is not communal.<br />
3. All unpleasant truths should not be hidden.<br />
<br />
There can be many definitions of Communalism/secularism. One can choose any of them and proceed for analysis. I choose the following one:<br />
<br />
<u><b>Definitions:</b></u><br />
Giving undue advantage to a section of people based on personal faith is communalism.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Observations by Justice Katju:</b></u><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Communalism,
which was almost non-existent in 1857, is widespread in our society today.
Muslims often face discrimination in getting jobs, houses on rent, etc, as the Justice
Sachar Committee report has highlighted. Muslims are often falsely implicated in bomb
blasts and they have to spend years in jail though ultimately found innocent. </span></i><br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Analysis:</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Communalism was non-existent till 1857, says Katju. How can we authenticate this statement? Justice Katju most probably cites the lack of data of any riots till this period to claim this. While I don't have any data to refute or substantiate this claim, let me go into other indicators to find out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We didn't had a written constitution before 1857 to find the official state policy. What was the stance of the rulers in public works?</span><br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2012/06/20/the-madurai-sultanate-introduction/" target="_blank">long history</a> of destruction of temples by the invading and the established rulers. All the holy places of the Hindus were tried to be ransacked by them. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babri_Mosque" target="_blank">Ayodhyaya</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyanvapi_Mosque" target="_blank">Kashi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kesava_Deo_Temple" target="_blank">Mathura</a> are just a few names. The numbers run in thousands. How secular was that?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> While these rulers built many mosques and tombs in the official capacity, which may be looked as cultural enrichment, what do they say about communalism? If they were truly secular, please show me any one temple built by them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If there was so much secularism, why there were so many one sided conversions from Hinduism to Islam? Did it all happen due to casteism, or it happened because Islam was the preferred state religion? How is it secularism then?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The above examples are for communalism as a state policy. What about the private life? Why India is secular at present? Is it because the constitution says so? No. The constitution is secular because the majority of us believe in this idea. The majority Hindus believe that religion is a private thing, and all religions are true, and lead to the same God. Are Abrahamic religions propagate the same personal belief? I hear a lot about Darul-Uloom Deoband that they are scholars of Islam. Can Katju Sir get ask them whether Islam alone is true, or other religions are true as well? Can he ask Islamic scholars to prove their faith in personal secularism?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Muslims face discrimination in Jobs and finding homes. Well, statistics asks us to believe in mean and averages. Then if 90% of all the terrorists caught would be found from a particular religion, isn't it scientific to be cautious? Even then, this issue is raised in a very biased way. <a href="http://www.sandeepweb.com/2012/07/09/why-doesnt-the-hindu-talk-about-the-demographic-siege/" target="_blank">This</a> piece tells why exactly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Muslims are often falsely implicated in blasts, and are ultimately found innocent. This is a shocking statement by someone sitting on a responsible post as Mr Katju, and is <b>far worse than appeasement</b>. Is he implying that <b>our Justice system is not good enough only for Muslims?</b> Is he saying that <b>everyone else, except Muslims are judged fairly by our criminal justice system? </b>That Convictions of Muslims are wrong, but of every other community is correct? What exactly is being intended by the highly scientific and rational eminent justice, I am at a loss to understand. </span></li>
</ol>
<br />
I have not seen Justice Katju giving concrete solutions, not even elucidating the problem in relevant terms. I propose two solutions here for the good of India.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Regarding communalism:</b></u><br />
<br />
Common civil code be immediately implemented. Law should refer only to citizens of India, and should not discriminate between them on the basis of religion. This is what a secular state should be about. Is this solution secular of communal? Can Mr Katju elucidate his views on this?<br />
<br />
<u><b>Regarding education:</b></u><br />
Our country has a long tradition of sacrifice. At present, we have a ruler who sacrificed even accountability, and chose only to keep the power. The political class sacrificed the concept of merit, and chose to upheld the common greater good of mass upliftment, and thus is introducing reservation everywhere. If such high traditions exist, why not let us have some more reservation.<br />
<br />
For any developed society, the state provides good primary education to all its citizens. In India, the politicians don't have an incentive to provide quality education to every citizen. Why not let us have a reservation that at least 49% of the primary education of the son/daughter of a public servant will have to be carried out in a government school? This reservation can be an impetus for the politicians and bureaucrats to get its act together. Is it possible for us to bell the cat? <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-82679300062890262572012-08-24T23:39:00.000-07:002012-08-25T01:07:29.239-07:00Dear Madhu, look beyond Teesta as well<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Dear Madam Madhu<br />
<br />
It was a pleasure to read <a href="http://www.newslaundry.com/2012/08/stoking-the-fire/">your response</a> to the article written by Teesta Shetalwad and Javed Anand. For the first time, someone from the MSM lent a voice to what was being said in the Social media from a long time. It is a proof enough that the mansion of lies, created and nurtured by vested interests is crumbling down fast. Yet, this is just a beginning, and I would like to raise a few other aspects regarding this. You do interact frankly with social media people, and thus this letter is addressed to you.<br />
<br />
The last few days have been truly extraordinary for the social fabric of India. Many things of enormous importance have happened, that it is impossible to discuss each of them in detail. I want to mention them in the context of equal treatment of the different parts of our society. Let me start with your article to Teesta itself.<br />
<br />
You have correctly pointed out that the laws cannot be different for Hindus and Muslims, and both ought to be treated equally by the constitution, and hence the police. Apart from the applaud, you did receive a lot of criticism as well from many quarters of journalists. What was the main arguments of the critics? That you wanted police to fire, so that more Muslims get killed! This argument was peddled not only by Muslim critics, who are used to play the victim, but also from the prominent section of our "secular liberal" media! Such barbs immediately bring anyone on the backfoot, and are reduced to explain that they are "peace-loving" people in the first place! This has been the modus-operandi of the "secular liberal intelligentsia" from a long time, and under the sweeping generalization, they keep on branding RSS as fascists, right wing extremists etc. They have been alleged for trying to help the NE students with sinister motives, where no one has dared to point finger to the actual culprits! Azad Maidan example is nothing when compared to this.<br />
<br />
In Azad Maidan, not only the Police Commissioner refused to arrest anyone <i>at the spot</i>, it has not been done till date,despite the open violence. Raza Academy has not been given any show cause notice. Not only in Mumbai, there were violent protests in Lucknow, where Buddha statue was broken. Any action there? Remember, in Anna Hazare fast, a few people misbehaved with media, and how the media went hyperbolic with it? Why they all went silent in Mumbai, Lucknow and Assam? Did you hear any voice of protest from any prominent media personality? Did you hear any term called "Violent Muslims" used for them?<br />
<br />
In Azad maidan they were not stopped from getting violent. Why? If they were stopped, they would have got even more violent. This is a well known pattern, this is what Teesta was referring to. The police commissioner also knows that, hence he was being practical.<br />
<br />
Actually, Azad Maidan is just a tiny example of unequal treatment of the difference sections of Indians. If you want worthy examples, I put down a few of them here.<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Hindu religious and charitable endowment act</li>
<li>Existence of Muslim personal laws</li>
<li>Proposed communal violence bill</li>
<li>Shahbano judgement</li>
<li>Haj Subsidy</li>
<li>The glaring media bias</li>
</ol>
<div>
Kashmiri Pandits were driven out violently from their homeland. Did anyone shed a tear for them? But Sagarika and Barkha etc justify Bangladeshi immigrants by giving stupid logics like "Indians are also in other countries". Why so much of double standard, which goes against national security and integration? Why are they happy to pay such a big price?<br />
Let's move on to twitter for further examples.<br />
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Subah Gayatri mantra Padho, din mein gaali do, raat ko nafrat paida karo! Good luck to such twitterati! Enjoy the day.<br />
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) <a data-datetime="2012-08-22T03:16:35+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/sardesairajdeep/status/238112402380570624">August 22, 2012</a></blockquote>
<br />
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Take a look at the tweet from the editor in chief of CNN-IBN, reacting to the twitter trend #antihindumedia. Many similar insinuating tweets can be shown from him or his deputy editor, ridiculing Hindus all the time. Can you imagine the same person, or any other from mainstream media to tweet as<br />
<br />
"<i>Din me 5 baar namaz padho, usme time mile to picture morph karo, and logo ko bharka ke bus and OB Van jalao, murti toro, pathar feko</i>".<br />
<br />
You remarked sarcastically that you are ready to be an "Internet Hindu" for the sake of uniform standards. The lady who coined this term, and who is recently pontificating that "no religion should be abused", tweeted Lord Rama as "divine encroacher",probably in the context of Babri dispute. Similarly, in the context of Muslim marriage laws and reforms, can she tweet about Mohammed as "<i>someone who consummated his marriage with a 9 year old child</i>", so that his example should not be followed? Forget this, I dare to point a single tweet of "liberals", who cannot criticize Islamic fundamentalism other than in the words "<i>extremists are on both sides</i>".<br />
<br />
On the pretext of NE exodus, the GOI took another unprecedented steps of censoring the Internet. The intention was present from a long time, the NE episode provided a ready excuse. And whom did they actually block? All 16 profiles blocked were <b>argumentative Hindus</b>, who criticize government and <u>do not spread hate in any way</u>. Sangh Parivar was blocked. Not a single Muslim profile touched, who are far more sinister. Check out twitter of Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen, who actually bad mouthed Indian army. Why this double standard? Why government is afraid to touch real culprits, and pounces upon even not guilty Hindus? <i>Why Hindus are taken for granted?</i><br />
<br />
Did any media personality raise their voice against this blatant violation of basic rights of the common man? <b>The people who are supporting Teesta Shetalwad are the same who are silent among this ghastly act of the government</b>. Its almost certain that the block list itself was made by these media people. What options do the common man have when both the Government and the media joins hands to suppress the voice of them? What could he do if the block was really effective, and journalists name were not involved?<br />
<br />
The twitter list was criticized <b>only because</b> the names of two prominent journalists, @shivaroor and @KanchanGupta figured in it. Shri B Raman wrote his opinion piece, <u><a href="http://ramanstrategicanalysis.blogspot.jp/2012/08/my-take-on-why-kanchan-gupta-was.html">giving a certificate to Kanchan Gupta </a></u>that he is indeed a patriot and does not deserved to be blocked. What about the 14 other handles? <b>Who is ready to stand up for them</b>? Any one ready to certify that they also are patriots, and not anti-national? If the two journalists would not have figured, the media would have happily reported that 14 "hate-mongering rightwing" profiles have been blocked. There would have been editorials to justify such a ban to keep "peace" in the society. The media celebs are feigning their ignorance over any such attempt, and are actually actively helping the government. More than the government, it is those media personalities who want the rights of the common man to be snatched away, because it has questioned their wisdom and threatened their authority.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The question before us is not if such a double standard exists, question is why does it exists</u>?</b> As per my understanding, the reason lies in the very strong tendency of violence in them, which actually emanates from some of the verses and their interpretations. Those verses enable something as ridiculous as fatwas being dished out to the society as a whole. Many people don't get affected by it, many do. Unless there is a social reform among them against the chains of those verses, the violent tendency will continue to exist. This single factor is responsible and explains for the persecution of minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and any other place where they are in Majority. One shudders to think about India, if they become majority here someday!<br />
<br />
All religions have some good and bad things in them. Social reform which enables them to get free from the clutches of such verses are missing in the Muslim society. 200 years ago hinduism had many bad customs, but they started to reform. It is time for Muslims to start on this path. Yes it will start with their education out of Madarsas, but it needs to go beyond that. Unfortunately, I do not see even the educated Muslims making their voices audible and vocal.<br />
<br />
The problem with India is in the name of being liberal, people refuse to recognize that such a problem exists in the first place. The present day Dhritrashtra, sitting in Hastinapur, is not only blind, but also deaf and dumb this time. The Shakuni, imported from Italy, is only plotting to make her retarded son sit on the throne. The other Kaurvas are busy in plundering, raping and looting the nation without any shame. Most of the media people seem to be vying to snatch a pie out of it. Pandavas are few, and they are being threatened one way or the other. The arrogant king has declared a war by snatching away the free speech of common man "officially". But this time, <i>fortunately the Mahabharata can be fought over media space, blogs and twitters</i>. It can be limited to a war of ideas, through the weapon of criticism. I hope that truth will prevail this time also. With your last piece, you showed your solidarity with what is emotionally dear to me, and as a common man, I thank you immensely for that. <b>I hope that in the future as well, you will keep raising your powerful voice against the double standard which has pervaded our policy to a deep extent</b>.<br />
<br />
Thank you very much.<br />
An Internet Hindu<br />
<br /></div>
Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-85486408335018036632012-06-19T19:57:00.000-07:002012-06-22T18:56:27.623-07:00Muslims are staunch idol worshipers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4aDnuG6F_7Pd1-w9goC9cKyW1dyIIOVS23IqU6wMnpf9wpS9z2QfrDSeBTbLgXa6x4xU8J0sWcGWeW0pSiaeRhjapv568YZZkpxXcYpwKIJuR6pDuH_EXGFXhXdOlRQJbQPQZ3b43nU/s1600/kabba2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4aDnuG6F_7Pd1-w9goC9cKyW1dyIIOVS23IqU6wMnpf9wpS9z2QfrDSeBTbLgXa6x4xU8J0sWcGWeW0pSiaeRhjapv568YZZkpxXcYpwKIJuR6pDuH_EXGFXhXdOlRQJbQPQZ3b43nU/s1600/kabba2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Believers moving around the <b>black stone</b> in Kaaba, wanting to kiss it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTB9pBI3if_Kef2UyL54tqVkOdFx8mgpSqvCwIcQ-h29Tl97nHF9qM_G6j6yFoOqIDnvl2-JIN-vbjcDkq3NSoZVgGnN4vrZcvBUGTd_tBsIARhSA-YzPjK3yG00J8iZMgUXk9NFfj-w/s1600/kabba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTB9pBI3if_Kef2UyL54tqVkOdFx8mgpSqvCwIcQ-h29Tl97nHF9qM_G6j6yFoOqIDnvl2-JIN-vbjcDkq3NSoZVgGnN4vrZcvBUGTd_tBsIARhSA-YzPjK3yG00J8iZMgUXk9NFfj-w/s1600/kabba1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Due to the large crowd they can't kiss it, so thy are touching its wall</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;">Idol worship has been denounced in Islam on the grounds that God is formless, and thus he cannot be living in stones. This belief itself makes the power of god limited, that he can't take a form. Further, it means that god is not present in any object around us. On the other hand, some philosophies believe that god exists in every single thing around us, big or small. Rather, nothing exists but god. Let's for the arguments sake agree that God can't take a form, and idol worship is wrong. Innumerable temples have been broken on this pretext, numerous idols vandalized and desecrated. If the hatred of idol would be running so deep, one would expect at least consistency in this belief. So recently when I found out about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone" target="_blank">black stone</a>, the pilgrimage to Kabba and the rituals to be followed there, I was dumbstruck at the hypocrisy of it! Let me present you the relevant facts, and you can judge for yourself how much Idol worshiping the Islamists themselves are.</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaaba" target="_blank">Kaaba</a> is the most sacred place according Islam. One is expected to go to Kabba in his lifetime if he can afford it, and is 1 of the 5 pillars of Islam. But non-believers do not know much about the place. What exactly is one expected to do in Kabba?</span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><u>At the heart of Kaaba lies nothing but a </u><u><b>black stone</b></u>. People on the Haj pilgrimage are required to go round the stone 7 times, and if the crowd permits, they are required to kiss the stone. But their belief mentions that only God is to be respected and loved. Why this generosity to a mere stone? Going all the way from the world to kiss a mere stone, can there be a stronger form of worship? Worship is a form of extreme reverence, when you associate something holy to the object of worship. If idol worship is blasphemous, so is kissing a mere stone. You cannot have one criteria for yourself and a different one for others.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">I tried to find the reasons and defense for this idol ritual. Look for yourself and judge it on its merits.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">"</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Islamic tradition holds that the Stone fell from </i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jannat"><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Heaven </i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>to show </i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_and_Eve"><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Adam and Eve </i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>where to build an altar, which became the first temple on Earth. Muslims believe that the stone was originally pure and dazzling white, but has since turned black because of the sins of the people.</i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;">" (wiki)</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">I need not say much about the above words. Let us assume they are true. If a stone can have such a power and could be worthy of reverence, then so could be other stones as well. How is the idol worship by others wrong then?</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">A few others have provided these justifications for this practise :</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6391336198091297045" name="cite_ref-21"></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Muslims believe that the Stone's role in hajj is simply </i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>representative and symbolic in nature, not related to belief in the stone itself as having any special power</u></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>. A </i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadith"><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>hadith </i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>records that, when the second </i></span></span><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliph">Caliph </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umar_ibn_al-Khattab">Umar ibn al-Khattab</a></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>(580-644) came to kiss the Stone, he said in front of all assembled: "No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm anyone nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah's Messenger [Muhammad] kissing you, I would not have kissed you."</i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Stone#cite_note-21"><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>[22] </i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Most Muslims follow the example of Umar:</i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>they pay their respects to the Stone in a spirit of trust in </u></i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad"><span style="color: #0645ad;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>Muhammad</u></i></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>, not with any inherent belief in the Stone. This, however, does not indicate their disrespect to the Black Stone, but their belief that harm and benefit are in the hands of God, and nothing else. </i></span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Muhammad_Labib_al-Batanuni&action=edit&redlink=1"><span style="color: #ba0000;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Muhammad Labib al-Batanuni</i></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>, writing in 1911, commented that the pre-Islamic practice of venerating stones (including the Black Stone) arose </i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>not because such stones are "sacred for their own sake, but because of their relation to something holy and respected</u></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>." (wiki)</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;"><b>All idol worship is representative and symbolic in nature</b>. <b>The idol makes us remember the aspect of god we revere</b>. Just like a piece of paper with a photograph of our mother makes us remember our mother, similarly, an idol makes us remember the associated god with it. We pay the respect to the idol in a spirit of trust and worship to the god. The idol makes a devotee remember the god, and hence is an object of veneration. We are after all, what we believe. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">Thus I completely fail to see the difference between idol worship as done by the muslims and by the non muslims. If one is consistent, it is impossible to justify kissing your own stones, and denouncing others for doing the same. It is nothing but the worst form of hypocrisy, and it makes them the worst form of idol worshipers.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">All the religions have always thrived on symbols. You cant imagine about an unseen god without symbols. Muhammad is as much a symbol as much as are idols. People believe in Allah because they believe in Muhammad. Take away this belief or symbolism, and you will be left with nothing to believe to, and the religion will crumble. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: left; widows: 2;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium;">If someone gives me a logical explanation that why kissing one stone is correct but not the other ones, I would be very happy to accept it. I would be waiting for such a Islamic scholar for a reply. Most of the people are completely clueless about their beliefs and just parrot a few memorized lines. I hope they apply their own mind and see the bizarre things they have been believing in with the hope of securing a position in heaven. </span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-65283116258839435022012-05-29T21:47:00.000-07:002012-06-22T17:59:21.764-07:00Dalit Muslims, a conspiracy against Islam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnn9DnZI6FTwKgT09_VzteNBa4M_nm_xson6SSFCYzyXFnsL0yVt5eTJz-8YXxeOO6ksaA29dQU28XyWOUOHo7hUHxAtTh5L5qA9ddrCaD5OZ8AKonmzPzpR6QkggdT9HpSNhNYcKO-0/s1600/all_animals_are_equal_but_some_animals_are_more_equal_than_others.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnn9DnZI6FTwKgT09_VzteNBa4M_nm_xson6SSFCYzyXFnsL0yVt5eTJz-8YXxeOO6ksaA29dQU28XyWOUOHo7hUHxAtTh5L5qA9ddrCaD5OZ8AKonmzPzpR6QkggdT9HpSNhNYcKO-0/s320/all_animals_are_equal_but_some_animals_are_more_equal_than_others.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">During my stay abroad, the most repetitive question I have been asked about India is regarding the caste system. It is unfathomable for people that people can be divided on some basis based on birth. I anyway explain its origin and its decreasing relevance in the modern times. I used to think that it can last at max for 1 more generation, given the widespread education. Yet looking at the current political scenario, I have started to doubt this conclusion of mine. And to look at the most recent developments of minority reservation, I am sure this is going to be much more ugly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The causes for introduction of reservation for few groups are well known to us. The people known as SC/ST were treated poorly and thus were left behind in development. But apart from reservation, they tried to liberate themselves by other means also, predominantly CONVERSION. There are other religions, Islam and Christianity predominantly, who talk about the "<b><u>equality of all human beings who follow their faith</u></b>". <b>Non-believers are equal in their inferiority</b>, as they all get a direct ticket to hell. But at least, all the believers were supposed to be equal. So the Hindu oppressed castes converted to these only true religions for leading a life of dignity they were promised. Thus, when I hear the words <b>dalit muslims, dalit christians</b> etc, I fail to understand its meaning. <u>Did the prophets of these religions said that converted people will be treated in an inferior manner</u>? If not, then why does this division exists? If it exists, what do the oppressed people gain from this conversion, and what about the preached gospel truths of equality of these faiths?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If indeed dalit muslims and dalit christians exists who are discriminated against due to birth, why Hinduism alone is vilified for having the caste system? Let it be taught in the books that Islam and christianity too divide people on the basis of caste. I have not come across a single text book containing this truth. Additionally, it means that conversion is made on false promises, and thus should be banned. If conversion does make them equal, then they are no longer "<b>socially backward</b>", and hence no benefit of reservation should be provided to them. <b><u>They can't have it both the ways</u>.</b> Economic reservation is a different issue and I am not touching it here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But to me, there is a deeper conspiracy behind this episode. I think <b>RSS is behind this dalit muslim reservation demand.</b> They are jealous of the unity of these Abrahamic religions, and want to weaken them by some means. It can be gained <u>if their society can be divided in a way the Hindu society is divided</u>. For that purpose, even if reservation is given in the short term, it should be good thing. Once this reservation is given, it can be easily argued that all muslims are not equal, and their religions will be exposed thoroughly. Plus the caste system will become more systematic and permanent. <b>Devout followers of the religion should look through this RSS conspiracy and should not allow this reservation at any cost</b>, which will be detrimental to their religion in the long run.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alternately, as a fellow tweeple pointed out : Provide the religious reservations in India, but first take out the word SECULAR from the preamble of the constitution, and declare India a Hindu country. After all, isn't a secular state deemed to be neutral to religion?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><br /></div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-66590439534494598392012-04-19T22:35:00.000-07:002012-06-22T19:04:24.478-07:00Hindus are a minority in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<style type="text/css">
<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } -->
</style> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The title of the blog has been inspired by a tweet from <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/PM0India" target="_blank">@PM0India</a>. Not the official PMO, headed by the pussy MMS. The line is so fitting a commentary on todays society, that it feels foolish in not seeing this obvious by ourselves.<br />
Are Hindus remaining as majority in India important first of all? Yes if we want to maintain its pluralistic heritage and culture. The day they become a minority, India will go the Pakistan/Bangladesh/any Islamic country way.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="" name="more"></a><br />
Numerically, Hindus still today have the upper-hand, but they have ceased to have any real influence or say in the corridors of power. They can't exert any meaningful influence on any policy as "Hindus", while other groups are doing it rampantly. One may argue that being in numerical majority, they don't need any such effort. It could have been true if the policies would have at best been neutral to Hindus and beneficial to other groups. Far from it, these policies are actively undermining a meaningful existence of Hindus, and recklessly supporting others.<br />
Any minority should be treated in a DEMOCRATIC country based on EQUALITY, and not like a minority. In India at present, the Hindus have become the minority by the diminishing influence they are having on the policy. With this, very soon they will loose the numerical supremacy as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here I just wish to put forth all such examples which fly in our face, happen daily, and we are feeling 'helpless' regarding it, waiting for a 'Subramanian Swamy' to take them up. Lets see how much our life has been infiltrated.</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In the law books</b></span> :<br /> </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;"><ol>
<li> <u><b>Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act</b></u> : This law, and our abject ignorance about its existence, makes us an object of nothing but profound ridicule. Reproducing from the website <a href="http://www.hrce.tn.nic.in/">http://www.hrce.tn.nic.in/</a><br /><br /><u>The management and control of the temples and the administration of their endowments is one of the primary responsibilities of the State.</u><span style="text-decoration: none;">Since when does temple management becomes a state responsibility? If yes, why not mosques, churches and all other centers of faith as well? Why the money coming to these temples should go to the government and not to promote the temple and its concerned faith? <br />This is one of the primary reasons why Hindu philosophy is not being able to spread, despite being so exalted in its content. Government takes the money of Hindus, and spends on Haj subsidy and other minority activities. It is advantageous to non-Hindus, at the expense of Hindus. So who is the actual majority, being able to dictate the policy?</span><br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Existence of muslim personal law board</b></u> : One has the right to live as he wishes in personal life. <u>Does it includes going against the laws of the land as well</u>? Hindus don't enjoy any such privilege. They don't have the choice of marrying 4 times in personal life. Being a non-Hindu allows you that freedom. Who is the majority for whom rules can be bent?<br /> </li>
<li> <u><b>The proposed Communal violence bill</b></u> : If any attempt was lacking in converting India to darul-islam, this will make up for all of them. For the same crime, Hindus will be hanged, Non-Hindus will not even be booked for it. All in the name of minority protection. Who will protect the "Hindu-minority"? </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Domestic and foreign policy</b></span><br /> </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;"><ol>
<li><u><b>Kashmir, Kashmiri pandits and the amarnath</b></u> : “Kashmir is an integral part of India”, so have we heard numerous times. If yes, then why non-kashmiris can't settle down there? Because they would be non-Hindus. Try bringing a similar legislation in any other part of India. Government doesn't give a hoot to Kashmiri pandits. They are uncared refugees in their own country. Bangladeshi and pakistan refugees mean much for the government. Whose government it is after all?<br /> Amarnath yatra gets frequently curtailed without a reason. The government won't give it some unused land for the yatra purpose. Aren't we Hindus deluding ourselves of being in majority?<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Apathy towards the hindus in pakistan</b></u> : Recently, India voted against Srilanka citing “violation of human rights”. India stands up for tamils everywhere. What about Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh? India never stands up for them? Whose India it is after all?<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>The Babri masjid and the Ram sethu</b></u> : Government cares for Hindus, so it 'cares' for Hindu temples only. It should care about the gods as well then! Ramas place is very high in every Hindu heart. Yet his birthplace has no value to the government. When it cares to send people to Makka via flight, why no care for Hindu sentiments?<br />Government has "No stand" over the Ramsethu structure. If not for the strong and upright Subramanian Swamy and the SC, the government was hell-bent to demolish it. The same government can hardly dare to touch a stone of any mosque. Well why bother about minorities right? </li>
<li><u><b>The question of conversion and Swami Lakshmanananda :</b></u> A country tries to protect its identity and culture. A fool today knows billions are being pumped to spread christianity or Islam in India. Why government doesn't do anything against? If it is “secular” in nature, why it doesn't protect people like Lakshmananda, who reconvert people to Hinduism? Whom is the government serving?<br /> </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>In the everyday life </b></span> <br /> </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;"><ol>
<li><u><b>Election campaigns and manisfestos</b></u> : BJP is called as the Hindu party in India. If the Hindus were a majority, won't BJP be winning comfortable every single time? Rather, in all the elections, we only hear newer plans about appeasing non-Hindu communities. The recently concluded UP elections took it to another level of proposed higher and higher Muslim quotas. People would have cared about Hindu votes if they would have been a majority, hence in an election deciding position. <br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Anti-superstition act and haj Yatra </b></u> : There have been talks of an anti-superstition act being proposed, with the aim of making the society progressive. No wonder the act would be only pertaining to the Hindu society. On the other hand, the government pays for Haj yatras. Government always serves its most influential group.<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Dogvijay, batla house and tears of sonia</b></u> : Generally people tend to ignore the utterings of the general secretary of congress party as mentally deranged. But he wags his tail at the 'high commands' order. So his uttering, like declaring Baba Ramdev as thug, Osama as Osamaji, pandering to terrorists from batla house to 26/11, make it amply clear that hindu sentiments have no meaning to the one in power. For appeasing the majority muslims, politicians are crying even over the pictures of slain terrorists. <br /> </li>
<li> <u><b>Beef festival at osmania university</b></u> : This most recent is nothing new but just another incident in long chain. Rushdie won't be allowed to come to India for 'hurting sentiments', but there would be celebration over eating beef and going against the Gandhian principles. Its purely an act of provocation to show the middle finger to the 'minority hindus', that no one actually gives them a damn.</li>
<li><b><u>Freeing non-Hindu criminals and terrorists</u></b> : This gem has come from the party of "Maulana Mulayam", as he is fondly called. And why not? Why care about minority Hindus getting ripped apart in blasts, when government has to care about its 'own family'?<br /> </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Perspective towards education</b></u></span><br /> </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;"><ol>
<li><b style="text-decoration: underline;">Majority of educational institutes are non-Hindu:</b> Looks like a surprise? I bet we all have read only in Jesus and Mary convents in our childhood, almost everyone of us. Hindus themselves are to be blamed for it.Fact is, they are too broadminded to even consider such things, as long as they get good education. But the present scenario should force them to open their own schools to protect themselves. That's what minorities are supposed to do right?</li>
<li><u><b>Sanskrit and Urdu</b></u> : Which is the more pampered of the two languages? Government is trying to announce Sanskrit as extinct, though it has been proclaimed as an excellent language by scholars time and again. But why will majorities(non-hindus) truly care about the good things of the minorities?<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Palmistry and astrology</b></u><b> </b>: Astrology is superstition, or so our government wants to proclaim. So would be palmistry. Well, you must have heard about CHEIRO. Has anyone doubted his writings and knowledge? He was consulted by almost all the famous westerner people of his time, from Presidents to celebrities. And its a pity that we Hindus don't know that <u>he learned everything in a village in Maharashtra </u>in 2 years. But hey, acknowledging good things of minorities makes them strong. Deny them that privilege. </li>
<li><u><b>Attitude to yoga, vedanta and Hindu knowledge</b></u> : After first nuclear explosion, Robert Oppenheimer had quoted out of Geeta to describe the ensuing scene. Schrondinger, the legendary physicists learned Advaita vedanta, and was a staunch believer in it. These people found enormous beauty and truth in our scriptures and respected it. But no, we can't teach it in our schools. We can't introduce it. That would be a blasphemy, highly communal thing right? </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>The media bias</b></span></span><u>:</u><br /> </li>
</ul>
<ol style="text-align: justify;"><ol>
<li><u><b>Does media stands up for the weak minorities</b></u>? : Media serves the powerful, everywhere. Rarely it has any social sense of responsibility, as has been evident in its recent reportings. It only stands for the group which can promise it continued flow of money. Who can provide it? The most powerful or the majority group in command.<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Post-godhra riots</b></u> : that brings us to the self evident example. Hundreds of riots happened in India till 2002. None of them touched the nerve of media as the post-godhra riots. Even the ghastly godhra riots doesn't mean anything to our media. I believe not much is needed to write on this subject. Media will always have the bias towards the most powerful group, or the majority group.<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Anna, Ramdev and Muslim fatwas</b></u> : We notice how media criticizes and digs out stories to ridicule Anna and Ramdev. Has anyone ever heard any rumors regarding non-hindu religious personalities. Any media house doesn't have the courage to do so. In contrast, the routinely given ridiculous fatwas from deoband or any muslim schools hardly evoke sharp reaction. Can you imagine the reaction of media if any hindu guru gives 1/10th of a similar ridiculous fatwa? </li>
<li><u><b>Nirmal baba case</b></u> : Evangelistic TV programs by Christians are very common in which they show/fake healing or similar powers. I had had a fleeting glance on many such programs in the past on TV. But none invite any criticism, ridicule or a question, as does the program of a Hindu guru brings. Where is the concept of equal treatment? But hey, who cares about minorities anyway?<br /> </li>
<li><u><b>Suppressing the exalted elements of hinduism </b></u>: All of you must be knowing about Nityananda swami courtsey his sex tapes. How many of you know about the embracing saint <u><b>Mata Amritanandmayi</b></u>? Or <b><u>Prahland Jani</u></b>, who has not ate for 60 years? Why only the bad things are publicized, good things swept under the carpet? If the good things would be brought out, won't the minorities get a chance to become strong? Deny them that opportunity. That's the mantra of our media. </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Words fail to express the shame in which the Hindu identity is at present. If Hindus would have been a majority in India, then the actual state of affairs would have been very different from what we see today. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its <u>only the still intact numerical supremacy of Hindus which has prevented the things to go out of hand</u>. The day we loose that advantage, the chest thumping liberals would have no place to hide, but only a choice to convert which they would happily do. Then the Hindus would be openly discriminated against and would be asked to comply with the standards of the new majority. It is what is happening across the surrounding borders of India, where the Hindus have been driven away from their own land. Failure to look into this obvious fact has what Indian secularism been reduced to!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-4484667213282799852012-02-12T20:48:00.000-08:002012-06-22T17:59:21.751-07:00Khurshid, Abhisek Shinghvi and a free CEC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br />Towards the closing days of 2011, when the nation witnessed the fruitless debate on Janlokpal in Parliament, one of the liveliest debates was between Arun Jaitely and Abhisek Singhvi. Without going into the merits of it, I would like to highlight one statement of Abhisek Singhvi from that debate in the present circumstances.<br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Arun Jaitely pointed out that a Lokpal, whose selection and finance, if kept under the government control, would not be able to function as an independent body. Coutnering this charge, Abhisek Shinghvi pointed out that one of the most important constituotnal bodies, the Election Commission, was directly under the law ministry, yet no one could question its independence and integrity. Largely overlooked that time, today it feels as if Abhisek Singhvi was giving a sarcastic hint of what actually has been done to this institute as well. The process had already started sometimes back.<br /><br />It's well known today that congress is out to destroy every single aspect of our administrative, cultural, social life and fabric, freedom of expression and all. Be it the CVC, President, Army Chief, CAG, ISRO, CBI, Communal Violence bill, curbing freedom of internet, and most importantly, buying and silencing most of the media houses. CEC stands no exception to it today. The present CEC, MR SY Qureshy hardly elicits any confidence whatsoever, and his actions continue to confirm this fear again and again.<br /><br />After Mr TN Sheshan, the most fearless action of a fair Election commission was shown in 2002 in Gujrat in the aftermaths of the riots. The EC had set aside the constituonal limit of holding elections within 6 months in a state after the constituent assembly is dissolved. It was a sort of an extra constitutional step, yet was endorsed by SC, and was hailed as a landmark judgment. Can we compare that fearless action with the farce going on at present in the EC?<br /><br />The process to subvert the EC started with Naveen Chawla. A well known beurocrat with very public congress leanings, his appointment itself in the EC was something which undermined the sense of a free EC. Yet to his credit, Naveen Chawla managed to keep out of any controversy, and did not raise any eyebrows, none that I am aware of. But his successor, Mr SY Querashy has been highly partitoned in his approach since the very beginning. It's the previous prestige of EC which has stopped the people or the political parties to open their mouths against it. But if this continues, sooner or later, people will be forced to speak up in public. Many examples of a partitioned approach come to the mind.<br /><br />Any poll dates are decided according to the convenience of the state man-power resources available. UP government, to favor itself strategically, had announced board examinations in the march, which are a mammoth exercise in itself. Logistically hence, poll dates should have been put up in April. In Uttarakhanda too, late poll dates would have made sense due to intense cold making polls difficult. Yet, to make the situation convenient for congress, poll dates were scheduled earlier, even if it was a bad decision due to availability of manpower.<br /><br />During the lokpal movement, Team Anna announced that they would campaign in UP. Instantly, EC announced it would "keep an eye" on them. This was highly uncalled for and anti-democratic. In a democracy, any group is free to air its views. This was a threat in disguise by the EC against the very fundamentals of our country. People criticized it in hushed voices.<br /><br />Baba Ramdev has been denied permission at many places to hold meetings in the name of public security and all that nonsense. Uma Bharati has been denied permission for rath-yatra. And here, when the Union law minister slaps the EC in the face in glaring public view, all the EC can do is to "write to the President". Forget EC, the DM of a district is powerful enough to throw someone out of a district for the violation of moral code of conduct. It has been frequently exercised, like siwan MP strongman Shahabuddin was thrown out of Siwan, and the DM got a lot of applause for that.<br /><br />And today, all the EC is doing in the Salman Khurshid case is a show off of "writing letter" to the President, when all the powers to act against offenders is vested with itself only. Public is not fool enough not to see that this is a blatant match-fixing between EC and the congress. Just as they fixed the match with the VP during the lokpal debate. It is time to call the bluff of the EC, and save the fast dying dignity of all of our constitutional bodies. Honesty and integrity cannot be cloaked just by the label of EC of India. It can't be allowed to use its past prestige to cover its present blatant wrongdoings.<br /><br />The recent happenings pinch a big hole in the arguments of Singhvi, and call for an independent Lokpal and CBI. Remember, the public does not have unlimited amount of patience. Act before that patience runs out !</div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-47219628610036410792011-11-22T00:30:00.000-08:002012-06-22T17:59:21.757-07:00RTI query reveals expenses on Kasab<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZmlM6FFAcbgRKJgK4MAHwJdhYaLfZADDxGhhBra7R72VD7grV8xghzCLoXqr51gCCfNiniUUwK2iPC044En6rbSJ_GOjcpruQnYukds4DbQakmAKq68tw0_uWHDVMXwSjRHZBk-cQ1I/s1600/digg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZmlM6FFAcbgRKJgK4MAHwJdhYaLfZADDxGhhBra7R72VD7grV8xghzCLoXqr51gCCfNiniUUwK2iPC044En6rbSJ_GOjcpruQnYukds4DbQakmAKq68tw0_uWHDVMXwSjRHZBk-cQ1I/s1600/digg.jpeg" /></a></div> <i><b>Repaying the faith? </b></i><br />In a not so shocking development, an RTI query has revealed that keeping Kasab into high security prison is after all not proving so costly to the exchequer. In a first of its kind, Indian government has been found to agree to a "public-private" partnership in maintaining the high profile prisoner, citing special reasons. A inadvertent mistake on the part of RTI officer has brought this arrangement to the fore.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Sunny, known to file frivolous FIRs, had filed an RTI application to find out the daily expenses of the Pak prisoner Kasab. Surprisingly, along with the expenses, the sources of expenses were mentioned too. Instead of the word "taxpayesrs", he found reference to a certain chacha in most columns. Initially confused, it made instant sense once he realized it was the famed diggy, being referred to as chacha of Kasab.<br /><br />According to RTI documents, the <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Maharashtra-has-spent-Rs-16-crore-on-Kasab-so-far/articleshow/10822552.cms">government has spent 16 crores</a> till date on Kasab. Yet fortunately, the taxpayer has been relieved from a major share of this burden. Maharasthra government received an unusual request from a person, who identified himself as "chacha" of Kasab, to share the expenses. The government denied it initially due to rules and jail manuals, but complied shortly due to unspecified reason. Diggyji was allowed to bear the daily expenses of Kasab by himself. Tthe government spends a token sum of Rs 1 daily. Though most money went into security, food items like Biryani and Murg masala daily from outside hotels made a big part of it.<br /><br />With this breaking news, Sunny went to various news channels, but was horrified, when the news channels,including India TV, simply declined to publish this news. Finally, we decided to publish this news after taking money from Sunny. Receiving the report, our correspondent met the diggy for details and clarifications. When queried about this act of kindness, diggy initially dismissed it as a story by RSS. But when confronted with the RTI papers, he accepted in a voice chocked with emotion.<br /><br />What followed was an eye opener for our correspondent. Diggy told him that more than an act of kindness and sharing the burden of Indian government, it was an actually a small act of gratitude. He revealed that in May, he received a will from "Osamaji". In that, diggy was made the owner of the famous Abbotabad mansion, for "sincere and true services to the big cause". Diggy then couldn't stop his tears, and immediately decided to do something more concrete. After performing the shradh of "Osamaji", on 14th day itself he set out to find a noble deed for this. Fortunately, in the will itself, he found about Kasab and his troubles in not getting good food. "I took this up immediately and contacted the home minister of Maharashtra", chachaji told us. I suggested to bear all the burden of "Kasabjis" food, TV and all other expenses. "Government was reluctant due to legal repercussions, but I threatened to open my mouth against them, and they immediately agreed", revealed chacha with a proud smile.<br /><br />Asking how could he bear such a large amount by his own, chachajis faced turned surprised, pointed mischievously to our correspondents 2G cellphone, and remarked that "I am in politics, but are you really in media?", Thus he drove our correspondent out of his home.<br /><br />Congress party has distanced itself from this episode, citing it as a "personal act of probity and gratitude" by its mercurial leader.</div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-24490213634030144182011-11-16T20:22:00.000-08:002012-06-22T17:59:21.738-07:00Sibal stuns the nation again, claims Sachin has zero centuries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><style type="text/css">#toc, .toc, .mw-warning { border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); padding: 5px; font-size: 95%; }#toc h2, .toc h2 { display: inline; border: medium none; padding: 0pt; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; }#toc #toctitle, .toc #toctitle, #toc .toctitle, .toc .toctitle { text-align: center; }#toc ul, .toc ul { list-style-type: none; list-style-image: none; margin-left: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; text-align: left; }#toc ul ul, .toc ul ul { margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 2em; }#toc .toctoggle, .toc .toctoggle { font-size: 94%; }body { font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-align: left; }table { }td { border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }p, h1, h2, h3, li { color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; } </style> <br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9RzLYbdd0VRPJSxVbHKCpauotVEp5gwVsDNM_-g3XKmi3mNLVO7YFtnM6JODSXvTt-YcA9mNuaiuvPNuQgP-CjMD0qrhpRUeXIOFzma4K-jJ9LG60K_9n-SHV0Pk9U1BOIEMEUiSI4o/s1600/08kapil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9RzLYbdd0VRPJSxVbHKCpauotVEp5gwVsDNM_-g3XKmi3mNLVO7YFtnM6JODSXvTt-YcA9mNuaiuvPNuQgP-CjMD0qrhpRUeXIOFzma4K-jJ9LG60K_9n-SHV0Pk9U1BOIEMEUiSI4o/s320/08kapil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Sibal</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">claims </span><span style="font-size: small;">Rahul G can always bowl<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">out Sachin</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">before the century</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,</span><br /><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Sachin just never faced him</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for telecom, stunned the nation once again after claiming that cricketing mastereo Sachin has zero centuries till date! Notably, few days ago he had claimed that the losses to the exchequer from the 2G spectrum auction were zero.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br /><a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Talking to media reporters on the sidelines of the summit "A tale of 'two' 2G's : How Rahul G revolutionized the telecom sector", the union minister made these remarks while responding to informal queries. In the summit, it was revealed that it was actually Rahul G who influneced the policy to give spectrum at lower prices, so that the migrant beggars in other states could keep track of their families in home states, and could use sms banking for funds transfers. "Yes, he is a natural leader, and is evolving", he echoed the sentiments of his colleague, general secretary AICC. "It is precisely due to Rahul G that today people can read free sms and be happy, even if they don't get something out of begging, full credit to him".</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When asked if that makes Rahul G equally culpable in the 2G scam, he looked confused and asked what scam was that? When pointed that Raja and Kanimojhi are in jail, and probably a "towel guy" could follow there soon, he brushed that place aside as a "presumptive Jail". "Have you people seen real jails? Have you seen the rooms these gentlemen have been provided to live? Dare you call that a jail?" he shot back. They will be back in cabinet soon, he claimed. "I can show you real jails though, if you keep asking similar stupid questions", was an afterthought from him.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In a lighter vein, when some reporter asked if he was waiting eagerly for the centuries of century of Sachin, he looked confused again. "What century of centuries? Have that guy even scored a single of them?" he asked. Shocked, even after knowing who he was, the reporters asked him to clarify it. He dismissed that those centuries were just notional and presumptive till now. "Why are you inflating these centuries like the present CAG, where there exist none !" was his cryptic response. "The centuries have not been ratified by the Madam till now due to her poor health, probably she is putting forth this responsibility to the Rahul G. Till then, they can only be quoted as notional. I can't say anything more at present" was all that reporters could elicit from him. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"Wish sachin ji could deliver a real century of votes for us, that would be the real century we will celebrate", were the final remarks, full of smile, and we rushed to collect our pizza coupens and money for publishing this news.</span></div></div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2687521856676349394.post-25485772398848394522011-11-14T00:06:00.000-08:002012-06-22T17:59:21.746-07:00The Digvijay Singh Syndrom- Effects and cures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><style type="text/css">#toc, .toc, .mw-warning { border: 1px solid rgb(170, 170, 170); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249); padding: 5px; font-size: 95%; }#toc h2, .toc h2 { display: inline; border: medium none; padding: 0pt; font-size: 100%; font-weight: bold; }#toc #toctitle, .toc #toctitle, #toc .toctitle, .toc .toctitle { text-align: center; }#toc ul, .toc ul { list-style-type: none; list-style-image: none; margin-left: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; text-align: left; }#toc ul ul, .toc ul ul { margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 2em; }#toc .toctoggle, .toc .toctoggle { font-size: 94%; }body { font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); widows: 2; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0in; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none; text-align: left; }table { }td { border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; }p, h1, h2, h3, li { color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left; } </style> <br /><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b></b></u></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR-sjHuKwzaGkhSBSGhP6S7WU-8GBLBNHwhpTC_6RpFNFJyqAssZefrY-LZiz1o1fSmHLYjU-9l88alZESU21bewkkcjU5i0o0VXeZY6pWhrvhTjHf-JG9wwIlgOpMd79wTnfiKnJ9Ig/s1600/APTOPIX_India_Hinduism_t607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR-sjHuKwzaGkhSBSGhP6S7WU-8GBLBNHwhpTC_6RpFNFJyqAssZefrY-LZiz1o1fSmHLYjU-9l88alZESU21bewkkcjU5i0o0VXeZY6pWhrvhTjHf-JG9wwIlgOpMd79wTnfiKnJ9Ig/s320/APTOPIX_India_Hinduism_t607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Attempting to write something about Digvijay Singh would be discarded by most of the people as a waste of time and space for a clown without any self-respect. Mostly agreeing to these views, sometimes I fear for a worse scenario. This post is just an illustration of that. Lets analyze some issues in this regard.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><br />The disease called Digvijay Singh broke out a few years ago. It's first victim was the ex-CM of Madhya Pradesh, Mr Digvijaty Singh. He was just another incompetent politician before that, who <b>did nothing for the development </b>of his home state in two terms. Subsequently, the origin of this disease was his desire to get a bigger national role. The congerssi culture of sycophancy asks you to be a boot licker of the first family to go anywhere near to the top. Numerous congress leaders have fallen to sickening depths for this, and some were rewarded by Presidency for this. But Diggy seems to be affected by some mutant virus of this trait, and hence is getting unique acclaim. <i>This victim shows regular irrational speech, illogical statements, total lack of self-respect and selling soul and motherland for some votes.</i><br /><br /><br />Hating to call him Digvijay, I would call him Diggy henceforth. Diggy <b>on record abuses respected Hindu teachers,</b> be it Baba Ramdev or Sri Sri, <b>calls a terrorist as "Osamaji"</b> along with other honorific verbs, <b>alleges falsely about hindu organizations,</b> and <b>denounces our brave soldiers for "false encounters".</b> That he tries to impose an incompetent Rahul on the country as the "best choice" is his personal choice, but <i>other issues do concern us very much.</i> It is those aspects that I want to touch here.<br /><br />Before this disease broke out, I was really proud of our plural culture, that the President was a Muslim, PM was a Sikh, president of largest political party was a Christian and so forth. And I hated RSS as being communal and so forth. Today, I am more careful about this fact, as Diggy opened my eyes to the sad truth that instead of respecting our pluralism, all these people are just <i>taking advantage of the liberalism of the majority.</i> It is easy to brush aside his views as personal hallucinations, but we can't forget that <b>he is doing so in the capacity of general secretary of AICC.</b> Diggy's non-stop barbs make it clear that he has the permission of "High Command". <b>That tells us the direction which congress is taking now.</b> Not that it was not in the past, but now <i>it has became more brazen.</i><br /><br />Apart from that, Diggy is the mentor of the future PM(shamefully). And why diggy is so intent on Rahul? <b>He knows very well that Rahul is incompetent.</b> Diggy is proving his best to qualify as sycophant in chief to be the prime among power wielder. Due to the fractitious nature of Indian politics, this can easily happen. Then Rahul becomes PM, and diggy will be made the HM. Those people who think that Diggy can not get that post due to his ill-reputation reigning everywhere today, just <i>look at SM Krishna as the Foreign Minister.</i> <b>Or look no further than the PM today.</b> If those people can be in those post, then I surely see doggy as the HM of India. <b>That will be disastrous for our country, Hindu leaders, and our plural heritage. Many things will be tried to sacrifice brazenly at the altar of vote-bank politics.</b> Though I firmly believe that be it Diggy or any other Bhasmasur, our cultural heritage will come out unscathed from these setbacks as has happened in the past, yet we can at least be aware of future challenges and dangers.<br /><br /><br />What can we do in this regard? The starting step is to take pride in ourselves, our traditions and our faith. <b>We are proud of our pluralistic thinking.</b> <b>Now</b> <b>we have to be proud of its source as well.</b> <b>The</b> <b>primary source of it is the liberal Hindu mindset.</b> We have to be proud Hindus, and should start taking notice of the insults and abuses hurled at us from all around. If we do not do it, people like diggy will keep on insulting it to bank on the vote-bank politics. These moron think that even today the average educated man doesn't understand issues. We have to change this scenario.<br /><br />It is a truth that we are largely unaware of our national heritage. We are getting cut from our roots. We can barely say five lines about the salient features of our faith and tradition which has enabled its flow for centuries now. In this age <b>when our media is ruled by Saudi Arab or the baptist church,</b> it is high-time that we be at least aware of our culture. If you don't believe it, just <i>check the ownership of CNN-IBN,</i> a quick google search will do. The anti-Hindu barbs it presents in too well known by now. The surprising thing is the brazenness with which they do it. The leftist ideology and the <b>false implementation of secularism</b> has done us great disservice.<br /><br />Today it is very probable that a westerner will talk about Hinduism with more pride than can an average Indian does so. <b>We are ashamed to say that we are a proud hindu,</b> as it can make us branded as "communal" and fundamentalist. What can be the greater tragedy than that in our country!!<br /><br /><br />People like diggy make us aware of the importance of being in touch with out roots, else people with blind lust for power will start to take the society for granted, as has happened in the past few decades.<br /><br />We have to learn more about our culture, traditions and the great philosophies in it. We have to learn yoga ourselves. Most of us do things if many other people are doing it. Particulary the educated west is doing it. Well, the west is mad to know these beautiful things which has come out of our culture, and which people like diggy are hell-bent on insulting. <b>The reason being they are beneficial to us as human beings.</b><br /><br />So be aware, know, practice and preserve !</div></div>Prabhathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10778561650018685163noreply@blogger.com1