Awakening Of A Nation

August 16th - 28th, Year 2011:

Courtesy: Google Image

This period of time will be etched in Indian history with golden dust. Obviously, I am talking about Team Anna's Anti-Corruption movement, which can be best defined as:

A fast that stopped the nation, made it think and retrospect. Or, to put it crudely, a mass movement that gave the government a much needed chemotherapy for treating its cancer of corruption.

Having said this, I would now like to take an unbiased approach and present a different perspective regarding this Anti-Corruption movement. Whether this movement will achieve its ultimate goal of abolishing corruption, time will tell; but let’s open our eyes and minds to what it has already accomplished:

• This movement has brought the people of India together, without any biases of caste, religion, social or economic status. This has happened for the first time ever in the history of independent India. The concerns regarding dalits and minorities not being adequately represented are rather unfounded and paranoid.
• Somewhere along the long journey of 64 years of independent India, the people had lost the pride of being Indian. This Anti-Corruption movement has brought back the patriotic flavor with a pinch of pride in the heart of young India.
• It has reversed the thinking equation of corruption from the “acceptability of its presence” to the “will to curb the increasing menace of corruption”.
• It has metamorphisized the cynicism and ‘chalta hai’ attitude of our people into hope and a strong will to change the sorry state of affairs.
• India can now boast of setting a unique example for the entire world by putting up a nation wide peaceful protest for full 13 days, without any incidence of non-violent act.
• Last but not the least; it has awakened the middle class to come out of their comfort zone and shed the complacent attitude, thus involving themselves actively in the political matters of the country.

One mass movement, one fast and 13 days have brought the equality and unity of India back. So, before discussing the pros and cons of Anna Hazare’s Anti-Corruption movement, spare a thought to what this movement has already given our country.

My salute to all the people who form the backbone of this movement, and also lakhs of people who supported this movement by taking a stand against corruption.

Guardian's Angel - Part 2

[Continues from Guardian's Angel - Part 1]

And then,
Wham! Bang!
Aah!
A shooting pain in my head, and
my eyes flew open,
my muddled mind gropes for reality.
Where am I, I wonder?

Courtesy: Google Image

I see myself on the damp ground, and
an ugly, stout fellow towering over me.
He seems to be shouting furiously at me, but
I cannot comprehend anything.
My head is throbbing badly.

This overpowering man
lifts me up roughly by my collar.
I hear him shout, "You lazy bum, sleeping on your duty.
How dare you!
I did not employ you as a guard of your angels,
but to guard against thieves!"
Saying this, he marched off in a huff.


And I stood there, frozen like a statue
my shoulders slumped,
my eyes with a faraway look.
I sighed! Alas!
It was just a dream,
a mere dream,
a pleasant dream on a wet, callous bench.
And a dream's a dream; nothing more
And dreams never always come true
Or , do they?
I wonder??

Guardian's Angel - Part 1

This is a short poetic narration about a night in a life of a common watchman:

A starry night, with a dazzling moonlight
The smell of jasmine, senses this nose of mine
Aah!
Such a lovely night with my beloved beside.
And I wonder, whether,
It's the deadly silence of the night, or
the magic of serenity shrouding you?
Are those stars shimmering, or
is it the sparkle in your eyes?
I wonder!

Courtesy:  Google Image

Is it the dazzle of the silver ball, or
the radiant angelic face of yours?
Is it really the smell of jasmine, or
you near me?
I wonder!

Is it the wine, or
your drooping, seductive eyes intoxicating me?
Oh God!
Am I in paradise, or
I see an angel on Earth?
I wonder!

And suddenly, I feel the earth shudder, or
is someone shaking me?
I no more feel the feathery touch of the angel.
I hear some voices, seem to be coming from a distance,
and, again the harsh shake.
And then, .................


(To be continued)

Americanisation of India

Courtesy: Google Image

You must have heard the phrase "Missing the forest for the trees". That's what we all do when talking about America. I agree that Americans are honest, have integrity and have excelled themselves in technology and resource developments. However, there are more important issues where America needs to reflect upon its policies; but sadly no one (including media) talks about it and we also prefer to turn a blind eye to that. Well, here are some questions which are downright eye openers.

• Who created Taliban?  AMERICA.  India, apart from other countries, is a victim of this creation. 
• Who funds the terrorism? AMERICA. 
• Who dumps its industrial waste in other countries? AMERICA 
• Who promoted Globalization and abolished the work culture of India? AMERICA. This has lead to widespread exploitation of working individuals in India, thereby hampering not only their health but also their family lives. 
• Who promotes consumerism worldwide? AMERICA. This has promoted materialism to obsessive levels. 
• Who encourages a lifestyle which causes rampant misuse of ecological reserves and talk about Green Revolution? AMERICA. A small example of this is the advent of ‘wooden flooring’ in buildings which is being considered as a sign of luxury.  
• Who created 'Corporate Culture' promoting extravagance in work place and encouraged work slavery in office? AMERICA.  
• Who believes in Wars and destroyed several countries, killing innocent people, on pretext of defense? AMERICA.  
• Who religiously believes and literally follows phrases like "Divide and Rule", "All is fair in love and war"? AMERICA.  
• Who believes in ruthlessly destroying unique cultures of several countries, promoting not only western culture but also economic slavery? AMERICA.

We had a great quality of life before the clutches of Globalization, Consumerism and Terrorism invaded India; now we seem to have a great quality of living which has cost us our wonderful quality of life. India has always been a peace loving nation, which neither encouraged wars nor imposed its rich culture on others. Sadly, it has been molded economically, mentally and culturally to suit the needs of powerful nations like America.

P.S: The intention of this article is not to hurt anybody’s feelings. I am not against America and its citizens but simply voicing my views against certain policies of America, which are causing great harm to developing nations like India.

UNISEX

Courtesy Google Image

Are you a women or a man? Does it matter anymore? Nowadays, difference between both the genders is blurring. Women dress and conduct themselves like men, losing their femininity and grace; and getting into Clint Eastwood garb. On the other hand, men are imitating women and indulging in all sorts of beauty treatment; they are shaving off body hair which somehow materialize in a ponytail at the back (of head!). Is it just 6 inches pack of muscles which seem to signify manhood for the men of today!

‘Gentlemen’, unfortunately cannot be used to address men anymore, who are becoming gentler and softer day by day. Women, on the other hand are growing up into ‘tough gentlemen’.

Oh God! The genders are getting all mixed up. Men are not anymore from Mars than women from Venus. Both of them are from the planet Earth and they are in the race of transmutation to evolve into a new gender – “UNISEX”.

And that seems to be the mantra for the men and women of today. Be modern, be unisex!

Break Free

I was just wondering how it feels to be a new person altogether, without one’s family backdrop, without one’s last name, without any qualification and of course without one’s money.  Just truly be yourself; then whatever will be left of you will be your mind (without any educational qualification), your skills (without other person’s recommendation), your character; and the power to carve yourself into an original entity.

How amazing it would be to lose all the past baggage, present expectations from loved ones and future ambitions, and discover oneself, on a path of your own making. It will be then, that our true self will come into light. I sincerely wish for all of you who are reading this, to experience this kind of exhilaration, at least once in your lifetime and you’ll understand what true joy and absolute contentment is.

Most of us try to accumulate degrees, experience and goodies all our lives, and here I am, one of those few eccentric individuals who is trying to get rid of all that; for a glimpse of ‘true self’; for a person I am in my own mirror without any intrusive refractions and reflections.

From A Cynical Point Of View

History is fascinating, present is one’s own perspective and future is not known. But hopping between these time eras, I wondered whether the human race has really evolved during its long journey of hundreds and thousands of years.

Courtesy Google Image

In the past, we fought with clubs, then swords, bows and arrows; now there are guns, missiles and bombs for the same.

In the past, we played outdoor sports and indoor games for amusement; now we just need to glue our eyes to the screen for that.

In the past we used our vocal chords for communication; now we play dumb and use our fingers for communicating (internet, text message).

Earlier we never needed to package anything; now packaging is quite essential and the stuff inside is almost of inconsequential value.

In the past we used our feet for walking, then animals and now we have machines to carry our weight.

Earlier we prayed to nature Gods (air, sun, water, fire) and now we exploit the same nature for our own luxuries.

Earlier we used our mind for calculations and remembering stuff; now we have calculators and reminders for the same. Likewise we used to think new ideas in the past but now we google them.

Have our thoughts or our actions evolved with time? Earlier, we humans fought like savages in greed of territories and treasures; we still do the same. Earlier we fought in the name of religion; we still do the same. Then and now, our actions and motives remain unchanged. But what’s changed is the mode of doing them. Machines have evolved over times, thereby reducing our mental and physical work (still we complain of lack of time!) So who is evolving eventually? We, the human race, who is outsourcing its faculties to inanimate objects or the machines which are gradually taking over the human race?