1. Dissent for an opposing point of view
2. Many educated took upon them to behave and react socially irresponsibly
3. Generalising wrong emotions and thrusting it upon the entire religion (or a community)
4. And then I noticed the same sentiment starts creeping in our day-to-day lives as well – howsoever slowly it does, but it definitely reeks in

It so happened that I started watching #TheForgottenArmy on #AmazonPrime yesterday late evening. Well that is how my Saturdays are spent. Me and my wife pick up a series and take it to the finishing line. In this entire routine, what makes me the utmost happy is both of us are not fussy about the choice of series. She sits with me to watch something of my interest and somedays I sit to watch something of her interest. Isn’t it amazing?

But that’s not the atmosphere prevailing in our country these days. While I was binge watching this one yesterday it hit me that How 2 different (absolutely opposite) schools of thought prevailed in 1940s with utmost mutual respect for each other while bearing the single goal – The Freedom of India from the British Rule.

People from different castes, ethnicity, religious communities and descents joined hands together and sat in a passive-aggressive mode with Gandhiji. And the brethren and people from the same families and groups went and joined Indian National Army in an aggressive mode to get India free from the clutches of 200 year long rule and slavery.

It must have required a lot of patience, sensibility and maturity for both the schools to co-exist and let each other function towards one common-shared goal. And this is what is missing in our current atmosphere. We do not have the common shared goal – we do not have the common idea of having a strong, liberal and superpower India. What we have – is our own idea of how India should be (and should be run).

Because, all of us are NOT working towards the common goal – the betterment of India; that is the reason why we grow impatient, abusive, regressive, violent and murderous towards each other. Forgetting that who we are fighting are very much our own. (On a side note but definitely importantly, we are a secular country and that makes us look stupid and foolish every time we start polarising in the name of the religion. That should stop immediately.)

Going back to the series #TheForgottenArmy, when the grandson asks his grandfather, the surviving soldier of INA that “What can we do in the state of mayhem and chaos?” He answers non-chalantly, “That is exactly what you have to figure out. It was easier to attain freedom but to preserve that freedom in a more challenging task and that onus is on you.”

I strongly believe that if Democracy and Freedom are under threat, then our Republic is under threat. So, yes Democracy for a Republic is the need of the hour! As we celebrate our 71st Republic Day today, let’s pledge that we all will work towards building a nation that accepts, opines and respects the different point of views and allow them to merge (like sugar in milk – milk being India) towards one common goal – The Democratic Republic of India!

Happy Republic Day! Jai Hind!

The post Of many ideas, One India appeared first on Thebuswindow.

Folks have gone to the length of sharing hatred posts – “rehne nahi denge” to which replies started pouring in full fervour “jeene nahi denge”. The so called “BJP bhakts” started resurfacing those images where Nehru is with Lady Mountbatten, him smoking a cigar (in the ‘socialist’ times he was ruling in), sharing placards with name Rahul Gandhi Khan. And so on so forth. 

On the contrary, “Congress humanitarians” started recalling what happened in Gujarat in 2002, enchanting Hindutva agenda, the power behind BJP manifesto – “RSS ke hain yeh sab log”. And then we know what followed!

It is a matter of shame, absolute disgust that something can aggravate us to an extent that our power to empathise, our years of bonhomie and friendship, our centuries of legacy and culture can be distorted and compromised with a few provoking statements and opportunistic agenda. Be it BJP or Congress – the fact that we are swayed so easily in the name of religion makes us even worse than illiterate. 

While I was watching all of this, hearing opinions and trying to make sense of what was real and what’s not – what is right and what is unfair – 3 things happened on my social media account:

a. A well-educated person constantly sharing pro-BJP videos, posts and anti-congress banners and posters – without validating what’s fact and what’s lie. The sad part – that this person is a well-educated being.

b. Ping from a few friends – on what’s my opinion about #CAB and expecting an answer to which I politely said – I do not have an opinion yet. Just because I celebrated abrogation of Article370 and Article 35 A and supported ousting of Rohingyas from Jammu, they thought supporting CAB should be an obvious option. This is even worse because it reflects us being in a misinformed state.

c. Lastly, a few folks who were sharing both sides of the coin. They came like silver shining in the cloud because hum to aam aadmi hain. Our role in society is to listen to all sides of the story, understand their ideologies and have our favorites – but definitely not (vandalising) killing in the name of our favorites. That makes us no less than nazis, fascists!

While I was absolutely saddened by what what was happening around I was even more moved  by the thought that  why we react the way we do and how our life and experiences shape our “school of thought”. The result of which was the series of these 3 blog posts:

Indian Politics and The Common Man – Why I hate(d) Congress because this answers how and why we chose BJP over Congress. Indian Politics and The Common Man – Why I welcome BJP and how did the sentiment stick? This answers what made BJP India’s shining star despite its apprehension of being a Hindutva party and how it still gained a complete mandate. Lastly, the blog you are reading right now – which aims to highlight the power of the Common Man!

The debates over television and the actions on the ground were getting ferocious day after day and many of the folks could not stop ranting about “How BJP has attacked democracy and secularism by passing the CAA”.

Interestingly, they forgot to remind themselves that while Democracy and Secularism have been founding pillars of the great nation India is – there is one silent yet the most powerful sentiment that made India, India and that is the weapon called ahimsa. 

When the students in various universities burn the public property, why do they forget that what they are doing is unlawful and plainly barbaric. Why do they forget by fuelling fire in the nation, they are actually satisfying the agenda of political parties until and unless they are also a privy and party to the criminal offence. Above all, who gives them the right to burn the taxpayer’s money like that?

Why do we demand and expect one side justice. Why do we forget our duties while asking for our fundamental rights?

The most surprising element in this entire story that raises suspicion is the revolt came from the “educated” corners of the cities (and the country) while (the ones who are truly affected if at all someone is) the rebel should come from poor and impoverished section of the society. This makes me question the sanctity and truth behind the violence that followed the announcement of Citizenship Amendment Bill. In fact there can never be any sanctity behind any violent act. 

As a common man, there is so much we can do! Only if we know and realise that all that is done in politics is to woo us – the common man – their vote bank! Let us leave them on tenterhooks. Let us watch their actions. Let us rebel in silence and protest by our work. Let us stand tall for what is right and against what is wrong. Let us fulfil our fundamental duties while we ask for our fundamental rights. Let us give them time to perform, show and prove. 

But let us not give them a sense that Hindu vs Muslim is what pleases us. Let us not give them any wrong notion that we follow you blindfolded. Let us not have an iota of doubt that if they do wrong, we will still support them. Because we voted for Congress for 60 damn years (12 general elections) and we voted for BJP when Congress looted India of its shine and when the time will come we will still swing our vote again because The Common Man has the Right to Swing!

दूध का धुला तो कोई नहीं है इनमे से

कुछ समाजवाद के रंग में रंगेगे तुम्हें

कोई सांप्रदायिक चोला उड़ा देंगे

जब वोटों की गिनती पूरी हो जायेगी

तुम्हें दूध में से मक्खी समझकर निकाल देंगे

~ कर्णवीर

In this digital age, we are free to express, opine and share our thoughts. But we should be careful that:

a. We do not share any false information

b. We should not share hatred posts that hurt the sentiment of any caste, colour, religion and ethnicity or a group

c. We should not share fear-instilling posts, banners being circulated by political pages

d. We STOP giving a name (religion) to the terror! There is no terror which is Islamic or Hindu; terrorism should be left to terrorism alone.

e. We form an unbiased approach and opinion towards the political parties.

f. We do not engage in war or fights or disputes with our friends and family over political and religious issues. “They” will change their sides but you won’t be able to get them back

India has been a great nation and with massive amount of potential and young force – there will be so many external forces and elements (and some internal as well) that will try to make use of each such opportunity to break the DNA thread of India. And THE COMMON MAN has got all the power to prevent that from happening! After all “saare jahan se achcha hindustan humaara, hum bulbule hain iske; yeh gulistan humaara” Jai Hind!

Note to those: who think that just because I supported Abrogation of Article370 and Article35A and supported ousting of Rohingyas from Jammu – I am a pro-BJP or pro-Hindu or for that matter anti-Islam. Dear each one of you, before all of that I am an Indian!

“ I was 5 years old when I used to wake up to the Azaan in the nearby Mosque. We were living in Poonch in a quarter surrounded by open fields on one side and some peaks on the other side. The peaks would get covered under snow during winters and the cold winds would come crashing upon us. But during all the seasons, the sound of Azaan remained the same – non-chalant keeping us warm. And I have always been in love with that sound. That remains one of the fondest memories of my childhood. It will always be!

Today also, when I hear Azaan (in the busy metros) – I sit up right and absorb that calmness. And if I am too tired on certain days, I remain on the couch half lying saying to myself – “there’s no wrong in getting the utmost relaxation by the sound that is so divine. And In my relaxation, I offer my gratitude to you – Oh divine!”

Going back in time, Azaan became an integral part of musicals that would soothe me. When you are growing up in Jammu and Kashmir, you cannot ignore the presence of Islamic faith around. You just learn to live amicably. And it so happened that I did my entire schooling (most of it) in an Army School. Cantonment areas happen to be the most secular places in India, if you are to believe me. Yahan sab tyohaar manaye jaate hain. From Diwali to Eid and Gurupurab and Christmas. “

And under such circumstances, you literally learn and live what secularism is! I can be a pro-BJP and pro-Congress at a few points or maybe both but I can never be anti-secular (in my sentiment) at any point of time. Discrimination on any basis is (and will be) the root-cause of all the troubles we as a diverse nation will ever face.

But when we grow up we are shrouded by multiple school of thoughts and day to day news, reports and incidents and that should be kept far from generalising an entire religion or ethnicity. Hatred has no religion. No god ever teaches to hate other human beings. We have to keep check on our own insecurities, fear and prejudices. And when all of us will learn, realise and appreciate the fact – we will be at a better off place at peace and calm within and outside. And that will be our true victory!

The post Indian Politics and The Common Man – Part III appeared first on Thebuswindow.

In the last blog Indian Politics and The Common Man – Why I hate(d) Congress, I have expressed my concern over what really bothered me and millions of other citizens of the country as Congress neared its term completion in 2014. Now, let’s look at what made BJP the centre of attraction for the common man for the years to come!

I would like to start with the poem I wrote on 17th May 2014 when BJP came to power with complete bahoomat (mandate)  and Sh. Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India. The poem goes something like this:

है लोगों ने अपना विश्वास दिखाया, अब तुम्हारी बारी है
अब तुम न उलझना स्कैम में, क्यूंकि यह जीत तुम्हारी नही हमारी है
क्या किया विपक्ष ने क्या वह कर न सके, समय इस पर खर्च न करना
करना है कुछ तो भारत का कल बदलना, अब जो तुम्हारी पारी है

न रंग ना इस भारत को केवल केसरिया, सतरंगों में चाहे रंग देना
लहू माँगना, माँगना जान, पर केवल दलीलें और तारीक मत देना
है करोड़ों का विश्वास निर्भर तुम पर, भरोसा उनका मत तोडना
विद्युत देना, पानी देना, घर-घर तुम स्वयं शक्ति देना, भले ही झूठे वादे तोडना

‘अब की बार’ दिया तुम्हारा साथ, तुम्हें कीमत इसकी चुकानी होगी
देखें हैं सपने स्वर्ण भारत के, उनमें सचाई तुम्हें भरणी होगी
‘अच्छे दिन आने वाले हैं’,इस उम्मीद में आज का इंतज़ार हर भारतीय ने किया है
दिखला दो अब, बतला दो अब, ‘अच्छे दिन आ गए हैं’, यह तुम्हारी ज़िम्मेदारी है!

The entire poem talks about hope – the hope to make India a great nation it was once upon a time. All lines of the poem talk about hope except for one line (5th line) which brushes upon the fear of not turning the entire nation orange. 

the confusion we all go through when elections approach

It speaks volumes about the mindset of the common man and the leap of faith all of us took to entrust our nation with BJP (which has always been painted with an image of being a Hindutva party in a nation that is secular and Hindu majority. If at all you have started believing we are a Hindu nation, I am sorry but that is a false narrative you are feeding yourself)

The entire country got together to bring BJP to power because of dismay, chaos, loot Congress had thrusted upon the citizens of its country. (and not because BJP was the most favorite alternative)

And to our confidence BJP took all the right steps that the common man of this country was craving. 

It all started with The Lion, with moving wheels inside its body. Yes, I am talking about Make in India campaign where industries, investors from across the globe were invited to invest in the country in the manufacturing sector. This led to most of the States of India host an Industrial event and form their own ties, leverage their own political network to woo investment and get the wheels of development moving. 

This resulted in not only movement of funds into the country but also made the presence of India felt at the centre stage of the world!

We were still absorbing this when #SwachhBharat became a movement rather than just a hashtag. From cleaning of rivers to streams and being environmentally conscious citizens, for the first time I felt we were involved in work and tasks – the citizen of a developed nation should be a part of. This united the entire India for a common cause that had previously been done only for Swaraj and Independence of the nation. While this kind of unity is required day in and day out for the country to thrive, survive and win each day!

It is very important to understand for any organisation to understand where its audience sits and what does it like/dislike. And #NaMo government leveraged digital channels like a pro to communicate about all such movements such as Clean India, Swachh Bharat campaigns. It led to campaigns such as giving up LPG subsidy, healthy female and child campaign, Clean Ganga campaign, etc. All of this did not stop here. 
Setting up of toilets, stopping of open defecation in the country, rural electrification – there has been no stopping of NaMo government in addressing the basic infrastructural issues of the country – that have been pending since ages. I should not miss OROP implementation, 7th Pay Commission for govt. jobs, digitisation of the economy. While there will always be haters and critics and there should be (for healthy running of the country), I can tell you Rupay Card and digital evolution accelerated our movement towards becoming one of the superpowers of the world. Moving money digitally in a large nation like India is the first and powerful step to bring accountability into the system.

At a centre stage, building up and maintaining of relations with the Middle East, France, US along with neighbouring countries (and many more) – The NaMo government has been commendable. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP team touched upon the issues that were basic, of national (and strategic) importance and many that strengthened our clout at International platform. For the first time, we were at the driving seat instead of just being at the back seat (and watching the show passively)

BJP gave us India, all Indians were craving for – for years! So when I asked myself – why did I welcome BJP! This is what I found as an answer:

“I welcomed BJP only because there was no other option but when BJP came to power it proved that while they were power hungry, they had done a lot of home-work and preparation to come to power. They had studied the nation in and out, they had evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the nation and what bets to play on and what not to. They ensured that #thecommonman gets what s/he is deserving and longing for. They had substantial plans that waited to be executed to make India a great nation once again”

Not only that, they also ensured that their Team Cabinet works and attends assembly sessions properly and no one thinks it is ok to miss those. Setting the tone right that none of the party member finds it ok to be corrupt and promote corruption in any form. I welcome this New India.

There has been immense satisfaction to be a part of this New India! But, does that leave me to trust BJP blindly for what great they are doing to the nation? Won’t it then make us same like Congress? 

The post Indian Politics and The Common Man – Part II appeared first on Thebuswindow.