Can India prosper on Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence?

As India rejoiced over the execution of Ajmal Kasab a very famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi struck my mind --an eye for an eye makes whole world blind. The father of world’s largest democratic nation was entirely against violence. It was his last wish to not grant death sentence to the convicts --including his own murderer. But in the country that has been nurtured with the ideology of ‘tit for tat’ since ages (and the holy scriptures are a documentary evidence for the same) I personally don’t find his thought practically applicable in such a scenario.

Several people took to social networking sites to condemn the act of nation getting into festive mode after hearing the news of Ajmal Kasab’s execution on November 21. Well, in that case first they should stop celebrating the festivals like Holi and Dussehra because they are symbolic of the death of ‘Holika’ and ‘Ravan’ respectively who ended up losing their lives for their heinous deeds.

Our glorious past teaches us that good can come out victorious over evil only by completely ending it-- literally killing it. Therefore, this nation can’t advocate banning death sentence to the man like Kasab-- who slaughtered innumerous lives with his gun for no reason. He deserved capital punishment to send a strong message to the enemies that India will not be a mute spectator to such a carnage on Indian soil. India’s bloody past has taught that it’s never defensive attitude had made is prone to periodic invasions and slavery under foreign hands. And with the kind of neighbours India has --who constantly tries to violate the cease fire and create terror every now and then -- it can not keep it's non violent attitude.

Thus, Gandhi’s principle of ‘offering another cheek to the one who slaps us’ will only result in spilling more bloodshed. Since terrorist organisation like Lashakar-e-Tayiba (LeT) and Al-Queda have no impact of preaching over non-violence.

Also it would have been an injustice with the families of 166 victims who lost their lives in the sheer display of genocide due to hands of some brain washed young men who gave it a name of ‘jihad’. None of the religions preach killing of innocent people in their name but none all preach the same lesson to punish the enemies of human kind with full intolerance.

Although not every lesson taught by Mahatma Gandhi are impracticable in today’s perspective. Only weapon useful in winning against terror is social equality and religious tolerance that could be achieved by education and Gandhi’s has always been its true advocate.

Why politicians remember Mumbai terror attack victims?

 With no reasons to hurt the sentiments of the victims of Mumbai terror attack and their kin a single question circles my mind, what does the agencies and Government authorities try to show while observing the death anniversary for the same? Agreed that November 26, 2008 was a black mark day in the history of India, but innocent blood were spilled in several deadly terror attacks too. Reports and developments over terror attacks on Ramjanmbhumi in UP, Akshardham temple attack-- to name a few-- fade in the ambience of 26/11. Why?

The first and foremost answer that struck my mind about 26/11 terror attack getting so much poliand media attention is because it was the first time that the elite class and foreign nationals fell victim at the hands of terrorists. Although, the common man was not untouched this time as well but the aam admi has always been a soft target of the terror outfits since ages, but that is something very common and Government is adapted to it. So, killing of innocent elites took the authorities aback as they are the ones who help our politicians in times of need. And also the attack over such hi-profile places where presidents and prime ministers of several nations visiting India don't give a miss was a matter of grave concern.

Media goes hysteric every year on this very day but it amazes me why rest other incidents go unnoticed by them. Another question flashes into my mind, had the situation been the same, if it were just 166 middle class men slaughtered at the hands of Kasab and his colleagues? The answer this time again is no. Taking cue from the serial train bombing on July 11 --another massacre occurred in Mumbai (country’s commercial capital). 209 were killed in those blasts that targetted the working middle class that commutes in Mumbai’s local trains. Therefore, this truly supports my conclusion.

With Ajmal Kasab given so much of VIP treatment for four years before he was finally prosecuted for what he deserved also makes me think that even the killer of elites is entitled to get special treatment by the jail authorities.

Seems the authorities took the concept of ‘Atithi Devo Bhawa’ bit too seriously. It took the authorities four long years to punish Kasab--the sole surviving gunman in the attacks who was fed with ‘chicken biryani’ for killing the elites, all these years inside the prison. More than 20 crore rupees were spent upon him (Kasab) in four years in a country where the government expects a normal man to survive at mere Rs. 26 to survive.

Several upper class people were killed and held hostage in the terrorist attack including 18 foreign nationals losing their lives present at Oberoi Trident, Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and Leopold Café—all attended by the elites.

Now, have we ever heard of a news story regarding death anniversaries of the victims celebrated like the kind of attention given to this? I very well understand that the Mumbai attacks were massive in their kind but I have never heard of a top politician ever visiting annually and paying tribute to those who lost their lives in such homicides.

The government has definitely been partial on their part for handling both the sections of the society equally. Places like temple, bus stand, market places, local trains are very rare destinations where elites and politicians are found. Therefore, tight security of such places are not given a damn.

Aamir hits right chord with his debut on idiot box

I was in dilemma throughout this entire week about how Aamir’s debut show Satyamev Jayate will be like? Considering the personality and stature of Mr. Perfectionist I was pretty sure that the show would present something attached with the roots and would deal with the abuses in the society. At least that’s what the promotional video of the show tried to convey. But when the programme finally aired all I could do was to be glued to the television screens and salute the actor for his approach.

Aamir's Satyamev Jayate 

The entire nation was eagerly waiting for the clock to strike 11 on May 06 to witness one of the most awaited TV programmes of the Indian television’s history of the modern times. Every single person I met last week had fixed their appointment with the television sets to watch Aamir’s debut on small screen. I hope that they really kept their words as the show deserved a vast number of eye balls on its opening day. Today’s programme reminded me of Sunday’s of late 1980’s when the roads used get deserted and markets closed because people would watch Ramanand Sagar’s epic serial Mahabharat and Ramayan on Doordarshan. Coincidently these two serials were also broadcast at 11 am every Sunday. Therefore, it’s not wrong if I mention that history repeats itself.

Now coming to the content of the programme, as expected from the brand ambassador of Incredible India/ India Tourism who used to teach us the forgotten tradition of our land “Atithi Devo Bhava”( guests are equivalent to God) Satyamev Jayate has struck the right chord. The talented actor raised the issue of female feoticide one of the biggest issues of developing India where female sex ratio is alarming. Aamir brought into light that such an evil practice is not only restricted to the illiterate masses of India where mothers are compelled to abort by their families just because the life she is carrying inside her womb is a girl child. Aamir tried to bring out the agony and pain of millions of such mothers through life stories of some victims in a very sensitive manner.

In another segment of the programme Aamir made a video conference with some unmarried young men in a village of Rajasthan (remember Rajasthan is the state where the rate of female feoticides is maximum and the female sex ratio is among lowest). The men told that they are bachelors because there are no girls to marry in their village. One of the man from the group also asked Aamir to ask Salman Khan to lead their group since he’s the most eligible bachelor of the nation.

At last, Aamir raised the issue of sale and purchase of girls practiced in some parts of India where people pay money to get a wife for their unmarried son. Some of the social activists present in the show raised their concern over the sorry state.

Finally, Aamir requested the audiences and viewers to offer their support and write to him so that he can write a letter to the CM of Rajasthan to set up a committee to bring a check on doctors practicing such illegal activity in state.

On this note I would like to conclude that by bringing such a show that focuses on social issues Aamir has hit a six on the very first ball and assures a very sensible and long inning on television. Hats off Aamir! for taking such a daring step of not anchoring a game show or a reality show where participants are shown fighting like cats and dogs to generate TRPs and revenues for the producers.  And last but not the least full marks to his style of acting where the multi talented actor has set a bench mark in television anchoring after Big B.

The Midas Touch of MS Dhoni

After the six hit by Indian Skipper Dhoni whole nation started celebrtating Dussehra and Diwali altogether.
The World Cup final victory couldn't have been any better than this. 1.21 billion dreams have come true as Team India has won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets chasing 275.

Dhoni's  Midas Touch continued as Indian side now claims the world champion's title in all the formats of the game.First T20 World Champions, Tests' No.1 team and now the much awaited ODI World Cup.

This win becomes important because the win came on the Indian soil. Many myths are broken after this win.

Teams of hosting nation can't win, the player who scores century his side wins and many others.

This win is a combined team effort. Every player contributed towards his part. This match has showed a very confident looking Indian side. Indians were brilliant with bat-ball and excellent in field which is rarely seen.

Though some of the moments were dissapointing for the side soft dismissals of Sehwag the storm and sesational Sachin. At times audiences were silenced by the Lankans but team India had some points to prove. At last the entire country was gifted what a generation has grown up dreaming after 28 long years.

Jaywardhena's century couldn't help his team win as Gambhir and Dhoni spoiled his plans to celebrate.

Best ICC World Cup in History....

This Cricket World cup has been a most thrilling. Audiences are witnessing some of the best matches of all time.
As there is no team that can be most promising one. Taking the past matches into consideration one can easily make out that it's not easy to predict who'll win the trophy. As a matter of fact we can't really guess which teams will eventually get into the semis.
The under dog teams have somewhere troubled the bigger ones, take the example of England-Ireland league match. Irish team comfortably chased the mammoth total of 327 against English. Then came England's turn who outclassed South Africa,biggest contender of the trophy. The Proteas fell short of six runs chasing mere total of 176.
Finally,one can't leave what Bangladesh have done tonight to the English side. The Bangla Tigers have chased the total of 226 for the loss of eight. The ninth wicket partnership of 50 plus runs between tail-enders has played a spoiler for the England. This has assured the spectators a very interesting and healthy competition.
Therefore entertainment is guaranteed in this cricketing season.
Being an Indian team supporter we can't tolerate India losing but Dhoni and company has to work hard to live up the expectations of billions of Indian fans.

Mamata's Rail Budget 2011

The budget presented by Rail minister Mamata Banerjee has proved that politics is all about profits.

Politicians make laws for their own benefits and not for the commons.  

It has revealed that Didiji's protest against TATA Nano's plant in Singur was just a part of a political agenda against state government. 

Now that the ball was in Mamata's court she just didn't miss the opportunity to attract the masses.

Her declaration to open a new metro coach factory just came before the state elections in Bengal so that AITC may form the government. 

Somebody should ask Didiji that what will she do if there will be mass protests against these factories.

Hope that the people get the benefits this time and not the political turmoil.