Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice (C on Day 3 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

I have always believed that fights over gender roles crush individuality.

As a society we end up creating segments in our minds man-woman, male-female and girl-boy. Thus #HerChoice and #HisChoice was created.

I am referring to "My Choice" Directed By Homi Adajania - Vogue Empower that features Deepika Padukone and 98 other women.

And a vast number of people have taken offensive exception to the line - sex outside marriage, my choice. The purpose to urge patriarchy to recognize that women have a choice too, has lost in fiery debates crying over. Men (and other societal forces) went bonkers with fear that their 'property' could sleep outside of marriage. It is sad that the society wants to take control of our choices. But there are many of us who refuse to make small, big, everyday life's decisions based on societal perception of right and wrong. We challenge ourselves out of a rut the society has created. We fight - our families, friends and silent onlookers.

A friend aptly puts the crux of this debate - The short film is simply a note that - stop manipulating a woman, they are equally capable of making their own choices and a man (society) strictly has no right to dominate her decisions. 

Caption:
Before being categorized under a gender, we are all individuals

We may get killed us if we show dissent and we see it in the name of 'Honour'. People (read Society) are scared that Deepika's followers might take her comments seriously and follow her and not use a mind of their own. This debate makes me wonder if you (read Society) as a parent doubt your (read Societal) upbringing. Because out of all the years you (read Society) have associated with your (read Societal) child, a less than three minute video can change?

If we grow up our kids to have a mind of their own, to distinguish between the right and wrong then it must not bother us.

If you are scared that youngsters will be trapped - then
A. Keep your upbringing strong
B. Allow them to make mistakes, they will be wiser.

Society, your flawed upbringing laced with morally righteous is hollow. You are being hypocrites, sexists, misogynists by shamming Deepika's acceptance to the concept of open marriages. Because if she does or anybody does, it is between those involved in the matrimonial setup.

A woman faintly hinting at open marriage is not acceptable and men (read Society) fear losing their dearly held 'property' (read Women) to someone. 

If it is a man - it is manly, and when it is a woman it is a whorish?

Society, it shakes our double standards - be it Deepika or a non celebrity we all have to have the liberty of opinion.

Let's settle the Choice debate with an individualistic message #MyChoice, applicable equally to all (Men, Women, Other).

Author's Note: When we ask for a just (gender neutral) society, we are tagged as Fem Nazis. Feminism is taken in wrong spirits by many. I am not blaming all men, so before someone comments here that all men are not the same, let's not forget that even all women are not the same. Allow us to be. Period.

Don't start the Indian Sanskriti Drama, you make it look ugly not just to me but to the world. 

P.S.: Choice Debate Settled - #MyChoice for C - April 3, 2015. My third post for the A to Z April Challenge.

Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) (B on Day 2 of A to Z Challenge 2015)

It was somewhere in the midst of Ban and Boycotts for Bharat (India) - A facade my country has started to don lately.

Here is a quick recap of bans on creativity and choices we make as individuals.
(This is not comprehensive list and in no order of preference):

1. India's Daughter was banned because it projects bad image of India. BBC was sent a notice by the Indian authorities and the documentary was taken down from the internet.

Un-ban our choices, Un-ban our freedom
Source - Google 

2. It was in the midst of a Beef Ban (cow slaughter ban) imposed in Maharashtra as Cow is worshiped by Hindus (majority religion in India) and Indian authorities are presumably stepping towards Hindu theocracy (overshadowing India's secular constitution). Cows will receive legal protection and mug shots with identity proofs are being created. The ban is likely to be extended across the country.

3. It was a ban that Un-freedom Movie was subjected to for focusing on homosexuality as it can promote unnatural passion.

4. Kalki Koechlin's 'Margarita With A Straw' cleared by Censor Board with only one cut - of a 12-second kissing scene. It is a film about a woman with cerebral palsy coming to terms with her queer sexuality.

5. The word Bombay beeped out of Mihir Joshi's songtrack 'Sorry' because it is 'offensive' to use primitive nomenclature (Bombay) for Mumbai. The track is a conversation between a father and his daughter and I wrote it after the Nirbhaya Gang rape case in December 2012.ay

Here are the lyrics of the song:

I am sorry sweetheart

This is the world I am giving you today. 

It is the same thing no matter what you read… 

From Delhi to Bombay. I wish it was different darling...

Wish you could feel nice and safe. 

But the world’s gone crazy, I don't know what to say’
6. Amendments to Section 66 A of the Information Technology Act was aimed at banning my liberty to speak my mind online. Thankfully the Supreme Court of India rendered it unconstitutional. And I am relieved as my Facebook updates will not invite an arrest order from the authorities on grounds of offensive, while I attempt to show my dissent.

7. Creators of All India Bakchod Roost were forced to take down the video from Youtube as it breached Indian values. Outcry over creative cinematic ventures like Haider, PK are not alien to Indians. And even the infamous movie 50 Shades of Grey made to banned items in India.

As I write this post, I am enraged. I have a question for those who support these bans and promote boycotts in the name of our nation. So as individuals, what are we (we refers to those who are impacted by these bans)?  

Are we heading adolescence?
Are we rash bunch of brats who are to be disciplined?
Are we incapable of making decisions?
Do we have to project a regressive face of development to the world today?
Do we really in need of writing a oligarchy for generations to come?
Are we a nation where people need to be fed on the right idea of entertainment, food, religion and music?
Do we have hold years old values paramount and fail to walk with the times?
Do we really have to be controlled for the choices we make as individuals?

THE ANSWER TO EACH OF THE QUESTION LISTED ABOVE IS A BIG LOUD SHOUT OF A 'Damn NO'.

My nation Bharat (India) is becoming all about Bans, Boycott, Bigotry. We do not need this? We are able enough to make the right choices as individuals. And we are liberated enough to make the wrong choices. Do not make decisions for me. My soul suffocates and curse you.

Ban mongers - If you do not like it, choose to avoid it. Please do not make decisions for me. I do not need your wisdom!

Author's Note: Impose a blanket Ban on Injustice, Hypocrisy, Corrupt, Bigots, Small Thinkers, Shallow Minds, Sexists, Rapists, Crime, Violence...

Ban the wrong. Ban it today - you need not ban anything else! I detest those mindless bans that take away my freedom of making choices, my freedom of deriving solace or getting a high to bring out my creativity.

P.S. Bans, Boycotts and Bharat (India) on B - April 2, 2015. My second post for the A to Z April Challenge.

5 Saal Kejriwal - A Thumping Victory

Not always do you feel this happy, do you? All the AAPtards (AAPians) say aye!

Source - Google Search

A thumping mandate to AAP means reaching to next level of responsibility. It cannot afford to get in a shell of arrogance, overconfidence and shamming personalities. Personally I have had a disconnect with the way any government functions - old fellas shouting in assembly, breaking benches, mics, and creating nuisance. Many of us feel so gloomy with the thought of being face to face with a politician. AAP brings a new face to politics - happy smiling fellas - talking of democracy, new age governance, no corruption and all those fancy promises a Delhite wants to live.

Debate is on whether it is a loss of BJP of not. I would have given benefit of doubt to BJP if it was a close election. But a thumping mandate surely speak a lot. Just 3 seats that go into the kitty of BJP (who projected Modi as the face of campaign) against 67 seats bagged but AAP. I see this as Modi's loss (being the face of BJP during the campaign) than Bedi's loss, who became the face just 2 week before the campaign.

Here are some of contrasts between BJP and AAP:

• Modi's monologue vs Kejriwal's dialogue
• Image shamming tactic by BJP vs Smiling (easy-talker) AAP spokespersons
• BJP's vague vision vs AAP's agenda for Delhi
• PM doning 10 lakh fashion grandiosity vs a Mufflerman as Delhi CM
• Religious intolerance vs discrediting religion from governance
• BJP's 9 months into power vs AAP's 49 days
• BJP's hush campaigns vs AAP's apology
• BJP's donning as protector of women by making them stay indoors vs Kejriwal's CCTV plan
• Modi's achievements front page Advertisements (which are pegged as violation of election commission's guidelines) vs Volunteers with Jhaarus and AAP Caps

Better quality of life wins over than religious derision and ill treatment of quite protesters (I am referring to Cathedral incident). I found many people tagging non-capitalist leadership spread of AAP as a threat. But hang on - the real threat is a real criminal, a mass murderer, a rapist, a person who carries a crime on his cuffs. A socialist, an activist, a democrat, a feminist, etc are ideologies not crime. While capitalist agenda should be followed, the government must not become a machinery to feed the corporate and suffocate humanity.

Author's Note: I would leave you with this thought:
Rape laws must be pegged over IT acts (do we need 5 years for that?)
Uniform Civil Code over Hindu Rashtra (do we need 5 years to put this in place?)
Disability pension for armed forces must not be scrapped (especially when we get so patriotic about Army keeping us safe)

P.S.: An Aam Aadmi has been made into a khaas aadmi by the Aam Aadmi of Delhi. 
I am not going to be a blind follower. Hope ‪#‎AAP‬ sticks for long. Stays honest and true to its core values. Delhites are not easy to fool. Congratulations ‪#‎Aaptards‬ ‪#‎Aapians‬!   Make AAP deliver and keep pushing the Aam Aadmi Party towards best governance. It cannot afford to flounder!

Peshawar Seige, reminder of my encounter with Terror

I think I was in 8th standard, my sisters were in 6th and 3rd - some short circuit, some sparks and kids ran towards the ground. Rumour said it was a terror attack, some said armed men have held us hostage and a few kids are badly wounded. It was all rumour though, but the entire school was shocked and assembled in the ground. And my eyes frisked the ground trying to locate my sisters, and they found me and we three were together.

I recollect back in September 2008, I was in Gaffar, Karol Bagh moments before the serial blasts in Delhi, me and my younger sister were in metro when we got to know about the blasts. We turned back to CP to catch up with our youngest sister and reach home at 11. It was a curfew at 8 pm. ITO's traffic signal that has always been choc-o-blocked was quite, and we quite had made up our mind that there is gonna be no conveyance today, we might have to walk home. The biggest accomplishment that day was that three of us were together.

Indians could sympathize with #Pakistan on #PeshawarSeige because we know the pain, fear and helplessness that terrorism causes. 

I have grown up with terrorism as a way of life, just like a road accident or a heart attacks. Whenever I heard a minister delivering a pompous speech on anti-terrorism, I would think of whether this man knows about people entering metro premises without being frisked? Does he know that at this point we are not hitting the root of terrorism, a tragedy that could have been avoided to create a terrorist? 

Let's talk about Taliban, there is no good or bad Taliban, they are men with Guns teaching boys to hold guns. Do not let them flourish because beyond all righteous and not-so-righteous is humanity that says COEXIST. Pakistan, your Taliban (your good Taliban) does the same with us what Peshawar attack Taliban (the so called bad Taliban) did to Army Public School Kids. Those kids fought solo, by stuffing something in their mouth, or by acting dead, they did a great job. But they could do it only because you were camouflaged by the dead. Can we just be alive and not be shielded by something?

Pakistan I am sorry for your loss, and my heart goes out for the families who have lost their loved one. I am sharing some words of Gulzaar

अपनी मर्जी से तो मजहब भी नहीं उसने चुना था,
उसका मज़हब था जो माँ बाप से ही उसने विरासत में लिया था,
अपने माँ बाप चुने कोई ये मुमकिन ही कहाँ है, मुल्क में मर्ज़ी थी उसकी ,

न वतन उसकी रजा से वो तो कुल नौ ही बरस का था,
उसे क्यों चुनकर, फिरकादाराना फसादात ने कल क़त्ल किया 

Author's Note: As far as my encounter with terrorism is concerned, it seems that it is my sole responsibility to protect myself if a terror attack happened. When one does not have a choice, all one can do is to bravely declare it as a sole responsibility because yes, I fear next time it could be me - point blank at a terrorist's radar. And for the love I have for people close to me I do not want to imagine any loved one in such a scenario, so sorry I will stop here than to elongate that emotion.

My kind of #KissOfLove

Will I stare at a kissing couple? No.

Will I be bothered if someone stares at a kissing couple? No.

Will I protest against someone who stares at a kissing couple? No.

Will I be upset if someone attacks or physically injures a kissing couple? Yes.

Will I protest against someone who attacks a kissing couple? Yes.

And here is my kind of Kiss Of Love protest: 

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a-Changin'

Come mothers and fathers

Throughout the land

And don't criticize

What you can't understand

Your sons and your daughters

Are beyond your command

Your old road is

Rapidly agin'.

Please get out of the new one

If you can't lend your hand

For the times they are a-changin'.

Author's Note: Will I kiss in public or not? Well I abstain you from discussing what you hold right for me. And as for as you are concerned, here is what I want you to know: 

Kiss if you must, I will not harm you.
Kiss if you must, I will not sexual-ise it.
Kiss if you love, I will not demonize love.

P.S.: The core thought is whether you will pop your eyes when you see two people Kiss!

Before you share on Social Media

Source: Google Search

We carry the world in our palm and we know what is happening in the world within minutes of an act. The power of social is immense, but there is a grim line that gyrates between sensational, responsible and funny!

Think of FakingNews.com - purely funny. It presents unverified information for virality. Knowing that it is an outright lie, we laugh and even share some of the updates. Here are the recent ones>>

• BREAKING: SIT requests SC to allow it to hire Arnab to investigate black money offenders. SIT members are really impressed with the way Arnab is able to grill his guests every night on his show.

• BREAKING: Bangalore based IT company introduces “Work-from-Bus” as traffic takes a turn for the worse. A popular tech startup in the IT city has started a trendy way for employees to work, as most of them often fail to reach office on time.

Being bombarded with information in various social touch-points, we are often taken with the sensational aspect of it. We do not cross check it but start becoming a part of a spree that allows for mindless hooliganism.

Most recent example is mocking Pakistan over gender issue. Pakistan has emerged as the world's second-worst country in terms of gender equality, according to the annual Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum. Detailed information brings forth additional shocker - India's ranking fell from 101 out of 136 countries last year to 114 out of 142 countries this year.

Read the full article here>>

I noticed people responsibly sharing their thoughts on the gender issue while using Pakistan gender ranking news to substantiate their point - which is a good strategy. However those who mocked Pakistan need to move beyond comparing apples to oranges philosophy. What should bother us more? In such a scenario, I think India deserves a bigger mocking for not being able to sustain its position forget scaling up the ranking. This was just one example, but there are instances where we join the herd - without thinking much about what we to say. There are times when you can stay quite, it doesn't hurt.

Author's Note: Do you #Google (cross-check) any information (presented as a fact) on social media ? And even if it is a valid information, do you share the thought to bring out a sensational aspect of it or responsible aspect of it?

P.S.: The point to ponder is whether we even realise if we are made to like seemingly responsible story for a sensational purpose.

Five reasons not to #BoycottHaider

To me bashing any piece of creativity is unjustified, be it fatwa against Salman Rushdie for his work, censor board's stalling Deepa Mehta's Fire, or Tweeples talking #BoycottHaider. Just for the records the movie garnered 8.9 IMBD rating and people in my circle, who have watched the movie, have liked it. So to me all that criticism and Boycott talk is coming from people who have boycotted it already - most of the participants in the #BoycottHaider drive have not even watched the movie!

Source: Google Search

Here is my observation about the claims made on Twitter. I will refrain from sharing the story line, but I will pick up points that you will be able to relate with once you watch it!

1. The story is about the struggles of a Muslim family. It shows that Muslims in Kashmir are vulnerable, the ones who spread violence are those who are across the border. They mislead youth and use them as a tool to spread disharmony in India. People follow the wrong path for a reason - mostly for sentiments not for big ideologies.

2. I do not see Army's role is not in a wrong light - it shows that Army is no clairvoyant - they go via the messenger route. The movie indicates that Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) is a draconian law, and if you do a little google search you will find reasons why is it called as a tool of state abuse, oppression and discrimination. Even UN has stated that AFSPA is against international law. The act is applied in the state of Kashmir and North East to protect India from terrorists, but any law - like Dowry Law or Rape Law - is susceptible to misuse. Irom Sharmila has been on a hunger strike from 2000 to get this act out. She has been fed through a pipe attached to her nose. So there are protests against AFSPA for quite a long time - the movie in fact brings this to light.

3. It does not in any way bring Kashmiri pandit into the picture. No talk about Hinduism. The movie is not about them. It is about the struggles parents of Muslim who do not want their kids to fall in the trap of terrorism. Parents who want their kids to move out in other parts of India and experience real freedom.

4. The movie reminds that plebiscite for People of Kashmir was promised by Pt Nehru. The issue has been raised time and again - shows that politicians should not deliver big speeches if they cannot stand upto it, it creates resentment. There is a scene in the movie - that indicated that it is not about freedom of Kashmir but about slavery from across the border.

5. Haider, he was not a hero, but a protagonist, fighting complexities of loss, betrayal and revenge!

Author's Note: Why does a piece of art haunt people? It is just an opinion, and not a holy book! Listening to the other side of the story only makes you human. Young Muslims in Kashmir are being misled by an organised set of terrorists. #HaiderTrueCinema. The movie is based on facts!

In praise of NaMo - Narendra Modi.

BJP won India's 2014 Union Elections, or did Modi win? Would it be synonymous to say so?  My Facebook feeds are full of 'in praise of NaMo'. I do not have any reasons to say why he should have not won.

When George W. Bush was elected as President of America for the second time, I was sad that Americans are so ignorant that they choose someone who would further the international oil diplomacy surfaced in the form of Iraq war. Americans are ignorant people. They think that the moon is made of cheese and if you tell them that it is not they will not agree, instead argue with you.

The political arena is a dirty place. The PR machinery backing Mr Modi was just a little too aggressive.
Check the image below:

Source: Logical Indian Facebook Page
Apparently, #BJP had done some cost-cutting when it came to pay for 'skilled' graphic designers.

Don't miss to visit the official link attached!
http://www.bjp.org/en/media-resources/press-releases/charter-for-varanasi-by-shri-narendra-modi

Too many media houses means too many opinions. Sometimes PR machinery goofs up. Modi Refused to Talk about Gujarat Riots, check the video here, where he walks out from an Interview with Karan Thapar.

For people to justify his wrong doings during the Godhra riots, just because he brought development to Gujarat make me feel that Indian's are putting themselves too much into Modi's shoes - ranting & chanting NaMo. And please do not compare two wrongs to justify that the wrong Modi did was still a better wrong than wrongs done during the 1984 Sikh riots. 

I wish he will take India as a secular state, where existence of any religion is not under government's watch.
I wish no Ram Mandir is constructed at Babri Masjid site, make it a memorial for Ayodhya riot victims
To all those religious people out there, who I might have offended, I believe in just The Facebook God!

Author's Note: Good Luck Mr Modi! And Please answer questions raised in my previous post, Modi - The Prime Time Indian Tamasha.

P.S.: I wish we see India where if someone we love did something wrong, we can go upto that person and tell them. Be it those who burnt Sabarmati express, or those who burnt Best Bakery - It was wrong - paving way for a man eats man world!

P.P.S: A little ride on the memory lane, I expect something similar coming to Modi. 

Reservation Relaoded

The advent of reservations.. We know all that SC/ST/OBC/ Gujjar/Jat/ Muslim/Christians/General Category  story, lets take a look at a refreshing reloaded version!

Reservation Part 1: The implementation of Direct Taxes code was not taken up in the national Union Budget 2012-13. In addition to Income tax people are forced to pay more service tax as well. Despite surge in inflation, there is a gap of equivalent appraisals. Rupee's value against Dollar is uncontrollably high and the value of gold is shining everywhere than on page 3. Sad we are forced to read all these bland news everyday!

Reservation Part 2: 
Your daily SMS limit has been reserved to 20 per day. This has been decided by the government as a lot of SMSes, degrading the government, were doing the rounds. And like an abla naari, she had to protect her integrity!

And the funniest of all is the Reservation Part 3: Seemingly agitated with the stride of protests in the Indian national capital, the administrators have  decided to go aggressive with their autocracies. Now that the police was done with the implementation of section 144, and knowing that amending one of the fundamental rights to protest is not possible, they have another nasty trick in place.

Excerpts from the Times of India Article posted online..

But with Delhi Police reportedly proposing to restrict entry to the grounds with barriers in the wake of recent anti-corruption protests at the site, and seeking to impose visiting hours citing security reasons, this way of life seems threatened.  

Complete article is available here

Be it any activity, crime, of a call to call off corruption, the government doesn't think about the ways to solve the issue, but sadly endorse LIMITED ACCESS! With this the sick though they have come a step ahead of its ways of 'reservation'.. Reserving our right to visit places in our own country.

Author's Note: This government does not let a pout of fresh air come in.. I don't want the government to be a nagging neighbourhood aunty. It want it to be someone with the style and pleasant personality as a 5 star waiter!

Blasts in Mumbai... banking on numbers and spirits!

I do not claim this as a solution, infact I don't really have a solution to it.... All we need are open eyes, ears, senses................. And we shall fight terror!

- शाइन कपूर

They call an urgent meeting and start talking about their hush hush analysis, buck passing and how will they share intelligence that a terror attack will not happen again.. The death count is another consideration which highlights the severity of such meetings.. 

How do they mellow down  the effect.. bring in the dead and injured data, news channels will analyse that this attack was less severe from the earlier one! Thats not it.. Lets treat each attack similar, no matter how harsh or naive it went on the mankind... 

Coz if we will go by numbers, the blasts carried in Mumbai on July the 13th can be overlooked by our polite home minister. I feel that the fact that blasts happened should be a reason enough for us to stand up and ask for an extended safety shield for each on of us. 

I question how can P Chidambram dare say that all Indian cities are vulnerable.... Why could he not add that we will do away with this vulnerability?

Rahul Gadhi said 1% terrorism is acceptable.... Why? Are those 1% not important vote base for them? Infact if I look at India, the people who die during terror attack do not even constitute 1% of population.. So shall we expect more severe attack to substantiate Mr Gandhi's statement?

I do not support killing Kasab.... I never felt pride when Osama Bin Laden was captured and allegedly killed and thrown in the sea, I somehow feel that he is alive in the custody of the Americans. I would also go out of context with Saddam's trail by the US court.. I just did not like it! 

  

I AM AS MUCH DISAPPOINTED AS YOU ALL ARE, I AM AS MUCH HEART BROKEN AS YOU ARE, I ALSO FEEL THAT THOSE WHO DIED WERE KNOWN TO ME, MUST HAVE CROSSED THE WAY WHILE I WAS WALKING, MUSH HAVE PASSED A SMILE WHEN I BADLY NEEDED IT.... MUST HAVE..........  

Its just the way I look at it differ.................... I feel that if they are killing people to find place in heaven, lets not make it easy for them.... Let them live..... 

Coz just killing them will never ensure that justice has been done to those who shed tears during the traumatic experience they went through.. 

Now the glorified phrase on all the news channels, 'city back to its spirit... business as usual., people are doing what they do everyday.. Do they have any choice??

Mankind destroying humankind... We need help, don't glorify our helplessness as our spirits.....

We need help!

They need help, more than we do.. By they I mean those terror outfits!' 

Riches and the Poor

So how many of you know about Salman Khan's comment on Mumbai attack on 26/11 2008? What is your opinion on the entire crisis? And the aftermath!

The moment I held newspaper in the morning today, I could relate his statement to something which is highly terrorising and has been instigated by the state. Guess what? 

Lemme guess what would cross your mind, Maoists? Naxalites? Attrocities? State turning into Mafia? Land Acquisitions? Upset Tribal society?

No, none of the above, perhaps some of the above can be related to it.. True, when Salman Khan talks about the hype created as the rich were targeted. Attacks on poor is rarely of interest to anyone. Influential people make the world dance to their tunes. Its the poor who are subverted. 

Usmanpur flooded! Otherwise the city of Delhi would have been flushed. I can recall, every year such stories grab the headlines during monsoon. The State of Haryana releases water, which leads to flood threat in the capital. But in the meantime some other poor village is flooded to save who? Moreover we have a better argument to support the flooding of small villages. You see Delhi is holding CWG 2010, a big international sports event. Delhi cannot afford to project such a miserable situation, especially after thousands of athletes have backed of due to threat on Security, Health (read Dengue) etc. 

So much so drill runs have started on the dedicated lanes in the city roads are being reserved for the tourists. You see to save them from the harrowing traffic that we Delhites encounter everyday. 

How many of us? read females come across instances of inappropriate gestures, harrasment from random men. I dont think any of us would be an exception to this. These men belong to each of the segment of society, be it the affluent or the others. They seem to have been thinking that they have all the rights  in the world to insult a woman. Behave guys, otherwise soon we will get to learn that a dedicated transporation system has come in place to ferry the tourists.

My point is to begin with the floods, why the city has never considered saving and using this water? Why is it that water shortage news hogs the headlines and why do we always flood the areas where the poor reside. Furthermore, does the government ever compensate the flood victims? I am clueless about it. Save water, makea mechanism to do that, we have this opprotunity now, rather than doing it when we are head on with the crisis.

Second issue is the comment by Salman Khan, I feel he has said the truth. Why did he apologise then? Probably because this byte was given to a Pakistani channel. And BJP did not help but tap this opportunity to strengthen its hindutatva agenda.

CWG 2010, I am really happy that these games are happening in India. It will bring in prosperity and beautification of the city is already visible. But my point is why is it being done to receive the foreigners? Why did the government never think about the capital before? Why is the civil society being taught to behave now? I, as a citizen of the nation, of the city, have to be treated with if not equal, but more respect. Because I am again amongst those who, in the near future would be voting under section 49 (o).  

Author's Note: People here criticise, probably that is what I am doing through this post. No one seem to be convinced that CWG could happen in Delhi, around three weeks to go for that. No one could take a democratic remark by an actor, ultimately he had to say sorry. No one heard the villagers, who had their houses flooded! Isn't it cruel and violent?

P.S.: Islands of prosperity cannot sustain with the sea of deprivation

Please locate my Papa!

No no, I am not asking you to locate my Papa!

Its an incident that I witnessed yesternight while shopping for stuff my mum wanted me to bring along while going home. I was late, time was around 8:30 pm. I was heading towards chemist shop. Saw a cute little girl, not more than 2 years old. First glance, and all I thought was cute baby! But hey hang on Shine! What is this cute baby doing all alone at this time in the middle of the pavement. I started noticing her and could sense that she was feeling lost. Her hand movement and gestures were as if she was really scared.

I cannot keep quite. If I feel something is wrong I ask or show or do something, I just don't care if it will lead me in soup. So what if I land up in trouble, I did not do it with a bad intent. I only wanted to help and sort things out.

That's what I did. I held her hand and asked where is your mom?? dad?? What are you doing here all alone??

She was perplexed and said that Papa went out to get the medicine.

Ok.. So do u see our papa at the two medical stores located nearby? I pointed at the medical stores nearby.

No, she said and unknowingly and confused she started walking towards a secluded end. I was sure that she has lost her way. I again held her, and clearly intending not to let her go unless I manage to find her way back home.

I asked, where do you stay?

She replied Ghanta Ghar.

Sigh, its a place known to me. What should I do now, should I call up 100 or call up my dad! I called my dad, network problem! Huh, third attempt and I got through. He picked up, and I told him, Papa there is a little girl and her father is lost somewhere. Come to this place. And then came a quick ok. I am coming, tell me where exactly are you.

The moment I hung up the call, the girl started crying. My papa is lost!

Don't worry we will locate him.

How did you come here?? Were you in a bike? or car?

I was in the car.

Ok! Who all were in the car?

Just me and my papa, she said. And now she held my hand with a belief that I am not going to harm her.

Do you know the number of your car? or your papa's mobile number or home phone number.

No I don't!

Ok, so lets locate the car first. Is that fine??

Yes, she said.

What colour is the car?

White.

Great. By this time I was confused myself. But anyhow. I started moving towards the direction where she was coming from. I asked is your car that side. She said yes!

And I could see a few men on the road, confused and trying to locate something. I wished that there should be her dad. Yeah there he was, upset, nearly about in tears! He might have asked those local shop owners about the girl and they might have told him that she stepped out of the car and went out.

The moment he saw his daughter he was relieved and asked her why did you come out of the car? He looked at me, and thanked. I said that's ok! As I turned back, I was still apprehensive if he is her dad or no. I looked back again and the expressions on his dad's face swanned that he is her dad for sure. He looked at me again and thanked again.

Great... So probably I got late, or I had to get the stuff that my mum asked for probably only to help that girl find her papa.

I called my dad, no need to come, we found her papa :D

Author's Note: I did not speak to her papa, but still he should have never left a child alone in the car! I was thinking why to get judgemental when a person in experiencing an emotional turmoil? This incident might have taught him this lesson. The first thing I did was to call up my mamaji (my mum's brother), who has a 1.5 year old child. It was a lesson that I learned, and just wanted to caution him about it.

Moreover I also noticed that no civilian these days seem to be cautious about the fact that a child is moving around without any care taker, they just want to rush home and dont care if they can be of help. They are more bothered about the soup they may land up in. Well that is what that can be expected of them. One has to fight the threat alone, but can we expect this out of a child?

P.S.: When I told my Mum about the incident. She loaded me with stories of her childhood where she lost her way, my mamaji was about to get kidnapped / lost. I was scared. Its really a big responsibility to take care of a child. We get to read frequently about the plight of people who have lost their child and never found back.

Spoofs & Bribes

With the spoof stories doing the rounds regarding the Common Wealth Games Delhi 2010, my ideals regarding bribes have come out stronger and clearer. Corroborating the fact that bribing is the part and parcel of administrative life, I have a suggestion to make.

But before jumping to suggestions and conclusions, click here, its a worth read and funny!

Now back to bribe scrutiny. I subscribe to the thought that the administrative should not be held completely guilty of taking bribe. Due to the penalisation clause in bribe laws, the administrators have to faithfully complete the task they are being bribed for. Please note I do not completely suggest letting the guilty go without any punishment.

This is what has been mentioned in the book 'A Passage to India' by E M Forster. The author outlines a scenario where he presented a contrast amongst British and Indian office bearers. The British would not do the task even after taking hefty bribes. While Indian, by nature are so faithful that it comes as a moral obligation to do the task. They take bribes, do the task and end up being in soup, pity!

What is important is to change the system in such a manner that anything with or without bribe will function in a specified way! Yes it requires a lot of checks and civil rights awakenings. So what we have the first step on the civil right movements, the RTI, which out fellow legislators have tried to boil down quite a few time but to no avail.

P.S.: We already have lot of courageous people coming in front to employ civil rights for a better, unbiased and bribe free society by fighting the system. We, however, need a set of system, the solution is in putting the pressure on the civil society to know that bribe (or similar illegal instruments) is not going to help.

Author's Note: I am enjoying the stories doing the rounds on bribes and spoofs ;P

Ajmal Kasab, Abdul Geelani and The Aamirs!

Ajmal Kasab today has been pronounced guilty of murder, conspiracy and waging a war against the nation. No verdict on his punishment is out as yet. 

I am generally against capital punishment. And when I use to read news which read "hang Kasab" I always differed wondering no one has a right to take someone's life. Today morning I differed in my perspective when I read that an 11 year old girl got crippled for life as she was shot on her leg by the terrorist.

The story reads as: Ajmal Kasab and his cohorts may have shaken almost the entire city during those dark days at the end of November in 2008, but a young girl held her nerve and nailed him in court six months later when she identified him as one of the CST attackers. "Kasab should be hanged. When I identified him and narrated the incident to the court, Kasab didn't dare look at me. I do not fear anything and will stand with the prosecution till Kasab is punished," said the girl, who is now 11 years old. 

"You can click my photo and show my face in the paper. I don't fear anyone," she said on Saturday. The testimony of the girl, who fell unconscious after being hit by a bullet in her leg, was also among those that were a turning point for Kasab in the trial. Earlier, the Pakistani often appeared cocky and confident in court, but his demeanour changed as survivor after survivor identified him as one of the gunmen. On June 10, 2009, the young girl appeared in crutches in court and identified him from among the three accused. As soon as she pointed him out, Kasab, who was standing for the identification, slumped back into his seat.

The entire story is available here. Now isn't that heinous, scary and leaves one crippled when u think of the girl? Anything that renders someone of their senses, emotional or physical wellbeing and natural ability is disgusting and beyond my ability to put it in words. 


I have had my share of apprehensions especially post 'Syed Abdul Rehman Geelani' saga, an innocents being framed up for the Parliament attack in Delhi on December 2001. I thought most of the innocents have been framed up by the cops to cover up their negligence. 

Moreover I always believed that generally terrorists are not scared of death. After all they take up such missions in the almighty. They are mostly sure that they will not be caught, and if at all they will; be their plight is not communicated to the people who got introduced them to this nexus.

Here I am also obliged to mention another angle to the terror grid. The one which was showcased in bollywood movie 'Aamir', and Rajeev Khandelwal bagged acclaims for his performance. The movie is set in the backdrop of London bombings and Mumbai based muslim India doctor working in UK plans to return to his family. The radical mafia makes him dance to their tunes, tortures him, keep a tab on him and ultimately makes him to plant a bomb in a bus. I wonder what proceedings would the judicial system take up for the  in which an innocent man was framed up to plot a bomb in bus? 

So at the end I am scribbing the lyrics of song Aani Jaani from the movie Aamir:

aani jaani... hai kaahani

bulbule si... zindagani

banti kabhi bigarti

Tez hawa se ladti, bhirti

ha raham, ha raham, farma e-Kuhda

ha raham, ha raham, farma e-Kuhda

mehfuz har kadam karna e-khuda, e-Khuda

mehfuz har kadam karna e-khuda, e-Khuda

Terrorism is easy money for the young. Be it sikh establishments fighting for Khalistaan. Once a friend confessed that he and a few of his fellow surds, on and off are being approached by one such organization, promised good money while initiating such deals very casually on roads. Educated and well to do people might not take up these tasks but anyone who does not see a secure future would fall in such a trap.

This nexus can somehow be related to those poor, illiterate women who have to get into prostitution for financial security. Same goes for those people who take up terrorism for financial security.  

Author's Note: Each day, early morning when I take a dip in the newspaper. I feel its getting more of a man eat man world.