For a long time I tried to find logic in terrorism. I used to think that this was because of poverty. Then I thought that it was oppression that caused it. I really thought that be it India or Israel there must be something wrong that the armed forces must be doing that caused it. Then there was a parochialism of fighting for their own rights and country. After 9-11 it became a war of ideology and civilization. I am not sure about it anymore.
India has been probably the worst victim of terrorism in last 2 decades. We have always been a soft target because as people and as a race we always have been very accommodating.
Also, if you look at a history our borders have always been very porous since the days of Alexander. Since those times there have been various attempts to infiltrate into India. Another thing, in the olden days, historians point out is that the wars in India were normally amongst armies and civilian population really didn't care about it. Even in mythology when Kauravs were fighting against Pandavas, there were armies supporting one side or the other. They were from as far as present day China and Turkmenistan. However, there is very little reference of people's reaction in both Hastinapur or Indraprastha. This used to be kind of detachment from nationalism. It didn't matter to people much who ruled them. They loved good kings and hated bad ones but rarely they took up arms themselves.
As far as the border areas are concerned, it took a lot of skirmishes and almost 300 years of fight to get into Sindh for Islamic armies and capture Raja Dillu's capital near Karachi. It took 7 tries and many a wars by Ghauri to get to Prthaviraj Chauhan's Delhi. It took Babar almost 15 years to reach Delhi. Even during the British 'Raj' the Baluch and the NWFP were never fully in control. Half of British Army actually went in controlling those areas. So the skirmishes on the borders were always a norm. This kind of activity used to happen only on borders but now as world becomes a smaller place these terrorists get deep into enemy territories.
Another thing to look at in larger concept is that we are a very big nation and idea of nationalism in India is a very recent phenomenon. Nationalism has its own positives and negatives built into it. The positives are that it becomes harder to divide a country based religion, caste, language or ideology. However the negatives could be that our people can become far more aggressive and parochial in their approach towards other races, religion and countries. This parochialism can only go away when we have an encompassing nature. We have always welcomed anyone who wanted to be a part of this land, this tradition of open arms to accept people who are different than us should continue.
Historians say that this nationalism was created by the attitude of Britishers towards Indians. They treated us as one people and ruled as one entity. On the Indian end, most of our leader (barring Muslim League) was convinced that whole of India from now Afghan border of Pakistan to Burma and from Kashmir to Kanyakumari we were one nation and one people. But they was also aware of the fluidity of Indian borders. Nehru, Maulana Azad and company even thought that the existence of Pakistan was an unnatural state and the cultural ties would one day bring it back into the fold of larger India. However, for people born after the independence Pakistan was a reality and for most of their life, a hostile reality.
This attack was different, it really wasn't a terrorist attack, it was almost a war like feeling to it. I think that there are two reasons for the reaction that has been in India, A serious resolve with middle class to take on politicians to put our house in order. If you look at it there are basically four parties involved here. India, Pakistan, Terrorists and Other countries with lost men (US, UK, Israel and Australia)
In my eyes here is what each of them can do and should do to prevent such an attack.
Other Countries:
What was weird is that these terrorists came to India and targeted foreign nationals specifically. Why would someone come to India and kill a young Jewish Rabbi. If you have so much of problem then please go and be a suicide bomber in Israel. Only cowards kill this way. As far as all these countries are concerned, I think they should put enormous pressure on Pakistan, this could be diplomatic or economic. I think at least the US and the UK have been doing that. UK's language has been pretty tough, PM Brown also claimed that 75% of all terrorist attacks can be traced back to Pakistan. Is this the new world order speaking OR killing of Britishers is making them say that. Such rhetoric was never seen when only Indians were dying.
India:
Get our house in order as far as city security is concerned. NSG (National Security Guard) was built for such an attack, however, it took them 4 hours to get to Mumbai. We need Police reforms badly. Not only our Police Laws are archaic but also our police needs good equipment. How can we have bullet proof jackets which do not stop bullets. We need a comprehensive approach to stop infiltration. All armed forces, Police and intelligence agency should have a proper handshake for this to happen.
Second, most important thing India should look to stop alienation of minorities. India has done a commendable job till now, however, we can't sit on our past laurels.
Third, I do not think that military option is a sane one. We are not war mongers and we shouldn't attack. If you look from a 10000 ft. level, this attack wanted India to do exactly that. They wanted India to threaten Pakistan overtly and show more attacking gestures. What this would have done is that whole of Pakistan would have rallied against India and Pakistan would have been forced to move its armed forces towards Indian border. This would have helped terrorists take more control on the western border of Pakistan. I am so glad that Indian politicians have kept themselves away from this kind of populism.
Fourth, Even when we know that we shouldn't attack Pakistan we need to make sure that economic and political pressure is kept up on Pakistan to take action properly against these organizations which operate from their soil. However, India should be aware that Pakistan's economy is in total mess, its almost a bankrupt nation and pushing economic clout could ruin it economically and which in turn might result in collapsing of the State. This would be worse for India, hence the right balance needs to be maintained.
Fifth: Politicians, please wake up. The day when people in Mumbai were still held up, I was standing in a long queue to cast my vote for the state elections in MP. I am sure many people who were disgusted by the horrors of Mumbai were also present in that queue. However we all wanted to do our bit. Please don't let the democracy in us die.
Pakistan:
Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein's Monster to show the horrors of science, however, the real world is worse than that. Here a monster doesn't go to the north pole and burns itself in self loathing. Here, not only it kills the creator but also damages everything that we hold close of humanity.
Amongst all players, the most that anyone should do is Pakistan. Not for India's sake but for itself. Terrorist organizations end up causing more damage to their creator than to the intended target.
However, I do not want to be in President Zardari's shoes. I actually pity the man. This is what we call being caught between the devil and the deep sea. Only problem is that devil here is not India but the terrorists.
Still, Pakistan should act swiftly and smartly to remove these people. Even if it comes at a cost of loosing populist or being seen as pro India.
In the larger view, if Pakistan is not able to control these terrorists the security situation in the whole area would be in deep deep trouble. Al Qaeda and Talibans are already touching and threatening Peshawar. If Pakistani army starts to loose control over the area it would be a big risk to stability and sovereignty of Pakistan.
The real problem for Pakistani establishment is that there seems to be no single sense of direction that the country wants to take. All its elements wants a different Pakistan. It's political establishment wants a democratic Pakistan where these politicians can make money and fill their pockets. Military itself is divided into two sections, the liberals and the Talibanised ones. The liberal want power at the center but at the same time maintain the professionalism of the force. The Islamists or the Talibanised ones want to help the Talibans but have no long term goal. This was clearly shown through the murder of General Alvi, who was supposed to be one of the cleanest officers. The ISI, probably the worst of the culprits is an Anti Indian organization, its power comes from being anti Indian and hence it would never let its power slip. The media again is divided into two sections one which wants to rise up and show the truth and second which drives its sales up by being anti Indian. The people are divided into few strata. The rich dont care, the poor can't care and unlike India the real people who matter, the middle and the upper middle classes, do not want to care.
Sadly, someone should do something and NOW.
Terrorists:
Why man, why? What do they gain? Any idea?
Gandhi Ji's favorite song was
vaishnav jan to tene kahiye jay peerh paraaye janneyray
par dukkhey upkar karey teeyey, man abhiman na anney ray
which translates into
The real God's child, feels and understands the pain of others
Does good to who are in misery and yet does not let pride enter his mind
Can some one please tell this to anyone who fights in the name of God and religion.
Amongst all this gloom there have been a silver lining, Indian Muslims. Not the first time but however first time in recent past, Indian Muslims have come out in large numbers criticizing the attacks and vehemently rejecting terrorism. From small gestures of wearing black armbands on Eid in memory of people we have lost to big things like rejecting the government's request to give land for the burial of the terrorists. They were categorical, any man who kills another human being is not a Muslim and how can we give our motherland for the burial of men who took our brothers away from us. Well done, don't make these terrorists martyrs.
At the end the song that has become the anthem for 26/11. This has become a grieving nation's salute to the men and woman who have laid down their lives to save many others.
Ek Lau Is Tarah ...
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Semi Conscious Me
It must be around 6 in the morning; I woke up with a weird sinking feeling. In this state you are self aware of your surroundings but your body is comatose. You are not fully aware who you are or where you are?
Today, even in that state, I was aware of all my problems. I have had a lot of problems. Most of them I have had in last few years.
Then, came all the problems that have been happening at work, worse as a leader is that you are aware of all the problems that would come in next few days.
Then, I became aware of all my debts. Debt is the worst form of problem because it keeps you aware of itself and there is no immediate solution to it.
Then, came the realization of loneliness. I knew that amongst all these problems I was alone. No one to help and no one to go for help. Your life suddenly becomes very sad.
At this moment in that semi conscious state I became aware of a solution and that was Suicide. I realized that it was the easiest and the quickest way out. I started to figure out how to do it.
As my awareness grew I realized that I was actually sleeping and dreaming. However, still couldn’t move a muscle and the sinking feeling stuck around.
Waking up was hard but once aware I became conscious of my identity. I knew this was once in almost two decades that I had this self destructive feeling. Last time I had it was when I was 18.
I had worked very hard to become the optimist and to overcome that sinking feeling. Now, I know I am an optimist and would never commit suicide. But, the feeling was enough to scare me.
When I used to play cricket everyone used to ask me what goes on in your head when you face a bowler. I always told them nothing. You are nervous when you walk into bat, you are nervous when you face the first delivery and you are nervous when you are batting in tough situation. However, I have always felt that when the bowler starts running you lose that consciousness of the surrounding and ball is the only thing you see. When the bowler bowls the ball you treat it according to its own merit and the requirement of the game. Hence, the outcome just depends on the ability to execute the reaction in your brain. That is what we all should ideally do when we are faced with tough problems, just concentrate on the next step.
(On the tangent, that is why I am so impressed with Sehwag, nothing bothers him, he always backs his ability and hits the ball without any botheration, and his ability to back your instincts is amazing)
Somebody had once told me that you can tell what would happen on the way how your day starts. My feeling is that you know by it how hard you need to work that day. Today, I am working hard even in writing this because that sadness is lingering on.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Silk through Off plus Cruel to Spinners equals to Dada
Silk through Off, Cruel to Spinners and Dada to the young brigade
When Saurav walked into the stadium on the 4th day to bat for the last time in the Indian Shirt the whole stadium was shouting 'Dada, Dada'. All his colleagues were out on the balcony clapping. The Australian commentators were trying to explain it to the Aussie audience what 'Dada' meant in Hindi.
I say, Saurav can leave the theater but the theater can never leave Saurav. He got out for a first ball zero in his final innings as did the great Sir Don Bradman.
I am sure a lot of people must be wondering why would teammates refer to someone as their 'Elder brother'. However, that is what Saurav was to most of the young generation of Indian cricketers. From Zaheer to Harbhajan, to Kaif to Yuvraj, to Sehwag to Dhoni, they all became the world beaters because they flourished under him. As the popularity grew first most of his contemporaries started calling him Dada. Then the media picked it up and then the whole of India. He became India's Dada.
Just before I was leaving for the US, Ganguly and Dravid were selected for the England tour. Ganguly/Dravid in the first match scored a hundred and Dravid a 90. That was the start of a new generation of Indians who ruled Indian limelights for next 12 years. For the first one year I followed their career on the internet. I remember that me and a friend of mine had a big argument over who is better Ganguly-Dravid or Ponting-Baven. Baven fell off in time and now Ganguly has retired. But Ponting and Dravid are still going on. Let us see who wins this battle.
I first saw Ganguly in a test match when I came back from the US. I was amazed at his skill to penetrate off side field. Though, he didn't play on the leg at all but was brilliant through off.
Ganguly would be remembered not only for his batting but also for his captaincy. It could be luck or the face of changing India but one of the accomplishments that he would be remembered by is to threw away the zonal controversy that used to happen before him. He picked his team without bias of any zones. If you look at Indian cricket team (& Bollywood) it is a perfect example of a secular country at its best.
One of the qualities of a great leader is that he knows when and how to enhance other person's talent. You need to be honest to your profession and always give the right suggestions even if they come at a cost. This is what Saurav did to the young brigade. He took bunch of young talent, gave them breathing space to enhance their talent under him. He sometimes even let them run wild.
'The Times of India' came out with a title 'Robin Hood and his merry men', it described the feelings of these young cricketers towards Ganguly. As 1999 India-Australia series winded down every one knew that Indian cricket was at its lowest ebb. We were thrashed in Australia barring a few brilliant individual performances. Match fixing saga with some of the great names in cricket including Hansie Cronje, Mark Waugh, Salim Malik and Azharuddin were implicated. From here on Saurav took the reigns of Indian team. Slowly and gradually he collected his merry men and from no where turned them into world beaters. He gave them confidence and they gave him success. Who can forget the unbelievable chase which Yuvraj and Kaif scripted in Natwest trophy final.
He was unlike any other Indian captain, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. He got hurt when Flintoff took off his shirt in Bombay after beating India and Saurav was not to be left behind. He took his shirt off on the Lord's balcony after the most unlikely win that you would ever watch. Can you imagine doing that in a place where members can't walk in without a tie and jacket. Members of Lord's would be offended, so be it, he statement was very clear if you respect my country and my people I respect you, if you don't, I don't.
As a batsman he had one limitation against short pitched deliveries and teams planned to exploit it. His average of mid 40s in tests doesn't justify his talent but then he was always number 5 or 6 in the line up. On the positive side he was probably one of the finest one day batsman and in later half of his career he should the stoutness of a fighting test cricketer.
The greatest accolade doesn't come from media or fans but from your contemporaries. Rahul Dravid had ones said that "Through the off side first there is God and then there is Saurav", He could pierce off side with a surgeons precision. Great hand-eye coordination and impeccable timing made him a great player to watch. Sangakarra the other day was saying that Srilanka used to discuss at length on how to stop Saurav from scoring through off and yet on the field it was impossible to do that.
I remember an alcohol manufacturer wanted to promote his whiskey in India and to promote how smooth it is, they used Saurav's name. The advertisement told the viewers that the whiskey is as smooth is Saurav's cover drive. That was Saurav through the off.
He was almost cruel to spinners. He could dance down the track and loft spinners into stands almost at will. Murlitharan is a champion bowler but he would never forget that day in 1999 English world cup when Saurav thrashed him to all parts for his 183.
When Rahul Dravid had declared the innings in Pakistan with Sachin on 194, the media cried fouled. However, Ganguly's ability to put winning before everything else and drilling that into Rahul and everyone else around him was the real cause.
We all would remember him as a captain uncomparable and the greatest parting gift came from now India captain 'Dhoni' in the last test match against Australia. He let saurav lead the side for the last wicket. He ended up as winning captain.
When Saurav walked into the stadium on the 4th day to bat for the last time in the Indian Shirt the whole stadium was shouting 'Dada, Dada'. All his colleagues were out on the balcony clapping. The Australian commentators were trying to explain it to the Aussie audience what 'Dada' meant in Hindi.
I say, Saurav can leave the theater but the theater can never leave Saurav. He got out for a first ball zero in his final innings as did the great Sir Don Bradman.
I am sure a lot of people must be wondering why would teammates refer to someone as their 'Elder brother'. However, that is what Saurav was to most of the young generation of Indian cricketers. From Zaheer to Harbhajan, to Kaif to Yuvraj, to Sehwag to Dhoni, they all became the world beaters because they flourished under him. As the popularity grew first most of his contemporaries started calling him Dada. Then the media picked it up and then the whole of India. He became India's Dada.
Just before I was leaving for the US, Ganguly and Dravid were selected for the England tour. Ganguly/Dravid in the first match scored a hundred and Dravid a 90. That was the start of a new generation of Indians who ruled Indian limelights for next 12 years. For the first one year I followed their career on the internet. I remember that me and a friend of mine had a big argument over who is better Ganguly-Dravid or Ponting-Baven. Baven fell off in time and now Ganguly has retired. But Ponting and Dravid are still going on. Let us see who wins this battle.
I first saw Ganguly in a test match when I came back from the US. I was amazed at his skill to penetrate off side field. Though, he didn't play on the leg at all but was brilliant through off.
Ganguly would be remembered not only for his batting but also for his captaincy. It could be luck or the face of changing India but one of the accomplishments that he would be remembered by is to threw away the zonal controversy that used to happen before him. He picked his team without bias of any zones. If you look at Indian cricket team (& Bollywood) it is a perfect example of a secular country at its best.
One of the qualities of a great leader is that he knows when and how to enhance other person's talent. You need to be honest to your profession and always give the right suggestions even if they come at a cost. This is what Saurav did to the young brigade. He took bunch of young talent, gave them breathing space to enhance their talent under him. He sometimes even let them run wild.
'The Times of India' came out with a title 'Robin Hood and his merry men', it described the feelings of these young cricketers towards Ganguly. As 1999 India-Australia series winded down every one knew that Indian cricket was at its lowest ebb. We were thrashed in Australia barring a few brilliant individual performances. Match fixing saga with some of the great names in cricket including Hansie Cronje, Mark Waugh, Salim Malik and Azharuddin were implicated. From here on Saurav took the reigns of Indian team. Slowly and gradually he collected his merry men and from no where turned them into world beaters. He gave them confidence and they gave him success. Who can forget the unbelievable chase which Yuvraj and Kaif scripted in Natwest trophy final.
He was unlike any other Indian captain, he wore his emotions on his sleeve. He got hurt when Flintoff took off his shirt in Bombay after beating India and Saurav was not to be left behind. He took his shirt off on the Lord's balcony after the most unlikely win that you would ever watch. Can you imagine doing that in a place where members can't walk in without a tie and jacket. Members of Lord's would be offended, so be it, he statement was very clear if you respect my country and my people I respect you, if you don't, I don't.
As a batsman he had one limitation against short pitched deliveries and teams planned to exploit it. His average of mid 40s in tests doesn't justify his talent but then he was always number 5 or 6 in the line up. On the positive side he was probably one of the finest one day batsman and in later half of his career he should the stoutness of a fighting test cricketer.
The greatest accolade doesn't come from media or fans but from your contemporaries. Rahul Dravid had ones said that "Through the off side first there is God and then there is Saurav", He could pierce off side with a surgeons precision. Great hand-eye coordination and impeccable timing made him a great player to watch. Sangakarra the other day was saying that Srilanka used to discuss at length on how to stop Saurav from scoring through off and yet on the field it was impossible to do that.
I remember an alcohol manufacturer wanted to promote his whiskey in India and to promote how smooth it is, they used Saurav's name. The advertisement told the viewers that the whiskey is as smooth is Saurav's cover drive. That was Saurav through the off.
He was almost cruel to spinners. He could dance down the track and loft spinners into stands almost at will. Murlitharan is a champion bowler but he would never forget that day in 1999 English world cup when Saurav thrashed him to all parts for his 183.
When Rahul Dravid had declared the innings in Pakistan with Sachin on 194, the media cried fouled. However, Ganguly's ability to put winning before everything else and drilling that into Rahul and everyone else around him was the real cause.
We all would remember him as a captain uncomparable and the greatest parting gift came from now India captain 'Dhoni' in the last test match against Australia. He let saurav lead the side for the last wicket. He ended up as winning captain.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Jawahar Lal Nehru
Today is 14th November, birth anniversary of Jawahar Lal Nehru.
In India it is celebrated as 'Children's Day', to honour Nehru Ji's love for children. When he was alive everyone called him ‘Nehru Chacha’ and that is what he is still know as.
When I was young it was celebrated with far more fervor, however, I am not sure how it is done today in schools.
I have always claimed that I am more of a 'Nehruvian' by thought rather than ‘Gandhian’. It might sound a little odd to people because Nehru was probably the most ardent follower of Gandhi Ji and he was the son that Gandhi Ji would have love to have as his own. However, there were certain differences between them which become obvious if you ever read the letters that they had written to each other.
I grew up learning a lot from people around me. I was socialist from one uncle, learnt encompassing and frugal nature from my Nana, ever accommodating and free thoughts from my Dad & Worldliness and a bit of right wing philosophy from Krishnamurthy Uncle.
However, I am not sure how I became a Nehru fan. In an era where it is a fashion to criticize Gandhi and Nehru, I turned into a ‘Nehruvian’.
The major difference between Gandhi and Nehru philosophy is their views on religion. In my eyes among the leaders of that era,
Gandhi Ji was Inclusive: He thought all religions can co exist and each human can embrace all religions. He was extraordinary in that way. I really believe that the only true Christian to live after Christ was this non Christian. He actually took Jesus’ philosophy and turned them into mass movement.
Jinnah was Divisive: He kept his own religion away from his political life and still preached that Hindus and Muslims are too different to be together and wanted separate States for each.
Nehru was Exclusive: He thought that his own religion or his religious philosophy has no place in public life. He always kept his own religion at bay because he was a leader of masses. He never preached that all religions can co exist because for him religion was not a matter of any consequence in public life.
Hence, I am for Nehru, I can't bring my own religious philosophy into my organization or relationships. similarly i believe that religion has no role in public life and schools. I am all for banning all kinds of religious schools, be it Christian convents, Arya Samaj schools or Madarssas.
Another major difference between Gandhi Ji and Nehru Ji was that Gandhi Ji wanted India to improve and looked at its faults. One of the instances which Shashi Tharoor quotes in his book, 'Nehru, The invension of India' is, in the first congress meeting that Gandhi Ji attended, he was appalled to see that different communities were cooking for their own community and demanded that there should be one kitchen.
Nehru was a romantic. He loved India, its past, present and future. Given the same situation Nehru Ji would have gone to each stall and ate all kinds of food and then maybe written a book on cooking styles of Indians.
So in that sense he was more of an Indian, an Indian who loved the country un-ashamedly, without any biases to any other cast, creed, community and country.
On the night of 14th August at 00:00 hrs., he gave the speech which is one of my favourite pieces of text ever written. It has 'charm of leader', 'Tolstoyian in its prose', 'Poetic touch to it of Stevenson' and yet deep down they were thoughts of a proud and a hopeful Indian.
'Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.
A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.
It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.'
He had impeccable oratory skills, fluency in many language, here is a glimpse of his speech in English.
He was by far the most erudite politician that has ever lived. If you ever read his 'Discovery of India' and 'The Glimpses of the World' you would realise his in depth knowledge of Indian and World History. Albert Einstein had once claimed that his books are a great window to look into the marvel called India.
When India became independent and as Gandhi Ji and Sardar Patel passed away in very quick succession, he became the biggest leader. As the Spiderman says 'With big power comes big responsibility'. He took his responsibility more seriously than his power. The India that we see today is his creation. His undying dedication to Secularism and Democracy made us what we are today.
If we look around us most country where are racial sibling live are in dire straits. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, SriLanka and even Myanmaar are either ruled by despots or military rulers. Or they are struggling democracies.
If you were standing in 1947 and looked at the countries which became independent who you would say would be most successful in South Asia. I am sure you wouldn't pick India with its 30 odd languages, 1200 dialects, innumerable differences, 400 million ideas and religious identities. However, it is the most stable nation around, Why?
It is because of Nehru's leadership in its nascent stages.
He is the one who said looking at the 'Bhakra-Nangal Dam', these are the new temple of modern India. He envisioned a new industrial and scientific India. Under his leadership India started the Indian nuclear and space program.
Today, Chandrayan dropped a probe on the moon which would land and unfurl Indian Flag on the surface of the moon. What a fitting tribute Nehru Ji, I am sure where ever he is, he would still be the proudest and happiest Indian to see India as only the 3rd nation (or 4th entity) to put its flag on moon.
Shashi Tharoor's book's title is 'Nehru: The invention of India' and this modern India is 'the Invention of Nehru'.
As he said in 1947, it is up to us to carry his thoughts and actions forward.
We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.......
To India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.
In India it is celebrated as 'Children's Day', to honour Nehru Ji's love for children. When he was alive everyone called him ‘Nehru Chacha’ and that is what he is still know as.
When I was young it was celebrated with far more fervor, however, I am not sure how it is done today in schools.
I have always claimed that I am more of a 'Nehruvian' by thought rather than ‘Gandhian’. It might sound a little odd to people because Nehru was probably the most ardent follower of Gandhi Ji and he was the son that Gandhi Ji would have love to have as his own. However, there were certain differences between them which become obvious if you ever read the letters that they had written to each other.
I grew up learning a lot from people around me. I was socialist from one uncle, learnt encompassing and frugal nature from my Nana, ever accommodating and free thoughts from my Dad & Worldliness and a bit of right wing philosophy from Krishnamurthy Uncle.
However, I am not sure how I became a Nehru fan. In an era where it is a fashion to criticize Gandhi and Nehru, I turned into a ‘Nehruvian’.
The major difference between Gandhi and Nehru philosophy is their views on religion. In my eyes among the leaders of that era,
Gandhi Ji was Inclusive: He thought all religions can co exist and each human can embrace all religions. He was extraordinary in that way. I really believe that the only true Christian to live after Christ was this non Christian. He actually took Jesus’ philosophy and turned them into mass movement.
Jinnah was Divisive: He kept his own religion away from his political life and still preached that Hindus and Muslims are too different to be together and wanted separate States for each.
Nehru was Exclusive: He thought that his own religion or his religious philosophy has no place in public life. He always kept his own religion at bay because he was a leader of masses. He never preached that all religions can co exist because for him religion was not a matter of any consequence in public life.
Hence, I am for Nehru, I can't bring my own religious philosophy into my organization or relationships. similarly i believe that religion has no role in public life and schools. I am all for banning all kinds of religious schools, be it Christian convents, Arya Samaj schools or Madarssas.
Another major difference between Gandhi Ji and Nehru Ji was that Gandhi Ji wanted India to improve and looked at its faults. One of the instances which Shashi Tharoor quotes in his book, 'Nehru, The invension of India' is, in the first congress meeting that Gandhi Ji attended, he was appalled to see that different communities were cooking for their own community and demanded that there should be one kitchen.
Nehru was a romantic. He loved India, its past, present and future. Given the same situation Nehru Ji would have gone to each stall and ate all kinds of food and then maybe written a book on cooking styles of Indians.
So in that sense he was more of an Indian, an Indian who loved the country un-ashamedly, without any biases to any other cast, creed, community and country.
On the night of 14th August at 00:00 hrs., he gave the speech which is one of my favourite pieces of text ever written. It has 'charm of leader', 'Tolstoyian in its prose', 'Poetic touch to it of Stevenson' and yet deep down they were thoughts of a proud and a hopeful Indian.
'Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.
A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.
It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.'
He had impeccable oratory skills, fluency in many language, here is a glimpse of his speech in English.
He was by far the most erudite politician that has ever lived. If you ever read his 'Discovery of India' and 'The Glimpses of the World' you would realise his in depth knowledge of Indian and World History. Albert Einstein had once claimed that his books are a great window to look into the marvel called India.
When India became independent and as Gandhi Ji and Sardar Patel passed away in very quick succession, he became the biggest leader. As the Spiderman says 'With big power comes big responsibility'. He took his responsibility more seriously than his power. The India that we see today is his creation. His undying dedication to Secularism and Democracy made us what we are today.
If we look around us most country where are racial sibling live are in dire straits. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, SriLanka and even Myanmaar are either ruled by despots or military rulers. Or they are struggling democracies.
If you were standing in 1947 and looked at the countries which became independent who you would say would be most successful in South Asia. I am sure you wouldn't pick India with its 30 odd languages, 1200 dialects, innumerable differences, 400 million ideas and religious identities. However, it is the most stable nation around, Why?
It is because of Nehru's leadership in its nascent stages.
He is the one who said looking at the 'Bhakra-Nangal Dam', these are the new temple of modern India. He envisioned a new industrial and scientific India. Under his leadership India started the Indian nuclear and space program.
Today, Chandrayan dropped a probe on the moon which would land and unfurl Indian Flag on the surface of the moon. What a fitting tribute Nehru Ji, I am sure where ever he is, he would still be the proudest and happiest Indian to see India as only the 3rd nation (or 4th entity) to put its flag on moon.
Shashi Tharoor's book's title is 'Nehru: The invention of India' and this modern India is 'the Invention of Nehru'.
As he said in 1947, it is up to us to carry his thoughts and actions forward.
We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrow-mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.......
To India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November is here
As October 2008 went by, I personally went through a lot of upheavals during it. It was full of twists and turns. But in the hindsight it was a wonderful month.
When you look back at a month full of action the month looks longer, I had lost my cell phone on the 1st of October in Singapore looking back it feels that it was almost an year ago.
This was a wonderful month for India too,
Chandrayan I, India's first mission to moon is successfully on its way. A lot of people question the $100 million spent on it. However, they fail to see this is the opportunity to capture the place amongst countries of the future. Who knows what we would find on the moon, who knows when we would have to leave this planet and we all know that moon would be our first step. But unlike other Asian giants China and Japan, India's mission is truely global mission, this one has instruments from NASA and European agency on board too. It's wonderful to see that the mission has been sent on an Indian rocket from Indian soil, that gives ISRO 'Indian Space Research Organization' a very lucrative venture into launching commercial satellites at almost one fourth of the cost of NASA, which it already does.
Chandrayan missions in the short term would be a three step mission. The launched one would act as a satellite to moon and would scan the surface for minerals and water buried deep into the moon's surface. The second one would be launched in 2011 would be an unmanned mission to land on the surface and dig deep into the right areas. The third to be launched in 2015 would be a manned mission and would explore opportunities for humanity to build a base there.
Second great news is the Vishwanathan Anand has won the World Chess Championship. Now he truely is a world champion. He has now won world championship in all formats of chess. Another major achievement is that he becomes first Indian and only Second non-russian to beat a Russian player in the direct one to one contest. This shows the domination of Russians in the game of chess. Anand's major achievement in last 20 years has been improvement of Indian chess environment. We now have 18 Grandmasters. However, when we compare that to 180 in Russia it looks miniscule. I still remember the title of SportWeek in 87 where it said 1 in a Billion when Anand became first Indian to achieve the Grandmaster level. From there Indian chess has come a long way.
Third was of course India beating Australia to pulp in cricket. How satisfying it is to see Aussies being beaten comprehensively. The pleasure of seeing a defensive Aussie team, playing to survive and draw the match and still being beaten to pulp is amazing.
When you look back at a month full of action the month looks longer, I had lost my cell phone on the 1st of October in Singapore looking back it feels that it was almost an year ago.
This was a wonderful month for India too,
Chandrayan I, India's first mission to moon is successfully on its way. A lot of people question the $100 million spent on it. However, they fail to see this is the opportunity to capture the place amongst countries of the future. Who knows what we would find on the moon, who knows when we would have to leave this planet and we all know that moon would be our first step. But unlike other Asian giants China and Japan, India's mission is truely global mission, this one has instruments from NASA and European agency on board too. It's wonderful to see that the mission has been sent on an Indian rocket from Indian soil, that gives ISRO 'Indian Space Research Organization' a very lucrative venture into launching commercial satellites at almost one fourth of the cost of NASA, which it already does.
Chandrayan missions in the short term would be a three step mission. The launched one would act as a satellite to moon and would scan the surface for minerals and water buried deep into the moon's surface. The second one would be launched in 2011 would be an unmanned mission to land on the surface and dig deep into the right areas. The third to be launched in 2015 would be a manned mission and would explore opportunities for humanity to build a base there.
Second great news is the Vishwanathan Anand has won the World Chess Championship. Now he truely is a world champion. He has now won world championship in all formats of chess. Another major achievement is that he becomes first Indian and only Second non-russian to beat a Russian player in the direct one to one contest. This shows the domination of Russians in the game of chess. Anand's major achievement in last 20 years has been improvement of Indian chess environment. We now have 18 Grandmasters. However, when we compare that to 180 in Russia it looks miniscule. I still remember the title of SportWeek in 87 where it said 1 in a Billion when Anand became first Indian to achieve the Grandmaster level. From there Indian chess has come a long way.
Third was of course India beating Australia to pulp in cricket. How satisfying it is to see Aussies being beaten comprehensively. The pleasure of seeing a defensive Aussie team, playing to survive and draw the match and still being beaten to pulp is amazing.
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