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From Tehran to New Delhi- An enigma of interests

Ashutosh Sharma
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From Tehran to New Delhi- An enigma of interests

Iran, a country home to one of the oldest and most powerful civilizations, today stands deeply rooted in Islamist extremism, pan-Islamism, and expansionism. These serve as essential components of its regional diplomacy. Centuries ago, the Persian Civilization flourished under the Sasanian Empire. The period of Sasanian rule in the former Persia is regarded as the zenith of Iranian history. This golden era under the Sasanian Empire witnessed great cultural, military, and humanitarian developments until 651 AD, when Umar, the trusted companion of Muhammad, invaded Persia. What followed the invasion was the destruction and decline of Zoroastrianism, forced conversions, and brutal violence. Zoroastrians were made to pay an extra tax called jizya, failing which they were either killed, enslaved, or imprisoned. Those paying jizyas were also subjected to insults and humiliation by the tax collectors. These facts are mentioned in various sources including the ‘Encyclopaedia Iranica’. Later, in the early 16th Century, the Safavid Dynasty established Iran as a Shia State. Owing to its wealth and military, though Iran was still a leading world power, the country lost its roots in the dark. Further, the world was going to spectate unforeseen tragedies and terrorism due to these Islamic invasions in and around the Middle East and the Sahel.

This brief account was important to draw a contrast between a nation that failed to preserve its culture and ours that managed to safeguard it, whose fruits we enjoy today as a vibrant, thriving democracy that is a ray of hope for humanity in the world. Nevertheless, the Islamic Revolution of 1979 further paved the way for Iran to establish itself as a theocratic State with Ayatollah Khomeini at its helm. Before 1979, the Iranian people under Shah Mohammad Pahlavi were experiencing progressive outcomes such as women suffrage, land reforms, urbanization, and reconstruction. The Islamic Revolution plunged Iran into an extremist State with grave human rights oppressions. There are no basic freedoms for the populace, a narrow set of rules, no fair elections, and the absence of an independent judiciary.

I sincerely wished to present this analysis to all readers without bringing up religion, but the Father of Iran’s Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini has forced me to extensively consider this factor. In his words, “Anyone who will say that religion is separate from politics is a fool; he does not know Islam or politics.” So, if I do not take these ‘quotes’ into account to justify their hypocrisy, the Iranian leadership will label me a fool. Dear readers, pardon me on that. This article pivots around fundamental aspects and issues, pertaining to the Indo-Iranian equation that are often overlooked.

In Ruhollah Khomeini’s words, “We shall export our revolution to the whole world. Until the cry ‘There is no god but Allah’ resounds over the whole world, there will be a struggle” and “Establishing the Islamic state world-wide belong to the great goals of the revolution.” He also quoted, “War! War until victory! A religion without war is a crippled religion. Allah be praised, our young warriors are putting this command into effect and fighting. They know that to kill the infidels is one of the noblest missions Allah has reserved for mankind.” A reputed politician and cleric, Ali Meshkini declared, “The only legitimate government in the world is the Iranian government.” Although the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has occasionally taken a publicly softer stance, nothing overwrites the goals set by his predecessor.

Even though the terms of engagement in diplomacy are positive and partially indifferent to ideological extremities, it is important to keep in mind the long term objectives, ideology, and aspirations of nations, something which the US failed to consider when they had a substantial partnership with China. Clearly, there is not much convergence in Tehran’s ideological and diplomatic spheres of functioning, which further begets uncertainty and makes it a complex case study.

Iran is particularly important to India for two major reasons: oil and a trade corridor connecting Central Asia to India. We are the second-largest importer of Iranian oil and have significantly increased our exports to Tehran. Under Prime Minister Modi, India has played very carefully with Iran, especially during the stint following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA or Iran Nuclear Deal and subsequent sanctions. Regular state visits by both heads of States and bilateral exchanges at the level of National Security Advisors and Deputy National Security Advisors on security matters reflects the great importance both sides attach to their ties.

At the same time, Israel and India have expanded their cooperation to a great extent. We exchange critical security technologies and have intelligence-sharing mechanisms in place. India has, so far been successfully able to maintain deep and everlasting relations with the staunch adversary of Tehran, Israel, that go beyond mere diplomatic engagements and at the same time positionally partner with Iran. The importance of Israel over Iran is perceptible from the fact that PM Modi defied protocol and gave a surprise welcome to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to India in 2018. This is a diplomatically applaudable approach.

Well, it is also imperative to examine the Iran-Pakistan-Kashmir-China nexus, something which directly impacts New Delhi’s security interests. The following accounts would not seem so rosy. Iran and Pakistan have enjoyed warm relations for decades. Pakistan and China, in fact, helped Iran in obtaining sensitive knowledge and equipment on nuclear technology after the US terminated the Atoms for Peace program, following the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

When the world was not supporting Pakistan on its misinformation on Kashmir, Iran offered support to its malicious agenda. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei tweeted that the Indian government should “prevent the oppression & bullying of Muslims in this region” and accused India of committing “barbaric acts” in Jammu and Kashmir and “massacre of Muslims in India”, a stance that sent ripples of joy in Islamabad. The Supreme Leader openly urged the Islamic Ummah to “sympathize with and provide assistance to Kashmir”. All this happened after the Government of India scrapped Article 370 to constitutionally unify our land with our land.

A reason why Iran has not embraced Pakistan’s position on the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, that it should be part of Pakistan is that it doubts whether Islamabad is a reliable ally. But if Pakistan somehow manages to push its narrative on Iran using Islam as a soft tool, it will propel substantial inconvenience for New Delhi. It is bizarre that even though Iran and Pakistan share the same verbatim on Kashmir, India values its relations with Iran. The main reason being that Iran is the only option we have to trade with Afghanistan, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, and considering this fact Iran can exploit us to its advantage.

Since we have talked about Pakistan, let us also reflect upon terrorism. It is partially immature and over-conclusive to accuse Iran of fostering terrorism in India, but one cannot ignore the fact that just as Iran has vested interests in Israel through its proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, it has similar interests in the Kashmir Valley as well. According to security officials, the terror outfits of Jaish, Lashkar, IS-Khorasan, and Taliban have joined hands to carry out terror attacks in J&K and Indian assets in Kabul. Al-Qaeda’s leadership, including its chief al Zawahiri, has repeatedly urged Muslims for a renewed jihad in Kashmir against India. This year, NIA had arrested 9 Al-Qaeda terrorists, planning to launch attacks against India.

So, how does all of this matter in the context of Iran? Even though Shiite Iran has been ideologically opposed to the Sunni Taliban, there are many reports that it has chosen to back them against the larger foe, America, by arming it and providing sanctuary to some fighters. In 2015, the Wall Street Journal published an interview with a Taliban commander who claimed that “Iran supplies us with whatever we need.” And the US withdrawal from the Taliban could direct these funds against India and her infrastructure in Afghanistan. There is no reason for Iran to stop these too, to secure its domestic interests and further the agenda of supporting the “Kashmir Struggle”.

Documents recovered from Osama Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan had revealed secret dealings between Iran and Al-Qaeda. A report revealed that “Since at least 2009, Iran has allowed al-Qaeda facilitators to operate a core facilitation pipeline through the country, enabling them to move funds and fighters to South Asia and Syria.” ISIS is itself a convoluted subject for true analysis, and hence I have not shed light on that in this article.

To further strengthen our argument on long-lasting Iranian interests in Kashmir, we must also view the Hamid Ansari angle. The former Vice President of India could not do more harm than what he did to our country back in 1990 when Pakistan discovered terrorism, Kashmiri Pandits were facing genocide, and Hamid Ansari was India’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Indian intelligence officers were keeping a close watch on hotspots fuelling extremism in Kashmir such as Qom, a place in the outskirts of Tehran. Intelligence reports so formed and the information obtained was being blatantly ignored by Ansari who also discouraged these operations. An official of the Indian embassy in Tehran was abducted, tortured, and thrown on the streets by Iranian intelligentsia and the ambassador took no action.

A senior officer M.B Mathur was also abducted and mistreated but released only after a lot of resentment in the embassy and direct intervention of the then Prime Minister and senior R&AW officials. Thirdly, another Indian official, Mohd. Umar was abused after he refused to cooperate with Iranian intelligence in providing them information about Indian assets in Iran. Hamid Ansari’s inactions and perilous decisions led to the termination of critical intelligence operations and was a jolt to the security infrastructure of India, which further hampered New Delhi’s effectiveness in dealing with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Diplomacy is primarily based on shared values and interests. Clearly, Iran shares a lot in common with Pakistan’s jihadist ideology. Economically though it shall and has to welcome any considerably friendly nation for investments including India. Evidently, India has still been able to maintain balanced relations with Iran due to her financial edge over Pakistan and a versatile, unbiased, and multi-faceted diplomatic outlook. However, this does not mitigate the strategic threat posed by the new colonial master of Islamabad. China and Iran have signed a strategic partnership pact for 25 years, wherein China would invest $400 billion in exchange for a substantial discount on oil and an influential geopolitical footprint in the Middle East. An article in the Foreign Policy written by Saleh and Yazdanshenas noted that ‘China fears that as the trade war between the two countries intensifies, the United States may put pressure on those countries not to supply Beijing with the energy it needs. A comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran is both a hedge and an insurance policy; it can provide China with a guaranteed and discounted source of energy.’

Beijing would try to keep India out and will have an eagle eye over the Chabahar Port as well. India is now shipping 75000 MT tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through this port, thus bypassing the Pakistani territory. The port is the single most important asset that could be used by Iran as diplomatic leverage against New Delhi in the future. Chabahar is more important to India than Iran. Shakeri, from Iran’s Institute for Strategic Research (ISR), said, ‘Chabahar’s importance to Iran was mostly in terms of international branding’. It is roughly a bid to attract investments.

Iran is vital to safeguarding India’s interests in Afghanistan and Central Asia. India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar’s recent visits to Iran hold great value in this regard. Tehran may turn to be a vital strategic partner or a liability or even a threat in the long run. Iran is a State with dynamic confrontations with the West as well as adversaries in the Gulf, and hence there cannot be a unitary approach towards it. India must show it common areas of confluence, keep a close watch on the terrorism factor, and have a quid pro quo type policy, without neglecting our moral stand on human rights issues. As Robert Frost said, ‘A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday but never remembers her age’, India’s relations with Iran cannot be ideological but are diplomatic. India must draw its attention towards Shia oppression in Pakistan and the plight of Uighurs in China, show them the futility of raising issues that do no good to anyone’s interests, and at the same time, strategically dealign with Tehran whenever required. Natural forces are always an inspiration, stay calm and friendly when needed, show strength when necessary, but with the only objective being stability, humanity, and truth.

Dharma is rising again

Ujjwal
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Dharma is rising again

2020 is a horrible year, but this year has also brought many great moments like Bhumi Pujan of Great Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a pollution free Diwali and many more. We have seen that foreigners are becoming Dharmic, more Dharmic than most of the Indians. The reason is they are reading ancient Vedic scriptures which we are not!

Indian youth is reading useless books of the west which have failed in that society, now this youth is bringing that trash here example is communist manifesto. If you also want to contribute in the making of a Dharmic Society then please read Vedic Scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharat.

Bhagavad Gita is a must for starting… Read it, follow it in your life, Gyan, Karma, Bhakti become a strong person no matter you are a man or woman. Then gift Bhagavad Gita to your friends and relatives and neighbours to spread Dharma. Many people hesitate to call themselves Hindu or associate them with this culture. So, post more about it on your Social Media and normalize being a follower of Sanatan Dharma. 

This is how you can promote Dharma and do your part, it is nothing as we already do these things, we don’t have to leave anything we just have to add Bhagavad Gita in our lives. Read, Share and Live by it. Jai Shree Ram. 

Reject Rashtrawad: Redefining our sense of Rashtra

Sam
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Reject Rashtrawad: Redefining our sense of Rashtra

I say that it is the Sanatan Dharma which for us is nationalism. This Hindu nation was born with the Sanatan Dharma, with it, it moves and with it, it grows.
-(Sri Aurobindo)

Sri Aurobindo in his famous Uttarpara Speech speaks about founding nationalism on Sanatan Dharma and his ideological moorings are entrenched with sacred love, earnest longing, and loyal devotion to the selfless service for Bharat. Indeed, he uses the word nationalism which is a Western import, but what he gives emphasis on in the Bharatiya context is the ideological founding of nationalism on deep spiritual experience. The aspect of spirituality calls for critical interventions on the term rashtrawad which is used as a synonym for nationalism in the Bharatiya context.

Nation and Nationalism

Nation and nationalism are predominantly Western concepts. Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origins and Spread of Nationalism (2006) remains a seminal text for the definition of a nation. Anderson defines a nation as “an imagined political community – and imagined as both inherently limited and sovereign” (p.6). He further explains that a nation is imagined because “the members of even the smallest nation will never know most of their fellow-members, meet them, or even hear of them, yet in the minds of each lives the image of their communion” (p.6). It implies that a community feels a connection to each other at a mental level in spite of the impossibilities of knowing every person. Here, we are not engaging in a discussion that Anderson should have taken into consideration the distinction between nation and nationalism: while a nation generally refers to a political group of people, nationalism designates movements on a national scale including diverse aspects of identity. Also, we are not engaging with the tendency of certain fringe groups to stigmatize those who show strong commitment to national causes as fascists. What we are engaging with is the question of tradition of a concept or idea.

The major problem with Bharatiya thinkers is that they think of a concept or idea, but they do not pay attention to the tradition in which they position their thought. The irony is that we raise clamours for decolonizing the mind situating our thought in the Western tradition.

The -ism tradition

The word nationalism ends with the suffix –ism. We come across many words that end with –ism: for example, feminism, Marxism, criticism, and so on. The English suffix –ism comes from the Greek one –ismós. This suffix is used for noun formation denoting a philosophical thought, a practice, a system, etc. The foundation of philosophical thought in Western intellectual tradition was laid by the Greek thinkers, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. These thinkers developed the scientific method and rational thought. In this scientific tradition, which gives importance to objectivity, one thinker searches for a definition or gives a hypothesis, while another thinker raises problem with the definition or hypothesis. Therefore, advancement in thought on a particular subject is made through reasoned methods of argumentation following dialectic or critique.

Translating –ism

In Hindi and many Bharatiya languages –ism is translated as wad or vad (वाद). The suffix –वाद is derived from the Sanskrit root (धातु) वद् meaning to speak. In this vein we come across words such as nariwad (नारीवाद). Such Bharatiya translation of the Western concepts aligns with the Western intellectual tradition. As an effect of this translation, nationalism becomes rashtrawad (राष्ट्रवाद). When we speak of rashtrawad, knowingly or unknowingly, we position our thought in the Western intellectual tradition. Ironically, we end up intellectually colonizing the rashtra. Although we vauntingly vouch for decolonizing the mind being inspired by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, we unfortunately end up recolonizing the mind. The imperative of decolonizing the mind is to assert the native tradition.

Nation and Rashtra

Besides positioning our thought in the Western intellectual tradition, another problem of translation is the semblance of synonymity and unfortunately Bharatiya thinkers most often remain oblivious of the semantic nuances. To such thinkers, rashtra is nation. Shri J. Nandakumar ji, senior RSS leader, brings out the subtle differences between nation and rashtra, “We are using nation to define rashtra as well. This is not correct. Nation is about government and state, while Rashtra is spiritual development.” He further explains that while nation is a socio-political entity, rashtra is a spiritual thing which evolves organically based on memory. Another senior RSS leader and scholar, Shri Krishna Gopal ji has asserted, “Western countries have taken race, language, geographical limits as basis of their nation, which has only led to conflicts . . . We in Bharat have had a more inclusive and wider basis, which is culture (sanskriti). It is this culture which holds together the people in Bharat”. What Nandakumar ji and Krishna Gopal ji are trying to say is that our country gives importance to cultural organicism, that is, diverse cultural groups functioning as one. In other words, culture is a fabric woven with multiple threads. Therefore, rashtrawad which aligns with the Western intellectual tradition is without the spiritual fervour that Nandakumar ji and Krishna Gopal ji are insisting upon.

From wad (वाद) to bodh (बोध)

Our discussion on rashtra needs to go beyond the Western intellectual tradition of wad and align with the Bharatiya spiritual tradition. It means the spiritual dimension of the rashtra cannot be wad which aligns with the Western intellectual tradition. At this juncture where we are exploring the subtleties of nation and rashtra, it is important to add a caveat. The caution about importing the Western intellectual tradition is a proposal not for a total rejection of the West; rather, our culture has always given importance to various knowledge systems, and we should certainly know the West. However, blindly running after Western tradition without knowing our own tradition yet participating in debates with an air of erudition is unmitigated ignorance.

As Nandakumar ji has noted, the Bharatiya dharmic tradition, unlike the Western intellectual tradition, gives emphasis on spiritual development. The spiritual dimension of wad is bodh (बोध). We can achieve this bodh only when we successfully elevate through the Panchakoshas — Annamaya Kosha (food sheath), Pranamaya Kosha (vital energy or breath sheath), Manomaya Kosha (mind sheath), Vijnanamaya Kosha (intellect sheath) and Ananadamaya Kosha (bliss sheath). [I have given the English words for comprehension, but we should keep in mind that English translations of Sanskrit words trivialize dharmic concepts.] A person who elevates through the Panchakoshas becomes selfless. Only a person who sacrifices (त्याग) to serve (सेवा) the rashtra believes that the rashtra exists above everything (राष्ट्र सर्वोपरि). To elevate through the Panchakoshas one needs to undertake meditation and sadhna (साधना). Sadhna enlivens the faculties of intuition: Dhi (Spiritual heart), Medha (Higher intellect), Pragya (Higher awareness), Dhriti (Higher will) and Smriti (Great memory). So the spiritual sense of rashtra achieved through sadhna cannot be rashtrawad but rashtrabodh (राष्ट्रबोध). An individual who attains rashtrabodh is not a rashtrawadi but a rashtrabodhi (राष्ट्रबोधी). It should be emphasized that rashtrabodh has two primary pillars: Sanatan Dharma and Sanskrit language. Eminent academician and prolific writer, Dr Sarup Prasad Ghosh has enlightened us in his powerful speech on rashtrabodh.

Embracing Rashtrabodh

Dwijendralal Ray’s “Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara”, or its Sanskrit version “Ratna Dhanya Pushpita”, evokes a strong feeling for the janmabhumi through a picturesque landscape description. It was Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya in Ananda Math (1882) who imbues patriotism through fervent celebration of the motherland as a goddess. Taking a step ahead Rabindranath Tagore in Ghare Baire [The Home and the World] (1916) gives a reason for the visual depiction of the motherland as goddess, “The geography of the country is not the whole truth. No one can give up his life for a map. True patriotism will never be aroused in our countrymen unless they can visualise the motherland — we must make a goddess of her!” [This English translation from Bengali is taken from Tapati Guha-Thakurta’s article “Bharat mata: The nation as a Goddess”.] These lines reflect the necessity for pictorial depiction of Bharat Mata. Different pictorial versions of Bharat Mata appeared in different times, but the sanctity remains pristine.

The Bharatiya concept of rashtra is imbued with life. To feel the pulse of this life we need to have a closer look at the first depiction of Bharat Mata painted by Abanindranath Tagore in 1905 under the inspiration of Sister Nivedita.

This anthropomorphic representation of motherland in the form of a woman is divination of the sense of rashtra. This representation is highly symbolic. The saffron robe symbolizes Bharat Mata as an ascetic deity of sacrifice and renunciation. Diagonally in one hand Bharat Mata holds the japamala and on other hand the Vedas, and again diagonally in one hand rice and on the other hand cloth. Japamala gives us bodh through sadhna and a person who gains bodh can only understand the Vedas which symbolize knowledge (ज्ञान). Rice (अन्न) and cloth (वस्त्र) are the basic necessities of sustenance. Bharat Mata stands above white lotus which symbolizes purity. The symbolic meaning of this picture is that Bharat is sanatan and in Bharatiya sanskriti we value spirituality, knowledge, sacrifice, and purity.

Conclusion

Bharat is not a cartographic delimitation that we see today. Bharat is a sanskriti, the expression of which can be found in Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Afghanistan and many other places in the world. This sanskriti which has enriched different countries evolves from the Bharatiya dharmic tradition which values spirituality. The understanding of the entire process of evolution needs rashtrabodh. Rashtrabodh can be referred to as the expression of socio-political thought which gives emphasis on Bharatiya spiritual and cultural traditions which extend beyond the cartographic signifier. A person who attains rashtrabodh can only heartily chant, Bharat Mata ki Jai.

No calm after the storm in the battleground in America: Should India be concerned?

agarwalvj
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No calm after the storm in the battleground in America: Should India be concerned?

India can have a sigh of relief that there will be no more Trump calling India “filthy” during one of his campaign debates and write his midnight Tweets like, “India has long had a field day putting Tariffs on American products. No longer acceptable!” With Biden, soon to be the next President, India can expect more substantive, stable, and non-transactional policy and not just the rhetorical and tantrums filled statements from the so-called friend of India, Trump. At a minimum, the two countries need each other because of the “mutual distrust” of China and thus the need to continue cultivating strong relations to uphold the democratic foundation and free society globally. Let me go no further than that until Biden gets to announce his key cabinet appointments which will define how India-U.S. strategic relations and global policies will move forward.

When I wrote about the Jungle Raj in Bihar and Trump Raj in America on October 26, who would have predicted that both will fail in their attempt to win political power. Remarkably, however, both did exceedingly well. In Bihar, the caste-based politics helped the son of former Chief Minister parents (Tejashwari Yadav) and Trump’s strong political base led to an impressive, in fact, an unprecedented number of people who voted for them. It was Yadav’s youth and campaign promise for the government jobs which earned his party (RJD) the highest number of Assembly seats (75) with even BJP (Modi’s ruling party in Delhi and many other States) coming second with 74 seats. With India’s multi-party system, the major election contest was between the political alliances of several big and small parties. For example, the National Democratic Alliance (including major contenders BJP and the incumbent Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU) retained 125 seats to form the government against Yadav’s alliance group getting only 110. Simply put, the Jungle Raj of the Yadav family would not return to power barring any post-election horse-trading, not uncommon in India’s political world.

How about the Trump Raj in America? While Trump and his followers may not agree, it is my informed view that the Trump Raj will not return in America either. But, we must acknowledge that Trump did exceedingly well in attracting over 70 million popular votes, significantly more than 4 years ago. Biden also made history with over 75 million votings for him, an unprecedented number of electorates.  Call it the “positive” impact of the “evil” pandemic that people exercised their vote by mail ballot, a referendum against four more years of Trump Raj, just embracing change or plain and simple awakening of American’s nationalism.  However, it is shame that even after nearly two weeks since the American people voted, there is no calm after the storm in the battleground although the battle is over. President Trump continues to be in denial and unwilling to accept the peoples’ will and verdict. In his first TV appearance since November 3, he announced that only “time will tell” who will run the next administration. Regrettably, he continues to live in an alternate reality, far from the truth.

Historically speaking, the United States and the rest of the free world should have been breathing a big sigh of relief once the votes are counted and the winner announced. However, it continues to be a nightmare because Trump is challenging the election results in the courts citing fraudulent practices and rigging.  While the legal challenge is everyone’s right, there is no serious issue considering relatively high margins (tens of thousands) in the disputed swing States. Are there irregularities in the vote count? Yes, quite likely but not intentional and perhaps a few hundred at best. What about fraudulent activities? Trump had proclaimed conspiracy theory even before the polls and it seems that he is alleging fraud just to stage it and delay the legitimately elected President the place in history.

It is my view that there is no systematic and systemic fraud anywhere except a handful of votes by the “dead” or some people voting both by mail as well as in person. In any system with nearly 150 million voters, such irregularities are unavoidable. Let us leave it to our legal system whether the extent of fraud should necessitate the reversal of people’s choice and verdict.  

The year 2020 will be long remembered for the unprecedented pandemic and associated infections and deaths globally. For the U.S., it will be equally remembered for the chaos, confusion, conspiracy theory, alleged fraud, strongly divided America, and the unduly long wait to know who is the next President. I say that we must begin to work together in restoring democracy, decency, justice, freedom, peace, policy vacuum, trust in science, and above all the people’s will and power. It is time to MOVE ON and rebuild AMERICA to her glorious past.

While politics is being played out to unprecedented levels, I am afraid that it will continue to polarize the people further and destabilize and delegitimize democracy. Can this country with such a long history of democracy and collective resolve to unite, afford the uncertainty in the White House so much so that the current Trump Raj has not yet conceded and offered the rightful authority to the President-elect to have his transition team to start getting ready. Our collective goal must be bringing America back together from the huge divide because of political ideologies because we are one America.  Why Trump is holding America hostage? Is his ego bigger than the country? Why is the Republican party leadership turning their blind eye to his continued tantrums at the expense of national security and public health policy against the common enemy VOVID-19? He just fired the Secretary of Defense and forced some senior officials to resign because they did not agree to his egoistic whims. Why such unprecedented anarchy in the last couple of months before vacating the White House?

While the media plays its own game and depends on what you read and which channel you listen to, there is already speculation that Trump may not easily move out of the White House making things ugly and unpleasant. He is planning to use Presidential power to pardon his supporters, family, and friends including, as the rumor has it, himself. The question of pardoning himself is the most intriguing of all. It begs the question, what he is afraid of in his post-Presidency? Did he commit something which may lead to criminal proceedings, charges, and potentially prison?

Topping it all, Trump has a dream to come back in 2024. If he really has such a dream to return to the White House when he is four years older, he should rather exercise restraint on what he says and does in his last couple of months in the current Presidency. People in America are very forgiving, or shall we say have short-lived memory, that they may vote for him again. If I was one of Trump’s advisors, which I am not, my advice would be to just relax, take life easy, play golf, run Trump empire, watch Fox news, enjoy his wealth some of which he has accumulated by using tax loopholes and not paying the taxes he owed, etc. He can start a charitable organization to do a greater good for society and earn people’s goodwill and blessings. Most former Presidents have written their autobiographies but I wonder what would he have to write and brag about?  He should start the Presidential library to preserve history but what is there worth preserving? He should be the celebrity speaker but what will he speak about?

As I write this opinion, the U.S. has a huge resurgence of COVID-19 all across the country. Unfortunately, we have over 10.5 million reported cases of positive coronavirus and over 240,000 deaths with over a thousand succumbing to death every day. The public policy experts have forecast an extremely grim picture with the number of deaths reaching as high as close to 280,000 by December 5, in less than a month. It is for the first time on February 12 when President Trump spoke about his plans for the distribution of vaccines but not directly addressing people’s health and/or death. He still is our President and we expect him to lead the nation through this monumental deadly crisis but he is more concerned about the election results hanging in the basket, rightfully or wrongfully. What a shame that the Presidency in Trump’s mind is bigger than the people who the President is expected to serve.

As Hindus, we always resort to God’s will and accept our fate in circumstances like Trump’s loss of elections. Accordingly, I highly recommend that President Trump must accept the will of the people which is perhaps also ordained by his Christian God although he is known not to be a practicing Christian. As a good friend of India, Prime Minister Modi, and many Indian Americans in the U.S., I have no doubt that Hindus will welcome him to Hinduism. Subsequently, he is welcome to renounce the world and take refuge in the Himalayas if he can let go of his ego.  

India has nothing to be concerned about the inevitable change taking shape in Washington. I am firm in my opinion that India is a rising power politically, economically, militarily, intellectually, and morally and thus deserves a respectful place on the global platform. Furthermore:

  1. Modi and his team are well equipped diplomatically and politically to weather the change as they had done admirably during Obama to Trump transition in 2016.
  2. Geopolitically, the Indo-Pacific region is important to the U.S. foreign policy which will necessitate India being a strong partner to safeguard the US strategic interests. Equally important for the U.S. is to contain and constraint China’s policy of expansionism and thus the need for stronger ties with New Delhi militarily.
  3. Global terrorism, although diminished, continues to be a threat. The recent incidences in France and other parts of Europe is a stark reminder of the 9/11 and many terroristic incidences since then by anti-America Jihadists on U.S. soil. Recent events in France also remind us of who these terrorists are and where they came from. Likewise, India has been and continues to be threatened by the Jihadists for many decades being harbored in neighboring Pakistan. The only way to rid of terrorism is to build a strong alliance among like-minded nations such as the U.S., India, and European countries.
  4. If democracy and freedom are to be the lightning rod in the new world order, the natural allies are India and the U.S. because they represent the largest and proven stable democracy and the oldest democracy, respectively. India’s immediate neighbors, Pakistan and China, pose constant threats to democracy and are known to promote dictatorship.
  5. India is not only becoming economically stronger and self-reliant by the day; it offers the largest market for U.S. products and thus stronger trade relations are essential.
  6. India’s burgeoning youth offers the most well-educated workforce for academia, corporate leadership, and technology platforms. For example, the guest worker visa, dubbed as H1B, has been the lifeline of many tech giants which was repeatedly under attack by Trump through Executive orders. Biden has already announced to restore the dignity, respect, and certainty for H1B visa holders. In fact, there are positive vibes that Biden’s immigration policy will welcome the graduate students to stay back and offer expedited Green cards and citizenship to many with the appropriate academic credentials.

In conclusion, the U.S.-India ties are expected to grow and get stronger with the Biden-Harris team. It is the need of the hour in 2021 and beyond for geopolitical stability in the emerging new world order. Nothing sums up better than Biden’s own words when he said, “My dream is that in 2020, the two closest nations in the world will be India and the United States.”

What happens if we don’t celebrate Deepavali with crackers?

Sinchana M K
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What happens if we don’t celebrate Deepavali with crackers?

Why should we celebrate festivals in our life, what happens if we don’t celebrate our festivals? Festivals are the celebrations of our life which will bring more happiness, more excitement, more spirituality and above all more responsibility of protecting our culture, our dharma there by protecting human society. Yes, festivals of Sanatan Hindu traditions are not only meant to wear new clothes, have sweets and fun. These are very sacred heritage among all rituals. We have a lot of cultural significant rituals to perform. The rituals are different for different festivals but, the goal of all rituals are same. That is the welfare of society by protecting our dharma.

Coming to deepavali festival, we all are seeing how the government’s high drama is going since from recent weeks. Even common businessman will be knowing what circumstances should be look into before taking major decision? But the great NGT (national green tribunal) imposed a ban on firecrackers to 23 state and union Territories where the air quality was not satisfactory from midnight of November 9 to midnight of November 30. They issued a ban when Deepawali festival is very near, Did they think what will happen to Crackers business while imposing ban? Why didn’t they ban in manufacturing stage only? Have they waited for deepawali time to see the lost of Crackers business there by stopping that business? What is this agenda? So far ,a total of 13 states have imposed a ban on firecrackers. In some states, green crackers can burst. In some others, crackers can be burst for 2 hours duration in night (during 8pm to 10pm). Only Madhyapradesh CM has not imposed any ban or restriction to burst crackers. In some states, the complete ban on crackers has been done.

The CM who always stood up first to show case himself as a big protector of environment is none other than Arvind Kejriwal. We all know about air quality of Delhi. To hide his failure in managing air pollution, he is putting full ban on fire crackers since from so many years. That is the most easiest thing all the governments can do to show case themselves as big environmentalists. Our governments are very wise enough to hide their irresponsibility in managing environment pollution and to put blame on Hindu’s festival very easily.

Due to the late decision of government to ban on firecrackers led the manufacturers, investors and small businesses men life in difficult situation. So many news are coming about arresting of sellers of firecrackers in disrespectful manner. Isn’t it this the big problem for governments? The only big problem they have now is environment pollution due to deepavali, they don’t know about remaining days pollution.

The celebrities, cricketers and so called liberals who all giving too much lecturings to Hindus on how to celebrate their festival (which will be for 2-3 days) don’t even think about environment protection in remaining 360 more days. They can enjoy the bursting of crackers on their birthdays, new year, IPL matches celebration. Also, they can enjoy private plane jets, hi-fi a.c cars, hi-fi a.c home 24/7, quality drinking water to wash their luxurious vehicles….and yes the list is endless. But we should not question about their 24/7 environment pollution. But during deepawali festival, they will come forward in a race to give lecturings to stop burst crackers.

We are not against environmental protection. Off course, we are the first to come forward on grounds to protect environment. But why should always we only sacrifice? It will be okay if they also said this to other religious festivals too, where more pollution is occurring than deepawali and if the governments restrict them also in their festivals regarding environment concerns. Why too much teachings on only deepavali crackers free , why not on Christmas trees beheading free and bakrid animal cruelty free? Can’t they tolerate Hindus having fun for few days? What should children do in futre to keep themselves enthusiastic, joyful and colorful in life if every traditions are preventing one after the other, Is any meaningfulness remain in future life? Enough is enough, No more tolerance for the misuse of gentleness, kindness and innocence of Hindus in the name of fake secularism.

We the Hindus don’t want any dumb liberal’s lecturings on how to celebrate our festival. We will celebrate our festivals with full of joy, enthusiasm, positiveness, strength and devotion according to our tradition. We will not leave out our cultural significance in our festivals. Therefore, we will celebrate deepavali with both bright lights and loud crackers. If the deaf-fake liberals are to be hear, the sound has to be more.

-Sinchana M K
Engineering student
Sodari niveditha prathishthana and ABVP volunteer

bright and loud Deepavali

Karan Thapar lies about his meeting with Jayalalitha

msmani004
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Karan Thapar lies about his meeting with Jayalalitha

Karan Thapar lies about his meeting with Jayalalitha

The Covid-19, (lets call it that way, don’t call it “Wuhan-Virus”, lest we become xenophobic), compelled people to stay indoors and get hooked up with videos through channels like Youtube. And continued recommendations triggered by the embedded algorithms of YouTube didn’t help things either. One such ‘algorithm induced video’ thrown up was that of an interview (Sept 2018) of notorious TV anchor Karan Thapar with Shoma Chaudhury, ex.editor of controversial now defunct tabloid “Tehelkha”, under the title “Algebra Conversations”, which was replete with swank and filibuster. (embedded below)

At 25.38 mins, the conversation veered towards the interview that Karan had with Ms. Jayalalitha in October 2004. The transcripts of relevant portions of the aforesaid video (since 25.38 Mins) went as below:

“……….I have to recall from memory. Forgive me if I got it wrong. It is in my book. The accurate version is there…………… (25.48 mins) (apparently in lighter vein) The first quality of good journalist is (to) find artful ways of drawing attention of the audience to what he or she has just written even if what he or she has written is utterly stupid and wrong”. When Karan had asked her (Jayalalitha) why she believed in superstitions like numerology, Karan describes that she barked at him and emphasises that ‘bark’ is the right word. (No wonder, he is an Award Winning Journalist. In the  middle, when Shoma asks to cut it short, Karan addresses her as his darling (@ 28.35 mins), and Shoma seems to enjoy it.  Wonder, Shoma would entertain the same with other interviewees.)

At the end of the interview, Karan says that he thought clearly he was going to be unpopular (with Jayalalitha) forever. However, after narrating his famous acrimonious interview with Jayalalitha, he recounts (At 30.42 mins) his second meeting with Jayalalitha, as noted below: “Two years later, at National Integration Council, I was talking with Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa. That is when she (Jayalalitha) walked up to me. I thought its diplomatic moment to walk away. But she said, “Karan, Where are you going, I meet Naveen Patnaik all the time. I looked up and said, ” Are you coming to talk to me. She said, of course, who else am I (wanting) to talk to. And there was a huge beaming smile on her face. I have to tell you, I was completely captivated by the warmth she was generating and only seasoned politician can generate warmth with just a smile.  I said to her, “But have you forgotten what happened when we last met?”. She looked at me straight and said “Of Course, I have.  Haven’t you”. By the way, she says, “Isn’t it time for another (interview)?”

He continues, “And I said to myself, this lady is SUPREME.  She not only floored me when she met me but she floored me second time around with her charm.  And I have to tell you that my abiding memory of Jayalalitha was not the interview, although I have written about it, but it’s the way she met me two years later and she was so warm and so clearly forgiving….. in a wonderful manner in which she reached out to a person who thought was a pariah in her eyes.  I would always remember her by the warmth and wonderful smile.”

Now, when one turned to his more authentic account, as per his averments, of above events ie. his book “Devil’s Advocate” published in July 2018, he was not off the mark with the above rendition, where he further recalls on the above incident thus: (Pg 176 – Kindle Edition):  “That second interview never happened. I’m not sure if I ever wrote and asked for it. Quite possibly I did not. But the warm-hearted and charming way she put the first behind us left as deep and lasting an impression as the abrasiveness of our original meeting.

Well, to confess, it was absolutely tiring to finish even this small bit of his autobiographical accounts which are narcissistic, egotistical, languorous talk.

The Points to be noted are: According to Karan Thapar – 1. It was Ms. Jayalalitha who moved first to open the conversation and normalise the otherwise soured relations that both would have to put up with, post that acrimonious interview. 2. Hence, she deserved the epithets such as ‘Supreme’, ‘warm hearted’, ‘charming’ from the Mighty Thapar. 3. And She cleverly pitched for her second Interview, which Karan Thapar, by the way, obliged but did not bother to follow up.

Karan would have loved for the story to end here. But, Alas, that was not to be.  The villain proved to be Youtube Algorithm.  It threw up an interview under the title “Devil’s Advocate”, featuring a role-reversal of sorts, with Suhel Seth taking on Karan Thapar, shot in 2010 and published in Youtube in 2011.  The Part 5 of the series, whose link is given below, contains the most interesting part.

Here we go: (from 2.40 mins)

SS: (2.40 Mins)   Did Jayalalitha lock you up for the night

KT: No, She didn’t. She asked us to wait for an hour and a half. She tried very hard to persuade us not to broadcast the interview we recorded. We decided there was no reason not to broadcast it.

 (Now comes the real part……the REVEALING PART….)

KT:  She was a lady who misunderstood me and I suspect I misunderstood her.  So, I think there was misunderstanding on both sides. Aaahhmmm……By the way, I MET UP WITH HER THREE YEARS LATER in National Integration Council meeting, ……….., I WENT UP AND I SAID, FORGIVE ME, I  don’t think I am the person you would want to meet at the moment.  But could I still say Hello…… She turned around and said, “What on earth make you said that Karanji, lovely to meet you.”  She was so charming.

Lets summarise the shenanigans of Karan Thapar.  It was not Jayalalitha who went to him and built the bridges. The fact was the other way round.

Between 2010 (when he gave the interview to Suhel Seth) and 2018 (When he published his book with  the distorted version of second rendezvous with Jayalalitha post the first interview), what had happened that made Karan Thapar bold enough to add spin to the story by depicting as if Jayalalitha came up to meet him and asked for an interview, when the truth was it was he who went and initiated the talk, which Jayalalitha acknowledged gracefully, but asked for no second interview at all. It must have been that Jayalalitha passed away in 2016. When she was no more, Thapar decided to roll out his trademark mischief suggesting that Jayalalitha came and met up with him to cajole him and pitched for a second interview. He further writes in his book about the non-existence of a follow up letter from his end to Jayalalitha with respect to that non-existent second interview.  This was how, in the eyes of Karan Thapar, Jayalalitha transited from a misunderstood person in 2010 when recalling with Suhel Seth, towards a Supreme Leader in 2018. Wah…Jayalalitha must have got her solace now in heaven.

Now kindly recall what Karan Thapar said in the video of Algebra Conversations between Karan Thapar and Shoma Choudhary (@ 25.48 mins):

The first quality of good journalist is (to) find artful ways of drawing attention of the audience to what he or she has just written even if what he or she has written is utterly stupid and wrong. ……..The journalists dont care (or) worry about factuality. They simply want to promote themselves. I am a great journalist in pushing my book with every sentence (in it)……..” .

And then Karan Thapar pontificates at the concluding portion of the same video as below: (@ 48.07 mins):

“Yes, we are as a profession thoughtless about how we damage peoples’ reputation, and uncaring of the fact that we frequently do not have the proof or evidence of doing so.  There is a sense of self righteousness that many journalists acquire. And they carry on to push it, and frankly that is wrong and unfair.”

Lets rest the case. Karan Thapar is a GREAT JOURNALIST, with all requisite qualities, for which he received all his Awards. And his pontification does not apply to him. Who cares…. because its an artful way of promoting oneself at the cost of truth by drawing attention to what he has written even if it is wrong. It is great journalism, stupid!

India must alarm as China is plotting insurgency and bolstering infra in the North-East

hindusurvivor555
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India must alarm as China is plotting insurgency and bolstering infra in the North-East

For the last 70 years, India has always tried to maintain peace and harmony with China by conceding Tibet to them during the 1950s and recognized Chinese sovereignty legitimacy and autonomy over the entire Tibet in a hope that China would pose a friendly and goodwill gesture towards India in return. India also recognized One China policy and never made any bilateral ties with Taiwan. But Chinese perceived our cooperation with them as our reluctance and weakness and covertly China launched break India policy to paralyze and destabilize India. So that India can never become a threat to China in Asia and also at any global platform, for the accomplishment of that China got indulged in funding the Naxal militants operating in Central and East India via Nepal, arming and supporting secessionist movements in northeast India.

It provided military and naval assistance to Indian adversary like Pakistan, trying to take the issue of Kashmir in UN at the behest of Pakistan regarding human right violation and blocking the UN sanctions against Islamist terrorist like Azhar Masood. And most importantly was Intruding in the Indian territory in both Ladakh and eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh. Then encamping their troops and making baseless claims, India was still very afraid of China and therefore they walked away in UN when time of voting came on the question of Hong Kong so that China must not get antagonised. But after the Galwan conflict Indian leaders have realized that no amount of appeasement and concession can neither make Peace with China and nor would ensure the security of our borders and also will not safeguard the territorial integrity of India.

China wary of the growing India Taiwan ties threatened India through its mouthpiece Global times that if India plays the Taiwan card then it could stoke insurgency as a legitimate response to India and would also derecognize Indian sovereignty over the Sikkim state of India. On the next day the insurgents in northeast ambushed an Indian patrol in which one Indian soldier of Assam rifle attained martyrdom. This was not any coincidence but part of a conspiracy of China. These Insurgents groups like NSCN/K, ULFA have been very instrumental to China and Chinese have always used them to cause chaos and instability in the northeast, Thailand, Myanmar. Very recently Myanmar made the accusation on China that PLA forces in collusion with insurgent groups are promoting terrorism and other nefarious activities on their soil, China has very close links with these insurgent groups just like Pakistan have with much other jihadist organization.

Northeast is very important from India’s perspective since to extend and expand our commercial and trade network in the ASEAN countries Northeast is very vital to us, most of the tripartite projects like building of major road links to penetrate in Asean via Myanmar also lies in Northeast. India now needs to take a very cogent position over Chinese belligerence in the Northeast. The more we get terrified of the Chinese the more they would harass us in the forthcoming days. Modi govt is aware of these insurgency groups and that was the sole reason why India conducted its first Surgical strike in Myanmar, India must not backtrack at any cost on Taiwan issue and not only India but European nations, America, Japan they are vehemently supporting Taiwan, to curb down these Chinese supported Insurgecy groups India, Myanmar, Thailand must also Launch a full fledged operation against Insurgents to break China indirectly.

As per the reports in Chinese outlets China railways have announced the construction of the Sichuan Tibet railway network between Ya’an in the southwest Sichuan and Linzhi in Tibet which is very close to the Arunachal Pradesh border of India. Apart from that they would also undertake the project of building of two tunnels and power supply projects simultaneously, it is of immense strategic significance to China. Linzhi also has one of the five airports made by China in the Himalayan region, already China has laid a very large network of ammunition depots, airfields, railway yards, radar station, missiles bases in the Himalayas. This is a part of China’s war strategy of constructing dams to block the water supply system, collapsing the banking sector of India by cyber-attacks, halting the electricity of the whole city through its various companies etc are China’s way of doing war against the enemy state. The manner in which Chinese are proliferating their developmental projects near the border is just showing its long term plan of war against India, year by year China has consolidated its position very well in the border areas.

Whereas on the Indian side most of the projects are either at very slow pace or are still pending for the decades, this railway projects of China in Tibet is of $48 millions and china is expecting to finish it by 2025. China is claiming that this would give a big boost to local developments but in the disguise of this so called development China is firming its hold in the entire Tibet and in the long run also this railway dense network will provide help to china to transport the advanced military and technological equipment like long range artillery from the mainland.

India in the future too will be hounded by China as they claim Arunachal Pradesh to be a part of South Tibet, India needs to be very proactive and assertive on Tibet issue to thwart China by calling Chinese activities and presence as illegal and Tibet not its parts, India must raise this issue of Tibet in UN to teach china a lesson and if India choose to remain soft on the Tibet matter then soon people of Arunachal Pradesh would be facing a severe danger from china. India needs to make herself strong economically as once its economy remains stable then it would enhance India’s political, diplomatic and military capabilities.

Why are we Indians even celebrating birthdays?

nupurdave
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Why are we Indians even celebrating birthdays?

I was once 45 mins late to a birthday dinner. My phone, seated like a tiny passenger next to me, lit up. I hurriedly lifted the pink cased gadget while rotating my car wheels into a San Francisco parking spot I had found after 10 rounds of the area. It was an SMS from the birthday girl “So you’re not coming is it? I can see what a good friend you are!!” Seriously? One day I come late and I’m expelled from the friendship circle?

20th century birthday celebrations have lost meaning and boil down to the exchange of repeatedly similar midnight parties, cards that are eventually thrown away, gifts to keep score and the temporary glory of cakes. For some, the expectation for their birthday is so high that their entire happiness is dependent on friends on that one day, without focusing on the quality of those relationships on other days. 

Showing up for friends’ birthday dinners, makes you man of the match. It doesn’t matter how terrible a friend you were throughout the year– reject their phone call on their 3rd try, do your ironing while ‘hmmm hmmm’ing over the phone as they’re crying over a boyfriend — all that is ok. But just that one night, if you show up for birthday dinner, you’re THE friend! It’s like a university course that gives 90% grade points on your final exam– nothing you did previously matters. 

I know this, because I’ve used birthday dinners as a blood-test of friendship.

My 24th birthday was the worst birthday ever. No one rang the midnight bell to my home. Friends bailed out over mis-spelled SMSs, promising to meet on the weekend. I cried that night. I had done so much for these friends— I had shown up at 11:50 pm at their doors, on their birthdays, $7.99 flowers cradled between my bent elbows, hands gripping enthusiastically packed gifts in shimmering wrapping paper, tied up with a misaligned bow. I scribbled nice compliments on birthday cards that opened into boring jokes about balding & age, which I had personally chosen after sampling tens of cards from the stationary aisle 11 of a drugstore. These friends owed at least me a birthday dinner. I was angry, sad and upset and swore to revenge to not doing nothin’ on their birthdays. 

The practice of showing up at midnight is so common — Indians in America joke that the biggest surprise you can give on a birthday person is to not show up at their door at midnight. 

On that night of the 24th birthday, I removed points from a friendship score of a girl who backed out of my party because she “had a headache”. I was too young to examine my feelings— It’s me, not her. Many of us are desperate to celebrate this random day. Fake friends will do too. 

We want to be treated with gifts, wishes, and messages. And when we don’t get it, our hearts break. There is a deep desire that a birthday must be celebrated with someone… anyone! We do this sadness to ourselves. 

I always leaned on my local friends to make my birthday special. But all along, my gut knew these friends were just nice people who made aquaintance with me. Real friends, the ones who really I am special– don’t even remember my birthday. But I know— when the tears are flowing, or the pressure cooker burst to splatter daal on the ceiling, these birthday-less friends were there to help every single time. You know them too. They are the ones who give their mailing address, so that you can ship visa documents to them. They are the ones who listen to your “Whaan whaan whaaan” about your missed office promotion.  Some of the midnight door-ringer friends might not do that for you.  

In olden India, special days were celebrated with a diya, a pooja and a taste of a sweet mithai. There was no such thing as a birthday cake. Today it is a compulsory addition to any birthday. To me, it seems like an unnecessary British tradition, supported by the cake makers mafia. 

On my flatmate’s 25th birthday, she was pacing around the apartment the whole morning, laughing louder than usual. She stretched over the coffee table to give the phone to me. While she giggled in the background, I focused my eyes on the ground to listen— It was a man’s voice. “I am her college friend. Last year she got 3 cakes on her birthday. Can you also buy 3 cakes for her this year? She will feel happy.”

 Now, now. If this was a kids terminal disease department, I would have gladly rushed to the store to buy 10 cakes. But really? 3 cakes because her friend wants her to be happy? Can she even eat 3 cakes? Eating cake is like winning the Miss Thane award. A sweet award whose glory lasts but for 2 days, with no professional or nutritional value beyond that. I also question the quality of cakes I’ve bought in a hurry from BAKE n CRAPPY shop situated in a shady lays-packet-littered street. Behind the glass cover of their display, I can swear there are crawling ants that emerge at night, like the scorpions in The Mummy movie. 

If cakes are unnecessary, Birthday Gifts are a dangerous territory. I was once gifted a $100 perfume by a newly made acquaintance. I was grateful, but I gently revolted. Isn’t $100 too expensive for a new friendship? Doesn’t it over-run the calibrated friendship level of a new acquaintance? I was once also part of this group of 12 friends, who pooled $20/head on each person’s birthday. The topic of unfairness emerged one day– Married couples were getting 2 gifts per house and the single ones contributed double. This became an unbalanced sum game. Then another group of my friends would gift each other $50 gift cards. This became a zero sum game! Hello! Wake up. This is just optics!

This gift giving business runs into a score-settling game. This is dangerously unhealthy. I question, why are birthdays even celebrated? What’s so special about this day? Our grandparents and ancestors never had this birthday celebration concept. Nope. There must be merit to living a life, uncomplicated from expectations and the business of birthdays. So what’s the alternative?  

The only way to get out of this maya of desire, is to flip it. Don’t expect to get. Instead– Give! Give on your birthday. Give to an orphanage. Give money for a sponsored meal at the ISCKON temple. There is nothing that can stop you from celebrating yourself while giving. Go for it!

Sr Adv Dave’s letter to SC on Arnab’s bail- Flimsy/farcical?

praks
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Sr Adv Dave’s letter to SC on Arnab’s bail- Flimsy/farcical?

Most people have in last few weeks seen how editor-in-chief and promoter of Republic media network was allegedly hounded and targeted by Mumbai Police and the State Government of Maharashtra. However, the most unthinkable and shocking incident was witnessed on November 4, 2020 when everyone woke up to images of AK 47 armed police officers and SPG commandos raiding Arnab’s house in the wee hours of morning to arrest him on a matter which was investigated and closed couple of years back. He was taken from his home to Raigad Magistrate Court.

A saga of petition for release and bail were filed before the Magistrates and High Courts / Sessions Courts. It may be noteworthy that the Magistrate held that the arrest of Arnab was prima facie illegal but nevertheless gave judicial custody while refusing police custody.

While one hoped and Mr Harish Salve actually believed that the Bombay High Court would exercise the jurisdiction of Constitutional Court and grant the bail. However, the same was denied in the quagmire of legal and procedural technicalities and Arnab continued to be in jail for 6 days on what was clearly a case of an illegal arrest.  

The case in which Arnab was arrested was regarding an FIR under section 306 of IPC registered in 2018 and summarily closed then, by the Police after evaluating the available evidences.

While on the face of it the case was not regarding freedom of expression but the events suggest that the re-opening would have a lot to do with the open criticism and dare and challenge by Mr Goswami of the high and mighty.

Further, the timing of these events and manner in which the same were carried out makes it appear that the intent to ensure that he does not get the opportunity to approach the highest courts in normal course and he remains behind bar during the Diwali vacation.

It is in this background that Arnab’s arrest is to be seen. Thus, the question is IF the State decides and uses all its machinery to put behind bars a journalist and actually succeeds in this endeavour, even where that is no prima facie case, will the Courts (especially Supreme Court) come to the rescue of such a citizen. It may be noted that the Petition was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution for protection of fundamental rights of citizens and is regularly being availed by citizens of India.

The point Mr Dave makes is why was Arnab’s petition taken in one day. While is not very unusual for such petitions to come within a week’s time if not the next day, what is important to note that this was an extraordinary case where the petitioner concerned was allegedly hounded by the State and did not get any relief from the Courts of State. Thus, he did not get any special privilege but was conferred extraordinary unfair treatment. Further, his fellow colleagues in Media who scream ‘facisim’ at the drop of the hat were largely muted (and had only condemned on paper). The fact that Supreme Court took note of this matter and directed his release, gives hope that the Courts in the Country are there to protect fundamental rights.

The point that Mr Dave seeks to make is that the case should be taken only in chronological order. In that case the writ and special leave petitions which are known to be admitted in much faster manner than the normal appeals under statute should be done away with. Further the practice of ‘mentioning’ in the court for a matter to heard quickly should also be done away with.

The fact that he spent 8 days in jail for an illegal arrest suggests that there no special treatment being afforded to him but a reasonable protection of his rights was secured by the SC while he is up against the GOLIATH. If this was not done and SC would not have acted in the manner it did then as indicated in the words of Justice Chandrachud it would lead to path of destruction. Also, it would build a perception that citizens are helpless and have no real remedy in such matters. It would also lead to a dangerous precedent where all other states may follow suit and media personnel would be hounded by the State to make them fall in line lest they would be visited with similar consequences. This is not the first instance where SC has taken a matter during vacation or that the court machinery has been moved for seeking justice arguable out of turn.

Mr Dave strangely decided to use his position at the Bar to bring matter of equality before SC and almost in a manner to stall the hearing and let Arnab be incarcerated. However, he never used this position in the past for similar indulgences granted by the Court. It appears that his acts were purely motivated and out of the fact that ideology of the group of the people that he generally represents runs counter to the nationalistic ideology that Arnab stands for.

Bihar: Elections that offered much more than victories, defeats

chinmayphadke
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Bihar: Elections that offered much more than victories, defeats

This Bihar election was truly a multifaceted election. This was the first election in India amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, with 15-year incumbent government in defender’s role and young Tejaswi trying to make inroads in Bihar. Even though the Nitish led alliance won the election with slim margin there is much to speculate about this election.

Referendum on Centre’s Covid19 handling

This election was just after the USA presidential election in which handling of the pandemic was one of the main factors which inter alias going against the ruling Trump. Considering India’s opposition taking potshots on center’s so-called mishandling, ruling of India’s most backward state in favor of National Democratic Alliance is a huge validation of Centre’s efforts in containing the virus and its relief package. Also, the comprehensive victory in state by-polls reposes the faith in PM’s image.

Rise in JP Nadda’s stature

Nadda a handpicked confidant of Modi Shah was seen as a titular BJP chief with Shah still seen as de facto head. In this election no doubt Shah had a role to play but Nadda took full responsibility of Bihar elections after Shah’s protracted battle with Covid19. He campaigned extensively across Bihar, conducted meetings at booth level to ensure the high turnout & full preparedness, negotiating with Janata Dal(United) & other alliances. With BJP gaining 21 seats & downsizing the Nitish, Nadda has definitely sent a strong message across BJP cadre & also, proved his selection right.

Man, of the match: Tejaswi Yadav

Youngest amongst the Lalu’s kids, an aspirational cricketer & an accidental entrant into a politics in 2015, has already seen extreme turbulences in last 5 years. Seen as another dynast in Indian media. He has definitely come out of his father’s shadow. First time heading the party into a regional election he had a lot to chew, from negotiating with congress & left to standing against the humongous election machinery of BJP. He has gained a lot in this election. By Keeping the election strictly on Bihar’s issues, he smartly nullified BJP’s 370 & ram Mandir rhetoric. Considering PM’s popularity in Bihar, he decided against criticizing him personally in rallies which played out well. Looking from hindsight he’ll surely give a pat on his own back on a decision to add left parties in grand alliance’s fold. Also, he’ll disdain the Congress even more considering their abysmal performance. Still, 1st time leading the party in absence of Lalu & nearing a victory is quite a commendable effort. With this performance he has definitely emerged as a man of the match.

Resurrection of Left

Bihar in the past has witnessed bloody rivalry between CPI(ML) & upper cast organizations. CPI(ML) liberation party which believed in armed rebellion against the bourgeoise Indian State. Along all these years has softened their stand & started participating in the electoral politics back in 90’s. Having its base limited among the most backward castes in few constituencies in Magadh-Bhojpur belt. RJD handed them handful of 19 seats and they have emerged victorious on 12 of them under the leadership of Dipankar Bhattacharya. Other left parties such as CPI(M) & CPI have also bagged 2 seats each. This is a moment of jubilation for leftist cadre & sympathizers across the nation.

The supine congress

Even after the letter bomb of 23 senior most Congress leaders raising the questions on congresses’ first family, party as whole or first family as their patron showed no signs of contesting elections seriously. Rahul Gandhi kept raising questions on national security and intricate challenges in front of economy (only in social media) which are not his forte. Again, failed miserably to tantalize the voters. State like Bihar in which party neither has a strong organization nor a pan Bihar face was relying heavily on Tejashwi’s charisma to drag them beyond the finish line. Congress who had upper cast, SC’s and Muslim vote bank in 1970’s. Now, having lost its base of upper castes and Dalits considerably to the BJP and other small state parties, was confident on winning Muslim dominated seats in seemanchal. Where catching them off-guard Owaisi’s AIMIM bagged whopping 5 seats among which 4 are from Kishanganj loksabha seat which congress won in 2019 general elections. It seems that congress has taken RJD down with its sinking boat.

‘Chirag’ that turned JDU into ashes

Speculations rife across the political circles on alleged backing of BJP’s top brass to LJP. Chirag seen as a BJP’s top henchman in downsizing Nitish. Contested 135 seats in an election mostly against JD(U). Chirag has bagged only a solitary seat but played a spoilsport in JD(U)’s campaign. Dented JD(U) on 27 seats in a closely contested election. In seat wise consideration BJP has certainly rose as a big brother in alliance thanks to Chirag’s LJP.  

BJP’s blue-eyed boys for alliance politics

Two states in which BJP played a second fiddle to their alliance partners for a long time were Bihar and Maharashtra. In Bihar it tried fighting on its own and failed miserably. In Maharashtra where it’s growth was spectacular in post Modi era, left the Shivsena red faced. The animosity between two partners grew to such an extent that Shivsena joined arch-rival congress to keep BJP away from power. The two BJP leaders who were the most baffled were the then CM Devendra Fadnavis and party’s Maharashtra in-charge Bhupendra Yadav. Both of them were chosen to frame campaign strategy in Bihar and to play pivotal roles in negotiations with allies. Having their tongues burnt in Maharashtra both of them were circumspect in taking any decisions viz-a-viz JD(U), Hindustan Awam Morcha(secular) and Vikassheel Insaan Party and up to some extent LJP. It seems that they have corrected their flaws in Maharashtra.

The Modi Magic

In this election PM was the lone savior for crumbling ‘brand Nitish’. This shows how things have changed dramatically in last 10 years. Exactly a decade ago Nitish was seen as a contender for prime Minister ship having won Bihar with 2/3rds majority in 2010 polls. There was a persistent rancor & insecurity about Modi in his mind which culminated in his exit from NDA in 2013 after BJP announced Modi as its PM face. Nitish simply lost his way since then. Even though he won the 2015 Bihar polls the brand Nitish was definitely on a downfall. With facing huge anti-incumbency, he was totally dependent on magic of his past rival. PM conducted 12 rallies along with Nitish across the state. Changing the course of election in NDA’s way. The persistent Modi euphoria was evident amongst the voters.

 Message from the By-polls

BJP toppled 2 congress led state governments by breaking its legislative party. It was its responsibility in both Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh to get most of the rebel MLA’s re-elected. BJP triumphed in Karnataka getting 12/14 in by-election less than a year ago. Now, it has repeated this performance in MP by getting 19/28 in the recent by polls. This message will resonate well amongst the fringe MLA’s of Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The victories in states like Telangana and Manipur corroborates that BJP is no longer a party confined to the Hindi heartland.      

Key takeaways from this election are, even though NDA has won, the victory is not decisive. BJP will have a remote control of Bihar government. Modi is still a trusted face and BJP is still a number one party in the country.

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