Support for Pakistani Artists - A righteous approach or a case of opportunism

A section of Bollywood has come out in open support of the Pakistani Artists after the unfortunate Uri attacks, in which, 19 of our soldiers embraced martyrdom.  Popular Filmmaker Karan Johar  claimed that Artists are vulnerable soft targets and they should be left alone! Other big names like Salman Khan and Shyam Benegal have also spoken in favour of the Pakistani actors. Now let us see as to how justified is their support.  

Picture Credit: Times of India

First and foremost, as a part of a professional industry, the members of our film fraternity need to know that every market provides some opportunities, and at the same time, every market has some threats.  The liberalization of Indian economy has led to an unprecedented rise in the spending power of the Indians, and Bollywood has been gleefully cashing on this opportunity. The once elusive magic figure of 100 crores has become a norm these days. Therefore, the same Bollywood cannot cry foul on being confronted with the threats (that include the diplomatic and military confrontation with Pakistan) of the Indian market. The film fraternity can do well to learn a lesson or two from our sports fraternity in Cricket, Badminton and Kabaddi, who like them are also in the field of entertainment but have decided to boycott Pakistan in solidarity with our armed forces and the mood of the nation.

Some people also come up with arguments such as Artists are border-less, Art should not be mixed with Politics etc.However, all these arguments hold little or no merit. To begin with, Artists are not border-less. They don't perform in a vacuum or a flag-less land rather they perform for a specific audience within a specific boundary, and hence they have to be accountable towards their audience, and also the land in which they perform for earning their livelihood. Secondly, god forbids but if the next 26/11 was to happen, and the house of some of the Bollywood personalities was to be attacked (particularly those who are supporting the Pakistanis now), then it is the members of our  Armed forces, who would put their lives at risk for these so called 'border-less' people. I shudder to think of a day when our soldiers start behaving like Bollywood personalities and start saying - "Don't mix our lives with politics".

If a section of Bollywood  expects an average Indian to use one of its hands for placing a wreath on the bodies of our soldiers, and the other for clapping in adulation of the Pakistani Artists, then it is perhaps asking for too much. While sympathising with Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan et al, Bollywood also needs to be mindful of the sentiments  of the families of the martyrs, who have sacrificed their lives so that people from the film fraternity could live a peaceful and a comfortable life in Mumbai without the fear of any external aggression.

For long it has been believed that rogue elements like Dawood Ibrahim have a strong influence over Bollywood, and  looking at the pro Pakistani voices at a time when there is  lot of resentment against Pakistan, and  also when India  is trying to isolate Pakistan from all the corners, one cannot help but wonder if ISI has indeed managed to penetrate in our film industry!   

A memorable speech by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in the European Union

Born in a very poor family, Dr Kalam went on to become a very famous scientist and subsequently the President of India.  Dr Kalam is the live example of the fact that "if you have the talent, then India has the opportunity for you". 


Watch this 'Missile man of India' at his philosophical best :

Atal Jee's poetic message to Pakistan: Must watch

How I wish we had hundreds of politicians like him.

Unity in diversity : A myth or a reality?

I was born at Bihar. The land which was once the epicentre of  India's culture and prosperity. It is the land which gave to the world, the likes of  Gautam Buddha, Lord Mahavir, Guru Govind Singh, Chanakya, Ashoka the great & Chandragupta Maurya. It is the land where people from all across the world would want to come and study in its prestigious Nalanda University. Bihar never disappointed any one. It welcomed & embraced every individual who would want to study a thing or two about the Indian culture & philosophy.  


In my childhood, I always read that from kashmir to kanyakumari and from Gujrat to Arunachal, India is one. I was told to put the country before religion, region & state. I was told that Indians are very patriotic,cultured,kind and hospitable. I was also told that India is a beautiful country where you can witness unity in diversity. 

One day I decided to explore my India. One day I decided to have a taste of its diverse culture, language,dress & eating habits. One day I decided to see the hospitality of my fellow Indians.

I went to the East. The land that is synonymous with art, literature & philosophy. I was very happy to be here but my happiness was short lived. I was told that I am a Bihari. I was told that I am from a corrupt & a uncivilised state. When I fared well in exams, teachers asked me if I had cheated ! I was heart broken.

I decided to go to the South. The land of majestic temples. The land favoured by Swami Vivekanand for his meditation. The land where people have still been able to preserve the Vedic culture. I was very excited to be here. But my excitement vanished in thin air, when I was made to realise that I was a Hindi speaking North Indian ! I had not imagined even in my wildest of dreams that speaking Hindi would be considered as a crime in my own country!  I felt sad.

I decided to move to the west. The land that never sleeps. The land that is believed to be the most cosmopolitan place of my country. The land that is known for its struggle against oppression. The land which has transformed millions of dreams into reality. I was exuberant to be here. But soon my exuberance melted like ice!  People frowned at me when I tried to celebrate Chath, a festival which I have been celebrating all my life. They saw it as an attempt towards polluting their culture. I was flabbergasted to know that a festival honouring the Sun god can pollute the culture of my fellow Indians, who read the same Ramayan & same  Mahabharat as I do, and who receive light and life from the same Sun God as I do ! I was sad to know that the feeling of regionalism had not even spared the gods!  I was told that I am a guest of this land & must behave like one!  I was disgusted and heart broken on the fact of being treated like a guest in my own country.


Finally I decided to move to the North. The land of the kings. The land which has not lost its prosperity despite witnessing the barbarism of invaders for centuries. The land which is renowned for its versatility. The land that is famed for the colour, joy and happiness in its air. I thought I have reached my dream destination. The people looked like me, they dressed like me, they spoke the same language & they ate similar food. Finally I had a sigh of relief. But soon my opinion took a U turn. I was told that I am an outsider and should behave like one. And the person telling this to me forgot that once upon a time, even he was an outsider here!

I went into a deep slumber. I started questioning the validity of what I had read in my childhood. I started wondering whether I am an Indian first or a Bihari first. In the quest of my identity I decided to leave India and see what's happening in and around the world.

Today I am not in India. This is not my country. I am a guest here but I feel happy when people say that I am an Indian. I feel happy when they say good things about India. I guess this is my identity. I guess its the foreigners who have helped me restore my identity which had got lost in the crowd of my fellow countrymen. 


I don't know whether the slogan of  'unity in diversity' is a myth or a reality. However, I know one thing for sure that I am a proud Indian and will remain one, till the last breath of my life. Vande Mataram.


PS: The article was written by the author when he was at Singapore. It comprises of partly true and partly fictitious incidents. The author wants his country men to rise above the feeling of regionalism and think like a  true Indian. After all- united we stand, divided we fall. 

Why should one be proud of being an Indian?

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made."   

-  Albert Einstein 

"India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition."

-  Mark Twain 

"India Conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries without ever having to send a single soldier across her border."

-  Hu Shih, former ambassador of China to USA 

Nothing better summarises, India & its contribution to this world, than the above mentioned statements made by some notable personalities. 

The world would not have been able to progress from the Old Stone Age to the present day Cyber Age without Decimal, zero and Calculus, which were all invented in India. Arthshashtra, the first book of Economics cum Strategy Management was written in India by Kautilya. In ancient times, Nalanda and Taxila were the highest seat of learning all across the world. They were in those days what Harvard, Wharton or LSE are today. The mystic world of space and astronomy were first decoded in India. During the Gupta period, no one had to lock his house while going out, and no one in the village or town had to sleep with a hungry stomach. It was a period in the world History, where literacy, science, technology & arts were at their zenith. One may come across hundreds of mighty empires which flourished under the power of sword, but one will seldom come across an empire which provided the quality of life which Gupta period in India did.  

Some of the oldest books of the world like the Vedas, the Ramayan and  the Mahabharat were written in India. The knowledge & teachings of these books are nothing but India's gift to the mankind.

The story of King Harishchandra who was an apostle of truth & honesty. And the life of Lord Ram are an example for the entire world. How many 'would be' kings renounce their crown and wilfully go to an exile, to keep up their father's promise (like lord Ram did in Ramayan)? These are the values which don't just build a nation but do a world of good to the entire mankind. In other words, Indian history is not just about science, arts & literature, it is also about establishing a value system in the society. 

Yoga which has become a fad in the world today, originated in India. Aurveda, music, dance etc also originated from the Vedas. Look at the amazing temples of South India. They are architectural masterpieces and Engineering marvels. 

Talking in terms of military warfare, Martial arts was first introduced in India. Tipu Sultan is believed to be the first man in the world to have used missiles. Today we swear by the name of Geneva convention, but look at the practises of the ancient Indian warriors. They would never attack an unarmed enemy. They would never attack an enemy who is running away or is showing his back. They would never attack someone who has surrendered. They would never attack anyone below the waist and they would never fight in nights. Aren't these practises good enough to dwarf  the protocols of modern day Geneva convention?

One may finish counting the number of stars in the Sky, but he may still be left with many virtues of India, that are yet to be counted !  Since I am a petty mortal, so I am in no mood to undertake this impossible mission. I will better conclude this article through the following song from one of Manoj Kumar's classics:

 

The game of survival

One of the most stunning videos I have ever watched. Hats off to the man/men who filmed it.

The last scene is quite captivating. I was spell bound after watching this video so thought of sharing it with all.

Salutations to Netaji on his birthday

Netaji reviewing INA troops in Singapore after formally taking command

Today is the day when one of the most valuable flowers of the independence movement blossomed in the garden of India. Today is the day when Netaji, the man who I admire the most, took his first breath in the holy land of India. He was one of the first Indians to have passed the civil services exam, but he didn't join it as he didn't want to work under the British Flag. He just wanted to show them that we Indians are not inferior to any one. He was the only man who could challenge the authority of Gandhiji in Congress. He managed to become the president of Congress even against the wishes of Gandhiji. It was an achievemnet in itself but Netaji left that position too.

There has always been a great amount of mysticism surrounding his personality. He was put under house arrest by the British but he managed to give them a slip . Thereafter, he went to Afganistan and then to Germany, met Hitler and then moved to Japan. Finally he formed the strong Indian National Army and fought with the British in Burma and North East.

He was an enigma in life and a mystery in death. Officially it was claimed that he died in a plane crash in 1945 and his ashes were kept in a temple at Japan. But many people were not prepared to buy this theory. They always believed that Netaji used this as a decoy to go incognito. Owing to massive public demand, three commissions (all at different times) were set up to clear the mystery surrounding Netaji's death. The first two commissions stated that he did die in 1945. But the last commission (Justice Mukherjee commission) stated that he didn't die in 1945. The DNA of the ashes kept at the Japanese temple didn't match the DNA of his off springs. Moreover Taiwanese government informed the commission that no plane carrying Netaji ever crashed in Taiwan. Government of India rejected the findings of this commission and thus the mystery surrounding his death still continues.

Journalist Anuj Dhar conducted an independent enquiry of his own on this issue. In a special series with Hindustan Times, he claimed that a mysterious sadhu named Bhagwaanji, residing close to Ayodhya, was infact Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. His full series can be read here:-

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/Netaji/netajihomepage.shtml

Incidentally, Anuj has also written a book on Netaji titled 'Back from Dead: Inside the Subhas Bose Mystery'.

Great men evoke admiration with their words as well as their silence. Similarly, they generate curiosity with their life as well as their death. No one can confidently say whether Netaji died in 1945 or not. However, one can safely and proudly conclude that this enigmatic man was an amalgamation of grit,determination and wisdom. And It is because of people like him that we are a free country today.

Jai Hind.


Related Reading:-
(1). http://www.missionnetaji.org/
(2). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Subhas_Chandra_Bose

The power of sixth sense

Welcome to the future gentlemen. Pranav Mistry demonstrates how his 'Sixth sense' technology is going to change the way we interact with our physical world :-

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tv/TED-India-Pranav-Mistry/videoshow_ted/5231080.cms

Kudos to the Indian brain.

Happy new year 2010

A very Happy and a prosperous new year to all the Indians who wear the Tiranga on their heart and soul.

Vande Mataram.

India's soft power

A brilliant speech by Shashi Tharoor. Couldn't resist the temptation of sharing it with everyone :

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tv/Shashi-Tharoor-on-India-s-soft-power/videoshow_ted/5284245.cms

Why the name Vande Mataram?

Vande Mataram (वन्दे मातरम्) is a song written by Bankim chandra Chattopadhyay. He wrote this song spontaneously inorder to give a befitting reply to the British empire which was trying to impose its anthem 'God save the queen' on the Indians.

Vande Mataram soon became the national cry of our country through out the freedom movement. The chants of Vande Mataram infused the feelings of patriotism amongst millions of Indians, and gave them the courage to stand against the mighty British empire.

Be it the baton charges of the British or the dark corners of the prison, the slogan of Vande Mataram kept our Freedom fighters in high spirits. The last words of many freedom fighters were nothing but Vande Mataram.

Vande Mataram is a reminiscent of the spirit of our freedom movement. It reminds us of the supreme sacrifices made by our ancestors. This blog is dedicated to my motherland India. Hence I could not think of a better name than Vande Mataram, which is a symbol of our struggle against oppression and a symbol of our quest for justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Jai Hind