Month / August 2014

by Manmohan Dhar

Have Social Values Got Erased From The Face Of Society

Sometimes people give a very pessimistic, cynical and demoralizing view about social values becoming ‘history’.

Sometimes very disheartening statements against our youth really make us very sad. They blame the youth for being totally disrespectful towards their customs and traditions.

But I think, it is not the youth, it is the huge communication gap that is boundlessly increasing between the generations, which is responsible for the damage, if any.

In fact the youth of present times is very sincere, honest, open, candid, truthful and straight forward. You discuss anything with them, which is good, positive, practical,pragmatic,effective, productive and with some strong social logic attached to it, they are there to accept it with pride. In fact they, not only accept it, but assure as well, that the same is passed on to the future generations as well.

So, instead of heeding the people who are hell bent on blaming our youth, we should try to introspect and find the ways to safeguard  our respective social values.

Well, the damage, if any, is not irreparable, at all.

I think social values are the most influencing aspect of a civilized society. A society is a multi faceted entity comprising of diverse nature of embodiment of traditional and cultural ethos.

Communication skills, is what holds the key to succeed. So let us talk. Listen and be listened. be able to explain, explore and present before the youth,the reason to accept something,which in your view needs to be carried forward.

I don’t think social values are completely erased from the face of the society.

With the advent of social media, and the likes thereof, in the contemporary world, the possibility of strengthening the feeble cords of  human values has in fact enhanced. But, this via media needs to be used in a right perspective.

There is always a hope. And our hope lies, not only in preaching and propagating, it lies in the broad mindedness of our youth, who are ready to accept anything which sounds logical to them. Hope also lies in the positive appoach of our youth. So, we can rest assured.

Further, it would be wrong to see the diversity in different social and cultural formats on the same wavelength. Because the concept of ‘social values’ differs from one society to the other. But notwithstanding this fact, every society is expected to stick, resolutely, if not  rigidly, to the basics, and not tend towards something that may amount to a paradigm shift in the set pattern of belief in a particular community.

We should not, rather can not, ridicule the old traditions just on the ground that these traditions and customs are obsolete, orthodox, conservative or superstitious. There are some very prominent positives in these traditions and customs, which can be explored in making the newer generation, a widely accepted ‘role model’ for the future generations.

Be humble in accepting the newer trends. Of course the good ones.

we need to be liberal in extending a free hand to the youth in different aspects of life, barring a few where the absolute control of the older generation is needed the most.

We also need to broaden our understanding of other cultures. In fact, try to pick some appealing aspects of other cultures across the world, to fit in that of our own.

And,last but not the least, let me assert, “The child is father of the man”. (This expression was used by William Wordsworth in his famous poem,’The Rainbow’) This  means that all our positive and negative virtues are established when we are young.So it is necessary to groom children to adopt healthy attitudes and positive virtues so that they grow up to be balanced individuals, with an everlasting faith in social values.

When we do this, we will triumph in upholding the core principles of our “social values “.

by Manmohan Dhar

Iron woman, Irom Sharmila

Very simple, move just one alphabet ‘Forwards’, and you will make the Indian women move miraculously ‘Forwards’, with pride, and heads held high.

Irom chanu sharmila, in fact happens to be ” ‘Iron’ chanu sharmila”.

yes ‘IRON’.. Strong and tough. Unbreakable and indestructible.

Iron-woman.

That is what Irom Sharmila is all about.

Hunger strike for 14 long years. Fighting, for her state Manipur, to get the AFSPA ( armed forcer special powers Act 1958 ), scrapped, this macho woman has some mettle,spirit and resilience. 

She is of the opinion, that AFSPA has been irrationally, arbitrarily and tyrannically used against the people of Manipur and the rest of the North east.

She spent most of the time, recovering from severe illness due to her unabated hunger strike, in a hospital for these 14 long years, on regular intervals, as she would not agree to end her hunger strike, while serving her term in jail .

But her resolve, to get her state, its due, did not perish.

Hats off to this Iron- willed human being, Irom NO Iron Sharmila.

Irom, we salute your determination, resolution, hardihood, courage, bravery, valor, spirit, tenacity, fortitude and tremendous degree of patience.

My God, She got released from the jail after 14 long years. Do you know what was the first thing she did? She again went on ‘ hunger strike’. And got re- arrested.

Hats off  Irom. You mean a lot to the Indian women.

by Manmohan Dhar

Think tank, But How ? Crime Against Women, A Sin

Mr. Arun Jaitley, a political stalwart,proudly enjoying the privilege of being called the “Think Tank” of his party, can stoop so low and speak so irresponsibly and unconscionably, really stunned me.

I wonder, How can he be the “Think Tank”. He has not thought before he spoke.

Even in normal circumstances one thinks twice before making a statement.

But this political giant never thought it to be so important.

May be he did’nt do it intentionally,but whatever he said was something which needs to be condemned very strongly.

If you are making a statement in public or in a forum,you ought to do some home work and keep your cool while deliberating. You have also to be careful and unhurried in your speech.
“Think before you speak” , It looks, does’nt apply to him. Perhaps he thinks that he holds a position where he is free to utter anything he thinks is in the larger interest of his country and the audience will accept it, even if it hurts the sentiments of the people and even puts the image of the country in jeopardy.

Any unfortunate incident of crime against women, needs to be strongly condemned and its mention should not be made in public, so cheaply.

This is really painful.

We ought to raise our voice against crime,but should not use it for ulterior motives, even if it relates to any sort of development, for that matter.

It should not be highlighted while discussing  issues confronting the country, even if  it happens to have some kind of an impact, directly or indirectly, on the same.

Country comes ‘First’, But respect for women is  “Supreme”

Crime against women is a sensitive issue and needs to be dealt with utmost responsibility and a sense of belongingness and humane emotions accompanied by compassion, benevolence and humanistic values.

So, Mr. Jaitley when you said and I quote a part thereof, “A ‘small’ incident of rape….” unquote. You have not said it with all  your thinking abilities at your command.

This is very very hurting.

Well, Mr. Jaitley you owe an unconditional apology, not only to the person about whom you spoke, not only to her parents and well wishers, but to the Nation as a whole.

And, I am sure  a person of your stature will not waste a moment in doing so.

Please uphold the values of Humanity.

JAI BHARAT

 

by Manmohan Dhar

Invasion Of Hypocrisy-A Big Lesson For The Political Parties

Today, it seems, is a big day for the Indian political parties to rise to the occasion,and work in unison, for the nationalism and patriotism.

During the day I heard  political parties advocating the irrational approach of their CMs to boycott the PM’s meetings, just because they feel infringed on account of humiliation caused to them by the people chanting Pro – Modi slogans.

Meaning thereby that if people respect the PM, it amounts to  disrespect to other political parties and their CMs. No matter if it puts the respect of the PM  at stake.That too when the whole world is watching us.

What kind of a message, they think, are they giving to the rest of the world.

Boycotting the PM is not something that can so easily be done, out of vengeance. There is a protocol in place, in the country.

PM is not a local leader. He is the Prime Minister of the country, and commands utmost respect under all circumstances whatsoever.

And when they come to know that the assassins of PM Indira Gandhi are being glorified through a Punjabi movie ” koum de heere”, they feel offended and infringed.

Well, glorifying the assassins of an EX-PM through a movie is, in no way going to be acceptable at all. PM, after all is a PM. And anything that offends the dignity and honor of the PM, can not, and should not, be tolerated.

But why these double standards. In both the cases it is the PM of the country.

I was happy to hear from  one of the panelists in a TV program,who said that assassins of a PM are assassins in all circumstances and can not be elevated to the level of glorification.

And when the spokesperson of the other political party heard the statement of this panelist, quite in unison with that of her’s, she started objecting to the delay in  banning the movie. Simply pretending that  the panelist’s statement is not of any significance.

This is sheer arrogance, percolating in the party cadres right from the top to the bottom.

All that is needed is that the parties will have to rise above party lines and support the logic.

After all it  is the political maturity which holds the key to a healthy political set up in the country.

My question to these hypocrats is that what right do they have to be even accepted in the Nation’s political mainstream,when they cold- bloodedly massacred thousands of innocent Sikhs in 1984 riots. And still want to be looked at with respect and political prudence.

But, still they enjoy a big place in the political circles of the country.

Sikhs are the most patriotic section of the society in the country, and they need to be given some respect.

But at the same time Sikhs will have to act within the accepted frame work of political ethics and decide what is good in the larger interest of the country, in so far as the movie in question is concerned.

Killing is a gruesome offence, no matter under what circumstances the crime is committed. A crime is a crime in the eyes of law. And law is supreme.

Indira Gandhi did not die, she was brutally killed.

Similarly killers of thousands of innocent Sikhs are not innocent too.

And there is no point in glorifying the assassins and the criminals.

Nathu Ram Godse is not a glorified person in the eyes of a true Indian.

How can the assassins of Indira Gandhi be.

Well, movies are made and they carry just the entertainment tag on them. But when movies are based on the historical facts and the true happenings, then in that case, the movies become sensitive and are to be treated above the level of a mere entertainment.

So the issue needs to be debated at length and an appropriate solution sought.

JAI BHARAT

 

 

by Manmohan Dhar

Popularity vs Fear : PM’s Visit To Diff. States

Since the hectic electioneering campaign in the Country, for the National elections, Narinder Modi has achieved a tremendous amount of popularity among the masses.

Today if the most popular person, who also happens to be the PM of the country, visits any state, and the masses chant slogans out of love and respect for that person. How is he to be blamed for that.

Some political parties are, perhaps not in a state of mind, to swallow the bitter pill that they have lost even that, what was there to cheer for.

And now when the PM of a Great Nation visits his country’s different states, and the people there express their profound love and respect for him, through their sloganeering, which is the only way in public meetings, to create a connect with their beloved leader, it is posing threat to the other political parties.

Well, the element of fear is evident, and quite obvious too, but in the process they can hardly afford to do away with a set system of official protocol.

Whenever PM visits a state, the governor and the CM are supposed to comply with the protocol, and not only receive him, but accompany him in all official gatherings and meetings, wherever necessary, and then also see him off.

But quite sadly some political parties which are scared of the increasing popularity of the dynamic PM, are smelling a rat, in the visits and public appearances of the PM.

They say BJP cadres in these gatherings humiliate the CMs through their sloganeering. In fact they  go further ahead and say that these are the orchestrated cadres of BJP, who have been planted by the party to hoot the CMs.

Well, what can you call it. I think it is sheer FEAR and nothing else. Fear of losing  even the left over ground too, in the forth coming elections, in the states where they have their Govt.

This can be the one side of the picture. The other side of the picture can be more sensational. They say that PM Narinder Modi and his party are trying to humiliate the CMs of the Non- BJP states.

But it can just be the reverse as well.

It can be a well conceived plan of the other political parties, to blame the BJP for humiliating them but in the bargain do the same to tarnish the image of BJP and that of the PM Narinder Modi, just to avenge the humiliation they went through during the elections.

This may be “Killing two birds with one stone” kind of a tactics. Blame them and also try to humiliate them. Simple, just a blame game.

Well, some parties are the political Guru, when it comes to making statements in the public and to the media. Their spokespersons are master in mincing  words.

And  these words  are like a free commodity to them. They can use them as and when they like, simply to sensationalize the situation.

So, if one reads their body language, either in an interview or in a debate, it is very easy to figure out as to what extent they can inflate things, and make mountain out of a mole hill.

But yes, this can be said about almost all political parties. So no one to be actually blamed for it.

It is the name of the game, in the present Indian political scenario.

by Manmohan Dhar

Nationalism First

I will be the last person to say that any of the communities living in India is LESS or MORE an INDIAN. We are all Indians,for God’s sake.

But, I fail to understand as to why,when BJP speaks about Hindus or Hindutva or hinduism,it is blamed of being communal.And when congress appeases the minority community, in the ways, that suit its political stance,does’nt amount to communism.

Why are these double standards so prevalent in India.Can we ever stop befooling each other at the hands of communal card.It sends wrong signals, the world over.

We need to rise above the politics of communism.After all we are the biggest democracy with unity in diversity.We ought to respect all religions equally.

Let us all work selflessly towards the cause of NATIONALISM. And the essence of our nationalism is “Unity in Diversity”.

by Manmohan Dhar

Youth eludes Religious Festivals-Traditions on the Verge of Extinction.But Hope Prevails.

It is hard to muster up courage to pull a string, which is bound to send disturbing, serious & alarming signals within a particular community.It may not be the ultimate truth,(and I wish it should not be, too) but, I think it is high and ripe time to know that the religious festivals of kashmeeri pandit community are slowly but harmfully, losing the credibility among the youth, who, overburdened by the existing work culture,don’t seem to be having enough time at their disposal, to devote towards solemnizing these religious festivals together with their families,though unwillingly of course.

But, one day or the other, we may have to taste the bitter pill of seeing our religious festivals extinct, and just be a thing of past for the future generations.I am not trying to be pessimistic about the prevailing scenario,but it is just a matter of time now.

If we can’t stop anything untoward, from happening, we can at least contribute wholeheartedly towards, dissemination of our cultural heritage and importance of solemnizing religious festivals together with the family,in whatever way we think,is going to help.

Let us all hope that our children are free to take some time off from their busy and hectic work schedule in order to be, at a place they ought to be, during the celebrations of religious and family festivals.

HOPE….. is the only reason to believe that time is still……. WITH US… & Everything is not lost.

by Manmohan Dhar

Pakistan High Commissioner’s Belligerent Diplomatic Stance

Well,keeping in view the hostile posturing of the Pakistan High Commissioner in India,it is quite proper to ask the High Commissioner to go back.

Well, that is for the Govt. to decide.

Terrorist attacks on Indian people and Institutions have increased.Innocent people are killed with pre-planned terrorist activities.

How can an Indian forget the frightful attack on Parliament on 13/12/2001 and 26/11/2008 Mumbai blasts,killing hundreds of innocent people.

Attack on Parliament was a cowardly act of terrorism to uproot the Indian political nerve center.If the attack would have not been successfully foiled by our brave, strong and witty security personnel,it would have turned into a drastic and fatal catastrophe.But yes India proved its mettle.

Well,Abdul Basit says that meeting Hurriyat leaders is a long time practice and that they have been meeting them always before any high level diplomatic talks between the two countries in the past, and that there was nothing new in it.

But Mr.Basit,that time is changed now.Our new PM has categorically said that either Pakistan will have to talk to India or to the Separatists.It can’t be both.

Moreover how many times have you invited the real representatives of Kashmeeries,the elected representatives of kashmeeries and the other sections of kashmeeri community.

And you say that all parties who have a stake on Kashmeer have to be consulted.How do you presume that Hurriyat represents all these parties.

How long, you think,you could fool the Indian Govt.You have to understand now, that India is no longer ruled by the people who lack decision making capacity.

In fact this unethical practice of meeting the separatists on our soil itself,should have never ever taken place,at the very first instance.but,yes,on account of some inaction in this behalf,on part of our previous Governments,you were enjoying a fertile ground to carry on such Anti-India activities.But yes as I said,that era of inaction on part of the Indian Govt.at the center is over, and a new beginning to Nation building and National security has since started.And it is now time for you to mend your ways of behaving in a very irresponsible and irrational manner.

Mr.Basit,let us not go into the details as to on whose behest you were carrying out these Anti-India practices.but yes let me remind you,if it has slipped your memory,that a foreign diplomat has a limited activity to perform,while enjoying his stay in a particular country.And that is, to simply act in a manner so that it helps strengthening the relations between the two countries.The diplomat, in no way is a mediator.India knows it better as to how it can deal with all this.

So please confine yourself to what has been assigned to you.Your mediation hasn’t been of any help for the last so many years, as you yourself admit that you have been doing it since long,so it is high time you stop indulging in such futile and provocative practices,and leave room for the healthy diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries,which,I am afraid, you have dented so badly through your pretext and sarcastic approach.

And for God’s sake,you talk of stakeholders on kashmeer.Do you even know who the real stakeholders on kashmeer are?

It is the kashmeeri Brahman,Kashmeeri pandit,Kashmeeri Hindu,who is the real stakeholder.

I would suggest you, as you seem to be a learned person, and a polished person too, through your smiles,( as I saw you, while answering the questions of the media personnel,so tactfully ) to go through a very popular book “Rajtarangni” by kalahana.It will definitely enlighten you, on the history of ancient Kashmeer.

And if you have already read it,then you are making a huge mistake in not identifying the real stakeholders on Kashmeer.

For we Kashmeeries, it is “all kashmeer for all Kashmeeries”. And that literally includes every kashmeeri.

JAI BHARAT

by Manmohan Dhar

Unfriendly Neighbour

It seems Pakistan is hell bent, in not accepting the friendly gesture, India is showing, in so far as the diplomatic policies are concerned.
An unabated spree of violation of ceasefire on the Loc & International border from across the border,is a clear indication of Pakistan’s stubbornness and ill will.
And,now the very fresh unethical diplomatic move on part of Pakistan high commissioner,to meet the hard core separatist leaders of Kashmeer,well ahead of the foreign secretaries meet, scheduled to be held on 25th Aug’2014,at Islamabad,speaks of a willful intention to sabotage the talks and put the whole process of normalization of strained relations between the two countries, in jeopardy.
The step taken by the Govt. of India,to call off the foreign secretaries meet at Islamabad,is well timed and befitting.And this necessary step taken by the Modi Govt.is bound to send very significant and meaningful signals to the Pakistan leadership.
It seems Pakistan is loosing its grip on the activities of the agencies,which are dictating terms to the Govt.of Pakistan,and inadvertently tarnishing its image in the diplomatic circles,the world over.
If Pakistan wants to negotiate across the table,then it has to harden its stand towards its military hierarchy, ISI and the different militant outfits operating on its soil.

And, at the same time understand the sincere posture of India,in bringing peace and tranquility in the region.

Thanks to the decision making approach of PM Modi,Pakistan,it seems,shall begin learning from its mistakes,which have,undoubtedly,put it on edge and also in a state of isolation.

High time for Pakistan to get its act together.

JAI HIND.