Sunday, 22 January 2017

The Legacy of Barack Obama

As 8 years of the Obama Presidency comes to close, I look at his legacy, and what he leaves for Trump & the world at the large.
shutterstock_9258895-630x421
What is Obama's legacy?  When he became President 8 years ago,  he was elected on the idea of "Hope". How has this transformed in his Presidency?  And what is the legacy he leaves behind? 
Is it Obamacare, the first National healthcare plan in the US? Is it the Legalization and support for Same-Sex marriage?
or is it the continued fracture of American Politics, ending in the election of Trump? or Syria & Ukraine going to hell?
Inevitably,  both 'good' and 'bad' are part of his legacy. Obama's presidency rapidly transformed American society into a progressive one, yet with inevitable faults. While many gasped for a Post-Racial Americathat dream is all but dead now. Not only has continued instances of Black Unarmed civilians being shot by Police officers bought into the forefront the implicit racism of law enforcement officers, but the response to the 'Black Lives Matter' Protesters, 'Blue Lives matter' shows the disconnect between the two major parties.
Race and racial issues- which by the 90s were no longer a source of conflict, have now become an issue again. The cultural wars, of course, are over, and the left has unequivocally triumphed. In my opinion, this is the most monumental achievement of the Obama Presidency: Marriage Equality & repeal of Don't Ask & Don't Tell. It would be most probably what his presidency would be remembered for in America. Other than being the first African American President.
In the international arena, Obama's strategic failure in the middle east cannot be discounted. and don't forget Russia. Obama's administration failed to counter Russia in Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis in Syria. On the other hand, Positives include the Paris climate deal, but is on the way to being  gutted(maybe).  
Don't forget the drones. Some even argue this was his worst legacy. Relations with India, of course, improved, but it would have anyways; India enjoys huge bipartisan support.
What about Obamacare, you may ask? Is that not his greatest legacy? It could have been: Obama achieved what Clinton and Democratic Presidents could not before: a National healthcare plan. But it is needlessly complicated, as a result of Obama trying  to find a consensus  with the Republicans.   And its well on the way to being repealed.
Obama failed the  Democrats domestically, and there is no doubt about that. His failure to help his party in domestic elections has led the democrats to a minority in State Governorships, Legislatures, and didn't get a democratic house since  2008-10.  Obama might have led the economy out of the 2008 recession, but the economic fracture led, in some ways, for the Trump Vote.
Is he the most successful Democrat since FDR?. the most consequential Democrat, yes. His success is debatable. One most however not forget that he was a dignified man, a humane person, who strived to do right by him.
Obama leaves a fractured world order, a hyperpartisian domestic arena, and a weak democratic party, which will be unable to preserve his legacy, or take a meanigful stand in the House.
Extra Reading

Wednesday, 4 January 2017

The System is broken.

Regarding the Mass Molestation at Bangalore & related incidents. 
The system is broken.
But you don’t need me to tell you that.
You know it.  You’ve experienced it.  You’ve seen & experienced things that you shouldn’t have.
When the Home Minister of a state says,  nay,  declares with impunity that “Such Incidents do happen”  and then an SP  MLA, then comes in with his own BS opinion,  and then men on twitter respond with #Notallmen,  you know the system is broken. It is not long ago that Mulayam Singh Yadav, the patriarch of the Samjiwadi Party said that “boys will be boys”.
I don’t need to point to more examples. You know it. Insensitive and undignified comment after comment.
But back to the issue at hand.
You have in all probability experienced it.  Or if you’re a boy,  you’ve (most probably) seen it.  It might have been your mother,  your sister or a friend.  You’ve seen how Women are treated in a public place.
I wouldn’t say that things haven’t improved.It definitely has. Women are given and afforded freedoms that they weren’t given even 25 years ago.  But that is not enough. Thre Nirabhaya Protests of 2012 resulted in an amendment in Criminal Law that was years past necessary. But that’s not enough.
To be a modern and developed country,  to give justice and equality to all sections of society, that isn’t enough.  That is never enough.
The Republic of India has not given its due to the female gender. We have failed in ensuring to our female citizens the states basic function: of providing the freedoms they are guaranteed. Forget that, we have ensured that our Police and Judicial system is apathetic to the victims of these crimes.
Our society, is patriarchal and conservative in its very nature. The response of the political class- that of shifting blame to the women, and that of men – that of shifting blame to a minority of men, exemplify its very nature.
Being Apathetic, being a mute spectator to such an  act is as big an offense as the actual one.
Back to the issue:
All these incidents follow a similar pattern now, doesn’t it?
An incident that is extremely shameful & undignified occurs, All of us collectively outrage, some idiotic politician make insensitive comments, we outrage over that, some protests happen- here there, We discuss this for one or two more weeks, then the next thing takes over the media circus & kills any further discussion.
This HAS  to change. We have to change this. Don’t abandon hope saying that Society can’t be altered. Keep in mind that you too are part of ‘society’.
Organize yourself.
Teach your children about the Importance of bodily autonomy.
Teach them that mental, physical and verbal abuse is wrong.
Teach them that all Humans have their dignity.
Support your local Women’s self help groups.
Support Women’s advocacy groups.
AND DON’T STAY SILENT. SILENCE IS THE FIRST STEP TO ACCEPTANCE.
NEVER NORMALIZE THESE INCIDENTS.
DON’T VOTE FOR POLITICIANS WHO DO.
IF they can’t accept that Men & women have the same rights under law, well, DON’T VOTE FOR THEM.
Never accept sexism & misogyny.If you find people accepting, or making such comments: Name them and Shame them.
NEVER LOSE HOPE. No person is irredeemable. No person is unreformable. NO goal is unachievable. 

The system is broken. But We can fix it.
As a person of the male gender, I cannot aspire to understand all the pressures and experiences that women experience as a result of misogyny, sexism & victim-shaming. I can only aspire to empathize with it. This privilege that I have – of being  a male in a patriarchal society must be kept in mind while assessing my opinion here.

धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah

Those who protect Dharma will be protected by it. 
Originally posted in Wordpress

Tuesday, 3 January 2017

Dhulgarh:The Great Deception

In a post on 31 December, blogger extraordinaire Arnab Ray noted that Media "[Do not report] anything that does not conform to their[media establishments] political narrative, of the fascism of the Hindu majoritarian rule in Delhi, no matter the human cost of what they choose to ignore."
The fact that most of us, constant news guzzling citizens are unaware of what happened in Dhulgarh is frightening: We know of the riot and the loss of life only due to the information spreading on Social Media. The Mainstream Establishments continue to gloss over the happenings in Dhulgrah almost 4 weeks after it occurred. This points to a political agenda to the Media that is pursuing.
If for a second imagine if these riots and attacks happened against Muslims in say, Madhya Pradesh. How would the media report it ? What would be the reaction of the great Rajdeep Sardesai, who tweeted with impunity:
dgd1
Little later did his own news channel, India Today report the incident, probably mindful of TRPs that its competitor, Zee news would have gained. Zee, of course, is associated closely with the BJP and had its own agenda in covering the incident. Regardless, not many have condemned the FIR filed against Zee for reporting on the incident, probably because principles in Media is a rare commodity nowadays. The Editors Guild, otherwise the first to condemn any perceived violation of Freedom of speech: FakingNews, a satire website published this report, which might seem to be a satirical piece, but seems to be the real situation in Indian Media.
The Press Council of India, too, has been rather conspicuously silent on it.
All this information, of course has been facilitated and has come out in the open only because of the media-neutral entity that the Internet is. I shudder to think if we had no such source, how would we have known of these incidents? what would become of those who lost their home & hearth because of this?
This is the Great Deception. While the mainstream English Language Media assume itself to be the center of the Universe, continues to drone over the effects of Demonetization & air incoherent discussions on it, the real, human cost of Dhulgarh is lost to us. The belief in Media, of course, is at an all time low, as demonstrated by the success of Donald Trump & Brexit in the Western World.
In Urban Upper Middle Class India, the same phenomenon has been replicating. The trust in the Media is declining because of self inflicted injuries more than anything.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minsiter of West Bengal, when asked what happened in Dhulgarh replied: "Nothing".  From the Hon'ble Chief Minister,  though, its a classic answer.
All these incidents create the violent perception of the "tyranny of the Minority", which will of course, result in more liberal members of the majority community being swayed to the BJP (Eh!, no surprises there)
Ironically, the creation of this perception and the continued appeasment of the Minority community results in Hindutva politics raising its head in Bengal.
In conclusion, Kudos to the Internet!
And I sincerely hope the communal Tinderbox that is Bengal changes.
(Note of appreciation to Sitaram Yechury & CPM, who attempted to conduct their own enquiry, but was stopped by the Police.)

Friday, 15 April 2016

The unfortunate event in Kollam has resulted in many calling for complete ban on fireworks in the state. Right from where the Manufacture of Fireworks, to their rather unregulated storage and use, fireworks has resulted in the death and injury to many. I remember an incident in Kannur a few weeks ago, when a 12 year child was severely injured and a whole house collapsed due to a stash of fireworks.[1] One can stretch his memory to such incidents to as far back as to the incident in Sabrimala in 1952. An incident of this magnitude, of course, has not happened.
Kerala has been prone to such disasters, with some 40-  odd incidents happening in the last 50 years.
The fireworks that were stored in this temple was apparently for a fireworks competition. (Read more on this here- http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kerala-temple-fire-kollam-temple-fire-temple-counted-on-election-politics-for-ok-kollam-officials-bullied-with-communal-slur/)
Credits: AFP

Shashi Tharoor listed out his three concerns after this incident-Firstly, regarding “religion as a public spectacle”, secondly, “laxity of procedure and respect for law” and lastly, “politicization of the tragedy”.  I agree with him on the second point- the utter disregard for the law has been shocking. I do not want to comment more without the full details.[2]
Mr.Tharoor wrote about Hindiuism was about one’s personal relationship with God. I agree with Mr. Tharoor- I believe my religion to be my personal relationship with God. But I do not seek to enforce this view on others. Mr. Tharoor goes onto talk about how if “It is really necessary” for us to celebrate festivals with dazzling displays. He moves onto remark that Hinduism is a “sorry pass” if “If temples feel they have to dazzle the faithful by fireworks to retain their belief in God”.  Believe that Temple festivals are not only festivals to celebrate God’s power and Victory, or whatever reason there is, in name, to celebrate a Festival, but these are also events where the community gets together, and celebrates. A temple festival is not purely one intended for religious purposes. He does not stop there. He states: “Sati, after all, was also sanctified by tradition once: would our democratic politics have allowed for its abolition?” I do not know if it would have been, but surely, Fireworks in temples are not a social ill and disgrace like sati.[3]
Thirdly, about politicization:  I believe the tragedy went rather un-politicized, at least in a national scale. The effect of disaster tourism is rather undocumented, and you could rely ion anecdotal evidence to how a visiting politician diverted attention away from the injured, but is it wrong of the Prime Minister to visit the site? I do not believe so. The relations between the Union Government and State Government have been remarkably cordial. Those adopting an adversarial stance tot this can argue this was a PR stunt. Anyway, not much politics have figured in this issue. Mr. Tharoor also states that RSS workers have blamed the Congress Government for the disasters. A Google search yielded nothing but a blog post on how the RSS & Congress have been complicit in this issue.[4] I am making no mention of the attempt to politicise the issue by the CPI(M), but only from the viewpoint of national politics.
Fireworks have ben part and parcel of temple festivals. I believe with proper regulation and supervision, Fireworks in temple festivals are acceptable.
Vishu has always been celebrated with crackers and beautiful displays. This is one thing as a child you look forward to. (Of Course, money is the coolest thing.) This is has been tradition for decades, if not centuries. The Thrissur Pooram, which was devised by the legendary Shakthan Thampuran, has been celebrated since 1790 with a wondrous display of fireworks.
~
The Government’s commitment to its people is according to me, to protect the society at large-  is banning fireworks the  most effective way to ensure the protection of society? I am in no ways denying that fireworks are dangerous. But was it not the executive’s failure to regulate fireworks at blame here?




[3] C’mon man, really? Sati?
First posted here.
Further reading
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-CM-says-PM-Modis-Kollam-visit-a-relief/articleshow/51841682.cms
http://www.firstpost.com/india/kollam-temple-fire-tragedy-in-kerala-highlights-helplessness-of-a-weak-state-to-enforce-its-own-laws-2722310.html

Saturday, 5 December 2015

The full response (or "Pseudo-Secularlism" versus "Hinduvata" Agenda

Two news articles that I came across in the Electronic Media caught my attention, and they called to my convictions, my opinions. The topics are at an instant, different issues, but looking at the big picture, it is the same underlying issue. One article by M Surendra Nath (‘Mumbai based Lawyer and Law Lecturer’) on Kerala’s ‘Ungodliness’ and the other by Anish Kapoor, the Noted British-Indian Sculptor on Hindu “Taliban”, the BJP. It represents two extremes, one the possible view of the “Sangha Parivar” and other the view of all “Right thinking Liberals”. I vehemently disagree with both. I am caught between a rock and a hard place. My view is that I will not agree with either and that could be political suicide.
At this point, I feel that my beliefs are being hijacked by the “Hinduvata” agenda, and on the other end, I feel the effects of a “Colour Blind” Secularism. The issue of “Beef Ban” highlighted day in and day out by the media houses is something that has been a divisive issue for centuries. The controversy acquires more relevance considering that even the Indian Constitution endorses the regulation of cattle slaughter. I believe that “Beef Ban” or whatever movement that seeks to regulate the platter of anyone is against liberty. If I want to eat beef, I shall. If I want to eat pork, I shall. Nobody, be it the Government, any Political Party, any Religion, can tell me what to eat, what to drink, how to live my life. Nobody has the right to do so, and that right is the most essential to me. I oppose anyone who says that Beef should not be eaten according to Hindu beliefs. Hindu beliefs are varied and ever evolving. Cow is regarded as a symbol for its selflessness, kindness, and love. Whatever reason it be, it is precisely my right not to eat beef that is your right to eat beef. I oppose all sorts of bans on beef, pork or mutton, not questioning its legality (which is a different matter) but its arbitrariness. I also oppose those who say it is a source for ‘protein’ for whomsoever. I don’t care whether it is a source of protein or fibre or whatever, it is my right to eat. Whenever any Hindu ideologue preaches the banning of Beef, I cringe.
This is the view that the first article highlights-‘Rationalists NGOs regularly carry on street activism like the “Mangalsutra Burning”, “Beef Festivals”, etc. in total defiance of the sentiments of the majority citizens of the country.’ Well, Mr. Surendra Nath, you are not the representation of all Hindus, their beliefs and convictions. And even if the Major community or whoever is opposed, I don’t care. As long as it is my right, I shall exercise it.  The other statements are too preposterous for me to respond to.
But I cannot agree with the  views that many “progressive liberals” have come up with: that the Dadri Lynching was the fault of the Prime Minister. How could it possibly be? The cancelling of Ghulam Ali’s show was a ‘Political’ one, caused by the Shiva Sena, But the Fatwa by Barelvi group Raza Academy against A.R. Rahman was swept under the dust. The reasons, I believe, are self-apparent.
Anish Kapoor’s article heading scared me – it was titled “India is being ruled by Hindu Taliban”. The tone of his article is exceedingly alarmist. The title itself conveys imagery of a horde of fundamentalists ruling this nation. Let me assure you that the nation is being ruled by a democratically elected government held accountable to the nation. The activities of a few fringe elements do not define us. The Speeches of Yogi Adithyanath are not the views of Hindus, or that of Asaduddin Owaisi of Muslims. India is not an intolerant nation.
Returning to the article:-
“All this is good news for Prime Minister Modi, who flew into London today. He won’t be seriously called to account for human rights abuses or systematic thuggery. “
I don’t understand. What Human Right abuses our prime Minister is to be held responsible for?
He further says:
“I’ll be joining protesters outside Downing Street today. Following the lead of India’s opposition groups, we have a duty to speak out for the people Modi is trying to silence, precisely because we are free to do so.”
I do not understand which people Modi or the Government of India is trying to silence. The article is built on a misguided view, and the fact that it appeared in The Guardian goes on to show the continued negative portrayal of India in the foreign media.
I've been (I was) forced to believe that India had  become intolerant. That our nation was creeping to a theocracy under the "Hinduvata" forces- BJP,RSS, Sangh Parivar etc. The "Award wapsi" movement did not help either. Eminent Intellectuals from all spheres of life relinquishing awards to register their protest. But a part of me remained unconvinced. How could stray incidents (that happened all the time) make India intolerant suddenly?
Turning to history, India has been a nation of refuge for Parsis and the Jews. We are the birthplace of Four Great Religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Modern India harbors All three of the world's largest religions- Hindus, Muslims and Christians. There has never been a continuous persecution of any community based on their religion in India. Yes, there have been riots, there have been incidents which would shame us as Indians. But suddenly now, all communal incidents in this nation was the responsibility of the Union Government.  The murder of MM Kalburgi is, apparently, the full responsibility of the BJP, or more specifically of our Prime Minister.
The activities of bigoted, stupid, idiotic, ignoramuses now define my nation.
Yes, we are a society that overwhelmingly is conservative, yes. People will judge me for how I look, who I go out with, where I go to,when I go out. That hasn't changed  much. I'm talking about the intolerance alleged by countless debates and articles over the last month or so.
The incident in Dadri or the murder of MM Kalburgi must be condemned, no doubt. But to blame this on the Union Government is well, to say, far fetched. The stupid and idiotic pronouncements of  Yogi Adithynad and others did not help the situation either. As I wrote in  the earlier article, criticize where it is necessary, not make statements that fly off the rational mind. My point is simple,  the so called liberals are as bigoted and stupid as the "Hinduvatha" agents  they oppose.
If you blame the Dadri incident on the Union Government, please, blame the Muzaffarnagar riots of 2012 on our then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.Blame every single violent act done in the soil of India on the Government of India.
Now to Award wapsi. Awards, such as those given by the Sahithya Akademi, and Padmas especially, are recognition of ones service to the nation. If you're returning them to protest intolerance (something I don't see, but it goes what goes) aren't it you dishonoring the nation? The way to protest, according to me, is to write, write and write, as  Vikram Sampath noted. I saw a cartoon on Facebook comparing the return of awards by our intellectuals to the return of Knighthood by Tagore and Kaiser-i-Hind by Gandhi in the wake of the Jallianwala Bagh massacare to the current award returnees. Well, I do admire the ingenuity. But the cartoon could not be more off the mark. Gandhi and Tagore protested against the massacre by a colonial government. You're comparing that to the incidents that happened,  and our government to a repressive colonial one, that suppresses all forms of dissent  (Remind you of something? (***Emergency***) ) Anish Kapoor might have represented at least some when  he compared the current Government to Taliban. Okay great. What comparison is next?(Daesh?)

Going back to the intolerance debate, I don't think our Indian media was gracious enough to report this incident:
Modi Not Welcome
Where the sacred symbol of Aum was compared to the Nazi swastika, and Modi to Hitler. Branding every Hindu a supporter of extremists, equating them to a regime which is the most despicable the world has ever seen. And no, not a single finger was raised in India. NOT A SINGLE FINGER. Ah well, it seems the intolerance has suddenly died.I am offended and antagonized by the incident. (Suppose the same happened to any other religion? What would be the response of Indian media then?) Whatever message these people are trying to push through, it has been counterproductive.
When you take a stand against intolerance, please, mention this too.
Now, to Aamir Khan. I have no clue why suddenly, his wife decided India was unsafe. I'm not making any further judgements, he can say what he wants to.
Political & Communal Violence is a staple in India, we're a land of a Billion people. There's bound to be incidents. But rather than trying to stay on track, these intellectuals seem to be working for political capital.
But the Arguments and the provocations by the other side, have been equally saddening. The Anti-Sikh riots of 1984 under congress does not validate BJP molesting us now. (They ain't , and which has earlier been tackled)
The rhetoric of the Shiv Sena and the Bajrang Dal was so irrational and stupid. (1 lakh for slapping Aamir Khan? Are you Serious?) They replied to accusations of intolerance with intolerance, but then again, those who protested against the inclusion of Vikram Sampath  in the Banglore Lit Fest on the basis that he did not support "Award Wapsi" is well, intolerant. (Protesting against intolerance by not tolerating someone who has a divergent view? Go figure that out.)
I’m disappointed by both sides of the coin- both are not letting each other be, both refuse to be objective.
In conclusion, I'm dismayed. I'll tell you one thing though:
The solution to bigotry,stupidity , extremism, idiocy and fanaticism is not to crib about this.
The solution is not to say "This is Bad, so we're gonna leave." NO.
It's to say, "Look we have these problems, we need to solve this."
NO PLACE IS PERFECT.
It's time we stood up and said , "Enough is Enough".
and not just to crib about this one day and move on.

Raise your voice when necessary, when it is needed, not when it helps yourself, when our freedom is being suppressed
I conclude with APJ's words, which I hope will guide us :
"We must think and act like a nation of billion people and not that like of a million people"
~
First Posted on wordpress:snsblthghts.wordpress.com
By Ananth Krishna S
Credits for cartoon : R Prasad

Sunday, 15 November 2015

A response (or "Pseudo"-Secularism vs. "Hinduvata" Agenda)

Two news articles that I came across in the Electronic Media caught my attention, and they called to my convictions, my opinions. The topics are at an instant, different issues, but looking at the big picture, it is the same underlying issue. One article by M Surendra Nath (‘Mumbai based Lawyer and Law Lecturer’) on Kerala’s ‘Ungodliness’ and the other by Anish Kapoor, the Noted British-Indian Sculptor on Hindu “Taliban”, the BJP. It represents two extremes, one the possible view of the “Sangha Parivar” and other the view of all “Right thinking Liberals”. I vehemently disagree with both. I am caught between a rock and a hard place. My view is that I will not agree with either and that could be political suicide.
At this point, I feel that my beliefs are being hijacked by the “Hinduvata” agenda, and on the other end, I feel the effects of a “Colour Blind” Secularism. The issue of “Beef Ban” highlighted day in and day out by the media houses is something that has been a divisive issue for centuries. The controversy acquires more relevance considering that even the Indian Constitution endorses the regulation of cattle slaughter. I believe that “Beef Ban” or whatever movement that seeks to regulate the platter of anyone is against liberty. If I want to eat beef, I shall. If I want to eat pork, I shall. Nobody, be it the Government, any Political Party, any Religion, can tell me what to eat, what to drink, how to live my life. Nobody has the right to do so, and that right is the most essential to me. I oppose anyone who says that Beef should not be eaten according to Hindu beliefs. Hindu beliefs are varied and ever evolving. Cow is regarded as a symbol for its selflessness, kindness, and love. Whatever reason it be, it is precisely my right not to eat beef that is your right to eat beef. I oppose all sorts of bans on beef, pork or mutton, not questioning its legality (which is a different matter) but its arbitrariness. I also oppose those who say it is a source for ‘protein’ for whomsoever. I don’t care whether it is a source of protein or fibre or whatever, it is my right to eat. Whenever any Hindu ideologue preaches the banning of Beef, I cringe.
This is the view that the first article highlights-‘Rationalists NGOs regularly carry on street activism like the “Mangalsutra Burning”, “Beef Festivals”, etc. in total defiance of the sentiments of the majority citizens of the country.’ Well, Mr. Surendra Nath, you are not the representation of all Hindus, their beliefs and convictions. And even if the Major community or whoever is opposed, I don’t care. As long as it is my right, I shall exercise it.  The other statements are too preposterous for me to respond to.
But I cannot agree with the  views that many “progressive liberals” have come up with: that the Dadri Lynching was the fault of the Prime Minister. How could it possibly be? The cancelling of Ghulam Ali’s show was a ‘Political’ one, caused by the Shiva Sena, But the Fatwa by Barelvi group Raza Academy against A.R. Rahman was swept under the dust. The reasons, I believe, are self-apparent. 
Anish Kapoor’s article heading scared me – it was titled “India is being ruled by Hindu Taliban”. The tone of his article is exceedingly alarmist. The title itself conveys imagery of a horde of fundamentalists ruling this nation. Let me assure you that the nation is being ruled by a democratically elected government held accountable to the nation. The activities of a few fringe elements do not define us. The Speeches of Yogi Adithyanath are not the views of Hindus, or that of Asaduddin Owaisi of Muslims. India is not an intolerant nation.
Returning to the article:-
“All this is good news for Prime Minister Modi, who flew into London today. He won’t be seriously called to account for human rights abuses or systematic thuggery. “
I don’t understand. What Human Right abuses our prime Minister is to be held responsible for?
He further says:
“I’ll be joining protesters outside Downing Street today. Following the lead of India’s opposition groups, we have a duty to speak out for the people Modi is trying to silence, precisely because we are free to do so.”
I do not understand which people Modi or the Government of India is trying to silence. The article is built on a misguided view, and the fact that it appeared in The Guardian goes on to show the continued negative portrayal of India in the foreign media.
But more than this article, I was offended by the Nazi Swastika fused with Om for the anti- Modi protests in London. I am appalled at the incident, where the image was cast on the British Parliament, no less.  Such an equation has gone unnoticed in the Indian media, and for reasons unknown. I am offended and antagonized by the incident. (Suppose the same happened to any other religion? What would be the response of Indian media then?) Whatever message these people are trying to push through, it has been counterproductive.
 I’m disappointed by both sides of the coin- both are not letting each other be, both refuse to be objective.
I do want to drag this on, but I think this is enough of a rant. I leave you with APJ's words:
"We must think and act like a nation of billion people and not that like of a million people"

Saturday, 10 October 2015

An Ode to Kozhikode

I’ve been told time and time again that a city is an emotion; each city has its own flavor and love not seen anywhere else. I grudgingly accepted this whenever anyone praised their native place. But I always maintain my city is the best, and those who doubt so are ignorant. It is only when I moved to Kochi, I realized how much I love Kozhikode- The Cities lights, winding roads and Paragon! What I miss most was obviously, home. But home was Kozhikode.  The city is an emotion, a feeling that can (and still) warm(s) your heart. You get the feeling whenever someone speaks in the Kozhikodden accent. It warms your heart, to know someone from your town in a land not yours.  I even miss SM Street, the crowded and bustling place I hate, but nonetheless go to. The longing does make the heart grow fonder. A friend from Kochi never cared what I thought about his city, he always maintained that he was from Trivandrum. So he maintained till he got a college outside Kochi.   “Kochi’s the best” he says now. He can say what he wants, Kozhikode is the real place to be.

Whenever I come back from Kochi on the Jan shatabdhi, going home I see the same scenes; the Crown, the dying sounds of people at city bus station, the half- closed Paragon hotel, the dimming lights in Nadakavvu, and the ever shining Barracks. I get enveloped in a feeling of happiness even as I write this! But as muchmuch as  I love this City, I may have no right to call it my own- I was not born here, and neither my parents nor forefathers. We’re immigrants to the City of Truth. I came here when I was 2 years old, and stayed till the age of 15, when I left for Kochi. 13 years in the city. 13 years. 2 schools. Innumerable memories. A place has never meant so much to me, maybe it is because I have no identity, no place to call my own, like millions of middle class Indian children.  For long I had the Identity crisis, till she accepted me with no qualms two years ago. She became my Identity, a place I’m proud to be from; neither big nor small. Neither a metropolis nor a small town. A city of love. A city of truth. A city of food.

Talking about food, coming to the Halwa. When Kozhikode became part of my identity, “Kozhikodden Halwa” was what everyone wanted. Personally, I have no liking to the halwa. But when you realize how bad the Halwa outside is, it tastes like heaven. Still I don’t like it that much. “Kozhikodden Chips” is also famous, but I never knew why till I bought a bag of chips from Kochi. (Never have I despised chips. Arghh!) The flower in your own garden never smells good1. Except for Paragon, of course. You know they’re good wherever they are. Some even went on to say you’ll get better “Mallu food” from Bombay than they do from Kochi. Keep in mind the only experience they had with “Mallu food” is the hostel ‘Puttu’. Ah, well. One day I hope I take them to Paragon and show them who's boss.

The city never sleeps. Many know this2, but a friend (who obviously is ignorant to everything but her own city) disputed it. “Of course it sleeps”, she said. Well, come over, and see for yourself. (Big-Town people, eh!).

But in the end, it’s only because some guy in KSEB decided to give my Amma a transfer to Kozhikode that I speak highly of this city. For all you know, if things were different, I’d be writing this about Kochi. No hate to Kochi, btw. I only hate the Traffic Blocks. And the Mosquitoes. (I’m not even mentioning the Autos!)

Note 1: Malayalam saying, English Equivalent would be “The Grass is greener on the other side”.

Note 2: I’m not going on a rant and not claiming all know this, but everyone from Kozhikode (and is not afraid of the night) obviously knows this.
(Special Thanks to Rose Joy for the Editing)