Time to change the medication!

I believe Gaurang Raval could not resist his agony and he wrote is this honest open letter to CM of Gujarat:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/gaurang-raval/મુખ્યમંત્રી-શ્રી-નરેન્દ્રભાઈ-ને-ખુલ્લો-પત્ર/10150385421848203

Many believe that it has become fashionable to condemn Modi. I rather honestly feel that people who are writing such open letters and putting efforts are in pain and they are desperate to let people know in some way that please stand your ground, identify the hypocrisy and at least try to understand the truth.

I had to respond to Gaurang’s letter with my own perspective that we should try shifting our focuses.

To Gaurang,

“Gaurang’s feeling is understandable. I know that I share equal sensitivity about the points he has raised about Gulbarg and other instances of 2002. It has been 9 years now and Narendra Modi did not have to live a single sweating moment for this entire period, for what he has done in 2002 and also at many other instances. The cases are jumping from here to there, committees are appointed and dissolved, reports are generated and submitted, again cases are reopened and shut! Being a citizen of this state I don’t have much hope for justice regarding 2002 and over this period of time there are millions of things which have been manipulated, eradicated and vanished which can actually bring the truth out.

Secondly, I believe that somethings has happened a few years back and we are sad and heart torn. What now? We certainly know that Modi is a preacher and he knows the nerve of people of Gujarat. They like that Gammat Gulal and circus of this guy. They hardly think and assess. I talked about the Sabarmati waters spread in villages to one of my colleagues and he said, “e to lakhya kare”. ZERO SENSITIVITY. I totally appreciate Gaurang’s feelings and the way he has expressed. He has valid points. When I retrospect my efforts, I feel that Modi is like terrorism. He is not a person, he has injected himself in the nerves of Gujaratis very smartly and fashionably. We have to start from beginning. We have to start from the roots. I am just sharing my views and using this forum as a soundboard.

Targeting Modi and his (uncountable) misdeeds directly has made the people habitual of it and it affects neither modi nor people. It is like we keep taking pain killers and the body gets habitual and doesn’t respond to the medicine. We need to change the medicine. I would say sensitizing people and educating people for the issues rather than trying to understand and fight against modi would be rewarding at some point of time. It would have long term benefits. If I would have time and space to handle the current situation, I would forget all 2002 thing for a while, I will forget Modi’s presense completely and I will focus on people and render their mindsets by one way or the other.

May I be in that situation soon!

Amen…

Anna != Gandhi

Anna does not equal to Gandhi.

Team Anna Hazare and many others are comparing this anti-corruption protest with the FREEDOM FIGHT against Britishers. Let us just think and assess. If we consider the Britishers as the ruling entity, let us consider the Government of India in the same context (mind well, there is no similarity in attitude, intensions and actions of these two). So both of the entities are the receivers of the protest.

PROTEST FOR WHAT:

 

Freedom	Anti-Corruption
Freedom fight was the protest against Britishers who were outsiders and they were exceptionally insensible and unjust towards the people and the country. The expected outcome was FREEDOM, may be the issue of highest rank for a country and countrymen. Very serious protest!	Fight against corruption is an issue within our own country and receiving rulers are the Government of India which is also our own, a Government which is elected (and not imposed) by us. This is not the sole point to be made to justify the Government’s action. This is just a mandatory and factual assumption. The issues are very serious to but smaller than the fight of freedom.

Freedom fight was a one point agenda and was the sole issue for which the entire nation has one voice, one belief. Fight against corruption is not the sole agenda of the country, countrymen or the Government of India to tackle and to deal with. Corruption is one of the major issues along with inflation, poverty, human rights, communal harmony, terrorism and many others. Yes, it could be a one point agenda for Anna Hazare and team as they have decided to concentrate to work in that one sole area. Appreciated! No complains for that.

So, there is a huge difference between the CAUSE of FIGHT in terms of seriousness and size.

PROTEST WHY:

 

Freedom

Anti-Corruption

A century long battle with Britishers was not an overnight product of mere dissatisfaction of people. The chronic penetration of British rule in each corner of India was a long drawn pain. Inhuman conditions and the heights of tolerances were encountered before it burst out into a historical protest to win our own freedom. Only if we consider Gandhi’s return to India (in 1915) as an actual trigger point of Indian struggle for independence, it took 32 more years to actually get the freedom. The reason is already justified here and now but the reasons for Anna’s protest have to be drawn.

Not before the beginning of 2011, Anna Hazare took the baton of Jan LokPal Bill in his hands. On March 13, 2011, a group of Delhi Residents drove around the city in white clothes to support anti-corruption campaign and passing the Jan LokPal Bill. And the original protest of Anna (as he calls it a Satyagraha) began on April 5, 2011. Within 5 months, Anna, his team and some other people have started comparing it with the half-century long, exceptionally sacrificial struggle of freedom. Neither the objective nor the reasons are anywhere near to the freedom struggle of India.

 

PROTEST HOW:

What triggered this article is the song of Jan LokPal Bill (http://soundcloud.com/avnish-avi/lokpal-song-india-against-corruption) forwarded by one my colleagues – Arpan. The actual soulful meaning of the protest was being felt while listening to this song. It reminded the way songs were written while India’s freedom struggle.

 

Freedom

Anti-Corruption

Despite of intolerable conditions and despite of being the victims of most unjust incidents of the history, people were creative, artistic, full of heart and so much in the actual mood of protest. Most of them hardly held agony, hatred and negativity against Britishers. Rather they had a deep faith in those humans who lived within those Britishers as well. FAITH is the key when something is expected from someone.

With the least faith, bitter mind set, harsh statements, stubborn and agitated approach – this team of Anna Hazare is expecting overnight law from the bill which has been lying there from 1960. Taking an advantage of this agitation, opposition has jeopardized the Parliamentary sessions. All these may sound theoretical but Parliament is the most important place of country’s politics and it is the most important time when the sessions are held to discuss bills, issues and problems of the country. Not letting it function is not going to help anyone!

If Government did not accept the draft of Anna, there could have been rallies in all over the country. Peaceful marches could have take place, with such beautiful songs which could wittily and sensibly bring in more and importantly fundamentally strong support to this protest. Current support to Anna has no soul. It’s a temporary, comfy and situational support. Anna negotiating the length of fast doesn’t make any sense. When in the life, did we hear about the length of fast being negotiated? This is also an entirely different debate.

There is the least similarity between the fight for freedom and fight against corruption. Comparing it with the emergency situation is also irrational. There are many other activists who are fighting for many such causes on state level, going into remote villages who also have practiced fasting, protested, blocked roads – they also have been arrested, kept in custody and released.

People not knowing the battles and struggles within their own home, want to romantically support Anna Hazare and wear ‘Topi’s. Thanks to Media and thanks to the money Anna and team is having who can stage such big events. Same size of events and protests have been taking place within Gujarat for various serious reasons including the protests against nuclear plants, unjust land distribution and natural resource protection. They don’t have 1.5 crore rupees to build a Steven Spielberg fasting stage.

Anna Hazare is detained… So?

Update 17/08/2011 – “With the whole writing, the comments and the discussion – I also want to extend the thought that it was not appropriate on Government’s part to arrest Anna Hazare. But as they have now corrected it and PM has also vowed to pass LokPal bill as soon as possible, what is left out of agenda of Mr Hazare? “

Anna Hazare is detained. The country hastily reacts to a cute old man showing a great courage from last few months. Who is Anna Hazare? If asked, more than 60% may get it wrong. Last night, in the first episode of Kaun Banega Karodpati – Season 5, a gentleman had no clue that who is Kisan Baburao!

Kisan Baburao Hazare, is the full name of Anna Hazare. Starting with the name, take the Lokpal, Lokayukta and even the objective behind this protest, there might be fingers in mouth while answering the meanings of these terms.

“We must change the system!” – Which system? What system? These people who say it, they won’t have an idea what system they are talking about. Anna Hazare is not fighting to end the corruption. Amazed??? I am afraid, it is true. Anna Hazare originally initiated his fight to put the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament to be debated and to conclude the laws which can tackle the corruption cases. From as simple explanation of his presented bill, it turned into an agitated throw hole for all who wanted to take an advantage of this stage. Hundreds have misused the stage Anna had set for all these months to put the bill of his choice in Parliament. But those who wanted to misuse they made out an agenda to push the government down. May they get well soon!

Now, how? Anna has been insisting upon the weapon of fasting (Anshan). Many have suggested in their comments that why a Government should resist a peaceful and non-violent protest of Anna? Well, what is a peacemaker? Does a peacemaker ever raise the tone, raise the attitude and does he/she ever threaten the stake holders who expect the peace to prevail? Anna may be a holy soul, the spotless personality, the most hard working worker or the most noble human being but he is a little far from being a sensible decision maker and solution seeker! An IIT lad is the brain behind Anna Hazare. He needed a cute face to be presented to the Indian people who always refrain and rather do not trust the young politicians much. Anna was planted to sit of fast (the first occasion when he fasted for the Lokpal bill), everything has is living drama like the Facebook story line. No one expected what is going to happen and no one really even measured this kind of response when they started. Babas and Swamis roasted their rotis and many other politicians took a chance to get published in newspapers and TV channels.

Anna kept changing his stand, attitude, statements and even the agenda. He burnt the Lokpal draft of Government as well. Again, is it a peacemaker’s act? Anna is too naïve and got it all wrong what the fasting means? We must refer to this:

Gandhi distinguished between satyagraha and passive resistance in the following letter:

 

 “I have drawn the distinction between passive resistance as understood and practiced in the West and satyagraha before I had evolved the doctrine of the latter to its full logical and spiritual extent. I often used “passive resistance” and “satyagraha” as synonymous terms: but as the doctrine of satyagraha developed, the expression “passive resistance” ceases even to be synonymous, as passive resistance has admitted of violence as in the case of suffragettes and has been universally acknowledged to be a weapon of the weak. Moreover, passive resistance does not necessarily involve complete adherence to truth under every circumstance. Therefore it is different from satyagraha in three essentials: Satyagraha is a weapon of the strong; it admits of no violence under any circumstance whatsoever; and it ever insists upon truth. I think I have now made the distinction perfectly clear.”

Reference: Gandhi, M.K. “Letter to Mr. ——” 25 January 1920 (The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi vol. 19, p. 350)

Satyagraha has no place for violence. Anna’s way to insistence and threatening of fasting are forms of violence. “Give me this, or I will die (fasting)!” – is an utter violence. Fasting involves self-restrain, experiencing the gloom what others must be facing and the tone of request and plea. No eating and no drinking do not mean an Anshan (Protesting with Fast).

Not that the Indian government is the glass clean! It is also found to be over-reacting at some stages but Anna has to listen, talk, debate and understand a few more point of views. Government has 1000 more things to do than focusing on a crazy old nut who is threatening openly there and then.

There is nothing to conclude just yet, there is still more and a lot more to think and assess. One can contribute in this thinking and assessment process rather than jeopardizing the peace, order and law of the nation.

Exclusively for the dear people of Gujarat: (this space will keep udpating)

Definition of Lokayukta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokayukta Gujarat is still to appoint Lokayukta which is a state anti-corruption organisation and Modi is talking about cleaning out the corruption from the whole country!!! LOL

Where is the Sensitivity???

 

I had this usual discussion with my collegues in office, and after 4-5 years this is my observation that if you speak anything against Narendra Modi (which is actually a rational opinion about the way Gujarat is being developed), you get victimized and you might be mobbed. Well fortunately, I was not beated but I would like to share that how disappointing it is know how people think and how they see the world around them. My head is filled with so many painful questions!!!

Whoever it is about, but the mindsets of these friends have become stagnent. Has the faculty of thinking completely dried up? OMG, Why? Why can’t they think? If they do think, why can’t they understand? If they understand, why can’t the choose what is right?

Why can’t they switch off the air condition, open the drapes, open the window and look outside the window? Please look around, it’s not only them. there are millions of other people, citizens, in other cities, villages and everywhere!

All these friends of mine seem to be concerned with the roads through which they commute to their offices, the flyover they have to cross, the cinema & the mall they go to each weekend and some facilities they get in daily life. NOTHING more than that! I asked what should be the priority of the state administration?

Answer: Safety (safe from what? communal riots?), Employment (employment means 25k job for them – nothing less is good because they are getting it), Development (malls, flyovers, buildings and IT companies), Image of State (state should be attractive for the outsiders). These are not my interpretations but their explanation.

Do we have enough understanding of the social priorities? Haven’t we studied about the basic needs of humans in primary school? Haven’t our parents taught that we should be sensitive towards others too!?

Guys please… it is not about any Modi or Singh. It is about being sensitive to our counterparts.

देशभक्ति का पुरस्कार

एक आदमी: “अरे यार, क्या जरुरत थी अपने पति को पकडवाने की? ३-४ बम फुट जाते – हम या कोई हमारे घरवालो में से कोई मर जाता ! सरकार कम से कम हर परिवार को एक-एक लाख रुपये देती. उसको क्या मिल गया? पति गया, कमाई भी गई, और २५००० रुपये दे कर सरकार भी छुट गई”

Open Letter to Rahul Gandhi

“Rahul Gandhi compares ‘evil leader’ Narendra Modi with Mao”

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_rahul-gandhi-compares-evil-leader-narendra-modi-with-mao_1472934

Dear Rahul,

On a Sunday afternoon, I was reading this DNA news report sitting in a suburb of Cape Town, SA. I am 26, an IT professional based in Ahmedabad. It was delighting to know that you recently visited Ahmedabad for a students’ meet. I always admire your courage and openness to say the truth in black and white without confusing with any diplomacy. Knowingly or unknowingly you may have this non-resistive approach of criticizing the bad.

What really disappointed me is that you couldn’t give enough time! In my perception, the youth of the city like Ahmedabad which is the epicentre of Gujarat’s mind set being a financial capital, business hub and also the developmental show case of Gujarat. It is also an attractive destination compared to all other major cities of Gujarat for employment, studies and also for acquiring a residence. The development of Ahmedabad which might be a result of years and years of hard work of people, the newly blooming entrepreneurial activities by the young graduates and post-graduates, has been manhandled by wrong people. I would also not rule out the contribution of inter-state migration and I would like to show my gratitude to all non-Gujaratis from Gujarat and other states of India, who have come to Ahmedabad and taken part into the overall progress and development.

Having these facts in the bowl, I also feel the need that the many youngsters whom I have observed in Ahmedabad are wide-eyed with the external modern development in the city. I find them non-interested and unwilling in analysing the facts, assessing the good and bad and widen their concern towards entire Gujarat or India. I am sure you will be aware of these facts.

On the positive note, I also am hopeful that the guidance from the leaders like you can inject a lot of energy into all these youngsters and they can really be directed towards the inclusive and actual growth in entirety. Most of them have the least sensitivity for social issues and no fire to speak up against the unjust social events. This includes me as well at some extent!

Having said all this, I would urge you to visit the city, meet the students of the schools and universities. They are very talented, smart, creative and open towards the society and therefore you may have this great opportunity to guide them in the right direction for the good of Gujarat, one of the CEO driven companies of India.

With the best wishes and huge HOPES,

Sneh Bhavsar

E: sneh@snehism.com

W: www.snehism.com

I met a human… – (3)

“Suraj!” – That’s what he said, a little kid in a dirty school uniform roaming around the tea stall at mid night, when he was asked his name! He wanted to have a bun (bread). Out of curiosity, I tried to ask him that why is he asking for food at this time? Is he still hungry?

He said, “I want bun for my younger brother, not for me.” and then I and a friend talked with him for a while. Suraj (hardly 11), whose aunt kept her name Karan and his mother calls him Arjun, wakes up at 10 in the morning. He goes to school – some hindi pathshala at 12pm and his teacher let them write alphabets or numbers. He leaves school at 4pm and goes home! His father, who also begs for sarees, shirts and other clothes and who then sells them in slums, earns for the family of 7. He doesn’t want his children to beg but Suraj’s mother takes her children out and begs with all of them till mid night!

Suraj didn’t or maybe couldn’t smile until he kept talking, he got the bun. He didn’t eat. He said this is only for my younger brother and then he left…

I met a human… (2)

8 December 2009,

Blind People’s Association, Ahmedabad

It was truly heart rendering to meet all those enthusiastic job seekers with physical disabilities at Blind People’s Association! I was so lucky to be the part of this employment fair organized by BPA as I represented Cybersurf India where I work. The auditorium was filled with more than 300 aspirant persons with disabilities, and there were more than 10 representatives from different companies who wanted to hire these people according to their needs. Safal Group was one of these companies who have recently received an award for employing the most number of persons with disability.

Mr Bhushan Punani, Executive Director of BPA, hosted the event where they allowed all the companies to present their needs and the types of jobs they are offering. The count of jobs being offered reached to 250 jobs within a few minutes and the job seekers were thrilled to receive such offering on the day of the fair itself.

I interviewed more than 20 candidates for the computing and data processing related jobs. The amount of readiness and enthusiasm was really amazing in those candidates. Many of them could not walk and made their way into the room moving on the floor. More I was touched when I was being looked as a ray of hope for them! They thought I will give them a job and they will start sustaining a good life ahead. I wish I could employ them all in any way…

The event arranged by BPA is really appreciable and also the companies who are actively taking part and hiring the persons with disability deserve a great deal of respect. Here, in a bit different context, in the context of equality; these were all humans whom I met and I was delighted with the positive energy they had and also the companies and organizers who did put an honest effort to gather both on a platform.

One more incident which really touched me inside out and really made my belief strong that one does not have to be an intellectual or a scholar to be a good human being!

One of my good friends insisted me not to tell this to anyone, but I really want to put this here without mentioning his name…

There is a little boy of around 15-16, and he was working at his office as an office boy for Rs. 900 a month. He lost his father earlier and his mother works as domestic help in neighborhood.  That boy’s willingness to work hard and learn new things got noticed by my friend. He talked to him; put him in a computer class for 6 months. He and his girlfriend collected some 4,000 rupees for the course and now after a year that boy is earning 4,500 a month. The little boy is also more encouraged to work hard, to learn more and lead a better life.

I met a human again…