MONTH-IN-PERSPECTIVE
Jammu & Kashmir: When it comes to India, there is something basically wrong with a section of Kashmiris. Or else what can really be said of celebrating India’s loss to West Indies in the T-20 World Cup Semi final at Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai. While winning and losing of a cricket match depends upon the performance as well as winning of the toss, the reaction to celebrate the loss is diabolic to say the least. If some people and a section of the media terms it as anti-national they cannot be faulted.
Besides, local police, beating a student, when he was only carrying the Indian tricolor in the protest march, is really reprehensible and totally unacceptable.
However what is truly disappointing is the mindset of Kashmiri Muslims, at least, a section of it, who simply do not like the idea of being with India, probably only because of Hindu majority in India. This cock-eyed approach of these Kashmiris have neither won friends non-influenced people.
Coming to politics, like Congress accuses the BJP, it had different yardsticks in two campuses. In Delhi, if BJP was ultra nationalist in Kashmir BJP seem to have exhonarated police beating of nationalist students who were waving Indian tricolor. After almost 3 weeks of the incident there is no action on anti-nationals in Kashmir as alleged by ‘outside’ students in the campus. Could it be because, in Delhi, the government is of AAP and in J & K BJP is partner in government with the PDP?
NEW DELHI: Salman Khan never fails to make news mostly for wrong reasons. Now he is at his histrionic best complaining that Maharashtra government and Mumbai police are trying to implicate him in the Sept 28, 2002, drunken driving case, where one died and many were injured. After a tortuous journey of over 12 years, ends of justice appeared to have met, when on 12th May 2015, Salman Khan was declared guilty of culpable homicide and was awarded with a 5 years jail term. As luck would have it, or is it the machinations of our legal fraternity, Salman did not spend even 5 minutes let alone 5 years, within the four walls of any jail. It was indeed a travesty of justice that he not only got the bail in matter of hours but the Bombay High Court, in its one of the fastest judgements, gave him a clean chit in December the same year. Taking judicial freedom of interpretation of statements of witnesses, Salman was cleared of all wrong doing. Things would have rested there, if there was the NCP led same government. After all it was RR Patil & Company, who had tried their best to save Salman, prior to his conviction by Justice Deshpande. Unfortunately for Salman and his cronies, the change of the guard at Sachivalaya tilted the balance and the High Court clearance was challenged with Advocate General going hammer and tong screaming ‘Salman acquittal is a travesty of justice’.
So, the spectre of Sept 28, 2002 and the spirit of police body guard Ravindra Patil has come back to haunt him. With the battery of lawyers, who have no qualms lying, Salman has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that he “was neither drunk nor was he driving the vehicle, and that it was his driver Ashok Singh, who was driving the vehicle”. All of us are privy to the fact that driver Ashok Singh was parachuted into the scene after 13 years, and yet the Bombay High Court judge did not take cognizance of this fact, yet took the freedom to disbelieve the star witness, who was sitting right next to Salman on that fateful day. But then this is Yeh Mera India, where miscarriage of justice in favour of moneyed and the powerful, pass the muster. Hope Apex Court which is looking into the acquittal shall apply itself in all fairness, to return the verdict of guilty, where due.
UTTAR PRADESH: Newspaper just informed that Aparna Yadav, reportedly the 2nd daughter-in-law of ‘Netaaji’, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party Supremo and defacto boss in U.P., is also entering politics and that she will be the party’s candidate from Lucknow constituency. According to the same report this ‘Netaaji’, already has six of his sons & relatives in political office. Elder son Akhilesh Yadav is the Chief Minister of U.P as an MLC. Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav is a Loksabha M.P. Dharmendra Yadav, Akshay Pratap and Tej Pratap, are ‘Netaaji’s’ nephews and they are all members of parliament. Netaaji’s brother Ram Gopal Yadav is a Rajya Sabha M.P. Indians are surprised how like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Netaaji did not bring his wife into politics. That would have completed the family tree.
All these ‘ladies & gentlemen’ are emerging as leaders to ‘serve the nation’. Nearer home we have our own ‘son of the soil’ Deve Gowda & family trying to replicate UP ‘Netaaji’. It is incredible that, there is so much rush to ‘serve the nation’ among some political families, like Karunanidhi, Lalu Prasad, Sangma, Pawar, Chavan & others. And our politicians are never tired of talking about empowerment of women and marginalized. As usual these jokers do not mean what they are talking. Democracy supposed to be politics of people, by people, for people. Likes of Mulayam & Lalu have proved, it is of some families, by some families and for some families. This is Yeh Mera India.
“I want to see an India where people Actually Believe in Differences” was a title to the write up in the Education Express published by Indian Express on: 21st March 2016.
The above statement was attributed to Ovais Sultan Khan reportedly a recipient of Rights to Livelihood, called Alternative Nobel Prize.
India is a country of some 1270 millions. It has some 25+ officially recognized languages some over 1500 dialects. Some half a dozen religions, with hundreds of sects & castes of haves and have-nots. Its cultures and cuisines are so diametrically different from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and from Kutch to Kohima. Yet, but for some sporadic incidents of human pettiness, from all communities, it has been fairly peaceful, except aberrations like 1984 or 2002, in independent India. As a free country, both India and Pakistan were born on the same day, but isn’t there a difference in the evolution of our two geographical entities? If ‘Idea of India’ has survived, it’s because Indians do live with differences and have accepted the differences. Although U.S Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith had made a telling remark “India is a functioning anarchy”, more than half a century ago, the point is we are also a functioning democracy with an effective election commission and a vibrant justice delivery system, responsive and probably more fair than even the United States, for all its 68 years as an independent nation. This is indeed a reflection “Where people actually co-habit with differences”, only if media plays its role with responsibility and with a sense of purpose.
While we are about it, it may be relevant to put on record that undersigned had the happiness of sharing the same roof as part of the family, 4 members of a ‘so-called minority community- 3 generation in all- for 18 long years with complete harmony, besides being involved with some half-a-dozen minority educational institutions in reaching out to its needs and aspirations. Of course, media men, despite knowing it, had neither the time nor the inclinations to tell the wide world about this involvement. Everyone has his or her own agenda. Some are driven by selfish motives and some by altruistic motives. That’s all.
Bihar: Habits die hard. It is a gospel truth as clear as day light. Alcohol drinking is one such habit, that it may not be impossible to give up, but certainly one of the more difficult habits. Between smoking and drinking, the later has been hailed as a better habit. Because smoking can involve silent smokers around the active smoker, so also for the foul smell that comes by the burning of tobacco, smoking is more hated, unlike alcohol which involves only the individual and not his surrounding people. But unfortunately alcohol is more expensive and can be very debilitating financially for both the drunk and his family, who loses his income. Families have always suffered, due to a overdrinking bread winner. It was therefore very normal for Bihari women to demand banning the distribution of alcohol in the state. Purely as a vote bank strategy Nitish Kumar, the CM of Bihar banned the distribution and consumption of alcohol inside Bihar. He feels the women folk of Bihar are very pleased with the decision. Good luck to him and his government.
But, it was a very big decision with multiple dimensions. First and foremost it will lose some Rs 4000+ crores in revenues. For a state which simply cannot afford to lose this kind of money, it is a very big loss. How are you going to recoup the loss? Besides, it is in the human nature to break the law when forced to deny the right. Surely some will fall in line, some will not. So illegal ways to some extent, and some likely to create groups to circumvent the law, can be some of the possibilities.
There will be illegal illicit manufacturing and distribution, where quick money can be the rule of the game. Hooch tragedy is a most likely happening. Birth and growth of Mafia is another possibility. Then you have your neighbouring states, who are all open for drinks. All these can greatly increase the pressure on policing. After all Bihar is generally known to be a lawless state. With a alcohol mafia operating, which in all likelihood can be a happening thing, the Chief Minister will have his hands full without much doing. Nitish Kumar has the lesson of other states on Prohibition to learn from if he cares to learn. Prohibition has always failed after a year or two of enthusiastic enforcement. He has to find some way out. He must increase duties on alcohol to make it more expensive, but use the increased revenues for social engineering, to help the addicted labour class, whose families are on the brink of disaster, to slowly wean them away. They may not completely give-up, but the initiatives can be there to influence reduction in consumption. So that, this class of people not only can enjoy the drink occasionally, but is also left with enough time and money for the family. After all increased universal happiness index has to be the objective of all policy initiatives of elected governments.
Maharashtra: BJP or Sangh Pariwar can be very funny at times. They may not be violent professors of their ideology, but they can be plain stupid. BJP ruled Municipal Corporation of Nagpur (NMC) had organized an AIDS awareness programme at Kasturchand Park, sometime early April. But along with this, some temple authorities had joined hands to chant “Hanuman Chalisa”, organized by a BJP corporator. The logic was by reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, would help cure AIDS. Whether it was pure faith or there were instances of proven cases of the efficacy of chanting Hanuman Chalisa in curing AIDS or any other malady was not the point. The point was how an elected government can associate itself with a purely religious event of a temple, even if ruling party members were involved.
Responding to a PIL by one Janardhan, a former corporator, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court justifiably reacted sharply, saying India belongs to all faiths and not just Hindus, and therefore government had no business to associate itself with a purely religious event of Hindus. It is another matter that there are many non Hindus, both among Muslims & Christians who are believers in some of the practices of Hindus. But they are purely at personal level and never at official level. Right enough, the government accepted without any fuss to disassociate itself with the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ event. Two cheers for the Idea of India.
Being a country of some 1275 million homosapiens, from hundreds of social background, India can present a myriad picture of all kinds of happenings. No wonder the print media datelined Mumbai had this story “Pillion rider stabs bus driver for overtaking”. Incredible, as it may sound, it happened in Chembur, in the North-eastern Mumbai.
Buses or bus drivers, anywhere in India, are always in a hurry, to reach the destination, hence a Maharashtra State Transport Corporation Bus was no different. Driver was either in a hurry or the two wheeler, which he overtook was probably slow. But a bus overtaking a two wheeler or a two wheeler overtaking a bus is an everyday happenings, may be in hundreds, in any big city, more so in a mega city like Mumbai. Difference in this case probably was that the two wheeler was being ridden by a female and her pillion rider was a male. Probably they were on a mission.
On overtaking by the ST bus driver, the female mobike rider, reportedly over sped her bike and overtook ST bus and stopped it in front of the bus. The infuriated male pillion rider got off the bike and confronted the driver and reportedly stabbed the ST bus driver. Obviously after grievously injuring the ST bus driver, the duo sped past. Reportedly the driver has been admitted to a local hospital with Trombay Police Station recording a complaint. Report informs that the hunt is on for the accused and the bike bearing registration No: MH 46-8140.
Here the question, which the report does not talk about is, what were the passengers of the ST bus doing, when a single person, attacking the driver, who was probably not at fault at all? He was only overtaking and overtaking is not a fault at all unless it is dangerous. If such an attack can takes place in broad day light near a traffic signal and attacker gives a slip, what is expected of a citizen? There could have been different ways of handling a lone attacker. How have we become so apathetic or afraid to stop an attack or overpower an attacker? It speaks poorly of our civilisational values. After all the bus driver is a community service provider and was serving those passengers in the bus. How can we make their life less dangerous and more safe? Don’t we have some responsibility towards such public servants? Like all of us, he too could be having his own set of personal problems, but as an employee he was serving you. Isn’t, because of such apathy, don’t care selfish attitude, these attackers, even when they are alone, go scot free? It is incomprehensible that not only the bus driver was attacked brutally, but attacker left without being caught. This kind of daring comes only from professional weapon users.
Recurring water crisis in Deccan plateau covering parts of Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka has been there for a longtime. Powers that be, have been only fiddling their fingers, without any long term strategy to manage water crisis.
This time round, it has been particularly bad in Latur in the south eastern part of Maharashtra. Authorities at Sachivalaya in Mumbai, has been organizing water tankers through trains to supply water to the parched land holders, besides imposing section 144 of the criminal code to avoid any possible riots for water.
There was this news some weeks ago that hospitals and nursing homes in Latur have stopped surgeries due to lack of water. This is an alarming situation. Small and big industries have already stopped activity.
But what is most saddening is, while aam aadmi is suffering from acute water shortage, politicians do not seem worried. They not only do not do much, to alleviate the suffering of people, they also indulge in private celebrations.
The local MLA Amit Deshmukh of Congress, who is also the son of former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, was recently in the news for wrong reasons. To celebrate his birthday, he organized sports events which consumed lot of water for the ground preparation. And comes the news of Eknath Khadse, a minister of Fadnavis government. Accusing the minister of complete insensitivity, the media and opposition blasted the minister, who was visiting Belkund village, some 40 kms from Latur to assess the drought situation.
Reportedly, after alighting at Latur airport, the minister wanted a helicopter service to cover the distance.
While use of helicopter for a mere 40 Kms distance can fairly be dubbed as arrogance, the wasted use of 10000 liters of scarce water to make temporary helipad was certainly height of insensitivity. Indeed when it comes to the issues relating to responsible behavior from politicians, BJP has proved as bad as Congress. And they are the principal political parties of the country. Whom do we turn to succour? Oh poor Mother India.
There was this story “Parole absconder held after 5 years”. We have also heard about Sanjay Dutt being given parole so very often. We all recognize that those who are guilty of offence, as accepted by the courts, have to undergo jail sentences. Those who go to jail some time there may be innocents getting caught in the crossfire being punished. It is a very sorry state of affairs. For varieties of reasons, they are pronounced guilty although they may be innocents. Our heart really goes out for them and prayers that they are out of jail soonest. Even those who are guilty, they too have families, wife, children, mother, father etc. they would like to visit them, when they are sick, or if there is marriage or some important functions, state grants them parole. A parole is granted purely as goodwill, and that has to be kept. It’s a gentleman’s promise to return to the prison, when parole is over. But then, like all situations there are exceptions, and some pull a-fast-one and escape into the dark alleys and are lost like this Md Shareef Md Iqbal Sheikh. This convict was released on 24th April 2013, from the Nashik jail for 14 days parole. He managed to remain allusive for almost 3 years until 20th March, when he was caught and was put behind bars. All these 3 years, he was a fugitive and therefore could never have enjoyed his freedom. Even his 3 years absence may become negative factor in his possible early release. It was true that Sanjay Dutt got more than the normal share of parole, as he was a bit influential, but always respected the terms and returned back to the prison. Hence no wonder, he was released early, before completion of his jail term.
While we are about it, we all need to appreciate, that police, with all their negatives, do have their problems with jailbirds like Mohd Iqbal Sheik. People like Sheikh increases the problem of police and make their jobs so much more difficult. They also make the life of other jail inmates difficult. Because of such vanishing tricks, genuine cases may not be sincerely heard or considered. Police can distrust all and therefore, those who have problems with the law have to fight within the legal framework, it can help all. Many times police may want to help or be nice, but such episode of slip make them tough, and we blame that police are heartless. Truly, it takes two for a tango.
KARNATAKA: The latest protest at the National Law School of India University over the dress code has again drawn the attention on the way student community wastes its time on inessentials of evolution. In recent times, we have seen and witnessed the vociferous and heightened protest on the so called protection of freedom of expression by students from some of the institutions of higher learning, as if it is the ‘be all and end of all of student life’. We all like freedom, and who don’t like it?! Even communists who have very little personal freedom in communist ruled countries, wants freedom in India, because, it is someone else who is ruling.
This time round, it was attending the classes by female students, in shorts, that too in a Law School University. As humans, we all want to try all sorts of things including scanty dressing. But to attend classes of professional education in shorts, certainly indicates a bit of waywardness of the person. Discipline is the core of our evolution. If we are not disciplined, we are not fit to be where we are. Of course, the Professor, who commented rather harshly in tasteless language has to be ticked off. He does not deserve to be a professor in a professional law school, if he can’t mind his language. That said, students, in their own interest should behave in a responsible way. They have to grow as responsible citizens and not as vagabonds acting on whims and fancies. Besides what surprises is the inaction or their blindness when sections of society forces its females to wear a particular kind of outfit, even when majority of these females abhor it. There is no student’s movement to protest for the human rights of these females, who have subjugated themselves to the male chauvinism of their society. In all fairness, students should mind their studies rather than waste their time in inessentials unbecoming of students.
President of the Catholic Bishops conference of India, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal was speaking to the press before the start of plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishop of India, some weeks ago in Bengalooru.
“If the entire Hindu Community in India had decided to be communal, the Christian, Muslim and Sikhs would not have been safe. Thanks to God… the majority of Hindus in India are secular. The virtue of secularism should be celebrated by all”, Archibishop Thottunkal had reportedly stated.
Indeed the spirit of secularism is the most fragrant flower of India. It needs to bloom in all its glory spreading its fragrance everywhere. Lots of well meaning, well placed persons are making right noises but there need lot to be done on ground. The best way to sustain the spirit of secularism- alive & kicking-is to encourage inter faith marriages.
We do witness, they are happening. But there is a significant catch. If a Christian marries a Hindu, or a Muslim marries a Hindu, there is pressure on one of the spouses to change his or her religion. Can’t we encourage them to retain their faith so that there is true merging of faith, and we leave the freedom to their progeny to decide as they grow!
There was this wedding in Mandya between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. Reportedly there was demonstration by a Hindu group opposing the wedding. Although initial report had informed that girl has not converted, a Nikah took place and her name was changed. If the marriage was registered without any religious ritual and name kept intact may be this protestors would have melted away. Nikah took place, obviously because, the boy’s family insisted, and girl’s family succumbed. Of course it is an individual choice, the Hindu protestors had no role. But if we are interested in the larger pan-Indian picture of plural India, such marriages are encouraged actively sans bigotry. After all shouldn’t we love our India more than our religion!? Then India would have truly arrived. Amen.
The reported refusal of Governor Vajubhai Vala to see former Prime Minister Deve Gowda is unfortunate to say the least. After having changed the appointment from 3PM to 2PM and then despite being on time and, then to wait for 45 minutes and still not been able to meet the governor, “as he is resting”, amounts to snub or humiliation or both. Reportedly even PM Narendra Modi met former PM Gowda twice in the recent past.
Raj Bhavans are also known as Old Age Homes for many, should have at least called in time for the former Prime Minister, either to delay the visit or to postpone to the next day or any mutually convenient day, since he is an octogenarian, unlike the Governor, who is in his 70’s. That former PM is unhappy with the episode is an understatement. He is quite entitled to feel furious.
There was this report of 25 year old Ms. Sandhya having donated the organs of her 34 year old husband, after a fatal accident. After the story of large heartedness was telecast and published in print media, it was as usual for the world at large. As usual, all forgot the event. But can it be as usual for someone who has lost her only bread winner for the family? Ms. Sandhya, still very young, with a child and the mother of the deceased, is having harrowing time. Neither the company, where her husband worked, paid any compensation, with no insurance cover, helpless young mother is having difficulties in managing home finance. Why not the police file a case of criminal negligence on the part of the employer who used the victim at a construction site and make him culpable to pay adequate compensation besides other penal actions? And what about those who benefitted from the organs of the deceased? Don’t they, even as a reciprocal gesture, have the responsibility to the organ donor family? After all they are smiling their way into all their to-morrows, shouldn’t they try to wipe the tear of those who are left to suffer the absence of their loved one? Society need to ponder and debate, how best we can help in reducing the suffering of those who are left behind, to suffer in their solitude. Hope this small write-up ignites some action.
KERALA: Any loss of life- flora and fauna included, should always be condoled. It’s very sad that over 100 perished and over 300 injured in a kind of competitive fireworks at the Paravur temple in Kollam, Kerala. That it was caused by casual approach to the whole issue of managing- manufacturing, transporting, storing and usage- these firecrackers is not the issue. Issue is why at all we have this spectre of dangerous chemicals going up in flames only to entertain, the gathering of thrill seekers and certainly not those who come for the darshan and blessing of the God. These explosions or burnings of extremely harmful chemicals like potassium sulphate, is not only very risky for humans, as is witnessed in Kollam, but also very bad environmentally, besides causing completely avoidable noise pollution. So, should we at all have it? Notwithstanding what Travancore Devaswom Board member Prayar Gopalkrishnan had said post disaster at Kollam temple. He had reportedly remarked that “In many temples, pyrotechnics is part of rituals. As a ritual it should be maintained.” The question is ‘has the God from the sanctum sanctorum demanded these spectacles, which in ultimate analysis causes only loss of money, loss of property, environmental degradation, sound pollution and of course this hugely painful loss of human lives? State and Centre must debate the possibility of either completely banning the use of firecrackers or to heavily regulate the use of these harmful chemical products.
WORLD: On Sunday some of the national T.V Channels carried a BREAKING NEWS: and it followed “Prime Minister has been awarded with Saudi Arabia’s Highest Civilian Award”. That these TV Channels thought it a breaking news is note worthy.
As far as the memory goes, no prime minister of India was ever rewarded with this award, not even to a Pakistani national. For whatever reason this award was given, it is indeed a breakthrough of a rare and different kind. India and Indians should have celebrated. But no newspaper carried any story.
If two years earlier, by some quirk of fate if Dr. Manmohan Singh was to get this award, on his return to Palam or the IG International Airport, it would have been pretty natural if Dr Singh would have been greeted with ‘Bharath Maata Ki Jai’, and all would have lived happily ever after. But now there is a problem, largely made by elements within the Sangh Pariwar and some of their senior political and government functionaries. Both Sangh elements and their opponents in the public space acted and spoke with abundant immaturity. We Indians need to grow to appreciate things in right perspective without our negatives overtaking our positives. In this context RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had reportedly remarked “We have to create a great India where people themselves chant “Bharath Maatha Ki Jai. It need not be imposed.” Now that’s a matured statement.
Coming to this award, there are idiotic cynics who only paint a negative picture. Haven’t we heard ‘every cloud has a silver lining’? Let us see only silver lining, that Saudi Arabian Royalty has accepted India on its face value by recognizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Amen.
Some weeks ago, there was this report in the print media about the Visa being denied to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), by the Union government.
USCIRF had plans to travel to India, to study the alleged ‘extremist rhetoric' in the context of India’s multi-religious socio-political landscape. What was the purpose, unless there is a hidden agenda, was not known. Since last few months, we are all privy to the happenings across India, where some bad mouthing, especially from so-called right wing elements, had attracted lot of criticism. And whole lot of social media reaction has been there. But there have been similar or worse happenings from even those who are not clubbed with right wing elements. But our interlocutors in the public space and even media had maintained a kind of No See, No Hear and No Speak approach of 3 monkeys. This has been an ongoing thing whenever and wherever these so-called right wing parties come to power.
But the truth is, India being a Complex Country of all sorts, it has an amazing ability with its self correction system without the help of self Styled Super Power, the U.S. India certainly do not need the “tremendous missed opportunity” as observed by Katrina Swett, the Commissioner for USCIRF. She had thus commented after the visa denial. Commenting on the refusal of visa for the third time she had reportedly remarked “India is a great society and one of the most significant countries in the world. One would hope that a democratic and pluralistic society like India would welcome a visit from the Commission”. It was obvious they wanted to come uninvited, only to fish in the troubled water to make it more murkier. So that similar elements within India, are given a boost. Period.
There is nobody in the world who do not wish to be happy. But we all know that, happiness is a mirage. If you chase, it will continue to elude you. But if you don’t, may be it will perch on your shoulder like a butter fly.
But what constitutes happiness? Is it having everything you desire or to be satisfied with what you have?
The Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN), a global initiative of the United Nations, has come up with ‘The World Happiness Report 2016’, recently.
Released in New York, it had shown India to be one of the more unhappy countries of the world. It is sad isn’t it! In a list of 156 countries, the world over, India reportedly is at 118, way behind even Pakistan and Bangladesh. The report apparently takes into account, GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make choices, generosity, corruption and dystopia. While all parameters are known, when a study of human development index is calculated, dystopia is a new terminology. The explanation given to dystopia refers to ‘a state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or an environmentally degraded one’.
Coming to India, which is shown at 118, as compared to Denmark which is No:1, there appear to be some serious issues of concern.
Report said that India was among the group of 10 countries witnessing the largest happiness declines along with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and Botswana. India comes below even nations like Somalia at 75, Iran at 105, Pakistan at 92, Palestine at 108 and Bangladesh at 110.
Reportedly India had ranked 111th in 2013, clearly in 2016 it has become more unhappy at 118. Where are the Acche Dins!? Coming coming not coming!!
According to the report, it has given a special consideration to the measurement and consequences of inequality in the distribution of well being among countries. Experts across fields like economics, psychology, survey analysis, national statistics, health, public policy describe how measurement of well being can be used effectively to assess the progress of nations. Report reflects a “new world wide demand for more attention to happiness as criteria for government policy. People are happier living in societies where there is less inequality of happiness”. However report notes that happiness inequality has increased in most countries. Isn’t it a reflection of the decline in the mental richness of societies the world over!? Is the man failing!
Worst thing any human can do to another human, is to cause sorrow when the person is enjoying his happiness. This is what, the Pakistani terrorist group did to their Christian fellowmen, who were enjoying their Easter outing at the popular Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore. Some 70 people perished in the suicide bombing and over 200 were injured, some very seriously. The Idea of causing the mayhem on a holiday at a popular park was to cause the maximum loss of life and bloodshed. The terror group may be having some justification for causing this kind of barbaric act, but whatever your reasons for doing what you did, how can you kill innocents who are not even remotely connected with your cause.
This act is not only diabolic, but also barbaric, without any iota of justice. The group which is unhappy with the execution of policeman Qadri, who had killed Punjab governor Salman Taseer, should if at all, act against the government which executed Qadri, instead of attacking all the vulnerable innocents, who have no way of hitting back. This despicable act in the name of Jihad has to be condemned outright. We have this U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom, wanting to visit India to investigate some stupid bad mouthing by some Hindu bigots and not any violence, mind you! Where are they when these innocents were killed on one of their holiest days?!
Besides, local police, beating a student, when he was only carrying the Indian tricolor in the protest march, is really reprehensible and totally unacceptable.
However what is truly disappointing is the mindset of Kashmiri Muslims, at least, a section of it, who simply do not like the idea of being with India, probably only because of Hindu majority in India. This cock-eyed approach of these Kashmiris have neither won friends non-influenced people.
Coming to politics, like Congress accuses the BJP, it had different yardsticks in two campuses. In Delhi, if BJP was ultra nationalist in Kashmir BJP seem to have exhonarated police beating of nationalist students who were waving Indian tricolor. After almost 3 weeks of the incident there is no action on anti-nationals in Kashmir as alleged by ‘outside’ students in the campus. Could it be because, in Delhi, the government is of AAP and in J & K BJP is partner in government with the PDP?
NEW DELHI: Salman Khan never fails to make news mostly for wrong reasons. Now he is at his histrionic best complaining that Maharashtra government and Mumbai police are trying to implicate him in the Sept 28, 2002, drunken driving case, where one died and many were injured. After a tortuous journey of over 12 years, ends of justice appeared to have met, when on 12th May 2015, Salman Khan was declared guilty of culpable homicide and was awarded with a 5 years jail term. As luck would have it, or is it the machinations of our legal fraternity, Salman did not spend even 5 minutes let alone 5 years, within the four walls of any jail. It was indeed a travesty of justice that he not only got the bail in matter of hours but the Bombay High Court, in its one of the fastest judgements, gave him a clean chit in December the same year. Taking judicial freedom of interpretation of statements of witnesses, Salman was cleared of all wrong doing. Things would have rested there, if there was the NCP led same government. After all it was RR Patil & Company, who had tried their best to save Salman, prior to his conviction by Justice Deshpande. Unfortunately for Salman and his cronies, the change of the guard at Sachivalaya tilted the balance and the High Court clearance was challenged with Advocate General going hammer and tong screaming ‘Salman acquittal is a travesty of justice’.
So, the spectre of Sept 28, 2002 and the spirit of police body guard Ravindra Patil has come back to haunt him. With the battery of lawyers, who have no qualms lying, Salman has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court that he “was neither drunk nor was he driving the vehicle, and that it was his driver Ashok Singh, who was driving the vehicle”. All of us are privy to the fact that driver Ashok Singh was parachuted into the scene after 13 years, and yet the Bombay High Court judge did not take cognizance of this fact, yet took the freedom to disbelieve the star witness, who was sitting right next to Salman on that fateful day. But then this is Yeh Mera India, where miscarriage of justice in favour of moneyed and the powerful, pass the muster. Hope Apex Court which is looking into the acquittal shall apply itself in all fairness, to return the verdict of guilty, where due.
UTTAR PRADESH: Newspaper just informed that Aparna Yadav, reportedly the 2nd daughter-in-law of ‘Netaaji’, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party Supremo and defacto boss in U.P., is also entering politics and that she will be the party’s candidate from Lucknow constituency. According to the same report this ‘Netaaji’, already has six of his sons & relatives in political office. Elder son Akhilesh Yadav is the Chief Minister of U.P as an MLC. Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav is a Loksabha M.P. Dharmendra Yadav, Akshay Pratap and Tej Pratap, are ‘Netaaji’s’ nephews and they are all members of parliament. Netaaji’s brother Ram Gopal Yadav is a Rajya Sabha M.P. Indians are surprised how like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Netaaji did not bring his wife into politics. That would have completed the family tree.
All these ‘ladies & gentlemen’ are emerging as leaders to ‘serve the nation’. Nearer home we have our own ‘son of the soil’ Deve Gowda & family trying to replicate UP ‘Netaaji’. It is incredible that, there is so much rush to ‘serve the nation’ among some political families, like Karunanidhi, Lalu Prasad, Sangma, Pawar, Chavan & others. And our politicians are never tired of talking about empowerment of women and marginalized. As usual these jokers do not mean what they are talking. Democracy supposed to be politics of people, by people, for people. Likes of Mulayam & Lalu have proved, it is of some families, by some families and for some families. This is Yeh Mera India.
“I want to see an India where people Actually Believe in Differences” was a title to the write up in the Education Express published by Indian Express on: 21st March 2016.
The above statement was attributed to Ovais Sultan Khan reportedly a recipient of Rights to Livelihood, called Alternative Nobel Prize.
India is a country of some 1270 millions. It has some 25+ officially recognized languages some over 1500 dialects. Some half a dozen religions, with hundreds of sects & castes of haves and have-nots. Its cultures and cuisines are so diametrically different from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and from Kutch to Kohima. Yet, but for some sporadic incidents of human pettiness, from all communities, it has been fairly peaceful, except aberrations like 1984 or 2002, in independent India. As a free country, both India and Pakistan were born on the same day, but isn’t there a difference in the evolution of our two geographical entities? If ‘Idea of India’ has survived, it’s because Indians do live with differences and have accepted the differences. Although U.S Ambassador John Kenneth Galbraith had made a telling remark “India is a functioning anarchy”, more than half a century ago, the point is we are also a functioning democracy with an effective election commission and a vibrant justice delivery system, responsive and probably more fair than even the United States, for all its 68 years as an independent nation. This is indeed a reflection “Where people actually co-habit with differences”, only if media plays its role with responsibility and with a sense of purpose.
While we are about it, it may be relevant to put on record that undersigned had the happiness of sharing the same roof as part of the family, 4 members of a ‘so-called minority community- 3 generation in all- for 18 long years with complete harmony, besides being involved with some half-a-dozen minority educational institutions in reaching out to its needs and aspirations. Of course, media men, despite knowing it, had neither the time nor the inclinations to tell the wide world about this involvement. Everyone has his or her own agenda. Some are driven by selfish motives and some by altruistic motives. That’s all.
Bihar: Habits die hard. It is a gospel truth as clear as day light. Alcohol drinking is one such habit, that it may not be impossible to give up, but certainly one of the more difficult habits. Between smoking and drinking, the later has been hailed as a better habit. Because smoking can involve silent smokers around the active smoker, so also for the foul smell that comes by the burning of tobacco, smoking is more hated, unlike alcohol which involves only the individual and not his surrounding people. But unfortunately alcohol is more expensive and can be very debilitating financially for both the drunk and his family, who loses his income. Families have always suffered, due to a overdrinking bread winner. It was therefore very normal for Bihari women to demand banning the distribution of alcohol in the state. Purely as a vote bank strategy Nitish Kumar, the CM of Bihar banned the distribution and consumption of alcohol inside Bihar. He feels the women folk of Bihar are very pleased with the decision. Good luck to him and his government.
But, it was a very big decision with multiple dimensions. First and foremost it will lose some Rs 4000+ crores in revenues. For a state which simply cannot afford to lose this kind of money, it is a very big loss. How are you going to recoup the loss? Besides, it is in the human nature to break the law when forced to deny the right. Surely some will fall in line, some will not. So illegal ways to some extent, and some likely to create groups to circumvent the law, can be some of the possibilities.
There will be illegal illicit manufacturing and distribution, where quick money can be the rule of the game. Hooch tragedy is a most likely happening. Birth and growth of Mafia is another possibility. Then you have your neighbouring states, who are all open for drinks. All these can greatly increase the pressure on policing. After all Bihar is generally known to be a lawless state. With a alcohol mafia operating, which in all likelihood can be a happening thing, the Chief Minister will have his hands full without much doing. Nitish Kumar has the lesson of other states on Prohibition to learn from if he cares to learn. Prohibition has always failed after a year or two of enthusiastic enforcement. He has to find some way out. He must increase duties on alcohol to make it more expensive, but use the increased revenues for social engineering, to help the addicted labour class, whose families are on the brink of disaster, to slowly wean them away. They may not completely give-up, but the initiatives can be there to influence reduction in consumption. So that, this class of people not only can enjoy the drink occasionally, but is also left with enough time and money for the family. After all increased universal happiness index has to be the objective of all policy initiatives of elected governments.
Maharashtra: BJP or Sangh Pariwar can be very funny at times. They may not be violent professors of their ideology, but they can be plain stupid. BJP ruled Municipal Corporation of Nagpur (NMC) had organized an AIDS awareness programme at Kasturchand Park, sometime early April. But along with this, some temple authorities had joined hands to chant “Hanuman Chalisa”, organized by a BJP corporator. The logic was by reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, would help cure AIDS. Whether it was pure faith or there were instances of proven cases of the efficacy of chanting Hanuman Chalisa in curing AIDS or any other malady was not the point. The point was how an elected government can associate itself with a purely religious event of a temple, even if ruling party members were involved.
Responding to a PIL by one Janardhan, a former corporator, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court justifiably reacted sharply, saying India belongs to all faiths and not just Hindus, and therefore government had no business to associate itself with a purely religious event of Hindus. It is another matter that there are many non Hindus, both among Muslims & Christians who are believers in some of the practices of Hindus. But they are purely at personal level and never at official level. Right enough, the government accepted without any fuss to disassociate itself with the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ event. Two cheers for the Idea of India.
Being a country of some 1275 million homosapiens, from hundreds of social background, India can present a myriad picture of all kinds of happenings. No wonder the print media datelined Mumbai had this story “Pillion rider stabs bus driver for overtaking”. Incredible, as it may sound, it happened in Chembur, in the North-eastern Mumbai.
Buses or bus drivers, anywhere in India, are always in a hurry, to reach the destination, hence a Maharashtra State Transport Corporation Bus was no different. Driver was either in a hurry or the two wheeler, which he overtook was probably slow. But a bus overtaking a two wheeler or a two wheeler overtaking a bus is an everyday happenings, may be in hundreds, in any big city, more so in a mega city like Mumbai. Difference in this case probably was that the two wheeler was being ridden by a female and her pillion rider was a male. Probably they were on a mission.
On overtaking by the ST bus driver, the female mobike rider, reportedly over sped her bike and overtook ST bus and stopped it in front of the bus. The infuriated male pillion rider got off the bike and confronted the driver and reportedly stabbed the ST bus driver. Obviously after grievously injuring the ST bus driver, the duo sped past. Reportedly the driver has been admitted to a local hospital with Trombay Police Station recording a complaint. Report informs that the hunt is on for the accused and the bike bearing registration No: MH 46-8140.
Here the question, which the report does not talk about is, what were the passengers of the ST bus doing, when a single person, attacking the driver, who was probably not at fault at all? He was only overtaking and overtaking is not a fault at all unless it is dangerous. If such an attack can takes place in broad day light near a traffic signal and attacker gives a slip, what is expected of a citizen? There could have been different ways of handling a lone attacker. How have we become so apathetic or afraid to stop an attack or overpower an attacker? It speaks poorly of our civilisational values. After all the bus driver is a community service provider and was serving those passengers in the bus. How can we make their life less dangerous and more safe? Don’t we have some responsibility towards such public servants? Like all of us, he too could be having his own set of personal problems, but as an employee he was serving you. Isn’t, because of such apathy, don’t care selfish attitude, these attackers, even when they are alone, go scot free? It is incomprehensible that not only the bus driver was attacked brutally, but attacker left without being caught. This kind of daring comes only from professional weapon users.
Recurring water crisis in Deccan plateau covering parts of Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka has been there for a longtime. Powers that be, have been only fiddling their fingers, without any long term strategy to manage water crisis.
This time round, it has been particularly bad in Latur in the south eastern part of Maharashtra. Authorities at Sachivalaya in Mumbai, has been organizing water tankers through trains to supply water to the parched land holders, besides imposing section 144 of the criminal code to avoid any possible riots for water.
There was this news some weeks ago that hospitals and nursing homes in Latur have stopped surgeries due to lack of water. This is an alarming situation. Small and big industries have already stopped activity.
But what is most saddening is, while aam aadmi is suffering from acute water shortage, politicians do not seem worried. They not only do not do much, to alleviate the suffering of people, they also indulge in private celebrations.
The local MLA Amit Deshmukh of Congress, who is also the son of former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, was recently in the news for wrong reasons. To celebrate his birthday, he organized sports events which consumed lot of water for the ground preparation. And comes the news of Eknath Khadse, a minister of Fadnavis government. Accusing the minister of complete insensitivity, the media and opposition blasted the minister, who was visiting Belkund village, some 40 kms from Latur to assess the drought situation.
Reportedly, after alighting at Latur airport, the minister wanted a helicopter service to cover the distance.
While use of helicopter for a mere 40 Kms distance can fairly be dubbed as arrogance, the wasted use of 10000 liters of scarce water to make temporary helipad was certainly height of insensitivity. Indeed when it comes to the issues relating to responsible behavior from politicians, BJP has proved as bad as Congress. And they are the principal political parties of the country. Whom do we turn to succour? Oh poor Mother India.
There was this story “Parole absconder held after 5 years”. We have also heard about Sanjay Dutt being given parole so very often. We all recognize that those who are guilty of offence, as accepted by the courts, have to undergo jail sentences. Those who go to jail some time there may be innocents getting caught in the crossfire being punished. It is a very sorry state of affairs. For varieties of reasons, they are pronounced guilty although they may be innocents. Our heart really goes out for them and prayers that they are out of jail soonest. Even those who are guilty, they too have families, wife, children, mother, father etc. they would like to visit them, when they are sick, or if there is marriage or some important functions, state grants them parole. A parole is granted purely as goodwill, and that has to be kept. It’s a gentleman’s promise to return to the prison, when parole is over. But then, like all situations there are exceptions, and some pull a-fast-one and escape into the dark alleys and are lost like this Md Shareef Md Iqbal Sheikh. This convict was released on 24th April 2013, from the Nashik jail for 14 days parole. He managed to remain allusive for almost 3 years until 20th March, when he was caught and was put behind bars. All these 3 years, he was a fugitive and therefore could never have enjoyed his freedom. Even his 3 years absence may become negative factor in his possible early release. It was true that Sanjay Dutt got more than the normal share of parole, as he was a bit influential, but always respected the terms and returned back to the prison. Hence no wonder, he was released early, before completion of his jail term.
While we are about it, we all need to appreciate, that police, with all their negatives, do have their problems with jailbirds like Mohd Iqbal Sheik. People like Sheikh increases the problem of police and make their jobs so much more difficult. They also make the life of other jail inmates difficult. Because of such vanishing tricks, genuine cases may not be sincerely heard or considered. Police can distrust all and therefore, those who have problems with the law have to fight within the legal framework, it can help all. Many times police may want to help or be nice, but such episode of slip make them tough, and we blame that police are heartless. Truly, it takes two for a tango.
KARNATAKA: The latest protest at the National Law School of India University over the dress code has again drawn the attention on the way student community wastes its time on inessentials of evolution. In recent times, we have seen and witnessed the vociferous and heightened protest on the so called protection of freedom of expression by students from some of the institutions of higher learning, as if it is the ‘be all and end of all of student life’. We all like freedom, and who don’t like it?! Even communists who have very little personal freedom in communist ruled countries, wants freedom in India, because, it is someone else who is ruling.
This time round, it was attending the classes by female students, in shorts, that too in a Law School University. As humans, we all want to try all sorts of things including scanty dressing. But to attend classes of professional education in shorts, certainly indicates a bit of waywardness of the person. Discipline is the core of our evolution. If we are not disciplined, we are not fit to be where we are. Of course, the Professor, who commented rather harshly in tasteless language has to be ticked off. He does not deserve to be a professor in a professional law school, if he can’t mind his language. That said, students, in their own interest should behave in a responsible way. They have to grow as responsible citizens and not as vagabonds acting on whims and fancies. Besides what surprises is the inaction or their blindness when sections of society forces its females to wear a particular kind of outfit, even when majority of these females abhor it. There is no student’s movement to protest for the human rights of these females, who have subjugated themselves to the male chauvinism of their society. In all fairness, students should mind their studies rather than waste their time in inessentials unbecoming of students.
President of the Catholic Bishops conference of India, Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal was speaking to the press before the start of plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishop of India, some weeks ago in Bengalooru.
“If the entire Hindu Community in India had decided to be communal, the Christian, Muslim and Sikhs would not have been safe. Thanks to God… the majority of Hindus in India are secular. The virtue of secularism should be celebrated by all”, Archibishop Thottunkal had reportedly stated.
Indeed the spirit of secularism is the most fragrant flower of India. It needs to bloom in all its glory spreading its fragrance everywhere. Lots of well meaning, well placed persons are making right noises but there need lot to be done on ground. The best way to sustain the spirit of secularism- alive & kicking-is to encourage inter faith marriages.
We do witness, they are happening. But there is a significant catch. If a Christian marries a Hindu, or a Muslim marries a Hindu, there is pressure on one of the spouses to change his or her religion. Can’t we encourage them to retain their faith so that there is true merging of faith, and we leave the freedom to their progeny to decide as they grow!
There was this wedding in Mandya between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy. Reportedly there was demonstration by a Hindu group opposing the wedding. Although initial report had informed that girl has not converted, a Nikah took place and her name was changed. If the marriage was registered without any religious ritual and name kept intact may be this protestors would have melted away. Nikah took place, obviously because, the boy’s family insisted, and girl’s family succumbed. Of course it is an individual choice, the Hindu protestors had no role. But if we are interested in the larger pan-Indian picture of plural India, such marriages are encouraged actively sans bigotry. After all shouldn’t we love our India more than our religion!? Then India would have truly arrived. Amen.
The reported refusal of Governor Vajubhai Vala to see former Prime Minister Deve Gowda is unfortunate to say the least. After having changed the appointment from 3PM to 2PM and then despite being on time and, then to wait for 45 minutes and still not been able to meet the governor, “as he is resting”, amounts to snub or humiliation or both. Reportedly even PM Narendra Modi met former PM Gowda twice in the recent past.
Raj Bhavans are also known as Old Age Homes for many, should have at least called in time for the former Prime Minister, either to delay the visit or to postpone to the next day or any mutually convenient day, since he is an octogenarian, unlike the Governor, who is in his 70’s. That former PM is unhappy with the episode is an understatement. He is quite entitled to feel furious.
There was this report of 25 year old Ms. Sandhya having donated the organs of her 34 year old husband, after a fatal accident. After the story of large heartedness was telecast and published in print media, it was as usual for the world at large. As usual, all forgot the event. But can it be as usual for someone who has lost her only bread winner for the family? Ms. Sandhya, still very young, with a child and the mother of the deceased, is having harrowing time. Neither the company, where her husband worked, paid any compensation, with no insurance cover, helpless young mother is having difficulties in managing home finance. Why not the police file a case of criminal negligence on the part of the employer who used the victim at a construction site and make him culpable to pay adequate compensation besides other penal actions? And what about those who benefitted from the organs of the deceased? Don’t they, even as a reciprocal gesture, have the responsibility to the organ donor family? After all they are smiling their way into all their to-morrows, shouldn’t they try to wipe the tear of those who are left to suffer the absence of their loved one? Society need to ponder and debate, how best we can help in reducing the suffering of those who are left behind, to suffer in their solitude. Hope this small write-up ignites some action.
KERALA: Any loss of life- flora and fauna included, should always be condoled. It’s very sad that over 100 perished and over 300 injured in a kind of competitive fireworks at the Paravur temple in Kollam, Kerala. That it was caused by casual approach to the whole issue of managing- manufacturing, transporting, storing and usage- these firecrackers is not the issue. Issue is why at all we have this spectre of dangerous chemicals going up in flames only to entertain, the gathering of thrill seekers and certainly not those who come for the darshan and blessing of the God. These explosions or burnings of extremely harmful chemicals like potassium sulphate, is not only very risky for humans, as is witnessed in Kollam, but also very bad environmentally, besides causing completely avoidable noise pollution. So, should we at all have it? Notwithstanding what Travancore Devaswom Board member Prayar Gopalkrishnan had said post disaster at Kollam temple. He had reportedly remarked that “In many temples, pyrotechnics is part of rituals. As a ritual it should be maintained.” The question is ‘has the God from the sanctum sanctorum demanded these spectacles, which in ultimate analysis causes only loss of money, loss of property, environmental degradation, sound pollution and of course this hugely painful loss of human lives? State and Centre must debate the possibility of either completely banning the use of firecrackers or to heavily regulate the use of these harmful chemical products.
WORLD: On Sunday some of the national T.V Channels carried a BREAKING NEWS: and it followed “Prime Minister has been awarded with Saudi Arabia’s Highest Civilian Award”. That these TV Channels thought it a breaking news is note worthy.
As far as the memory goes, no prime minister of India was ever rewarded with this award, not even to a Pakistani national. For whatever reason this award was given, it is indeed a breakthrough of a rare and different kind. India and Indians should have celebrated. But no newspaper carried any story.
If two years earlier, by some quirk of fate if Dr. Manmohan Singh was to get this award, on his return to Palam or the IG International Airport, it would have been pretty natural if Dr Singh would have been greeted with ‘Bharath Maata Ki Jai’, and all would have lived happily ever after. But now there is a problem, largely made by elements within the Sangh Pariwar and some of their senior political and government functionaries. Both Sangh elements and their opponents in the public space acted and spoke with abundant immaturity. We Indians need to grow to appreciate things in right perspective without our negatives overtaking our positives. In this context RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had reportedly remarked “We have to create a great India where people themselves chant “Bharath Maatha Ki Jai. It need not be imposed.” Now that’s a matured statement.
Coming to this award, there are idiotic cynics who only paint a negative picture. Haven’t we heard ‘every cloud has a silver lining’? Let us see only silver lining, that Saudi Arabian Royalty has accepted India on its face value by recognizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Amen.
Some weeks ago, there was this report in the print media about the Visa being denied to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), by the Union government.
USCIRF had plans to travel to India, to study the alleged ‘extremist rhetoric' in the context of India’s multi-religious socio-political landscape. What was the purpose, unless there is a hidden agenda, was not known. Since last few months, we are all privy to the happenings across India, where some bad mouthing, especially from so-called right wing elements, had attracted lot of criticism. And whole lot of social media reaction has been there. But there have been similar or worse happenings from even those who are not clubbed with right wing elements. But our interlocutors in the public space and even media had maintained a kind of No See, No Hear and No Speak approach of 3 monkeys. This has been an ongoing thing whenever and wherever these so-called right wing parties come to power.
But the truth is, India being a Complex Country of all sorts, it has an amazing ability with its self correction system without the help of self Styled Super Power, the U.S. India certainly do not need the “tremendous missed opportunity” as observed by Katrina Swett, the Commissioner for USCIRF. She had thus commented after the visa denial. Commenting on the refusal of visa for the third time she had reportedly remarked “India is a great society and one of the most significant countries in the world. One would hope that a democratic and pluralistic society like India would welcome a visit from the Commission”. It was obvious they wanted to come uninvited, only to fish in the troubled water to make it more murkier. So that similar elements within India, are given a boost. Period.
There is nobody in the world who do not wish to be happy. But we all know that, happiness is a mirage. If you chase, it will continue to elude you. But if you don’t, may be it will perch on your shoulder like a butter fly.
But what constitutes happiness? Is it having everything you desire or to be satisfied with what you have?
The Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN), a global initiative of the United Nations, has come up with ‘The World Happiness Report 2016’, recently.
Released in New York, it had shown India to be one of the more unhappy countries of the world. It is sad isn’t it! In a list of 156 countries, the world over, India reportedly is at 118, way behind even Pakistan and Bangladesh. The report apparently takes into account, GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make choices, generosity, corruption and dystopia. While all parameters are known, when a study of human development index is calculated, dystopia is a new terminology. The explanation given to dystopia refers to ‘a state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or an environmentally degraded one’.
Coming to India, which is shown at 118, as compared to Denmark which is No:1, there appear to be some serious issues of concern.
Report said that India was among the group of 10 countries witnessing the largest happiness declines along with Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and Botswana. India comes below even nations like Somalia at 75, Iran at 105, Pakistan at 92, Palestine at 108 and Bangladesh at 110.
Reportedly India had ranked 111th in 2013, clearly in 2016 it has become more unhappy at 118. Where are the Acche Dins!? Coming coming not coming!!
According to the report, it has given a special consideration to the measurement and consequences of inequality in the distribution of well being among countries. Experts across fields like economics, psychology, survey analysis, national statistics, health, public policy describe how measurement of well being can be used effectively to assess the progress of nations. Report reflects a “new world wide demand for more attention to happiness as criteria for government policy. People are happier living in societies where there is less inequality of happiness”. However report notes that happiness inequality has increased in most countries. Isn’t it a reflection of the decline in the mental richness of societies the world over!? Is the man failing!
Worst thing any human can do to another human, is to cause sorrow when the person is enjoying his happiness. This is what, the Pakistani terrorist group did to their Christian fellowmen, who were enjoying their Easter outing at the popular Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore. Some 70 people perished in the suicide bombing and over 200 were injured, some very seriously. The Idea of causing the mayhem on a holiday at a popular park was to cause the maximum loss of life and bloodshed. The terror group may be having some justification for causing this kind of barbaric act, but whatever your reasons for doing what you did, how can you kill innocents who are not even remotely connected with your cause.
This act is not only diabolic, but also barbaric, without any iota of justice. The group which is unhappy with the execution of policeman Qadri, who had killed Punjab governor Salman Taseer, should if at all, act against the government which executed Qadri, instead of attacking all the vulnerable innocents, who have no way of hitting back. This despicable act in the name of Jihad has to be condemned outright. We have this U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom, wanting to visit India to investigate some stupid bad mouthing by some Hindu bigots and not any violence, mind you! Where are they when these innocents were killed on one of their holiest days?!
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