AAP Crisis - Kejriwal, The Errant Child

2015-03-28T18:33:00.002-07:00

AAM AADMI ONE MORE IN THE SAME GENRE OF INDIAN POLITICAL PARTIES; KEJRIWAL, A DISAPPOINTMENT – THE LAMENT OF A WELL WISHER

Having closely followed the events taking place within the AAM AADMI party in the last few days, to say that I am distressed like many of you would be a serious understatement

I was inevitably reminded of the Congress split taking effect in the late sixties well planned, designed and orchestrated by the Late Indira Gandhi.

To briefly recollect the events as it happened for the benefit of those of later generations, the Congress split into two factions with the elderly and aging Congress leaders of the freedom movement such as Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, Nijalingappa and others on one side and Indira Gandhi with her coterie and sycophants on the other side of the spectrum.

Later events subsequently proved that idealism without an ability for clever manipulation and cunning stratagems is not enough to survive as a force in Indian Politics.

Today taking a ringside view of AAM AADMI politics I cannot help wondering if the position of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan is not similar to that of the erstwhile Old Congress leaders of yesteryear.

Experience is a great leveler. So hopefully Kejriwal may still see wisdom in mending fences with the group led by Bhushan- Yadav combine which would come as a great relief for the thousands of volunteers of AAM AADMI party whose hopes seem to have come crashing right now.

On a positive note, let us not forget the fact that Kejriwal was indeed prepared to give up his lucrative career in Civil Services to plunge into the social movement of Anna Hazare and later to launch AAM AADMI party with support from others.

So we have to accept the fact that his idealistic fervor has been amply demonstrated. So I believe it would not be too much to expect that he would still have the wisdom to learn from his experiences. But at the moment it is only a fond hope.

There is no saint without a past and a sinner without a future. Kejriwal still does not qualify to be described a sinner. ERRANT CHILD WOULD BE A BETTER DESCRIPTION OF THE MAN.

Thoughts on NDTV Interview with Deepika Padukone

2015-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

Like so many of you perhaps, I also watched Barkha Dutt’s interview with Deepika Padukone on NDTV which was essentially about Mental Health issues from the perspective of one with lived experience of the same and her personal struggles.

I watched it with a lot of interest as much as the millions of people who must have watched it.

As a Mental Health Counselor employed in the service of a well known nonprofit organization in Mississauga, Toronto besides practicing part time for almost a decade, the subject was of great interest to me. I am happy to observe that the issue is drawing attention in India and its various ramifications are discussed in the public sphere.

I must also record that I was truly impressed about the fact that a celebrity like Deepika Padukone volunteered to come forward to talk about depression and her personal struggles in public overcoming whatever inhibitions she possibly might have had.

As the panelists remarked this certainly calls for enormous courage on the part of Deepika who seems to have been propelled by her obviously humane nature, idealism and good instincts to do this for the overall benefit of our community which is truly very commendable.

It does help a lot when celebrities talk about such issues which besides drawing the attention of masses and other stake holders is also of great educative value. One of the things that I have admired in the Hollywood Actors like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie – Brad Pitt and some others is the enormous earnestness with which they try to espouse noble causes in various parts of the world.

In India too we have a few celebrities such as Surya, one of the leading stars of the South doing their bit to support the downtrodden in their own ways. But surely a lot more could be done and many more stars and people in public domain could come forward to advocate for various social issues.

After all there is no dearth of issues that need to be brought to the attention of the decision makers. Moral pressure has to be applied upon the Government to do the needful on various such issues.

Incidentally I was truly shocked when Barkha Dutt said that almost 36% of Indians suffer from some kind of mental health issues. In the attached You tube presentation, I have given my views on Mental Health issues based on my own familiarity with the subject besides also touching upon social issues in general.

I have also talked about my impressions on handling effectively the issue of Mental Health in the Indian conditioins drawing lessons and inspiration from the system prevailing in the Western World.

Having been living in Canada for almost a decade and having been actively involved with clients with Mental Health issues, I can claim with some authority about how the Canadian system deals very efficiently addressing this issue and taking good care of people affected. This I thought would provide some insights to the Indian authorities to ensure that the situation does not get out of hand.

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AAP Crisis - Kejriwal, The Errant Child

Thoughts on NDTV Interview with Deepika Padukone