The Truth is Always Insane

Oh Heart….

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Oh Heart, why are you filled with tears?
Why are your beat sounds appalled with fears??
Is it because you’re feeling pain in love?
Do you feel your love needs more blessings from Above?

Oh Heart, why are you crying out loud?
Like a thunderstorm, your sulking moans sound,
Are you lonely and feel disowned by affection?
Do you love someone and can’t bear the obsession?

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Book review: “Life Is What You Make It – Preeti Shenoy”

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods maybe,
For my unconquerable soul……

Life is full of surprises, some sweet as candies, some sticky as bubblegums. Preeti Shenoy’s book, Life Is What You Make It talks about determination, love and hope as the rudders of an person’s journey towards destiny.

Ankita Sharma had the World at her feet. She was a smart, good-looking, promising 21 year old Management student. 6 months later, she found herself admitted at the National Institute of Mental Health being treated for bipolar disorder.

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When the whole World seems bright and full of light……

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:38:00 +0000

When the whole World seems bright and full of light,
I feel you holding hands standing by my side.

When I see myself and I get a smile,
I know we'll live this life together with style.

When you say you love talking to me every time,
I know, without you, the World isn't worth a dime.

When you share your life's stories late at night,
I know I Love You with all my might.

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Social Networks – Mouthpiece of the 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:31:00 +0000

This is the Illuminati article for the month of August

In the last decade or so Social Networking has been a buzzword for all the tech-savvy 21st century netizens. The rise of websites like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Blogger and Twitter has been rampant and they have contributed quite considerably in shrinking the World a bit more. Even businesses and social organisations understand the importance of having a strong presence in the Social media. Social Networking, in a way has created a parallel world in itself which is much smaller and more connected which considerably affects the state of the affairs in our real world. Online friends, online dating and even online job opportunities are now a significant part of people’s lives.

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My open letter to Dr. Manmohan Singh, on his statement given in Parliament on Anna Hazare

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:19:00 +0000

Hon’ble Prime Minister,

Subj.: Response to your statement in Parliament on Anna Hazare - Dtd: Aug 17, 2011

Democracy, in it’s literal sense, means the will of the people that spearheads the directives and laws formulated by the country. The people are superlative in such a setup. But if recent events in India are to be considered, then we can say for sure, that this statement is being considered not applicable, at least by our incumbent Prime Minister’s Government.

Just to get the facts straight, I am as big a supporter of Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill as any other of his in this country. But here I won’t discuss regarding the tit-bits of the “Sarkari Jokepal vs. Jan Lokpal” conflict; turn on any news channel and you will get ample general knowledge regarding it, enough to sustain our brain-banks for weeks if not months.

I couldn't help but laugh, at the unimpressive statement that you gave yesterday in the Parliament on the issue of arrest of Anna Hazare. A meek and powerless Prime Minister, spoke in a timid way justifying a crime that has no excuse.

I would like to give my response to few of your points that you stated in your statement in the Parliament.

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The Carrot, The Egg and The Coffee Bean

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:35:00 +0000

Life has a mystical way of revealing itself. Sometimes it uses stories, preaches and casual talks with people you just met, as a mouthpiece. And sometimes it just shows itself in its full glory when you see the day-to-day stuff in a different perspective. I found myself to be witness such a scenario today.

Many of you must have heard of the “Carrot, Egg & Coffee Bean” story. I wasn’t one of you, until I went halfway(page 89, to be precise) through the book “34 Bubblegums And Candies” by Preeti Shenoy.

For those who know the story, skip the entire bold-italicised paragraphs that follow, and those who haven't, please read the following intently.

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Hina Rabbani Khar – Damsel in Diplomacy

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 18:14:00 +0000

This is the “Illuminati” article for the month of July

When I first heard the news of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan appointing Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar as their country’s next Federal Foreign Affairs Minister, the first question I asked myself was what can this beautiful (yes that’s the first adjective that anyone will attach to her), 34 years old Post Graduate in Hospitality Management do to make a difference in the hell of a roller coaster ride that is the diplomatic relations between the Indian and Pakistani Republics, which in the last 60 years, was born out of bloodshed, marred by wars, hurt by terrorism and holed with distrust.

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The Fallen Goddess

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 18:51:00 +0000

Revered was she by a man, her devotee lone,
her heart was the one he called his own.
Once the North Star of his blind soul,
withering, she left him, trapped in life's black hole.

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Progamist & the Revolt of the Unheard and Downplayed Bloggers

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:47:00 +0000

July 24, 2011 will be remembered as a day when a single blogger raised his finger at an entire blog-networking website for labelling his work as plagiarism without properly examining or reviewing the content in that website

I am talking about Subham Singh, founder of the upcoming gaming website Progamist. The website has been gaining immense popularity in the Indian blogosphere as being one of the rarest blogs in India on gaming. The blogger joined Indiblogger, the largest network of bloggers in India, as part of any normal blogger’s objective of getting in touch with other bloggers and making his hard work in his blog counted and reviewed within the best in the circle. But unfortunately there comes a time when someone comes along and misinterprets his work and comments him in an ill-judged manner.

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Baba Ramdev – How much difference can he make in Indian politics? (Illuminati – June Edition)

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:08:00 +0000

Baba Ramdev, a person whom The New York Times has described as “an Indian, who built Yoga Empire, a product and symbol of the New India, a yogic fusion of Richard Simmons, Dr. Oz and Oprah Winfrey, irrepressible and bursting with Vedic wisdom”, shot into fame with his yogic practises propagating it early morning to health conscious early awaking Indians watching the Aastha Channel; is now much more than just a yoga Guru.

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Baba Ramdev’s externment and other Congresslilas

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 07:43:00 +0000

Woke up to a very shocking news with Baba Ramdev and his supporters being “externed” from the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi as early as 1 AM in the morning. Delhi Police imposed Section-144 and even implemented it when people where sleeping and were unaware of the said developments. Tear gas where shelled on children, women were manhandled, there was utter and complete violation of fundamental rights. And a case of “rioting” is registered against Baba Ramdev for doing a peaceful protest. This is a gross rape of our democratic ideals and total misuse of law making institutions. Today I feel ashamed of calling myself a citizen of this Government.

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Illuminati– May Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Tue, 31 May 2011 07:54:00 +0000

From this month onwards The Truth is Always Insane launches a monthly magazine cover entitled “Illuminati” where one of the most important events of the month will grace the cover. Occasionally a post will accompany it.

This month’s cover is dedicated to the elimination of the world’s most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Also raises question on where the War of Terror will head now.

Confessions of your secret lover…

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:46:00 +0000

In your eyes I see promises,
of a future filled with love and care.
Yet you barter not a hint of that feeling,
When at me, with those arresting eyes you stare.

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Diya Ghumake!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:25:00 +0000

April 2, 2011 - A day which will go down in the pages of history as a day when India's cricketing sun shone with its majestic brightness over the world of the gentleman's game. A day when inspiration, determination, devotion and perfection alchemised metallic talent into golden jubilant heroes. A day which comes but rarely in history, when a nation, long impatient, celebrates, holding The Cup of joy, of domination; proud of being officially becoming, atleast for the next 4 years, The World Champions of cricket.

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One Day at a time

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:50:00 +0000

When my soul takes life’s battering,
When all my dreams, my hopes, start shattering,
In your memories, your love, I find fortitude,
Your image still locked inside my fortress of solitude.

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The Humility of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:47:00 +0000

Hope, this single word is the driving force behind millions of lives in this vast and ruthless world. No one is oblivious to the power of this tiny word, this humble feeling. All of us, here in this world, at some point of time or the other, have hoped. We have hoped for success, joy, love and/or a sense of fulfilment in general. Hope gives sad faces a reason to smile, grieved souls a reason to rejoice, bowed heads a reason to rise and bound souls a reason to strive for freedom.

Hope is not audacious, it is a humble emotion which helps us dream, and hopefully achieve, something audacious. Just like a tiny flicker of light which is humble, yet it eliminates all the blinding darkness in its vicinity. The humility of hope gives us the strength to face the audacity of reality in this world. As great men have always said, On hope rests the world. Hadn’t we ever hoped to achieve something, perhaps today we would have been no different than the animals we ourselves are surrounded by.

When grief, failure, frustration and anxiety infiltrate our heart, a humble hope is always our preferred shield. Hope makes us forget the pain, makes us think beyond our swamp of negative emotions. Armed with this powerful sedative, we dare to dream, we start to feel sense in the ways of the world and see a path through it, we feel the courage to fight it out, to fight hard, fight dirty but fight. We dream of a better tomorrow, which I believe is vital for our survival.

Our heart is just a child. When it is plagued by a myriad of problems and daunting challenges, it clings to the only support that has always kept its beat alive, hope. When hope gives its support, the heart feels a sense of safety. Once our heart feels safe, our mind feels free, to work as per its judgements, without fear.

Some will say hope gives us a dream which is sometimes too unreal to be achieved. I say, its not the dream which is the result of hope, its the capacity to strive for achieving that dream by going beyond our prevalent challenges which is the greatest result of hope. Hope gives us a dream, and dreams give us a reason to live, which we all need. We all need a reason not to be angry with our lives, and only hope can give us those reasons.

We should never fear to hope, thinking it to be unreal. because today that humble hope might seem to be too unreal to be real. But tomorrow when that dream comes true, even substantially if not wholly, we all realise the vitality of hope. Without hope there is nothing we can do with our lives and with the world we live in.

But, just hoping isn’t the complete solution to achieve something. We need to act in accordance, so as to achieve that hope, that dream, from today, from now. And that act should not stop, not until we realise our hopes, as much as it can be possibly done. Hope should define our actions and actions should define our life. That’s the way it works.

The humility of hope is too complicated to analyse in this single writing. All I can say is that hope should be the last thing that dies in us. For hope keeps us alive, spiritually. As I said at the beginning, its our driving force. No matter what we do or how we lead our life, we cannot do without hope. This humble, and this innocent feeling is one of God’s many blessings that He has been generous enough to have bestowed to the whole mankind. On this Christmas lets thank Him for this vital sense and lets hope, that the coming future brings us better and more fulfilling times and blow away the problems that our lives are busy fighting today.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

Let there be hope, always.

In the loving memory of 2002-2009

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:09:00 +0000

To the years that were the best in my life,
To the time I spent with you in love and delight,
To the moments you worshiped my manhood,
To the places where we escaped from reality whenever we could,
To the passion which engulfed us day and night,
To the painful pleasure that bound us with all its might,
I offer these lines to the times when you were mine,
In the loving memory of 2002-2009.

Ode on the death of our First Love

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 06:13:00 +0000

Your Love was what I always desired,
But perhaps fate and I didn’t meet eye to eye,
You left me stranded on the crossroads of life,
Without any will to live or to survive,
I wish I could have you once more,
And once again have my heart sing songs of joy galore,
But Alas! That dream will never come true,
As you moved on to a world whose existence I never knew,
But remember this my love, wherever you might go,
Without you, my head is down and my ego is low,
I wish you all the happiness in your future life,
And hope that I too get a loving and caring wife,
You will always be in my heart,
Here’s an ode to the death of our love which I thought would forever last.

XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010— What it leaves behind?

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:02:00 +0000

What a spectacular event we just concluded today! What a celebration of sport we have witnessed over the last fortnight. The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 at Delhi has proven beyond even a fig of doubt that our Republic, our India, is truly incredible and truly rising!

During the celebration of excellent sports over the last 12 days, the entire Commonwealth witnessed records made and records shattered, achievements surpassing expectations and failures crushing hopes. But today, there is only one winner, Sports.

Personally, its a moment of rejoice for me too, as K. Ravi Kumar from my city, Brahmapur, created a new Commonwealth Games record with a total lift of 321kgs as he grabbed gold in the 69-kg category in the weightlifting competition in New Delhi.

The XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi, 2010, has left behind a legacy which few men will be able to forget. Being an Indian its an Honour beyond expressible words to have been given the chance by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth Federation, to host such a magnanimous and stupendous celebration of multi-disciplinary games in these 12 days.

Now, the Games leave us with state-of-the-art infrastructure to train and improvise our sporting talent, because the amount of shine our lads and ladies have shown in these games have proven beyond doubt that given the right amount of training and the right amount of scope, we Indians can outshine any country in any sporting clashes, at any level. The amount of pride it has renewed, the amount of patriotism it has infused in us, its of intoxicating proportions. The spectacle of India’s rich cultural heritage which the opening and closing ceremonies have projected to the world has truly shown that India is more than just about Bollywood. It has shown to the world that India is not a country of snake-charmers, rather its a country whose rich cultural diversity has no match in the entire world. The amount of advertisement brand India got from this games will ensure our inflow of visitors keep piling on, day in and day out. The economic revolutions it has spurted is positive to say the least. Today, the end of the Games marks the beginning of new era for the sporting world, and era marking the rise of a new Sporting Superpower— India.

But, it also leaves many questions behind. The primary being, “Can we convert the opportunity in hand here to really ensure our might in sporting excellence keeps rising, or is it the end of everything?” Will these world-class stadiums and training centre’s be accessible by our poor yet talented athletes, or will it end up as one of our posh neta’s-beta’s (children of our politicians) flaunting zones? Will the revolution it generated, end, or will the lamp just grow brighter and thicker? Excuse me for being so obnoxious here, but I have obvious reasons to be so. Because its India, things made for the greater good of deserving consumer usually end up with the wrong people’s footsteps, and we all know how I am right here. What benefit our largely poor yet talented pool of athletes get after this is something we all should have a close look at.

Secondly, it leaves behind Suresh Kalmadi (well, XIX CWG isn’t anything but over without a discussion about him). It also leaves behind a question, “Who was the villain in the XIX Commonwealth Games?”.

I don’t know whether it was the Indian media who over-hyped the scene (as they always do) or was situation really that grim few months back (because you don’t get smoke without fire right?), but if the second point is correct, then we must all hail people I will mention after a few lines for their tireless effort in saving Shera from being gobbled up. Now, that the games have finished, they will have a peaceful night’s sleep, perhaps after many weeks. But, few thing's are still left to be done. There must be a thorough and independent investigation regarding what the hell happened in the months leading upto the games that it led to so much mess, much to the chagrin of the Country’s public and Government. Mr. Mike Fennel might have laid heaps of praises on Shri Kalmadi in today’s closing ceremony but the boos he got in both his opening and closing ceremony speeches cannot be left unheard (even if he says he didn’t hear it). We have to admit, something went wrong with the system, somewhere. The Government’s job, now, is to to find out the mole(s) and reprimand them befitting to the magnitude of their follies. Even if the mole hides in the contractors who took up the tasks, OC or even in the Government of India itself. If our Hon’ble PM wishes to set any example of his honesty, now is the moment. Lets hope that my thoughts matches with the EGOM’s thoughts at this point of time.

But, forget all that pre-games controversies. I would like to take this moment in sincerely thank the Kalmadi-led CWG OC, Delhi CM Smt. Sheila Dikshit (yeah Paul Henry, its not “Dick Shit”), our E-GOMs, Cabinet Secretary Shri K. M. Chandrasekhar, Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh (also thanks to Smt. Gursharan Kaur (Mrs. Singh) for adding grace to the opening and the closing ceremonies) and the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council Smt. Sonia Gandhi (also to Shri Rahul Gandhi and Smt. Priyanka Vadra for reasons unknown yet obvious to Congress Party workers), for literally saving our games and our face in front of the entire World, especially in the Commonwealth.

Nevertheless, controversy or no controversy, the fact is that Delhi and India have given the World a loud roar, saying with pride that “India is coming”. India has proved that its ready to host games of enough magnitude to capture the World’s attention. The XIX Commonwealth Games show that India is quite ready to host even the Olympics. And if all goes well from now, we might see sports taking an evolutionary stride ahead, and India might getting the Olympics bid some day. With an Amen to that, I congratulate my fellow Indians for a successful Commonwealth Games.

I hope our athletes live upto their newly achieved distinction in future.

Jai Hind!

How to deal with your first breakup?

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:24:00 +0000

This post is dedicated to few of my friends who have recently lost their First Love. May God be with them in their hour of agony. Amen….

Looks like today I am turning into a sort of Agony Uncle. But I think that by writing this I have some kind of a healing medicine to give to many broken hearts and many people who have recently or at a considerable about of time back lost their first love.

Having your first breakup I like going inside hell no knowing whether you can come out of it or not, especially when circumstances beyond your ken forced the failure and the demise (not necessarily both and not in the same order) of your first romantic adventure. I have been through this gruesome experience myself and today I am candid enough to say that the battle to forget my forgone adventures is far from over, although I have come a lot way ahead in this one and half year long war.

So for all you who are feeling sad and dejected, I will give you few points out of my own book of life, hoping that it might help you deal with your loss in a considerate, if not effective manner:

First of all accept the reality, you have to realise that its over, that he/she isn’t going to come back into your life anymore. It might take some consoling to your ego to accept this but you have to swallow the truth no matter what. Its gone, over. Straight talk.
Don’t rush in. Time is the best healer. You can’t forget that beautiful emotion in just one blow. Moving on, especially after your first breakup needs time, and lots of time. When I say lots, its not just about a month or few. Sometimes it takes a few years to wipe out the entire experience, both the good and the bad, for good.
This is not the end of your love life. This is not the first time ever you lost something in your life. During your childhood days we lost so many of our favourite toys, pencils and stuff which used to be our world back in those days. Now don’t say that this is something bigger than all those, because as your grow older, your successes and happiness' get bigger, and so does your losses. Although first love comes but once in our lives, but love will come, one day or the other.
Be practical. Remove him/her from all your social networking sites and clients. Delete that number from your cellphone. Never ever contact them, call, text or IM them. Remember, digging out old graves will only show you dead bodies, they wont come back to life, ever. Throw away anything that he/she gave you. Those things may bring back memories that you don’t want to remember. Avoid love songs and romantic movies for some days.
The loss was theirs, not yours. You lost someone who didn’t love you or commit to you, they lost someone who loved them immensely. Don’t feel humiliated or ashamed that you got bluffed or cheated (for those of you who did get so). You did what was right, and no matter how much deeply you loved him/her, he/she didn’t ever try to realise and respect this. Its better to be single and without your love, than let your love be disrespected by the one you love.
Also, you can’t ignore the fact that one hand alone can’t produce a clap. Somewhere down the lane, even you didn’t do what was pragmatic and what should have been done at many points of time in the course of your relationship. After you get enough emotional strength. try to do a stoic post-mortem (only if and when you think you are capable to do it) of your relationship and of the days leading upto its fall. We are humans, we do make mistakes, and improving ourselves is what can make us better in future, even in our future relationships.
Avoid your ex (yes that’s what he/she is to you from now), the more you both come in front of each other, the more sparks your emotions will create. If you can’t avoid your ex, try being professional with the person, say a hi or ask him/her about his/her work, don’t ever talk about your relationship. If you two choose to remain friends, draw the line.
Don’t keep grudges. And trust me this can be catastrophic for you emotionally. Don’t become filmy and fantasise about destroying your ex’s life or making it hell, because playing with fire will only lead to more burning of your own self. Let bygones be bygones, better to leave thinking about people who have no relevance in your life anymore.
Do not look at their photographs and other things that may remind you of them.
Make a list of things that you hate about your ex. There are definitely going to be many negative ones, and tell yourself that those were the reasons it didn't work out. Next time whenever you feel the pain of the loss and your heart asks "why this happened?" read that list. Be as near to reality and pragmatism as possible.
Take up a hobby (I started blogging after my breakup), and give your best to pursue it. Focus on your career, because its one of the few things that will remain with you forever. Lean back to family and make few great friends (like I have, in fact I have 6 of them). Hang out with them, go places, socialise. Keep yourself busy. Your own life is far too important for you to waste it on people who had no importance for it.
Focus on yourself. Keep yourself physically and emotionally fit to face the challenges and pleasures future holds for you. For physical fitness, go for exercises and yoga and stuff like those, they go a long way in making you move on too, trust me. Give yourself some alone time, take your care as you used to take of your ex. Talk to yourself, ask yourself about your needs and fulfil them. Remember, true love comes to those who have truly loved themselves.
Do not rebound. Just because you broke up today doesn’t mean you need to prove yourself how capable you are by going out with someone else the next day. It just exposes how weak you are emotionally. Take time, just like you rest after a day’s hard work. Tell you heart, “You deserve a rest champ!”. My ex did the same thing and now she’s regretting (although she’s too bitchy to admit that).
Remember, someone somewhere is definitely destined for you. Its true, I can back this point up with many examples where people who failed in love on not just one, rather on multiple occasions, finally found true love. So, there is no point in running around finding love. Afterall, we need only one person to love us in this world to make our life beautiful, right? And obviously he/she is worth our wait.
Get to know yourself. Find out what you have and what your partner should have. Make a list of criteria that your partner should satisfy and stick to it. It will ultimately help you one day. Afterall, we all need happiness in love too.
Do not stop believing in love. Love exists, and no matter what you think, you cannot deny the truth. You weren’t lucky enough to retain it longer but that doesn’t mean love is an illusion. Do not get filmy and all melodramatic about love. Life isn’t a movie.

I am not a relationship counsellor dear reader, I just told what I experienced over the last one and half years of my life. Breakup sucks, especially the first time, I admit it. But we have to be stronger than our sorrows. We have to prove God that we were worthy of being born as humans.

Those of us who say God gives us lots of problems and not many others, I say to them that its the sole proof that we are lucky. Because it proves that God is watching us more than He is watching others. He gives us problems so that we become better persons at each step, only because he knows we are capable enough to be better. The Lord never gives us more than we can handle my dear reader, remember this fact (But I admit that God isn’t perfect, He is just better than us).

If this post is able to start the process of healing atleast one of those lovelorn hearts, I would consider my effort to have not gone in vain. May God bless you and keep watching over you just like that.

The Ayodhya Verdict, in my eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:41:00 +0000

Today a new leaf has been turned over in the pages of Indian Judiciary. With the Allahabad High Court finally giving its judgement to the longest running suit in India’s judicial history, the “Ayodhya Land Title Suit”. A 60 year old case which, interestingly, was based more on faith than on facts. A case which had the entire country bound in its clutches, raising basic questions of religious tolerance and secularism among all and sundry.

Before I either appreciate or adjudge the verdict by the Hon’ble High Court, I must say that this verdict is perhaps one of the most unique in the world’s judicial history. In a judicial system where judgements are passed with only reference to credible, reliable and viable evidences and arguments around them, having a verdict which was, if not entirely, based on faith and history long unrecorded, is perhaps a great achievement in itself by the 3 member bench of Justices SU Khan, Sudhir Agarwal and DV Sharma. So first of all my hearty congratulations to them for getting the honour of being remembered in history for delivering such a landmark ruling, in a case which involved years of courtroom tussle between the litigants, destruction of the Mosque in question and bloodshed which claimed almost 2000 lives.

Coming to the judgement, I should put the fact on table that I wasn’t confused at all regarding what judgement it would be in the hours leading up to the same. And upon hearing the Hon’ble court’s decision, I was rather happy with myself for predicting it so rightly. Dividing the entire land between the Hindu Mahasabha, the Sunni Waqf Board and the Nirmohi Akhada was a middle path which the court simply had to take to ensure the verdict didn’t end up in something violent, humiliating and embarrassing for the country and the Hon’ble Bench. With the eyes of the entire country and even a sizeable section of the world on it, I believe that the Hon’ble High Court has done justice to all 3 plaintiffs. I hence welcome this decision by the Allahabad High Court.

Although I won’t be seconded by many in my outright support to the ruling, and also the Mahasabha and the Waqf deciding to move to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India to challenge today’s historic verdict, I still maintain that there isn’t any better way to solve this entire issue. Giving up the entire land to any one of the above mentioned parties would have resulted in strong and antagonistically aggressive response by the losing party, thereby threatening to tilt the balance of peace in the community in favour of anarchy and hatred, even taking it away from both would have resulted in same by both of them, things which today’s landmark verdict has been successful in evading. As they say, its better you have a piece of cake instead of losing it altogether.

But yes, I do agree that there are some concerns related to this judgement today. The amount of land Hindus get won’t be enough to build a majestic and profound Temple to worship Lord Ram on the land which we consider to have had the divine honour of bearing his very first holy steps into this sinned world. And neither it would be enough to satisfy the immaculate aspirations of our Muslim brothers for building a pious Mosque in it. But, I stress it once again, there isn’t any other way to solve this issue in my eyes.

Not ironically though, this case is far from over with the parties pondering over an appeal in the Country’s highest judicial podium, but in my honest belief, time has come for a makeover in the way Ayodhya can now be projected and perceived. Instead of prolonging this fight, which has clearly lost its importance among the younger Indian intelligentsia, if the litigants and our Central Government is wise enough and mature enough, they should now project this very verdict and this very pronounced settlement as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim Unity, and by building the Ram Temple and the Babri Masjid side by side, bearing all challenges, they should symbolise Ayodhya not any more a wedge between the two largest religions in the country, rather as a bond that binds them. Ayodhya is on the verge of becoming a shining light of inter-religious acceptance, tolerance and harmony in the world, but if and only if the concerned parties are broad minded and long sighted enough to view and embrace it. I sincerely hope that Ayodhya is no longer brought up as a subject of division, dominance and bloodshed in this country, whose Father of the Nation believed and lived according to the ideals of the Hindu Deity born in this holy land.

Time has come for division, hatred and superiority complex existent among these two religions to become lucifugous and that brotherhood, acceptance, peace, harmony and tolerance take reins of the society and drive India to the greatness it is today poised to achieve.

India is no more the country it was when Lord Ram came to this world, or when General Mir Baqi built the Babri Masjid, or when the first title suits were filed in the Indian courts in 1950, or even when the unfortunate demolition of Babri Masjid and the subsequent horrifying bloodshed occurred in the country. Today’s India is much more than “just another” South Asian Democracy. Today our Republic is a resurgent economic superpower, diplomatic bully and an example of exemplary all round development in the midst of belittling political aspirations by the leaders at the top. Its now much more in the eyes of the entire world map observers. This is much proved by the fact that the Ayodhya dispute news were on the front pages of BBC and CNN websites for days leading up to the verdict. Today’s India must ensure, that by using any means possible it upholds its status and respect in the entire world, and I believe that by projecting Ayodhya as an example of Hindu-Muslim unity, we will go a long way in earning much respect of the Muslim world and of the secular in whole.

To conclude, I am really satisfied with this verdict, and would be keeping a very curious eye on how, now, the Ayodhya land is viewed by people in and around the country.

The Government of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:01:00 +0000

I was sitting outside the balcony of my BFF's home trying to explain her the general political structure of any country, and somehow our thoughts strayed into how to manage life as a Government manages a country.

I am writing down what I believe should be done to ideally Govern your life. I might be wrong in thinking in this way, but nevertheless I believe its a viewpoint worth debating and pondering.

Consider life as a country and you (i.e. the soul) are its Leader (read as Prime Minister, President, King, Emperor, Fuehrer as per your political views). You (hopefully) enjoy absolute majority in your Senate which have your friends in your side, your enemies in the opposition and few neutrals and peers who sometimes lend you “outside support” when needed or when they have to drive their agenda home.

As the sole controller of your life, on one hand you are entrusted the task of placating every single aspect of it, while on the other you are expected to drive it ahead into greatness (for those of us who want it). Aspects of life such as Friends, Love, Family, Spirituality, balance the effects of modernity with the sanctity of traditions, to name a few; just as a country’s administration has various “ministries”. Each ministry of your Life’s Government should be given to a Minister (read friend or relative inc. Family) who is fit enough to manage it, and capable enough to advise You on it. In an ideal Life’s Government, someone who never had friends cannot be your Minister on the same, no matter how much important he or she is to you. Not only your friends and family, but even your heart, your mind and even your “gut feeling” are your Ministers in the Government. Efficiently, cautiously and judiciously choosing each one of them, and assigning them befitting ministries will ensure that you give maximum to you life, while ensuring you keep that absolute control on it. While there are some ministries which you have to directly take control of. Draw the line between where your Heart should work, and where your Brain should take over; where your Gut should advice you and where your Best Friends. Also where should you bend towards your family and where you should take a decision entirely on your own. Also where to consult the entire Senate in your life.

Every Government has a Preamble, a Constitution and an agenda, same is with the Government of Life. Have an agenda, a target (both short terms and long ones) and a budget (of your finance and energy (physical and spiritual)). Sometimes, we have to compromise on our agenda and budget, to achieve a certain target. The decision regarding those should lie with you, but you should be sufficiently well advised regarding the same by your Core Group of Ministers (yes, you should have one). But always have a clear idea about where you have come from, where you stand and where you should go ahead. Also regarding which path should you follow.

Also a Penal Code to ensure no one, who tries to mess with your life with ill intentions and/or actions is spared. Just like a country jails someone or hangs someone, you should either reprimand or, if situation demands, cut loose someone when you believe he or she is acting contrary or even against your broader ideals of life. Have few special advisors as judges, who can analyse the situation and explain you in the way you can understand, while you deliver the final judgement.

We all know life is a war, and it has to be fought with much valour and resilience. Your actions and reactions are your Armed Forces, who will protect you, and even harm anyone for the same. Ideally, Your Brain should have the complete control over your Ministry of Defence and External affairs, among others. Have a sharp eye, and a strategic contingency plan and have few of your Mansabdars whose control over “precious reinforcements” you can use as backup, to ensure that no matter what it takes, no matter who is sacrificed, at the end You win any battle you fight in the War of the World. Remember, if you losing too many wars, you risk abdication of your control of your life, throwing it into anarchy and letting nonsense prevail over years of efforts and good Governance.

When it comes to Internal affairs of Friendship, Love (I mean to point to Relationships altogether), have a Group of Ministers headed by the heart to ensure subjects like “Relationships”, “Celebrations” and “Festivities” are dealt with a wide range viewpoints and beliefs, for they require extensive thoughts and efficient, careful and sensitive Management.

An ideal Government of Life has no place for corruption and petty politics, as ultimately, it will lead to the instability of the entire Governing structure itself. Choose wise advisors, and train yourself to be able to take tough decisions, as and when required. The Weak have no place place in this world, as it follows the principle of “Survival of the Fittest”.

I hope my thinking makes sense to you, dear Reader. Live long and prosper.

Love and Survival

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:55:00 +0000

It is always easy when you have to choose between something you want and something you don’t. But the real test is where you have to choose between two things which you really want.

People say “We live once, we die once, we also fall in love once, we marry once too”. When our first love leaves us, no matter what circumstances may have forced it to happen, it leaves behind a void which conquers our once lively heart. We fall down in front of our own eyes and all softness in us vanishes away. Some turn stoic while some just are unable to handle it and go astray. Only a few are capable enough to fall in love for the second time.

A rather curious situation comes up when we see someone who seems to be, in every single way, “perfect” for us to say the least. Someone who complements our weaknesses and enhances our strengths. Someone who gives us inspiration. Someone who gives us a vision, a dream, dream of a better future, of a comfortable and understanding life. Our mind says “You need that person in your life”. However, our heart doesn’t feel for that person they same way it had felt for our First Love.

There, we ask the difficult question, “Shall we stay alone, this way, or shall we try to get that person in our life, apprehensive about the amount of love we can give and skeptical about what fate this thing may lead us and our lives into?”

Paulo Coelho once famously said, “When you want to achieve something, the universe conspires with you to achieve that”. But what if you are not absolutely certain whether you want to achieve that person’s love and commitment? The question, now, is that of living, rather I should more precisely say “surviving”. Answering the questions “What should I do?”, “Where should I go?”, “Will I do justice to that person?” becomes vital before taking any further steps. And questions like these plague our heart, stalling every logical and reasonable thinking we are capable of doing.

“Whether we should go ahead and get that person, just because that person is “perfect”, although we are unsure about everything, or should we subscribe to the age old theory of “if its meant to be then it shall be” and be passive?”, I leave this question open to you, for I have found myself incapable of finding a self-satisfactory answer to this question, even after lots of introspection, interrogation and observation……..

My own “Tryst With Destiny” speech

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 04:23:00 +0000

This morning, as I woke up to the sounds of our National Anthem and National Songs, with a puffed chest and a high head, I sit down to write this post, remindful of the words Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said in his famous “Tryst With Destiny” speech of August 14, 1947, arguably one of the best speeches ever delivered.

I believe that time has come for us, Indians, to make a new tryst with destiny. And hence today, I, a humble nobody in this profound Nation, would like to deliver, my own “Tryst With Destiny” speech.

“Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny and on August 15th, 1947 we adjudicated to redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially.Today, time has come that we made another tryst with destiny, a tryst to raise this beautiful nation of ours into greatness, untold and unseen ever in the history of mankind, and to make ourselves grow in a manner befitting to be called as the citizens of the new India we have pledged to build.

A moment came then, which came but rarely in history, when our nation, long suppressed, found utterance. And today, when our nation speaks, the world listens, intently. The power of speech and the weight of words that our nation has earned in the world dais, should now be used to lead the world out of blinding fear and terror, into peace, brotherhood and tranquillity. To do our part in making this world a better place to live for all peace loving mankind.

The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. But with celebration of the past glory, comes the realisation of the challenges that lie ahead, challenges which will define the course our nation takes, driving into the future. Challenges like internal security, law and order, national integrity, balancing the expectations of the poor with the aspirations of the rich, the burden of the inflation with the necessity of growth, education, health, employment and the basic amenities like Bijli, Pani aur Sadak . And today when we hold our head high while singing the Jana Gana Mana watching our beautiful Tricolour flutter, we must ask ourselves this question-- Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future? The future that beholds, is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfil the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.

Freedom and power has brought responsibility. Responsibility to augment our nation’s true image, and deliverability. To increase this Republic’s strengths from pole to pole and end the weaknesses which threaten to make this Democracy’s pillar hollow and weak, making it unable to sustain the expectations of her people and the vision of her true leaders.

The ambition of the greatest man of our previous generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, even today, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work, as citizens and leaders of this great Democratic Republic, will not be over. On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this freedom, the father of our nation, who, embodying the old spirit of India, held aloft the torch of freedom and lighted up the darkness that surrounded us. We have often been unworthy followers of his and have strayed from his message, but not only we but even our succeeding generations will remember this message and bear the imprint in their hearts of this great son of India, magnificent in his faith and strength and courage and humility. We shall never allow that torch of freedom to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest. We also think of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom who, without praise or reward, have served India even unto death.

This is no time for petty and destructive criticism, no time for ill will or blaming others. We have to keep building the noble mansion of free India, strengthening it from pole to pole, where all her children may dwell. And I believe, one day we will finish our job, with perfection, and with excellence.

The future beckons to us. Whither do we go and what shall be our Endeavour? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to strengthen a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to keep creating social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.

Today, this 15th day of August, 2010, we must conglomerate our strength, call on our brevity, to fight, fight for making this nation a shining star in the galaxy of the world. And pledge, to no longer walk toe to toe with the world, rather lead it from the front, whenever and wherever possible. To give equal opportunity to all deserving candidates, everywhere, regardless of the fact whether its a Muslim or a Hindu, Brahmin or Dalit, Man, Woman or Transsexual.

As a citizen of India, when I am reminded of the challenges that lie ahead of my Motherland, my limbs start to tremble, but my soul stands, unfazed by the majesty of the mess to be settled, dust to be blown and the dirt to be cleaned. I am reminded of a Victorian poem, which asks me to stare straight and move ahead towards the storm, and fight, fight for what is right and what that has to be done. I would like to take this opportunity to share this poem to all my readers:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

My fellow citizens of India, today is the 64th anniversary of a fateful moment for us in India, for all Asia and for the World. When a new star had risen, the star of freedom in the east, a new hope came into being, a vision long cherished materialised. May the star never set and that hope never be betrayed! Thank You, God bless You, and may God bless the Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic of India.

Jai Hind!!”

To face or not to face, that is the question……

noreply@blogger.com (Prasannajeet Pani) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:16:00 +0000

Remember listening to a song and being reminded about a very special moment about your life’s first love and then suddenly getting reminded about the sour moments and the silly mistakes which led to your first relationship ending in a failure? While some people keep listening the song, just to relive that moment, that false impression or perhaps just to find that feeling once again inside them, others change the song, to avoid being reminded about the life’s harshness that ensued them after this moment.

We all make mistakes, some we make just to know how does it feel to make it; like the kid who puts his hand on a burning candle just to feel how it is like, while some we make out of plain ignorance, or sometimes blindness.

Sometimes our life’s first innings, in any of the aspects, is the worst. But eventually the moment of truth comes when we have to choose whether to analyze that innings (facing the pain and embarrassment of making a mistake so that we learn from them) and be better in our forthcoming innings’, or not (instead try out a new formula to work our way in the 2nd and further innings, trial and error).

The question remains is how do we learn? Is it to convert our mind into a stoic machine, store all the detailed data regarding the incident and the lesson we learnt and take a oath not to to do the job “J” in path “A”, rather figure out a better path “B” and do it? Or shall we be emotionally weak, scold ourselves for screwing everything up. asking the “Why didn’t I see that coming?” question over and over again, and just try to forget it happened and “moving on”?

And what if we have a chance to undo that mistake??? (taking the risk of never learning how to overcome the shortcoming in us which led us to make it in the first place)

Personally I would choose the first option, become no matter how humble my opinion maybe (apparently), I always believe that a person becomes better only by learning and analyzing. After all we are the best creations of God (according to us of course), that’s why we have to behave like the best. And the best learn and grow.

No matter how dark the sin was there, no matter how silly we acted then, life always gives us a second chance to prove our mettle. Opportunities always strike the door, even if its not the same one the second time.

We are the authors of our own life, scripting our intentions, willingly or unwillingly, with the pen of our actions. We can never eliminate the mistakes we did, all we can do is learn from and be better, and most importantly, not regret the way of our life.