RVS

Fight and we must fight 💪

2020-05-28T15:04:00.001-07:00

One more fight, this year, is preparing humans to be real, to fight everyday, get over splurging and make do with less... If we take it wisely, the lesson may go a long way to live more judiciously, or we can let it pass, like a phase, sometime it's our moment to grab the misfortune and turn it around, and I think this the time, we can have a new kind of renaissance, rethinking how we have lived and loved in past few decades, and more importantly can we live with less and be happy. Can we be there for each other, can we stand for help those dont have enough. It's not a test from heavens or humanity, it's test for us yourself, can we grow over our recent obsessions of more, and work together to create more harmonious and empathetic but less self indulgent new world order....

It's time we can grow over bondages of our own making, structure and superstructures of market, religions, natures and indulgences we have cast upon ourselves. For in all wars, lot of men and women dies, lot more of them unite to fight against every odd, to overcome the enemy and opponents, let's squander this war by pondering fingers at each other or create others among us. It's a chance, a rare one for the mordern society to come together and in one go get ride of vices of past and present. It is battle when, we together can emerger tougher and united, empathetic and caring and more importantly a race not in business of creating more infrastructure but in pursuit of happiness.

I am not sure, what we would make of it. Will we just focus on blaming crisis on someone, would be wait just to get back to business race, or would be fine cure before we lose too many of us. But I am sure if we don't deliberate together, for the future of the earth, then me might miss the forest for trees. We might just be glad to do some good around the corner, set new targets, make enrich ourselves bit more with nature, when we have got a chance to restart, rethink and redo, all that we have got wrong, our divisions, our diparity and our dissonance.

For many organisations entrusted to take up these goals, have become nothing more than part of that very system and for all religions and ideologies have created this very system. Nothing against, religious people here, but God forbid, they might have been able to give aim to aimless, job to obedient and solace when one is weak. But expect no more even from them. That's what history has taught us time and again.

The leaders of past, had always tried to broken new grounds while dealing with grave situations. I wish the leadership today, political, business and religious, rethink their end goal for humanity, for the comman passion and power to sway us. And rest of us must ensure we fight, to make the realise, this new course might not be profitable in short run, especially for them even in long run, it's the way which can get all together and happy.

न्सानियत - Humanity

2018-06-23T23:35:00.000-07:00

न्सानियत - Humanity हमें तो हमारी गलियां सूनी लगती हैं तुम्हारे बिना, तुम्हारे बिना इमरान को क्या गोलू की याद नही आती | वो जो ताला लगा आये थे उसमे जरा तेल डाल देना, शायद ये चाभी कभी काम आ जाये | दुःख होता कि हमारे जाने के बाद भी अमन नहीं आया, क़ुरबानी तो हो गयी पर ईमान नही लौटाया | कभी कभी वो पुरानी कहानी याद कर लेते हैं, पर उस दहशत से ज़िन्दगी का हर पन्ना आज तक लाल है | सुना है क़ाफीयों के तो मकान भी नहीं रहे, हमने तो नया बनवाया था कैंप में आने से पहले | अगर करवा सको तो पुताई करा देना, मौका लगते ही मनीऑर्डर कर देंगे | वो झील क्या वैसी ही है, या किसी नेता ने पटवा कर वहां भी मॉल बनवा दिए हैं | याद नहीं है अब कितनी मासूम आवाजें , उस पानी में वहीँ रह गयीं थी | अगर कभी वापिस आयें तो दिल में जगह रखना, हमें पता है आप तो सच्चे हैं | वो फरमान उन मुल्ला और मुजाहिदों के थे, जो आज आपके नेता बने बैठे हैं | पूछोगी नही.. रोली क्या वैसे ही हँसती है, बड़े मन से तुमने उसका नाम रखवाया था | वो मशाल थी जो सफर में खुद ब खुद जल गयी, पर हँसी की हस्ती कहाँ मिटती है मर मर के... याद नहीं करना चाहते, जो गलियां छोड़ आयें हैं | पर क्या बताएं हम इन्हे यहाँ, रोते तो रहे हैं पर... एक गुलिस्तां वहीं छोड़ आयें हैं | अच्छा है यहाँ उतनी सर्दी नही पड़ती, यहाँ से कोई जाने को भी नही कहता | ना यहाँ बम चलते हैं ना आज़ादी की कोई आग है.. यहाँ रूहानियत भी उतनी नहीं और हैवानियत भी नही | पर यहाँ तुम नहीं हो, ना यहाँ वो यादें हैं | कुछ बना तो लिया, है पर ये घर नही है |

Our streets are lonely without you, Doesn’t Imran remembers Golu, Please oil the lock on our gate, Maybe this key would be used someday.

It is sad that even after our departure, peace hasn’t arrived, The sacrifice was done but honesty hasn’t return it. We often recall those horrifying old tales, But every page of life is still blood stained.

I heard houses of some of us have disappeared, We had built a new one just before ending up in the relief camps. l If possible do get it white washed, We will money transfer at the first chance.

Is that lake still the same, Or leaders have liaisoned to make a shopping mall over it. We can’t count the number of innocent voices, Drowned in those waters!
Keep your heart open for we might come back, We know you are honest, Decrees were issued by those mullahs and mujahids, Who today have become your leaders.
Wouldn’t you enquire about smile of Rolly, With great interest you had named her name. She was a light that got exhumed in the struggle for life, But her laughter doesn’t die even in her death.

I do not wish to recall, The lanes and home we left. But what can we say here except crying, That we have left a world there.

Well it’s good, it does not gets that cold here, And no one asks us to leave. There no bombs here nor any demand for freedom, But this place isn’t blessed, but again it isn’t even that ghastly. But you are not here, Nor there are any memories. We have built a new world here, But it is not our home.

सत्तर साल में सातसौ लफड़े – 700 struggles and 70 years

2017-09-06T11:18:00.001-07:00

सत्तर साल हो गये देश को
आज भी भूखे लगा रहे हैं हूक
ना कुछ बना है ना कुछ बिगड़ा
टुकड़ो में हर व्यक्ति बिखरा

जो बचा पाये थे हम इतिहास से
अफसर - नेता पचा गये चुनाव से
गरीब आज भी भूखे पेट है सोता
आज़ादी के भ्रम में मेरे साथ है रोता

सत्तर साल में सातसौ लफड़े
गांव गल्ली में आब हम हैं सड़ते

बुरे बाबू से हैं लड़ते
और गोरों को अभ भी हैं गाली देते

नये नये आडम्बरों में उलझे
नये नये भाषड़ो में उड़ते
भ्र्ष्टाचार में लिप्त हैं सिपाही
बो लापरवाह जिनकी सरकार आयी

सत्तर साल से हम गा रहे हैं गान
बाँट रखा है जातियों में समाज
वही खड़ी है मजहबों की दीवार
आज भी लग रही है आज़ादी की पुकार

न्याय की कौन सुने है यार
सबका अपना अपना है कानून
हर कोई माँग रहा है आरक्षण
अपराधि को मिल रहा है सरंक्षण

सत्तर सालों में सैंकड़ो पीड़ित
हर डील में करोड़ों की डीलिंग
हर चौराहे पर नंगा नाच
भूल गए स्वतंत्रता संग्राम

कलैक्टर का आज भी रौला है
लाल हरे केसरिया सलाम का बोल बाला है
यहीं पूरा देश अटका है
डिवाइड एंड रूल से लटका है

सत्तर साल से पढ़ रहे हैं संविधान
और कैसे होगा उसका अपमान
आम जनता पे पड़ती है लात
आज भी बस है विधि का विधान

हर कोई कर रहा है लूट
चोरों को है पूरी छूट
नेताओं की मिटे ना भूख
बाबू बने हैं मिस्टर विद ब्लैक बूट...

Translation In English:

700 struggles and 70 years

New country and 70 year old,
Poor are still starving,
Nothing has improved nor worsened,
But all of us are scattered.

What we had saved from history,
It got looted by Officers and Leaders,
The poor still sleep empty stomach,
Cries with me in the confusion of independence…

Seven hundred struggles in Seventy years,
We are rot in our allays and villages,
We fight with own brethrens in government offices,
And still blame whites for the bureaucratic system.

Entangled in new pomp and show,
Buying the new promises of pseudo-leaders,
The guardians are themselves deep in corruption,
And those come in power are negligent.

For seventy years we are singing same song,
Still we are divided in same caste,
Standing behind the same old wall of religion,
These are still crying for freedom.

Who needs the law of land and justice?
Everyone has their own law,
Everyone is asking for reservation,
In the end only criminals are getting protected.

Innumerable injuries in seventy years,
Siphoning of crores in every deal,
Bludgeoning at every crossroad,
Have we forgotten our freedom struggle?

The bureaucrats rule the roast,
Communist and Religions Flags have their say,
This whole country is stuck here,
Hanging on Divide and Rule.

We are studying constitution for seventy years
And how else we can insulted it,
The common public gets kicked,
Now too we left with only heavenly justice.

Everyone is looting,
Thieves have full exemption,
Leaders are always hungry,
Bureaucrats are snobbish and corrupt.

ये नया युग - This new era

2017-08-12T23:16:00.001-07:00

ये नया युग - रवींद्र विक्रम सिंह

सुबह सुबह धुप के संग खिलते वो रंग,

पहली बारिश में भीगी मिट्टी की वो सुगन्ध,

हर समय वो चिड़ियों का साथ देना,

कभी कभी तितलियों का हमसे इतराना,

अब नही हमारे शहरों कस्बों में ...

अब बस हम अकेले रहते हैं,

जूझते रहते हैं नई मशीनो से चौके में,

ना सर्दी की सर्द पसंद है ना चैत की गर्मी ,

ना सावन के झूले हैँ ना भादों की बारिश,

बस मदहोश पड़े रहते हैं टीवी और ऐसी मे...

अब कहाँ खेलते हैं हमारे बच्चे गलियों में,

अब वो फेसबुक कंप्यूटर फ़ोन पर लगे रहते हैं,

अब कहाँ गंदे होते हैं उनके कपड़े,

कहाँ वो होली ईद दीपावली,

नये युग में हम सब कटे कटे से रहते हैं ....

अब बाप कहाँ डांट पाते हैं बच्चों को,

अब लड़के सोने से पहले आई लव यू बोलते हैं,

अब कहाँ शर्माती हैं लड़कियाँ बिना कपड़ों के,

अब पैट्रोल डीज़ल का रेट कौन पूछता है,

अब बस इंटरनेट कनैक्शन के झगड़े हैं...

कौन सोचता है अनाज कहाँ से आय,

कौन देखता है रातों में तार,

अब कौन ढूँढता है जुगूनुओँ की रोशनी,

अब बाल कटाने में भी फैशन के बहाने हैं,

अब बस फ़िल्मी हीरो पर मरती है जनता ...

ये नया युग है,

यहाँ जलाने के लिये लकड़ी नहीं,

साँस लेने के लिए साफ हवा नही,

डाइवोर्स होते रहते हैं रिश्ते,

यहाँ चादर है पर सोने के लिए जगह नही...

Translation in English:

This new era - Ravindra Vikram Singh

New Colours with rays of dawn,

Smell of soil in first rain,

Around the clock, chirping of birds

Times when butterfly flirts with us,

Such moments are no longer in our towns…

We live alone

Battling with new machines in kitchen,

We neither like cold winter or hot summers,

No the swings in spring, No rains of the season,

We are stuck with TV and AC...

Now, children don’t play in streets,

They are busy with facebook, computer, phone,

Their cloths don’t get soiled,

Neither Holi, Eid, Diwali are same,

New age we live apart and secluded...

When does father scold their children now,

Before sleeping children say “I love you now”,

None gets shy without cloths these days,

Nobody asks for price of petrol or diesel,

Today, we are more worried about data connection...

Who thinks from where the grains come?

Who stars at the stars at night?

Who looks for light of fireflies?

Now hairstyling is more fashionable.

And people are fans only of film stars.

This is a new era

No firewood to burn,

No clear air to breathe,

Relationships are getting divorced,

And there are sheets but no place to sleep…

आज और कल - Today and Tomorrow

2017-07-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

आज और कल - रवींद्र विक्रम सिंह

डोकरी पड़ी रहती उस कोने में,
सोचती रहती थी जवानी के वो दिन,
जब बना लेती वो आपने लिए खाना,
जब सुनन के लिया उसे कान नहीं डंडे पड़ते थे

वो भी मोहले में सब को जानती थी
सब के दुःख सुख में हाँथ बटा लेती थी
आज हाँथ हिलने से पहले भी सोचती हैं
कही ये पुराने कपडे फैट ना जाये

पुराने दिनों से बस उसकी सेहली बची हैं
ख़ुशी ये की उसकी पेंशन बंद गयी हैं
उसे नहीं माँगना पड़ता आपने ब्च्चो से आसरा
उसे नहीं छोड़नी पड़ती अपनी दवाई का पत्ता

बुढ़िया खुश हो लेती हैं, आपने नाती पीटो को खेतल देख,
और उनके जन्मदिनी पे ताली बाज़ के,
वार्ना को पूछता हैं कि खाया या नहीं खाया,
कोन सोचता हैं वो भी बड़े होन के बाद, होंगे बूढे ...

English Translation:

Today and Tomorrow by Ravindra Vikram Singh

Old woman keeps lying in the corner,
Thinking about her youthful days,
when she could cook herself,
when had company to gossip.

She knew everyone in the neighborhood,
She used share their pains and happiness,
Today she thinks before moving her hand,
]By chance, the old rag she wears shouldn't fall.

From old days, her one friend is still alive,
Gladly her friend gets pension,
Her friend doesn't have to ask, her kids for monetary support,
She doesn't need to leave her stripe of medicine.

Old woman gets happy, you see grandchildren playing,
And by clapping on their birthdays,
Otherwise who asks her whether eaten or not eaten,
Who thinks that after getting young,
they will get old...

The J & K quagmire

2016-09-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

India has many ambiguous and unsolved mysteries; however which has been the cause of one of the biggest turmoil inside and outside the country since independence is intricacies of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The article is attempt to understand different stake holdings of diverse voices involved in the issues, apart from the prevailing parties, forums and debates laying claim to the issue. Here is the description of the very root of the concern is what is 222,236 Sq km approx state and who are people numbering 19 million approx. The state is mistakenly presumed to as that of Kashmir, however it comprise of current six regions – Jammu, Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Pakistan occupied Kashmir - POK (Azad Kashmir) and under Pakistan controlled - Gilgit-Baltistan, under China controlled – Aksai Chin (China occupied Kashmir - COK).

Photo Source: Kashmiri Overseas Association Website

Currently, Jammu, Kashmir, Baltishtan and Azad Kashmir have roughly divided into 10 district each, two districts of Ladakh and CoK Aksai Chin. Placed in north western corner of the state, is part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which was administered in 1970 as “Northern Areas”, was renamed in 2009 as Gilgit-Baltistan. The Gilgit-Baltistan which is supposedly part of Azad Kashmir (as part of land of the same state under Pakistani control), however, Government Pakistan signed, Karachi Agreement, with its staged government of Azad Kashmir to self-secede to Pakistani Government, Gilgit-Baltistan. To add to complexity, the demography of the region in 1948, comprising of 85% Shias and Ismailis, was altered under General Zia ul-Haq regime by cheering resettlement of Sunnis from other region. The voices of Gilgit-Baltistan have been suppressed, unheard and stifled more so after Chinese rising interest in the region. Even there is has been constant protest by the populous for their rights and against the indiscriminate rule.

Just below Baltistan in south is another part of POK, Azad Kashmir, the place which has captured the imagination and frenzy of masses of Sub-continent, with no clear understanding of what it is. The marginal land stated to have self-governing model, laughably albeit under Pakistan Government. It is the narrow piece of land marked by Pakistani state as independently governing, southern part of Gilgit-Baltistan which is 400 km long and 16 to 64 km wide. The region is infamous for human rights violations, disappearance of persons, suppression of freedom of speech and active role of ISI and Pakistani armed forces like in Baltistan. It is known fact that even the official language is stated as Urdu not Kashmiri, and the voices of Kashmiriyat are swiftly taken care of. Part of the region measuring 5,180 Sq. Km is said to be illegally ceded to China by Pakistan under the March 1963 Sino-Pak Boundary agreement.

Just on the opposite side of Gilgit-Baltistan lays region of Aksai Chin on the eastern side of the state. This ancient high altitude desert trade route at elevation of roughly 4,300 meter is occupied by China. It is land of nomadic groups such as the Bakarwal, is under the iron wrist regime and with not much information available, except disputed claims by China, and its importance for the red state to exercise control over Tibet.

Bordering Aksai Chin, on south western side region of Leh and Ladakh, peaceful, blessed with tourism and consisting of Leh and Kargil district. With almost equal population of Shia Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists, the region is peaceful and received tourist from across the globe. In the recent times there have been calls for Ladakh to be constituted as a union territory of India and some event suggest it to be an independent state given its largest land share in the state and feeling of unfair treatment by Kashmir dominate politics and cultural differences with other regions.

The southernmost of part of the state is Jammu Region with 10 districts and the majority 62.55% of Jammu's population practicing Hinduism, with Sikhs and Muslim, place enjoys peaceful strong cultural heritage, except for the border district with Pakistan Administer Kashmir having altercation with the army or terrorist incursions from other side. There been voices to create separate state of Jammu, given its peaceful existence and disconnect with discerning voices of Kashmir Valley.

Region	Area	Population	Divisions
Gilgit-Baltistan	72,971 Sq km	1.8 million	· Baltistan: Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang, Ghanche · Gilgit: Gilgit, Ghizer, Diamer, Nagar · Diamer: Astore and Hunza
Azad Kashmir (PoK)	13,297 Sq km	4.6 million	· Mirpur district: Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimber · Muzaffarabad:Muzaffarabad, Hattian, Neelam · Poonch: Poonch, Haveli, Bagh, Sudhanoti
Aksai Chin	37,555 Sq km	Nomadic	Aksai Chin part of Ladhak region
Ladakh	59,146 Sq km	0.27 million	Leh district and Kargil district.
Jammu	26,293 Sq km	5.38 Million	Jammu, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Ramban, Kathua, Samba, Poonch
Kashmir Valley	15,948 km²x	6.89 million	Srinagar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara
Total	222,236 Sq km	18.94 million	--
Note: It is estimated that around 100,000 Hindus in Azad Kashmir areas, according to the 1941 census, have left their homes during the conflict and different account suggest 150,000 to 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits have left their homes in Kashmir Valley. Under the Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963, Pakistan has relinquished 5,180 sq. KMs in Gilgit-Baltistan to China.

Nestling between is all these region is the most in limelight beautiful Kashmir valley with its issues and protest getting global attention. This region again has 10 districts however the so much in news burning Kashmir issues and protest are confined to normally three districts of regions Anantnag, Pulwama and Shopian, however sometime extend to three more Kulgam, Kupwara, and Srinagar. Stories from this part of the state, are most popular in media enough to sway masses across the world to take notice of the plight of people suffering in valley. However, same people are neither get information about the situation across the border nor are sensitive to unheard voices of people of other parts of the state. The currently region has almost 96 % Muslim populations, has popular perception of unrest in the rest of the country.

Photo Source: Jammu-Kashmir.Com Website

The bigger question, which popular discourse is has missed it understanding the debate beyond the powerful stakeholders and power hungry protesters. There are many discourse of the history, change of demographics over the time, however land in contention is the same, when forming opinion about the rightful fate of the people either by outsiders or by protesting or non protesting insiders, each party either directly involved or indirectly shaping the outcome must understand the unheard voices and other parties of the conflict. Otherwise, the complex puzzle of the state would become more confusing then reaching a plausible solution.

The Global-Preneurship Conference in Nepal, August 11-21, 2016: An European Union Project

2016-08-28T09:35:00.002-07:00

It is at promising time, I got a chance to participate at Nepal in Global Preneurship Conference as part delegation for Indian Social Entrepreneur. The moment at which Nepal seems to be focused to stabilised itself political and economically after internal turmoil for last two decades especially since 2006 and rebuild itself after the devastating earthquake last year. The interactions there officially involved various social organisation, public institutions and visits to historic and cultural places; however, we had amble time to have conversation with general public about nation and progress.

The first visit was to Children’s Art Museum (CAM) of Nepal (CAM), a creative art studio cum workshop specially designed for children and youth. It was a unique project for creative learning of young children in Kathmandu, Nepal. The next visit was to Edushala and business model workshop with its founder, Ruchin Singh, a passion driven and innovative entrepreneur to running the venture to impart training from educational to vocational to skill or hobbies. The set-up based out of Patan, Nepal Edushala works for rebuilding Nepal through education. The workshop of business models, was important learning for entrepreneurs. Our subsequent discussion with N-Agro founder Robin Sitoula, involved understanding situation of agriculture in Nepal, and farmers with small holding small. It was motivating to understand how they are trying to works with small & marginal farmers and teaches them about the importance of land pooling and organic farming. The interactive talk session also highlighted their focus to increase the eco friendly consumption and healthy food chain.

We also met the leaders of YUWA, at youth based organisation at their office in Katmandu, which was very similar to our organisation, BYNF – Bharatiya Yuva Netritva Forum (Indian Youth Leadership Forum). The talk was interactive, illustrating their work and issues faced by youth in Nepal. In addition we had business ideation workshop with students of Nobel College, which received positive feedback. One of the highlight of the conference was meeting at 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking Company and Empowering women of Nepal at Pokhara founded by 3 Nepalese women. Founders explained their journey in last two decades and how their idea developed from initial phase of facing stiff resistance by the local people and society at large and how they overcame their challenge. It is a well-awarded success story now, and has been empowering local Nepalese women.

The conference was inspiring, helping us to understand various good practices and investigating these case studies of social entrepreneurship. The extraordinary beautiful terrain of Nepal also provided us with some extraordinary experiences, specially helping us in understanding dynamics at play in the country. In addition, we had a small trekking trip to World Peace Pagoda in Pohkara, Shambhu temple in Kathmandu, Mountaineering Museums, Bhakatpur and much more. It was a cultural delight with historic and spiritual sites, with variety of local cuisines and welcoming local folk songs. Besides program, I was fortunate enough to get time to explore more of Nepal, sign up partnerships for BYNF, have darshan at Pashupathinath and visit Patan. After UK, it was first time I was away from India on 15 August, our Independence day, however visit to Embassy and listening to the warm speeches their

Global-preneurship Conference in Cote d'Ivoire: Supported by Erasmus Programme

2016-05-13T12:08:00.003-07:00

In continuation with the Global Preneurship project, lead by the ZOJA (Slovenia), the SCYP team represented India by Ravindra Vikram Singh from May 7th to 15th, as sole representative from the country.

Global Preneurship was a week long program that entailed workshops, meeting people from business backgrounds, looking at start-ups and cross country business development. Delegates were selected from 7 different countries that are developing and the young professionals that were part of it came from non profit backgrounds. The idea was also to make the non profits self sustainable through developing effective business models. The countries that mainly participated in the week long program were India, China, Nepal, Slovenia, Philippines, Vietnam and Ivory Coast, and three continents. There was an emphasis on the possibilities for the employment and entrepreneurship in the fields of ICT and the environmental solutions (like waste management, renewable sources, energy efficiency). The program is funded and supported by Erasmus+ programme of the European Union.

We started with exploring Abidjan on Sunday, 8rth May, supposedly the economical capital of Cote d’Ivoire, however in all respect the capital of the county. One of the first thing, I realized on the trip all the initially we aren’t even get the country name right, it’s not Ivory Coast, it is Cote d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast is how English call the country. The first evening stroll at the Lagune Ebrie, named after local trip Ebrie who were the original inhabitant around the lagoon, was relaxing. So was visiting the local market, CAVA Centre Artisonal De Ville d’Abidjan in Zone 2 and having dinner at Chez Heline. Next day, our first meeting was at CGECI (Conferation of Cote d’Ivoire Companies) hosted by Gerord Konadio, economist in charge of statistics. The discussion involved the structure & composition of Industry in the country and its labour force. Then we went to a local school for autistic kids, it was special and memorable part of the day.

The third day trip to the capital Yamoussoukro, where we visited Foundation Felix Houphouet Boigney Pour La Recharche de la Paix, we had an enriching discussion about Gandhi and also how they can collaborate with India in near future.

The next day panel discussion with entrepreneurs, the meeting illustrated similarity in business opportunities in the developing nations and also similarity between struggle and aspirations of entrepreneurs. In India too, in recent years, we have seen my online payment companies cropping up, being in social spear I have met my social entrepreneurs into online education for school via mobile, tablets, and computers. Story of all three of them was inspiring, Mrs. Patricia Zoundi Yao, for been one of the few successful female successful entrepreneur in the country and her interesting work for online money portal mainly for farmers and rural people.

The trauma workshop by Anna, was amazing to understand how trauma and stress, and how person a person suffering from stress and trauma can work their way out of it. I had also went out to meet the ambassador of India, however, there was acting dignitary in his place, C. Doss Jeyakumar, we discussed about Indian living there and also about coming state visit to the Ivory Caost. It was also interesting to discover India has good trading relation with the Ivory Coast.

Almost end the end, we made a video for iCFDR and Make in India promoting our cloths. It was a creative and enjoyable active. The link of the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZzrBlHjZgI

Sloganeering: Fading charm of Indian Elections

2013-05-24T02:19:00.002-07:00

Sloganeering: Fading charm of Indian Elections

Having travelled in almost three major elections in bid to immerse and grasp the rhymes and rhythms of the people and land in the swaying times of elections. Though I either neither see much change from the old books written in pre-1947 era nor comprehend the fever with which politicians legitimise their elections or our own faith in the system. However, its the most complex democratic exercise across the globe and if one seeks to be a traveller it’s a periodic festival of its kind.

During a recent discussion with friends, I was bemused by the class of few of the slogans in post 1947 politics.

I was just wondering on art with of Slogans their spiced up catchiness and the people who devised some of the most heady catchphrase which sometime captured the mood of the massed and sometimes when down with even a fizzle.

The two which are personally addictic since long time are:

Teen Anna Pandrah Anna (3 annas −15 annas) – coined by Lohia on apathetic of then Prime Minister and Planning commission towards masses. It seems bland and boring; however, like Lohia it has depth and grief of nation. Seems to be true till now.
Yeh Dekho Indira Ka Khel, Kha Gayi Shakkar, Pee Gayi Tel – one of the best one – On entertainer Indira Gandhi and distraught masses.

Before going forward I would like to apologies that most are captured from northern states, mostly because of my limited knowledge and also because of lack of command over languages.

The famous and provocative slogans: Impressive and demeaning depending where is your fence:

· Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Indira tera naam rahega and Indira Gandhi lao, desh bachaao – Congress Slogan. J. P. Narayan may have aptly answered it by ““Indira hatao, desh bachao” for the 1977 general elections.

· "Sabko Dekha Bari Bari, Abki Bari Atal Bihari" – BJP’s slogan for Atal

· Kalyan Singh kalyan karo, mandir ka nirman karo – people asking Kalyan Singh for Ram Mandir

· Three of the most innovative once form BSP “Tilak, taraju aur talwar; inko maaro joote chaar”, “Haathi nagin Ganesh Hai, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh hain”, and “Chad gundon ki chhati par, mohar laga do haathi par”

· BSP saying for Uttar Pradesh: “Patthar rakh lo chhati par, button dabao hathi par”, equally witted SP’s retort“Gunda chad gaya haathi par, goli maara chhati par”. Not many considered this "Desh ke sir ka Taj banega, UP awwal Rajya banega" – BJP and this "Sonia nahi ye andhi hai, dusri Indira Gandhi".

· "Maa, Maati, Manush” – TMC, Mamta banerjee

Short Stories:

· “Ek sherni, sau langoor, Chikmaglur, Chikmaglur.” - Devraj Urs, for Indira Gandhi’s by-election in 1978.

· “Hum saugandh Ram ki khate hain, mandir wahin banayenge.” - The BJP’s chant in 1989 which led it to a stupendous victory.

· “Jaat par na pat par, mohar lagegi haath par.” - P.V.Narasimha Rao coined this slogan for the 1996 elections.

· "Indira is India and India is Indira" by Congressmen Dev Kant Baruah during the state of emergency in the mid 70s.

· "Aam Aadmi Ko Kya Mila?" – Congress slogan against BJP

· Lal Salam - CPI

· “Jansangha ko vote do, Beedi pina chhor do, Beedi mein tambakhu hai, Congresswallah chore hai.” – Jan Sangh

· Jai Ho by Congress

· Kushal Neta, Nirnayak Sarkaar by BJP for Advani

· Jab Tak Rahega, Samose mein aloo, Tab tak Rahega, Bihar mein Laloo – for Laloo Prasad Yadav

· “Chalega Haathi Udegi dhool, na rahega punja na rahega phool.” – BSP

· “Vote hamara-Raj tumhara, Nahi chalega-nahi chalega” , “Jo zamin sarkari hai, who zamin hamari hai” , “Jiski jitni sankhya bhari, utni uski hissedari” - Kansi Ram - master of sloganeering

· "UP hui hamari hai, ab dilli ki bari hai; Bharat ki majboori hai, behen Mayawati zaroori hai" – BSP

· "Aam aadmi ke badhte kadam, har kadam par Bharat buland" – Congress

· "Vikas ka mehnatana mangne aaye hain" - Nitish Kumar

· "Aatank mein jeena hai ya aman-chain mein?” – BJP-JDU combine Bihar

Some banal lines or false promises:

These sank without a trace or should have: Some captured people’s imagination and failed to delivery other either didn’t delivery or the if they did, the beneficiaries failed to keep them.

· Congress - Amethi ka danka, beti Priyanka; Congress ka haath, aam aadmi ke saath; aam aadmi ke badte kadam, Har kadam par Bharat buland; Congress ko lana hai, desh ko bachana hai; Uthe Hajaron Haath, Sonia Ji Ke Saath

· Bahujan Samaj Party - UP hui hamari hai, ab dilli ki baari hai, BSP Ki Kya Pehchan, Neela Jhanda Haathi Nishan; slogan "Khula hathi lakh ka, band hathi sawa lakh ka"

· Samajwaadi Party - UP me hai dum, jurm hai yahan kam; Badli badli hawa chali, badla badla mausam, kayam rahe Uttar Pradesh, kayam rahe Mulayam; Bol Mulayam Halla Bol, Halla Bol'.

· Bharatiya Janata Party - Ram Lala Hum Aayenge, Mandir Vahin Banayenge; Yeh to kewal jhaanki hai, Kashi Mathura baaki hai; Varun nahi, yeh aandhi hai, doosra Sanjay Gandhi hai;

And the some crispy slogans:

· "Garabi Hatao" - Indira Gandhi's campaign in 1971

· "India Shining" – BJP’s Promod Mahajan miscalculations

· "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" – Lal Bahadur Shastri

· “Work more talk less” - Indira Gandhi, office in 1966.

· "Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai" – if that miscalculation this one was out of proportions by Jawaharlal Nehru

· "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan" - Atal Bihari Vajpayee

· "Sampoorna Kranti" – J. P. Narayanan

· 'Save Tamil Nadu' – Jayalalithaa

Setting a Bad Precedent: Sham Innocence

2013-05-22T00:24:00.001-07:00

Setting a Bad Precedent: Sham Innocence

Too many times we get over emotional forgiving the mistakes, over burdening the public opinion almost swaying in favour of the culprit if not the crime, ignoring the deeds and the betrayal, and siding with spine doctors especially if it’s our heartthrob fall from grace. We wait neither for eugenics if only the offender is not faking coming back to senses nor make sure swift delivery of justice, rather the air becomes heavy with sob saga paving for soft acquittal of guilty.

In matter of couple of days, two cases of betrayal, ingenuity and shame have capture attention of this struggling nation - IPL spot fixing with star culprit Sreesanth and Sanjay attempt to trade his already minuscule punishment with emotional pitches and public endorsements. Both situations may have been avoided, if law was not subjugated in favour of public persona and stopped the culture of setting bad precedents. Had star criminals like Mohammad Azharuddin for his venturing into match fixing, Sanjay Dutt for keeping company of Ak-47, grenades and underworld at the time of Mumbai blast, things may have been different.

However rather than implicating culprits for deed we are showering them with gifts, Sanjay Dutt initially arrested under TADA but gradually TADA was repealed to let crime go more or less unpunished. Once in middle of match fixing ex-captain of Indian team, Azharuddin is now Member of Parliament from Moradabad Constituency. Salman Khan roams free after driving over labourers and shooting black bucks (cases motionless in court). No wonder, good incentive for mind with criminal tendencies – letting glamour and power call shots aren’t we sending wrong message to a prospective offender. We should shameful that innumerable Salman Khans and Shakti Kapoors almost scot free or even award in India. Is this the reason of spike in crimes, on streets, towards children and women, criminalisation of youth and politics, corruption among so called educated classes, promises of easy life and easy exits? How does youth of today see as role models? Do we want toothless enforcement agencies?

If we continue with the prevailing tendency, we as society not questioning what we stand for, what we support, not stating clearly that justice delayed is justice denied and wondering rational for being concerned. Are we clueless about whose justice is denied – apparently the answer is ours - civil society, consumer, country, and humanity. When a person misuses the position to either cross the bridge unethically obtaining an unfair advantage or joins the bomb blasting conspirators, it’s putting our life and the general public at stake. We are the prime stakeholders of the modern state – all the three/four of its pillar stand on us and to connect the dots for us. The legislative, executive, judiciary and the media, would be feeble and useless we are not actively participating in the working.

Only in state of lawlessness and disorder, such apathetic unscrupulous personalities can buy public opinions and judgments. Remember the public outcry Bill Clinton Monica Lewinsky controversy and corporate scams generate in US, Chinese criticised a controversial war memorial by Japanese leaders, outrage against Silvio Berlusconi Italy’s Prime minister – all for misuse of office. Why this is missing here, misuse of office and frauds are crimes and we need to ensure fast redressal system.

Rather than be sympathetic or indifferent towards crocodile tear shedding, half mocking and non-repenting culprits, we need to make sure it’s clear in black and white one cannot take laws in hand just for pleasure and fancies. And in case of repenting, one must before asking for leniency start from offer public apology and full cooperation to the system giving details of the conspirators and involvement. Till people start participating as stakeholder of this system, understanding their rights and duties, these social lacunas would not be plugged and the system remain corrupt and biased towards the elite exploiters.

Till then criminals would go scot free, stalking, and misusing any opportunity and we would keep on burying our necks like ostrich sham innocence. The justice would be denied, inequalities would prevail and society would not be safe.

If it was not Sanjay Dutt! What if it was me or You?

2013-04-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

If it was not Sanjay Dutt, What if it was me or You!

It was 1993, just two decades back almost this time of the year 13 bombsexploded in Mumbai, erstwhile Bombay on Friday, 12 March 1993. It is still one of the most successful non war attacks on Indian soil whichkilled a minimum of 250 people and injuring lot many. The gruesome attack on Mumbai, its people and the country was executed by D-Company however; the conspirators included the likes of Sanjay Dutt.

At that time, he was a budding actor,a super-star's son but a spoiltbrat caught possessing Ak-47s and live grenades. Are we letting him free too easily? Do we suffer from no memory or are we mocking standards of sympathy? Is it because collective memory is like a sieve or have we become too indifferent to crime and hate that we can let entertainers of the day scout free- just because the culprit plays a good cop in a movie, Gandhi in another or good/dancer/comedian in others?

Just to remind the depth of the tragedy- Sanjay Dutt possessed 3 AK-56 rifles, 9 magazines, 450 cartridges 9mm pistol and around 20 hand grenades. Initially, court hearing he claimed it was for self protection and said in his own words that it was provided by Hanif Kadawala, Abu Salem and Samir Hingora, complies of Anees, Daewood Brother and Daewood, to whom he got introduced years through actor-producer Feroz Khan. Later Sanjay understanding the danger of keeping them got consignment destroyed except for 1 AK-56 and some ammunition. The weapons and ammunition was "distributed among various underworld elements" to quote indiatimes news publication.

Recently, after the court had passed the verdict to imprison the person with mere 5 year minimum possible sentence for one of the most gruesome act in history of Mumbai, his backers like Gitanjali Jewels, Producers/Financiers, Film Fraternity has no sympathy for the victims or country but for the culprit actor. Or they don’t care till public gives them money? Do we Anna Hazares to fight unethical advertising?

Dutt like others was booked under TADA, it is widely speculated/believed the whole TADA act was repealed due to his father, Sunil Dutt’s, the then congress politician and ex mega star, throughpolitical persuasive aggressive lobbing. An act was repealed to save an accomplice? Post it, Sanjay has backtracked from most of the statement; previously he was released earlier then implicated terms for TADA was done away with.

People should remember in reel life a Khalnayak can pass off Munna Bhai portraying Gandhigari, however, should a Real life khalnayak get sympathy from the same society which was bombed, from the consumer who can be swayed away with emotion? Is it justified by advertisers and producers to be so insensitive to general public? Should not general public raise their voice against leniency shown?

He has neither rendered a public apology nor has come out clear with his involvement rather been retracting onhis statements and with each p assessing year, denying the extent of the involvement. Would this kind of the behaviour pass off so lightly in any other community, state or even jungle raj? Has he even had change of heart? He was shamelessly contesting for Lucknow Parliamentary seat from SP in last elections, why – was he proud of history of bombing or evading the jails?

What if it was you who did it or I, a Good Samaritan or even an unknown commoner, even if by mistake? Would be treated similarly as this son of cinema with past dotted with drugs, his abuse of alcohol and alleged skirt chasing, having being a accomplice of people on most wanted global list and corroborated in the sinister bomb blast which changed the city forever can have all the leniency from getting a state act repealed to least possible punishment?

Would it happen in London, Cuba, Beijing, Washington, Moscow, even Dubai, Cairo why then it can happen here in Mumbai? Are we setting a precedent– Yes? What could be next leniency to rapist, murderer, terrorist, and rioter? Bollywood rules our heart for entertainment and it pay for it with affection and tonnes of money – next thing do they too want to above all and people? Would we in next advertisement see Deowood, Madani or Godsey promoting products?

Are we waiting for old Russian poem to be true?

“First they came for the communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Sources: (Much of coverage is missing online, i guess due to spine doctors)

http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/how-did-sanjay-dutt-become-involved-in-the-1993-mumbai-blasts-67595.html

Details of Killing:

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/database/mumbai_blast.htm

Sanjay Hearing:

http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/nov/23salem.htm'

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20070323003912800.htm&date=fl2405/&prd=fline&

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanjay_Dutt#Illegal_possession_of_arms

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Bombay_bombings#Sanjay_Dutt_and_co-conspirators

Travelogue 9 – Velas-Turtle Breeding-Janjira-Murud– February 16-17, 2013

2013-03-21T02:50:00.000-07:00

I was leaving for Idduki, Kerala next week for almost 15 days, therefore there was a huge temptation and advices from friend to stay at home this weekend and rest. However, back of my mind I was thinking if I don’t go to Velas then I could miss watching little olive riddle crawling to shore. Moreover, I was planning to stay in the village for a night that would make up for rest.

Till Friday, noon I was no sure where to take the bus from, in Maharashtra people usually reserved their bus tickets for long trips, which was new to me. I took from Mumbai Central a 00:30 AM bus, and slept as soon as after haggling conductor allowed me to sit in some seat in the back. Few hours on the road, I woke up when head had banged the handle of mirror on left. Bus was hopping from pothole to another, my was hit twice and paining, however as soon I opened the window, I could smell moist soil and very light drizzle may be first drizzle. The refreshing smell was conducive enough to discourage one getting back to sleep, it’s been almost a year the smells was back, last time I was in UP, traveling Badaun around the election session. Soon, I picked up Gandhi again, his observation 70-80 years back seems true even today, people struggling to keep afloat.

By the time dawn break, I had hurt my head again and it would pain for at least a week. The first rays of Sun serving reminder the bus was late bus, but presented the beauty of Konkan. Bus was slowly moving on the hills, sea on the left side, in between came Savitri River, emptying whatever it was with left in the sea. I wish I could just get down, sit there relish the poster portrait of nature.

I had missed the morning session of the turtle breeding, when all the new ones are collected and left near the shore to walk their way, I surveyed the crawling marks of mother turtle which had come last night and left its track. The harmful creatures comes, crawls, digs up a hole and lays eggs expecting cooperation from humans to not disturb them. However, we thinking mightiest of all have ruined our own life and theirs too. In Velas social organizations like Kasav Mita Mandal and Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra Manda have done great work for their natural habitat conservation and making local environmental friendly. To an extend now local host the visitors at their home.

I stayed at Santosh Joshi’s place, small family, masi was really nice showed documents she had collected over the years about turtle breeding and their daughter was involved in the conservation work since class 4. In day I went around, the Velas once famous for Nana Phadnavis, went to rameshwar shiv temple and the farms of my host. One could smell mangos in the breeze as Haapos tree were laden with greens. Also took dumdum (auto) to nearby village Bankot, near the sea coast it has an old depleted fort Shiva ji Empire.

In the evening, I hurried to the Velas beach to the watch the main attraction of my travel. The cordoned off area had huge crowded, recent popularity had drawn crowd from all over Maharashtra. Anyways it was sight to see six of the tittle ones with tender, slow find they own ways to crawl the sea, its light they seek and sea offers them that bright light.

I was appreciating the beauty and struggle of the little ones, suddenly heard a comment which just pinched me, a kid also vitnessig the event for first time asked his mother why turtle are walking at different speed why not all of them are as fast as the first one, the sick lady replied the faster turtle was good kid, like kids in school those do study and listen to their parent come first and rest are bad and weak. I do not know why I wrote, when I heard this I felt, for kid for all of us, make are children machines in rat race, teach them about fulfilling wants and desires, coming first at any cost and forget that the little of innocence/ignorance may keep us more human.

After watching with delight, life events of freshly hatched turtles, I walked with my newly made friends Murli and Johnson to the dongar (hill) adjust to sea and watch the sun dip at the end of the horizon in the sea.

If the lunch was best meal in the week, dinner was no less, once again I was lucky to gorge one more new Marathi preparation koshabhi, I presume mix of other veg with tomato. Dinner followed a play and few videos at the Durga temple. Two family at arrived at host’s place, post dinner I went on walk the family of Sandeep bhai, enjoyed with their twin little girls, cute kids.

I had stayed back, one more session with little turtles. Woke up early, probably was one of the first visitor to reach the beach, serene splendor when sun rise in the back and one sit enjoying the waves, I sat there wrote few poems and waited for hatched turtle to come out of pit of sand to be dropped near the shore. After getting the eyeful of the baby olive riddle, it was time to move.

I took the bus with visitor neighbors – Saurav, his wife (forgot her name) and Sitaram. Now on the list was Jangira, one famous spot on Konkan I had missed, however latter released its over rated. Got down at Vesvi to take a boat for Harihasreshwar with Saurav, Sitaram parted straight for Mumbai.

I dropped the family, at Harihasreshwar, telling them about impressive old shiva temple there gorge behind it. Carried on in dumdum to Srivardhan, from where I had to take bus to Dighi. Almost 1 hour of wait and nothing came, finally jumped in a truck to Dighi, few hundreds meter on the route, tired got punctured; I was already late and had just few maps to guide on unfrequented road to an unfamiliar town. Trucker was disinterested to carry on the journey till the new get the tire repaired, left with no choice waving at each vehicle passing by. My a motorbike stoped, Santosh Dombe, I should never forget you, as you took me next 30 kms to Rajpuri, telling me more places and temples of Shiva. From Dinge we took a boat, boat, me and Good Samaritan.

In front of Rajpuri, stood the Janjira fort, one takes a sail boat with 50 people to reach the sea fort, i felt this was best part of this attraction. Fort has massive walls, however most the what guide say here are utter lies, therefore I roamed around alone, and was able to shoots in few of their lies too. First one was fort has one gate, it has too and other one is more tourist friendly and half of the construction they pass of as old is new, on can easily see iron rods and cement beams. Coming back on the boats was stirring and entertaining, met an old fellow who has a handicraft shop in front of regal Mumbai, takes all his staff for a one day monthly tour.

Good time, wrote and read a little, met nice people and enjoyed nature.

Travelogue 9 – Velas-Turtle Breeding-Janjira-Murud– February 16-17, 2013

चलता रहा, हसता रहा !!!

2013-02-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

दर दर तेरी आस में,
तेरे प्यार की सुअगत में!
चलता रहा,
हसता रहा!

चोर चोरी कर गए,
में मासूम बनता रहा,
देश धरती भूल के,
इंसानियत चुन्गता रहा!

सरकारी किताब थी,
इन्फ्लेशन की मार ही!
आपराध सुजता समाज था,
स्त्री पुरुष पे कलंगो का भार था!

बहरूपियों का जंजाल था,
चिक्ति पुकार थी!
मांगती सर्कार थी,
सब बन गया बाज़ार था!

आत्मा की आवाज़ थी,
माँ की पुकार थी!
में चलने लगा,
हसने लगा!

Travelogue 8 - Trek Naneghat-Jivdhan Fort- February 2-3, 2013

2013-02-15T06:19:00.000-08:00

Even before coming to Mumbai I had googled trekking destinations in the vicinity. It was after a year being here and almost three years of last trekking experience; I was about to trek Naneghat and Jivdhan. We started early Saturday morning, reaching Kalyan by local train. From Kalyan, we took the state transport bus heading to Junnar. Bus would drop us at base of Naneghat. We had planned first to trek Naneghat (750 m), a mountain pass in the Western Ghats (near village Vaishakare, Malshej Ghat, Junnar in Pune), by the evening and next day do Jivdhan (1145 meters). Almost half an hour of journey our bus broke down. All my plans seem to be in jeopardy; luckily we managed to get in other bus. Anyways, we reached the post around 2 o’clock, and realised we had forgotten to bring torch and adequate water.

Hill walking is like a meditation cutting yourself off from the city life and immersing in lap of nature. One can contemplate bits and pieces of life, walking up and down the mischievous terrain which is quite similar to that of life. Sometimes, you are following the right trail and one wrong turn disappoints you. At some places, the pinnacle seems just above you, however, after climbing one understands that it was just a mirage, curves of hills playing tricks with you. What you see may not be the best hill offer, but best of your ability at specific moment. As I said hill walking is for me is time for introspection, deliberation and contemplation.

In beginning, I was exhilarated and confident, however, within 20-30 minutes I was breathing heavily, realising no fitness regime and bad life style with age was coming back to me. Even on such an early stage of trek I was dragging myself and promising myself to build up endurance, once back. Due to less rain in Maharashtra this year, the natural habitat was dry and hot with sun on top. Unable to enjoy beautiful views, I was gasping for air. Taking breaks every few minutes with heavy chest and cursing myself, this was proving to be one of the most difficult treks ever, even though I had been to tougher destinations.

In the middle of no-where, over our heads were high voltage power-lines coming from one side of horizon and disappearing into the other side climbing the hill. In a few minutes, we could hear a buzzing sound; first I thought it was chirping of birds, however soon I realized that it was rather sound coming from these wires. I was wondering the extent of exploitation by man to hedge a comfortable life and this irritating constant buzzing sound possibly disturbs birds and animals. In cities, I had not heard the sound of these wires may be due to noise of population and other noise pollution. We were walking in middle of wires running parallel on each side, the noise became a nuisance. Sorry, to write a too much on it, I hated the meddling with nature.

We had finished two water bottles in an hour and half. There was no sign of any other trekker, only faded trails, still air and amazing sight which I was hardly noticing given tiredness. I would have given it up, if we were a larger group or i was alone. Two hours must have passed when we heard human chatter, hopefully not far ahead of us. My friend climb up, it was great relief that they had given us some water and informed a water source was not far. We hurriedly reached there, drank and splashed water on ourselves and started again for top. By the way, we had a taken a longer way doing a round of dried waterfall.

Once I reached Naneghat, it was spectacular panoramic view, I felt relaxed disregarding the gruelling journey. Historically, Naneghat was a used a tollbooth for using the pass between Junnar and Kalyan, and inscription in the cave at top indicates the work of Satavahana rulers and their a powerful woman ruler Naganika mentioning names of gods Yama, Indra, Chandra and Surya and cute beautiful temple of lord Ganesha in cave.

Strolling through the Naneghat pass and then climbing hills on the side, standing on the cliff and enjoying the tranquil nature and stimulating views, it was dark before I released. I was completely lost in the place. Around 8, we found a house of Santosh Shinde, rather he found us, as we standing in dark guessing what to do. Post dinner at his place and offer to sleep at night, we headed for a late night walk. I ate for first time – home cooked bhakri, nachni with peethla and pejholi.

What followed would hard to forget for long time now. After across the cave, and four man made big water hole, we sat on edge for few hours on a joint. While walking back after few seconds I released something happen. My right leg, slipped in the last water hole, which was way of the symmetrical line of other holes. My foot hit the water, I could remember hearing the sound of splash. My left hip had hit the floor, fortunately left hand got hold of a iron railing outside. Intuitively, I flung myself out of the hole. Within, seconds it all had happend. When I came out I released, that i had fallen and was out too. Friend walking behind me, released it too after I was out. Hip, knee arm and ankle were paining terrible, however we laughing loudly on the way this occurred and how i was came out.

After this unasked for risky adventure, i decide to stay at Santosh’s place for night and see in morning if I can go further. Day two, I woke up early. Sat on hill top and stretched for some time, it was so tranquil I was wishing to live there forever. The breeze was soft, casual and calm. Eyes were absorbing stimulating nature in flawless morning the sun light. I hovered there for hour or so.

Leisurely, walked to Satosh’s home for Marathi breakfast. Around the same time, three guys came in asking for tea. They had climbed after sun, were not sure to go back or do Jhivdhan too. With in no time and short conversation, we all decided to do it together.

Around 9:30, we started for Jivdhan, first headed for other direction to have a look at the small lake near the lodging and then carried on with trek. We had to aim for Khada Parsi (aka Wanar Lingi) (a 130 m high pinnacle) which would help us reach Jivdhan. After some time, we were in small patch for dense jungle. Finally, after losing our way again, struggling, getting help from people at top, we were able to reach to top. On all the sides, we could see ghats and peaks. Btw, here yet again i had small fall between rocks, guiding the way. The place was appealing and .

Once upon a time, there was Shivaji maharaj fort on Jivdhan (3754 ft above sea level); one can only imagine the strength, strategy and valour of Shivaji and his army to make provisions at difficult places. I had read that one can have full panoramic view of peaks - Harishchandragad, Chavaand, Ratangad, Naneghat, Manikdoh Dam and the entire Junnar plateau. However, I was enjoying the site, not knowing one peak from another. We cooked soups at the top and ate Bhakri-thecha packed by Santosh.

After wee hours at top, we started back, on the way back from sides towards Ghatgare village; my shoe cracked negotiating the awfully rough rock patch. We had to slip and crawl our way down. After shoe giving way, I had to carefully manage the steps, lest I slip and fall. Almost around 4 we reached the village, filled water bottled and ran to catch the jeep for Junnar, base town for Shivneri(birth place of one of the greatest king Shivaji), for there we reached some fata (crossing). Rest was easy, though one of us got separated, as in he was quick enough to get in right bus, while we were busy buying fruits.

Travelogue 8 - Trek Naneghat-Jivdhan Fort- February 2-3, 2013

Travelogue 7 - Ajanta, Ellora and Girsneswar - January 25-28, 2013

2013-02-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

When I started this trip, I was not sure, how it would turn up. Budget constrain, wasn’t feeling best of in shape, busy work week and lastly, was wondering would it be just another history tour. Nevertheless, when one had to go, one has to go. The weekend trip itinerary had on the list Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Kailasnath Mandir, Girsneswar Jotyiling, Devigiri fort, and few other old monuments if time permits. I also wanted to visit nearby Gautala wildlife sanctuary; however time constrains couldn’t make it in plan. Moreover, I would have been uncomfortable seeing plight of forest and farmers due to less the average rain in this region of Maharashtra, this year.

As usual, we took late evening Friday bus to Aurangabad, in history titled as Devgriri. On the sideline, recently there was proposal to re-name it as Shamba ji nagar, the proposed move was defected due to incumbent central ruling party government favored the current name Aurangabad. It’s named after one of the last effective Moghul king Aurangzeb, after he made this city - capital of his empire. He was infamous communal oppressive autocratic rule.

Reaching around after 12 hours, our cabbie Bhagwat picked us up. He was well informed and good company. Day 1 had on list: Ellora, Devgiri and Girneswar. Ellora is around 30 km from the city, famous for its Buddha, Jaina and Shiva Caves including Kaliasa Temple Complex (“one of the great monolithic structure in the world”) and Chaitya temple (from which todays chapels and cathedrals are supposed to be inspired from) thought to be constructed between 5^th and 13^th century. On the way near Ellora, there is old city, now town daultabad (dault-wealth), on the hill overlooking town stand impregnable (as of my friend called) Devgiri fort. From the bottom of the hill, fort seems crown on top of the hill, a formidable fort of a city once famous for its of wealth and rich society; then righty called as Devgiri (abode of gods); falling on ancient trade route of dakshinapatha.

4 km from there, are the Ellora structures, formally known as Elura, Verul and even Charanadari meaning “denizen of celestial region” for its scenic beauty. Roughly in the middle of the all caves stands the magnificent marvel Kailashnath temple. It took an hour, for the magnetic and astounding story of the temple to sink it. It is a single rock temple, made top to bottom front to end, from a mountain. No boulder was moved from distance, no external rock used. Sometime 1000 year back in history, they carved an artistic temple out of mountain. With intricate designs, double story, magnificent, yalli (tamil name), gopurams, panels depicting of Mahabharat & Ramayan, sculptures of Shiva and other others, it’s a sight one wonders if we are going back in time or just imagining it. Even to think about its construction, seems a herculean task. I climbed on the part of the hill above temple, for overwhelming bird eye view.

Experiencing reverberating sound of chanters in the Chaitya hall (cave number 10), makes the hill live one forget about the travel and place stop seeming old but functioning. The Mahayana and Hinayana caves with darpalas, padampani, varjapani, tara and other sculptures, belittle todays achievement of progress. The Jaina caves – one is a mandir known as chota kailasha. The caves have intricately carved idols of gods and goddess, and Tirthankars. One of the most noticeable is seated Mahavir attended by yakshas and yakshis. There Ellora caves are attributed kings -Krishan I, Rastrakutak king –Dantidurga, Calkuyas of Badami, however to me there seems no conclusive proof of time of construction and the reigning kings objectively.

In the evening, after completing the group of monuments, we went for dinner at a restaurant Virandaban recommended by Bhagwat. The place had best thali, I have ever head after coming to Mumbai.

Next stop was evening darshan at Girneswar Jyotilink. The mystic place of Shiva has a dress code, males can enter garbha grah only shirtless, precisely topless. All the days travel and tiredness disappeared sitting in the temple premise, calmness and peace prevailed over worrisome thoughts of mind time.

Day two it was Ajanta, around 100 kms from city, on the way, talking to locals and farmers, I released extend of loss suffered due to less than average of rain. Drying cotton plants were standing in the field with no cotton. The forest wore a worn out demeanor. Usually at this time of the year, water is receding in the seasonal water bodies, cultivators fields are blossoming and forest is green, however this year all were facing adversity and our big metropolitans were not even talking about it, too lost in their own agendas. By the way, two handicrafts from the region are Paithani and Himroo.

Group of rock cut caves at Ajanta are dedicated to Buddha, the enlightened one. Even the bus ride from parking to caves suggests that we are going back in time traveling in the serene natural beauty, one is bound to contemplate. Lost in jangles and mountains, the first view of caves is breathtaking. Out of nowhere, one sees caves after caves along the hills with a corridor and below now seasonal river Waghore, and a waterfall Satkund (dry when I visited). Once upon a time, rock cut caves (viharas- monasteries) were used as rain shelters for monks in the mountain. The first of mural painted caves are estimated have been constructed around 2^ndB.C. In early 19^th century a Britisher hunting for lion, who has itched his name on painting on the pillar, accidently discovered these lost caves. Just for FYI, there are no lions in the forest now.

Paintings depict events in life of Buddha, and only personal experience of being there can make one understand the artistic, spiritual and architectural depth of these monuments. My best three are a painting of Buddha in yellow robe (cave-17, tried clinking it number of times, however could not get on camera what my eyes experienced), sculpture of Buddha lying in one of the last caves (it was calm and smiling –as asking you purpose of life) and equality of sexes so common to historic Hindu art and culture which we find missing in today’s world.

Described many time as second to none, in these monuments are paintings more than a millennium old, staring at you from all dimensions, not asking you for attention but understanding of society, life and history. What must have gone wrong and what is still to be resolved.

In the evening after dinner and chat with friends at a restaurant Windsor castle. I was wishing to have spent at least day more here, visiting the national park, Pitalhora caves (40 km away from city), two caves in the city of Laxmi and Ganesh in the city and spent more time with around there city. However office calls, monthly bills have to paid: P

The last minute in city was most dramatic, in the conversation with friends we missed our bus. By the time we released it, taxi was gone. We had to take auto till next stop of the bus and ask bus to slow down.

Travelogue 7 - Ajanta Ellora and Girsneswar - January 25-28, 2013

Travelogue 9 - Sandhan Valley Trek– February 8-10, 2013

2013-02-11T01:37:00.001-08:00

Personally, hill walking is like introspection and Sandhan valley trek was one of the best experiences till date. The trek was descending through the greatest canyon in Maharashtra, only of its kind I have ever been to. It has a beautiful path with iridescent shades and shadows of mountains running on the side, short walks in knee deep waters, spots where your eyes just want to absorb the beauty, but cautioning to watch ones steps. I couldn’t help comparing it with life, while moving through depressing downhill turn, can suddenly slip away. Everything else is exciting around you; however, life is testing you at every turn - flinging the worst it can – coercing you to turn away. The path was sliding gradually for miles to ground level, negotiating way through rough rock patches. It had rappelling, hopping over rocks, however, with enough time for deliberations, star gazing at night, swim in natural pool and napping under the sky. Drawing a parallel to my life, after MBA my social venture went bust and brought me to ground zero costing a year and half among other things, but at the end life seems beautiful with or without complaints.

It was very last minute plan; busy week had ensured no time to plan for the weekend. I knew I had escape from Mumbai for two days, didn’t know where. On the Friday noon, a friend goggled TMI, a group leaving late night for some Sandhan valley trek and luckily had space for few. At 7 o’clock I called them, doing last round of query, still to finalize between the option of trekking Harishchandragad peak by ourselves, one I was longing to go for some time now or this descend we had just googled and saw some snaps . We decided to decide after reaching a Ghatkopar station, least common denominator for both destinations. We left for dinner around 9, packing the bags after buying new pair of shoes; old ones had ended their support on the last trip to Naneghat Jivdhan.

On station we met few people from the same group, we all boarded 11:17 PM local to Kasara. At Kasara we joined rest of TMI group and finally knew were we were going (still joining the group I was nt sure where I was going…lol). It was a group of 30 individuals from different walks of life; all struck a formal friendly chord instantly. This was first time I was traveling with an unknown organized group. Around 2:30 AM we boarded local jeeps from Kasara to Samrad village (3000 fts above sea level). Reaching there around 5 AM, while rest of group decided to sleep, three of us went for late night stroll. Few miles from village, lying on the rocks by country roadside with silhouette of mountain at a distance in front, sky watching – saw few shooting stars, slice like moon hidden behind some hill. It was worth skipping the sleep, I had already started enjoying the place. About 7:30, we started descend, after having breakfast of PoranPoli, chapatti made with jaggery – Marathi special.

Sandhan valley is situated in the Sahyadri, Western Ghats, near Samrad village in Nagar District near Ratangad peak. Few minutes in the canyon/ gorge, it becomes clear why it’s called valley of shadows. Valley of Shadows is surrounded by Alang, Malang, Kulang, Kalsubai, Ratangad and Ajoba peaks, at some places has just few feet of space to walk and sun rays fail to touch ground between the natural walls of mountains. It’s a water carved ravine two km (approx) long and 50 to 400 feet deep, with few water filled patches, making sure it drenches you waist deep.

Gradually place sinks in, if rocks make the knees crack and shadows of the mountain with each step promise eyes the more magnificent views. As soon as you start enjoying the trail, spot comes where the way forward is walking through waist deep water. Out of water, drained energy makes you forget about drenched cloths. Before one reaches the sudden fall of 50 feet (rappelling point); the walk through water faints into memory. This was first time, I would be doing rappelling, walk till now had silent and retrospective for me. At beginning, I was walking with friend made in local, after water patch had separated. It was insightful silent watchful walk, only few instants getting or extending support on uneven surface to each-other in the group. The ways through hills are like ways through life, intriguing personal and impersonal simultaneously. In between, I started walking with a group singing songs – old melodies in most unusual of the places may have disturb some but it made my journey more relaxing and thoughtful.

Mentioning the above brief, was important as discussion with few of these people, which started at rappelling point continued till end of the trek and was in continuation of my deliberation about society and life in last few years. It also reminds me of few similar discussion at other unusual (may seem awkward places to many) places with people I had just met – like at Brighton beach, Humpi Badami trip or talks at UP election travel with strangers. The discussion engulfed the topics ranging from society, economics, spirituality and India vis-à-vis its spiritual traditions.

The rappelling may have been one of the most existing new things I may have done in couple of years. Though I was profusely sweating when reaching down, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Seeing sudden fall of 50 feet didn’t give as much thrill as rappelling it down. The next four rock patches till roping were I guess most difficult ones on the track. At second last of them one has to slip through cavity in the rocks and one drops down from hole below to ground below it. Thanks to shouts, we wouldn’t have found the hole in the rocks. Most of the tiring trail was covered, with only a roping point, once doing it was all smooth walk. However, majority of best scenic place had past too. Sun, shadow, walls and falls with breeze passing through the greens, make the ravine delight to eyes and mind.

Henceforth, the discussion developed, becoming more stimulating and insightful. By evening time we reached our resting site for night. Leaving our bags, most of us jumped in the pond in vicinity (I guess a small waterfall in monsoon), big water hole between the massive rocks. The way pond was laid out by nature, it seemed as much a wonder as the valley of shadows we had just passed. Pond had big rocks on three sides, in front a flat entrance side and rock bang opposite entrance side had feet long space above to sit or dive in deeper side. As others cooked dinner, the discussion picked up again till night sky was filled with start on a no moon night, Amavasya. The yesterday’s sky watching gave way to star gazing, (of course a new friend knew most about them, and was kind enough to share). After, school may be locate Orion, Sapt Rishi, Milky Way and lot many others till I fell to sleep.

In morning, it was swimming time again in the pond. It seemed private pool then as hardly anybody dared to get into water, maybe wrongly presuming it was cold or may be disinterested. For me it was more relaxing than the night sleep. After breakfast we started again for end base village and end of my weekend. It was a walk on relatively flat ground towards the Dehane village (Base of Ajoba fort) in Thane district. It seemed the valley, pool and nature were tempting one to stay back, and forget the tiredness. The descend, like spiraling down phase of life, too just leaves enjoyable memories and rest all would be a passing phase. Back to ground zero, we had Marathi lunch of peetla, bakri, kadi at a house in the village with friendly kids and got in jeeps to catch local. You can desire to get away from maddening life of concentrated human habitation, called cities, however to escape is different game altogether.

Still to visit: Harishchandragad peak, Aswala Fort, Bhairavgad Fort, Pabargad Fort, Ratangad, Alang –Madan-Kulang Fort, Kalsubai (5400 ft. highest peak in Maharashtra)

Travelogue 9 - Sandhan Valley Trek– February 8-10, 2013.

An Indian's Dilemma - It’s not censorship, it’s Censurers You should be scared of

2012-08-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

In a recent spate of bans, feel yourself lucky if you get a casual or an unimportant SMS in India. Targeting online social media and limiting SMSes are the latest form of censorship solutions that the Indian government has stumbled upon to combat the homegrown fundamentalist Islamic terror threats. In addition, as usual Indian government is putting the blame on our irresponsible neighbor-cum-cousin Pakistan. Would these majors address the issue, or vice versa help the perpetrators or assist party at center to achieve its personal goals or congress would be successful in subduing one more Indian autumn.

The strategy seems to be successful, because ‘aam janta’ which was questioning the extent of corruptions and appeasement politics is wondering now either about the extent of ban on online social space or grappling with understanding and managing a censorship balanced status on social sites and number of SMSes, giving government space to avoid the real issues and behave as it has been doing recklessly. It is a curtailing freedom to speech, however one is wonder to what extend and its implications, as for first time masses had voice even against media. A free space to opine and take on biggest of stalwart of deceit.

Not denying the gravity of the situations in regards to security of Indian populations in current times from Pune serial blast, unannounced lathi charges, economic ratings coming down due to uncertain political climate, to Azad Maidan, threat SMSs and curfews in few cities are testimony to the fact that Indian Government has failed to provide basic necessities to the countrymen. It's obvious that urgent method was need to stop the SMS scare, but what about finding and nabbing culprits, and why online media censoring - our intelligent cabinet and bureaucracy could not find a better way than choosing to curtail the rights and freedom. However the reasoning and credibility of their short sighted and lame censorship should not be a surprise as just six months back Indians Cabinet Minister, Mr Kapil SIbal had warned of “stern action” against social media for not regulating articles which either ridiculed or criticized his government. His party’s moment awaited has come, the current event gave them an opportunity as the saying goes “One man’s misery is another man’s fortune”.

It seems Congress Government of India, rather than finding solution to the current issues has found an opportunity sought after by politicians across party lines to regulate the internet. One more new form of censorship used in India and constitutionalising unconstitutional measure without implementing emergency, like the banning books(tonnes of academic and perfect books have been banned in the country), booking people under 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code (among other incidents, on feb 2009, the police booked Kumar and Anand Sinha, the editor and the publisher of The Statesman under section 295A reprinting an article from The Independent by its columnist Johann Hari - "Why should I respect oppressive religions?), lathi charging innocent masses protesting with Ramdev against corruption, waiting endlessly to Anna’s campaign to die down then implement anti-graft law, etc.

Have we lost the bare minimum freedom and democracy we fortunately got online? Would the censorship rightly used? The freedom which was even from press seems to have whisked away. It’s not the current capping of SMSes that hurts by it’s the authority behind it and history of misuse of the responsibilities placed by constitution on Parties ruling the center giving goose bumps. Especially track record of appeasement politics, it feels evident now anyone who is pointing the finger at the perpetrator of crime can also be censored without even a whisper been heard. Under the pretext of clearing the spam hate messages and morphed pictures which Indian Government could have dealt within the preview of currents laws, the recent demonizing of online services can serve their ulterior and unintelligent motives. As soon as news of hate SMSes campaign and fake online pictures spread across, the censors, Indian Politicians, started blaming social media sites, some even went to extent of suggesting temporary banning.

Don’t trust Censurers: Indian Politicians Banning and Censoring Communication: Reasons people at large and track to understand that if the government intention is well place or ill placed:

The real issue which is still largely ignored was illegal international immigration in India, and its implications and complication arising from it, resulting in riots Assam, followed by protest on 11 Aug 2012 by Indian Muslims (organized by Raza Academy, with permitted 1500 crowd, however estimated conservatively 15-20,000, by some claim 30000) at Azad Maidan, Mumbai in support of illegal immigrants ensuing flatouts of it - hate speeches by Islamic Extremists resulting in inciting hate and anger therefore vandalism and harassment(2 people died, 12 female police man molested, 3 media vans burnt, amar jyoti vandalized, stolen two police self-loading rifles (SLR) and one revolver, etc. followed by chain of SMSes spreading fear not only in Assamese.

This is after Supreme Court, as early as 2005, three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice R.C. Lahoti, Justice G.P. Mathur and Justice P.K. Balasubramanyan, said "The presence of such a large number of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, which runs into millions, is in fact an aggression on the State of Assam and has also contributed significantly in causing serious internal disturbances in the shape of insurgency of alarming proportions." Supreme Court struck down the IMDT Act (Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, 1983) as unconstitutional which government has claimed as hurdle in deporting illegal immigrants. This proves as ever human rights standards in addition to illegal immigration the practice was also causing human right violation as rights, land and life of Assamese were disturbed. Its more than unclear seems gloomy that what was stopping government to seal the border even after 65 years of independent India. According to “REPORT ON ILLEGAL MIGRATION INTO ASSAM” submitted to K R Narayanan then “THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA” by Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, PVSM then “THE GOVERNOR OF ASSAM “ on “8 November, 1998”, Bangladesh was doing nothing to prevent immigration and their then Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena had even exclaimed that there was no illegal Bangladeshi living in India.

Now that all the government actions are doing is concealing the real issue, and stopping the news to spread. That’s all government want to do to fix the issue and sweep under the carpet, at the maximum would punish few rogue elements who involved in the recent incident which raise eyebrows in sleeping India janta to pacify the issue and satisfy the voters. What about the real issue? What about illegal immigration and immigrants? It is due to illegal immigration estimated by Election Commission out of 27 districts of Assam 11 have a Bengali Muslim majority, even though according to old and conservative GOI census of 2001 there were 3,084,826 Bangladeshis in India, number which have grown multiple times according to intelligence reports 5000 to 6000 Bangladeshi enter India daily. T. V. Rajeswar, former Governor of West Bengal and Sikkim, quote in Tribune sometime back that there are at least 16 million Bangladeshis in India. Some estimates even claimed them to be more than 2 crores.

Normally expected reply from Congress government – India’s has international boundary issues with Bangladesh, it is not government supposed to sort them out in last 65 years, it has behave recklessly and only sufferers have been native inhabitants of India. The current issue has grown to an extend that in addition to adding to cheap labor, population and poverty in India; violating human rights of people where illegal immigration have illegally occupied land of locals and disturbed cultural ethos. It has grown to lethal proportions, ignited growth of homegrown terror and terrorist the country. Introduced emergency like situation for all the citizens living country, curtailing communication it first affected daily ration of SMSes, Online freedom etc. It is by basic definition is “governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviors”. It gives reasons to suspending rights and freedoms, in modern technological worlds rights to speak free are as important as decades back it was to write in newspaper. Indian government has successfully implemented the step one that too for unclear and undefined motives with no major outcry from media, and has astonishingly convinced masses so well of its propaganda that they are not even releasing their freedom has been taken away for no use rather may be misused.

Or was it because for Congress Government, learning few tips from Arab Spring and has been able to successfully avoid Indian Autumn, as Indian who were very active online for first time, would be afraid to speak online about anything against Congress Government and its appeasement politics or even against the issue and its perpetrators. Finishing off the current topic with these dangerous opportunities unethical and biased censurers, threat freedom of speech of north-easter, ethnic minority and north easter hindu / christian human rights groups/ individuals raising their voices against illegal occupation and terror would be unimaginable.

365*2 days of escape and struggle - a personal life post

2012-07-26T04:57:00.000-07:00

Its been almost two years, I last blogged - wrote my views and thoughts. Since lot has happened in the while and I was moving from desperate situations to other, I have decided to write a personal life blog, unlike my most other post till date. In two years, am not sure if I have any learning, however lot has changed. Realization of importance of patience and subduing of the rebellious streak has calmed the frustration and consequences of the struggle that has followed in last two years. Learning of spirituality has hopefully sank skin deep, resulting in falling of few more walls/barriers, world seems more of family then it seemed then. People I oppose and the ideologies I was against, now seem no more important. I biggest understanding has be been better understanding of materialistic nature of the world, its importance, maybe due to debts i have incurred as result of gaps in financial planning of my social organization's establishment.

Moving in rush from UK to India, with passion to start a my own brand of social organization at once, has had shocking crash landing. It started, when I arrived in Delhi around July, was interesting till my travel of Rajasthan in August, went worse till I went on to travel few constituency Uttar Pradesh in election around mid Jan. Continues when I arrived in Mumbai to search for job, which I hadnt planned in last 3-4 years. Delhi was the new this time.

It was fun and relaxed if I look at it now. If traveling Rajasthan from Jaipur to Ajmer, moving to Jaiselmair then Jopdhpur ending at Udaipur was beautiful, unnerving and interesting rest all was drastically opposite. Then it seemed like my tower of silence, after couple of months of running from one office to another, after one person to another to get the social organization registered with almost no support from anyone except few friends. It was in between struggle for basic essentials, few things i guess are of no use talking about but would be remembered for life. Few months passed in a jiffy, compiling paper, getting right people on them, in initiating things as soon as it happened, end of the saving nearing. In the rented apartment I had, there are was always stream of people/friends/strangers coming in and staying for few weeks. It seemed almost like dharmashala or a road side pit spot. Now in retrospection it seems those where metaphorical bad days - to recall a incidence my landlady moved my belonging of 1BHK out on the open roof almost 10 days before my contract was ending(MIND IT - MY RENT WAS PREPAID OF THIS MONTH TOO) as while I was away understanding rural side of UP in elections,she has found a tenant. All temporary roommates had also finished their work in Delhi and were leaving for their home, after depositing keys with the landlady. As soon as I came back, and was about to take out keys to open the lock, I saw no lock was there. Surprised, I called the people staying in my flat to check if one of them has shifted his relatives there. As soon as I realized their is a big goof-up, I met my landlady and listen to hear story of how she feels that I am her son and she knew I would understand thats why she moved my stuff from the extra laptop, bedding, kitchen, degrees to cloths out in sun and rain.At that moment all I had was laugh, life was coming with one joke after another. Best thing I could do was smile and move on.

My understanding of depth of destitute(not level as level i feel are just numbers now) and lack of governance in India, was turning point I feel. Sometimes I too feel what i choose after was an escape, however when I was making a decision it felt the best way forward in life and its passage. Must have traveled at least 350 villages till March. Sometime covering 9-10 villages in the day in convey of cars, at few of the instance leading the convey, sometime traveling whole day on foot -padh yatra from one village to another, covering 6 villages in the day. Traveling in one of the most underdeveloped districts in India #Badaun where just couple years back one can hear stories(real life incidence) of country-made/smuggled gun toting docaits(like we show in #Sholay and #Clint Eastwood movies). Places where when last time Samajwadi Party came to rule in the state, couple of villages of lodha rajputs on lonely banks of Ram Ganga, were several night. Where a dacoit called #Kallu, rolled tractor with harvester over 9-11 innocent people forcefully laid on their own farming fields, chopping them into pieces. The same Ram Ganga, which we call Ganga, which swells again with water when farmers is blessed with great monsoon and just before he can enjoy the blessing, makes sure the blessing turns into sorrow as government again is missing to save them from flood. No wonder global super power in agriculture production are waiting for Indian Government snail paced thoughtlessness to pick up pace, made start importing from abroad food grain it can export to world and gradually destroy its indigenous agricultural production.
I left for Mumbai but bad luck :P came along at least of sometime, as within a month wallet was flicked, then my blackberry bold.

There have been some High points too-

working with Japanese student in Glasgow to raise funds for Japanese earthquake victims ... #Glasgow for Japan
with NUS - thought didnt spend enough time there make sure the name of Black student campaign changes to Ethnic Minority - one of the task i took on and still want to finish... why do we need to create a color barrier when we want no bias on skin color #NUS
Internship with GHRD... commendable work #GHRD does for marginalized .. specially woman, religious and linguistic minorities Traveling UK for GHRD-
staying with interesting people I had just had an introduction : Thanks to all of you... I have stayed with in UK # its was a pleasure to know you all and spend time....always be a fond memory.. I have hundreds of names to mentions here
Political Activism- almost everything i realized has made a mark.. from pad yatra, to canvassing in convey, organizing the event for big leaders speeches ...
Hill Walking/Climbing,
Establishing #GUDS - GCU Universal Dharma Society
organizing and doing protest in #glasgow in support of Anna very first time he sat on fast
Great Friends I made on the way-
Thanks so much all of you... apologies for not been able to keep in touch.. humble request ..please feel free call,text, mail/message anytime...
Finally - struggle and consequences of following the dream and failing at it miserable atleast for time being

WOW! my brethren! wow! am new age citizen! wow!

2010-06-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

no other rule than last 60 years of freedom has made India and Indians break into pieces and really live a life of hand to mouth, from pubs to trips! their happiness now a measure of stock performance or packages! spirituality is yoga and some books, or small talks abt life! spirituality - if u remember Gandhi's fight was it! einstein regret! ashoka's change! common men satyagrah! but is this new growth more abt making ostrich! we bury are head! and let it be.. at most say good work or join some 5 point agenda!

Beat the Naxals ! Save the people!

2010-05-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

In INDIA biggest is how to beat Naxalite, solution lies in why? even if you their point that its by certain section for their rights! we will find the solution! to make the truth come out in open even if they succeed...! the truth would stop the fighters we need to stop their brainwasher!
Naxalism/Naxalite is not that small incident of Naxalwari or band of Robin Hoods...they hv merged, colobrated and developed and lead by their communist ideologues! and its too tough too beat these leaders by development and talk... Give them a place to call their own and experiment their pseudo communist idea,,,is what they want....(this small group of leaders)

How can i say.. look at their modus operendi globally.. customise to india..
that what they do .. karl M for borderless religious lesswork...but everywhere..they try to make his borderless dream work by making new borders..

SOLUTION:
1) what we need to is cut the link b/w them and normal people..their pseudo leaders and brainwashed fighters should be separated....
2) development of course is necessary, it has to be done... point to be noted currently these people damage any sort of infrastructure! how would they support development like this
3)we need to make sure we spread the message across other parts we need it to tell it to them(fighters), that they are against themselves, people and developement..

Our approach is going wrong because of three reasons!
1)Government being unfocussed about lot of things! even doesn't do well what its focussed on! It need to become government on many scale and centre and state need to have common focus and no cat fights!
2)We are democratic country doest mean communism can do anything within demography! those who say are representing it should have moral duty to make sure India works!
3)Role and effectiveness of policing to increase!

..i hv lot to say..
hw ever if anyone of u feel we may discuss about things!

... pointsfor guessing how..

NUCLEAR LIABILITY BILL : or its accident incentive bill

2010-05-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

Its strange that such a important bill for India which will effect lot of aspects electric power, FDI, jobs, technology AND ONE OF WORST ACCIDENT IN HISTORY OF MANKINDS IF A SINGLE THING GOES WRONG.

Sorry people as my exams are coming i dont have time to write in detail, but its a issue everyone should look into as if it goes on like this and if any unfortunate accident happen, however unlikely ..it would be worst mistakes of our life... and I feel its for us to spread awarness and ask government to pull of socks as govt across globe are like that ..:) they act on when public forces them too....

AS LIABILITY FIXED IN CASE OF NUCLEAR ACCIDENT IS JUST $458 million (Rs. 2,087 crore) is a meagre comparing to U.S. $10.5 billion or even very less globally, and its not the only fault with it among other things..but lets concentrate on it only as its one of the major point.

FIRST LET US THINK WHY GOVERNMENT IS SO RELAXED ABOUT LIABILITY:
as why the reason to keep them low i not understandable, as its not a gaurantee money which company has to deposit..more money in case of accident,..why its so low in india? something is fishy here..reasons could be:

1) Chernobyl disaster like russian nuclear power plant would not happened again:
exact count is not know due to form of govt thr however: The myth is that the deaths have run into the tens of thousands: even as high as 125,000 has been quoted. In 1991 the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was quoting 10,000 to 15,000 immediate deaths, without qualification.hhmm lets take west example .. Canada: Chalk River plant near Ottawa, Britain's Windscale nuclear complex , U.S. plant in Idaho Falls, suruga, Japan, Sosnovy Bor station near St. Petersburg, Russia,...long list

2) COMPANY ARE SACRED ENTITY WHO HAVE CARE FOR PEOPLE AND HAVE GOOD REGULATION AND
they have again forgotten UNION CARBIDE..bhopal gas tragedy, ENRON ... dhobal plant, SATYAM, CORPORATIONS end goes end.

3) INDIAN GOVERMENT IS VERY EFFICENT IN REGULATION AND RESTRICTS:
dont kid me... check your corruption ranking, red-tapism, back room deals,... long lisy

4) PUBLIC IS BUSY ... SURE IT IS....
JANTA SAB JANTI HAIN.... hhmm.. yea yea..not even debatable... its busy with khap panchayat, tiger disappearing, caste counting,female rights..child issues, quotas, cricket, earning bread.. COME on this would affect everyone and everything in INDIA... its a common issue...wen we can talk abt so many others and thn why not this so important common issue too

5) JUNGLE RAJ HAS GONE
what is this than ... ideal governance in best interest of people... I HEARD ENVIRONMENT MINSITRY IS GOOD... worst effect would be environment in case of accident.. then why isnt envoirment people talking.. MAY BE TALK IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO DIRECT RELATION TO BENEFITS ?? not effect..

6) MEDIA & OPPOSITION..???
even other systematic news to follow or feed.. in all big question mark..

7) INDIANS LEGAL AND POLICING SYSTEM IS STRONG TO PUNISH THE DEFAULTERS:
wow! at least not uptill now, we rarely find defaulters ...still not been able to give proper compensations in case which are well established.. BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY, ANSAL,.... i guess all indian know a lot abt it..

8) INDIA IS IN SUCH A DESPERATE TIMES that such a risk is worth taking:
but not even government isnt saying its a risk... its just a normal bill...:D

9) IS IT MYOPIA?
with so many educated representative and voices from all sectors... then why are they so short sighted OR why they are so ok with it? sab chalta hain par daal me kuch toh kala hain???

10)have companies asked them for favour... thn hv thy given a return too? without caring abt such a huge cost...????

ISSUE:

We understand that globally its accepted practise to have nuclear liability bill..
BUT what is unfathomable is how these criteria is decide in case of India and why its not on in line with compensations liability of same companies in their home countries...
GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE SURE LIABILITY IS SUCH THAT COMPANIES HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SO THAT NO ACCIDENT HAPPENS, IS SHOULD DISCOURAGE NEGLIGENCE AND ENCOURAGE BEST SAFETY STANDARDS, KEEPING INTO MIND FACT THAT MOST COMPANY EXIST FOR PROFIT
IS INDIA GOVERNMENT RICH ENOUGH TO GIVE COMPENSATORY GAP... OR INDIA IS TECHNOLOGICAL MORE SUPRERIOR TO TACKLE EFFECT OF ACCIDENT or THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING OFF THE BORDERS OF INDIA SO INDIA NEED NOT CARE...
Lets us people make sure government act...if not then let it know we know

I WAS HOPEING THIS WOULD COME IN GLARE OF MEDIA AND PUBLIC BUT:

check these link, they have some data but may be biased:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/stories/2010031353671400.htm

http://internationalaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/nuclear-liability-bill-2010-india-part--ii

is the bill in right direction

2010-03-28T17:30:00.001-07:00

these are random note on the my thought about the real benefit, i have been able to coherently structure them here as of now
unsurity:
I am still unsure how long the bill will go in developing country! what we need is best people to become mps not depending on sex ,cast or faith, being a mp is not less thn being CEO of a big firm, and these positions should go to best deserving ones, In no way I mean am against women in parliament, i would love to see 50% of them there, but i cant understand ingenuity of quota system,the person who has worked most for people in particular area should get elected, the person who as vision and will to change the society for better.... we cant have quotas in this...
I guess founders of our constitution understood this thats why this provision wasnt made then... even when there was provision based on other criteria..
And now we live in a age where we can opt for better ways to do it ..quota system is out of time...its emotionally appealing. practically we can do these reforms with better methods.. in no way am against women in politics.. i would love to see equal representation by not by what of quotas.
we should understand the need uplift status of women in rural areas & indian homes and work on it, but this way, seems like a game-plan in bigger picture...rather we should law/quota for equal level male/female workforce of country,
but in the areas which are highly skilled like politics and business etc. there should be no reservations only programs and initiatives to help the weaker section(cast, sex or faith wise) to improve and get skilled to required level or otherwise general people would not get what they deserve...
yea i would also like to say it doesnt mean general people are getting what they deserve..but we should try to take step forward ..not backwards... lets focus on making everyone equal...in our struggle to remove biasses from society lets not make it let not become marketeers who play vote bank and emotional cards... rather than showing true statesmenhip by bringing in reforms that make everyone equal

....still working on it would complete soon***

i tired to ans last 4 points, even though wasnt abl to assimilate, thr intend
i guess i was trying last time to say that am for making women equal however do not understand the worth of quota system in the time like these..however if thy can achieve good i am happy as things wud be better...and all the while i was trying to have a discussion on looking at it from different perspective, however everyone is pushing there one agenda, which never has resulted in real progress, as what we sud be trying for is having best approach thn just following ideology or motives of activist to the hilt...

ideology backed by logic...sounds like real contradiction... if one is talking abt communist and democratic ideology or ideology of activity hereby meaning person hell bent on pursuit of specific goal n nothing else... as historical ths hv nt worded and will never do, as those intelligent sounding ppl, would always retrospection say either data was wrong, or implementation, or governance or the culture THEY ACCEPT THE MODEL WAS WRONG, THE EXPERIMENT WAS WRONG,
lets in this age shift are focus from ths one sided approaches to more evolving and ever changing approaches, aimming for common ground that is welfare for all!

whr does RBI and this part came in from i didnt get it, though am interest swarna if you elaborate.... in russia do ppl hv a choice more than India ... big question mark... here again i think i need to say I hv nothing against russia,
as for my choices it wud be pro india, and in my idea of india is pro humanitarian, thats what diversity is all about.

one more point, can some one tell me hw the law wud be implemented on land...has anyone thought abt issues thr..

am sad! you missed the point!
last time i was just talking abt being India
as for reservations thing my point was/is i am sure of the benefit to the nation as whole at the time we are in,
i am for development and equality of sex and if it does it i am in, however we are at very fragile socio-economic time, and i think we could have done it in better way
anyways.. i just wanted to discusses it, from different perspective as any move isnt only about achieve a certain motive, it also involves diverting resources and focus, and may sometime divert the current energy and determination...
hhmm.. i am hopeful that it would achieve its motives, and we will have holistic welfare!

my aim is just to seee India better, and as you say its diverse, it need diverse ideologies and methods, I cannt become better just be heeding to single sort of ideology no one has...

As for being Indian thing, i was talking about last time,
i can completely agree with you India is about diversity,
i thats what india is to me, its not abt one language, color, caste, sex, religion
but its about feeling a bond except for ths differences!
its abt working to create a unity, happiness and faith in the medley of so many different things....
thats what India is and has portrayed itself from ages!

As for political thing, nice to hear you have and experience and first hand knowledge, i am naive but would like to try to make this work better, however i firmly believe no one ideology as in left or right, communist or capitalist would help our nation, we need to have mix for them, we need to have publice private partnership.. as most of times certain ideological person are more after proving their ideology work rather thn making sure things are better in real terms

""what do u mean by INDIAN? thr is no such thing. it is just a politico geographical grouping.""
what are nations.........or geographical marked area,
its would of course be grouping,
till world becomes borderless we have to believe in them...
but things is being Indian means being for that that area,
being patriotic about it, thinking to make it better,
feeling part of it... working for making it better...
thats what being Indian is!
its been one of the oldest geographical grouping with oldest continuation civilization

I am still unsure how long the bill will go in developing country! what we need is best people to become mps not depending on sex ,cast or faith, being a mp is not less thn being CEO of a big firm, and these positions should go to best deserving ones, In no way I mean am against women in parliament, i would love to see 50% of them there, but i cant understand ingenuity of quota system,the person who has worked most for people in particular area should get elected, the person who as vision and will to change the society for better.... we cant have quotas in this...
I guess founders of our constitution understood this thats why this provision wasnt made then... even when there was provision based on other criteria..
And now we live in a age where we can opt for better ways to do it ..quota system is out of time...its emotionally appealing. practically we can do these reforms with better methods.. in no way am against women in politics.. i would love to see equal representation by not by what of quotas.
we should understand the need uplift status of women in rural areas & indian homes and work on it, but this way, seems like a game-plan in bigger picture...rather we should law/quota for equal level male/female workforce of country,
but in the areas which are highly skilled like politics and business etc. there should be no reservations only programs and initiatives to help the weaker section(cast, sex or faith wise) to improve and get skilled to required level or otherwise general people would not get what they deserve...
yea i would also like to say it doesnt mean general people are getting what they deserve..but we should try to take step forward ..not backwards... lets focus on making everyone equal...in our struggle to remove biasses from society lets not make it let not become marketeers who play vote bank and emotional cards... rather than showing true statesmanship by bringing in reforms that make everyone equal

hey i guess ppl missed the point we i was saying..
1) i always want to have 50 % representation not for stats sake as we are equal in number and ability we sud have equal representation.
2) yea, true framer may have failed to visualise or their platter was full, and i would hv supported it thn, but now its arnd 60 years after that time... we should be working now on lifting people on economic bases nt class,caste, creed, sex & religion..though they apppeal much more...in politics sense
3) compared to societies of either iran or some-other nation, indian one is more dynamic in all respects not monolithic nor hv influence of religion in governance, oldest continuing civilization , and this is not a experiment which can be based on theories and experiences, its a case which should be thought abt in indian perspective
4) i am even aware of live examples of quota system in some places which helped in permanent increase in representation of women even after quotas were removed, and if that happens i am happy
6) i agree due to gender biased innuendo there are many men who do not justifiy where they are
5) i am saying mp's the the ceo of the respective constituency, lets make sure they are best persons to do job
6) what i am saying is when india is working hard to become vibrant and voters becoming more responsible... thr has been focus on good governance lately ....lets work on these stuffs...
7) a move like a new quota system could be a ploy to by our ""great"" political system to keep its in-efficiencies in place
8) i said at very first i am unsure, as most of people are madly runing after respective thr issues ... and with lot of marketing involved, its easy to miss bigger picture.. as its easy for some very intellegent people to play with masses with out even masses becoming aware of it

swarna if this is the step forward am with it as i said i am not against the end but means and its cost.... by the way i am ambiguous bcoz of am open to discussions and learning plus wanna knw different perspective.... as for coherent ideology ..they are good on paper only .. i have not seen one achieve its motive ever....
what i am looking for and want to working towards is rational thinking for betterment for society...its not about individul winning its about all of us living in better world..

Bigger Picture: A city is at standstill, A Nation isn't thinking, World Looks Away AND HUMANITY DIES

2010-03-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

This is first time I am in pain when writing a article not because Bareilly has been in curfew for 14 days because of communal tensions but at the way how public, government and press is behaving on the issue. I am surprised by meekness of press, vanity of public and inactions of government. In this work I don't want to get into specifically this issue, which I am very much interested in, but would like to talk about bigger picture. Its easy to blame politicians for everything. Its easy put blame on religiously dogmatic people. But we should brood over it inside ourselves

It would be easy to understand the underline current driving our leaders or persons we blame for exploiting religion and sentiments of people by using work of Sigmund Freud out in action by Berney, his cousin, in social life as in marketing and public relations, quoting him "If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it? The recent practice of propaganda has proved that it is possible, at least up to a certain point and within certain limits." as he said in his book "propaganda".

It seems that some people had understood this intuitively or by experience, and they use it to there benefit or for their fundamentalist goals. Why is it that these people can get so much support when communal tensions arises, if we people weren't unintentionally and unknowing giving some sort of support, they wouldn't have been so successful and for so long.

Yea now a very genuine and much hyped question arises that general public doesn't support it, rather they condemn it. That waffles me, as no where we see condemnation on a scale we see support, generally. This can be illustrate by giving example from religions I have seen closely and that have been effected by communal tensions for so long. If in one religion, we talk about them eating a certain animals flesh, that would be expectable and there would be mass protest for the same, even can become a cause for revolt against as seen in first revolt for independence in India. The reason given for it would be sacrilege but disrupting peace would be classified as sacrilege to the extent of mass open protest, even when peace is integral to core of that religion.

By this example I am in no way going against any religion or saying its because of them. Its a reflection on our thinking if i can say that.

I just want to say some people have a knowledge advantage of what we can expect and support to some extent and they use it to exploit the masses. Masses should come to face of the truth that problem will be solved we all look inside ourselves, rather and blaming them.

Second time we have a chance to say Eureka

2010-03-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Eureka! I have found the solutions! Should I run from my room at four o clock just he did! Alas mine idea is even more unacceptable; in most part of earth I would not be able to run a meter before I become history! Therefore need for disclaimer: this is a humorous thought, please don’t consider it as writers aim in life or writer being ideologically related to it, this article is just extension of a dream at 4 o’clock in morning which was scary enough that writer could not sleep and had to pen is down on paper for readers to let them know how weird his dreams are and how far he may in the madness! Oh mention of the dream is just coincidental, writer didn’t see the light nor did any supernatural creator appear to his dismay! To go step further this article is not intend to be blasphemous or sacrilegious but as mentioned its random absurd thought!
Now to begin with I have found solution of the one of the oldest and currently fiercest even than most sacrosanct , the religion riddle which is the best, which has best fundamentals and which one is relevant in today’s dynamic environment and how to become peaceful about it. Lets blend modern information technologies and knowledge of how the market works to create Religion Exchange Markets linked across the world! A virtual market where people can buy its bonds/derivative/scribes based on speculation, which in turn would be based on a) market fundamentals majorly due to every religion calling it self best, spiritual and of peace * B) technical analysis based on data showing trends of various aspect of various religions, like following, stickiness, tipping point, areas of expertise etc.
How would and why it solve that problems:
1) Would provide a space to work for fundamentalist of various religions to work for the religion either spreading it or telling its message in peaceful way as if they try to create problem it would directly effect the value of the derivative in the market & plummet it.
2) It would give money and motive to aforementioned people who are at the core of problem creation
3) It would help general public as it say it wants, it would help it move away from what few soi-distant people tell to more informed world where knowledge of one’s religion would be at most.
4) It would convey fundamentalist that consumer is the king, so they will have to sober up their ways, that would make sure they move towards what all holy book say peace!
5) General public will would not be duped in longer run as information would be widely available and any deviation from what’s said in religion to what’s happening or what is professed it is, would lead to weakening of derivative
Why is not wrong and why its a great idea:
1) Its not sacrilegious! As most religion agree there is nothing wrong in educating about the religion, and this would be most practical and undeceived way! Not even once drop of blood will be droped, it would not be top down i.e. few people having knowledge as saying its the best!
2) Its not sacrilegious! Again! As in most religion its allowed to convert! So again it would help in conversion based on true facts and knowledge about religion!
3) Its not sacrilegious! As it would result in no black-marketing in this sector, this would reflect on market fundamentals!
4) It would help in generating employment and giving viable option to disguised unemployment in terrorism sector! As this would need any special expertise or education just awareness about religion and one can trade!
5) Would result in peaceful world may be even help this world become non-nuclear!

Why this is not possible:
They would say its blasphemous! Then they would think its sacrilegious! And that would result in last opportunity left to have this world with religious but tolerant & peaceful! :0

New Age Citizen

2010-03-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

After years of not even thinking about the question, I was caught one the wrong foot when this question was popped up again and again not by any person but continuously by online forums like facebook and orkut! Finally after few years of ducking the answer , I had to ponder over it and realised:
Today I guess I have come to certain conclusion that at least in my regards the following for define me a lot:
The best line to start with would be "today we know price of everything and value of nothing" as famously said by Oscar Wilde. I am humanist at the core, nationalist for my country, democratic by nature, socialistic for capitalistic, capitalistic for communistic, welfarist for monopolistic, rustic, hardly bilingual, atheist believing in humanity who can relate to Hindu way of life. I would be happy if no one cries for freedom, none starves for food, there is no fight because of any religion, am not against rich but against the poverty, am not against believes but against illusions, am against hypocrisy, autocracy, ignorance and corruption.
I believe life is not a race but a journey & what we have with us is self so keep it humble & calm with principles & values, rest other things like money, power, intellect, support and enemies would come and go. Am a contradiction by any definition, dumb for intellectuals, warrior for certain goals, pacifist for warriors. I hate fundamentals of fundamentalist, morals of libertines, hypocrisies of general public & am lot many things about myself. I guess this is it, in bits & pieces about me, don't frown I may have made tall claims or even few errors. Suggestions & feedback are always welcome but no ideologies. :) spread smile not only by face but by actions.
I worry not only about my carbon footprints but also ethical footprints. I once only cared about blood diamonds but now I like to think about gas flaring too. Mahatma Gandhi inspire me so does Abraham Lincoln. I can imagine world without borders and pain for people from Sahara to India. I want to see a world as promise, if not that then as practically good as possible but not as the one which is now as a result of exploitation by few.
I know I lack the voice, however I too dream a dream. May be it may cause a change as a Chinese proverb says "A butterfly beating it wings in America can start a hurricane in China". Finally cutting long story short,about where & why are we today & how we would be where we want to be, I would like to quote Buddha “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”