Little servant

Sparkling eyes radiating innocence,
marks of beauty on a child's face.
Happy mind and cheerful laughter,
every child's birthright.
Separated from the rest
here comes a little servant.
Dirty clothes piled on her hands
trudging to the river bank
to wash the heap of clothes,
first of her many chores.

Tender arms working without rest
sweeping, cleaning and washing.
Tiny legs busy rushing everwhere
obeying orders from her masster.
Pen and pencil have not the fortune
to be held by her dirty fingers.
Schools a forbidden place - engraved
in her mind as a fort that imprisons kids.
Sisters and brothers to tend and feed
infancy long lost in life's struggle.

Blind are those who see her
on streets, in temples and homes.
Stopping not to think twice,
rushing through life amassing wealth.
Misery and filth everwhere
ignoring it is not fair.
See the truth, feel the pain,
do what you can to stop this crime.
Child labour a shame to mankind,
stop it before it ruins the world.

-- Sri Saranya.

Religion and Secularism PART I

1.Religion-World viewThe term ‘religion’ seems the funniest term approved by the entire world (by humans, of course). But, however funny it may be, it has brought the world to face a grave situation.What do we mean by ‘religion’? Simply, it means a belief in, or the worship of a god or gods. Now, almost all of the well-educated community around the world agree on one point-the existence of one Almighty Power, what we have termed as God. Still, they continue to recognize different ‘religious sects’. This is indeed the funniest thing occurring in the whole world today. The word ‘religion’ is a bluff in itself.Let me now ask a funny little question. What was the religion of the first human beings on earth? Please think scientifically and answer. Still do we quite foolishly ‘mark’ a newborn child of his or her ‘religion’? What ‘religion’ can a newborn child have? Let me make the question a little clearer. Suppose a child is born of a so-called ‘Hindu’ couple, but is orphaned or abandoned, and is brought up by so-called ‘Muslims’? What would you conclude of his or her ‘religion’? How do you find out his or her ‘original religion’?Here are some confessions for all of you to make. Were you born with any awareness about your religious entity? Which was the first realization about your identity in life: being a human being or being a ‘Hindu’ or a ‘Muslim’ or a ‘Christian’ or a ‘Buddhist’ or ……?Think, man, think. Use your reason and answer. Be honest and clear with yourself. The answer to the first question will always be ‘No’. The answer to the second question will always be: ‘Being a human being’. So what can we infer? These religious labels are thoroughly baseless, as they do not occur even in your genes.You may say- then why the whole world is recognizing the ‘religious divisions’? I would like to say that there are quite a few people around, who are termed as fools, who don’t. It is for people unlike these ‘fools’ that it is difficult to make the world realize and believe the greatest truth - a human being is a human being and he or she cannot have any bigger identity than being a human being. Shame on the people who are dead set on dividing mankind on such a foolish basis! Even the dogs don’t discriminate among themselves like this. But, alas human beings do!And amid all this childish chaos, the pious ness and virtue of mankind is fast vaporizing. The great persons, whom we regard as ‘religious preachers’, had no objective of creating new ‘religious sects’, but only have tried to open the eyes of the common people to the truth, using their own different methods and principles. They had always emphasized on the morality in life as the main tenet of their teachings. This morality is largely lacking in modern life. How can then people identify themselves with different ‘religious sects’ when the preachers have themselves damned the theory of ‘religious divisions’? A ‘religious’ fanatic holds people of other ‘religious beliefs’ as ‘sinners’. Has he or she ever thought that he/she himself/herself is a sinner? Every person who believes in the theory of ‘religious differences’ is a sinner. This kind of people never follow the teachings of those great philosophers and thinkers. Their teachings have often been misinterpreted over the ages. The essence of their teachings has never been truly exposed to all and sundry. These misinterpretations have, both intentionally and unintentionally, encouraged communalism and sectarian radicalism. Imagine! To think of the whole world in strife on grounds those never really exist!Many a time I have heard a question-“Why then they call different ‘gods’?” The answer to this question is-“Why do you call ‘water’ differently in different languages?” It is as simple as that. What’s the problem in accepting that ‘God’, ‘Allah’, ‘Ishwar’ are different names given to the same Almighty Power in different languages? Consequently, the theory that different religions have evolved out of and due to different racial cultures also becomes hugely believable.It’s just a question of different faiths and beliefs, which rose out of different countries in different times according to the need of the hour. Under this principle, we may even consider philosophies as Stoicism, Marxism and Gandhism as religious beliefs. We don’t. We don’t because these were all developed in the very recent past, after the world had started to bath in the light of rationalism.These are thoughts that all are expected to know, but few people understand and even fewer people do realize. Hope continues for a universally enlightened international society… Spare a thought. Dedicate a life. It’ll be enough.

India needs a new Vision

Our country is going through a deep crisis. Corruption, irresponsibility, sedition, terrorism, communal tension, population explosion, illiteracy, backwardness of masses and ultra-modernism of a few are injecting slow poison into the spirit of our motherland. This has led to confusing emotions and dissatisfaction in quite a good fraction of our people. Our system is failing. The world perceives India as rich from outside, but Bharat has remained poor. Ours is a country, which has been betrayed, ours is a rich country, which has remained poor. India, after 60 years of independence, is still a concept to be realized. A change is inevitable. But the later the change will be, the more dangerous and violent it will be. It’s better to have a Gandhi, than to have a Lenin or Hitler. We need a leader with a new vision. But before that, we need the vision and ideology, as our honourable President, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, bids us to develop. Let us endeavour to make India, the nation of our forefathers’ dreams, who fought for it!

This is what I think about reservation

Sectarian reservation is a boiling topic these days. Last year, we heard the Union government placing a bill on 27% reservation for OBCs. It evoked strong reaction among students in AIIMS and other medical institutes. The reservation issue has four areas of concern. Firstly, it does not respect merit. In a developing country like ours, we need the best among the best in every field of activity. The government promotes competition, yet it does not equip us with the mind to compete. Secondly, it does no good dissolving the communal tension, but can help to spring up new conflicts. Thirdly, existing reservations can lead to demands for reservations from other sections of our society. As is the case now, either you scrap the whole system of sectarian reservation or you award the reservations to OBCs. Fourthly, it is adding a new sphere of corruption. Many people are forging their family history to bring out certificates of SC, OBC etc, so as to make maximum utilization of the system.It was quite disappointing to read reports on communal sentiments harboured by students even in world class institutes like AIIMS, IITs and IIMs. I feel it’s high time that the intellectual class of the society should make their voice heard louder on the distribution of privileges issue. The different labels of ‘religious minorities’, ‘Scheduled Castes’, ‘Other Backward Classes’, etc are doing no better to the integrity of our country than just helping communal tension. Given the present state, we are busy determining the ‘category’ we fall in. How appropriate is it to demarcate the underprivileged on communal grounds? In today’s world, resources do not come on such basis in all cases and the basic universal factor for development is always the extent of availability of resources. Therefore, I feel the privileges should be distributed along economic grounds rather than sectarian grounds.India has been defined as a ‘Socialist Secular’ State, paying equal respect to every so-called community. Then, how come a particular group claims to be a ‘minority’ or ‘backward’ group? It puts a big question mark on the character of our composite society. It also presents a question of dignity – why should we look forward to somebody’s favour? It’s so similar to a beggar pretending to be lame having the limbs intact. Few days ago, Ms. Meira Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, said the Government is persuaded to forward reservations by the fact that even the common educated and ‘high-class’ people do patronize communalism. True, the matrimonial columns of newspapers are a burning proof in support of the statement. But the question arises, why are our leaders doing nothing but contributing fuel to the fire? Is it such that the ‘Divide and Rule’ policy still exists with our ‘rulers’ even after 60 years of freedom?I am not opposed to development of the masses, but it should not have communal flavour. The newly formed BSP government promises to bring forward reservations on economic lines. If reservation has to stay, this line of thought sounds more logical. What do you think?

This was how I started

(These were my ideas about 3 years ago when I was a 10th std. student)Intellectuals never had high opinions about the rulers. Anatole France says, every government is both foolish and selfish. Hayden says, the State is always repressive. Emerson feels, the State breeds corruption. And Paine holds that any government in its best forms is still a necessary hazard.But how would it have been if there was no provision for state or government? Man would have done anything – anything anyone wished! Result: anarchy. Therefore, there is need for government. Again anyone who becomes a ruler gets power in his hands. In modern times, democracy has replaced absolutism. Still the ruler has remained the ruler or “the master” in Arvind Kejriwal’s words. Yes, due to the presence of Constitution, maybe the government does not rule (or exploit) the people limitlessly. Let us now see this topic from our country’s viewpoint. Why is our country still in apathetic condition? Because, members of the ruling faction do take some unfair advantages of their positions and use their power for wrong causes. You will say, what new thing is this? Yes, this is nothing new and if King Canidot doesn’t sit on the throne, this will not stop. But can’t we make the Constitution stricter, restrict the rulers a little more and involve the masses a lot more? But who will bell the cat?Now let us discuss the decadence of modern democracy. Liberty has been let out of the bag in such extent and in such unscrupulous manner that, if we proceed a little further we will experience anarchy. And this is the age of privatization and decentralization! Freedom from the centre is leading to matters hanging detachedly. And quite a few more people are turning selfish. Now you will say that the centre has become such an idiot that the terms ‘central’ or ‘governmental’ belong to the ancient age. Then, apart from his aggressive foreign policy to an extent, how did Augustus Caesar control the whole of the Roman Empire? Yes, for effective central surveillance is needed an able ruler. There is a real lack of that able ruler. Why, the political market seems really hot! Then, is all in it made of second-class material? Come on, you know, politics means corruption. Seat on the chair and enjoy! How can an able ruler rise from this system? He will rise from proper education. This education is non-directional and goalless. Why? For proper education, we need an efficient educational system and curriculum, which is formulated by the government. Government is the gift of politics. Politics means corruption. It’s the same old story, all around.Let us return to personal liberty. Nowadays people have become too much self-centred. To feel one with our nation is a distant expectation, but we have even forgotten our fundamental duties towards the nation. We are only crying for rights, but are not ready to give away anything. Just think! If everyone acts the same, how can the people ever satisfactorily retain something for both their private and common public interest? Deprivation is causing man’s self-centredness add more fuel to corruption or arouse separatism, which is giving birth to terrorism. Getting shattered is our national integration. (Some sections of the society, again, on getting more and more, are even for so much more, that we can call it as ‘silent separatism’.) Evolving is the deprived man’s extremist communism. Solution? Personal liberty should be reasonably limited. People should be made conscious of their duties to the society. Their patriotism has to be woken up. For that, a national feeling has to be developed. To bring this, it is necessary to uproot political and social differences. And in this context, we need powerful central control. But who will realize this? What is going on is in favour of our ‘pilots’! So, the arrival of a leader like the ‘Fuehrer’ is very important, who can be an able ruler.History is witness – rise of leader, rise of the people. If the king is upright, the subjects follow the lesson of constancy too. The moral improvement of the Romans during the reign of Caesar Augustus is one of the best examples of this.But in the present situation, where to find an able leader? How can appropriate administration come into the picture? It can. With giving due respect to the Constitution makers, I say it is possible by amending the Constitution on a huge scale. But the power thirsty politicians will never do that.Then what to do? There is only one way. Revolution. Revolution? Isn’t it what the People’s War Group, MCC etc Maoist groups are doing? Please, it is not; I call this rebellion. Revolution does not always have to be violent. Then, what is revolution? Revolution is a big turnaround of the State and social system. Rebellion is the last stage of revolution. The result of years of efficient planning is called revolution. The awakening of a dormant nation is called revolution.But who will bring the revolution? The nation is dozing…I hope there are still quite a few real Indians residing here. They have to find out, recognize and realize themselves. They have to bond together. They will show the nation light, which will lead us to the path of a political and social revolution. Revolution is our only way out. Therefore, I feel like quoting Swami Vivekananda – “Arise, awake, countrymen…”

Social Musings

The first impression that comes to the mind when someone mentions “Social Service” is of a person wearing a khaddi kurta with a cholla hung over his one shoulder and teaching unprivileged children. Is that what involves “Social Service”?.....trust me…it is nothing of that sort. Doing some social service does not always mean that you are taking classes of kids in the slums or promoting condoms in the most remotest of places.
Social Service is a very broad term, involving any deed or action done to improve a person or the society as a whole. Or it could be bringing smiles on the children begging in streets, selling balloons at traffic signals, running around with tea glasses to sell. As I mentioned…any “deed or action” no matter how minuscule the effort is. It’s so easy to shoo away a kid asking for alms and badgering you for a long time. But, have you ever wondered, what that kid does the whole day? How does he spend his free time? Does he have any dreams? Any needs and desires? What is the aim of his life? What could be his future?....just ponder over these questions..

Coming back to social service…even if you visit a slum along with your friends for a Saturday rather than “checking out the crowd”, gather some kids there and play guitar/play dumb charades/sing songs…just for one single day in a week, month, year…..that is certainly social service. How would that help? You might take such things for granted but these little little nuances collapse the social barrier in the society..and smiles…the smiles that you will bring on their faces will be just like having a splash in water during summers.
As they say, “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day”

Everyone cries against reservations…..i did too….leave aside the political will in the reservation policy……..but do you give a sweeper the status equal to yours?
I guess not…

Just muse over your social responsibilities, your love for India, your pay-back to the society and your actions towards a child beggars…..answers will flow.
I request all of you…yes all of you..”THE YOUTH” to step out and Initiate….

1. Spreading awareness about social issues is social service.

2. Portraying a better picture infront of the foreigners is social service.

3. Helping a slum kid with his homework is social service,

4. Taking a slum kid to a dinner with your friends on your birthdays, parties, or any get-together..is a social service,

5. Taking a child beggar/slum kid for a mini ride on your bike/car/scooter is social service,

6. Buying him/her a new set of chappals is social service.

7. Using dustbins for waste is social service,

8. Arranging a movie screening in some slum just for one day in an year is social service,

9. Clicking a snap on your mobile phone posing with an unprivileged child …..

10. Asking the name of an unprivileged child is social service*and last but not the least…. passing a smile to an unprivileged child is Social Service ………….

Keep Initiating!!!