Journey

The horizon always seems a few steps away
Your heart wants you to walk the horizon way

Miles you walk before you stop and say
Is this an illusion or have I lost my way?

Goals are important to show you the way
But its always fun to be led astray
To leap and bounce, to prance and sway
To take a few detours, to rest and lay

Who cares if you reach the end or not
If walking along the rainbow is where you want to stay
You may miss the pot of gold at the rainbow end
But will pick up a lot diamonds on your way

Why doesn’t the evolution theory apply to religion?

Human life on earth is all about evolution. However, the religions that most humans attribute their existence to haven’t evolved in all these years and are stuck in a time warp. I am not against religions and the role of religion in stabilizing the human race. There is a lot of statistical and historical evidence that establishes the same. But what surprises me is that owing to science, every aspect of human society has evolved with time, then why hasn't religion?

Religions and their theories founded centuries ago, may have made sense then but have not been, if I may use the word, ‘modernized’. Most religious scriptures are open to interpretations and one would expect that atleast the interpretations would evolve with time. But the custodians of these religions have stuck to preach teachings with their interpretations that made sense centuries ago. It is no wonder then that more and more people are turning away from religion. The more ‘developed’ the society, the more disconnected they are getting from religion.

We all have a lot of questions about our respective religions but the answer is mostly given in the form of justifying what the religion says. When a new scientific discovery is made, an earlier discovery is wronged. But in case of religions, the old theory is reinstated with even more force. Anything that doesn't evolve, perishes. If the custodians do not allow the religions to evolve, more and more people will move away from their religion. It may not be science that is pushing people away from religion, maybe religion itself. 

Victim victimized!

News: A woman was raped in Kolkatta. People's reaction: What a horrific crime!

News: She was a divorcee, had a few drinks in the bar, she took a lift in a car late night. People's reaction: Well she was calling for it then!

This is exactly the kind of society reaction that ensures that rape remains a crime where victim is treated more of a criminal than the criminal. No wonder that almost daily the Indian newspapers report on rape crimes. Given the society we live in I wonder how many go unreported. Few years ago I remember some women remarking on the rape of a North Eastern girl late at night in Delhi, that she was calling for it roaming so late in the night. The same remark was made by none other than Delhi Chief Minister Mrs Sheila Dikhsit on the murder of a female journalist late at night.

I am sure if a man would have been assaulted or knifed under similar circumstances, no one would have questioned about his private life or what he was doing their so late in the night. If a physical assault on any man does not warranty a thesis on his private life, then why should it be for a woman? Rape is after all one of the forms of a physical assault and a crime irrespective of the history of the victim.

I agree that the Indian society has come a long way in treating its rape victims. But it still has a long way to go when it comes to judging men and women with same set of moral codes.

Some musings!

The morning news was full of blood,
A few spilled drops formed a few stains...
Stains not visible to the human eye,
To the corner of my soul they prick like a little thorn
Lots of water I use to wash it away,
The next day spills some more!


Papers in India scream 2G and CWG!
In a country beset with problems of 'babuji'
We once had a role model call 'bapuji'
Nowadays we look upto only 'madamji'
The only thing that has not changed over the years,
Is our ability to do 'yes sirji',
To close our eyes and walk nodding our head saying haanji haanji'!


Poor turns to crime for money.
Rich turns to crime for power.
Powerful turns to crime for keeping the power.
Middle class turns to crime just so that he can be middle class.

Its not a State matter anymore!!

Bihar's Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar is being criticised by all and sundry for his ineffective handling of the policemen abduction by Maoist. The abduction of 4 policemen against the demand of releasing the arrested Maoists, has already resulted in killing of one.

Agreed that Nitish Kumar, known as the efficient administrator has failed to manage the crisis. But can't the criticism meted out to him by his rivals wait until the policemen are rescued? Time and again politicians have showed how little respect they have for a national security crisis. No one can forget the image of L.K. Advani and Narendra Modi criticising the establishment at the time when Taj hostage crisis was on. This time is no different. LJP, RJD, Congress can't wait to jump on the bandwagon and fire salvos at Nitish Kumar. Why can't our political hold their horses until the crisis has been dealth with? Is it because if it is resolved successfully they will not have much to point a finger on?

Congress government at the centre says that their full support is with the Bihar state government and they are providing full assistance. Did they just provide assistance when Taj was held hostage by terrorists? When you say assistance, you draw the line yourself. A terrorist organisation abducting a symbol of India's soverignity cannot be treated on case to case basis. Kandahar hijacking, 26/11, Maoist kidnapping policmen, have to be treated on the same platform. I would have expected the Centre to take matters in their hands, take it as a national crisis, send NSG, army, whatever it takes and give a clear message to the Maoists. That they cannot be treated different than other terrorists. For once, I want the Indian goverment to say, it is not a State matter, it is a national concern and we will take things in our hands.

Happy Independence Day!!

It's that time of the year when every Indian, all over the world, stops to think about his/her nation. It makes you crib or praise or go emotional over your country, but it does extract a response from you. We will see a lot of that today, in newspapers, blogs, facebook, twitter and everywhere in the air. Many will talk about the beautiful diversity and culture, democratic society, economic prosperity where as few will point out to the Maoist struggle, the muddle surrounding Commonwealth Games, the Kashmir turmoil, inflation, the sorry state of affairs of farmers and so on. Both valid and both demonstrating that even if your disdain list may be longer, some where you know it is because of that sense of belonging. The sense of belonging that unites the poor farmer of Peepli and an investment banker in New York.

I don't have a crib list today as it is almost a daily activity. I represent the majority of Indians who can go on and on about the sorry state of affairs but don't have the courage to get out of their cosy lives and change things. Patriotism is something we have read about in our history classes, not something we have experienced. Sorry guys but rooting for India in a cricket match or getting agitated when one cribs about India do not count as patriotism. The true madness of the word is only understood by those who fought for Independence and for those who guard our country borders. Today, I am just trying to understand the genesis of one of the biggest problems facing our nation, corruption.

Were Indians always corrupt? What is it that gave birth to this baby which has now become a giant threatening to engulf our country? I am no expert, but I have a feeling it all started in 70s when mindless restrictions where put in place to promote socialism (which sounded more like capitalism for politicians). Because all it did was encourage corruption, establish a net of smugglers and made all politicians and bureaucrats rich and fat. It is no wonder that the era of liberalization has almost ended the smugglers' empire that was so deeply entrenched in the 70s and 80s. Another reason could be that because of the numerous restrictions, the only way one could get rich was making his hand dirty.

Ever noticed the difference between underworld stories of 70s and 90s? Stories of 70s represented the Don as the messiah of poor. The guy who fought the rulers to provide for the poor. Take the case of characters played by Amitabh Bachachan in Deewar (and numerous other movies, he almost made a career out of such anti hero roles), Vinod Khanna in Dayavaan and very recently, Ajay Devagan in Once upon a time in Mumbai which is set in 70s. They were depicted as Dons with heart of gold, helping the poor and fighting the administration. And take the example of recent gangster movies like Satya, Company, though they demonstrate the humane side of someone from underworld, they don’t glorify their intentions nor represent them as gold hearted lions.

So while we enjoy the dividends of the decisions taken by our leaders pre 1947, we also pay the price of their decisions post 1947. 50 years down the line, our children could write a similar blog and talk about how little we did and how much more we could have done in giving India independence from corruption. We have the right tools. An independent judiciary (with all its pros and cons), a Right to Information Act, a free media, an empowering democracy, economic prosperity. Now, it depends on us what we want our future generation to write about us when India celebrates the century of this historic day.

Brouhaha over Burkha ban

I have never visited any of the Islamic nations but have read enough to understand that many of them require women to dress in a defined manner and the punishment for not obeying those rules are quite severe. When women from different nations visit these states, they obey the rules and dress appropriately. So when a Muslim women in Belgium is required not to cover her face, isn’t it the same case in reversal. If the world respects the rationale behind dress code adopted by Islamic nations, then shouldn’t Muslims visiting/residing in other countries respect the rules of that country too?

The whole debate of Belgium banning burkhas is so out of context. Why take it to the levels of religious freedom when it is only about security measures. The ban is not about wearing burkhas, it’s more of a ban on hiding your face. The hardliners and the liberals have both given it a wrong dimension. Both are treating it as an issue of religious freedom and complicating the issue, a manipluation that every leader resorts to, to establish his/her leadership.

If one finds security measures in USA draconian, there is a simple solution. Don’t visit USA. I heard a podcast where Fareed Zakaria (Newsweek chief editor) interviews Shah Rukh Khan on his controversial security check at the US airport. SRK’s reply summed it all. He said that I respect the laws of the country I am visiting but it’s in my hands wether I visit that country. So now when I have to go holidaying, I prefer taking my kids to Europe. Banning burkhas is in the hands of Belgium government but visiting Belgium is in your hands.

How Naxals and Mayawati teach us to respect human kind

We (urban India like me) often wonder the kind of support that Mayawati enjoys in Uttar Pradesh. We often deride the way she or for that matter any politician manipulates the caste system in India. Dalits, the backward community to which Mayawati belongs has for long suffered at the hands of upper class sections of the society. It is not un-natural that see her as a symbol of the upliftment of their community. That Gandhi and Ambedkar did the same thing in a much modest and humble way is another topic of debate. But all I am saying here is seeing the kind of oppression that Dalits have faced in India for ages; it's not surprising to see that they support the kind of aggression and unabashed immodesty that she displays.

But things are changing and hopefully with time, the caste effect on nation's politics will die down. The recent news about, a Bihar court sentencing 16 people held guilty for a carnage Jehanabad in 1997, where 58 Dalits were killed by Ranbir Sena, a landlord gang of sorts, brings forward 2 things. One that, 50 years post the independence, a Jehanabad still happens in world's largest democracy. And this is not an isolated case. We are routine to cases of Dalits being attacked for entering a temple, drinking water from a common village well, marrying some one from upper caste, and so on. But the second and more significant is that finally justice is being delivered, such cases are coming into limelight and the guilty are being punished.

Slowly but surely, the rural landscape of India is changing, not only geographically and economically but also socially. Thanks to an active media, such cases are no longer brushed under the carpet by officials. The current Naxal problems of India and the appreciation showered by Mayawati's supporters to her aggression, should teach us a thing or two, about treating all human kind with respect and dignity. Because if we don’t, when it's their turn to rule you, they will surely give it back. And then we may find it too hot to handle.

Who is responsible for Dr Siras' death?

It's sad, shocking and the people responsible for it deserve a harsh punishment so that others learn the outcome of playing with someone's private life. I am talking about the alleged suicide of professor Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, the Aligarh Muslim University professor who was suspended from the University, after being filmed having consensual sex with a rickshaw-puller at his home in the University Campus. He was found dead in his apartment and police suspects suicide.

Though he was reinstated back in University after he appealed in court against his suspension, surely the scars never healed. How humiliating it must be for the man, to be subjected to that kind of mental cruelty? Indian being a democracy, any citizen is free to practise whatever he wants as long as it is not a criminal activity. Ones sexual preference is their private matter and all those who made public his private moments should be held guilty of breaking an important law of India's Constitution.

As a society, when will we learn to look at the skeletons in our cupboard and stop accusing anyone who dares to go against the general social norms?Those who filmed the Professor need to be punished severely for not respecting an individual's privacy and then should be the ones hiding their faces with society shunning them. If this was a suicide, all of us who made fun of the poor man when he was caught in camera need to hang our heads in shame for driving a human being to this.

My Heart goes garland garland

My heart goes garland garland reading the news about Mayawati's new controversy. And the garland isn't of roses or green notes but of cactus. It isn't because Mayawati was gifted a garland made of notes worth Rs. 1 crore, Rs 15 lakh or Rs 18 lakh (depends on which version you believe.) It is also not because she proudly (or immodestly and shamelessly) displays it to the world as a symbol of her power. It is also not because such servitude of Indian politicians towards party leaders makes me sick in stomach.

It's because she calls herself the representative of Dalits and is the Chief Minister of one of the poorest and backwards states of India which has a high crime rate. So while the people of her state struggle with poverty she doesn't seem it as inappropriate to display her newly found power and wealth. Its also because people on the streets in UP celebrates this act of hers. They think that what she is doing is correct and others are raising finger because she is a Dalit. It's because beneath the cover of an opressed caste you are successful in manipluating an entire population. Its because I can't fathom when will the caste system in India be laid to rest. It's also because Maywati's says that gifting a garland made of money is entirely legal. She forgets that people are talking about morality not legality.

And finally its because I have to grudgingly admit that people get the government they deserve and that we deserve such leaders.

Obama meets Dalai Lama - Whats's the Indian role

Obama hosted Dalai Lama at White House which drew an angry reaction from China. No one expected anything else. Most suspect this as an American ploy to instigate China as Washington becomes more insecure of China's rising power. USA and China both have their reasons for their respective reactions. But is the Indian media too harsh a critic of China's policies in Tibet?

Some one made a very interesting point to me, a few days back. Isn't Kashmir is to India what Tibet is to China. People of Tibet don't want to be part of China, even though China is on its way to become a superpower. We Indians always wonder why the people of Kashmir want to go to Pakistan when they are better off economically in India. Indian government does not tell them to forget their culture or religion. Yet why are they so hell bent on Pakistan? Isn't the China case similar? Chinese too feel that Tibetans are better off being a part of China, free to follow their culture ( Though this point can be debated as there are counter views on this), be a part of the great economic revolution, then why are they pinning for a different state. And if they say they want independence, then same is the case of Kashmir. One can argue that Tibet revolution doesn't involve the level of terrorism that India faces from Kashmir militants. ( Though I dont have any information on the nature of protest of Tibetans.)

I am not supporting the analogy or arguing against it, simply because I don't think I am capable enough to comment on it. But it is indeed an interesting analogy that makes you think twice and dig deeper into the history.

The Chief Ministers of India turning a new leaf

It was really heart warming to read about Bihar being one of the most progressive states in India. Some would argue that its because its on a low base compared to other states. But for a state that's languishing in dark for all these years, an applause for the progress is well deserved. All credit should go to its Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who has done a remarkable job. He is also championing the cause of cleansing Ganga which is a long overdue action that should have been taken long before by the state governments. Also, instead of haggling with the union agricultural minister Sharad Pawar, he has agreed to waive off the VAT on sugar in the state. All examples of a good statesman and administrator. The ex-chief minister of Bihar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, may have garnered accolades for his performance as a turnaround Railway Minister, but he is also infamous for keeping Bihar as an impoverished state during his term as the CM there. Obviously he can't digest the success of Nitish Kumar and continues to pick holes in his governance. But statistics speak for themselves and looks like Bihar is all set for progress under its current CM's stewardship.

Another state whose CM makes more headlines than its progress is Uttar Pradesh. The news making CM of UP, Mayawati seems to have turned over a new leaf these days. Not only has she come forward for supporting the cause of hockey players in India but also has decided to do away with her lavish birthday celebrations which earned a lot of brickbats in the past. This year, for her 54th birthday, Mayawati has announced schemes worth over 7,000 crore rupees to help the poorest in Uttar Pradesh. Either oher PR officer has advised her on this or she is really working for the state welfare. Whatever be the intention, but the action is definitely a step ahead in positive direction.

And if we are discussing about Chief Ministers of India, one name that we can't ignore is Gujarat's Minister, Narendra Modi. You may hate him or praise him, but you can't ignore him. I am not a big fan of his because of his 2002 Gujarat antics but I can't help marvel at this success in making Gujarat one of the most progressive states in India. One doesn't hear about as many SEZ conflicts in Gujarat as in other states. He does his best to bring investment in the state, not to forget how he got Tata to set up their Nano plant in Gujarat. Now he has moved a mile forward after announcing mandatory elections in Gujarat. The big blot in his Chief Minister's career seems to be fading away owing to his governance skills. Yet, he will continue to be treated as a suspect for a long time and rightly so.

Makers of 'preaching-to-be-good' movies may not learn the lesson themselves

One would think that the makers of 'preaching-to-be-good' movies like 'Munnabhai' and '3 idiots' would be practicing some goodness on themselves too. But seeing the current '3 idiots' war between the makers and Chetan Bhagat, the writer of the book, 'Five Point Someone', clearly shows that they haven't learnt a lot from their movies except to make money.

Firstly to say that the movie is based 2-5% on the book is laughable. Clearly the basic story, the underlying principle, the twists, the plots have a lot in common with the book. Anyone who has read the book will vouch for that. Obviously the screenplay will be different as its a movie adaptation and also because you want to Aamir to be the main protagonist and him to romance the heroine, but the story is the same.

Secondly, its a little preposterous for Aamir Khan to call Chetan Bhagat publicity hungry even without bothering to read the book. Aamir probably doesn't read the books that general young Indian reads. Thats why he doesn't know the popularity of Chetan Bhagat and why he doesn't require publicity. I and many people I know did not go to watch the movie because its a movie made by the makers of Munnabhai. We wanted to watch it because we had loved the book. Yet, to say that people throng theaters to watch Aamir Khan movie makes sense but I am sure the number of people who were aware that the movie was based on the hit novel is more than the number of people who were aware that this movie is made by the 'Munnabhai' makers.

And what I don't understand is that why are the makers being so squeamish in sharing the story credit with Chetan. Chetan Bhagat, is a renowned name in the Indian publishing industry. He is to Indian publishing what Aamir is to Bollywood, a sure shot bumper opening. He is not asking for money, being a creative person he is justifiably upset at the amount of effort the makers are taking to keep the movie distant from the book.

Looks like a money minded producer will not understand the mind of a creative person. He needs to watch Munnabhai series once again.

Mr. Tharoor, why tweet when you can write?

How will one feel about a company whose senior executives give conflicting statements in press release or discuss important company related issues on social networking sites. I am sure an action will be taken against them. Running a country is very similar to running a company. Taking that analogy, I don't find it surprising that Shashi Tharoor's latest tweeting has again landed him in trouble with his party colleagues and own ministry. Tharoor had questioned the tightening of visa rules in the backdrop of the David Headley case by tweeting. He was reprimanded for his gesture by India's external affair minister, SM Krishna.

There is nothing wrong with one expressing his/her opinion in a democracy like India. But being the Minister of State for External Affairs of a country comes with a huge responsibility. The demography of media has undergone a sea change today and social networking site is a gadget that needs to be used carefully. Most of the companies do not allow access to social networking sites in their office as it hampers productivity and nor are the employees allowed to discuss company's decision on Facebook or Twitter. To be fair to Tharoor, he was just voicing his opinion and trying an out of box method to change the system. The issue here is not Tharoor's opinion but the medium and language of expression. Being a seasoned journalist, he could have used the power of his pen to write a column justifying his reasoning or used his excellent oratory skills to do the job. Why make a callous remark in short forms on an informal media which stands exposed to any form of misinterpretation? Now, the valid reasoning behind his remark is somewhat lost and the whole focus has shifted to a non consequential issue.

Did Sacred Heart teach a lesson that we don't need to learn?

A lot has been written about Ruchika Girhotra, the 17 year old who committed suicide, three years after she was molested by the then Inspector General of Police S P S Rathore. Most of it makes us shameful of the existing corrupt system of India that protects the rich and powerful at all cost. But the silver lining comes in the form of the media pressure and the civil movement that has brought this case in limelight and is determined in making Rathore a social outcast and punishing him for his misdeeds. The conviction in Jessica Lal case has given an inspiration that will hopefully change the age old adage of public memory being short. The media has ensured that we don't forget Jessica, Priyadarshini Mattoo and Ruchika, at least, until the culprits are brought to the hook.

Many people and institutions have been accused of abetting Rathore's crime, but the most glaring for me is the school from which Ruchika was expelled. School is almost sacred in our lives because it is hugely responsible for shaping the minds of young lives and defining the future of our society. Sacred Heart, which is one of Chandigarh's most prestigious schools expelled Ruchika, driving her closer to her end. A school is supposed to help its students in distress, give them the emotional support and teach their other students the right value of fighting against injustice. The so called prestigious school has done exactly the opposite. What kind of lesson the students would have learnt in an institution which supports the hooligans and expels a hapless victim?

The definition of a good school has changed today. Parents want to send their kids to these prestigious schools most of which are convent schools, because they think these will mould their children into fine human beings. But do an English sounding name, over charged fees, great infrastructure, having celebrity children, teaching to rote to become high scorers in board exams, is all that makes a fine school? What happened to schools that cultivate creativity, teach harmony and not always competition, empathy towards your fellow classmates, drive to fight against injustice? Rabindrath Tagore's Shantiniketan taught us that maths, science, history, geography does not make a school. Hopefully the new age schools today will take an inspiration. I have a dream that one day I build a school where we can teach our children subjects beyond the boundaries of board exams. And when I realize that dream, I hope to take an inspiration from the right places.

Humara Bajaj - An end or a new beginning

Bajaj Auto announced this week, that it will exit the scooter market and stop producing its iconic Bajaj scooter. They plan to focus only on manufacturing motorbikes as they believe that the middle class symbol has changed from scooter to the bike. Bajaj Chetak and the jingle, 'humara bajaj' symbolized the Indian middle class of the 70s and 80s. The middle class has a come a long way since then and looks like the scooter brand could not catch up.

For me, Bajaj scooter is also a symbol of the license raj which did not permit the Indian households to own a luxury like a scooter or telephone or TV for a long time. Its also a symbol of the middle class wanting to break free from the shackles of the pseudo secular and pseudo social governments of the years post the independence. A look at the 'buland Bharat ki buland tasveer' may bring a lump in the throat of the generation that fought hard against the administration then, to realize their dreams. My father, being a part of that generation, to date considers owing a Bajaj Chetak then as one of his greatest achievements.

I see the end of Bajaj scooters as the beginning of a new era where the Indian middle class will hold the key to a better India tomorrow.

Saluting the Big B!!

I was never a Big B fan. Rather liked his son more than him. Of course like the entire world, I regard him has the biggest superstar India has produced. Add great acting skills to that and you have a living legend. Yet my not liking him had nothing to do with his acting or super stardom. Firstly, I have not grown up on his movies, so don't have that aura about him. Secondly, I was always put off by his diplomatic stance and the whole diplomatic front the whole family puts forth. Not being a big fan of diplomacy, I rather like people who say as they feel than ones who always put on a holier than thou mask.

But I can't help being super impressed with Mr. Bachchan after watching his superlative act in Paa. I haven't yet watched the movie and will catch it soon. But even during the promos, you can feel the effort this 65 year old man has put into this role. He has removed all traces of a superstar and has worn the mask of Auro like never before. Even in Black, in which his performance was hailed, I thought he was quite over-the-top compared to the natural subtleness rendered by Rani Mukherjee. But here, I can't help applauding everytime I watch the promos of Paa.

He clearly shows why he is the one and only one of the Indian film industry. After watching some of the stupid, inane, obnoxious ( and all the synonyms included) movies this year that have passed off as hits (Wanted, Ajab gajab whatever, alldbest...), I am sure Paa will be a welcome change if not for anything else, atleast for the performance of the Big Boss!!

More than a year to hang Kasab!! Is it something that we should be proud of??

Last week I saw an interview of our home minister P.Chidambaram in the wake of the anniversary of 26/11. He mentioned that he is glad and proud that Kasab was not punished hurriedly and it shows that what a great democracy India is where no one is above the law and even Kasab will be punished as per the judicial procedure. The whole world is watching that how India treats all the citizens equally.

I completely disagree with his viewpoint. The whole world is watching how it takes more than a year to punish someone in an open and shut case and that too in a fast track process. Will the Congress government ever understand the gravity of the situation and wake up from its sleep of complacency. The entire nation wants Kasab hanged at the earliest.

Also, this week marked the 25th anniversary of the most tragic incident in the lives of the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. 25 years on, we are still discussing whose fault it was and how the nexus between the then state government of Congress and Union Carbide managed to brush off the issue under the carpet. I am sure 25 years down the line we would be discussing the same thing. And the then Home Minister also will mouth the same words, that all are equal in eyes of Indian law. Probably that's why we have committees after committees to discuss 84 Sikh riots, 92-93 Babri demolition, Gujarat riots, n number of scams by politicians and absolutely no conviction.

Is it surprising that someone who was convicted for the Gujarat riots was Zaheera Seikh( I am sure most of us have forgotten her name, the scapegoat made by the Gujarat govt and NGOs ), who saw her family being burnt in the infamous Best Bakery. She was convicted for perjury and for changing her statements in the court due to outside influence. Yes she probably was guilty of influence but was she the only one who ought to have punished? Or was it because she did not have a strong political clout like the others.

Its shameful that our country has such an abysmal track record of never ending court cases and judiciary influencing politicians.

Religion - a big question mark??

Its all over the media. The anniversary of 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai is still fresh in our memory. It wasn't the first or most gruesome terrorist strike in India but it was definitely the one that held our nation to ransom for the longest time. It was also the one that made us all introspect our own systems. Media is full of the brave stories of those who sacrificed their lives, those who were innocent victims, those who had a miraculous escape, those who are left behind and the agony of each overwhelms you with grief.

What gives birth to such heartless, ready to kill themselves terrorists? Could be oppression, could be poverty, could be the greed of power, could be the anger out of seeing your community being tormented but can definitely not be religion. Which religion in the world advocates such a bloodbath? Which religion says not to respect other religions? Yet why do most of the religious leaders advocate such strong jingoistic ideas? Only because they can benefit from the power they achieve by such means?

I can understand a poverty stricken Kasab joining a terrorist group for money but I cannot understand a well educated, well to do Headley doing the same. What possibly can be a motivation for him? How can anyone who has read a Koran ever think that it is Allah's will to kill innocent people? Same goes for any other religion and religious groups. Which Krishna or Ram tells Bajrang Dals and VHPs to kill innocent nuns? Which religion advocates forcible conversions?

When will people stop being blinded by a handful of leaders who just want to gain power by using the name of God. I read 2 heart whelming stories of a waiter of Leopold Cafe and a taxi driver both killed in the 26/11 attacks and both leaving behind a widow and 5 and 4 children respectively. The first thought that crossed my mind was that how could a waiter or taxi driver raise 4 children? Should not the religious leaders be teaching that first. Rather they do exactly the opposite. Preach people to multiply so that their folk can increase. But what kind of community are you going to breed if you cannot afford to raise them.

I am upset because I only have questions. I don't have any answers. I feel helpless that why I cannot change things and why the leaders who can change do nothing about it. Why the whole saga of religion and humanity has just become a long question paper that no one can answer? And tomorrow if I want to become a leader then will I also have to take a similar path for making people listen to me? A path which preaches hatred towards other community.

Impotent Maharashtra govt and terrorization of Shiv Sena rocks the Mumbai boat!!

I am a proud Mumbaikar but these days I have to fight hard to defend my city. Sweltering weather, poor roads, overburdened infrastructure, lack of open spaces, the incompetent administration and the war of 2 Senas. The list is endless. Shiv Sena attacks IBN's offices in India. After Shiv Sena burnt effigies of Australian PM after the attacks on Indian students, one had to think of ways to defend that kind of reaction. Sena has proved once again that defense is not required. They time and again demonstrate that this is their basic nature and Australian, M.F.Hussain, Sachin, journalists all are equal to them when it comes to venting out their frustration.

Cannot help drawing parallels between Shiv Sena and any terrorist group. A terrorist group recruits dirt poor youth and brainwashes them to become suicide bombers while Shiv Sena recruits unemployed Marathi youth and uses them to drive fear. Both exploit a community's vulnerability to strengthen their hold. Both try to justify their means for what they think will lead to a good end.

Another question that comes to my mind is why no terrorist attack has taken place on American soil post 9/11 and why Shiv Sena behaves periodically bad in Mumbai? Answer is a good administration and a pathetic administration respectively. The impotent Congress govt in Maharashtra does nothing while the Thackerays of the world continue to hold Mumbai at ransom. If a Shiv Sena MP challenges a media house' right to criticize Bal Thackeray, he should be suspended from the Parliament for challenging the fundamental right of freedom of expression. As usual the government will not take any action and we will continue to be burdened with a spineless govt because of the lack of a better alternative.

Meanwhile the common man looks for excuses to defend the behavior of its leaders as the world watches the quality of men/women we chose to lead the nation.