Random Thoughts

1.Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler walked away scot-free courtesy of Sonia Gandhi for the 1984 Sikh riots. Everyone knows that these were the people , who were on the roads, instructing their goons to kill the Sikhs. . Our judiciary is no bigger than Sonia Gandhi. They have been rewarded for the killings of the Sikhs in 1984 (7,000 Sikhs got killed in all over India). Who has given them the right to talk about Narendra Modi? There is a saying : "jinke ghar shishe ke hote hain, wo doosron ke ghar par pathhar nahi mara karte". And look at Manmohan Singh, who is still 'mute', when all his brethren are declaring this day as a BLACK DAY in the history of India. He proved that he has no back bone. One person said with tears in his eyes, " anyaya toh chalo jo hua, arey aaj toh nyay (न्याय ) milta " after 29 yrs. Sad!!

I believed every word uttered by Sushma Swaraj that " Sonia Gandhi has no faith in democratic processes." I am sick of this party. Mani Shankar Aiyyar questioned the 8 yr ruling of BJP and forgot about the rest of the yrs that Congress ruled. What surprises me is that Congress or congressmen never take responsibility of the wrongs done by them, except harping the tune of 2002 Gujrat riots. If Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler can walk away and do not feel blood, then why not Narendra Modi?

2. I hate Mani Shanakr Aiyyar.. He boasts to be the product of St Stephens but I found him annoying, a bully and pro-congress. The way he snubbed Tavleen singh and made some personal remarks of her sucking up to him, going to parties and writing books about it. (watch - 1984 riots justice delayed and denied - ndtv http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/1984-riots-justice-delayed-and-denied/273007?hp )

I found it utterly disgusting and horrible. Better we women should stop sucking up to any men so that a day like this never comes in our lives. I have seen many of his debates and found him arrogant, boastful and full of himself. These days Suhel Seth is under my watch. Let us see what he is up to.

Karan Thappar is another big mouth.

I sometimes wonder why people from dignified institutions behave so shoddy and meanly and lack even the minimum courtesy, at least on television, where people are watching them.

Mani Shankar Aiyaar - An arrogant man

I used to be a great fan of Mani Shankar Aiyar and his oratory. Him being the product of St' Stephen's college and Cambridge along with 26 yrs. of IFS career was enough to impress me and bring out my admiration for him. His association with Congress is well known and the controversies that dissociated him from Congress..

I used to watch him on the program called " Politically Incorrect " with Swapan Das Gupta. But tonight while I was watching him on NDTV for the debate "Has Wharton violated freedom of speech?" I was appalled to see his behaviour. It was extremely undemocratic, discourteous, disrespectful and somewhat threatening towards Sonia NC and the anchor.

I lost my perception of him being the intellectual. I felt he is an autocratic man who has no patience to deal with people who think differently than him. He lives within his own ideological mind frame. Though he was demanding freedom of speech for himself from the anchor but denied the same right to Modi. I am not a great fan of Modi but he has all the right to share his views with the people of India and Internationally. It is up to us to think what we want to think about him.

I am quoting this from wikipedia which says enough about him, "In September 2011, Aiyar visited his alma mater—St. Stephen's College—to speak about 'Governance and Corruption: Is Panchayati Raj A Solution?'. However, he began to mock the Hansraj College and its former student Ajay Maken. He also billeted the Kirori Mal College and the BA (Programme) Degree, a course in the University of Delhi. This led to an agitation by the students of Hansraj College. When the agitated students approached him, he mocked them even further. When later questioned by the media, Aiyar refused to apologise and rather ridiculed the institutions even further. Baffled by his remarks, Stephen's College and its students went on to apologise to Hansraj College and extended a hand of friendship."

REVIEW - Saheb, Biwi and Gangster (4 star)

SAHEB, BIWI AND GANGSTER - part 1 and 2. If anyone is looking for good cinema this is the movie to watch. Tigmanshu Dhulia, director of "Paan Singh Tomar" which bagged the National award lately, is going to be a name to watch out for.

Saheb ,Biwi and Gangster is all about greed, love, revenge, power, ego, money, sex, politics and survival. The success of the script lies in the fact that it keeps you engaged throughout. We cannot define life as black and white but rather as shades of grey. This movie is all about those shades of grey and yet you love the characters.

The film is very gripping . The director has created the world of the "Rajas and Rajwaras" beautifully and their struggle to survive living in their crumbling palaces. You will be seeing Randeep Hooda in the first part as the gangster and Irrfan Khan in part 2. Irrfan khan, as he is known for, is terrific. But it is Jimmy Shergill who fits the character with utmost ease. Mahi Gill was no less in comparison to anyone in the film. She looked both sexy and dangerous. She shoots the gun with as much ease as she smokes her cigarette. She is beautiful, sexy and shrewd. She reminded me of the saying, "when a woman is good, she is very good but when she is bad she is horrid." I will give four star to the movie.

Narendra Modi VS Rahul Gandhi

Recently I read an article by a blogger and writer named Vijay Nair where he defended Rahul Gandhi, saying that, " Just because he comes from a privileged background does not mean he is immune to the pain of losing loved ones to bullets and bombs. Maybe his reticence is because of all the tragedies he has encountered in his life. He comes across as a decent person and I think we need decent people in politics. Rahul Gandhi does not scare me." His article prompted me to write to him and share my thoughts with people, who think differently.

You highlighted his naivety and inexperience as an asset because he in comparison to Narendra Modi is less shrewd, intelligent and business-like. He is more of a decent guy like his father. His father(Rajiv Gandhi) too was a good guy who got surrounded by the caucus and being less experienced, he did some fatal mistakes. Don't you think, at this point of time, India needs a more experienced and shrewd politician to manage its unmanageable problems? We cannot afford to experiment with a person who is well-intentioned but has no experience. These days even if you go for a job, the company wants a ready candidate. They don't want to waste their time to train the candidate. That is why they hire people from internal references. 

You have cited many emotional moments from his life, which generated an empathy for him. But how can we forget so many other things that come as a baggage with his name - Priyanka and Robert Vadra? Overnight he became a billionaire. His net worth is $2.1 billion with a small company called Artex. We all know about their accounts in Swiss banks. So many scams happened and are happening every day. Even if you want to forgive them for the Sikh riots, there are many other questions which need to be answered. I don't mind his being not a good orator, but he avoids taking straight questions from the media, and we do not know what is in his mind regarding foreign and economic policies..

Why should the youth of India vote for Rahul? Is he intelligent enough? Does he have a vision or plans for a better India? Do we know anything about his policies that can change the face of India once he becomes the CEO of the country? No, we don't know anything substantial but we should vote for him because he is not as shrewd as Narendra Modi and he is THE and ONLY answer to Modi. I would like to quote Margaret Thatcher here who said, " the great problems of our age is that we are governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas.” 

In 10 yrs of ruling by the NDA, India has gone to the dogs and has created a magnitude of problems. It may not be because of Rahul Gandhi but Manmohan Singh's and Sonia Gandhi's silences have reflected upon him as well. Silence is a good weapon for decent people but not always. It has weakened people's faith in them and their style of working. It is also said that no govt should stay for this long so that they can get away with whatever. To remind them that people have the power to change, it is necessary that they should go. 

If I am writing against the poor performance of Rahul Gandhi, it does not mean that I support Narendra Modi but then, we have no other alternative but him. I agree with what Margaret Thatcher had said, “I do not know anyone who has gotten to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but it will get you pretty near.” This is what Narendra Modi is for the people. All Rahul Gandhi has is the lineage of his family. This name tag has certainly helped him in projecting himself as the prime-ministerial candidate without having adequate qualifications and experiences and the know-how for this position. He lacks CHARISMA. 

I think Rahul Gandhi needs time to do a lot of homework. He should present himself as a dynamic and well- rounded leader. He also lacks leadership quality. No one should play with the fate of our country unless proven. But I know my opinion will be considered as naive because if Akhisleh Yadav can rule UP, then why Rahul Gandhi cannot rule India? Well understood. But sad.

We need an iron hand to rule the country, who can take decisions for the betterment of the country irrespective of all the oppositions. 

VISHWAROOPAM IMBROGLIO

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/left-right-centre/do-political-parties-pander-to-fringe-groups/263634?h_also_see

Watched a few debates on this controversy and got a chance to listen to the govt and its representatives and the elites of the country - my conclusion is that govt does not give a hoot to these intellectuals (artists, writers etc). All they need is the mass, who can vote for them and keep them in power. Why should the govt. support these creative artists like Kamla Hasan, who don't even bother to come out and vote for them. "Vishwaroopam" imbroglio is nothing but political. I don't know where India is heading.

Half the people, who are protesting have not seen the movie or did not even read "Satanic Verses" and people, who have seen the movie or read the book are not on the road. Renuka Chowdhury said clearly that govt has to make smarter choices out of the two - whether to protect one person or the mass. ha ha ha. Even if our constitutional rights for freedom of expression is getting hampered by 20 hooligans from the minority group, that seems to be ok for the govt or Renuka. Loved Farukh Sheikh for his thoughts as a secular Indian.

Mr. Navaneetha Krishnana, the advocate general of Tamil Nadu, (definitely a political appointee), said in one of the debates that "Amma upholds the LAW". We should applaud him to work for Amma and not for the law itself. Jaylalitha (Amma) for sure will not get a devotee like him. "MERA BHARAT SACHMUCH MAHAN HAI". ..a country of opportunist politicians. The crux of the matter is that we don't have much choices to make and thus we keep on bringing the same people with tainted record again and again.

REVIEW OF INKAAR

Watched 'Inkaar'. Liked it. A new subject and style has been introduced..very Hollywood in its approach. Sexual harassment at work places - these days we hear a lot about this. But I liked the movie because of the treatment given to this subject. We always blame men folk and don't try to see their viewpoint. The question is how to define modernity - How to determine the thin difference between flirtation and sexual harassment? A thought provoking movie.

In my personal opinion, when two people are in a room, it is difficult for the 3rd person to give the verdict. Everyone will judge the person as per their own perception. So perception matters, not the truth.

 If you like serious cinema, this movie is for you. It is a fast paced movie with appropriate dialogues, directed by Sudhir Mishra. He has succeeded in raising certain questions and given us the topic to debate. The time of the release is also very appropriate as the whole country is burning with Damini's rape issue and Parliament is debating about the stricter law enforcement. Arjun Rampal impressed me but Chitraganda Singh was not able to evoke my sympathy. It s good that director has not taken the sides and left it for the audience to decide. I have talked to many of my friends, who saw the movie, and none of us were  able to reach a consensus.

हिंदी दिवस - एक सोच

हिंदी उन सब गुणों से अलंकृत है ,जिनके बल पर वह विश्व की साहित्यिक भाषाओँ की अगली श्रेणी में आसीन हो सकती है ......................................................................मैथिली शरण गुप्त

पर इसके बावजूद हिंदी भाषा की स्वीकृति हिंदुस्तान में ही कम होती जा रही है. ये भी एक कड़वा सच है. हमें हिंदी के प्रचार-प्रसार के लिए कई मुहीम चलानी चाहिए. लोगों के अन्दर भाषा की गरिमा के लिए एक सम्मान जगाने की ज़रुरत है . पर उसके लिए ये नहीं कहना है की बाकी भाषा पढना छोड़ दो या कॉन्वेंट  स्कूल जाना छोड़ दो. किसी और भाषा की उपस्थिति आपकी भाषा के लिए खतरा नहीं बन सकती. जितने भी लोग ऐसा कहते हैं, वो खुद अपने बच्चों को कॉन्वेंट स्कूल में पढाना चाहते हैं.

अन्तराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर सफलता के लिए विभिन्न भाषा का ज्ञान और खास कर के अंग्रेजी भाषा का ज्ञान आजकल ज़रूरी हो गया है - इससे इनकार नहीं किया जा सकता. अच्छा हो की इस सच्चाई को समझते हुए, हम अपनी भाषा के लिए लोगों के अन्दर आदर और गरिमा जगाये . इसके लिए मीडिया की मदद से हम जगह- जगह और खास कर स्कूलों और कॉलेजों में सेमिनार करें , मुझे याद है १९८०-९०s में दिल्ली के प्रगति मैदान में हिंदुस्तान के नौजवानों में शास्त्रीय संगीत की महत्ता को जगाने के लिए रोज सुबह शास्त्रीय संगीत की बैठक हुआ करती थी जहाँ शास्त्रीय संगीत के जाने-माने संगीतज्ञ आकर गायन करते थे और उसकी महत्ता को बताते थे .

कुछ उसी तरह की बात हिंदी भाषा के प्रचार- प्रसार के लिए की जा सकती है . किसी भी चीज़ को सकारात्मक ढंग से कहा जाए तो  उसका असर होता है, मैं निजी तौर पर किसी भी तरह के नकारात्मक और आक्रामक प्रचार के खिलाफ हूँ. किसी भी चीज़ को हम किसी भी तरह से किसी से ज़बरदस्ती नहीं करा सकते.  हमारे हिंदी लेखक और कवि इस क्षेत्र में मह्तवपूर्ण भूमिका निभा सकते हैं. किसी को भी ये कहना की वो अपने बच्चों को कॉन्वेंट स्कूल न भेजे, गलत हैं क्योंकि जो कहते हैं , उन सबके बच्चे अंग्रेजी स्कूल में पढ़ते हैं , तो फिर  दूसरे  को ही भाषा- प्रेमी होने की शिक्षा क्यों ? Preach what you practice ...बस, हम अगर अपने साहित्य के प्रति ही  लोगों में जागरूकता पैदा करें, सम्मान पैदा करें  तो यही भारत के लोगों के लिए काफी होगा.

सकारत्मक प्रयास ही सफलता की कुंजी है . लेकिन ये मीडिया के सहयोग के बिना संभव नहीं है. हमारे television पर हिंदी साहित्य को लेकर वार्तालाप हो. बोलने वाले लोग हमारे दिग्गज और जाने-पहचाने चेहरे हो और साथ  में नए अच्छे लिखने वाले लेखकों, लेखिकाओं  और कविओं  का परिचय कराया जाये . उनके कार्य के बारे में लोगों को बताया जाये, तो मुझे विश्वास है की ऐसा करने से लोगों में हिंदी साहित्य को ले कर रूचि ज़रूर पैदा होगी . मैं खुद अमृता प्रीतम , शिवानी , उपेन्द्रनाथ अश्क, सच्चिदानन्द हीरानन्द वात्स्यायन 'अज्ञेय', शरतचंद्र, रविंद्रनाथ टैगोरे, आशापूर्णा देवी, कृशन चन्दर. मन्नू भंडारी , राजेंद्र अवस्थी, ममता कालिया , मालती जोशी , धर्मवीर भारती , मृणाल पाण्डेय , कन्हैयालाल नन्दन, के.पी. सक्सेना, हरिवंस राय बच्चन  और न जाने ऐसे कितने नामी गिरामी कवियों और लेखकों को पढ़ते हुए बड़ी हुई. हमारे अन्दर इन्हें पढने की इच्छा मेरी माँ ने जगाई.

मैं समझती  हूँ हम अपने बच्चों में अपनी भाषा के लिए वो आदर नहीं पैदा कर  पाते. हम अगर उन्हें बताये की हिंदी साहित्य और भाषा का हमारे जीवन में  क्या स्थान है, तो आधी लड़ाई तो हम वहां से ही जीत सकते हैं. अपने बच्चों का अंग्रेजी ज्ञान हमें भी अच्छा लगता है ,पर दूसरे के बच्चों को हिंदी ही पढना चाहिए , ऐसी इच्छा रखना गलत होगा . समय की सच्चाई को समझते हुए हिंदी साहित्य और भाषा के प्रति जागरूकता जगाना ही हमारा धर्म होना चाहिए.

आज से नहीं, अंग्रेजी शासन काल से ही हमारे नौजवान अंग्रेजी भाषा और पश्चिम सभ्यता के प्रति आकर्षित रहे हैं, इस सच को झूठ्लाया नहीं जा सकता और उसकी वजह से ही हिंदुस्तान को बहुत सारी गलत मान्यताओं से बाहर निकला जा सका है. ज्ञान का दरवाजा न बंद करें, चाहे वो किसी भी भाषा से आ रही हो, अपनी भाषा के लिए हमारे अन्दर खुद सम्मान पैदा करने की ज़रुरत है, गर्व महसूस करने की ज़रुरत है. हिंदुस्तान खुद ही विभाजित है, हमारा देश एक बहुभाषीय देश है , वहां हिंदी भाषा को बाहर से नहीं अन्दर से हो खतरा है..ऐसे मैं अंग्रेजी को इसका दुश्मन समझना गलत होगा.