Deafening Silence
Rahul Bose - June 12, 2006
When the 1992 riots occurred in Bombay, I was twenty five years old. At the time my social consciousness was just beginning to develop and I watched and listened as we heard the deafening silence of the government in power till it was a case of too little too late. By then the city was in flames.
This was the first instance when the silence of the politicians exacerbated a situation that could have been brought under control sooner, saving lives and preventing a grievous tear in the city’s social fabric that it still struggles to come to terms with. The bomb blasts that went off across the city a few months later saw prompt action, both verbal and physical, being taken by politicians and civil society in tandem. Lessons had been learnt. Or so it seemed.
At the time of the Gujarat riots of 2002, our media had strengthened immeasurably. The advent of a slew of television news channels brought the riots into our bedrooms and ordinary people were outraged. But while public opinion across the nation was strident and vocal it was met with the familiar complicity of silence and inaction by the powers that be in New Delhi. Gujarat burned.
But one thing had changed forever. Because of the tremendous proliferation of curious, boisterous television channels, moved undoubtedly by the pressure of TRP ratings, the Indian public found that their voice was being heard. Since then, civilians of all hues and social strata have become used to raising their voices on every issue that bothers them. Naturally, this has led to a lot of irrelevant events being elevated to the echelon of ‘breaking news’, and a slew of pop psychologists and social pundits holding forth on any and every piece of sensationalism. But, in the balance, this recognition of the Indian voice has led to some awakening of the nation’s social consciousness - the countrywide reaction to the tsunami disaster being a case in point.
Sadly, the happenings of the recent past have brought back the dangers of silence when it is exercised by those in positions of political power. The informal ban on the film ‘Fanaa’ and the strong protests against the new initiatives on reservations for OBCs have been met with a guilty silence from many politicians who should be doing what the electorate expects of them – speaking out in favour or against, shaping opinion in favour or against, encouraging debate in favour or against, but fulfilling their duties as those who have chosen to make the service of the people of India their life duties. It is the choice of civilian society to voice its opinion on these issues or not. Certainly, it is all the better if it does so, but it is the duty, the inescapable part of a politician’s job description, to speak up, listen and then act. Why then do we hear the bitter sound of silence from those who we look to for direction?
None of us are fooled. It is hypocrisy. It is a save-your-skin mentality. It is sheer cowardice. If ideology is what drives a person to join the political arena then issues like the ‘Fanaa’ and the reservations controversies cry out for politicians to relate their ideologies to these urgent topics of today. But, once again we find the fear of losing one’s popularity with the electorate making little people of these politicians who otherwise think nothing of stuffing their giant cut outs down the throats of our collective consciousness. Any sane person, and I believe despite the malignant interference of bad politics, this nation has an overwhelming number of these, will see that the ‘Fanaa’ ban in Gujarat is fascist, undemocratic and vengeful in its pettiest extreme. How anybody could be against a film actor who speaks up for the housing and livelihood rights of some of the poorest of the poor in Gujarat is a total mystery to most of this nation.
But where are the political voices intervening in the strongest possible way? I am sorry, but one limpid statement extolling the freedom of speech for all individuals is just not enough. Nor is it enough for politicians to shrug their shoulders and blame the problem on lumpen, ‘misguided’ elements, because we know the game. We have seen it being played before. It is a game politicians play called, ‘sit-tight-till-it-all-blows-over’.
Similarly, no matter how convincing the arguments are both for and against reservations as a tool for social equity, we need to, we demand to, hear where the nation’s leaders stand on this issue. Again, it is not enough to issue bland statements about how all sides of the issue will be looked into and the interests of all affected parties will be preserved. Why was this not done before the announcement of this policy?
Now what we are witnessing is the other favourite game politicians play – ‘wait-and-watch’. This is a fervent appeal from an Indian citizen – please do not fiddle while India burns. Please have the moral courage to uphold the best of the Indian Constitution. Please stick your necks out without fear. And even if your words are not universally popular you might just find that at times like this we would, in sheer relief, applaud a politician who stands for his or her beliefs, you might just find in times like this, we have the wisdom not to hack those necks off but put a garland of approval around them.
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Posted by Rahul Bose at June 12, 2006 01:29 PM
Comments
I think Rahul was trying to get this point across- When our politicians don't take a stance on sensitive issues, the Nation/people mostly pays a price.
>we find the fear of losing one’s popularity >with the electorate making little people of >these politicians
This particular sentence resonates with me.
I was a lil' kid when the Shah Banu case was in the National news. My parents who tried to explain the whole situation to me worded the whole scenario almost exactly the way Rahul just did.
I don't think he wanted this particular piece to
reflect his individual stance on reservation or the riots or the various bans on movies. I don't think one can accuse him of being a hypocrite.
Infact from what I have read in the media over a long span of time, on more than one occasion, people like Rahul, Nandita..have always been socially pro active and sometimes the positions they take gets them in hot water. Yet they still go on even at the expense of their careers sometimes. I personally am very proud of what they do for my country.
Karthika - people like Rahul and Nandita pick their battles with blatant hypocricy. I've been keeping a track of their record and that is why I made the comment I did. Please ask Rahul if he dare state his opinion on the Shah Bano matter.
From what I've gleaned about Rahul from his writings, he is firmly planted in the camp that believes in perpetuating caste based discrimination in the form of reservations for the undeserving. But this time since there is such a furor about the injustice of the reservations proposal even the most hard-core of believers may be coming to their senses. Therefore, I am inclined to think that Rahul does not have the guts to take a stand against the party line and was simply playing politics in not taking a stand.
What’s in act and evident is that this blatant hypocrisy is mutely observed by public whose voice, even when it stirs a commotion of a certain proportion, is never enough for the bureaucracy to feel any tinge. On their (bureaucracy) part, it’s a commonplace attitude that’s on display in the recent times that they know the advantage in not taking issues as ones that can be solved, but as passing little phases that can never tinge. Media’s role? It brings up the public voice, true, to a larger extent than when compared to the past, but where’s the slightest tinge that bureaucracy can feel? What proportion of the public voice can bring about a change? Minus that proportion, we are just a minor and passing phase every time. Agree with Rahul, on all counts.
Good post.
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."
The pertinent question is to ask whether those 'who matter' are wont to find solutions? Are they willing to bow under pressure? If there had been the slightest inclination, there would have been some show in the direction. It is a delay in tactics till the answers lose relevance.
How can reservation for a few thousands uplift crores??
They know the answers.
The vote bank speaks loud and clear.That is what they attenuate to.
"applaud a politician who stands for his/her beliefs".. sure. Where does one look for them?
Any clues?
Divya:
I couldn't have said it better.
Selective Amnesia is the greatest tool in the hands of our politicians AND the born-again Activists!
I am sooo sick and tired of these folks - who go around making noises when they feel like - without ANY BALANCE! If this was a month after the banning of WATER or FIRE (or whatever the heck it was) - Rahul would have devoted AT LEAST a para if not more on it.
Personally, I dont care if Gujaratis decide NOT to watch Fanaa - I think they have ALL the rights to decide what they want to watch and what they do not. Just as Aamir had all the right to express himself. So, I just dont get this hullaboo about it.
Rahul, if you MUST do good.. then do it in MINUTE particulars .. general and selective good is, in my view, a work of a HYPOCRITE and a SCOUNDREL who has no guts!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Desh
I am suprised and saddened by the last sentence in your comment to Rahul. I did not think you would engage in such an attack. Oh well...
I admire Rahul for speaking up on the issues he does choose to speak about. And, he is a person who actually really is on the ground in many places doing things, rather than just talking about them. You accusation of "MINUTE particulars" to him as an individual is totally ungrounded, because he actually is really involved in several real efforts.
Mallika
Divya, you must be kidding here right? You do (or don't) see Rahul blog here by taking a stand, do we see you blog with your stand? Try to cut down on your hate, it seems obvious
Mallika:
I am sorry if that sentence hurt you. But I said of what I feel about these - gut-less or just one-sided stances of a lot of commentators!
When I talk of minute particulars - I mean making sure you do take care of your principle first and within those confines you go ahead and take your stand - by word or action ...making sure you do not miss ANY side or point. I can be on ground too doing action that only benefits one side. But that is not the point here.
Most of these "on-ground" endeavors are often "anti" something. Never "for" something. Like the famous Anti-Narmada Dam - no one has the intellect or the individuality to come out amongst the celebrities to say... guys, to heck with all of you.. I am going to start a campaign FOR the prosperity of EVERYONE involved - the farmers and the villagers... and to that end I will go to find EACH AND EVERY SOLUTION possible under the sun... and force folks to implement it. If that means my stand favors building the Dam.. then so be it.. and if that means collecting money for creating habitat for the Villagers through the Prime Minister Relief Fund (quite akin to those displaced by Earthquakes) - then so be it (after all tax payers need to pay for the development that they see in future!).
But do we see that? No! But in the real world.. we see a one-up-(wo)man-ship.. tellingly lacking of principles or values! What we see is an Aamir or an Arundhati who is Anti-dam.. and then politicians from Gujarat who are anti-them!! Great! So, both the anti-somethings fundamentalist groups deserve each other! They will fight to their hearts content.. while that one voice of "For-something" that could have benefitted the nation and the poor never was heard!!
To me that kind of action is disgusting and sickening by the VERY nature of its unending cycle and rants.. but that is what I see everywhere in our NGOs, Activists, intellectual circles!
Every problem in the world ... really ... EVERY.. is - as Tony Robbins rightly says in a book - a "Human Behavioral problem"... if its not created by Human Behavior.... it at least has a Human Behavioral Solution! And I am convinced - as I have said on Rahul Pandita's blog post too - that this is the correct assessment of all the world issues.. including those plaguing India. We need INDIVIDUAL, HONEST, HUMBLE yet DECISIVE mindsets in our midst for our longevity and success!
And Rahul - dont take things personally here.. we all are growing in our lives.. as am I.. and sometimes - as is happening to me now - we say things forcefully.. sometimes because we just have a bad mood.... or - hopefully - because we are SICK and TIRED of a trend and the past!! The sooner most of us become sick of our failed past - as I often see the last 300 years in India - the more motivation we all will have to RETHINK our values and principles!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Desh, I was not hurt, just suprised. :) And I can assure you that Rahul would not take this personally. By being in the public eye and consciously engaging in a public dialogue, I am sure he is very used to disagreements and attacks.
I believe that as individuals we each do and speak our part, motivated by our own individuals needs, desires or beliefs. There will never be an unbiased agreement on issues like Narmada.
I think Rahuls post addresses the need for politicians to to speak up and engage when needed.
Mallika
noname - please read Rahul's post again and my comments again. Try and get an idea of what we're talking about before liberally using the H word. Also, tell us what attitude one should have towards hypocrisy - one of love or one of hate. Just making sure which emotions you reserve for acts of deceit.
My complaint against Rahul is precisely this - He is accusing the politicians of not taking a stand either for or against reservations. He himself has not taken a stand. I have ventured a guess as to why he hasn't taken a stand. My guess is that he is in fact scared to ruffle political feathers. Now, stop and consider that his whole blog is about how people should not let politics get in the way of doing the right thing. But he is doing exactly and precisely that himself. He is keeping mum for political reasons. I hope you are able to see the colossal hypocrisy of this now. If you have anything substantive to say on this I welcome your comments.
The other point is that he talks at great length about Fanaa, but decides to keep his customary hypocritical, politically motivated silence about the Da Vinci Code. To me it is mind-boggling that a miniscule minority of 3% can have such power and clout in India. This is truly frightening and has me worried. Next those Christian fundamentalists will be agitating to ban abortions and begin persecuting gays in India. Don't expect your Rahuls to come and speak up for any of these rights then. The Rahuls of the world will patiently wait for a hindu group to make an anti-gay statement. That's when you'll see them get in action. I'm not saying one side is right and one is wrong. But one side definitely has an infinite amount of power. The Rahuls of the world do not take this power on. They strike the easy targets.
If you were not so busy swooning in the shadow of celebrity and if you really cared about these things, the hypocrisy would probably strike you right away. Meanwhile, all I can do is try and point it out.
Mallika:
I agree that my statement was rather "uncharacteristic" or so I would believe.. but I am sure it carried the point I wanted to make in a telling manner :-)
I do realize and appreciate that there will never be any agreement amongst people on various issues.... but the way forward for those of us who want to do "good" is NOT to fall into ONE of the two disagreeing camps... but to transcend them and look "for" solutions.
At least that is something I expect from an honest person.
Politicians - are by "definition" - evaders of the truth. TO me, the saddest spectable of today's polity is Dr. Singh - whose honesty I, per se, cannot deny - but who goes on making comments and taking actions that baffle me no end. So, really speaking I dont have much to say about the others in any case.
I think what sways them - or will in the long run - is what "we", the junta, is thinking and saying.
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Okay Divya, I didn't know Rahul was a politician, not sure you demanding a stand from him justifies. He seems to be an actor and activist, and above he has bloged on something which makes sense: actions/inactions of politicians. I'm sure you can come back to him once he becomes a politician and does or does not take a stand but until then, I would not expect more then his conscious spreading blog and his activism. Sounds fair, doesn't it?
The protest over Fana and protest over DaVinci should be put in separate context, and who knows, he may blog on DaVinci sometime, would you give him a moment please.
I think hypocrisy seems to be in the eye of the beholder.
Okay Divya, I didn't know Rahul was a politician, not sure you demanding a stand from him justifies. He seems to be an actor and activist, and above he has bloged on something which makes sense: actions/inactions of politicians. I'm sure you can come back to him once he becomes a politician and does or does not take a stand but until then, I would not expect more then his conscious spreading blog and his activism. Sounds fair, doesn't it?
The protest over Fana and protest over DaVinci should be put in separate context, and who knows, he may blog on DaVinci sometime, would you give him a moment please.
I think hypocrisy seems to be in the eye of the beholder.
And it wouldn't hurt to look at people from individual perspective, steoreotyping them together to make a point is so old fashioned I think. The Rahuls and Arundhatis are individuals, you should be able to deal with them individually.
And it wouldn't hurt to look at people from individual perspective, steoreotyping them together to make a point is so old fashioned I think. The Rahuls and Arundhatis are individuals, you should be able to deal with them individually.
Noname -
(1) Do you have to be a politician to have a stand on an issue? Let's see how your argument plays out: Should murder be legal or not? Can't say, I'm not a politician!!
(2) DaVinci and Fanaa are the *same* issue, i.e., freedom of expression.
I read a quote somewhere:
"If you cannot write it and sign it.. dont say it"
- by "Anonymous"
Noname: You typify the mindset of the quote writer above.
Regarding the Rahuls and Arundhatis and the difference between Fanaa and Da Vinci.. here are some RULES that I can clearly see are followed by our Holier-than-thou Celebrity Activists:
1. When Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims as well as Christians arson, kill, or destroy people, property and like in response to the blasphemies by Artists to Jesus and the Prophet - that is a strong case of UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF INSENSITIVE ART.
2. When Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims as well as Christians arson, kill, or destroy people, property and like in response to the blasphemies by Artists to Krishna, Ram or Saraswati - that is a strong case of FANATICISM AND FASCISM.
And Divya was wondering about Hypocrisy of the "Rahuls"...
....My dear lady, in this SECULAR world of Activism everything is working just as normally as it always has!
.... even the strong-willed, upright "nonames" are busy providing the differentiation between what ought to be governed by RULE ONE and what really ought to fall under RULE TWO!
They're OK.. so I oughta be OK!!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Divya, I have yet to see your stand either, but I'm expecting a weekly intent from you soon rather then your quick and convenient snips here and there.
(1) What is your stand on Amir Khan's stand?
(2) What is your stand on protestor's protesting Amir Khan's stand?
(3) What is your stand on Christians protesting DaVinci movie?
(4) What is your stand on politicians not saying enough on Christians protesting DaVinci movie?
Here I laid out four different topics for your weekly intent coming soon, or may be you can point them out right here in detail. This would be much better then asking Rahul for his stand which I believe he has already laid out above.
Noname - Clearly you have comprehension problems. Okay, I'll bear with you. I have a susupicion you dont know what taking a stand means, but its actually quite simple. No need to make a federal case of it. One or two lines will do. For example:
1. Amir Khan is free to make whatever movie he chooses.
2. Protesters are free to protest. Let the chips fall where they may.
3. They're idiots.
4. They're Rahul Bose clones.
Hope Desh's post above clarifies things further, although I doubt it. Anyway, I'm done with this.
One more thing noname, since you keep saying Rahul has told us where he stands. Unless you've been reading his mind, can you provide the quote where he says:
1. (a) he is pro reservations; or (b) he is anti-reservations.
I'm keeping it simple so as not to completely befuddle you.
And we're all idiots for being here!. Sounds fair.
Yes, it seems I have comprehension problem because I can't seem to figure out if you just called Rahul an idiot, or you called everyone in India an idiot except for yourself. Since you're done with this, I might as well assume that it is latter. But I would still be waiting for your weekly intent, don't you wana break Navin's record? That would be fun, wouldn't it.
Hahaha.. this SOOO according the SCRIPT!!
IF you open you mouth.. Malign all those who dare to protest...
.. and if you have nothing to argue with.. STAND UP and SHOUT OUT as loud as you can.
Great show.....
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
It seem I'd be speaking on Rahul's behalf, but I'd rather not come across that way because I don't know the guy; however, you should be congratulated for reading his blog in its entirity, as I see you attacking him directly and boldly, but guess what, you seem to have missed the headline: I see it says Deafning Silence, and not Reservations.
I think I should be done with this now, or else people might complain against me ruining a response from Rahul directly. I think I have done enough complaints against Divya for today, but she is an energizer bunny so I know she's coming back. :)
Hahaha.. this SOOO according the SCRIPT!!
IF you open you mouth.. Malign all those who dare to protest...
.. and if you have nothing to argue with.. STAND UP and SHOUT OUT as loud as you can.
Great show.....
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
If we had politicians that really did stand for ideologies then the shape of this country would have been different... but to put the blame squarely on the politicians is not right because it is we who vote for them...
Once the news becomes stale really falls of the news channels… and this is the advantage that the politicians have… no one binds them to take action asap. It is at there connivance that things work and they know that the public of India has many more things to worry about to keep up with one thing at a long stretch. One of the major reasons... have been we have very little portion of the population that is educated and even lesser portion of population that is willing to step up to take responsibility for change.
I worte this response before i read the comments... and after reading the comments I think my response is out of place but none the less...
dear divya (and to a certain extent, desh),
as far as the da vinci code ban is concerned my views on all banning of creative works have been expressed by me on sundry tv channels. perhaps you do not stay in india. you will well appreciate me not having the physical time to air all my points of view on all contentious topics on this blog site. but, for your information and peace of mind, let me reiterate my point made on television. i am against the ban of any form of creative expression that has not been created solely with the intent of fostering violence or hatred. how does one judge that? admittedly, subjectively, just like you choose to judge me. we can only hope to elect sane people. what is sane? well, now i've opened a pandora's box. but more to the point, that's what i think about the da vinci code ban in some states. as far as my stand on reservations is concerned (at the cost of sounding rude or ungrateful, i am going to refrain from taking on board your rather imaginative versions of my opinion), i totally support the idea and the intent. affirmative action is a wonderful social tool in lands of inequity. whether this should be simply, and simplistically based on caste i am not so sure. there are some citizens in the obc section that have done quite well for themselves in the past three decades. economic criteria? perhaps. the issue is complex and goes back many hundreds of years in our sociology and cultural ethos. i am still reading more about it to form some kind of crystallised opinion. far be it for me to stride out with a knee-jerk response and be accused of bad things that might be worse than even being called a hypocrite. all the very best to you and desh. sorry for clubbing two of you together, but i am writing this on the fly. regards.
Rahul,
I do not know much about the Indian politics. But to me you seem to be well educated with broad views for the good of common folks in India. I believe India needs people like Nandita and you, who give a wake up call to the selfish politicians who stand only for causes that serve their purpose.
Please do not be distracted by the little disgruntled, fundamentalist Hindus who like to make noise by beating their tin pots with spoons in the public.
I would like to see you more often on the Intentblog. Why be apologetic in clubbing those who deserve it?
Mallika, thanks for having Rahul Bose as a contributor here. He is an intellectual and out spoken guy who seems to be without any hidden agenda unlike one of your earlier contributors who wanted a ban on Coke in India.
And Rahul, if I were in India, I would join forces with you. Perhaps I could still do something on my visits there.
You have my moral support, man. I wish you success in what you are doing for India.
Dear Rahul,
I appreciate your response and do want to apologize for the intemperate tone of my posts.
You're right, I do not live in India and my knowledge of you only comes from what I have seen on this blog. The pattern that has emerged is a rather typical one of selectively choosing to bash one community and not saying anything about the others. I find this very frustrating since the powerful elite of India are all on the same bandwagon. This includes the English language media of India (ELM). Now, the foreign news media feeds off of the Indian ELM and picks up all of these one-sided negative stories. So while there has been no news coverage abroad of the banning of the Da Vinci Code in India, the media is full of stuff about Hindu fanatics banning Fanaa. This creates a very disproportionate representation of the Hindu community for those of us living abroad. It did not help that you went on the Indian news channels to denounce the banning of the Da Vinci Code. This piece of news did not get picked up - possibly deliberately. This is only one small example of a pattern of news reporting that has gone on for the past 50 years.
As for the reservation issue - I have to admit you surprised me here. For whatever reason, I did not expect you to openly suggest that the OBC's are gleefully having their cake and eating it too. I too agree with the concept of reservations, but am vehemently against any form of caste or religion based reservation. Admittedly I used the "H" word once too often, but when people talk of secularism in one breath and of caste based reservations in the other, hypocrisy is generally what comes to mind. Glad to know you are open minded about this issue. I too am trying to study caste in depth. May I recommend the following books: "Castes of Mind" by Nicholas B. Dirks; "Imagining India" by Ronald B. Inden; "The Beautiful Tree" by Dharampal. And here's a good on-line article: http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/s_es/s_es_hobso_caste_frameset.htm
By the way, Desh and me think alike on many issues and it's perfectly fine to address the two of us together (actually whether we think alike or not).
Rahul,
I am so happy that you unlike others don't disappear after writing a blog but care enough to read and respond...
You have done wonderful work in Andamans after the Tsunami.Keep up the good work.
Rahul:
Thanks for the reply. All I hope is that you and the rest have been/would be as vehement and loud in your protests of Da Vinci movie as you would be of protests against Deepa Mehta's movies. The point that I wanted to make (and I believe Divya too) was that it is the "principle" that one should have allegiance to.. not the protoganists. To me the most telling and unforgetting act of selective hypocrisy came from Teesta - after Godhra (before the GUjarat Riots had happened).. to BBC Teesta exclaimed yes it was bad what had happened to the passengers "but you cannot forget that they were Kar Sevaks!" That infants and kids were amongst killed did not blunt her sarcasm and hypocrisy.
That said, anything that comes from any our activist brigade that is not COMPREHENSIVELY denouncing of all unlawful protoganists in this big game of religion and caste politics really blows my top!! I would only hope that you would be above it.
Abot Reservations, I am strictly against them. I am in favor of Subsidies and Grants for the under/unprivileged sections to succeed but not for any reservations. My views are based on a live experiment that I have personally been witness to and which succeeded well.
I studied in Springdales School in Delhi.. one of the better high schools. Every year, well before the new session had to start for the 6 th std. our teachers would go to Govt. schools and scout for boys and girls who needed help and were good either in Academics or Sports or Arts. They were assimilated into our school in 2-3 special sections/classes for 3 years. Given free books, uniform and free Tuition... these kids were given education in all subjects with emphasis on English medium. In 9th we were all merged together. Believe me, unless we were told, it was tough to know who came from one of those 3 sections! And none of these kids needed to take advantage of any reservations.. . they usually were at the top of the class anyways!! And majority were from the SC/ST castes.
I am convinced that Affirmative Action makes a generation and a group very weak. I have YET to meet an African American (and I have worked with some of the top companies in the US) who has not complained about his being discriminated.. and very few, if any Asians or Indians who have done so!! A group which has all the privileges has no right to complain when those who come on temporary visas can not only survive but thrive in this very society!
It takes just one generation to change perceptions.. but Affirmative Action makes sure that such a generation is NEVER EVEN CONCEIVED!!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Divya: So while there has been no news coverage abroad of the banning of the Da Vinci Code in India, the media is full of stuff about Hindu fanatics banning Fanaa
Which media are you talking about, in fact what in the world are you talking divya? Sorry, consider me rude if you will, but you are not clear anywhere in your views on any comments you have made above.
The post mentions the deafening silence of Politicians in a society, whe it comes to voicing an opinion about contentious issues that could challenge their vote bank-however, I would like to raise the issue of the Media's role in such situations. Since I have been living in India for the last four years-I have found that the media does not always have the sense of responsibility that it should. Bar the Hindu, the journalism in the English language nationals is not only badly written, but the topics of choice seem to be quite bizarre. I have learnt more about Britney Spears in the last four years in India than I have about the issues of concern in the country. The front page either has a Bollywood star on it who has fallen off a bicycle and hurt herself or a criketer etc etc. The media has enormous responsibility in contributing to people's informed opinions in all societies. If you work in Public Affairs, or lobbying or any area which involves bringing about social change, it is vital to get the notice of the media.
I have not seen Fanna and I am not aware really of the furore surrounding its ban in Gujarat at the moment as I have been away for a month from India. However, I saw Raang De Basanti lately, which I'm sorry to say was a load of crap. How could anyone compare the freedom struggle to a bunch of students (one of whom never left the campus, and couldn't seem to be arsed to get a job)who decide not to use conventional means of protest in a democratic society, but shoot dead a corrupt politician, with a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ending. Come on. How can they even advocate such a lawless protest?. Perhaps I missed the point, but the point seems to have missed the reality of life today in the 21st Centuary. A society needs to impose rule of law, it needs to address inequality and it needs to define its own identity. India is going through such rapid change (and is not sure what it wants to be on the global map)-does it want to be another Thailand, or Taiwan, or China? Meaning, if we, in any society believe that Poiticians are the ones who will stand up and forgoe their own egos for a social consicence, we are totally deluding oursleves. Who is overturning political decisions in India today-the rural popluation. Who ousted the BJP, because their issues were not taken up at the political level-the rural population. They vote, they are informed, they go out and express their opinion. Not the middle classes, not the upper classes-im their comfort zone they're happy with the blossoming economy, the perks and the globalisation.
Workng in the area of development cooperation, I agree that sometimes affirmed action is necessary to challenge entrenched trains of thought, cultural traits etc-to bring about change.However, when you are dealing with issues such as Water shortage-leading to charging etc, a potential vote loser-its a difficult battle to fight. You have Politicos who are endorsing the construction of Amby Valley communities, but not addressing serious social issues.
Optomositically, whether we are aware of it or not-we all in some way, contribute to society in a socially conscience way, the disappointment in action being taken, is when we do not have the ability to put oursleves in others shoes from their perspective; to see how development can benefit and should benefit people who have not been given access or had the opportunity to develop economically, socially etc. NO-one ever seems to ask the people what they think. Politicians are trained to say nothing of any substance. Anyone who ever works with a Government knows this.
Kamal Nath, who spent most of the early 90s advocating environmentalism, was the key instigator in the Namada dam contract. Even today, when I hear him speak I cringe. I met him many years ago, when he gave a speech in the House of Commons on the environmental problems that India would face in the future. He was arrogant self-promoting and a hypocrite and remains so today.
Unfortunately, gone are the days where we have real idealistic Politicians who are prepared to stick their necks out and practice what they preach-and actually go into politics to help their consituents and local communities. Granted, you get the odd one-but India, in my opinion is a far way off from this.
The conclusion is that the populus in a democratic society is actually the most powerful-and through the media has the ability to make a difference. Let's hope more and more people start to believe this again.
I don't think personal attacks like Divya & Desh(in his blog too)is really justified. And i will say that who are we to ask Rahul or anyone else who is not into politics to act the way we want. For me, Rahul's movies are enough good work. Other than that, it's his decision of speaking on an issue whenever he wants.
We should only be concerned with what we ourselves are doing. Finding excuses to throw our negativities on others only tell me one thing that one needs cleansing of the mind.
So, i'll recommend Deepak Chopra's meditation thread. ; - )
Cheers, Rohit
Rohit:
I am not sure what you saw on my blog.. but I have not talked about this post or Rahul Bose on my blog. if at all there is a post on a different Rahul - Rahul Pandita! So at least pls. read the post before you do comment.
As far as criticism is concerned, I think it is a healthy and useful tool for all of us to be prodded into introspection. I have learnt and evolved a lot due to criticism that I received for different viewpoints I have had.
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Rohit - Just so you get your concepts clear, a personal attack is when someone only addresses the personality of a person. My comments were substantive in nature so your criticism is entirely invalid.
And to use your own brilliant logic - who are you to have any expectations of how I should respond to a post?
Kamini, the rang de basanti was totally a load of crap, I think there should have been a demonstration just on this crap but people made it a blockbuster, why?
And Divya, now I'm not the only one who came across with your comments as unsubstantive, so here you go ...,
Rahul/Divya:
Another thing I want to mention about Reservations and AAction is that
...Charity, per se, (irrespective of what you and I want to project) is a cover for the guilt of inability to pursue correct and direct action.
I will give money to an NGO as charity because I cannot go and do the "tough" and "thankless" work in a village myself. Isnt that true? At that level I am a hypocrite.
Now, Reservation is similarly a Charity that covers a greater guilt of our political class.. that of NOT providing free and equally good education to all levels.
Have you ever heard of Reservations in Switzerland?
The alternative to Reservations will be ACTION! Direct and unequivocal determination to educate EVERY Indian at the same level through publicly run schools! HAs that happened? Why not?
I have argued in my blog somewhere that reservations for OBCs and others in the IITs and IIMs will not beenfit them.. they will simply make IITs and IIMs less attractive. Enough private colleges - both from Indian entrepreneurs and special branches of the US/European Universities wil open up to take advantage of the hunger for education.. and very soon.. GOOD QUALITY education will be found ONLY in those institutions and it would be prohibitively expensive for even the deserving poor kids! And we will not have the control that we have on the IITs and IIMs!!
We will merely end up pushing up the Barriers to Entry!!
If you think this is fanciful thinking then all you need to do is ask your parents of the reputation of Calcutta University, Delhi University and Punjab University... and look at their reputation and usefulness today.. IIT/IIMs are where these Universities were 40-50 years back... with mindless political intervention these insitutions today tell a tale which will be very familiar to our kids for IIT/IIMs too!!
The poor kids.. well.. they will find it hard to pay for the private education just as they find it hard to pay for the NIITs and Aptechs to even get a semblance of a career!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishtikone.com
Hi Rahul,
Your post has highlighted a well-known fact that politicians have been selish and probably will remain so. They will try to use any oppurtunity so that they remain in power. But one thing which is very encouraging in recent times is the way common people have come together for public cause, be it the Jessica Lal murder case or the reservation issue. May be with increased media spotlight, people's consciousness has been awakened. But it pains to see how a much industrialised state of Gujrat inhabited by hard-working Gujratis is getting famous (notorious) for all the wrong reasons. I was expecting the common Gujrati people to come out in support of Fanna and challenge the political outfits. But nothing of that sort happened. May be our consciouness has awakened in certain areas only.
Gurpreet.
Desh - that is one pessimistic way to define charity! Why do you assume I want to pursue good and direct action? For all you know I just want to lie on my couch drinking beer all day long. But I might have thousands of dollars to pour into a charitable project at the same time. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Not all of us want to work in the trenches and spend time in godforsaken villages. To each his own.
Having said that, I want to clarify that I used the word “reservation” rather carelessly. I meant to say that there needs to be some form of affirmative action based on economic needs. Reservations are not good because, as you say, they compromise the standards of the institution. On top of that, the current system where benefits are based on religion is utterly ridiculous.
I think the next big thing the government of India needs to do is to provide basic education for all. Nehru did a good thing by making the IIT’s, but I sometimes wonder if he had focused on primary education instead of higher education, if India would be in a much, much better place, with much more social upliftment.
When we use our hearts and our minds in unison with others; we prevent the scattering of dust and sand.
When we use our boots, to pursuade, rather than perceptualize a concept of a view; we have only entered a twilight zone of going around and around-about.
I say, hearts and minds are better than boots.
I say this, because I am listening to one of my all-time fave CD's-Tragicly Hip-UP to Here CD, right now, listening to-New Orleans's is Sinking,
and who can be down, when listening to the UP, of the HIP? Next, a tribute to Lennox and Stewart, as I finish baking lemon-poppy seed muffins, and carrot muffins(for the rest of the month's treats!) lol
Sorry-took you all off-track there a minute; did you like it?(wink)
Just wanted to come in and say hello to Rahul Bose, "A Man Awake"
North
Reminder: Politicians are people-electorates. This ensures, they follow the wish's, desires and lawful intent of the majority of people; NOT the other way around, as current events reflect.
WE forget this very aspect of our elected officials; and somehow find ourselves again and again, facing the backbone scrutiny of the people, to topple the minority corrupt; even with rights and liberties.
Tragicly, somewhere in history, long past; political tyranny has re-surfaced plaguing the emotions of humans in a fight for evil and good; which one, will rule the next, one hundred years?
It is difficult to not want resolution, to all worldly mal-functioning political, and personal corrupted souls, as to kill and destroy other human beings for it.
How do we collectively, engage in cleaning such a bog of mud and swine?
Not with the sword of hand, but with the sword of truth.
North
Divya:
"Not all of us want to work in the trenches and spend time in godforsaken villages. To each his own."
That is exactly what I meant. I personally feel that the "Opportunity Cost" of Charity is Direct Action itself! Now, that is ok if the cost of Direct Action is too high for us.. but in case of the education system the Opportunity Cost to Reservation has been total absence of our emphasis on Basic, Free and Good Public Education!
THAT has a VERY high Opportunity Cost to pay. The politicians barter Reservations with the Poors' RIGHT to Free and BAsic Education - and the Poors find Instant Gratification and feel they are being taken care of!! Little realizing that they are paying a high cost for this political freebie!!
Freebies and Charity have made the already less-privileged into eternal Slavery of the Educated!
For the good of a few Opportunists amongst the SC/STs/OBCs who use the reservations.. we have (through through the magic wand called Reservations) slaved the rest of the majority of those castes forever!! Now, their kids and coming generations will believe, and for good reasons, that the ONLY way for them to succeed is when they are treated as special kids in special schools.. the challenged kids!!
If you think this is fanciful - believe me that is exactly the remark I heard from an African American consulting professional lady in a Big four with an MBA from a top 15 school in the US when asked for what she wanted from the Management as an employee "Be treated like a special kid in a special school" she remarked without batting an eyelid!! And her Manager - another African American - supported and backed her vehemently!!
Cheers,
Desh
Drishitkone.com
hi Desh,
I was talking about the kind of uncontrolled language which i saw here. So, i'm not indicating towards any particular post at your blog.
It's better to keep one's cool while presenting one's opinion. That's all i will say.
And Divya,
I'm not imposing anything or using strong language like you did. I just gave my opinion without losing my temper & that's completely different.
Cheers, Rohit
Rohit - I guess we have different standards of what is acceptable. You blithely talk of personal attacks and negativities as if this in itself is not a personal attack and negativity. Clearly you seem to think that your shit smells like roses. Then you go on to say something inane like Rahul's movies are sufficent good work - as if art and social work are in the same league! I will stop here and not dissect the sanctimoniousness in the rest of your post. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to stick to the issues being discussed unless things are really out of control. This has not been the case on this thread but I guess you need to go around the block a few times before you discover when use of the word "uncontrolled" is justified. Whatever. Peace.
You say , "You blithely talk of personal attacks and negativities as if this in itself is not a personal attack and negativity."
It's not negativity. It's just that truth hurts which you are calling my negativity. Pointing out negativity is never negativity.
Cheers, Rohit
Dear Rohit,
Seeing with clear awareness,
ah,
tis a great gift!
(in my opinion)
Negativity exists.
See it, but do not participate in it.
Love,
~ Kate
p.s.
just remember, everyone has an opinion, which is indicative of their own personal perspective.
p.s.s.
Thanks, Rahul for your post.
To walk without fear,
is indeed,
courageouness.
Love and Blessings to you.
"It's just that truth hurts which you are calling my negativity. Pointing out negativity is never negativity."
The Maharishi has spoken. I bow to your lotus feet. May you continue to savor the fragrance of your own shit.
Dear Kate,
Thanks for your sweet words.
And i am laughing out loudly, divya. ;- )
The last post in this thread.
Cheers & bye, Rohit
Dear Rohit, I was reading the comments and if I may... like to point out a few things. This not particularly for you but for anyone who believes or states what is justified and what is not in comments. I don’t say that your conclusions are wrong/right in your comments#35, #45 but I humbly say that your reasoning is not sound.
You said:
“I don't think personal attacks like Divya & Desh(in his blog too)is really justified.”comment#35
“I was talking about the kind of uncontrolled language which i saw here.” Comment#45
“I'm not imposing anything or using strong language like you did. I just gave my opinion without losing my temper & that's completely different” comment#45
So, does it mean that personal attacks can be justified if one doesn’t not use uncontrolled language or lose one’s temper? No
Or, using uncontrolled language or losing temper is in itself not justified?
“Imposing”, “losing temper” is subjective to how one perceives. If someone doesn’t use uncontrolled language (and so doesn’t lose his temper as you implied) and he/she can still be biased and personalize.
So,
personal attacks or personalization doesn’t mean uncontrolled language.
And controlled language doesn’t mean the absence of any personal attacks or personalization.
And uncontrolled language may not be losing temper.
And one can lose their temper and still can use controlled language and be blind to the ones own reasoning and conclusions.
To sum it up to criticize constructively one should use sound logic and reasoning.
“Pointing out negativity is never negativity.”
True, but if in the process one is negative with his reasoning then it is also negativity and the quoted/stated “negativity” may not be negative. Because, to say in terms of logic, Negation of a Proposition can be True or False.
Rohit - I checked out your link. Good stuff there. Maybe you can add a restaurant review tab or something (with archives for ready reference). I'm from Delhi too and am always at a loss for things to do when I visit. I usually just end up in places that I knew from 20 years ago. Now I know where to look for new ideas. I've been to the Heritage Center a couple of times. Great place.
Dear Waylay,
There is no end to it. ; - )
You can prove anything using logic. Logic is like a prostitute. ; - )
So, better leave it. I'm not so serious about all this.
And Divya,
Are you the same Divya or different person with same name ? ; - )
Anyway, thanks for the appreciation. Great to hear that you liked my work.
love, Rohit
Dear Rohit, I appreciate your opinion in not being serious. I am not serious too. I am being neutral and I hope you too are.
I am not proving anything personal or attacking personally if that was the kind of impression you got.
“You can prove anything using logic. Logic is like a prostitute.” ; - )
Sure but it is not “logic” but rather “bad logic”. You might have known countless examples yourself.
I appreciate your advice and I hope you would be consistent whether it be serious, neutral or light hearted and not to mix all the three in the line of reasoning. I believe you are a reasonable person and I hope you understand what I say.
Dear Waylay,
One can try to prove anything using logic. So, i don't want to go into it too much.
And Divya, thanks for the appreciation. I hope you are the same Divya. ;- )
Cheers, Rohit
Dear Rohit, I think you misunderstood me. I am not trying to PROVE anything personal here. I am expressing my humble opinions and observations.
"One can try to prove anything using logic."
I agree. But, only acceptable if it is sound in reasoning and true in the first place.
I am not trying to express that only your reasoning is faulty in this blog. But, since your previous comments you tried to be balanced in my opinion, I thought it is on apt to express my views. I hope you would agree and I respect your opinions.
Dear Waylay,
The second comment was posted when i didn't see the first comment here.
So, there was no need to reply again.
Something is wrong with intent blog. So, i request Admin to do something about comment posting issue as soon as possible.
And again waylay, you sound sensible. I liked your views. you are not aggressive in presenting them and only that matters to me.
Other than that, my effort was always to go beyond and i don't like to do psychoanalysis unnecessarily unless it takes you towards meditation finally. And in this case, i don't think there is much to ponder about. I presented my opinion to divya & desh...that was the end of it.
Cheers, Rohit
Dear Rohit, yes the comments take some time to get updated. I appreciate your reply and respect your intentions.
(Missed this addendum when I posted it earlier)
Dear Rohit, yes the comments take some time to get updated. I appreciate your reply and respect your intentions. But, as I said I don't agree with some of your statements and reasons.
Hi Waylay,
No problem! ; - )
I'm not perfect. I have my own flaws. So, let all disagreements remain on the periphery & dive deep into our inner core where all agreements/disagreements prove to be illusionary.
Cheers, Rohit
P.S. I'm like a child who says whatever comes in his mind at the moment so my comments are not my strong opinions but just a little play. ;- )
Hi No-Name, I have no idea why RDB was such a huge hit, considering it didn't have Shaadi in the title. Personally, I thought it was very immature and limited in its story-let alone patronising towards the Freedom Fighters.
Anyway, I have never been a fan of Amir Khan, I think he should grow up now and start acting his age-literally.
Perhaps the youth in India today were moved by the attempt the film made to show them that they should be passionate about their beliefs and convictions in life rather than apathetic-but then why did it take the grand-daughter of an ex colonialist to reignite this passion and remind them of who fought against the British Empire-for their justice and freedom?. This is what I couldn't fathom.
I think the subject of RDB is very enticing to all these directors but they seem ti have no answers other then to blow things up. I recall Shashi Nayar took up this subject and ended up blowing the parliament. What a total stupdity. If they are frustrated and don't see any lights then they ought to be given a message of hope and iilumination. Sure the politics is a dead end in our side of the world but you can't change the system with unconventional methods. When they blow things up they are actually showing the rejection of politics and politician, ultimately that is a rejection of life and human being. I don't know what purpose does it serve.
Shekhar (whom we have not seen here in a while) might give credit to mass advertising of the product which is Amir Khan and Rahman, for the success of RDB, and if he does, then I'm in agreement. But then again, our people always like to see things blowing up in flames, or the my way or the highway logic, so I don't know what was the reason behind the success of that movie. I have been dumbfounded ever since I have realized the bad messages of all bollywood flicks (well almost all).
Rohit - yes, I'm the same person. Did you put together the site or is it a generic google site. Is there a similar one for restaurants?
As for the posting problem, after you hit post, wait 10-15 seconds and hit the refresh button, even though it looks like that it is in the process of going through, and the post shows up. You can save it if its a particularly long post but so far I've never lost it.
Kamini - I loved RDB. I suppose when I was younger I had higher standards. Now all that I look for is that the movie should be entertaining, or at a minimum, hold one's attention. RDB did that, and I kind of liked that everyone dies in the end. I can relate to this mad idealism of youth and sometimes wonder how I am still alive. But you're right, AK looked old. And he desperately needs to get over his fascination for white women. It's quite pathetic that he works them into the story line in almost exactly the same way each time. Welcome back, btw.
Divya, you're sick, you know that right?
Rohit, don't worry about Divya's shitting all over, it is your perception of her which you yourself need adjusting. I disagree with her all over but she's not the type whom I wouldn't ask for water if I'm dying and she's the only one left. She'll see the light one day on her own.
Use Firefox and Intent in tabs, hit the Post button and move on to other tab, your post will eventually show up on its own. Though I have noticed they have enabled something recently which prevents duplicate posts, not sure. The site has grown beyond their expectations so we just need to adjust to it.
Divya, you're sick, you know that right?
Rohit, don't worry about Divya's shitting all over, it is your perception of her which you yourself need adjusting. I disagree with her all over but she's not the type whom I wouldn't ask for water if I'm dying and she's the only one left. She'll see the light one day on her own.
Use Firefox and Intent in tabs, hit the Post button and move on to other tab, your post will eventually show up on its own. Though I have noticed they have enabled something recently which prevents duplicate posts, not sure. The site has grown beyond their expectations so we just need to adjust to it.
Okay, I guess I was wrong about duplicate messages. :)
Okay, I guess I was wrong about duplicate messages. :)
Hi Divya,
This site is my hard work..hehe...don't give credit to google....although i am using many google services for the site but still it's my day & night work.
And Noname, i'm already using firefox. ; -)
Cheers, Rohit
Hi RAHUL
you write very well. Me thinks your future lies in politics
Hi Divya thanks for the welcome back sweetie! Yeah, been off and on Intent for the last month or so-on holiday!! :-)Hope to meet you in New York sometime in the next couple of months!
Alot of my friends loved RDB, and you're right AK has got some twisted fascination with white women-infact the whole of Bollywood has really. I wonder why?...that's the other thing, the image of western, white women in Bollywood is bizarre. I gave an example of a friend of mine from the UK (a few months ago on another post)who was offered an extra part in a Bollywood movie-dont know which one etc-but she was supposed to be one of the crowd in a Nightclub scene. Anwyay, her costume was basically a T-shirt-and when she asked where the rest of it was-she was told that was it. All the extras were white-and dressed extremely scantily. I don't know about others, but when I go to clubs in London, I don't wear just a T-shirt. I would get thrown out-or be sent to Spearmint Rhino (strip club in Soho, London-lol)
I see your point Divya, but then, I can't stand Tony Blair,along with millions of Brits, but I don't think the answer would be to go and kill him. I think the point is that there are ways and means of fighting for justice, and civil society is beginning to get more of a voice in most countries-and has more input into Government policies now. In India, civil society is extremely important-and we have seen many examples of where it has managed to overturn and bring to light and address several contentious issues. One that comes to mind is the NGO CSE, which highlighted contamination in aerated drinks (pestcides) such as Coca Cola. Violence against violence is never an answer.
Hi no-name, yeah there is alot of Bollywood crap out there-but then if you want light relief and entertainment-a Bollywood movie is a treat. I think most of the new directors today are trying to break out of the mainstream and be wild and modern-but they seem to be getting it wrong most of the time. Look at Salaam Namaste, interesting idea-but too puerile in its intepretation of the so called modern Indian youth! Let's face it, Indian also have sex, live together, take drugs etc etc-and are pretty wild, so much more sometimes than the western youth. What I have seen as an approach to marriage in modern day society in India, for example is quite disturbing-to some it doesn't seem to mean very much-copious affairs going on etc etc. Alot of hypocricy, but then there always has been in India-what do we expect with such a repressed society. Although we know now people aren't afraid to live life on their own terms in India today. Its changing. However, perhaps glossing over all this though film is not really honest.
I have to admit though why do we go to see a film-its escapism in most cases, the feel good factor-but sometimes it should be like looking in a mirror and reminding us what life actually is in reality, rather than how we would like it to be.
I just read what you have wriiten Rahul & it simply increases my admiration for you from just an actor to a person, however, i simply can't understand why we are so much against someone who tries to take a stand or atleast makes his/her voice heard! God Bless!
The protest on screening on any movie be it "Da Vinci Code" or "Fanna" is very sad, reason no not the so-called right to expression, but it provides a lot of publicity free of cost , and sometimes an average movie gets viewers to qualify as a hit, which would have sunk otherwise without leaving any mark.
As of the issue of reservation, I remember one thing as a student of first grade I had no clue about caste or religion till the sad assasination of Mrs. Gandhi and the subsequent gory and bloody anti-sikh riots.
I thought that I and many others like me survived the assault on our psyche, but that was not to happen and we had another fatal blow meeted out on us, in the form of Mandal reservations. It tore apart the national identity totally.
How I yearn that we can get back those days when we all had one Identity "INDIAN"............
Hi Rahul:
I liked your post and the subsequent clarification.
I am a big fan of Gandhiji and his principle of civil disobedience built on a platform of truth and non-violence.
What would have happened if the entire film industry had gotten behind Aamir Khan and supported him (assuming he was right in the first place)?
Secondly, I have always felt that the Indian ministers should be paid well. Very well in fact. Once they are paid well, they will not be tempted to be corrupt and will focus on issues that affect the country. (One of the reasons why there is little or no corruption in Singapore is because the ministers and civil servants are paid extremely well - as much if not more than those in the corporate sector.) In the absence of a high pay, an Indian minister will do (or not do) anything to retain his job as a minister so that he can earn by other means.
Suresh
Hi Rahul,
read your blog its great, I have some ideas that suit your style of movie making, send me a test mail on sajid_merchant@msn.com, I will send the ideas across - free
hi rahul,
read your blog its great, I some ideas which suit your movie making style, send me a test mail on sajid_merchant@msn.com, I will send them across - free
There has been lot of acrimonious exchange over this topic, I personally feel if you don't give much importance to anybody, thing , etc. the best reaction for that is silence or ignoring the same. If the someone is offended by someone's words or actions the best form of reaction is "Silence" , by protesting against "Fanna" people have given it the much needed steriod shot of free publicity. In Punjab "Da Vinci Code " has been banned , well why ban anything , if it is bad it will be rejected by all . After all , all bad/or should I say forbidden things are not banned in this world, then liquor and tobacco , should have been banned too, but they come with a statutory warning, :)
As of silence of the politicians , I have I strong objection with the attitude of blaming everything to the politicians, it seems to me as if calling the bread bad, and forgetting that the quality of flour too has a role to play. Here , we the people are flour from which the bread that is politicians are derived, so I feel there must have been some serious degradation in the quality of this general flour that the bread turns out to be so bad...
Give it a thought...
Ispita Saha
Rahul,
I do apperciate your social conscience because very few Indian film artists have such conscience and awareness for political and social pheres of life. You have rightly commentated about boycott of Fanaa and raised the issue of reservation which has plauged Indian society.
Great
Regards,
Nawraj
Kathmandu, Nepal
Reservation of India reminded me to talk about my own country. Kathmandu has the largest density of NGOs in the world. Don't they help steer rural development?
They are part of the problem; they have their own agenda. They have become what we call conflict entrepreneurs — the more the conflict, the more they gain. You know, for the first time separatist tendencies have emerged in Nepal — among the Terai people, Mythilis and Kirat tribes. Then we have this Maoist problem. This is our weakest period. These NGOs have been creating an ethnic empowerment sentiment which encourages separatist tendencies.
Nawraj Bhattarai
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Nawraj Bhattarai commented on Deafening Silence
Reservation of India reminded me to talk about
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Nawraj Bhattarai commented on Deafening Silence
Rahul,
I do apperciate your social cons
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ispita commented on Deafening Silence
There has been lot of acrimonious exchan -
sajid commented on Deafening Silence
hi rahul,
read your blog its great, I s
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sajid commented on Deafening Silence
Hi Rahul,
read your blog its great, I h
No question about the deafening silence and hypocricy. I will grant you that. But alas, you reek of the same. Your silence on the ban of The Da Vinci Code in some states in India blows eardrums. This is equally topical and would have gone a long way to balance your piece and perhaps even lent you some semblance of credibility.
What's worse is how you carefully abstain from revealing your stance on the reservations issue. And blithely proceed to slam the politicians for the very same issue in the very same breath. I guess you were too busy fiddling to notice this glaring discrepancey in your piece.