BOOKS VINDICATING NARENDRA MODI

                               

There could be no time more opportune than the present for the BJP Prime Ministerial prospect, Narendra Modi as two authentic books have just hit the stalls demolishing a thick mist being created by his known critics to malign him. The first book is “ Narendra Modi : A Political Biography” by a British author named Andy Marino. The 310-page book has been published by the Harper Collins. The second book entitled “Modi, Muslim and Media: Voices from Narendra Modi’s Gujarat”, is authored  by Madhu Kishwar.

Marino, who came from England, studied in depth the available materials to arrive at a conclusion how and why he was targeted and  made to be a communalist. He also had some personal interviews and occasions to interact on board of planes/choppers in transit. It is not possible to talk in detail in this brief post. He has mentioned that Modi was highly shocked over the Godhra riots and  decided to resign. However the party leaders both in the state as well as in the centre, who were aware of two facts – Modi’s non-involvement and his excellent organizational qualities, convinced him to retrace his steps. At no juncture he found any solid proof challenging his innocence. Moreover he has indicated foreign hands to malign him for obvious reasons.

The second book, replete with authentic facts, figures and interviews is a masterpiece on the subject. Without touching development, law and order etc with which Modi is credited, I shall refer to only situations of the riot and the likely elements which aggravated the unfortunate issue. In the wake of Keshubhai’s ineffective governance and discontentment prevailing in the public, the Congress was over optimistic to return to power. To stem the rot, the party High command dispatched Modi to Ahmedabad in Oct 2001. Immediately after that as a bolt from the blue, the devastating earthquake struck district Bhuj. Modi rushed to the scene, camped there and showed an unprecedented organizational endeavour to provide relief and rehabilitate for the victims.

This example made Modi immediately a capable man of crisis. Even the minorities in Bhuj started veering round him. According to Ms Kishwar, a Congress leader, named Sareswala  is on the record to have expressed that if this man continued as the CM, for a long time the future of Congress will be bleak.The Congress was demoralized as if lightning had struck it. To the misfortune of the state and happiness of such elements, Godhra incident occurred. The author has flatly alleged that this section of people encashed it as an effective handle to beat Modi, so that he could not stand up. Today his critics charge that modi delayed to call in the army so that the minorities could be taught a lesson. The fact,  according to the author is, when the incident peaked on Feb 28, 2002 Modi took army help on the next day viz March 1, hardly twentyfour hours. On the other hand, the Assam CM had engaged army after four days and Rajib Gandhi after two days in 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

The author says that no politician has been so much intentionally chastised and subjected to a number of enquiries without any holding him guilty. Despite a clean chit from the SC is it pardonable still to call him a killer, enemy of minorities and divider of the society? What I feel, it is to the credit of Modi that even in a  known riot prone Gujarat,there has been none for last 12 years. Such critics should express their right reaction on the Supreme Court’s adverse comment on Mar 26 holding the SP Govt in UP responsible for allowing the Muzaffarnagar riots to deteriorate.        

HAR-HAR MODI

                                               

Har-Har Modi, ghar-ghar Modi, whoever coined this catchy slogan, defifinitely disturbed the non-BJP political parties, led by the Congress. However, none had the courage to go public to oppose this electoral slogan.  Ultimately some Congress leaders, said to be close to Swami Swaroopanandji Maharaj, the Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth convinced him to issue a statement calling the slogan militating against Hindu faith. He not only did so, but also vented his feeling to the RSS Sarsanghchalak, Sh. Mohan Bhagwat who assured to look into. The Swami was thus assuaged. But the matter did not cool down there.

The BJP explained that it was not the official slogan but something done by the party enthusiasts. Sh Sushil Modi, leader of the Bihar BJP explained that this outburst of the Swami could be understood as his pro-Congress leanings were an open secret. Sh Rajnath Singh BJP President also explained that instead of the slogan in question, the official one is ‘abki bar Modi sarkar’. On the other hand, the prospective BJP PM candidate, Sh Modi quite amicably appealed to his campaigners to avoid this call so that the electoral environment was not vitiated. Accordingly, the loyal BJP soldiers appear to play down the issue accordingly which augurs well for the Indian democracy. Sh Digvijay Singh who took a very objectionable notice of the slogan should recall the call, ‘Indira is India and India is Indira.

But the lingering question very much doubts the veracity of the renowned seer. Is he an authorized philologist to give a last definition of a Hindi/Sanskrit word? Can he take guarantee that the disputable word means Mahadev only. Even a non-Hindi speaker like the Chief Minister of Goa rightly maintained that Har means each one and not the deity one tries to establish. The word Har can be translated only by words like each in English and ‘pratyek’ In Hindi. Moreover, the vernacular grammar says that since several words denote several meanings and therefore the right meaning should be determined after seeing the situation. Poet Vrind in a couplet says that this decision is essential. The word ‘saindhav, has two meanings – horse and salt. So if somebody taking food asks for saindhav, will it be wise to produce a horse before him? We respect you Swamiji but also wish you to be reasonable in such tricky situations.   

EMPOWERING DEPRIVED WOMEN

                               

On March 20, 2014 an interactive workshop with the local NGOs was hosted by the New Delhi Christian Young men’s Association in its auditorium. The topic was income generation programmes for women and youth. Some forty delegates drawn from 30 local NGOs took part in the day-long deliberations. I feel  privileged for the invitation to attend as a representative of Sulabh. All the delegates threw light on their different products prepared by the self-help groups. Some of them had a success story to share with the participants. However, most of them complained the lack of market. As a result unsold commodities, instead of bringing any earning, prove to be a liability. This often dampens the morale of the poor producing lot.

On the other hand, Sh Bageshwar Jha narrated a new Sulabh experiment before the delegates. He said that the Sulabh is running an English medium public school where the wards of liberated scavengers are getting free education. They are also given vocational training so that they could be economically self-reliant. So far there have been 8,000 beneficiaries who are either employed or running their own shops and showrooms.

Similarly, when we introduced two-pit-pour-flush compost Sulabh toilet technololy to eradicate scavenging, we found that the involved ladies became jobless. So a self-help group named Nai Disha was launched in Alwar (Rajasthan) for the local Valmiki ladies. They were made literate and given vocational training. To sustain them while under probation we gave them Rs 2,000 each per month as a stipend. Similar campaign was launched in a neighbouring district of Tonk. The products made by them like papar, bari, achar, dalmot etc and embroidered cloths are easily marketed locally, fetching added earning. 250 scavengers of Alwar and 280 of Tonk with this honourable living have become a proud constituent of the mainstream without any agitation. Today even the uppercaste people mix with them and invite in social functions. So far with the Sulabh’s campaign 1,20,000 scavengers have been liberated from the mean profession.

Another Sulabh initiative is aimed at wiping the slur on our culture through the utter neglect of widows thrown out by their own kith and kin and leading a wretched life in pilgrimages like Vrindavan and Varanasi. We also gave the stipend of Rs 2,000 per month and provided medical facilities, TV, fridge, gas ovens, ambulance, specs etc so that they could live happily. Sulabh also arranged for the honourable last rites for their dead bodies which earlier were ill treated. Thus 550 widows of Vrindavan and 150 0f Varanasi are enjoying these facilities. Now they are also being trained to produce and market household goods so that they become a creative part of the society. In last 5,000 years of our civilisation nobody ever cared for these pitiable human beings.

Sulabh never goes back from such commitments. Recently we started giving the same amount of monthly stipend to 400 ladies of six villages around the Kedarnath shrine who lost their husbands in last years devastating floods. They are also undergoing training in handicrafts to earn additional income.

It is just a beaconlight, said Shri Jha and wished others including governments to get inspired.

POLITICISING THE MARKET

                                               

In democracy, since there is freedom of expression, people are free to use any legal method to publicise their views and political ideologies. Whether it is a corporate house or a political party, the product or thought is associated with a celebrity or something very much in currency. During 1960s, in India in general and West Bengal in particular, sarees, bangles, readymade blouses and other such items were being named after leading popular  filmi heroes or blockbuster movies. Even superstars of Bllywood were not only called in to election campaigns but also offered tickets to try luck at the hustings.

With the advent of the 20^th century, the trend has changed drastically. Instead of cinema actors, now popular political leaders are themselves in demand. Even the markets have come forward to encash this new avenue. They are bringing items of daily use in the market, named after political leaders, high in the public estimation. About a couple of years ago, in Patna, on the eve of Diwali and Holi, ‘pichkaris’ and crackers in the pavement stalls were displaying names of political heavyweights. Some crackers were marketed bearing names of Nitish and Lalu. Once Lalu joked, while Lalu crackers produced deafening sound, Nitish crackers just fused and became dumb.

On the occasion of the impending General Election, this propaganda appears to have gained a new height. For last one year, Modi and Rahul face- masks are seen in a large number in the crowd. Even the supporters of Anna and AAP are putting on white Gandhi caps with some identifying literature. Modi- half sleeve kurta is also emerging as a new fashion statement like JP-cut ‘bandi’. His abbreviated name, NaMo is also getting wide currency. For that matter, RaGa for Rahul could not match its counterpart.

To cap these all, even in the ‘satta-bazar, the stake holders are betting on these leading PM prospects. However, the NaMo rate is reported to be higher. To cap these all, according to a TV channel news, a particular hotel is serving thalis named after them. While Raga thali costs Rs. 90/-, the NaMo thali is available on a higher price of Rs. 120/-. Is not it an interesting trend in Indian politics?            

MALE AND FEMALE MIND

                                               

Are the minds of men and women different ? This question has been baffling me for long. Long back I had read in a psychology book that they are different and this difference ensues since conception. The writer had advanced a premise that even at the stage of embryo, the mind of the girl starts growing larger than her  gender counterpart. This theory envisages that due to larger brain/head size, often the expectant has to deliver a baby child caesarean. She goes on maintaining her mental superiority till the age of 11 years or so. After that due to more exposure outside, the male child not only  catches  but also surpasses her. Moreover, difference in anatomy and due to gender bias, aggravated by social norms, the girl has to struggle with obvious limitations, conceding the space to the male child.

Acharya Rajnish, known for his in- depth original thinking, had something very interesting to reveal. He strongly believed that the Creator had calculatedly made both sexes diametrically separate so much so that both have different approaches to all issues in personal and the life otherwise. So, he strongly debunks the argument of both being similar in thinking. Going further, he says, as a result of this inherent dichotomy, differences of opinion and even scuffles between husband and wife are very natural. According to him, the couple may not have any difference in only one condition in which either the wife is manly or the husband is feminine. Since he did not spare any side, so despite hinging on being controversial, he was not challenged.

Meanwhile, a British research team has advanced some new theories after a prolonged study of the minds of both sexes. Their finding, though claimed to be pathbreaking, to me, it appears akin to the stand explained earlier. They maintain that there is nothing like both minds being different. Mentally, both sexes are similar. The differences come with the exposure and experiences which may be true in either cases. Since it is a debatable subject, still unanswered conclusively, I leave the readers with the view of Jeffery Sugenides, “Biology gives you a brain, life turns it into a mind”.  

WHOM TO VOTE AND WHY

                                               

The next General Election to constitute the fresh Parliament is round the corner and the entire country is dancing to the tunes of the cacophony of the high pitched electoral campaigns of all stakeholders. Every political party is trumpeting its real or claimed achievements and leading the gullible electorae  to the garden- path by assuring to bring the moon. This common scenario since the first national franchise in 1952, continues unabated as the voters ignore to chastise their elected representatives to behave  in the House.

As a result of this loose rope, the MPs have started going berserk whether participating in an important debate or contacting their voters in the field. On March 8, 2014 I saw a detailed report in a Hindi daily of Delhi on lost hours of the outgoing Parliament and mind boggling figures of monetary loss to the public exchequer. These figures can cause a deep concern to any responsible citizen but the legislators care a fig for that. Still they will appreciate parliament’s supremacy and contest election to return to the House to continue their hooliganism.

Occasional disturbances in the proceedings on highly disputed issues are  not uncommon in any democracy. But the consecutive stoppage of proceedings through uproarious scenes, hamstringing the functioning, is something  very  deplorable and unfortunately it has become a common and regular handiwork of the opposition. For this sad scene, it would be wrong to name a particular political party. None has a record of eschewing this undemocratic weopon to harass the Govt. It all started during the Vajpayi regime when the Congress made scenes in the well of the House or just staged walk-outs when the then Defence Minister, George Fernandes rose to address. This continued for a long period, causing problems for the managers of the floor management. Stung by that, the main opposition(BJP) has been paying the congress in the same coin in the present House. As a result, the nation, ultimately suffers.

This trend does not augur well for the biggest democracy of the world. Added failures on the law and order front , people reasonably doubt, India is heading to a banana republic. Our hard won freedom is in jeopardy at the hands of dishonest and irresponsible politicians. None else, only the voters can teach them a right lesson. When any candidate approaches them for vote, they should force him to take a vow not to disturb the proceedings of the temple of democracy and highlight their arguments only through participation in healthy debates. Personally I am sad that no such demand has surfaced so far. It is my humble request to every voter to pressurize their representatives to behave as a real democrat in the Lok Sabha and for that matter in the Upper House as well.

BIHAR'S CONTRIBUTION TO INDIAN ART

                                               

As a great initiative, the Patna Museum and the Department of Art, Culture & Youth, Govt of Bihar, organized a 3-day (Feb 28 – March 2, 2014) National Seminar in the museum auditorium on the theme, “Contribution of Bihar in the art of India”. As many as 45 scholars comprising historians, archaeologists, museum professionals and research scholars presented their thematic research papers. The inaugural function was graced by some eminent academicians like Dr Ramvachan Rai, Shri Alok Dhanva, Dr H.K. Prasad, Dr C.P.Sinha, Dr Prwez Akhtar and Dr U.C. Dwivedi. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari of Banaras. Basically referring to the archaeological artefacts, he viewed that the country should be oblized to Bihar for reviving the image making of the Indus Valley people after a gap of 1,500 years. The stone statues of the Mauryan period including the famous Didarganj Yakshini, are world famous for their finesse and undiminishing polish.

The other presenters touched upon other aspects of arts like Mthila painting, sujini making, manjusha , sikki pots, Bidri wares, muslins, philosophy, archaeological teasuretroves, literature and many such other achievements of ancient Bihar. Dr Satyendra Jha, talked about the fortification wall of Rajgir, the capital of Jarasandh and claimed it as a pioneer work. Dr Anamika Pathak, while talking about Mithila painting, revealed that there is a Mithila Museum in Japan with over a thousand painting on display. Bageshwar jha tracing the history of paan, said that it came to the earth with Bhagwan Dhanvantari after the churning of ocean by Devas and Danavas. Giving details of different aspects of this pristine vine, he saw a great prospect of earning foreign exchange by exporting paan if its cultivation, processing and preservation undergo latest technological aids.

The hosts assured that all the research papers will be included in a book, slated to be published within three months. I feel privileged not because of just being a Bihari, but even the scholars from other parts of the country were surprised to get introduced to the  breathtaking hoary heritages of Bihar.