Democratic Patriotism : A Need of the Hour

I have been meaning to write these lines for some time now. Took some time off today and had to pen them down after the unfortunate death of Captain Pawan Kumar. The original lines are in Hindustani. I have tried my best to translate into English without missing the spirit of the same. 

Sheher Mein Abhi, Ik Janaaze Ka Zikr Khatm Nahi Hua Tha,

Ki Udhar Sarhad Pe, Ek Aur Jawan Shaheed Hogaya.

Ki Jaise Aadat Si Pad Gayi Ho Hamein Janaazo Ki,

Kya Wajah Hai , Yun Muskuraatein Shaheed Hojane Ki.

Aakhir Yeh Kaisa Junoon Hai, Joh Sar Chad Ke Bolta Hai,

Bhikarti Huvi ‘Democracy’ ko , ‘Guard of Honour’ Deta Hai.

Yeh Ajeeb Dastaan Hai, Iss Mulk Ke Logo Ki,

Watan Ke Naam Par Marne Walo Ki Koi Kami Toh Na Thi,

Ussi Ke Naam Par Maarna Bhi Seekh Liya,

Haan yeh Alag Baat Hai, Ki Jiske Lahuu Ki Pyaas Hai Is Dafa,

Woh Koi Aur Nahi,Woh Mera Hi Hum Watan Hai… !!

Woh Koi Aur Nahi,Woh Mera Hi Hum Watan Hai… !!

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Translation :

The city was yet to concede the loss in the just concluded funeral,

That It was informed of the news of yet another martyr.

It’s, as if, we have given into the habit of welcoming funerals,

For how could one accept martyrdom with a beaming smile.

Yet I fail to understand this Passion, that He Exudes,

In protecting this failing democracy, that he Salutes.

Irony is the word, when I describe the story of this People,

For there was no dearth of people, who were ready to die in the name of this nation,

And then came those, who learned to kill in Her name.

Today, they are bloodthirsty, once again,

Alas ! but for this time, the blood is non other than my Own.

For they seek not an alien, but a countryman of my own.

For they seek not an alien, but a countryman of my own.

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As these are the times of debating patriotism and defining the same. Here’s my take.

“ Being a Patriot may mean many different things to different people but a democratic patriot is one who performs one’s own duties, one who exercises one’s own rights without undermining the rights of others “

As the discourse today moves, to define people and identify them, by the opinions they hold, as leftist, rightist, centrist, and separatist and much more, we must take a minute and examine the rich diversity of this country, a People diverse not just in caste, class, sex, religion, ethnicity, language but also in the social, economic and cultural dimensions.

Over six decades ago, we all accepted to stay together, with the spirit of Unity in Diversity. This was by no means, by virtue of divine providence, but by virtue of the Constitution of India and thus, a Nation was born.

After 6 decades of independence, there may come moments of elation when the whole country should celebrate together, and yet, there would be some part of this country, that cannot celebrate or cannot afford to celebrate or refuses to celebrate. It could be the tribal people in the forests of Chhattisgarh or the dying peasants of Maharashtra or the disillusioned people of Jammu & Kashmir for all different reasons, reasons that are genuine and need attention.

It is in those times, that the country needs to reach out to those, who cannot celebrate or worst who refuse to celebrate. Giving a voice to the disillusioned, to the powerless, and silently listening to the grievances does not make us, as a Nation, Weak , but only Strong, for we learn the cause of disaffection, for we learn our mistakes and we grow more strong. A Nation is as organic as a Living Creature, which fails to stay healthy, if a part of it suffers or worst goes rogue. Therefore, the need for the entire country, to stand by those, in distress,not just in letter but in spirit. 

A famous Telugu Poet Shri. Gurujada AppaRao said and I quote

 “ Deshamante Matti Kadoi, Deshamante Manushuloi “

which means  “A country is not a heap of Soil rather it’s ‘The People’.”

When we respect our countrymen, when we reach out to the disillusioned, when we listen to the disgruntled , we uphold Patriotism and not become Anti-National.When we fail to listen to our own people , we fail Democracy, we fail Patriotism, we fail as a Nation. After all it is We, The People, that matter and nothing else.

I don't know, if the slogans against India, should be treated as anti-national or not, but I can say one thing for sure, that for a cricket-loving nation like ours , Sledging was Never an issue and should not be one. Perhaps , we could emulate the legendary Sachin Tendulkar , in Smiling back when hurled abuses at and respond with the best thing he was known for. The Smile becomes all the more necessary, when the criticism is from our own team mate.

In any case , for all those who feel worried that the Slogans could break this country. Here’s some relief. If this country was so fragile that it would break off at mere sloganeering, by a fringe mob, then our friendly neighbourhood would not have invested billions on the nuclear bombs, in aspiring for the same.

Desperate Times Call for Sanguine Measures

Over the last three weeks, a series of incidents have happened which may seem unconnected to each other but they still have a common and central question or rather questions to all of us Indians. As a progressive nation and as an age-old civilisation, a rhetorical idea that we proudly proclaim, it is high time we ask questions and that we introspect whether we are living up to the expectations of this Great Nation or for that matter whether we are living up to the expectations as Human Beings.

            As social beings, it is necessary for us, that we ponder about the happenings around us, that we question and fight to correct if something indeed has gone wrong with our society. It's time we ask ourselves if we have become ‘Insensitive’ to our fellow beings, our neighbours, to their pain and distress. Has our Education system and the Society, with its Core value system, failed our children and youth alike? Has Materialistic tendencies and Consumerism eaten away the much needed values and morality for the healthy progress of our society? Are we moving One step ahead and two steps backwards?

            It is with these questions that I point out four incidents that shook my conscience in varied ways and impelled me to speak out.

            The first incident is that of the Death, wait ? No .., A Public Suicide of a distressed farmer in broad daylight while the Chief Minister of the State watched the fiasco from a decorated stage. Nobody would have expected what Gajendra Singh, the farmer, was up to, when he climbed the tree during a political rally to publicly hang himself, as such scenes are common across India where people climb roof tops and trees to get a glimpse of their beloved leaders. However, it is the sheer audacity of a man to take his life in broad daylight while vast sections of People, Politicians, Media and Police watched the episode unfold as mute spectators , which forces one to question whether we have lost our Moral Conscience which is pained when a fellow human being is in pain. The continuation of the political rally in spite of the Public Suicide of a farmer and the political mudslinging that followed is indeed shocking and depressing. One is not singling out the political fraternity alone rather the question goes to the people of this country. Has our Conscience become numb?

            The Second Incident that followed came from a neighbouring country that is reeling under a devastating earthquake and its after effects. The dramatics and the rush for the tag “ First On Your Channel “ that made the Indian broadcast media cross every line of ethical journalism, culminating in an outrage by the Nepalese citizens to ask the Indian Media to Go Back, who, otherwise were grateful to the tireless efforts of Indian Government’s agencies in helping out Nepal in the hour of distress and chaos.

            The broadcast media’s jingoistic attitude complemented by the most unwarranted and unethical questions to the victims and in the process pushing them to break down who were already broken from inside makes one feel ashamed of an otherwise respectable Social Institution called Media. Have we forgotten our professional ethics and Institutional values, or in broader terms our social morality, which teaches us to help selflessly and not expect anything in return. One asks if a journalist should cover a disaster in the interests of an organization for which he/she works or in the interests of the profession to which he/she belongs whose aims are much broader than the narrow interests of a commercial organisation, or in the interests of Humanity, in general, which subsumes all other interests. Should we not behave as Human Beings first when the situation demands?

            The Third incident that created a furore is the conviction of actor Salman Khan and the reactions that followed on the various media platforms from a vast section of society. The remarks of a renowned singer about the people sleeping on pavements and his implied assertion that such people do not have the right to justice when harmed by a celebrity driving under the influence of alcohol as they were sleeping at the wrong place, makes one feel, if the aspects of Pain and Happiness are a Universal phenomenon or if they are privileged rights of a few. Thus implying, while Pain and Suffering are the privilege of The Have Nots, Happiness is a privilege of a selected few Haves.

The remarks of the singer categorically suggest that the value and dignity of life varies from person to person and that it is determined by the achievements of the person and not for being a Human Being in the First place. Although the remarks generated an outcry in social media, one is saddened to acknowledge that we are living in times where “ the value for a Human being for being Human “ is degrading and that the achievements and social status matter more than “ Being Human”.

The Fourth Incident and the one, which disturbed and provoked me to write this piece comes from my Home state and from the city of Hyderabad. A friendly fistfight, which sounds utterly oxymoronic, took place between two college students involving placing of bets had led to the death, correction Instant Death of one Nabeel Ahmed who was just 17 years old. The appallingly shocking video, which was taken during the fight, which lasted just over a minute, showed how the youngster collapsed in a matter of seconds. The video broke me and I kept on thinking, how could two grown-ups indulge in such a brutal and seemingly stupid and mindless act that led to the loss of a precious life. One is deeply hurt and disappointed with the values that our children and youth are being brought up with. The values that they learn from family, school, college, friends, society, Television, Bollywood, Internet and so on and so forth.

Although this may be a one off incident, I am particular about it and I for once, want to ask why even a single death should occur in the manner it occurred. I am not for generalising this trend but the four incidents had one question in common. With a direct or an indirect reference, all the four incidents question our "Growing Insensitivity" towards fellow human beings.This gross insensitivity will multiply when a New Generation takes a cue from us and applies in its own life and in its own era.

We have to stop this Evil within us before it corrupts our body and soul. Before we claim of being a SuperPower , and an economic and military Giant, we have to reclaim our status as a “Peace Loving Nation”  both internal and external. I have used the term Peace in its broadest sense to mean the well being of myself and my fellow beings. What good can be such an education and economic prosperity to a person, who fails to respect life of his and of others and who values Lives Unequally.

Before we move ahead on such a path of progress we must stop, think and introspect if we really want to move ahead and create a society which does not Value Equally, its Organic Entities i.e., Human Beings.

Our Education system may only be a formal victim of the charges for not providing moral and value-based education, but it is to be remembered that we and our children are not products of our schools and colleges rather the products of our society , of our families and hence the Course Correction has to begin with me and my family. The inculcation of values has to start from our Homes for a better society and for a better tomorrow.

We may not adhere to the biblical principle “ Love thy neighbour as thyself “ in word and spirit, but we could at least show concern and courtesy to our fellow beings for their “being human”.

The Facebook Netizen

An attempt to picture the changes in our behaviour with the onslaught of the Phenomenon called Social Networking !!

Dedicated to the Stupid Common Man on Facebook :-)

I start my day with a Good Morning,

I ' Check-In ' the place I drop in !!

I ' Tag ' my friends who drive along,

I convey my feeling via an Emoticon !!

I like a picture here and there,

And I do comment with due Flair !!

My views on Politics are far too strong,

I post and argue all day long !!

I rejoice the victory of my Favourite Team,

I paint my page Saffron, White and Green !!

I am pained by a disaster, a mishap, a crisis ,

That I blame the state alone for all the losses. !!

I am so Information hungry and yes my memory is short lived,

Coz I forget yesterday’s story and look for the news Breaking-in-BOLD !!

Don’t Question my religion, my community or Faith,

Rest Assured, you will be Trolled and face the Wrath.!!

I am not a Voltaire to tolerate your non-sense,

Coz I feel ,I am the only one who often makes sense.!!

I have so many questions to the world,

That I forgot to INTROSPECT. !!

Every day I look for answers ,

But find none that commands my respect. !!

My Curiosities , My Stupidities,

My Expectations, My Frustrations,

All will be found on my Wall,

Coz I share more virtually and less personally. !!

I forgot the beauty of an in-person conversation !!

I live more in my thoughts and exist on the Web !!

You may wonder who I am ,

I am the long forgotten Homosapien,

I am the New Facebook Netizen. !!

Yours truly,

Shravan

Outcry of a Citizen

It’s June 13^th 2014, Friday morning 9:10 AM, Delhi just began its day after an overnight rain that silenced the heat wave of the past two weeks.

It’s still drizzling and I hear an emergency siren of a vehicle and then take a glance at it, turns out to be a Fire service vehicle. My first reaction to self, how an earth could something go wrong on such a pleasant morning. But something did go wrong and the Delhi fire service vehicle was in a hurry. I was behind the vehicle, which was struggling to find its way and the address of the place of mishap. They don’t have a GPS unlike the developed countries, I told to myself and even if they did have one, it would not have helped much, courtesy the chaotic lanes running in all directions.

It moves further ahead and finds itself stuck on the road because someone has left his / her car parked in middle of the road. It’s a narrow two-way lane and one way was already blocked with the fire service vehicle moving in the opposite direction. I was right behind the vehicle cribbing about the way people misuse the roads and pavements (which are hard to distinguish). It’s a residential area and the owner of the car might not even be aware that the car has created a traffic jam. It’s a common thing that I get to see every morning and evening in old rajender nagar, New Delhi, but today was something different. There is a fire mishap, which needs urgent attention, and even seconds were important to save the lives of people, the place and stop the fire from spreading further.

I was not surprised that the fire service employees did not call any authority to complain and penalize the car owner, because, firstly they come across so many such illegitimately parked vehicles on a daily basis and secondly it was important for them to address the priority at hand. But still I felt they should have forwarded the complaint to someone to tow the vehicle away. The driver of the fire service Dept. deftly moved past the car but it took more than 10 minutes while a long trail of vehicles including an ambulance waited for its way. I only wished that the ambulance was not addressing any one else and was part of the fire services crew. The fire services would have reached 10 min ahead if not for the Jam and I only prayed that the delay did not lead to any casualty, which could have been avoided.

Sadly even after the entire episode, the driver of the car was not seen and perhaps didn’t even know that all this happened by a careless action of his / her.

We all care for our dear ones. How would we respond when our own house is burning in front of our eyes and our kith and kin caught in the fire while the fire extinguisher / ambulance arrives late because a literate but uneducated and irresponsible fellow citizen blocked the way of the fire service vehicle.

Should we feel outraged? I would say No; we don’t have the right to be outraged, because we are part of this problem.

These acts of audacity happen because we allow them to happen.

Many of us blame the Government, authorities for any mishap / accidents because its easy to blame, because, we don’t want to think about the problem and its causes. All we would want to do is give our opinion on the subject, generic statements like “Government should ensure that there is a proper system in place”.

Would such so called system run independently without support from Citizenry? I highly doubt that.

Sure, Government is the one which makes law, demands tax to provide services back but does that mean we all should wait till the Government arrives while a family burns or some one dies because of the sheer negligence of someone who does not have the brains to think of the implications of his / her actions. 

How many of us really work towards being better citizens and towards a better society. Do we apply our civic sense in each and every step of our daily life? If we question ourselves honestly, the answer will be a big NO. Assuming we are citizens with civic sense and then what? What next?

Do we ever question someone who is not applying his / her civic sense. Why shouldn’t we stop someone from violating a rule / law. ? Can we not confront someone by standing up for the right thing?

Two weeks ago, a lady conductor was stripped on the bus by a miscreant near Mumbai. Her only mistake was to ask the passenger to stop abusing an elderly bus driver. The miscreant kicks her, drags her outside the bus, and strips her while everyone watches a Grand Indian Tamasha. Should the people in the bus wait for the Police to come and protect the woman? Wasn’t it necessary for people to stand up and ask the miscreant to not abuse the driver in the first place? None could stop this. But when things blew out of proportion and the lady was man handled, shouldn’t our modesty be outraged and not just the conductor’s, Should we not take things (doesn’t mean Law) into our hands when something goes wrong in our presence? Why not prevent a mishap instead of waiting for the authorities to cure the same. ?

These mistakes of our fellow citizens go unnoticed and unpunished everyday in every city / town of our country. We would not even bother to suggest someone who is blocking the road, not to do so. We care for nothing when someone barges into an already established queue. We feel annoyed, disgusted and perhaps frustrated with our fellow citizen’s attitude but we would not go and explain the inconvenience being caused. We would not, because we are afraid to speak up The Right Thing, we are afraid to be tagged as A Good Samaritan, A Sathyawadi, we are afraid to be tagged as a Gandhi, We are scared to be dubbed as someone who does Social Service Voluntarily.

The highlighted words are the awards that a citizen receives, perhaps as taunts from friends / family/ fellow citizens when he / she is being civic or teaches some one to be civic.

As a matter of fact we run away from the good things because they stand out. They are exceptional. We don’t want to be looked upon as an exception in a society which has become used to bullying, abuse and hooliganism and if I can put it this way, all we want is to be a Normal / Average Indian, who doesn’t question till it’s his / her problem and sometimes not even do so instead keep sulking and cribbing about the society.

Most of us might feel that we are good and law abiding citizens but what we forget is that abiding law is as important as stopping someone from violating the law. We have to begin to question today for a better society and a better tomorrow because no house should burn and none should die because he / she could not reach the hospital on time courtesy a fellow citizen lacked civic sense.