Narendra Modi - Sending out the right signals

We have been reading and listening to people saying "Parliament is Temple of Democracy." Finally, someone behaves like it really is! 

News channels have talked much about Modi-Advani rift, yet today we saw both Modi and Advani share a genuine hug. Advani has seen the party grow from just 2 seats to a massive majority of 282 seats for BJP alone, while the alliance, NDA, bags 336 seats! Even for a seasoned Politician like Advani, to see the sapling he and his fellow BJP leaders planted bloom into such a massive tree, must be overwhelmingly emotional. No doubt he has been spotted teary eyed a few times by reporters. The overwhelming victory seemed to get the best of Modi too, when he too got emotional during his speech, twice. Other BJP leaders too couldn't help joining in. Cynics may pass this as merely a publicity stunt, but those who understand human behavior and BJP-RSS history, their passion, and devotion for the Nation would'nt doubt the feelings. In any case, the Nation today follows every move made by Modi very closely and is full of hopes. What makes Modi so special? 

The answer is, besides his and BJP's hard work and marketing, Modi never fails to make positive and bold statements through his actions. He grabs every opportunity to send the right message. Here is a list of observations - 

Pre-election, Modi not only refrained but also refused to address and divide Indians as Muslims and Hindus, as Minority and Majority. This was the beginning of the end of Vote-bank Politics. 

While filing his nomination at Vadodra, Kiran Mahida (a Tea vendor) and Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad from the royal family of Vadodra were his two proposers. Both were carefully chosen to represent the humble and the great, a male and a female. 

Similarly, in Varanasi, the four proposers - Padmabhushan Pt. Channulal Mishra (Hindstani Classical Singer), Justice Giridhar Malviya (grandson of freedom fighter Madan Mohan Malviya), Virbhadra Nishad (Boatman) and Ashok Kumar (weaver)... all represent and symbolise different sections of the society. Before Modi, not many knew about even the role of a proposer in the process.

Post Elections, the 1st time he was spotted was while visiting his mother, hitting the right notes with people.

His 1st public address was at Vadodra, 2nd at Ahmedabad and 3rd at Varanasi after visiting Kashi-Vishwanath temple and performing Ganga aarati. The 3 cities symbolise his journey from State to National Politics. His speeches ensured a strong connect with every individual who voted for him, finding the same with the ones who didn't. Offering prayers, he made sure to put an end to 'pseudo-secular' vote bank appeasement politics. 

The most probable name for his successor as Gujrat CM is Anandiben patel - Women empowerment in action.

Pre and post elections  Modi talked about development...development for everyone - for the young and the old, for poor and rich, for men and women. His talks about technology made him popular among the younger generation. He respects India's customs and Traditions. He comes from a humble family. His relatives still live a humble life. All this makes it possible for him to connect emotionally and ideologically with people from different walks of life. How about the other politicians start taking notes?

Elections2014 - Not all those who lost are defeated

No battle is won without losing a few brave soldiers. Elections aren't very different when it comes to victory and defeat. With the outstanding victory BJP registered, there were few candidates who lost too. Out of many, the most shocking was the news about the defeat of Shahnawaz Hussain and Arun Jeitley. Smriti Irani even with a defeat, made her fans proud. It is important to analyse the reasons for the loss of these Stalwarts.
  

Shahnawaz Hussain lost from a narrow margin of 9,000 votes! now that takes away the pain from the sting a bit. no?

Arun Jaitley on the other hand became a victim of BJP and his own mistakes and his opponents' effective strategies. First the Navjot Singh Siddhu's issue and then when finally his candidature was confirmed, Congress decided to pull out one of its Big Guns - Ex-CM Capt Amrinder Singh. While Capt Amrinder Singh focused on local issues, Arun Jaitley focused on National issues, which ofcourse helped people to find a connect with Capt. Amrinder Singh and not Arun Jaitley. Capt. Amrinder Singh in addition raised the issue of Jaitley being an 'outsider'.

What impresses me about Jaitley is that neither during election campaigns nor in defeat, did Arun Jaitley ever abandon his Gentlemanly behavior. During the campaign in Amritsar, the two opponents were seen greeting each other warmly during a morning walk. After the results were declared he made sure to greet Capt. Amrinder Singh for his victory - something other Politicians need to learn from Jaitley. 

Last but not the least, Our very own 'India's Bahu' - Smriti Zubin Irani! what a brilliant Lady - Her Poise, Her Grace and her command over language! While AAP kept trying to make the battle in Amethi look like 'RaGa V/s  Kumar Vishwas', as soon as Smriti Irani entered the battle field, it was only Her against RaGa. Kumar Vishwas was no where in the scene, which was even reflected in the poll results when Kumar Vishwas lost his deposit! Kumar Vishwas had managed to secure only 25,527 votes - a humiliating defeat. The margin between Smriti Irani and RaGa was 1.08 Lakh - not a Huge gap, considering previous margins registered by the Gandhi scion. 

Not all those who have lost are defeated. So, along with the victorious, let us not forget the dedicated soldiers who gave a tough fight to their mighty opponents and who made sure that a huge part of the resources and efforts of the other party were concentrated in defeating them. In many ways, they served as a mighty shield that helped keep others safe. A huge Salute and a round of applause for them. 

Inferences drawn from 'Har-Har Modi' issue

As the election campaign for Narendra Modi moved forward with cries of 'Har Har Modi, Ghar Ghar Modi', a controversy too followed. Many devout Hindus and 'Secular' Congress leaders took objection on the use of this slogan, but it was Shankaracharya Shri Swaroopanand Saraswati of Jyotirpeeth who strongly condemned the use of 'Har Har Modi' slogan. Modi promptly requested his supporters to do the same. While the slogan has been MODIfied as 'Har dil Modi, Ghar ghar Modi', there are few interesting things to note about this whole incidence.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Congress for once talking about Hindu sentiments. Yes, we are talking about the same Congress that in its arrogance had even put a question mark on existence of Raam! Recently a Congress Leader, P. Shankar Rao, was in news for constructing a temple dedicated to Sonia Gandhi. Even in past, Sonia Gandhi has been portrayed as Goddess Durga in posters. 



The sycophants do not only exist in Congress, but in every party. A good example is the case of BJP's Hemant Bohra from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, who printed a poster depicting Vasundhra Raje as Goddess Annapoorna. 

Why limit ourselves to Politics?

Sport Personalities like 

Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni too were found in similar controversy. 

While Hindu Saints have been demanding a ban on Cow slaughter, India becomes leader in Beef exports. No heed was payed to their cries when they marched to Delhi to save river Yamuna. Swami Nigamanand died after fasting for 73 days to save holy river Ganga, but no one seemed to care. I have immense respect for Shankaracharya Shri Swaroopanand Saraswati as religious scholar, and eagerly want to know his views on all the above mentioned incidences. I would love to know why he only chose to speak on 'Har Har Modi', and not on any other issue? But I doubt, these questions will ever be answered. 

In any case, whats interesting is that Modi supporters stopped using the slogan after Modi's request, and not because of Shankaracharya's criticism. Usually labelled 'Communal', Hindu masses rejected a Religious Head's views for a leader who talks about development. I try to compare this with Shahi Imam's recent visit to Sonia Gandhi and his endorsement of Mamata Banerjee. Azam Khan addresses a conference of Madrassa managers and Principals to secure his party's Muslim vote bank. This only hints that these religious heads hold a good influence over a huge Muslim population. what inference do I draw from this?  

I'm sure any sane mind will agree with me when I say Religion should not be allowed to control politics of a Nation. While the Majority seems to have learnt this lesson, the Minority yet seems to be in need of time to accept this fact. 

In light of these facts, let us now argue the definition of 'Communalism'. 

Elections 2014 : a lesson from Mahabharat for indecisive minds

As we draw closer to the Lok Sabha Elections 2014, a lot of people still seem to be confused as to who deserves their vote. A new party raises its voice against corruption and enters into politics claiming itself to be honest, but soon loses its credibility. The ruling party tries to appear Honest, secular and pro-development but its track record speaks otherwise. The opposition's PM candidate though has a track record that speaks for itself, the party also has few members that face corruption charges. Other parties that aspire to rule the Nation as 3rd front, have their own closets full of skeletons. In short, no party is spotless. 

Those who plan to vote based on religion and caste, or for some other personal gains, have little confusion. Ignorance is bliss, right? And equally true is the corollary - 'He who increases knowledge, increases sorrows.'  The ones that know the true value of their vote and are aware of every party's blots are left disillusioned. The desire to find an 'ideal' party, with spotless track record and that can solve people's problems immediately, turns this disillusionment into utter confusion. Such 'aware' individuals are thus not able to pick a side. And even when they do, they don't let their choice spare anyone from their criticism. Blindly following any party is dangerous and Criticism is good...BUT timing is crucial. Most of such individuals fail to realise this.

This predicament reminds me of a story from Mahabharat -

The most powerful of all the warriors present at the beginning of the great war was Barbareek (बरबरीक). Barbareek, Grandson of Bheem and Son of Ghatotkach, after completing his education, had Promised his Guru that he would only fight for the weaker side in a battle, and so, in the beginning, he joined the Pandavas. Pandavas rejoiced while Kauravas were alarmed. But it was only Shree Krishna who was able to see what this really could lead to, and hence Barbareek was prevented from joining any side. Why was the most powerful warrior present at that time, who could have finished the war in matter of minutes, not allowed to join the war? because his promise to his Guru would not let him remain on one side. He would join the weaker side and kill warriors of the other side till the stronger side is now reduced to the weaker one. And so, he would again switch sides, till all are killed and only he remains. 

Powerful enough to change the course of the war, but too confused to pick a side and stick with it - Barbareek represents today's aware, disillusioned and confused individuals. Such enlightened minds are excellent when it comes to constructive criticism. But is this the right time for such discussions? 

Pick a side and join the battle.

Let us hang Modi

I am not loyal to any party but to reason, and for that reason my loyalties keep shifting, leaving only one thing for certain - show me injustice and I shall join any and every protest against it. And hence today I try to distance myself from Modi!

But, before we go ahead and discuss more about Modi, here is a small exercise for the readers. Irrespective of our Faith and ideology, we all have atleast one person that we love the most. Right? I want you to think of that person. Done? 

now scroll down



Have you really thought of THE person?




No cheating please...




is it your Father?




or your Mother?




Or one of your Grand Parents?




Or your spouse/Boyfriend/Girlfriend?




or your Kids?




Or simply a special friend?




Now Imagine that, 
you see that person off at train station one day and the next day you see on news that the train that person was on was burnt. You frantically try to connect with that person but you fail. You try every means possible only to find that that person was one of the victims of the arson and that He/She too was burnt alive, locked inside the train coach. 

I'm sure you'd want to  harm me for making you to go through this mental torture. My apologies, but if just the thought of this whole incidence fills one with anguish and rage, what must the grief be of those who lost their loved ones in Sabarmati express? 

Let us, to this pain add the memory of the exodus and genocide of Kashmiri Pundits and the fact that it was totally ignored as if it never happened and the fear that it may again happen to any other state of India, to a place where you and your family resides. 

Post Godhra riots, the impression is that only Muslims lost their loved ones and that the number was in thousands. Here is the truth - 790 muslims and 254 Hindus died in the riots. Now lets do the Maths - 
790 + (254+58) = 1102 (58 victims of Sabarmati Express)
therefore, 
28.31 % Hindu and 71.69% Muslim victims. 

My heart breaks to even imagine how it would have felt to go through such perilous times, for every Muslim, for every Hindu...for every Human being!
But, no matter how gross it was to do the math of dead bodies, it helps us see how easily the 28% were totally ignored and forgotten. It shows us the bitter truth about the Secularism of our Media and elite liberals that choose to ignore the tears of the Majority. 

Post 2002 there has not been a single case of riots in Gujrat. Had there been one, the media would have hounded Modi. Some would say that this peace only exists due to fear. To every reader, regardless of Her/His faith/religion/background, I ask, will you prefer to lose you loved ones and your property destroyed or peace, even if it exists due to fear? I would, without hesitation, chose peace. 

Still, lets hang Modi. 
but for what reason? For riots or for not being able to stop the riots?
Clearly, the trigger for the riots was Sabarmati Express. Hence lets hang him for not being able to stop the riots. Right?
Let us ignore Supreme Court's verdict. Who cares what the apex court of our Nation says. We shall stick to what media, Politicians and elite leftists and liberals wants us to believe.

But, in this clip, in front of his bitter rivals, Digvijay Singh and Fahrooq Abdulah, he reveals when the riots broke out, the Gujrat govt. sent fax to the neighboring states Chattisgarh, Maharshatra and Madhya Pradesh to send help for riot control. The request was denied. Wouldnt his arguments be thrashed by these two if they could? Even with the limited Police force, the riots were brought under control in 3 days. Assam riots continued for 3 months and the '84 riots in 3 days claimed over 8000 lives. Do I need to give statistics for genocide of Kashimiri Pundits? Shouldn't we demand the same for the culprits in these cases too? or is it that Hindus and Sikhs are better off dead?


I have heard some conspiracy theorists saying that the Sabarmati Express incident was pre-planned by BJP-RSS. Now, thats a new angle. Here is another one - what if it really was pre-planned and those that planned it made it look like it was pre-planned by the 'Saffron terrorists'? If we were to stick to a conspiracy theory, which one should we stick to? Obviously, the one that has been repeated over and over again. After all, whatever is repeated several times, ultimately becomes the truth. No? 

Let us overlook the praises for Modi by Maulana Ghulam Vastanvi, at the cost of his post of Deoband's rector and Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. These Maulanas obviously know shit about Godhra as compared to Arundhati Roy. Right?

Let us forsake all reasons and believe what we are made to believe, let us cease to think and let our religious beliefs take over our logic. Let us hang Modi! For if we dont, chances are, there wont be any riots anymore in the country and hence no other political party will get any chance to fan religious and communal sentiments of the downtrodden 'Aam Juntaa' for their petty gains. 

remembering the Prime Minister who died Poor

 People who forget their Heroes are bound to be ruled by Villains. 

While the Politicians, News channels and common junta sing songs about Gandhi; On his Birth Anniversary, I recall three stories about Lal Bahadur Shastri - the 2nd Prime Minister of India, that made me his ardent admirer. 

1.Life and Death, in Poverty:
During Quit India Movement, Lal Bahadur Shastri, was released from jail on parole, as his Daughter was seriously ill. Shastri ji, who had no savings, couldn't save his Daughter; the drugs prescribed by the doctor were too costly. Even after all the years being in cabinet and serving as Prime Minister of India, when Shastri ji passed away, all he owned was an old car, which he had bought in installments from Govt. and for which he still owed money!

2.The 1965 War with Pakistan:
In just a year after being appointed as the Prime Minister of India in 1964, Pakistani Army skirmished with Indian forcen in August 1965, Laying claim to half the Kutch Peninsula. In his report to Lok Sabha on the matter he said :

"In the utilization of our limited resources, we have always given primacy to plans and projects for economic development. It would, therefore, be obvious for anyone who is prepared to look at things objectively that India can have no possible interest in provoking border incidents or in building up an atmosphere of strife... In these circumstances, the duty of Government is quite clear and this duty will be discharged fully and effectively... We would prefer to live in poverty for as long as necessary but we shall not allow our freedom to be subverted."

Under scheme proposed by British Prime Minister in june 1965, Pakistan obtained 10% of its original claim of 50% of the territory. 

Shastri ji on top of a captured Patton Tank.

Pakistan, now diverting attention to Kashmir, attacked in September, the same year and war broke out. Shatri ji displayed a knack for taking quick and decisive actions during the war. He swiftly took the advice of his commanders and ordered a strike across the Punjab border. (This was in stark contrast to Nehru who in a similar situation in 1962, had refused to call in the air force to relieve the pressure on the ground troops.) Result - Indian Army inflicted a crushing defeat on Pakistan! after the UN's mandated cease-fire, on 23rd September 1965 in a broadcast to the Nation, Shatri ji Stated :

"While the conflict between the armed forces of the two countries has come to an end, the more important thing for the United Nations and all those who stand for peace is to bring to an end the deeper conflict.... How can this be brought about? In our view, the only answer lies in peaceful coexistence. India has stood for the principle of coexistence and championed it all over the world. Peaceful coexistence is possible among nations no matter how deep the differences between them, how far apart they are in their political and economic systems, no matter how intense the issues that divide them." 

3.China playing monkey in the conflict of two cats: 

On 17 September 1965, while the Indo-Pak war was on, India received a letter from China alleging that the Indian army had set up army equipment in Chinese territory, and India would face China's wrath, unless the equipment was pulled down. In spite of the threat of aggression from China, Shastri ji declared: 

"China's allegation is untrue. If China attacks India it is our firm resolve to fight for our freedom. The might of China will not deter us from defending our territorial integrity." 

The Chinese did not dare to respond back.

These were just 3 incidents among the many achievements of the Politician who made no money and died leaving no great wealth behind for his family; one that within his small tenure as the 2nd Prime Minister of India, made huge contributions and who with his short physical stature achieved great feats. 

We remember you Lal Bahadur Shastri with Pride that we were fortunate to have you as our Prime Minister once...and yet with sad hearts that ...

tho you were the 2nd Prime Minister of India, 

India never got a Second Lal Bahadur Shastri.

On your Birth Anniversary, I pay you my humble respects.