NWM

NATIONAL  WAR MEMORIAL.

68 years since Independence.

Armed Forces have been demanding a well deserved National War Memorial for decades now. For some unexplained reasons, Government did not take a decision, while the non availability of space was being given as one of the reasons.

Now, finally Defense Minister has announced Government’s decision to have one NWM at India gate in Delhi. At last, soldiers who laid down their lives for the country will be honored. From Siachen to setting up bridges during Common Wealth Games, we have always depended upon the men in uniform to come to our rescue.

While it has taken over five decades for government to take this  regarding National War Memorial, one might like to look at the number of acres of prime land some of the VIPs have been allotted where their last rites were performed.

1… Jawaharlal Nehru……,Shantivan………52.6 acres.

2… Indira Gandhi…………Shanti Sthal……45 acres.

3….Rajeev  Gandhi……… Veer Bhumi……15 acres

4…Lal Bahadur Shastri…. Vijay  Ghat……..40 acres

5…Mahatma Gandhi……. Raj Ghat………..44.35 acres.

Government may have played politics in decision making, but, does not the fault lie with us too? Did we ever raise our voice or showed our concern, except during drawing room discussion?

We seem to have our priorities lopsided. Least we can do is to give respect to our departed soldiers.

Let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW

NATION 68

68^th Independence Day.

There was a time, especially after 1965 and 1971 wars when every young Indian wanted to join the Armed forces. It was passion, it was Junoon. These were the ones whose parents didn’t insist upon their sons becoming Doctors or Engineer. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan was the buzzword. Every family in Punjab had one Jawan and one Kisan .That was the national commitment.

Somehow, with passage of time, we Indians have lost the sense of National pride. On 4^th July, every American holds and waves the national flag. We are expected to remain locked in due to security concerns. There is a dream in the true patriot’s heart that one day he will see a nation, not on the basis of individuality, but its dependence over integrity within diversity.

For last ten long years, every year  we have heard a repetitive (almost) read out  speech from Red Fort .I have never found it to be with any specific substance. Addressing the nation without a message to the nation? If at all, it has always smelt of a preparation for next elections or appeasement. V P Singh even used Red Fort speech to announce Prophet’s birthday as a national holiday...Some of us are still clapping.

There was a time when singing of National Anthem was compulsory in Cinema halls, schools and most of public functions. Pity, today, even some Members of Parliament refuse to accept singing of National Anthem.

Print and electronic media, unfortunately, has not contributed to nation building. Media is expected to be an opinion former. Electronic media’s coverage in India is huge and the viewership is in direct proportion to the number of TV sets. TV channels earn an enviable sum as the Advertisement revenues. The rates are said to be as high as Rs 1 lakh per second of advertisement coverage. TV channels must devote at least 1 (one) minute per hour (1/60) during prime time to social messages for free. In case, they do not do this voluntarily, Government must make it mandatory for them to do so. Similarly, print media must be made to carry social message every day.

After ten years, with a new and a credible Government in place, every true, committed Indian is hoping for change from the ruling establishment, besides peoples’ participation and commitment.

Happy  Independence Day.

Let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW.

BAN 4 WORDS

India is a large and diverse country. It has Innumerable languages, different communities and various religious beliefs .Unfortunately, the very strength of our nation has been turned onto our weakness.

There are four words which should be banned for use in India.

MINORITY

For whatever reasons, it is Muslims who get referred to when one uses the word minority. Considering that Sikhs are just about 2% while Muslims are about 19% of our population—who is minority? Logically, it should Sikhs or Parsis. No, but it suits the politicians to label Muslims as minority since it can be used as a vote bulk bank. In the garb of Minority, Government has divided the two communities on religious grounds and exploited the Muslims sentiments. Quotas in Government and educational institutes have been fixed on religious grounds and only Muslims get financial backup from the Govt for Haj whereas Amaranth Yatra is taxed. However much politicians may want to show their concerns for Muslims, in reality it is vote bank. How I wish similar concerns were shown to Parsis,Buddhists,Sikhs etc .Analyzing 2014 results, it seems Muslims are walking away from Congress

SECULARISM

During internal emergency declared by Indira Gandhi in June 1975, The 42nd Amendment also amended the Preamble and changed the characterization of India from "Sovereign Democratic Republic” to a "Sovereign, Socialist Secular Democratic Republic", and also changed the words "unity of the nation" to "unity and integrity of the nation". That was the day the real problems started in India. Muslims condemn oppression in Gaza. But do they condemn oppression of Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis and Shias in Pakistan? The secular brigade holds up house proceedings wanting to discuss Gaza. When did they raise their voice for Kashmiri Pandits? When did they slam recent disturbances created during Amarnath Yatra? Secularism, by no stretch of imagination is targeting and running down majority community. Irreparable damage has been done to the nation in the name of Secularism. Those who insist upon loudspeakers in Masjids are Seculars and those who want Bells in Mandir are communal.

COMMUNALISM

Those pseudo seculars, who swear by Secularism, brand others as communal. This is one credit card which is fast running out of its sanctioned limit. Iftar parties were discontinued during Lal Bahadur Shastri’s time. It was restarted by Indira Gandhi. If you have ever seen a similar Diwali party, please mark it. You are communal or an elevated Hindu Right-winger if you have not been certified as “Secular”. One is labeled Secular if one supports Urdu language, but, the moment one mentions Sanskrit, one is Communal but it is OK for them to term Sanskrit as JAHILIYA. If one was to claim to be a proud Hindu, God save one from onslaught from Seculars. It is expected of Hindus not to react when they are called Kafirs.

VIP

In a democracy, there must not be any place for a Very Important Person. If there is one, it is man on the street who voted them to power. In any flight, first row is reserved for VIP. All trains carry VIP quota. Premier institutes like AIIMS have VIP rooms while poor man has to wait for days to meet a Doctor. Traffic on roads is diverted for VIP movement while there are cases when patients held up in traffic have lost their life, missed their flights. Complete security is provided to even family members of VIPs while working girls are being raped. Eminent Lawyer Mr Haresh Salve is fighting this menace single handed in Apex court

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Let us CHANGE INDIA for INDIA OF TOMORROW