The Failure of a Nation

The Failure of a Nation !
I want to present some very straight thoughts that cross my mind as a simple Indian citizen.

Yesterday came the news of Husain Sahab's demise in a London Hospital. This reminded me of a sher which aptly suits this situation न अपनी कुछ कहे पाया न अपनों की कुछ सुन पाया चमन का फूल चमन से दूर मुरझाया.  We, as a nation knew very well how he longed to return 'home'. Whatever be the controversies, how can a person be denied the right to stay in his own home and feel safe? This is a question that comes to my mind as a fellow Indian. That is why I say, we have failed as a Nation. Not that I follow absolutely all that happens in the art field or that I do not have a different opinion about certain things but, the one thing  I  know as a commoner is, Husain Sahab was probably one of the strongest pillars of art in India. Each one has a right to his opinion, but you simply cannot disregard the rights and privileges of another fellow countryman. In our 'Democratic' country the government was too busy, to pay attention to a hero who contributed to the art world and time and again brought laurels to India. All we can do is have discussions as to why Husain Sahab accepted the citizenship of another country ! But, not do enough to create an environment which would help him come home. Now, no amount of headlines to cover his greatness is going to undo the injustice that was done. The fact remains that, we have lost him !! Where ever he moved in the world he was seen as an 'Indian artist' however India could not see the 'Indian' in him. We have terribly failed as a Nation to bring back a Hero. The loss of Husain Sahab creats a void which is there to stay for long ! Art and Husain were like synonyms. May his soul rest in peace ! 

'Heaven on Earth' ????

Hi !
Thank you for posting you views / following my blog, I sincerely apreciate your gesture.

'Heaven on Earth' ... Yes that is how I studied about Kashmir in school. When we were posted there years later, I was 200% convinced. They were beautiful days. We would go out to Lal Chowk (children in tow)and do all the shopping we wanted. The Central Market shop keepers were  friends. (by virtue of me being a frequent visitor) Moving from shop to shop buying dry fruits, fresh fruits, phirans, and handicrafts one lost count of the hours we spent at the market place ! It was 1985.
We were lucky twice over ! and were sent to 'Heaven' once again in the year 2000. Believe me this time it truely seemed like 'Heaven' Because, it could not have been called by any other name now ! Where so many innocent people have lost their lives for no fault of theirs........ they could be laid to rest in peace only in Heaven !!! And 'Lal Chowk' had in the true sense turned "lal" 
It was heart wrenching to explain to the little puzzled souls in school; why they should not touch unknown objects. ( the school I was teaching in, had it's compound wall along the main road)
"Why should you not touch anything that does not belong to you ?"  "It could have a bomb in it" pat came the reply from an age group that was 5 to 10 yrs !
It is ironical but I remember a joke at this point in time. Once people from all the countries went to God Almighty. "You have been partial to India" they said "Why do you say so?" asked the Lord. "You have given India all the best things any country can have; from mountains to plains, from rivers to oceans, from grass lands to deserts they have the best of everything and they will prove to be the best and the most prosperous of all. You have to be just to us Lord please do something!" The Almighty thought for a while and replied," Ok then, now I will give this place Indians. All scores settled !!! (He was sure we would mess up the place")
How right He was!!
1985 to 2010 Kashmir is burning ! Can they survive as a separate nation? Will they be happy, being a part of any other country? Have the people of Kashmir lost their power to think?
No....... they are not being given the time to think. They are trapped between the devil (terrorist) and the deep sea (the government) It is a vicious circle. Unless the unrest stops, the forces cannot be withdrawn and visa versa. It is time we realised that a state which survived and prospered on tourism is losing its most vital resource ... it's youth; to a hopeless game of power played by an entity that has no love lost for anyone. They are a disgrace to any religion and community. We must stand by our armed forces (they too have families who are waiting for them to return home) and the people of Kashmir alike. I wish to let the people of the disturbed state know that, "We wholeheartedly and genuinely consider you an integral part of our country and our society. We are proud of your culture and the courage you show". I wish to appeal to all to recognise and choose the true path of freedom,  which is, to live in peace and harmony with fellow Indians. Give up all forms of voilence and in no time will the Dal Lake be calm and serene as before.  ' गर फिरदौस बर रोए जमी असतो हम असतो हामी असतो हामी अस्त "

Greetings !!!

Hi !
 I have just created this blog, and plan to write as often as I can . As we go about in our lives there are issues about which we feel strongly, and hope we can share our thoughts with more no. of people. This ... was the motivation for me to start this blog.
The first issue that has been bothering me is, 60 years of independence and yet we don't seem to understand our politicians and the games they play!!! the vote banks they create....  it has nothing to do with the welfare of the people. It is about how they retain their chair. Their pockets are growing deeper by the day !
The judgement day for the Babri Masjid case is round the corner, they will sit back in their AC homes and offices and see the 'Tamasha" unfold before the world.  Everybody will see how very easily we can draw swords against our own country men.
WHY do we need a masjid or a temple on that site ? Can't we Indians think of a better solution ? WHY can we NOT have a HOSPITAL there, that treats all as equals without making a note of their religion ???