Category Archives: Socio/Political

Mah. Govt. has no money to celebrate Vivekananda Anniversary

The fact that Swami Vivekananda’s 150^th Birth Anniversary is one of the most important occasions for the country can be seen from the numerous celebrations and enlightenment programs taking place not only all over India but world over. However, when every state in India celebrated the historic event, government of Maharashtra gave a cold shoulder to it citing lack of funds!

Swami Sarvalokananda addressing the audience

As shocking and shameful as it sounds, the incident was revealed by Swami Sarvalokananda (Adhyaksha, Ramkrishna Math Mumbai) during the 151^st Janma Tithi celebrations of Swami Vivekananda at Ramkrishna Math and Mission Mumbai on Sunday. “I personally approached Maharashtra Government. They asked us to prepare a budget for it. We did the hard work of preparing it and submitted it to them. But for six months we didn’t hear anything from them,” he said.

He further says that he again approached them but they just received fake assurances for several months. “Then I was told that the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have rejected the proposal citing shortage of funds,” he says. Naturally, the people gathered at the venue started exclaiming “Shame, shame.”

According to him, along with several others, this is a matter of shame when governments from several states in India have celebrated the event and spread the message of Swami Vivekananda. This is more ironical when we take into account that the great patriot monk had visited Mumbai (then Bombay) thrice in his lifetime. “The city is blessed thrice by Swamiji. In fact, he left for the historic Parliament of Religions in Chicago from Mumbai’s naval port,” said Swami Sarvalokananda.

Leader of opposition Vinod Tawde, who was the chief guest at the event, revealed how he too tried in vain to persuade the government in doing something for the event. “I called the Chief Minister regarding this but he always kept delaying it,” said Tawde during his electrifying and enlightening address to the people gathered in large numbers.

Earlier in the day, Tawde, Swami Sarvalokananda and other prominent personalities unveiled the opening of Swami Vivekananda Chowk, just outside the lane of the Math. The day was also celebrated in various ways at the Mumbai Math and all over India.

Inauguration of Swami Vivekananda Chowk

Swami Vivekananda statue at Ramakrishna Math Mumbai

Gang Rape Victim Death: Last wake up call!

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I have always had doubts about the concept of reincarnation. But after the terribly tragic news of the passing away of the 23 year old gang rape victim (also called Damini), I am hoping such a phenomenon does exist. Such brave-heart fighters surely deserve another chance! May her soul Rest In Peace and may God give strength to her family and the entire nation to overcome this grave tragedy.

The only way justice can be given for such unimaginably torturous crime is by giving extremely painful deaths to the offenders. Death merely by hanging is as bad as acquittal!

The number of rapes, especially in Delhi, has increased tremendously in the last few years. But what measures have the government taken to amend laws for rapes and to ensure safety of women? Absolutely none!

There is also no doubt that the Delhi Police has the dedication required to improve the situation. This was clearly seen by the way they mercilessly beat up protestors which also included women and, shockingly, senior citizens! If they had shown such fierce determination in protecting the women, such an incident wouldn’t have taken place!

If the same attitude is continued by our authorities, I am sorry to say such incidents will keep taking place, unless some weird creatures, who call themselves men, start behaving humanly!

Delhi Gang Rape: Fighting the enemy within!

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So far, I have refrained myself from writing about the more than horrendous gang rape of a 23 year old girl in a moving bus in Delhi. This reason for this is not only the fact that I am profoundly disturbed by the crime but also because of my earlier assumption that the guilty would be punished soon since such a horrendous crime is never ever heard in the country before. However, after government and Delhi Police’s monstrous attitude towards the protestors of this incident, it is no longer possible for me to stay quiet anymore!

Picture courtesy – ibtimes.com

First of all, the horrifically inhuman nature of the crime should have ensured massive changes in laws pertaining to rapes. If not this, there should have been at least some steps taken for the same. The current law states that a death penalty can be given only when the victim passes away. So should we wait till the poor girl succumbs? Even if the victim passes away, death penalty is given by just hanging the convict. For this type of a crime, death by hanging is a very mild punishment! It is not only denying justice but it also doesn’t put fright in the minds of potential rapists.

The biggest proof of this is how a 20 year old Nepali girl was raped thrice in Mumbai barely five days after the Delhi incident. Need I say more?

So when the whole of Delhi comes out to express protest (which is our constitutional right) for making laws stricter for such crimes, they have to face police brutality in the form of lathi charges, tear gas and water cannons. I agree there were a percentage of miscreants from various wings of political parties who started violence and vandalism but that doesn’t give license to the authorities to become brutal with all, especially students who have nothing to do with these groups. If you can’t catch a small percentage of troublemakers how justifiable it is to assume the rest of the protestors to be antisocial?

Picture courtesy – India Against Corruption Facebook page

Later on, the percentage of troublemakers increased but once you start brutally assaulting innocents, you can’t expect them to behave peacefully, especially when you employ Rapid Action Force! In fact, what stunned the nation with disbelief was how the policemen had no qualms in even bashing up senior citizens (See picture)! Seriously, can we really expect them to protect us?

Someone needs to tell them that they are not dealing with dacoits! These people haven’t gathered to loot the city. These are the common people of their own country who are just demanding terribly strict laws for rapes to secure the future of the women of India! Is the demand so irrational that they need to be dealt like criminals?

Facts also show how Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal’s supporters have been subjected to similar treatments a number of times during their peaceful protests. On the other hand, political parties who openly engage in vandalism for their own good are never punished!

I wish the government and Delhi Police had shown such fierce dedication in protecting girls and women of the city. It’s just that the massive outrage have woken them up. But if they had woken up themselves, life of a lot of females in the city would have been much better and such a situation wouldn’t have arisen.

Picture courtesy – Associated Press

Law Minister endorses lawlessness: Kejriwal hits at Gadkari

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If there is anyone who is expected to safeguard law and order in India the most, it is obviously the Law Minister of the country. However, the whole of India was in for a shock today when the Law Minister Salman Khurshid himself openly endorsed lawlessness by threatening to physically harm anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal.

Trying to hit back at allegations made by Kejriwal, Khurshid openly told a news channel, “Let Kejriwal come to Farrukhabad. Let’s see whether he succeeds in returning back.” Through this statement, Khurshid clearly indicates physical assault on Kejriwal, which definitely amounts to breaking law.

Picture Courtesy – Deccanchronicle.com

The statements give rise to a number of serious questions. – How can a Law Minister openly endorse breaking of law? Do you have a right to punish a criminal when the Law Minister himself encourages crime? The ruling party has to answer these questions and the only option they have is to remove this person who calls himself the Law Minister. But after a huge number of anti-national actions and statements by the ruling party itself, I wonder whether it has any right to continue to stay in office. The feeling that the British have started ruling India again is produced by the UPA government time and again.

Khurshid’s open dhamki however didn’t deter Kejriwal to name BJP President Nitin Gadkari in a scam where he grabbed land allotted to poor farmers of Vidarbha. Of course as expected, the party has rubbished off all allegations. I don’t know whether the allegations are 100% true but like numerous other instances, BJP or the government won’t even order any kind of probe in the issue. After Anjali Damania’s experience with Gadkari, it is clear all parties are unofficially united when it comes to corruption.

It appears weird to many including me that Kejriwal isn’t going to court against Kejriwal or Vadra. But after he highlighted today how these court cases and probes account to nothing, I am slowly starting to agree with him. If you look back at history, you realize these big shots always get away even after committing the most heinous of crimes. Forget politicians, even a hardcore terrorist like Ajmal Kasab is enjoying his stay in India even four years after he openly killed innocents in Mumbai!

So it is up to the people of India to realize how all parties are together involved in money grabbing and then punish them with the power of their vote. Of course, it would be great and ideal if law punishes them but I hardly have any hope for it considering India’s current scenario.

When Tilak returned from heaven! (Imaginary Post)

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One day while in heaven Balgangadhar Tilak aka Lokmanya Tilak decides to go for a short trip on earth for few days. He chose Mumbai since the city is special for him. He had carried out a number of agitations against the British in this city. After biding adieu to his close companion named XYZ in heaven, Tilak leaves for Mumbai.

However, much to the bewilderment of XYZ, Tilak returns after just a few minutes. A worried XYZ asks him, “What happened Tilak saheb? Why did you return so early?”

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

“I returned back as I couldn’t bear what was going on in Mumbai,” answers Tilak.

“What was going on?”

“People of my beloved city were behaving in crazy, wild manner. It was just too shocking for me to bear.”

“Please tell me exactly what happened Tilak Saheb.”

“Some people were playing drums and other musical instruments in the cruelest manner. It was impossible to stand the nasty, ear-splitting noise! At another place, I could hear some vulgar songs which were even enjoyed by all. Traffic was being halted. Loud crackers were being busted carelessly!”

“Oh! That’s weird.”

Tilak continues, “The weirdest part is yet to come my friend. Some hooligans were openly hurling abuses after getting drunk. Worse, they were sexually harassing women and showering obscene comments on them!”

“This is ridiculous! What has happened to the people of Mumbai?”

“I am asking myself the same thing again and again,” Tilak says and sits down on a chair in a helpless manner.

Noticing his grief, XYZ says, “Just calm down Tilak saheb. I can understand your feeling.”

Tilak looks up and says, “No, you can’t understand. You know why?”

XYZ is silent. Tilak continues, “People’s antics which I mentioned just now were a part of Ganeshotsav, a festival which I had made popular!”

“What are you saying??” exclaims XYZ

“Yes my friend! I motivated the people to make this festival a public event in order to show our strength to the British. But this is what they have reduced the festival to now!”

Tilak continues, “There was a time when I used to be excited for Ganeshotsav. But from today, I have decided never to visit my beloved city again during this festival!”

Hence, the person who popularized this festival, has now nothing to do with it.

(Photo source – mumbaichaganpati.blogspot.in)

Ganeshotsav, a national festival!

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By: Keyur Seta

A number of festivals are celebrated in India. When asked about the most prominent ones, the answer of a large majority of people would be Diwali, Eid or Christmas. This is quite logical since these three festivals are the most famous ones, been celebrated all over the country. However, if someone throws the question on me, my answer would be Ganeshotsav or Ganesh Chaturthi. Apart from my admiration towards Lord Ganesha, this is simply because of the history attached with the festival.

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Lokmanya Tilak (Picture courtesy – IloveIndia.com)

According to Indian history, the festival is been celebrated in Maharashtra since the time of Shivaji (after 1600). But it was freedom fighter and social worker Lokmanya Tilak who transformed the festival into a national event since 1893.

Tilak’s idea was to unite Indians under this festival to fight against the British, who had discouraged all social and political gatherings. Apart from this, the festival also intended to do the much needed task to bridging the gap between the so-called upper and lower castes. Due to Tilak’s encouragement, people from all communities started participating in the festival. Hence, these are reasons enough to believe that Ganeshotsav is a national festival instead of just a Hindu festival.

This is also evident from the fact that the festival is celebrated with much aplomb by even non-Hindus as well (see picture). The most prominent among these is actor Salman Khan.

This Ganeshotsav, let us pray to Lord Ganesha for such brotherhood and unity among Indians throughout the year.

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(Picture courtesy – timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

Power of People: Aseem Trivedi released! (Exclusive Pictures)

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The fact that the power of people is the greatest weapon was proved once again when the Government was forced to drop the wrongful charges of sedition against cartoonist Aseem Trivedi following massive protests across India. Since he is no longer charged of sedition, Trivedi agreed to take bail today (September 12).

The scenes were unbelievable outside Arthur Road Jail. A large crowd waiting anxiously for Trivedi to come out. Finally, when he did walk out of the main gate of the jail, a little after 1pm, he received a heroic welcome.

Amit Katarnaware, who had filed the sedition charge against Trivedi, has no place to hide his face now! I am using such words against Katarnaware because he also tried to communalize the issue by giving it a religious and a castiest angle, just like our vote-hungry politicians.

Have a look at the pictures after Aseem’s release: –

People waiting for Aseem to come out of the Arthur Road Jail

Aseem’s friends and wellwishers waiting for his release

He is out now! An admirer trying to offer garland to Aseem

Aseem addressing the crowd

Mayank Gandhi addressing the crowd

Aseem speaking to his supporters and the media, highlighting the fact that the war is not over yet!

Emergency 2012: Aseem charged with sedition while coalgate scamsters roam free!

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Since last year or so, there have been numerous examples which state that our current Government is no different than the British rulers. This is not the first time I am saying this on my blog. The way they have been trying to crush anyone who raises a voice against corruption has left me with no other comparison. And now, a large section of Indian citizens are making the same comparison after cartoonist Aseem Trivedi was recently charged with sedition for just drawing a cartoon!

Anybody who is fed up with the rampant corruption in the country would relate with Aseem’s creation. His cartoon is just a satirical portrayal of the current situation where scams worth thousands of crores have taken place but nothing is been done about it! But still if our authorities are offended by his cartoon, charging him with sedition is plain ridiculous!

It is quite shocking to see Aseem’s case developing at such a fast pace! Obviously, such fast action cannot be taken due a single complaint. It is clear that the Government has put in pressure. In fact, Aseem has been facing a lot of wrath ever since he joined Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement.

On the other hand, no action is been taken despite the highly humiliating coalgate scam amounting to an unthinkable amount of Rs 1.86 lakh crore! Forget action, the government is not even going ahead with any probe by just rubbishing off the CAG report. So what wrong did Aseem do by depicting the true scenario of today’s India?

So is Aseem more harmful to the nation than the ones who have been looting the common man in lakhs of crores? Are his cartoons hurting the sentiments of the country more than the actions of those who physically fight in the parliament and worse, openly watch porn in assemblies?

Our Government’s answers to these questions are loud and clear! India is facing another emergency which needs to be nullified with emergency protests!

Arranged marriage = Shopping!

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(This post is not against the practice of arranged marriages. It is just speaks out about how even in the 21st century, marriages are continuing to be like a business deal or shopping. This is something I have been witnessing all my life.)

By: Keyur Seta

Arranged marriage versus love marriage is a debate which has not reached a conclusion. Although it is a general belief that there are merits and demerits in both the methods, I wholeheartedly support the institution of love marriage. This is simply because, according to me, love marriage is a natural process while the arranged one is against the forces of nature.

In love marriage, a boy and a girl meet in places like colleges, offices, parties, etc. They become friends at start and if the tuning of their hearts and wavelength match, they go ahead and become life partners. Hence, we can say they met in a natural way. In other words, their meeting and falling in love is a natural process.

In arranged marriage, two families ‘fix’ a meeting between a boy and a girl. They are made or even forced to meet and decide in maximum 3-4 meetings whether they can consider each other the most important person of their life. The most important relation of our lives is ‘fixed’ by going against the forces of nature as if it’s a business deal. And going against the nature is certainly a bad idea!

However, my opposition to arranged marriage is not limited to this point. After witnessing and hearing first-hand-accounts of marriages fixed in an arranged manner, I find no difference between arrange marriage and shopping! Yes, you heard it right. Okay, let me explain!

(Article continued after picture.)

Before starting their search for a partner in an arranged manner, both the girl and the boy mentally prepare a list of qualities their future life-partner should possess. This is very similar to people thinking about the color, brand, quality, price and fitting of a jeans before going out to buy it. And if you are an MBA, your chances of getting a life partner increase fivefold. I am not sure whether an MBA degree will get land you a lucrative job but I am certain it will increase your ‘market value’ in the ‘market’ of marriage.

But the real shopping fun begins when the girl and the boy’s family meet each other. The party which starts asking questions first behaves like the buyer while the other has to behave like the seller. For example, the boy’s family will start listing all his good qualities, just like a salesman tries to portray his product in a must-buy manner. On the other hand, the girl’s family will try to figure out the percentage of truth in their claims, just like the buyers do to make sure the salesman isn’t taking them for a ride.

After the first round, the tables are turned. Buyers become sellers and vice-versa. Now, the girl’s family will start proving how perfect to-be bahu their girl is while the boy’s family will do some brain-work in guessing the percentage of authenticity in their claims. Most importantly, both of them (girl and boy) will check whether the list of qualities in their potential life partner matches with the mental list they prepared. If it doesn’t, they will probably go to another shop!

If both parties are satisfied, they go ahead with the marriage. In my words – the deal is finalized with both parties benefiting both as buyers and sellers. In this way, a total stranger becomes the most important person of your life after just few meetings. Wow!

But wait a minute! Where the heck does love figure in all this since it is the most important ingredient for marriage? Oh forget it! As long as the girl’s family can say, “Humare sar ka boj hat gaya!” and the boy’s family can proudly declare, “Humare ghar me oonche khandan ki bahu aa gayi,” nothing else matters! Not even love!

Independence Day Special: Birth and Death Anniversaries of Freedom Fighters/ Revolutionaries

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Ever since our school days, we are told that on Independence and Republic days, we should remember all those who sacrificed their lives or a part of their lives to free our country from the clutches of the British. But what I strongly feel is, we should also remember them on the days they were born and the day they left after serving the country. Sadly, many of us remember birth dates of filmstars and cricketers but go blank when asked about the birth and death anniversaries of India’s freedom fighters and revolutionaries. Remembering them is the least we can do for their super-great service to the nation.

So here is the list of the birth and death/ martyrdom anniversaries of these great souls. I have tried to include as many names as possible. Excuse me if I have left out some one. Would be grateful if you can add more names in the comments section.

Name Birth and Death/ Martyrdom Anniversary

Shaheed Bhagat Singh September 28, 1907 – March 23, 1931

Chandrashekhar Azad July 23, 1906 – February 27, 1931

Sukhdev Thapar May 15, 1907 – March 23, 1931

Shivaram Rajguru August 24, 1908 – March 23, 1931

Batukeshwar Dutt November 18, 1910 – July 20, 1965

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj February 19, 1630 – April 3, 1680

Mahatma Gandhi October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948

Ashfaqulla Khan October 22, 1900 – December 19, 1927

Ram Prasad Bismil June 11, 1897 – December 19, 1927

Dayanand Saraswati February 12, 1824 – October 30, 1883

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel October 13, 1875 – December 15, 1950

Tatya Tope 1814 – April 18, 1859

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar May 28, 1883 – February 26, 1966

Madan Lal Dhingra February 18, 1883 – August 17, 1909

Jawaharlal Nehru November 14, 1889 – May 27, 1964

Swami Shraddhanand February 6, 1856 – December 23, 1976

Vinobha Bhave September 11, 1895 – November 15, 1982

Lala Lajpat Rai January 28, 1865 – November 17, 1928

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule April 11, 1827 – November 28, 1890

Savitribai Phule January 3, 1831 – March 10, 1897

Lala Hansraj April 19, 1864 – November 15, 1938

Shyamji Krishna Varma October 4, 1957 – March 30, 1930

Rabindranath Tagore May 7, 1861 – August 7, 1941

Lala Har Dayal October 13, 1884 – March 4, 1939

Swami Vivekananda January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902

Virendranath Chattopadhyay October 31, 1880 – September 2, 1937

Ramakrishna Paramhansa February 18, 1836 – August 16, 1886

Hari Kishan 1911 – June 9, 1931

Babasaheb Ambedkar April 14 1891 – December 6, 1956

Kartar Singh Sarabha May 24, 1896 – November 16, 1915

Subhash Chandra Bose January 23, 1897 – Unknown

Shaheed Udham Singh December 26, 1899 – July 31, 1940

Jatindra Nath Das October 27, 1904 – September 13, 1929

Bipin Chandra Pal November 7, 1858 – May 20, 1932

Sachindra Nath Sanyal 1893 – February 7, 1942

Bal Gangadhar Tilak July 23, 1856 – August 1, 1920

Abul Kalam Azad November 11, 1888 – February 22, 1958

Surjya Sen March 22, 1894 – January 12, 1934

Pingali Venkayya August 2, 1876 – July 4, 1963

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay June 26, 1838 – April 8, 1894

Khudiram Bose December 3, 1889 – August 11, 1908

Rash Bihari Bose May 25, 1886 – January 21, 1945

Sri Aurobindo August 15, 1872 – December 5, 1950

Rani Laxmibai November 19, 1835 – June 18, 1858

Mangal Pandey July 19, 1827 – April 8, 1857

Ram Manohar Lohia March 23, 1910 – October 12, 1967

Babu Kunwar Singh November 1777 – April 23, 1858

Birsa Munda November 15, 1875 – June 9, 1900

Lal Bahadur Shastri October 2, 1904 – January 11, 1966

Rajendra Prasad December 3, 1884 – February 28, 1963

Jayaprakash Narayan October 11, 1902 – October 8, 1979

Gopal Ganesh Agarkar July 14, 1856 – June 17, 1895

Jawaharlal Nehru November 14, 1889 – May 27, 1964

Sarojini Naidu February 13, 1879 – March 2, 1949

Gopal Krishna Gokhale May 9, 1866 – February 19, 1915

Bhikaki Rustom Cama September 24, 1861 – August 13, 1936

Dadabhai Naoroji September 4, 1825 – June 30, 1917

Aruna Asaf Ali July 16, 1909 – July 29, 1996

Usha Mehta March 25, 1920 – August 11, 2000

Sucheta Kriplani June 25, 1908 – December 1, 1974

Vasudev Balwant Phadke November 4, 1845 – February 17, 1883

Narendra Mohan Sen 1887 – 1963

Bhagwati Charan Vohra July 1903 – May 28, 1930

Sindhutai Sakpal November 14, 1948

Jaidev Kapoor October 24, 1908 – September 19, 1994

Durga Bhagwati Charan Vohra October 8, 1907 – October 15, 1999

Important Historical Dates

Quit India Movement August 8, 1920

Kakori Kaand August 9, 1925

Martyrdom Day of Bhagat

Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru March 23, 1931

People celebrating India’s Independence in 1947. (Picture shared by Lets Speak India group on Facebook.)