A case of Poor timing !!

There’s a new buzzword among the Indian media these days – Intolerance. After 67 years of living in harmony, some people feel threatened and insecure and have termed our nation ‘intolerant’. They feel they are being singled out and being discriminated against since they follow a particular religion. Their fear that their freedom of speech and their fundamental rights will be threatened. The irony is that most of these people are those who have received tremendous love and affection from our citizens who have placed them on the highest pedestal of fame and glory. And yet, they feel insecure. They should in fact feel tremendously safe. They have nothing to fear. That’s because far from being ‘Intolerant’, we are really the most tolerant nation in this world. Too tolerant by half in my opinion. Indeed, if anything we should be criticized for being ‘over tolerant’. Let me show you how.

Let’s take the clock back seven years. Seven years, on this very day a group of heavily armed terrorists across the border sneaked in by boat to South Mumbai and attacked popular targets such as the Mumbai CST and Taj Hotel. The drama continued for five days until all the attackers were either apprehended or killed. By the time they were done, hundreds of innocent people were killed and scores more were wounded. Their mission was more or less accomplished. They had come to spread terror, death, destruction and they had succeeded. The world was quick to condemn the attacks and expressed their sympathy. For the next few days, Mumbai and the rest of the nation boiled as angry citizens came to the streets and demanded justice. We all knew where the perpetrators had come from, despite their vehement denials. And what did our government do? They snapped all Cricketing ties with that nation. Yes you heard me right, Cricketing ties!! Jeepers! And here I was, thinking of a nice old black cat commando operation Entebbe style to nab or kill the perpetrators, and all I got was ‘No Cricket!’.

Now pause for a moment and think. Did the planners of the 26/11/2008 attack even consider this outcome as one of the consequences? Did they, in their wildest dreams ever imagine this step by our government? No self-respecting nation would have tolerated this kind of attack on it’s soil and would have taken steps for immediate retribution. Keeping that in mind, the planners and all those involved would have been on high alert! Imagine the look on their faces, when instead of a deadly retribution, they hear the usual ‘Stern Warning’ and ‘No Cricket!’ message. They would have simply laughed their @$$es off. For all that we know, they would have simply died laughing. 

Ok so what’s done was done right? So the Cricketing ban would have hurt some players and some officials. Well, it was some kind of retribution at least. But then what does the BCCI do? Seven years after the dastardly attack, when the wounds have yet to heal for some of the survivors (or should I say, victims) the BCCI goes all out and announces resumption of Cricketing ties with our ‘Friendly neighbour’. That too, on the very anniversary of the attacks.

 

Now who would dare call our nation ‘Intolerant’ after hearing all this? To those who still brand our nation as intolerant, you have underestimated the magnanimity and the big heart of our government. Terror merchants across the border, perpetrators of scores of heinous and deadly attacks in India live a life of safety and leisure with the knowledge that justice might take a lifetime, if ever to catch up with them. That being the case, You: dear citizen of India can rest easy! Nothing is going to happen to you!

Friday the Thirteenth

It was a Black Friday for Paris indeed. On the morning of the Saturday, the 14^th of November 2015, the world woke up to the shocking news of terrorist attacks carried out on one of the most vibrant cities on earth. What should have been a gay and enjoyable weekend for many Parisians turned out be a nightmare, as scores of innocent people were killed and injured by terrorists who planned and executed the attack with lethal precision.

As an Indian who has witnessed similar attacks on home soil, my heart goes out to those affected.

If I knew better, I would say this was an incident waiting to happen. Our Prime Minister, Mr. 

Narendra Modi rightly said that the attacks mirror those carried out on 26^th November 2008 in Mumbai. India long ago stated that terrorists have used India as a staging ground for carrying out attacks on a worldwide scale. While we suffered, the world joined hands in condemning the heinous acts of terrorism but failed to heed our warning and realize the real repercussions. If the Mumbai attacks are not proof enough, take the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight to Kandahar, Afghanistan. What followed on the 11^th of September 2001 in New York needs no elaboration.

It’s high time we all woke up and acted. Condolence messages might have the best of intent, but to those who have been directly and indirectly affected by such acts, these messages will sound hollow and meaningless, just like the fire brigade arriving after the house has been totally gutted. Terrorism has long since ceased to be a problem for just one nation. As is evident from the events in Paris, even the most powerful and developed nations now find themselves victims of anti-social elements who can wreak havoc at will without prior warning. We have to recognize terrorism as a global problem and come together to crush those responsible. Until we do, attacks like these will become more regular. What is more frightening is not the fact that these attacks will continue, but the fact that we will become immune to them (as we have to many other atrocities nowadays), which will only serve to encourage the perpetrators. We have to join hands and eliminate terrorism from the core. Until then, none of us is going to be safe and sound.

(Apologies if my blog sounds like some clichéd political diatribe)

But then again, there are always two sides to the same coin.    

While an infamous terrorist organization has already claimed responsibility for the heinous act, France has declared this incident as an act of war. French President Hollande has vowed to punish those responsible for this incident and has promised to act ‘ruthlessly’ to crush all enemies of state. This could just be the beginning of what could be a vicious circle and a dark chapter in French history. How France brings to book those responsible for this act is yet to be seen. It won’t take much to figure out that members of a particular religion will be targeted and persecuted. For the actions of a guilty few, many innocents must suffer the trauma of suspicion and hate. This in turn will lead to more dissension and hatred among those affected. This will lead to further repercussions. Need I say more?

This does not mean letting the perpetrators go off the hook. Go after them by all means but watch out for collateral damage. To the French Government I humbly request: if you see the guilty hiding behind a number of innocents, do not attack them or mow them down ruthlessly just to reach the guilty. Instead, move quietly till you trap and isolate the guilty party and then ruthlessly tear them apart. Ensure that no innocent gets harmed in the process. That’s easier said than done of course.

To those responsible for this dastardly act I say only this: What were you hoping to achieve? Have you come any closer to your objectives? Do you think you have redeemed yourself in the eyes of your maker? Are you still under this deluded belief that these kind of acts will guarantee you a spot in heaven?   

Hatred breeds only hatred. As Ben Kingsley stated in the film 'Gandhi', ‘An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind’.

When will this end, if ever?

I appeal to all:

Let there be Sanity, let there be love. Let no innocent suffer.

Above all, let there be everlasting peace.     

A tale of two cows

This is the tale of two cows; with a little twist.

In a certain country farm there were born two cows Molly and Holly. Both were identical twins with features so same that it was impossible to tell them apart. But when it came to behaviour, both were totally different. Molly was brave, adventurous, outspoken and always the bright spark. In contrast Holly was just your normal shy and average cow. Because of her nature, Molly was everyone’s favourite. While all the people and animals in the farm adored Molly, they did not pay any special attention to poor Holly. People often compared them both, with Molly most of the time scoring high in compliments and praises. The constant comparison with her sibling left poor Holly often in tears and she grew up with a deep and lingering inferiority complex.

One day, a cow name Steve joined the farm. Steve was from the city. He was smart, friendly and talkative and immediately made friends with all the farm animals, including Molly and Holly. Steve was particularly impressed by Molly’s nature. One day, when he got the chance he told her, “Hey listen Molly, I think you’re wasting your life on this farm. There are plenty of opportunities out there in the city for persons of your calibre. Just imagine the amount of money you’ll be making, the fame and fortune you’ll receive out there as opposed to just sitting here on the farm chewing hay and giving milk.”

Molly immediately perked up. “Do you really think so Steve?”, she asked.

“Sure as hell.”, Steve replied. “With your brains and personality, you can really go places.”

“Hmm … I don’t know. The farm is safe and comfy”, Molly replied hesitatingly.

“C’mon girl! Ask yourself!! With a personality as yours do you really want to be cooped up your entire life in this barn? Think about it!”, Steve said. And saying so he walked off.

Molly thought long and hard the next few days. She tried to envisage the pros and cons. Life on the farm was comfortable no doubt. There was regular food and caring. But it was also stationary. There was nothing new or exciting about it. It was the same old boring routine everyday and it would be the same old routine her entire life if she decided to stay here.

On the other hand, life in the city offered various choices. True, it was unknown and dangerous territory. There were various pitfalls and traps out there. But there were also so many things to do. She could learn new things, meet new people, visit various places, earn money and make a new life out of herself. Life in the city, while dangerous was also exciting and full of adventure. Finally, after a lot of deliberating, she made her decision.  

A few days later, Molly and Holly were talking as usual in between chewing hay. Molly said to Holly, “You know Holly, I have been thinking a lot. Don’t you think life as a Cow on this farm is pretty boring?”

Holly looked up to her in between chewing, a puzzled expression on her face.

Molly continued, “You know, life on the farm is pretty much dull. I mean it’s the same old routine. Eat hay, give milk, eat hay, give milk and so on. Don’t you think so Holly? “

“Umm…. Well I think it’s pretty Ok.”, Holly replied.

“Of course, you think so! You just don’t have any taste for adventure.” Molly snorted. Holly blushed, stung by the rebuke and continued chewing hay.

Oblivious to her twin sister’s discomfort, Molly continued, “I’ve been thinking long and hard and I really don’t want to end up being a cow my entire life; you know like giving milk and all that. I want to do something big in life and this farm is not big enough for my dreams.”

“Uh-huh.”, Holly said, in between chews. “So what do you plan to do?”, she asked.

“Well ….”, Molly said, bringing her voice down to a whisper. “Don’t tell this to anyone …… I plan to run away to the city.”

“You WHAT ??!!!”, Holly exclaimed dropping they bundle of hay she was chewing.

“Shhh … not so loud! Do you want to alert the entire farm?”, Molly said.

“Hmm … of yeah, Sorry! Are you serious?”, Holly replied.

“Of course I am girl! I’ve never been so serious in my life. There are a thousand things to do out in the city. I’ll find a job, earn lots of money and become rich and famous! Come with me. You can be my right hoof…. So to speak. Don’t get cooped up your entire life in this wretched farm. Just think of the possibilities. We can have nice gourmet food instead of the dull hay we eat every day. We can drive around in expensive chauffeur driven cars instead of lugging carts. We can go places!!”, Molly replied enthusiastically.

But Holly did not share her sister’s enthusiasm.

“Uh-oh! Count me out! I think the best place for me is the farm!” she said.

Her reply piqued Molly considerably. “I knew you would say that!”, she snorted. “Well! A cow you are and a cow you will be forever! Stay here and waste your life! Just do me a favour and don’t breathe a word about this to anyone.”, Molly said and walked away in a huff.

Holly, who was by now accustomed to such abuse from Molly sadly shook her head and continued munching hay.

That night Molly secretly ran off to the city. The farm hands were perplexed by her disappearance and searched high and low in and around the farm, but in vain. Soon, they forgot about her and life went on as usual.

Molly had to face a lot of struggles in the city initially. She was homeless with no money and had very few friends. But she had spirit and soon landed up a job with a big corporate dairy firm. She worked hard night and day and came to the notice of the owner who promoted her, gave her a good raise and additional responsibilities. Her confidence grew along with her ambition and she started working doubly hard. But in the process, she lost all her friends who now feared her as she had more power. Day by Day, Molly got more and more immersed in work. She worked hard, she worked smart and brought herself into notice of her superiors. Slowly and steadily, she climbed up the corporate ladder. Soon, she became an indispensable asset to the company and rose to great power and ranks. But all this came at a price. Her colleagues feared and despised her, became jealous of her power and position and started hating her more than ever. Molly’s continued hard work coupled with an irregular lifestyle also began to take it’s toll on her health. She frequently fell ill and slowly and steadily her health condition deteriorated. This continued for some-time until her system could take it no more. One fine morning, her heart gave way and she collapsed and died on her work place. The irony was that the company people for whom she dedicated her life and worked so hard for, were not even the least affected. There were no tears shed on her demise. Many had wanted to see her go. With shocking disdain, they just dumped her body outside the company premises and went about their daily business as if nothing happened. Outside, vultures, hyenas and other scavengers were waiting. They attacked tore apart poor Molly’s body limb by limb and feasted on her flesh till there was nothing left of her, not even bones!

On the other hand, Holly was now the centre of attention now that Molly was gone. But her experiences of the early days always kept her humbled and grounded to earth. She had her priorities set early in life and did not carry heavy expectations and was well aware of her responsibilities. She grew up to be a fine and sturdy cow on the farm and gave lots and lots of milk of good quality. Slowly and steadily, she became an indispensable asset to the farm. She also gave birth to fine and healthy calf specimens much to her owners delight. Though she did not have any extra-ordinary talents and did not win any medals, she was well versed with her strengths and limitations and more importantly, was very comfortable with her identity. She was well treated and likewise, she treated all animals on the farm with respect. She lived a happy cow for the rest of her life and also died peaceful and content, knowing that she had done her duty well and lived a fulfilling life.

So which cow do you want to be?