"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar".

I was standing at New Delhi station when my attention went towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and wearing a kirpan over his shirt looking similar to a terrorist.

After a while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to alight the train but failed to do so.

Just then a voice was heard from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)

The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.

The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked why did he smile at that person who teased him. The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my Help' . I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the Sikh youth narrated:

During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept. That time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward ,in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities. Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same.

But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities . The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk. Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated.

Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu religion. Can anybody reading this lay down his life and that too for the protection of another religion? This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his life, none of the them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they would also be assassinated

Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji! , Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of the Khalsa made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily located in thousands. At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2,200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at 12 o'clock midnight and rescued the women.

After that time when there occurred a similar incident. People started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 o'clock. Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble! and want my help and was reminding me by saying 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'

Pease don't make fun of religions. Every river is different but they all flow into the ocean. "Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

- Vinit Vijay .

( vinitvijay@ymail.com )

"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar".

I was standing at jalandhar station when my attention went towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and wearing a kirpan over his shirt looking similar to a terrorist.

After a while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to alight the train but failed to do so.

Just then a voice was heard from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)

The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.

The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked why did he smile at that person who teased him. The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my Help' . I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the Sikh youth narrated:

During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept. That time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward ,in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities. Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same.

But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities . The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk. Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated.

Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu religion. Can anybody reading this lay down his life and that too for the protection of another religion? This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his life, none of the them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they would also be assassinated

Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji! , Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of the Khalsa made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily located in thousands. At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2,200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at 12 o'clock midnight and rescued the women.

After that time when there occurred a similar incident. People started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 o'clock. Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble! and want my help and was reminding me by saying 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'

Pease don't make fun of religions. Every river is different but they all flow into the ocean. "Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

- Vinit Vijay .

( vinitvijay@ymail.com )

"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

"Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar".

I was standing at jalandhar station when my attention went towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and wearing a kirpan over his shirt looking similar to a terrorist.

After a while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to alight the train but failed to do so.

Just then a voice was heard from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)

The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.

The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked why did he smile at that person who teased him. The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my Help' . I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the Sikh youth narrated:

During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as their own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept. That time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward ,in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities. Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same.

But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities . The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk. Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated.

Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu religion. Can anybody reading this lay down his life and that too for the protection of another religion? This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his life, none of the them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they would also be assassinated

Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji! , Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of the Khalsa made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily located in thousands. At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2,200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at 12 o'clock midnight and rescued the women.

After that time when there occurred a similar incident. People started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 o'clock. Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble! and want my help and was reminding me by saying 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'

Pease don't make fun of religions. Every river is different but they all flow into the ocean. "Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but it's too difficult to be a Sardar"

- Vinit Vijay .

( vinitvijay@ymail.com )

Live Life, Don't Just Spend It...

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,

When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,

Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class

and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly,

He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar

And proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students, if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured

them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively

filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,

‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - family,

children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions

Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else –The small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ He continued,

there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,

You will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So…

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play With your children.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

‘Take care of the golf balls first –

The things that really matter.

Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

‘I’m glad you asked’.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,

there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.’

Please share this with other “Golf Balls”

I just did……

Sharing ! That oft repeated term in our existence, seldom put out to practice. Sharing ! The joy of giving to another without question and cause. Sharing ! That elusive act that demarcates the ultimate sacrifice for the other. When you share the ‘other’ ceases to be the ‘other’, it becomes your own. It becomes my possession and pride. When you give me something of yours, the ‘y’ disappears ; it becomes ours. From singular to plural. We multiply when we give - happiness, joy, achievement, good will. We decimate and diminish when we share sorrow. We still share. Only our mode and cause changes. I want to share my happiness with you, my ‘golf balls’. But I hesitate to share my sorrows and pain. I find it selfish and opportunity ridden. I would include you in joy, but my pain must remain mine, even though I propagate that it would diminish if shared.

On occasion when I have demonstrated anguish and anger and discomfort, the immediate concern has been most reassuring and welcome. It felt as though my pain was being felt by others. That, I abhor and dislike. I cannot and should not become the reason for another’s discomfort. And if I do and have, then it is time for redresser and retribution.

May there never be a situation where I could have given reason for such behavior.

--

Vinit Vijay

( vinitvijay@ymail.com )

Letter To Narayan Murthy (Infosys)

Dear Sir,
It is indeed an honor that one of the most Respected Indians is reading my letter today. It’s been a long time that I was mulling about writing to you, but as you know, we IT people are busy (without work, sometimes) and under observation in offices. So, I kept on postponing this communication [I hope it does not end up being one way communication] What prompted me to write to you was a piece written by you in Indian Express that IT alone would not be able to make much difference. All sectors including Manufacturing and Agriculture have to come together to take the nation further. I thought that see this person, how much he is concerned about India. Even now after establishing Infosys in global bigwigs, he is concerned about India and Indian economy and not gone to US in a cozy Villa or Farmhouse.I agree with you, not less than my own self. You are right (as always). I see you as a Leader, a visionary (not like President Kalaam. who wrote India 2020 and kept quite). I admire you and follow what you say. Being ethical, honest, getting up early, sincere to work etc is what I have learn from you. But as they say, love brings hate too; I see some drawbacks in my ideal personality (that is YOU) which came to my mind because of long observation of you, your words and actions.In you, I (and many of my friends) see a person who should be at the helm of affairs in this country. You should be there to guide this country of highly ill-informed, mislead, misjudged, ill-treated, illiterate and many more Ill’s. We keep thinking about how things should be. We keep on dreaming how we would have GREAT NATION to live in. I always get frustrated to learn that some politician did this, some criminal did that, Courts are slow, Police is corrupt, System is corrupt, public property was burnt, girls were burnt alive in a bus and many more. I feel like taking a gun and shooting all those who are at fault. Sometimes I get frustrated so much that I feel like killing every criminal. No, not because I have suffered, it's because I am not able to do anything for my country. I wish you could understand how much energy flows up and down in this age (you might have observed it in your young age I believe). But unfortunately, if I do something like that, I would be declared to be a Terrorist, a tyrant. Nobody knows me so I can’t make much difference although I want to. You know the system well. You are also sad about it, you have also thought creatively/out of the box (as u say) to break all the system-created hurdles in our way to prosperity (a 2 Billion Co is enough of example).But somewhere I smell a “no-no” attitude in your thinking and actions. You want the system to change but you don’t want to join the fight. You want to clean the house but want to avoid the dirt catching your hands. That is what frustrates me even more. If you could come in front of us, to lead the youth, we want to bring down the current day corrupt people from every place in system. Isn’t it too much for you yet? Aren’t you fed up of strikes, killings in name of religions, crimes, looting in every aspect, rising prices of everything Humans require.We need someone whom people know, respect, admire to come in front and take a lead. I am not saying fight elections or something. But please be active to some extent. It was sad to see that NRN refused publicly (in a meeting with Pronnoy Roy and Bill Gates) to enter politics. Sir, you drive simple car and live in simple houses just because youth will follow you and it will bring down the greed and all. Then why not take active part in politics to set the pace among youth. You need not say anything about Laalu, Jayalalitha,Mulayam or anyone (considering Infy’s Business Interest). But sir, you can teach the 50000 workforce of Infy to take interest in this country’s system. I know you can convince all of them. If you start, everyone (including Premji, Shiv Nadar and everyone) will start something on these lines. We need people to know the issues of country. If you are scared of speaking in public, do it internally in Infosys and classify the Speeches/Mailers. Do something sir!!! It is getting late and late by everyday. Waiting for your reply through your actions, Sincerely,
Vinit Vijay
(vinitvijay@ymail.com)

24.10.2009 (Definition Of Pain)

Pain has the ability to destroy the mind and the being. You may be exalted in position, overjoyed at success, happy at company, but were you to be in pain it would rob you of all accomplishments.

If the body cannot respond to the joys of nature and mind, it is best not to have a body at all. I feel a bit despondent and tempted towards the latter. When all else around you buzzes with activity and achievement, when the mind is ready to soar involuntarily, when it lovingly coaxes you into acts of creative ingenious levels and you discover that there is no ‘body’ to acknowledge it, then it is that you want to disassociate yourself with all else and succumb to the misery that has been implanted upon you.

Human lives are full of such painful episodes. You could be in the poorest of health but in the eyes of an admiring mass you would need to put on that brave and positive face. A face that defies defeat and dishonor, pain and misery, distress and discomfort. Ever tried to smile continuously in grievous pain, ever never failed to wave back at an ecstatic fan irrespective of the state of the mind ? We are a tribe that get subjected to such odds in our lives. We are a tribe that shall be pulled up and over for an act that does not suit the convenience of the other. We are a tribe that are expected to be more than a hundred percent in more than one occasion, despite handicaps. We are a tribe that when you resist or complain, status, position and wealth shall be thrown about you. Oh.. you are a man, a person of immense responsibilities, this is what comes in your territory and you had better not complain about it.

But just because we have responsibilities, are we devoid of emotion and feeling ? Will every act of ours be leveled in such manner ? When are we supposed to be treated like other normal humans ? Or do we not deserve to be ? Who then will ascertain what we ought to be ? Why should an ‘other’ ascertain what we need to be ? And if for arguments sake we consider this to be applicable, who’s judgment shall we adopt ? Yours or mine ? There are so many confusions !!!

I have many thoughts on this, but now my hand prevents me from any further activity.

My feelings are unabated … though somewhat marred with my condition at present …

No .. I do not expect sympathy or anxiety over what I am .. that would pain me more. Resist and desist then, till I am in your midst again ..

- Vinit Vijay .

(vinitvijay@ymail.com)

06.10.2009 (My Silence)

I acknowledge the more serious concerns raised by those with a voice in the public sphere in India with regard to the potential cultural significance and ramifications of the most private acts of the most public individuals, particularly when India is passing through a time of exciting change and dramatic flux, both within its borders and also within a wider global context.

I also acknowledge that the spheres of the public and private are strenuously contested in the modern world, as I believe they should be and should always be so, open to change and modification of their boundaries. This is essential for the sake of transparency against corruption and also to maintain a healthy culture of civic ethics. Public identities are always thus contested, between the public and private spheres, and within the public sphere itself. The same applies to private ones, for that matter. But public and private identities simply cannot be wholly collapsed into each other, for that would create injustice: they are two distinct kinds of identities for good reason.

I believe in the collective right to freedom of information as much as I do the individual right to privacy. But it is the ambit of our democratically elected representatives to debate the particular balance of these rights at any given time and adjust them to correspond, in formal law, with the particular values and circumstances of our civic culture.

I am not in a position that would give justification to my personal views on the subject. Thus I remain silent.

I am, all the same, aware that it is for all of us our duty as citizens to preserve a civic ethic of responsibility to protect these defined rights. I have thus tried to act accordingly as an individual, with what success I do not know. By contrast, I do feel that we owe much gratitude to the professional media in this country. Its individual journalists, writers and reporters are the greatest champions of our freedoms. I do believe that the Indian media is responsible to our democratic and liberal way of life in this great nation. A free media must also be a just and fair media, where there is a clear distinction between private opinion and public rational argument, where their information is soundly verified by factual evidence, where there is a judicious balance of debate. I salute their ideals and achievements.

I would also like to say that I do take note of the particular focus of some in the media on my private religious practice and beliefs. I am always keen to learn, but regardless of its welcome personal educative content on the subject of more abstruse rites and rituals, I can appreciate the greater concern regarding the possibility of their wider cultural ramifications, although I would add that I have absolutely no intent to set a wider example by my private acts of devotion. However, I am also aware that intent is not enough.

It is more than a possibility that all complex and diverse societies with a secular state are equally fragile, where the principles of mutual tolerance and mutual respect that sustain peaceful co-existence between different religious and cultural communities within the whole must be renewed constantly in practice. Eternal vigilance is indeed the price of freedom, of all manner of freedoms, and so any apparent sign of public sectarian tendencies must indeed be treated as a serious concern. Nevertheless, I am aware that one must equally guard against the pursuit of vigilance with excessive enthusiasm.

Therefore, to strengthen mere intent and clear any misunderstanding on the issue, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly affirm my loyalty, not only to the profoundly democratic society and liberal culture, but also to the secular state, of India. As I think a secular state a necessity in order to preserve the right of the individual to their private religion or to none at all, so I will refrain from discussing my own religious beliefs and practices. And so, I remain silent.

Anyone in general is free to draw what conclusions it may, based on accurate fact, or hearsay, or even the most surreal rumor. They are free to choose whom they believe and trust, for after all, there is more than one newspaper, journal, news channel or website at their disposal. They are free to seek the truth, or to seek entertainment, as they wish.

You have felt that “these practices show a medieval element, show a problem that runs through our society.

Quite obviously the observations are defeated at the very outset because the very nature and premise of your thoughts emanate from a wrong base. In the absence of any “practices” alleged to have been committed and strongly denied by us, the question whether it shows a “medieval element” or not is irrelevant. Your fear that this is a problem that “runs through out society” may be relevant. It could perhaps be entertained as a subject for debate.
But it is beyond the reach of my intellectual capacity to comment upon.

Your other observation, wrongly assuming that we follow superstitious beliefs, directs us to go to religious heads for medical relief as opposed to a scientific professional in the shape of a doctor. Here too the argument is defeated because of my earlier notings.
I need your comments on it.........
-- Vinit Vijay .
(vinitvijay@ymail.com)

05.10.2009

I acknowledge the more serious concerns raised by those with a voice in the public sphere in India with regard to the potential cultural significance and ramifications of the most private acts of the most public individuals, particularly when India is passing through a time of exciting change and dramatic flux, both within its borders and also within a wider global context.

I also acknowledge that the spheres of the public and private are strenuously contested in the modern world, as I believe they should be and should always be so, open to change and modification of their boundaries. This is essential for the sake of transparency against corruption and also to maintain a healthy culture of civic ethics. Public identities are always thus contested, between the public and private spheres, and within the public sphere itself. The same applies to private ones, for that matter. But public and private identities simply cannot be wholly collapsed into each other, for that would create injustice: they are two distinct kinds of identities for good reason.

I believe in the collective right to freedom of information as much as I do the individual right to privacy. But it is the ambit of our democratically elected representatives to debate the particular balance of these rights at any given time and adjust them to correspond, in formal law, with the particular values and circumstances of our civic culture.

I am not in a position that would give justification to my personal views on the subject. Thus I remain silent.

I am, all the same, aware that it is for all of us our duty as citizens to preserve a civic ethic of responsibility to protect these defined rights. I have thus tried to act accordingly as an individual, with what success I do not know. By contrast, I do feel that we owe much gratitude to the professional media in this country. Its individual journalists, writers and reporters are the greatest champions of our freedoms. I do believe that the Indian media is responsible to our democratic and liberal way of life in this great nation. A free media must also be a just and fair media, where there is a clear distinction between private opinion and public rational argument, where their information is soundly verified by factual evidence, where there is a judicious balance of debate. I salute their ideals and achievements.

I would also like to say that I do take note of the particular focus of some in the media on my private religious practice and beliefs. I am always keen to learn, but regardless of its welcome personal educative content on the subject of more abstruse rites and rituals, I can appreciate the greater concern regarding the possibility of their wider cultural ramifications, although I would add that I have absolutely no intent to set a wider example by my private acts of devotion. However, I am also aware that intent is not enough.

It is more than a possibility that all complex and diverse societies with a secular state are equally fragile, where the principles of mutual tolerance and mutual respect that sustain peaceful co-existence between different religious and cultural communities within the whole must be renewed constantly in practice. Eternal vigilance is indeed the price of freedom, of all manner of freedoms, and so any apparent sign of public sectarian tendencies must indeed be treated as a serious concern. Nevertheless, I am aware that one must equally guard against the pursuit of vigilance with excessive enthusiasm.

Therefore, to strengthen mere intent and clear any misunderstanding on the issue, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly affirm my loyalty, not only to the profoundly democratic society and liberal culture, but also to the secular state, of India. As I think a secular state a necessity in order to preserve the right of the individual to their private religion or to none at all, so I will refrain from discussing my own religious beliefs and practices in my public capacity. And so, I remain silent.

The public in general is free to draw what conclusions it may, based on accurate fact, or hearsay, or even the most surreal rumour. They are free to choose whom they believe and trust, for after all, there is more than one newspaper, journal, news channel or website at their disposal. They are free to seek the truth, or to seek entertainment, as they wish.

These practices show a medieval element, show a problem that runs through our society strengthening it with comments.

Quite obviously the observations are defeated at the very outset because the very nature and premise of the thoughts emanate from a wrong base. In the absence of any “practices” alleged to have been committed and strongly denied by us, the question whether it shows a “medieval element” or not is irrelevant. Your fear that this is a problem that “runs through out society” may be relevant. It could perhaps be entertained as a subject for debate.
But it is beyond the reach of my intellectual capacity to comment upon.

-- Vinit Vijay .

(vinitvijay@ymail.com)

01.10.2009 (Approvals In Life)

‘Realization’ yesterday sent many in remorse. There was apprehension on what exactly was causing the desire for a realization to our limits. And many felt that there had perhaps been an incident that may have caused this trait of negativism. No, there was nothing of the sort, but yes there was a feeling of wanting to revisit myself and to face it and talk about it to people.

I believe just as ‘realization’ becomes topical when we comment upon limits, so also does ‘approval’. It is not an uncommon expression and neither does it not have the importance of presence in the life of us mortals.

We seek approval from elders, from peers, from friends and colleagues. An approval signifies concurrence in thought word and deed. It is important that we are told or made aware of that an approval has taken place. It confirms, what one may have decided individually, but not been too confident of. At my work, we seek approval from seniors.

At our work station there will always run approval - on the work that was commissioned to us, on its integrity, its competence.

In public life we constantly seek approval. We work on the approved shoulders of those who mattered and those that would bring on the responsibility. Polity approval puts the seat of power onto one individual - the candidates run into each other on an even playing field, but the individual person exercising his or her democratic right, votes his approval. Their approval remains with us for 5 years ! We approve our life partners through marriage. It is one of the most strongest approvals that a human makes. Just the power of the words ‘I do’ approve each other for a lifetime. Look at the sanctity of those approved words. Two humans hitherto unknown to each other spend a lifetime together as husband and wife, on an approval.

It is approved that a nation shall go to war with its neighbor or at some distance . The action has been approved through the rights given to those that sought our approval. We approve the house we choose to live in, its decor, its capacity and its final upkeep. We approve of our staff. We approve who shall be entertained in the house and when and how. We approve much ….

Approval then is an integral part of our existence. It rings true at all turns.

I approved the existence of the blog and you approved of it by coming to it and reading it.

When life is full of so many approvals, which is the approval that you have approved to be the best ? Answer me, for I await your response .

Aadaab, Satsriakaal, good night, namaste…

- Vinit Vijay .

(vinitvijay@ymail.com)

27.09.2009 (A Day Before My Birthday)

Everyone is celebrating Navratri and the atmosphere is filled with the ‘garba’ and dance and music every night ; perhaps the greatest display of mass involvement any where in the world.

It is a moment of festivity in the Jews too I believe and then later in the month, Halloween. It is not mere coincidence that different faiths celebrate at the same time of the year. Beliefs are different but the reasons the same. Dear Lord, Allah, Bhagwan just make it such that we always remain together in celebration, in peace and in harmony. Let us not send signals of fear to each other. Let us all respect and embrace each other in happiness. Please remove the ugliness from within us towards the other. Help us to touch one another as companions. Get us to rid ourselves of hate and evil. Fill us voluntarily with understanding, forgiveness and love and remain with us all the time to help and guide us.

Complicated lives come from complicated living. We are our own culprits. We love to design our own complication and then when we have no solution we complicate it further by seeking external recourse. They that provide guidance and succor from our intertwined issues, lead the best lives. They are professionals that have studied human nature and its behavior. The unknown and the magical has always fascinated us.

What does the future hold for me. Will I be successful and prosper, free from illness and adversity. Will those that become family be in health and safe. How long will I live. There isn’t much more that we desire to know before hand. And there are elements in society that thrive on the needs of others. They appear before me from time to time. Not of my accord but of the desire of others who’s company I may keep occasionally. Their dress and face bear divineness. They move and speak in measured tones ; they are after all on a personal call with HIM. They look deep into our systems. They have the power to change and predict and profess and impress. They have trained well. Studied the options of their craft. For in the troubled world we live in they have mastered the art of putting you face to face with the unknown and the magical. And when you bring in belief … your meal is ready to be served, cooked and baked to perfection.

-- Vinit Vijay .

26.09.2009

Messages pour in for the Navratri festival, some known and mostly unknown. To those that come unknown, my acknowledgements and wishes. Those of the known have already been addressed. Festivities begin now with the ‘dandiya’ dances en masse. Large open areas shall be converted into massive dance floors and thousands shall move to the sounds of popular hits of the day to the rhythm of the ‘garba’. The young couples dressed in traditional costumes of Gujarat holding the dandiya and striking them with opposite numbers in a most intricate dance movement. The constant clashing of the sticks creating an incredible atmosphere of happy revelry.

So much variety and color and movement in all our traditional dances. Just unimaginable. Long may the festivals exist and long may the atmosphere of music laughter and song prevail in all our lives.

Traveling out from home always puts in you a sense of disruption. It is home and things are in order and routine, when suddenly we are putting things in bags that we feel shall be necessary on our way out and in different environs. At times we are hesitant to move. Its unsettling the settled. Once out and in strange and newer climes, it takes a while to adjust to the facilities. As time goes by the mind and the body adjusts and then gets comfortable. Soon enough the same procedure of moving out and back to the original shall occur and similar feeling of disruption shall take over. The place and location that felt odd and different, now assumes a position of some permanence and shifting about again conjures some resistance. It happens all the time, with all of us. The human is built psychologically I think to remain anchored in one place. Shifting about from place to place disturbs his nature. Is it any wonder then that some of the most common disputes emanate from disputes over possession. Possession of land, possession of territory, of position. All the wars in the world came about from this most singular factor - someone wanted more and someone refused to part with it. Being settled is by nature our nature. We desire a space which we can call ours. It does not matter what the dimensions be, it should be devoid of another’s presence and claim. It is ‘our’ home, ‘our’ room, ‘my’ car, ‘my’ school …

And once the designation is complete, our undiluted attention is directed towards it. You support a team in any sport and it becomes your obsession. It is our team. And no matter where you are and belong, our team when it plays gets our support.

Caste, creed and religion do the same to us. We don’t come with it written on our heads. It is told to us and we follow. We try to find those that are ‘ours’ and discriminate against those that are ‘theirs’. Simply because we possess one and not the other.

When I put greetings for Eid, or Navratri, Rosh Hashanah and Durga Puja I am sometimes acknowledged for giving position to respective festival, in a manner which expresses at times, surprise. But just because I am from different faith does not bind me in not wishing the other. I am moved by my, sorry ‘our’, Ef our FmXt when they dispel difference and come together in acknowledgement to the festival of the other.

And if this little group of committed family members can do it without provocation and dispute, why cannot several others. Look how we rally together in the others need for prayer, when they are in distress. Look how we all come together in the achievements of the other. Look how many more of us converse with each other, than when we started off. Look how much empathy there is in the troubles and anxieties of one who is unseen and unknown.

But look how disturbed and unconnected the world around us is.

If we can light a small candle, hold a gentle flower, whisper an affection towards the other, what a wonderful world we could create.