And I am back....

It's been more than three years since I wrote any post on this blog of mine. Long time!! Phew...!! Now is the time to come back to the world where I belong- the world of words.

So many things changed in these three years. When I started this blog in 2011, I was a student and wanted my work to be published and was able to achieve this. I have grown up as a person, became independent, was blessed with love of my life and found solace in walking in the woods. :)

As I have always said that I am not a writer but I love to express myself through simple words. I am at peace with myself when I write. Innumerable changes that happened in past few years didn't allow me to write for my own blog but hopefully, it won't happen again.

In our busy and near-perfect lives we hardly get time to do something for ourselves. I decided to come out of my cocoon and travel without an itinerary. This year in April, I had already resigned from my office and sent a message to my travel partner cum friend Paddy- “I am going to Diu. Wanna join me?” As expected, she said ‘Yes’, instantly. We took a train from Delhi to Ahmedabad where I met a friend of mine who agreed to join us and three of us arrived in Diu taking an overnight bus . We hired two-wheelers and explored the blend of sea, sand and sun in Diu. We stood in front of the Arabian sea holding each other’s hand, chatting, cracking jokes, falling down when hit by sea waves , standing again, watching sun hiding in the sea. It was a moment of self-realization and the joy of being with friends. From Diu we moved on to Somnath Temple and then to Jaipur, ofcourse with no planning at all. Travelling without an itinerary can be so much fun. 

Struck by wanderlust, I have travelled extensively across India in last one year. I enjoyed exploring offbeat places, the picturesque natural world and the beautiful people I came across while travelling.

I moved from India to Japan this year in May. Initially, living in Japan has been a challenging task for me, all the more so because I am a vegetarian and don't understand Japanese language but all this could not stop me from exploring this amazing country which is gifted with nature's abundant blessings. I was so overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this country that I thought I should write about it.

So, in next few posts I will be exploring some beautiful places in Japan. Hope you would like it!!

Thanks for reading.

-Anubha

Seeking UNITY in "Unity in Diversity"

Unity in diversity-since childhood I am hearing this phrase. Our teachers have always stressed upon presenting India as an epitome of "Unity in Diversity".Up to some extent I have to believe on it. Ameliorated by sequential breezes of migrations that have become a part of life in India, this country encapsulates 24 languages and numerous dialects spoken by millions of people. This multilingual and  multicultural nation is a home to innumerous communities, groups and  religions.

I do believe in diversity this great country possesses but I am still in search of ....."Unity". I must make it clear that just shouting in a loud unanimous voice that "We are Indians", I don't consider it as Unity. It is a lot more than this. I am in search of a 'driving force' that can unite us for a cause, purpose and for the betterment of the nation.

I saw people speaking aloud for reservations on various grounds and getting political support as well.I am not a pessimist by nature but let's get this fact right--when was the last time they dared to say that my community/religion/group doesn't need any "special status" just because it won't be good for my country? Doesn't it create a rift between the people?Shall I blame presence of diverse groups for this?  The problem is we all are selfish by nature. On one side we ask for "right to equality" and on the other side we ask for "special favors".I must mention here that nobody ever raised voice against reservation given to war widow's kids or the tribals living in pathetic conditions. It means , the concept of reservation shall not be completely discarded but it should be genuine.

When Egypt experienced revolution, some people talked about similar kind of revolution against corruption in India. Those people forgot that, may be Egyptian Revolution wasn't governed by Islam but it was driven by Islam. They all shared a common link between them and we lack that common link. Religion can be extremely powerful weapon against any social or political menace, depends how we interpret and channelize it.

Such movements did start in India also but some found the "saffron robe" communal and some had problem with the poster of "Bharat Mata". It really made me think whether the "cause" was not important enough or do we lack something? What's the use of such diversity that stops you to do the right thing and support a well deserving cause? If a religion can bring a revolution in Egypt why doesn't another can bring out a positive change in the society? When such movements fail, it's not failure of One 'Anna' or 'Ramdev', it's our failure to stand in unity. On first place, why do we even need people like Anna and Ramdev to fight for us? Aren't we capable enough? Yes, we are. But we lack any sort of "driving force"...Alaaassss!!!!!! Test for Unity failed again. 

"Diversity" and "Secularism"are the two most misused words by Indian politicians. Somewhere they understand our weakness very well and exploit it for their vested interests.'Unity' has been deliberately deleted from "Unity in Diversity". They know it, no revolution can yield results and hence they are safe. Who cares till it doesn't affect us directly in any manner? Be it corruption, be it a blast.

The truth is-- Nothing unites us except CRICKET...But I kept my search on.

I have 35 students in my class and they come from 18 different states of India. We never cared about the country, patriotism, India and our responsibility towards the nation. We didn't even blend with each other because some of us don't understand each other's language. A group of people abused India everyday in front of us.We ignored it once, twice, thrice but for the fourth time stood against them. Not only we started giving them an answer, we started reading about India to give them a better answer. Many of us started learning how to file RTIs. 5 or 6 of us took part in IAC movement. We planned and are at the verge of initiating a publication that will be a platform for youth and will help the school students to develop views about current happenings. That " group" unknowingly united us and acted as a "driving force". 

My search for such a "driving force" in India is still on and I am still seeking "Unity"...I am still living "in the vicinity of hope..".

Penned by-
Anubha Shukla

Youth Is Directionless But Not Irresponsible.

Usually I don't write down personal incidents on my blog but series of confrontations with a few questioning minds made me to express my views through an incident that happened with me two days back. On friday morning, me and my classmates were eagerly waiting for our advertising class which is taken by a very experienced and charismatic person. For his introduction, I would just like to mention that he headed Public Relation Society of India (Delhi Chapter) and this is just a feather in his cap.

He started off the class with enormous energy as he usually does discussing the 'publics in public relation'.While explaining further he cited the example of 'Anna Hazare Movement' and his first statement was-"This movement is going to die off, nothing will happen." One or two of my friends, (who volunteered  with me at Jantar Mantar while Anna was on fast) tried to convince him that revolution starts from somewhere but their mincing words failed to do so. He put his point more strongly by making one of the volunteers to stand and asked, "What have you done for the movement since you have come back from Jantar Mantar? Did you write a single letter to editor or even a blogpost? " The expected answer came from the boy-No! 

The sir went on- "You people just create euphoria, if you want to do something start from your own home.It was just a 5 days fest and now everything is gone." I was listening to all this and ultimately can not resist myself from raising my hand while saying, "sir, I want to say something." He allowed me to speak and I started, " Sir, I am connected to this movement from past six months when it started in November last year. Since then, I have written ten letters to editor those have been published in Hindustan Times. I have made the people aware of 'JanLokpal Bill' through a special facebook account and Google buzz.I attended the India Against Corruption rally on 30th of January at Ram Lila Maidan.I have been writing blogposts twice a month adressing such issues and I don't think I have done anything special because I am not the only one. " Suddenly, he stopped me and smilingly uttered, "In the language of advertising, your product has been sold. Lady you will not let this movement die and I am complimenting you." Normally, he never gets convinced so early still I preferred to halt myself.

After few minutes, again he touched the wrong strings. " A simple bill can not curb corruption.Nothing will happen because corruption is so deeply rooted in this country. One or two people can't bring the change".You can call it my stubbornness, but I raised my hand again. This time he said, "lady you can put your point but I won't say a word." Still I asked him, "Will you agree sir, inspiration can be positive or negative?, He moved his head in affirmation and I continued, "When last time I went for IAC, only one person followed me, but this time at Jantar Mantar, four of my classmates came along with me.Something positive inspired me to volunteer there on my birthday rather than partying with friends. But the way you are treating this issue, next time I won't find a single person from this class to accompany me because of negative insipration. My only question is why to be so cynical?". He didn't say much but just smiled and said, "I am not spreading negativity, I am just motivating you people."

Though I expressed my viewpoint but frankly speaking, I was a bit scared because I knew that my teacher is going to complain about me to my Director and I will face a tough time.In that 3 hour class, we get a break of 10 mins after one and half hour is over.In the break, he called me up and asked my name.He also asked me about my career plans and gave me some nice suggestions regarding the same.He offered me his help in case I need it in future. If I am not wrong, he was convinced!

The only point to explain the whole incident is to make the people realize that Youth can be directionless,lacks inspiration, contentious and sometimes rude but is not irresponsible. Once it gets a direction, a goal, a particular way, youth is the best asset any country can have to curb any social menace. So, please don't distrust them rather than provide them a direction, a platform where they can voice their aspirations. I know a 18year old, modern young boy teaching small kids at a village on his birthday and filing more than 120 RTI petitions. I have seen a 19year old actively working with a NGO for the betterment of environment.And this list is endless. How can I be cynical? Let us fail, let us struggle.Even if we return with nothing we have the courage to start again. Remember, with experience you never start with '0', you always start with '1'.If you can't do anything for us, atleast don't be cynical. As I always say, If you can't talk positive, atleast be neutral rather than spreading negativity. You never know, who gets inspired from you.

-Penned by

Anubha Shukla.

Truth Buried Under The Graves ?

On April 7, former telecom Minister A Raja's nephew died of  severe heart attack while working out at a gym in Chennai. Pushpanathan Deepak was an engineer by profession and was working for Etisalat DB Company. Here, it is important to observe that Etisalat DB is the telecom company that is being grilled by CBI in gigantic 2G scam which according to CAG cost 1.76 lakh Crore to the country. DB group is owned by Shahid Balwa, who is currently in jail for helping Raja.Though Deepak wasn't a suspect in the case, however CBI had raided his Chennai home in December, 2010 along with Raja and Sadiq Batcha.After Sadiq Batcha, Deepak's death is the second casualty connected to tainted A Raja in high profile 2G case.

Sadiq Batcha, a close aide of A Raja and a prime suspect in 2G case was suspiciously found dead in his bedroom in Chennai on 16th of March. It appeared a suicide but Police didn't overrule the possibility of murder. Sadiq Batcha owned 'Green House Promoters Company' , one of the beneficiaries in the whole 2G debacle. Raja's wife M.A Parameshwari allied the board directors of Green House in 2007.In his suicide letter Batcha said that he could not bear the shame and embarrassment of 2G scam and hence decided to end his life. His death has raised many questions. Is it a suicide or has he been killed by those who were fearing his cracking up before CBI? As Janta Party President Subramanian Swamy puts it, "Suicide and murder will be a part of the 2G investigations as reputations of too many  people are involved."Surprisingly, Dr. V Dekal, the doctor who performed Batcha’s autopsy resigned from the government service to fight Tamil Nadu assembly elections. It’s interesting to note that doctor's father was once a member of A Raja's party DMK. 

From Police to opposition parties, everybody is expecting something fishy about the sudden deaths but this is not the first time when truth is buried under the graves. There had been many such instances when the sudden mysterious death of a prime accused, witness or the suspect has changed the direction of high profile cases. There are innumerous examples where judiciary became vulnerable in front of 'lack of evidence' factor. Obliquely, this lack of evidence factor arises when a key accused,witness or suspect dies during the investigations taking the justice away along with his own life. Lets throw some light on a few such high profile cases.

Do you remember 1996's Fodder scam? Misappropriations worth 950Cr was observed in Bihar's animal husbandry sector in which Ex CMs Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jagannath Mishra were the prime accused. CBI  filed 69 cases against 76 accused regarding the scam. Harish Khandelwal was one of those accused.CBI got formal sanction from the governor to prosecute Lalu Prasad  in May 1997 and the same day Harish Khandelwal was found dead on railway tracks with a suicide note claiming he was fed up with the CBI grilling him to turn into a witness. Finally, Mishra and lalu were released from the CBI custody because CBI could not prove anything against them due to lack of evidences.

Next in the list is PF scam of Ghaziabad. Ashutosh Asthana, the prime accused in the case was arrested in April 2008. Ashutosh was the treasury officer at Ghaziabad court and was charged for draining off Crores from the PFs of class three and four employees within the span of 7 years from 2001 to 2008. During investigations, CBI found that 36 judges were named by Asthana as beneficiaries. Among those 36  judges there was one Supreme Court judge and three Allahabad Court judges. The charge sheet was filed against 78 people. In November 2009, Asthana was found dead at Dasna District jail. Police claimed it was a heart attack but the doctor who did his postmortem didn't deny the possibility of poison consumption. Even Asthana's brother Shishir alleged murder.

1n 1993, Shashi Nath Jha who was PA to Jharkand Mukti Morcha Chief Shibu Soren, disclosed a deal between JMM and Congress to rescue PV Narasimha Rao government. In May 1994 ,Jha was abducted from Dhaula Kuan and was killed in a jungle in Ranchi. In December 2006 Shibu Soren was given life imprisonment by Delhi Court but this decision was changed by Delhi High Court and Soren was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

As years went by, people forgot about Fodder scam, alleged JMM-Congress deal, and PF scam. After giving a few nightmares to the government,2G scam might also be forgotten soon. But what about the exchequer's money?  Most importantly, what about the concealed truth under these graves?We say that the justice delayed is justice denied but what would we call it if justice is being killed?

Penned by-

Anubha Shukla

In The Name of The Politics

India- an incredible country that has become a synonym for scams in past few months. Diverse are its people and so are its issues of concern, but the speciality about this country is that not a single issue remains untouched with politics.

India is a place where serious issues are shadowed by so called secular media and almost every thing is politicised to worsen the issue itself. It's a place where a 'Hindu nationalist' is called 'RSS Activist' and a 'Muslim nationalist' is framed as 'kafir' within a blink of an eye by some 'liberals'. Sometimes in the name of majority and most of the times for the votes of the minority, 'truth' is concealed and killed by our politicians. Pragmatically, the only minority in this country are nationalists who can put the country first & don't sell it for their vested interests.

There are no rules, no ethics required to pursue politics in India. As long as you can fool the people successfully to snatch the only right constitution provides them , their vote, you are the Government. Democracy has transformed into Demoncracy where 'Votes' are more valuable than lives. 

Do the politics on the demolition of a mosque. Promise the people to stand a temple again in the name of the politics. Reopen the corruption cases during elections and bury them deep down into the stacks of files as  soon as the elections are over. Don't even leave 'God' unaffected from the dirt of politics. Provoke the people to get into riots. Engage them in talks of Mandir-Masjid so that they don't get time to think about the huge chunk of their countrymen who are dying of hunger sharing the same land. Politicians in our country are so amazing that they can even politicise the hoisting of national flag within its territory. Ironically, the decision which was factually 'wrong' when you were in 'opposition' becomes the 'right' when you are the government. Everything is fine in the name of the politics.

'Silent Diplomacy' is an effort of two idiots who prefer to see through behind the scene drama on political stage to showcase an unbiased, true picture of the show called Democracy. We hope that you will like the brutal postmortem carried out by us.

--Anubha Shukla.

'Special Status'- A Curse In Disguise

Just a few days ago, a number of protesters blocked  the railway tracks near Kafurpur railway station which is 300 km from Lucknow. The motive was very clear, they were demanding reservation for Jat community under OBC (other backward classes) category. Evidently, the common people suffered due to their demonstrations. Routes of 30 trains were changed and 5 other were cancelled disturbing quite busy Delhi-Lucknow rail route. Further, the Jat Arakshan Samiti cadre threatened to intensify its agitation if the central government doesn't pay attention to their demands.

A similar incident occured around 2 months back when Gujjar community agitated demanding 5% reservation in Government jobs and educational institutions disrupting the movements of trains between Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur in Rajasthan. This agitation started off in 2007 and had cost 70 lives so far. The State Government of Rajasthan tried to negotiate the whole issue by offering Rs 2.8 billion to improve schools, clinics, roads and other infrastructure in Gujjar areas but Gujjar community turned down the offer and preferred to stick to their demand of 'special status'.

Not showing any different story,  recently, All India Muslim Morcha demanded 8.44 % reservation for Muslims from UP Government following the lines of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal. West bengal already provides 10% reservation to this community under OBC.

The constituion of India gives the right to equality to every individual and mentions the 'Secularism' as one of its key ideals. But ironically, every other person is vying for special status in this country. Sometimes in the name of caste, religion, SC, ST or minority. But the question here is can we afford to make the minority happy at the cost of the rights of the majority? Whether continuing the similar reservation criteria  even after more than 60 years of independence is not an overburden on so called General category which is receiving a feeling of minorty in its own country? Is it continuous governmental failure of 60 years or a harsh check on the patience of the majority? 

 

Whenever majority raises its voice for right to equality, it is reminded of the word "Secularism" included in the Constitution. Unfortunately, the so called "liberals" who defend the 'special status phenomenon' forget that it is a threat to Secularism itself. The Central Government of India reserves 27% of higher education. Further, individual states can also legislate additional reservations. Reservation should not be extended over 50% as per the ruling but certain states like Rajasthan offer 68% reserved seats (which includes 14% for forward castes). SC and STs who have already entered into mainstream are still using its benefit. What about the poor people who belong to the upper castes or the majority category? Why it can't be economic status based rather than based on Caste or religion? 

Today, our youth prefers to leave the country rather than struggling for an opportunity in his own nation. Rural India is still not benefitted and the prevailing reservation system is too rigid. Pragmatically, 60% of India(again the majority) that lives in villages needs schools, health facilities, roads, food, safe drinking water and not reservations in urban institutions. The general category never raised voice against the reservation given to war widow's kids or the tribals living in pathetic conditions but it does feel being cheated when people demand undeserving special status.

This whole scenario has created a rift between reserved and unreserved category within a country. I would like to use the word 'majority' for people belonging to unreserved category. This gap, that's been generated sometimes out of need and sometimes because of politicisation of the issue is increasing the dissatisfaction among the majority and that is transforming into anger and the next stage will be- hatred against the minority/undeserving reserved class. And keeping this in picture, clashes between the two are obvious which is a threat to a secular, stable society and for an economy beholding the 

transformation from 'developing' to 'developed'. Someone rightly quoted that the goodwill of the minority is secure if the goodwill of the majority is secured. 

We need not to go too far to understand the aftermath of providing 'special status' to a particular section of the society. A state of India was given 'special status' in Constitution of India 62 years back and we are still witnessing  its consequences. Even a serious issue becomes irritating when it has 'reservation' or 'special status' tag attatched to it. Either don't ask for 'special status' or don't talk about 'right to  equality', both the things can't go together.

--penned by

Anubha Shukla.

The Absent State- Book Review

THE ABSENT STATE is an appreciable effort to encapsulate all forms of insurgencies India is battling against. The  book provides an unbiased view and tries to cover every aspect of an insurgency area that breaks the general perceptions of an outsider. The whole book is divided into three sections. It shells the Naxal affected areas, the millitancy in Kashmir and the most serious ethnic insurgency in Northeast. It obliges the reader to realize that real India doesn't reside in metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai rather in villages where basic needs are far from  the reach of the residents.It throws light on the prevailing huge gap between BPL and IPL of India. It talks about how insurgency is used as an excuse for misgovernance. 

Various schemes announced, but merely announced, in any case if implemented, than corruption overpowers their implementation. Result is obvious, people are deprived of  basic requirements such as education, roads, drinking water, employment opportunites and food to eat.This rift created between the government and the common people which is been filled and most of the times misused by the insurgents & millitants.The politicisation of small issues has worsen the situation and resulted into a disaster. Although, to put the vast insurgency issue in a nutshell is an extremely difficult task but the authors have tried their best to present an unprejudiced sight to avoid it to be seen through a single bigoted lens. The book is a good read for those who want to see the true picture behind the excuse called 'Insurgency'.

penned by Anubha.