Stand on the other side of the fence!

I know that life is a chain of unexpected incidents and events. It can take strange deviations. But what I am going to talk about here is how stranger can be human attitude and behavior at times.

I am not one who takes anybody at their face-value. But then, I had always believed that people whom I rely upon, or whom I expect to be close enough to, will remain within a particular limit when it comes to exchange of words or reactions. I mean, I strongly believed that they will remain closer to a point I have marked and will not move too much to this side or that. Though it was not my first experience as such, because I have seen relations and friendships catapulting to exactly opposite directions time and again, a recent incident made me realize that you must always be sure about your judgement about another person, whosoever it may be, with whom you are interacting.  You should not be judgmental nor should you carry lot many expectations, but you must be aware that human mind is susceptible to changes and their actions, reactions and interactions will be particularly determined by their own priorities and perceptions.

I am now reminded of an earlier post of mine where I had written about the selfish nature of man. At the cost of repetition, let me assert again that man is basically selfish. It is his own pleasures, interests and gains that takes priority when it comes to personal or social dealings. All of us those who talk about social commitments or relative honesty and responsibilities are actually talking nonsense. We are not being true about ourselves. It is I and me that matters. I may not be cent percent right in my observation, but being a person who gives a thought to other’s feelings when it comes to a word or an action, I think I am justified in my thoughts; fair or unfair.

I personally do not feel that I would be losing anything if I give some consideration as to what the person on the other side might feel like. You will always win if you are on the right side. But a scathing remark or a wound left on another will take its time to get off your mind. So, why not be a bit slower so that we do not regret later? 

NB: Apologies for the long gap between posts. I wish all my friends a Happy New Year!

Election in India- Mere apprehension of a common voter.

I may be wrong, totally wrong, but I am inclined to share the trepidation of many in the country that India may no longer be what it used to be if a government under Mr Narendra Modi is formed at the Center. If it would be jubilation at one end, there would certainly be frustration at the other end. It may be sheer apprehension but one is skeptical about the secular posture that Mr Modi is trying to bring about. He may be having better intentions but I don’t think it would be safe to conclude that he will be able to free himself from the saffron brigade with different units.

India being a large Country with people following different faiths unevenly spread across the territory, it will be an act of playing with fire if a division on the basis of religion is even thought of by the administration or somebody in the pretext of acting on their behalf. It goes without saying that any action will have a reaction followed again by another action and so on. My little knowledge on the subject says that religion is a very subtly sensitive issue which can turn uncontrollably dangerous if not handled with maturity and care. It won’t be in the interest of the nation to maintain a population with mutual suspect and contempt.

It would be worthwhile to remember the words of India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in this connection that peaceful co-existence is not an option but a compulsion. What a deep and farsighted vision! 

Yes, co-existence is compulsion due to many internal and external factors peculiar to India. Therefore our governments should be sensible enough to handle the issue deftly. We must have leaders who are powerful enough to keep their followers under control. Politicians, irrespective of the parties they belong to or the ideologies they believe in, should exhibit the wisdom to avoid raking up religious sentiments. Religion, caste and regions have been widely used by many, including our politicians, for their own gains. They have been part and parcel of most of our elections too, though passively. But I think this is the first time in the history of Indian democracy that religion has been polarized as a main issue and we know why.

I somehow have started getting cold feet on imagining a government by NDA under Mr Modi in the center. Firstly due to the overconfidence that will be gained by the supporters of Hindutva and secondly due to the inexplicable reactions of the minorities on different pretexts along with many other internal and external reasons about which I don’t want to be explicit. I just wanted to say that we do not want a situation similar to that of sitting on a time-bomb which may explode any time.

The voting is almost coming to an end and there is a four days waiting for the results. I don't care who comes to power. But whoever it is, please remember that we, the people, want the peaceful co-existence to continue; whether by option or by compulsion.

Food for thought.

I know I am not going to write on an entirely new topic. But it is a topic that requires our permanent attention and concern. I am talking about food. The very sight of people wasting food brings to my mind the thousands of people across the world who yearn for a piece-meal at least once in a day.

It is quite a common sight in public functions and hotels etc. You see people filling up their plates with whole lots of food, may be chunks of different varieties, and  after having their fill or may be after completing the formality throw away the balance into waste baskets. This is atrocious. If you ask my opinion, I feel it is one of the greatest sin a man can do. When there are malnourished brothers around us and people who remain hungry for want of food, can't you spare a thought before filling up your plates? Know your stomach and take only what you can eat.

I am not that noble a guy who would ask you to skip a meal for the sake of others but why waste food? I firmly believe that our thoughts would become noble or great only when they are put into practice. One does not lose anything to speak in a public function and enlighten the audience about the importance of food. One does not lose anything by holding exhibitions with photographs of malnourished children.  But it will make a difference only when you are able to share your meal with somebody who is in need. By not wasting food you are indirectly creating surplus of ingredients which may become food for the needy.

I strongly feel that our governments and NGOs should create awareness among the people and encourage them to spare the excess to help the needy. Apologies if I sounded to be sermonizing.

A thought about identity.

What is my actual identity? Is it my appearance, my name, my family, my religion, my State or my Country? All these factors are applicable when you are trying to identify a person who is known to you. I am not talking about the social identity. My point is about the identity of an individual. I understand, as you do, that our identity is something connected with our birth, bringing up and social interactions. But, my personal opinion is that the identity of an individual largely depends on the perception of others; the way they see you, look at you, understand you and interact with you.

Suppose that my name is 'X'. I am a tall, well built and dark complexioned man from, say New York. As long as you do not know my other details, my identity as far as you are concerned will be restricted to my looks. If I introduce myself as Mr 'X' from New York, my name and place would be added to the list. Once we get to know each other, my knowledge and character may further be added.

My identity is not the same for all. As a son or daughter, as a friend, as a relative, as a husband or wife, as a father and so on, people would have different conclusions about me.

What I mean to say is that every individual is of varied identity. One is what he actually is, which may or may not be understood, and the other one is the identity based on the perception of others.

I think that the identity of a person is decided on how another looks at you.

I can write only when I feel like writing.

My last post here is dated 29th June. It is over a month since I have written anything here. I am told that a Blog will lose it's viewership and popularity if the blogger is not regular. But, what to do? Though a few ideas cropped up in between, I just did not feel like writing. Believe me, I can write only when I feel like writing. I don't think I am a prolific writer who can  take a pen and paper and convert his ideas into words with the same ease of sipping a lemonade.

To be frank, I have never really bothered about SEO or about being a popular writer in the virtual world. I might have wanted to do so, but I could never pressurize myself to give a serious thought to such matters. I have read about people earning lot of money through blogging. I am not saying that I did not want to make any money, but my priority was always to write what I feel and that too only when I feel like doing so.

For me, this is a medium of expression. I write down my thoughts, feelings and opinions for people who love to read me. Actually, the fact is that I like to be read. I have been keeping a track of my viewership and do feel delighted when I see a comment on my post.

I think it is time for me to change. I will have to develop. I will have to start thinking about SEOs and earnings. To be precise, I will have to start posting regularly. Right?

That feeling of uncertainty in life.

What I feel is that it is the uncertainty of life that disturbs man the most. It is not the question of whether we are white or black, tall or short, rich or poor or employed or unemployed that matters. Those are just masks we wear for the time being. You may have a different opinion and you are free to hold on to it, but the actual fact that keeps you on your toes is the uncertainty about the next moment. I am not speaking about death; it may come anytime and is expected, though there is no doubt that there is uncertainty in that too.

But more important are the questions like whether you would be loved and wanted as you are now, or that you would be loved and wanted as you are not now. We are living in a world where relations are being given very low priority. Whether it be parental, brotherly or friendly; relations have become very materialistic and you are not sure about your status tomorrow or say even the next moment.

I think relations are important than anything in this world. It is great to realize that there would be people to stand by you in times of happiness as well as in times of sorrow. That feeling is, I believe, greater than all the riches in the world. But there is no certainty about relations. It can change anytime depending on the situations and circumstances.

Life itself  is so uncertain that you are not sure about the next moment. Take simple things like whether you will reach your office on time, whether you will find your wife when you are back home, whether you would be able to have your dinner tonight and so many things like that. You may give word to your friend to attend his birthday party the next day but, I am sure that you would be saying so with an inhibition in your mind as to whether you would be able to fulfill your promise.

Though this is not an explicit feeling, we are all at all times bogged by this strange feeling of uncertainty. May be this is what life is all about. But you will feel disturbed if you give it a thought.

Please Respect The Dead Bodies.

Pakistan has done it again. They have violated the ceasefire agreement. They shot dead two Indian soldiers and beheaded one of them. Allegations and counter allegations are there.

Since we are sharing a border, some misunderstandings are likely to arise which may lead to inevitable reactions. Those may be accepted keeping in mind the conditions of the soldiers manning the borders. But, it is important at the same time, for both the sides to exercise restraint.

But, why mutilate bodies? Aren't we expected to respect international guidelines on the subject? While it may be justifiable to kill the enemy to save one's life or for the sake of the Nation, I fail to understand the sadistic pleasure being enjoyed by the other side in mutilating bodies of Indian soldiers. This is not the first time. This has happened time and again. We may be able to accept it, with remorse, if such acts are done by terrorist outfits because they are people who lack human content. But, it is not the case here. We can't draw parallels between terrorists and the Pakistan army; or should we do so? They should not behave like barbarians. They should understand that it is men like them in uniform who are manning the borders of this side as part of their duty. They too have people waiting eagerly for their return. It would be pertinent to mention here that the Indian side has always shown the greatest respect to bodies of the Pakistan side.

These kind of inhuman acts need to be taken up strongly in International forums and they should be forced to intervene and prevent such  beastly acts.

If mutilation is done solely with an intent to instigate, I think that it defies civilization and needs to be condemned in the harshest words and dealt with severity.

These are my moments- mine alone.

Most of us must have come across situations when we want to be left all alone. We don't like to talk to anyone and in fact we don't feel like doing anything. We don't like to be disturbed by anything or anybody.  

It may be moments when we are too excited and want to savor  all the happiness with our heart. we don't want anyone to encroach  into that atmosphere. 

Similarly, there may be sad moments. Moments when our heart is almost breaking but we are unable to cry. We are burdened with a feeling for which nobody would be able to give us solace. 

We like to spend all those moments all alone. It is not because we are lonely. We have friends and relatives all around. But, we just like to be left alone. It is as if we enclose our self in a zone to which entry of anything is strictly uninvited. It is not because we enjoy the solitude, but because we do not want anything to affect our state of mind at that time- happiness or otherwise. We want to go through it all alone.