Divided We Fall.....

Do politicians really think that India’s progress lies in how many temples they erect? I mean, how can they promise such outrageous things?!

Religion is something so dear and so pure. How can they just use it, so obscenely, for their own purposes? Just for votes.

It saddens me, and more than that, it infuriates me that my secular country has on its soil, such people whose conscience allows them to play games with the religious sentiments of their fellow citizens.

To sway the Hindu votes, they promise a temple, to sway the Muslims, they promise a mosque; to sway the Christians, promise a church, to sway the minorities, reservations, quotas.

How much further do they plan to divide India? And here we thought the concept of "Divide and Rule" died with the British Rule. I think not. Everyday, we are divided, and not by some foreign power, but by our own countrymen.

We talk incessantly of India’s progress in economy, in education, in IT, in entertainment. But what about progress in mentality?

Our Motherland had a history of sheltering and accepting every race and ethnicity, of embracing everything good out of even the races that have ruled over her.

So, I ask you, where is the progress? The progress is in political aspirations, or to be more aptly, political greed. The progress is in flexibility of ethics and morals.

When will a change start? And who will be the catalyst?

Indians are gullible by nature, and we hold our religion so close to our hearts that we are easily swayed by fake promises and fake religiosity.

Why can’t someone take a stand - Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian…..It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is – Indian. That is what you are. That is all there is.

Your religion, your deep faith, is too personal and too chaste to be brought outside, and be used and abused for political propaganda.

The political leaders’ religious or communal promises don’t matter. What they intend to do for various factions and communities doesn’t matter.

What matters is what they plan to do for India. What they have in store for Indians, what is their plan of action for elevating India to glory.

What our country needs is messiahs who will deliver us from the evils of selfish politics; who will work day in and day out for a united India; who will envision India’s progress, prosperity and future as one formidable force, not propagate factionalism and division.

This is the class of messiahs India needs. This is the class of heroes India deserves.

Let us not lose faith, let us wait for India to shine. Hopefully, one day, Indians can rise above everything, stand up and repeat what Barack Obama stated in his speech, after becoming the first African-American President of the USA...

Yes We Can.

Why Republic Day makes me sad.....

Ah well.....Here comes the day on which India was declared a Republic. A day (just like Independence Day) on which we Indians feel a sense of pride. The roads bustle with urchins striving to make a living out of selling miniatureIndian flags. And what's worse......People buy them. Stick them on the dashboard of their car. Hey! It's fashionable to be patriotic. So, Jai Hind! Sare Jahan Se Accha! Jana Gana Mana! And all that jazz.

But this is hardly irksome as compared to the political sights and sounds one hears in every city, on every road, by every known and unknown political party. All the love and passion for the country brims and overflows only on 26th January and 15th August. Tears flow freely, emotions are on a high, our martyrs are remembered, the famous "Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon" is played. All political propaganda.

Every aspect of the media is glaring with the Tricolour, playing then National Song and Anthem. Music artistes release patriotic songs. Movie and TV stars dance on the stage waving the Flag. Patriotism sells. It's just another way of making money.

I'm an Army Officer's daughter. I have grown up with the values to respect our nation. Till date, when the National Anthem is played on TV or Radio or the movie halls, I stand up in attention. I have been laughed at by my friends for this, I have been told "It's stupid!" But no. I refuse to believe them. My patriotism is not misplaced and neither is it subjective. My respect for my country stands. No, I do not propagate 'Swadeshi', neither am I blind to the pitfalls and drawbacks, but that in no way undermines the deep sense of love I feel for my great nation.

The people who are reminded of the "Golden Bird" only on Republic Day and Independence Day, make me sad. Why aren't they reminded of the martyrs on any ordinary day? Why must schools have inspiring speeches only on these two occasions? Why must political parties find their tears flowing only on these days? Why must they profess their love for Bharat Mata only on these days? Why must patriotic songs blare on roadside loudspeakers only on these days? Why not try and infuse this love for India everyday? Is it because on these days, patriotism sells? And on other days no one bothers? Why must all the media play the inspiring National Anthem only on these days? Why not play it once everyday?

All these happenings and all these questions make me sad.

In the news recently.....

Not too long ago in a newspaper, the news read "8.42 cr Indians are unemployable". Note.
Not 'unemployed' but 'unemployable'. This further reiterates the fact I stated in my last post. The article spoke about how the schools have to step in. That is important. The youth of today will benefit only when a strong base is provided, a fortified base for soft skills. The education right from school has to step in and take responsibility not only for the exam results but also for the employability of the youth.

Analyze this

Nowadays the statement doing the rounds is that a strong skill base is the need of the hour for all the sectors of the economy. A strong skill base over-shadows a reputed degree. The degree can be from anywhere but it the ability that counts. A degree is required no doubt but the capability has come to stand more important. One might be a top scorer during his education but that in no way may corresponds to his capability. He might be least capable man of the lot. And vice versa. One might have an average education graph and an average degree but his skill might far outweigh his CV.
Do you think the education system supports this? Where every child below 80% marks is told he's going to have a tough time in the big bad world? How does one get the children to believe? In their skill, their capability, their dream, their ambition? When they are being told time and again by the system that they are nothing but average.

Ponder.....

"Find a job you love, and you won't have to work for a day."

We often hear and give this quote an affirmative nod. But tell me and I need to know,
how many in today's world believe in this profound saying? Is everyone lost in the grind?
Is everyone part of the rat race? What is our driving force? Is it just money?
Are we happy with our jobs? Are we satisfied? Do we even have the time to think?

What do you say?

The Beginning

My sole intention is to have a free flow of thoughts, ideas, opinions, views and critiques with whosoever interested in seeking a deeper meaning of the things around. Exchanging thoughts is how i intend to connect with the world and have a better understanding of things we mostly intend to take for granted.

Searching beyond the superficial is how we stop mere existence and start living. So embark with me, start discussions and put forth your optique to me. I will be posting topics and expressing my views and one and all are invited to add to, agree with or may be even refute whatever is posted.

Creative Optique is my blog and I welcome you to my world of perspectives.