Mr. Buyer, please return Mahatma Gandhi's blood

At the outset, I thank you, Arnab, for bringing to our notice the most absurd auction to have ever taken place on this earth. Otherwise, our great country wouldn’t have come to know that today Mahatma Gandhi’s blood soaked soil along with a few blades of grass gathered from the site of his assassination by someone with ‘real foresight’ was bought over by a buyer with ‘equal futuristic vision’. As I had mentioned in my sms, it is the most undignified and an utterly greedy attempt to commoditize a great soul and in the process desecrate a Mahatma’s body.

India, as usual, could not prevent this most insensitive display of commercial sense in London.

I know that all things belonging to Gandhiji are immensely valuable because of the legacy attached; and because he did not possess many material things, thus, whatever little items he had on and around him, keep getting propped up at various high value auctions around the globe and sold to the highest bidder. But auctioning Mahatma’s blood soaked soil is so macabre and mindless that I took a couple of seconds to comprehend the entire issue.

The irony of the situation is that the anonymous buyer could own a piece – literally – of Mahatma Gandhi for less than 12,000 pounds! If only his intact body was preserved and now available for auction, I wonder what price the world would be ready to pay for his various body parts. Or, instead of getting a Hindu funeral by his body being consigned to fire, if Gandhiji were buried post his murder, I am sure that some “fellow with real foresight” would have dug his body out, pulled his skeleton out of his decaying muscles and hung it in a biology laboratory, and auctioned every possible piece of his body to a few enthusiastic buyers at the highest offered price! The buyers in turn could preserve their bought possessions for a few more years and get maximum returns on their thoughtful investments through auctions.

No wonder, Mahatma Gandhi is so valuable to the humanity!

But why is Mahatma Gandhi not so valuable to India? Why has India failed to preserve things related to the Mahatma? That too in spite of having legislated a law in this regard only a few years back. India for sure has adequate resources to bring back these treasures and respectfully preserve them for the future generations to see them, feel them and get inspired by them. It is time India started valuing its own heritage. Because then only the world will value India.

Gandhiji is universal in his appeal and relevance as is proven by the fact that he and his principles have inspired all the great world leaders of the contemporary times. But the same intensity of reverence is lacking amongst his own country folks and that is really unfortunate. This aspect got firmly established and exposed to the world when it took a Richard Attenborough to dedicate his film to Mahatma Gandhi; interestingly the former was a British against whose country’s rule Gandhiji had led a peaceful movement and got India its much due Independence.

A few crazy people have the argument that if we could not preserve Gandhiji and his principles in our hearts and life, what is the point lamenting the loss of his belongings including his blood in auctions. Well, to those people’s twisted sense of argument my counterpoint is that his blood cannot be grouped under his memorabilia. Why only Gandhiji’s blood, any person’s blood for that matter, or any part of the body post death has to be consecrated with full dignity and respect. In Mahatma’s case, as opined by his great granddaughter, the blood soaked soil should be bought back by the Government of India from the buyer by paying him his price – 12,000 pounds – and immersed either in an ocean or in a river.

Till then Gandhiji would keep wondering from up above the sky so high and saying in his heart, “Thanks, Arnab!” J …

India, simply shun Aarakshun!

It is frustrating to see politicians once again trying to create divide between people and shockingly these are the same politicians who claim to be social guardian of “their” people, the same set of people who unfortunately still live with the stigma of belonging to the most cruelly and crudely defined strata of society called as “lower castes”. This drama of banning a film without even watching it and all being done to further solidify their claim to be the representatives – self proclaimed, of course – is a gross exploitation of still unformed emotions of perhaps the most underprivileged section of the society.

I wonder why people fail to understand the design of these self-focused myopic politicians. Why don’t these underprivileged people instead demand from their so-called representatives to provide them with equal opportunities to education so that they too could compete at similar levels on merits with all others in a flat field? Why do they get carried away by shameless stoking of their fragile sentiments by mean political creatures? Why don’t they ask the governments to build adequate and quality schools and colleges instead of crying for reservations?

Because by doing so they let the governments go scot free and give them an easy escape route from their responsibilities towards providing for basic infrastructure for supporting fundamental things, education being of the utmost importance. We all know that whatever anybody is today in this world is because of his/her education primarily. And I truly believe that education is the only way by which not only we can eradicate this millennia old ailment from Indian society but also build a progressive society with dignity for all living being irrespective of one’s so called family of birth.

I simply say: India has to shun Aarakshun! ...

My brother Rahul,

My brother Rahul,

You may not know but my sister is a great fan of yours! To me, you are my brother by virtue of being Rajiv uncle’s son. And, therefore, both of us – like millions all across the country, and the world – wish a lot for you! And, expect a lot from you – and rightly so.

Thus, when my sister made a comment on my previous piece “Why is India incredibly helpless, always?” on the recent Bombay serial blasts and in reference to your reaction in same regard that “Rahul should know better what that 1% failure of the government means in tackling terrorism as he has himself suffered a lot because of this 1% lapse in security by losing his father”, I thought you must pay attention to her and amend the things required to be at your end at the earliest.

Rahul, you are destined to become the next prime minister of the country if the Congress / UPA manages to retain power at the Center, which it will in all likelihood. And prime ministership, as you too know well – is not a position; it is a responsibility – lots of that, in fact! Those monumental responsibilities – coupled with accountability – will be towards the country and its citizens and also towards your own party and coalition. As you know, Prime Minister is The Leader of a country, and the “buck stops with him/her”.

Now, Rahul, imagine that you have become the prime minister and are faced with a similar – may be worse – situation of terror attacks on India. (No one believes that 13/7 was the last in sequence of attempts of terrorists.) Even then will you try to defend intelligence failure by making such remarks? And will that not amount to admitting the failure of your government in utilizing the mammoth infrastructure built to deal with all such eventualities? Moreover, do you believe that only admittance will suffice and exonerate you of your accountability towards maintaining peace and security in the nation? And, will the world not wonder at you and your government’s credibility to govern?

On the contrary, Rahul, I am sure that you will beforehand itself ensure that an effective anti-terror mechanism is functional and India is safe and secure and peaceful. Because, you very well realize that tackling terror is a “zero-error” and zero-tolerance” business.

So, Rahul, would you now care to “clarify” your statement in the press and let people know that you did not mean to disrespect the victims and their families and certainly did not try to defend the indefensible intelligence and administrative failure of the government in preventing the always-anticipated terror attacks?... Do it; you will benefit immensely in the long run by regaining whatever respect you have lost in public eyes, and hearts.

Rahul, as I said, India has lot of expectations from you – and rightly so. You have the fortune of inheriting the political gene pool of Nehru-Gandhi families and are all set to become the next prime minister of the country, as important in the global arena as India. But for this almost certain dream to come true, you will have to demonstrate to the nation and the world that you truly deserve the top post. Not that you have not already done so; however, you need to do more – much more.

You should start, Rahul, by strengthening Congress’ foundation in the political field and regaining its national party identity. Congress’ national base has got eroded badly. Reclaiming it would be a huge challenge. To make it happen you have to have dedicated politicians with high degree of integrity and support at state headquarters who would in turn work at the grassroots level and organize the party and make it strong enough to stand – and win – on its own. Congress cannot claim to be a national party by walking on coalition crutches – and being in coalition clutches, therefore! “Coalition compulsions” will otherwise keep pulling down the Congress and it will never be able to reclaim its foothold in the national political landscape.

Rahul, for this huge task, you need credible and able people – politicians. Politicians who are young, educated, clean, and have a dream and ambition for India – and not for their own self. As you too know, India is at the cusp of great things in the world. Being touted as one of the major powers of the world is a great responsibility as well as we will be required to live upto that image. By being seen as an utterly corrupt and chaotic country, a country which lacks courage to defend itself is going to be hugely detrimental in the progress of our country, both economically and politically. India will never be regarded as a “developed” and powerful nation – forget about the global leadership role that it envisages for itself - in the foreseeable future and that would be a big setback to all our global aspirations.

At the micro-level, Rahul, i.e., at the public level, the single most important expectation from any government at the helm is good governance. A government which is capable of delivering on its promises and needs of the people and society. A government which is courageous enough to maintain country’s dignity and security amidst growing fundamentalism and extremism. A government which will reverse India’s impression of being a “soft target” and will showcase to the evil elements that India will not tolerate any breach in its safety, security and peace and will not suffer losing even a single life to terrorism. A government which will exhibit “zero-tolerance” towards sinister plans of terror forces and will ensure a “zero-error” anti-terror mechanism to prevent even that 1% attack chance.

Rahul, I don’t have to tell you the obvious things that you are in a position even without being the prime minister today to actualize all the necessary things – for the Congress and the country, and in the process, enhance you worthiness as the future prime ministerial candidate of the country.

India is a young country and a young prime minister like you, Rahul, will do wonders, about which I do not have even 1% doubt! But you need to prepare yourself, sincerely and seriously…Rajiv uncle, and Sonia aunty & Priyanka, of course, besides my sister and I would be very proud of you J

Baba Ramdev and his 5-star Satyagraha!

The setting was perfect: Ramlila Ground, therefore, it had to be high drama by the protagonist along with his protesters! …

The desire for a pie in the Anti-Corruption Movement was so intense inBaba Ramdev that no sooner Anna Hazare wound up at Jantar Mantar, the politically ambitious Baba Ramdev announced his “fast-unto-death” campaign against black money. It was bound to be interesting to see theYoga guru add another chapter to India’s crusade against corruption. There was never any doubt about his ability to mobilize his supporters - he has them in abundance - to force the Indian government to enact laws to bring back the massive amount of ill gotten money stashed away in foreign banks and tax havens abroad. Like Anna, he too was bound to get relentless media coverage. Interesting, however, was also the probable response of the Indian public to a new episode of Dharna-in-Delhi; also important was to see the handling capabilities of the government. (The issue, nevertheless, is that a stubbornly arrogant Indian government does not relent till it is forced to do so – like Anna did.) And the outcome of Baba’s so-called fast turned out to be exactly what I had envisaged!

With great difficulty Anna Hazare had succeeded in waking up the perennially sleeping Indians to stand up for their country; in my living memory it was for the first time that Indians had come out in full force to fight against corruption. It was heartening to see an average Indian - who has been otherwise quite comfortable with his/her corruption surrounded existence – adopt the word“crusade” in his/her vocabulary of daily living.

Then came Baba with a clear mission to hijack people’s platform in order to further his political aspirations – though he vehemently denies this charge. And thus the country witnessed a new look crusade being staged in an air-conditioned ambiance – all with public money snatched forcibly by Baba’s menin name of providing comforts to the congregating protesters in a “hot” Delhi!

More bizarre was the manner in which the government of India attempted to tackle it. First it tried to woo Baba by rushing senior ministers – including the finance minister! - as soon he alighted from his private jet at the Delhi airport. It seemed of be greatly wary of the sheer number of his followers. When the placating policy failed, it tried to strike a secret deal with him in the setting of a plush 5-star hotel and succeeded in getting a hand written assurance from him to stop his agitation. Baba, not satisfied with the attention he had got so far, tried to garner as much political mileage out of the event as possible and thus took au-turn on his words and decided to continue his protest. In response, when the government tried to convince the country of the patch-up by waving his letter in a press conference, Baba levied charges on the government and called it a “liar”which, as we all know by now, did not go down too well with it. Police was sent to chase away the protesters with a midnight crackdown. The scene became hugely chaotic with Media broadcasting live the mayhem. Sleeping people were forcefully evicted and even Baba was forced to flee the ground in disguise. The political theater, famously called the Theatre of the Absurds, was at it best!

By using force on peaceful protesters – though no one was injured with mild lathi-charge and tear gas shells – the government with its highly unimaginative move has inadvertently relinquished its grace and moral rights to be a proponent of aam-aadmi, and has allowed Baba to seize the opportunity to garner unwarranted credence for his campaign. And the scene of drama has shifted to Haridwar for now, with his followers openly supporting “the person” and not “the cause”. In addition, the saffron brigade hooking onto the bandwagon and trying to give it a communal hue is the most disturbing aspect. If left unchecked, it has the potential to scuttle Anna’s movement and provide chances to unscrupulous to gain undue advantages by exploiting gullible population’s sentiments.

Though in a country where corruption had long back ceased to make any“news” till Team Anna shook them up from their siesta, a hugely popular figure like Baba Ramdev taking up the cause of corruption could have strengthened civil society’s crusade, if only his intentions were genuine. On the contrary, Baba’s 5-star campaign has in fact rendered the term impotent, though temporarily. The legitimacy of the agitation has become doubtful. The seriousness of the purpose which is always the driving force behind all such movements looks to have got diluted in Baba’s case completely.

To say the least, I am happy at the developments.

I was never comfortable with Baba Ramdev’s foray into the “movement” area because his credibility as a serious campaigner for country’s cause was always a big question mark. To me he seemed to be an opportunist who wanted to ride the wave of public support and garner a footing in the political landscape of the country. I never believed him when ever he tried to proclaim his so-called detachment to politics in spite of floating a political party, his so-called philanthropic effort to cleanse the country of corruption. His claim to the cause as a co-crusader seemed illegitimate as he is known to have amassed massive wealth the sources of which are still unknown. And then his attempt at redefining the way to conduct a campaign: 5-star Satyagraha! I am sure Mahatma Gandhi must be amused up there!

The contrast between Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev could not have been starker!

Though I do not believe in public display of sentiments, nevertheless, I pledge my full support to Team Anna and promise to be on fast in solidarity – at home and in office due to professional compulsions – the next time they embark on their fast protest for the Lokpal Bill. …

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P.S.: Let’s not forget that in today’s times of crusades, the one entity which deserves the maximum credit for initializing it in India is the Media, especiallyArnab Goswami at Times Now who with his courageous campaigns against corruption forced the government to relent and act and inspired the activists like Anna Hazare! …

In support of Dr. Binayak Sen

I hate Maoists sympathizers but I strongly support Dr. Binayak Sen who has been unfairly – grossly - sentenced to life imprisonment by the Chhattisgarh District court for alleged “sedition”.

Because, if we simply take a look at his life as a physician and as a human rights activist, then we get a clear portrait of him as being an intellectual man of impeccable integrity with life devoted to the welfare of underprivileged and poor people; his territory of work being rural-tribal Maoist infested areas of Chhattisgarh. Dr. Binayak Sen has been deeply involved with healthcare reforms however in his role as a human rights activist he has strongly criticized government’s atrocities and human rights abuses in the name of its fight against terror. Nevertheless, he has always been a strong proponent of peaceful means of protest and has always condemned Maoists’ violent ways.

Therefore, to think of Dr. Binayak Sen as a “seditionist” is preposterous.

Because, even by the “legal” and “dictionary” definitions of “sedition”, Dr. Binayak Sen has never made a speech or had his behaviour – subversive act - directed against the peace of a state or has committed an offence to undermine the authority of the State or has acted to incite public disorder or revolt. Thus, how can he be labeled as a seditionist and prosecuted under the “law” on baseless charges? (Archaic laws need to be amended immediately in India for ensuring speedy trials and fair justice.)

The State prosecutor’s version is curious enough: Dr. Sen had acted as a “courier” between the Maoists and its sympathizers and the State had “produced” the said letter as an evidence to substantiate its claims; the State claims to have found the letter in Dr. Sen’s belongings upon arrest. Of course, Dr. Sen vehemently denies these charges and accuses the State machinery of having “planted” the said letter on him. Frankly, I fully believe in Dr. Sen’s account.

We all know how government apparatus work in various areas in India and how “easy” it is to frame charges against anybody – absolutely anyone, for that matter – without even a single piece of evidence as proof. We all have knowledge of numerous instances of evidences being “planted” against targeted persons with an ulterior motive to “punish”.

If George W. Bush – ‘W’ could be for ‘war’ as his middle name – were an Indian President/Prime minister, he would have got the WMDs “planted” in Saddam Hussain’s backyard and would have “proved” to the world that the Iraqi president was indeed engaged in employing weapons of mass destruction and was therefore a massive threat to global security! …

Since Dr. Sen’s arrest in 2007 there has been enormous national and international outrage and outcry which have of course fell on deaf ears of the “motivated” judiciary and the “meek” Indian establishment. He has been kept in illegal confinement – solitary often – and now most unreasonably has been awarded life imprisonment for no crime committed.

Unfortunately we live in a country where seasoned scamsters – political heavyweights – having guzzled and gobbled billions - are roaming free in India - in spite of intense Media and public pressure - but the State is putting all its might behind “punishing” a human rights activist and a devoted doctor whose only ‘fault’ has been to have opposed oppressive methods of the government in its fight against terror.

Nevertheless, I am hopeful that enraged public and Media’s response will force the Indian judiciary and the government to act justly and release Dr. Binayak Sen from illegal incarceration. (Arnab, please debate Dr. Sen’s case on your News Hour.)

Dr. Binayak Sen, hope to see you out of prison soon. Happy belated Birthday J

I support Mani Shankar Aiyar on Commonwealth Games

Mani Shankar Aiyar has my solid support on Commonwealth Games.

He is the only parliamentarian – politician – with enough courage to speak bluntly. Rest are simply too busy stashing away common man’s wealth in their Swiss accounts. Then there are many who are too blinded to see India feel “honoured” by staging this no-value Games.

What purpose will this no-purpose Games serve for India? Or even for its sporting community? Or sports in general? Rs. 35,000 crore if spent properly – i.e. honestly - would have helped both players and various sports immensely and then perhaps we could have hoped to graduate from rare solitary medal to a couple of ones in future Olympics.

Then what is this talk of India’s “honour” in successfully hosting of this unnecessary sporting extravaganza? It is akin to “preserving” one’s so-called honour through “honour-killing”! The analogy is not inappropriate. The sports administrators and politicians involved have indeed made a “killing” for themselves in the name of the Games.

And, if we were so concerned about increasing India’s ratings on the Global Honour Index - !!! - then we should have ensured every penny from Rs. 35,000 was spent honestly in developing required infrastructure so critical for success of the Commonwealth Games. Why nobody is pointing towards colossal levels of corruption indulged into by all involved in the Games? Can’t everybody see those gaping holes and already blown away roofs of the newly built stadia? Is there any doubt lingering in the tortoise-paced preparedness of India? Only a blind person can be fooled by all those rhetoric of Suresh Kalmadis and Shiela Dikshits. … I wonder why the Government of India is feigning sleep. For sure, Commonwealth Games conduction is its prime responsibility as well.

If little bit of rains could expose the real picture of India’s preparations for the Commonwealth Games, then I wish Delhi gets “real” rains this monsoon. At least, the world will know beforehand what they are getting into by agreeing to participate in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games. I also pray Delhi’s monsoons get prolonged till October so that all illusions about the so-called Grand stature – honour – of our nationare washed away and India comes out in its “true” colours in front of everybody – Indians and international community as well.

I am also thankful to these more-than-usual level of rains in Delhi which forced the Indian media to wake up eventually and “break” the “facts” before gullible Indians, so conveniently called the “aam-aadmi”.

To all those who think I am a “detractor” like Mani Shankar Aiyar: For God’s sake, the massive amount of money taken out of our country’s coffers in name of the Commonwealth Games is “our” money – we taxpayers’ money – your and my money; we work hard to earn and pay huge taxes every year. The Games could be called “Commonwealth” but the money (being) spent - ??? – is not “Commonwealth”. And as an honest & honourable citizen of India, I feel enormously pained and extremely angry at the wastage of my tax money.And that is the reason why I fully support Mani Shankar Aiyar on the Commonwealth Games issue.