Government is literally playing with words!!

Recently a lot has been written about the Modi government. This Government believes in banning, it is spreading communalism, it makes more promises than delivery, and much more. Amidst all criticism and applaud for the new government, media and most people did not notice that this government is much more innovative than previous governments. What makes me think that this government is more innovative?

See the names given to government schemes, authorities and foreign plans. Names of all these are very innovatively formed.

NITI ayog: National Institution for Transforming India

This government body has replaced planning commission and it is a policy think-tank. See the abbreviation is cleverly put as NITI, which directly means policy.

MUDRA bank: Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Bank. (Mudra = Currency)

From name itself, it is clear that it provides loans to micro-finance institutions at low rates. (It is government bank, so of course provides at lower rate)

AIM: Atal Innovation Mission

AIM will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics, entrepreneurs, and researchers drawing upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D in India.

AMRUT: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Development

SETU: Self Employment and Talent Utilization Scheme

PRASAD: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritually Augmentation Drive

HRIDAY: Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana

SATYAM: Science And Technology of Yoga And Meditation

Earlier government had JNNURM mission for urban development (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission). You will surely have to remember this full form to get idea of what it is. But when government gives names to scheme such as AMRUT, we can clearly form an analogy to link it with urban development like safe drinking water for urban households will prove to be AMRUT for them or self-employment will be the bridge (SETU) for poor people to come out of poverty.

From PRASAD, we can confidently say that it is linked with pilgrimage.

From doing this, government is also promoting Sanskrit-Hindi words in everyday language use. Which is a good stimulus as our language is becoming more and more westernized. Many times we do not find Hindi equivalent words.

I will not say, it is promoting Sanskrit only. Safety operation in Yemen was named as ‘Operation Rahat’. (Rahat = Relief)

2 days back, Prime Minister Modi has announced $150 million BHARAT fund, aimed at creating and providing support to disruptive start-ups in impact areas.

BHARAT to stand for ‘Better Health, Agriculture, Renewables And Technologies’ Bharat Fund derives its name from the ancient and also official name of India. Many people do not know this but it is our country’s official name. Article 1(1) says, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”.

So, all criticism is at their place, but I liked the way that government (or bureaucrats?) is playing with words cleverly to make it look more attractive and even rural people can relate to it very easily.

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Racial discrimination in India? Really??

Yesterday, I read a news in Firstpost that –Union home minister Rajnath Singh was addressing to students on the eve of Teacher’s Day in Pune and a student from South Sudan complained about racial discrimination faced by him. He said, “Whenever we go out in public places, especially in some college campuses, people call us ‘Aye Kaalia or Blackie’.” 

I was not shocked to know about this, but it concerned me. Thousands of students, graduates from India are going to western countries daily for education and work. Thousands of laborers are going to Gulf countries, Europe, America to earn their meal. Many of them are already victim of this racial discrimination.

Many times Indian government shame these countries for not treating Indian citizens equally. We get frustrated when we hear the news like some doctor or engineer is killed out of racial discrimination. I will tell you one incident. Four months back, one of my friend got internship in Australia and when we came to know about this, we mocked him, “don’t get killed, we don’t want to hear your news from television.” 

Conversation like this happens in fun mode, still that shows the deep impression of those news in our mind. Racial discrimination in India is surely not that extreme. It is just limited up to mocking someone about their color. But why this also should happen?

This is the huge loss for India on economic basis. As tourism industry get affected by such news. Also students from foreign countries would not be enthusiastic to pursue their higher studies in India, if such news popping up very frequently. More than economic, it is also enormous loss for India on moral grounds. 

I can see, poisonous seeds of British colonial legacy germinated in here. We have to remove them completely. And this will not just happen by changing names of Bombay to Mumbai or Madras to Chennai, or changing names of Connaught and Curzon road to something else. We have to address this ‘obsession of paleness.’ (I will not use word fair here)

_Digvijay Patil. 

'People call us Kaalia': Foreign student questions Rajnath on racial discrimination 

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Why fear debate?

It’s been a hot topic now-a-days – Freedom of speech and expression. I have already written about it one year back. But recent events have sparked my curiosity to know more about it. AIB roast videos, killing of Avijit Ray in Dhaka, Charlie Hebdo magazine case, fringe element’s glorification of Nathuram Godse, ban on India’s Daughter documentary, and frequent threats to writers who challenge the ideas of religion and many more events happened in recent past.

So what is my idea of freedom of speech and expression? Should there be any limit to it? Should government be interfering in every public matter? How ban is justified?

I think basic concept behind healthy democracy is debate. Let debate happen. People are very well educated today to decide what is right and wrong. A person (or society) who believes in banning has something to hide. That government who believes in banning has surely lost faith in peoples’ decision making capacity. (The very people who voted them to power)

It’s India, so let’s talk about the religion first. I would like to discuss about where banning is necessary and where free thinking should be allowed?

If somebody is challenging any religious idea and religious philosophy with reasoning, it should be welcomed. No religion is perfect and every religion evolved over period of time. All social reformers challenged wrong ideas of religion or thinking of society. Mahatma Phule, Raja Ram Mohan Ray, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahadev Ranade all these social reformers were critic of wrong things inculcated in religion and they tried to change that. Without these free thinkers, women still would not have been any place in society, education would have been neglected to them, and practise of ‘sati’ still would be there. Should we say these great people betrayed their religion?

But there is another group, who just want to mock other’s beliefs, religious ideas. Hate speeches against other religion is one of such things. Drawing obscene picture of religious deities would definitely offend people. In that case, you are not giving any message to people. This kind of mocking should be banned. Making fun of others ideas without reasoning should be banned. It is my idea and understanding and it may not be correct.

Now-a-days, there are many comments from self proclaimed religious leaders about how many children one should be producing to sustain the religion’s population or comments inciting clashes between groups of people, so what should be the extent of banning in this case? If there is no harm to people or property, there is no need of ban but if there is possibility of clashes between people then banning is justified. I feel, these debates make people aware about their leaders and if they are worthy to represent them.

What bothers me about hate speeches is not the person who is delivering such speech but the mob of people who is applauding to such outrageous comments.

Another point I would like to discuss is – Don’t try to protect your leader from debate. It is surely going to happen. Let me give you a example- right wing people are asking for thorough investigation of events happened before assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. They believe that Godse was not an assassin by choice but the forced to make decision to kill Gandhi due to circumstances created. Mahatma Gandhi was surely the greatest personality of 20th century but if he was so innocent them why fear investigation and debate? Let it happen. People will decide by themselves.

Another incident which disturbed me was - attack on a Tamil news channel Puthiyathalaimurai. The attack by some fringe elements to intimidate media which was planning to telecast a debate on need for married women to wear a ‘mangalsutra.’ This is cheap example of religious intolerance.

Instead of protesting on roads for somebody’s idea, make a counter argument by writing a blog, sharing your counter views on social media or make a video with your argument. Why there is need of violence?

We are living in India and we have glorious history of argumentation. We need to protect and continue that legacy. Without it, we are just a banana republic.

See you in next blog.

_Digvijay Patil.

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This video could make some people tear up from the happy feelings!!

After seeing this video on YouTube, I could not resist myself from posting it here. It is a Thai commercial of an unsung hero.  I don't now what I should  write about this video. Really, I don't have any words. If you find some words to describe this ,share it on Facebook, Twitter or message it to your friend. (See the social plugins to the left side of the blog)

We talk big things, write big things, debate big things, criticize government policies to remove poverty, but hardly do anything in that direction. This guy took an initiative to change the world around him. We are smart people, we know mathematics, we know how to increase profit and minimize loss. but problem is, we, the practical men , 'only' know these things. He knows something beyond these things which is more sacred, more moral, more noble.

~Digvijay Sanjay Patil

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Are we ready for open debate?

I have just seen a video of debate between the candidates contesting Bangalore South loksabha constituency. This debate was organized by Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC) - an initiative of citizens aimed at building a better Bangalore and to give an opportunity for the candidates of political parties to highlight their development agenda for the city to an invited audience.

I am extremely glad that they have taken the initiative and all candidates agreed to come together on same platform to discuss their vision. That usually doesn’t happen in India. Our leaders are more interested in commenting on someone’s character (rather than policies) behind the camera. But the people were not come to hear but to make chaos.

Even today, we are not interested in their development agenda, their plans but we are more interested in what language he is speaking, why he is not speaking in mother tongue. Why we are so much aroused when someone says that your community is in danger, your language will vanish in next 50 years but we did not get aroused when we are seeing our pathetic situation with our own eyes. We need to get our priorities right.

Look at the presidential debates, normal senate member’s debates in U.S. Even if they are no better than our leaders on throwing mud on each other’s character but at least people show interest in development policies and maintain a gentle decorum.

It is extremely good that candidates from Bangalore came on same platform. It didn't satisfy the purpose fully but at least they took precedence. Not only M.P.s but Prime ministerial candidates should also come together and discuss their self proclaimed progresses in debate. Even Indira Gandhi had not accepted Atal Bihari Vajpyee’s invitation for debate.

Open debate before election should be done in each and every constituency. Many times supporters, party make hugh bubble of their candidates. These open debates will poof the bubble or will grow bigger. Also more visionary and educated people will have chance.

So the purpose of writing this is, we need to be gentle to hear entirely opposite thoughts to our beliefs. Healthy democracy needs patience. If you have freedom of speech, then your political rivals too have that freedom.

Sad thing is- more than healthy discussions, we love verbal war and controversies. Most T.V. channels show whole day what one speaker told about another and what another one was replied.

Seriously? Grow up media and it is time for us to introspect.

~Digvijay Sanjay Patil

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Free to choose

Having physical relationship with opposite gender is so important, then why we have so much romanticized celibacy? If someone who want to make love with same sex is guilty then why not one who don’t want to have sex for his entire life? Isn’t it against the law of nature?

If you are asking them that if your mom-dad were of that type, would you be in this world? But my question is why you are not telling the same thing to the people claiming to be celibate? Instead we worship them. Our Indian society has always worshiped chastity of women and celibacy of men but not the celibacy of women and chastity of men. If your argument is –sex with the same gender is violating nature’s law and if this so called ‘mentality virus’ has spread then how would our future generations form? Same theory applies for the celibates. They too are not contributing to the survival of human race. I am not against celibates but this logic forcing me to give this counter argument. According to me, everyone should free to choose whether they want to be celibates, want to make love with same gender or opposite. 

Why we are not free to choose? Even BJP is opposing this thing. Then tell me why you are worshipping god ‘Ayyapan’? (FYI-Ayyappan is a Hindu deity who is believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (in the form of Mohini, his only female avatar)) This is ironic that you are opposing same gender sex but worshipping god who is offspring of same gender sex. (even if Lord Vishnu is in female avatar) Means you don’t have any objection if one of the two is in female attire.

So the next time you are opposing homosexuality, I would request to come up with more logical arguments? Nature’s law, really?

~Digvijay Sanjay Patil

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White lie or misleading truth?

What is right, what is morally correct? A lie or a misleading truth? To understand this, I am taking two examples.

Paula Jones brought a sexual harassment lawsuit against Bill Clinton while he was president. During the deposition for the Jones lawsuit, which was held at the White House, Clinton denied having sexual relationship with Monika Lewinsky– a denial that became the basis for the Lewinsky Scandal and the president's subsequent impeachment charge of perjury. 

He told that he did not have sexual relationship with Miss. Lewinsky but what American people understood was, he had not sex with her, and even representative of Carolina asked defence lawyer the same question. In defence argument, lawyer said that you are misinterpreted the statement of Mr. Clinton. He never said that he didn’t have sex with Miss. Lewinsky; he only talked about sexual relationship. (Watch the video) It is good example of carefully worded denial.

He could have told an outrageous lie but to maintain the dignity and moral code he told the misleading truth.

Here is the second example in Indian scenario. Before election, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal said that, he will end up ‘Laal Batti’ culture. What people understood that, their cabinet is not going to take the government vehicles. But after coming to power his cabinet ministers accepted the government vehicles without ‘laal batti’ and when asked about it by media, he told, “Yes, I had told that I will end up laal-batti culture but I never made a comment about not accepting vehicles.” So what would you call to this – a lie or a misleading truth? Actually he has not told any lie, but he put in such a way that people would misunderstood.

From these two examples, misleading truth may give temporary benefit. People do lie thinking other will not find that thing forever. But actually misleading truth is as bad as a lie according to me even if it pays certain homage to moral law and self satisfaction that 'I did speak truth.'

I conclude it by giving mythological example from the great epic Mahabharata.

Well, we all know this story of Guru Dronacharya and Dharmraj Yudhishthir. Battle was getting worse for Pandavas due to multiple aggressive attacks by Dronacharya. Lord Krishna gives solution to Pandvas that if we want Dronacharya to be dead, we have to find his weak point and his weak point was his son Ashwathama. So Krishna told Bhima to kill elephant named Ashwathama in their army during battle and asked Yudhishthir to tell that Ashwathama has killed if asked by Guru Dronacharya. Lord Krishna knew that Guru Dronacharya will surely ask Yudhishthir because he knows he never gonna lie. 

At that time Yudhishthir was in same situation of telling misleading truth. Bhima killed an elephant named 'Ashvatthama'. Then he loudly announced for all to hear, 'Ashvatthama' is killed. Ashvatthama is dead. Drona was stunned with grief. Asvatthama could not have been killed by anyone. He had the blessings of lord Shiva. Not able to believe Bhima, Drona turned to Yudhisthira and asked if that was true. Yudhisthira said, Ashvatthama is killed " Elephant not the Man " he added in a low voice and the last part of the sentence was lost in the loud blowing of the conch of Krishna, Panchajanya. Now, Drona was so full of grief that he put down his arms and with a sword, Dhristadhymna cut off his head. It is said that Yudhisthira’s chariot always, moved four inches above the ground. So strong was his commitment to dharma. He had never spoken a false word till that time. After this act, his chariot came down to earth and he became like any other mortal.

Even our mythology suggesting the same that, even if it is misleading truth, it is not better than a lie.

References:
http://www.urday.in/mdronacharyadeath.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_misconduct_allegations_against_Bill_Clinton
justiceharvard.org

~Digvijay Sanjay Patil

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What is a Broad-Based Education?

Here I am giving you a story which  had read in Shiv Khera's book, You Can Win . I liked it, so sharing it with you.

Some animals in a forest decided to start a school. The students included a bird, a squirrel, a fish, a dog , a rabbit & a mentally retarded eel. A board was formed and it was decided that flying, tree climbing, swimming, and burrowing would be part of the curriculum in order to give a broad based education. 

All animals were required to take all subjects. The bird was excellent at flying and was getting A's but when it came to burrowing, it kept breaking its beak and wings and started failing. Pretty soon, it started making C's
in flying and of course in tree climbing and swimming it was getting F's. 

The squirrel was great at tree climbing and was getting A's, but was failing in swimming. 

The fish was the best swimmer but couldn't get out of the water and got F's in everything else. 

The dog didn't join the school, stopped paying taxes and kept fighting with the administration to include barking as part of the curriculum. 

The rabbit got A's in burrowing but tree climbing was a real problem. It kept falling and landing on its head, suffered brain damage, and soon couldn't even burrow properly and got C's in that too. The mentally retarded eel, who did everything half as well became the valedictorian of the class. The board was happy because everybody was getting a broad-based education.

What a broad-based education really means is that the student is prepared for life, without losing their areas of specialization or competence.

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Freedom of Speech and Expression

Freedom of Speech and Expression

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter and to argue freely according to conscience above all liberties.”

-John Milton.

The freedom of expression is regarded s the first condition of liberty. But now-a-days questions are raised that is the freedom of speech absolute? Or there are some conditions when one’s freedom of expression is restricted? The many cases like Shalin Dhada case, Aseem Trivedi case throw a harsh light on India’s new Information Technology Act that governs electronic speech. Freedom of speech and expression means the right to express one’s own convictions and opinions freely by words of mouth, writing, painting and pictures or by any other modes. In modern time, it is widely accepted that the right to freedom of expression is the essence of the free society and it must be safeguarded at all times. But the question is ‘How far does it go?’ and ‘How far should it go?’

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