RELIGION IS UNFAIR TO WOMEN
On the one hand Hindu religious books tell us “yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata” (The land where women are worshipped is the abode of Gods and Goddesses. Our Goddess of education is Saraswathi, Goddess of wealth is Lakshmi and Goddess of Power is Durga. Names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna are prefixed with the names of their consorts, Sita and Radha.
And here is how Sabari describes herself while showing her gratitude to Lord Rama:
“Adham se adham adham ati nari, tinha mah main mati mand adhari”---Ram Cahrit Manas- Aranya kand. (Means: Woman is at the lowest of creation and on top of that I am stupid and rudderless)
And this is how Ravana describes women:
“Avgun aath sada Ur rahain, sahas, anrit, chapalta, maya, bhaya, avivek, asauch, adaya”---Ram Charit Manas -Lanka kand(Ravana to His wife Mandodari)
(Means: A woman has eight vices namely: 1. Indiscrete. 2. Liar 3. Freckle 4. Deceit. 5. Coward. 6. Foolish. 7. Impure. 8. Unkind)
There are so many instances in Tulsi Ramayana where women have been talked about in degraded terms. A few examples:
“Sati concluded that the omniscient Lord had come to know everything and felt sorry that she had tried to deceive Sambhu. The woman is silly and stupid by nature”--- Ram Charit Manas –Bal Kand- 57
Also in Geetha 9.32 here is how woman is equated with Vaishya (prostitute) and Sudras (Outcasts and is considered of a sinful birth.) It goes:
“For taking refuge in me, they also who, O Arjuna, may be of a sinful birth –woman, vaishayas as well as sudras—attain the Supreme Goal”
It is said that but for his wife Tulsi Das would never have gained the wisdom to write such a beautiful poetic description of Rama’s life “Ram Charitra Manas”. He was passionately in love with her and on one dreadful dark night crossed the flooded river at the cost of his life. His wife was devastated and said “If you would develop for Lord Rama even half of the love that you have for my filthy body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain immortality and eternal bliss”. Kalidas, the famous Sanskrit scholar, Dramatis and poet also had the blessings from his wife in form rebuke and humiliation for his lack of education.
For centuries women have been degraded at every walk of life. The situation is not any better still today in some of the communities.
Also the situation is not any better in Islam or Christianity. Women are not permitted to become Maulvies or Pastors as far as I know.
Inspite of all this degradation and indifference, women have survived and surpassed men in many fields of excellence.
The question still is why our religious books are biased against women and should not we ask for deleting these verses from these books.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
GODS DO NOT NEED PALATIAL ABODES I N POOR INDIA
GODS DO NOT NEED PALACIAL ABODES IN POOR INDIA
India lives in its villages and the vast stretches of slums dotted all around our Metros. A vast majority of our population living in these villages and settlements is much below the poverty line as described by the Government of the day. There are families who find it difficult to afford two square meal round the year. On a rough estimate more than 50% of Indian population lives below poverty line. An UNO survey puts Indian per capita Gross Domestic Product at $1032(RS 46000) per annum.
Coupled with this problem of poverty are the problems of health, education, and employment. Government schemes directed towards improving these areas have failed in implementation. A very small percentage say 15% reaches the intended beneficiaries and balance is pocketed by the shameless people who run these schemes.
On the other hand we find huge sums being spent on the building of new abodes for our Gods and Goddesses and maintenance of the existing ones. Not Hindus alone, other communities are not far behind in building new Mosques, Gurudwaras and Churches.
This reminds me of the following lines by famous Urdu Poet Nida Fazli.
1.बच्चा बोला देखकर मस्जिद अIलिसान ,
अल्लाह तेरे एक को इतना बड़ा मकIन.
(Upon seeing the huge Mosque, the child said “God for you alone such a big house?)
2.घर से बड़ी दूर है मस्जिद. चलो कुछ ऐसा करें ,
सड़क पर रोते हुए इस बच्चे को हसाया जाये.
(Mosque is far away from the house, let us make this crying child laugh)
From time immemorial Kings and Badshahas built huge temples and mosques all over the country. As Indians we are proud of these magnificent structures. Many of these abodes of our Gods, Prophets, and Saints were built during famine times to keep the people fruitfully engaged but the hidden message of wealth and splendor was for the neighboring kings also.
We have enough of these abodes. Some of them are engaged in the field of health and education and are doing commendable job. These structures are our national pride, assets and witness of our rich cultural past. Every effort must be done to protect our heritage.
However, do we really need to build new abodes particularly when these funds could be utilized for the benefit of the poor and marginalized members of our country?
India lives in its villages and the vast stretches of slums dotted all around our Metros. A vast majority of our population living in these villages and settlements is much below the poverty line as described by the Government of the day. There are families who find it difficult to afford two square meal round the year. On a rough estimate more than 50% of Indian population lives below poverty line. An UNO survey puts Indian per capita Gross Domestic Product at $1032(RS 46000) per annum.
Coupled with this problem of poverty are the problems of health, education, and employment. Government schemes directed towards improving these areas have failed in implementation. A very small percentage say 15% reaches the intended beneficiaries and balance is pocketed by the shameless people who run these schemes.
On the other hand we find huge sums being spent on the building of new abodes for our Gods and Goddesses and maintenance of the existing ones. Not Hindus alone, other communities are not far behind in building new Mosques, Gurudwaras and Churches.
This reminds me of the following lines by famous Urdu Poet Nida Fazli.
1.बच्चा बोला देखकर मस्जिद अIलिसान ,
अल्लाह तेरे एक को इतना बड़ा मकIन.
(Upon seeing the huge Mosque, the child said “God for you alone such a big house?)
2.घर से बड़ी दूर है मस्जिद. चलो कुछ ऐसा करें ,
सड़क पर रोते हुए इस बच्चे को हसाया जाये.
(Mosque is far away from the house, let us make this crying child laugh)
From time immemorial Kings and Badshahas built huge temples and mosques all over the country. As Indians we are proud of these magnificent structures. Many of these abodes of our Gods, Prophets, and Saints were built during famine times to keep the people fruitfully engaged but the hidden message of wealth and splendor was for the neighboring kings also.
We have enough of these abodes. Some of them are engaged in the field of health and education and are doing commendable job. These structures are our national pride, assets and witness of our rich cultural past. Every effort must be done to protect our heritage.
However, do we really need to build new abodes particularly when these funds could be utilized for the benefit of the poor and marginalized members of our country?
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
LOVE IN MARRIAGE IS A CRAZY DREAM
LOVE IN MARRIAGE IS A CRAZY DREAM
Having eaten the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve proceeded on a long journey of procreation. A couple in the beginning of creation is now six and a half billion strong sea of humans. The relationship between man and woman initially was on a might is right mode. Then the institution of marriage evolved. The latest version is live in relationships.
Is procreation is result of love or passion or both? Nature seems to be working in favor of passion. Love is an after- thought. There is that fatal attraction between sexes which brings them closer to each other. The dominant factor, again, is passion, conveniently called love. Society does not believe there can be friendship between a man and a woman without that element of sex, though it is quite possible.
Marriage is also termed as compromise between two humans borne out of basic needs of home, food and clothing, man providing the role of provider and woman the role of care taker. Despite the difference in individuality, both play their roles to the hilt for the sake of their off springs borne out of, again, passion.
Marriage is seen as social permission to procreate. Procreation cannot take place without marriage or social permission; it is far more convenient to have it. When two individuals live together for a long time, they get used to each other which some may like to call love.
Love marriages fail because the so called lovers fail to compromise and get used to each other. Love is not strong enough to hold them together. In fact, it is rather impossible that two individuals will have the same feelings at the same time except possibly the need for a passionate hug.
Marriage is a trick played by nature to make children to guarantee its continuity. Love otherwise is a crazy dream.
Having eaten the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve proceeded on a long journey of procreation. A couple in the beginning of creation is now six and a half billion strong sea of humans. The relationship between man and woman initially was on a might is right mode. Then the institution of marriage evolved. The latest version is live in relationships.
Is procreation is result of love or passion or both? Nature seems to be working in favor of passion. Love is an after- thought. There is that fatal attraction between sexes which brings them closer to each other. The dominant factor, again, is passion, conveniently called love. Society does not believe there can be friendship between a man and a woman without that element of sex, though it is quite possible.
Marriage is also termed as compromise between two humans borne out of basic needs of home, food and clothing, man providing the role of provider and woman the role of care taker. Despite the difference in individuality, both play their roles to the hilt for the sake of their off springs borne out of, again, passion.
Marriage is seen as social permission to procreate. Procreation cannot take place without marriage or social permission; it is far more convenient to have it. When two individuals live together for a long time, they get used to each other which some may like to call love.
Love marriages fail because the so called lovers fail to compromise and get used to each other. Love is not strong enough to hold them together. In fact, it is rather impossible that two individuals will have the same feelings at the same time except possibly the need for a passionate hug.
Marriage is a trick played by nature to make children to guarantee its continuity. Love otherwise is a crazy dream.
NOSTALGIA BELONGS TO MUSEUM
NOSTALGIA BELONGS TO MUSEUM
Nostalgia can mean home sickness or a desire to revisit the past. It is normally used to remember our past, its sweet memories. It can also include the carefree days within the walls of the college or perhaps the dreams lived with first love.
Some people believe nostalgia is the luxury for the weak and emotional. People made of sterner stuff move on. They carry no baggage on their backs. They simply enjoy the present. They believe nostalgia has a place only in the museum.
Museum is a place where interesting objects of arts and science are displayed . You visit the museum, appreciate the collection and come out. There is no attachment.
People migrate to different lands in search of better opportunities in their youth. The plan is to return as a big and successful man. This seldom happens. Home becomes a thing of nostalgia. Once in a while he revisits his home, stays for a while, and appreciates its soil and returns, just like a visit to the museum.
Sterner people return permanently only if the home can offer them better life with better opportunities. For them any land is good enough it can meet their need and greed.
Some people get uprooted from their lands for political reasons (1947 India –Pakistan Partition) or war or natural calamities. I believe they always long to go back. They are nostalgic about everything of their roots. They may or may not return but will never part with the nostalgia. For them nostalgia does not belong to museum.
Nostalgia can mean home sickness or a desire to revisit the past. It is normally used to remember our past, its sweet memories. It can also include the carefree days within the walls of the college or perhaps the dreams lived with first love.
Some people believe nostalgia is the luxury for the weak and emotional. People made of sterner stuff move on. They carry no baggage on their backs. They simply enjoy the present. They believe nostalgia has a place only in the museum.
Museum is a place where interesting objects of arts and science are displayed . You visit the museum, appreciate the collection and come out. There is no attachment.
People migrate to different lands in search of better opportunities in their youth. The plan is to return as a big and successful man. This seldom happens. Home becomes a thing of nostalgia. Once in a while he revisits his home, stays for a while, and appreciates its soil and returns, just like a visit to the museum.
Sterner people return permanently only if the home can offer them better life with better opportunities. For them any land is good enough it can meet their need and greed.
Some people get uprooted from their lands for political reasons (1947 India –Pakistan Partition) or war or natural calamities. I believe they always long to go back. They are nostalgic about everything of their roots. They may or may not return but will never part with the nostalgia. For them nostalgia does not belong to museum.
YOUTH IS A DEFECT THAT IS CORRECTED WITH TIME
YOUTH IS A DEFECT THAT IS CORRECTED WITH TIME
The inspiration for this topic is Mr. Lalit Modi’s (IPL Commissioner facing corruption charges) admission that he did do drugs during his student days in USA and he termed it as indiscretion. He is the grandson of Late Gujar Mal Modi, founder of the Modi Group of Industries and must have had right upbringing. There may be so many instances of such indiscretion resulting from weakness, anger, lack of judgment or simply youthful adventure. Youth is aggressive, intolerant, reckless and restless.
There is no denying the fact that our youths are talented and they continue excelling in performing arts, academics, sports, profession, business and every other field. But a good percentage of them fall prey to various temptations in young age. Experimenting drugs, smoke, wine, junk food and all such harmful addictions is a part of their growing up. Reckless driving, road rage, cruel and senseless ragging in educational institutions, disrespect for elders, rape in moving cars, kidnapping for quick money to meet extravagancy, dangerous biking and all such mindless activities are part of this process. It is another issue if it is done because of peer pressure of just for the fun of it. These traits stay for a long time till something drastically alters the course of life. Being casual at best and non believers at worst towards religion can also be attributed to young mind that wants to explore all things before admitting and accepting.
These defects (?) get corrected with time as one grows. Time enables to distinguish between good and bad and the wheels of time make one sober, compromising and eager to adjust and adapt to the circumstances. When one is young nothing seems to be impossible and as he grows older he wants everything to be certain.
Is it therefore correct to say that youth is a defect that is corrected with time?
The inspiration for this topic is Mr. Lalit Modi’s (IPL Commissioner facing corruption charges) admission that he did do drugs during his student days in USA and he termed it as indiscretion. He is the grandson of Late Gujar Mal Modi, founder of the Modi Group of Industries and must have had right upbringing. There may be so many instances of such indiscretion resulting from weakness, anger, lack of judgment or simply youthful adventure. Youth is aggressive, intolerant, reckless and restless.
There is no denying the fact that our youths are talented and they continue excelling in performing arts, academics, sports, profession, business and every other field. But a good percentage of them fall prey to various temptations in young age. Experimenting drugs, smoke, wine, junk food and all such harmful addictions is a part of their growing up. Reckless driving, road rage, cruel and senseless ragging in educational institutions, disrespect for elders, rape in moving cars, kidnapping for quick money to meet extravagancy, dangerous biking and all such mindless activities are part of this process. It is another issue if it is done because of peer pressure of just for the fun of it. These traits stay for a long time till something drastically alters the course of life. Being casual at best and non believers at worst towards religion can also be attributed to young mind that wants to explore all things before admitting and accepting.
These defects (?) get corrected with time as one grows. Time enables to distinguish between good and bad and the wheels of time make one sober, compromising and eager to adjust and adapt to the circumstances. When one is young nothing seems to be impossible and as he grows older he wants everything to be certain.
Is it therefore correct to say that youth is a defect that is corrected with time?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
EXTERNAL THREATS UNIFIES THE COUNTRY
EXTERNAL THREAT UNIFIES THE COUNTRY BUT INTERNAL THREAT?
Most of us Verdurians remember how the Country stood behind the soldiers as a strong wall during the trying times of 1962 war with China, 1965 war with Pakistan and again 1971 war with Pakistan. Irrespective of the results, bad and good both, the whole populace beyond cast and creed cheered the Army Jawans at the Railway stations while being transported to the fronts. Women were present with Rakhies, flowers, and sweets and vermilion to greet the soldiers and wish them luck. People opened their vaults and donated wholeheartedly to the Prime Minister’s Fund. Blackouts were religiously observed. There were long queues to enlist in the Army.
Fortunately the Country has not faced such external threat since then, barring a few disquiet moments on the borders.
The country however is faced with a bigger internal threat in the form of Maoists and several such so called political outfits in different forms that may break the basic thread of the nation. This is addition to terrorist’s threats engineered by our neighboring country. The country seems to be divided over the issue of the internal threat.
More than sixty districts in Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orrissa and Andhra Pradesh are affected with daily dose of violence in the tribal areas and spreading. The Prime Minister thinks this threat is more dangerous than the external threats and rightly so because here our forces Police and Army have to fight with our own people. Political Parties have different take depending upon the vote bank.
The Nation is not united on the issue of fighting these misguided elements who refuse to come to the negotiation table unless the Government meets their conditions.
Unless the Country as whole has a common approach on the issue we are going to watch more bloodshed.
Most of us Verdurians remember how the Country stood behind the soldiers as a strong wall during the trying times of 1962 war with China, 1965 war with Pakistan and again 1971 war with Pakistan. Irrespective of the results, bad and good both, the whole populace beyond cast and creed cheered the Army Jawans at the Railway stations while being transported to the fronts. Women were present with Rakhies, flowers, and sweets and vermilion to greet the soldiers and wish them luck. People opened their vaults and donated wholeheartedly to the Prime Minister’s Fund. Blackouts were religiously observed. There were long queues to enlist in the Army.
Fortunately the Country has not faced such external threat since then, barring a few disquiet moments on the borders.
The country however is faced with a bigger internal threat in the form of Maoists and several such so called political outfits in different forms that may break the basic thread of the nation. This is addition to terrorist’s threats engineered by our neighboring country. The country seems to be divided over the issue of the internal threat.
More than sixty districts in Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orrissa and Andhra Pradesh are affected with daily dose of violence in the tribal areas and spreading. The Prime Minister thinks this threat is more dangerous than the external threats and rightly so because here our forces Police and Army have to fight with our own people. Political Parties have different take depending upon the vote bank.
The Nation is not united on the issue of fighting these misguided elements who refuse to come to the negotiation table unless the Government meets their conditions.
Unless the Country as whole has a common approach on the issue we are going to watch more bloodshed.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
WHEN NEED BECOMES GREED
WHEN NEED BECOMES GREED
Leo Tolstoy in his story “How Much land Does a Man Need” seems to convey that a man does not need more than six feet long and may be three feet wide land for his grave. Greed drives a simple peasant to accept a proposal to own as much land as he can cover in a day from day break to sunset with the condition that he has to return to the starting point before sunset. Greed takes him to as far as he thought he can cover but by the time he returns to the starting point he is totally exhausted and falls dead on the ground. He is buried there itself.
Seen in this context, it is rather difficult to understand why people accumulate vast wealth in form of landed properties, stocks, cash, jewellery etc. It is true that a man needs only six feet by six feet land if to be burried and not even that if to be cremated after his death but the issue is not that simple during his life time. In some communities burial/cremation expenses have become so exhorbitant that even death seems to be a very costly proposition. Some guys make financial arrangements for all such expenses before their death. It is not however of little consequence after one is dead be it prestige or peace or heavenly journey or any which name we would like to call it. Thousands of people die and get buried /cremated without any rites whatsoever.
The question, therefore is how much is enough? I officially retired at the age of 58 as per company rules and was given 8 six monthly extentions and finally allowed to retire at the age of 62. My employers wanted me to continue as long as my health permitted but I had different take and they had to accept my request. The CMD remarked “you seem to have enough savings” to which I replied “Sir, ‘enough’ has different meaning for different people. I think I have enough to sail through for rest of my life. I want to visit various places which I would not be in a position to do with all the official work to attend to. I would not like to make commitments that I can not fulfill. We have equally efficient people in our team who can take over anytime. One of them must get the opportunity.” He smiled and we shook hands.
Well I have no regrets. I have been in a position to maintain the same standard of living I was used to . In fact, during the last 7 years after retirement I have been in a position to visit various places of tourist and religious importance . I have been in a position to visit my grand children 4 times in the USA and stayed with them for as long as six months in a very carefree environment. It would not have been possible if I had official commitments staring at me from a distance.
This may be okay for me but not for many. Some may have unmarried sons or daughters. Some may have no roof over their heads. Some may have no savings at all. Some may be facing health problems. People take up jobs after retirement to supplement their income in order to live a comfortable life and meet other obligations.
There are people for whom enough is never enough when it comes to wealth and comforts. A friend of mine has a Maruti Swift but he is worried that he does not have money to buy a Toyota Innova. The other friend wants a large house with a swimming pool. This satisfies their ego. They also want to secure the future of their nextr generation.
Then there are people who never feel secure and are always under constant fear of losing their wealth and power and therefore continue grabbing more and more. The very fresh case is that of Ms Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India. An ordinary school teacher has reached to this position which by itself is very commendable and is possible in a Democracy only. What is disturbing is the fact that she has amassed huge wealth and does not stop multiplying it by all means, fair or faul. She claims that all her wealth is legal gifts from her Party workers and admirers. She spends huge monies from Public exchequer to build her statues and that of her mentor Mr Kansi Ram., the founder of her Party ,Bahujan Samaj Party. She collects money for allotting tickets for election, for her Birth days and she does it with all pomp and show least caring about the people or the media or the law.
So we have three categories of people who accumulate wealth :
1. For their genuine needs.
2. For their inflated egos and for their next generation.
3. For the fear of losing wealth or power.
“Sai itna dijiye, ja me dowoo smaya,
Ghar bhi bhooka na rahe, panthi na bhooka jaye”
(God ! give me so much as to satisfy the hunger of both,
my family and any passerby)
It is only fair that anything over and above the above should be used for public good. One should act as a custodian of the wealth he has earned by fair means and not the squanderer. We should thank God for having granted the capabilities to be more fortunate than many. You will be the sole decider of how much is enough for you.
H. P. Lakhera
Delhi, March 18, 2010.
Leo Tolstoy in his story “How Much land Does a Man Need” seems to convey that a man does not need more than six feet long and may be three feet wide land for his grave. Greed drives a simple peasant to accept a proposal to own as much land as he can cover in a day from day break to sunset with the condition that he has to return to the starting point before sunset. Greed takes him to as far as he thought he can cover but by the time he returns to the starting point he is totally exhausted and falls dead on the ground. He is buried there itself.
Seen in this context, it is rather difficult to understand why people accumulate vast wealth in form of landed properties, stocks, cash, jewellery etc. It is true that a man needs only six feet by six feet land if to be burried and not even that if to be cremated after his death but the issue is not that simple during his life time. In some communities burial/cremation expenses have become so exhorbitant that even death seems to be a very costly proposition. Some guys make financial arrangements for all such expenses before their death. It is not however of little consequence after one is dead be it prestige or peace or heavenly journey or any which name we would like to call it. Thousands of people die and get buried /cremated without any rites whatsoever.
The question, therefore is how much is enough? I officially retired at the age of 58 as per company rules and was given 8 six monthly extentions and finally allowed to retire at the age of 62. My employers wanted me to continue as long as my health permitted but I had different take and they had to accept my request. The CMD remarked “you seem to have enough savings” to which I replied “Sir, ‘enough’ has different meaning for different people. I think I have enough to sail through for rest of my life. I want to visit various places which I would not be in a position to do with all the official work to attend to. I would not like to make commitments that I can not fulfill. We have equally efficient people in our team who can take over anytime. One of them must get the opportunity.” He smiled and we shook hands.
Well I have no regrets. I have been in a position to maintain the same standard of living I was used to . In fact, during the last 7 years after retirement I have been in a position to visit various places of tourist and religious importance . I have been in a position to visit my grand children 4 times in the USA and stayed with them for as long as six months in a very carefree environment. It would not have been possible if I had official commitments staring at me from a distance.
This may be okay for me but not for many. Some may have unmarried sons or daughters. Some may have no roof over their heads. Some may have no savings at all. Some may be facing health problems. People take up jobs after retirement to supplement their income in order to live a comfortable life and meet other obligations.
There are people for whom enough is never enough when it comes to wealth and comforts. A friend of mine has a Maruti Swift but he is worried that he does not have money to buy a Toyota Innova. The other friend wants a large house with a swimming pool. This satisfies their ego. They also want to secure the future of their nextr generation.
Then there are people who never feel secure and are always under constant fear of losing their wealth and power and therefore continue grabbing more and more. The very fresh case is that of Ms Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India. An ordinary school teacher has reached to this position which by itself is very commendable and is possible in a Democracy only. What is disturbing is the fact that she has amassed huge wealth and does not stop multiplying it by all means, fair or faul. She claims that all her wealth is legal gifts from her Party workers and admirers. She spends huge monies from Public exchequer to build her statues and that of her mentor Mr Kansi Ram., the founder of her Party ,Bahujan Samaj Party. She collects money for allotting tickets for election, for her Birth days and she does it with all pomp and show least caring about the people or the media or the law.
So we have three categories of people who accumulate wealth :
1. For their genuine needs.
2. For their inflated egos and for their next generation.
3. For the fear of losing wealth or power.
“Sai itna dijiye, ja me dowoo smaya,
Ghar bhi bhooka na rahe, panthi na bhooka jaye”
(God ! give me so much as to satisfy the hunger of both,
my family and any passerby)
It is only fair that anything over and above the above should be used for public good. One should act as a custodian of the wealth he has earned by fair means and not the squanderer. We should thank God for having granted the capabilities to be more fortunate than many. You will be the sole decider of how much is enough for you.
H. P. Lakhera
Delhi, March 18, 2010.
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