A prayer for Malala-the little Angel

Little angel Malala- though the meaning of your name is ‘grief-stricken’, you makes me think of a beautiful unknown and nameless flower that envelop me with a sweet fragrance from your enchanting valley, Swat. My heart reaches out to you little angel, Malala, the amount of courage and wisdom you have shown is beyond your age, you are truly an angel sent by God to hold a light against the darkness of your beautiful valley. Tears roll down on my cheeks whenever I see your innocent angelic face and so astonished about the silence of the otherwise violent protestors in the name of religion, when you are targeted in such a brutal manner. I am so tempted to think like the ‘Little prince’ of author Antoine de saint-exupery, that the ‘grown up are really really odd’, they make a noise for nothing and interested only in triviality that often trivilalises noble causes. There are millions to take sword in the name of religion, but none to question an inhuman and brutal act on a little girl. I hope you would be the sunshine girl and the beacon of hope to millions of suffering girls in your country and around the world. Hope many girls would be inspired by your courage and brilliance. You represent hope and is a precious being, my prayers for you to get well soon, little sweet flower.

America's own Osama

Shakespeare wrote, ¨Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" (Macbeth). Perhaps the sound and fury doesn’t stop at death!Osama bin Laden’s death seems more of a tale than life- we don’t know whether to cry, laugh or forget with all the horrific details of his death unfolds before us.I don’t know how significant is the death of Osama to the world, when he is only a name sake head of Al- Quida. But obviously this is a great news for US president Obama who is seeking re-election in 2012. To an extend, USA is responsible for the making of Osama bin Laden and the fanatic elements in Islam.They prepared a fertile ground for fanatics like Osama to grow and spread their sickening idealogy among ignorant masses. So it was necessary for them to get rid of him as he had grown out of their control!

USA acts unilaterally when it feels its interests must be served-Iraq invasion, Afgan war etc are a case in point. At the same time advice countries like India to keep restraint at the face of terror! We know well that the master mind of Mumbai riot(1992) and the master mind of 26/11 are having a royal life in Pakistan, but India couldn’t do anything about that till date. US always played its game well in this part and managed to isolate India surrounded by ‘enemies’. I think, now, it is too late when the US realized its past mistake of nurturing islamic fanatism in the guise of fighting communism or whatever.

Whenever required, USA used Pakistan like a tool to slow the Indian growth in the region, unfortunately, both this countries devote a major chunk of its economy for purchasing weapons from rich counries! Why? Both presuming a war between themselves! Strangely Pakstan(read its Army and ISI),
considers its very existence is based on anti-India rhetoric and invest their time and energy on propagating hate! While those fanatics do nurture the under privileged to fight their ‘war(jihad)’, they would be enjoying all luxuries of life in the comforts of their home.I am sorry for the ignorance of common men, and how they are being manipulated.

India and Pakistan have lot of people, living in extreme poverty, many of them do not have even basic amenities in their life. Yet both this countries compete to invest in weapons to fight their war to an ‘unknown enemy! I wonder why this Asian neibhours(I am not mentioning about China that invests a huge chunk of its economy for defence purpose) are not wise enough to understand that USA or west is not going to lose anything if they fight, but only stand to gain from it. Atleast in their country, their citizens are not starving, they have a good social support system and are well taken care of.

In this imagined ‘would- be war’, people of both this countries are real losers, this not only deviate us from the real issues, but affect the development of our countries also. So I just wish people of both this countries could wake up from their slumber and fight for their basic right to live as dignified human beings. Or am I just dreaming?

Remembering Mahatma

Each time I read Gandhiji’s autobiography, it gives me new reflections of his life. He is the most discussed person in the modern world and his philosophy acquires more relevance today than ever. I must admit that we Indians know very little about him, and ofcourse ungrateful to our great son. I heard people often pass judgements about him even without caring to read his autobiography, or even without a little knowledge of his life. We often have a tendency to belittle his person, his achievements. I can only sympathise to those who are not able to understand a spiritually and morally elevated person like Mahatma.

Mahatma's(great soul) Christ-like saintliness and purity of heart are much talked about and is widely admired.
But through the pages of his life, one can find a Mahatma who is strong willed, curious, keenly interested in the world outside his sphere of action, besides he loved traveling. His reaching out nature is evident in the way he learned Tamil, Urdu etc to talk to Indians in South Africa. His selfless nature is appealing even to his enemies, that earned him lot of friends. Though a practicing Hindu, his religion is barely ritual-bound. He believed that ‘God could be realized only through service.’ As Gandhi himself admitted, Christian influence is evident in his life, even he read Bhagavad Gita(Hindu holy text)at the insistance of his Theosophist friends in England. He was keenly interested in studying about religion, debating and was sincerely tolerant towards all religious beliefs.
God is the strong force that controlled Gandhi’s actions and believes, obviously he was an immensely blessed soul. Though essentially an Indian at heart, he was influenced by Ruskin Bond, Tolstoy and HD Thoreau, and his thoughts were never confined to narrow nationalism.
His interest in sanitation and service inspired him to nurse those affected by contagious diseases, but surprisingly, he had been never infected by that deadly disease. Gandhi was definitely a mass leader, his charisma alone drove people to lend their service even to most demanding task, even without him asking for that. Gandhi was adamant about his ideals and it was impossible to influence him unless he let to be.


I feel his autobiography is a must read for all humanity, though not a Mahatma, at least it will make us a better human being. A great soul who wrote when the world was at war, ‘Soul-force is matchless. It is superior to the force of arms. Men who use physical force are strangers to the courage that is requisite in a passive resistance.’(Satyagrahi). He proved with his very life that Ahimsa(non violence) is the prerogative of the courage and achieved greatness not through power or status, but by not wanting that.

Kashmir: Lost Paradise?

Kashmir is mostly in news for wrong reason, but is that what Kashmiries deserve?
Kashmiries are generally very enterprising and hard working people having a nomadic inclination. They are present in all touristic spots in India with their traditional handicrafts,shawls etc. The paradise as Kashmir is, I recollect memories of my visit to there few years back. As Kashmir is a boiling pot, a prime reason of dispute between Pakistan and India, I was curious to know the mind of the people. There are few people who create problem for Kashmir with Pakistan’s support, but I feel it is more or less a political issue. I hardly have seen any Kashmiri having feelings for Pakistan though they do not neccessarily feel as Indians. To be part of Pakistan is the last thing many Kashmiries wanted. (Of course we often forget about Kashmiri pundits who are mostly stay as refugees in their own country. Kashmir is their land also though some fanatics try to do an ethnic cleansing to make it a muslim place.)

But today throwing stone at security officers are considered a job in this beautiful valley, again, with the support of neibhouring country, poor youths are lured to score political mileage. I doubt to what extend this school boys are aware of freedom and India-Pak issue. Unfortunately those vicious minds behind this act, don’t aware of the impact of this on youth, their future. I wonder whether they want to build a ‘free Kashmir’ of some young illiterate stone-pelters?
Kashmiries are very friendly and not religious fanatics as they are being portrayed- They would invite you to their home with pleasure, feed you and make you feel at home. They have the ability to adapt to any circumstances that contribute to their good business skills.

Kashmiries are proud of their Kashmiriyat, many feel that free Kashmir can be more prosperous if independent, but there are some alien voices that are happy to be part of India. One Kashmiri fruit vendour in Mcloedganj told me, ‘If I see any terrorist, I will kill him, they are eating from Hindustan’s plate and spitting on it’. Another young Kashmiri is of the view that they can’t surive if Kashmir is free, ‘how we will survive just with dry fruits and Apple? We are indebted to Hindustan for rice, pulses,vegetable and other items’. He says. Anyways he is sure that Kashmir is neither going to be free nor going to be part of Pakistan, all in their life they may fight for freedom in vain’. ‘Hindustan isko chodega nahin(India will not leave it)’, he says with a glint in his eyes.

For India, it is an issue of prestige and for Pakistan it is an issue of water as many rivers origin from Kashmir. Indians generally feel that Kashmiries are pampered due to the separatist issue there. India pays a heavy price to retain Kashmir with her, she spends huge money of tax-payers on this valley. Though Ladakh is part of Jammu and Kashmir state, the peaceful Buddhist people there feel that they get a step-motherly treatment from govt. Some even say that they are ignored as they don’t throw stones at security forces.
Despite all this, Kashmir still burns and common people who struggle to meet both ends suffer, while those ignite violence enjoy luxuries and their children study in elite schools. Finally does that really matter which country you belong to?

When i was a Communist...

I was a co-traveller of communism as a dreamy teenager- may be I prefer to call me rather a romantic revolutionary. The place I was born is the cradle of communism in Kerala that caters to my ideal dreams of a paradise on earth by revolution, as many teenagers of my area. Like many communists I questioned God who distributed inequality, suffering and illness. And it was a fashion among communists to discard Gandhiji and hail people like Lenin, Stalin and Mao.

Probably you can’t be a communist all through your life, it is perhaps a temporary resort of a disturbed soul. Revolutionary ideas sprout where there is frustration, pain and sorrow. My frustration arose from the sufferings and pain in the society despite my personal pains. It is natural for any thinking teenager to get attracted to such ideologies that promise a world devoid of injustice. Besides in Kerala many intellectuals, artists and writers were part of this movement.

Violence and ugly side of campus politics was an eye-opener to my communist dreams. I realized that communism lack humanity and concentrate all energy on the material aspect of life. (Any idealogy based on pure materialism is hollow and thus lack the spiritual depth that is the very essence of existence.)
Young minds are used (even brain washed sometime) to celebrate and secure power and authority. I couldn’t digest my innocent friends turn to blood-thirsty animals incase of a fight with opposite group. That was when I mentally distanced from this utopian idealogy.

Now communism for me is a lost paradise that probably exist only in dream. History proved that communists were the worst massacres and dictators on earth. Any ideology that curtails the freedom of individual would die a natural death. It has to be reformed with time, otherwise communism may lose its relevance in modern times.

Kolkata Diary

I had a romantic notion about West Bengal for its great cultural and literary tradition, besides as it is the place of Rabindranath Tagore, the person I adore, i have a special feeling for it. Infact Bengal gave birth to many erudite men as Aurobindo, Vivekananda, Sathyajit Ray etc who are very precious to my heart.

West Bengal is considered the cultural capital of India, it is like France to Europe. Bengalis are proud of their brilliant culture and language.
When I landed at Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkatta, I was so overwhelmed with a strange happiness. The very name (we are used to names of Nehru family),the atmosphere all seemed quite fresh and soothing to me. At last I am in the land of Tagore- the poet, guru, an eternal inspiration to humanity. My heart starts humming in profound joy, ‘thou hast made me endless, such is thy pleasure’(the beginning lines in Gitanjali). Tagore is like god to Bengalis, those who are not into reading even adore him.

It was raining all the night and I found a place to stay near Chowrangee line which is one of the busiest area in the city. Kolkatta resembles other Indian cities in many ways-traffic,dust,pollution and people. Yet I feel Kolkatta is a city having care and concern. People are extremely friendly and accommodative, at least I felt so. I often visited a shop near my guest house to find some ethnic ornaments. To my pleasant surprise, one day the shop keeper gifted me a bracelet made by himself. I was so moved by this gesture and thus my heart got closer to the city. I often felt a good wave length with Bengalis at least with those who came into my contact. I have always something to share with them either literature or politics. One day while having breakfast in a restaurant, which is mostly frequented by foreigners, one young bright waiter recognized me as a Keralite! He says he can make out people of any region or language. Oh gifted man, I said to myself. I tried different Bengali cuisines especially fish, food is cheaper than other cities, but i found it spicy.

On my idle walks through the city, I came across with so many beggars, especially girls on the street. Some are pretty sophisticated who know the art of begging well. Some even speak English and would befriend you in the guise of guiding you to find bus or direction. I chatted with them for long by avoiding the stares from people walking beside me. They complained me about their misery, apathy of the system etc asif I am their saviour. Most of those beggars are from from Bihar and Bangladesh, few are from certain villages in West Bengal. My concerns caused me some money, but they were expecting more from me. On my way back I was disturbed by their struggle for survival. That reminded me of the absurdity of a socialist regime that rules there more than two decades.

Today’s Kolkatta is a pot-pourry of culture, povety,film, malls, books plus communism. I couldn’t roam around much of Kolkata except few touristic spots,but what saddedned me most was that I had to skip my cherished visit to Shanti Niketan, the brain child of Tagore. But I have a valid reason o go back to Kolkatta again, I consoled myself.

Where is the mind without fear?

I was shocked to see the picture of Joel Elliot, a US journalist the other day. His bruised face shows the dark side of our police force. According to his statement that is sent to IB and external Ministry, he was beaten up brutally by Delhi police for trying to prevent four police men beating up a man in the dark. Police version of the story(which I doubt for sure) is that Joel was trying to steal a cab in a drunken state and was behaving violently. Even though it is true, how can they treat somebody like this? If this is the treatment towards a US journalist, what would be a lay man’s chance for justice? I have seen immense of time how people who live in the margins of society are beaten up by police for petty issues. Once in Karol Bagh(Delhi), I witnessed police slapping rikshaw-pullers who encroached into the restricted area to fetch passengers. The riksha-pullers withdrew from the spot believing they deserve it !

Our basic problem in India is that most of us are either unaware of laws or afraid of authorities. We have been taught not to question parents and teachers as they are the first authorities while growing up. Since childhood we are conditioned to live in a way designed by parents and society. Later we are obliged to obey other forms of authorities as power and money. So naturally we end up as passive people who hardly raise voice against injustice. Here police represents the unquestionable authority to take law into their hands with the virtue of their uniform. Indians hardly question the police as Joel did. The ingrained fear of public coupled with a passive attitude make police force as well other authorities behave like our masters. Our education too doesn’t encourage free thought, let alone question the injustice.

We are all mortal humans having our bad sides as well. So it is unwise to think some are above vices and beyond questioning. Our police force has to be more humane, because they are here to safe guard common people, not to harrasse them. Above all our education must be to enlighten the students with wisdom and knowledge. Only true knowledge opens the way for a mind that transcends fear.

No room for Humour

Are we a nation of humourless people? Or our politicians are just humourless hypocrats?This question popped up in my mind while reading the controversy over external affairs minister of state Shashi Tharoor’s comment on twitter. He tweeted that he would travel in cattle class to sympathise with the holy cows concerning the austerity gestures of govt. But politicians made a big issue out of this harmless joke.
The reaction of politicians shows their hypocrisy and how they take themselves so seriously. Besides our politicians definitely lack wisdom and maturity so that they make issue out of nothing. Shashi Tharoor is probably an odd man there, but I feel we are desperately in need of a wise and mature politician like him. Atleast Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is wise enough to see the humour in it. It would be better if politicians concentrate on good governance rather than waste time on mean things. Please, let us grow up.

Racism is in our mind

In the wake of recent attack on Indians in Australia, people back home cry about Racism. Are we really not racist to point finger at others? Here light skinned Indians look down upon black Indians, rich look down upon the poor. It is a fact that Indians like many Asians are so obsessed with white skin. India is good market for fairness cream and if you glanze through the matrimonial classifieds in newspapers, you would surprise to see the love for fair skin. Racism is a universal evil and no country is perfect in this regard.

It is in our nature to portray all the attacks or remarks as racist. We still shoulder the colonial baggage of inferiority complex. Probably this attacks does have nothing to do with the skin colour of Indians. Criminal elements are there everywhere. Envy, greed and blind nationalism or regionalism is present in other places as well. We have seen the attacks in Mumbai against poor north Indians though nobody was ‘shocked’ then. Those north Indians have gone to Mumbai as they don’t have any other option. But those students in Australia is there by paying a huge fees often for a fake certificate. Yet political parties took their cause and protested. But no one was their for those poor north Indians.
Besides Indian must learn to behave in a civilized society. Most of the time we are the most noisy and undisciplined people on the planet. We are famous for littering and flaunting wealth in public. We must be more open to other cultures and societies. Our medias too sensationalise this news and add racist tone to every attacks.
So it is better to make our home livable and better, before pointing finger at other countries.

Happy Laos

Laos? When I told some of my compatriots that I am going to Laos, they looked at me with a question in their eyes, ‘is that a country?’. Laos is hardly heard, but I was so surprised to see the amount of tourists in this land locked country. I had cherished pleasant feeling thinking that it might be a primitive country having virgin forests. Yes it is blessed with 70% forest -land but tourist friendly and much modern. And Laos is one of the less populated country in Asia.

After much unrest and civil war communism took over in 1975, and rule the country with a one party system. But that hasn’t affected their Buddhist way of life, though initially they were discouraged to become monks. In today’s Laos both Communism and Buddhism live together. One can see party flags and prayer flags, or monasteries exit side by side. Even today the prayers at certain monasteries are done in Pali language(language in which Buddha gave his teachings) When I befriended a monk there he invited me to offer prayers, thinking that as an Indian I would understand the language. Though I accepted the invitation, I conveyed my illiteracy in Pali language.
Pha Lak Pha Lam, or the Indian version of Ramayana is the most popular classic literature.

People of Laos are laid back and friendly and add flavour of fun even at work as they consider stressing too much is unhealthy for both the mind and body. Lao beer is the national drink and considered as pride of nation. As not an industrialized country, they have to depend heavily on neighbouring countries as Thailand, China and Vietnam for trade and consumer products. Capital Vientiane is a small town but clean and orderly that would slip into slumber after 9pm. Though not ‘modern’ in the strict sense of the term, you will get all the cuisines of world over there. I had some delicious Indian food from a restaurant own by a Bangladeshi. Lao cuisine lack the depth and delicacy of Thai food, but I tried some soup and sticky rice. Surprisingly life in Laos is costlier than in Thailand.

Luang Prabhang, the ancient capital is a mountainous place blanketed with lush greenery. It is on the banks of Mekong river, which adds charm to the city. Unesco listed it in the world heritage list. As a former French colony, the elegant wooden buildings bear the mark of French architecture. This sleepy town extends its calmly elegance to tourists lavishly. A ride around the outskirts of city is quite refreshing with its green landscapes and perfumes of frangipanis, which is a symbol of Laos.

The malls that mushroom in Laos are flooded with cheap Chinese products. They have imitations of almost all the big brands in the world. The huge jewellery market, mostly sell imitation of gold and other jewelleries. Though considered poor country, I
havn't seen any beggars on the road. People seem quite content with their simple way of life.


Laos culture and way of living is slightly similar to Thailand. Women seem free and run many business at least in cities. Unlike in Thailand where girls are in western robes, I have seen many girls wearing their traditional dress. It was so lovely to see the girls in their traditional dress.
Though not a road less traveled, Laos still reminds me of a lost land in the mountains, which I would like to explore again.