TERRORISM: INDIA’S UNENDING WAR

       Historically, India has been among the peace loving countries. But since its independence, India has been facing the problem of insurgency and terrorism in different parts of the country. India has faced exclusively terrorist movements in Jammu & Kashmir, bordering Pakistan, and in the northeast, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh. India has also faced terrorism of an ephemeral nature like serial explosions in Mumbai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Varanasi, attack on Indian Parliament, Akshardham Temple in Gujrat and the list is unending. There have also been sporadic acts of religious terrorism in other parts of India. Countless innocent lives have been lost to the terrorist’s bombs and guns.

       Terrorism in India can be construed as an armed violent movement directed against government as well as non-government targets. It involves pre-meditated attacks with arms, ammunition and explosives against civilians, and resort to intimidation tactics such as hostage taking and hijacking, but not seeking territorial control.

       The political factors that led to insurgency-cum-terrorism included the failure of the government to control large-scale illegal immigration. The economic factors include the absence of land reforms, rural unemployment, exploitation of landless labourer etc. The social factors largely include fear psychosis among minorities. The administrative factors broadly include inadequate coordination between the law & order enforcing agencies operative in the States and the Centre.

       Terrorist groups draw moral support and material sustenance from the overseas. Aid from supporting countries, contributions from trans-national criminal groups, extortions and ransom payments for releasing hostages, Narcotics smuggling are the major source of funding for the terrorist and insurgent group.

       Besides steps taken by the Government within the territory to combat terrorism, India has consistently been highlighting the need for a unified international response to trans-border terrorism, which is today affecting many countries. The spate of the terrorist attacks in different counties and the resulting causalities of innocent civilians lend greater urgency to the need for the international community to unite and fight the menace and censure states that give support and sanctuary to terrorists. However, it was the attacks of 11 September, which thrust the ‘war on terror’ into the international sphere. Despite the increased recognition of the urgency of the issue of terrorism, India continues to face terrorist attack with no substantive immunization support from international big brothers. This raises the question as to whether terrorism is in fact global or it still remains a task for national governments.

       In this lonely war against terrorism, enough has been lost and maximum sacrifices have been made. What we need today is a firm and systematic approach to replace the existing soft counter terrorism infrastructures with world-class law and order, intelligence and anti-terror agencies. At the same time, India must work strategically pressure on Pakistan. Besides, concrete steps need to be taken urgently to address the political, economic, social and administrative factors that contribute in flourishing Terrorism and every effort may be made to choke the flow of arms, ammunitions and funds to the insurgent groups.

       Moreover, India needs to develop a proper intelligence mechanism to deal with such act of terrorism. Undoubtedly, it is a difficult rather impossible task to accurately predict terrorist attacks, but a proper coordination among various security agencies would minimize the extent of such attack to the maximum.

PEDONG: BEAUTY OF NATURE

I still remember 4th of October, the day I decided to move away from all the hustle and bustle of daily routine. I was very tired and bored of the time that passed each day. I unexpectedly left for Pedong, a village in district Darjeeling on the same evening. I grabbed a bus and enjoyed the overnight journey from Delhi. I reached the destination in afternoon the next day. 

I remember the unimaginable beauty of the place. It falls on the ancient silk route that connects Tibet with India through the Jalep La pass. Pedong (4500ft) one of the loveliest place in Darjeeling is situated between Kalimpong and Lava. A small picturesque hamlet situated on a ridge and surrounded by pine forests, Pedong commands some magnificent view of snow ranges of Mount Kanchendzonga. It’s a small village with the population of approximately 19000.

I was amazed to see the beautiful hills, meadows, and streams that dressed this small village exquisitely. I had my lunch under a tree with a huge shadow eclipsing me entirely. I was tired a little due the overnight travelling but I had a great sleep in the fragrant breeze of Pedong.

Rikisum Top is perhaps the most scenic location around Pedong. Situated on top of a densely forested hill, it provides a bird eye view of the surrounding mountains. It commands some magnificent view of the snow on the Kanchenjunga Mountains. There is an old Bungalow which was built by British in year 1902, the best view point of the Kalimpong sub-division where you can see the entire Kanchenjunga range. I spent a good time at this place watching outside through the wide window panes.

Within a 15 min walking distance from Pedong Bazar, you get to see the Damsang Dzong Fort. It was built in the year 1960 to stem any aggression by the troops of the East India Co. and other hostile tribes as well. The fort is in ruins after the Anglo-Bhutanese war of 1864. Apart from the Mystic and Historic interests one is also treated to a magnificent view of the Himalayas and lush green valley as it was built at a vantage point for the administration purpose. It is wonderfully beautiful and beautifully wonderful.

The climate is suitable and soothing in Pedong. Cold months are from October to February. The month of March and early May is quit abundant in sunshine. Summer is officially from September to June. No doubt, you enjoy all the seasons here.

Walking along the road side is unforgettable as the scenic beauty freezes your attention. I enjoyed eating Momos and Churpi, the famous foods at one of the stalls in Pedong Bazaar. I could explore very little as I packed up the next day to leave. It was a short, swift yet enjoyable and memorable journey.

Is US growing religious intolerant ?

US claims itself to be a peaceful democratic country in the world but as we put a closer look over it, we find something different, different from what it claims. The recent Mosque building controversy at a place near the ground zero has given a chance to the people around to discuss and doubt the very claim of US as a democratic and religious tolerant country. 

Almost a decade later after the notorious 9/11, a proposal to build an Islamic centre and mosque two blocks away from the World Trade Centre (WTC) site has sharply divided the country. The voices of rationality have gained pitch stressing America's constitutional tradition of strict separation of church from the state.

However, President Barack Obama has fueled the controversy by weighing in. First on the side of the rationalists, as might be expected, from a former professor of constitutional law. On August 13, 2010, Obama asserted, “Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country, and that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances”. 

The next day Obama clarified that he was only speaking of legal rights and was not commenting on the wisdom of making the decision to place a mosque near the ground zero. With this U-turn gesture, which came at the start of a ferociously competitive election season, Obama opened himself up for criticism, not just from conservative Republicanism but also from many Democrats.

 The portrayal of Obama as an ivory tower intellectual, out of touch with the average American is a wild card for the Republican plan of attack this November. The faltering recovery, and resultant discrediting of his economic policy, which was crafted by a group of Ivy League college professors, makes this an easy job on the economic front. Now, the president appears to have handed his rivals the perfect opportunity to broaden their attack. 

Former US President Bill Clinton also supported Park 51 (the proposed Islamic centre) after noting that many Muslims were also killed on September 11. Union supported it as well, citing principles of religious Freedom. The Interfaith Alliance also supported the mosque, while indicating that it agreed with the need for transparency as to who is funding the project.

On the other hand, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg strongly endorsed the project, saying that Ground Zero was an appropriate place for a mosque, because it would send a message to the world that US has freedom of religion for everyone. Responding to opposition, he said, “We want to make sure that everybody from around the world feels comfortable coming here, living here, and praying the way they want to".

 The statements are positive though but the public opinion tells some other story. It’s not a question of building an Islamic centre or a mosque, but it’s a question of an undefined and unremitting malice towards a particular religion. Has the 9/11 affected the religious tolerance of US? I think it has!

INDIA OF MY DREAMS

Sometimes, today’s India makes me want to weep. When I see the child beggars roaming the streets, the glaring sign of poverty and misery, the effects of drought and the result of poor education. I feel sorrow for the India that I live in. But the sorrow is short-sighted as I see also the evidence of India’s progress in different fields. Our scientific and economical progress has been commendable. We have always been proud of our cultural heritage. Perhaps, then the India of our dream is not unrealistic.

          The India of my dreams would be a symbol of all that is just, true and beautiful. India will be a mixture of the old and the new, the spiritual and the material, the urban and the rural and the scientific and technological. She will be a land of peace, calm, prosperity, progress, wisdom and knowledge. In the India of my dream, all will have the basic amenities with clothing, food, and shelter. There will be no barrier of cast, religion, colour, or sex. We will all only be an Indian.

          The social evils like illiteracy, ignorance, etc that plague us, will be vanished from India of my dreams. Her people will be self-reliant and will have blind faith in hard work. India of my dream will not be guided by any starts and fate but by the dynamic men who will write their own faith. Truth, non-violence high moral value of life and above-all integrity of character will be the hallmark of the Indian society. Where mind will be without fear and all small and big, ugly and beautiful things have their own dignity.

          In the India of my dreams, fine arts, handicrafts, sculpture, architecture, dance drama, literature, music and education will be perfect models. Science will be used for the welfare of mankind. Though we will have the knowledge of modern weapons, we will not the fist to use them against any nation. Scientists will be given all the facilities they require. There will be no bran drain.

          The political system of the country will be cleaned of all dirt. The field of politics will be only platform for social service and welfare of the people and the country. Corruption in public duty will be firmly checked.

          Of course, India of my dreams cannot be translated into short span. But if all of us work with national interest at heart, it can possible in real life. 

This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.13

मुझे इस जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें रुखसत कर दो....

मुझे इस जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें
रुखसत कर दो


यही मेरी मोहब्बत का इनाम होगा


आंसूओं के ये मोती मेरी मौत पर
बिखराओ ना

इससे जहाँ में मेरा प्यार बदनाम
होगा

मुझे इस
जहाँ से हस्तें-हस्तें रुखसत कर दो
यही मेरी मोहब्बत का इनाम
होगा.................

बेवफा तेरी बदोलत ही, मैं दुनियां से जा रहा हूँ

ज़िन्दगी को छोड़कर, रुक जा, ऐ मौत
तेरे पास आ रहा हूँ

TOWARDS THE EMPOWERMENT OF INDIAN WOMEN

From time immemorial, woman in India have largely remained a matter of joy and she has been used and misused by men to serve their evil ends. She has been used like a machine for procreation. Efforts have been made by the social reformer in the post to bring dignity to women. But the proprietors of the orthodoxy thwarted these efforts.

Man and woman together constitute the social structure of human society. Both are the inevitable part of society. Women constitute fifty percent population. For all round development, political and other development activities are desirable.

Envisaging the importance of women in nation building, the founding fathers of Constitution made several provisions, which not only grant equality to women, but also empower the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favour of women.

In recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The women’s movements and the Apex Court have contributed a lot in inspiring initiatives for the empowerment of women.

The national Commission for women has been set up to safeguard the rights and legal entitlements of women. The 73^rd and 74^th Amendments (1993) to the Constitution of India have provided for reservation for seats in the local bodies of Panchayats and Municipalities for woman. Various legislative measures have been designed to safeguard the rights and interest of women.

However, the picture today is still grim. Leaving a meagre number of urban women, the Indian women are still crying for simple justice. Cases of rape, molestation, dowry death, humiliation and gender discrimination are common and unstopped. The male child is given preference over the female childe. Women are ignored and marginalized from the mainstream.

There is no denying fact that whenever and wherever women have got opportunities, they have proved their worth and attained respect and glory in their respective fields. Today women occupy top ranks in almost all fields. Sonia Gandhi, P.T. Usha, Sania Mirza, Kiran Bedi, Lata Mangesker, Arundhati Roy, Romila Thapar etc. have become names to reckon with in the areas of their work. It is, therefore, must to maintain and protect chastity, dignity and modesty of woman. It is the need of the hour to give due share to each and every section of the Indian women.

First of all we must treat our female child at par with our male ones and create an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women to enable them to realize their full potential. Thenceforth, all possible steps must be taken to restore equality in terms of participation and decision making in social, political and economic life. Besides, elimination of discrimination and all forms of violence against women and the girl child must be stopped.

Constitutional provisions and the legislations enacted by the Government have been bringing slow but effective change in social, economic and political status of women in India and thus laying a strong foundation of women empowerment. Let us hope that with the sustained efforts and effective implementation, full empowerment of women in all spheres will become a reality in the days to come.