Challenging Times Ahead

                                 It is heartening to witness a Dalit Mahamandaleshwar Kanhaiya Prabhunand Giri preaching equality and encouraging ghar wapsi of Dalits, tribals etc from the sidelines of auspicious Kumbh at Prayagraj. For long Hindus are a divided lot, giving a free run to unscrupulous politicians who find it convenient to cater to targeted groups(segregated castes) to further their own carriers. Interestingly, the politician's lounge for religious minorities also, as they believe it (caste+minority) is an irresistible Operandi to usurp power by catering to the group.

                             A secular constitution and a proud tolerant Indian society are lately scarred by allegations by a bunch of wicked intelligentsia who are influential and powerful. They have spun the facts in the past, and have created the narrative that hate-filled Hindus are rampaging the society, supported by media and vested organizations within and outside the country. The mass hysteria created an atmosphere where Hindus have begun to doubt themselves. Our education system is marred with the glorification of barbarian invaders while obliterating the native warriors. By cajoling and controlling the young minds of impressionable age, the dice was overloaded against the truth from the beginning. They control the narrative, control the media, control the universities and the popular discourse.

                             Unfortunately, after independence, the throne of India was grabbed by people who had to 'Discover India'. Drawing parallel with the Bolshevik revolution, the Communists in particular, and Congress, in general, have adopted the same strategy in India, the only difference being USSR was an authoritarian state while India a democracy. The afore-mentioned policy was to divide Hindus into castes(creating fissures) thereafter align with disgruntled castes and religious minorities to wrest power. In the meantime push for agenda to weaken Hindus, convert them, etc.

                             Media has been largely compromised, which implicitly supports the questionable conduct of a few for monetary benefits. In 1999, when the Pope announced in India that the Church would establish Christianity fully by the 21st century, media presented it as a simple incident, explaining that the duty of the Church was to spread it and by doing so the Pope is following his duty. However, attempts by religious/social organizations to reconvert them back to Hinduism fold is showcased as a communal event, debated for days by media on primetime. The recent successful attempts by Communists in league with radical feminists to desecrate Sabrimala shrine remained a political hot-potato for media who shamelessly supported such misadventures in the garb of fundamental right to pray, overlooking tradition, culture, and sanctity of shrine.

                        It seems Hindus have conceeded too much ground to forces that are now belligrant, powerful, unreasonable and, above all, extremely intolerant towards Hindu religion, culture, sensitivities etc. Challenging times lie ahead, it is abattle of survival & revival of Hindu identity against forces that bear more than a resemblance to the mediveal invaders. Since independence, anti-Hindu forces have left no stone unturned to destroy Hindu civilization.The present situation reminds me of famous quote from Alain Botton "The secular world is full of holes. We have Secularized badly". 

Dear God

                                In earlier days, people had more faith on God, good deeds and destiny, that perhaps prompted them to follow righteous path . They were driven by the desire to do good to others, positively shaping their outlook. As times changed, with economic progress, we got entangled in our jobs, our lives got more complicated, we lost the grip on religion. At times, even with intent to perform puja, we often find ourselves short of time.

                            For long i was an atheist, more inclined towards science rather than god, even enthusiastically debated with friends and colleagues about the veracity of the supreme being. Never shied away from questioning the belief of myself or others. But as time elapsed, i found refuge in religion from the vagaries of life, i am not sure whether the events unfolded shaped my outlook, or was oriented since beginning. It took me long time, patience and sorrows to re-investigate my theories of life, to rescue myself from the miserable darkness i was treading for too long. It took me eons and after wasting precious time, that i could acknowledge the difference between science and faith. Well science tells us the air i breathe in is oxygen, while exhale out carbon dioxide, but its faith, that tells me the rhythm is maintained by god and one will continue to maintain it as long as he wishes, science can't prolong it.

                          In today's age of commercialization, where almost all relationships are smudged in trade, can relationship with god be free from this trait? Here, i am only speaking from my personal experience. I am only trying to provide a sneak peek into my mind, what transpired in my thought process, that compelled me to lounge for his(god) refuge. Under the influence of society, peer pressure, my only concern was to secure materialistic wealth, never gave prudence to the idea of contentment. I was under the impression that i understand happiness, understand god. I could only visualize my relationship with god as a two way trade, one is a sort of investment, where i would be able to reap benefits in long term by praying, the second one is more direct, an exchange a kind of barter trade, where i pray to get benefits in short term as if we both are into trade where my prayers are directly proportional to the returns in short time.

                         Never did i realize the bond between the devotee and the god is beyond the paradigm of a commercial transaction. In establishing your bond, what one should seek is his patronage, his blessings, the investment is your devotion and the returns one should look for is his acceptance to your prayers. One must not seek returns in your relationship with almighty rather unconditional trust and entrusting yourself to the divine will is paramount, let god be your swing while you enjoy the ride.

Mission R&AW by R.K. Yadav (Review)

                                  This is the first book that I have come across, on India's external Intelligence Agency the 'RAW'. ‘Mission R&AW’ is written by a former RAW operative R K Yadav, is a first hand account, however, without much explicit details and sometimes entirely based on hearsay. It is an interesting book though, covering a wide historical, Geo-political events that shaped independent India. Right from its inception, the agency participated in events after independence, to some of the most challenging times that the country faced, RAW was at the forefront defending Indian interests. The book dwells on the major accomplishments and debacles of agency in explosive details, though its only based on authors narrative, without much evidence to corroborate.

                               Display of exceptional maneuvering by RAW to hoodwink China, resulting in merger of Sikkim was unprecedented. Similarly, perfect execution of plan to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan was another feather in RAW's hat. Author also exonerated RAW from colossal failures of 1962 Indo-China war and 1965 Indo-Pak war by attributing it on army administration, to not taking the threats seriously. The recent case of RAW Joint Secretary Rabinder Singh, where  intelligence agency was blindsided by CIA was also mentioned.

                                 According to author, RAW has been the pioneering agency in the game of deception for decades, but lately been infested with greedy, unscrupulous elements against whom it has to guard itself. I would highly recommend this book, for readers interested in understanding functioning of spy agencies, covert operations undertaken by them to safeguard our country's interest

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Johnny English Strikes Again (Review)

                              Johnny English Strikes Again is an action/comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson, Olga Kurylenko and Ben Miller. Johnny English is a retired spy that is called out of retirement by the British secret service to investigate a cyber attack that revealed the identities of all the British secret agents. This being the third in the franchise, was a big disappointment for me, as it felt like watching an old Johnny English movie, with same predictable script, usual silly pranks that one can foretell .

                         Rowan Atkinson comedy is well known and his actions can be anticipated making the comedy outdated, maybe, it is pitched at kids rather than adults.This formula has worked in the earlier versions, but watching it the third time, definitely wasn't a charm. Olga Kurylenko was a lost soul, her performance can be rated as mediocre at best. The   misadventure of Johnny English, his tirade to punish bad guys wasn't my cup of tea, the movie can be missed.