The Past As Present: Forging Contemporary Identities Through History

                              This book is a collection of short essays written by Romila Thapar over a period of 40 years on topics ranging from - history, communal interpretations of Indian history and its use in political aspirations, caste and class division. Earlier too, i have written about Romila Thapar books, the peculiar way she insinuates 'Hinduism',  her idea of secularism, her favorite Aryan Dravidian divide(fiction she propagated) and subsequent persecution of communities on racial, religious basis in India. One must not be baffled by her implicit quality of unraveling fanaticism, where nothing exist. She has this distinctive ability, taste and talent to paint and transform victims, as bloodthirsty villains of history. Lopsided it is, but she forcefully and adamantly pursues her analysis while ferociously muzzles her critics by branding and belittling their work as influenced by right wing, without venturing into the merit. Doesn't scientific knowledge's first condition is to be not dogmatic and consider and evaluate every theory on its merit? But in Indian History 'some people' are beyond scrutiny and their uttering must be considered halo or biblical truth by lesser mortals.

                              In this book Romila Thapar has investigated, analyzed and interpreted the history that in her opinion is being reconstructed and distorted by the Neo-Hindu historians influenced and driven by chauvinistic politics of faith today. The central issue of understanding history and its prudent interpretation are caught up in the cross-hairs of Nationalist historians vs Marxist hagiography. Like all victors, the left-leaning historians had a field day till now, and they have shamelessly gone on rampage distorting facts, creating myths undermining Indian culture, religion and values. The unleashing of colonial mindset has done great disservice to our history.

                           After winds of change being witnessed in democratic setup of our nation, the academic honchos notorious for their views are facing unprecedented headwinds and this book is a reflection of it. There were numerous views and opinions gagged from academic circles till now, and are being heard now and that's where the trouble lies. This book is a ludicrous attempt to defend her views on many controversial topics with some repetitive and equivocal writing.

Feast Of Love(Review)

                                     Even for a die-hard optimist like me, the movie left more questions then it answered. In the end, the idea behind the story remains hazy with obscure definition of love. Though it started on a promising note, but somehow confused infidelity with love in the middle, even tried justifying it and finally the story became a little confusing. Though one can not stop from admiring the dialogues(at places) which are beautifully sewed to appropriate scenes making it a joyful experience.

                                     The theme of the movie 'that either love being a trick which is played on us, or it is everything and nothing can compare to it' resonates in mind which is creatively linked to the introductory story telling by Morgan Freeman (Grecian myth about the gods who created love because they were bored, and then created laughter "so they could stand it."). Morgan Freeman as Harry Stevenson and Greg Kinnear as Bradley Thomas did justice to their characters and are impressive.The movie is watchable but only, if one can stand strong nudity content and mediocre attempt to explain different love situations.

The Grand Seduction (Review)

                               'Welfare checks are there to sustain you, did not last more than 15 days, but you collect shame for a month' is the dialogue in the movie and summarize the theme of this wonderful movie. The movie portrays the struggle of a fishing village to get a Petrochemical company to select their village as the site for establishing their next unit. The positive windfall being the jobs and prosperity for the natives. The only impediment was the unavailability of a registered doctor, a condition put-forth by industry policy. The unfolding circumstances and the concerted efforts by villagers to seduce a doctor makes it a wonderful story to watch.

                           This movie reminds me of another movie titled 'The Englishman Who Went up a Hill but Came down a Mountain', both of these films are on different subjects but have unique undercurrents, making one's watching experience joyful. A touching, charming and funny movie with identifiable characters and breath-taking landscape makes it a joy to watch. Brendan Gleeson is convincing and has impressed with his acting skills. Overall a light-hearted comedy with a simple story, a delight to watch this movie.

Ghost of Modi- RSS

                                                 ‘Everything looks yellow to the jaundiced eye’

                          The above idiom specially holds true for the liberal elites of Delhi. This unique tribe, comprising of middleman, pseudo-seculars, deal breakers, had tumultuous rough ride for last four years . This shrinking, self obsessed and powerful tribe, has never had so bad and the outpouring of filth against govt stands testimony, to the damage inflicted on their reputation and devaluation of their grip on corridors of power. They had been haunted by an imaginary ghost of Modi-RSS and badly in need of their own renaissance. This ghost has troubled this blood sucking tribe for last four years, and they are hoping that exorcism(election 2019) will finally bear fruit and bring some relief.

                       Since 2014, in India , the ghost of Modi is detected everywhere, a soar spot for liberals an outlandish person who doesn’t bow to the diktats of lutyen club. In the eyes of our ‘professional seculars’ the exorcising of the evil spirit from their lives is now, just a few months away. Likewise, the bad, communal people who don’t share the prescribed “idea of India” will be cut to size and put at their respective places. Through innuendos, they have started the intimidation propaganda, all the ‘fanatics’(read Bhakts) who were out there, butchering innocent minorities, media celebrities, urban naxals on social media won’t be spared either.

George Orwell, speaking of liberal journalists, wrote in the Preface to his Animal Farm:“One cannot expect intelligent criticism or even, in many cases, plain honesty from liberal writers and journalists who are under no direct pressure to falsify their own opinions.”

                           Sections of the privileged elites have been engulfed by fear psychosis once Modi took the reins in his hand and not wrongly, they were stripped of their privileges that they so shrewdly held for decades by sucking to the corridors of power. Like the good ‘old days’ when imaginary ‘foreign hand’ takes the blame for governance failure, today the narrative is spun and the extremely helpful ‘foreign hand’ of the bygone era has been replaced by ‘Modi-RSS combine for anything that goes wrong in our country.

                           Ranging from Chinese incursions to terrorist attack not to forget Kashmir conundrum, the party of clown along with bootlickers lutyen club, waste no time in sighting the ghost of Modi-RSS and pinning the blame. Meanwhile, the professional seculars take the lead and bifurcate any travesity to search for communal footprint.

                         Lies, stupidity and deception are the hallmarks of politics today. It’s an ever growing enterprise that has catapulted many to the seats of power. People have lied through their teeth to further their political carrier and unfortunately, it pays handsomely. It is no surprise thus, this time tested formula (award wapsi, intolerance, Church attacks, minorities under attack are some of the many campaigns endorsed and supported by this incestuous club) is again being employed to see the Modi-RSS ghost in Rafale aircraft deal.

                           Just before every state election in the last few years, new controversies are stage managed and are swiftly brushed aside after it serves its purpose. In the similar fashion, Rafale aircraft and winking eye in Parliament are intertwined. It was a precursor to the nasty campaign that is to follow. No amount of clarification will satisfy Congress, who wants people to see the same ghost behind the deal as the elections are on the horizon. How much success will Congress attain in convincing the electorate, only time will tell, but the Congress along with corrupt Lutyens club are confident.

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