Hotel Mumbai (Review)

                 As one would have inferred, the movie presents some graphic violent scenes and narrates the true story of the heinous terror strike at Mumbai in 2011. The story is about the heroic deeds of the staff of Hotel Taj, who valiantly and selflessly sacrificed their lives, in exchange for the safety of their guests. The zombies of terror who carried out the dastardly act were inspired and guided by their handlers from Pakistan were shown dramatically was both agonizing and shocking to watch. The scourge of terror, emanating from  Pakistan is the center-piece of the movie and is showcased brilliantly and realistically, for the whole world to watch and understand.

            There aren't many movies available that focuses on the plight of terror victims and this is where this movie stands out. It presented the facts without any provocative undertone for the audience to draw a conclusion. Dev Patel has performed with honesty and one is infatuated with his skills, Anupam Kher is an old hand who can mesmerize you with his performance every time. The movie has been banned in some countries which is ironic and sad, but then, hypocrisy suits the narrative of few and hence should be another reason for people to go out and watch. The movie is a painful reminder of what India has confronted for long and bares naked the ugly face of Pakistan sponsored and abated terrorism in the world. 

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Understanding The Scenario

                The world is changing and is changing pretty quickly much to the discomfort and surprise to the leftists. The ideal world of the privileged, spun around the demented notion of hating India and Indian culture, which is devoid of ugly "Bigoted' Hindus is in the self-destruction mode. And as the hallowed communist world is crumbling, the changed scenario is exposing the ugly self-obsessed, thoroughly corrupt leftist ideology. Leftist ideology engulfed the popular psyche in the aftermath of independence and continued its grip over intellectual fraternity until the mid-'90s, eventually lost its relevance in the modern era.

              With declining fortunes, the Left mutated, from the crushed working classes or the economic bondage of the industrial revolution to issues such as racial equality, gender equality, gay rights, minority rights. The mutation helped the leftist's ideology to survive the world over on college campuses. These issues were supported by the majority of the population, however, in its zeal to emerge as a leader, the leftists wrongly misread such victories(on social issues) as their own and not of the society which has evolved or transformed lately. 

                   Leftists in India have been conducting a kind of cultural war against Hindus since independence. With academics and cinema which was the popular mode of entertainment (easily manipulated) under their influence, they were successful in setting the narrative. As one needs an enemy to malign and project oneself superior and claim holy, the leftists went on rampage thus prooving the infamous quote true, ''I’m Left and You’re wrong, however, in case of India its variant was - I’m Left and You’re Communal". In its wisdom to smudge and scorn at Hindus and their culture, they were endlessly looking for small minority blocs to patronize, the first one to depend upon were Muslims, minuscule Christian population, etc. In their endeavor to garner support, they didn't shy away from screaming for the human rights of the criminal elements than with their victims. Democracy has been mischievously used as a weapon to destroy the very society that takes pride in democratic and pluralistic values. The leftists projected Hindu Nationalists as the oppressors, and their victims are righteous in uniting in the revolution against the Hindus. 

                 School and college books were fudged with historical blunders while leftist historians like Irfan Habib, Romila Thapar (fake Aryan invasion) had a free run. They twisted Indian history, making barbarians heroic while demonizing native rulers. Every possible treachery or mischief can be cited in the books, that had a profound influence on impressionable minds, making the young generation oblivious to the glorious Indian history and culture. The second method employed to smudging Hindus and influencing young minds is the visual media namely cinema. 

                  The secular cinema has been Hindu bashing for decades.  Every society has some flaws rooted in history which an enlightened society strives to overcome with time. The flaws and comic narration of  Hindu culture and Sanatan Dharma in the guise of exposing social evils is however rampant in Bollywood. The young generation that barely crosschecks the facts takes the movies as gospel truth, benefiting the pseudo-narrative. Thus, mocking of culture and tarnishing the warriors who fought for the civilization and the Dharma is conveniently peddled in the name of freedom of expression. The research carried out by Dheeraj Sharma (Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad) is an eye-opener and can be assessed at - https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/stereotypicality-in-indian-cinema-is-not-a-healthy-trend/story-y6SG1xuOvBb0cZfWJpUg0H.html 

                As Russian scientist and Nobel laureate Ivan Pavlov proved in 1900's that the brain can be programmed to like or vehemently dislike someone or something without any reason, films and other media instruments, fudged history books are and has been frequently and for long used to create a negative perception of Hindus, Indian cultural values or organizations and such an impression once created is ever-lasting and no amount of facts, reasoning or proof can alter it. From Pavlov's theory to cognitive learning theory, there are a host of scientific facts to prove that people are and can be mentally n emotionally manipulated to desist from certain ways of life or programmed to dislike things, without there knowledge. Such is the influence on young minds that they abhor the very people who stand for inherent shared values while colluding with arsonists and communal thugs. 

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Understanding The Matrix

                    There’s something special and energetic in ‘freedom’ or maybe the ‘idea of freedom’ or the feeling itself is reminiscent of liberation, happiness and thus excites us. It rushes our minds with ideas that may be reverberating in our minds for reasons unspecified. Restraining such ideas is a recipe for outrage which is manifested through aggression or non-violence depending on the social and ideological background of individuals. Today, it's not uncommon to come across the urban-elite gentry on television, who are complaining of feeling suffocated, restrained because of imaginary restrictions imposed by the incumbent government to thwart their attempts of expressing free will. However, if we observe closely the problem is acute only among a minuscule section of the population who have been allegedly gagged by the government in their opinion. The only twist is, such an outlandish scenario is usually put-forth by such victims among the general population through different mediums of communication which looks odd as well as mischievous. 

                   One major drawback of human psychology is whenever he/she gets something or anything in abundance they misuse it or worse waste it. ‘Freedom of speech’, a fundamental right ensured by the Constitution is one such right. While on one hand, the scores of Congress bailed-out leaders complained of such lack of freedom in front of cameras and through different other social mediums, on the other hand, their colleagues stretch the same freedom to openly smudge the country and an elected PM in an enemy country which has open hostilities with us. The second group that is baffled by the lack of freedom today are our left-liberals comprising of few media journalists, academicians and their follower students (useful idiots) in selected colleges. Their intellectuals(Arundhati Roy, Teesta Setalvad, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, etc.) openly support secessionist activities on SM, while foot-soldiers visit campuses to overtly challenge the writ of the constitution. All is done blatantly in the name of FOE which according to these traitors is actually missing. 

                  Truth is these lumpen elements of society who were free-riders have never been questioned for their nefarious anti-India and more specifically anti-Hindu activities for the last 70 years. Today their grudge with the government is, they seem to have been at the receiving end both academically, intellectually, politically as well on the streets where communist-Muslim mobs are no longer in a position to unleash violence and halt the administration as it once was. These Congress-Leftist entities and individuals care two hoots about India. Their only grouse is the declining hold on society and the lack of privileges they are accustomed to. The blabbering of Mr. Aiyar in Pakistan against India where he put the onus of securing secular certificate on Indian government by ensuring a good relationship with Pakistan is the lunacy of gigantic proportion or Shashi Tharoor who applauded the resolutions in the US Congress against India are branches of the same tree. The communal outburst of Aishe Ghosh on Jamia campus clearly outlines the agenda of the syndicate which is to see India struggling, confined to flames of secessionist activities and not a united strong country. 

                       The protests and dharnas aren’t new to democracy but are an inherent part of vivacious, lively and brisking consciousness of society. The citizenry has the fundamental right to protest against government policies but in the same manner, it also underlines the view that the government is open to facing dissent provided the dissent shouldn’t turn violent. Thus the question of lack of freedom or gagging problems that led to chest-beating goes out of the window and can be viewed in the context of last-ditch attempts by few to remain relevant in the present political scene of the country. Thus, it is not difficult to envisage the people behind the sinister attempts to foment trouble in the country who wanted to keep the pot boiling till the government commits a mistake on whom they can capitalize politically. 

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India’s Most Fearless -1 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh (Review)

                       The book is about fourteen magnificent true stories of valor displayed by the brave-hearts of Indian armed forces. These stories soaked in blood and sweat, have become legends and will inspire the generation of warriors in times to come. As is truly said that bravery comes in different shades, the book has put-forth such tales meticulously, in an awe-inspiring manner to inspire its readers. The heroism displayed by warriors in demanding times is fervently matched by their respective family members and colleagues, that have been ingeniously and yet with simplicity narrated by the authors. The behind the scene stories compiled by authors has the captivating ability and makes the reader glued to the book without blinking. It is futile to go into individual stories but will add that they are well-written and relatively easy to comprehend and feel proud. 

                      India is in a state of perpetual war since independence and Indian armed forces are always in a state of high alert. It is the hard work and supreme sacrifices of our brave-hearts that grant the citizenry a sense of normalcy and calm. This book isn't just about the valor of brave-hearts but also one can fathom the logistical, political and humanitarian aspects of military functioning. This book has a compilation of stories catering to different domains, some fil your heart with pride, some with respect while others leave you teary-eyed. The book is a truly remarkable experience to read and is a perfect blend of high decibel militarily action on the ground against terrorists (within and outside India) and humanitarian efforts(relief and rescue) carried out by Indian forces against all odds. This book is engrossing and has been an eye-opener for me, the legacy left behind by stalwarts will serve as an inspiration for Indians. It will make one realize that this freedom comes at a cost and safeguarding the values of it should be our tribute to the sacrifices made by men/women in the Armed forces.

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