We have so much trouble in our personal lives that we are slowly becoming indifferent to the miseries inflicted on others. At best we take part in some candle light protests or peace marches. Some would say this is how we can do our bit for the society; I would dare to say people do it because this is the “in thing” brought about by depictions in Bollywood movies (we love our movies and love aping the stars!). Nowadays, such “events” are promoted by competing news channels – a matter of TRP’s for them??
I, myself did not know that an “Aman ki Asha” page existed in Facebook. Call it my lack of interest, but, I did not find anyone from my 300 odds friends (from various social networking sites) in that group either. When it comes to feelings for our country, I wonder if we are just satisfied with showing our patriotism only when it comes to cricket – one victory for India, in any form of cricket and we feel so proud of being an Indian. If the opposition is the Pakistan team, then the feeling is almost like winning a war. I won’t be wrong to say the same feeling exists amongst people in Pakistan too. The other day, while watching a movie, we were asked to stand up for the National Anthem and I could hear a grunt of dissatisfaction from some of the viewers around me…they were unhappy as they had to find a place to keep their popcorns and beverages for the 52 seconds that Jana Gana Mana would be played – is this how much we care for our nation? With this attitude we can never give “peace” a chance with anybody, forget Pakistan.
Any discussion on India and our immediate Western neighbor, only invites caustic reactions thanks to the 62 year old divide created by political diatribe across the borders. So, much so, that the thought of Sania Mirza representing Pakistan in tennis, after marriage to Shoaib Malik brings about a revolt amongst us. Very much justified, I would say, we all adore Sania - for her skills on the court and off it! But, would it have evoked similar outbursts if she would have married someone from the US or UK and represented their nation in tennis – I think we would have secretly felt proud of her.
Is it right to leave the success or failure of the Peace initiatives being taken between India and Pakistan; to the politicians whom we have elected (how many of us cast our votes in the last elections?) or do we have a role to play as well…..but the big question is - do we really care??
~ Sid ~
Thats an interesting blog.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that the microcosm has a strong influence on the macrocosm. In other words, the "level of peace" of each individual has a direct bearing on the state of peace of the society and the country. If we see a lack of peace between nations, I think it is mainly because the individuals are not at peace with themselves. Thus, if we want to have any lasting peace in this world, the best way is to promote peaceful living at the level of an individual. And, in my view, the only way to have peace at the individual level is to promote "simple living".
I don't intend to say that we should not have peace-promoting measures at the level of nations. What I intend to say is that the main focus should be on maximizing individual peacefulness. World-wide peace is then bound to follow. It's not an easy proposition, but is the only long-lasting solution to the immensely complex problem.
“Aman ki Asha”, the phrase seems quite misplaced and far fetched in one of the most fugitive areas of the world (read south Asia). We all live in hope that someday things would stabilize, but the question is when? Let’s not forget that we are dealing with a country which is no better than a liability to the entire world but for the two super powers: USofA and China. It works as an ally in the so called war again terrorism which Uncle Sam so vigorously advocates and for China it is a strategic partner for one-upmanship against its fiercest rival, India.
ReplyDeleteAt all the international podiums US has openly extended its support to us to flush out the radical elements. However at the same time it doesn’t shy away from denying access to a certain David Headly and nor does it take its ‘friend’ to task after tons of pages of dossier that we have put at the international communities disposal. Moreover one hears that it is mulling over the idea of signing a nuclear deal with Pakistan.
Forget the threat from across the border, we have enough challenges at home in the form of the Maoists, who have transformed into a force to reckon with, in the past decade. They never had the wherewithal to take the government to task, until the ‘dragons from the east’ stepped in. Now they have a two pronged support system from China and also from the left over LTTE who have been providing them with arms and ammunitions and skills in guerilla warfare. Even google maps declare Arunachal Pradesh as a disputed territory, thanks to our neighbors from the west.
So we have the jihadis from the west and north, the Chinese from the east, LTTE from the south and the Maoists from within. There couldn’t have been a mordangerous cocktail of threats. So the purists and people with refined approach would say that talks are only way to go forward. However I am not sure, as we have been talking and talking ever since we got independence, only to be confined by threats from all the directions.
The initiative by both the groups is really commendable but the question that needs to be asked is that are we, as Indians ready to accept and participate in this initiative or we are ready to turn indifferent to yet another effort to bridge the gap between these two nations. One of the reasons for this indifference may be that many of us including me do not trust this effort made by the times group. Many of us, me included think that it is yet another effort by one media house to grab the headlines.
ReplyDeleteOne question which needs to be asked is that are we really concerned about what’s happening in our country or just are interested in the job opportunities which our booming economy is throwing up. We have the audacity to criticize our politicians in our drawing room discussions but we shudder at the thought of shouldering any sort of responsibility. To be frank we are much more concerned about the rising inflation, the next wave of economic upswing and our personal problems. The very thought of Sania Mirza getting married to Shoaib Malik did evoke some reactions but it wont be long before we forget this incident. The truth is that nowadays when we hardly have time for ourselves, then how can we expect to have some concern for our motherland and the issues plaguing her. But we will continue to criticize, wont we………