A Verdict on The Verdict

Religion and politics have been and till date are, a furor in India. Our nation’s history is stained with the bloodshed caused due to wars with religious or similar implications. From the Hindu kings to the Sultanate and the Mughals, it has always been a my-religion-is-better-than-yours contention. Politics is the hand that masters the puppets fighting over religion. It is also the root to the topic I would be discussing here with you- The Babri Masjid Verdict.

The history behind the Ayodhya Debate itself is one wrought with war. The Mughal invasion took into its own hands to eradicate Hinduism. The ancient temple (which is a recent discovery by the ASI) devoted to Lord Ram was demolished and was replaced with the Babri Masjid. 400 years later, it met with the same fate.

30^th September 2010. 18 full years after the entire fiasco with the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the supposedly sacred land, rumoured to be Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya, the verdict to one of the nation’s most long standing disputes was finally declared by the Allahabad High Court. The gist of the verdict, an equal division of the land amongst the three sects, one devoted to building the Ram Temple, the second being the Islamic society and the third a religious denomination of the Hindu society proclaimed as the “Nirmohi Akhara”.

Now what I pose to you is this, is this a verdict? Or is this a compromise so as to prevent any further rioting and to save the face of the present governing party?

India is a secular state and she has flaunted that particular claim with every chance given to her. This particular case was like a faulty cog in that system of gears running this nation. Since 1992, or rather since 1949, when an idol of Lord Ram was placed amidst the mosque, successive governments have failed to pass a notion which would have appeased the opposing societies. Had it been dealt with earlier, the demolition wouldn’t have occurred and 2,000 odd people wouldn’t have been murdered on the account of this religious conflict. So my point being, there was immense pressure on Dr. Manmohan Singh’s party when it was assigned with the duty to resolve this issue. One wrong move here would’ve meant the downfall of his party along with civil commotion and scene quite similar to the unfortunate events of the Gujrat riots.

Taking this point of view, in my opinion, this “verdict” was more of a compromise to please all sects and to show that the ruling party has the power to resolve major disputes like these without any hoo-hah and without relinquishing the “secularity” of the nation. This is a big issue because previous governments by the only other major opposition, the BJP has failed once in delivering justice. This notion would be supporting the latter half of the question posed by me.

In defense of the first half, we would have to change our way of thinking, while keeping the elements and occurrences of this 61-year long litigation, the same. The verdict passed was an equal distribution of the land. A chance for the Hindus and the Muslims both to treat the same place with reverence and pray to their respective deity while maintaining a peaceful and amiable, if not brotherly, environment. This would be in up keeping with the very concept of secularism. “Live and Let Live” be the motto, the government, in this light i.e. keeping the motive of being secular rather than keeping in mind the further consequences that the nation would have to deal with, would appear to have taken a stand and proved to their various critics that they can and have proved to be worthy of being called a successful regime. This verdict not only cleared the tension rising in many parts of India, it also prevented further upheavals from disrupting the daily routines of the multitudes and preventing any forms of violation directed towards or from minorities.

L.K. Advani mentioned of pseudo-secularism against the government for taking actions against Hindu idols placed in the mosque, a very dire accusation. Also, the very same Mr. L.K. Advani along with other high ranking officials from the BJP (opposition party during the 1992 demolition) were blamed for the outbreak of the riot in the first place. Mr. Kalyan Singh, Chief Minister of UP in 1992, had been accused of eradicating evidence of this conspiracy. To what extent these accusation are true, I would not like to state, but what is known for a fact is that, the BJP (a very much Hindutva practicing and preaching party, how much ever it may state otherwise) has been oddly nonchalant and dare I say, slightly supportive of the ruling. I made two conclusions out of this,

• The party has finally realized the concept of secularism and is fully supporting the ruling. (Even if it means that they admit that the Congress have succeeded where they did not)
•  Not creating havoc amongst the opposition due to the fact that it would raise old accusations again and fingers would point back to them.

I, with full hope, am assuming that it be the former showing the growth of the mindset of our leaders and also proving my point of how the High Courts’ ruling would show the Congress in good light.

All in all, whichever perspective you choose to follow, it is very apparent that the consequences of The Verdict are very much welcome. No tensions, no rioting, no intonations spewing hatred or discontent. Maybe the people have truly understood what secularism is, maybe that day has arrived when a Muslim and a Hindu would enter the same shrine hand in hand and pray without having to worry or think about his God or my God… Or maybe they just wanted an end to this feud.

Either way, peace reigns and The Verdict holds strong.

Phokatcopy!!

I loved this guy's concept. Read the interview. For all students!! (India only) Awesomeness! Now i wish i wasn't in Patiala again. DU is gonna have a ball with one!

An Interview with Harsh Narang, Founder of Phokatcopy

Do check the site out too

iBlab

22^nd September and it has been raining incessantly. We’re halfway through with our exams and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for an outing of sorts.

Rain just gets me started and for once I felt like typing and instead of completing the already many pending articles, I chose to write a completely new one instead.

Hmm… The only issue I’m facing now, apart from the dozens others that are stuck on the back of my head like post-its on a refrigerator, is what to write on. How rain entices me is something I have already done once, so I won’t bore you with that. CWG would be one thing I could bitch about and how our (as a nation’s) incompetence has led to what the TOI recently reported to be a national shame. But I don’t want to, plainly because I’m not in Delhi and I’m not in a bitchy mood. About how exams are completely redundant and pointless, would be an issue on which many many students would sympathise with me. But I just don’t want to ramble on and give my views on it while I have two exams tomorrow. Even though all I would want to do right now is shout out and curse the family and the house of the damned professor and act in a blasphemous manner towards him or others whom I find extremely annoying (our ex-dean would top that list), I wouldn’t because it’s raining and that THAT would be a blasphemy on my part to utter swear words (PS. My roommate just made me swear, the bastard) while mother nature is busy flaunting herself so gracefully.

While I still think, I would like to recommend to those who have a ear for good Indian classical music, to download or watch the recording of the concert held in Royal Albert Hall, London in 2002 in honour of George Harrison’s (lead guitarist, Beatles) one year death anniversary. Anoushka Shankar starts the show with a beautiful piece on the sitar. A couple more performances by the “Indian Orchestra” as I call it (I don’t know if there is actually a word for it) conducted by Ms Shankar (hated it when she turned pregnant, "Mrs" would be on its way)and then the show takes a turn towards western influences. I personally found that dull. Your choice!

I learnt that Harrison had been inspired by the Indian culture and its music in the late 1960’s. Since then he had adopted Hinduism and worked for the well-being of this society. I always find it nice to learn of such things, sends a nice warm feeling down to my core. I admit Indian music is amazing, not that I can go on listening to it. But I’m not one of those fools who ridicule and huff or act aloof at the sounds of the sitar or the flute or shehnai. I unfortunately know quite a few people of my age with that attitude. As for adopting the religion, I really don’t see what could’ve fascinated him so?

Maybe there are some things that I’m yet to experience in life or stuff which would get rid of my attitude of “seeing is believing”. Maybe he liked the fact that we’re flamboyant when it comes to religion, or that we have the freedom to choose whom to worship, seeing there is no shortage of Gods. Whichever or whatever it be, it gives me hope, that my people couldn’t be all that strange and ridiculous worshiping a thousand Gods. For I have never understood the concept of that. I am yet to find my spiritual path in life, till then I shall roam around as the self-proclaimed agnostic. Neither here nor there.

I know I got another 70-80 years to think about that, and that I have two exams tomorrow, a degree later, a career, a marriage, a life to deal with before I’d want bother my conscience with such a meagrely and thought-provoking idea. Till then its material sciences and KOM (dumbass exams tomorrow) for me. Wish me luck!

Cheers!

Moments!: Alhambra: Winter view

This is a beautiful blog i stumbled upon. Amazing clicks. This particular link is to a picture of a serene castle looking structure. Couldn't get better than this! :)

Moments!: Alhambra: Winter view

Do check the entire blog out!

Cheers!

Musings

The Piano. Its versatility needn’t be told for everyone knows exactly how useful that smart piece of marvel is. No, I’d be writing about the beauty of playing one, the sensation and sheer pleasure that grasped me as I sat on the seat and that jolt of adrenaline, very unlike the one I get when I see a certain Angelina Jolie. Envisions of the sounds of thousands left breathless as I play something incredibly marvellous, perfectly poised on a stage made to look impressive, is running through my head before I even strike the first note.

It has always been my fantasy to awe an audience, the look of shock (this because I’m no looker, classy or otherwise) which would turn to blossoming respect is something which every guy desires, maybe not the audience but definitely that look. Mine was a dream to play in a great big hall with high ceilings and a piano with the softest of woods, the sound richer and more melodious than the voice of a loved one. What i have got till now is my room and a spunky Yamaha synth. Yeah yeah! Laugh all you want but everyone has a right to dream :D...

Ergo I went to my grandparent’s place (cousin). This happened a long time back, and she looked more beautiful than anything I’d seen in movies or concerts... A rich black finish with this glow which made me want to keep it for myself and never let it be. I lifted the cover, hit my first key, a F. Ahh the sweetness of it! I had found my mistress for life. Back then I had only a couple of tracks under my sleeve, so I tried my hand on “Pehla Nasha” a beautifully composed song by Jatin-Lalit. I must’ve played mediocre but what she made it sound ethereal, in my ears of course.

And formed my dream... The crowd. The cheers. The satisfaction that something I did had such an effect on people. This effect I don’t know whether it does effect anyone else, but the truth is that I do well up after a session with my collection of piano solos, be I happy or sad. This ephemeral moment of emotions showed me where my true passion lay. And it is not one feeling that surges through me, but a million...  An array of mentations that I’d have never given thought about, situations I’d never considered before...

It struck me then. If something as simple and mellow as piano could send my brain into that frenzy I’d not let it go for million bucks, not one chance. I only wish life had simpler choices, the hassles of a job,  a family...

I’d dream of a world where I could do as I please, and play my heart and soul out and finally get that applause I’ve been yearning for... that look so rightly deserved... A dream nonetheless...

PS. I wrote this article while Opeth, Flyod and Lanz buzzed around my head. So if a sentence does not make sense, you know whom to blame :D.

Actors Actors Everywhere....

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms; then the whining school-boy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail unwillingly to school. And then the lover, sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad, made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier, full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lin'd, with eyes severe and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws and modern instances; and so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, with spectacles on nose and pouch on side; his youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide for his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,turning again toward childish treble, pipes and whistles in his sound. Last scene of all , that ends this strange eventful history, is second childishness and mere oblivion; sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."

-William Shakespeare

These are words everybody would’ve heard or said atleast once in their life. What i want to propose is what is what Shakespeare said is to some extent literally true. What if the guy next to you has the sole purpose of being the guy who sits next to you? No other role, no other purpose. What if that man was just the guy who sits next to you while you travel?

Now you’d say that this was somewhat inspired from the movie Matrix. I’d just like to say that i’ve had this idea ever since my 7^th grade where this rickshaw guy helped me out on spot of trouble and was gone before i could thank him. That’s when i got to thinking whether this world i lived in was all just a script. All planned out, waiting to unfold, waiting to surprise me, bring me glee or pain. 

Maybe it was my paranoia then back in 7^th or maybe its because i think and read too deep into things, but this hypothesis i concluded to has a basis in facts or atleast things that for now cannot be explained.  Say there was a grand plan, maybe not revolving about me but a group of people, there would be beings aware of it, thus having the knowledge of the alleged “future”. And thus walks in Nostradamus. He’s just one. There have been many a number of people who’ve so rightly predicted the paths that lie ahead for mankind. And they did so in riddles, never a straightforward answer, not because the future is a blur but because the more ignorant we are the easier they can puppet us. For example if i know that a bus that i’d travel in would explode, i wouldn’t step on it, thus ruining their plan.  Now again im not saying that Nostradamus was a bitch not to tell us about hitler, im just implying that my or shakespeare’s idea of a stage might actually been true.  Maybe things happened for a reason. The crusades, the black death, the plagues, the wars, holocaust and even the current nuclear tensions, there must be a finale to all this. Im not godly guy, so im not saying that He is responsible for whatever that happens. Maybe the End does lie in 2012. Maybe December 12^th 2012 is indeed the day we all have played our parts in the grand stage that has been mankind.

It makes my life a lot more simpler if i go by my philosophy. All i need to do is assure myself that something good is in store for me. They have planned it, They wouldn’t let me down. That in my opinion though is the cowardly way out.

Say nothing is wrong with the world, no one is meant to do anything for you, then you’re just a sitting duck with opportunities just passing you by. And even in my world of actors and lies, It’ll be foolish of me to wait for my chance at good things in life. Were i me, I’d fight my way, oppose the system wherever it flawed and wherever it denied me a pass to succeed.

More to come....... :D

If Only it Were Perception

  Today I heard from a person, “perception is everything”. I disagreed.

  My people were over at my place, and as usual i was expected to entertain. (That is another thing I’d like to blabber about, but then I’d be side-tracking the main agenda for now) I started of by informing them about my latest loss (look for a previous entry of mine to understand which one), got lectured a bit. That was the point though, giving free and unneeded advice is something Gen Y is really good at. Then it came to my college and marks, let’s not get into that ( murky waters, dangerous to venture there). Finally came the moment, “Varun play something on your Casio”.

  First of all, this pissed me off. Casio? CASIO? Who the fuck are they kidding? Seriously people, learn to call it the synthesizer or at least a keyboard. Secondly, do I look like some circus clown here to please everyone? No. Then why that tone?

  Anyway, I didn’t have the balls to say it to their face so i proceeded to play my “casio”. I start out with a really complex song i’ve been trying to learn by David Lanz. The look on their face wasn’t too encouraging! I thought maybe im playing it real bad. I wish it were that. No, what they said was play something funky! Or at least happy birthday! Had there been a hammer in the vicinity, Delhi papers would’ve had a field day reporting a brutal triple murder in Dwarka :D.

  I made an apologetic face and said no i don’t prefer music like that ( not to mention to my embarrassment, i didn’t know how to play happy birthday! :D ). Then Mr. X informed me that the best pianist was from deep purple or some band which sounded awfully similar. I informed him about the differences between popular and best, cheeky of me, but he had touched a nerve. That’s when the phrase i began with in the first place was uttered. And i couldn’t imagine why anyone would say that? How big an ignoramus some tend to be really shocks me. More than 80% of the artists ever borne by this world have gained recognition only in the twilight of their time. Most getting their worth generations later. Their talent, their skill being recognized finally but to its full extent. Many of these examples have greatly overshadowed their “popular” contemporaries. They have become legends, even though throughout their lifetime they might’ve struggled.

  Talent is something you do not measure with popularity, but with quality. Did it achieve its purpose? That is what counts.

Seriously, People. What are we doing? :D

INSiDE

OK. Wow. Freaky. That's all I got.

My Nirvana

  What is better than a night spent without parents with your iPod and an amazing set of headphones? Tough, eh? :D

Well it is a night when it rains too!! India being the paradise it is, the electricity goes off as soon as there is a hint of downpour. And thus the evening turns more interesting! It is almost like the most romantic candlelit night spent with your beloved music player. I had a double date with nature and my pod too recently. Having just had my dinner (Italian :D), my folks were too stuffed to bother staying awake and enjoying the storm that had been thundering on for a couple hours then. I was only too glad when they announced they were off to sleep, finally I get some private time with my love, my iPod!!  I’m not going to brag much about it. It speaks for itself (yes, i can be quite arrogant about it :D). Its an iPod touch 16GB 2^nd Gen. And its kickass! There. I’m done.

                                 Just in case you didn't know :D

Anyway, so back to where I was originally heading, I put on headphones and started with my routine warm up tracks. Equivalence, Dethharmonic, Terminus.... and as i progressed in building up my “drive”, the storm got wilder. It was like as though the Gods and I were in an epic battle trying to show whose got more grit, perseverance and raw strength to win over this breathtakingly beautiful maiden who for some reason dresses like elves from  JRR Tolkien’s series of novels :D.

And now i proceed to Amon Amarth, Equilibrium, Nile, Gorgoroth and Arch Enemy. The continous double bass and the bass line rings in my ear like this tribal war beat. My pace quickens and reduces with the music hitting hard on my eardrums, and all the while i have this constant cold war on with nature outside. One prolonged growl is met with an ear splitting thunder. The toughest of the solos challenged with a million droplets hitting surfaces unceremoniously, showing that they are not going to give up.

After an hour of open war fare, I gave in. I put my pod down. For a few seconds, all that my ears perceive is a ringing noise. Then Silence...

 Then came this whole new sound... The leaves were singing!! The wind whistled about merely. The droplets created a rhythm with the car tops and metal and thatched roof... not so unceremonious after all!! The night sky lighted up with thunder, celebrating my defeat! The nerve!! I was pissed.

And then my anger ebbed away slowly giving in to a new feeling. The same kind that i get when I listen to

David Lanz or Lacuna Coil. And then it dawned upon me. Music was our way of duplicating the greatness

that nature is. I had found a substitute to what I had considered the best thing in my life.

Now whenever I listen to Amarth or Arch Enemy again, the sounds of the Rain is what haunts me....      

                                         

                                     Twilight of the Thunder God \m/