THE OTHER SIDE

Baba Black Sheep

A special CBI court on Monday (28th August 2017) sentenced Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping two of his female disciples. Apart from sentence Court has also imposed fine of Rs 15 lakh on both the cases Rs 14 lakh of which will be given to the victims. This is the landmark judgement for the way court showed strictness against the accused and the government which failed in controlling the violence on the day he was convicted which killed around 40 people.

On 25th August 2017, Haryana government let Gurmeet Ram Rahim's armed followers gathered in Panchkula & Sirasa area of Haryana despite Section 144 was imposed in the area which prohibits gatherings of four and more people at any place. Manohar Lal Khattar who is ardent follower of Baba and bowed against him with his cabinet after his swearing in showed lethargy in handling the situation resulted in problems to locals along with innocent killings. The court strictly criticized this role of chief minister and even prime minister by reminding them that they represent Haryana and India respectively and not a political party BJP.

It took 15 years to this judgement and we must stand in regard to all those who stood strong against the mighty and powerful. Both the sisters who were victim in the case, the journalist Ramchandra Chatrapati who published their letter (in 2002) to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee about rape by Gurmeet Ram Rahim which triggered CBI probe in the case, (he was later shot dead), CBI DIG Mulinja Narayanan who didn't close the case even after threats & political pressure, prosecution lawyers and lastly CBI judge Jagdeep Singh who followed the law & constitution than faith of Gurmeet's followers. We are indebted to them for keeping our faith alive in the system. Hope he also got convicted in murder case of Ramchandra Chatrapati.

I wonder why people are so senseless to trap in worshiping of these Black Sheep Babas who instead of showing path to god become God themselves. Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim is a rock-star god-man and still people have faith in him. Political association leads to growth of this kind of fake god-man and the fate of people like Nityanand, Asaram, Rampal and Ram Rahim shows they all are not for faith but money. It should also be noted that no political party head or prominent leader welcomed the court's decision. The people like Sakshi Maharaj who is MP of ruling BJP spoke in support of Ram Rahim than of those two girls. We must be vigilant to stop the growth of such conman by checking their allegiance to a political party.

With this good news there is also a bad news that a similar conman Rampal acquitted in two cases perhaps of lack of evidence. Hope he also get punishment in other cases and India arise above these fake babas/maulvis/pandits to become a better nation. God Bless India.

'Main Chahe Jo Karun Meri Marzi' - Right To Privacy

In a unanimous ruling, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the right to privacy as a fundamental right under the Constitution. The top court overruled the previous judgments in the M P Sharma and Kharak Singh cases, which had found that the right to privacy was not protected by the Constitution. The bench observed that privacy is intrinsic to freedom of life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.(From The Indian Express)

The decision is instrumental because central government was fighting against it. They were of the opinion that government has full right over the body of the citizen in lieu of the grants given to them. They believed that privacy is an elite class issue and economic backward class needs food more than privacy which was completely overruled by the bench saying the constitution grants this right in every other right and even at the places where it has maintained the Golden Silence. The ruling is historical and will effect other pending cases. First being the provision of making Aadhar mandatory. By doing so government want to keep surveillance on each individual without his or her consent. The issue of removing article 377 which deals with rights of homosexuals will now be seen in a new light. Beef Ban, Liquor Ban, Particular dress code orders and many more such issues are getting new life with this judgement.

The citizen with this milestone judgement has won against the government and its ideas of suppressing individualistic choices. 'Main Chahe Ye Karun Main Chahe Wo Karun Meri Marzi' but off course it is not absolute and like other rights has limitations under particular situations. This is second ruling in this week after Instant Triple Talaq verdict which has made our democracy stronger. Not America , not Europe but India has shown the way to the world this time. I am sure this will increase the pressure on other world governments to grant this right to its people. The governments usually deny this right because it makes people stronger than the government. But in democracy people should always be stronger to question government at each step.

Now we can do whatever we like keeping in mind well being of others. It is my right to choose who to vote, which ideology to follow, who to marry and so on. Government neither indicate not interfere in my these decisions by bribing or beating or forcing me. India is great. Till next post God Bless India.

Tragic Muzaffarnagar Train Accident

More than 20 people were killed and 70 were injured as 14 of the 23 coaches of the Puri-Haridwar Kalinga Utkal Express derailed in Khatauli near Muzaffarnagar on Saturday 19th August 2017. While it sounds silly that only 23 people have died in the accident according to railways when coaches were laying over one another the reason saddened me more. Train was allowed on under-construction track even when officials have notification for the same.

This is 27th fatal accident of the year and in a country where Lal Bahadur Shastri once resigned on a single accident as a Railway Minister his successors are not affected by anything. Ticket prices are increasing every year on pretext of security arrangements yet passengers are falling trap to that danger again and again. Who to blame when the system needs a repair and people are still worshiping leaders without showing concern to any national problem. The amount we are spending on building single Bullet Train track is enough to revamp the current railway system than why government didn’t take Japan’s help in this revamp rather in bullet train construction.

Faults on tracks are measured manually by some people designated for the job while many world nations are using machines and equipment for the work. Didn’t we need them also? I am sure more than 200 people have died in the derailment because two coaches are badly damaged but railway or the government has usual way to decrease the number of deceased to pay lower compensation. When even a single death should be considered a slur on any nation such multiple deaths are not enough to wake us. Tragically what is important to us today is Triple Talaq, Article 370, VandeMataram, Beef Ban, Ram Mandir and other drifting & similar dividing issues.

Always has hope and is determined for a better India I am closing this post with expectation to write something hopeful. God Bless India.

Gorakhpur Tragedy

source : The Indian Express

Amid increase crime report in UP where after swearing in of Yogi Adityanath as chief minister cases of murders, kidnapping, dacoities, rape, etc has increased many folds the fresh news came of the negligence in government hospital. At least 60 children have died over five days at the state-run Baba Raghav Das Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur. The deaths are being blamed on infections and possible disruption of oxygen supply in the pediatric ward.

The administration has rejected the claims of shortage of Oxygen as reason for deaths but the increase supply of Oxygen cylinders in the morning after the news broke out indicating otherwise. Isn’t it the negligence of the government hospital administration, health minister and Chief minister? Incidentally Gorakhpur was Yogi Adityanath’s Lok Sabha constituency. No compensation can fill the void of death of innocent children but there must be a time bound probe of the reasons behind the death and culprits must be punished honestly. Responsibility of the health minister and his department must also be fixed in the case to avoid such negligence in the future. For me this should be considered as culpable homicide.

Yogi’s government instead of giving time to governance and development is busy in promoting Hindutva. While I have no problem with Hindutva agenda but it should not be done at the cost of innocent lives and dragging the state behind from its current position. Recently unnecessary forcing Madarsas to prove their patriotism by making video of their Independence Day celebration is drifting away from development issues since most Madarsas from the time of independence already hoist national flag in their premises. Making Vande Mataram compulsory in government schools which is a controversial issue also is a deviation in governance goal unless this is their only goal. Communal clashes have increased in the part of UP besides other crimes which should not be done if they believe in Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.

Death of even one innocent is loss to the nation and here 60 children who have yet to see this beautiful world died due to inefficiency of few. Chief Minister should look into the matter himself for faster action. This incident spoils Independence Day celebration due in few days. Till next post God Bless India.

Movie Review - Jab Harry Met Sejal

I don’t often write movie reviews even though I almost every week watch a Hindi movie. But after reading many reviews about this film and then watching it forced me to write this because film is completely different from reviews. I think these reviewers watch lot of Hollywood movies to judge Hindi films whereas to review them you need an Indian mindset and sensibilities. I agree that Imtiaz Ali has done better film earlier. Till date Jab We Met staring Shahid Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor is still my favorite but this film also explore one more aspect of his direction. Movie released on 4th August 2017.

Marketing: You can’t have better marketing strategy than Shah Rukh Khan and in this film too his hard work in promotion is visible. The team (Including Imtiaz Ali & Anushka Sharma) visited many cities and TV shows for film’s promotion. Music along with the way singles are released also helped in promotion.

Music: Pritam Chakravarty’s music again topping the charts. After different style of Music in Ranbeer Kapoor’s Jagga Jasoos JHMS’s music was superb and apt for the situation. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are meaningful and songs look good in the movie also.

Story: Harry (SRK) is a tour guide in Europe. The film starts with him showing different places to a group of tourists. Sejal (Anushka Sharma) is one of them. When tour ends all left for India except Sejal who insists Harry to accompany her in finding her engagement ring which she has lost somewhere during the tour. She then again visits all the places with Harry to find her ring and in the journey as happened in Imtiaz’s film they discover their different sides and develop love for each other. What happened to the ring? Will she return back to India for her marriage? Will Harry know that he started loving Sejal? What they both are seeking? Answers to these questions will lead you to the climax.

Review: Anushka perfectly portrays a Gujarati girl and they both are excellent in their job. SRK’s star power not overpowers any scene but enhances it. Have some elements which surely remind you of some earlier movies of Imtiaz Ali. Cinematography and screenplay let you room Europe by sitting on your seat. If their back stories were highlighted more that we have better connections with the characters.

Verdict: Experience a beautiful journey called life with true human emotions and sensibilities.

Rate: I would give 4/5 stars.

Video of one of the song 'Safar'.

Braid Cutting - Truth or Rumors?

Braid Cutting - Truth or Rumor?

Mysterious braid (choti) cutting incidents has happened in Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi where women mostly around 50 years of age has their braids cut without their knowledge by some invisible source causing fear among women in these areas. Women also fell unconscious during the time of braid cutting which left them clueless about the attacker and made the incident mysterious. Police who have recorded the statements of victims deny any black magic involved in this which is rumored in the video circulated in social media groups. They are asserting that some miscreants are behind the incident.

The video allegedly claims that a woman is on a mission to cut 1008 women braids in order to get invisibility power according to a black magic ritual. I heard this news around a month ago from someone whose relatives live in Rajasthan. The incident was not in news at that time, I denied him saying that these are rumors or acts of miscreants and I still believe miscreants and anti-social elements has role in all this. Sad part of the story is that a 65 year woman who went outside to relive herself at night in a village near Agra was killed by people believing her to be a witch responsible for cutting braids.

We may know the truth in some time or the rumors die out a natural death but for the time being we need to remain calm and restrict ourselves in spreading any kind of rumors. This is second time in my life that I am witnessing such situation when such rumor mongering reached to national news debates. First time it happened in 2001 when rumors of monkey man created fear in people of Delhi. Then it was also proved to be a hoax and who knows something secretive has done by someone during the rumor period and the news was only to divert police & people somewhere else.

In this braid cutting news also there are more rumors than truth. One or two isolated incidents are hyped so much to create fear among women. People I have heard that started applying turmeric hand prints on their doors to keep away evil. Lemon-Chilli (Nimbu-Mirchi) was also hanged for the same purpose by some at their doors. Superstition in our country just need a chance to fly high and the incident has gave that chance. Hope the fake news ends soon because we already have many around to divert our attentions. Good bye. God Bless India.

Video of a related News Item in Hindi

Week Round Up #2

We got our 14th President this week Ramnath Kovind and I am sorry to say except he is from Teli community which belongs to Schedule Caste list in Gujarat I knew nothing about him. This community is 26-27% in Gujarat which is bound to poll this year so this could be seen as strategy to lure that community voter and also Dalits who are drifting from BJP after violence on them bu so called Gau Rakshaks. Anyway I will read more about him in coming days to know our President more but at the present scenario I have no doubt in saying that he will be the rubber stamp President for the government. I will be more than happy if he proves me wrong.

As far as foreign policy is concerned India has dwindled in past three years of Modi government. China and Pakistan who were friendly earlier on bilateral relationship are now showing eyes to the country. Recently China government attacked India’s stand on Doklam region of Bhutan and warned them of dire consequences if India army doesn’t step back. Unconfirmed news also talks about Indian casualties in that area. We only hope situation improves not only with China but also in Kashmir where most of the people have lost their faith in the central and the state government. Here praying for 39 Indians who disappeared in Iraq and are still untraceable to the government.

Congress has another setback this time in Gujarat where Shankar Singh Waghela their most trusted leader left the party and joined BJP. Three more MLAs followed him.This time also BJP is not facing any tough opposition in Gujarat which means their victory is eminent. But the biggest news of the week or I should say of the year is Nitish Kumar’s resignation as a Mahagadhbandhan CM and then swearing in as a JDU-BJP alliance CM. Nitish Kumar has been unpredictable in the past too but here when he was criticizing Narendra Modi and his government on various issues and formed an alliance with RJD-Congress to stop the communal forces his move to collaborate with him is surprising.

Income Tax, ED and CBI are inquiring about Lalu Yadav, Tejaswi Yadav and their family involvement in corruption then why Nitish who didn’t even demand his deputy’s resignation was in so haste to align with BJP. They say that politics has no permanent enemies or foes but situations which decide the course of action. It is now up to Bihar citizen how to react in the situation. Lots of things are happening in the country and the world and we must keep an eye on each one of them to remain acquainted with the present and possible future. Good Bye. God Bless India.

Naive Traveler : City of Nawabs - Lucknow

Lucknow Charbagh Station.

Lucknow is known as The City of Nawabs the royal ruler of the city which gave it culinary & cultural identity like the way of talking I noticed while interacting with the people. The place is beautiful and has many things which can attract tourists to visit this city but I don’t find it tourist friendly as I observed in the other cities I visited like Agra,Jaipur, Dehradun,etc. As we came out of the station, there were no tourist autos or taxis available for city sightseeing thus left you unaware of what to do.
If we haven’t researched about the places and things to eat we couldn’t explore the city the way we did.

Rahim Ki Nihari-Kulcha

With our knowledge of places to visit and to eat, we first hire a bus bust to the Chowk area where we found Rahim’s Hotel for famous RAHIM KI NIHARI-KULCHA. Nihari is a breakfast non-vegetarian dish available in both Buffalo & Goat meat. Its taste was totally different from what I have tested it in Delhi and the Kulcha was heavenly, soft from inside and crusty from outside. Unlike Delhi it is not spicy and the meat was so soft that it melted into the mouth.

Asafi Mosque

Bara Imambara Hall From Inside

One of Bhool Bhulaiyya Path

Baoli from Inside

Bara Imambara from Outside

Rumi Darwaza

Then we took rickshaw the favorite ride of the place and also cheap which took us to Rumi Darwaza which takes us to Bara Imambara. Bara Imambara has grave of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula and his mother along with the relics of their time including the throne he used to sit. Bara Imambara is the largest structure in the world without any pillars. The complex also housed Asifi Mosque, Bhool Bhulaiyya (Labyrinth – at terrace of Bara Imambara) and Baoli (water tank). The place is Shia Shrine which is used for Muharram Mourning along with Chota Imambara which we visited next on Tonga.

Chota Imambara

Satkhanda

Clock Tower

Between Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara lies a four storey Tower Satkhanada and the Clock Tower. Locals usually play and sit around that area. We then go to Gomati Ghat and Gomti River Front. Another places which one can see was far from the area so we decided to spend our evening in Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal a much talked about Park built by Mayawati for its corruption during her tenure which housed her own statues also. If we left the controversy related to this place, it has become a great city attraction. Janeshwar Mishra Park build by Akhilesh Yadav is our next destination which is a great destination too.

Gomti Ghat

Ambedkar Park

Elephants of Ambedkar Park

Mayawati & Kashiram Statues

Lake In Janeshwar Mishra Park

Janeshwar Mishra Statue

Gate of Janeshwar Mishra Park

After spending our evening there we have time till 11.15 (our train time) to try famous dishes of the area. We first went to Hasratganj to Ram Asarey famous for Malai Ki Gilori which didn’t impress me at all. Bajpai ki kachodi which is a sober outlet opposite Ram Asarey and where only last plate of Puri-Sabji was available at the time we reached there has a great test. The sabji was out of this world and I have never tested anything like it before. Royal Café famous for Basket Chat is also a must try. It is also famous among many Bollywood celebs.

Kulfi,Kabab & Cafe

Next stop was Aminabad for world famous Tundey Kababi which is also a nice place but truthfully I didn’t like them much but admired their softness. Praksh Ki Kulfi ended our Lucknow journey. It was delicious we then headed to railway station and waited for our train to return back home.

Note: Click On Pictures for Better Viewing.

Come Back

Come Back - A fictional short story.

EDITION EXPIRES IN... [THU 10 PM]

Edition 179

If you could bring back someone from the other side of the rainbow bridge for just one day, would you do that?#defeatingdeathforaday

Almost one year has passed to his death but she is unable to come out of the void his absence has created in her life. It was not just two months of marriage they had spend together but five years of friendship before taking the decision to marry. They knew each other more than themselves and during the years they study together and then work together their compatibility was noticed by all.

‘O god give why did you this to me.’ She curse god again that day also while returning from the work. She has adjusted to her life but couldn’t get over his memories working in the same place they used to work together. ‘Do you want to bring him back,’ she heard a voice from behind but when she turned back no one was there. She walked in the direction of the voice. The voice came several times without anyone around who was speaking those words and that voice took her to the deserted place behind her office road.

‘Come here’ she heard from trees’ behind and saw a hermit sitting there. He indicated her to sit opposite him. ‘I have heard you cursing god for snatching your husband from you.’ He said politely after opening his eyes. ‘Yes,’ she cried,’ HE is cruel to me.’ He listened to her carefully and then spoke,’ see god always has a plan for us but even than I can bring back him so that you can meet him.’ She smiled and was ready for this to happen.

He started some chanting and stopped, ‘before I can do this I wants to tell you something,’ she nodded. ‘You were promoted only after the death of your husband because he delayed it as he wanted you both promoted together. He died of a car accident but if that didn’t happen he soon would suffer a fatal cardiac arrest. Moreover he came back to you only for a short time and that pain of separation which has eased now will be fresh again.’ She listened in shock and even confirmed promotion news from her office. ‘You detached from the world and its people to forget instead you keep him with yourself to live life to its fullest. Don’t go away from him in order to forget him just keep him closer and start a fresh life with him. This will help you to grow further and not stop you to live.’

Those words have magical effect now she doesn’t want to leave his memories but to live his memories with new memories she would make in her life. Calling him back and then separating from him would hurt her more. She now lives a happy life.

Burning Bengal

Not only in Malda but now in Basirhat also.

When the nation is in a fix with its relations with China the home is also not right as Bengal is burning from two sides. You can say that I am picking the topic late but I don’t want to spread the rumor without confirming all the sources which is giving news information. Here I should mention that don’t overreact on social media hypes until news are coming from authentic news agencies.

Basirhat communal violence which triggered with a controversial Facebook post by a class 11^th student took an ugly turn when Muslim mobs started vandalizing properties of the Hindus but this is only the half story. The calm which prevailed after Thursday is revealing the story that many Muslims saved their Hindu friends and neighbors by confronting the mob. Hindu-Muslim groups are now helping those who have financial losses in shops/business to stand again by helping them with money (Read Indian Express front page of 9^th July 2017). Locals knew that mob that attacked in their area were from outside which indicates a plan, a propaganda behind these riots.

On the second front i.e. Gorkhaland agitations demands for a new state are rising in Darjeeling and other areas which are leading to violent protests. The protesters are not listening to Bengal government but are keen on talking to the central government. Looking at the role of BJP MPs and MLA in igniting both the situation is giving doubt of their hands in disturbing the situation in Bengal to form a ground for their entry in the areas politics after dividing the society. Communal clashes were prevalent both in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar before election time in those states. While Bihar denied their divisive politics Uttar Pradesh accepted them with majority. It should also be noted that Uttarakhand from UP, Jharkhand from Bihar and Chattisgarh from MP were carved out during NDA rule under Atal Bihari Vajpayee and all these newly formed states are ruled by them for a long time now.

Gorkhaland agitation could be seen on that basis. I appeal the people of the country to grab information from various sources before forming an opinion on situation in Bengal. Don’t fall trap to social media trolls. Those behind the riots must be arrested without any discrimination of religion and bias towards anyone. Central government should also intervene in the situation by appealing the people to calm in Gorkhaland and to live with peace in Basirhat. Before Basirhat another Muslim dominated Bengal area ‘Malda’ were also burned in the communal violence. The pictures used by BJP channels to show Bengal situation are come out that of 2002 Gujarat riot thus unmasking their real face. It must be noted that these towns remained calm during tough times of Babri demolition riots. These riots and Gorkhaland clashes perhaps be part of bigger propaganda as some similar patters are involved in them.

So keep yourself safe. Good bye till next post.

Naive Traveler : Delhi Darshan # 4

Inside ruins at Tughlaqabad Fort

Delhi as we all know is habitat and destroyed several times in different eras since it always remained the central city for each empire. As a result of these variant rulers from ancient times to the British era, Delhi enjoys the status of being witness to their grandeur and glory. Thus we the people of modern day India are privileged to see and feel that aura and ambiance. This was my fourth trip of sightseeing in Delhi and believe me I need many more days to explore the Delhi to its fullest.

This time I chose the places known for its haunted experiences like Bhooli Bhatiyar, Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Rajon Ki Baoli in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Giyas-ud-Din Tughlaq Tomb and Tughlaqabad Fort. The scorching heat of next day of heat digested all our energy so we also visited Indira Gandhi Memorial an all air conditioned museum which rejuvenated us. Since it was not far from Safdurjung Tomb we also give a visit to that place also.

Now talking about my haunted experience I feel none at any place. Nor any Djins in Feroz Shah Kotla, Tughlakabad Fort neither in any other place. But there was an experience which all four of us believe was an encounter with ghosts. In Bhooli Bhatiyar area when the main fort was close for renovation we went ahead to a deserted cinema hall in that area which a guard told is haunted with ghosts. There while asking the way to that place we saw five kids who told us to go ahead on the road to see that place. We are in an auto in which they also wanted to sit because they were going to the same place but we refused them because we didn’t have space to accommodate them. When we went to the place they told we saw nothing and we came back on the same route this time no children were standing there. Neither they encountered us on the way back nor did we spot them around that place.

I don’t know but they were ghosts or not but that was a mysterious incident. Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Tughlaqabad Fort should be lighted and water/toilet facilities should be available in that place. Bhooli Bhatiyar in Karol Bagh is a deserted place which you can go with friends for some haunting experiences but not a place to visit with family or girlfriend/boyfriend. Tughlaqabad Fort is ruined and crumbling lacking facilities for tourist/visitors. It also needs a renovation so that coming generations can see this. I am sharing some of the pictures of these areas.