WE THE SECULARS

Since school days we are taught to be proud of living in a secular country where people from different castes and religions live together. We learn about how great we are and even when we witness 1992, our innocent minds believe that yes we are united and are among the best. A problem is solved only when we acknowledge that there is actually a problem. If we keep ignoring that there is a problem, then how and when are we gonna solve it?

Is it really such a great thing to have more than 29 languages in a country? What people speak in North is not understood by South and vice versa. We do not have a national language yet, because seculars fight fo their language to be national language. Why not English as national language? and there comes the ever burning pariotism which pops up only on 15th August and 26th January because we get national holidays. Nothing against diversity, but there has to be a common language understood by all ( no bull-shit that we understand heart's language). There has to be a link between different coaches to form a train which can then move ahead.

We are the biggest democracy in the world. Big claps for that, stand up and applaud a system where every Tom, Dick and Harry (Read Murderers, Rapers, and Thieves) can form its own party and contest a election. Then most of the illiterate innocent people ( illiterate's vote more in India than literates) go and select a candidate or party based on religion, caste, or social status. Not that education matters because I have seen even educated people vote for religious extremists because they want reservations for their religion/caste. After all this procedure, a party wins but that party has to take support of all the small parties to form a government. Bravo the great democracy! Here starts the process of compromising on values or vision ( if there is one) of the winning party. Finally its a wagon being pulled from all directions and going no where. Now we know why we have made such a rapid progress and still a developing nation. And yes, did I tell you, you cannot form a party if you do not have muscle power because then you will be killed and no one would even know about it.

Thr greatest thing that unites us now is probably corruption. From a junior policeman to the owner of a $4 Billion multi-national are involved in corruption. Railway scam, Common weath games, 2G and many more are just a few examples of where all the tax money goes. The work should be done at any cost what if we have to bribe someone. This thinking is as common as taking a bath in the morning is. Take bribes and give bribes is the mantra we are building our future on but yes we are seculars and we are united so we have to follow what others are doing.

Probably, a Bihari in Mumbai and a suffering Dalit in a village would be able to answer how secular we are. We have got all the resources, all the talent and a potential to replace 'ing' with 'ed' and be developed. We have to think as one, have one protocol, get out of religion division, focus in one direction and put all the force we have in that direction to get this train moving in the direction of the real development.

Jai Hind!

Almighty remembers it...

God knows everything! I cannot say that with conviction but I can surely say that he remembers everything. Going into the flasback of my life, it was October 2008 when my Mom was admitted to hospital and was in critical situation. I was so panicky that I just did not know what can I do and when should I fly to India to visit her. I was suggested by one of the elder person to go and sit at the temple and things will be better. I went there and just started to pray with all the heart and tears in my eyes. Humans have a tendency to strike a deal in everything and though I had tried it several times before with the God, this time it was staright from the deepest corner of my heart. The deal was, please save my mom and I promise I would not curse you or ask for reasons if anything bad happens with me in my life.

I did not know if it was approved or not but I felt satisfied and was a bit optimistic on my way back home. Mom was opearted and I was listening to all the spiritual songs and bhajans I could to ease out the pressure. After 3 hours dad called me to say that come back soon, you are needed here. There is no chance. Shocked and sad, I started to pack up for India. Just when the flight was about to take off I received a call from dad saying that there is a bit of improvement in mom's situation. That had a big big effect on my trip. Wehn I reached India, I was informed at the airport that mom is now stable but still has to recover. After 17 days at hospital, mom was told to go home and she had recovered really well. I went to Shirdi to thank almighty and I realized that my deal or my prayer was approved.

I had terrific year after that. Everything falling into place in my life. Things going as i expected. It was almost like a fairy tale and I had long forgotten about the deal. I again started to go through a bad phase in my life. I was shocked, mashed, dusted, and sad. I lost it completely and then I decided to go and ask the almighty "WHY ME?". I had barely closed my eyes and started to pray and in his own way he reminded me of the deal. If I can put it in words " Son, you do not have any right to curse me or ask me any question. Do you remeber what you had told me one year back?" I could not say anything. I was speechless, numb, and surprised. I was surprised to know that he remembered the deal. I had no complaints and no regrets with him. I just offered him my prayers and thanked him for a wonderful year.

He had given me a base and if I cannot capitalize or things did not go as expected, I have no right to ask again. I thank you almighty for giving me what you have and also teaching me that life cannot be a fairy tale always. I respect that and I will try and move ahead towards light. Helpless and no where to go,I just ask you for consideration this time, there is no deal but can you please get me out of this one more time?