The Wish & The Battle Inside

Tomorrow the result of the elections of World's largest democracy is to be announced. I've read that the celebration and the preparation has already begun in one camp NDA and the other camp UPA is seeking solace in oblivion. Far from the politics and the two camps, this election saw the rise of the unlikely common man (Aam Aadmi), the mute spectator who for once rose from the silence and decided to break the shackles which has kept him bound for years. Six decades over but things remain the same from being tormented and looted by the outsiders now the country is been tormented and looted by the insiders. The last decade has been the threshold. What worse could have happened to this country that didn't happen in the last decade? Terrorism, gang-rapes, riots, mega-scams, farmer suicides, all are the milestones of the last decade. Will the coming years bring any change? Somewhere in the heart this country does believe that "acche din aane wale hai". This e...

This morning, social media and news outlets were buzzing with debates comparing Modi and Arvind. Kiran Bedi added fuel to the fire by openly endorsing Modi on Twitter, despite her previous claims of wanting to remain apolitical. While I still respect Bedi, I cannot comprehend her reasoning behind this statement. Both Modi and Arvind share a goal of curbing corruption and working towards the betterment of India. Their ultimate aim may be the same, but they are walking entirely different paths. I encourage everyone to research and make an informed decision before supporting a political figure. This is not about idolizing individuals, but rather about the future of our nation, for which we all bear responsibility. While Modi has welcomed controversial figures like Yeddyurappa and shared platforms with the likes of Bangaru Laxman, it's difficult to trust the BJP's promises. Examples of their leaders going back on pre-election commitments or being involved in corruption only raise m...

http://indiagestao.blogspot.in/2013/07/feminismo.html - I regularly follow a blog that serves as a reflection of the India I inhabit. It acts as a mirror, constantly challenging me: am I doing enough? Each day, I begin with prayers and the recitation of sacred mantras in search of tranquility. However, most days my prayers seem to go unanswered. Today, I was confronted with the news of IAS Durga Shakti Nagpal's suspension – the courageous woman who stood against land and sand mafias. An influential politician boasted about orchestrating her suspension within forty minutes under the guise of protecting secularism and religious harmony. The manner in which religion is exploited by the corrupt deeply troubles me, as it reveals the extent to which immoral actions can be justified in the name of God. Moreover, another recent incident saw all political parties uniting against the Supreme Court's ruling to ban criminals from politics. Not one politician or political party has supp...

It took years of injustice and innumerable cases of rape for one incident to finally capture the public's attention. This time, people didn't need a leader to awaken them from their slumber; their repressed anger demanded an outlet. The voices that had been silenced for years coalesced into a collective outcry that could no longer be ignored or suppressed. This led to changes in the outdated laws on sexual offenses. The Justice Verma Panel identified "failure of governance" as the root cause of sexual crime, criticizing the government, police, and the public's apathy. It recommended significant changes. While many recommendations are commendable, the panel's stance on rapists remains too lenient. The key points of contention include: Rape offenders will face rigorous imprisonment of no less than seven years, potentially extending to life imprisonment. Punishment for causing death or a persistent vegetative state will be rigorous imprisonment of no less than 20...

My friend Rajush was approaching the prime age for marriage, and his parents were diligently searching for a suitable bride. I met him a week ago, and since then, I've been meaning to write this blog. This piece is not about a person, a family, or a tradition, but rather the society we live in. As I spoke with Rajush, I couldn't help but ponder the plight of a girl child in India. This plight is not limited to the girl child but extends to the entire society. Even in the context of marriage, a wonderful institution, some of the practices and traditions we've adopted or perpetuated over the ages are not just questionable but downright absurd. Rajush was entering into an arranged marriage, and as simple as it sounds, it is indeed ARRANGED from the very beginning. Everything in this arrangement is taken into account. Every arrangement involves its own set of negotiations, and Rajush, being rather naive in these matters, felt disheartened by his experiences thus far. The most s...

On November 12th, 2012, at 11:57 PM, Vyom's phone rang. He had gone upstairs to get some sleep, as he always made it a point to be home for Diwali, the most popular festival for many Indians. Some view it as the festival of lights, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, while others see it as a time to please Goddess Laxmi and seek a prosperous year. For Vyom, it was a time to reconnect with friends and family. By the time he reached the phone, the ringing had stopped. He picked it up and was heading back to his room when it rang again. It was Gautam, a dear friend of his. Vyom wondered if Gautam was planning a prank for Diwali eve, but it seemed unlikely. He answered the call, and the urgency in Gautam's voice caught his attention. Gautam asked for Vyom's blood type, explaining that his friend's grandfather was critically ill and in need of blood. Vyom agreed to donate at 7 AM the next morning. Within a minute, Gautam's friend, Manish, called Vyom and asked if ...

ये मेरा आखिरी मुकाम नहीं आगे की राह आसान नहीं लेकिन जीने की परवाह जो करते नहीं मौत से जो डरते नहीं उनके लिए कहा कोई सफ़र नामुमकिन रहा है मैंने तो ना हटाकर मुमकिन को चुना है अपने लिए तो जी ही रहा हूँ एक दिन देश के लिए जीना है दाग लगे है माँ के आँचल पर उससे अपने लहूँ से धोना है...