People who are privileged,rich and powerful by might or by right like to live in a fool's paradise.And they want others to believe in what they believe. Progress and prosperity is by no means or by any stretch of imagination to be equated with growth in material wealth and consumerism. And no one should try to bewitch others by indulging in selfpraise or idolising your own family or for the decision to stay back in India when most people left for shores abroad.Many left for reasons not necessarily driven by the lure of monetary gains. The truth is, that even if statistics can convincingly deceive us in believing that India has progressed, the reality is very different. I don't have to spell it out, as every day, day in and day out you can see innumerable examples of the arrogance and the callous disdain with which the country is being governed by those who want us to believe that India is shining.If only they had the heart and the courage to see a simple,poor, illiterate, ignorant, deprived Indian in the eyes and tell him that India is great! More important than material comfort, give people the opportunity to live a decent and a fulfilling life as honourable citizens of this country, and access to what they deserve as a right.In a country where majority people remain unhappy and are deprived of basic needs, the country is far from developed. That may not be a sin, however the absence of concern and effort by governments to bring about a true change is sad and certainly sinf
RE:India, Independence and Progress
by Pravin on Apr 29, 2008 04:15 PM
While I agree with you on all issues, I would like to tell you that this is nothing new. I and for that matter every one can tell what is wrong and how we are not on par. It is better to present some solutions and work towards it rather than just ranting out like some old politicos in the form of some intellects.
If change is what is needed than we have to stand up and be counted.
Ganga does flow..but for whom? is it for the Hindus alone...we need drastic changes in our national policy towards non-hindus..they are also Indians and have to be given an fair equal share in the countries resources..As long as draconian laws and other measures are kept alive by the majority community poverty,communalism and sense of longing for an separate nation will keep burning in the hearts of non-hindus...this is an wake up call for all Hindus to understand that non-hindus are also Indians and that they are there to stay..
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by sudhakar goud on Apr 29, 2008 04:46 PM
abbey o varghese kya batein kar ra ha re salley convert ho key hinduism ko blame kar ra re salley
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by varghese on Apr 29, 2008 04:54 PM
tu ney terey bhen ko mujey diya kyaa..mujey thum salley bole rehey ho...bekuff...conversion ek private matter hai...dimak sey bath kar..
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by aska simon sadanand on Apr 29, 2008 05:08 PM
are Sudhakar CHUTSON have basic courtesy in public if you can prove the fact other wise than put across just do not abuse, GROW UP
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Abdul on Apr 29, 2008 04:58 PM
When someone talks about India why people start talking about their communities or religion?
It is a fact that India is marching ahead and who so ever has the credentials to benefit will prosper,irrespective of caste and religion.
But if you are a muslim and by listening to clergies and other fundamentalists studied in a madarsa then you canot cash this groth.
Similarly being a Kerela Christian if you are always involved in US bashing on the behest of China owned so called Left parties ,then also you will be left behind.
Religion and community should not be the reason not to acquire new skills and knowledge.Let it come from anywhere.For example the Hindus study in Christian Missionaries,sing Christmas Carols,still Stay fully Hindus and race ahead with the good education in this new India.
So my Dear stop crying foul,open your eyes and learn and earn in this new India.
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by varghese on Apr 29, 2008 06:10 PM
the sole problem this country is facing is..all are trying to cash in ....
thw whole nation is involved in making money and money alone..during this process they kill,loot,rape,incite,sell the nation,do what ever possible to make the other mans life miserable..then stash off this illgotton wealth to some foreign lands safe for their kids and kith..this is India from the day of independence...worshippers of Money..
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by tinku bharti on Apr 30, 2008 06:08 AM
To Mr. Varghese How many times your family members get looted, raped or killed or whatever..... if your attitude is like that I think you are more prone to Distruct...your responses shows how you are educating your childerens or your family members......who is not polluting Ganga? everybody is doing it...if not they they are pollution some other river or something.....what do you think where your shit goes....have you ever followed it? talking about Ganga pollution again and again...its shows your frustration level! how much you are frustrated living in India with Hindu's......Talking about History....were you there when it happened all inthe history.....giving useless logics....what about the ADAM an EVE funda! I never understand this shit! and Noah Arch...bla bla bla bla....now keep spilling shit on that Mr Vargesh
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by aska simon sadanand on Apr 29, 2008 05:12 PM
Abdul I realy doubt if this your true name have till date not read views like you from other muslims if that is the attitude of all religions it would be wonderfull
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Cubeblogger on Apr 29, 2008 05:24 PM
However much attention you get, you behave as if you are being ignored in this country. This is saddening.
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by varghese on Apr 29, 2008 11:27 AM
The BJP/RSS and their cronies keep harping this issues and end up blaming the minorities for all the countries miseries. But the dirty truth is this%u2026the Christians and Muslims are cornered. They are fighting each day for their existence. Fighting against appeasement policies, fighting for a fair share in the countries economy. They are being systematically shoved from the day of independence to this day. Somehow they are showing a brave face and moving with pride and confidence inspite of these odds being suffered on a daily basis...
The only solution is total removal of reservations nationwide or the inclusion of all Indians in this quota system. Or No religious discrimination for reservation in this country.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by on May 01, 2008 06:00 AM
aliya varghesai ,
being a fellow malayali i always thought we hindus and christians had not many issues in our small and well educated state. i dont really understand what made you say all these cause if you look at our state there is no discrimination for christians or muslims they are having better quality of life than many hindus. And as an indian when some one write some thing good about our country ,why you get so angry . are you sad because we are doing good or atleast getting better. and if you think all the christians are following jesus in western countries you are completly wrong brother. from my expirence of the western world the youth in this country really dont care about religion. so you can find the kerala christians going to church more often than the whites..any way you just go back to kerala and have a nice look and tell me if anything is really happening like what you said in all these posts. dont spoil the name of Achayans in kerala man. if you dont like it back home go to us and try to live there not among your fellow malayalis try to mix with white and make friendship with them...and see how they treat you brother
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Rakesh on Apr 29, 2008 11:41 AM
Hey you convert moron, go and look in countries which were occupied by your gora masters or which are muslim majority nations. Then come back and tell us which country treats minorities better. Your gora masters reduced the locals to dust in their native lands. Where as we have big enough hearts to accept minorities. But if you keep on behaving like a cry baby, even our patience would run out some day.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Rakesh on Apr 30, 2008 12:39 PM
Varghese, Looking at all your posts here, I can say one thing. We may pollute the Ganga river with out shit and we may be drinking water that is contaminated with shit, but you've shit in your brains and that has poisoned your thoughts. With so much hatred for majority hindu population, you would be better of leaving this hindu majority nation and migrate to some country where you think you would be treated with all respect. Good for you and good for us as well.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by aska simon sadanand on Apr 29, 2008 04:52 PM
To Varghese, Excellent facts which are not understood by other guys and put all sundry excuses.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by srivatsan raghunathan on Apr 29, 2008 11:58 AM
Dear Mr. Varghese,
All religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc.etc. that originated inside India have respect for rivers and nature. Only the Abrahamic religions like christianity and Islam have problem in sharing these beliefs and heritage. By their very definition, they cannot!!. Therefore, a christian or a muslim convert can never develope the sense of belonging and relationship to this land like the native religious followers. Sorry, we cannot do much about this. The concept of Bharath or India is much beyond the constitution that came after 1947. Christians and muslims should change their attitutes to accommodate this ideas, and should not expect Hindus to do so.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by vishal gupta on Apr 29, 2008 04:53 PM
Dear Mr. Varghese, from where in the world have you developed this conception that all hindus presently are reconverted (i mean hindus-buddhist-hindus), I dont from where you got this history, I suppose this is what is taught in Christian missionaries and organizations to convert the tribals to Christianity. On personal level if you ask me religion is something very personal and everyone have the right to follow whatever ideology or religion ofcourse without hurting the other religions. Regarding backwardness of other community... I feel person has himself to be blame for his poverty and backwardness.. There are more than 25% hindus who are living their life in extreme poverty, so its any particular community or religion which is lacking. Also you should have respect to what India has given you ... freedom which you are enjoying here can not be compared to anywhere else in this world. Imagine writing same article against the Han community in China. this is India and you are able to express yourself very freely isnt it. but at the same time you are hurting feeling of Hindus.India gives every one very fair chance to succeed if you are incompetitive you take help of your being from other community or religion... Always remember Abdul Kalam, Zakir Hussain, Fakruddin ALi Ahmed, Azim Premji, Manmohan SIngh all belong to minority religions.. There have been so many Christians who were at higher positions in military.. you have many examples take inspiration from them and work hard
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Bharat Kumar on Apr 29, 2008 03:28 PM
Verghese is usually a Malayali Surname. So on that presumption, let me continue to point out to you that christanity though is a middle eastern religion, christanity can not be labelled as a foreigh religion. Your State was the first place that Christianity started to evolve in India. You my be aware of the St. Thomas Christian. Saint Thomas was a contemprory of Jusus. So Christianity in India is as old as in Middle East. So Cristianity is a native religion on Bharat. But, of course, its modified forms are latter evolutions..... So as an citizen of India you have eual rights irrespective of your religion. The constitution guarrantees the same. In case you think you have been denied any of your rights, I would suggest you sue the government of the day in Supreme Court. Even I am against any reservation, as this indirectly denies equal rights to all citizen. In fact, I hope that as a member of Minority community ( a label you prefer ) you have not been denied any services of the state. In addition, I hope you have Church and can go and pray without any obstructions, by the state or private citizen. And you can carry on living according to a Chrisian way of life...Am I wrong?
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by Bharat Kumar on Apr 29, 2008 04:00 PM
Now, you comments on Hindus and Hinduism is not based on proper information or study. As Hinduism is not a monolithic religion, you should not compare the same with Christianity, Islam or Judaism... Hindu Philosophy do not talk about only one God or True God and False God. There is no hard core rules and regulations or regimentalization that you see in Sematic religions ... As Hinduism is philosophy, more of a way of life... Based on the population pattern, It's likely that more thn 50% of you friends will be Hindus... And, I am sure, they would not have ever discriminated against you, because you are a christianity. I can bet some of you might have visited your Church and prayed along side you.... Not many people of other religion will show as much respect to Jesus as a Christian. Hindu phylosophy is more spiritual in nature... Hindu Gods do not punish a Hindu, if he walks into a Church to pray to Jesus :-) nor does he punish if a hindu do not go to a temple.... Hindu God is way abouve such petty things,( created by mortals) He is not jelous. He does not want to be saluted every day. He has no vengeance... God by definitation is supreme power, mercyfull and ever loving.....
RE:RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by varghese on Apr 29, 2008 04:31 PM
i am writing about the glaring way crime has been committed on non-muslims by those in power from the time of independece..its worse than persecution..if u choose christianity u loose ur reservations..this is similiar like in islamic countries..where the minority is forced to accept islam..here its almost the same but in an softer way...denial of quota..denial of reservations..this is tearing apart households..for the matter of faith..faith is an very personal thing...if hinduism is an way of life and Jesus is also treated as one of their Gods then how come this distribution of eqality in the nations wealth..ie quota..are the hindus alone the sons of this soil...does not nationalism and patriotism not flow in our veins also..do we not eat the same food..do we not contribute to the nations well being and prosperity...are we not the best tax payers..then for a matter of faith u deny us the major share..think about this..hindusim is not reservation or quota...christians also need it..equally..
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by vishal gupta on Apr 29, 2008 05:07 PM
hey varghese, you are again hurting by talking not like uneducated but like ill-educated guy, people who use river to clean their day-today things are deprived of some basic things...otherwise nobody likes to do it they are uneducated and awareness among them is almost zero so pls dont take help of this thing to malign the whole of Hindu community, One more thing America is the largest (i am not using the word major) contributing nation which is causing the global warming infact its contribution is much much higher than India, CHina and European nations put together, if you dont know this fact it is you to blame, you can watch the movie made by Al Gore (former US Vice President). Get your facts right man dont always go by your Church theory... And make yourself bit more aware and do not blame others for your incompetitiveness. You are not a politician and if you really want to change India start doing it at your own level.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by saigeetha jagannathan on Apr 30, 2008 10:12 AM
Mr. Varghese, The industries that are responsible for the major percentage of ganges pollution in the leather taning industries run by our muslim brothers in Uttar Pradesh.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by KARAN MALHOTRA on Apr 30, 2008 03:46 PM
MR. VARGHESE U HAVE ASKED A QUESTION '' IS THIS THE WAY U GUYS TREAT UR GOD'' OK V TREAT OUR GOD LIKE THIS. MAY I ASK U A QUESTION ? DO U KNOW JESUS ? HOW U PEOPLE TREATED HIM ? U CAN WRITE ALL THESE THINGS SINCE INDIA IS A DEMOCRACY. ONE MORE QUESTION '' WHO HAS STOPPED U FROM PROGRESSING IN INDIA ?'' TILL DATE MAJORITY COMMUNITY IN INDIA HAS NOT TURNED THE TABLE ON MINORITY BUT IF U THINK THAT MINORITY COMMUNITY CAN TURN THE TABLE ON HINDUS THEN LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR THAT EVEN HINDUS HAVE THE STRENTH TO DO THE SAME . BY THE WAY U CAN DAY DREAM SINCE INDIA IS A DEMOCRACY AND EVERY CITIZEN HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY ANYTHING. BUT DONT THREATEN HINDUS OTHERWISE U AND UR ILK WILL BE PAID IN THE SAME COIN.
RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by vinay k jain on Apr 29, 2008 04:40 PM
Regarding flirting with nature, who is contributing most to global warming?
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by aska simon sadanand on Apr 29, 2008 05:04 PM
TO VINAY JAIN CHUTSON talk first of our country
RE:RE:INDIA AND HER NEVER ENDING SAGA OF COMMUNALISM.POVERTY
by aska simon sadanand on Apr 29, 2008 04:58 PM
Chutson talk of our country set your house in order first than talk of others, thts the biggest problem with us.
Well, reading the article, I feel the quantum of progress India has made, for different classes of people mean different things. It is like five blind folded people defining an elephant. India certainly looks great if you are staying in South Mumbai and if you have a balcony facing west with a clear view of sunset. But if one is staying in a shanty house in a slum somewhere in north, when one has to face the extremes of weather, electric black outs, scarcity of drinking water, for him/her India has still not come a long way after independence. I am not being pessimistic, but I certainly feel that the social divide has increased in last six decades, we now have the society divided more sharply between the SCs, STs, OBCs, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs etc. etc. On some fronts, we certainly have made very big achievements. Education, I feel is now available to almost all classes of society. Transportation and Travel has improved a lot. Information is available to everybody who wants it. Probably now the nation has to free its citizens from millions of procedures, procedure for getting water connection, getting his house plan passed, electricity connected and of course the connected correpution. Corruption at higher levels like for Bofors Gun or ministers/bureaucrats helping their kins do not affect the common man, but small things like availability of food items, house, clothes etc. without having to pay bribe certainly is important.
Ms. S De article is a touching one highlighting the family values of India. But at the same time our family is also our weakness. We are ready to do anything for our family good or right (that is the current thinking of normal indians). See the root cause of corruption in india is family values. One wants to earn more so that one can provide better education, health and finally get their daughters married respectfully and honourably. That is why corruption has proliferated right from minister to chaprasi's. Upto India of 1980's the basic requirement of health and education were provided in an adequate manner by respective agencies. What happened all of a sudden? Why teachers started lacking committment to their students and why did the confidence of general people fade in government hospitals. Family itself forces one to practice casteism. We as Indians are divided among ourselves only. There are many India among India. And this casteism has produced lots of problem be in form of mismanagement, bad politics, bad administration and bad civil ethics. The rule of law is simply lacking. Its just becoz we feel that if someone from our caste is a Judge or minister or administrator or policeman then we can go scot-free no matter what crime we do. And this is a situation where a civilised person in India thinks that its better to leave country and settle down in other. But alas there you miss your country, your soil and family.
RE:family is our strength but also the weakest point
by harish dewangan on Apr 29, 2008 10:56 AM
Ashutosh,
Every country passes through this phase. Corruption is there everywhere. That is why transparency in all public dealings and expenditure is needed. We should be optimistic. Now a days even Govt is also cracking on the corrupt officials.
There is a group of good people in Govt also in high places who want to eradicate all this nuisance. Let's hope for the best.
RE:family is our strength but also the weakest point
by Qx on Apr 29, 2008 11:24 AM
Ha ha ha....
It is really surprising Harish !!!!!
Its not just a phase or corruption... we have completed 60 years and it has increased manifold... when we got independence it was 0% ... by 50 years it increased 10 times where the officials took 100-200 to each work (unofficially)...... but now by 60 years it has increased 100 times.... now corrupt officials dont talk in hundreds.... they talk in thousands, lakhs and crores.... for a small work where you have all the paper complete and filled properly without any shortcomings.... still you have to pay to corrupt officers not just hundreds.... but you have to pay thousands and lakhs....
This is what you call PHASE... I do not agree with you.... during phasing it should go down .... but its increasing manifold...
RE:family is our strength but also the weakest point
by vishal gupta on Apr 29, 2008 05:12 PM
I completely agree with you that there honest people at every level otherwise no country in this world can prosper with corrupt officials and dishonest people... We should be optimistic and be honest ... because if you expect others to be honest you should be honest enough to expect this...
The Country's growth & well being depends on its people. While we hve rich culture & heritage which has helped us cope with the "bad" western infuence, I wish that some good qualities of the west could be imbibed by Indians like honesty, ownership of mistakes, and transperancy.
Then really we can hve buses w/o conductors, good roads, systematised govt service everywhere and this country will then really become a "sone ki chidiya"
Kudos to Ms.De. She has the knack to touching the right cords. She made me visualise my childhood. I am going to pen down my childhood..thats the inspiration I have got from this article.
RE:India is exceptional case in poor south asian and far east countries
by Geeta Dave on Apr 29, 2008 10:51 AM
There are also : JAPAN,Phillipines,Taiwan,KOREA,Hongkong,Thailand,Indonesia,Singapore,UAE,Iran..and these country's economy are no less than India.
RE:India is exceptional case in poor south asian and far east countries
by Indianking on Apr 29, 2008 11:07 AM
Japan, taiwan, Korea, Hongkong, Singapore follows buddhism, Phillipines most are christian but still they are not par to india.
UAE and Iran are pure blood. Because they are following their culture from centuries.I mean the country dont have any heritage or history or they are trying to copy some remote civilization, they are weak.
RE:India is exceptional case in poor south asian and far east countries
by Geeta Dave on Apr 29, 2008 11:24 AM
Yes.One must not forget their Identity,culture and values in the name of Development...It cann't sustain.
I have started writing this message even before completeing the extract.I am 41 yet there was a resonannce of feelings while going through just few lines.Indian heart beats the same way across the globe.Those who are struk by Shobhas glamour must see the beauty within her.I pray that all Indians get her eyes to see the mystic beauty of our Motherlandh.I wish Shoba De would personaly reply.....I wish Shobha De contest was in writing so that I could have participated.
Very nice article. i came to know about S De few years back only through book review. I didn't had any opportunity to read her books. But she has won a reader with this article.
I heard about Ma'am only 2-4 years back when she wrote a book regarding marriage. I didn't have opportunity to read her work yet. But thanks to this article she has won a reader right now.
