MY EXPERIENCES OF GOD

For most of us whatever be the age, trying to find God has is an on-going journey. Being born in a very religious but an extremely family was a matter of great luck. Whereas the approach to life was all value based; sharing; empathy; compassion; athithi devo bhava; respect for elders, teachers was taken for part of life. One learnt it without being taught. It was a cocooned life with mother being the anchor. She was hardly educated but worldly a very wise lady. At the young impressionable age of ten I moved to a Sainik School hostel and thereafter for next five decades it was the cocooned life of uniform.

During the journey through the uniformed life there were challenges and dilemmas. Married life, kids and their growth was an interesting journey of struggle, sacrificing own desires for the others. Some successes some failures as in any life but being from the most difficult service of an infantry soldier where one had numerous close encounters with death but survived. During the service one met people from prehistoric tribes of Andamans to foreigners of almost of the whole world. On the whole life was very kind and growth very satisfying.

On the spiritual journey, I was extremely lucky to meet great personalities like HH The Dalai Lama; Amarjyoti; Radha swami the present and the previous head; Parthasarty Rajagopalachari, Swami Ramdev amongst others. Practised Shiv, Durga bhakti; Radha swami; sahaj marg, Vipasana; pranic healing; meditation on heart, breath, third eye and read lots of books in search of that entity called God. Since my wife is a diehard Durga devotee has had her share of visions, experiences and tremendous unshakeable faith in the Goddess. But we kept following our paths and kept experimenting with new ideas, philosophies and wisdom which came to us from friends, relatives and others in life.

Coming to my experiences, I have not seen God even in my dreams or in a drugged state but felt help coming whenever it was sought. Weather a coincidence or divine but intervention or help did appear from unexpected quarters and insurmountable problems just vanished miraculously. Some say God is experience, may be then I have experienced him.

Coming to the other important aspect of happiness or bliss, something we all seek. My feel is calming the aware mind to stillness is the key to inner journey. Weather one follows meditation, satsang, parvachan; drugs of any kind- the challenge is the same. Emptying the mind of uncontrolled thoughts and slowly regulating the thought. Control of mind without the help of drugs or extreme tragedy is a very difficult but not impossible. Needs patience, discipline and faith and it happens very very slowly but it does happen. Once that is accomplished one does feel fleeting glimpses of deep sense of contentment and peace from within for very short duration. If God is within then probably this may be HE.

WHERE IS HINDU CHARITY

Uttarakhand is passing through an unprecedented disaster. CAG blames UK Government for ill preparedness and politicians of course blaming Gods for the cloud burst or each other. End of the day, lots of lives will be lost, property destroyed; netas carry aerial surveillance; announce relief packages and thereafter life continues as normal and very soon a new scam would take over and people will forget the disaster less those who have suffered.

Incompetence and lethargy of the governments of the day is well known, but what is deeply agonising is the human greed to exploit the tragedy. People from hill regions are more God fearing and humane in their approach to life. However the stories of greed and loot from the returned devotees are scary. Chapati which costs Rs 5/ and rice plate costing Rs 10/ being sold for Rs 300 and 500 respectively.

The NGOs who shout from roof tops on each and every issue and super rich temples/ gurus seem to be absent. During the Latur earthquake of early 90 vintage similar greed amongst tragedy was very apparent but the Gurudwars and RSS, a few HAM based operators and one of the TATA group youth brigade did wonders and restored one’ faith in the human good.

Langar run by one of the gurudwars, probably Nanded did untiring service in provisioning of cooked meals and there was never a clamour for media or any other glory.

RSS and TATA youth brigade restored the dignity amongst the dead. The human and animal dead bodies were rotting and rains rescue efforts more difficult and rotting bodies became worse. One saw young, well-educated boys and girls carrying masks and small entrenching tools and removing the dead without vomiting or disgust. It was done with so much discipline and dignity, it was amazing. Being present there and from uniformed background it was with great pride to see the youth rise to such great heights of charity in time of calamity. Surprising the local youth and some disciplined uniformed people were busy looting. Then there was a group of HAM operators, these people were so effective in meeting the crisis that it was sheer joy to see them working so efficiently. In one instance there were thousands of stoves delivered but without kerosene oil. This group managed to get it overnight when the official machinery appeared totally paralysed.

Then there were elderlies who came in for emotional support as loss of near and dear ones is disastrous. This group advised in a very interesting mix of religion, deeper meaning of life and recital of bhajans and satsang. The results were quite amazing. During the Tangdhar earthquake disaster a few years back the grudwars and Satsang dera Beas did such a commendable work that one has to see it to believe it.

Where are the Hindu organisations? The community claims to inherit the oldest civilisation known for sacrifice and the concept of we are the world. Our politicians do not take a minute to tear apart each other when it comes to their vote banks. Where are the swamis, temples, gurus who have amassed wealth in this hour of calamity? The only action one had read in reports is Baba Ramdev sending significant consignments from his personal funds. Where are the others? Gone into hiding. Shame on them all. Wish they had come together to rebuild Kedarnath and extend support by sending their devotees. Modi has offered to foot the bill but knowing Congress’s scare of Modi, they will neither do it themselves nor let him do it. Never expect government devotees to be half as efficient as the devotees. See kar sevaks if there is any doubt.

Where are the super-rich temple committees hiding? Starting from Vaishno Mata to Tirupati and Sai baba who have assets worth millions not contributing financially or with human help.

Where are the Ambanis, Tata, Birla and other industrialist who make such tall claims towards corporate social responsibility?

There appears to be little effort by million plus Hindus to help out their people in distress. Apart from blaming the Government or going on media for self-glorification, sincere effort is lacking.

If things continue this way, the community and religion known for what is best amongst the humanity shying away from sacrificing, the indicators are clearly we are hurling toward doom and be prepared to be ruled by outsiders as always.

For God sake arise and Make a Difference

RISE OF MODY: IMPLICATIONS

There are extreme views about the ascendency of Modi on the national Indian political scene. From an efficient administrator, visionary, deliverer to manipulator, anti-Muslim and extremely ambitious.

He is from a very humble background, has risen through the system through hard work and transformed Gujarat into the most vibrant state is all recorded and well known. People who have interacted with him speak high of him – humble; decisive; efficient; visionary and hands on control over his KRAs. On the other hand the national print and electronic media; some NGOs and large number of self-styled Muslim saviours blame him for events of 2002. The Gadara riots, where both Muslims and Hindus lost lives due to mob fury triggered due to burning of a bogie carrying Hindu worshippers returning from Ayodhya post demolition of Babri mosque. The needle of suspicion pointed towards the other community. Large number of inquiries, judicial investigations, PILs by self-acclaimed saviours of the communities found a great opportunity in self-gratification and extracting favours from the powers that be- Modi bashing was  ticket to both fame and favours from the central government because sympathy to a potential vote bank. Exploiting human pain rather than curing it became the choice profession of many. Both the haters and lovers have gained tremendously, therefore he raises fear or appreciation depending on which side of the prism one looks through.

Why the Fear

He is not corrupt, sets target and accepts results. This is what the management experts call Management by objectives. At the national level the results are measured in expanding the budget allotted and asking for more annually and if the department spends fully it gets additional amount. If someone spends less the axe will fall on that department. Thus the emphasis is on ensuring expenditure and not the results achieved. Most of the advanced economies are moving towards performance budget where in the expenditure is measured not in terms of money spent but the results achieved. CAG has been doing a wonderful work in pointing the wasteful expenditure but no one really cares. Moment the performance/results are factored into the money spent automatically the focus shifts towards accountability. This is the first step towards improved governance and accountable babudom. Accountability which is non-existent in government departments, cascading into lassie fair is a win win for lethargic machinery. Rights and perks matter. Results- who cares. This is the greatest fear amongst the government sector and biggest threat to Modi’s rise. Great for the nation but serious resistance from government employees- a huge vote bank

Perception: Muslim Hater

The national media and the central government machinery have taken pains to demonify Modi over the last decades. The perception amongst the masses may reflect this image unless serious actions are initiated to nullify the viscous propaganda, there would be trouble for Modi.

Should he succeed in polarising votes on religious lines, it could have extremely serious ramifications for the present power holders- there would be tectonic power shift jolting lots of influential players propagating family rule or scaring the minority vote bank of the ramifications and claiming we are the saviours.

Change the Rules

Merit and inclusive development where in everyone is facilitated and empowered to earn and live with dignity rather than creating beggars or parasites through free doles can be a game changer. Empowerment rather than free doles could make a huge difference for the nation and the Indian society to move from agrarian to knowledge based society in tune with the world at large.

This poses a mega threat to the existing system and may collude to ensure combined front to character assassinate, demonify and defeat Modi and Co. Media/CBI/Judiciary/NGOs and self-styled saviours plus other tools in the armoury of the government could be unleashes and coalition of the threatened may come into being.

Style of Functioning

Reportedly an autocrat who cannot tolerate the non- performers, Modi will need to carry the team. Being a federal structure with very powerful and aware state governments, any bulldozing could lead to rebellion or in the worst case fragmentation. Very potent threat which will need to be addressed pragmatically.

Transformation

The nation will be transformed with empowered and knowledge flushed youth; in-house industry; accountable bureaucracy; infrastructure and emphasis on perform or perish. National issues and threats will probably get a rational approach with long term policies and national/international cooperation of the willing to tackle terrorism/China-Pak threats.

Conclusion

Rise of Modi augurs well for the nation because he is perceived to be deliverer, honest and visionary. As of today he is the best bet for the country. He will need to survive the counter veiling forces which are massive and will combine to defeat him because his arrival means mega power shift.

 Issue is can he do it?

Let us all use our might to make a difference to help the nation come out from the present quagmire of corruption and pessimism.

MIND FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT

The evolving lifestyle is inducing stress at a rate which many people find it extremely difficult to cope. This is leading to suicides where the tolerance limit of the impacted individual is breached. In other cases where the person is coping with difficulty it fructifies as psycho-somatic disorders leading to very serious health problems and over dependence on medicines foe managing the mind-body sickness. This is not a healthy way ahead for the society and its criminal for the children to become victims of these problems for none of their faults apart from inheriting it from the parents.

          There are many reasons for this problem but the major one is the inability to marshal resources to meet the needs/desires of a family. Materialistic market presents better things and markets it so well that if one was not to procure it soon post launch others would look at you with disdain. The problem is faced even by school kids—where did you go for holidays; which mobile; branded items; week end outings; malls/spas. Endless lists, one can only pity this child who faces such lifestyle so early. If parents cannot provide he will carry a complex which will have ramifications. So the mad race for becoming rich quickly and amassing so much that a few generations down the chain are taken care off. Kids on one side and aging parents on the other both were priorities till a few years back. With Medicare becoming exorbitant and kids bringing up equally demanding, parents are being jettisoned into self-care/old age homes—an extremely difficult situation to cope for the oldies.

          Thus there are cascading stress creating forces which are being released by the market and no one can prevent this or cocoon himself/parents/children from this challenge. The existing coping mechanisms are failing to address the issue as evident by the health parameters available. The medicines are prolonging the age but are they prolonging life or just delaying death.

          To understand and manage stress one needs to understand the total body functioning. The body functions at three levels—physical, thoughts and feelings – this could also be termed as body, mind and soul function.

          One must have a view on the deeper meaning and purpose of life, failing this one is moving like a rat in the rat-race not really knowing what is he looking at.

          Everyone’s mind is his world. The perceptions flow from the mind. Nature’s way/activities are neutral but all move as per plan in a gradual manner. Anything done too fast leads to disaster- tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes etc. are the examples of volatile nature where too much force was used too rapidly causing destruction. In fact observing the nature can give lots of clues on how to live and enjoy the journey of life. Jealously, comparisons, judgemental etc. all leads to stress. We need to understand that we all are different at the mental level though may be similar at the physical levels, therefore comparing only complicates. It is also a fact that everyone excels in his chosen field of activity to some extent. Ultimate test of success must be does that success/ activity calms the mind or agitates the mind. Thief would amass wealth by unethical ways and maybe he is happy and possesses a calm mind -- so be it.

 The most powerful tool is the mind and for most of the humans it’s out of control. There is little to no control by the majority over the most powerful tool THE MIND the body is equipped with. Mind generates thought which initiates action which is performed by the physical body.

The cure and challenge lies in calming the aware mind.

How this to be done is – drugs and tranquilizers are the easiest way but it has the limitation. As soon as the effect is over the mind bounces back with a vengeance. Agitated mind clouds the decision making mechanism and has devastating ramifications on our body functioning. Most of our body functioning is on automatic mode within built trigger mechanism to cater for any threats that may get generated from within/out. Flight in case of extreme fear , we all know and are aware of , however what we are not aware of is when the body is stresses due to restless of the mind, mechanisms come into play automatically. The secretion glands release more chemicals; enhanced palpitations and number of other things happen most them not visible or known to the individual. After prolonged hammering of the body the symptoms are seen as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, deformed newly born kids, rage, and intolerance, and anger, violent behavior  sudden personality change towards introvert/extrovert, heart/organ failures and ultimately suicides.

How does one address the challenge?

Stage one: Befriend the Mind observe the thoughts. This could be done for a few minutes every hour. One will come to know the pattern of his thoughts. This is very important because analysis of thought process will give a person the pattern of his thoughts—good bad and ugly. It will also give the rationale for the same that is, what triggers (person, event, activity) the good, bad and ugly. This may take a month or more depending on how volatile the mind is when the exercise commences.

Stage two Identify the Triggers regulate the thought. Easier said than done. This is pretty difficult but not impossible. In stage one, the person experimenting has been able to analyse the behavior pattern, having done that, it’s time to take charge. Inject that triggers the good and reject that triggers the ugly. Should the ugly refuse to go away set aside a time and place and let the tsunami of ugly pass and do not let it linger indefinitely. Try and analyse the cause and address that is addressable and adjust the mind to learn that which is beyond or not possible to change. Make a deliberate effort to avoid minimize the triggers of the negative spiral. Identify what calms the mind since drugs are out it could be any activity- sports, hobbies, physical exercise, meditation, music, reading, writing and a host of other activities. But remember any activity over a period of time gives reduced returns. Therefore inculcate number of activities and rotate amongst them. Moment one finds diminishing returns from an activity quickly move on.

Stage three Aware and Regulate   regulate-control your mind with awareness. This implies as soon as the mind dwells into a negative spiral quickly back off and an automatic feedback cum update on an activity that may have has stopped giving the intended returns or an activity which for the present seems to be appeasing the mind thus offering the potential of new good trigger mechanism. This would be possible only once one is aware of the evolving mind which gets impacted by all the inputs it receives every day and there may be close to a million of these.

Stage Four: Assume Control. This is the ultimate stage wherein the mind stays tranquil and calm. It triggers only the positive and happy thoughts and warns of intrusion of hostile activity immediately.

The journey of life must be enjoyed to the fullest, Therefore to move through life aimlessly from one desire fulfillment to another is a sure recipe for disaster For the advocated technique to be a sure success, it is essential that every person  works out philosophy, core values including their measurements of success and terminal aim of life.  The key lies in understanding the mind-body inter relationship and then analyzing hat stimuli leads to what kind of ramification. Observing the mind and injecting the good and rejecting the ugly would help regulation. Regulation would lead to control of mind. For a layman stage one and two would suffice to cope with stress and enjoy a happy healthy and joyful journey of life.

Try it -- it will Make A Difference

         

FACING ERRING CHINA

China is known for its unpredictable behaviour with its neighbours wherein the boundaries are concerned. It has problems with all its neighbours where it feels a future clash of interest for resources or its domination aspirations. It has a great skill in time manipulation to its convenience. Keeping the issue alive but manage the tempo of aggravation depending on factors which are positive fir it and negative for its adversary. It also focuses on national interests very strongly- invests without bothering about the regime profile or the world opinion till it serves its interests. It has created enough irritants like North Korea and support for regimes which the western world treats as rogue/hostile. Its financial might and UN permanent membership gives it enough clout in the form at international level. The mystery about its leadership, opaque policies, little discussion on matters of strategic nature, its weapon development budget. R&D is all issues shrouded in mystery.

          On the strategic front Chinese have invested at points which address the future energy needs and SLOC. It uses money and easy finances and transfer of technology to some to extend its influence. China has thus put in place a powerful mechanism which enables it control the rogue nations—its more akin to mafia like support which is based on anti-US policies rather than any other groupings of positive influence and its manipulating it rather well. It has Pakistan for India; North Korea for South East Asia; Iran, Syria and Gwader for West.

          On the domestic front China has massive problems. It has a fragmented society with Han Chinese managing all the best that is available and others are given second rate treatment. There is a serious problem on financial and social disparity. The labour and rural populace is having an extremely stressful and uncertain life. Strikes and unrest is an extremely serious challenge to the government and if present trend is any indicator things are not under control. Corruption at high places is massive.  Freedom of religion and others which the free world takes for granted is not available to Chinese Citizens. Tibetans, Muslims occupying the Southern and Western border are restive and deeply agitated and suppressed populace. There is great hatred for the Central Government and Han Chinese. The free world does not come to know about the undercurrents because the Chinese government controls the electronic, print and cyber media content- thus what appears in the media is what is approved rather than the truth. Massive infrastructure and big tickets projects which impresses the rest of the world is an excellent exercise in PR but it conceals the harsher truth. Its soldiers are weak to fight the modern combat because defence forces are no more the number one choice and like any modernizing society youth is avoiding the harsher life. In addition with one child norm strictly enforced in China for quite sometimes, no parent desires his son to die or face deprivations. China today is extremely vulnerable as a society and nation from forces within. Keeping external threats alive is a compulsion to distract the people from the internal problems.

          China will avoid going into a direct confrontation because it has rogue states to be irritants and keep the target nations involved. It comes up as a facilitator once things need intervention. Stalemate or large causalities would be a loss of face for China which would have disastrous ramifications at the highest levels.  However, it will keep border skirmishes at land and sea alive to maintain its claim and address them at the opportune time. It also forays into controlled- escalation situation to analyse the response and improve its bargaining position. China is also investing very heavily in the next generation warfare, viz, cyber, remote, robotics, artificial intelligence, space, perception management, missile and anti-missile and sea denial-access, long range missiles and air and sea craft, high altitude and strategic move and deployment capabilities. It would like to be in a force the adversary into submission preferably without firing a shot at best. Should that not deliver, it would plan to escalate the war so that physical use of manpower involving hand to hand combat is an exception. There are going to be big wars where the complete border from Arunachal Pradesh to Kashmir will get activated with thousands of troops marching across but is likely to happen is localised border incidents which may be upgraded to skirmishes if it suits there design.

          Any response has credibility only if the nation has the will of impose its might which could be influence, financial, strategic, alliances and manage the adverse reaction including the UN intervention before the end result. If this is not achievable then it requires serious introspection. What should our response be?

          At the strategic level alliances with US, Japan, Korea, Australia- New Zealand, immediate neighbours, CAR, Iran and IOR states for cooperation in use of resources and threat management would be extremely desirable as Chinese are threatening all these states/using their strategic assets to encircle India. Cyber and sea control/denial/surveillance/ patrolling/anti-piracy operations and resources sharing could be the aim.

          Need to counter the superiority of the adversary in the new generation warfare. Sadly India is lagging behind and unable to move ahead. The problems are well known but need to be addressed.

          Border infrastructure to move, employ and sustain forces is extremely poor as compared to the Chinese. Roads, habitat, airfields and other war fighting capability need to be created. This will deter the adversary from ant adventurism.

          Capability to move forces and employ them in acceptable time frame due to high altitude problems of acclimatisation need for lead time to increase to four to six weeks.

          The force multipliers need to be enhanced. From Pakistan centric threat there is need to refocus on Chinese centric thereat. This would be huge challenge requiring almost a decade to create the ability.

          It is a sad commentary to see the people in power making dovish, almost humiliating statements when the aggressor has clearly defaulted and justifying the unethical act. The problem is that the Chinese know that India today is led by a confused, fragmented leadership and highly vulnerable and it can get away with its acts without much of ramification. Very sad for a nation which aspires to be a super power.

          Wake up call friends lest it’s too late

ASSAULT ON RAPE

Rape seems to be the latest crime that has shaken up the nation and it seems to be happening with a scary frequency. Akin to the December 2012 incident where everyone wanted the Police Commissioner to resign; candle marches; street protests, TV panel discussion, the recent incident and many more in future will be forgotten in a few days’ time and life carries on as usual.

The Supreme Court had some times back observed that India is "becoming a hub" for large scale child prostitution rackets. An article about the Rescue Foundation in New Internationalist magazine states that "according to Save the Children India, clients now prefer 10- to 12-year-old girls". Ministry of Women and Child Development estimated that there are around 2.8 million sex workers in India, with 35.47 per cent of them entering the trade before the age of 18 years. Nepalese girls are trafficked into the red light districts in Indian cities, and that many of the girls may only be 9 or 10 years old. The human desire for young girls is rapidly increasing in India. It should not shock us unless we feign ignorance of the facts.

The reason may be that we are addressing the symptom and not the cause; the proximate and not the ultimate. In any case if laws were adequate to stop crime then society would have been crime free, unfortunately human behaviour as its own dynamics.

Rape is bad but it’s the sadism associated with it which is scary and needs immediate attention as its indicative of larger malice in the society. It’s happened in both the cases Dec 2012 and Apr 2013 with offenders leaving foreign bodies inside the victim and leaving them for dead post extreme violence. The sadism is a sign of sick mind and known reasons for this sickness are:

Disturbed Childhood

Strict or aloof father.

Being a victim of child/adult abuse

Deprived in life

Poor value system in the family. Absence of spirituality/ religion and or positive thought inducing environment

Absence of respect for girl/female in the family/village/community- beating/harassment/ill treatment/psy torture/tantrums/ menial jobs.

Right of way for the male child vis a vis the girl child

Displaced aggression is a common reason. To take this further, many unemployed frustrated youth might rape a woman belonging to an affluent class because of jealousy or revenge, not just lust.

 People of a higher class/caste may do it to a person whom they consider inferior, often due to land disputes.

 Gang rapes are more common in India (particularly in rural India), and are often motivated by revenge.

Pornography, movies, TV, provocative dresses and migration of rural, uneducated, unskilled, deprived young males from rural India where women are treated with disdain have contributed.

Families from rural areas moving to cities for better opportunities and living in slum like housing contribute their bit whilst these people are moving from deprivation to inclusion.

Desire of deprived to access the toys adding to the macho status

Indian women are at greater risk

In India there is an added factor loaded against women. As they have a lower status in society than men it makes them more vulnerable to sexual crimes as men view them not only as sex objects but also as non-entities.

The problem is compounded by the fact that in India raped women are often rejected by their families.

In courts their reputation are attacked if it is revealed that they were raped or molested. This makes them reluctant to complain against their assailant, which in turn encourages rape.

 Rapist profile

Analysis of police data in western countries has revealed startling facts which again co-relate almost exactly with the Indian situation.

The majority of rapists arrested are young males between 16-24 years of age. As a group, they mostly come from the lower end of the socio-economic ladder. Typically they are unskilled workers with low intelligence, little education and low income. Research in the US has also revealed that most rapes are planned events. About 80% of rapists commit the act in the neighbourhood in which they reside and many rapes take place in an urban, nocturnal setting. 

Reporting Investigation Conviction

Sexual violence and rape in particular, is considered the most under-reported violent crime across the world even amongst the aware and educated societies. In Italy, a 2006 National Statistical Institute survey on violence against women found that 91, 6% of women who experienced rape did not report it to the police.

Since the vast majority of rapes are committed by persons known to the victim, the initiation and process of a rape investigation depends much on the victim's willingness and ability to report and describe a rape. In the United Kingdom, the conviction rate is about 5.6% in and Ireland had the lowest rate of conviction for rape (1%).

Remedial Measures

          The problem is extremely serious and much deeper than what is officially reported. The measure has to be both proximate and ultimate. Proximate are being addressed kind courtesy the civil society, youth, media and a number of other pressures.

          The issues which need to be addressed are long term otherwise the rapid urbanisation will aggravate the issue.

Family

We as a nation have always had a very strong parental influence on the next generations. The stories which were narrated by the grand ma before going to bed combing anecdote with a lesson and the victory of good over the evil was strong psychological influence. The coming of paid nanny and creche culture is denting this tradition. Needs to be brought back in whatever way within the constraints of evolving society.

Society

          The treatment of females is greatly varying in our society. The patriarchal system, dowry, preference for a boy have all added to the girl child, it’s more pronounced in North India. The reason may be that North India was subjected to massive foreign invasions by Muslim invaders from North and West. In the good old days the winner carried away the females as the prize of war. Saving the honour  of the girl became the biggest challenge therefore need to avoid a girl child and the cascading implication of child marriage.  Amongst the tribes and South of Vindhyachal the respect for females is much better. This is inheritance and deep mind set. The answer lies in empowerment— enforce the girl getting her share of property (the law exists but the emotional blackmail deprives the girl of property) and  edu cum financial empowerment. Only then the mind-set will change.

Religious Teachers

          Our religious teachers have a dominant say in their respective spheres of influence. A message going through them will have wonderful impact. However some Muslim leaders will need to combine at religious- reformers- intellectual level to upgrade their women’s place in their way of thinking. In the name of secularism unfortunately our mass leaders have failed to exploit the most dominant force capable of silent transformation.

Inclusiveness

          The deprivation problem is extremely acute in some of the rural areas of Central India. Extreme poverty, non-availability of basic needs, education in fact its battle for survival on daily basis. Its sheer exploitation by everyone starting from the village head to the contractor and everyone who controls any resource.  There is a need for addressing this issue

Education

          Value based education, debates, discussion and self-empowering education needs to be imparted. Self-respect, esteem and facilitating financial empowerment would do wonders to the mind-set.

Identification of Potential Criminals          

The potential criminal starts to show early signs from childhood days and they keep getting aggravated as the child grows. It is possible to identify such characters who exhibit traits of bullying; introvert; isolationist; brooder; cruelty towards animals; excessively critical/negative about life; blaming society for one’s misdeeds; drugs/alcohol /smoking or other bad habits early in life.

          Such children, boys, youth need treatment and they can be identified by parents; teachers; friends and peers. Close watch by the society and psychiatric treatment/professional counselling at the right time would make significant difference.

Grooming

          Every male desires a film heroine as his wife not withstanding his personal traits. Similarly every girl desires a rich, smart, and polished and hero like boyfriend/husband. Both desire access to good things of life mainly materialist. Starting from a motorcycle to very thing else that is seen in a decent house as shown in TV serial. Wishes to live the life as depicted by the film/TV. Boy/girl brought up in a rural area and moving to urban area faces the challenge of quickly getting absorbed in the new society and could easily become the victim from the fear of refusal.

Role of Aware Citizenry

          The society – and police need to cooperate to tackle this menace. Potential criminal needs to be identified and confidentially communicated to the local Police Station. Thereafter surveillance and treatment as recommended by the psychiatrists / counsellors be implemented. It is not possible for the police to be everywhere but the people are. A shopkeeper, society guard; peers, co-workers  and friends circle can easily identify such people who are sick and need treatment. They need empathy and not isolation which will bring the sadism-animal in them at the very worst.

          An arrangement where police develops the capability to tackle this sickness on a tip off from the civil society is perhaps the long term workable option.

 Laws; Speedy Investigations and Disposal

          Speedy investigation and speedy and exemplary punishment would go some way in minimising the problem.

          Police needs to co-opt the society in case it wishes to effectively prevent occurrence, otherwise it will keep have to keep facing the ire of the people.

          The family of the criminal should also be taken to task for not reporting the man for his criminal bent of mind to the police. Locality where the criminal stayed should also be held responsible for its failure to report the matter.

 Make A Difference

Lets make a difference by pooling our efforts and stop blaming others

INDIA 2014 AND BEYOND

The year 2014 will be a turbulent year for the Asian region. US pull-out of Afghanistan is assured; the only issue is how badly mauled would they leave the nation and what new power centre will replace the present set up. Options appear to be

          US- Pak – Taliban sponsored government. US withdraw with minimal losses and respectable exit. The population suffers, governance will vary from clan to clan and the tribal leader and his sponsors. East Af will positively be under the influence of Pak and controlled by them to harass influence Kabul powers. Pak will use Al Quiada- Taliban to project its power and influence with support from China.  The west Af will be under Iranian backed leadership, weather its Hektyamar or some other war lord and there would be an uneasy calm between the warlords. Northern Af will be under the influence of tribal leadership sponsored and financed by CAR. The writ of Kabul would be as weak as it always has been. The loyalty and competence of Af police and defence forces will always be suspect. The US will try to involve UN for some monitoring mechanism but leave behind certain surveillance assets. On the whole Af would be chaotic and balkanised post 2014 with powers of influence being controlled by Pak-China; Iran plus; CAR plus; UN may be symbolic coordinator.

          Paks elections would be over by mid this year- the incoming government would be more anti-India; Kashmir will again become the core issue; society radicalisation and islamisation will continue. Pak will continue sponsoring terrorism and keep denying it as always. It will also continue to blackmail the civilised world of its nuclear weapons falling into terrorists hands; need for Kashmir resolution and will be supported by China. Its nuisance value will continue and the world will have to live with it. India needs to stabilise Kashmir on priority which does not seem to be the priority as of now. Otherwise lots of trouble awaits.

          Chinese new leadership would have stabilised by then, would be more confident of power projection and would like to step in the vacuum of US exit but would be wary of Pak Islamic terrorism. It will continue to support and raise the hackles through North Korea and Pak to test the world opinion and response on matters military and strategic.

          India would be in the midst of its national elections and external issues hardly figure in the scheme of things. The defensive mind-set, the Muslim vote bank and weak leadership will not be able to take any strong decision if the need arises.

          India has a very uncertain emerging scenario. With Congress unlikely to come to power, its game plan will be to ensure division and discrediting of main opposition the BJP and encourage the third front to come to power with its support. Alternatively it may form a loose coalition akin to the present. In case the BJP comes to power, the policies will be of the Coalition and the controversial issues may be on the back burner but the policies are likely to be more India-responsive unlike Congress which is more world economy /opinion responsive and uses time delay for problems solution. BJP led alliance would be more focused and deliver on governance and infrastructure- the crying need of the hour. If Gujarat, MP and Chhattisgarh are taken as models than its development alone that will drive the new government. Third front led alliance does not augur too well because the need would be of a strong visionary leadership.

          If India fails to exploit the opportunities unfolding next year, we would have lost strategically and economically and it will not be possible to make up the losses. Our enemies will exploit and we will be left sulking and will be victimised with more terror in the valley and elsewhere. Stakes are too high to be left to some netas and babus; everyone needs to commence contributing so that we succeed.

           To ensure that the Nation is ready for the turbulence of 2014 and beyond, there is an urgent need for a strong leadership in the Centre. A leadership which talks of inclusive development rather divide and rule is the need of the hour. We as responsible citizens need to commence our efforts now to ensure we have the right people. Rather than sulk of poor leadership the need is to influence masses to vote for people. Mine and your individual votes have little relevance; more important is to educate the masses who vote as vote banks. 

VIPASANA: INTERESTING ENCOUNTER

Recently most of the humanity witnessed the largest ever gathering at Mahakumbh, in Allahabad, India. In festivities ranging over two months millions of people took a dip in the Holy water of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers. The belief is that this bath frees the soul from the miseries of daily life and one heads directly to heaven post death. The people who attended apart from the masses had Sanyasis; celebrities; business tycoons; government officials; doctors; lawyers; professors and large number of foreigners. One wonders what was the rationale for the mass of humanity which came for the holy dip. Probably faith but logically it cannot happen that a sinner can ever be frees of his sins just by holy dip. There was a dilemma – all shades of society participating in an even which defies logic.

 Most of the countries(less Islamic countries) including India faith is getting a severe beating. Youth do not visit the weekly event in the church/temple. Rituals are treated as fear addressal system put in place by the religious teachers with a personal agenda. Religion in the present way has lost its relevance and there is a need for something more appealing and logical.

Having visited the Mahakumbh for the Holy dip and spoken to large number of people there, returned reasonably disillusioned. It was then I decided to do research on the evolving religion and our expectations. That’s how Vipasana came into my radar. The sect does not believe in God but does believe in Nature which works on set non-negotiable laws. The laws which work outside in the natural world also operate within. One of the important laws is that one will get the punishment/reward for all the actions done with intent of results. This is the only sect which claims to address the issues of life and beyond logically. It claimed that our mind stores our deeds of the past. By evolving a technique of addressing the sub conscious mind, it claims to have evolved a process which enables freedom from miseries of life.

Vipasana is a technique of using the breathing process to regulate the mind in stage one. Later the mind is used to scan the body for sensations and how to react to them. Apparently evolved by Buddha, it’s a ten day package conducted at the selected places.

Stage one is observing the breathing and focussing on the nose and slowly upper lip area. This carries on for almost three days. Surprisingly after the second day one feels the efficacy of the system. One can feel the mind focussing/fleeing. This was a big achievement and post this one’s control over the mind does undoubtedly become better.

Stage two. Around the fourth day the initiate the students into vipasana. The mind is used to scan the body part by part for sensations of any kind. The logic as propounded by the sect is that it’s the subconscious mind that actually controls our lives. This mind is integrated into the body and there is a continuous dialogue between the two through language termed as sensations, e.g., twitching, pain, stretch, heat, cold, perspiration, pressure plus many more. This is also borne out by the fact that huge amount of activity of our body happens of which are conscious mind is neither aware nor issues any direction, well it’s just happening in our body. The aging; mind clutter; functioning of organs and systems in the body are all on remote mode. This implies that we are not even in touch forget being in harmony with a vital control component of our body. Very scary indeed. Very powerful rationale that would appeal to any logical mind. The process of vipasana enable interacting with the sensations and that is a huge accomplishment by any standards.

The regimen is extremely demanding. It becomes extremely painful if one is not used to sitting on ground that too crossed leg and one is supposed to sit for one hour at a stretch with a short break and repeat. This is an agonising activity which stretches to 12 hours every day. This can be extremely painful and torturous if one is not used to it. In the feedback I have suggested that this be modified otherwise the present generation will be reluctant to attend, hope someone pays heed to it.Me at sixty could not fully benefit due to the inability of the knees and back to take on the agony.

Some amongst us who are disillusioned with the religion and rituals and do not mind experimenting, may like to give a shot subject to one’s ability to manage the torturous regime.

The younger generation must attend, it can have positive impact on the outlook of life and beyond. It will Make A Difference, that is for sure

MAD- REVIVING HINDUISM

Seeing the on-going proceedings at Mahakumbh, Sangam, Allahabad, the largest human gathering at one place anywhere in the universe, one is convinced about the megs-ness of the basic foundations which have stood the test of time but it’s also agonising that some issues have been grossly misunderstood. A rationale mind finds it extremely difficult to comprehend the irrationality of faith. Bathing polluted water of Ganga water leading to moksh”or liberation of soul from the cycle of life and birth (the ultimate aim of seeker in Hindu (Santan Dharam)’seems quite unbelievable. That so many learned, celebs and rich are attending could it be a superstition or blind faith or following a ritual. Wonder if any one genuinely believes in it. But the number of people attending put one on the horns of dilemma of belief or irrationality of the mega event. But the bottom line appears to be that believers have immense faith and forces a borderline believer to rethink about the complete issue from rationality and faith aspects. I would like to go by faith as our frontiers of exiting knowledge may not be complete, thereby limiting the scope of rationality manifesting as serious errors of judgement.

         It would be fair to presume that some way down the times the basic foundations of Sanatan Dharam were overtaken by rituals. Rituals are important part of all religions of the world. But the aim of rituals is akin to a child going to Pre/Nursery classes before going to school. This trains the child the basics about the way of school. Thereafter he progresses periodically till he reaches his final destination. Baths, conch, garlands, sindhoor, incense sticks, idol worship are akin to nursery or pre nursery training with the aim of leaning the way of religion. As per the Hindu (Sanatan Dharma) it involves living value based life as useful member of the society, simultaneously spiritually, progressing towards divinity through numerous means. The terminal aim is divinity or moksha or unification with the originator.  Somewhere the religion for majority is stuck at the nursery/pre nursery level, that is, rituals and somehow expecting the terminal aim without striving for it. This just cannot happen. Since one cannot graduate by continuing at nursery for equal amount of time similarly rituals cannot and will not deliver divinity. As the oldest, most liberal and founding father of all religions of world, the Santana Dharma is in decay for masses. The reason may be two fold one is the non-accessibility of ancient books in the language people understand. So the interpreters have taken charge and force rituals through fear of Gods and show a way of appeasement by through the medium of rituals. Second reason is little or no evolution of religious thought through scientific experimentation or intellectual discussion. Old wisdom must give way to new, that’s the rule of life, and somehow this mighty religion has failed to keep pace, leading to other religions taking off by negating the ills which made the religion sickly. Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and modern day Radha Swami and large number of sects teaching Raja yoga/Kundalini way of mind control and unification, having huge followings others are the modified version of Santana Dharma.

Most of the believers follow the philosophy of my way the right way and do not care about the religion collectively as moksha is individual business. This perhaps is a defeatist approach and major reason of the rituals taking charge and basics forgotten.

What needs to be done?

Accept collective responsibility for awareness and change.

Discussions during satang’s or other meetings about the basic thought and what’s wrong.

Social responsibility for uplifting the poor, feeding the hungry; cleaning the filthy temples,

Religious leaders lead the social charge towards rivers cleaning; afforestation; saving girl child; planting trees etc. All these have religious sanctity and would be followed once positively connected with faith. Kar seva akin to Sikhsim is a great way of social integration and volunteering labour for a great cause.

Remove touchabilty from society and make it inclusive. Religious leaders have the moral authority to enforce this.

Wisdom of yoga/nature cure/ Ayurveda, Vedic maths and other experiential wisdom of Trans dental nature are subjected to validation as ascribed by the modern science. Swami Ramdev is doing a great job on this front.

Teach own lore and Indian religious/societal values in schools.

Knowledge and mind has been our forte. There is a need to inculcate martial arts/physical fitness through indigenous non equipment heavy games/sports.

Need to regain our position as the world leader in knowledge manifesting it as smart/soft power.

Need to scientifically validate the power of mantras and other indigenous teachings and wisdom.

Need to have research foundation experimenting with indigenous medicines and herbs.

The religion akin to other religions has been hijacked by radical elements with limited but vocal and visible following. The majority is either silently, helplessly watching or could not care less. This is leading to collision course with serious ramifications for everyone. Unless there is concerted effort to rejuvenate the religion and tuning the basic thought and validating the ancient knowledge with modern scientific means; a glorious religion will be dissipate because of inaction of the believers. Once the lead is taken over by the genuine leaders then things will fall in place as the inclusivity; logic; rationality and tolerance will become the harbinger of interaction thereby uniting the fragmented society. We all need to push, cajole the people towards this direction so lets make a difference

MAKE A DIFFERENCE REFORMING HINDUISM

Mahakumbh, the greatest congregation of human beings anywhere in the universe is in progress. It’s one event where all the learned Hindu spiritual leadership assembles at the holiest of time and place as dictated by astro factors. The environment all around the place in totally pious; people visiting are taking and thinking about the future beyond the materialistic world and they come with a promise to atone the past sins and go back as better human beings.

The powerful gathering of saints with massive following controls the mind and has the potential of mega changes in our society and thought process. The oldest religion of the world has developed major fault lines over a period of times and this need to be addressed. Failure to do so will lead to decay and conversion to other religions which is resented by the vast majority. First the major ills

·         Evolution. Our forefathers were extremely learned people and gave the world the modern tools providing the basic foundations of science; spiritual thought; mathematics; palmistry; planetary and astro sciences. However somewhere down the times knowledge seeking was replaced by superstitions for the masses and interpretation of wisdom left to the educated Brahmins however even they failed to modernise or add to the basic knowledge and propagated blind faith and superstitions to control masses through fear cum appeasement of Gods as a panacea for curing all ills.   

·         Castes. Its shame that this menace continues unabated and rather than going down with education, it is rearing its ugly head, kind courtesy the vote bank politics and the inability of the religious leaders to fight this evil. Since the gurus have a hold at grass root levels they are the most effective force to usher this change. If Hindu is divided today, this is one of the root causes and unless addressed the future is not too great.

·         Mandirs poorly maintained though wealthy. Our mandirs are wealthy because of devotees but the management of mandirs too say the least is pathetic. Filth, beggars, greedy pundits, touts, inadequacy of basic amenities, corruption, mismanagement of funds are the hall marks of most of them. There is a need to coordinate the minimal give back to the people in terms of feeding/sheltering the hungry; providing basic amenities and CSR. Gurudwars maintenance; free langars cum shelter to devotees; reasonable amenities and charity could be the way ahead. There is a need for centralised body to monitor implementation of this aspect.

·         Self over society. Charity amongst all religions- Islam/Sikhs/Christianity is well known and needs to be incorporated as volunteer give back to mandirs.

·         Dowry and Women Status. The low status of women against our religion has taken deep roots in the modern day society. The day to day treatment of our women folks needs much to be desired. Dowry and may be equal property for girls may be a starting point. It’s not the way the great religion has taught the society to treat its women. Social ban on dowry can be imposed by the dharma gurus and society.

·         Ills/incidents/failures all blamed on God. All ills and failings are ascribed to past karmas and in spite of teachings in our Vedas and Swami Vivekananda that we need to take charge, we refuse to accept responsibility by misinterpreting the philosophy of Gita. That we make our destinies need to be taught to the people.

·         Knowledge and pride in past, future little bright. People who led the world in knowledge are laggards today. We have stopped learning and expect west to tell us even of our ancient wisdom what is good or bad before acceptance. Pride in our knowledge and past has been traumatised by the slavery that the nation was subjected to far so long. This needs to be brought back by making the wisdom available in the language which people understand and supporting/refining those pearls with modern scientific tools available to us today.

·         Diversity harming the cause. Ram; Shiv; kumbh; krishan; devis have got associated with Ram mandir, Amarnath/kailash-mansarovar/Dwarka-Vrindavan- Tirupathi-Puri; vaishnavo – chintapurni etc. and Peeths have all become autonomous entities with no centralised coordination. Problems are being addressed individually with little synergy whereas the basic problem is same. Hinduism is the only religion in the world which does not have Vatican/Golden Temple/Mecca – Medina. There is need to defend together when it comes to the basic thought. Hindus are being converted by allurements because of in-house follies. There is a need to have a centralised body which should put combat the threats.

Way Ahead

There are other issues and not all can be addressed here.What needs to be done is the issue. The Dharma Gurus assembly at mahakumbh should address the issues which are threatening our religion and society today. The government and laws cannot change the mind-set but the Dharma Gurus have the clout and where with all to take on these veils head on and force a change for the good. Once we revert back to the values and wisdom of the past and simultaneously evolving/ refining the sciences, we can become the religion which was once proud of its thought, traditions, socio-economic fabric and self-sustaining communities living in harmony. Soft power or smart power or mind power or knowledge society whatever one may call – this the way and the tools.

Let us all appeal to our Gurus to please pitch in so that the way ahead is spelt out now

M.A.D. -- LETS DO OUR BIT

There has been massive outrage post Delhi gang rape case and rightly so. Numerous suggestions and ideas were thrown up during the outrage and the common bashing boy was the police. The recommendations of the committee established soon after the incident appear to be more deterrent post the disaster.

Police failure has been there but the complete blame does not rest with the police. That the reforms are required; that the police are understaffed; that the police are operating under colonial rules is also well known; the police are incompetent to handle such like situations in the glare of media too came out loud and clear. Solution to all problems are well documented or available , the only block appears to be governments fear of making the police independent and is delighted with remote controlling  through babus without accountability.

As part of the remedial measures everyone in the race to apportion the blame and prevent re occurrence wished police /politician’s /babus/ media/ students/intelligence for failure requiring transformational reforms.

The most important stake holder is a normal citizen devoid of access to the privileged status. He is everywhere and faces the challenges as part of his on-going daily life. Girls/women facing harassment in the college /outside almost everywhere moment they leave the house for any activity unescorted. The most important stake holder has become dumb spectator and reconciled with the miseries as part of life. Rather than take it head on, he has decided to go into the shell and levied restrictions on the girl/women folk. Whether it’s a worried father or husband or the leadership of close knit societies-the rationale is common. Khap dictates’; fatwas or restrictions by a father/husband fall in the same category- fear and vulnerability of the female. The suggestions range from reasonable to ridiculous. Early marriage; no mobiles; no night out are some those have been propounded. Spirit behind the restrictions is fine but the implementation or suggested measures may be questionable. But the fact is what the outrage desired or khaps/husband/father’s earnest desire is safety of the female. Notwithstanding legal system not giving due to khaps the fact is they have a powerful say in the areas they control. Fear of punishment and social outcast is potent for member of community in rural India, infect it gives a family identity and therefore extremely important. All these have involving the stake holders and evolved a system that delivers quite effectively certainly better than the official judicial system.

One is the incorporation of the stake holder, ie, the female and the husband/father /khap and second is the potent punishment.

Applying at the national level, this can evolve into similar powerful system.

First stage, the Stake holder is the citizen- his responsibility is like the trigger. He notices anything informs the police. But this can work only if he is assured of his safety and n harassment. He is everywhere and every time. Majority carry mobiles and can take a photograph and would like to call the police when they see something wrong.

Second stage should be the quick reaction police teams aimed at localising the incident, helping the victim, preventing culprits escape or destroy evidence.

Third stage would be the expert police investigating team to ensure a fool proof legal case.

Fourth Stage is speedy justice delivery; this seems to be happening at least in recent rape cases.

Stage one is the crux to ensuring service quality by the government. The government cannot and should not be everywhere. It could be proactive where things are foreseen but will have to be reacting on a trigger initiated by the citizens.

The trigger thought process can gradually be applied across the board, wherever the service provider fails, reporting the matter triggering the response will ensure fear amongst the erring employees and force the delivery of the stated service. Let’s make a difference, become empowered citizens and trigger the response.  Unless we pitch in no one can ever succeed and if we pitch in no one can fail.