World is burning

As the world celebrated centenary of the Total war, one wonders what is there to be celebrated? Have our leaders learnt any lessons from history? Have we stopped killing, maiming and perishing fellow humans to resolve our differences? Are our times worthy of calling peaceful times?

Even if we live in ostensibly peaceful regions, our hearts & minds remain far away from peace. Don’t our hearts cry in pain for the Syrian refugees & Chibok girls? Don’t our hopes for ‘pursuit of happiness’ get dim when people of colour in America face injustice? Did we not spent sleepless nights when nonchalant little kids were snatched away from us in Peshawar!

‘Presence of violence anywhere is absence of peace everywhere.’

And Peace is absent everywhere!

                                              

What else teaches us better the ideology of peace than teachings of Buddha. He said, "Hatred is never appeased by hatred.
Hatred is only appeased by Love.”

"One's mind finds no peace, neither enjoys pleasure or delight, nor goes to sleep, while the dart of hatred is stuck in the heart." Unfortunately we failed Buddha.

History gave us some of the best among our species to teach us the art of peace & love. They used this art invincibly against the mightiest of the weapons. They prevented nations from indulging in never ending bloody civil wars and yet won their battles each time by changing the heart of enemy. They prevented many generations from carrying the burden of hate, violence, death & devastation by forcing their opponents to submit to the power of Non Violence & Truth. The world experienced the unprecedented power of ‘Non Violence’.

They were, the Father of my nation Mahatma Gandhi, & champion of civil liberties Dr Martin Luther King.

“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind” was Mahatma’s message to humanity. He said “There are many causes for which I am prepared to die for but no cause for which I am prepared to kill for.”

In today’s world, where a young girl is shot by extremists for merely trying to get education & people losing lives for making cartoons that are offensive for some, Gandhi’s message to humanity seems to have lost in the noise of bullets.

Writing to Hitler on December 24, 1940 Gandhi writes, “In non-violent technique, there is no such thing as defeat. It is all ‘do or die’ without killing or hurting. It can be used practically without money and obviously without the aid of science of destruction which you have brought to such perfection. It is a marvel to me that you don’t see that it is nobody’s monopoly. If not the British, some other power will certainly improve upon your method and beat you with your own weapon. You are leaving no legacy to your people of which they would feel proud.”

Neither are our world leaders leaving us a legacy to be proud of.

When the blacks were being meted out unimaginably inhumane treatment in a first world nation, Dr King declared, “The strength of cowardice is in using power to cause death and destruction for others. The strength of courage is in self-sacrifice for the benefit of all.”

Both Gandhi & Dr King instead of hating their enemies embraced them with love. If Gandhi believed in British sense of justice amidst gross injustice, Dr King refused to accept that Americans would turn their faces away from truth. They just trusted humans to behave as humans.

Today when half of the world is burning in the fire of hatred, religious animosities and diabolical acts of terror, it is for the youth of the world to join hands irrespective of all their differences and lead all, old & young, towards a future where Buddha’s message echoes in every human heart.

We can build peace when the young boys & girls of Israel & Palestine laugh & sing together.

We can build peace when young school going Nigerians don’t have to cede their dreams to hatemongers.

We can build peace when Afghans once again begin their march towards growth & development peacefully.

We can build peace when borders between India & Pakistan exist only on maps.

Only then can we build peace. Let’s be the light unto ourselves. Let’s be the lights of love and peace.

The Poisoned Generation- Drug Terror of Punjab

“Fauja Singh, 103, who holds the world record for marathon in his age group, has been selected for British Empire Medal as part of New Year Honours. Fauja, who completed his last competitive 26-mile race in Hong Kong last year, will receive the award in recognition for his athletic achievements.”

Reading this newspaper report last week & feeling proud for Punjabi ‘Turbanned Tornado’ who even featured in an Adidas advertisement in 2004 with David Beckham and Mohd. Ali, I received a phone call bringing news of demise of a childhood friend due to drug overdose. Death of a newly married, 29 years old friend would shock even the most stone hearted person. Albeit sad , I wasn’t shocked!

One is destined to die that way if he choses heroine over his meals.

Charas (cannabis), Ganja(Marijuana), Afeem, Heroine have became part of Punjab’s lifestyle. Heroine is bought from Afghanistan at Rs 1 lakh/kg. Passing through Pakistan it is smuggled into Punjab and sold for Rs 30 lakh a kg. From Punjab it is sold to the rest of the country. Having the most unfortunate tag of being one of the highest per capita consumer of liquor, Punjab is now going through a hurricane of drugs which has claimed lives in epic proportions in the granary of India.

Village Of Widows

Maqboolpura, a village near the Golden City Amritsar is now famous as village of widows where at least one man from each house has given up to this diabolical monster. Amritsar and Tarn taran districts are the worst affected. Many more villages await the same fate in the land of saints where liquor shops outnumber public schools.

The Sixth River

The land of five rivers-Panj(5) & Aab(water)- now has one more river on its land but that’s nothing to be cheerful for. This sixth overflowing river is of Drugs is flooding the generation. And it has left no one untouched- college & school children, kabaddi players, police personal, national boxers, politicians. Some as victims and some as smugglers.

75% of Punjabi youth is drug addict as per Punjab govt.’s admission to Punjab & Haryana High Court. The drug business is worth thousands of crores and ever growing. When the policy makers in New Delhi formulate strategies for reaping Demographic Dividend, I wish these unfortunate boys and girls get a fraction of their thought. They need support, strength and a strategy to come out of that part of society where they are treated as useless, hopeless & wasted burden.

3/4^th of youth of a state get addicted and drugs reach the remotest corner without any agency smelling any foul. Is it a normal failure of governance? The extent of drug menace makes one wonder if  anyone is checking this at all.

Agencies involved to keep vigil

BSF, Directorate of Narcotics Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau, Intelligence bureau, Punjab Police are all behind the drug traders, dealers, consumers. Isn’t it intriguing that nothing has worked out so far? What makes them all helpless fence sitters while more & more are dying? DSPs & Cabinet ministers’ names are being dragged in investigations of drug smuggling. “Who will guard the guards ?”

Punjab is known for creating new highs and records. Yet another was an unprecedented phenomenon of distribution of drugs for votes in 2009 assembly elections. A bewildered and amazed Chief Election Commissioner revealed that he has seen liquor distribution in many elections but this was for him a “unique phenomenon in any elections”. Prisons in the state are instead of being the correctional homes, working as safe havens for drug users. You see such news every second day in local newspapers. Amidst such events even the most optimistic person will yield ground. UN Office on Drugs & Crime warns about the alarming levels of drug use in Punjab posing danger to a whole generation.

Many pharmacies offer synthetic versions of expensive drugs for those who can’t afford genuine versions. The illegal drugs industry has modified itself according to the needs of market and all this under the nose of the best agencies of country. If you still can’t afford synthetic ones, the jugaad comes in. Petrol, Iodex or even lizards serve the purpose. That is the desperation of addicts causing immensely horrible health consequences and sudden death.

Drugs in Punjab has become immensely complex problem requiring immensely innovative solutions. For civil society, teachers, social activists, legislators, religious leaders, students & each & every Punjabi & Indian and for PUNJAB…. It is Do or Die!!!

21 Sikhs v/s 10,000 tribesmen – Battle of Saragarhi

On September 12 1897, a battle was fought in present day Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province by less than two dozen soldiers of a Sikh Regiment of British Indian Army. The bravery & valour of the soldiers resulted in their story being written in golden letters in the history. All the 21 Sikh soldiers  who laid down their lives in the Battle of Saragarhi were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award of that time, which an Indian soldier could receive by the hands of the British crown, the corresponding gallantry award being Victoria Cross. This award is equivalent to today's Param Vir Chakra awarded by the President of India.

Born in Majha region of Punjab, these 21 sikh soldiers led by Havildar Ishar Singh were faced with a dangerous life threatening situation.

In August 1897, five companies of the 36th Sikhs under Lt. Col. John Haughton, were sent to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The British had partially succeeded in getting control of this volatile area, however tribal Pashtuns attacked British personnel from time to time. Thus a series of forts, originally built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ruler of the Sikh Empire, were consolidated. Two of the forts were Fort Lockhart, (on the Samana Range of the Hindu Kush mountains), and Fort Gulistan (Sulaiman Range), situated a few miles apart. Due to the forts not being visible to each other, Saragarhi was created midway, as a heliographic (signalling) communication post. The Saragarhi post, situated on a rocky ridge, consisted of a small block house with loop-holed ramparts and a signalling tower.

On 12 September 1897, 10,000 Pashtuns attacked the signalling post at Saragarhi, so that communication would be lost between the two forts.

The Battle – How things unfolded

Details of the Battle of Saragarhi are considered fairly accurate, due to Gurmukh Singh signalling events to Fort Lockhart by heliograph as they occurred.

·         Around 9:00am, around 10,000 Afghans reach the signaling post at Saragarhi.

·         Sardar Gurmukh Singh signals to Col. Haughton, situated in Fort Lockhart, that they are under attack.

·         Colonel Haughton states he cannot send immediate help to Saragarhi.

·         The soldiers decide to fight to the last to prevent the enemy from reaching the forts.

·         A brave fight is put by sikh soldiers. Some are killed and some injured.

·         In an act of outstanding bravery, Ishar Singh orders his men to fall back into the inner layer, whilst he remains to fight. However, this is breached and all but one of the defending soldiers are killed, along with many of the Pashtuns.

·         Gurmukh Singh, who communicated the battle with Col. Haughton, was the last Sikh defender. He is stated to have killed 20 Afghans, the Pashtuns having to set fire to the post to kill him. As he was dying he was said to have yelled repeatedly the Sikh battle-cry "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal"

Having destroyed Saragarhi, the Afghans turned their attention to Fort Gulistan, but they had been delayed too long, and reinforcements arrived there in the night of 13–14 September, before the fort could be conquered. The Pashtuns later admitted that they had lost about 180 killed and many more wounded during the engagement against the 21 Sikh soldiers, but some 600 bodies are said to have been seen around the ruined post when the relief party arrived.

Commemorative tablet

The tablet inscription reads;

"The Government of India have caused this tablet to be erected to the memory of the twenty one non-commissioned officers and men of the 36 Sikh Regiment of the Bengal Infantry whose names are engraved below as a perpetual record of the heroism shown by these gallant soldiers who died at their posts in the defence of the fort of Saragarhi, on the 12 September 1897, fighting against overwhelming numbers, thus proving their loyalty and devotion to their sovereign, The Queen Empress of India, and gloriously maintaining the reputation of the Sikhs for unflinching courage on the field of battle."

 

Saragarhi Day  (India)

Saragarhi Day, is a Sikh military commemoration day celebrated on 12 September every year to commemorate The Battle of Saragarhi. Sikh military personnel and Sikh non-military people commemorate the battle around the World every year on 12 September. All units of the Sikh Regiment celebrate Saragarhi Day every year as the Regimental Battle Honours Day.

Saragarhi Memorial Gurudwara (temple) was built in memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers that fought at The Battle of Saragarhi.

Saragarhi Day  (UK)

Saragarhi was commemorated by the British Armed Forces in the UK for the first time at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, when in November 2013 the book "Saragarhi: The Forgotten Battle" by journalist Jay Singh-Sohal was launched. The book is the first and only to authoritatively narrate the battle using primary sources and imagery analysis, and lays to bed many myths that have built up about it including the UNESCO claim.

Saragarhi Day was marked on the battle honour day on 12th September 2014 at Sandhurst at another event organised by the British Army and the leading expert on the battle Jay Singh-Sohal.

The story of unbelievable bravery of Sikhs in Indian Army continues till date. India is proud to be home for this small but immensely brave, cheerful, large hearted community. From the Sikh Gurus to Sikh Soldiers of the present, they have always set unprecedented examples of sacrificing their lives for others.

And this forgotten page of history deserves better place in our present lives.

Jawahar Lal - who laid India's foundation.

“When the world sleeps, India will awake to life & freedom.”

Nehru became Gandhi's right hand in early days in India till the very end.

From freedom struggle to being the first prime minister of India, Nehru gave his life for future generations. He protected India’s diversity at a time when political thinkers, social scientists & world leaders all across the globe declared that it is impossible for a nation like India to survive with so many religions, languages, cultures and other diversities.

He not only protected India from becoming ‘Hindu Pakistan’ but earned a respectable place for the nascent poor country at the world stage. A country whose survival was being questioned started playing role in brokering peace deals between warring nations. He gave us a foundation on which we have today proudly built a prosperous, Secular, respected & truly free nation.

Though the two main political parties of India are fighting over ideologies & leaders, we must not forget that every leader belongs to every Indian. So we owe to our Chacha Nehru for keeping democracy, secularism, freedom of expression, religion & liberal values alive.

Happy 125^th Birth Anniversary to great freedom struggler, true patriot, liberal thinker, statesman and a world leader.

Nehru ji, U kept your word. India is certainly Alive & Free.

Raping Humanity while protecting faith

On 30^th anniversary of the Sikh pogrom which followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi, stories of murders, rapes, pyres of burning bodies, fathers & husbands being torched in front of their kids and wives resurface in the memories of Indians. The punishment was meant for an act which these more than 3000 Sikhs never committed. The only feeling that pains me is the thought and dilemma that…

What kind of Hindus are those who justify Sikhs being burnt and raped for no fault of theirs !

What kind of Sikhs are those who justify Hindus being separated from buses in Punjab to be shot at in front of their families for the reason that they don’t share the same religion with the murderers !

What kind of Muslims are those who feel pained at their co religionists being killed in riots but than justify Kashmiri Pandits being thrown out of their houses from Kashmir!

What faith are we protecting by professing all religions but inhumanity ? To me the only religion these chauvinists & hate mongers belong to is Brainlessness. How else can these people be fooled by politicians to do all the acts that disgrace the humanity?

We still keep arguing the superiority of one faith over the other. The only way to have a better world is to change our first religion from Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity & Islam to ‘Humanity’ and place our gods after humans.

I wish we can see those who led those mobs in 1984 in Delhi & other places spend the last days of their lives in Jails. 

Dowry : Taken with Pride..What is that Car doing there ?

Punjabis are known for their extravagance & lavishness and when it comes to celebrations, money flows like water in Sutlej. This very quality has been showcased by many bollywood movies, as in Vicky Donor where initially the South Indians feel irked by the loudness and unnecessary (for them) craziness of North Indians but at the end find themselves dancing to the tunes of Punjabi songs. Punjabis watching the movie feel extremely happy for they are proud of their loudness ( & they won over the south Indians with their 3 Ds – Dance, Daaru (Whisky) & Dhol). In contrast to what Mr Modi offers with his 3 Ds, unfortunately but proudly Punjab has a different set of Ds to offer.

Coming to a specific quality of Punjabi marriages. Any one going to a marriage has a question in his mind – Gaddi kehri ditti hai ? ( Which Car has been gifted ). You will than find a decorated car at the entrance flying in the face of all social campaigns advocating women empowerment and equality between sexes.

And cars…. Alto, Zen, Nano are lesser citizens among cars for the prosperous state. It has to be a SUV or a Sedan and if it is a BMW or Audi, it is a gift worth praising. Social status is something which is driving this state into all wrong deeds including the lucrative drug smuggling.

The most amazing thing about these marriages is the silent agreement between everyone who is part of the celebrations. You ask them ,”Isn’t it dowry?”, even a child knows the answer “it’s a gift ,not dowry”. One is bound to wonder that why is  such an expensive gift being given by the girl’s family to the bridegroom and not the other way. The ever ready answer is ,” Gaddi tan kudi nu hi milni hai” (Ultimately the girl will receive the car). Such a unanimous sentiment displays how an organised crime is carried out with perfection. And the legislators presumed that they ended this custom, which is said to be one of many causes of the skewed sex ration in North India, the day they passed the law in the Temples of Democracy. What a tragic joke!!!

The sex ratio of Punjab is plunging with every new census warning the state to be ready for what neighbouring state Haryana is facing. No girls, No marriages and finally this gift concept reverses. Now Haryanvi Boys are ready to pay to find a girl to marry, yet many remain unmarried. Even kidnapping and buying girls is not rare these days. It is a gift which is given to younger generations by the elders in return of dowry they (gave and) received. These ‘Missing girls’ are probably going to places like Kerala in these big ‘gifted’ cars where they find a better social place and dignified life.

But such is this proud & boastful community that they will commit a crime (may be sin) and show off to the world, declaring “Yes we take dowry, do whatever you can”. What else is that car at the marriage resort standing for ?

Shutting the debate on feminism with a message to guests , “Continue the tradition.”

Nobel Prize : Peace trespasses Wars & Fundamentalism

The Nobel Prize for Peace has been announced.

It is shared by a Pakistani & an Indian, A Hindu & a Muslim. Two protagonists have, though for a small time, brought the two countries together who've been warring with each other since they were born. The two nations are closest in terms of language, culture, traditions, history, interest and much more. Still guns are always loaded at each other.

After 70 years of animosities, three wars and never ending skirmishes, at last two countries are sharing Nobel ,unlike boundaries, PEACEFULLY. I wonder there would be a war if both nations start arguing who contributed more to peace.


The prize symbolizes & gives the message that Humanity & Peace knows no religion or borders. Let us feel proud as South Asians. Let peace prevail.