War and peace

In our personal lives as in our public, we encounter numerous situations that seem unfair and unjust. Most of these challenges seem so insurmountable that we are vexed by it. We are convinced of the justness of our cause and angered by the injustice meted out to us and the more we try to solve them, the more we seem to be sinking into a fury from which there seems to be no escape. In our minds, we rationalize our violent behavior as a desperate measure to earn well-deserved justice but in truth we poison ourselves with the very hate that made us its victims.

Consider a housewife who has no opportunity to explore the outside world but is shackled in the seclusion of her home by household responsibilities like raising children, cooking, washing, etc. She resents the isolation and the perceived degradation of her intellectual acumen, loss of respect, and financial dependence, and envies the freedom enjoyed by her husband who trots in and out of the house with ease, unhampered by monotonous chores, mingling with friends and coworkers; a freedom that she feels is denied to her. The more she ponders about the unjustness of her situation even though she may be extremely loving and caring and a great mother and wife, the more vexed she will become. Soon the very home, she wishes to make a haven of peace and happiness through her sacrifices, take on the appearance of a prison that seems to throttle her dreams and aspirations.

Consider the victim of a communal pogrom, riot or ethnic cleansing. His helplessness, anger, and victimization seem undeniable, the wickedness of his tormentors unquestionable. As societies and countries move on, forgetting and sometimes even denying true justice, wounds fester and righteous anger takes on dangerous proportions until existence itself becomes undesirable and revenge the only plausible solution for peace.

Consider the victim of incest, parental abuse or alcoholism. The victim is convinced of the rightness of his anger, the cruelty of the perpetrators and the need to punish and/or obtain justice. In his mind, peace can descend only when justice has been rendered.

In all these situations, we find that the justness of the victim’s cause is undeniable and the very raison d’être of his anger comes from justice not being delivered. The core belief is that peace can exist only when justice prevails but that alas is its real tragedy. For peace, like happiness is subjective.

If you decide that there will be peace, then there will be. This very moment you can choose to revel in its soothing glory and be calmed by its descent or you can cling on to your bitterness and be destroyed by your anger.

This is not an easy path to follow and every moment we have to renew afresh our determination to remain peaceful. Sometimes crises arise which shake our resolve but we must persevere and get up after each fall.

Does this approach make us run away from our problems?

On the contrary, our decision to choose peace is the first step towards creating an atmosphere which will help us work fruitfully towards our genuine goals. This peace that I am willing to open my heart to, the loving surrender of my trust to God is for me Islam, my religion.

Question of the Day

Pursuit of truth is essential for the survival of any society especially a democratic one. Enlightened debates form a part of the process. Public awareness of policy decisions and its true impact is the cornerstone of any democracy. Raising valid questions regarding the veracity of the worldview that a government tries to project is an important step in that direction. Dismissing such attempts as dissent and heresy subverts freedom and the very principles on which democracy stands.

Ideally in a democracy, majority voice should be the loudest and the most powerful. However in spite of many safeguards, there is a real danger of power falling into the hands of a minority. In most societies, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. Only the most naïve can deny that wealth translates into power even in a democracy. Wealth always seeks to gather more wealth. When corporate and economic interests collude with political interests, more often than not national interests take the backseat. How can minority rule be viable in a democracy “for the people and by the people” that explicitly champions the power of majority? The answer is disinformation, misinformation, and plain no information.

My question to you is, are you aware of such trends in your country? Does government policy always mirror public opinion? Have there been efforts by your government to divert attention from the real issues such as poverty, corruption, and environment? If so, what are the tactics employed? Do you believe everything that your government tells you? Are you aware of a media-government-corporate nexus? Is your government’s worldview at variance with the rest of the world? If yes, which would be the most outstanding example? What is the source of your information?

Thank you for participating.

Letter in Earnest Part II

This is a letter to me from my 80-year-old future self.

Dear Taz,

It is amazing to look back at you from a different space and time. I will keep this short because I know that time is a precious commodity for you. You are straining every limb and leaving no corners unturned to squeeze the best out of those 24 hours.

As I shift my gaze from the azure skies and turquoise sea that adorn my landscape, I cannot help but wonder how amazed you would be to know that I am currently on a vacation to Kepler’s planet. It lies in the Cygnus-Lyra region of the Milky Way and was discovered in your year.

You would be thrilled to know that grey hairs are no longer an issue as scientists have found a way to stop the build up of hydrogen peroxide which is the real cause behind the blocking of melanin synthesis (now you know why unwashed hair stinks!).

As you had accurately predicted, several species have died out in my time, the most devastating and unpredictable of course was the mass extinction of the corporate breed called risk-assessment managers. They were outsmarted by the scientists who discovered how to turn on the “bright side gene” and now all human beings are hopeless optimists and forever happy.

In my time, world is no longer throttled by the narrow notion of nationhood. We have a form of decentralized democracy uniting the whole world as Gandhiji had envisioned. Nonviolence as championed by Gandhi and Martin Luther King has truly entered our lives.

This I know will doubtlessly quell the unease in your heart for you have over time woken up to the inconsistencies and injustices of the world and the biases of the media. You agonize over the fact that the electronic media especially has been reduced to a propaganda machine for war and capitalism at the cost of truth. You know that its divisive agenda is aimed at keeping ordinary people in the dark and distracting them from the more immediate concerns of global warming and poverty but you wonder how many can actually afford to care amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. You understand the real issues behind terrorism and worry about how many are being duped by the false rhetoric of ‘Islamic terrorism’ while the real reasons for terror are much more complex and deliberately hidden from the purview of the masses.

In spite of these worries, I know you still endeavor to do your part in clearing the smog of untruth and persist in the cause of Ahimsa (nonviolence).

Hold on to your catch phrase “Let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.” (Chapter 5 Verse 2 Al Quran.)

Be the change that you want to see. Let your life be a reflection of Islam-peaceful surrender to the will of God. Let the light of love permeate your thoughts, words, and deeds. Everything else will follow.

Grab hold of every opportunity that comes your way. Stay diligent for the return of the master.

Love,

T

A letter in earnest

The following is a psychological exercise suggested by a friend. It entails two tasks-writing two letters, one to a younger version of you and the other from an older version. Here is the first one…

This is a letter addressed to 6-year-old Thehseen.

Dearest Chippu,

I see that you are up at 6.00 am and out in the courtyard with mom, taking in the freshness of the morning air and enchanted by the fog that envelops the fields far beyond. My memory of you is already clouded like that mist but I have not forgotten your wisdom, innocence, and tremendous faith in God. You cannot see the faults of others. You accept and love everyone unconditionally. You instinctively know much about life, death, and God that I am still seeking consciously to learn.

There are some things that I want you to keep in mind while growing up:

1. Keep reading as you always do. It will be of great help to you. As soon as you can, start reading the English translation of Al Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali daily. It will be a wise guide. You must also read the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Dharmapada, and all other scriptures. They will strengthen you.

2. No calamity can happen except by the leave of God. There is no power but Him so there is nothing else to be afraid of.

3. Anger is an enemy so keep away from it even though it may seem justified.

4. You cannot please everyone all the time. Just be yourself and learn to say ‘no’ to things that can overburden you.

5. You do not have to obey anyone who is not following the straight path even if it may be your closest kin but express your unwillingness in kind and loving terms.

6. You are not responsible for the sins of others. Keep your slate clean and forgive those who trespass. Repay hatred with love and it will be fruitful in the end.

7. Hold firmly to God’s loving hands and never forget Him for momentary pleasures. Enjoy life. Love, trust, and give as you do without fear by leaving all burdens, worries, and apprehensions to God. Keep your goal in sight always and do not be distracted. Remember body is the temple of the soul so take good care of all that you have been given, enrich it, and be a worthy vicegerent.

God gives us what we need, not what we want, so do not be surprised by the things that you get. There is much to learn from it. Keep your eyes and heart open for a lifetime of education.

You are good, I am good, the world is good. Peace.

Love,

Taz

Kashmir-Illusion and reality

Try as they might, Kashmiris have little power when it comes to deciding their own fate. They are mere pawns in the hands of India and Pakistan who are destined to play the death dance forever.

Kashmir was always intended to be a festering open wound which would keep India bleeding and at loggerheads with Pakistan thus leaving us with little time or energy for any other meaningful pursuits of true growth or development into a major world power. This parting self-gift of the British was soon taken over by the Americans at the end of the Second World War when British colonialism waned and American imperialism sought new gains. Since then, America has supplied the ammunition and technology to Pakistan that has killed and maimed our jawans and created much domestic unrest.

Now thanks to the disobedience of the Frankenstein monster of terrorism it created and utilized quite effectively until now by proxy, America wants to bring Pakistan to heel. Like Iraq, Pakistani terrorism could have been tolerated and abetted until it got out of American hands and became unpredictable and self-destructive.

To our detriment, India is now being groomed to step into this privileged position of America’s lieutenant in South Asia due to the increasing probability of Pakistan failing completely. Consequently the Hindu right has been wooed to rush into Uncle Sam’s welcoming embrace.

I am not an America basher. In fact, I have utmost respect for Americans. I have many American friends and many Indian friends and relatives who reside in America. I am just stating the truth about the direction that American foreign policy has taken and I feel strongly that India should not forfeit the unique position of nonalignment that our forefathers had so painstakingly carved. I urge more people-to-people contact but think that prudence is the best course while treading the path of political, military, and strategic alliances.

The sounds of Christmas

Shalu’s journey into the realm of fantasy was cut short by a loud crash. Her husband was already awake and inching towards the bedroom door. She struggled to gauge the time as her eyes adjusted slowly to the lit room.

“It could be a thief!” she muttered dubiously. “Don’t go Ram. It does not matter if he takes something. Don’t be a fool and hurt yourself,” she pleaded with him now.

She gathered the pink overcoat of her mauve negligée and was well on her way to the door herself. As Ram turned around in alarm, she caught hold of his right arm and sought safety in the sanctity of his embrace.

With a well-toned body that betrayed no fear, Ram was in no mood to listen. He pushed her away gently back into the bed reassuring her with an affectionate peck and thundered out into the hall. There in the middle of the spacious lounge lay a silver bauble that glittered invitingly.

Ram switched on the lights hurriedly. As his eyes swept the length and breadth of the room for signs of an incursion, a cold draft rumbled past him. It seemed to emanate from the trinket on the floor.

He picked it up and as if by instinct held it to his ears. He remembered the Christmas decorations that Janet, his neighbour’s 4-year-old, had brought to show him. There were tiny bells on its periphery that chimed softly.

“But that was last year and this Christmas they cannot afford anything,” he thought somberly. “How did this get here? And what was that sound?”

Suddenly the room grew dark. “Oh the blasted fuse has tripped again!” he grumbled furiously.

The trinket now illuminated the beige walls and cast exquisite patterns on the black leather sofa. He smiled when he remembered the pure happiness on Janet’s face as she had displayed the ornaments and laughed with abandon. Then sadness crept into his heart as he remembered that this Christmas Janet would know no such joy.

He could still hear her prattle and as the knick-knack chimed on, a warm feeling enveloped his soul. The fetters that had held his heart hostage fell away one by one and it dawned on him, “These are the sounds of Christmas!”

The next day a box of Christmas decorations was delivered to Janet’s front porch.

Who is right?

The dignity of a preacher hung in balance. An entire village traumatised by two decades of animosity and heartache.

What possessed these otherwise sensible and generous people to sink to such depths of possessiveness and insanity?

What great riches were they fighting over that brotherly ties were forsaken and decency forgotten?

Two of the richest families in the village pitted against one poor man. That is how it all started.

The dirt road winded up seamlessly past the overarching bridge until it was elbowed out mercilessly by a tiny triangular piece of land jutting out from the corners of a dilapidated hut.

This contentious plot of land was the lone stumbling block to an important road in the village. Two prosperous businessmen (cousins) who owned most of the land through which the pathway was being made were spearheading the road construction. They had obtained government sanction. However, the hut owner alone refused to sell his land to them thus inadvertently becoming a hindrance to the progress of the road.

Was this man being a spoilsport to the greater progress of the village? Should we blame him for not moving with the times and not sacrificing for greater good? Should we pity his poverty and be aghast at the fact that the little he owned should be snatched away? Did he have the right to hold on to his ancestral land which he loved and felt connected to, his only possession in the whole world?

He put forward a counter proposal. He would give up this triangular plot if he were to be compensated by an equal amount of land that lay behind his hut. As fate had it, this land was owned conjointly by the two businessmen. They unanimously opposed this proposal saying that they had already sacrificed enough for the construction of the road. Besides, the controversial land in itself had once been owned by the forefathers of the two businessmen and had been bought at a later date by the hut owner’s grandfather who was a distant cousin of their grandfather. They felt that this entitled them to dispose it off as they pleased. They even thought that they were being overly generous by offering money to buy his land.

Did they not have greater responsibility as they had greater power? Why did they not use their wealth to alleviate the misery of the hut owner? Why did they not remember their common heritage? Is it appropriate to invoke ancient rights? Is it correct to think that if the hut owner had conceded, much strife could have been averted and put the blame solely at his door? Would justice have been served then?

Negotiations and counter arguments went on for a little over a decade and managed to polarise the entire village into two factions. It was then that a new preacher came to the village. As innocent as he was of the situation at hand, the two businessmen took him into confidence and poisoned his mind against the hut owner. They took him through their land and the wonderful progress they had made and their elegant homes and polished youth and contrasted it with the shabby penury of the hut owner and his uncivilised manner and uneducated offspring.

Why did the preacher not keep an open mind? Why was he blind to the suffering of the hut owner? Why did he not advise charity and build ties instead of being partisan in his views?

For the next couple of years the preacher, unmindful of the truth of the situation started giving lengthy sermons with conspicuous hints about the ungratefulness and selfishness of the hut owner. The preacher was a man of God, a person of great integrity and honesty but he erred in the fact that he did not independently check his facts and became an ignorant pawn in the hands of the two businessmen. Thus even though his intentions were pure, he became a cause for mischief. Soon the villagers who had initially looked up to him to solve the impasse grew tired of his incendiary remarks and lost trust in his sense of fair play and justice. His followers dwindled and he was expelled.

Even people with great power will lose respect if they do not act justly.

To this day, the triangular piece of land hinders the road and stands as a grim reminder of the stubbornness of man.
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"No two historians ever agree on what happened, and the damn thing is they both think they're telling the truth." Harry S. Truman.
“History is a myth agreed upon.” Napoleon Bonaparte.

If history has taught us anything, it should have been that the use of violence as a means to protest against injustice never pays. It paints the victim and the aggressor in the same bloody hue that makes them indistinguishable.

Standing at the brink of an endless spiral of violence where human beings are pitted against each other, let us come to our senses. Peaceful resolution of issues is the only way ahead. Forgiveness, basic decency, and tolerance might sound wishy-washy but it is more pragmatic than hate politics, which leaves none the victor in the end.

And Spidey was right, great power does bring in its wake the burden of great responsibility!