Islam - Terrorism & Next Steps

Paris suffered one of the cruel casualties in its history. And, it is not due to two nations fighting against each other, or two regions facing each other for supremacy...Here we have terrorists, who are waging war, who have sole intentions to imprint fear in people's minds; and can go to any extent to terrorize the world.

I have been firm believer of not linking terrorism to any particular religion...Our current Prime Minister Modi did rightly announce the same within first day of Paris attacks...and so the several other world leaders. However, we cannot continue to live in denial, it is time for us to identify the root cause to eliminate terrorism from across nations and world.

The underlying justification from all terrorists is on the name of Islam. They bring in all the verses from the Holy book Quran; and all explanations on how Islam as a religion justifies all the wrongs that they do and are doing. It is time for us to accept that there are some underlying problems in the Islam religion itself...not necessarily in the Holy books or preachings of Islam; but the followers of Islam. Terrorism is quickly spreading as a contagious disease...it is spreading across the continent very fast; which is continuously affecting the humanity, and quality of life for all of us. So, it is time for us to act now.

All the religions have some kind of problems, at some time. The important steps were taken at right time to eradicate those problems. For e.g. Hindu as a religion is a perfect example. Pardon me when I say Hindu as a religion, although it is a way of life for people born in India. It has evolved over time. Raja Rammohan Rai was one of the reformers to identify Sati tradition as a problem, and worked towards removing it. Jyotiba fule and Baba Ambedakar were the strongest reformers who worked towards removing un-touchability from the society. Similarly, Government of India identified Polio as the biggest problems; and implemented several steps to make India as Polio free nation.

Similarly, we need to assess what is causing the young generation to follow the path of terrorism, and why do they join terrorist organizations. It is need of the hour that all the religious leaders of Islam, Islamic scholars & preachers, Islamic institutions, and Islamic governments get together, create a platform, and solve the terrorism problem.

It may require reforming Madrassa education, spread awareness across youths, reaching out to extremists, providing clarifications on Holy book Quran verses, setting up forums to address brain-washing. All of these require strong courage and conviction from all of the Islamic set-ups.

Why I say it is Islam itself need to understand and identify the problems, because anybody else doing it would be considered encroaching sovereignty of Islam as a religion; and it may have catastrophic effects. Islamic platform can reach out to several government heads, and science institutions for help. However, it is their duty to recognize the problems, work with the youth, and implement proactive steps to eradicate the terrorism disease; howsoever years it may take!

Black & White: Better to be "Grey" at times

Indian Society is going through an exemplary phase of demonstrating to the world what freedom of speech is! And what really democracy is, and how it can hold people of various faiths, various castes, and various cultures together.

Black & White represents two extremes...Let me mention I am not referring to religious extremists in any society, now there is a trend to misrepresent and misinterpret the words; so I obviously want to be careful. It was all initiated by a few writers returning awards on account of growing intolerance, and attributed all of this to Central government. It was subsequently followed by another set of writers, scientists, and more folks in various creative fields returning their awards. It was a wonderful movement, and it garnered attention from several streams...Local & international media put it as headline, and made common people like us worried on what is happening to our dear country.

Then there was other side, which took a few days to come to explain the other side of it...They were genuinely concerned on the fake movement of returning awards ...An event "March for India" was organized to demonstrate the strength of our country, and expose such individuals who were returning awards on account of growing intolerance. If one had followed the event, it was visible that this group had more support from people; not only in the creative and intellectual field; but also from common people.

I enjoyed the space that both of these groups got in the Indian media...This shows how open the Indian democracy is, and accommodates very easily the thoughts from two extremes. People of India have absolute faith in Indian democracy; and freedom of speech that one enjoys. Howsoever, the other group's "March for India" event is yet to be covered in International media...Looks like International media wants to be selective about coverage with whatever the intent.

A society functions well, when the thoughts are balanced, and a specific movement is not orchestrated. If a group of people take an extreme step, it agitates the other group to take a stand. Particularly a group which represents minority (not religion, but thought process) must be respectful to the other set of folks who represent majority. But it is also true that a movement may convert a minority into majority. Anyways, I always feel that there is a BIG space "GREY" between Black & White, and all of us can live happily, had we decide to live in that space instead of taking extreme sides.

By the way, with everyone taking a stand either on one side or the other...Let me present my thoughts. I do see a much better India in what it used to be earlier when it comes to "Tolerance". I see our countrymen becoming more tolerant, and more aware of their self-right, taking stands, exercising their right of speech. There may be one or two rare instances, however there is a clear intent from the government and people of India to identify the culprits and curtail happening it again. India is growing in terms of economy and its Brand equity, and becoming a renowned nation across the world. Definitely this is BETTER India; and much better times for an Indian!

Social Media - How active you are?

After several years, I am active again on Social Media...And, I realized that it is a paradigm shift, and it is transformed drastically, and in so many ways!

I remember those days, when I was fascinated by what Orkut offered, and the story behind the invention of Orkut...Friends joined, Colleagues joined, some of the relatives joined, and I logged onto Orkut. It was an interesting way to keep a tab on what is happening with your friends, with your near and dear ones. It was great, and I appreciated every bit of it.

I realized it needed time, and energy to be continuously on it...The pace of social media was very fast for me to keep up with...In a year or so, I understood about facebook; and created a facebook account. Over time, it became very difficult to keep up with both Orkut and Facebook while I saw everyone using more of facebook, and Orkut users became scarce...It was matter of time, I lost in touch with both the sites...It takes hell amount of time, and was difficult for me to keep up with, primarily with so much going on in life and at work...I am not entirely sure if my Orkut account still works or rather if Orkut site still works:)

Several years simply passed by and I was not bothered about several other Social Media inventions...I heard of Google+, Picasso, WhatsApp, etc..New age mobiles brought newer inventions in the Social Media space. People got connected, rather seamless connection, continuous connection...and it may be leading to too much...Very thin balance of using it, or being abused by its use!

Anyways, I am trying to follow, what elders have said, a sweet dish is sweet and healthy if you keep it limited...I have logged on facebook....and may make into other apps too:) I feel excited!

United States - Truly diverse states blended into One!

Let me not generalize...However, most of us or people around me while growing up used phrase "America" to represent what truly is United States of America. It took me a while to figure what is United States of America ("USA"), similar to what United Kingdom is. 

When it was planned for me to travel to UK, I always thought that I am traveling to England. I was surprised when I got a VISA saying "United Kingdom". Again, it took a bit of research, and time to conclude that United Kingdom is a federation of countries. Do not want to put a number here, as things change in days & months, and I am referring to my knowledge which is years old.

Okay, while I understood that 50+ states (to be precise, 52 states. you Google it to confirm) constitutes what is USA. However, when I was in India working on several non-USA projects, and then on Nashville based project; there were people who used to ask questions like which part of USA, north, south, east west, northwest, etc...And, I used to think, why does it matter. Then, thought, may be easier to recognize it this way with 50+ states to remember, and exactly know which side the state is located...Finally, I arrived, in USA in city Nashville located in southern state Tennessee. And, I started to develop an understanding of how each state is different from the other state. Be it language or culture, or the weather & nature, completely diverse from the other state and unique in each state. It is like living in a different country altogether...I visited New york city, Chicago, Atlanta, Birmingham, etc; and was puzzled to see the diversity. Now, when I have moved to California; it is a different world altogether...How have they blended so many diverse pieces of land into one unified under the name "United States of America". Truly amazing. 

While, I realize that all of this very  much relates to what we see in India. Where north is diversely separated from south, and east is completely different from west. Everything is different from culture, ethnicity, language & nature/ weather...however I think, the four metro cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata & Mangluru) kind of unites the nation...Majority of us would relate to what Mumbai is and what Bollywood is.

Here, the urban cities like New York city, Washington DC, San Francisco are very dis-connected for folks living in the remote places of USA...And they do not care to know or there is no need to travel to these cities for them. Each of these states have their own smart cities, and have the necessary source of employment and job generation techniques, which fulfills the basic need of inhabitants...So, they don't move, and retain their specific culture and ethnicity on the very location.

Don't be surprised when you compare northern aggressive working style with the southern personalized greetings. Howsoever for us, whichever place in USA we land, we need to absorb so much variety & difference in such a quick time, that we are instantly prepared for any change, and welcome it with a smiling face:)

You Win, and I don't lose!

Kids teach you! And, they do! I suggest, kids can replace the spiritual gurus; and they can easily be your life guide.

My bad, I spend little time with my daughter...But whenever I do spend some significant time; I get enlightened.

So, today I spend playing football (soccer) with my daughter; and in her dictionary "losing" was not a word. If I won, she said, "You won daddy". And, if she won, she said "I won, daddy".

So simple. She clapped in both the situations. She was happy either way. She was excited either way. That made me happy. I didn't bother to lose...didn't panic to see her losing. It was such a terrific concept that she was giving to me; and to the world.

We need to live our life the same way. Look for who has won, look for who is heading ahead; and enjoy it. Enjoy it for them, and enjoy it for self. No need to lose your morale, there is absolutely no gain in crying for your loss.

Living life on positives is helpful! Enjoying the precious moments of life is crucial! It is an art to cherish others success and take a pleasure from it!

"It is Else", Keep trying!

Keep moving! That's what was in my mind...Keep looking ahead, don't wait for the things to change by itself, at least keep trying, be in motion, and keep moving!

Darkness surrounding me has to end...today...if not today, tomorrow...if not tomorrow, then later! I will see the day of light...I will be out of this darkness some day. I kept that thought alive...in every moment I walked, every second that passed...every step I moved forward.

One negative after another negative...Bad days never seemed to go away...there were times, when I stumbled upon any positive hope...there were days, when I just wished it to let go...there were times when I did not see any options...But, I  persisted, decided to live, decided to try, decided to find a way...and kept moving!

It was important to be positive...not only externally; but internally too. I had to be in stable frame of mind. This is to have rational thinking process, continue to have an ability to make sane decisions...

I went through a difficult journey, crossed mind-boggling tasks, bore criticisms, surpassed disappointments, faced failures; but kept moving!

Once I followed the motto of "keep trying, and keep moving"...I never bothered to worry about failures...In that world, it is a result...if it is not the result you wanted, then it is ahead...apply the "Else", and keep trying! And, keep moving!

Delhi Election Results - Uncertainty in Certainty!

Yes, that is how I have perceived the results from Delhi elections. While the whole of India is inclined and marching towards a particular trend; Delhi people have indicated their intentions to be different.

During previous assembly elections itself, when they voted for AAP so over-vehemently; I realized that Delhi people wants to create a certain and unique impression on Indian mindset...During Loksabha elections, they got carried away with what was happening all over the country in the form of Modi wave.

Now during 2015 Assembly elections, they have come out, and reflected that they represent volatility of Indian democracy, and political set-up. They have shown that they are not ready to follow the norm, but decide the course for themselves.

It can also be perceived that Delhi elections has set the motion for future; and what India might follow in the days to come. They have set the precedence, and defined the next steps for Indian political establishment. However, scanning the other states, it does not look like the trend set by Delhi has many takers.

It is only with time, we will know whether Delhi has done right or created further problems for themselves! Let us wait, and see!

New India - Truly connecting to world!

World has seen how Modi is in hurry to prove that a new & able leader has arrived at the world stage; and in particularly how India has its own world leader!

After becoming Prime Minister, he established that he is here to change the norms, bend the rules, and establish things that will go long way. Inviting all of SAARC leaders including that of Pakistan indicated that he goes beyond restrictions and reservations, and looking for newer dimensions in existing relationship with foreign countries. Although just in few months, he demonstrated the strong determination when he & his team did not blink an eye in cancelling the foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan.

Modi continued his aspirations to establish contacts and relationships with all foreign countries. He made trips to various foreign countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Australia, France & USA. He not only established contacts with foreign dignitaries, but also mesmerized Indian audiences with his charismatic personality, and inspirational speeches. Many key foreign leaders made visits to India, and those made headlines. They signed key deals, made promises, and indicated transformation of India at world stage.

One, who has been following Modi's visits, and acts with respect to foreign policies; can easily conclude that those have been huge hits. It is important for any country to establish contacts with partners at regular intervals to demonstrate continuous trust in the relationship.

Modi played a masterstroke in inviting Obama to Republic day celebrations. Would have preferred to keep it minus the hugs, and use of first names. Never the less, it transformed and added few more steps to India becoming a true leader at world stage.

It is still a long way to go, and only such steps can make India an influential leader in the region; and in the world!