Thought for the day
“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain
neutral in times of great moral conflict.”
— Martin Luther King Jr. (American,
1929-1968)
Word for the day
Contiguous (adj)
In close proximity without actually touching; near.
(Source: Dictionary.com)
Teaser for the day
Do you know ‘Modi’?
Have you joined the battle yet?
Early this year I had written (see
here) that 2014 general elections in India are no ordinary elections. It is
decidedly a referendum on the desire and commitment of people for change in the
popular political discourse of the country.
It is a two layered contest. On the
surface the contest is between continuity of feudalistic politics dominated by
vested interests & parochial considerations on one side and the aspirations
of common people on the side. At the subterranean level however the contest is
more interesting. It is a fight within various political organizations. On one
side are the status quoits who owe their political careers primarily to the
social and religious divide within Indian society; and on the other side are
the progressive elements within each party who politics to be more concerned
about economic issue leaving the social & religious concerns to individuals
and non-political groups.
I like to draw a parallel with the epic
war of Mahabharata. In this contest no one can afford to remain neutral.
All need to take a side – right or wrong only time will tell. This is in fact
what we are witnessing. After 1977, this is first election where all sections
of the society are openly taking sides. For example consider the following.
(a)
Corporates are openly taking sides in these
elections.
(b)
Never after 1977 academician and intelligentsia
have come out so openly in favor of or against a political party.
(c)
The entertainment world is seen vertically
divided. Never before we have seen such a deep divide in Bollywood.
(d)
A record number of candidates are from public
life – artists, writers, ex-bureaucrats, police officers, army officers have
joined the election battle.
(e)
Most media houses have also made their
preferences clear.
(f)
The religious and spiritual leaders of most
sects and communities have openly taken sides. Unlike ever before, the revered
artists from the holy town of Kashi have openly taken sides.
(g)
The media campaigns of a large number of
corporate houses (again a first) have acquired a conspicuous election hue.
(h)
The constituents of financial markets for the
first time have come out so openly in favor of a political party of leader.
Most financial brokerages have published reports on election analysis.
(i)
Foreign governments, brokerages, businesses and
media have openly taken sides. Publications like The Economist, The Week, The
Wall Street Journal, TIME etc. have openly taken sides.
(j)
Most importantly people – women, farmers,
backward classes, who have traditionally voted on family/community lines are
volubly taking sides.
For those
criticizing the Principal of St. Xavier’s, I would like to remind that in the
epic war of Mahabharta - Bhishama, Dronacharya, Kripacharya all took a side.
They are no less revered today. I have decided to side with the aspirations of
the people. Have you joined the battle yet?
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