Thought for the day
"Bureaucracy, the rule
of no one, has become the modern form of despotism."
—Mary McCarthy (American,
1912-1989)
Word for the day
Scupper (n)
Any opening in the side of a
building, as in a parapet, for draining off rain water.
Malice towards none
By accepting his family, BJP
and RSS have pardoned late Sanjay Gandhi, their chief persecutor during
emergency days!
Or they haven't?
First random thought this morning
The biggest socio-economic priorities in India at this point in
time should be:
(a) Providing a tap
carrying potable water to every household.
(b) Taking school education
out of government control and leaving it to students and teachers.
(c) Government getting
totally out of industrial and banking businesses and focusing all energies and
resources on agriculture, just as it did for industry and banking in 1950s and
1960s
(d) Making ROI of public
offices (elected or appointed) negative.
Little hope for a religious renaissance
Continuing from yesterday.
Another headline that that I found disconcerting was UP Chief
Minister ridiculing the Congress President for his much publicized temple run (see
here).
In the related news item CM Yogi Adityanath said, "The
Congress president remembers temples only during the elections. Four
generations of Rahul's family have never worn a 'janeu' (sacred thread
worn by Hindus), but at the time of elections, he shows his janeu."
"The four generations of Rahul Gandhi have never moved a step towards a
temple. One should visit a temple with a feeling of devotion and not for
politics or to show off," the chief minister added. It's actually been a
common theme in most BJP speeches since Gujarat elections.
My anecdotal experience gained from numerous travels across
breadth and width of the country suggests that the traditional Indian religions
have been degenerating since past many decades. It is absolutely critical since
religion still forms the very core of the Indian socio-economic structure.
Superstitions, fears, desires, frivolous rituals and ostentatious
celebrations now dominate the sense of religiousness, rather than selfless
prayers for general social well being, efforts to immerse into the Nature,
creating a path towards attainment of spiritual goals, & self-elevation as
a human being.
Our politicians, particularly the right wing parties, have done
almost nothing to stem the rot that is plaguing our religions and cultural
traditions. Instead, they have encouraged the distortions to further their
vested interests. This could be one of the primary reasons for lot of malice
prevalent (and growing) in Indian society.
I am afraid, religion is forcing its way deep into Indian
politics; empowering the politically ambitious priests and preachers. The
shallowness of religious belief of politicians has become the benchmark for the
society. For example, could CM Yogi explain why going to temple during the time
of need is bad. Isn't it what millions of common Indian do as matter of
routine? And why politicians' (including PM and BJP President) visit to temples
need to be telecast live on TV?
In my experience, the unprecedented rush to temples, to a large
extent, highlights the rising economic distress in the society and not any
strengthening of faith in traditions and culture. It should therefore be a
matter of deep concern for the State.
In the current socio-political milieu, there is little hope for a
religious renaissance, that would take us back to our glorious past where
temples and mutts motivated youth to learn, seek and elevate themselves. Let's
admit many of us go to temple to find an ATM, where we could withdraw money by
presenting a unsecured promissory note!
(Note: Temple herein means a place of worship, regardless of
religion)
Also read: It's
definitely not development
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