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suni51 replied to the topic Who is the real communalist?.
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
Real communalists are those who stand to gain by exploiting their own or opponents religion in different manners.
True, they are taking full advantage of a particular community and being branded as secular in bonus. Great going. '
Also the other party is taking full advantage of the other community and also getting branded as secular. Great great going.
You belong to which community sir? And I always thought you do not consider them secular or ever voted for them.
I try to belong to the community which believes that today's India affords its citizens an equal opportunity to make a great country and past history has no meaning if judged from today's parameters. Our history should start from Aug 15,1947 when we truly for the first time got India as India for the first time in recorded history. For whom do I vote, well I will be honest I have voted for both communities but less for one. I am not a blind supporter of any ideology. What about you.
Neither am I but unfortunately I find our country losing all its values going down the hill post independence. I maybe wrong but the people took over from foreigners are mainly responsible for the same. They are still no better but trying their best to stall the progress shaking hands with corrupt politicians. What do you say?
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi: Ruthless but Dynamic Islamic Sunni Leader.
Introduction
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The entire Muslim Sunni world is in ferment and the faithful among them feel that a Caliphate is around the corner.The Caliphate was ruled by Caliphs. Who were the Caliphs? These are spiritual rulers who are directly descendant from Muhammad himself. The area over which these Caliphs ruled was the Caliphate and the last rule of the Caliphate ended in 1253. It was all over by 1299, when the Turks conquered the Arabs.
To Sunni Muslims the caliphate is a period that is like a shining star' It was a period of great advancement in the world of science and medicine and most Muslims feel that the Caliphate will now come back.
How has this dream which was a mirage earlier become a reality now? This is entirely die to the charisma of one man named Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi. Single handed this man has shown the beacon and the faithful have flocked to his banner.
ABu Bakr Baghdadi as a Leader
Baghdadi was born in 1971 and perhaps for some time he served as an officer in the Iraqi army. This was during the time Saddam Hussein was in power. Details of his past life are sketchy, but all this pales into insignificance when we realize the magnetic hold and charisma of the man, who has mesmirised millions of Sunni Muslims.
Baghdadi claims that he is the Caliph. He buttresses his claim by claiming lineage from Mohammed as he was born in a tribe to which Mohammad belongs. He has studied as well and has a doctorate in theology.
A fact not known to many is that Baghdadi was arrested by the US military in 2004, but after a few months was released as it was felt he was not a man of importance. The period of his incarceration in a US prison in Baghdad had a catalytic effect on him as he turned to Jihad and thought the time had come to revive the Caliphate. He was greatly helped by the fact that both Syria and Iraq, which were part of the earlier Caliphates were destabilized by the Western powers and thus he had an open field to establish himself.
Baghdadi began to generate tremendous appeal as a successor to the earlier Caliphs. His claim that he was a direct descendant of the lineage from Mohammed further captivated the Sunni Masses and created an aura around him as a man who was the rightful follower of Muhammad.
Baghdadi also sidelined the Al Qaeda leadership as they in practical terms achieved nothing. The earlier leader Osama Bin Laden and later Al Zuwahari who succeeded Osama just hid in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan and had little to show after years of combat.These leaders apart from a few sporadic acts of terrorism, were not able to wrest any territory. They could not establish any worthwhile rule or order in any area.
Here in lies the difference as Baghdadi captured large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and was able to set up his administration. This was a clear indication that the Al Qaeda leadership had achieved nothing to what Baghdadi had achieved. Baghdadi also went global and lent sustenance to Groups in Africa and Libya. These groups like Boko Haram also captured large areas in central Africa. Baghdadi thus had something to show and the Arab armies of Iraq and Syria were just not capable to dislodge him. In addition Baghdadi was helped by the US decision not to commit ground troops in Middle East and as such he was able to consolidate his rule.
Baghdadi believed in the pristine form of Islam as laid down in the Sharia. He quoted chapter and verse to justify his actions. These actions included beheading and mass rapes. This served a two fold purpose to frighten and spread fear in the people under his sway and also a warning to the west not to intervene. His capture of women gave him a means to give sexual gratification to his cadre.
Baghdadi set up his own administration and there is no doubt that initially the West treated him with kid gloves. The ISI under Baghdadi could sell oil, from the oil wells they had captured and this gave returns of millions of dollars and helped finance his war. Thus Baghdadi was not short of funds. There is evidence to show that Turkey and some other powers were buying oil secretly from the ISI. The USA under Obama was in a bind as it was opposed by Iran, which backed President Assad of Syria and the USA and the west wanted his removal. The West thus allowed matters to drag on and this gave greater strength to Baghdadi and the ISI.
The Real Face of Baghdadi
The West had however not understood Baghdadi. He was planning a global conflict and his appeal began to transcend boundaries and Muslims from Pakistan to USA were his ardent followers. He created a cult and all along talked of establishing a Caliphate and he as the Caliph. This had tremendous appeal to Sunni Muslims, who flocked to join his banner from all over the world.
Baghdadi showed leadership qualities when he recruited a mass of Muslims to carry out terrorists attacks from all over the world. This was the genesis of the Paris attacks and the downing of the Russian airliner in the Sinai. It must be mentioned that nearly 130 French men were killed in the Paris attack and 220 in the Russian airline crash which was blown up by a bomb.
We cannot say whether Baghdadi bit of more than he could chew, for he has invited concerted military attacks from both Russia and France. The fact is that despite heavy air bombardment Baghdadi still survives and the ground forces of Syria and Iraq are unable still to recapture the lands lost to ISI. Perhaps the man had anticipated this. His philosophy is simple and he believes that death and life is as per the will of Allah and that is one reason he is hell bent on his present path.
As things stand Baghdadi remains the strongest force in the Middle East and unless ground troops are committed there can be no victory. Here also the entire scenario is fraught with danger as we know that boots on the ground in Iraq led to anarchy and one wonders whether the same may not happens again.
Baghdadi is a shrewd leader. He has counted his gains and losses. Perhaps he feels he is a messiah. The question remains how can the world dislodge him. Even now a steady stream of fighters from all over the world are flocking to him. He promises a dream and 72 virgins as per the Koran. He also promises restoration of the caliphate. There is no doubt he is a great motivator and in a perverted way a leader. His despotic rule, rapes and beheading have not ended and they continue. Baghdadi to many is a great man, time alone will tell whether he has unleashed Armageddon, the last battle between good and evil.
Final Denouement
How will posterity remember Baghdadi? This is a difficult question as it will depend who finally triumphs in this war unleashed by him. If he wins he could well be considered a martyr and in case he loses he will be equated with men like Hitler.
Thus the final denouement will depend on who is the winner. We must remember that at the Battle of Badr fought in 624 AD, between Muhammad and the Quraysh. It was a no holds barred battle and the Muslim army of won. The Koran mentions this battle and and now we know that Muhammad spared the lives of the prisoners and even looked after them. This battle is mentioned as a battle between good and evil.
This is where Baghdadi has tripped as the Battle of Badr shows , there is an element of mercy in Islam, which is non existent as far as Baghdadi is concerned. Baghdadi has flouted the example of battle of Badr and transgressed what Muhammad did, despite claiming a lineage to him. He has executed prisoners of war and circulated videos of the same. He has raped women and also allowed his men to rape captive women. Thus he stands in my view condemned for all time . But President Truman dropped the A - Bomb on Japan and caused the death of 200,000 men and women and yet is thought of as a great President. So one cannot foretell the future, but a resurgent Islam which has cowed the peace lovers led by Baghdadi is the real danger.
Baghdadi does not fear death and has repeatedly said that the Allah decides on matters of life and death. Even if he is killed , will this movement vanish? One cannot guess an answer or make a forecast.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The Islamic Caliphate: A Dream for the Devout Sunni Muslim.
The Islamic world is in turmoil. If I were a Muslim, I would definitely be concerned at the state of ferment all around. Most of this ferment and churning is like chasing an imposible dream: a dream that died in 1253, almost 750 year back. But all men have the right to dream and Most Sunni Muslims yearn for the days when Islamic rule was the centre of the world and Europe was still in the barbarian age. At that time Muslim rule in Central Middle East was like a beacon and men from all over the world flocked there to glean knowledge and wisdom.
The radical Islamic group now referred to as the ISIS and calls itself the Islamic state is intent on establishing a new Sunni Caliphate in the ancient lands. Obviously there is no place for anyone else and hence Shia Muslims and other minorities bear the brunt of the wrath of the iSI, which is entirely a Sunni group.
The ISI promises it's followers a return to the old glory of Islam and the Caliphate. This dream appeals to Muslims both young and old from across the globe. The leader of the ISI is Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi and one must credit him as a great motivator and leader. This man has been able to sell the dream of an Islamic Caliphate to Sunni Mulsims all over the world. This makes Baghdadi a great motivator.
Firstly, let us examine as to what is a Caliph and a Muslim Caliphate. A Caliph is supposed to be successor to Mohammed the Prophet and a Caliphate is the area or land mass over which the Caliph rules and his writ runs. The roots of the Islamic Caliphate thus go right up to Mohammed. To start with there were 4 caliphs who were rightly guided and came directly after Mohammed. These Caliphs knew him well personally and thus had an aura of being in touch with the Prophet himself.
History moved further and from 661-750 AD, history teaches that the Umayyad Caliphate ruled. Their spiritual and adminstrative capital was Damascus, now the capital of Syria. This Caliphate was overhrown in 750 AD by the Abbasid Caliphate which made Baghdad their capital. Baghdad is now the capital of Iraq. The Abbasid caliphate ruled for a good part of 500 years. This was the golden age of Islamic rule and we know that there was great advancement in science and literature, not forgetting medicine in this age. The Abbasid caliphate ruled till 1258 AD. After this year the Caliphate came under attack of the Turks who conquered the Arab lands.
By 1299 AD the Arabs were soundly defeated by the Turks who represented the Ottoman Empire, which some view as the greatest empire ever in the world. The Caliphates also ceased to exist in the classical sense. It is a sobering thought that Turkish rule over this entire area lasted till well into the 20th century and ended only after World War I, when the Turks who had allied with Germany were defeated. The Allies dismantled the Ottoman Empire. One point that needs mention is that right from 1299 to 1923, the Turks kept the Caliph title going, but they appointed the Caliphs. These caliphs were subseverient to the Turks and were just symbolic heads. One can say that they became religious figureheads. They remained under the thumb of the Ottoman Empire and the Sultans who ruled.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the great Kemel Ataturk seized power in Turkey. He was a modern minded and progressive man and in a far reaching decision he abolished the Caliphate in 1923. From that year the Caliph ceased to exist and there is no caliph right down to the present era.
The Sunni Muslims have fond rememberences of the Caliphate and have a latent desire that the old caliphate that existed at the time when the Abassids ruled should come back. the Caliphs appointed by the Turks are not considered true Caliphs and many consider they debased Islam. Bear in mind that for 90 years or more there has been no Caliph. The Sunni Muslims long for a caliphate again. This is reinforced by centuries of humiliation, first by the Turks and later by the Europeans. This period rankles with the faithful and they are more incensed that after World War I, the European Nations ( France and England in particular) carved up the Arab lands on a study table. This is the Spykes - Picot agreement which is one of the great frauds perpetuated on the Arab world. By this agreement the Arab lands were divided into smaller nations and power handed over to prominent tribes, who had nothing in common with the common Arabs. The Arabs longed for a return to the good old days when the Muslim world was the centre of cultural and scientific knowledge.
This chord among Muslims was exploied first by Al Qaeda and later by the iSIL. Al Qaeda failed as it did not have the intellectual appeal generated by Baghdai of the iSI. The ISi has been lucky as the areas of Syria and Iraq, which were the hub of the earlier Caliphates were in turmoil. This was in great measure due to the actions of the West led by the USA, who completely destablised the area. This led to the rise of the ISI. Thanks to the USA a bloody civil war is on in Iraq for last 12 years and Syria is also in a similar situation, with the West again doing something that should not be done. In such a fluid situation the ISI has captured vast areas in both these nations and dislodging them is not easy. They are the effective governent in these areas and also collect taxes and enforce the most primitive form of Islam in its unadulterated form. The ISi also sells oil and thus finances its activities.
Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi has declared himself as the Caliph and there is no doubt that he has tremendous appeal to Sunni Muslims all over the world. He broadcasts his desire to restore Islam to its old glory and this propaganda is lapped up by gullible Sunni muslims all over the world. Man always chases a dream and Sunni Muslism are also chasing a dream shown to them by Baghdadi. This is playing on psychology and Baghdadi deserves mention as one of the great motivators in history.
Many people who are not part of this dream are aware that what Baghdadi has ushered in is not a Caliphate that existed 7 centuries back buta despotic and cruel regime that beheads and rapes at will. In fact it resembles a state of anarchy, a far cry from the Abbasid caliphate.
So far Baghdadi is in control and despite tens of attempts to kill him, all have failed. However even if Baghdadi goes, someone else will take his place and try and sell the dream to Sunni Muslims. The battle is long and hard and one cannnot say how the world will face the ISI threat of a Caliphate. The dream is enticing and many Muslims are prey to it. One cannot be sure what will happen, the ISi is in a war with non-Muslism and its not a cake walk.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Nikita Khruschev: Forgotton Hero of the Soviet State .
Background
In the late fifties and sixties one man emerged as the First Secretary of the Russian Communist party, that ruled Russia at that time. Russia then was the USSR or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The SovietCommunist party at that time was omnipotent and and people all over the world feared it. This was a time when Stalin had just gone from the Russian scenerio( he died in 1953).
One man who at that time seized power and did something which should be remembered now, is the removel of the element of fear in Russian society. This had become deeply ingrained in Russian society under the rule of Stalin. He was Nikita Khruschev, who led Russia or the Soviet state at that time. This was his biggest contribution: dismantling of the terror and fear among the people in the Soviet state.
The Soviet state and the rise of the communist party in Russia can be directly traced to the Czar, Nicholas II who ruled Russia. The Czar was a man devoid of vision and he instead of attending to the misery of the common people with scarcity of food, embarked on a war against Germany. He was guided by grand ideas of loyalty to his allies, not realising that the Russian army ill equipped and untrained would be easy fodder for the efficient German army. The Russians were defeated and the situation back home became worse with the economy going in a nose dive. There were food riots, which were ruthlessly suppressed. This is eloquently portrayed by Boris Pasternek in his novel Dr. Zivago.
This was the ripe time for a revoution and Vladimir Lenin seized power in 1917 in a coup, spearheaded by the Russsian Navy at St Petersburg. The Tsar Nicholas II by his foolish policies, had in fact signed his own death warrant and he was executed in Siberia.
The communist party now seized power and Lenin aided by Leo Trotsky ushered in a police state. This duo were the first in world history to invent the " Concentration Camp". Millions of their opponents were herded into these camps and died, never to be heard off again. The Russian people expecting good times after the exit of the Czar, were now enveloped in a cloak of terror.
Lenin died in 1924 and Josef Stalin seized power. He was a great leader, but he had a sadistic streak. One is not sure that the excesses committed during his reign were a direct result of his rule. Many Russians feel Stalin was not responsible for the excesses, but the fact is that Beria the head of the NKVD( SecretPolice) was all powerful and most Russians feared the mid night knock , which was the road to silence and the unknown.
In 1953 Stalin died of a brain stroke and now we know that he inspired so much awe and fear that for some critical hours nobody dared to approach his body. A power struggle then started in the Kremlin and as per information Beria was shot dead. People who had kept quiet during the rule of Stalin now emerged and one of them Gregory Malenkov came into prominence.
However a senior functionary and member of the Presidium Nikita Khruschev was getting his supporters ready to come to power. In 1956 Khruschev came into power as the First Secretary of the Communist Party. At that time the President was Vorshilov. Khruschev manipulated complete power in 1958 and heralded a new phase in Russia.
His rise to power was a like a beacon, especially after his secret speech in the 1956 Communist party Congress, where he denounced Stalin as a " tyrant". Members of the Communist Party, thought to vote for Khruschev as he promised to remove the trappings of a secret police state.
Rise of Khruschev
Nikita S Khruschev was a product of the Soviet state. he lived his entire life in a communist enviornment and he was trusted by Stalin. At that time obeying Stalin was of the utmost importance and Khruschev followed the direction of the wind.He had earlier joined the Communist party and had risen up by his loyalty to the communist cause. His hour of glory came when Hitler advanced deep into Soviet Russia. For all his faults Stalin roused the Russian people and a last defence was planned at the city of Stalingrad on the Volga.
Khruschev was directed by Stalin to proceed to Stalingrad with the express instruction that Stalingrad should be held at all costs. It was not only a matter of prestige, but a loss at Stalingrad would have opened the route to Hitlers army into Siberia and Central Asia.
Khruschev went to Stalingrad and coined the famous slogan" Comrades there is no land for us beyond the Volga". Khruschev was instrumental in stiffening the defence of Stalingrad and in one of the great battles of world history, the German army under Field Marshal Von Paulos surrendered in December 1943. While Khruschev held teh civil side, the military commander was General Zhukov
Khruschev was now called to Moscow and there he observed the working of the Soviet State and the role of the NKVD. Hundredsof Russians just disappeared , but Khruschev kept quiet. In a question and answer session after his secret speech to the Communist party Congress, he was asked as to why he didn't approach Stalin and apprise him as to what was happening. He answered that had he tried it, the NKVD would have shot him dead.
Khruschev became all powerful in 1958 and decided that war was not an option with the USA. He visited USA in 1959 and also India where he mended fences with Nehru. He had a global vision and wished to propel Russia forward as a great power.
Khruschev in Power
Khruschev in power carried out what he had promised. No Soviet leader or his opponent was executed. His predecessor Malenkov was sent as Ambassador to Mongolia and most dissidents were only exiled. Execution so much a vogue of the Soviet State disappeared. One has only to think of the assassination of Trotsky on orders of Stalin and the famous purges and trails of dissidents like Bukharin in 1936-37 that led to executions to realise what Khruschev achieved. It was an act of great courage.
Khruschev was also a great success on the international stage. His greatest contribution to enhancement of Soviet power was during the Cuban missile crises. He outsmarted Kennedy and now we know what Khruschev achieved. He got US nuclear missiles dismantled in Turkey and also got a solemn promise from Kennedy and the USA to NEVER destabilise the Castro regime in Cuba. The USA honored this pledge for 50 years and that is the reason Fidel Castro and his communist regime survived for 5 decades.
Khruschev was handed a propaganda item on a platter by the USA when a U-2 aircraft on a spying mission over Russia was shot down 1200 miles deep in Russian territory. The pilot was captured ( Francis Powers) and put on trial. The world press was invited and instead of Powers in the dock, it was the USA and the US President General Eishenhower who were in the dock. Subsequently Khruschev became more aggressive and began to flaunt Soviet power.
When Khruschev moved around the world, the supporters of Stalin were ganging up against him.The Chinese leader Mao tse Tung was also unhappy with him and Khruschev's order to remove the embalmed body of Stalin from the Mausoleum of Lenin at Red Square was not liked by the Stalinsts. They bidded their time and caught Khruschev on the wrong foot on a matter of agriculture.
Khruschev had wanted to grow wheat in the vast lands of Siberia. Unfortunately thousands of acres of lands in Siberia were laid waste by the weather and Khruschev was held resposnsible. Actually it was just a ploy to remove Khruschev. Leonid Brezhnev at that time sided with the Stalinists and at a meeting of the Collegium, Khruschev was voted out of power. Khrushev wanted the meeting of the entire congress of the party, where he had support, but events overtoook him and he was pensioned off to stay in dacha.
The fact is Khruschev decided that he had done his part in Russian history and gracefully accepted the decision. He made no attempt to cling to power. This was his greatness and his humane treatment of his opponents had an effect and Khruschev was not killed but pensioned off.
Legacy of Khruschev
Khruschev is now no more and so is the Soviet union. There is no doubt had the Soviet Union survived , the role of Khruschev would have been appreciated more.But he must take credit for dismantling the Soviet secret state and the midnight knock. When asked as to what is his greatest contribution , he replied that he had removed fear in Russian society.
Now Russia is a democracy and the transition to this stage would not have been possible if Nikita Khruschev had not appeared on the scene. Its is a sad commentary, that even Russians do not know much about him. But Khruschev was the man who heralded a new era and the present Russia has a lot to owe him. In my book Khruschev is one of the greats of Russia and his role cannot be glossed over.
9 years ago
indipsigh created new article Wasting time.
Time is an important entity of this universe. We live in space and time. Time is described in many ways by people of different thoughts. I do think of time as registered by our brain in comparison to the outside world. From our childhood, we are told time is very important and we should use it wisely. Time becomes important when you are competing with someone and considering time as the only resource which is provided to all the people likewise. The reason for participation in a competition is a different debate altogether and out of scope in this article.
Lets take an example. Two men are preparing themselves to compete in a duel. They have the same amount of time until the match. Lets assume that they are of same intelligence and have the same productivity in terms of time. When i talk of productivity, i want to be discreet about its meaning. Same productivity here would mean that if you are given a task which you complete in 2 hours, the other person with the same productivity will perform the same task in 2 hours as well. Same goes for intelligence. Now that we are clear about the other factors, if we factor in time and keep it same for both the candidates. The odds of winning the duel for the both participants are same.
Now if the parameter of time is changed for one person such that he practices one hour extra than the other person while he sacrifices his sleep brings his odds of winning to a better percentage. Whereas the other person while remaining constant in his factors loses odds of winning the game. So, whenever a person advises the other person that one should not waster his/her time, the person is saying it from a point of view where he/she thinks that conquering time element alone is the key to success. A lot of time can be spent on gathering knowledge before the actual process can be started. The other factors of intelligence and productivity are not taken into consideration while advising on the time factor.
Intelligence is a factor which itself is not indivisible. A person can be intelligent in one area and can act dumb in another. e.g. a scientist may not be good at playing chess but he can surely invent something which would show his prowess in intelligence. Here intelligence is dependent on knowledge as well as experience. A doctor who is recently graduated may have the necessary knowledge but his lack of experience might hinder him in achieving his required objectives. There are number of factors on which intelligence depends like parents, genes, company, thought process etc
A time is designated as wasted when someone feels guilty about it spending it on something which might have brought him some acclamation or accord. This brings me to the point where i can safely declare that the wastage of time is a relative thing rather an absolute thing. Watching TV can be wasteful if you are thinking of losing revenue in terms of bills and a cause of distraction from work, which is again related to revenue. The same event can be praised by someone who thinks that watching TV is a good stress reliever from work resulting in increased productivity and better mental health.
The thoughts are powerful tool of mind to understand the world and environment around us. The thoughts of happiness and sadness form the character of mind as it responds to the events occurring in one's life. The thought arises and settles down in the ocean of mind stirring activity of happiness or sadness which is ultimately absorbed by our consciousness. All that exists is your experience of life. The quality of life increases much more if you know that there is no such thing as wastage of time but only the passing of time.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The Muslim Community in Mumbai Films: A Dubious Lot.
Background
Before I write anything further on what to many will be a contentious topic, its worth to ponder of how Islam came to India. The initial invasions were by the Turks and the Arabs who entered India in about the 9th and 10th century. in a series of battles, they defeated the local rulers who were Hindus. At that time it was not a Hindu- Muslim conflict, but just an attempt by some of the foreign invaders to carry away the loot from India after pillaging the country. However they had some missionary zeal and converted a few Hindus from lower castes to Islam.
Some of the Muslim from Central Asia never went back and settled in India. Notable being the Mughal dynasty that ruled in a broad sense from 1526-1857 and produced 20 emperors, the greatest conqueror of them being Aurangzeb. This was the dark age as brought out by William Duff, the historian, the Muslim rulers made a distinction between the rulers and the ruled. In addition the Hindu population declined by 80 million. The Hindus were reduced to second class citizens and at most periods paid a special tax to practice their religion called "Jiziya". Can anyone deny this?
For the next 9 centuries the Muslims ruled almost all India including the South and during this period they developed a patronising attitude. In their courts the Muslims were preferred . Even history shows that the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, had 90% of all senior officials from the Muslim community.This was despite the entire population of his realm being 90% Hindu. Thus many Hindus converted to Islam to gain the benefit of Muslim rule and to be considered as rulers than being ruled.
Muslims during these 900 years, became used to being an elite class and always looked down on Hindus. There were exceptions, but then remember one swallow does not make the summer.
India after the Raj and Independence
During these 900 years of Muslim dominance the ruling elite( the Muslims ) developed a psychological ethos of being superior. 900 years is a long time and during this period the Muslims were the decision makers. This fact cannot be denied by the pseudo secularists as they have no facts otherwise. However one fact that needs mention is that 98% of the present lot of Muslims have Hindu roots, which they would be glad to deny.
The arrival of the British did change the equation as the Muslims were clubbed with the Hindus as subjects and both were treated equally. The Muslims chaffed at this. Luckily a man called Gandhi appeared on the scene and he formulated a policy of trying to woo the Muslims. He failed and the Muslims were determined to maintain a separate identity.
The British left India in 1947 and power was handed over to Hindu leadership and Muslim leadership with creation of Pakistan. The Muslims left behind in India felt they had been left as orphans and always looked to Pakistan as the mother state.
During the Raj the film industry also sprouted in India. The Muslim community entered this line with gusto as at most placed in India where Muslims ruled the art of Nautch girls and musicians were the handiwork of Muslims. The great singer and Musician during the days of Akbar, Tansen was also a Muslim. The Muslims thus had a tradition of music and dance as they were the ruling class. This found natural expression in the film industry in Bombay. The Muslims also felt that they could regain their pride by entering films. Thus though the Muslims were in a minority, yet they began to dominate the Film world. One other reason was that most old time actresses were Muslim as they came from the nautch girl gharana and were more forthcoming than Hindu girls who were for long suppressed.
Mumbai Films and Muslims
1947 was a traumatic year for the Muslim community as a Muslim state Pakistan was created. Almost all Muslims had a latent desire to go to Pakistan, but reality dictated otherwise. In addition India opted for a secular state in preference to a Hindu state. The Hindus subjected to 900 years as ruled, became rulers. Unfortunately the leadership was weak and overall the Hindu leadership thought it better to placate the Muslims left behind in India, so as to integrate them with the nation. This never happened, but resulted in the Muslims becoming defiant and aggressive.
The Muslims thus exercised the option to remain behind in India and top actresses like Meena Kumai, Nargis, Nimmi, Shyama, et all who were Muslim opted to remain in India. At that time a string of directors like Mehboob Khn, K Asif and many more in the Music and acting department who were Muslims remained behind. In fact to cover up his Muslim trail, the actor Dilip Kumar( really Yusuf Khan)adopted a Hindu name.
The Muslims in Mumbai films though earning money in India and being adulated by the Hindu masses in real terms had empathy for Pakistan.
In 1962 there was a border war with China. At that time the entire film industry led by Dilip Kumar and Mehboob Khan showed their patriotism by holding functions all over India to support the war against China. The India army was defeated and the Mumbai film industry supported the war effort.
However only 3 years later the was a war with Pakistan. The war ended in a stalemate and people all over India were roused against Pakistan. Unfortunately it is on record that the Bombay film industry was silent. Dilip Kumar went into hiding and other Muslim film luminaries had nothing to say. They never condemned Pakistan and Dilip Kumar privately felt that Pakistan was right and India should hand over Kashmir to Pakistan. No wonder that the Shiv Sena Member of parliament Nirupam called Dilip Kumar a Pakistani agent in parliament.
Muslims Dominate Mumbai Films and Mafia Dons Come in
Times change and over the decades the hold of Muslims on the Mumbai film industry increased.The criminal Dons decided that there was good money to be made from this industry and they began to finance film projects. At that time the Government of India committed a tactical blunder and did not declare the films as an industry and thus money from banks and financial institution was not forthcoming. This lacuna of finance was solved by the dons, many of who were sitting in Dubai or Karachi.
These Dons pumped in millions of dollars, but they were all Muslims and one of the stipulations ( which has been confirmed to me by a film producer) was that the main star would be a Muslim. They wanted Hindu girls as heroines and not Muslim girls as Islam frowned on women. Thus a tactical shift began to take place and the Muslim heroines became fewer and Hindu girls came up. In addition almost all top male stars were Muslim. I wonder if anybody has spared a thought as to how with a population percentage of 15, the majority of the top male stars are all Muslim. Some pseudo secularists will quote a few Hindu names also as top stars , but this does not answer the main question.
Once the Dons have come in, they won't go back and these Muslim stars have to dance to the tunes of the dons. On national TV, one of the Directors of the Intelligence Bureau, now retired brought out that the top most Muslim star in Mumbai now voicing cliches on "intolerance" was dancing at the birthday of the Don (Dawood Ibrahim) in Dubai in 1992.
Matters have not ended there and it is on record that at least half a dozen Muslim stars and many other prominent directors and producers have voiced their opposition to the "insecurity" and " intolerance" they are supposed to be facing. Forgetting that they are earning billions in India and leading a life of utmost luxury. They are confident that whatever they say will be accepted and Hindus ( a few of them) will whine like a dog, but in effect nothing will happen. In this they stand exposed. two of the top stars and lesser stars have all mouthed these cliches, which have been lapped up by the foreign media.
In one of the parties I attended after the infamous outburst by Amir Khan, that he wanted with his wife to leave India , a top Brigadier General of the local army mentioned that in case such a man had similar statement in his country , he would have been flown out by a chartered plane to where ever he wanted to go. I told him such things do not happen in India as we are a democracy. He laughed, and said go through and see how the Americans act and the statements of the candidate Donald Trump.
The fact remains that the Hindus are a tolerant lot and the bigger fact is that the superstars articulate what the Muslims feel. In fact instead of motivating them to be nationalist, they emphasize the differences. Both the superstar Khans were quiet when the Congress was in power though there were massacres of Muslims in Assam and Bhagalpur earlier.
These are the men who have misused the adulation showered on them. The nexus between the Dons and the Muslims of the film world must be broken. It is a Herculean task, at least it appears so, but in reality all it needs is will power. Let us see how the Indian nation reacts to the shady role of these so called stars and the small time men artistes in the Mumbai film world. They are indeed a dubious lot.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Winter and your exercising pattern .
Exercising habits during winters
The younger generation has taken to exercise with great zeal in recent years especially watching the bodies of their screen heroes. The trend of gym going is on the up for last decade or so but more people are out making their bodies in traditional ways too. But at the same time winters put a break on a group of persons who are not comfortable going out during extreme cold conditions. They stop going to gym or their frequency of going to gym reduced down to almost nil as they find it difficult to go out in cold weather coming out of comfortable warmth of their quill. There are some who keep promising to themselves that they must start exercising during this winter but that’s what they said every year but they never did that. But as per the experts the regular exercisers should never give up or lessen their routine as it could be harmful.
In North India winters make a big difference on daily routine of most people especially the ones who feel lazy or feel cold weather not to their liking. Their food and exercise habits change altogether from what they were doing by the end of October or may be second week of November. Most experts suggest that winter is the best season for exercising but some of us find it too tough for their comfort level and stop it totally. It’s better to find new ways of exercising instead of giving up the exercise in cold weather.
Your resistance power develops
No one should believe that by merely starting your exercises will build your body like Arnold Schwarzenegger or you will burn your fat immediately but exercising is beneficial in more than one way. It keeps you fit and energetic and if you are otherwise a regular at exercising then continued schedule during winter will keep your weight in control. Your resistance power and digestion will increase and muscles will be more powerful. If you do not feel like doing it on daily basis do it for 4-5 days that is enough to keep your weight, calories and schedule intact. People suffering from lack of vitamin D will be immensely benefited if they manage to exercise out in daylight under the sun during winters. Exercising in such a manner is also beneficial in enhancing your appetite as your level of serotonin hormone goes up which is essential for appetite related problems.
Exercising during winters is good for your heart since the arteries of the heart shrink which affect adversely to blood and oxygen circulation in this weather. Not exercising properly may also cause bad affect on your blood pressure causing hypertension. Winters also create problems for people suffering from respiratory related diseases as the human body goes through a shrunken state during winters which disturbs the repertory process. People suffering from respiratory problems should be careful while exercising and avoid heavy workout.
What you should do
You should drink enough water during exercises as people feel lesser thirsty in winters and their intake of water goes down but body needs of water remain same and lack of water causing pain in joints and muscles. You can use lukewarm water if you find normal water not to your liking that will help increase your water intake. One should wear clothes in layers during exercises and remove them as per requirement but use woolen clothes and socks with shoes during your workout which will help your body adjusting with outside temperature. Never remove all your clothes during exercise in winter that will help your body protected from sudden attack of cold.
You must give at least 10 minutes for properly warming up your body before starting your workouts and warming down at the end of workout sessions. If you do not warm up or warm down the chances are your body will suffer from muscular pain and stresses. It happens in all seasons but the impact of muscular problems is far greater in winters. Warm up and warm down is also helpful in making your mind more prepared for the purpose.
Another crucial point which most people should follow is the way they breathe. People breathe differently in winter season as their posture of standing and standing changes due to excessive cold conditions. And if a person sits or stand in such a position that makes it hard for lungs to extend fully due to lack of oxygen then their breathing process shortens. Therefore it’s suggested to people suffering from asthmatic problems to never avoid exercising even if they reduce it to some extent but as per the suggestion of their doctor. The yoga exercises especially Aalom-Vilom is considered a good exercise for such persons.
Exercises for people suffering from joint pain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiptoe
There are certain exercises which can help people suffering from joint pains.
Pain in legs- you should lie down on a hard surface and lift your legs one by one to a 90 degree angle. Keep your other body parts still during this exercise. Repeat this process for 10-12 times with each leg. Later keep your legs stationary at 90 degree for sometime without moving them and then stretch toward your stomach one by one and keep them there for some time, finally stretch them straight.
Tip and Toes- walking on tips and toes is useful for people suffering from joint pain during winters. You should start with walking on your toes balancing your body weight properly on each of your toes and then move on to your paws. You can do this exercise as long as you feel comfortable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toe
Back exercise- You should stand with your palms over your head against a wall, the distance between your feet on floor and hands on wall should be exactly the same. Move your back clockwise it will help reduce fat from back and stomach in a quick time.
Exercise of shoulders - stand straight and move your shoulders around 20 times in forward position and then do the same in backward position. Then stretch your arms as much as possible and move your wrists 20 times each right and left in both directions.
Image source Wikipedia
9 years ago
suhas created new article This present reality is Not Exactly What I Envisioned in School .
When I was in school, I would constantly here teachers and my guardians specifically discuss this present reality and how things would be distinctive when I was really there. I envisioned this vicious world where just the totally shrewdest survived, and I trusted that I would be one of those individuals.
What I in the end got some answers concerning this present reality, on the other hand, was that it is not as difficult to live in as everybody makes it out to be, and from multiple points of view, is quite straightforward. The most vital thing to do is make arrangements.
When I moved on from school, I had as of now interned with an organization that in the end gave me a vocation and I was working 40 hours per week. I was not making a mess of cash, but rather I could manage the cost of my own place. My auto was at that point paid for, so that was not an issue.
My guardians said that now I was out in this present reality, I would experience what life was truly like, and that I would do well to be arranged for a few misfortunes. Presently, I would prefer not to make it out like my life since school has been picture immaculate, yet I have gotten along genuinely well.
The main thing I did when I moved into my condo was to figure up the greater part of my bills and make a financial plan for myself. I ensured that I secured everything that I owed and forgot cash for staple goods, amusement, gas for my auto and my week by week commitments to my congregation. I was additionally ready to return some cash to investment funds that I could dunk into for such things as garments or an auto repair.
I ensured that I adhered to my financial plan and spared, and really soon, I was in a genuinely decent position fiscally. I additionally made it a point to be deferential to individuals at work, carry out my business to the best of my capacity and keep a decent state of mind, and I truly never had any significant issue at my employment.
This present reality, which I had heard such a great amount about as a spot that would be truly hard to get along in, was not troublesome for me by any stretch of the imagination. I had a sweetheart and numerous companions and an adoring family, also.
Since I was sparing so well, I could travel a tiny bit and do some socially improving exercises, for example, going to historical centers and the musical drama. I invested energy with companions at ball games and neighborhood games bars, and had an extremely satisfying life at that specific time.
I regularly think back on my guardians' and educators' notices about this present reality and miracle on the off chance that they were saying those things to me in regards to how extreme it would be to offer me some assistance with making beyond any doubt that I was arranged and prepared for anything that life tossed at me. On the off chance that that is the situation, it unquestionably worked.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Your First Job- Check Out Your Priorities.
Got a job – Now what next?
I am sure this could be true for government jobs however, people having big dreams never quit their efforts, government or private but there are very few in government sector, (sorry, but true). But in private sector the things stand a bit differently. You efforts don’t end with an appointment but you have to continue with added efforts. In my views there are four easy ways for being a successful professional. You can easily reach to your target with careful planning, positive mindset, and continuous efforts and if you are a believer then keep Him in your prayers.
Let’s begin from the beginning
Now that you have successfully achieved your target after the interview, Tests and GD etc. and got a job of your choice, it’s time to show your skills as the first job of your career is the base or like foundation stone that gives a proper direction to your career. This is the time when you come out of your college mode and enter into the corporate word an entirely new phase of your life and too demanding which needs your full attention, care and the most of all your true self with no strained mentality whatsoever but a calm and cool professional. Let’s go through some of the essential requirements a fresh professional should posses.
Your first impression is important
We have all heard about it but how many of us care to continue with it is an important point but there should be no doubt that how you leave an impression on your seniors and colleagues plays a major role in your future career. Your managers and seniors keep a close watch on your behavior and work style although you can change your impression as per the requirement of the time but your first impression is always crucial. You should look what you are and always behave how you should – like a professional that will help you grow faster. Just look at the way a properly dressed executive and a casually dressed executive they give a different feeling to visitors irrespective of their skills.
Punctuality plays a major role
It’s hard to follow but reaching office at fixed time every day, throughout the career is one of the most important aspects that help you grow in your career and more so when you join as a fresher and your seniors and HR managers keeping a close eye on your behavior. So stop acting like a student who could afford to skip a period or two before reaching to college, (if you were really doing that). Let me share a secret with you, I always repeat always reported at least 5 minutes earlier throughout my career whenever I was in city of posting or to my clients’ office at our scheduled meeting hours. I waited outside for few minutes but never gave anyone a chance to tell me I was late. You can’t survive for long with such an attitude.
You should know your workplace
I say this as every workplace is different from each other although the ethics don’t differ much but way of work and the way people behave during work known as work culture could well be different in every place. So, keep a keen eye and adapt the ways but only the good ones as you may find people behaving rudely or unethically, some of them whining and others gossiping in every place and here you have to be the best judge whom to follow and whom not to, the choice is yours. I suggest you concentrate on your own work and avoid paying attention to all unproductive activities. That will serve no purpose in progress of your future career.
Professionalism is the key
We have heard so much about professionalism and professional people talking non-stop about it but what exactly is professionalism by the way? At least I have never heard or come across any business school having professionalism in their syllabus. No IIM conducts classes about this important aspect to any of its students but you have to learn it on your own. You can learn the art of professionalism watching others or following ethics properly of your own industry.
Treat your coworkers politely and respectfully no matter what your job is. Set an example by being well behaved worker that will make others follow the suit and it will help you developing into a good professional on your way to top. There is another important rule for reaching to the top is you should never be lenient dealing with what’s expected of you but taking things seriously is surefire way of making you a better professional.
Learn to accept your faults that help you learn several new things besides seniors will share their knowledge with you. Always complete your project within time limit and in case you feel you need more time to complete the job inform your superiors well in advance so they can look for appropriate action into the matter to recover the loss of time or add more people to team.
You should know your job
To carry out your duties in a proper way you should know your job... sounds funny but that’s what I want to say that you should know properly what’s expected of you before you practically start working on a project. The best way to learn the intricacies is to sit with your seniors especially the immediate boss or in-charge of the project and go in the deep details of what is required of you. I hope you won’t mind if I say some of the newly appointed workers in their over enthusiasm do something that spoils the whole project but by the time they realize their folly that is too late.
So sit with your boss and discuss the job in detail and clear your FUNDAS before jumping at the job, your boss is the best person to help you out. There is another serious suggestion for you that you should not try anything on your own unless you’re told to do something in particular, not in the beginning at least. Never try to interfere with others’ work unless you are asked for which may ruin the team spirit and harm your career in the process.
Coordination with HR
You should keep in touch with human resources department and cooperate with them unless all the formalities regarding you appointment and proper induction which in some cases take almost a month or longer according to your company rules. You should keep copies of all your necessary documents with you to avoid problems in case any information is missing in the records. Keep checking your attendance record. Let me bring it your notice that frequent absence from workplace is not considered a good habit and one should avoid it unless you must avail your leaves. Most companies keep a close watch on their employees taking too many leaves considering them as irresponsible. I have mentioned it before that it’s better to stay out of gossip groups.
I agree you will come in contact with coworkers and become close to them too but it will not be hard to know who is good to befriend. You will soon find out that some of your coworkers love gossiping and if you become part of such a group you will find some of the gossips interesting but you should follow the professional decorum instead of becoming part of the gossip. For your information most big companies especially in corporate sector have the provision of reporting all inappropriate or unethical action to a particular section of HR department.
Keep a watch on personal reports
Personal reports better known as feedback are part of your job which is conducted by human resources department at a regular interval. Your manager reports everything highlighting positive and negative points in detail. You feel happy reading your positive part of the report but pay proper importance to your negative points which in my views are more important than positive points as they help you remove your weaknesses. I suggest you to talk to your manager and ask him to provide remedial suggestions so that you can improve faster.
I have always believed that completing your work within stipulated time frame is the best way of doing your job but if it takes you a few minutes extra on a particular day, do not hesitate. But do not make it a habit of delaying things or work late as you have your personal life and over stressing yourself may become the reason of extreme tiredness resulting from mental, physical exertion or in some cases serious illness.
Positive Approach
We all are aware about benefits of positive attitude of a person and if a fresher has positivism added with politeness and practical approach towards life can do wonderfully well in his career. These are the basic qualities of a successful professional which go a long way in help setting the right direction of his career. A young fresher, finds it tough in adjusting himself to unknown environment or work culture of a particular company has no alternative but either find his way himself or take the help of his seniors. I would suggest take as much help of his seniors and at the same time keep endorsing their efforts without sounding excessive of flattery in your tone.
Everyone knows but…
There are a few well known facts that almost everyone knows but if you apply them in your workplace you will see the difference. Everyone knows that talking in high volume is no good n a workplace or talking with a tone of arrogance creates a negative atmosphere but I felt it bad while I first experienced it during my first job when I heard a deputy GM talking to a fresher in a rude and too arrogant tone. The fresher in front of him was absolutely puzzled and the people around also felt badly.
Then we have the people who take personal calls on phone for long duration without considering they cause to others sitting near them besides wasting precious time which they could have used for a creative purpose. In all, your actions and behavior must display about your intentions, positivism towards coworker and the object of growth for the company you work. You must not only be a good speaker but a good listener too which shows that you take interest in everything for the welfare of all.
Follow the instructions of seniors as long as you do not find anything absolutely wrong in them but share your thoughts with them if you feel they are worth sharing and while doing so keep a watch on the expressions on your boss’s face. I think this would be too much if I suggested you to respect all the workers without keeping their posts in mind and yes, double the amount of respect in case of female workers. Never try to be close with women employees but keep it up to a sober distance. If you manage to keep all these things in your practical behavior there is no reason why you should fail to achieve the desired results.
The First Day
The first day of the first job is always so exciting which is almost impossible to explain in words for most of us, (but I will not take a chance as there are so many experienced people around). The day is not only filled with excitement but a mixture of amusement, a bit low on self confidence and curiosity of judging the reaction about self of the people present there. After all the first day at your first work place has its own importance and it will never come again. By the way-
- Are you there on right time or the boss is waiting for you?
- Have you kept your phone on silent mode?
- Do you have a notebook and a pen?
- Keep your tone and language in control
- Accept suggestions with open mind, you have to learn a lot here
- Listen carefully, you will have enough time to talk later
- Last but not the least, treat everyone with care you have to spend one third of your time with them.
Image source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The War Against the Minority in Islam.
At the start I must draw a parallel with Nazi Germany to bring out the point that the silent majority is often coerced into submisssion and a stage comes when it becomes irrelavent. This happened in Germany when Adolf Hitler rode to power.
Hitler we must remember came to power on the strength of a general election, when his National Socialist Party emerged as the single largest party in the Riechstag. At that time some Germans felt happy that German pride would be restored. Some felt infifferent but the majority did not care much as they expected to be allowed to lead their own lives. irrespective of what Hitler did. How wrong they were could be seen from the later years when Hitler appropriated all power to him and began a rule in which he shephered the majority to listen to him. At that time the majority of the German people came under sway of Hitler and lost their independence. This is a stark reminder of how a minority can overwhelm a majority and cow it down.
This is precisely what is happening in Islam now and one wonders wheter what happened in germany could happen in the 21st century.At that time it is worth recounting that the majority of Germans were not Nazi's
The Islamic Paradox
Something similar is happening in Islam. There are all sorts of experts sitting in armchair and writing and speaking utter nonsense.These "experts" and " talking heads" are repeating like a parrot that Islam is a peaceful religion and the vast majority of the followers of Mohammed wish to live in peace and harmony. Although this unqualified assertion maybe true, the fact is that such statements are meaningless and act like a lullabye to a child to sleep. The purpose is to assure all people that the problem is simple and there is no cause for worry. Another purpse is to diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam
The fact is that fanatics rule Islam at this point in world history. It is the fanatics who are on the march across the globe in 50 nations and have started a shooting war in all these 50 countries. it is in fact a global war.
We must recollect that it's these fanatics who who are slaughtering Christians and tribal clans in Central and West Africa.These fanatic Islamic groups are gradually taking over the entire African continent in a giant Islamic wave. It is these fanatics that bomb, rape and behead in all the areas they operate. Again it is these fanatics who have taken over the mosques and the silent majority has just nodded its head. Worse it is these fanatics who teach young children to hate the Jew, Christian and Hindu and also teach them how to become suicide bombers and go to paradise. These children are tought that Islam is the only religion and after death in paradise, 72 of the most beautiful virgins will be their reward.
This problem is not confined to Africa, but is also a part of the global scenario and that includes the Middle East, India, Europe and America. The hard quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority or the "silent majority" is cowed and extraneous. They have in other words become irrelavent.
Communist Russia comprised of Russians who wanted to live a peaceful life, yet 20 million of them were murdered. The peaceful majority was irrelevent. China's huge population was peaceful as well, yet Mao tse Tung and his communist cadre executed or killed 70 million Chinese. Here also the vast majority of Chinese became irrelavent.
Look at Japan during the war years and the years preceding the war. The Japanese people were by and large peaceful, but a fringe minority seized power and began a massacre that killed 19 million including 12 million in China, who were either shot, beheaded or baynotted. An orgy of violence was unleasehed and the rape of Nanking is famous. The point is that in such circumstances the majority become meaningless and are just like fodder as they acquisce to the minority. This has happened throughout the ages and is happening now in the Islamic faith. The only difference is that this movement is even more dangerous as it is fueled by a religious faith that encompasses the entire globe.
History and Silent Majority
Lessons fom history are often blunt but simple. Despite this home truth most common people miss the basic point. What is the basic point at present? The basic point is that the vast peace loving Muslims have been rendered irrelavent. By their silence. If peace loving Muslims speak , they will antagonise the minority and so a psychosis of fear grips thm. These Muslims by their silence will awake up one day and find that the fanatics own them. Just like in Germany when the vast majority were owned by the Nazi party.. The majority of Muslims will the find that they are like the sheep in the pen.
Again this is nothing new and has happened since the dawn of history. One fne day the peaceful majority find that they have become slaves. Even now the vast majority in Afganistan, Indian Muslims, Middle East and other parts o the world have lost their freedom to think. These minority Muslims also cow down the other communities, who live for peace and hope the majority of Muslms can be " placated". Thus in Canada in public schools, Islamic prayer is included and in many countries like India the Islamic schools are allowed to flourish. This is equated with secularism and one is apt to forget that Kemel Ataturk had abolished all Islamic schools in a country like Turkey which has a 99% Muslim population'.
In Australia and many other countries packaged items of processed meat have the label Halal on them. Airlines in flight announce Halal items as part of the menu. It was prevalent in Lanka as well, but the Buddhist monks by an agitation got these labels banned. Attempts are being made all over the world to placate the Muslims by these methods. But these methods are not working and the West and India have seen that like in Nazi Germany and China the silent majority of Muslims are not speaking out. They are slient at the excesses being committed by the minority. Thus we see that tens of thousands of kilings and rape,beheadings and suicide bombers have not even created a ripple in the Muslim community. One can see that the vast majority has not sided against these minority Muslim groups.
Who are these groups? They are terror outfits that live on their own versions of Islam, yet hardly anybody has condemned their acts as unislamic. This is difficult to understand. Are these people having some empathy for these groups? do they feel secretly pleased by their acts?. There is no clear cut answer and one can conclude that perhaps these terror groups like the ISI do have a lot of support. This can also be borne out by the fact that the ISI gets a regular supply of recruits from all over the world.
What Next?
The silence of the majority has grave repurcussions. It may be due to fear or for anything else, though a latent support cannot be ruled out. But the fact remains that the silent majority is unaware as to where the road will lead. it will in all probability lead to a certain amount of self destruction like in China and Germany.There can be doubt about it. But the other danger is more deadly as it will pit Islam against the world.
Despite the policy of appeasement, the appeasers will themselves be wiped out and I say this with surety. This is applicable to the so called pseudo secularists in both India and the West. One such person is the star Aamir Khan. Such a man knows not what he talks. He has only to venture out of India to realize that he stands a good chance of being made to eat the humble pie. Incidentally there are thousands like him who like the German people who failed to realize the danger of Hitler, are now unable to recognize the danger of the extremist Muslim organizations.
The Muslim extremist organizations have to be dealt by with the Muslims themselves. Failure to do this will lead to Armageddon, the last battle of the human era. This is the Third World war and one cannot be sure who the winner will be.
9 years ago
Bajirao created new article Teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhism is one of the peaceful religion and a belief system which provides not only moral teachings but also teaches us the importance and purpose of our life. A word 'Buddhism' originates from the word 'buddhi' which means 'to awaken', 'to understand', and 'to know'. Buddhism is becoming popular in western culture because it provides solutions to many problems in the modern societies. Buddhism was originated nearly 2500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama who is the founder of Buddhism religion.
Gautama Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama was a son of an Indian warrior. He was born into the royal family in Nepal, in 563 BC. Till his adulthood, he led an extravagant lavish life and engaged in reveling the privileges of his social caste. However in late stage of his adulthood, he wandered in search of purpose of his life. At the age of 30, he realized that the happiness does not lie in the health and wealth, but the true happiness is somewhere else. He was enlightened after the age of 35 when he studied the meditation and different teachings / philosophies of different religions. He spent rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism until the end of his life. The principles of Buddhism is called as 'Dhamma' or 'Truth'.
Buddha is not a god nor he claims to be a god. In fact he is a man who taught and showed the path towards happiness. Usually Buddhist pay respect to the statue of Gautama Buddha and express their gratitude by bowing to his statue. Most of the time you will find Buddha's statue as rested hands on its lap with a smile. This statue will remind you to develop peace and love within yourself.
Buddhism Beliefs
The essence of Buddha's teaching comprises of Four Truths -
First Truth is Life is suffering - Life includes pain, health issues, diseases, psychological sufferings like fear, jealousy, embarrassment, anxiety,etc; old age and finally death. This is a fact of our life. No one can change this fact. Buddhism teachings makes you realistic and teaches you how to avoid and overcome these sufferings.
Second Truth is the desire and ignorance are the root cause of the sufferings - By desire I mean craving for pleasure, material goods, and immortality are the wants of life which can be never satisfied. Hence desiring them only brings suffering and misery. Ignorance means ignoring the world and unable to grasp the true nature of life. Hence bad and evil nature like jealousy, hatred, egotism, etc arises from this ignorance.
Third Truth is that there is an end to the suffering and happiness can begin in your life - The happiness can be attained if we give up these cravings, and if we do not dwell in the past or in future instead if we live in the present every day. Basically this state is called as 'Nirvana' where you are free from sufferings.
Fourth Truth is the attaining the end of suffering through Noble Eightfold Path. It is basically being moral, focusing your mind and aware of your thoughts and actions and develop wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths.
Noble 8-Fold Path
The steps for Noble 8 Fold Path are - Right Understanding, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Efforts, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Karma and The Cycle of Re-birth
Karma is refers the law that every action has its reaction, i.e our every action has a result. If a person does good action like generosity, helpful to people, kindness, etc throughout his life, brings happiness in his life; if person does bad actions like stealing, lying, killing, brings about sadness in his life. The result of Karma depends on the past and present action of an individual. According to Buddhism there are 6 different plane or reams on which any living being can be reborn - 3 fortunate realms and 3 unfortunate (miserable)realms. Three fortunate realms are realms of demigods, realms of gods and realms of human being; while unfortunate or miserable realms are realms of animals, ghosts and hell. Rebirth in the fortunate realms results in the wholesome karma while rebirth in an unfortunate realm results in unwholesome karma where they suffer miserably.
Let me explain you about these realms in brief. Most happiest among the six realms are the realms of God. Living beings are reborn as gods if they have done wholesome good actions, have observed moral precepts and have dome meditation. However the happiness of god is not permanent hence realm of god is not desirable. When the force of karma exhausted the gods from heaven are reborn in another realms. This happens because of pride among them.
Demigods are more powerful physically and intellectual than human beings, yet they suffer from jealousy and anger. According to mythology, Demigods are usually envious of gods and always fight with gods. Hence they remain unhappy and unfortunate most of the time. This anger and jealousy of demigods causes rebirth in other realms.
Human reals is the most favored realm of all the other realms because human beings has an opportunity to achieve enlightenment and achieve enlightenment. In human realm , one experiences both happiness and sadness or sufferings. The suffering in human realms although seems to be terrible, it is less terrible than the other three unfortunate realms. Also happiness experienced in human reals is also not great as it is experienced in gods realms. As a result human beings has sufferings and happiness at equal level. Human birth is very difficult to gain because good conduct is the only way or cause to reborn as humans. Human beings are the only one who has opportunity to practice and achieve enlightenment, and to develop qualities like wisdom, mental development and morality.
In conclusion, Buddhism teaches that solution to our problem is within our self. Every one should decide and take responsibility of their own actions. Buddhism teaches that the wisdom should be developed with compassion which includes qualities of sharing, giving comfort, sympathy, concern,. Through wisdom we can really understand each other and understand our self. True wisdom is not merely following the path, it means experiencing and understanding the truth and reality.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article The Wake up Call For Everyone .
India & Diversity
India is a country of diversities, you name them you have them. Call them diversities in religion, cultures, languages, food habits, clothes, dresses and so many other things besides the great social values. In fact that's what we have been taught right from our childhood but things are taking a new turn lately. I would not like to name them but certain forces are constantly trying to destroy the fabric of unity in their own vested interests. People believe that India is the oldest culture of the world which dates back to lachks of years but I would prefer to keep it to at least 5,000 years old but whatever its age right now it is in danger of being molested.
If the ongoing discussion on tolerance is any proof, the conspirators are working overtime on their plans for dividing the great people of this country into the pre-independence era or going further back to year 1857 when India was not a proper country but a group of kingdoms ruled by different clans. We are going through a tough period where people are not sure what’s going on. As far as religion is concerned India has largest number of religious groups here including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist, Paresis and Jains. However, the way brains are being washed through baseless debates is enough to delude not so developed minds.
The Role of Media
There is so much going on in electronic media, print media, social sites and other forums which is more than enough for confusing even the most intelligent people so what to talk of illiterate and semi-illiterate masses of this country who take all such matters seriously and probably they are the targets of cunning politicians on either site of the center of power. If you happen to visit social media sites especially twitter, Facebook or Whatsapp, you will see lots of rumors are making rounds presented so authentically that make sound impression on readers to great extent.
As far informed people are concerned they do not take them seriously but read, maybe make a light comment and move on. Different newspapers and magazines in twenty-two official languages of India and many more in unofficial languages are full of posts and comments in favor and against the ongoing discussion day in and day out ever since a few minor incidents took place in certain places. The social media is full of double meaning messages most of which have not a genuine source but the advent of internet spreads them so fast which was unimaginable in the last decade.
It’s worth mentioning here that most educated and matured people do not believe in such baseless gossips but we have immature and lesser informed sources among us who do not think seriously before reaching to a conclusion. It’s also true that certain educated members in the social media also participate and spread baseless messages but most of them accept their fault and delete their posts if told the reality, which is proof enough to show the greatness of people, our culture and understanding. I would like to mention one senior member in my Facebook list who leaves no chance posting strange messages not his own though but that have any reliability in them whatsoever. I felt like giving him a message to post what he feels is authentic but gave up the idea. Today, the media is busy spreading rumors about everything in the name of freedom of expression without investigating the reality or thinking about the result it will bring to the country in the long run.
Role of Social Media
I am not in favor of any restriction on any media but the part of electronic and print media which is not following ethics of the trade should stop making people believe that our institutions are biased. The impression among the general TV news channel viewer is that we are passing through a civil-war in India which is absolutely untrue but spread by the vested interests for political or financial gain. I fail to understand how any responsible media can behave like in this manner which helps intentions of enemy. Beside the role of print and electronic media social media too is unable to play its role positively and allowing irresponsible and unauthentic content on this platform. The social media allows thousands of posts everyday which can very well be put in objectionable category.
Social media undoubtedly has its brighter side but it has become the main source of unsocial activities of late. The thousands of posts are proof which hit institutes, nations, personalities or any particular religion face the hate messages without check. I feel it is not necessary to say that until a few years before this world was not only a group of seven continents but was divided into many geological and religious groups as well where it was not difficult to hide the information. The news was available but it took a long time reaching to different parts of the world.
For instance the incident of Tienanmen Square that happened in 1989 but not many people knew about it that time not even in China. But a fax that was received in distant country revealed it to the rest of the world. But that was an old story, now the world has turned into a global village. The internet has brought the people very near to each other. However, if the internet has played its role for bringing up the knowledge it has its share of distraction too. The internet has provided an easy way to terrorists for brainwashing and appointing new members easily. The latest example is dreaded terrorist group IS which is using it for recruitment and messaging purpose. The politicians are not far behind they use this platform for hate propaganda.
The worst that could happen to this otherwise wonderful platform is that people are not using it for sharing their personal views only but it’s been used by organized political and propagandist groups for their purpose on a mass scale. India is not far behind in the game played by politicians on social media who use professional companies for election campaigning. We have seen that during last couple of elections in India when professional campaigners played a vital role in win or loss of different parties. The social media is now the platform for taking the best advantage of smallest of mishaps in favor of different political parties. The best example is Dadri incident which was altogether different incident from how it was projected. In fact, we have reached to such an ugly stage where death is used for political gain. The social media has become the tool being used by the people who have no hesitation using poor people as a commodity for their own benefit. The social media is like a tool in the hands of powerful and influential using it as their easiest way of destroying the image of honest people.
Villains or Winners
We have been witnessing for centuries that villain is defeated in the end but the tide is changed and now propagandists have proved the villains are the real winners. It’s a dangerous trend that needs to be stopped without any further delay but that is not possible unless the political parties are not willing to stop this game of attacking and counter attacking each other on social media which is giving them and the country a very bad image. I don’t see any communal riots anywhere in the country barring scattered incidents but the social media projecting them as if the country is on the verge of breakup. We shall have to stop them and the brains behind all such activities otherwise there is no guarantee that our unity in diversity which is intact so far will remain safe in future.
I am not very sure our politicians will learn any lesson from politicians of other countries which come on a single platform during any incident related to national security, calamity or emergency but that is not so in India. On the contrary, our politicians start a blame game according to their own party’s interests and the media including members of social media take sides of their favorite groups. For them, country has no meaning but their personal interests stand supreme. The time has come the leaders of different political groups understand the grave situation else the matter will go out of their hands and the people who suffer will be ordinary general public.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Mussorie- The Queen Of Hills.
The Queen of Hills
Mussoorie is one of the most visited hill stations especially by north Indians and people from distant countries of the world round the year but the best season to visit is either summers or winters. However no one wants to visit the place during monsoon as it rains a lot during that time.
However Mussorie basically a hill resort which was founded by a British army officer Captain Young who developed it in a wonderful place for British officers who felt discomfort during the summers in plains of North India provides a wonderful experience and a different feeling those want a refreshing relief from the hot conditions of the plains in summers or experience the natural gift of watching snowfall rare in this part of the world and I love the place especially as it is close enough to my own city.
Ask anyone in this part of the world that you are going to Mussorie for a vacation he will be immediately feel envious and more so if happen to go in the end of December or beginning of January. Mussorie is better known as the 'Queen of Hills' which is a lovely hill station in Himalayas located near Dehradun situated in the range of 1900-2475 meters above sea level in Devbhumi of Uttarakhand, the Land of Gods.
A tourist should come to Dehradun first in order to reach Mussoorie which is situated at a distance of 35 km from the city of Dehradun Incidentally Dehradun, Rishikesh and Kotdwar are the main gateways to enter in the Garhwal part of the Uttrakhand state (where Mussorie is located). Incidentally, adventure loving people walk to Musoorie, about 9 km away from Rajpura road in Dehradun. The way is to Mussoorie is steep climb but a visitor never feels tired as he walks through the Tibetan monasteries situated on the way and the beautiful scenic beauty which can be viewed while traveling on the way towards up the hill.
The people who have visited Mussorie earlier, it has change during last 50 years or so particularly the city area but those who love to see the natural beauty must go to its surrounding areas having immense natural beauty and pleasant climate that instantly makes it a perfect place for a peaceful experience. However, the city itself has a lot to offer to visitors including the Mall Road, a library and a Church along with many shopping plazas.
As one enters the main Mussoorie town he finds himself on The Mall like all other hill resorts in north India, a road found in every city or town where British had their presence and which was specially designed for their strolling purpose. Mussoorie also has this road known as The Mall starting from British period cinema hall the Picture Palace to the other end where the Library stands as another famous building reminding the British period.
However, the best attraction most for visitors in Mussoorie is still the beautiful view and significant segment remains the hills and that also contributes the most for the town's revenue. Mussorie is one of the first choices of honeymooning couples in India.
Have a look at the tourists’ interest places in and around Mussorie at a glance-
Camel Back Road- The busies road in the town Camels Back is one of the major attractions for tourists as this 3 KM long road is shaped like a camel’s back. The road has many attractions for tourists as many Tibetans shops cater for the needs of tourists offering woolens and other gift items at a very reasonable price provided you know how to bargain for the lowest prices.
Jwalaji Temple- One of the most visited areas in Mussorie is Jwalaji Temple in Benog Hill also known as Beong Tibba which is at a distance of 10 km from main city situated at almost 2200 meter above the sea level. The temple’s main attraction is idol of Ma Durga. Visitors can enjoy the view of the Aglar River valley from temple also while walking the distance.
Nag Devta Temple – The famous among the tourists especially the local tourists is ancient temple Nag Temple or Shiva temple who is considered Lord of Snakes is situated about 6 km from main town on main highway to Dehradun.
Lal Tibba (hill) is another tourist spot of Mussoorie. Dhanaulti hill is a tourist spot about 32 KM away from Mussoorie.
Kempty Falls- The Kempty Falls, another tourist spot that attracts most visitors is situated about 15 km from the main city at a height of 1400 meters from sea level.
Lake Mist- This is another good picnic spot nearly 5 km on the way to Kempty Falls. The best thing about the place is that it has facilities for night halt and restaurants. People coming to this place enjoy boating in Kempty River flowing through besides Lake Mist has many more small waterfalls created naturally by the river.
Rope way- Rope way is one of the major tourist attractions for the visitors to Mussoorie that starts from Mall road and takes the visitors to Gun Hill. Incidentally, Gun Hill is the second highest point of Mussoorie, at 2000 meters from sea level.
Jharipani Fall- This is another natural fall located at about 8.5 km away from Mussoorie where visitors can easily reach by their cars, taxis and local buses.
Mossy Fall- Mossy Fall is located in the forest at a distance of is 7 km from main town with easy reach.
Bhatta Falls- This beautiful fall is located at a distance of 7 km from city again on Dehradun main road near a village called Bhatta where visitors can easily reach by car or bus up to village and then walk to fall at a distance about 3 km by foot. Bhatta falls is known for its beautiful ponds and enjoyment of bathing and water games mostly visited by picnic lovers.
Company Garden- One of the most visited places in Mussorie and a popular tourist destination Company Garden has a vast collection of flowers and plants.
Happy Valley has a small Tibetan temple, the first Tibetan temple built in India in 1960 by the Tibetans who came to India after Chinese invasion in Tibet as refugees
Mussoorie Lake- This Lake has been developed as a picnic spot by the local governing body which is located about 6 km away on main Mussoorie-Dehradun highway the pedaled boats being the main attraction of the place. The place is in a peaceful surroundings has lot to offer to visitors as natural sightseeing.
Van Chetna Kendra- The place is about 11 km from library side of the town is a bird sanctuary established almost 23 years before in 1993 having an area of 340 hectares. Van Chetna Kendra is mostly famous for the extinct bird Mountain Quail the ‘Pahari Bater’ an extinct specie.
Mussorie is well known for its institutions, some of them are-
Christian Institution the Landour Community Hospital a small mission hospital run by the Emmanuel Hospital Association, Delhi catering to the medical needs of the people on the hills for the last 75 years.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the training institute for officers of the Indian Administrative Service and other civil services.
Hampton Court School
Convent of Jesus and Mary
St. George's College
Woodstock School
Oak Grove School
Wynberg-Allen
Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary
Facade of St. George's College
St. George's College
Woodstock School's campus
Oak Grove School
Wynberg Allen School
Mussoorie International School
Sir George Everest's House Park Estate which was office of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor-General of India for a brief period as it was later moved to Dehradun the present capital of Uttrakhand in 1843. Incidentally, the world's highest peak Mt. Everest is named after George Everest. The House Park Estate is about 6 km from Library Bazaar. The tourist can watch the entire Doon Valley from one side of the road and from other they can see the view of the Aglar River valley and the snow clad peaks of the Himalaya.
The famous Cloud End hotel- It is surrounded by thick Deodar trees. It used to be residence of a British major and was one of the first four buildings of Mussoorie and has since been converted into a hotel. The place provides a wonderful atmosphere to honeymooning couples with peaceful and lovely surroundings and greenery in form of gardens full of flowers. I suggest everyone to visit this place if ever happen to be in Delhi or nearby areas as the place is within a distance of 200 KM.
Images source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussoorie
9 years ago
vijay replied to the topic Who is the real communalist?.
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
Real communalists are those who stand to gain by exploiting their own or opponents religion in different manners.
True, they are taking full advantage of a particular community and being branded as secular in bonus. Great going. '
Also the other party is taking full advantage of the other community and also getting branded as secular. Great great going.
You belong to which community sir? And I always thought you do not consider them secular or ever voted for them.
I try to belong to the community which believes that today's India affords its citizens an equal opportunity to make a great country and past history has no meaning if judged from today's parameters. Our history should start from Aug 15,1947 when we truly for the first time got India as India for the first time in recorded history. For whom do I vote, well I will be honest I have voted for both communities but less for one. I am not a blind supporter of any ideology. What about you.
9 years ago
vijay replied to the topic Atheism and terrorism .
So oil is the reason and not religion for many to bow down to Saudis.
9 years ago
took the quiz Quiz on Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.
This is a quiz about Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.The vast size of India and different climatic conditions has resulted into a wealth of more than 80 National Parks and 441 plus wildlife sanctuaries. Choose the correct answers from the options given below.
9 years ago
passed the quiz Quiz on Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.
This is a quiz about Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.The vast size of India and different climatic conditions has resulted into a wealth of more than 80 National Parks and 441 plus wildlife sanctuaries. Choose the correct answers from the options given below.
9 years ago
usha manohar replied to the topic Atheism and terrorism .
Saudi is a rich country and it is the other poorer nations and even the western nations that bow before them irrespective of what they have to put up, simply because they have an abundance of oil ..
9 years ago
suni51 replied to the topic Who is the real communalist?.
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
Real communalists are those who stand to gain by exploiting their own or opponents religion in different manners.
True, they are taking full advantage of a particular community and being branded as secular in bonus. Great going. '
Also the other party is taking full advantage of the other community and also getting branded as secular. Great great going.
You belong to which community sir? And I always thought you do not consider them secular or ever voted for them.
I try to belong to the community which believes that today's India affords its citizens an equal opportunity to make a great country and past history has no meaning if judged from today's parameters. Our history should start from Aug 15,1947 when we truly for the first time got India as India for the first time in recorded history. For whom do I vote, well I will be honest I have voted for both communities but less for one. I am not a blind supporter of any ideology. What about you.
Neither am I but unfortunately I find our country losing all its values going down the hill post independence. I maybe wrong but the people took over from foreigners are mainly responsible for the same. They are still no better but trying their best to stall the progress shaking hands with corrupt politicians. What do you say?
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi: Ruthless but Dynamic Islamic Sunni Leader.
Introduction
Photo Wiki free
The entire Muslim Sunni world is in ferment and the faithful among them feel that a Caliphate is around the corner.The Caliphate was ruled by Caliphs. Who were the Caliphs? These are spiritual rulers who are directly descendant from Muhammad himself. The area over which these Caliphs ruled was the Caliphate and the last rule of the Caliphate ended in 1253. It was all over by 1299, when the Turks conquered the Arabs.
To Sunni Muslims the caliphate is a period that is like a shining star' It was a period of great advancement in the world of science and medicine and most Muslims feel that the Caliphate will now come back.
How has this dream which was a mirage earlier become a reality now? This is entirely die to the charisma of one man named Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi. Single handed this man has shown the beacon and the faithful have flocked to his banner.
ABu Bakr Baghdadi as a Leader
Baghdadi was born in 1971 and perhaps for some time he served as an officer in the Iraqi army. This was during the time Saddam Hussein was in power. Details of his past life are sketchy, but all this pales into insignificance when we realize the magnetic hold and charisma of the man, who has mesmirised millions of Sunni Muslims.
Baghdadi claims that he is the Caliph. He buttresses his claim by claiming lineage from Mohammed as he was born in a tribe to which Mohammad belongs. He has studied as well and has a doctorate in theology.
A fact not known to many is that Baghdadi was arrested by the US military in 2004, but after a few months was released as it was felt he was not a man of importance. The period of his incarceration in a US prison in Baghdad had a catalytic effect on him as he turned to Jihad and thought the time had come to revive the Caliphate. He was greatly helped by the fact that both Syria and Iraq, which were part of the earlier Caliphates were destabilized by the Western powers and thus he had an open field to establish himself.
Baghdadi began to generate tremendous appeal as a successor to the earlier Caliphs. His claim that he was a direct descendant of the lineage from Mohammed further captivated the Sunni Masses and created an aura around him as a man who was the rightful follower of Muhammad.
Baghdadi also sidelined the Al Qaeda leadership as they in practical terms achieved nothing. The earlier leader Osama Bin Laden and later Al Zuwahari who succeeded Osama just hid in the mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan and had little to show after years of combat.These leaders apart from a few sporadic acts of terrorism, were not able to wrest any territory. They could not establish any worthwhile rule or order in any area.
Here in lies the difference as Baghdadi captured large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and was able to set up his administration. This was a clear indication that the Al Qaeda leadership had achieved nothing to what Baghdadi had achieved. Baghdadi also went global and lent sustenance to Groups in Africa and Libya. These groups like Boko Haram also captured large areas in central Africa. Baghdadi thus had something to show and the Arab armies of Iraq and Syria were just not capable to dislodge him. In addition Baghdadi was helped by the US decision not to commit ground troops in Middle East and as such he was able to consolidate his rule.
Baghdadi believed in the pristine form of Islam as laid down in the Sharia. He quoted chapter and verse to justify his actions. These actions included beheading and mass rapes. This served a two fold purpose to frighten and spread fear in the people under his sway and also a warning to the west not to intervene. His capture of women gave him a means to give sexual gratification to his cadre.
Baghdadi set up his own administration and there is no doubt that initially the West treated him with kid gloves. The ISI under Baghdadi could sell oil, from the oil wells they had captured and this gave returns of millions of dollars and helped finance his war. Thus Baghdadi was not short of funds. There is evidence to show that Turkey and some other powers were buying oil secretly from the ISI. The USA under Obama was in a bind as it was opposed by Iran, which backed President Assad of Syria and the USA and the west wanted his removal. The West thus allowed matters to drag on and this gave greater strength to Baghdadi and the ISI.
The Real Face of Baghdadi
The West had however not understood Baghdadi. He was planning a global conflict and his appeal began to transcend boundaries and Muslims from Pakistan to USA were his ardent followers. He created a cult and all along talked of establishing a Caliphate and he as the Caliph. This had tremendous appeal to Sunni Muslims, who flocked to join his banner from all over the world.
Baghdadi showed leadership qualities when he recruited a mass of Muslims to carry out terrorists attacks from all over the world. This was the genesis of the Paris attacks and the downing of the Russian airliner in the Sinai. It must be mentioned that nearly 130 French men were killed in the Paris attack and 220 in the Russian airline crash which was blown up by a bomb.
We cannot say whether Baghdadi bit of more than he could chew, for he has invited concerted military attacks from both Russia and France. The fact is that despite heavy air bombardment Baghdadi still survives and the ground forces of Syria and Iraq are unable still to recapture the lands lost to ISI. Perhaps the man had anticipated this. His philosophy is simple and he believes that death and life is as per the will of Allah and that is one reason he is hell bent on his present path.
As things stand Baghdadi remains the strongest force in the Middle East and unless ground troops are committed there can be no victory. Here also the entire scenario is fraught with danger as we know that boots on the ground in Iraq led to anarchy and one wonders whether the same may not happens again.
Baghdadi is a shrewd leader. He has counted his gains and losses. Perhaps he feels he is a messiah. The question remains how can the world dislodge him. Even now a steady stream of fighters from all over the world are flocking to him. He promises a dream and 72 virgins as per the Koran. He also promises restoration of the caliphate. There is no doubt he is a great motivator and in a perverted way a leader. His despotic rule, rapes and beheading have not ended and they continue. Baghdadi to many is a great man, time alone will tell whether he has unleashed Armageddon, the last battle between good and evil.
Final Denouement
How will posterity remember Baghdadi? This is a difficult question as it will depend who finally triumphs in this war unleashed by him. If he wins he could well be considered a martyr and in case he loses he will be equated with men like Hitler.
Thus the final denouement will depend on who is the winner. We must remember that at the Battle of Badr fought in 624 AD, between Muhammad and the Quraysh. It was a no holds barred battle and the Muslim army of won. The Koran mentions this battle and and now we know that Muhammad spared the lives of the prisoners and even looked after them. This battle is mentioned as a battle between good and evil.
This is where Baghdadi has tripped as the Battle of Badr shows , there is an element of mercy in Islam, which is non existent as far as Baghdadi is concerned. Baghdadi has flouted the example of battle of Badr and transgressed what Muhammad did, despite claiming a lineage to him. He has executed prisoners of war and circulated videos of the same. He has raped women and also allowed his men to rape captive women. Thus he stands in my view condemned for all time . But President Truman dropped the A - Bomb on Japan and caused the death of 200,000 men and women and yet is thought of as a great President. So one cannot foretell the future, but a resurgent Islam which has cowed the peace lovers led by Baghdadi is the real danger.
Baghdadi does not fear death and has repeatedly said that the Allah decides on matters of life and death. Even if he is killed , will this movement vanish? One cannot guess an answer or make a forecast.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The Islamic Caliphate: A Dream for the Devout Sunni Muslim.
The Islamic world is in turmoil. If I were a Muslim, I would definitely be concerned at the state of ferment all around. Most of this ferment and churning is like chasing an imposible dream: a dream that died in 1253, almost 750 year back. But all men have the right to dream and Most Sunni Muslims yearn for the days when Islamic rule was the centre of the world and Europe was still in the barbarian age. At that time Muslim rule in Central Middle East was like a beacon and men from all over the world flocked there to glean knowledge and wisdom.
The radical Islamic group now referred to as the ISIS and calls itself the Islamic state is intent on establishing a new Sunni Caliphate in the ancient lands. Obviously there is no place for anyone else and hence Shia Muslims and other minorities bear the brunt of the wrath of the iSI, which is entirely a Sunni group.
The ISI promises it's followers a return to the old glory of Islam and the Caliphate. This dream appeals to Muslims both young and old from across the globe. The leader of the ISI is Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi and one must credit him as a great motivator and leader. This man has been able to sell the dream of an Islamic Caliphate to Sunni Mulsims all over the world. This makes Baghdadi a great motivator.
Firstly, let us examine as to what is a Caliph and a Muslim Caliphate. A Caliph is supposed to be successor to Mohammed the Prophet and a Caliphate is the area or land mass over which the Caliph rules and his writ runs. The roots of the Islamic Caliphate thus go right up to Mohammed. To start with there were 4 caliphs who were rightly guided and came directly after Mohammed. These Caliphs knew him well personally and thus had an aura of being in touch with the Prophet himself.
History moved further and from 661-750 AD, history teaches that the Umayyad Caliphate ruled. Their spiritual and adminstrative capital was Damascus, now the capital of Syria. This Caliphate was overhrown in 750 AD by the Abbasid Caliphate which made Baghdad their capital. Baghdad is now the capital of Iraq. The Abbasid caliphate ruled for a good part of 500 years. This was the golden age of Islamic rule and we know that there was great advancement in science and literature, not forgetting medicine in this age. The Abbasid caliphate ruled till 1258 AD. After this year the Caliphate came under attack of the Turks who conquered the Arab lands.
By 1299 AD the Arabs were soundly defeated by the Turks who represented the Ottoman Empire, which some view as the greatest empire ever in the world. The Caliphates also ceased to exist in the classical sense. It is a sobering thought that Turkish rule over this entire area lasted till well into the 20th century and ended only after World War I, when the Turks who had allied with Germany were defeated. The Allies dismantled the Ottoman Empire. One point that needs mention is that right from 1299 to 1923, the Turks kept the Caliph title going, but they appointed the Caliphs. These caliphs were subseverient to the Turks and were just symbolic heads. One can say that they became religious figureheads. They remained under the thumb of the Ottoman Empire and the Sultans who ruled.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the great Kemel Ataturk seized power in Turkey. He was a modern minded and progressive man and in a far reaching decision he abolished the Caliphate in 1923. From that year the Caliph ceased to exist and there is no caliph right down to the present era.
The Sunni Muslims have fond rememberences of the Caliphate and have a latent desire that the old caliphate that existed at the time when the Abassids ruled should come back. the Caliphs appointed by the Turks are not considered true Caliphs and many consider they debased Islam. Bear in mind that for 90 years or more there has been no Caliph. The Sunni Muslims long for a caliphate again. This is reinforced by centuries of humiliation, first by the Turks and later by the Europeans. This period rankles with the faithful and they are more incensed that after World War I, the European Nations ( France and England in particular) carved up the Arab lands on a study table. This is the Spykes - Picot agreement which is one of the great frauds perpetuated on the Arab world. By this agreement the Arab lands were divided into smaller nations and power handed over to prominent tribes, who had nothing in common with the common Arabs. The Arabs longed for a return to the good old days when the Muslim world was the centre of cultural and scientific knowledge.
This chord among Muslims was exploied first by Al Qaeda and later by the iSIL. Al Qaeda failed as it did not have the intellectual appeal generated by Baghdai of the iSI. The ISi has been lucky as the areas of Syria and Iraq, which were the hub of the earlier Caliphates were in turmoil. This was in great measure due to the actions of the West led by the USA, who completely destablised the area. This led to the rise of the ISI. Thanks to the USA a bloody civil war is on in Iraq for last 12 years and Syria is also in a similar situation, with the West again doing something that should not be done. In such a fluid situation the ISI has captured vast areas in both these nations and dislodging them is not easy. They are the effective governent in these areas and also collect taxes and enforce the most primitive form of Islam in its unadulterated form. The ISi also sells oil and thus finances its activities.
Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi has declared himself as the Caliph and there is no doubt that he has tremendous appeal to Sunni Muslims all over the world. He broadcasts his desire to restore Islam to its old glory and this propaganda is lapped up by gullible Sunni muslims all over the world. Man always chases a dream and Sunni Muslism are also chasing a dream shown to them by Baghdadi. This is playing on psychology and Baghdadi deserves mention as one of the great motivators in history.
Many people who are not part of this dream are aware that what Baghdadi has ushered in is not a Caliphate that existed 7 centuries back buta despotic and cruel regime that beheads and rapes at will. In fact it resembles a state of anarchy, a far cry from the Abbasid caliphate.
So far Baghdadi is in control and despite tens of attempts to kill him, all have failed. However even if Baghdadi goes, someone else will take his place and try and sell the dream to Sunni Muslims. The battle is long and hard and one cannnot say how the world will face the ISI threat of a Caliphate. The dream is enticing and many Muslims are prey to it. One cannot be sure what will happen, the ISi is in a war with non-Muslism and its not a cake walk.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article Nikita Khruschev: Forgotton Hero of the Soviet State .
Background
In the late fifties and sixties one man emerged as the First Secretary of the Russian Communist party, that ruled Russia at that time. Russia then was the USSR or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The SovietCommunist party at that time was omnipotent and and people all over the world feared it. This was a time when Stalin had just gone from the Russian scenerio( he died in 1953).
One man who at that time seized power and did something which should be remembered now, is the removel of the element of fear in Russian society. This had become deeply ingrained in Russian society under the rule of Stalin. He was Nikita Khruschev, who led Russia or the Soviet state at that time. This was his biggest contribution: dismantling of the terror and fear among the people in the Soviet state.
The Soviet state and the rise of the communist party in Russia can be directly traced to the Czar, Nicholas II who ruled Russia. The Czar was a man devoid of vision and he instead of attending to the misery of the common people with scarcity of food, embarked on a war against Germany. He was guided by grand ideas of loyalty to his allies, not realising that the Russian army ill equipped and untrained would be easy fodder for the efficient German army. The Russians were defeated and the situation back home became worse with the economy going in a nose dive. There were food riots, which were ruthlessly suppressed. This is eloquently portrayed by Boris Pasternek in his novel Dr. Zivago.
This was the ripe time for a revoution and Vladimir Lenin seized power in 1917 in a coup, spearheaded by the Russsian Navy at St Petersburg. The Tsar Nicholas II by his foolish policies, had in fact signed his own death warrant and he was executed in Siberia.
The communist party now seized power and Lenin aided by Leo Trotsky ushered in a police state. This duo were the first in world history to invent the " Concentration Camp". Millions of their opponents were herded into these camps and died, never to be heard off again. The Russian people expecting good times after the exit of the Czar, were now enveloped in a cloak of terror.
Lenin died in 1924 and Josef Stalin seized power. He was a great leader, but he had a sadistic streak. One is not sure that the excesses committed during his reign were a direct result of his rule. Many Russians feel Stalin was not responsible for the excesses, but the fact is that Beria the head of the NKVD( SecretPolice) was all powerful and most Russians feared the mid night knock , which was the road to silence and the unknown.
In 1953 Stalin died of a brain stroke and now we know that he inspired so much awe and fear that for some critical hours nobody dared to approach his body. A power struggle then started in the Kremlin and as per information Beria was shot dead. People who had kept quiet during the rule of Stalin now emerged and one of them Gregory Malenkov came into prominence.
However a senior functionary and member of the Presidium Nikita Khruschev was getting his supporters ready to come to power. In 1956 Khruschev came into power as the First Secretary of the Communist Party. At that time the President was Vorshilov. Khruschev manipulated complete power in 1958 and heralded a new phase in Russia.
His rise to power was a like a beacon, especially after his secret speech in the 1956 Communist party Congress, where he denounced Stalin as a " tyrant". Members of the Communist Party, thought to vote for Khruschev as he promised to remove the trappings of a secret police state.
Rise of Khruschev
Nikita S Khruschev was a product of the Soviet state. he lived his entire life in a communist enviornment and he was trusted by Stalin. At that time obeying Stalin was of the utmost importance and Khruschev followed the direction of the wind.He had earlier joined the Communist party and had risen up by his loyalty to the communist cause. His hour of glory came when Hitler advanced deep into Soviet Russia. For all his faults Stalin roused the Russian people and a last defence was planned at the city of Stalingrad on the Volga.
Khruschev was directed by Stalin to proceed to Stalingrad with the express instruction that Stalingrad should be held at all costs. It was not only a matter of prestige, but a loss at Stalingrad would have opened the route to Hitlers army into Siberia and Central Asia.
Khruschev went to Stalingrad and coined the famous slogan" Comrades there is no land for us beyond the Volga". Khruschev was instrumental in stiffening the defence of Stalingrad and in one of the great battles of world history, the German army under Field Marshal Von Paulos surrendered in December 1943. While Khruschev held teh civil side, the military commander was General Zhukov
Khruschev was now called to Moscow and there he observed the working of the Soviet State and the role of the NKVD. Hundredsof Russians just disappeared , but Khruschev kept quiet. In a question and answer session after his secret speech to the Communist party Congress, he was asked as to why he didn't approach Stalin and apprise him as to what was happening. He answered that had he tried it, the NKVD would have shot him dead.
Khruschev became all powerful in 1958 and decided that war was not an option with the USA. He visited USA in 1959 and also India where he mended fences with Nehru. He had a global vision and wished to propel Russia forward as a great power.
Khruschev in Power
Khruschev in power carried out what he had promised. No Soviet leader or his opponent was executed. His predecessor Malenkov was sent as Ambassador to Mongolia and most dissidents were only exiled. Execution so much a vogue of the Soviet State disappeared. One has only to think of the assassination of Trotsky on orders of Stalin and the famous purges and trails of dissidents like Bukharin in 1936-37 that led to executions to realise what Khruschev achieved. It was an act of great courage.
Khruschev was also a great success on the international stage. His greatest contribution to enhancement of Soviet power was during the Cuban missile crises. He outsmarted Kennedy and now we know what Khruschev achieved. He got US nuclear missiles dismantled in Turkey and also got a solemn promise from Kennedy and the USA to NEVER destabilise the Castro regime in Cuba. The USA honored this pledge for 50 years and that is the reason Fidel Castro and his communist regime survived for 5 decades.
Khruschev was handed a propaganda item on a platter by the USA when a U-2 aircraft on a spying mission over Russia was shot down 1200 miles deep in Russian territory. The pilot was captured ( Francis Powers) and put on trial. The world press was invited and instead of Powers in the dock, it was the USA and the US President General Eishenhower who were in the dock. Subsequently Khruschev became more aggressive and began to flaunt Soviet power.
When Khruschev moved around the world, the supporters of Stalin were ganging up against him.The Chinese leader Mao tse Tung was also unhappy with him and Khruschev's order to remove the embalmed body of Stalin from the Mausoleum of Lenin at Red Square was not liked by the Stalinsts. They bidded their time and caught Khruschev on the wrong foot on a matter of agriculture.
Khruschev had wanted to grow wheat in the vast lands of Siberia. Unfortunately thousands of acres of lands in Siberia were laid waste by the weather and Khruschev was held resposnsible. Actually it was just a ploy to remove Khruschev. Leonid Brezhnev at that time sided with the Stalinists and at a meeting of the Collegium, Khruschev was voted out of power. Khrushev wanted the meeting of the entire congress of the party, where he had support, but events overtoook him and he was pensioned off to stay in dacha.
The fact is Khruschev decided that he had done his part in Russian history and gracefully accepted the decision. He made no attempt to cling to power. This was his greatness and his humane treatment of his opponents had an effect and Khruschev was not killed but pensioned off.
Legacy of Khruschev
Khruschev is now no more and so is the Soviet union. There is no doubt had the Soviet Union survived , the role of Khruschev would have been appreciated more.But he must take credit for dismantling the Soviet secret state and the midnight knock. When asked as to what is his greatest contribution , he replied that he had removed fear in Russian society.
Now Russia is a democracy and the transition to this stage would not have been possible if Nikita Khruschev had not appeared on the scene. Its is a sad commentary, that even Russians do not know much about him. But Khruschev was the man who heralded a new era and the present Russia has a lot to owe him. In my book Khruschev is one of the greats of Russia and his role cannot be glossed over.
9 years ago
indipsigh created new article Wasting time.
Time is an important entity of this universe. We live in space and time. Time is described in many ways by people of different thoughts. I do think of time as registered by our brain in comparison to the outside world. From our childhood, we are told time is very important and we should use it wisely. Time becomes important when you are competing with someone and considering time as the only resource which is provided to all the people likewise. The reason for participation in a competition is a different debate altogether and out of scope in this article.
Lets take an example. Two men are preparing themselves to compete in a duel. They have the same amount of time until the match. Lets assume that they are of same intelligence and have the same productivity in terms of time. When i talk of productivity, i want to be discreet about its meaning. Same productivity here would mean that if you are given a task which you complete in 2 hours, the other person with the same productivity will perform the same task in 2 hours as well. Same goes for intelligence. Now that we are clear about the other factors, if we factor in time and keep it same for both the candidates. The odds of winning the duel for the both participants are same.
Now if the parameter of time is changed for one person such that he practices one hour extra than the other person while he sacrifices his sleep brings his odds of winning to a better percentage. Whereas the other person while remaining constant in his factors loses odds of winning the game. So, whenever a person advises the other person that one should not waster his/her time, the person is saying it from a point of view where he/she thinks that conquering time element alone is the key to success. A lot of time can be spent on gathering knowledge before the actual process can be started. The other factors of intelligence and productivity are not taken into consideration while advising on the time factor.
Intelligence is a factor which itself is not indivisible. A person can be intelligent in one area and can act dumb in another. e.g. a scientist may not be good at playing chess but he can surely invent something which would show his prowess in intelligence. Here intelligence is dependent on knowledge as well as experience. A doctor who is recently graduated may have the necessary knowledge but his lack of experience might hinder him in achieving his required objectives. There are number of factors on which intelligence depends like parents, genes, company, thought process etc
A time is designated as wasted when someone feels guilty about it spending it on something which might have brought him some acclamation or accord. This brings me to the point where i can safely declare that the wastage of time is a relative thing rather an absolute thing. Watching TV can be wasteful if you are thinking of losing revenue in terms of bills and a cause of distraction from work, which is again related to revenue. The same event can be praised by someone who thinks that watching TV is a good stress reliever from work resulting in increased productivity and better mental health.
The thoughts are powerful tool of mind to understand the world and environment around us. The thoughts of happiness and sadness form the character of mind as it responds to the events occurring in one's life. The thought arises and settles down in the ocean of mind stirring activity of happiness or sadness which is ultimately absorbed by our consciousness. All that exists is your experience of life. The quality of life increases much more if you know that there is no such thing as wastage of time but only the passing of time.
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The Muslim Community in Mumbai Films: A Dubious Lot.
Background
Before I write anything further on what to many will be a contentious topic, its worth to ponder of how Islam came to India. The initial invasions were by the Turks and the Arabs who entered India in about the 9th and 10th century. in a series of battles, they defeated the local rulers who were Hindus. At that time it was not a Hindu- Muslim conflict, but just an attempt by some of the foreign invaders to carry away the loot from India after pillaging the country. However they had some missionary zeal and converted a few Hindus from lower castes to Islam.
Some of the Muslim from Central Asia never went back and settled in India. Notable being the Mughal dynasty that ruled in a broad sense from 1526-1857 and produced 20 emperors, the greatest conqueror of them being Aurangzeb. This was the dark age as brought out by William Duff, the historian, the Muslim rulers made a distinction between the rulers and the ruled. In addition the Hindu population declined by 80 million. The Hindus were reduced to second class citizens and at most periods paid a special tax to practice their religion called "Jiziya". Can anyone deny this?
For the next 9 centuries the Muslims ruled almost all India including the South and during this period they developed a patronising attitude. In their courts the Muslims were preferred . Even history shows that the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, had 90% of all senior officials from the Muslim community.This was despite the entire population of his realm being 90% Hindu. Thus many Hindus converted to Islam to gain the benefit of Muslim rule and to be considered as rulers than being ruled.
Muslims during these 900 years, became used to being an elite class and always looked down on Hindus. There were exceptions, but then remember one swallow does not make the summer.
India after the Raj and Independence
During these 900 years of Muslim dominance the ruling elite( the Muslims ) developed a psychological ethos of being superior. 900 years is a long time and during this period the Muslims were the decision makers. This fact cannot be denied by the pseudo secularists as they have no facts otherwise. However one fact that needs mention is that 98% of the present lot of Muslims have Hindu roots, which they would be glad to deny.
The arrival of the British did change the equation as the Muslims were clubbed with the Hindus as subjects and both were treated equally. The Muslims chaffed at this. Luckily a man called Gandhi appeared on the scene and he formulated a policy of trying to woo the Muslims. He failed and the Muslims were determined to maintain a separate identity.
The British left India in 1947 and power was handed over to Hindu leadership and Muslim leadership with creation of Pakistan. The Muslims left behind in India felt they had been left as orphans and always looked to Pakistan as the mother state.
During the Raj the film industry also sprouted in India. The Muslim community entered this line with gusto as at most placed in India where Muslims ruled the art of Nautch girls and musicians were the handiwork of Muslims. The great singer and Musician during the days of Akbar, Tansen was also a Muslim. The Muslims thus had a tradition of music and dance as they were the ruling class. This found natural expression in the film industry in Bombay. The Muslims also felt that they could regain their pride by entering films. Thus though the Muslims were in a minority, yet they began to dominate the Film world. One other reason was that most old time actresses were Muslim as they came from the nautch girl gharana and were more forthcoming than Hindu girls who were for long suppressed.
Mumbai Films and Muslims
1947 was a traumatic year for the Muslim community as a Muslim state Pakistan was created. Almost all Muslims had a latent desire to go to Pakistan, but reality dictated otherwise. In addition India opted for a secular state in preference to a Hindu state. The Hindus subjected to 900 years as ruled, became rulers. Unfortunately the leadership was weak and overall the Hindu leadership thought it better to placate the Muslims left behind in India, so as to integrate them with the nation. This never happened, but resulted in the Muslims becoming defiant and aggressive.
The Muslims thus exercised the option to remain behind in India and top actresses like Meena Kumai, Nargis, Nimmi, Shyama, et all who were Muslim opted to remain in India. At that time a string of directors like Mehboob Khn, K Asif and many more in the Music and acting department who were Muslims remained behind. In fact to cover up his Muslim trail, the actor Dilip Kumar( really Yusuf Khan)adopted a Hindu name.
The Muslims in Mumbai films though earning money in India and being adulated by the Hindu masses in real terms had empathy for Pakistan.
In 1962 there was a border war with China. At that time the entire film industry led by Dilip Kumar and Mehboob Khan showed their patriotism by holding functions all over India to support the war against China. The India army was defeated and the Mumbai film industry supported the war effort.
However only 3 years later the was a war with Pakistan. The war ended in a stalemate and people all over India were roused against Pakistan. Unfortunately it is on record that the Bombay film industry was silent. Dilip Kumar went into hiding and other Muslim film luminaries had nothing to say. They never condemned Pakistan and Dilip Kumar privately felt that Pakistan was right and India should hand over Kashmir to Pakistan. No wonder that the Shiv Sena Member of parliament Nirupam called Dilip Kumar a Pakistani agent in parliament.
Muslims Dominate Mumbai Films and Mafia Dons Come in
Times change and over the decades the hold of Muslims on the Mumbai film industry increased.The criminal Dons decided that there was good money to be made from this industry and they began to finance film projects. At that time the Government of India committed a tactical blunder and did not declare the films as an industry and thus money from banks and financial institution was not forthcoming. This lacuna of finance was solved by the dons, many of who were sitting in Dubai or Karachi.
These Dons pumped in millions of dollars, but they were all Muslims and one of the stipulations ( which has been confirmed to me by a film producer) was that the main star would be a Muslim. They wanted Hindu girls as heroines and not Muslim girls as Islam frowned on women. Thus a tactical shift began to take place and the Muslim heroines became fewer and Hindu girls came up. In addition almost all top male stars were Muslim. I wonder if anybody has spared a thought as to how with a population percentage of 15, the majority of the top male stars are all Muslim. Some pseudo secularists will quote a few Hindu names also as top stars , but this does not answer the main question.
Once the Dons have come in, they won't go back and these Muslim stars have to dance to the tunes of the dons. On national TV, one of the Directors of the Intelligence Bureau, now retired brought out that the top most Muslim star in Mumbai now voicing cliches on "intolerance" was dancing at the birthday of the Don (Dawood Ibrahim) in Dubai in 1992.
Matters have not ended there and it is on record that at least half a dozen Muslim stars and many other prominent directors and producers have voiced their opposition to the "insecurity" and " intolerance" they are supposed to be facing. Forgetting that they are earning billions in India and leading a life of utmost luxury. They are confident that whatever they say will be accepted and Hindus ( a few of them) will whine like a dog, but in effect nothing will happen. In this they stand exposed. two of the top stars and lesser stars have all mouthed these cliches, which have been lapped up by the foreign media.
In one of the parties I attended after the infamous outburst by Amir Khan, that he wanted with his wife to leave India , a top Brigadier General of the local army mentioned that in case such a man had similar statement in his country , he would have been flown out by a chartered plane to where ever he wanted to go. I told him such things do not happen in India as we are a democracy. He laughed, and said go through and see how the Americans act and the statements of the candidate Donald Trump.
The fact remains that the Hindus are a tolerant lot and the bigger fact is that the superstars articulate what the Muslims feel. In fact instead of motivating them to be nationalist, they emphasize the differences. Both the superstar Khans were quiet when the Congress was in power though there were massacres of Muslims in Assam and Bhagalpur earlier.
These are the men who have misused the adulation showered on them. The nexus between the Dons and the Muslims of the film world must be broken. It is a Herculean task, at least it appears so, but in reality all it needs is will power. Let us see how the Indian nation reacts to the shady role of these so called stars and the small time men artistes in the Mumbai film world. They are indeed a dubious lot.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Winter and your exercising pattern .
Exercising habits during winters
The younger generation has taken to exercise with great zeal in recent years especially watching the bodies of their screen heroes. The trend of gym going is on the up for last decade or so but more people are out making their bodies in traditional ways too. But at the same time winters put a break on a group of persons who are not comfortable going out during extreme cold conditions. They stop going to gym or their frequency of going to gym reduced down to almost nil as they find it difficult to go out in cold weather coming out of comfortable warmth of their quill. There are some who keep promising to themselves that they must start exercising during this winter but that’s what they said every year but they never did that. But as per the experts the regular exercisers should never give up or lessen their routine as it could be harmful.
In North India winters make a big difference on daily routine of most people especially the ones who feel lazy or feel cold weather not to their liking. Their food and exercise habits change altogether from what they were doing by the end of October or may be second week of November. Most experts suggest that winter is the best season for exercising but some of us find it too tough for their comfort level and stop it totally. It’s better to find new ways of exercising instead of giving up the exercise in cold weather.
Your resistance power develops
No one should believe that by merely starting your exercises will build your body like Arnold Schwarzenegger or you will burn your fat immediately but exercising is beneficial in more than one way. It keeps you fit and energetic and if you are otherwise a regular at exercising then continued schedule during winter will keep your weight in control. Your resistance power and digestion will increase and muscles will be more powerful. If you do not feel like doing it on daily basis do it for 4-5 days that is enough to keep your weight, calories and schedule intact. People suffering from lack of vitamin D will be immensely benefited if they manage to exercise out in daylight under the sun during winters. Exercising in such a manner is also beneficial in enhancing your appetite as your level of serotonin hormone goes up which is essential for appetite related problems.
Exercising during winters is good for your heart since the arteries of the heart shrink which affect adversely to blood and oxygen circulation in this weather. Not exercising properly may also cause bad affect on your blood pressure causing hypertension. Winters also create problems for people suffering from respiratory related diseases as the human body goes through a shrunken state during winters which disturbs the repertory process. People suffering from respiratory problems should be careful while exercising and avoid heavy workout.
What you should do
You should drink enough water during exercises as people feel lesser thirsty in winters and their intake of water goes down but body needs of water remain same and lack of water causing pain in joints and muscles. You can use lukewarm water if you find normal water not to your liking that will help increase your water intake. One should wear clothes in layers during exercises and remove them as per requirement but use woolen clothes and socks with shoes during your workout which will help your body adjusting with outside temperature. Never remove all your clothes during exercise in winter that will help your body protected from sudden attack of cold.
You must give at least 10 minutes for properly warming up your body before starting your workouts and warming down at the end of workout sessions. If you do not warm up or warm down the chances are your body will suffer from muscular pain and stresses. It happens in all seasons but the impact of muscular problems is far greater in winters. Warm up and warm down is also helpful in making your mind more prepared for the purpose.
Another crucial point which most people should follow is the way they breathe. People breathe differently in winter season as their posture of standing and standing changes due to excessive cold conditions. And if a person sits or stand in such a position that makes it hard for lungs to extend fully due to lack of oxygen then their breathing process shortens. Therefore it’s suggested to people suffering from asthmatic problems to never avoid exercising even if they reduce it to some extent but as per the suggestion of their doctor. The yoga exercises especially Aalom-Vilom is considered a good exercise for such persons.
Exercises for people suffering from joint pain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiptoe
There are certain exercises which can help people suffering from joint pains.
Pain in legs- you should lie down on a hard surface and lift your legs one by one to a 90 degree angle. Keep your other body parts still during this exercise. Repeat this process for 10-12 times with each leg. Later keep your legs stationary at 90 degree for sometime without moving them and then stretch toward your stomach one by one and keep them there for some time, finally stretch them straight.
Tip and Toes- walking on tips and toes is useful for people suffering from joint pain during winters. You should start with walking on your toes balancing your body weight properly on each of your toes and then move on to your paws. You can do this exercise as long as you feel comfortable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toe
Back exercise- You should stand with your palms over your head against a wall, the distance between your feet on floor and hands on wall should be exactly the same. Move your back clockwise it will help reduce fat from back and stomach in a quick time.
Exercise of shoulders - stand straight and move your shoulders around 20 times in forward position and then do the same in backward position. Then stretch your arms as much as possible and move your wrists 20 times each right and left in both directions.
Image source Wikipedia
9 years ago
suhas created new article This present reality is Not Exactly What I Envisioned in School .
When I was in school, I would constantly here teachers and my guardians specifically discuss this present reality and how things would be distinctive when I was really there. I envisioned this vicious world where just the totally shrewdest survived, and I trusted that I would be one of those individuals.
What I in the end got some answers concerning this present reality, on the other hand, was that it is not as difficult to live in as everybody makes it out to be, and from multiple points of view, is quite straightforward. The most vital thing to do is make arrangements.
When I moved on from school, I had as of now interned with an organization that in the end gave me a vocation and I was working 40 hours per week. I was not making a mess of cash, but rather I could manage the cost of my own place. My auto was at that point paid for, so that was not an issue.
My guardians said that now I was out in this present reality, I would experience what life was truly like, and that I would do well to be arranged for a few misfortunes. Presently, I would prefer not to make it out like my life since school has been picture immaculate, yet I have gotten along genuinely well.
The main thing I did when I moved into my condo was to figure up the greater part of my bills and make a financial plan for myself. I ensured that I secured everything that I owed and forgot cash for staple goods, amusement, gas for my auto and my week by week commitments to my congregation. I was additionally ready to return some cash to investment funds that I could dunk into for such things as garments or an auto repair.
I ensured that I adhered to my financial plan and spared, and really soon, I was in a genuinely decent position fiscally. I additionally made it a point to be deferential to individuals at work, carry out my business to the best of my capacity and keep a decent state of mind, and I truly never had any significant issue at my employment.
This present reality, which I had heard such a great amount about as a spot that would be truly hard to get along in, was not troublesome for me by any stretch of the imagination. I had a sweetheart and numerous companions and an adoring family, also.
Since I was sparing so well, I could travel a tiny bit and do some socially improving exercises, for example, going to historical centers and the musical drama. I invested energy with companions at ball games and neighborhood games bars, and had an extremely satisfying life at that specific time.
I regularly think back on my guardians' and educators' notices about this present reality and miracle on the off chance that they were saying those things to me in regards to how extreme it would be to offer me some assistance with making beyond any doubt that I was arranged and prepared for anything that life tossed at me. On the off chance that that is the situation, it unquestionably worked.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Your First Job- Check Out Your Priorities.
Got a job – Now what next?
I am sure this could be true for government jobs however, people having big dreams never quit their efforts, government or private but there are very few in government sector, (sorry, but true). But in private sector the things stand a bit differently. You efforts don’t end with an appointment but you have to continue with added efforts. In my views there are four easy ways for being a successful professional. You can easily reach to your target with careful planning, positive mindset, and continuous efforts and if you are a believer then keep Him in your prayers.
Let’s begin from the beginning
Now that you have successfully achieved your target after the interview, Tests and GD etc. and got a job of your choice, it’s time to show your skills as the first job of your career is the base or like foundation stone that gives a proper direction to your career. This is the time when you come out of your college mode and enter into the corporate word an entirely new phase of your life and too demanding which needs your full attention, care and the most of all your true self with no strained mentality whatsoever but a calm and cool professional. Let’s go through some of the essential requirements a fresh professional should posses.
Your first impression is important
We have all heard about it but how many of us care to continue with it is an important point but there should be no doubt that how you leave an impression on your seniors and colleagues plays a major role in your future career. Your managers and seniors keep a close watch on your behavior and work style although you can change your impression as per the requirement of the time but your first impression is always crucial. You should look what you are and always behave how you should – like a professional that will help you grow faster. Just look at the way a properly dressed executive and a casually dressed executive they give a different feeling to visitors irrespective of their skills.
Punctuality plays a major role
It’s hard to follow but reaching office at fixed time every day, throughout the career is one of the most important aspects that help you grow in your career and more so when you join as a fresher and your seniors and HR managers keeping a close eye on your behavior. So stop acting like a student who could afford to skip a period or two before reaching to college, (if you were really doing that). Let me share a secret with you, I always repeat always reported at least 5 minutes earlier throughout my career whenever I was in city of posting or to my clients’ office at our scheduled meeting hours. I waited outside for few minutes but never gave anyone a chance to tell me I was late. You can’t survive for long with such an attitude.
You should know your workplace
I say this as every workplace is different from each other although the ethics don’t differ much but way of work and the way people behave during work known as work culture could well be different in every place. So, keep a keen eye and adapt the ways but only the good ones as you may find people behaving rudely or unethically, some of them whining and others gossiping in every place and here you have to be the best judge whom to follow and whom not to, the choice is yours. I suggest you concentrate on your own work and avoid paying attention to all unproductive activities. That will serve no purpose in progress of your future career.
Professionalism is the key
We have heard so much about professionalism and professional people talking non-stop about it but what exactly is professionalism by the way? At least I have never heard or come across any business school having professionalism in their syllabus. No IIM conducts classes about this important aspect to any of its students but you have to learn it on your own. You can learn the art of professionalism watching others or following ethics properly of your own industry.
Treat your coworkers politely and respectfully no matter what your job is. Set an example by being well behaved worker that will make others follow the suit and it will help you developing into a good professional on your way to top. There is another important rule for reaching to the top is you should never be lenient dealing with what’s expected of you but taking things seriously is surefire way of making you a better professional.
Learn to accept your faults that help you learn several new things besides seniors will share their knowledge with you. Always complete your project within time limit and in case you feel you need more time to complete the job inform your superiors well in advance so they can look for appropriate action into the matter to recover the loss of time or add more people to team.
You should know your job
To carry out your duties in a proper way you should know your job... sounds funny but that’s what I want to say that you should know properly what’s expected of you before you practically start working on a project. The best way to learn the intricacies is to sit with your seniors especially the immediate boss or in-charge of the project and go in the deep details of what is required of you. I hope you won’t mind if I say some of the newly appointed workers in their over enthusiasm do something that spoils the whole project but by the time they realize their folly that is too late.
So sit with your boss and discuss the job in detail and clear your FUNDAS before jumping at the job, your boss is the best person to help you out. There is another serious suggestion for you that you should not try anything on your own unless you’re told to do something in particular, not in the beginning at least. Never try to interfere with others’ work unless you are asked for which may ruin the team spirit and harm your career in the process.
Coordination with HR
You should keep in touch with human resources department and cooperate with them unless all the formalities regarding you appointment and proper induction which in some cases take almost a month or longer according to your company rules. You should keep copies of all your necessary documents with you to avoid problems in case any information is missing in the records. Keep checking your attendance record. Let me bring it your notice that frequent absence from workplace is not considered a good habit and one should avoid it unless you must avail your leaves. Most companies keep a close watch on their employees taking too many leaves considering them as irresponsible. I have mentioned it before that it’s better to stay out of gossip groups.
I agree you will come in contact with coworkers and become close to them too but it will not be hard to know who is good to befriend. You will soon find out that some of your coworkers love gossiping and if you become part of such a group you will find some of the gossips interesting but you should follow the professional decorum instead of becoming part of the gossip. For your information most big companies especially in corporate sector have the provision of reporting all inappropriate or unethical action to a particular section of HR department.
Keep a watch on personal reports
Personal reports better known as feedback are part of your job which is conducted by human resources department at a regular interval. Your manager reports everything highlighting positive and negative points in detail. You feel happy reading your positive part of the report but pay proper importance to your negative points which in my views are more important than positive points as they help you remove your weaknesses. I suggest you to talk to your manager and ask him to provide remedial suggestions so that you can improve faster.
I have always believed that completing your work within stipulated time frame is the best way of doing your job but if it takes you a few minutes extra on a particular day, do not hesitate. But do not make it a habit of delaying things or work late as you have your personal life and over stressing yourself may become the reason of extreme tiredness resulting from mental, physical exertion or in some cases serious illness.
Positive Approach
We all are aware about benefits of positive attitude of a person and if a fresher has positivism added with politeness and practical approach towards life can do wonderfully well in his career. These are the basic qualities of a successful professional which go a long way in help setting the right direction of his career. A young fresher, finds it tough in adjusting himself to unknown environment or work culture of a particular company has no alternative but either find his way himself or take the help of his seniors. I would suggest take as much help of his seniors and at the same time keep endorsing their efforts without sounding excessive of flattery in your tone.
Everyone knows but…
There are a few well known facts that almost everyone knows but if you apply them in your workplace you will see the difference. Everyone knows that talking in high volume is no good n a workplace or talking with a tone of arrogance creates a negative atmosphere but I felt it bad while I first experienced it during my first job when I heard a deputy GM talking to a fresher in a rude and too arrogant tone. The fresher in front of him was absolutely puzzled and the people around also felt badly.
Then we have the people who take personal calls on phone for long duration without considering they cause to others sitting near them besides wasting precious time which they could have used for a creative purpose. In all, your actions and behavior must display about your intentions, positivism towards coworker and the object of growth for the company you work. You must not only be a good speaker but a good listener too which shows that you take interest in everything for the welfare of all.
Follow the instructions of seniors as long as you do not find anything absolutely wrong in them but share your thoughts with them if you feel they are worth sharing and while doing so keep a watch on the expressions on your boss’s face. I think this would be too much if I suggested you to respect all the workers without keeping their posts in mind and yes, double the amount of respect in case of female workers. Never try to be close with women employees but keep it up to a sober distance. If you manage to keep all these things in your practical behavior there is no reason why you should fail to achieve the desired results.
The First Day
The first day of the first job is always so exciting which is almost impossible to explain in words for most of us, (but I will not take a chance as there are so many experienced people around). The day is not only filled with excitement but a mixture of amusement, a bit low on self confidence and curiosity of judging the reaction about self of the people present there. After all the first day at your first work place has its own importance and it will never come again. By the way-
- Are you there on right time or the boss is waiting for you?
- Have you kept your phone on silent mode?
- Do you have a notebook and a pen?
- Keep your tone and language in control
- Accept suggestions with open mind, you have to learn a lot here
- Listen carefully, you will have enough time to talk later
- Last but not the least, treat everyone with care you have to spend one third of your time with them.
Image source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job
9 years ago
MG Singh created new article The War Against the Minority in Islam.
At the start I must draw a parallel with Nazi Germany to bring out the point that the silent majority is often coerced into submisssion and a stage comes when it becomes irrelavent. This happened in Germany when Adolf Hitler rode to power.
Hitler we must remember came to power on the strength of a general election, when his National Socialist Party emerged as the single largest party in the Riechstag. At that time some Germans felt happy that German pride would be restored. Some felt infifferent but the majority did not care much as they expected to be allowed to lead their own lives. irrespective of what Hitler did. How wrong they were could be seen from the later years when Hitler appropriated all power to him and began a rule in which he shephered the majority to listen to him. At that time the majority of the German people came under sway of Hitler and lost their independence. This is a stark reminder of how a minority can overwhelm a majority and cow it down.
This is precisely what is happening in Islam now and one wonders wheter what happened in germany could happen in the 21st century.At that time it is worth recounting that the majority of Germans were not Nazi's
The Islamic Paradox
Something similar is happening in Islam. There are all sorts of experts sitting in armchair and writing and speaking utter nonsense.These "experts" and " talking heads" are repeating like a parrot that Islam is a peaceful religion and the vast majority of the followers of Mohammed wish to live in peace and harmony. Although this unqualified assertion maybe true, the fact is that such statements are meaningless and act like a lullabye to a child to sleep. The purpose is to assure all people that the problem is simple and there is no cause for worry. Another purpse is to diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam
The fact is that fanatics rule Islam at this point in world history. It is the fanatics who are on the march across the globe in 50 nations and have started a shooting war in all these 50 countries. it is in fact a global war.
We must recollect that it's these fanatics who who are slaughtering Christians and tribal clans in Central and West Africa.These fanatic Islamic groups are gradually taking over the entire African continent in a giant Islamic wave. It is these fanatics that bomb, rape and behead in all the areas they operate. Again it is these fanatics who have taken over the mosques and the silent majority has just nodded its head. Worse it is these fanatics who teach young children to hate the Jew, Christian and Hindu and also teach them how to become suicide bombers and go to paradise. These children are tought that Islam is the only religion and after death in paradise, 72 of the most beautiful virgins will be their reward.
This problem is not confined to Africa, but is also a part of the global scenario and that includes the Middle East, India, Europe and America. The hard quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority or the "silent majority" is cowed and extraneous. They have in other words become irrelavent.
Communist Russia comprised of Russians who wanted to live a peaceful life, yet 20 million of them were murdered. The peaceful majority was irrelevent. China's huge population was peaceful as well, yet Mao tse Tung and his communist cadre executed or killed 70 million Chinese. Here also the vast majority of Chinese became irrelavent.
Look at Japan during the war years and the years preceding the war. The Japanese people were by and large peaceful, but a fringe minority seized power and began a massacre that killed 19 million including 12 million in China, who were either shot, beheaded or baynotted. An orgy of violence was unleasehed and the rape of Nanking is famous. The point is that in such circumstances the majority become meaningless and are just like fodder as they acquisce to the minority. This has happened throughout the ages and is happening now in the Islamic faith. The only difference is that this movement is even more dangerous as it is fueled by a religious faith that encompasses the entire globe.
History and Silent Majority
Lessons fom history are often blunt but simple. Despite this home truth most common people miss the basic point. What is the basic point at present? The basic point is that the vast peace loving Muslims have been rendered irrelavent. By their silence. If peace loving Muslims speak , they will antagonise the minority and so a psychosis of fear grips thm. These Muslims by their silence will awake up one day and find that the fanatics own them. Just like in Germany when the vast majority were owned by the Nazi party.. The majority of Muslims will the find that they are like the sheep in the pen.
Again this is nothing new and has happened since the dawn of history. One fne day the peaceful majority find that they have become slaves. Even now the vast majority in Afganistan, Indian Muslims, Middle East and other parts o the world have lost their freedom to think. These minority Muslims also cow down the other communities, who live for peace and hope the majority of Muslms can be " placated". Thus in Canada in public schools, Islamic prayer is included and in many countries like India the Islamic schools are allowed to flourish. This is equated with secularism and one is apt to forget that Kemel Ataturk had abolished all Islamic schools in a country like Turkey which has a 99% Muslim population'.
In Australia and many other countries packaged items of processed meat have the label Halal on them. Airlines in flight announce Halal items as part of the menu. It was prevalent in Lanka as well, but the Buddhist monks by an agitation got these labels banned. Attempts are being made all over the world to placate the Muslims by these methods. But these methods are not working and the West and India have seen that like in Nazi Germany and China the silent majority of Muslims are not speaking out. They are slient at the excesses being committed by the minority. Thus we see that tens of thousands of kilings and rape,beheadings and suicide bombers have not even created a ripple in the Muslim community. One can see that the vast majority has not sided against these minority Muslim groups.
Who are these groups? They are terror outfits that live on their own versions of Islam, yet hardly anybody has condemned their acts as unislamic. This is difficult to understand. Are these people having some empathy for these groups? do they feel secretly pleased by their acts?. There is no clear cut answer and one can conclude that perhaps these terror groups like the ISI do have a lot of support. This can also be borne out by the fact that the ISI gets a regular supply of recruits from all over the world.
What Next?
The silence of the majority has grave repurcussions. It may be due to fear or for anything else, though a latent support cannot be ruled out. But the fact remains that the silent majority is unaware as to where the road will lead. it will in all probability lead to a certain amount of self destruction like in China and Germany.There can be doubt about it. But the other danger is more deadly as it will pit Islam against the world.
Despite the policy of appeasement, the appeasers will themselves be wiped out and I say this with surety. This is applicable to the so called pseudo secularists in both India and the West. One such person is the star Aamir Khan. Such a man knows not what he talks. He has only to venture out of India to realize that he stands a good chance of being made to eat the humble pie. Incidentally there are thousands like him who like the German people who failed to realize the danger of Hitler, are now unable to recognize the danger of the extremist Muslim organizations.
The Muslim extremist organizations have to be dealt by with the Muslims themselves. Failure to do this will lead to Armageddon, the last battle of the human era. This is the Third World war and one cannot be sure who the winner will be.
9 years ago
Bajirao created new article Teachings of Buddhism.
Buddhism is one of the peaceful religion and a belief system which provides not only moral teachings but also teaches us the importance and purpose of our life. A word 'Buddhism' originates from the word 'buddhi' which means 'to awaken', 'to understand', and 'to know'. Buddhism is becoming popular in western culture because it provides solutions to many problems in the modern societies. Buddhism was originated nearly 2500 years ago by Siddhartha Gautama who is the founder of Buddhism religion.
Gautama Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama was a son of an Indian warrior. He was born into the royal family in Nepal, in 563 BC. Till his adulthood, he led an extravagant lavish life and engaged in reveling the privileges of his social caste. However in late stage of his adulthood, he wandered in search of purpose of his life. At the age of 30, he realized that the happiness does not lie in the health and wealth, but the true happiness is somewhere else. He was enlightened after the age of 35 when he studied the meditation and different teachings / philosophies of different religions. He spent rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism until the end of his life. The principles of Buddhism is called as 'Dhamma' or 'Truth'.
Buddha is not a god nor he claims to be a god. In fact he is a man who taught and showed the path towards happiness. Usually Buddhist pay respect to the statue of Gautama Buddha and express their gratitude by bowing to his statue. Most of the time you will find Buddha's statue as rested hands on its lap with a smile. This statue will remind you to develop peace and love within yourself.
Buddhism Beliefs
The essence of Buddha's teaching comprises of Four Truths -
First Truth is Life is suffering - Life includes pain, health issues, diseases, psychological sufferings like fear, jealousy, embarrassment, anxiety,etc; old age and finally death. This is a fact of our life. No one can change this fact. Buddhism teachings makes you realistic and teaches you how to avoid and overcome these sufferings.
Second Truth is the desire and ignorance are the root cause of the sufferings - By desire I mean craving for pleasure, material goods, and immortality are the wants of life which can be never satisfied. Hence desiring them only brings suffering and misery. Ignorance means ignoring the world and unable to grasp the true nature of life. Hence bad and evil nature like jealousy, hatred, egotism, etc arises from this ignorance.
Third Truth is that there is an end to the suffering and happiness can begin in your life - The happiness can be attained if we give up these cravings, and if we do not dwell in the past or in future instead if we live in the present every day. Basically this state is called as 'Nirvana' where you are free from sufferings.
Fourth Truth is the attaining the end of suffering through Noble Eightfold Path. It is basically being moral, focusing your mind and aware of your thoughts and actions and develop wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths.
Noble 8-Fold Path
The steps for Noble 8 Fold Path are - Right Understanding, Right Thoughts, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Efforts, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Karma and The Cycle of Re-birth
Karma is refers the law that every action has its reaction, i.e our every action has a result. If a person does good action like generosity, helpful to people, kindness, etc throughout his life, brings happiness in his life; if person does bad actions like stealing, lying, killing, brings about sadness in his life. The result of Karma depends on the past and present action of an individual. According to Buddhism there are 6 different plane or reams on which any living being can be reborn - 3 fortunate realms and 3 unfortunate (miserable)realms. Three fortunate realms are realms of demigods, realms of gods and realms of human being; while unfortunate or miserable realms are realms of animals, ghosts and hell. Rebirth in the fortunate realms results in the wholesome karma while rebirth in an unfortunate realm results in unwholesome karma where they suffer miserably.
Let me explain you about these realms in brief. Most happiest among the six realms are the realms of God. Living beings are reborn as gods if they have done wholesome good actions, have observed moral precepts and have dome meditation. However the happiness of god is not permanent hence realm of god is not desirable. When the force of karma exhausted the gods from heaven are reborn in another realms. This happens because of pride among them.
Demigods are more powerful physically and intellectual than human beings, yet they suffer from jealousy and anger. According to mythology, Demigods are usually envious of gods and always fight with gods. Hence they remain unhappy and unfortunate most of the time. This anger and jealousy of demigods causes rebirth in other realms.
Human reals is the most favored realm of all the other realms because human beings has an opportunity to achieve enlightenment and achieve enlightenment. In human realm , one experiences both happiness and sadness or sufferings. The suffering in human realms although seems to be terrible, it is less terrible than the other three unfortunate realms. Also happiness experienced in human reals is also not great as it is experienced in gods realms. As a result human beings has sufferings and happiness at equal level. Human birth is very difficult to gain because good conduct is the only way or cause to reborn as humans. Human beings are the only one who has opportunity to practice and achieve enlightenment, and to develop qualities like wisdom, mental development and morality.
In conclusion, Buddhism teaches that solution to our problem is within our self. Every one should decide and take responsibility of their own actions. Buddhism teaches that the wisdom should be developed with compassion which includes qualities of sharing, giving comfort, sympathy, concern,. Through wisdom we can really understand each other and understand our self. True wisdom is not merely following the path, it means experiencing and understanding the truth and reality.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article The Wake up Call For Everyone .
India & Diversity
India is a country of diversities, you name them you have them. Call them diversities in religion, cultures, languages, food habits, clothes, dresses and so many other things besides the great social values. In fact that's what we have been taught right from our childhood but things are taking a new turn lately. I would not like to name them but certain forces are constantly trying to destroy the fabric of unity in their own vested interests. People believe that India is the oldest culture of the world which dates back to lachks of years but I would prefer to keep it to at least 5,000 years old but whatever its age right now it is in danger of being molested.
If the ongoing discussion on tolerance is any proof, the conspirators are working overtime on their plans for dividing the great people of this country into the pre-independence era or going further back to year 1857 when India was not a proper country but a group of kingdoms ruled by different clans. We are going through a tough period where people are not sure what’s going on. As far as religion is concerned India has largest number of religious groups here including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhist, Paresis and Jains. However, the way brains are being washed through baseless debates is enough to delude not so developed minds.
The Role of Media
There is so much going on in electronic media, print media, social sites and other forums which is more than enough for confusing even the most intelligent people so what to talk of illiterate and semi-illiterate masses of this country who take all such matters seriously and probably they are the targets of cunning politicians on either site of the center of power. If you happen to visit social media sites especially twitter, Facebook or Whatsapp, you will see lots of rumors are making rounds presented so authentically that make sound impression on readers to great extent.
As far informed people are concerned they do not take them seriously but read, maybe make a light comment and move on. Different newspapers and magazines in twenty-two official languages of India and many more in unofficial languages are full of posts and comments in favor and against the ongoing discussion day in and day out ever since a few minor incidents took place in certain places. The social media is full of double meaning messages most of which have not a genuine source but the advent of internet spreads them so fast which was unimaginable in the last decade.
It’s worth mentioning here that most educated and matured people do not believe in such baseless gossips but we have immature and lesser informed sources among us who do not think seriously before reaching to a conclusion. It’s also true that certain educated members in the social media also participate and spread baseless messages but most of them accept their fault and delete their posts if told the reality, which is proof enough to show the greatness of people, our culture and understanding. I would like to mention one senior member in my Facebook list who leaves no chance posting strange messages not his own though but that have any reliability in them whatsoever. I felt like giving him a message to post what he feels is authentic but gave up the idea. Today, the media is busy spreading rumors about everything in the name of freedom of expression without investigating the reality or thinking about the result it will bring to the country in the long run.
Role of Social Media
I am not in favor of any restriction on any media but the part of electronic and print media which is not following ethics of the trade should stop making people believe that our institutions are biased. The impression among the general TV news channel viewer is that we are passing through a civil-war in India which is absolutely untrue but spread by the vested interests for political or financial gain. I fail to understand how any responsible media can behave like in this manner which helps intentions of enemy. Beside the role of print and electronic media social media too is unable to play its role positively and allowing irresponsible and unauthentic content on this platform. The social media allows thousands of posts everyday which can very well be put in objectionable category.
Social media undoubtedly has its brighter side but it has become the main source of unsocial activities of late. The thousands of posts are proof which hit institutes, nations, personalities or any particular religion face the hate messages without check. I feel it is not necessary to say that until a few years before this world was not only a group of seven continents but was divided into many geological and religious groups as well where it was not difficult to hide the information. The news was available but it took a long time reaching to different parts of the world.
For instance the incident of Tienanmen Square that happened in 1989 but not many people knew about it that time not even in China. But a fax that was received in distant country revealed it to the rest of the world. But that was an old story, now the world has turned into a global village. The internet has brought the people very near to each other. However, if the internet has played its role for bringing up the knowledge it has its share of distraction too. The internet has provided an easy way to terrorists for brainwashing and appointing new members easily. The latest example is dreaded terrorist group IS which is using it for recruitment and messaging purpose. The politicians are not far behind they use this platform for hate propaganda.
The worst that could happen to this otherwise wonderful platform is that people are not using it for sharing their personal views only but it’s been used by organized political and propagandist groups for their purpose on a mass scale. India is not far behind in the game played by politicians on social media who use professional companies for election campaigning. We have seen that during last couple of elections in India when professional campaigners played a vital role in win or loss of different parties. The social media is now the platform for taking the best advantage of smallest of mishaps in favor of different political parties. The best example is Dadri incident which was altogether different incident from how it was projected. In fact, we have reached to such an ugly stage where death is used for political gain. The social media has become the tool being used by the people who have no hesitation using poor people as a commodity for their own benefit. The social media is like a tool in the hands of powerful and influential using it as their easiest way of destroying the image of honest people.
Villains or Winners
We have been witnessing for centuries that villain is defeated in the end but the tide is changed and now propagandists have proved the villains are the real winners. It’s a dangerous trend that needs to be stopped without any further delay but that is not possible unless the political parties are not willing to stop this game of attacking and counter attacking each other on social media which is giving them and the country a very bad image. I don’t see any communal riots anywhere in the country barring scattered incidents but the social media projecting them as if the country is on the verge of breakup. We shall have to stop them and the brains behind all such activities otherwise there is no guarantee that our unity in diversity which is intact so far will remain safe in future.
I am not very sure our politicians will learn any lesson from politicians of other countries which come on a single platform during any incident related to national security, calamity or emergency but that is not so in India. On the contrary, our politicians start a blame game according to their own party’s interests and the media including members of social media take sides of their favorite groups. For them, country has no meaning but their personal interests stand supreme. The time has come the leaders of different political groups understand the grave situation else the matter will go out of their hands and the people who suffer will be ordinary general public.
9 years ago
suni51 created new article Mussorie- The Queen Of Hills.
The Queen of Hills
Mussoorie is one of the most visited hill stations especially by north Indians and people from distant countries of the world round the year but the best season to visit is either summers or winters. However no one wants to visit the place during monsoon as it rains a lot during that time.
However Mussorie basically a hill resort which was founded by a British army officer Captain Young who developed it in a wonderful place for British officers who felt discomfort during the summers in plains of North India provides a wonderful experience and a different feeling those want a refreshing relief from the hot conditions of the plains in summers or experience the natural gift of watching snowfall rare in this part of the world and I love the place especially as it is close enough to my own city.
Ask anyone in this part of the world that you are going to Mussorie for a vacation he will be immediately feel envious and more so if happen to go in the end of December or beginning of January. Mussorie is better known as the 'Queen of Hills' which is a lovely hill station in Himalayas located near Dehradun situated in the range of 1900-2475 meters above sea level in Devbhumi of Uttarakhand, the Land of Gods.
A tourist should come to Dehradun first in order to reach Mussoorie which is situated at a distance of 35 km from the city of Dehradun Incidentally Dehradun, Rishikesh and Kotdwar are the main gateways to enter in the Garhwal part of the Uttrakhand state (where Mussorie is located). Incidentally, adventure loving people walk to Musoorie, about 9 km away from Rajpura road in Dehradun. The way is to Mussoorie is steep climb but a visitor never feels tired as he walks through the Tibetan monasteries situated on the way and the beautiful scenic beauty which can be viewed while traveling on the way towards up the hill.
The people who have visited Mussorie earlier, it has change during last 50 years or so particularly the city area but those who love to see the natural beauty must go to its surrounding areas having immense natural beauty and pleasant climate that instantly makes it a perfect place for a peaceful experience. However, the city itself has a lot to offer to visitors including the Mall Road, a library and a Church along with many shopping plazas.
As one enters the main Mussoorie town he finds himself on The Mall like all other hill resorts in north India, a road found in every city or town where British had their presence and which was specially designed for their strolling purpose. Mussoorie also has this road known as The Mall starting from British period cinema hall the Picture Palace to the other end where the Library stands as another famous building reminding the British period.
However, the best attraction most for visitors in Mussoorie is still the beautiful view and significant segment remains the hills and that also contributes the most for the town's revenue. Mussorie is one of the first choices of honeymooning couples in India.
Have a look at the tourists’ interest places in and around Mussorie at a glance-
Camel Back Road- The busies road in the town Camels Back is one of the major attractions for tourists as this 3 KM long road is shaped like a camel’s back. The road has many attractions for tourists as many Tibetans shops cater for the needs of tourists offering woolens and other gift items at a very reasonable price provided you know how to bargain for the lowest prices.
Jwalaji Temple- One of the most visited areas in Mussorie is Jwalaji Temple in Benog Hill also known as Beong Tibba which is at a distance of 10 km from main city situated at almost 2200 meter above the sea level. The temple’s main attraction is idol of Ma Durga. Visitors can enjoy the view of the Aglar River valley from temple also while walking the distance.
Nag Devta Temple – The famous among the tourists especially the local tourists is ancient temple Nag Temple or Shiva temple who is considered Lord of Snakes is situated about 6 km from main town on main highway to Dehradun.
Lal Tibba (hill) is another tourist spot of Mussoorie. Dhanaulti hill is a tourist spot about 32 KM away from Mussoorie.
Kempty Falls- The Kempty Falls, another tourist spot that attracts most visitors is situated about 15 km from the main city at a height of 1400 meters from sea level.
Lake Mist- This is another good picnic spot nearly 5 km on the way to Kempty Falls. The best thing about the place is that it has facilities for night halt and restaurants. People coming to this place enjoy boating in Kempty River flowing through besides Lake Mist has many more small waterfalls created naturally by the river.
Rope way- Rope way is one of the major tourist attractions for the visitors to Mussoorie that starts from Mall road and takes the visitors to Gun Hill. Incidentally, Gun Hill is the second highest point of Mussoorie, at 2000 meters from sea level.
Jharipani Fall- This is another natural fall located at about 8.5 km away from Mussoorie where visitors can easily reach by their cars, taxis and local buses.
Mossy Fall- Mossy Fall is located in the forest at a distance of is 7 km from main town with easy reach.
Bhatta Falls- This beautiful fall is located at a distance of 7 km from city again on Dehradun main road near a village called Bhatta where visitors can easily reach by car or bus up to village and then walk to fall at a distance about 3 km by foot. Bhatta falls is known for its beautiful ponds and enjoyment of bathing and water games mostly visited by picnic lovers.
Company Garden- One of the most visited places in Mussorie and a popular tourist destination Company Garden has a vast collection of flowers and plants.
Happy Valley has a small Tibetan temple, the first Tibetan temple built in India in 1960 by the Tibetans who came to India after Chinese invasion in Tibet as refugees
Mussoorie Lake- This Lake has been developed as a picnic spot by the local governing body which is located about 6 km away on main Mussoorie-Dehradun highway the pedaled boats being the main attraction of the place. The place is in a peaceful surroundings has lot to offer to visitors as natural sightseeing.
Van Chetna Kendra- The place is about 11 km from library side of the town is a bird sanctuary established almost 23 years before in 1993 having an area of 340 hectares. Van Chetna Kendra is mostly famous for the extinct bird Mountain Quail the ‘Pahari Bater’ an extinct specie.
Mussorie is well known for its institutions, some of them are-
Christian Institution the Landour Community Hospital a small mission hospital run by the Emmanuel Hospital Association, Delhi catering to the medical needs of the people on the hills for the last 75 years.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, the training institute for officers of the Indian Administrative Service and other civil services.
Hampton Court School
Convent of Jesus and Mary
St. George's College
Woodstock School
Oak Grove School
Wynberg-Allen
Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary
Facade of St. George's College
St. George's College
Woodstock School's campus
Oak Grove School
Wynberg Allen School
Mussoorie International School
Sir George Everest's House Park Estate which was office of Sir George Everest, the Surveyor-General of India for a brief period as it was later moved to Dehradun the present capital of Uttrakhand in 1843. Incidentally, the world's highest peak Mt. Everest is named after George Everest. The House Park Estate is about 6 km from Library Bazaar. The tourist can watch the entire Doon Valley from one side of the road and from other they can see the view of the Aglar River valley and the snow clad peaks of the Himalaya.
The famous Cloud End hotel- It is surrounded by thick Deodar trees. It used to be residence of a British major and was one of the first four buildings of Mussoorie and has since been converted into a hotel. The place provides a wonderful atmosphere to honeymooning couples with peaceful and lovely surroundings and greenery in form of gardens full of flowers. I suggest everyone to visit this place if ever happen to be in Delhi or nearby areas as the place is within a distance of 200 KM.
Images source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussoorie
9 years ago
vijay replied to the topic Who is the real communalist?.
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
suni51 wrote:
vijay wrote:
Real communalists are those who stand to gain by exploiting their own or opponents religion in different manners.
True, they are taking full advantage of a particular community and being branded as secular in bonus. Great going. '
Also the other party is taking full advantage of the other community and also getting branded as secular. Great great going.
You belong to which community sir? And I always thought you do not consider them secular or ever voted for them.
I try to belong to the community which believes that today's India affords its citizens an equal opportunity to make a great country and past history has no meaning if judged from today's parameters. Our history should start from Aug 15,1947 when we truly for the first time got India as India for the first time in recorded history. For whom do I vote, well I will be honest I have voted for both communities but less for one. I am not a blind supporter of any ideology. What about you.
9 years ago
vijay replied to the topic Atheism and terrorism .
So oil is the reason and not religion for many to bow down to Saudis.
9 years ago
took the quiz Quiz on Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.
This is a quiz about Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.The vast size of India and different climatic conditions has resulted into a wealth of more than 80 National Parks and 441 plus wildlife sanctuaries. Choose the correct answers from the options given below.
9 years ago
passed the quiz Quiz on Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.
This is a quiz about Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries.The vast size of India and different climatic conditions has resulted into a wealth of more than 80 National Parks and 441 plus wildlife sanctuaries. Choose the correct answers from the options given below.
9 years ago
usha manohar replied to the topic Atheism and terrorism .
Saudi is a rich country and it is the other poorer nations and even the western nations that bow before them irrespective of what they have to put up, simply because they have an abundance of oil ..
9 years ago