We the peaple (part 2)

The original preamble of the constitution dint had the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular.’ It’s obvious that Dr. Ambedkar and the constitution committee had wanted India to be a ‘SOVERIEGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC’

And their first priority was to achieve ‘social, economical and, political justice’ to all its citizens.

I was quite surprised for not finding the word ‘socialist’ in the original preamble.

Even after 60 years of independence, caste is a major issue for majority of Indians.

Hinduism had divided the society in to four major groups depending on their nature of work. Who ever resorts to religious activities was referred to as “Brahmin”. A person who indulges in business was referred to as a “Vaishya “. Like wise there were “Kshtriya”, and “Shudra”.

Unfortunately (because of hereditary choice of pursuing the father’s work) the groups became the cast and each cast gave birth to numerous sub castes.

The ‘Shudras’ were the most neglected and brutally treated bunch of the society. For centuries they were kept out of the main stream. They were denied even the basic facilities such as water, drainage etc.

Untouchable practice was on its peak in 20^th century. Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar and others were fighting the British and, the untouchable practice of the society simultaneously.

The society had not accepted the ‘shudras’ whole heartedly even at the time of Independence. Dr. Ambedkar had the first hand experience of the brutality of the so called upper cast towards this group of society.

So to achieve the ‘social, economical and, political justice to all’ the constitution drafting committee directed the state to promote with ‘special care’ the educational and economical interests of the weaker section of the society.

It is this part of the constitution which is widely being misused by the government and us. In fact when Baba sahib suggested reservations, he was very particular about the duration. He knew that the prolonged reservations could handicap the community.

But, strangely at present every community wants to identify itself as backward. We are ready to agitate (and almost every time the agitation turns violent and ends in rapes and murders) to be listed in the backward list.

To increase their vote bank, the political parties finds one or the other way (to escape from the hands of the Supreme Court) and, announce the agitating community as backward.

This is another example of how a noble idea of social justice can be misused.

Social justice is long forgotten.

In 60 years, our governments have brought 50% of Indians backwards and, we are proud to be labeled as backward community!

A story of a child labor

10^th July 2008. Next day was my daughter’s birthday. So I withdrew a handsome amount from the bank to make arrangements for the small party I had planned for her.

I usually stop for a tea near my home. The small tea stall is always packed as he makes excellent masala tea. That day for a change it was near empty. It was looking like its going to rain. Without wasting a moment, I finished the tea and rushed to my home.

A little while after some one rang the door bell. And, I was surprised to see Shekhar, the boy who works at the tea shop standing at my door. This boy was not new to my house. He used to deliver tea to me whenever I have to entertain a surprise guest. But today I had not ordered any thing. Before I can figure out the reason for his arrival, Shekhar took out my mobile from his pocket. ‘Anna (big brother) you had forgotten this’ he said with a smile on his face.

It was quite an expensive handset. And I had used it only for a couple of months. I was very pleased with this boy and tipped him a handsome amount. Casually I asked him the reason for his working at the time when he is supposed to be studying. Our further conversation went some thing like ,

‘How can I go to school?’

‘Like any other children. Now a day’s schools are providing meals. You dint have to worry about the food also.’

‘Will they feed my family also?’

‘What do you mean? What your parents do?’

‘I dint know what my father does. He is missing from past six years. My mother works at construction sites. I have a school going younger brother. My mother don’t get regular job. So I have to work.’

‘How much do you earn?’

‘The shop owner gives me 20 rupee per day a breakfast and a lunch. I earn at least 10 rupee as tips. Even after all the expenses I can take home at least 30 rupee a day.’

‘Expenses? What kind of expenses does a nine year old boy can have?’

Our government has prohibited shops from selling tobacco to children. But here Shekhar not only could buy cigarette but, had become a compulsive smoker. And he is only nine!

I was beginning to take interest in this casual conversation. I don’t know why I felt like helping this boy.

‘I know some organization which helps children like you. If you are interested I’ll take you there and they will try to arrange for your education etc. You are a very nice boy. If not you would not have returned my cell. You should be studying and playing at your age. What do you say?’ I asked him.

‘Anna, I’m working from past four years. I used to secretly beg before that. One day my mother saw me and stripped me of my cloths and made me to stand in front of the house for the whole day. She always tells me that if I ever beg or steel, she will break my legs. Initially I was getting only food at the tea shop. Now I have started earning. If I leave this job, I loose the earnings also. So I don’t want to study.’

I tried to persuade him to take up studies but, he was very sure of his stand. I went with him to his home and met his mother. Her stand was not different then that of Shekhar’s. ‘I would live if he could study. But, our financial status does not allow it. Being the elder son, he has to take the responsibility of the family.’ She concluded.

‘But it is illegal. Child labor is banned in India. Primary education is free and compulsory. You don’t have to spend a paisa on his education. Even his lunch is taken care of.’ I took out my last weapon.

She looked at me for a while and, gave a sarcastic smile.

‘My younger son is studying in a government school Anna. (I had become big brother for both mother and son.) I know how free it is. It’s difficult for us to support even a first standard student. Please leave now.’

But I was determined.

I met Shekhar the next day and took him home. My daughter and her friends had already started celebrations. At least after seeing other children, I thought Shekhar might change his mind. But I failed again. He was much worried of loosing his job, if he stays for long.

‘Good if you loose the job. At least then you can think of studying. Working in a tea shop is not a great job. If you study you will get a better job.’ I said.

‘I dont want to work in the tea shop for ever Anna. Very soon I’ll be opening my own tea shop. I know how to make tea and coffee. I have already saved some money towards it.’

I looked at him in disbelief. He had a broad smile on his face and, all the stars in his eyes!

Being educated, I had never thought of working for self. I chose the safe way of working for a MNC on their terms. A nine year old, uneducated boy had thought of working under self terms and, had already laid foundations on his dream!

I just told him to contact me for any kind of help he may require in future.

We all speak of the children and their rights and, the problems the underprivileged face. But always forget to acknowledge their spirit.

Both the governments and, the society have failed in creating a likable atmosphere for the (poor) children. But Shekhar’s incident proved to me that the negligence has not hampered their spirit.

After Shekar’s incident it became my pass time to find child labor and talk to their parents. All four families which I visited have one thing in common. ‘Financial support the child is providing to them.’

I’m not supporting child labor of any kind. I just want to highlight the spirit of children even in adverse conditions. I wonder what all these spirited children could achieve if they get a proper initial guidance.

The governments sure have come up with some very good schemes for the children. But have failed in implementing it. First priority should be given to create proper job opportunities for financially lower section of the society. When the parents can financially support their family, the government can compel their children towards schools.

Securarism v/s Hinduism

Last evening I was reading an article from one of my net friend on the Kashmir conflict.

Though I dint agree her views on Kashmir, she sure made me to rethink my stand on secularism.

I don’t agree with the basic idea of secularism. Though it sounds ‘being separate from religion’, on a personal level being ‘secular’ person is like being ‘tolerant’ towards other religions. A tolerant society can loose its tolerance and start erupting hatred even on a little provocation.

This is where Hinduism stands tall against secularism.

The foundation of Hinduism is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” Only a Hindu can say that the whole world is his family. That’s why Swamy Vivekananda could address the Chicago gathering as ‘My dear brothers and sisters’.

The pillars of Hinduism being: “Sarve Jana sukhino bhavantu”. (सर्वे जाना सुखिनो भवन्तु )Only a Hindu can pray for the well being of the entire mankind.

Just from these two phrases, Hinduism gives utmost freedom to a person to practice any religion he/she may want to practice. To be more precise, it does not compel anyone to praise or, worship any one single god or creator. Even a non believer is also entitled to be happy and content under Hinduism.

Any and everybody, irrespective of cast and religion can be a Hindu. Instead of tolerating, it (Hinduism) teaches one to respect other religions. There is a hell lot of difference between tolerating and, respecting. Where there is respect, question of intolerance doesn’t arise. In fact it doesn’t hesitate a bit in absorbing good from any religion. This is the reason why a Hindu can go to Ajmer sheriff, Haji Ali, as he goes to Amarnath and Thirupati. He can light a candle at any church as he lights incense sticks at a temple. For doing so, the creator does not reserve a place for him/her at the hell.

It’s very sad that some people want to bring down Hinduism to the level of a religion. For All those people I want to scream and announce that Hinduism is not a religion. It’s a way of life. It’s a culture which was and is being practiced form the time of ancient Indus Valley civilization. Hinduism doesn’t have fixed boundaries as a religion. Sarvapalli Radhakrishan observes Hinduism as not "just a faith", but in itself related to the union of reason and intuition. He explicitly suggests that, it can not be defined, but is only to be experienced.

So I feel immense proud in claiming myself as a Hindu, rather than a secularist.

We the people (part 1)

Authors of our constitution, while drafting the outlines for our constitution had dreamt of a strong and leading nation. Indians are always obsessed with ‘Ram Rajya’ (राम राज्य )

Independence opened the doors to convert the dream millions in to reality.

Before the British, India (Hindustan) was never really under any one ruler. Apart from local kings, we had number of Mughal invaders. When the Mughals had become weak and the local rulers were fighting for their existence we had British and, Portuguese.

An average Indian was exposed to (or some times compelled to follow) traditions and cultures alien to him/her.

The authors were well aware of the fact that two persons who are practicing same Ism might have two different traditions!

The authors were equipped with one invisible thread. The name was Nationalism. The task was to tie 50 crore people with different culture and tradition with this invisible thread!

60 years back, every single Indian could feel this nationality tied tightly around them. The same nationality had brought India to the door of independence, which opened in to the house of democracy.

The authors thought that the same nationality can keep all this diversified Indians together if they are given a free atmosphere to practice their choice of Ism.

The soul of India is हिन्दुइस्म. It should not be difficult for an Indian to practice secularism. It is in his/her blood. (See my blog ‘Hindu versus secular’ )

Thats the reason why the committee dint include the word secular in the preamble of our constitution. By not adding the word they in fact had taken the right step towards secularism. (Its notable that they dint declare India as a Hindu nation.)

But what the constitution authors’ didn’t realize was the fact that those 2 decades of British rule has contaminated our politicians also. They dint realize that this ‘secular’ stand could prompt our politicians to revoke the British’s ‘divide and rule’ policy.

After 60 years of independence, India is more divided than ever. Politicians are safeguarding terrorist outfits in the name of secularism. On an account of this India has become the most bombed country. Terrorist outfits are growing like mushrooms. It’s shocking to know that even some medical students are involved in this activity.

The worst part is decades of negligence are giving way to Hindu extremism.

We the citizens are also equally responsible for this situation. Nationality is relevant for us only on 15 Aug and 26 Jan. Rest of the days we forget that we are Indians.

We all condemn police and the government officers when others bribe them. But when it comes to us, we are the first to offer them the bribe. We all criticize a politician for all his miss deeds and at elections we vote to the same follow just because he/she is of our cast!

The bottom line is “We the citizens of India (specially the politicians) have worked over night for sixty years to defeat the basic idea of secularism in our constitution.”