The recent terrorist attacks, whether they be genuine or the controversial ones that some agencies are portraying them to be, have really hurt the democracy that we are....Free and Masters of our lives. No more so. Now it's for our own safety that our freedom is being curbed. I spoke to a lot of my friends in all the "happening" places in our country. NOT EVEN ONE WAS PARTYING! Even in Bangalore, where I am writing from, 12:30 am was the deadline. I just sat in my bed imagining the party-goers wishing each other in a hurry and rushing to their homes just to keep within the deadline. How much more ridiculous can things get? A seemingly innocent boy was shot down here just because of the panic these terror episodes have created. Everyone has a superb hindsight. Now everyone wants her voice to be heard regarding what the police should have done when they were chasing the boy. I really pity the police. They are used as blaming grounds for almost anything that goes wrong. It's easy for me to sit in my drawing-room with a bowl of pop-corn and curse the performance of our cricketers, but difficult to imagine myself BEING there and DOING that. Life changes a lot when the it's OUR eyes looking down the barrel of a gun pointed at us. People seem to think that police is SUPPOSED to take care of things no matter what because it is their job. Can we sometimes ask ourselves how WE are doing our jobs...as parents, as friends, as citizens of India, as the human race, as Hindus/Muslims/Jains etc. and the many other roles that we have to don on day-to-day basis? We all still sit in our cars forming the traffic and curse the traffic snarls. How far are we going to carry on this attitude?
There is a pushing drive for creating better infrastructure for cyclists in Bangalore. Kudos to Bangaloreans for the will! They deserve the appreciation because although they have not yet done it, I see that they are the only ones thinking about it. And that's VERY GOOD! The rest of the country hasn't even started imagining it. My only request to Bangalore would be to be more assertive when it comes to life changing ideas. I have personally always thought of Bangalore as less happening than Pune. But if this idea is realised in Bangalore, I am changing sides. "Happening" is not only about night-life and cool dressing. It's a broader, more intelligent, more responsible mindset.
Wondering what all this have to do with the FREEDOM I was talking about? Well, freedom that we have to try for, is not only from unnecessary curbs on our life, but also from the lethargy that we show when it comes to fulfilling our duties. Also, being unbiased about important issues that are slowly eating up the freedom that has a pure definition somewhere in this eternity. Freedom from geographical bounds when we consider our environment; freedom from our static mindsets when it comes to sexual equality; freedom from prejudice the moment we negotiate with someone of a different religion; freedom from pre-set economic models when it comes to our country's working; freedom from age-old attitudes when it comes to governance; .......................................................
The list never ends. Sounds like a lot of work. But how do we sit and enjoy our TODAY when scores of our ancestors have toiled to hand us over better TOMORROWS? What about our children? Are they going to live in hell just because we frittered away our time in simply spending what we had, rather than investing our resources for a better tomorrow? Life has to go on. And I am not talking "survival". I mean "living". When I see that five-year old small girl who always assume her father is always right, I shudder at the thought of how much of her trust we have betrayed.
We have to aim for freedom. Freedom from every distraction inside us that takes us away from doing the right thing. And US is the key word here. Whether it be traffic problems, or housing problems, or ethical problems, or any other...Baapu said once - THERE IS ENOUGH HERE FOR EVERY MAN'S NEED; BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR EVEN ONE MAN'S GREED.
HAVE A RESPONSIBLE AND ENLIGHTENING 2009.
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Akash, well said. There are many people who think in the same line and on the same points. Mainly the young people of our country think very similar to you. Still, things will not get implement in India as there is lack of integrity in all of us. What we think and what we do..if both converge at one point ..then only these things are possible. We all think..think..and think the same..but how many of us actually do or take pain to do so.
But, I am very sure if today we have started thinking on the line mentioned by you..the day is near when we all will start doing so. We really need to free our self from old evils and bad feelings for each other. We need to be true to our self, true to our people and true to our country, then only real freedom will be achieved.
If every body corrects himself rather than correcting other, the system will automatically change. Simply cursing the system will not change anything. We are a part of this system and by living and working in the same system can lead to any kind of change.
We hope and lets try to make this year a good one by working truely, sincerely and HELP EACH OTHER to finish the TERROR/TERRORIST word from our lives.
HAVE A PROSPEROUS YEAR!
Akash, if you remember that our Former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said he visualises India in 2020 as a country free from terrorism and a secure place to live in with people proud of the country’s leadership
But the recent Mumbai terrorist attack has filled the entire nation in state of shock. We will take years to forget the same.
I feel, the problem is within us. When we are weak and selfish somewhere in our conduct..then only any third nation can harm us. What happened in Mumbai is not only the one topic which media should talk about. We are many times suffered due to politics of our leaders. "Some people among us are only creating problems and havocs for us." We know this very well but we dont find any solution to them.
We know many things..who is doing wrong..what wrong is happening BUT we keep silence till something bad happens to our own people. We make "Hallaa.." when we face the consequences. The day we start feeling pain of other...this country will be a terror or error free coutry.
May this NEW YEAR 2009 enlighten the lives of every body and yeild the sense of responsibility in them.
WISH YOU A VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AKASH.
Unfortunately, a greater carnage had taken place in India, more lives were lost, bodies still remain unrecovered, people still displaced, their property and possessions taken from them by force.
There are so many firsts in this attack in Mumbai. Never was a terrorist operation carried out by sea (as is suspected now), never were so many top officers killed in the initial response, never were so many 5 star hotels specifically targetted, never did it take so much time, inspite of having the best (NSG) commandos deployed (there still are terrorists holed up). Without doubt, this is the worst terrorist attack in India so far.
The attacks came at a time when India's economy had already begun to slow as a result of the global recession.
We respect people of all colors, religions and sexual orientation in India. We are a tolerant society. I am proud of my country.
Lets pray for a Terror Free Year 2009.
India’s financial capital of Mumbai is under a terrorist attack as teams of gunmen attacked hotels, a train station, a restaurant, two hospitals, and an airport.
These terror groups have been implicated in numerous mass-casualty attacks in New Delhi, Mumbai, Samjhauta, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh over the past several years. Thousands of Indians were killed or wounded in the attacks
Happy New Year!
…Well, not quite yet. I may be a little scared in celebration in our country, but that is no reason for you not to celebrate the New Year in as many ways as humanly possible.
I wish you all a very healthy, safe and prosperous 2009.
Hello Akash,
A New Year is nipping at our heels, but we had such an amazing 2008 we’re kind of sad to see it go.There are lots of wonderful family friendly events that one could part-take in for the holidays. It is very easy to stay at home, eat, drink and ring in the New Year. However, it's also good to get out occasionally during the holidays and just have fun! You may have to buddle up the little ones a little more that usual, however it's a refreshing change.
It's January, and that means it's time for us to make safe New Year resolutions.
I will say good bye to 2008 and welcome New Year 2009, which will give us peace, happiness, joy, will give power to work more harder in this world recession time, contentment ,love , reduce tension and wipe terrorism from the world. So on New Year 2009 you spend with your children and loved ones.
Akash,
Terror attacks almost every second month in different places across the country and then the dastardly Mumbai terror rampage overshadowed the feelings of people in the country last year. Not suprisingly, that’s not the emotion they want to start the new year with.Many have decided to start the New Year on a more positive note - with a resolution to be more alert, to abide by rules of the law and possibly help in averting another fatal incident.
We are living in a time when the more we trust people around us, the more we travel and live in a carefree manner, the more vulnerable we are. My resolution this New Year will be to be more alert and abide by the rules of the law instead of huffing and puffing at the sight of long queues of security checks at airports and other places,”
Wish you a Safe Prosperous 2009.
Hi,
Akash,
Every time there is a fatal incident, there is the usual blame game. It’s time we have to stop blaming the system every time and start doing our bit to avert such incidents.
This New Year, my resolution will be to become a responsible citizen, abide by the law and be more alert.
One thing seems certain,there’s more economic pain to come, which is forecast to drag into the second half of 2009 and possibly beyon.
Life means to go on… whatever happened is a thing of the past and we start the new year2009 on a positive note.
HI,
Akash,
Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.
Terrorism seems to have held sway during 2008. Each successive terrorist attack has been characterized by recklessly blatant audacity, innovative selection of targets and application of newer tactics.
Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances.
But on the first of January 2009 let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.
Best wishes for a safe New Year’s 2009 and a bright, prosperous year to come…
The year 2008 has been bad overall. The question this year for New Years Eve is "Why celebrate?"
more than
"Where to celebrate?"
We have seen tens of terrorism/blasts/unrest in an alarming frequency this year across the length and breadth of the our country.
The world at large, including India, has seen and felt the pinch due to the global financial slowdown.Now, we have New Years 2009 that usually brims with celebrations and good business. Taking into consideration the aforementioned two major issues of this year, will we have to celebrate like usual, celebrate more than ever, or not celebrate at all?
I have been talking to avoid-party goers to find out whether these things really affect their mindset.
'A message to the terrorists that we wont cower'.
Aksah,
We have to resolve that we will fight terrorism the perfect way.
We have to fight it the way we fight diseases that kill people.
We have to ask the Government to deploy NSG commandos in every state of India to counter any possible strike anytime, without delaying a minute that could cost hundreds of lives.
Let us pray that we do not see any more bomb blast, carnage and mayhem.
We have to Go ahead and propagate the ideas and awareness on poverty eradication.
There are more than 30 crores of people below the poverty line. We have enough food grains
in our godown to feed our people. So much so that if we make a way to the moon with these,
we can still build our way back to the earth.
We have to fight all the social diseases. Prohibit anti-social activities like eve-teasing,
rape, violence by imposing heavy penalties and fines to the culprits. This will not show
any of these to our next generations.
“Sare Jahaa se Achha, Hindustan Hamaara Hamaraa”.
LET US MAKE IT HAPPEN.
A SAFE 2009
After Bhagat Singh (my fav in history),it'lll be you in my present!!
I'm with you n trust me I do intiate an effort. Luckily I'm in S'pore where govt is pretty much strict in making their say clear. A hell lot of citizens,be tat old or young,cycle around most of the times..there's majority walking distances.. It's amazing the amount of stamina they have.. Man,you shud luk at their sexy legs..wonderful curves to kill for! I'm not trying to be funny but trying to create another perception.. Tday we're al in variety of races,hoarding against each other,n one of the race is of luking gud,attractive.. Do you knw,Singapore has one of the maximum population with longer living crowd than most parts of the world? Jus coz they walk or cycle a lot,they're winning against most of us the mortals! Hell,not tat I want to live till I lose al 32s n get carted around,but it's al about living a healthy life,to create a gud tday for a better tomorrow!
My Dadaji was an Ayurvedic doc n he used to walk like no ones business..Early morning,cold water shower,slip into his comfy cotton dhoti kurta n sandals n start his kms long walk for the day. And the amount of natural food he used to consume was applaudible..no junk..lotza fruits,water,ghee,litres of milk a day..aaa..Dnt try tis stunt no more,esp after the China Melamine incidence!! Who knws wat more ideas retailers around the world got n wat they may try next! And pls note,I aint recommending anythng,jus telling u all wat my Dadaji did n lived a wonderfully healthy life..If u take it for a suggestion n anythng happens,i'll unnecessorily be blamed (Tnx to US strategies,easy money was flowing so much by suing one another for unressonable reasons,see wat happened now..hope any of my contact details aint displayed anywhere here!!).
Well,I mite be talking a lot of crap in b/w but i hope you got the gist of it! Akash,Geeta,Ashok,Kshitiz..everyones talking big big stuff..I'm jus' trying..Anyways,at the end I guess wat matters is we take a natural laughing pill,make an effort to make it a better place for u n for me n the entire human race (tnq Michael J. for lending me the line)..and Have a wonderful day..
Jus smile,there'll be another smile n soon there'll be miles n miles of smiles :)
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