China’s ruthlessly oppressive Communist government suffered a huge humiliation when its detained Human Rights activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for 2010. While the award was a recognition for the gutsy fight put up by the respectable activist, it also came as a recognition for the cause that he is fighting for, i.e. a democratic life for the hapless Chinese people who find almost every aspect of their life being controlled by the ruling Communist Party.
Quite understandably the Chinese government had tried its best to ensure that the award ultimately did not come to Liu. It had even gone to the level of blackmailing Norway (it is a committee of Norwegian parliamentarians which selects the Nobel Peace Awardee) by implying that in case Liu is awarded the Prize, then it would adversely affect the trade relations between the two countries.
But by displaying a genuine Nordic fortitude, the Scandinavian Kingdom of Norway simply stuck to its guns, and ultimately ended up by handing over to Liu Xiaobo the award that he truly deserved. China’s nasty endeavour to advance its political cause through dirty blackmailing simply fell flat.
While apparently this incident reflects the strong sense of ethics and self-respect that underlines the national character of Norway, in reality it reflects the regional characteristic of the European continent as a whole (especially Western Europe).
No matter how many flaws they may have, a key quality of the West European nations is that they maintain a basic level of ethics and morality in their statecraft, in a stark contrast with the USA for which national interests come above all. If it were the USA in the place of Norway, and if it found that its commercial interests in China would be threatened if it gave the Nobel Peace Award to Liu, then it would have surely backed out. But as a Western European nation, Norway did not find its commercial interests to be more valuable than its national ethics, and went ahead with presenting the award to the person it thought to be the most suitable one for the same. It gave a damn to this fact that by presenting this ward to Liu it was getting in a conflict mode with an emerging economic as well as military superpower.
Europeans have many flaws that are not present in the USA. One glaring example of the same is the racist mindset, which is still so common among the Europeans while not being that common among the US people. But it is the presence of a basic ethics and righteousness in their politics that keeps the Western European nations ahead of the USA, at least in terms of political morality.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Faulty Bank Notes From ATM
Other day I came to know about an interesting as well as a bit disturbing incident from one Mr. T.
While we were driving from R.K. Puram to Gurgaon in his white Santro (if I can remember the car model correctly), he told me that other day he had come across a somewhat shocking experience. He had drawn three bank notes of Rs. 500 denomination from a Gurgaon-based ATM of a reputable private bank (an Indian bank to be precise). Later he found all the three notes to be faulty, and he failed to use any of them. The net result was the loss of Rs. 1,500 (sorry for using the outdated symbol of the Indian rupee).
I asked him whether those notes were fake. He said that they were not exactly fake, but were so faulty that nobody accepted them. While I could not exactly follow what he was trying to say, I could manage to understand that those notes were at least not fresh notes but used ones.
And if we find that we are getting used notes from ATM, that alone is quite startling (even if the notes are otherwise OK and can be used).
So I felt that people must know about the incident, and so decided to share the same through this online medium.
Do not get me wrong. My intention is not to create panic. In fact I am myself not sure about exactly what was wrong with those notes. I just wanted to make people aware that such thing may happen, though it will certainly be a rare case.
While we were driving from R.K. Puram to Gurgaon in his white Santro (if I can remember the car model correctly), he told me that other day he had come across a somewhat shocking experience. He had drawn three bank notes of Rs. 500 denomination from a Gurgaon-based ATM of a reputable private bank (an Indian bank to be precise). Later he found all the three notes to be faulty, and he failed to use any of them. The net result was the loss of Rs. 1,500 (sorry for using the outdated symbol of the Indian rupee).
I asked him whether those notes were fake. He said that they were not exactly fake, but were so faulty that nobody accepted them. While I could not exactly follow what he was trying to say, I could manage to understand that those notes were at least not fresh notes but used ones.
And if we find that we are getting used notes from ATM, that alone is quite startling (even if the notes are otherwise OK and can be used).
So I felt that people must know about the incident, and so decided to share the same through this online medium.
Do not get me wrong. My intention is not to create panic. In fact I am myself not sure about exactly what was wrong with those notes. I just wanted to make people aware that such thing may happen, though it will certainly be a rare case.
Monday, October 4, 2010
The “Uncle” Obsession Of Delhi People
A key characteristic of Delhites (I mean people of Delhi and its satellite towns like Noida) is their penchant for calling people “uncle”, even when they are calling people who are at most 10-15 years older than them.
Now I am in my mid-30s. I came to Delhi around 8 years back, and soon found myself to be an “uncle” for people in the age group of 18-30. I understand that I already looked much older thanks to my (then) bulky physique and baldness. Nevertheless, it was shocking to find how smartly people of even 30 years of age were calling me “uncle”.
As my age increased, it also resulted in the “expansion” of the age group of my “nephews”. Now I find even people apparently in their 40s (including the ones in late 40s) calling me “uncle”. And now I have stopped getting shocked, as now I am used to it.
But the other day I simply could not help getting shocked again. In fact I was dumbstruck.
I was traveling by Delhi Metro Rail, and was about to get down at the Rajib Chowk station. The train was crowded, and I had somehow managed some space to stand just in front of the gate. There were many other passengers standing there, with a gentleman leaning against the door. When the Rajib Chowk station was about to come, a passenger requested that gentleman to move a little, as he was about to get down at Rajib Chowk. The jolly looking gentleman readily agreed, when he noticed that I was also trying to approach the door. He immediately asked me, very politely, “Aapko bhi utarna hai, uncle”? (You will also get down, uncle?)
And how old was he? Well, a man with a number of grey hairs, he appeared to be at least in his early 50s.
Now I am in my mid-30s. I came to Delhi around 8 years back, and soon found myself to be an “uncle” for people in the age group of 18-30. I understand that I already looked much older thanks to my (then) bulky physique and baldness. Nevertheless, it was shocking to find how smartly people of even 30 years of age were calling me “uncle”.
As my age increased, it also resulted in the “expansion” of the age group of my “nephews”. Now I find even people apparently in their 40s (including the ones in late 40s) calling me “uncle”. And now I have stopped getting shocked, as now I am used to it.
But the other day I simply could not help getting shocked again. In fact I was dumbstruck.
I was traveling by Delhi Metro Rail, and was about to get down at the Rajib Chowk station. The train was crowded, and I had somehow managed some space to stand just in front of the gate. There were many other passengers standing there, with a gentleman leaning against the door. When the Rajib Chowk station was about to come, a passenger requested that gentleman to move a little, as he was about to get down at Rajib Chowk. The jolly looking gentleman readily agreed, when he noticed that I was also trying to approach the door. He immediately asked me, very politely, “Aapko bhi utarna hai, uncle”? (You will also get down, uncle?)
And how old was he? Well, a man with a number of grey hairs, he appeared to be at least in his early 50s.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Druidry – Emergence Of A New Religion
On 2nd October 2010 the multi-religious human society witnessed the emergence, or official emergence, of yet another religion, viz. Druidry. On that day Britain gave official recognition to this ancient neo-pagan religion, and also decided to give charitable status to the same.
The decision was taken by Charity Commission for England and Wales, in response to a four years old application submitted by The Druid Network.
So what is Druidry? Well, it is a faith that its followers (called Druids) take on different forms of nature. The religion has its roots in Britain, Ireland and Western Europe.
In case one wants to know more about the religion, then he may visit the following link from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druid
The decision was taken by Charity Commission for England and Wales, in response to a four years old application submitted by The Druid Network.
So what is Druidry? Well, it is a faith that its followers (called Druids) take on different forms of nature. The religion has its roots in Britain, Ireland and Western Europe.
In case one wants to know more about the religion, then he may visit the following link from Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druid
Ayodhya Verdict – The Mature Reaction Of The Indian Muslims Is Really Commendable
Apart from the Commonwealth Games, the other most talked about topic in India as of now is the historic Ayodhya Verdict. While a huge number of people have found the verdict to be an appropriate one, there are ones who hold different perceptions. And there is constant discussions and debates across the country on the merits of the judgment.
However, more than the verdict itself, what I have found to be much more significant is the maturity with which the Indian Muslim community has reacted to the verdict.
It is a well known fact that a number of Muslims feel the verdict to be discriminatory against them, though probably in reality it is not so (at least I am one of those who feel that the verdict is an appropriate one). But despite being somewhat disappointed, the Indian Muslims have not resorted to any sort of unpleasant means to express their displeasure, something that many people had anticipated. In fact, they have consciously stayed away and virtually ignored instigations from a couple of so-called community leaders (like the honourable Imam of Jama Masjid) and non-Muslim “sympathizers” of the Muslim community (like Mulayam Singh Yadav). Rather than falling prey to their instigations, the Indian Muslims across the social strata have made it very clear that they are more concerned about practical issues like education, job, electricity, water, etc.
In a nutshell, the Indian Muslims have proved that while they are passionate and proud of their beautiful religion, they have equal respect for the Judiciary of their beloved country, and they are ready to respect the latter’s view on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue even if they are not fully satisfied with the same.
My hearty congratulations to all my Muslim friends, brothers and sisters from each and every corner of our dear motherland.
However, more than the verdict itself, what I have found to be much more significant is the maturity with which the Indian Muslim community has reacted to the verdict.
It is a well known fact that a number of Muslims feel the verdict to be discriminatory against them, though probably in reality it is not so (at least I am one of those who feel that the verdict is an appropriate one). But despite being somewhat disappointed, the Indian Muslims have not resorted to any sort of unpleasant means to express their displeasure, something that many people had anticipated. In fact, they have consciously stayed away and virtually ignored instigations from a couple of so-called community leaders (like the honourable Imam of Jama Masjid) and non-Muslim “sympathizers” of the Muslim community (like Mulayam Singh Yadav). Rather than falling prey to their instigations, the Indian Muslims across the social strata have made it very clear that they are more concerned about practical issues like education, job, electricity, water, etc.
In a nutshell, the Indian Muslims have proved that while they are passionate and proud of their beautiful religion, they have equal respect for the Judiciary of their beloved country, and they are ready to respect the latter’s view on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue even if they are not fully satisfied with the same.
My hearty congratulations to all my Muslim friends, brothers and sisters from each and every corner of our dear motherland.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Got Hit By A Car, Thanks To My Cell Phone
Today (1st October 2010) morning I got hit by a car, while going to my office at Gurgaon. The cab I was traveling in had dropped me at a spot which was around 10 minutes walking distance from my office at Udyog Vihar, Phase-V in Gurgaon. I got hit while crossing a road, which had cars coming from both sides.
Thank got the car was not moving at a high speed, as it was not exactly a main road, and was also congested with traffic. I was back on my feet within seconds, and managed to reach my office myself. However, it could have been serious. I have got light injuries at my right arm and right hip, and both are paining a little. The bone at my right hand, a spot where I was hit, had started swelling. Thank god that swelling has stopped.
The driver is certainly to be blamed, as he came from the wrong side. The road is bifurcated into two one-ways, with traffic being one-sided in both the halves. While getting hit I was looking at the left side, from where the cars were coming, while that car came from the right side (which was the wrong side).
However, I cannot claim myself to be completely “innocent”. I also have to be blamed, at least to some extent. Why? Because I was talking over my cell phone while crossing the road. That made my mind to be distracted, and I was not adequately alert. If I were, then I would have certainly spotted the car even though it was coming from the wrong side. And could have averted even the little injury that I suffered.
Moral of the story – Please, for god’s sake, avoid using your cell phone while traveling. Even if that traveling does not mean driving a car, but just walking. After all, you are on the road, right?
Thank got the car was not moving at a high speed, as it was not exactly a main road, and was also congested with traffic. I was back on my feet within seconds, and managed to reach my office myself. However, it could have been serious. I have got light injuries at my right arm and right hip, and both are paining a little. The bone at my right hand, a spot where I was hit, had started swelling. Thank god that swelling has stopped.
The driver is certainly to be blamed, as he came from the wrong side. The road is bifurcated into two one-ways, with traffic being one-sided in both the halves. While getting hit I was looking at the left side, from where the cars were coming, while that car came from the right side (which was the wrong side).
However, I cannot claim myself to be completely “innocent”. I also have to be blamed, at least to some extent. Why? Because I was talking over my cell phone while crossing the road. That made my mind to be distracted, and I was not adequately alert. If I were, then I would have certainly spotted the car even though it was coming from the wrong side. And could have averted even the little injury that I suffered.
Moral of the story – Please, for god’s sake, avoid using your cell phone while traveling. Even if that traveling does not mean driving a car, but just walking. After all, you are on the road, right?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
If There Is A Plebiscite In Kashmir, Then…
If there is a plebiscite in Kashmir, to check whether Kashmiris want to remain with India or want separation from that country, then…
There should also be plebiscites in the Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan, to check whether they want to remain with Pakistan or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in Tibet, to check whether they want to remain under Chinese occupation or aspire for independence.
There should also be a plebiscite in the “Parbatya Chattagram” region of Bangladesh, to check whether they want to remain with Bangladesh or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Northern Ireland and Scotland, to check whether they want to remain with the UK or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Basque region of Spain, to check whether they want to remain with Spain or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Bavarian province of Germany, to check whether they want to remain with Germany or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in Chechnya, to check whether that region wants to remain a federal subject of Russia, or aspires for a full-fledged sovereignty.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Aceh region of Indonesia, to check whether they want to remain with Indonesia or want separation from that country.
There should also be plebiscites in the Kurdish dominated regions of Iran and Iraq, to check whether they want to remain with those countries or want separation from them.
And yes, one more thing I would like to add. There should also be a plebiscite in the so-called “Azad Kashmir”, to check whether they really feel themselves to be independent or whether they find themselves (and their puppet government) to be a pet dog of Pakistan.
There should also be plebiscites in the Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan, to check whether they want to remain with Pakistan or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in Tibet, to check whether they want to remain under Chinese occupation or aspire for independence.
There should also be a plebiscite in the “Parbatya Chattagram” region of Bangladesh, to check whether they want to remain with Bangladesh or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Northern Ireland and Scotland, to check whether they want to remain with the UK or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Basque region of Spain, to check whether they want to remain with Spain or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Bavarian province of Germany, to check whether they want to remain with Germany or want separation from that country.
There should also be a plebiscite in Chechnya, to check whether that region wants to remain a federal subject of Russia, or aspires for a full-fledged sovereignty.
There should also be a plebiscite in the Aceh region of Indonesia, to check whether they want to remain with Indonesia or want separation from that country.
There should also be plebiscites in the Kurdish dominated regions of Iran and Iraq, to check whether they want to remain with those countries or want separation from them.
And yes, one more thing I would like to add. There should also be a plebiscite in the so-called “Azad Kashmir”, to check whether they really feel themselves to be independent or whether they find themselves (and their puppet government) to be a pet dog of Pakistan.
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