Ashwin Nagar's Blog

Ashwin Nagar: Bharat Bandh: Not sure to support or not becasue Price rise is a reality pinching me

2010-07-05T11:19:00.001+05:30

I am really against Bandhs. But when I see the rising prices uncontrollably for a long period of time, I really feel what is a way out to have the deaf government listen? As long as government in power feels comfortable and assured of winning elections, it will never give ear to you at all whatever you do. It was shameful and very disappointing to listen to Pranab Mukherjee's statement on the eve of Bharat bandh. He says, "I am not interested in who is calling a bandh or not. This much I can tell you, it is for the political parties to decide what mode of protest they wish to adopt." Completely arrogant, and shamefully indifferent. Its historic when opposition parties which are against each other are unanimous on this Bandh, and the Finance minister instead of feeling sorry and explaining his case, is totally indifferent and sounds arrogant?

The pinch of price rise is felt to one and all. I get a reasonable middle class income, despite I feel the punch. What would be happening to the poor majority lot of this country? Some congress fans argue that inflation is sign of growth and development, as is said by Shiela Dixit, that income has also increased so pay more. What an ignorant lot this is. For last two years, there have not been any pay increments in industry. Due to US slow down, the whole IT industry was shattered and the last year had seen job cut rather than pay increase, and almost all the companies throughout the industry had freezed the increment. Where is pay rise? Which pay rise Delhi Chief minister talking about?

For argument's sake, even if we consider there is a pay rise, what do you want to say? You want to offset that pay rise by increasing prices of your daily essentials? If at all there is pay rise, which should be spared in the hands of the people to raise their standard of life, to make more savings, to leave more money in their hands to buy things which they always wanted to buy.

I am against bandhs. But what to do in such situation? A deaf government. An arrogant government. How to protest? When such a big scale, united Bharat bandh doesn't impact Finance Minister, what mode of protests we should go for? Votes? Then we need to wait for five years and suffer till then? I really confused to support this Bahar Bandh or not, because price rise is really pinching me..

WHY I AM A HINDU

2009-05-01T22:32:00.000+05:30

WHY I AM A HINDU-MUST READ

Four years ago, I was flying from JFK NY Airport to SFO to attend a meeting at Monterey , CA An American girl was sitting on the right side, near window seat.. It indeed was a long journey - it would take nearly seven hours.

I was surprised to see the young girl reading a Bible unusual of young Americans. After some time she smiled and we had few acquaintances talk.I told her that I am from India

Then suddenly the girl asked: 'What's your faith?' 'What?' I didn't understand the question.

'I mean, what's your religion? Are you a Christian? Or a Muslim?'

'No!' I replied, 'I am neither Christian nor Muslim'.

Apparently she appeared shocked to listen to that. 'Then who are you?' 'I am a Hindu', I said.

She looked at me as if she was seeing a caged animal. She could not understand what I was talking about.

A common man in Europe or US knows about Christianity and Islam, as they are the leading religions of the world today. But a Hindu, what?

I explained to her - I am born to a Hindu father and Hindu mother. Therefore, I am a Hindu by birth.

'Who is your prophet?' she asked.

'We don't have a prophet,' I replied.

'What's your Holy Book?'

'We don't have a single Holy Book, but we have hundreds and thousands of philosophical and sacred scriptures,' I replied.

'Oh, come on at least tell me who is your God?'

'What do you mean by that?'

'Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?'

I thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe one God (Male God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who inhabit it... Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief.

According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable. I understood her perception and concept about faith. You can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading religions where you have to believe in one concept of god.

I tried to explain to her: 'You can believe in one god and he can be a Hindu. You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more - you may not believe in god at all, still you can be a Hindu. An atheist can also be a Hindu.'

This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so unorganized, still surviving for thousands of years, even after onslaught from foreign forces.

'I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?'
What can I tell to this American girl?

I said: 'I do not go to temple regularly. I do not make any regular rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it sometimes....'

'Enjoy? Are you not afraid of God?'

'God is a friend. No- I am not afraid of God. Nobody has made any compulsions on me to perform these rituals regularly.'

She thought for a while and then asked: 'Have you ever thought of converting to any other religion?'

'Why should I? Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning. I remain as a Hindu never by force, but choice.' I told her that Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the Church or the Order, I added. There is no institution or authority....

'So, you don't believe in God?' she wanted everything in black and white.

'I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scripture, or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or he might not be there.. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority (Para Brahma) that is the creator of this universe.'

'Why can't you believe in one personal God?'

'We have a concept - abstract - not a personal god. The concept or notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling us irrational stories through few men whom he sends as messengers, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor who wants others to respect him or fear him.' I told her that such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal gods. The entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.

'Good that you agree God might exist. You told that you pray. What is your prayer then?'

'Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,'

'Funny,' she laughed, 'What does it mean?'

'May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.'

'Hmm ..very interesting. I want to learn more about this religion. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free' she exclaimed.

'The fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.'

'How does anybody convert to Hinduism?'

'Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no single authority or organization either to accept it or to reject it or to oppose it on behalf of Hinduism.'

I told her - if you look for meaning in life, don't look for it in religions; don't go from one cult to another or from one guru to the next.

For a real seeker, I told her, the Bible itself gives guidelines when it says ' Kingdom of God is within you.' I reminded her of Christ's teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life.

Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real. 'Isavasyam idam sarvam' Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every living being and non-living things as God. That's what Hinduism teaches you.

Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas.- It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity.

Ancestors of today's Hindus believe in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. But there is a section of Hindus who are either superstitious or turned fanatic to make this an organized religion like others. The British coin the word 'Hindu' and considered it as a religion.

I said: 'Religions have become an MLM (multi-level- marketing) industry that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today's world is Spirituality. Hinduism is no exception'

I am a Hindu primarily because it professes Non-violence - 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' - Non violence is the highest duty. I am a Hindu because it doesn't conditions my mind with any faith system.
A man/ woman who change 's his/her birth religion to another religion is a fake and does not value his/her morals, culture and values in life. Hinduism was the first religion originated. Be proud of your religion and be proud of who you are.
Om Namo shiva.

Kodak Theater in Hollywood

2009-03-12T02:58:00.000+05:30

Hi, Kodak theater in Hollywood has always been attraction of tourist, but after Slumdog won many a Oscars, the attraction of this to Indians have increased and I couldn't resist going there in my current visit to Los Angeles. And its really amazing that people talk the movie with you if you interact with anyone. But sadly, I have to tell them thatg its a mere entertainment and we don't take this such seriously as a reflection of culture or India. There are many a evils shown on silver screen by Hollywood producers about US society and culture, but no one get Oscar ever. Any wayLeaving all this behind, I am just enjoying the best weather away from Mumbai/Ahmedabad heat, and will continue to enjoy for atleast next 45 days.

आतंक का कहर क्योंकि केन्द्र कमजोर है

2008-07-27T13:34:00.001+05:30

हम पर हमला इसलिए हो रहा है क्योंकि केन्द्र आतंकवादियों के प्रति नरम रुख अपनाये है। पोटा हटने से आतंकियों को पर लग गए । केन्द्र की नरमी से आतंकवादी खुश है और केन्द्र की विरोधी भाजपा सरकारों पर हमले कर रहे है और निर्दोष नागरिको को मार रहे है । अपने छूते राजनितिक स्वार्थो की पूर्ति के लिए हजारो निर्दोष हिन्दुओ की जान जा रही है सिर्फ़ कुछ वोटो के लिए । और हम सिर्फ़ मूक लोगो के मरते देखते जा रहे है । जागो देशवाशियों अब तो जागो ।

Hi! Welcome to my This First Blog

2005-08-27T15:05:00.000+05:30

Hi

Welcome dear friends to my this first blog. Wish you Happy blogging.