Bihar Verdict

Tediously protracted and relatively long election process in Bihar is concluded and the results were out. The election commission is now breathing happily after conducting two elections within the span of one year in the tough state like Bihar where in the conditions are seems to be non-conducive for the democratic exercise.

The fractured verdict in the last election which had not given the absolute majority to any single party or pre poll alliance kept the state perturbed and rattled the democracy in a greater way. This time Bihar voters are decisive and given a clear mandate to JD (U) led National Democratic Alliance which ends the political uncertainty enduring in the state in last eight months.

The NDA’s landslide victory spearheaded by Mr.Nitish Kumar ousted the Lalu-Rabri regime in Bihar. The strong anti incumbency cloud and the vote for change drubbed the RJD and put an end to the 15 year rule in Bihar. This election belongs to Mr.Nitish Kumar for his determination and the JD (U) leader cashed in the follies of Governor’s rule.

The media persons and the upper crest bureaucrats who denounced Mr.Lalu as the villain of Bihar are happier than Mr.Nitish Kumar or Mr.Arun Jaitley or Mr.Paswan in drumming him out from Bihar secretariat. The fact should be remembered when welcoming the change of guard or a new government in Bihar that Mr.Lalu is man behind the social freedom of deprived class masses in Bihar.

As Mr.Lalu said in one interview that he did not give them heaven, but he did give them voice. Yes, Laluji changed the scenario where the backward and scheduled class people got recognized as human beings in the state which was not the case 15 years back. As many dubbed him as the person who deliberately kept the state in dire straits and ceased the prosperity and growth of the state should not forgot that the state was never a prosperous state even before 15 years.

The colossal of certain dominant castes in Bihar whom owned the most of the cultivating land in Bihar are obstructed by him and he emancipated the backward people from their landlords. The wretched conditions of the oppressed section of Bihar got the national attention only in Laluji period which his predecessors scared to bring to limelight.

His unassailable stand against the communal forces and fortified the state from them are significant achievements. He is a towering example of safeguarding the secular credentials of the country and his bold and distinct decision of not allowing the Rath yatra to enter in Bihar is outstanding. He has become a nightmare for the fascist forces to spread their grievous agenda in the state.

The incoming chief minister Mr.Nitish Kumar is also a capable person and hope he will change the course of Bihar which the fourth estate assaulted day in and day out as grim. As George Washington correctly asked when he refused to contest for third time, “If the same person is elected repeatedly in a democratic nation then where the democracy lies”. Though the change of government is essential for the democracy to prosper, Laluji is still remaining as the savior of poor and down trodden and the champion of social and secular cause.

Superstitions galore media

The Scientific inventions, innovative technologies and modern methodologies are flowing profusely into the world day by day. These scientific advancements are for the comfort and of course sumptuous living of human beings. But unfortunately the Print media, Radio, Television, Cinema and Internet are being used to propagate the superstitions to sabotage the very purpose of their inventions.

In Tamil cinema, Super Star is a frontrunner in inculcating superstitions in his recent movies like Arunachalam, Baba and Chandramughi. Even after the miserable debacle of Baba, the scenario has not changed. Though the Chandramughi is modishly made film it is displeasing to witness the amalgamation of medical science with occultism.

An astrologer played a pivotal role in determining the Captain’s party name and the auspicious date and time to announce the party name based on Mr.Vijayakanth’s Lucky number. Captain’s show is almost ghost directed by his astrologer. It is piteous to see Puratchi Kalaiger has become a hapless victim of pseudoscience.

Tamil satellite channels surmounted the filmdom in airing the irrational beliefs for free. They are competing with each other in broadcasting the programmes relating to zodiac signs and gemstones without the worry of any scientific reasoning. The have waged a war against their own viewers in the form of mega serials which does not guarantee any logic or noetic thinking.

Even the Hollywood is in no less comparison to Tamil film fraternity in disseminating the supernatural contents. It is exasperating to watch the ghost related and haunting genre movies pouring in Hollywood nowadays. Even the critically acclaimed movie like ‘The Sixth Sense’ made with sleek narration and unexpected twist is also concluded with phantasm.

From regional to national and petty to renowned newspapers carries the daily, monthly and yearly horoscopes based on zodiac sign. Along with science and technology they are publishing the exclusive columns of popular astrologers. To make the case worst the famous national newspaper The Indian Express has the link to astrology in its home page.

The unprecedented hype and hoopla over the Harry Potter movies and books are containing only the interesting verbalization of magical and sorcerous powers without stimulating any scientific questioning. These books and movies seem to be the deliberate attempt to subdue the scientific temperament of children.

The intrusion of astrology has not spared the computer and Internet. There are many sites available in web to spread the astrology with computer josium, daily horoscopes, zodiac sign relationships, numerology, gemstones, palmistry, tarot cards etc.

The invention of computer showcased the exceptional magnitude of human intellectuality but it is also been effectively used to ruin the human brain. It is hard to digest the superstitions eclipses science even in 21st century Internet era.

Not an Executive President, but a Working President

An epitome of the country’s liberal and secular traditions, the first Dalit President of India K R Narayanan who synthesized his profound scholarly knowledge with political sagacity during his Presidency died in New Delhi at the Army Research and Referral Hospital on 9th November, 2005.

Born on October 27, 1920 in Uzhavoor in Kottayam district in Kerala and started his life as an untouchable in that region of Vaikom struggle. The social transformation that took place because of the 1924-25 Vaikom Satyagraha had made an untouchable the first citizen of the nation. He went to St. Mary's School and then to CMS College in Kottayam. He studied English Literature during his Masters and stood first at the University of Travancore.

The social injustice cloud prevailing in the society showered its acid rain on him, when he was denied an opportunity to work in the University of Travancore as a lecturer which he properly deserved by the Dewan of Travancore because of the ignominious reason that he hailed from Dalit community. As a mark of protest, KR boycotted the convocation and never formally accepted his degree. Fifty years later, when he had become the Vice President of India, the same university requested him which he accepted graciously.

He graduated from the London School of Economics with distinction. His distinguished career spans to greater lengths by being journalist, diplomat in Indian Foreign service, academician, Ambassador, Secretary of External affairs and Member of Parliament and Minister of State.

He is the first president in joining the queue with people to exercise his franchise by overcoming the inherited pattern followed till that time. He spoke candor on various issues relating to social and economical liberalization, nuclear program and social justice of downtrodden.

He never remained stereotyped in the ceremonial post and signing in the dotted lines of elected government’s orders. He used his discretionary powers to innovate and improvise within the confines of constitution. He returned the questionable cabinet decisions of imposition of President’s rule for reconsideration two times which bought dignity and respect to the President’s office.

He called the demolition of Babri Masjid as the greatest tragedy after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and deeply disturbed by the genocidal pogrom in Gujarat which he characterized it as a "grave crisis of society and the nation”. These remarks that his predecessors thought was not within the scheme of the President's prerogative.

It is a matter of pride that he never indulges in any religious activities and has not visited any religious institutions during his regime in Rastrapathi Bavan unlike his predecessor Mr. R Venkatraman who was believed to be a staunch devotee who wore his religious affiliations on his sleeve.

As a quintessential statesman with half century public service behind him stood for secular values and social justice all in his life. Mr. Narayanan's innate brilliance and sheer hard work took him to the highest office in India despite the many social and economic hurdles in his path which eventually elevated him as a shining model for children from the poor and oppressed classes.

Mother Parks, take your rest

“I can honestly say that without Mrs. Parks, I probably would not be standing here today as a secretary of state” said the secretary of state of United states Condoleezza Rice when honoring Rosa Parks in Alabama. Rosa Parks, who inspired a generation to fight for civil rights, died on Monday October 24th 2005 at the age of 92.

Rosa Louise Parks has been called the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement." By not giving up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus, Rosa Parks started a protest that was felt throughout the United States. Her quiet, courageous act changed America and redirected the course of history.

This brave woman, Rosa Parks, was arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance, but her lonely act of defiance began a movement that ended legal segregation in America, and made her an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere.

The bus incident led to the formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association, led by the young pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The association called for a boycott of the city-owned bus company. The boycott lasted 382 days and brought Mrs. Parks, Dr. King, and their cause to the attention of the world. A Supreme Court Decision struck down the Montgomery ordinance under which Mrs. Parks had been fined, and outlawed racial segregation on public transportation.

The world famous reputed magazine Time honored Rosa Parks as one of the most influential and heroes and icons of 20th century. Parks become the first women to lie in honor in the Capital Rotunda, sharing an honor bestowed upon Abraham Lincoln, John Kennedy and the United States esteemed leaders. Rosa Parks has received hundreds of awards and honors, including the Medal of Freedom Award, presented by President Clinton in 1996.

The President Bush, along with leaders of the House and Senate, lay wraths and had stood silently for 15 minutes before the coffin. An estimated 40,000 people filed silently by her casket in the Capitol Rotunda in hushed reverence, beginning Sunday night and continuing until well pas sunrise Monday.

Renowned talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who was born in Mississippi during segregation, said Parks stand "changed the trajectory of my life and the lives of so many other people in the world. I would not be standing here today, nor standing where I stand every day, had she not chosen to sit down”.

Former President Bill Clinton, his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, and others paid their respects at Parks' open casket before the start of the funeral service. "The world knows of Rosa Parks because of a single, simple act of dignity and courage that struck a lethal blow to the foundations of legal bigotry" said Clinton, who remembered riding segregated buses in his native Arkansas until Parks' stand allowed him and others to break through that barrier of racism.

Parks with her defiant act inspired the civil rights movement which ended many atrocious practices and bought justice to many.

We salute you, Mrs. Parks.

P.S. The civil rights movement not only benefited African Americans here, it benefited the Indians also (Read the Article ‘Learn Social justice from Indian Inc’ in Indian Express).