SOCIAL

Dear Friends, Some of you have asked me about the sone ki chidiya-baaj (Veer) case. Since the matter is sub-judice I would not like to comment on it yet but pose before you a broader question. If someone who is more famous misappropriates something from us. Should we just bear it silently fearing that if we protest the famous personality (himself or through his team) will accuse us of try...

The other day I went to see a movie at a mall situated on the outskirts of Gurgaon. My aunt, 55 and my niece 22, came along. While we were waiting for the doors of the theatre to open, a middle aged man came up to me, introduced himself as Mr Gupta and complimented me for my show, Hum Aise Kyun Hain on DD. He went to bring his wife, his school going son and daughter to introduce them to me. I was...

Earlier this year Ms.Kanthi Kanan founder of the Right to Walk Foundation filed a petition to the National Women’s Commission and the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission stating that Peeing in public is equivalent to stripping in public and it should be made a punishable offence. The Government has not yet acted on it. And wisely so. As it can’t forbid people from peeing in public...

Writing in his weekly Navjivan on Our Dirty Ways Gandhi said that those who spit on the streets have no consideration for others. Today- Many decades later- while the world has become cleaner, spitting continues unabated in our country. And we can’t blame the government for this one. In fact the only lull in spitting in public came in India in the 1960’s. When through posters and films- some go...

Malls are helping us getting used to technology which we were unfamiliar with. First is the use of escalators. I particularly remember one of my aunts who was mortally scared of taking escalators. She feared that at the time of disembarking her saree would get caught in the moving steps of the escalator. With frequent practice- she is a Gurgaon resident- she is an expert now. I also remember that...

I was happy to read today that so many prominent and well meaning Indians are supporting Kiran Bedi’s candidature for Chief Information Commissioner. Moreover they are asking the Government that if you appoint another person, please let us know how that person is more suitable. That is great. Acche log ghar se bahar nikal aayen hain. Milkar naare lagane lagey hain- ek acche insaan ke liye. Yeh nay...

It all started with Shashi Tharoor staying in a five star hotel and not his state Bhavan. In my view he was right to stay where he did. In my view it is not just a question of the State Bhavan not having a gym. For many politicians (particularly those who are exposed to the West) it is difficult to stay in the State Bhavans because of the poor hygiene standards. It is common to find bed sheets sta...

I am really encouraged by your responses. Thanks. I have also realized that I might have hurt some feelings when I went in to the historical origins of racism. So I am deleting that bit. The idea is to find meeting grounds. Not to point fingers but to shake hands. Not to answer racism with reverse racism but to expose how incongrous and unjust it is to judge a man by the colour of his skin....

If fighting injustice is spiritual then knowing how the injustice came about is important. It is like taking the first step towards the shrine. Let us continue exploring the injustice of racism. Historically racism grew from war. When people who did not look like us attacked one the first seeds of hatred were sown. Many prophets and kings fanned this hatred between cultures as they felt xenopho...

The biggest sin is discrimination. Doing it and tolerating it. I am appalled at what is happening in Australia and wish to put before the reader answers to: Why does racism still persist? Why are Indians being targeted again and again? In my view there are several reasons for this. 1. Political and historical reason : The Anglo saxon race still remembers that it ruled us once and some amo...