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To The Indians
21st Nov 1999 Yaseen Ahmed @kmronline.com
"A LETTER ADDRESSES TO INDIANS" Dear Indians, In the past during the Freedom Movement, when the question was raised whether the Freedom Fighters would be remembered by todays generation. Most of them Answered saying that the future would answer the question. And now in todays India, there question is answered. There would be generations after generations in india. Centuries would pass by, and every generatio would chant there name with honour and dignity. Today if i am happy, it is because of these matyrs. Today if i am in democracy, it is because of these matyrs. Today if i ask my rights, it is because of the matyrs. Today if i cast my vote, it is because of these matyrs. Today if i do a business, it is because of these matyrs. Today if i have security, it is because of these matyrs. Today if i am Free, it is because of these matyrs. In short Today i am alive with new blood in veins free from slavery, it is because of these matyrs. But unfortunately, the Indian youth sometimes even the senior citizens of the country, don't realize these benefits. They tend to expect more from the country. If you want to ask for rights than you should do your duty. The youth of the country has not realized its responsibilty. I wish there are again leaders like Mahatma Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru today to show the country the right path. People complain about the country are the persons who have to be blamed. There is nothing wrong with the country, the persons who govern the country, the persons who live in the country are to be blamed. India has not preached Hatred, Violence, and Corruption. It is the people who have preached it. I wish there is renaissance in the country to the right path, people often mistake renaissance in a country to violent revolution. But violence in our great land has always caused misery, poverty and other problems. There should be a renaissance in a peaceful way, guiding the country in a good direction. Another problem that disturbs the citizens is that of moving abroad to gain. I say it is not bad to go abroad to earn, but when there are chances in our country, than why should we move abroad. People may no argue with me saying about unemployement. Well, there is unemployment in india. But the cause of unemployment can also be attribted indirectly to the citizens again. Unproper utilization of the resources, tend to unemployment. There are other resources in our own country, which are still not used. We often tend to get things which are not necessary for us, and in this process we tend to lose things which are not necessary for us. Unemployment may be because, of the improper balance of skill. On one had we have highly educated people, with Post-Graduation, Docotorate, etc, on the other hand we have people with not even a First Standard certificate. Now about these unskilled people (who are infact not unskilled), are centered around activities which help the skilled people. They are only within there circle of life and they do not see out of there circle what is going on. For example: A Architect draws the plan of the house who is skilled, and person who builds the house, is a naturally person who has not attained higher education. He carries out his work under the orders of architect or his authority. As he does main fuction of building the house he naturally learns the skill (though informally) but does not implement it. What do you say about Thomas Alva Edison, he never had formal teaching yet he proved to be a great genius in the field of electricity. It is foolish to keep brooding of what we don't have, it would be wise to work out with what we have. And now in the matter of Corrupt Politician, i put forward a simple question, who is the person who brings politicians to power? It is no one but we who bring people to power. If we stop wielding collectively to Political forces, than these bunch of people will be forced to stop there ways of corruption. However we should never forget our duties, like paying taxes, helping democracy, protecting the law of the land, protecting the country, striving hard to self help and mutual help. We often try to adopt western culture, there way of dressig, eating, fashion, etc. But what we don't follow of theres is there, puctuality, there cleanliness, there patriotism, the duty conciousness, etc. I once saw a younster, in my computer education instituition, who tied a Union Jack (british flag) in his head and trying attract others attention to him. At first i remembered the pain, the agony the indians suffered to withdraw british slavery from India (Well, i am not against British now, i would justify my self later in the letter). And i asked my Faculty Mr. Thomas why he wears the flag, he replied me saying that it is a fashion. Well, the instinct of fashion among youngsters all over the world is common. Of course yes, in many foreign sport events and other events which are telecasted in Internation channels, i have seen Britishers wearing Union Jack in there head, shirts, etc. But i have never seen a Foreigner wearing the Indian flag in such fashion. Then i would ask why todays yougsters tend to do such things. There were many instances when the British police lowered our national Flag with indignity and hailed there flag. Thousands of Indians would lay there life down holding the indian Flag, They preferred to hail the Indian Flag (our flag) than to die. And today unfortunately there seems to be no value for our national flag, especially among the Indians. One corner of my heart says that the dreams of our matyrs are being stattered. I may also be responsible for this in one way, as i don't think i have done something great. Once a class mate of mine in school spoke in a bad way about Gandhiji, when I asked him why then he said that some faults, which were partly justified. But Mahatma Gandhiji did the work which neither me nor my friend were able to do. He fought for our country, in a unique way which earned him and our country an International Reputation. Then i asked him a question, "If you come to know any bad quality or fault in your parents, will you keep saying your parents fault to others?", for this he replied "No, i know my parents are good" from this it is clear that he is convincing himself that his parents to be good. Then i said him "Then why do you speak bad of Gandhiji, he is also the Father of the Nation". He replied me saying that "I don't cosider Gandhiji as my father", i found the only way to convince was to say him (perhaps angrily) "I consider Gandhiji as my father, so don't say anything against him!" then he shut his mouth, but it is clear that he still has the instinct of hatred, i don't know why. Some people who are incapable of doing anything to society, keep speaking bad about the persons who do good to society. And we should not be misguided by the society. But i confess onething to you now, in another situation, the same boy asked me "You keep talking too much on patriotism and Gandhi, do you have any single quality of Gandhi in you", I was speechless at this question, i still feel why i have no quality of Gandhi in me. Why i am still an uncivilized creature? This hurts me a lot. I am afraid whether i would be able to answer this qestion or not. But by this it is clear, that that boy, "Recognizes Gandhiji as a person has some great qualities". I don't know why he talks such again. We often like Western Cultures, forgetting our culture, it is not bad to like and appreciate others culture, but forgetting ones culture, and hailing others culture is a wrong thing. You may complain about defects in our culture, (Which are very scarce), but what do you say about others culture? Every good thing has a fault, once we know the fault it would be wise not to adopt wrong and follow the right path in our culture. If you find a Diamond in sewage, will you leave the diamond because it lies in the sewage, on the contrary, you will take the diamond from the sewage, wash it, and stud it in you ring or necklace or you would make it your asset. In the same way the good things from all cultures must be adopted and bad things washed away. Western culture was also developed by civilization with vision and according to there need. SO is the case of Indian Culture. I don't say to boycott foreign ideas and influence, but don't let foreing influence over ride our Indian ideas and glory. Once a person said "Gandhi burnt foreign clothes and why does india now ask for foreign aid", I was too young that time, i didn't answer him. But the answer would be "Foreign clothes were burnt to protect Indian Interests, because Forigners were forcing there influence in all spheres of life. Khadi, was worn not only protecting our interests, but also in economic terms to destabilize Foreign Goods, to protect Indian Industries." The people who asked me such questions or where examples in the above are illiterate, (infact such facts dosen't require any education, but Common Sense would be better) and in some instances even educated people were there, but they did not imply there knowledge in such matters, there fore, there education they acquired is waste. But by these writings it is not evident, that i am a patriotic, i am only trying tobe a patriotic, trying to teach myself. There is lot more to write, but my senses are not enough for it. Your Brother Indian. Yaseen Ahmed Bibilography, Auto Biography of Great Leaders. Discovery of India- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
26th Nov 1999
Niel Hirjee @cal.indiax.com
Dear Yaseen, Thanks for your inspirational message. However, I believe that historical events (whichever version you subscribe to) are important only as a means to continuity - as an aid to the preservation of traditions and values and positive development of culture. > In the past during the Freedom Movement, when the question was raised > whether > the Freedom Fighters would be remembered by todays generation. Most of > them Answered saying that the future would answer the question. And now > in todays India, there question is answered. There would be generations > after Let us ask ourselves:- 1) Had the freedom fighters known about the present day scenario in India today, would they have laid down their lives? In other words, is THIS the India which so many made the ultimate sacrifice? 2) Is there anybody on this list who has a background in History? What do historical facts indicate - did we win our independence or were we given our independence? 3) In the perspective of global politics, and specifically considering the state of well being of commonwealths like Australia and Hongkong, was it in the greatest common good to ask for complete independence when we did? Who were the people who influenced this decision? Who has benefited the most from this decision? Who has lost the most from this decision? > generations in india. Centuries would pass by, and every generatio > would chant there name with honour and dignity. Not likely. I bet most people on this list cannot even remember the names of ten freedom fighters without consulting a book. This when they are in living memory, so please let us not talk of the next generation. > But unfortunately, the Indian youth sometimes even the senior citizens > of the > country, don't realize these benefits. They tend to expect more from > the country. Um, and why is expecting more wrong? Have we already become a welfare state? > If you want to ask for rights than you should do your duty. The youth of > the > country has not realized its responsibility. I wish there are again > leaders like Mahatma Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru today to show the > country the right path. Oh boy - the youth might have a thing or two to say about the above - notwithstanding the generalization. And lets leave Gandhiji out of it shall we - in recent times his name is used only when someone wants to justify something which cannot be justified in any other way. WRT his teachings, few remember them and almost nobody follows them. > People complain about the country are the persons who have to be blamed. > There > is nothing wrong with the country, the persons who govern the country, > the persons who live in the country are to be blamed. India has not > preached This is cool - noting wrong with India, the problem is with the people who live in India. Like a US politician once said, Chicago is a safe city, it is the gangsters who make it unsafe. > say it is not bad to go abroad to earn, but when there are chances in > our country, than why should we move abroad. People may no argue with > me saying For better chances, I suppose. Much better chances, really. > unemployment can also be attribted indirectly to the citizens again. > Unproper utilization of the resources, tend to unemployment. There are > other resources in our own country, which are still not used. We often > tend to get things Right - India is the greatest producer of one resource: Indians, who are not used (unemployed). Isnt it interesting that the word 'unemployment' was not in the vocab of our grandparents? In their times, everyone was fruitfully employed. But then we had a few rajas and maharajas, but now we have many politicians, their extended families and friends. So that should explain that. > who is the person who brings politicians to power? It is no one but we > who bring people to power. If we stop wielding collectively to > Political forces, And if everyone gives me Rs. 1, all my problems will be solved and I will go away and not irritate you with my messages on this list. Get real. > We often try to adopt western culture, there way of dressig, eating, > fashion, > etc. But what we don't follow of theres is there, puctuality, there > cleanliness, there patriotism, the duty conciousness, etc. I once saw a Oh really? I know a lot of my countrymen who are punctual, clean responsible and patriotic and are essentially India and I also know a lot of foreigners who are just the opposite. Which oracle has said that these are characteristics of 'western culture'? > Bibilography, > Auto Biography of Great Leaders. > Discovery of India- Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Ah, I now know where this came from. Thank you! Regards, Niel Hirjee -- Calport Technologies Phone: +91 33 475-5884 3 Dover Road, Fax: +91 33 476-3021 Calcutta 700 019 Email: [email protected] India http://www.indiax.com/cal
26th Nov 1999
Aditya, the Hindu Skeptic @bc.seflin.org
Yaseen Ahmed wrote: > Today if i am Free, it is because of these matyrs. What is a matyr? > If you want to ask for rights than you should do your duty. The youth of the > country has not realized its responsibilty. I wish there are again leaders > like Mahatma Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru today to show the country the right > path. Both of these leaders were responsible for establishing the rule by an evil dynasty from which we are still not immune that even a foreign born person is preferred to any native leaders. > the persons who live in the country are to be blamed. India has not preached > Hatred, Violence, and Corruption. It is true that they are hypocrites and do not practice what they preach. They only practice corruption etc but preach against it to the whole world. > Another problem that disturbs the citizens is that of moving abroad to gain. You forgot that Nehru and Gandhi both went abroad to learn and earn. Gandhi started his career with legal practice in South Africa and not in India. He could not find any job in India. Nehru made friends in high places in England that helped him become politically respectable in India. One of his closest friends was Mountbatten with whom he formed an alliance so that one became the Prime Minister and the became the Governor General. -- Have a peaceful and joyous day. Aditya Mishra Primary e-mail: [email protected] Primary homepage: http://www.smart1.net/aditya ICQ # 1131674 Fax #: 209-315-8571 Random thought of the day: Positive, adj.: Mistaken at the top of one's voice. ---Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
27th Nov 1999
Aditya, the Hindu Skeptic @bc.seflin.org
Niel Hirjee wrote: > Let us ask ourselves:- > 1) Had the freedom fighters known about the present day scenario in > India today, would they have laid down their lives? In other words, is > THIS the India which so many made the ultimate sacrifice? Nobody knows about future. Similar struggles are still going on in other parts of the world and you can imagine how they feel in Kosovo, Kurds, Chechnya, Northern Ireland etc. There was/is nothing unique only for India. > 2) Is there anybody on this list who has a background in History? What > do historical facts indicate - did we win our independence or were we > given our independence? History is always the recorded by the victors and is not necessarily the true account from all perspectives. However, India is not the only country to be given independence by the British or other European powers. Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Ceylon, Burma. Israel etc all got their freedom almost the same time which indicates the events in the post W.W.II made colonialism too costly to survive. -- Have a peaceful and joyous day. Aditya Mishra Primary e-mail: [email protected] Primary homepage: http://www.smart1.net/aditya ICQ # 1131674 Fax #: 209-315-8571 Random thought of the day: Magpie, n.: A bird whose thievish disposition suggested to someone that it might be taught to talk. ---Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
28th Nov 1999
Elizabeth Wakefeild @yahoo.com
Hi yaseen and others, Believe it or not this is one of the best mails that I have read on this list. And I must say that it one of the bitter truths of this country that its own country men have neither respect nor care for this country. As it was rightly said people here follow blindly the west in the redundent habits but do not inculcate their good habits like punctuality and such. Take for example the fashion seen ... here people are more intrested in wearing a levi & strauss, D&G and other such western fashion pundits, but how many such international name has this country crated. This country is abundant in art and culture but the fashion designers of this country have very limited use of it. I think even people whom Indians consider their arch rivals have more care for their country. No french or american or british or german or even chinese would like to say that they like some other country more than theirs. But here the children from very early age dream of going to US or UK or Canada . Yes it is nice to go to these places but hardly any of them bring back to this country the legacy they have received from others. If all educated people go abroad then how will this country reach or surpass the level of US. I have hardly seen an Indian who is interested in improving the lot of this country.This is the country of JRD tata,Birla.... but how many such entrepreneurs do you have now a days. But if there are people like you ..yaseen ... then I am sure a lot of progress is possible for this country. Regards liz
29th Nov 1999
Niel Hirjee @cal.indiax.com
Dear Aditya, Let me start by saying that I really like your style of writing. Keep it up. >> Let us ask ourselves:- >> 1) Had the freedom fighters known about the present day scenario in >> India >> today, would they have laid down their lives? In other words, is THIS >> the India which so many made the ultimate sacrifice? > Nobody knows about future. Similar struggles are still going on in other > parts of the world and you can imagine how they feel in Kosovo, Kurds, > Chechnya, Northern Ireland etc. There was/is nothing unique only for > India. I think our struggle for freedom has some very unique issues:- 1) A majority of our freedom fighters practiced civil disobedience and then non-violent non-cooperation as a form of protest against the rule of the Raj. I do not have words to describe the courage, patriotism and single-mindedness of purpose this took - as against the easier and mindless alternative to the more violent options which were as easily available at the time. I feel infinitely proud of the fact that our forefathers marched row after row, unarmed, towards armed troops, knowing fully well the fate that awaited them. Those who were able to stand up after the first hit with the lathi (Bobbys baton, really) would line up for another voluntary encounter, while the women fold were standing by to administer a cloth patti on the wounds of the survivors who were unable to rejoin the queue. The blood of the future citizens of India - regardless of caste and creed was voluntarily shed and had intermingled to form a united India. This is unique. > However, India is not the only country to be given independence by the > British or other European powers. Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, > Ceylon, Burma. Israel etc all got their freedom almost the same time > which indicates the events in the post W.W.II made colonialism too > costly to survive. Or whatever - As per my understanding the Brits did not feel that they had the moral right to maintain an imperialistic attitude towards their colonies while they themselves had come uncomfortably close to becoming a colony of the Third Reich. I therefore conclude that the Brits left India of their own violation and at a time of their choosing - our real heros are the freedom fighters and not the polititans who have managed to take credit for making India independent. Thank you! Regards, Niel Hirjee -- Calport Technologies Phone: +91 33 475-5884 3 Dover Road, Fax: +91 33 476-3021 Calcutta 700 019 Email: [email protected] India http://www.indiax.com/cal
21st Nov 1999
Aditya, the Hindu Skeptic @bc.seflin.org
Niel Hirjee wrote: > > Dear Aditya, > > Let me start by saying that I really like your style of writing. Keep it > up. Thanks for your comments. > I think our struggle for freedom has some very unique issues:- > 1) A majority of our freedom fighters practiced civil disobedience and > then non-violent non-cooperation as a form of protest against the rule > of the Raj. I do not have words to describe the courage, patriotism and > single-mindedness of purpose this took - as against the easier and > mindless alternative to the more violent options which were as easily > available at the time. I feel infinitely proud of the fact that our > forefathers marched row after row, unarmed, towards armed troops, > knowing fully well the f As I said before it is really not so unique after all. There were many groups working for the freedom and not all were non-violent. It is not fair to discount the role of Bhagat Singhs and Subhash Chandras in the history of Indian struggle against the British rule. Secondly, there are so many other reasons that come into play in the liberation of downtrodden. Most pertinent example would be South Africa where even MKGandhi and his methods proved ineffective finally got freedom due to weight of world opinion more than anything that AMC did. > > However, India is not the only country to be given independence by > > the British or other European powers. Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, > > Ceylon, Burma. Israel etc all got their freedom almost the same time > > which indicates the events in the post W.W.II made colonialism too > > costly to survive. > > Or whatever - As per my understanding the Brits did not feel that they > had the moral right to maintain an imperialistic attitude towards their > colonies while they themselves had come uncomfortably close to becoming > a colony of the Third Reich. I don't think that they did out of any moral principles at all but only due to the heavy economic burden that the colonies had become after the WWII and world opinion led by Roosevelt et al. > > I therefore conclude that the Brits left India of their own violation and at a time of their choosing - our real heros are the freedom fighters and not the polititans who have managed to take credit for making India independent. A agree with the later part of your statement but I do not think that they left India only out of their own sweet volition. They were so many forces that made them quit India. -- Have a peaceful and joyous day. Aditya Mishra Primary e-mail: [email protected] Primary homepage: http://www.smart1.net/aditya ICQ # 1131674 Fax #: 209-315-8571 Random thought of the day: The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable. -John Kenneth Galbraith
