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Open letter to Unnao M.P. Sakshi
Maharaj
Jai Ram Ji Ki
Oh Mighty One,
I write to you with great pride as a Hindu woman who has contributed to a good
cause by being the mother of six children. Six. Two more than the number
recommended by you to all Hindu women. At the time I had my babies, the foolish
government in power those days was advising the people of India to stop at two.
Remember that meaningless slogan, “ Hum Do. Hamarey Do?” Being a defiant woman, I totally ignored the
campaign and went ahead with my own plans. Family planning was a big thing. But
at least we were not punished for breaking the rule and having more children,
like they are in China. We have always been far superior to the world in our
thinking. That we know, for sure. But frankly, your latest advice to Hindu
women, needs to be publicized better. After all, there is a sound theory behind
the advice. How else can Hindu religion be saved and better served? Strength in numbers – that’s
what you are telling us. I don’t see why people have a problem with that. What
are fertile wombs for if not to produce and reproduce… and produce some more?
As a Hindu women, I had realized my duty
decades ago. But my service to the nation had gone unrecognized. It is only
now, after your inspiring speech, that I realize the significance of what I had
undertaken. Forgive me, Maharaj-ji, but I hadn’t heard of you till you made
that insightful comment. We need Parliamentarians like yourself – people who
are progressive and forward thinking. You have clearly seen the future. And in
that future, Hindu women actively participate in saving Hinduism from shrinking
or getting outnumbered. If only the irrefutable logic of this theory had been
articulated earlier, perhaps women from my generation would also have followed
my own example and India would have benefitted overall. Of course, this era’s
Hindu women must make up for lost time… and catch up with ‘others’ who are
out-producing us. This is our ‘kartavya’ – our obligation. Through this letter,
I want to thank you, for showing us the way forward. I used to feel pretty
guilty about having six kids… suddenly, I am on top of the world! Thank you,
Maharaj-ji.
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Who needs a Padma…?? 7th Jan 2015
Dumb question : Who needs a Padma ?
Apparently, everyone, including the kabbadi player down the road wants one. The
insatiable craving for a Padma ( or two!) has reached epic proportions. Why
not? The Padmas are being distributed like so much garma garam chana of late,
it is but natural an aam aadmi also has the right to believe he is the chosen
one… if not him, then a grandfather , distant cousin… koi bhi chalega. When,
why and how did these coveted awards become this devalued? And , if indeed,
receiving a Padma, no longer carries the same cache it once did, why do a few
aspirants go flat out to beg publicly for one? Here are a few answers to the
conundrum…National Awards are the only awards to be recognized across the
board. It is (perhaps , erroneously ) believed, they are merit driven. It is
also believed the awards are decided by an eminent, unbiased jury after careful
scrutiny. This is clearly not one hundred per cent true. And it has become
increasingly obvious of late that the Padmas are doled out for a whole variety
of reasons, most of which have little or nothing to do with merit. Cynics
insist the entire process is a bit too shadowy for comfort, and based on
blatant lobbying. Arrey Baba… so what? Amazingly enough, husbands lobby for
their wives, wives for their husbands, fathers for children… and mind you, some
of the names indulging in this very subtle practice belong to eminent citizens
who represent India’s top intellectual traditions. How do I know? Ask for the list of
recommendation letters – check for yourself.
Lobbying for Padmas used to be an open secret
in Delhi… . till Saina Nehwal hit that shuttlecock across the net and it landed
where it hurts the most. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that a sportswoman
of her standing would be brazen enough to demand a Padma Bhushan for herself
and question authorities about the omission. Later, when I thought about it some more, I realised she had indeed taken a big, bad , bold step… but
in the bargain, she’d also raised a lot of relevant questions. Had she sulked
and kept quiet like a good, little girl, she
might have ‘preserved’ her dignity… but lost the battle. I guess, in the agonizing toss up between
choosing dignity over the Padma – the award won! This girl’s no quitter. She
has worked hard to get where she has. As a global sportswoman, she has
delivered big time on the international circuit… with very little support from
government agencies, at that. Saina is young and ambitious. Impatient and
forthright. Competitive and combative. Why sulk in silence? Why pick martyrdom
over a major national recognition? This is today’s India. Saina is today’s
girl. She wants to get what she considers her due – and boy! she will go flat out get it at any cost!
Anything wrong with that?
Gone
are the days when being patient and modest were regarded as virtues. Saina is
as aggressive and upfront as the next champion. Let’s call her the female Virat
Kohli. These are sportspeople who don’t hold back, don’t mince words, don’t
believe in shrinking into the shadows. They are out there… hungry for fame and glory . Just like volatile Virat
can never be a reticent Rahul Dravid, Saina Nehwal probably won’t want to
switch places with Diana Eduljee ( who had to wait chup chaap se for her turn, after being initially bypassed
for the Padma ) . Different strokes for different folks.
Today’s Padmas are bargaining chips, not
awards. A lot of time and energy are invested in procuring them for the chosen
few. Lobbying is a polite word for what happens behind-the scenes. Apart from
recommendation letters written by eminent backers, there is an entire
mini-industry back there, hard at work to push the names of favoured candidates. Of course, the Padmas are
heavily politicized! That’s a given! That’s how it has always been. Except, in
earlier times, the politics behind the Padmas , were better concealed by smooth
operators working seamlessly behind the scenes for nominees/ clients.
Tell me, honestly… do you remember even a
single name from last year’s list of awardees? I bet there is one in recent memory
nobody is ever likely to forget – Sachin Tendulkar’s . Errrr… and that Padma was not politically inspired? Tell me another!
You know what… I am going to demand a
Padma, too! Why not ? Problem is, nobody
in their right minds would recommend my name. But here it is… anyway…I have my
Tangail saree ready for the ceremony… Rashtrapati Bhavan, here I come. Who says
I can’t lobby for myself if nobody else is willing?
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Hello Blogdosts. I hope the new year is treating you well....it certainly hasn't started on a positive note for some parts of the world...one can only pray that peace and good sense replace violence and hatred in 2015.
