ARTICLE: I Lost a Mentor, a Friend. Goodbye Rahul Jalali

Published:

Rising Kashmir | 30 July 2019

http://epaper.risingkashmir.com/EPaper.aspx?kH2sJU5b4AelS58q42sJzw_ep_ep 

A big smile, a polite voice and despite a thin pipe in his nose, he walked and sat on his dining table where I was waiting for him. During my few visits to meet him, just without any work, only for talks, I didn’t know that this visit would be last one. I had met him around two months ago and now, he suddenly left us.

Rahul Jalali, as the world know him, was a veteran journalist and has been an elected president of Press Club of India but more importantly, he was a man who was always filled with much love and compassion in his heart. Whenever I met him, I leaned from him, about being humble, being simple and being down to earth. In one of my meetings with him, he literally cried, filled with tears when he remembered his friendship with others of his generations. This cry was for Pandit-Muslim relations. He told me that youths in the valley, probably will never feel what people whether Pandits or Muslims of his generation still feel and how beautiful and strong bonds people of his generation still share with each other. He wished and told me to start informal sittings of Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims and desired to use his house for these sittings whether both sides can talk, can tell experiences, can say stories and can sit together. Sadly, I thought that I will do it soon after few months but now he departed. In the last meeting, he spoke to me about how some people Pandits and Muslims are meeting in a nearby center and told me a very good environment about in those sittings.

He was a strong advocate for India-Pakistan Peace and always supported us in Aaghaz-e-Dosti (An Indo-Pak Friendship Initiative) through his presence in its activities and his voice in the favor. He was someone to whom I found an extremely nice soul. I remember when he asked for few Indo-Pak peace calendars and I presented few with excuse that I could not give more due to financial constraint, to which he said to send me a note where he would try to get some help for printing of this calendar. I also remember how he was much concerned upon political situations, social equations and most importantly on the standard of present day journalism. He was too concerned that actually journalism is not a bookish subject that journalism institutes try to teach, instead it is something else. As he was also going to prestigious IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication), he told me that he goes there because he has freedom there to teach journalism in his own way. I don’t know whether students of IIMC experienced it or not, but I can guess that his approach to subject would be pure, full of practical sessions, interactions and informal sittings and providing them opportunities to know narratives, to know root causes and to have a view without bias. While he was sad on present situation of media and ethos, the shouting anchors and all; I remember that during one of our program when someone asked him about the need on restriction upon media, he immediately told that restriction upon media is not good as Media must be free and self-controlled. In this program, he also brought many beautifully crafted sentences as humor even on serious issues and made the discussion interesting for audience. On the other hand, he was also active on social media and told me that he express his thoughts there and also analyse reaction of people there. He believed that social media is also a good platform where people may share their notes.     

He also spoke about his visit to Jammu and where he travelled to border areas and met with people. He used to speak with me on phone whenever he felt like. He told that Delhi’s pollution creates problem for him and he takes oxygen sometimes and he doesn’t prefer going out.

As now, he departed, I feel that I lost a mentor, a friend and a person whom I admired as one of the finest persons I ever know. His smile will remain in our memories and his teachings will shine in our actions for peace. I also see that everyone who knew him and who love him, may take small steps for peace at individual, group levels in the areas of Pandit-Muslim Friendship, India-Pakistan Peace and Media and journalism.  

His messages that was published in Indo-Pak Peace Calendar of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, reads:

“When countries are in pain, it is only peace and understanding that provides the healing balm. In India and Pakistan, we urgently need this balm. Let us come together to heal each other.”

By:

Ravi Nitesh

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Indo-Pak Peace Will Bring Prosperity To South Asia

Ravi Nitesh calls on leaders of India and Pakistan to diffuse tensions and work towards resolving the longstanding bilateral issues so regional peace can be achieved.

https://nayadaur.tv/2019/06/indo-pak-peace-will-bring-prosperity-to-south-asia/ 

India recently held elections and voted BJP to power once again. Narendra Modi along with his council of ministers took oath for office. Many are speculating over how the government would perform. Although time will tell if the PM will be able to live up to the expectations of his voters, but what we know is that his re-election has provided Modi a great opportunity to take action for the better.

For its election campaign, the BJP strengthened its IT cell to reach out to every citizen through social media. It also helped that his image as a leader was improved among the Indian people due to some of his recent steps as PM. PM’s visit to other countries showed India’s strong external relations with the international community.

Moreover, Modi’s governance record has also been praiseworthy. Distribution of free gas connections, free health cards, making all villages electrified and building highest ever miles of roads and bridges in the country are some of his achievements.

From ‘surgical strikes’ against Pakistan to his handling of the post-Pulwama crisis, the PM managed to create an impression among the public about him being ‘strong’. UN’s obligations of bringing Masood Azher under global list of terrorists was also seen as India’s diplomatic win by common citizens.

But as elections are now over and government formed, the PM and his team need to start walking the talk.  When Modi and former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif held a meeting to diffuse tensions between the countries, the meeting got appreciation from all over the world. From common people to media and to governments and world leaders – everyone wanted India and Pakistan to meet at the dialogue table instead of exchanging harsh words publicly.

PM Imran Khan’s calls for restoration of peace between India and Pakistan and his government’s decision to open the Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims have also been praised in India. Since both Imran Khan and Modi are seen as ‘strong’ in their respective countries, they should work towards resolving the longstanding Indo-Pak conflicts.

The surprise appointment of former Indian diplomat S. Jaishankar as India’s Minister of External Affairs may prove to be good for India-Pakistan relations because he appears to have the ability see positive effects of peace.

As already conveyed by both PM Modi and PM Imran Khan, both countries have almost similar challenges and getting rid of these issues need to be their priorities.

PM Imran Khan has a good fan following in India not only due to his multiple visits and achievements as a cricketer, but also because of his clearheaded statements seeking peace between the two countries.

From severe issues like Siachen, Kashmir and Sir Creek to issues like strengthening people to people exchange programs, educational collaborations, regularizing cross LoC trades and start of new routes like Kargil-Skardu, start of tourist visas, start of telecom partnerships, new spiritual routes such as of Sharda Peeth and increase in pilgrimages visas – the two countries should hold talks to find a way out. Humanitarian issues like betterment of conditions of prisoners and fishermen in each other’s prison to their speedy trials, revival of Indo-Pak judicial committee, more intensive talks on reduction of ceasefire violations, travel arrangements of divided families and wives of surrendered militants etc should be explored.

Recent face-off also witnessed the financial weight upon pocket of government on both sides. As it seems an environment now exists on both sides due to political stability, and history from Vajpayee years may be seen as effective example where even after 1999 Kargil, both sides came together and agreed for ceasefire in 2003 that brought down the CFVs drastically from few thousands in 2002 and 2003 to almost nil in 2004.

If this time again, both sides decide to take few steps together to resolve enmity and hatred, this would definitely usher in a new era in South Asia that is a common desire of people on both sides and will be remembered in history.

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Last Leg of Voting & Real Agenda of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Ravi Nitesh for BeyondHeadlines

https://beyondheadlines.in/2019/05/last-leg-of-voting-real-agenda-of-eastern-uttar-pradesh/ 

Now, when the voting of six phases has been conducted for 484 seats, the whole environment of elections needs to be reviewed for what it has created and to what it is going to vote after in the last leg of voting for remaining 59 seats in 8 states on 19th May 2019. During the history of this democracy, probably this is the first time when a terror accused person has contested elections on the ticket of a party that has formed Government of India in 16th Lok Sabha. Logics can be created and given on every words and actions spoken by parties and their leaders but bringing cinema persons, signers, cricketers in mainstream politics, speaking false information about facts and figures and trying to befool people on the basis of WhatsApp and social media rackets is something we, as a democracy, need to be worried about.

No matter what would be the final result on 23rd May, whether NDA, UPA or any Third Front would make government, the real struggle to ensure honest and effective governance system on the ground must come irrespective of who is in power. For Uttar Pradesh, a state that is actually a deciding factor in Indian history of General elections till now, challenges are ahead even after 23 May for the reason that the state needs a complete overhaul in its system and needs an approach that can focus its growth to ensure region-centric schemes. In the last leg of voting, its 12 constituencies including PM’s constituency Varanasi and others namely Ballia, Bansgaon, Chandauli, Deoria, Ghazipur, Ghosi, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Mirzapur, RobertsGanj and Salempur with most seats in most backward Poorvanchal region are on stake.    

In this election season for 17th Lok Sabha, many debates are on the surface along with visionary manifestos released by national and regional political parties. Considering the highest numbers of parliamentary seats in Uttar Pradesh (80 seats among total 543 seats to be elected in India), the focus for everyone is Uttar Pradesh. Being the most populated state in India with approx. 20 crore people living in the state, Uttar Pradesh serves a great purpose in national politics and also has a great history in socio-political revolution since freedom struggle. It is said that if Uttar Pradesh were a country, it would be among top 5 countries of the world in terms of population, yet the state is still far behind on many fronts than many other states in India, yet the most talked issues even in this elections are not the core issues of development.  

On the political spectrum, the long burning issue seems Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi case that is supplying fuel to political parties for making it ground to polarize people. The same people who consists of around 20 crores among total 133 crore population of India and roughly divided with 80% and 19% ratio of Hindus and Muslims. In this elections, most of the keywords spoken by candidates and reported in media are about Pakistan, Pulwama, Balakot, Soldiers, Army, Hindu-Muslim and even many candidates and campaigners of political parties including few at important positions, have publicly violated the election commission’s MCC (model code of conduct).

The lost agenda of development indicates that candidates here have no worry that common people would ask real questions of development on ground that is still invisible. The record of Uttar Pradesh needS to be reminded. As per census 2011, Uttar Pradesh has a literacy rate of 70.69% that is below the national average of 74.04%. As the state is one among the biggest in terms of area and population and diverse with language and culture, caste and religion, there is also seen an internal divide among its different regions. A pool of around 26 districts (number of districts are different with different ideas of Poorvanchal) in Eastern U.P. are jointly called as ‘Poorvanchal Region’ has districts with lower literacy rate when it is compared to western UP (Pashchimanchal) and Central U.P. or Awadh Region. Poorvanchal region with a population around 8 crores and 30 parliamentary seats (among 80 in U.P.) has none of its districts among top 5 under literacy rate of all districts of U.P. while lowest three districts (Behraich, Shrawasti and Balrampur) of U.P. are from this region with less than 50% of literacy rate.

In the Niti Aayog report, 2016 of infant mortality rate (IMR) per 1000 live births, U.P. is among the top five states of India with high IMR, 43 nos. per 1000 live births before the national average of 34 and with the high rate among districts of Poorvanchal region. While U.P. itself is among the lowest per capita income states in India, the situation of Poorvanchal region is worse.

While parties are focusing on national and regional agendas, there must be a talk about creating different states such as Poorvanchal, Pashchimanchal, Awadh from U.P. or at least different administrative departments for its better governance as this may identify and address to resolve real issues. Any political party, if decides to improve the real fortune of people in Uttar Pradesh, it must focus on regional agendas with Poorvanchal as important among them. A region which has much scope due to its rivers, mountains, pilgrimages, tourist places, historical places, diverse language and culture but the same region is facing a crisis of hospitals, educational institutions, transparent and digitalized way of governance and have widespread corruption, high crime rate and lower level of public awareness.

As per NCRB report 2016, Uttar Pradesh alone accounted for 9.5% of total IPC crime reported in the country and with highest number of murder cases (16.1%), highest number of kidnapping and abduction (18.1%), highest number of crime against women (14.5%) and crime against children (15.3%) among all states in India. State also reported the highest number of cases of atrocities against scheduled casts (25.6%).

The creation of more states within Uttar Pradesh is the need of the hour in view of the need of development and in fact, it is not a new idea. In the book ‘Thoughts on linguistic states’, Dr B. R. Ambedkar had proposed the idea of U.P. to make it in three parts with Meerut as the capital of Western U.P., Kanpur as the capital of Central U.P. and Allahabad as the capital of Eastern UP.

The focus of Uttar Pradesh should be towards the people of the state and to their welfare. People of this state migrate in large numbers towards metros in search of employment, educational and better living opportunities as the region could not provide them right opportunities. Political parties who are involved in nation building must also seek solutions to ensure that social justice, equality, developmental opportunities would be made available to Poorvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.  

(Writer is Petroleum Engineer and Youth Activist. He belongs to Poorvanchal Region of Uttar Pradesh. He tweets @ravinitesh)

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India-Pakistan: Shared Heritage, Shared Future for a hatred free-violence free subcontinent

 South Asia — by Ravi Nitesh — December 3, 2018

https://countercurrents.org/2018/12/03/india-pakistan-shared-heritage-shared-future-for-a-hatred-free-violence-free-subcontinent/ 

Though political disputes could have been resolved politically without breaking human sentiments and emotions, but India and Pakistan could not do this during last 71 years. These political disputes have been made personal and resulted as loss of lives, of people, of soldiers and various kinds of misunderstandings, stereotypes and hatred that got developed in minds of people gradually on both sides. Though during all these years, many moments of solidarity, confidence measures and reconciliation also taken place including the most recent was opening of historic visa free Kartarpur corridor; however a sustained effort would be required for peace.

Now, after 71 years, besides governments, many efforts have been done by people also to break stereotypes and to remove hatred. The most effective tool to do that is to let people meet without restrictions, though due to difficult visa regimes it is difficult. Initiatives like Aaghaz-e-Dosti started connecting school students through their classroom connect program via video conferencing and it resulted as another most effective way to let people meet. It is experienced that even those who believe that the other side is ‘enemy’ transformed when they talked with the so called ‘enemy’. Our ‘enemy’ imagination (in terms of India/Pakistan) is limited till we meet them somewhere and we start understanding them. In fact, it is probably values and legacy of this land of India and Pakistan that taught a lot about tolerance, love, peace and non-violence through its diversity of languages, religions, cultures, thoughts and through eminent personalities, reformists, spiritual leaders. In these ways, both countries actually share a lot in culture, legacy, heritage and sacrifice. This special connection can definitely be a ground of shared future and peaceful co-existence.

Now, when both countries are 71 years old and majority of their population falls within range of 30 years, isn’t it a responsibility of our political leaders to take effective steps to resolve political disputes through political dialogues and meetings without any violence and hatred? We have seen many measures taken by governments in the granting of visa, boosting trade, start of bus and train services and these are effective mediums to believe that many more such steps would help more to people on both sides.

When Imran Khan’s party won largest numbers of seats in elections in Pakistan and he in his speech claimed that for peace, he will move two steps if India will move one step; it was welcomed, shared by millions of people, mostly by youths in India. The same positive vibes had happened in Pakistan when Indian PM landed there as surprise visit to the then PM of Pakistan. We must see that how effectively such positive statements bring happiness among people. Who wants war? Now when Kartarpur corridor was agreed and inaugurated on both sides to facilitate visa free crossings, it is a historic step in India-Pakistan relations and welcomed by millions of Pakistanis and Indians who have hope that situation would improve someday.

Similar positive environment and support was visible during Vajpayee-Musharraf time. Now, Vajpayee is no more but steps he had taken as CBMs are still relevant and working. Pakistan has shown a great solidarity through sending its official delegation to attend Vajpayee’s funeral. It was also a great move that few from cricket fraternity went to Pakistan to witness oath of Imran Khan. Such exchanges in recent times have shown scope that both nation-states may work closely to come out of despair and to pave a new path of mutual cooperation.

We must really strive for betterment of facilities and of status of our people. We must seek removal of poverty, unemployment, social insecurity, illiteracy, high mortality rate, poor healthcare and pollution as these are the real challenges before both nations. We must strive to fulfill dreams of makers of our nations, desires of present generations and need of future generations to make our nations more equal, more just, more peace loving. Can we dream and work together to make this sub-continent hatred free, violence free? Can we really promise it to our people? I believe that we can.

Ravi Nitesh is a youth activist and freelance writer. He can be found on twitter @ravinitesh

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Educational Innovations through effective governance would be key to Sustainable Development Goals

in India — by Ravi Nitesh — November 19, 2018

https://countercurrents.org/2018/11/19/educational-innovations-through-effective-governance-would-be-key-to-sustainable-development-goals/ 

While living in the world of information technology, today the ‘connectivity’ is what really matters. People of all age groups, gender, caste, religion and regions have access to global connectivity through internet available in their handsets and computers. This is comparatively a new phenomenon as a decade ago; neither connectivity nor hardware availability was in common reach, however with the visionary ideas of successive governments, gradually the connectivity was introduced. This enhanced connectivity and enhanced availability of hardware affected various fields of development. When it comes to education, that is one of the core foundations of development,  making people familiar with digital gadgets, computers becomes a primary need.

At a time when the world was working on laptops, many students in India were not even able to see how it looks like. They were unable to understand value of document storage in soft copies, e-books, soft note books and internet access. Having these was considered a privilege that could be entitled mostly by elites. Hardware (laptop/computer) was costly and a student could not afford to buy this on their own. Probably, by considering this need in Uttar Pradesh, It was the time when a political party named Samajwadi Party formed a new vision to remove this disparity. It is true that making an alignment with the time is what a wise decision should be and when it comes to ‘politics’, probably it should be more informed and visionary to take such decisions quickly.

In 2012, when the Samajwadi Party had brought a poll promise of laptop distribution to students with the aim to encourage them for higher education and remove disparity, the promise was very well received by people, particularly by youths. After forming the government, the party had distributed around 15 lacs laptops to students and it led the then U.P. Government of running world’s largest laptop distribution program.  Socialism, as understood with its theoretical form encourages bringing equality. In India, where inequality exists in social and economic status of population; this inequality affects educational system where poor, marginalised and deprived students do not get same opportunity as accessed by rich. To make balance, various schemes were made time to time, from mid-day meals to right to education. However, only ensuring the attendance in class cannot be said sufficient until students also receive useful resources to help them in their studies and to help them move with the time and technology. Another uniqueness of the program was the inclusiveness where students of all approved education systems (state and central boards, Sanskrit education, Urdu education and technical courses) were considered to take benefits to avoid any discrimination among them on the basis of their education system. A laptop couldn’t convert the life overnight, but could certainly help these students to dream and to achieve all what they want to. Success of the scheme can be understood with the fact that similar scheme was conducted by many other states also and even the present BJP government in Uttar Pradesh carried it.

As per report of All India Higher Education Survey, In India, enrolment in higher education (around 25%) is much lower than many countries (China 43%, USA 85%) and hence there is a strong need to frame policies that may encourage students to study, develop interest and understanding and getting enrolled for higher education. These can be achieved through working on focused approach starting from bringing equality and quality in primary, matric and intermediate levels; providing resources to students and to facilitate them to dream. This may be followed with establishing more universities and colleges to accommodate more and more students.  Facilitating students with laptops is not an imaginary or vague idea of equipping them towards education, but it also has proven research. A Michigan State University’s assistant professor researched in an educational institution about how distributing laptops to students can benefit their academics and found in its research results that students improved in various subjects and got opportunity to write, rewrite and edit their thoughts and answers. In many countries, students also have provisions to watch lectures of their teachers on laptops while at home.  Laptops allow enhanced access to technology, increase networking with peers, and develop enthusiasm and makes learning more interesting.

Though the Samajwadi Government had initiated the useful project of laptop distribution and the present government continued it, there is greater need now to bring more benefits with it where subject lectures can be recorded and stored, free connectivity can be provided to access academic resources and schools may have their digital libraries access with students laptops to allow them to go through various books, notes, assignments etc. Moreover, beneficiaries should also include open schooling system students. The state government may also consider creating a centralised portal where lectures on subject topics and standard books can be provided free. Doing these would be a serious effort towards SDG4 as it states ‘Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable development. It also aims to provide equal access to affordable vocational training, to eliminate gender and wealth disparities, and to achieve universal access to quality higher education.’

Ravi Nitesh is a Petroleum Engineer, Social Activist and Freelance Writer and tweets @ravinitesh

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Indo-Pak Dialogue for Ceasefire Can Save Lives and Future of Subcontinent

Published at: 

http://caravandaily.com/portal/indo-pak-dialogue-for-ceasefire-can-save-lives-and-future-of-subcontinent/ 

https://kashmirobserver.net/2018/opinion/how-save-lives-and-future-subcontinent-37846 

Ravi Nitesh

India and Pakistan are in turbulent relations at present. This is not a new thing; instead the historical events since 1947 reminded us about it several times. Relations could not become friendly even after 71 years of separate existence. If one will count reasons, there would be many, but mostly of accusing each other for unresolved disputes. Governments on both sides changed multiple times on both sides, many leaders joined the governments, initiated dialogues too and it once gave some sort of hope, of forgetting things and starting a new journey of coordination and cooperation. But nothing concrete could be achieved. We went and found confidence building measures (CBMs), but we could not found solution of even a single dispute. The fact is that we accumulated problems, we created problems and these multiple overlapped problems made it more complex when the issues of importance have been made politicized for vote gains on both sides.

Now, when Imran Khan is a Prime Minister of Pakistan with ‘Naya Pakistan’ slogan. His public statement towards peace process with India is positive. Sidhu’s visit to Pakistan sent a positive message but once again with international propaganda and using UNGA stage to accuse each other has made it again on square one. However despite all odds, there must be hope and light, there must be demands, desires and dreams to move ahead for stronger bond. There is no alternative of dialogues and if it can be started strategically to have win-win results for both sides, it may pave the future way.

While dialogues are advocated, priorities need to be decided. It is evident that in recent years, ceasefire violations (CFVs) increased rapidly. Even while Imran Khan was all set to take oath, CFVs reported on both sides. These CFVs are not only claiming lives of soldiers on both sides who are first line of defence of their respective sides, but also claiming lives of civilians too. Schools, houses, fields have been damaged, many people migrated from their native villages and instead of modern amenities to comfort lives, government is bound to build bunkers to protect citizens. In his reply to Lok Sabaha, Minister of State (Home Ministry) had informed that construction of 14460 bunkers (including 1431 community bunkers) is recommended by a study group formed under Special secretary (Internal security).

Border population is vulnerable to these CFVs. J&K government believes 448 villages (among 590 villages situated between 0-5 km from IB/LoC) are vulnerable to CFVs. With the records available, it is evident that numbers of reported incidents of CFVs in 2018 were 942 (till July), in 2017 were 860, in 2016 were 449, in 2015 were 405, in 2014 were 583. 45 army personals, 27 BSF personals and 83 civilians lost their lives during 2014 to June 2018 only with more loss during 2017-18.

Before the year 2003, there were 8376 cases reported in the year 2002 and 2045 cases in the year 2003 whereas after the 2003 agreement on ceasefire, these incidents reduced to nil in year 2004 and with fewer incidents in consecutive years. This 2003 agreement was unique as it was not a formal agreement and instead was based upon trust of both sides and was made possible with governments of both sides, however with the time when CFVs are once again increased, particularly during 2017-2018, there is absence of political dialogues.

Now, when Pakistan is moving ahead to build a Naya Pakistan and an official start of building relations has been initiated by official delegation from Pakistan that visited to attend funeral of former Indian PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Government of India must initiate dialogue process with its priority to bring the formal ceasefire agreement. Political dialogues must also start between India and Pakistan with the aim to resolve long pending issues, but priority must be given to immediate talks upon issues which already have agreed grounds such as ceasefire agreement as it would aim to reduce fatality on both sides and would in turn strengthen confidence on both sides to move further.

Dialogues are necessary to save lives of soldiers who are dying on both sides. Dialogues are necessary to ascertain violence free and safe future of people. India and Pakistan have capability to change the future of subcontinent. A close cooperation between them can ensure solution to various problems, increased GDPs, increased basic facilities whereas a vicious relation may continue killing soldiers and people on both sides; may continue killing ideas of peace and innocence of hearts. As Sustainable Development Goals-16 (SDG16) states, armed violence and insecurity have destructive impact on a country’s development and often resulting a long standing grievances among communities that can last for generations. We must strive to break this cycle of grievance and to make efforts to do those through dialogues would be a significant contribution to SDG16.

—

(Author is youth activist and freelance writer. He can be reached at ravinitesh@gmail.com)

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Gandhi and musical innovation

Published at October 20, 2018 12:21 AM

Rising Kashmir: http://risingkashmir.com/news/gandhi-and-musical-innovation 

http://epaper.risingkashmir.com/EPaper.aspx 

Ravi Nitesh

ravinitesh@gmail.com

This is 150 years celebration of Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi (Gandhi had given title of Mahatma by RabindraNath Tagore) remained a person who always stood for truth, for rights.

For many in Pakistan, he remained just a Hindu leader and whose intention was against partition; for many in India, he remained a Muslim sympathizer, whose intent resulted creation of Pakistan.

But the wonder is that for common people and social-political leaders and thinkers living all over the globe, he remained a crusader of freedom through his approach of non-violence and creative actions and his own philosophy of experiences with truth.

But what I experienced about him recently has made me aware that what Gandhi touched was inner soul of people. 

Recently, I met with famous classical vocalist KalapiniKomkali. She was in Delhi for a performance. I got the invitation through my friend Sanjay Rai who is the coordinator of National Youth Project that has trained lakhs of youths for peace, diversity and non-violence under auspicious guidance of veteran gandhianDr. S. N. Subbarao. 

For me, this invite was important and of particular interest as the performance was dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi as part of a program celebrating 150 years of Gandhi and was themed ‘Gandhi-Malhar’. Kalapini sung beautifully and the crowded hall roared with claps.

In a very short time after her performance, when we met her, I came to know that she would meet us again the next day morning as she wanted to meet Dr.Subbarao.

For us, Dr.Subbarao, a 90 year old veteran Gandhian is not an unfamiliar name. We know him since years, for his ability to spread message of peace and non-violence across India and world.

Despite being in this age, he is probably as fast as any youth in their 20’s can be. He never stops and travels frequently to participate in programs across country. His way of life is service of people. He speaks many languages, he writes songs, he dances and sings and he is an extraordinary speaker.

His ideas are quite simple and important as of Gandhi. He never differentiates among people for their nationality, religion, caste, race or anything and consider human as human being.

Next day, we all along with Dr.Subbarao met Kalapini at Rajghat (Gandhi Samadhi, where last ritual of Mahatma Gandhi was performed). Kalapini became very emotional and told that what she is trying to do through her classical music is just service of humanity.

No one could think that such a famous singer who has appointments for performances would look so happy visiting the Rajghat and standing in a corner and singing a peace song for Gandhi.

Later when we all sat together in Gandhi SmarakNidhi, I asked her to tell us more about ‘Gandhi Malhar’. What she spoke was really a wonder.

She told that during 1967-68, Dr. S. N. Subbarao, a peace worker on gandhian principles of non-violence came to Madhya Pradesh and met her father Kumar Gandharv. Kumar Gandharv was known for his music across the world. Kalapini said that Kumar Gandharv always believed that all the ragas of music are actually evolved through dhun (tunes) and are natural.

When Subbarao met him, they discussed about Gandhian values. Dr.Subbarao is already known for his achievement in social experiments of non-violence and bringing violent dacoits of Chamabal region to non-violent mainstream.

Kumar Gandhrav asked him that being a musician, what he can do in service of Gandhian values? He was determined that if he can do anything through his own talent, that would be a satisfactory contribution for him. Kalapini told us that at that time, Dr.Subbarao requested him if he (Kumar Gandharv) can sing something on Gandhi.

This discussion between them led an innovative ‘Gandhi-Malhar’, a new Raag in his music. It is astonishing that Gandharv who believed that Raagas are natural, has actually himself invented and innovated a new Raag. Kumar Gandharv and later his wife Vasundhara sung it. This new raag was made during 1968-69 as the year 1969 was a centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi.

Now, in the year 2018, when Kalapini got offer to perform on the occasion of Gandhi 150 (commemorating 150 years of Gandhi), she actually got reminded about the Gandhi-Malhar that she had never performed earlier. She believe that though this new raag is actually a bit difficult but she loved to do this.

‘For an artist who believe in humanity across all regions and religions, and who believe in ideas of peace and non-violence, Gandhi is always a soulful character but to bring him in her own music through reciting a new raag Gandhi-Malhar that was actually made by her father in 1968-1969 is all together a new experience and very satisfactory one.

Who knew that Gandhi, who influenced people of the world, particularly social and political leaders will also influence a class musician.

This affection with Gandhi is evident as Gandhi actually belongs to people of the world, from Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan to Martin Luthar, From Nelson Mandela to Charlie Chaplin and from Einstein to even Kumar Gandharv. His ideas got love and respect from all across globe equally as his ideas were service of humanity.

ravinitesh@gmail.com | Tweets@ravinitesh 

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Applied Socialism In Governance Is The Need Of Hour

Ravi Nitesh

https://caravandaily.com/portal/applied-socialism-in-governance-is-the-need-of-hour/ 

Before 1947, freedom struggle had witnessed many leaders, many innovations and inventions, particularly in resistance and the whole struggle, though was united for a single cause of Independence, but was diverse in ideologies and methods and yet connected with each other and respected each other. Most powerful tools of that time were revolutionary use of non-violent methods where many people joined the struggle through direct and indirect ways of fasting and hunger strike through Satyagraha, creative programs through charkha and awareness programs through social reforms and writings and issuing newspapers.

During all these events, the idea of socialism was at its core and in fact was taking shape in its own way that one may term ‘Indian Socialism’ as it had revolutionary demands and it was adopted in ideologies of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Gandhi both. The very idea behind was the true essence of equality, freedom, justice and peace at all levels. Socialist leaders like Lohia and JP were voice of people and had been think tanks of leadership.

Leadership of that time was not only concerned about immediate objectives that was getting rid of British, but were concerned more about the larger cause of social transformation as well and how the ideas and methods of that time were going to affect the future society. Considering this, almost all such people also did their best efforts to work on social reforms and to make efforts for communal harmony, peace and non-violence as these were going to affect the society of the then present and future.

Even after partition, leaders like Jaiprakash Narayan or JP advocated disarmament on one side and still remained a nationalist leader as his socialism approach in Indian context was based upon welfare and upliftment of people. For a common person, socialism may be considered as ‘Gandhi’s Talisman’ where he talked about ‘Last Person’ (Antim Vyakti) as focus of our actions. Instead of going in theories that are in books, Indian socialism is more about its practical approach to bring real and ground solutions of people’s problems as well as to lead the society towards being more matured society through bringing debates and dissents among people.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN TODAY’S TIME WHEN OUR NATIONALISM IS MORE ABOUT GLORIFICATION OF WARS AND HATRED FOR OTHERS, WHEN OUR RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IS MORE ABOUT OUR EFFORTS TO HEGEMONIC MAJORITARIAN CHOICE OF LANGUAGES AND FOOD PATTERNS AND WHEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EQUALITY HAS BECOME LIMITED TO RESERVATION DEBATE; IT SEEMS THAT APPLIED SOCIALISM IS NEED OF HOUR WHERE WE CAN REDEVELOP AND RETHINK PATTERNS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TO SEE THE SOCIETY AS A MIXED GROUP OF DIFFERENT CASTS, RELIGIONS, FAITHS, FOOD AND DRESSING PATTERNS ETC. AND TO BRING DEBATES AND DISSENTS AS HEALTHY PRACTICES.

For any society, be it of Kashmir or Kerala, what really matters is equality, liberty and fraternity with the scope to have different narratives and discourses of any policy and ideology. Having different narratives, for a democracy is actually a healthy sign instead of taking it as a threat for the reasons that these different narratives are the very foundation of a matured society and state while curbing it would only damage the essence of democracy.

In a few states, efforts by governments with socialist approach have been done in past, but to uplift the population suddenly is no magic and always a challenging task and would take time. Policies of present governments must be aligned with practical scope and status of society and need to be implemented wisely. However, the pattern we see sometimes are hurry in decisions or deviations from the adopted resolutions and it is visible in many policies. For example, in many states, Aadhaar was made compulsory for government schemes, but it also restricted the benefit to actual beneficiaries when they had no Aadhaar. Digital payments are always good for any developed society, but on the challenges of right to privacy and protection of data from any leaks or malfunctioning, government seems on backfoot.

Society needs these answers and need to think upon these challenges. For Indian and even I would say, South Asian context, we need to understand that our states and its people are emotional and diverse and with much inequality and hence any policy needs to be studied with sensitisation of its applications. We need to invest more and more on facilities and up-gradation on one side and on public awareness on the other. We need to adopt the policies considering the ‘last person’ of society and only then we would be able to have our society in peace and harmony, with liberty, equality and fraternity.

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The Aman-Dosti Yatra: a voice for Indo-Pak peace

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Ravi Nitesh

AUGUST 22, 2018

https://dailytimes.com.pk/286925/the-aman-dosti-yatra-a-voice-for-indo-pak-peace/ 

As part of the 40-member ‘Aman-Dosti Yatra’ delegation, which travelled from Delhi to the Wagah border, I had the pleasure of visiting various schools and interacting with the students. At one particular school, we asked the students how many of them desire peace and friendship with the people of Pakistan. All of them enthusiastically replied in the affirmative. When I asked them why, they responded “insaniyat ke liyey”, and told me that despite never having met any Pakistani, they know the people on the other side of the border are also human and thus worth befriending.

Because of these children, I no longer suspect that propaganda and social media echo chambers have permanently corrupted people’s inner values. This experience has re-affirmed my belief that people are peace loving everywhere. When we stopped at another school in another town, we got the same response. We conducted more than 15 public meetings on this journey, met thousands of people, distributed more than four thousand pamphlets to spread the message of India-Pakistan peace and got wonderful responses. Our delegation included undergrad students, young professionals as well as retired bureaucrats, advocates, academics and peace activists.

When the big moment finally arrived and 60 or 70 people walked up to the border gates, everyone began chanting “Hind-Pak dosti Zindabad!”It was an emotional moment, and some of us had tears in our eyes

Over two decades ago, some brave and thoughtful Indian and Pakistani activists – including human rights activists and writer Kuldip Nayyar — began a new tradition. They decided to go to the Wagah-Attari border at midnight on August 14-15 to celebrate Jashn-e-Azadi by lighting candles and praying for peace between Pakistan and India. At this point, Pakistan and India had already fought three major wars. These activists believed that they would be met with resistance, but their convictions remained strong. However, they ended up receiving a great deal of support from people. It seems that the populations living on both sides of the border have learnt that war can offer them nothing but more loss.

With time, the support enjoyed by this group increased, and crowds began gathering at Wagah in larger numbers to pray for peace and join hands for the dream of a shared future with peaceful co-existence. Today, many of this group’s earliest torch bearers are deceased. Others are old and feeble but their spirit remains young and their hopes remain alive. They believe that young people are the real stakeholders in Indo-Pak peace and hope that this legacy should be carried with responsibility.

It was this very spirit which led to the formation of the Aman-Dosti Yatra. Ram Mohan Rai, a close associate of Late Dr Nirmala Deshpande (who has been a social activist) proposed that instead of directly reaching Wagah, a group make a journey of it and conduct various meetings along the way. This particular yatra received a great response from everyone. At its conclusion, it joined activists in Amritsar who were ready to hold the twenty-third Hind-Pak Dosti Mela. They organise this event every year.

When the big moment finally arrived and 60 or 70 people walked up to the border gates, everyone began chanting “Hind-Pak dosti Zindabad!”It was an emotional moment, and some of us had tears in our eyes. A few media persons wanted to interview us, but we did not really care much for giving interviews at that point. We saw some BSF jawans from the Indian side taking pictures and smiling. Not surprisingly, their eyes were full of hope. After all, they and their counterparts are considered the first line of defence for both countries and hence they are the first victims of the conflict. We remembered Bulleh Shah through his poems. A few people were dancing, while others silently looked on towards the Pakistani side.

The writer is founder of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, and Indo-Pak friendship initiative

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Swami Agnivesh: The spirited monk

Ravi Nitesh

ravinitesh@gmail.com

http://risingkashmir.com/news/swami-agnivesh-the-spirited-monk 

After he was discharged from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, we visited him to know his health and to express our solidarity and support. The monk, we know as Swami Agnivesh told us: “These attacks made me stronger towards my conviction to serve people who are deprived and marginalized. I believe that I will try my best to stand firm and strong against communal and disruptive forces even from the death bed.”

During my many meetings with him, I always found him smiling, hopeful and positive for future. He always affected me whenever I listened his thoughts.

I personally experienced that he never shouted, never became angry even when we cross questioned him, interrupted him or disagreed with him on any earlier meetings over multiple issues of talks, instead he welcomed our arguments and tried to put his own with all logic.

Through his ideas and actions, he helped us to believe that ideas are not to get victory or defeat in arguments, instead to inform, reform and transform thoughts and actions of society for the betterment.  

In this meeting, Agnivesh was as calm as he always been. The same patience, smile, soft but sound and determined voice while speaking. This was despite the fact that his left side ribs has still much pain and it is not allowing him for much movement. But he remained on his old ideas of disallowing allopathic treatment till the extent it can be.

When we asked, he told that he believe that body has its own healing process and hence he is not taking medicine, instead giving time to body to take care its own in the natural way. He is on fast these days to provide his body all focus upon healing.

But what is more important is that his body has received wounds and pain after he got attacked recently by right wingers mob in Pakur district of Jharkhand, but his spirit is unaffected.

While he is a follower of Arya Samaj and a monk, he doesn’t only provide quotes from Vedas, Upnishads, Satyarth Prakash or Holy Quran but he associates it with the constitutional provisions, internationally recognized laws and human rights and with the ‘common sense’.

He described that while being in Pakur recently, he was with local tribal groups to meet them on issues of land acquisition when persons allegedly from BJP’s BhartiyaJantaYuvaMorcha and ABVP started protest against him.

As usual, he told them to come and talk, but instead the right wing mob attacked him brutally. Now, Swami Agnivesh tell that he got saved by people from being lynched with this mob. The mob chanted ‘Jai Shree Ram’ while it attacked and abused this saffron dressed Arya Samaji monk Swami Agnivesh.

He says that those who are chanting ‘Jai shree Ram’ and attacking others, beating people cannot be termed as Hindus as these people are fake Hindus who are trying to spread the Hindutva as their political agenda and making common Hindus fool on the name of Lord Rama. They use these slogans as they think that their crime will get shelter with these.

He says that even Lord Rama would never allow them to attack upon me, an 80-year-old monk who respect Rama, Krishna, Mohammad, Nanak, Kabir, Dayananad, Jesus everyone. He says that he has never learnt to hate with people or community or religion anywhere.

He is a reformer. In his achievements are his ground struggles for bonded laboures since decades. While being well qualified in commerce and law and despite being a teacher at famous St. Xavier College in Kolkata, this rebel monk left the golden carrier to join ground struggle of laboures and farmers.

With the time his struggle and contribution to society has been recognized across the world through various awards conferred to him including Right to Livelihood Award (Alternative Noble Prize). He has been President of World Council of Arya Samaj for a decade and has been Chairperson of UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary forms of slavery. His efforts resulted in the Commission of Sati (prevention) Act, 1987.

He says that any reformer who tried to stand against wrong has faced wreath of wrong doers. Be it Kabir or Ambedkar or even founder of Arya Samaj, MaharshiDayanand, they all faced attacks and criticism but their ultimate contribution is some transformation in society.

We have seen the time when Sati tradition was accepted in society and its reformers faced criticism of society, but now its abolition is what made our society progressive. Same is true for untouchability.

On allegations that he sometimes criticize religions, he replied immediately with all courage that he never criticize spirit of religion, but he doesn’t accept the orthodox customs and propaganda.

He says that he welcome everyone who disagrees with him to talk on these things but violence is not the right way. Dialogue is the solution of all disagreement. He believes that with the time, there are so many things in all religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity that need to be countered and society need to get rid of from these.

He also says that actual work of any person who respects religions or God is to serve people who are deprived, downtrodden, marginalized and who are facing discriminatory status in society.

He is the monk who along with Vedic chants, also give quotes from articles defined in constitution of India and he focus upon Article 51A of constitution where it is under fundamental duties to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

He hopes that people of this land, which is a great civilization will stand together to protect its glory, culture and future from those who are doing business of religion and setting it in political agenda.  

Author is founder of Mission Bhartiyam, a youth organization working for peace and communal harmony

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