India Needs

Human rights and basic rights may be a farce to those who seems to make our country a nation, which would rule the world. People do not think that mankind is in a situation where they are not able to satisfy their basic human needs. Since, Chanakya and his theory on diplomacy, he noticed the corruption embracing people and their will to defy the voice of the people. Corruption is a phenomenon which can never go away from the civilized society owing to a simple theory of economics: “Human want are unlimited.”

It is the people who must take the steps to bell the cat of corruption, which has engulfed our nation. Political ignorance and Bureaucratic dominance of semi-literate politicians often takes away the fundamental rights of commoners. We need not have ‘Magic Wand’ as the honourable Prime Minister said on the Independence Day speech But we might as well have a weep to skin the corrupts. People of India are tolerant but the bureaucracy and politicians are functioning as if late 18th century France has taken its step into Indian society. Sitting in my small drawing room with a computer and a TV, I realize that gallows are being made, and if the bureaucracy and the politicians do not fall in line with the people and the fundamental of Indian society: many Charles Daney and Sydney Carten would be killed along with the corrupts.

If it is a crime in this country to speak the truth then I am a criminal. If the authorities think that my voice would be or could be demolished then they do not understand the voice of a simple common person. How many bullets do the authorities have? Is it a billion? Let them fire those billion but we would not stop till the corrupt are not being punished. Let’s take the bullets and be the martyrs than live a life of cowardice and fear.

Think about what you can do to support Anna; write, get and gather in the roads and be sides all of you would find an Indian in you and be proud of it. It is not the fault of India that India is corrupt, just like the fact that terrorism is not a religion.

Let us fight against the system and not against the Indians. Let us make the change and give a pure life to the new genarations.

The Great India

Our world is a great place to live. Mankind has made this beautiful place a home with Love. In spite of that at this point of time, the world is passing through a situation which is not desirable. Our great nation is also feeling the heat of the problem of other nations. Standing and speaking on our Independence Day has given me an opportunity where I would like to emphasize on the responsibilities that we, the people with disabilities must perform towards our nation.

Our forefathers have shred drops of blood which became an ocean. These drops were the sacrifices that they made willingly to bring Independence to our great nation. The main aim of their sacrifices were to ensure that their decadence do not live a life of oppression segregation and hunger.

After Independence, India has come a long way towards getting self-sufficient. Unity in Diversity has been a feature which is enviable to many other countries, which sees India as a threat.

The primary aspect that I like about Indian society is the people here are ready to ‘agree to disagree’. As a person with disabilities we all try to perform our duties toward our nation. And by performing the duties, we are taking a step forward towards inclusion. The inclusion had been a dream for those forefathers who wanted an egalitarian society.

I can understand and feel that many people with or without disabilities think about what the nation has given to them! Here, I would beg to disagree and reiterate the view of the Great President of America who was assassinated mainly due to his views on egalitarianism.

John F. Kennedy said while addressing a public gathering, “Ask not what your country has done for you… Ask what you have done for your county.”

As an individual, I totally agree with the view of President Kennedy. With this, I would like to request the brothers and sisters to take the first step, and you would find that help would automatically come to you and clear your path. The dream of an egalitarian society dazzled my mind when I read Chanakya where he discussed about India becoming the supreme power of the World.

Let us work for that society where people with or without disabilities would take equal responsibilities to make India the greatest nation. Let us fulfil the dream and pay homage to our forefathers.

Joy Hind

My Lovely India

In this new millennium, gradually we have being experiencing a new and strong India, which would be a super power in our life-time itself.
Though our great nation had been suffering from poverty, malnutrition, women’s foeticide, agitated poor people’s movement, terrorism, etc. in spite of all these, we the Indians, the real Indians, the non-corrupt Indians, sees the beauty and the embracing power of this great nation. Sceptics would say, India is nothing but a place of vote bank politics but the will-full Indians would always live in this system and would always work for the benefit of the country. India has immense pool of natural resources, which have been exploited by the outsiders. But still we could fight with those people and protect our resources. India traditionally, is country of laid-back people and history has shown that since the time when Alexander the great Invaded us. During that time as well Indians did not get hot-headed to crush the great warrior first hand. We have a strategy, which is imprinted in our genes, i.e. to make our enemies tire and strike they are less willing to fight and when we start fighting we always try and finish the fight according to our terms. This particular example can be found in our fight for independence. The unique way of this diverse fighting for our right to freedom, puzzled the mighty British’ and compelled them to leave our country.
Once again during the early 90’s, when India faced the huge financial crisis as after the fall of the Soviet Union: Again the people had the guts to gut out the troubled time. And when we were forced to compete with the world economy, the mighty west had to look up-to us for the people and the policies of our nation. Due to the non-democratic establishment of China, ‘they may run like the hare’, that would become complacent at the end but continuous pressure of democracy would definitely take India passed China and that too within another fifteen years. On the eve of our 64th Independence Day, let us take a resolution that ‘We, the people of India, would crush the two problem areas: within and outside our country’. When I say within and outside the country, one common factor is linked and that is the phenomena of Terrorism. Let us make the terrorists and the nation which takes Terrorism as their state policy, tired and then when we strike, either that nation or the terrorists perish from the world.
Let us fight the poverty. And if 50% of people who are not in poverty take responsibility of one person then we need not depend on our corrupt Political establishment to fight poverty. Let them thieve as much as they would like to do but as Indian, let do things whatever little we can do for our brother, sisters and the generations to come.

Response as an AAC user:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an aspect in my life that has made me what I am now, even though I can speak now but being an AAC user for a significant period of my life has gave me the realization of the importance of communication. I come from a country where most of the population earn their living from farming but believe in re-incarnation. Now, if anyone asks me, in which part of the world I like to be born, in subsequent lives, my automatic and instinctive answer will be India.

Our country has a diverse cultural heritage. And people with disabilities are in the middle of a movement which would help them to lead a life with dignity. From the time immemorial, the word ‘respect’, is being used to describe a behavioral function, which has not changed. The respect, I am talking about can be for anyone, for any individual or any animal as well. But to me this word means ‘AAC’. During the time, when I could not communicate with anyone owing to the fact that I was partially verbal or non-verbal, this method gave me the power to communicate. But first of all allow me to acquaint you with a funny story, when AAC was introduced to me.

During my childhood days, as I gradually deteriorated, I lost my articulation or the power of speech. My teachers thought that I must have a means by which I would be able to communicate. When for the first time the communication board was brought in front of me, the anger and outright rejection was amazing, the overwhelming thought of communication empowerment because had I used it from then, I think it could have helped me to save some energy, which was exhausted unnecessarily. I cried the whole night because I realized ‘improperly’, that I would never be able to communicate with someone or anyone, IN A PROPER WAY.

The change in my life came with a very painful story, which can be laughed upon at this point of time. One day, during my school days, one of my friends who could walk pushed my wheelchair into the computer room for a lesson. While I was being wheeled by my friend, I could feel an ant moving around my lower back. As I entered the room, my whole body went into an innocuous spasm, as the ant decided to sting. One of the mentors of my life was the first computer teacher (Swati di) with whom I have worked with. Seeing me in that spasm, she asked the obvious question but how the hell would I had replied when I didn’t have any means! Perhaps the ant knew the fact that biting at a place which is not visible to others, would give it the pleasure to satisfy its hanger for the lifetime. Then innovation started, my computer teacher went on asking, - (YES, NO) questions. With the limited vocalization I had during that time, I was also trying to communicate. After twenty-five minutes, agonizing stinging, Swati di could understand the problem and removed the ant, which had a very comfortable twenty-six minutes previously.

I would like to thank this ant that made me realize, the importance of having a means of a communication aid. After that no insect especially ‘ants’ could circum me by stinging.

Then after that experience, I started to use the communication system effectively and assure you, it opened a new horizon for me. I could ask question to the people who had no idea about me, to surprise them. I even intervene during any family interaction to share my views. This gave me a power, which and control over a few thing that I never had. Hence on I learnt to take some responsibilities which were entrusted on me and enjoyed to fulfill those. So according to me, AAC is a means by which people like me could get the empowerment to let others know, about how they feel on many issues.

At this point of time, in my life, when I speak and communicate with all of you, sometimes I have take the help of AAC and technology to speak in conferences because when I speak for a significant time, my vocal organs cannot support my needs. Then, I use my computer for a while and in that case I would like to explain why it happens.

When I am interacting, I am getting 3, 5, 10, seconds break. While the other person makes his or point and I listen, unknowingly, I grasp some air which helps me to extend the conversation. This is not the case when I am speaking in any conference, in front of an audience and these are the times when I have to speak for 10, 15, 30 minutes at a stretch. So, I am still an AAC user, aren’t I?

Now, I would like to come to a controversial point. You may say, the thing that I am raising is a bit childish. At this point of time in my life, when I can speak, I see many people are afraid to communicate. Many people think that if they put a view, what would be the repercussion. This kind of thinking really amazes me because being an AAC user, I realize and I am sure many of my friends would agree with me, which is if one thinks about the feeling and not communicate, how do they expect that others would understand the feelings they have! I don’t know if there are that many mind readers around! If you ask me, I haven’t seen any in my lifetime.

If you: like some one, adore some one, respect some one, some times it is a very good idea to let that person know. If one disagrees with a point, it is always better to discuss about it and clear the misunderstanding. If communication is enhanced, between people and communities, according to me our planet could be a great place to live. Anyway, I am not stating that I do not like the planet the way it stand now, but just emphasizing on the point that it could have been better. I have observed this as an AAC user, many activities and negotiations which goes on around the world between various countries, could have been formulated in a better way.

In modern times, technology is very important in every spheres of life. With the help of this phenomenon, world has come to home for the people and taking this in into account I find a thought tickling my mind very often. This concern relates to those countries where basic human rights are being over-looked by the authorities for their own interests. Recently, the political turbulence in Northern Africa and Arab world has put a question in my mind. And I wish to know and understand the condition of the people with disabilities in these countries where the basic human rights are being defined.

In international media, we find many news about Afghanistan and Iraq since last decade. But I haven’t seen a single bit of coverage on the conditions of the disabled people of those counties where it seems, ‘war is a means of living’.

To conclude with I personally would like to ask and request the leaders of the world to look into the social sector and especially the problems of disabled people.

It matters not in which country we are in, what matters is that we are there and we also need the same means that is to lead a life of dignity and respect for all those brothers, sisters and friends who are there in those countries. Though pain is friend of ours but conquering it with the strength of mind and spreading the message of love to the various corners of the world is absolutely necessary. The AAC users are an integral part of the world population and I believe that we have to make sure to the authorities to recognize this unique population and help their cause.

God has send each and everyone of us by assigning a particular work or duty to be accomplish but the common thing that has to be spread in today’s world, is the ‘message of love’.

The AAC users must take the issue of our brothers and sister to the authorities so that we could reach to them and provide them the support.

Thank you.

something IMP

India has seen many political changes but in my lifetime, I can take the liberty to say that I have never seen anything like the great election which got rid of the Hippocratic Marxism in our Bengal.  

Sorry

Hi all,

Sorry, I did not write in the Blog for a long time. Actually, I am not able to keep-up with the things which are going around. Owing to various things, bloging became secondary. Now, at this point of time, I have decided to be a regular blogger and won’t wait for any articles to come into my mind. Yes. I shall write articles and poems but I would rather like to keep communicating about my feeling and thought.

Thanks

India United

India as a nation probably was never that united that she became on the 2^nd April, 10.45 PM. As the lofted shot of Dhoni landed in some twenty or thirty rows back, I felt with my heart and soul that we, the Indian can also conquer the world and beat champions after champions to become the champion. After the gap of 28 years, Indian cricket team brought the Cricket World Cup home once again, after 1983 but this time it was different. In the year of 1983, when I was 3 ½ years old, Kapil Dev’s team was not at all the favourites to win the World Cup. Hence, they had no pressure to perform match after match to the Cup. What they did was to play the matches according to the merits, gave their best and upset teams like Australia, England and the mighty West Indians.

During this World Cup of the new millennium, M. S. Dhoni’s team was the favourites to win the Cup. They were playing at their backyard and had to take relentless pressure from a billion people, and suffer the scrutiny of the experts to live with. At first, the team did not start the tournament in the right note; they could not defend a score of 338 against England and settled with a tie rather than an easy win. Then after that once again, excellent partnerships against the South Africans could not get the respect by other team members as India lost 7 wickets in around 30 runs and gave up a winnable match to the opponent. To me these hiccups were needed so that the team kept on their toes. The turning point of the tournament came in the quarter finals, when we won a tight match against the former world champions ‘Australia’. This particular match was so tight that a stage came when many people thought India would go out of the tournament! It took a great partnership between Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina to bend the tie in our fortune.

Pride is the word which has been used in a negative sense by many people, who unfortunately thinks that having pride harms the character of an individual. But according to me, having the pride and be proud about something brings out the best from an individual.

The pride of the Indian army is such, that to salvage the liberty of the people they smilingly take bullets right on their chests and save our country from falling to many enemies.

The team India that we are seeing now started to evolve as the Great Sachin Tendulkar, the pride of India, gave up the leadership position during the first half of 2000. When Indian cricket could have gone to the ruins, a character rose and came to take the responsibility on him to save the team from corruption. The attitude of team India started to change as The Sourav Ganguly rose as a leader of the billion people. It was for the first time that Australians were given the taste of their own medicines. The first strike which cracked the unbeatable tag of the Australians came at the Eden Garden, where a great, full counter-attack by the team of Sourav, made the mighty Australians crumble under pressure for the first time in many years. Skeptics thought that it was a one time phenomenon but they got their answers, slamming into their faces by that aggressive young role-model who would never shy away to thrash the oppositions by leading from the front.

I still remember a morning of the 3^rd test of the same series in Chennai, where a batsman like Steve Waugh had to circum to such pressure that he got out by “Handling the Ball”. It was quite unexpected to many cricket experts as Waugh’s cool and calm composure could be disturbed by Sourav’s aggressive team strategy.

Then after that quite unexpectedly, team India reached the finals of 2003 World Cup in South Africa and that too in an unexpected manner. Nobody expected that a team which has weakness in bouncy tracks and moving ball could do that. The self belief that Sourav brought in team India once again could be seen as he himself scored a magnificent century at Brisbane, the second most bouncy track in Australia. He tackled Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee with an ease that as if he was tackling ‘his favourite’, any left-arm spinner in the world. And after that when India beat Pakistan in their home territory, the unique attitude was imprinted within any cricketer of India.

This particular night of 2^nd April 2011, was the ultimate point that Indian cricket could reach. Now, the time has come where other teams would like to beat India just like it happened during 70’s & 80’s to the West Indian team and the whole of last decade to the Australian team.

A person from a very humble economic background and a gambler to many gave the nation, the moment which gave away the difference between the people for their caste, class, region and religion. Our nation was united after a very long time when people actually forgot who they were and was proud to be Indians. It was a day which can be compared with every day of our freedom movement where we were always united. But this time the politicians were not the masters who united the people, though they have the power to unit the country but it seems that some vested interest do not allow them to do so.

M. S. Dhoni had a horrible tournament as a batsman. Many people said and teased to tell that he should be a non-playing captain but now I would like to see their blackened faces. When time came, he took the responsibility upon himself to show what a leader can do. Mastering the fear is the most important aspect of a leader. Dhoni did so like he was destined to do so. A true leader would always like to go and lead from the front. Even after he took the trophy from the podium itself he talked about the mistakes that he made. He told that the mistakes would be overlooked as the team won the cup. But I think he would never overlook the mistakes owing to fact that he is a great leader. I hope he brings many successes to India and I would like to request some politicians who make the policy decision to accept the mistakes because MS has shown that accepting the mistakes and taking the responsibilities brings success to the person and the nation.

I hope the republic of India stays united and many honest people comes up to take leadership positions and share the immense responsibilities by throwing out the corrupts and standing up against them. It is possible as last ten years of Indian cricket history has shown that.