Bollywood stars against making of provocative films in India, Pakistan

This would be a good development, and I hope fanaticism on both sides subsides, the trade will mitigate extremism and enrich people with work and things to do.

Mike Ghouse
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Bollywood stars against making of provocative films in India, Pakistan


http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-stars-against-making-of-provocative-films-in-india-pakistan/

Shatrughan Sinha, Dharmendra and Hema Malini had rich interaction with Nawaz Sharif during which they talked on ways and means to strengthen cultural ties between the two neighbours. 

Leading Bollywood actors during their meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stressed that both the countries should ensure that no provocative films are made in each others territories in order to shed hostility.  (See Pics: Celebs at Narendra Modi’s swearing-in)
Shatrughan Sinha, Dharmendra and Hema Malini had rich interaction with Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday during which they talked on ways and means to strengthen cultural ties between the two neighbours.

  

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“We stressed that film personalities from both countries shall get visa liberally and locations for shooting shall be made available in the two countries easily,” Sinha told PTI today giving details of the meeting.

Shatrughan Sinha, who is a second term BJP Lok Sabha MP from Patna Sahib, said that even Sharif agreed that people of the two countries should have greater access to movies from either sides and artistes from across the borders should get chance to work in each other’s movies.

The 67-year-old actor said it was emphasised that increased trust between people of the two countries would automatically promote trade relations between the two neighbours.

Shatrughan Sinha said that he and Sharif are old friends. “We talked about old times and emotional matters,” the actor-politician said.

Sinha had affectionate relationship with former Pakistan President General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq too. Haq’s daughter Zen Zia regards Sinha as her brother and ties “rakhi” to him every year.  “I am planning to go to Pakistan sometimes in August this year to meet sister Zen Zia,” Sinha said.

Indians will start feeling safe under Modi Sarkar

Skepticism is good and without which nothing good can come, and I understand the concerns people have, and I will stick my neck out and say, things will get better under Modi Sarkar, good days are coming for every Indian regardless of his or her affiliation.

The safety of our women folk (all women visiting from other nations and Indians including Burqa clad Muslims) will improve. It's time we take pride in our heritage of respecting the women. We have shamelessly become the rape capital of the world, and it has to change and I believe Modi has the ability to do it.

Thank God, Modi got the mandate, he will capitalize on it to India's advantage. In my oped at Huffington Post, I wrote, " Lastly, he is capable of reining in on extremism and steering the Hindutva agenda from sectarianism and fascism to pluralism. He is the only one who can do it without losing support from the Hindutva forces. They have no other place to go. As Indians we need and want this to happen to preserve our cohesive social fabric. If Mr. Modi fulfills the terms of "rajdharma" (good governance) and takes care of the items listed above, he will earn the trust of the people and go on to become a legend of his own.

Deep down, whether one is a right winger or extremist, all he/she wants is justice. That is the real bottom line, and as a civil society, we have to shape and channel their expressions, instead of pushing them to dig in their heels.  Indeed, you will start seeing statements like this, "Ally Shiv Sena's chief Uddhav Thackeray said he was attending the oath ceremony because he believed in Mr Modi's leadership, but asserted that "Pakistan can't be trusted." He is really not anti-Pakistan, but frustrated with the bad things that happen in the name of Pakistan, particularly the Mumbai Train blasts and the Taj blast.

Zafar Shresta laid it out well in the show "Aap Ki Adalat may, (its worth watching) he responded to a question if Modi would be able to contain the likes of Togadia, he responded, "There was a time Praveen Togadia could amass 5 lakh people, and hundreds of cars would come to receive him in Ahmedabad, now, none other than his driver and in his latest gathering there were hardly 150 people around him - Modi has a way of bringing people on the tract.

Manohar Joshi, Subramaniam Swamy, Advani (root cause of much of the anguish since 1992)  were clearly sidelined - they would have been the wrecking balls for Modi Sarkar. They are not bad guys, but just mis-informed, and I am sure if we have a good dialogue, they can see the goodness of Hindu idea of one family that is similar to idea of one people with different faiths in Islam. We just need to understand and acknowledge each others take for a better India.

May be on my next visit, I may see the possibility of having a heart to heart dialogue with Swamy in a public forum - with a clear goal of how we build an India where we respect our differences and learn to live with each other without denigrating the other.
Aap Ki Adalat may about Modi and Muslims
http://www.indiatvnews.com/video/category/aapkiadalat-1.html

Can we Trust Modi?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/indias-modi-on-his-best-behavior-can-we-trust-him_b_5280892.html#es_share_ended

I am committed to building cohesive societies, where no human has to live in apprehension of fear of the other. 


Mike Ghouse is an Indian American Public Speaker, thinker and a writer committed to offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day - wwwMikeGhouse.net

 

Notes from watching Swearing in ceremony of PM Modi and his cabinet

Notes made while watching the Swearing in Ceremony of the PM and new Cabinet, it was a 90 minute event. This is raw, no grammar or spell check done.

·         Awesome event

·         Congratulations to Prime Minister Modi and his Cabinet

·         I don’t know about you guys- the Indian National Anthem has always made me feel tender and emotional, and frequently, I hear this version while working late or when I want to get a break. 

·         No Jai Hind after the national Anthem, even though I did not like Indira Gandhi for her emergency rule – but her voice Jai Hind have been engraved on my mind, I hear her every time, and usually, I am the one in gathering to say it out loud – Jai Hind.

·         It was good to see all people stand up for the National Anthem, of course, as Americans we have opened up, but apparently the TV people made a point about Nawaz Shariff standing up for the national Anthem.   

·          There is a false assumption that one should not stand up for other nations National Anthems, the problem is not with nations and the people – it’s the governmental policies. 

·         This the only glorious moment of the President of India

·         Modi’s swearing in started the roll – I was really hoping that Modi will take the oath, and then all of the ministers, together would take the oath collectively. It was too long to hear the exact same words except their names.

·         It would have been nice for the President and Prime Minister to speak 

·         Swearing in was in Hindi and English – Venkaiah Nadu from Andhra did it in English, followed by a few more including Najma Heptulla….. Ofcourse, they could have done in of the 28 languages

·         Uma Bharati walked out without bowing to the President

·         Good to see many women in the cabinet

·         Men shook hands with the president, women did not. 

·         Modi and someone leaned as if touching the feet

·         Most of them were around 62 – wonder what the median age was

·         Najma Heptulla is the oldest of all 74, born before independence 

·         Smriti Irani is the youngest of all - 38

·         Oddly, women’s age except Najma was not displayed

·         No western clothes were worn – except the shirt and pants by Mr. Gowda

·         As a pluralist I did not like the phrase “Sabhi prakar ke log” – translates to all kinds of people, it should have been “every Indian” and not all kinds of people. 

·         When Sushma Swaraj came – Barkha started talking in her boisterous voice- I have always liked her, but today I shouted her “Shut up Barkha” I want to hear them.  They did not have the sense to shut up. 

·         Disappointments

o   Too many Ministers, I was hoping Modi would cut the bureaucracy down

o   Nirmal Sitaraman should have been given the post of Public relations – she did very well in defending and speaking in behalf of BJP and Modi all these months.

o   Najma Heptulla should not have been given the minority affairs position, it should have been some oneelse who is aggressive and active in the market.

o   Too long – and a punishment of the guests to sit quietly… although many of them were “desis’ and talking with each other. 

·         Positive things

o   Great moment, great ceremony

o   Modi’s vision to be inclusive by inviting SAARC Nations, this is good step forward

o   Someone floated the idea of NAFTA – for Modi to do SAARC deal

o   It was good to see Rahul and Sonia in the audience – In a democracy; we have to learn to accept defeat gracefully.

o   None of the guests seem to have cell phones, and no one was checking messages, it must have been a punishment to Salman Khan, he was restless.

o   Glad they kept the age to be below 75 for Ministerial berths

These are the raw notes with no spell or grammar check

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net

Aap Ki Adalat may show with Muslims about Modi

This is an eye opener for both Muslims and Hindus.

The points I have summarized in the last three articles, have been expressed by this group

Video:: Aap Ki adalat may - In Hindi/Urdu (1 Hour)

http://www.indiatvnews.com/video/category/aapkiadalat-1.html

 

It is worth watching, it is indeed  transformational, its almost like an agenda to move forward and gives me a lot of hope for India.  Each paragraph I have constructed in my op-ed is reflected in the show above. 

Modi's hypothetical speech tomorrow

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mr-Narendra-Modi-s-hypoth-by-Mike-Ghouse-2014-Elections_Bharatiya-Janata-Party_Governance_Historicism-140525-136.html

 

 Engagement is always good and good days are coming

 

Mike Ghouse

Mr. Narendra Modi’s hypothetical India speech on Monday, May 26, 2014

NARENDRA MODI'S HYPOTHETICAL INDIA SPEECH ON MONDAY 5.26.14

Mr. Narendra Modi will deliver one of his most memorable speeches on Monday, May 26, 2014 upon taking the oath of office of the Prime Minister of India, and I am going hypothesize the contents of his speech based on my embryonic understanding of him firmed up over the last few weeks.   

MR. NARENDRA MODI, INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER

This is the biggest historic moment in the world of governance. Never in the history of mankind, there has ever been an individual freely elected to govern by such a huge mandate, the largest number of people on the earth have voted Mr. Narendra Modi to lead the democratic Republic of India.  On Monday, May 26, 2014, Mr. Modi will take the oath of office of the Prime Minister of India. The theme of his speech would be simple: inclusive development.   

Mr. Narendra Modi’s hypothetical speech on Monday, May 26, 2014

Submitted for publication on Friday, May 23, 2014 - Published at Oped news at
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Mr-Narendra-Modi-s-hypoth-by-Mike-Ghouse-2014-Elections_Bharatiya-Janata-Party_Governance_Historicism-140525-136.html

Other articles of Modi at: http://mikeghouse.net/Articles/Narendra-Modi-India.asphttp://mikeghouse.net/Articles/Narendra-Modi-India.asp

Mike Ghouse is an Indian American Public Speaker, thinker and a writer committed to offer pluralistic solutions on issues of the day - wwwMikeGhouse.net
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What the Gandhis should do next

Aakar, I am right with you. Indeed, the congress should do what you have suggested - Additionally, they did very well on the economic front - a 4.5% growth was good, compared to less than 3% growth in the US and UK - India is tied to global economy and will rise and fall with it. 

Rahul and Sonia betrayed the followers of Congress - by not even attempting to defend their record and not responding to Modi's attacks, when they did, it was too late. They did not even want to win.  I kept up with Google search, they were not news makers. Policy wise they are good, but what they need is a fighter like Priyanka - for the sake of a strong opposition - Rahul can resign in Amethi or Sonia can resign in Rae Bareilly and Priyanka be given a chance.

Although Modi will do well with the development and social cohesion, we need strong opposition for checks and balances, and for the sake of vibrant democracy. 

Mike Ghouse
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What should the Gandhis do after being clubbed into submission by Narendra Modi?

Courtesy:

http://tribune.com.pk/story/712623/what-the-gandhis-should-do-next/

Let’s first look at what they have chosen to do so far. They were churlish in accepting defeat, with Rahul Gandhi in particular putting up a shameful performance. His words — “Congress party has done pretty badly” — did much to validate those who said he was casual in his approach to the elections.

Sonia Gandhi mumbled some words without naming Modi and then disappeared. In the meeting with the party it was business as usual, with their offer to resign (to what mandarin does Sonia send her resignation? It would be interesting to know) being rejected by the courtiers.

What should they do now? There are four things that they can do personally, setting aside all the talk of analysis of the defeat, which will not happen, and revamping of the state units, which will not happen.

The first thing is to communicate to the Congress and its voters that the Gandhis recognise how large this defeat has been. They have not done this so far, and if they understand what a monumental thrashing they have received, they have not shown it.

The second thing is to put their hand up and raise their parliamentary profile. For 10 years, Sonia refused to take the office of prime minister, which was fine because she was not qualified intellectually, as I have written before. But she also refused to do much work in the Lok Sabha. It was Pranab Mukherjee who was Leader of the House from 2004 till his elevation as president a couple of years ago. Sonia did little inside Parliament and left it to others to do the defending or, on the rare occasion, attacking. Rahul was, of course, famously absent from action for much of the time. This has to change. The forum from which they can revive the party’s image is the Lok Sabha. The sorry huddle of Congress MPs, less than four dozen in a house of 543, will discourage them, but they have to man up.

The third thing is for them to sum up what it is that they stand for and communicate it to potential voters. My understanding is that the Congress stands for three things: pluralism in society (let us discard the word secularism, which has become a turn-off for many), liberalisation in the economy and a focus on state spending for the weakest Indians.

From editorials explaining the reasons for Modi’s victory, the wrong lesson for the Congress to take would be that their broad policies were wrong. They were not. The execution was poor and the management was incompetent. The three Congress pillars are unexceptionable and a stress on them will redound to the party’s benefit because they are sound.

Perhaps the Gandhis already know this, but even if they do, most of their supporters don’t. They should compress the message and begin to drum it. They should add the three points as a coda every time they speak.

On liberalisation, they should assist Modi, despite the Indian tradition of making the opposition a platform for nuisance. The BJP was negative and unhelpful, opposing foreign direct investment in retail. The Congress on this count should not be petty.

The fourth thing they should do is resist attempts to rollback their big schemes. There is talk of trimming the employment guarantee scheme. Some of the others, such as the National Food Security Bill and the Right to Education law can be hit in execution. Modi will certainly go after the Unique Identity scheme, which he so viciously attacked as a sop for Bangladeshis.

The capacity of the Congress to resist in Parliament is depleted in the Lok Sabha, but it has other fora: Rajya Sabha and, importantly, the media.

The Gandhis have chosen to hide behind their ministers and chamchas, which was fine when they were in power. Now, stripped of it and of much of their aura, they must show they can do politics in the way it needs to be done in India. Modi shows great joy in doing the work he does and it is what makes him an attractive figure. The reluctance of the Gandhis is the opposite. It is an asset in victory, but it is thoroughly off-putting now, when it seems they’re only biding their time, waiting to be returned again to power.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2014.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces. The writer is a former editor of the Mumbai-based English newspaper Mid Day and the Gujarati paper Divya Bhaskar. His book Translating Saadat Hasan Manto’s non-fiction work will be published this year aakar.patel@tribune.com.pk