2018 Message of Optimism - Happy New Year

We wish you, your family and friends the very best of 2018. Each New Year is a milestone in one’s life. Indeed, it is as much a day of reckoning as it is of celebrations. Reckoning involves reflecting on the reasons you did not get what you had wanted in 2017, and celebrating for what you got by cheering for the effort you made to be where you are today.

Let’s go forward, if I were to ask you on 12/31/2018, that is a year from now, how was your 2o18? You may respond in one of the following ways;

1. Nothing Changed, same o same.

2. Things have gotten worse

3. Celebrating the achievements

4. Lost or gained weight

5. Relationship entanglements and distanglements

6. Financial soundness or mess

7. Spent good time with family and friends

Let’s focus on two extremes; things that got worse and celebrating the achievements. The question is did you want it to be good or worse? Did you get what you want? Did you work for getting what you got? Did you at least plan?

Nothing happens by itself; things happen because someone causes them or drives them to happen. Did you let others drive your life or did you drive it yourselves? You cannot go on vacation unless your dream about it, think about it and plan on it. You cannot buy anything unless your start it with a want. Unlike the planets, stars and many other things in the universe which are programmed to function precisely, humans were given a free will to chart their own course. God does not do anything; He simply cannot do good things for you and not for others, God is not like that, God is an idea about justness, evenness and balance.

He has laid everything out for you to pursue your own happiness and peace; it is up to you to get it.

Here is a simple way of getting what you want! The first thing is to know what you want; you should know where you are driving to when you turn the ignition on.

Buy a dozen 5x3 Cards or fold three regular blank white papers and cut them out into 12 pieces. Write the following down on top of each piece and place them in your pocket or purse. As you start driving, making coffee, watching TV or whatever you are doing, take one piece at a time and start thinking about that item, until you have clarity of what you want keep thinking. Pull the car over or go to a coffee shop and sit down and write your thoughts in bullets. Did you know you can day dream while taking a shower? You can think better sitting on the crown? Here are your 12 or more cards to jot down the points as to what you want out of each item of life.

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Profession

4. Income

5. Health

6. Vacation

7. Volunteerism

8. Spirituality

9. Retirement

10. Self-improvement

11. A new image

12. …..

An on and on.....       Wake up to the day's most important news.

At the end of the day or two, take a picture of each card/paper and save it on your cell phone. One evening sit down for a few hours and put it all together. This would be your guideline to go by, and this would be your plan for 2018. The more you stare at it, the more it becomes a part of you.

12/31/2018

If you were to receive my note on 12/31/18, and without any doubt you will. If you’ve received this note, you will get that one too unless you block me. You can proudly say that your life was as planned on 12/31/2017. Why do I do this? It is simply because my mission in life is to build cohesive work places, communities and nations and open people’s hearts minds and souls to fellow beings. Everyone has a purpose in life, find yours now. Mine is to make life meaningful to as many people as I can.

I am pleased to share what I do.

Center for Pluralism is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 (as Foundation for Pluralism). It is based on a simple principle; the more we know about each other, fewer the misunderstandings would be.

CFP is committed to vigorously promoting and advancing pluralism in the realm of religion, politics, social and cultural aspects of life. We have published over 3500 articles on promoting harmony and reconciliation, appeared on 300 national TV shows, addressed in 700 national Radio talk shows and produced hundreds of programs. We need your wisdom, wealth and work to continue this work.

CFP will continue to focus its energies on ensuring a safe and secure America for all, where no one has to worry about his race, faith, ethnicity or other God-given uniqueness and live her life without apprehensions.

Our programs are designed to prevent chaos and maintain coherence and stability with the ongoing changes. We need to prepare the next generation to cope with these changes and minimize potential conflicts with ease. No American needs to worry about losing his or her way of life. As Americans we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our Constitution.

The Center for Pluralism has established over 20 annual programs to bring Americans together on religious, social, political and cultural aspects of life. The more we know each other, the less conflicts we would have. Please review our programs and except the Religious workshops and Unity Day all other programs can be run as your sponsorship for $5,000/year, but you can contribute any sum that is in your budget. Please review them in this mini-Brochure at - http://centerforpluralism.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/4.-CPF-Programs-4-Pages.pdf

CFP will be an antidote to Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racism, Homophobia, Hindu phobia, Xenophobia, Misogyny and other phobias. Through research and activism we are establishing a respectful space for Pluralism with the policy makers, interfaith groups, both Republicans and Democrats and of course the media and you!

The Center for Pluralism will become the energy to give a solid cohesive social structure to our nation. By the year 2025, there will not be an office, school, playground, college, restaurant, theater, train, bus or a work place where people of different faiths, races, ethnicities and national origins do not work, interact, play, live and marry together. This is bound to create conflicts in airports, public spaces, board rooms, and in bedrooms as well as places of worship, work places, politics, eateries, and schools.

We have a responsibility to shape the future of our society so our kids, grandkids and us can retire in peace and live without apprehensions.

Please donate today: http://centerforpluralism.com/donate/

Are you ready for 2017 - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/happy-new-year-are-you-ready-for-2017_us_5866d64fe4b04d7df167d49c

A Blueprint for a purposeful 2014 - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/2014-a-blueprint-for-a-pu_b_4517662.html

Should Muslims Celebrate New Year? It is about building an integrated Americahttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fatwa-should-muslims-celebrate-new-year_us_5a465e47e4b06cd2bd03df69

Let’s stay focused on peace and prosperity and not conflicts and confusion. In 2018, you will see me a lot more of me on National TV and Radio shows, and lot more activism and research. Of course I will jump with both my feet in political campaigns to work to ensure checks and balances in our system. The House and Senate must be given a simple majority to two different parties and not the same, most of the evil decisions were made by our government when all the three; President, Senate and House were from the same party. We have to break this to make sure America remains the America we all want and dream. An America that is good for every one with no exceptions.

# # #

A short Bio

Mike Ghouse is committed to his life mission of building cohesive work places, communities and nations. He works for an America where every one of the 322 million Americans should feel secure without apprehension or fear of the other.

He is one of the 5 people in the world who is actively pursuing research, activism and teaching Pluralism.  Just Google and find a tremendous amount of work on pluralism in religion, politics, society and culture.  Mike defines Pluralism as an attitude of “respecting the otherness of other” and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.

He is a pluralist, thinker, writer, activist and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, politics, Islam, human rights and foreign policy including India and Israel-Palestine. He is a news maker, interfaith wedding officiant and a community consultant and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Happy New Year ya’ll. God bless you and God bless America.

Mike Ghouse, President Center for Pluralism Washington

Re-defining the bilateral partnership of India and United States

Courtesy - Free press Journal

— By Frank Islam | Dec 20, 2017 07:52 am

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Since the late 1990s, bilateral ties between India and the United States have blossomed under successive Republican and Democratic administrations. They have strengthened and deepened to such an extent that, on his first visit to India in 2009, President Barack Obama characterised the relationship between the two great nations as “one of the defining partnerships for the 21st century”.

Because of Donald Trump’s unexpected election as US President in November of 2016, the year 2017 began with serious questions about the future of that partnership. This was due to the President-elect’s vow as a candidate to rewrite many treaties and to bring about sweeping changes to America’s international commitments.

During a campaign event, Trump had pledged to his Indian-American supporters that he would work to reinforce and improve relations with India. Nonetheless, his professed America First policy and attacks on H-1B visas created some apprehension in New Delhi about the direction his administration would take with regard to India.

That was the news of concern in January at the beginning of the Trump presidency. The good news is that those concerns were unwarranted. As the year draws to a close, it can be reported that the US-India relations have been, thankfully, one of the few alliances that withstood the tumultuous volcano that is the Trump presidency. While the Trump administration did revisit or shelve a number of treaties and alliances, including the Paris climate accord, NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership this year, it stayed the course in its relationship with New Delhi.

The Trump administration as well as the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserve credit for sustaining this momentum. They accomplished this by focusing mainly on areas where they are on the same page — such as cooperation on defence and terrorism — and not letting issues such as H-1B to become irritants. One of the symbolic successes and highlights of the year was unquestionably Modi’s Washington visit in late June. The two-day working visit was an eagerly anticipated event.

President Obama had hosted the prime minister at the White House in 2016. Prior to that, in 2015, Obama had visited New Delhi to be the Guest of Honour at India’s Republic Day celebrations. As a result of these interactions, Modi had forged a good rapport with President Obama. Whether Modi — a practitioner of personal diplomacy who believes in nourishing and nurturing friendships with world leaders — would succeed in establishing a similar rapport with Trump was on everyone’s mind, prior to their get-together.

When the two leaders met at the White House, there were good vibes and strong indications that they would be able to establish a collegial and cordial working relationship. Trump and Modi displayed camaraderie again and a shared perspective when they conferred on the side-lines in Manila at the ASEAN meeting in November.

This is evidence that the evolving India-US relationship is on solid ground. A pair of high-level visits to India provided additional evidence. In September, Secretary of Defense James Mattis became the first senior cabinet member of the Trump administration to visit India. In late October, Secretary of State Tillerson was in New Delhi on his maiden visit.

A third piece of evidence of the high priority given to the India relationship by the US was the naming of Kenneth Juster as America’s 25th ambassador to New Delhi in September. Though the delay in nominating an envoy — the position remained vacant for more than eight months — had raised concern among Indian watchers, Juster’s appointment was universally welcomed in both New Delhi and Washington.

Juster is a trade expert who had served as a deputy assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and deputy director of the National Economic Council. He has had considerable experience and is a veteran in dealing with India. He represented the US side during the negotiation of the historic civil nuclear deal nearly a decade ago. He also co-chaired the US-India High Technology Cooperation Group.

The progress on the India-US front was not limited to the political and policy arena. Importantly, another positive trend for the year was the continued uptick in trade between the two countries.

By the end of October, the bilateral trade in goods was more than $62.2 billion, a 10 percent increase from the same 10-month period in 2016. This is a powerful signal that trade will remain a cornerstone in relations in the years to come. In a nutshell, 2017 has been a good year for the evolving India-US “partnership”.

As Modi commented at the ASEAN Summit in November, “The cooperation between India and the US can rise beyond bilateral cooperation and both countries can work for the future of Asia and the world”. Speaking for the White House at the Summit, Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah stated that the countries have a “strong relationship that is going to get stronger”. Shah also said that the US-India relationship should “not be contingent” on any other relationship.

Actions speak louder than words. In 2017, the reality has aligned with the rhetoric. The seeds have been planted and are being nurtured for an even stronger and more substantial alliance between India and the US in the future.

This is not a guarantee that 2018 will bring bigger and better things for the India-US “partnership”. Factors such as domestic concerns and/or unrest within either country or an international incident could impede progress going forward. At this point in time, however, it can be stated that this “defining partnership” continues to be defined and that is a good thing.

Frank Islam is an Entrepreneur, civic leader and thought leader based in Washington, DC. The views are personal.

Indian Hero - Lakshmi Shankaracharya

These are the men and women from among Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and other traditions who are deeply committed to the idea of One India and one people acknowledging the uniqueness of each one of the Indians.

Lord Krishna had said, whenever the negative forces become stronger in dividing families and disrupt peace and harmony, he will emerge among them to restore sanity. After the founding fathers of the nation, these are our real heroes restoring dharma – the righteousness. Dharma is when people get along, mind their own business, live their lives and let others live theirs. God has created all of us and respecting each one of us is the highest form of worship.

I salute them for their work and the come from all walks of life. The see you as Indian and respect and accept you for what you believe, eat, drink or wear.

Please share anyone anywhere who has made efforts to build a cohesive India, an India where no Indian lives in apprehension or fear of the other.

Mike GhouseWhenever the negative forces become stronger in dividing families, communities and nations, peace makers and unifiers emerge in the society to restore dharma - the righteousness. Dharma is when people get along, mind their own business, live their lives and let others live. God has created all of us and respecting each one of us is the highest form of worship. 

Thank you Shankaracharyaji bringing Indians together

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=AoOmxIDtHTI

Indian Heroes - Shri Acharya Pramod Krishnam Ji

These are the men and women from among Hindus, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and other traditions who are deeply committed to the idea of One India and one people acknowledging the uniqueness of each one of the Indians.

Lord Krishna had said, whenever the negative forces become stronger in dividing families and disrupt peace and harmony, he will emerge among them to restore sanity. After the founding fathers of the nation, these are our real heroes restoring dharma – the righteousness. Dharma is when people get along, mind their own business, live their lives and let others live theirs. God has created all of us and respecting each one of us is the highest form of worship.

I salute them for their work and the come from all walks of life. The see you as Indian and respect and accept you for what you believe, eat, drink or wear.

Please share anyone anywhere who has made efforts to build a cohesive India, an India where no Indian lives in apprehension or fear of the other.

Mike Ghouse

Indian Heroes - Shri Acharya Pramod Krishnam Ji

Thank you Acharyaji for bringing Indians together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=2d7LrhnlFb4&app=desktop

Fatwa: Should Muslims celebrate New Year?

Fatwa: Should Muslims celebrate New Year? 
It is about building an integrated America. 

A majority of Muslims celebrate New Year’s Eve like a majority of people in every group. However the orthodoxies in most faiths shun the celebrations. They falsely equate it with alcohol and lewdness and simply cannot think beyond their programmed binary mindset of Haram and Halal.

On the other hand, I urge fellow humans not to judge a people by the acts of a few. If you know 100 people closely, 97 of them would be good people and if you knew only those three, then you tend to be prejudiced, not a good thing for you or anyone.

I urge fellow Muslims to think and act, and hold on to the temptations to react. Muslims can become relevant again by going back to the basics and start thinking and questioning every dished out belief. Doesn’t Quran point out repeatedly to read, to think and to see the signs?

In the next two days many a fatwas will be hitting the market, and a “few” – yes absolutely only a few will take pride in amplifying and multiplying them on the net, as though it is an act of purifying Muslims. By the way sticklers to the traditions are a part of every faith group. No one can cast the first stone.

This essay addresses the issue that has kept Muslims in silos, ghettos, clusters or in a tiny pond. The fatwas are indeed a problem but free speech must be valued over everything, free speech is a God-given right from the day Adam was given a choice. Let people believe in whatever they want, but let them not compel others to fall in line with them. You live your life and let others live theirs. Islam strictly prohibits compulsion of any kind against one’s will.

God’s words are universal and are applicable to all aspects of life. We should not pull tricks and discretion on God’s words, then his words would not be universal and truthful.

The word Fatwa is nothing more than an “opinion” in English Language, and here is my opinion about New Year. Muslims should get out and celebrate it with fellow humans.

My knowledge is based on the instructions from Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), who said that it is the responsibility of every individual to read and understand the book, Quran is the only reliable book he has left as guidance. All other books were invented later, we should no doubt seek wisdom but never put them on par with Quran.

Bad Fatwas are the reason for Muslims to remain on side lines. Many of the Fatwas are a cause of ghettoization of Muslims. Do you recall the fatwa of the mufti of Ottoman Empire declaring it Haram to print Quran after the printing press was invented in 1450? That prevented ordinary Muslims from having direct knowledge of the Quran for 400 years, wasn’t it against Prophet’s instructions? There are many such stupid Fatwas that have been obliterated over the years, and a lot more need to go. Reason should take over. If it is not common sense, then it is not Islam. If it does not add to building cohesive orderly societies, then it is not Islam.

Muslims should celebrate New Year’s Eve. Allah has created all things for the humans to enjoy, he has laid everything for the man between heaven and earth (Quran 55:10 “And the earth has He spread out for all living beings”) and man should be thankful and celebrate the gift of life and gift of sustenance on every possible occasion including New Year. New Year is a mile stone and should be a day of accountability of one’s action in the past year and correct the course for the next year, we should be grateful for this opportunity. Quran 55:13, ”Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?”

(Please read verses 1 through 16 of chapter 55, Sura Rahman to appreciate the creator and celebrate life.)

God calls himself “Rabbul Aalameen” (creator of universe) and calls the Prophet the Rahmatul Aalameen (source of mercy for universe). Should Muslims restrict themselves or should they be servers of the universe, of all people? Isn’t the role of Muslims to contribute towards peaceful societies and be a part of the society and not apart from it? Shouldn’t Muslims be a mercy to mankind? You cannot do anything if you are not a part of the society.

 The reason Muslims have conflicts with fellow Americans is because they don’t mingle, and most of the relationships are shallow. How would anyone know them? How would people get rid of the myths about Muslims if they don’t get to know them closely in different aspects of life? Of course, every faith or political group has something or the other that holds them from being one with others and they all need to work on knowing each other. Indeed that is the case with most immigrants, one of my Hindu friends says she stopped dating a white guy because there was not much to talk with him.

Ok, you don’t want to go to someone’s house for dinner or go to a party because they drink alcohol or eat pork. That should not be a barrier unless your will power is weak or you are incapable of holding yourselves. (Hindus, Jews, Jains, Buddhists, Bahais. Sikhs and all others have one problem or the other like Muslims, we all need to raise above this to build one integrated nation)

Every human will be an angel if there was no opportunity to do wrong, an average human will resist all the temptations that go against his or her will. There is an unverified story that Buddha would sit nude among naked dancing girls and chose not to be tempted or have an erection, such was his will power. If you have a strong faith you can be anywhere and be with anyone and not get blown away with seductions. It is time to test your own faith.

Let me share an example from a few years ago, our group from Memnosyne Foundation went to Mexico to inaugurate the medicine garden that my philanthropist friend Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk had donated to the Mayan Indians to continue to traditions of shamanic healing. We stayed in an all paid resort near Chichen Itza with unlimited drinks and food at our disposal and every one in our group had a ball. Three of us did not drink Alcohol - Mary Ann, Tanaka (a Shinto Priest) and I. I did not make a big deal about it, nor did I stick religion into it. We just did not drink and had a good time knowing our friends. Of course they knew I was a Muslim and respected me for following my path without anything less about others. When we go to the dinner parties, others eat pork and I don’t, it is my choice. I am a part of the society and not apart from it.

Aren’t Muslims supposed to be peacemakers, harmony establishers, goodwill nurturers and contributors to cohesive societies? How do you do that if you don’t mix with people? How do they know that you are a good human being and not what Fox News had portrayed you to be? It behooves for Muslims to celebrate New Year along with friends. It is the right thing to do and that is how we create secure societies. The more we know about each other, the greater the trust would be.

As believers in universal God and universal prophet, shouldn’t their humanity be universal as well? Isn’t what God clearly says in Quran? Whether you are a Jew, Christian, Muslim or whatever, if you are good to fellow beings (His creation) your reward is with Him. Look it up in Quran, this verse is repeated nearly a dozen times in different formats. If the early Muslims had lived aloof, no one beyond Arabia would have known them. This trend to live in silos began in 1969 and we need to reverse it. Caring for his creation is the highest form of worship and you can care only by being with them.

Let Muslims be a part of the whole, let them be with other people, this is an opportunity to build relationships, and opportunity to let fellow Americans know that Muslims are good human beings. The more we integrate the more we become one with fellow humans, bringing a sense of security to each one of the 322 Million of us; the Americans.

Let the New Year be celebratory. Gather up your neighbors who are not going to parties, bring your own food and drinks and get to know each other as fellow Americans who have a common destiny; safety, security, job, home, children, volunteerism, grand children and retirement in peace.

Muslims must celebrate the New Year in a variety of ways within their comfort zone.

How do you plan your next year? Look for the article on Huffington Post.  

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Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America where every American feels secure. Mike Mohamed Ghouse is committed to his life mission of building cohesive work places, communities and nations. He works for an America where everyone of the 322 million Americans feels secure without apprehension or fear of the other.

He leads the Center for Pluralism in research and activism and brings Americans Together on the plane of religious, political, social and cultural pluralism. Pluralism is simply an attitude of respecting the otherness of other and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.

He is a pluralist, thinker, writer, activist and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, politics, Islam, human rights and foreign policy. He is a news maker, interfaith wedding officiant and a community consultant and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Dr. Ghouse has appeared in over 300 national TV and 700 Radio shows including 125 on Fox News. He has published over 3500 articles on the topics he speaks.

His Google profile has been visited by over 35 million individuals with thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, yahoo groups and personal lists.

He is the founder and CEO of the Center for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress. The bottom line to his work is security- no one should feel insecure about his or her religion, race, ethnicity, or other God-given uniqueness. Each one of us should look forward to retiring in peace and living without apprehensions or fear of the other.

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Mike's work is at:  www.CenterforPluralism.com, www.WorldMuslimCongress.org, www.InterfaithSpeaker.com and www.MuslimSpeaker.com

Time to bring back national integration in India

One of the best articles I have read about India's social structure. If we don't have two solid feet of economic development and cohesive social structure on the ground, India would become a langda India. I have written many articles towards this goal.

National Integration and National Reconciliation are the key to restoring dharma in the nation. i.e., justness in every aspect of life to every Indian.  No one is more privileged than the others. 

Here is a note outlining the framework of such conversation. 

The mission is simple – to build a cohesive India where no Indian feels apprehensive or fearful of the other.   

There is a need to revisit the structure of our society and bring about a change, and every change in the society starts with a few individuals and gains momentum as it gets understood by friends and eventually people at large.

The first and foremost change is “resetting” our attitudes back to our pluralistic ethos, i.e.,  an attitude of respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of us. India is home to such practice and it is time to restore that dharma as an antidote to the divisiveness that is tearing our social fabric apart.

A nation’s strength rests on two solid feet – one is the economic prosperity and the other is cohesiveness of the society.  A deficiency in one will cause the whole system to weaken. India needs a strong 2^nd leg to stand firmly with stability and sustainability.  

The Center for Pluralism will become the energy to give a solid cohesive social structure to our nation. By the year 2025, there will not be an office, school, playground, college, restaurant, theater, train, bus or a work place where people of different faiths, races, ethnicities and national origins do not work, interact, play, live and marry together, unfortunately and momentarily, Indian is regressing itself into a divisive culture.

This is bound to create conflicts in airports, public spaces, board rooms, and in bedrooms as well as places of worship, work places, politics, eateries, and schools.

It is our responsibility to prevent chaos and maintain coherence and stability with the ongoing changes. We need to prepare the next generation to cope with these changes and minimize potential conflicts with ease.  Let’s stay focused on peace and prosperity and not conflicts and confusion.

The Center for Pluralism is committed to do its share of nation building.

Our programs are geared to bring Indians together often, patterned after what we are doing successfully in the United States. The more often we see each other in social, cultural, civic, religious and other settings, the stronger the dose would be against divisiveness, resulting in fewer misunderstandings and misconceptions among us.

Here is a one line summary of our programs. Our programs will reflect pluralism in religion, politics, culture and society, including pluralism in cuisine, costumes and wisdom of Spiritual masters. Each one of the programs has been in action for the last twenty years or brand new for this year.

 We also need to reassure each other, particularly those who may be troubled by the changing paradigms and demographics of the society that we are committed to safeguarding the Indian way of life.  As Indians, we are dedicated to upholding, protecting, defending and celebrating the values of liberty and freedom enshrined in our Constitution and the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum enunciated in the Hindu tradition and strengthened by the Islamic and Christian values that we call came from Adam and Eve and as such we are one big family.

CFP is committed to vigorously promoting and advancing the principle of pluralism in the realm of religion, politics, social and cultural affairs. It will continue to focus its energies on ensuring a safe and secure India for all, as we move through uncertain times.

We are passing the problems on to the next generation, aren't we suppose to leave a better world for the next generation?  How long are we going to be carrying ill-will and revengeful attitudes?

Mike Ghouse
www.CenterforPluralism.com
http://MikeGhouseforIndia.blogspot.com 

Courtesy  - Live Mint

Time to bring back national integration in India

By Priya Ramani

Courtesy - www.LiveMint.com 

Remember the India in which the saleability of national integration was bigger than Swachh Bharat? It’s time to bring it back

A screen shot from Mani Ratnam’s 1995 film, ‘Bombay’.

I am Hindu and Muslim. Actor Salman Khan said this in a courtroom in 2015, according to a news report in The Indian Express. Khan was referring to the fact that he’s a product of an interfaith marriage, but I can see it as the tag line of a government-run public service advertising campaign aired in movie theatres across the country. Children born from interfaith marriages can chant this line (and its variations) in sweet, innocent voices until we’re so inspired by the syncretic fabric of this nation that we leap up for the national anthem before Justice League without being nudged. Cut to reality.

My cornball idea probably originates from my 1970s’ and 1980s’ childhood, when we were all subjected to an unfaltering dose of animated propaganda on state-run Doordarshan that highlighted this country’s diversity.

Remember Films Division’s Tree Of Unity (1972), where a bunch of different-coloured potato-head characters get together to plant a sapling that grows into a big strong apple tree? When the bad guy comes with his axe, they capture him together. He fights them off until an apple falls on his head. That makes him abandon his desire to fell the tree and they all happily scrunch apples together. Moral: An apple a day keeps divisions at bay.

Another short, Ek Anek Ekta (1974), has 5.8 million views on YouTube, most of them probably nostalgic parents clicking to show their digital-age children the India they aren’t growing up in. Also, who can forget that fabulous 1980s’ production Mile Sur Mera Tumhara? Piyush Pandey, the lyricist on that project, recalled the beauty of the brief in an interview earlier this year: “It was single-minded: ‘we are talking of national integration and nothing else,’” he said.

Remember the India in which the saleability of national integration was bigger than Swachh Bharat? It’s time to bring it back. Constructing toilets is definitely an important national activity, but learning to live together is an idea in which we need a critical refresher course. Let’s enrol politicians first to remind them that elected representatives shouldn’t use their office to spread hatred or display their appalling ignorance about any particular religion.

While receiving the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration last month, Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna said that growing up, national integration was a significant part of his vocabulary. “Leaders from across the political spectrum spoke about this with great vigour, re-enforcing its centrality to India…. But I say with regret that as we entered a new millennium, this idea of national integration lost its sheen, it did not attract anyone’s attention, it did not matter any more…. We spoke much about development and soon national integration became passé.” Bring it back, he added, and let the new definition encompass Dalits, tribals, ethnic and linguistic minorities.

Last week in the Hindustan Times, Maulana Azad’s biographer Syeda Hameed said India had forgotten the youngest Congress president who spoke passionately about the importance of Hindu-Muslim unity over even something as important as swaraj (self-rule). “Delay in the attainment of swaraj will be a loss for India, but if our unity is lost it will be a loss for entire mankind,” Azad had said in 1923. Replace swaraj with development or open defecation in 2017 and the idea still holds.

Why just Azad? Schools should emphasize diversity by introducing our children to male and female heroes from all communities. Eid should be explained with the same gusto as Diwali and children should understand that Indian Muslims are not Pakistanis (and that calling someone Pakistani is not a slur—but that’s a column for an integrated India).

The easiest way to turn the spotlight back on the idea of national integration would be through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Twitter account and via Mann Ki Baat, his monthly address to the nation. Modi could share a picture a day: A man in a skullcap playing cricket with a sadhu, or a burqa-clad woman walking home with her child dressed as Lord Krishna, Hindus celebrating Eid, Muslims celebrating Diwali—everyday India essentially.

On his radio show, Modi has riffed on everything from the importance of Khadi and the necessity of the goods and services tax to the women’s cricket team and why we should buy eco-friendly idols for Ganesh Chaturthi. He has skimmed over ideas of national integration too with statements such as “unity in diversity is India’s speciality” and “sports can be a means for national integration” but he needs a bhaichara (brotherhood) speech that goes viral.

Something that has mass appeal, like the poem actor Jaaved Jaaferi shared in a YouTube video: Nafraton ka asar dekho, janwaron ka batwara ho gaya, gai Hindu ho gayi aur bakra Musalman ho gaya (see the effect of hatred, even the animals got divided. The cow became Hindu, the goat, Muslim).Every famous Indian leader from Vivekananda to Sardar Patel had thoughts on Hindu-Muslim unity and I am eager to hear the Prime Minister’s take.

Another way to promote national integration is to broadcast all the interfaith love we can. Remember that famous case that caused a national sensation in 1995? Narayan Mishra’s son Shekhar fell in love with the burqa-wearing Shaila Bano, daughter of Bashir Ahmed. Both fathers were predictably outraged and threatened to kill or destroy each other. Yet when the village got involved, the Hindu father said: “This is a private matter between the father of the girl and the father of the boy. Why is everyone saying kill/cut? Go away.”

When Mishra said to his son, “Who will marry your sister if you do this?” Shekhar replied matter-of-factly, “We will find her a Muslim.”

“Marry her when I die,” his father said. “I can’t wait till you die,” Shekhar replied.

The script of Mani Ratnam’s Bombay may have annoyed many film theorists but it showed a couple fighting for their fundamental right to love across religion. We haven’t seen much of that in the decades after. If only Manmohan Desai were alive. He would know how to remake the idea of national integration as Bollywood blockbuster in New India—and nobody would want to ban his film.

Priya Ramani shares what’s making her feel angsty/agreeable.

She tweets @priyaramani

Hindus maligning Muslims and Christians

Maligning Muslims and Christians

Our blog http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/  has responded to crazy statements from Noni Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Hannity, Riley, Spencer, Gabrielle, Geller and a whole lot of them. We have also responded to mindless Hindus and Muslims alike.

One Subodh Kumar on facebook posted denigrating stuff about Christianity and Islam while uplifting Hinduism. He forgot that his narration applies to Hindus as well as other religions.

Either he is blind or maligning others for whatever perceived gains he has on his mind.  He forgets that for every Muslim ass, there is a Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist ass out there.  

Every religion is about bringing peace to an individual and peace with what surrounds him or her.  Religions are designed to create orderly societies. A small band of followers violate the very guidelines they are supposed to follow.


He forgot as many things about Hindus as he wrote about others. Let a Dalit marry a Brahman, let a Hindu marry a Muslim – all hell will break loose with the violence and extremism. One Dalit groom rode on the horse in a village and he was beaten up, a Dalit cannot be above ground level than others.  This week (December 18, 2017) in Gujarat  the dreadful treatment meted out to Dalits at Una and later at a Navratri dance festival where a Dalit was brutally murdered by a group of high caste boys for just watching the show.

Let a Dalit or a lower caste Hindu go to the regular temple and worship, not only will he get beaten but the temple will be washed 7 times.

Dalit villages have been burnt, Dalit women have been raped and hung on trees, Dalits boys have been murdered because the did well in schools while their master's upper caste Hindus sons did not do well in exams.

Muslim men have been lynched and harassed and killed.  Atheist writers have been murdered in broad day light, Christian Nuns have been raped, and Ghar ki bahu (daughter in law) is dosed in kerosene and burnt alive for not bringing enough dowries. Girls at birth are killed, honor killings are rampant.... 

Nearly 5000 Sikhs were murdered in a matter of 3 days, 2000 Muslims were murdered in Gujarat…

Is Hinduism a violent religion? No, it is not, it does not teach any of the above violent acts mentioned above. Hinduism is about being truthful just as other faiths. Painting other religions badly is not Hinduism, it is Hindutva.

A few Hindus commit that non-sense, just like a few Muslims, Christians and Jews do foul things. Hindutva is not Hinduism, Neocons are not Christianity, Islamism is not Muslims, Extremist of Zionism do not represent Jews, Buddhists in Burma do not represent Buddhism.  We have to be smart and focus on bad guys and not on their religion or the nation. 

For every Muslim ass, there is a Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist and other ass.

I have done extensive work on these subjects, and I welcome anyone to visit the tabs workshop, Festivals, Programs, Calendar, Wisdom…. At www.CenterforPluralism.com

…….. …

The following note was compiled by Subodh Kumar at facebook:

Very Interesting facts!

Christianity ….One Christ, One Bible Religion…

But the Latin Catholic will not enter Syrian Catholic Church.

These two will not enter Marthoma Church .

These three will not enter Pentecost Church .

These four will not enter Salvation Army Church.

These five will no enter Seventh Day Adventist Church .

These six will not enter Orthodox Church.

These seven will not enter Jacobite church.

Like this there are 146 castes alone for Christianity,

Each will never share their churches for fellow Christians!

How shameful..! One Christ, One Bible, One Jehova???

Now Muslims..! One Allah, One Quran, One Nabi....! Great unity?

Among Muslims, Shia and Sunni hate and kill each other in all Muslim countries.

The religious riots in most Muslim countries is always between these two sects.

The Shia will not go to Sunni Mosque.

These two will not go to Ahamadiya Mosque.

These three will not go to Sufi Mosque.

These four will not go to Mujahiddin mosque.

Like this it appears there are 13 castes in Muslims.

Killing/bombing/conquering/ massacaring/... each other!

American attack on Iraq was fully supported by all Muslim countries surrounding Iraq !

One Allah, One Quran, One Nabi....????

Hindus -

They have 1,280 Religious Books, 10,000 Commentaries, more than one lakh sub-commentaries for these foundation books, innumerable presentations of one God, variety of Aacharyas, thousands of Rishies, hundreds of languages.

Still they all go to All TEMPLES and they are peaceful and tolerant and seek unity with others by inviting them to worship with them whatever God they wish to pray for!

*Be very proud to be a HINDU*