Becoming Callous and totally insulated....

I don't know whether it is the busy schedule of fulltime school and work and life in general or whether it is me. Of late, since earlier this year I have noticed that I have been forgetting about everything that used to matter to me before. Since I returned from India I have pretty much forgotten every major national event that relates to India. I remember these things only after they happen and seems like I am slowly but surely losing my intimate contact with everything Indian. I forgot Ganesha Festival, Raksha Bandhan, Upakarma, and even Janmashtami. Two days ago it was the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka Mahatma, the father of our nation and I am remembering this day today. I wonder in a few years if I would become one of the hundreds of thousands of Indians who settle down in America and promptly forget their roots. It would be ironical if it were to ever come to that.

Stamps Redefining Historical Relationships!!!

For several years since India attained independence (1947) the name of the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi has been used, misused, and abused by pretty much every opportunistic unscrupulous individual, family, business, and nation. One of the biggest historical blunders of India has been the use of the last name "Gandhi" by the heir's of Jawaharlal Nehru. Obviously this has given them awesome political mileage and enabled their family to be at the helm of affairs in India.

Little did I expect that this misnomer would go so far that people in other parts of the world would actually start thinking that the descendants of Nehru as heir's of Gandhi. Unfortunately this has happened. I came across this stamp/ souvenir sheet on sale on Ebay the seller has titled the listing as "Gandhi and Family Souvenir Sheet". I wrote to the seller to get more details and he said it was issued by the African country Djibouti.



I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this blunder. I request all blog readers to spread this message among other Indians who are aware of the history so that everyone may lodge a protest against Djibouti and the ebay seller who are propagating this erroneous facts.

Patriot and National Leader Overshadowed by Mahatma's Charisma :(

Today's is Gandhi Jayanthi, the day one of the greatest men to have walked on this earth was born. The man who came up with the idea of non-violence struggle, strikes and bandhs. India's father of the nation was born on October 2, 1869. Everybody who is aware of the world and its nuances will know about it and surely the billion plus Indians and few hundred million Pakistanis and Bangladeshi's will have heard of him.

Unfortunately for the billion plus Indians the Charisma of Mahatma Gandhi has overshadowed another great leader's legacy and memories. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the 3rd and one of the strongest Prime Ministers of India was born on October 2, 1904 and it is ironical that the nation hardly remembers him on his birthday. This year is 105th birth anniversary of this great leader who showed to the world in 1965 that India was not weak and will take on any power when it comes to the security and national integrity. Another prime minister of India who is strong is yet to take office. His response to China's threats is a solid example of his resolve and courage: "If China attacks India it is our firm resolve to fight for our freedom. The might of China will not deter us from defending our territorial integrity."

Lal Bahadur Shastri is also the most honest and non-corrupt individual to occupy the highest office in India. He is one individual who during his short reign as the prime minister of India worked relentlessly for the betterment of our country and its people. As a railway minister Lal Bahadur was so conscientious that he took moral responsibility and resigned when there was a railway accident in Tamil Nadu which claimed 144 lives.

Taking his example and comparing it to our recent railway ministers who don't care two hoots for those dead in railway accidents or terrorist bombings, it makes me cry tears of blood. I wish this great man were given a little more importance at least in India if not across the world.....