Here’s a couple of contradictory thoughts for the day:
My mum always taught me that people are essentially good. That meanness of spirit can be overcome by good thoughts from the universe. So I plough on wanting to believe this philosophy of “smile and the whole world smiles with you.”
But its a tricky philosophy for a journalist to follow, especially in the light of recent events on the two countries I claim as home.
The emails are pouring in about the outrage surrounding the appointment of Shiv Sena President Udhav Thackery to the National Intergration Council in India. He will sit alongside Kalyan Singh and Narendra Modi - all of them responsible for stoking the fires of communal violence on various parts of the country. Putting them on the NIC is literally employing convinced and addicted arsonists as firemen.
And on the home front, Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party who spews hate like kids spew food, has become the third largest party in the Netherlands.
Which has kind of dampened my faith in the Dutch to do the right thing when push comes to shove.
All in all, the gray weather here is reflecting my grayer thoughts. And I’m wondering if even my mother, queen of the Pollyana Glad Game, would have happy thoughts about these latest events.
on Jun 10th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Geert Wilders and the Indian politicians you mention have one thing in common: they speak against fanatics and their ‘great work for humanity’…
Would you be happy if the fanatics have their ‘day’ and none reacts….???
on Jun 10th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
In such puralistic societies as India and the Netherlands, negative reactions and ideologies can and will arise causing stress and tensions within the social fabric, and within them contain many contradictions in how they are dealt with. In the Netherlands, at least the PVV must still function within a modern democracy and constitution in order to exppress its ideology and receive a reaction to it that is measured in a peaceful orderly manner. In countries where such a system does not exist, or does not function properly, chaos and violence ensue. This is uniquely the strength of democracy, to allow and withstand continuous questioning and protest of itself only to arise as a stronger entity over the historical long term. The PVV election result is disheartening, but not the totality of the values of Dutch society. Think again of your mother, Dheera, her personal outlook on life got her and your family through one of India’s toughest times during the period of partition. She can be thanked very much for her philosophy and what it pragmatically achieved. As for the strengths and weaknesses in journalism and perspectives on society, there are many instances whereby journalism cannot forsee radical shifts in social thinking and their consequences, the contemporary case of Turkey as an example. Be on your guard as always, Dheera, but don’t allow this requirement of vigilance to deter your outlook and enjoyment of life. Afterall, think of the philosophy you will wish to impart to your daughters, and how they will think of you throughout their lives.
on Jun 11th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Jasmin I certainly don’t advocate any fanatics having their “day” and admit I’m a bit confused about what your comment means as a response to what I wrote.
And David - you’re right, I rejoice in a functioning democracy everywhere, even if it doesn’t always go “our way”. And am forever grateful for my mother’s positive outlook on life, though there’s no avoiding the occasional down moments.
on Jun 14th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Thanks, Dheera. What I meant was,…. for centuries, the Muslims have committed atrocities on the non-muslims in India. And they have not revolted or reacted to that, and even if they did, they were killed or forced to embrace Islam. Now for the past few decades, the non-muslims in India have got the guts to speak against it…which is not finding favour with the ’secular’, and the intelligentsia, who were strangely mum before…I repeat again, the exodus of Hindus from Kashmir has not been highlighted the way it should have been, by the Indian/international media. Conversely, had this been a Muslim exodus from Kashmir, the whole world would have reacted fiercely. I am the only one out of my scores of uprooted relatives, who is taking up this issue regularly, they just have resigned to their fate and lying low. You people highlight Wilders and Thackery’s, whose ways might not be to the liking of the majority, but think deeply, they are right…If Thackery says, non Marathis have taken away the opportunities of the locals- he is right. If Europe or US say that Asians have taken over the job market, they are right. We have become too selfish and greedy and migrate for greener pastures, realising little that where will the youth of those countries go for a living. Globalisation is good but becoming a parasite or predator on another land is not. I believe in justice for all. I am afraid, that’s the way, I think, which I know is not much to your liking. I do not want to be seen as politically correct, but as some one who thinks practically for all…
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
There IS a Muslim exodus from Kashmir - 35,000 people who have been living in miserable camps in Pakistan in as dismal a situation as the Hindus in the camps in Jammu. And it is a fact that really NOBODY knows about them, much less cares.
I cannot agree with your comments either about Muslims or about people coming from other countries to “take over the job market” of locals. It’s just not that simple. Migration has been around since we the first human beings walked on two legs - and its part of what makes our world wonderfully diverse and rich. Rather than being “predators” as you call them, immigrants have contributed positively to every culture they’ve gone too.
And I - the product of Australia, India, Pakistan and The Netherlands with my Dutch speaking Indian and Chinese daughters am living proof that integration is by no means the impossibility that the likes of Wilders and Thackery claim it to be
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I appreciate your deep concern for the Muslims. Perhaps Hindus aren’t deserving enough to elicit sympathy from the world. Migration does enrich the society they integrate in, but there has to be a limit to what a society can hold before getting overwhelmed by their sheer presence. We have trains full of migrants coming to Punjab from UP and Bihar. They have virtually captured every job in the market and agriculture sector as they are willing to work at lower rates, resulting in Punjabi labour and youth sitting idle. The Punjabi youth are frustrated and are getting into crime and drugs. Others who have some resources, migrate to UK/ Canada/ US/Australia…And now Australia is feeling overwhelmed by thousands of Punjabi youth at their door, and they already have Chinese and Lebanese, resulting in Australian youth going jobless, as the migrants work at lower wages..result- Aussie youth becoming addicts and criminals, resulting in crime against the Punjabi youth…It is a chain reaction,….all go for greener pastures….It is not about you and your daughters getting integrated nicely, but about the jobless native people.
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Are there any happy thoughts left to complain about in contradictory terms?!! The negative vibes seem to have taken over!!
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
”Migration has been around since we the first human beings walked on two legs - and its part of what makes our world wonderfully diverse and rich. Rather than being “predators” as you call them, immigrants have contributed positively to every culture they’ve gone too.”
And yes, that’s how we, the ambitious human beings systematically took away the lands from the Red Indians, Aboriginees, Dravidians, Sinhalese, African and South American tribes and all the other tribes in the world. Why should we care about them, we are superior and want all that the world has to offer to us…And yes, thanks for correcting me: The Muslims are the most peace loving people in the world, I will remember that.
on Jun 15th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
@David Berridge. Yes, the happy thoughts are there. As I said, all the warring factions of the world have stopped their violence. We all are peace loving people on this earth. There is no negativity around. All is well, and all are watching World Cup amidst sweet vuvuzelas. God is at peace, at last and is having a deserving nap after centuries of turmoil on earth. Universe is smiling, as I type the words….Positivity all around..