Ayodhya: Proud of my India

The court has finally made the decision and so far peace has prevailed. I was not able to sleep last night late until 3:00 AM and thank God, goodness has yet prevailed. If people don’t agree, let it go to Supreme court, we have to prove to the world that we are a nation that respects rule of Law. Let other nations in the world look up to our model and never, every dream of becoming like the very ones we denigrate.

There are over 4000 articles to read, I have read a few and am sure you all have read as many. There are two that really are patriotic articles, where they wish the best outcomes for all Indians.

Every society is composed of Good, Bad and Ugly and each one reflects what he or she is loaded with. There is famous saying that you cannot expect clean water from a sewer and certainly we will find a lot of hateful material floating and I do not expect good coming out of the hard core hate boys, be it Muslims, Hindus or any one. The ratio of good to bad is 99:1. It is time for good people to speak up.

Lets show the world that we are a pluralistic democracy and that we honor the rule of law. No doubt a few on both sides will create trouble, I hope a good majority of us will not fall prey to the temptations and remain good. Let’s take pride in being good citizens.

Jai Hind

Mike Ghouse

Ayodhya issue: ‘This is ultimate test of Indian faith’

Published: Thursday, Sep 30, 2010, 8:42 IST
By Sumaa Takur | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_ayodhya-issue-this-is-ultimate-test-of-indian-faith_1445489

Even as the crucial verdict on the Ayodhya issue is going to be made public today, the city’s intelligentsia is crossing its fingers. The city’s influentials and bright minds are hoping that people demonstrate, when most needed, the main teachings of peace and harmony that the two religions of Hinduism and Islam stand for.

“In recent times for all the wrong reasons, India has been poorly portrayed and this is an opportunity to show the world that we are truly descendants of a great civilisation. As a nation, it will test our true self, and we should do nothing that makes our heritage covered with shame,” says Subroto Bagchi, gardener and vice-chairman, MindTree, a global IT solution company. “We must maintain calm irrespective of the outcome of the verdict on Ayodhya. Any act against a fellow human being will be an act against God,” he says.

Jnanpith award winning author, Prof UR Ananthamurthy, says the people should transcend the need for a physical space to practice religion. “Islam is a great religion. The greatness of Islam lies in the fact that Muslims do not even need a mosque to pray. I have seen this everywhere. When it is time to pray, Muslims do not go looking for a mosque. They turn west and surrender themselves to Almighty God. They can pray even on the pavement. This religion has built itself to sustain and survive without a symbolic building,”
he says.

“This is true for the Hindus as well. Ram should not be merely a historical figure born in any particular place. He is a figure of mythology more truly than historical truth. For, it is a perennial truth for devotees of Rama. Ram is everywhere. I recall a famous statement by a former chief minister of Kerala, EK Nayanar. He once said: ‘I always thought Ram was born in Kerala’,” adds Ananthamurthy.

He is of the opinion that both religions must have an understanding of the other religion. Members of each religion must also build the capacity to keep the religion alive beyond physical symbols. “A good example of communal harmony worth remembering now is in Bidar. During the Ganesha Chaturthi festival procession, the Hindus stop ringing the bells and the loud noises when they pass by mosques where Muslims are praying.

They are sensitive to the fact that the Muslims need silence when they pray. Each should respect the others’ space,” he says.

Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde appeals to the citizens ofBangalore to listen to their humane side. “We are humans, first and foremost. We belong to a religion by the chance of birth into a household or by fate. Let not the latter take away the human in us,” he says.

Captain GR Gopinath, the man who ‘simplified’ flying in the country, asks people to beware of opportunists. “All parties and leaders must step back and respect the court verdict on Ayodhya. We have to focus on good governance to reduce corruption which has become so brazen and pervasive it is going to destroy the country,” he says.

There are more urgent matters in the country that demand our focus, he says. “We must aim to provide affordable and quality rural education, healthcare for common people and pool all our resources to build a robust infrastructure. This will enable us to create jobs across India for the vast population which will have to migrate from agriculture,” says Gopinath. He adds that the prerequisite for all this to happen is communal harmony.

“We must start by rejecting all self-serving fundamentalists and politicians who are dividing this country, and stand united for peace and communal harmony.

Swati Ramanathan, co-founder, Janagraha, says, “There is so much to fight for —- this is not one of them. There is no winning or losing in this. Of what value is a sentiment of hate and intolerance that corrodes society and our very souls? As humanity there is more that connects us than divides us. Mandira or Masjid, these are mere shells —- our God resides within us. Peace be with us.”

India of 2010 is different from that of 1992′

Published: Friday, Oct 1, 2010, 2:54 IST

By Team DNA | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_india-of-2010-is-different-from-that-of-1992_1445887

Peace will prevail and we will be patient,” was the most common sentiment prevalant in the city on Thursday. As the verdict was announced and televsion sets turned on, social organisations and activists were happy to note that the judgment was accepted gracefully by both the communities.

“It is heartening that the India of 2010 is vastly different from that of 1992. The common man is more aware of the need for peace and tolerance,” said Jatin Desai, national secretary of Pakistan-India Forum for Peace and Demoracy.

Activists in communally sensitive areas went into an overdrive, going door-to-door urging people to accept the judgment gracefully, holding meetings with neighbours and talking to the youth about the importance of the judgement.

Some hurriedly put up banners to communicate themessage of peace. “It is important to respect the verdict and maintain peace and harmony,” said Ibhrahim Tai, president of the Muslim Council Trust.

Activists observed that the mood in both the communities was that of acceptance though there was a bit of confusion and dissent over the three-way sharing of the land.

“Most of the people we have met have gracefully accepted the verdict as they have decided that they will not let anybody take advantage of their emotions,” said advocate Mubin Solkar, president of Indian Mumbaikars for Peace and Community Togetherness (IMPACT).

Solkar said his organisation will conduct a ‘peace programme’ for Hindus and Muslims over the next few days so that vested interests don’t misinterpret the judgment and instigate communal unrest. “We have submitted a memorandum of our programme to the deputy general of police, commissioner of police and other senior officers,” he said.

A few voices of dissent in the Muslim community were drowned by the mostly relieved tone of the community at large. “If the matter is challenged in the Supreme Court, we will support it,” said Sarfaraz Mohammed, a resident of Bharat Nagar.

Many felt the court had taken a “somewhat neutral stand”. “All parties are getting an equal share. Religious and political leaders should not approach the Supreme Court and let the matter rest for everyone’s good,” said Altaf Patel, a shop owner from Bharat Nagar, Bandra.