Friday, August 27, 2010

The Zero Mosque

I thought that there is no need to write about building mosque near Ground Zero site. The twin towers were destroyed by Islamic militants and to build a mosque next to the site would be too inflammatory to a lot of people. Apparently, the permission was given last year and the controversy started only this year. What ever may be the case the fact is that the decision to build Islamic community center and mosque next to the site where 3000 innocent people met most ghastly death was shocking and frankly, uncalled for. It is often pointed out that there is already a mosque few blocks away from Ground Zero. But what is not mentioned that the mosque was build before 9/11 happened. And no one is asking to remove or demolish that mosque. The mosque was there and it still will be there. Muslims have been praying in that mosque and will continue to pray in that mosque. The question here is why somebody wants to build the mosque right next to the Ground Zero? Let’s look at the issue point of point. Is building mosque legal?

The answer is unequivocally yes. Not only legal but the right to worship is part of American constitution. The Liberal media (including my beloved New York Times and New Yorker) often points this out. According to them there shouldn’t be any discrimination against building any religious structure as long as it’s on legal land. I couldn’t agree with them more. All though sometimes I wonder how Times gets away with jumping fence over from news reporting to opinion dessimating. If someone wants to build a mosque in uptown, you are most welcome! If someone wants to build mosque in midtown, you are most welcome! But if someone wants to build mosque near ground zero, where few years ago 19 well educated, middle class and well to do young men created havoc in the name of Islam, one has to think of other motives. I am not talking about Terrorist motive and that this community center will provide base for nefarious activities. There is no reason to believe as such. But the mosque builder surely wants to attract controversy and create upheaval by building so close to Ground Zero. They know there’s going to be qualified and peaceful dissent against their act. This is helpful in advertising in Muslim world that how America is anti-Islam. In fact American media does this job for them. Just look at see recent Time cover (talk about making non-sense issue instead of honest discussion!) If the mosque and community center is getting built to bridge the gap between Islam and West then creating such controversy isn’t exactly a good first step.

Bridging gap between Islam and West?
The mosque builders state that building community center and mosque has noble motive. They wanted to bridge the gap between West and Islamic world. What stupefies me is that it’s the Islamic world of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Arabia and Iran that’s opposed to west and if that’s the case then they should be opening such centers in those countries and not in freaking, downtown New York City. I don’t think you are going to find any city more liberal and multi-faceted than the New York City. I mean, that city is a living breathing global village. There is no misunderstanding in this side of Atlantic Ocean; it lies on the other side of African continent.

Freedom of Expression?
The freedom of expression comes with responsibility and to build a mosque next Ground Zero is, all though perfectly legal, is highly irresponsible. The opposition is specifically against building a mosque. I don’t think there would have been any opposition to build a Hindu temple or Buddhist pagoda. And this is simply because Hindus or Buddhist didn’t attack the twin towers, Islamic militants in the name of Islam did. The counter-argument is that by saying this we run into risk of labeling all Muslims as terrorist. But the thing is that more than the people who want to label all Muslims as terrorist, a lot of Muslims themselves want to label themselves as such and play as the role of victim. They love to do that. Iran does, so does Pakistan, Palestinians have been crying for I don’t know how long. Afghanis don’t cry they just kill! Of course this doesn’t mean all Iranians are whiners or all Afghanis are terrorists. They are not but that’s how their nations behave in international community. And Muslim community is behaving in a same manner in US too. A peaceful protest does not infringe any of their rights. Fox news network doesn’t represent whole of US and the Muslim community doesn’t understand this then they need to dedicate community center to bridge the gap of rationality in their own mindset.

In the end, the opposition is here is local, only to this mosque. (There are some instances of opposition to building mosque in Michigan and I think, in Tennessee but this opposition is certainly infringement of freedom of expression) And given the delicate nature of location, why somebody would want to build the mosque if it is rubbing so many people in a wrong way? It is so easy to paint all those who oppose as anti-Muslim…wait a minute, isn’t that something you Mosque builders and Mosque supporters oppose to do? Painting the whole community with wide brush!

There is another stupid point by pro-mosquers that there is a strip club next to Ground Zero. A person can be opposed to Strip Clubs in general because it demeans women but other than that why somebody will get riled up to see strip club next to Ground zero, I don’t know. But most importantly strippers did not attack twin towers. They didn’t kill 3000 people. So don’t give me this bull crap that if there is opposition to build a mosque then there shouldn’t be any strip club either. Because if that’s the case then you are basically comparing two things that you don’t want to even think of comparing!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Strengthening Democracy

One of my good friends is doing her residency in US medical school. The US medical school system work little different than India. Here a student has to do regular graduation before going into medical school for their MBBS and then they go for residency where they finish the specialization in one field. Medical residency is a practical experience that all the medical doctors have to take in a teaching hospital after their graduation from medical school. In all it takes at least twelve to thirteen years of education and practical experience before they can set up their own clinic. In India, students go to medical school right after 12th grade and the count of years before he or she can set up clinic is still at least five years. Of course no one sets up clinic with on MBBS. All of the students do MD or MS. So, adding these three years of further education means at least eight years for a medical student in India before starting private practice. All these years are necessary and to be honest if my doctor tells me that he finished his graduation through an online course in eighteen months then I would be having seizure right there.

A Phd in engineer similarly ends up studying at least eight to nine years. Even in a Phd in Economics studies for at least seven years. And after finishing the highest possible education no one appoints them as CEO of an economic research firm or of an engineering firm. The graduating doctors’ still has to slog for hours at an hospital for valuable experience before embarking on private practice. In short expertise in any field not only needs countless hours of education but also needs substantial experience. Well this ain’t no secret. Talent, hard work and perseverance are some of the basic qualities absolutely required to succeed in any field. So if this is a general rule then why on earth we let stupidest mofos run our country? The Indian political class is probably one of the most corrupt ruling classes in the world. They are like leeches. They want power so they can make more money and that money in turn allows them to stay in the power. These politicians usually don’t have expertise in anything. I have never seen any Indian politician (except for Manmohan Singh) with solid resume. For example, the guy had meritorious grades in schools and made money by opening a local business. Or that the guy went to IIT for higher education and then became a political party member and then served as a mayor before embarking the life in state politics graduating into national politics. The only example, apart from Manmohan Singh, among modern politicians to have stellar resume is Mr. Parrikar, a graduate from IIT Mumbai, chief minister of Goa for few years.

Of course, education of any sort doesn’t mean the person is of highest integrity. We have highly intelligent IAS class officers who are equally corrupt as our politicians, if not more. But as our democracy is consistently failing in providing elected representatives who reflect our ambition and our goals. We can not have the legislative branch of democracy unchecked and with absolutely no bar to enter. There has to be a criteria, there has to be some sort of exam and some sort of relevant experience before assuming seat of power. It’s not just holding our politicians accountable for their actions and policies but making sure only accountable people gets elected at first place. It’s high time we tinker our democratic system and align it with national objective. If we aspire to be a developed nation with basic living standard for all citizens, better opportunities for young generation, equality and a nation of good character then our current system that elects corrupt and myopic ruling class. If our vision is grand then we want our leaders to make that vision grander. We don’t want aira-gaira, natthu khaira, as our member of parliament, cabinet minister or our Prime Minister. We want an honest, hard-working, intelligent and patriotic individual with ample administrative experience as our representatives. It’s not too much to ask. Seriously!

Most of the national level politicians have experience in state politics but that because of the ability to pull crowd rather than good administrative record. I understand that pulling crowd is not simple thing. But then these people aren’t leading these crowds towards development. Most of these local politicians are elected because of caste or religious equation. In short the only experience they garner on their journey to national politics is dividing society for garnering votes. Obviously their electoral rhetoric is not about development but rather about some sort of perceived injustice. There are no known criteria to enter politics and worse, there is no bar to get elected. I understand this is democracy but just because one can get votes doesn’t mean he or she is capable of administration. I also know that we have a extremely talented (as well as corrupt) Administrative class selected through rigorous process of IAS examinations. But their presence is no excuse for not having any bar to be a politician.

How about having some sort of criteria for elected politicians? We will have incremental criteria. Basic education like graduation will be required for all elected officials irrespective of the office they are running for. For a person running for state level office like cabinet ministry in state government has to have at least two years of administrative experience at lower level offices like running a city council. Or, the individual should have administrative experience as a junior cabinet minister. Eligibility for chief ministerial position will be little more stringent. A person should be a full cabinet minister running a department for at least three years. In short a Chief Minister will automatically have at least five years of administrative experience – two years of city council or as a junior cabinet minister and then full cabinet level experience of three years. An individual running for Lok-Sabha should pass some sort examination. This examination will cover basic tenets of Indian constitution, workings of legislative assembly i.e. Lok-Sabha and Rajya-Sabha, working mechanism of national government. The course material will also cover current national issues. The exam doesn’t need to be hard. In fact, make the exam open book. The purpose is not to fail a student i.e. an aspiring Member of Parliament but prepare the individual for better functioning of legislative branch of the government.

A cabinet minister in the national government has to be a Lok-Sabha member i.e. an elected individual. He or she has to have three years of junior cabinet level experience or he or she needs to be fulfill eligibility criteria for a Chief Minister Position. Thus a cabinet level minister will have at least three years national level administration experience or he or she has five years of higher level state administration experience. Now, eligibility for Prime Ministership should be most stringent. He or she should be a full cabinet minister in a national government for at least three years. He or she should be a member of Lok-Sabha. And, he or she should be declared, either by the individual or by the party that individual affiliated to, as a candidate for Prime Ministerial position before election. In short no horse trading after voting is completed. We can’t afford another Devegowada or worse, another V.P.Singh! And most importantly that individual should have exposure to armed forces. If that individual is an retired army person then that’s okay but otherwise, there should be a six month course that will cover workings of armed forces, internal security forces and the security issues faced by the country. The course should be available for any member of parliament. The current security situation is grim and constant back stabbing by vile Pakistanis is too much to bear. Our Prime Ministers, right from Nehru to Manmohan Singh, has consistently let nation down when dealing with Pakis. This has cost India humongous amount of resources and countless innocent lives.

I understand enforcing all these criteria will be impossible. And 99.99 people will say that it can only in ideal state. But I have high hopes from my country. In spite of all the troubles we have not only managed to survive but progressed quite a bit. It’s not easy for a country of 1.2 billion people to move but it is possible.

In fact it is necessary if we are ever to achieve our dream.

Friday, August 06, 2010

The Leak

The Leaks created drama for a week. And then nothing! The US media was buzzing with analysis and counter-analysis and all of it conspicuously stopped. One can argue that these leaks are creating havoc thousands of miles away from US mainland and perhaps that explains the apathy of US populace towards back-stabbing drama. But, what about Indians or Indian government? Shouldn't’t they be more alarmed by the picture that’s emerging through these Leaks? Shouldn't’t Indian newspaper carry sustained analysis of the Leaks and create a dialogue for general populace? Shouldn't’t general public demand action from government, especially, considering they are the one in the line of bomb blasts and gun totting mad-men doing shooting practice with AK-47’s on the streets of Mumbai? Unfortunately that would be too much to ask. I know news agencies in India are either too partisan or outright imbecile and unprofessional. I know that government of India is more worried about, well, nothing and cares shit about safety and security of the innocent citizens. And we all know how myopic Indian citizenry is. So there is no surprise in any of it at all.

We demand lowest possible standards from everyone. We don’t expect news agencies to give us real news. We don’t expect politicians to act in the best interest of the country and worst, we don’t expect ourselves to perform our civil duties correctly. Sab ke sab beimaan. Fir bhi mera Bharat Mahaan. Common sense tells us that after US leaves Afghan land, the Taliban will run over the country quickly. And if we apply common sense more then Pakistani army will start ruling Afghanistan again through Taliban proxy and if history is any precursor then after settling the scores in Afghanistan these useless and extremely harmful viruses will continue the journey of mayhem into Kashmir. Except the history in this case isn’t exactly history yet. It happened only twenty years ago.

When US was done having fun in Afghanistan they left these creatures enormous cache of guns and ammunition and pretty much nothing else to do. The infrastructure, if something of that sort ever existed in Afghanistan, was totally flattened by Russian army. The working class probably vanished. And what’s left in Afghanistan was gun-wielding, illiterate young men drunk on religious zealotry. As if that wasn’t enough then these Afghanis were supported by scores of Pakis and Arabs in the war. All these people were suddenly jobless and were told to turn their attention to Kashmir. Everybody knows what happened next. Right? Well not exactly. I don’t think many Indians know what happened in Kashmir. Even I don’t know enough to fill a blog on this issue.

When Kashmir erupted in flames in 1989, the region was religiously cleansed of Hindus. Scores of Kashmiri Hindus were killed and those who survived were forced to flee the valley. Then once Kashmir became an Islamic state, a war cry was given to free the region from the “clutches” of Hindu India. Enough Kashmiri Muslims were roused to take weapons against their own country and they were well supported by scores of Afghanis and Pakis who were making their way into Kashmir valley. Caught off guard (which, generally, is the case) the Indian government deployed thousands of army soldiers in the valley. Without understanding the real issue and lacking skills to deal with hostile native population as well as fighting a counter-insurgency operation, Indian army lost scores of young, talented and patriotic young men. This continued for few years culminating, sadly enough, into Lahore bus ride (Vajpayee ji, really?) and then back stabbing in Kargil. But talking about Kargil is getting ahead of us because in 90’s the busy-bees of Pakistani army were simultaneously playing a different ball game with their other neighbor - Afghanistan.

No body knows where Taliban came from but Pakistani army propelled them to the seat of Kabul so rapidly that no one was sure how to take the news. Except for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai no one recognized their legitimacy. Nonetheless, Taliban immediately started nourishing terrorist network, most notably among all, of Osama Bin Laden. Things quite down a bit in Afghan land. It was all hell inside Afghanistan but they weren’t making any waves for outside world. Pakistani army during that time, perhaps cocky from their success in Afghanistan, decided to intrude into Kashmir ensuing what’s now known as Kargil war.
Their plan was simple. During winter both, Indian and Pakistani, armies back down from super freezing heights of Himalaya. Taking advantage of this situation Pakistani army positioned their regular army, disguised as Kashmiri freedom fighters, atop heights of Kargil heights. The operation was darn hard their objective was to cut off Kashmir from rest of the India by capturing the vital highway by controlling the kargil heights that overlooks the highway. When Indian army found out the intrusion, it was quite late and the army operation to wrest Kargil heights back from Pakistani army cost cost India at least one thousand young lads. The war was bitter and Indian soldiers were brave. But little did they understand that they should be worried about corrupt and useless politicians of Delhi rather than Pakistani army. After all, Indian army has kicked Pakistani ass numerous times before. And I am sure they can do that as many times needed in the future.
There was some quite time after Kargil war on Kashmir front and if it wasn’t for afghani-arab terror network destabilizing New York City, I am sure that Pakistani army was using this ‘time-off’ to plan another devious insurgent operation in India. But as US troops started piling up across the Durand line (official border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is called as Durand line after British general who separated these two nations) Pakistan was left with not much better option than bombing various Indian cities and sending gunmen on to Mumbai streets.

This Dummies guide for Pakistani terrorist network is not a secret. Everyone knows about it. Except for inept and corrupt politicians sitting in Delhi rest of the India knows about it. And unfortunately the whole cycle is poised to repeat again. The US is surely going to leave Afghanistan sooner than later and Pakistan will build its stronghold again in Kabul. The current government of Afghanistan is not only incompetent but extremely corrupt too and they will readily let Pakistan take over. After capturing Kabul Pakistan will have ample time to do start worrying about killing innocent Indian citizens. And looking at the indication then we can confidently say that Indian government will do absolutely nothing to safeguard the civilians. They would rather have a peace dialogue with Pakistan than to prosecute and hang convicted terrorists.

I have a great idea. The best way to keep all citizens safe is take away Z-Plus security from all the politicians. Let them live like common citizens fearing bomb blast or gun wielding assassins spraying bullets anytime and let’s see how they act then!