In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy #19 JAWAHARA

You are dodging the issue by being subjective and not specific. Commit a blasphemy right now. Say ``Sita was a whore but yet I am a Hindu`` or ``Jesus was a lunatic but yet I am a christian`` or ``Moses was no more than a drunkard and yet I am a Jew`` or ``Prophet Sahib was simply a Nautanki who compiled a book listening to the tribal ballad and yet I am a Muslim.``

But sorry to say what you would like to do (in the name of blasphemy) is to ``redicule`` religion, religous icons and religous beliefs.

In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy Re: # 16

``Some people believe strongly in communism...So, according to you, people have no right to question the commie theories? ``

I have already said that ``questioning`` is not blasphemy. Even rediculing religion is also not blasphemy. Blasphemy is when you challange an accepted thought without giving a convincing reply.

I dont know what would be a blasphemy in Hinduism, but it would be a blasphemy in christianity if you say Jesus was not cruxified or jesus did not resurrect after three days. In Islam it would be that Prophet Mohammed is not the messenger of Allah.

In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy Re: # 7

``Kaal,
Why you wanna pigeonhole him? I like this guy at least he can think for himself. Why should his nationality be a matter of concern? ``

Oh! So Kaal is doubting about my nationality!!!!!!!!! I am a khalis UP Bhaiyya, an Allahabadi. As far as my thoughts and sensibilties are concerned, I feel they are my own territory. If you like them, fine, and if you dont like them, still fine for me.

In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy Re: # 6

Yes! Definitely. I stand by what I have said in my profile. Why should you doubt that? Yes, it is true that while discussing any religion, I generally refer to Islam and not Hinduism because Islam is a simpler and clearer religous thought. More people understand it in a better way. As far as Hinduism is concerned, most of the Hindus themselves are not very well aware of it.

But if you want to discuss Hinduism with me, you are most welcome.

The Leveling of America #573 rsridhar contd..

And please dont mind that it is my observation here in Chowk that whenever a new topic is posted, the interaction starts on a serious note. Then someone will come and try to divert the topic. If he is an Pakistani, he is generally ignored. If he is an Indian and he is ignored, then you will see another of his buddy will come, then third ,then fourth. It is not clear whether one person writes with different IDs or there is behind-the-scene e-mail circuit or something like that. And lastly it would be that we are great because so and so american tells us so and you are a foll because so and so american tells you so. So have we become so much bankrupt that we have sold our souls to america. Yes, America is our good friend and we are business partners of each other. NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS. But we have not sold ourselves to america.

The Leveling of America #556 RSRIDHAR

Frankly speaking, you guys push Pakistanis too much. I am also an Indian. I dont do that. Do I? Am I less Indian than you? Perhaps I try to look beyond what is visible. I have been doing it for the past many years and I have a different picture of Pakistan and Pakistanis. If I bring out that picture here none of you would agree but 100% of the Pakistanis would agree.

As far as I understand , India is a sad reality for them. It is something which they cant either chew or throw. They have to just grapple with it. When they look at it from a distance, India appears to be their very own reflection--but when they come closer, they get a huge jolt. Jolt in the form of hearing that being a Muslim is a sin...Following Islam is inhuman. Just as every Hindu is not a member of RSS/Bajrang Dal, every muslims is not a member of Al-qaida/Jehad. I have kept my ID as Bolta_aaina just to tell the Pakistanis that whatever they see in India from a distance i.e. their own reflection in the mirror is indeed TRUE. WE ARE WHAT YOU SEE US AND NOT WHAT YOU HEAR US. Similarly, all Pakistanis are not those which we all SEE.

The real culprit in Indo-Pak affair is none other than America. During the era of cold war, it used to instigate Pakistanis by calling Indians as filthy Hindoos. Now, it instigates Indians by calling Pakistanis as bloody Muslims. The image of a typical Hindoo in the minds of Pakistanis is the creation of America. And reverse is also true.

I dont think we should mentally torture them for the deeds on which they have no control. Theyare common people and have no control over their country, unfortunately. The best way to interact with them is to discuss various issues which concern us. Let us try to see ourselves from their eyes and try to improve upon our weaknesses.

Most of the time I find that you people are telling them that so and so american MNC is investing so many billions of dollars in India. Is it our achievement in true sense?? Our day will come when Indian MNCs will invest billion of dollars in America. And I can tell you that this euphoria of IT and BPO business is too risky. If it bursts, we wont be able to show our faces to the Pakistanis again.

In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy Continued From #1

An example of blasphemy would be to tell others that `` Your belief in Allah is correct. But Prophet Mohammed was not his messenger. That messenger is me.``.

In Praise (and Defence) of Blasphemy You have not elaborated what do you mean by ``blasphemy``? Or what does it mean to you? Questioning is not blasphemy? To question whether Prophet Mohammed really received revelations from Allah is not blasphemy. Its an innocent query from a doubtful which is to be replied.

Blasphemy is when you stand before a crowd in a temple and tell them ``hey you fools, what is the fun worshipping this piece of stone?`` Or stand in a mosque and tell the people there ``hey you fools, before whom you are bowing down, because there is no Allah``. This is blasphemy because you are forcing something on to the others without giving them a convincing reply. Jesus as well as Prophet Mohammed were considered blasphemious in their times because they had no convincing reply to what they were saying or doing.

Sorry to say that it is not your birth-right to question somebody`s faith in something in which you do not have any faith in it. Just saing that I dont believe in this or that is not going to help. If you want others to believe in you then you must also give the explanation for what you say.

The things would have been clearer if you had indeed committed a blasphemy in your article. Or atleast I didnt find one.

The Forgotten Economics of SAFTA RE HP,DOST-MITTAR,LAYMAN

HP- I think you have taken my point of cultural and spritual seat well. The portions where Pakistan and Bangladesh are situated have never influenced the mainland. Now for example, what does an Indian Hindu or Muslim have at stake in Pak or BD. Both the communities have all those centres which affect them socially, culturally and religously within their country. But when the thing open up, Pakistanis and BDs will naturally look more and more towards the mainland which has those centres. This may lead to an identity crisis in them as citizens of sovereign countries which would not be without consequences.

DOST-MITTAR- We will leading towards a disaster if we ignore the social aspect of SAFTA by thinking that the economics will be a great leveller. We subcontinentalites cannot be compared to other like NAFTA, EU, ASEAN etc. We were historically one people, decided to separate and then again deciding to unite. Although this step is welcome and our ultimate future lies is living under a single roof--whatever that may mean to different people-- but we have weigh the social costs first. If we fail, we may not get the second chance. If we force something from the above for which people are not ready, then it will be suicidal. The only thing is that before we embark upon something as SAFTA, the common people are to be taken into confidence, they are to be informed of their likely impacts and social & cultural changes it may lead to.

LAYMAN--What exactly will be the final shape of SAFTA, we dont at this moment. Thats what we are trying to analyse. But it is certain that though a large majority of people will integrate but some people will be left out altogether. For example, Sindhi, Punjabis, Bengalis, North Indians and others will definitely integrate. But what about Kashmiris, Pathans, Balochs, North-east Indians? The immediate biggest beneficiaries will be Punjab, Sindh, Gujarat , Rajasthan and Bombay. The people of these places have been doing business with each other since centuries. The others will have to wait till they get the real fruits of SAFTA.

In the final analysis, SAFTA is welcome, but dont ignore its social costs.

The Forgotten Economics of SAFTA Further to Post#2, talking about SAFTA is opening the lock of the gate of Reunification. Are we ready for that or is it acceptable to us in the ultimate?? Because when people, goods and services start moving freely then this question is difinitely going to arise in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh? We cant run from this reality. This issue will have to be discussed openly along with the peoples.

All these issues are to be deliberated and sorted out only then we can talk on economics and trade.

As far as trade and business is concerned, we should not worry too much. The people of the subcontinent have centuries of trade experience. It is not going to happen in the long run that one group will lead and others will suffer.

But the social cost can be tremedous of which we dont have any idea what it may be ?

The Forgotten Economics of SAFTA My opinion on the subject is that a free trade agreement in the subcontinent will not be without a huge social and cultural cost to the smaller countries. We have to accept it first.

If we look at the demography, Hindus and Muslims will be the two most dominant groups. Hindus concentrated in India. Muslims concentrated in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Here we have to keep one thing in mind is that the spritual and cultural seats of both Hindus and Muslims lie in the mainland India only. Indo-islam does not have any seat in Pakistan or Bangladesh. This would tremendously affect the societies of Pakistan and Bangladesh that more and more common people will look towards Indian mainland as their materialistic and spritual destination. This would definitely spark anti-India feelings in Pakistan and Bangladesh. SO HOW FAR WE ARE GOING TO ACCEPT THIS SOCIAL CHANGE NEEDS TO BE DELIBERATED AND DISCUSSED. It should not happen that when Bollywood(which is not Indian but actually Hindu+Muslim Cultural Entity) starts ruling the minds of the people and then there is a hue and cry. The social and cultural impact of SAFTA will be so much so much on Pakistan and Bangladesh that they may be in the danger of losing their identities in the eyes of themselves as well as the world. We have to keep this mind.

As for India, when Hindus and Muslims of the subcontinent in their gigantic numbers come closer, there would definitely be an uneasiness amongst other minorities. How would India cope up with that? What would the Sikhs feel?

I feel before there can be any meaningful talk on SAFTA, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh should ponder carefully how much impact of SAFTA can they take on their societies. Otherwise, SAFTA will prove to be a disaster.

I would request the author to elaborate how these matters are going to be tackled before the economies are integrated together.

The Leveling of America #499 MONTOLIVES

You have spoken your heart. But dont get demoralised or dont lose faith in something which is known as India to you. First thing is that 50 years of enemity and rivalry cannot be wiped out in 5 years or so. A lot of misunderstandings have been created by the powers-that-be in both the countries amongst the peoples. Then there are also international issues like cold-war, rivalries of the most-powerfuls etc. which prohibit common people to live the life they choose.

But all is not that bad. If my experience of the past 5-6 years on the net has any meaning, then I can say that the bitterness between the two peoples today is much less than what was 5-6 years back. And important thing is that mature people from both sides of the border are now visible who do not have the typical stereotype thinking. Though the numbers is small but it is growing.

I agree that Indians press the Pakistanis too hard in any forum you go. And these Indians are mostly NRIs. What has hurt them in the past or what is hurting them now is best known to them. It is true that they see Pakistan as the root cause of Jehad in India and Kashmir. What they should understand is that Jehad is a worldwide phenomenon. Pakistan or no Pakistan. If it is not pakistan, it will enter India through Bangladesh. If not Bangladesh, it will enter through Nepal. India has to fight it out on its own.

I think Indians need maturity in dealing with Pakistanis. Pakistanis are more balanced and mature than Indians--there is no doubt. Indians no doubt lack the experience of mingling with the peoples of other countries. Pakistanis, being well connected to the Islamic world, know how to interact with country cousins, whereas Indians dont because they dont have one. If there is anyone, they are Pakistanis.

In the end, dont lose your heart. Let us carry on our interactions. It is only through interactions these problems will get solved,Inshaallah.

The Leveling of America The woods are lovely dark & deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And Miles to go before I sleep.

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Let above be the sign of new times.

The Leveling of America #438 MASADI

``What about one person having 5 phone lines, should we divide up the phone lines by 5 as well and come to a smaller number, or a public phone service serving 1000 people, should we multiply that by 1000?. No, measures of phone access do not work in this fashion, they work just like the Hindu Business Line has quoted, PER 100 population, and per that calculation 95% of Indians do not have a land line. End of story. ``

If the above is your economic theory, then development means an excessive overconsumption. Suppose, there is family of four persons and they have one landline phone. Now what you are saying is that the balance three persons of the family are without a telephone. Theoritically right but practically wrong.

Now that one family has one earning member and three dependents. Then your economic theory puts the non-earning members below poverty line as they are not earning anything. Again theoritically right but practically wrong.

Though I am not an economics student but I understand keeping all the above factors in view, the world has made certain standards and we have to follow those standards only. There is no point in contradicting those figures as it will not lead to anything.

My other point was that by making 90% Indians poor, your theory makes the balance 10% Indians fabulously rich. The Indian GNP as per PPP is about $ 3.0 Trillion. The population is about 1 Billion. If 90% people are poor, then it would mean that these 90% are not consuming more than 10% of the GN Produce and 90% of GNPd is consumed by 10% Indians. That way the living standards of Top 10% Indians would reach that of Germany which is again not supported by the observation. The only logic could be that the Indian GNPd of $3.0 Trillion is consumed by a much larger population ,atleast 3-4 times more, as that would support the observation that an average German is many times richer than an average Indian.

You are taking pains by quoting various data and statistics from various sources but at the same time you must analyse what you say from various angles and see where are you going.

The Leveling of America Re MASADI

By saying that 90% of Indian population is poor, aint you making the balance 10% stupendously rich? Just think it over.

Bye

The Leveling of America #412

It is your fault that your data fails miserably when it is juxtaposed with other available data. The data provided by the international institutions is accepted by one and all except a few who challenge them. If the international data tells that percapita income of South Korea is more than that of India, anybody would believe it. But not the reverse. Because what your data says should also be visible on the surface. Otherwise, that data is faulty.

And sorry to say that if you want to force your own pre-concieved notions by langauge or statistics down the throat of others, then nobody is going to believe you.

Liberalisation might have failed but the other systems have failed more miserably. There is no other alternative except to open up, compete and survive. If somebody wants to shutup his doors and sit inside his house, well that is his choice.