Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bobby and Gay Marriage

I guess it's not exactly a new thing, Bobby's stand on gay marriage, but I read about it in news a few days back, and it was like the air was let out of the tire. You could hear the sound. Any warmth I felt for Bobby stands deflated. 

Being against gay marriage today is like being against voting rights for blacks, in 1969. It is time to go to the moon, and you are against what now? 

At best I will watch the 2016 race unfold in Google News headlines. I got done with political volunteering in 2008. I am also quite taken with watching Modi unfold in India. The guy promises to be India's own Deng Xiaoping, its own Yee Kuan Lew. And I read about him nearly daily. 


Monday, January 19, 2015

The Psychological Underpinnings Of The Caste System

Caste AS
Caste AS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hinduism is 10,000 years old. But the caste system is only 1,000 years old. Why did Hinduism after existing for 9,000 years suddenly feel the need for a caste system?

When Modi became Prime Minister he said India after a gap of 1,000 years had thrown the yoke and is now ruling itself. Well, I guess that is plus minus 50 years. Because India became independent over half a century ago. But what is plus minus 50 years when you are talking in terms of thousands of years.

When a Hindu India got invaded by Muslim rulers the religion developed this strangest thing called the caste system. Hindus broke themselves up into all sorts of castes and sub-castes. The unity was broken. I call it self hate. The colonization was internalized. And the caste system was born.

That is to say now creating a casteless Hinduism is essential to Hindu freedom. Hindus are not free unless the caste system is completely dismantled. This requires coming up with casteless last names. This requires Hindus marrying Hindus regardless of caste background. I think the RSS people have work cutout for them.

Bobby Jindal's Speech

English: Governor Bobby Jindal at the Republic...
English: Governor Bobby Jindal at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
‘Let's be honest here, Islam has a problem,’ claims Indian-American politician Bobby Jindal

I just read a pretty interesting speech by Bobby Jindal. I take ethnic pride in Bobby, I always have. The guy is smart as a whick. But he also amuses me in that he is at the other end of the spectrum, especially on social issues. I could start a meme that goes, Things That Bobby Says. But I am also cognizant that on social issues this is a live and let live country. Barack Obama coming to the White House has not been an existential crisis for those who have alternate social views. And so Bobby's social stances are amusing to me, not threatening. Live and let live. I think the next President Of The United States should be someone who will help create the industries of tomorrow. That has got to be the number one quality. And right now I am asking if Bobby might be that person or not. I don't know. The guy is a blip on the radar right now. But then where was Bill Clinton in the polls in 1991? Make it 1989.

To Bobby's credit, thanks to him, I have taken a genuine look at many conservative positions. I have been like, really? You believe that? For example, guns. I watched American Sniper last night at a theater near Times Square. It broke my heart that this dude was felled by a stray bullet. To me that is a gun control issue. Bobby feels differently. But I also give that Bobby's Second Amendment stance is symbolic of the rugged individualism this country was founded on that I find so endearing. I like individualism, I like personal space. I just want that rugged individualism to not be dependent on guns.

Bobby says it is White House or bust for him. I like that attitude.

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Immigration: Breathe In, Breathe Out


My lawyer Rudrakumaran Visuvanathan assures me I have nothing to worry about. Very likely I will be granted Withdrawal Of Removal. Relief. Peace of mind.

Friday, January 02, 2015

A Bush Clinton Race?



It might happen. You might see a Bush-Clinton race in 2016. The two might have famous last names, but both are political figures in their own rights, with proven records all their own. So I guess it's fair game. It is not exactly dynasty politics. Or maybe it is.

But since the two families are so close, 2016 might end up being a decent election. That would be a far cry from the witch hunts pre-Lewinsky. A decent contest would be a good thing, a contest where you think both are good individuals, just with different worldviews.

I was just hoping Hillary would pick a woman for running mate. That is my only ask.

I have been reading George W's book about his father. The book is simply called 41. Democrats never thought W was a man of words. They stand proven right. The book is a great read.


Friday, December 26, 2014

Hinduism Should Go Global Like Bollywood

Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version.
Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Higher detail image of Swami_Vivekana...
English: Higher detail image of Swami_Vivekananda.jpg Swami Vivekananda, September, 1893, Chicaco, signed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Amitabh Bachchan photographed by Stud...
English: Amitabh Bachchan photographed by Studio Harcourt Paris Français : Amitabh Bachchan photographié par Studio Harcourt Paris Harcourt Paris (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bollywood rules on all continents. Hinduism is restricted to South Asia. That needs to change.

The ghar wapasi campaign is offensive and a human rights violation. Yeah, if there are Muslims and Christians in India who would like to convert to Hinduism out of free will, why not? It is their right. But to conduct campaigns to try to get them is offensive.

Diversity is India's number one strength. If ever India is to surpass America it will be because India has figured out a way to celebrate diversity better than America, that free speech is more celebrated in India than in America. So the RSS folks are trying to take India in the wrong direction. Cease and desist. Ye superpower banne ka koi tarika hai kya?

The RSS should instead create a global wing and send workers/swayamsevaks to all continents. Amitabh jahan jahan pahunche hain us sabhi jagah jao. Ye to nahin ki unke pas aadmiyon ki koi kami hai. Subah subah dher dand baithki karte hain. To what end? Kuchh to kaam karo, matribhoomi ka naam raushan karo. Africa jao, Amrika jao, Europe ko jao, Australia jao, Rous, China, Japan jao, dharm prachar karo. 

जरुरत है कि एक casteless Hinduism का निर्माण किया जाए। हिन्दु धर्म १०,००० साल पुराना है। लेकिन caste system सिर्फ १,००० साल पुराना है। ये caste system हिन्दु धर्मको प्रगतिके पथ पे चल्ने से रोक रही है। सौ दो सौ नए last names का निर्माण किया जाए। कुछ कवि लोगों को इकठ्ठा किजिए और कहिए बच्चन जैसे सौ दो सौ last names का निर्माण करें।

नहीं तो दुनिया भर के लोगों को क्या कहिएगा? मायावती के तरह दलित बन्ने को बोलिएगा? कि मोदी के तरह तेली बन्ने को बोलिएगा? कि गान्धी के तरह बनिया बन जाने को बोलिएगा? कि नेहरू के तरह पण्डित बन जाने को बोलिएगा? अगर वो पण्डित बनते भी हैं तो अभी जो पहले से पण्डित हैं वो उनको स्वीकार करेंगे क्या? बड़ी विकराल समस्या है। दुनिया में तरह तरह के लोग हैं ---- काले, पीले, गोरे। वैसे पंडितो को देख के भारतके पंडित चहक जाएंगे।

लेकिन बच्चन के तरह casteless होने को सब राजी हो जाएंगे। एक अमिताभ ही बच्चन क्यों रहेंगे? भले ही उस last name को उनके बापने निर्माण किया हो, लेकिन वो last name उनकी बपौती तो नहीं न है। हरिवंश राय एक पब्लिक फिगर थे, सारे भारत वर्षके धरोहर थे।

मैं तो RSS वालों को यही कहुँगा कि दुनिया के कोने कोने में जाइए और १०-२० करोड़ बच्चन पैदा किजिए। भारतमें तो हिंदुवो की कोइ कमी थोड़े है? १०० करोड़ से ज्यादा हैं और बहुत पैदा भी करते रहते हैं। कमी है तो अफ्रिका, अमरीका, युरोप, चीन, जापान, ऑस्ट्रेलिया में।

मिशन पर जाइए और जोड़ तोड़के साथ हिन्दु धर्मका प्रचार प्रसार किजिए। इच्छुक लोगोंको कन्वर्ट किजिए।

आजके दुनियामें सुपरपावर गोला बारूद से नहीं बना जाता है। सबसे उपर है economics जिसको मोदी development बोलते हैं। मोदीको काम करने दिजिए, डेवलपमेंट के एजेंडा को derail मत किजिए, अगर भारतको ग्लोबल सुपरपावर बनते देखना चाहते हैं तो। ये सॉफ्ट पावर का जमाना है। अणु बम बन जाने के बाद लडाइ तो होती नहीं है। लेकिन बॉलीवुड और हिन्दु धर्म को विश्वके कोने कोने में ले जाएँ। भारतको ग्लोबल सुपरपावर बनाना है तो।

लव जिहाद और घर वापसी वाला ढकोसला आप लोगों को शोभा नहीं देती। जाइए दुनिया घुमिए।

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ghar Wapasi Nahin, Full Blown Conversion

Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version.
Symbol of Hinduism, white and golden version. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Hindu fanatics in India who are disturbing Modi's development focus by the whole ghar wapasi thing --- they should muster their strengths and do the real thing. They should organize global campaigns, go to all continents, create a major online presence, and go everywhere on the planet to teach people who are eager and willing to learn more about Hinduism and possibly convert and become Hindu. The RSS should create a missionary wing, and do this. Go outside India, go outside South Asia.

Religious freedom is a fundamental human right, like free speech. Stop second guessing Hindus who converted to other religions. Try converting people from other religions into Hinduism. I feel like there are not enough Hindus on the planet. And it is a great religion. Spread the word out.

I have a question. What caste will you place those new converts into? Or will you create a new casteless kind of Hinduism? It is about time.