2015: Annus mirabilis?

To borrow Queen Elizabeth’s description of the year 1992… 2014 has been an annus horribilis for the world… and to a large extent for India, as well. Unfortunately, two loaded words will define 2014 for us in the subcontinent — massacre and conversion. The connotations of both need to be understood thoroughly. The tragedy that took place in Peshawar, killing over a 100 innocent children, shocked and revolted the world. It pained not just Pakistan, but every other nation as well.

That was the specific diabolic intention of the perpetrators. Sadly, it worked. They won. The rest, lost. While we were still coming to terms with that grisly, sinister attack, we in India, were faced with the bloody butchering of 75 tribals in Assam. Why was the response to these attacks not half as strong? Because we have always taken the lives of our marginalised people entirely for granted — what’s a few tribals, plus or minus, here and there? That is how callous our attitude has been. How foolish! It is not about a “tribal” problem — it is about China. And that is one home truth we refuse to confront.

Had we been more alert 10 years ago while addressing the neglected, unprotected and ignored borders of our seven strategically positioned north-eastern states, perhaps these killings by Bodo militants (trained and sponsored by China), would not have taken place. If only the bada bosses in Delhi had woken up to the enormity of the threat much earlier and invested attention, money and time in those abandoned states, India’s compromise with China would not have been this lop-sided.

By focusing all our energies on dealing with Pakistan, we have missed the bigger picture and failed miserably. Even so, it’s not too late. There is a tougher, more pro-active government at the Centre today. Citizens believe “things will happen”. Nobody is quite sure what exactly those “things” are… but what the hell, it was a forgotten feeling for decades… people had given up on anything happening. For 10 years, India was at a virtual standstill. The only things that did happen were that politicians took full and shameless advantage of the loopholes in the system to loot the country systematically.

The mood is a little more optimistic right now. Even the old rascals know it. When one runs into high-profile Congresswallas, who till pretty recently, strutted around like they owned India (which they practically did!), the swagger and big talk are missing. Most of them resemble whipped puppies, slinking into dark corners at public events, almost like they are waiting for the cops to pick them up. The smarter ones are desperately broking deals… or attempting to. The challenge that confronts most of them these days is how to stay out of jail. They pretty much know a time bomb is ticking away and the game is up!

But there are new games that have replaced the old ones. Yes, it’s great to know files are getting cleared within a week, without anybody being offered a “baksheesh” and all that. I keep meeting businessmen in Mumbai, who speak in awed tones about the refreshing environment in Delhi and how they can’t believe their luck! Babus and ministerlog, are actually working! Not just that, there are no outstretched palms. This is a huge step forward. One just hopes it lasts. It sounds almost too good to be true. These same corporate chaps are gushing that soon India will see a Bharatiya Janata Party government in every state… ooookkkkayyyy! Let’s see what happens in the Delhi Assembly elections.

Assuming, there will be an unchallenged BJP Raj (current status: 8 states + 3 in partnership + 1 Union territory, out of a total of 29 states) across the length and breadth of India — is that the best news? Naaah! India will thrive only when its democracy is mature enough to support a vibrant Opposition. Dissent is vital for good governance. Without required checks and balances, democracy is reduced to a sham. So, here’s the deal — what India definitely does not need is an autocrat — no matter how dynamic and efficient!

The conversion issue is more complex and tricky. It is designed to be just that. There are no easy answers to the question: Why conversions? Or even — why now? Hindutva has become a dreaded word in the minds of our minorities. Most Hindus themselves are unsure of its exact implication. For decades, millions of Hindus have been happy enough just being Hindus, without any other labels attached. For centuries, Hinduism has survived and thrived, despite the odds. So, why panic? There is loose and foolish talk about “other” religions overtaking Hinduism. Hinduism was never a numbers game (“If you convert 100 Hindus to your religion, we’ll convert 200 to ours.”). True religion is about a personal system of belief and faith. To have any meaning at all, this belief has to be deep and abiding. By merely undertaking some mumbo-jumbo ceremony, reciting the Gayatri Mantra, and getting a prominent tilak, does not make you a Hindu. Unlike instant coffee, one can’t produce an instant Hindu. So why not back off from this meaningless and dangerous exercise?

A confident philosophy is not numbers driven. Let’s not treat Hinduism like a Bollywood blockbuster. Hinduism cannot be reduced to a competition. It is not a 100 crore or a 1,000 crore club. Surely, Hinduism is far stronger than that?

At the end of every year, there is a sense of optimism and hope for the New Year. India has witnessed cataclysmic transformation in 2014.
The nation voted for change. More accurately, the nation voted for one man. Narendra Modi is India’s Atlas. Let’s pray he doesn’t shrug!
Here’s to an annus mirabilis in 2015, dear readers. Thank you for sharing this space!

Readers can send feedback to www.shobhaade.blogspot.com