FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION - CAN IT BE CONFINED?

The world's largest democracy has been famous for many attributes! Freedom of expression, I daresay, is one of d most revered n applauded of those characteristic features! Every now n again, this freedom is taken to new heights n what results, most of d time, is CONTROVERSY! Artistic expression n creative freedom has had staunch criticism 2, not only in India but all across d globe - Be it d banning of Sir Sulman Rushdie's 'THE SATANIC VERSES', 'LAJJA' by Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen or M.F. Hussain's allegedly provocative paintings!

The most recent example is d dropping of Rohinton Mistry's Booker Shortlisted novel 'SUCH A LONG JOURNEY' frm d English Literature syllabus of Bombay (oops Mumbai) University midway through the term owing 2 pressure from d Shiva Sena which claims the book contains objectionable remarks about the party! Banning a book midway through the term has happened for the first time in d 153 year old history of d Mumbai University!This politically driven act has infuriated students n faculty alike leading 2 a fresh round of controversy n protests! 

It's rightly said that 'DISSENT IS D VERY ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRACY!' But can a nation having such a rich history of multiplicity of thoughts really afford 2 curtail artistic freedom n bow 2 political pressures! I believe not, bt it seems like that's exactly what's happening! And the self-righteous Sena is using this issue 2 launch their heir - Aditya Thackrey! Blame d Congress 4 dynasty politics but be holier than thou yourself! How convenient! 

Also another fresh issue also concerning the freedom of speech n democratic dissent has been d recent speech given by Booker winning author Arundhhati  Roy which is raising many an eyebrows throuhghout d political circles - both at d Centre n d States! Ms. Roy's statements regarding Kashmir not being an integral part of India n her sympathies with d plight of d Kashmiri Pandits (n stone pelters) n people fighting for AaZAADI there have been met with great criticism n have raised the question of misuse or exploitative use of the freedom of expression! I opine that what Ms. Roy has said should be considered another viewpoint and her personal opinion 2 which she's fundamentally entitled n 4 which she should, by no means, be bashed! Indeed her remarks have been strong n intense, but isn't that what freedom of expression is all about! 

Then again, this is an age-old question with an endless debate:

HOW FAR IS 2 FAR?

HOW MUCH IS 2 MUCH?

I, however, conclude that it's indeed a pity if this nation can't n doesn't respect d opinions of writers n artists! Hope we can be inclusive and at least tolerate, if not respect, different opinions! Otherwise the world's greatest democracy would lose its very soul n get reduced 2 a uni-directional totalitarian regime where gag orders n sedition would be d order of d day! Lest that should happen, let's speak out n listen!

SPEAK OUT, YOUR VOICE WILL B HEARD!

LEAVE BEHIND D FEARS N DON'T DREAD!

THE WORLD MAY BE AGAINST YOU,

YOU MAY STAND ALONE!

BUT DON'T HOLD BACK,

DON'T LET YOURSELF BE TORN!

DISSENT IS D ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRACY!

IF U HOLD BACK UR THOUGHTS, IT'D BE A SIN AS BIG AS HYPOCRISY!

SPEAK OUT, YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD,

SPEAK OUT, EVEN IF OTHERS THINK IT'S ABSURD!

BUT ALSO LISTEN  TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE 2 SAY,

N REMEMBER,

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CAN'T BE HELD AT BAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOPE N OPTIMISM CLEAR THE HAZE!

Planet Earth has never been a comforting n easy place to live as far as mental bliss n peace of mind are concerned! The survival of d fittest n d perpetual competition in everything n everywhere require everyone 2 b on their toes all d time! 'Be d best or go in 4 perennial rest' is d order of d day! 

So amidst such fierce competition n constant strife 2 b d best, how can one motivate oneself? How does one keep moving ahead despite so many cynics n distractors telling him/her they're fighting a lost cause? 

How does one see d sunlight eclipsed by d haze?

The answer is a four letter word combined with an 8 letter one!

HOPE N OPTIMISM! 
These are, in my opinion, d simplest n yet d most powerful solutions 2 problems challenging Homo Sapiens 4 a long time! If one loses hope, he/she loses d battle before even armouring him/herself! It's of paramount importance 2 make oneself believe that  - 'YES I CAN N I WILL',  then strive 2 achieve d set goals with utmost conviction n passion! 
I'm not propagating that wishful thinking alone would do d trick n all our problems would be solved! 
Rather I'm trying 2 underline d fact that hope combined with d conviction that we can work things out make us psychologically stronger n more motivated 2 try d concerned task! The greatest n toughest predicaments n battles are ALL IN D MIND! So we need 2 solve them in d mind first, that's filter our thought processes 2 remove d negative ones!

It's easy 2 see that d glass is half empty, but it takes real courage 2 see that it's half full n can be filled right upto d brim!It's this belief that makes one dismantle d multiple foggy levels of self-doubt, criticism n  uncertainties n let d sunlight filter through n warm our minds n hearts!

SO,

HOPE! FOR IT MAKES U SEE,

THERE'S LIGHT AMIDST  EVERY DARK DEBRIS!

REALISE UR STRENGTHS N FIRM UP UR CONVICTION,

FOR MOST MENTAL BLOCKS, THIS IS D SIMPLE SOLUTION!

Feel d hope n spread d optimism!

It'll helps you overcome various doubts n constraints n make u more cognizant of your own strengths n weekneses so as 2 optimise them both! Living in doubt does no good, so CLEAR D HAZE N SEE D LIGHT!

INCREDIBLE INDIA WELCOMES THE COMMONWEALTH WITH DRUM ROLLS N A CLASSIC SPECTACLE!!

It's true that Sports unifiy diverse people n cultures! But Sports also conquer through their extravagance, sheer human endeavour n international connectivity n harmony, that's what the Olympic movement is all about! Just when it seemed like Delhi was down and out & d Commonwealth Games would become national shame, the administration under the leadership of d Delhi C.M. defied all odds and produced a spectacle of overwhelming beauty n grandeur!
When the drummers from different parts of this great nation rolled their drums, India held out a parade noone could possibly rain on! Such a magnificent opening sequence! When 7 year old prodigy Keshava played the Tabla with ingenuous skill and a million-dollar (correction, million-rupee) smile, every spectator in the stadium and billions across the globe watching live couldn't help but smile with warmth! The wonderful coordination of over a thousand school-children, the amazing aerostat (which apparently is the largest in the world) were soothing to the eyes!
But the crowning glory was the Athletes parade in which sportspersons from all d participating CW nations marched into the JLN Stadium in their traditional attires with their heads held high! It was overwhelming to see the applause  that the Pakistan team received! Also it pleased me that so many of the flag-bearers were female! When the Indian contingent marched in, dressed elegantly in traditional sherwanis n sarees, the whole stadium rose to its feet n thundered with cheers and applause and why not! After all, we are the proud hosts n pride was visible on every face - be it the Indian players, Dr. Singh, President Patil , or the audiences!
The messages from the Hon'ble P.M., Hon'ble Persident & H.R.H. Prince Charles ()reading Her Majesty, the Queen of England'd message) were positive and encouraging! When Sushil handed the baton to the Prince of Wales, it was a moment of great pride for all of us!
The spectacular performances of the various classical dance forms depicting alll the seasons, the grand journey of the Indian Railways scanning the masses of India, the folk dances, the Yoga display n The Tree of Knowledge were all perfect n brought out the 'UNITY IN DIVERSITY' of the world's largest greatest democracy!
Finally when the mozart of Madras took centrestage and soulfully rendered the theme song, I found myself singing along! And then JAI-HO just made the crescendo all the more glorious!

What a night, what a beginning!
WELL BEGUN IS HALF-DONE!
I hope Delhi will host the Games with great pride, love amd sincerity and the International n National athletes would compete with utmost honesty n fair-play!
We have great medal prospects in Shooting, Wrestling Weight-lifting, Boxing, Hockey, Badminton, Squash and Tennis! I wish all the contenders lots of luck! Hope they'll bring laurels to the nation at our home-turf!
Cheering for the Indian players, especially Lee n Hesh and Somu, Rohan n Sania!
We've begun well despite all odds stacked against us! And I'm sure, these Games will be great! These lyrics finally made sense to me last night!

O YAARO, YEH INDIA BULAA LIYA!
DEEWANO, YEH INDIA BULAA LIYA!
UTHO, BADHO, KHELO, JEETO!
TERA, MERA, JAHAAN, LET'S GO!!
It's Delhi's Games, it's India's Games n we as Indians should support them and be proud!

HARMONY SHINES IN SECULAR INDIA!

The historic verdict declared by d Lucknow Bench of d Ayodya High Court is indeed a landmark judgement n is most plausible! The verdict is in d deeest tradition of secularism n is closer to reconciliation in the case than ever before!
The only bone of contention is d succeessful 'implementation' of this unique order which would have to wait for atleast 3 months & then maybe longer due 2 the possibility of an appeal in d Apex Court!
But when it gets executed, the contentious land in Ayodhya can very well become the crowning glory of secular India!
Here's to unity, harmony & progress towards a more tolerant, inclusive n secular India!
Looks like we're finally in d right direction - towards communal harmony, accord n tolerance n ultimately evolution as a society!