Comments on: The Importance of Being Sudheendra Kulkarni http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/ Because every Indian matters. Because you matter. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:27:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: cdya http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-315 cdya Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:46:56 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-315 "I do believe that there are a few valid points in your note that merit further debate and discussion on a wider platform."- this statement itself clarifies that votecongress has absolutely ran out of words to say or to contradict. Well said Mr.aul!! “I do believe that there are a few valid points in your note that merit further debate and discussion on a wider platform.”- this statement itself clarifies that votecongress has absolutely ran out of words to say or to contradict.
Well said Mr.aul!!

]]> By: votecongress http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-192 votecongress Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:22:30 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-192 Appreciate your feedback, and I do believe that there are a few valid points in your note that merit further debate and discussion on a wider platform. It is important to allow that freedom of expression, something, which very unfortunately ( as one can see in the BJP meetings these days ) the saffron brigade is just not willling to accept. About time they did. Appreciate your feedback, and I do believe that there are a few valid points in your note that merit further debate and discussion on a wider platform.
It is important to allow that freedom of expression, something, which very unfortunately ( as one can see in the BJP meetings these days ) the saffron brigade is just not willling to accept. About time they did.

]]> By: aul http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-191 aul Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:18:38 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-191 Dear friend, I read your blog ‘The importance of being Sudheendra Kulkarni’ and I cannot help but disagree with you on a few crucial points. You have mentioned how the BJP and Mr. Narendra Modi focused all of their attention during the campaign on India’s rich and famous. You also pointed out that the BJP has no social or economic agenda. However if you have read the BJP’s manifesto or heard Mr. Modi’s speeches you can clearly see issues such as Energy, Agriculture, Food and Education even Intellectual Property Rights being highlighted and you will also find a mention of policies like Jyotigram, Ladli Laxmi, Chiranjeevi Yojana etc. The Ambani brothers, the stock brokers and the hi-fliers do not face long power-cuts, do not have to deal with water problems, nor do their children face the possibility of not being able to get a decent education due to lack of funds.. It is the poor people of this country who face all of the above problems. I do not want to take anything away from Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s initiatives but you have to agree that the media highlighted his actions while ignoring schemes like Jyotigram, Ladli Laxmi, Krushi Mahotsav, ‘Swavalamban’ and the rest. More than 95% of the BJP Manifesto focuses not only on economic and social policy but also on Foreign Policy, Education, Agriculture policy, Trade policy and National Security. Then on the last two pages in a few paragraphs you can find that Ram Setu, Ram temple, Ganga (purification projects) etc have been mentioned. I feel Hindutva is the most misunderstood term in India today. In his book ‘Essentials of Hindutva’ Swatantryaveer Savarkar talks about the origin of the word ‘Hindu’ (having originated from the word Sindhu) and how it is not related to religion (Sanatan Dharma). Even Mr. Jaswant Singh in his recent TV interview with Ms. Barkha Dutt mentioned that ‘Hindutva’ is not the problem in itself its interpretation by most of the urban society and the media is the real problem. When asked what he thought Hindutva is Mr. Modi had the following to say "I believe that Hindutva is a way of life. It has survived all kinds of assaults. In the past 10,000 years so many ideologies (vicharadhara) have suffered in some way or other. Not Hinduism. Hinduism stays with the times. It keeps up with the times. It is relevant to our times. Hindutva teaches restraint, advises individuals not to be a burden on society, It is incom¬parable, scientific. In ancient Sanskrit it is known as Sanatana dharma or the eternal way of life. It is not rigid. It is liberal, able to adjust." With all the recent fuss about ‘Young Politicians’ I cannot help but mention that physical age is just a number. Plain numbers do not change a nation’s destiny, ideas do. Instead of the focus being on the candidates’ physical age everyone, including the media, should divert their attention to whether or not the candidate or the representative is bringing in fresh ideas which in actuality is what is needed in India. Just because someone is young does not necessarily mean that he will bring in good ideas or that just because someone is old all his ideas will be regressive. The opposition to the Nuclear Deal was based on the idea that it would harm India’s sovereignty and make India subservient to the United States, which is something even Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was keen on avoiding and which he did avoid by forming the Non-Aligned movement with Nasser and Tito. Given the way in which Washington and Secretary Clinton are pressurizing Delhi to sign the CTBT and the FMCT which are anything but fair, I am sure that in hindsight the opposition to the nuclear deal will be praised by every Indian. You have laid much emphasis on Modernity. Modern is defined as ‘of or pertaining to present and recent time’. Hence being modern is not necessarily good and the term Modernization may not necessarily mean betterment. I am also aware that some people equate modernity to blindly embracing the Western culture. This is not to say that we should totally reject western concepts or ideas. For example the way emphasis is laid on and encouragement is given to research in the US, not only in natural sciences and technology, but also in history, sociology and even fine arts, is something that is worth emulating. We should retain our customs and our traditions as there is so much to be learnt from our history. (Mr. Modi while talking about Agricultural policies has mentioned a few ideas wherein traditional Indian methods can be used to tackle climate change and Global warming). Though not related to this discussion, I feel Yoga would also be an apt example as well. Also you mentioned the Reformation. Although the Protestant movement changed some of the tenets of Roman Catholicism, which included too much power in the hands of the church they did not change the essence of Christianity. Hence although we might need to change some of our ideas we do not need to change the basis of our culture and we should in fact be proud of our heritage. Lastly, I would also like to point out that you are insulting India’s Muslims by saying that ‘they have demonstrated exemplary character in condemning 26/11.’ Your statement implies directly that it is a very big deal for any Indian Muslim to have patriotic or nationalistic feelings. Such statements, and not Hindutva, are the real reasons keeping us away from being truly secular. Dear friend,
I read your blog ‘The importance of being Sudheendra Kulkarni’ and I cannot help but disagree with you on a few crucial points.
You have mentioned how the BJP and Mr. Narendra Modi focused all of their attention during the campaign on India’s rich and famous. You also pointed out that the BJP has no social or economic agenda. However if you have read the BJP’s manifesto or heard Mr. Modi’s speeches you can clearly see issues such as Energy, Agriculture, Food and Education even Intellectual Property Rights being highlighted and you will also find a mention of policies like Jyotigram, Ladli Laxmi, Chiranjeevi Yojana etc.
The Ambani brothers, the stock brokers and the hi-fliers do not face long power-cuts, do not have to deal with water problems, nor do their children face the possibility of not being able to get a decent education due to lack of funds.. It is the poor people of this country who face all of the above problems. I do not want to take anything away from Mr. Rahul Gandhi’s initiatives but you have to agree that the media highlighted his actions while ignoring schemes like Jyotigram, Ladli Laxmi, Krushi Mahotsav, ‘Swavalamban’ and the rest.
More than 95% of the BJP Manifesto focuses not only on economic and social policy but also on Foreign Policy, Education, Agriculture policy, Trade policy and National Security. Then on the last two pages in a few paragraphs you can find that Ram Setu, Ram temple, Ganga (purification projects) etc have been mentioned.
I feel Hindutva is the most misunderstood term in India today. In his book ‘Essentials of Hindutva’ Swatantryaveer Savarkar talks about the origin of the word ‘Hindu’ (having originated from the word Sindhu) and how it is not related to religion (Sanatan Dharma). Even Mr. Jaswant Singh in his recent TV interview with Ms. Barkha Dutt mentioned that ‘Hindutva’ is not the problem in itself its interpretation by most of the urban society and the media is the real problem. When asked what he thought Hindutva is Mr. Modi had the following to say “I believe that Hindutva is a way of life. It has survived all kinds of assaults. In the past 10,000 years so many ideologies (vicharadhara) have suffered in some way or other. Not Hinduism. Hinduism stays with the times. It keeps up with the times. It is relevant to our times. Hindutva teaches restraint, advises individuals not to be a burden on society, It is incom¬parable, scientific. In ancient Sanskrit it is known as Sanatana dharma or the eternal way of life. It is not rigid. It is liberal, able to adjust.”
With all the recent fuss about ‘Young Politicians’ I cannot help but mention that physical age is just a number. Plain numbers do not change a nation’s destiny, ideas do. Instead of the focus being on the candidates’ physical age everyone, including the media, should divert their attention to whether or not the candidate or the representative is bringing in fresh ideas which in actuality is what is needed in India. Just because someone is young does not necessarily mean that he will bring in good ideas or that just because someone is old all his ideas will be regressive.
The opposition to the Nuclear Deal was based on the idea that it would harm India’s sovereignty and make India subservient to the United States, which is something even Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was keen on avoiding and which he did avoid by forming the Non-Aligned movement with Nasser and Tito. Given the way in which Washington and Secretary Clinton are pressurizing Delhi to sign the CTBT and the FMCT which are anything but fair, I am sure that in hindsight the opposition to the nuclear deal will be praised by every Indian.
You have laid much emphasis on Modernity. Modern is defined as ‘of or pertaining to present and recent time’. Hence being modern is not necessarily good and the term Modernization may not necessarily mean betterment. I am also aware that some people equate modernity to blindly embracing the Western culture. This is not to say that we should totally reject western concepts or ideas. For example the way emphasis is laid on and encouragement is given to research in the US, not only in natural sciences and technology, but also in history, sociology and even fine arts, is something that is worth emulating. We should retain our customs and our traditions as there is so much to be learnt from our history. (Mr. Modi while talking about Agricultural policies has mentioned a few ideas wherein traditional Indian methods can be used to tackle climate change and Global warming). Though not related to this discussion, I feel Yoga would also be an apt example as well. Also you mentioned the Reformation. Although the Protestant movement changed some of the tenets of Roman Catholicism, which included too much power in the hands of the church they did not change the essence of Christianity.
Hence although we might need to change some of our ideas we do not need to change the basis of our culture and we should in fact be proud of our heritage.
Lastly, I would also like to point out that you are insulting India’s Muslims by saying that ‘they have demonstrated exemplary character in condemning 26/11.’ Your statement implies directly that it is a very big deal for any Indian Muslim to have patriotic or nationalistic feelings. Such statements, and not Hindutva, are the real reasons keeping us away from being truly secular.

]]> By: writingtree http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-190 writingtree Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:05:25 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-190 Thanks Sanjay. Thanks Sanjay.

]]> By: votecongress http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-189 votecongress Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:42:24 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-189 A very thoughtful repsonse, Shivkumar. A very thoughtful repsonse, Shivkumar.

]]> By: Shivkumar Israni http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-188 Shivkumar Israni Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:04:17 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-188 One basic truth that BJP seems to have forgotten is that hate and fear can pay rich dividends only sometimes and that too under certain circumstances. But those who aspire to run a country as large and diverse as India ought to know that people have to be carried by an inclusive agenda. BJP should have realised that even if a person is illeterate or poor or both, he is not a fool. Most of the Indians have strong earthiness and can read the situation correctly. At the same time, we all need to remember that India needs a strong opposition party as well, otherwise in no time even the Congress will start behaving dictatorial. So there is a room and a need for BJP to face the reality and be sincere and committed in its approach. The commitment should be to the people of this great nation and not to any particular religion or class or community. BJP should remember that though India is 85% Hindu and they are proud to be Hindus, but they are not foolish Hindus. One basic truth that BJP seems to have forgotten is that hate and fear can pay rich dividends only sometimes and that too under certain circumstances. But those who aspire to run a country as large and diverse as India ought to know that people have to be carried by an inclusive agenda.

BJP should have realised that even if a person is illeterate or poor or both, he is not a fool. Most of the Indians have strong earthiness and can read the situation correctly.

At the same time, we all need to remember that India needs a strong opposition party as well, otherwise in no time even the Congress will start behaving dictatorial. So there is a room and a need for BJP to face the reality and be sincere and committed in its approach. The commitment should be to the people of this great nation and not to any particular religion or class or community.

BJP should remember that though India is 85% Hindu and they are proud to be Hindus, but they are not foolish Hindus.

]]> By: Ganesh Natarajan http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-187 Ganesh Natarajan Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:54:03 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-187 I feel sorry for the BJP - they got swayed by the diatribes of Modi and Varun and started going after personalities like Priyanka and Manmohan Singh who have no vice in them - bad calculation ! Sudheendar is still a gem of a man and will prevail I feel sorry for the BJP – they got swayed by the diatribes of Modi and Varun and started going after personalities like Priyanka and Manmohan Singh who have no vice in them – bad calculation ! Sudheendar is still a gem of a man and will prevail

]]> By: votecongress http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-186 votecongress Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:22:20 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-186 Harini Many thanks for your feedback. I agree--the BJPs real error is on going over-board on account of creating a " differentiation" with the Congress. The strategy has boomeranged. Keep writing in. Sanjay Harini
Many thanks for your feedback. I agree–the BJPs real error is on going over-board on account of creating a ” differentiation” with the Congress. The strategy has boomeranged.
Keep writing in.
Sanjay

]]> By: HyperActiveX http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-185 HyperActiveX Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:59:09 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-185 Well written post! You make some good points, but I did not see how the post as a whole had to do with Sudheendra Kulkarni (other than the initial anecdote). Maybe you were looking for a good title and came up with this one? Well it worked - got my attention, for one! Cheers! P.S. Couldn't agree more on the recommendation that they should give up Hindutva - I recommended it too, in my blog post http://u.nu/82xc a few days ago. Well written post! You make some good points, but I did not see how the post as a whole had to do with Sudheendra Kulkarni (other than the initial anecdote). Maybe you were looking for a good title and came up with this one? Well it worked – got my attention, for one! Cheers!

P.S. Couldn’t agree more on the recommendation that they should give up Hindutva – I recommended it too, in my blog post http://u.nu/82xc a few days ago.

]]> By: harini calamur http://hamaracongress.com/2009/06/16/the-importance-of-being-sudheendra-kulkarni/#comment-184 harini calamur Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:56:44 +0000 http://hamaracongress.com/?p=431#comment-184 Rajmohan Gandhi's "Revenge and Reconciliation" has a very interesting take in the psyche of the sub continent. Sooner or later, the people in this region gravitate towards the center, and towards forgiveness and moving on. The BJP needs to understand that. It also needs to understand that humility is a very Indian virtue - and maybe if they went back to the electorate, in a humble manner, the electorate may actually vote for them i agree with most of your points except the one on "being cool" - that entire web silliness - where Mr.Advani popped up everytime I visited anywhere - was someone's idea of them being cool. It was serious levels of over kill. Maybe, they ought to spend less money on advertising, and more money on going to the constituency and figuring what the people's woes are ! Rajmohan Gandhi’s “Revenge and Reconciliation” has a very interesting take in the psyche of the sub continent. Sooner or later, the people in this region gravitate towards the center, and towards forgiveness and moving on.

The BJP needs to understand that. It also needs to understand that humility is a very Indian virtue – and maybe if they went back to the electorate, in a humble manner, the electorate may actually vote for them

i agree with most of your points except the one on “being cool” – that entire web silliness – where Mr.Advani popped up everytime I visited anywhere – was someone’s idea of them being cool. It was serious levels of over kill. Maybe, they ought to spend less money on advertising, and more money on going to the constituency and figuring what the people’s woes are !

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