Unacceptable
Almost a week ago in a small village called Dadri, not too far from Delhi, Mohammed Akhlaq, a middle aged Muslim gentleman was brutally and cowardly butchered by some Hindu bigots, allegedly because they found a piece of beef in his house. I, as a Hindu am both shocked and ashamed that such unacceptable behaviour happens in the name of my religion - Hinduism - the oldest continuously practised faith on this planet. No words can explain my disgust and that of many, many millions. One hopes and prays that such an atrocity never occurs again and the perpetrators are brought to book at the earliest.
This incident has prompted two different reactions. One son of the martyr - Mohammed Sartaj - a young man in the Indian Air Force exhibits, under tremendous stress from personal loss and the agony of his family, the most honourable traits of a good human being. He has expressed his grief without any provocation for revenge or violent recriminations. This young man quoted the famous stanza of Sir Mohammed Iqbal "Saare Jahan se acha, Hindustan humara'. Such positive and enlightened behaviour reflects the mood of the ascendant youth of India today. His pain at the politicians' opportunism is also very inspiring. He said, "you can visit the family to express your sympathy, but please do not bring politics in our personal tragedy. The need of the time is harmony and peace...."
Congress Party announced a fast to encourage communal harmony. Azam Khan of the Samajwadi party has also announced that they will approach the United Nations in this matter. To what end? Most of the opportunistic parties are up in the arms demanding that PM Modi should speak up. He should denounce et al. In the past even for less heinous attacks, PM Modi has denounced his party men and fellow faith adherents. Since when is the Prime Minister of any country is expected to pronounce his or her opinion on every matter of importance? The murder of Mohammed is a tragic tale, but one that needs to be seen in the larger context. Suffice it to say, such barbarities bring ill repute to India world-wide and no doubt each one of us will not only denounce such behaviour but play our part to advocate increased tolerance and non-violence to foster harmonious relationships between all of India's faiths and peoples.
Conservative party conference
The Conservative party had their annual jamboree in Manchester. A party in power with little resistance from the Opposition, intoxicated by the atmosphere of a conference hall packed with delegates seems to have encouraged some speakers to go over the top. Two major speeches have drawn my special attention. One from the Home Secretary Theresa May and the second from her boss PM David Cameron. Perhaps both are in a competition to race towards lowest common denominator.
Theresa May stated that this country is inundated with huge numbers of economic migrants... They deprive employment from our own youth and create hardships in the labour market... And yet, surprise, surprise, she also said that Britain needs talent from all over the world!
Madam, you are contradicting yourself. The problem Europe is facing is that of refugees and your government has been criticised for its meagre response. If you've recently visited a hospital, used the tube or ridden a bus, who do you see doing the lowest paid, menial jobs? Most are non-white. Perhaps, for their own reasons, British-born, white youngsters are not willing to work in such jobs.
Home Secretary, you should recall that even large confectionary manufacturers in the UK have had to seek help from abroad when no new local recruits were available.
On the issue of "best talents", Mrs May, you continuously harp on international students while at the same time making visas harder to get.
As to the Prime Minister, normally a sensible sounding person, he is also caught up in this whirlwind. His biggest problem is the numbers. In 2010, out of a nightmare similar to Idi Amin's in August 1972, Mr Cameron announced he would reduce new immigrants to 100,000. What was the scientific basis used to arrive at this number? None! This was wishful thinking and a misguided statement. And now he feels suffocated because the numbers are hovering around 300,000.
Let's look at it rather differently. Most of the new migrants, find some sort of employment far more quickly than the British born 'natives'. Why? It's the attitude Mr Cameron. You as a government are expected to devise schemes to encourage employment, and to help train the skills of the workforce. Ian Duncan Smith has some good ideas, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and these strategies take time to develop and implement.
Prime Minister, the Home Secretary and all those who have some 'mental block' about the 'migrants' (let's call it bluntly non-white) have to think rather deeply. Perhaps take into consideration the practises of our leaders of industry, who actively avoid rash statements like these. What will happen to the British economy, let alone several public services, without the wretched and helpless foreign workers? I have a strange feeling such misguided political leaders keep on digging holes, from which they cannot come out. God help them.
SKLPC
Some years back the then commission for racial equality issued a booklet enlisting some 700 names of Asian community organisations. I would readily admit I know more about the Indian community than others. There are hundreds of organisations, based on caste, ancestral place of migration, arts, culture, language, faith traditions as well as human services, up and down the country. Some are doing outstanding work some are not. I frequently hear that our younger generations are not involved actively, they are drifting away, such outflow is detrimental to traditions of culture, even some would say, it harms our social fabric, which has served us well in our new country of adoption.
I could see that there is a problem. I am prepared to go to the extend that some, if not substantial number of such organisations are mostly on paper. Their number keep on increasing because yesterday's leaders are compelled to develop new opportunities. There are several really active organisations of various types providing yeomen service for their communities, and thereby serving the British society as well.
Last Sunday I attended the annual mela of Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community UK at their huge campus (India gardens), West End Roads Northolt, UB5 6RE. SKLPC has some 20 acres land just by A40.
I saw from the main stage in a huge marquee where 4500 chairs were each occupied and serval hundred were standing, huddled up. In the open area, where there were sporting facilities, stalls- it was crowded. Young children to old people. I have never seen such a large number of all ages, except at Janmashtami or Hindu New Year's Day. What struck me that SKLPC is a community organisation, a cultural association, the main thread is community service. The organisation was formed some 45 years ago. Membership, is by my guess, 30,000 and 8000 coming to India gardens, whoa! It must have been so good, family and fun and above all nourishing their cultural heritage. Kutchis are unique Gujaratis. In 2001 the district of Kutch which is second largest after Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir had a population of half a million. On 26 January 2001 a massive earthquake struck Kutch and other parts of Gujarat. 25000 people perished. Loss and damage into went up to gigantic figures. This may surprise you dear reader, that by the latest count, population of Kutch in 2011 was in the official statistics 2.09 million. A four fold increase. Kutch has rose like Phoenix, with industry, commerce, trade and agriculture. Lions share goes to their hard work, respect for hard work, bound by tradition, most importantly loyalty to the land they reside in- Seychelles, East Africa, UK (more details can be seen in a special article next week).
I want to conclude by saying why SKLPC is so successful, where others have failed miserably. The younger generation expects clear characteristics: idealism, intelligence, energy, integrity and transparency. Our younger generations are more ethical than perhaps people of my age. They have values, their time is very precious. They do not approve of hypocrites or leaders who are unsuccessful. They detect and detest leaders with dubious backgrounds (immigration consultancy fraud, money laundering or cheats in business). The young generation is very positive. If you want to involve them, find out what they want, how they want, don't complain that youngsters don't want to be involved. They are aware of the virtues of our traditions. Let's support good activity but before that create proper organisations and get ourselves to perform well. Be positive and rest will follow.
