This
cartoon fascinated me. Just like most
cartoons in The Hindu, this too
unfolds the infinity before us, the ordinary mortals.
The
sadhu and the sadhvi are supposed to live a life of renunciation. They should be somewhere in the Himalayas
braving the snow and the landslides. Or
in some jungle covered with a gargantuan anthill. Acquiring the wisdom that they failed to acquire
in the normal course of life. Instead
they are in the Indian Parliament calling some
Indians bastards.
The
Parliamentary proceedings in India have been stalled for days because of one
such saintly woman who became a
sadhvi by climbing up the elevator of success with the help of the Prime
Minister rather than climbing up the arduous stairs of austerity and
contemplation. Or plain hard work like a few of us Indians.
In
the meanwhile the government of India, under Mr Modi’s dynamic leadership, had
already cut down Rs
11,000 crore from the Education budget.
Education is not important.
Becoming a sadhu or a sadhvi may help.
(Sanskrit
is important in that process.) Becoming
a trader will help better. Becoming a
politician will surely help.
I
am a bastard teacher in this country.
Bastard, because I belong to that category officially designated by Sadhvi Niranjana
Jyoti, Union Minister appointed by Mr Narendra Modi. Teacher, because that is my profession for
the last three decades.
Thank
you, Prime Minister, for giving such wonderful laurels to your citizens.
But
look at the cartoon once again, please.
The halo keeps changing even before the people are dead. Today’s hero is destined to be tomorrow’s
bastard, especially in your regime.
It was indeed a humiliating and embarrassing remark from a Parliamentarian. Wonder if future parliamentarians will have people from all factions except the smart and educated class.
ReplyDeleteTeachers are next to parents and there's hardly any respect to this profession unfortunately.
Even if one is not highly educated, one can be civilised, I'm sure. A sadhvi has to be more than civilised. Such remarks coming from a sadhu or sadhvi make us sit up in shock.
DeleteThe profession of teaching was mentioned only to imply that I consider it my identity. Such identities are also under threat these days, it looks like.
That is too unfortunate about the slashing of budget for core sectors. Really worried what negative effect this is going lead to.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid Mr Modi has got his priorities all wrong. He may bring in some economic achievements and also succeed in making Pakistan a more intimidating enemy. Beyond that, he is likely to do a lot of harm to the country - that's my perception.
Deletewe beat ourselves in derogatory remarks, uncouthness and barbarism ... corruption, misdemeanour and not being human ko to hum bahut pehle hi peeche chod aayen hai... it one of the many the lowest of lows which we can go ...
ReplyDeletePerhaps, it is more about winning Brownie points, Kokila. I think the BJP workers are vying with one another to get noticed by the PM who has already become a Superman. They are making such statements merely to get his approval. He opposes such statements in public but appreciates them privately, I guess. See the kind of people whom he promotes to higher positions.
DeleteI was so impressed with our prime minister when he spoke to the students of our country on teachers day. I have no shame in admitting that I like our PMs style of working. This time though I am at a loss of words, how does it make sense in cutting the budget? Teachers are already paid peanuts, there aren't enough schools and now this budget cut. Working when kids are small is important for us to have a good set of citizens, this cut is going to harm us in many ways, specially our future.
ReplyDeleteSadhu and Sadhvis in today's world are people who are entire caught in every aspect of every sin, but they wear the saffron color and are given respect.
Priorities are changing, Athena, as I commented above.
DeleteReligion is a commercial enterprise today. Nothing to do with spirituality. See the ways Babas are being exposed.