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Bastards, Saints and India


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. 
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Comments

  1. www.lifepartneracademy.comDecember 7, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    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.

    Teachers are next to parents and there's hardly any respect to this profession unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalDecember 7, 2014 at 3:43 PM

      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.

      The 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.

      Delete
  2. IndraniDecember 7, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    That is too unfortunate about the slashing of budget for core sectors. Really worried what negative effect this is going lead to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalDecember 8, 2014 at 9:37 AM

      I'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.

      Delete
  3. Kokila guptaDecember 8, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    we 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 ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalDecember 8, 2014 at 1:42 PM

      Perhaps, 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.

      Delete
  4. UnknownDecember 8, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    I 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.

    Sadhu 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalDecember 8, 2014 at 1:43 PM

      Priorities are changing, Athena, as I commented above.

      Religion is a commercial enterprise today. Nothing to do with spirituality. See the ways Babas are being exposed.

      Delete

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