Friday, 30 October 2015

“Is Indian Secularism under a Serious Threat with the Return of Awards by Authors?” ―Professor M.S.Rao










“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.” — Max de Pree


After the advent of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India, the fundamentalist and the right-wing forces have become very active and started making provocative statements against minorities and making irresponsible statements resulting in a climate of intolerance. The intellectuals, authors and artists are worried and concerned with the increasing intolerance across India. It all began with the murder of a rationalist, Mr.Kalburgi in August 2015 and the lynching of a Muslim under the suspicion of having consumed beef. Several authors and writers returned their awards including their Sahitya Akademi awards in protest. Some of the recipients of Padma awards also returned their awards, and the film makers are returning their awards. It is unprecedented in the history of India as never before so many intellectuals have returned their awards. It all indicates that the Indian democracy is at the crossroads again. Does it also indicate that the Indian secularism is under grave attack from fundamentalist forces?

It is a fact that India is a multi-cultural and pluralistic society where diversified cultures and communities live in fraternity and brotherhood. With the instigation of fundamentalist forces and their excessive interference into the government, the current scenario posed a serious threat to secularism.  All right thinking citizens must condemn such attacks to strengthen secularism and save democracy.

There is an urgent need to put an end to the riot-politics in India. It is essential to focus on development, not on religion. All stakeholders including educators, intellectuals, civil rights organizations, democratic organizations, nonprofits, thought leaders, media and progressive minded people across the world must stress on secularism.

Indian democracy may not be successful but it survived several challenges and is the largest democracy in the world. Hence, let us celebrate diversity, respect all communities and save democracy to make India as a strong nation in the world. Jai Hind!


“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.



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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com
Global Top Gurus 30: http://www.globalgurus.org/leadership/upcoming.php
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




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Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.
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Thursday, 29 October 2015

“Indian Authors Returning their Awards - Check the Climate of Intolerance in India Immediately” ―Professor M.S.Rao









“The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.” — Ralph W. Sockman


Several authors are relinquishing their awards in India to protest against the hostile attitude of a few hard-line Hindus and the present government. It is reported that 12 filmmakers are returning their national awards.  The protest is spiraling where the prestigious Padma awards are being returned. It is a cause for concern for Indians and the world. The issue was elevated India globally, and put India on the global map for negative reasons. It is time to address this issue earnestly to set the house in order to present India in a positive perspective globally.  

Returning awards is to protest against the murder of a prominent atheist scholar in August 2015 — allegedly by hard-line Hindu fundamentalist groups. It is highly deplorable that a Hindu mob lynched a Muslim man on suspicion of having consumed beef. All these acts reflect the growing intolerance in India. The writers, artists, intellectuals are extremely worried and concerned about the increasing intolerance in India.

Sahitya Akademi award (the National Academy of Letters) is India’s prestigious coveted literary honour.  It is an unprecedented in the history of India that writers are returning their awards. Hindi writer Uday Prakash was the first to return this prestigious award.  The majority agree with this move while a few disagree with it. Whatever the reasons are, it is obvious that there is a growing intolerance under the leadership of Narendra Modi who was elected with spectacular majority in the May 2014 Indian elections. Supports of Modi criticize that it is the handwork of the Indian media. But it is a fact known to everyone that issues like beef ban and religious intolerance divert the attention of India from development to fundamentalism.

D. Balasubramanian Ex-Director, CCMB India remarked, “We have reached a stage where intolerant people think their actions are being endorsed by someone at the top.”  Hence, Modi must come out openly to condemn such attacks to overcome from the present confusion that fundamentalist forces have a tacit understanding with him.

Modi came from Hindu and RSS background. He is often accused of not taking action when atrocities occurred against minority Muslims and communities. He is undergoing several challenges both within his own party (BJP) and Congress and other opposition parties. There are some leaders within his own party who are envious of his growing popularity globally. Hence, he must shed his pro-Hindu image and pioneer the respect and equality of all communities to grow as a tall leader.  

As a Prime Minister, Modi must rise above petty politics and his RSS ideology. He represents as the Prime Minister of India. He must be liberal, secular, treat everyone equally and respect all communities. He must stay away from his personal ideologies and petty politics.


Conclusion

The literary community in India doesn’t feel safe under the current government. They feel that the freedom of expression is under a grave threat. If it is so, Indian democracy is under great threat and equally Indian diversity is at stake.

The surge of violent Hindu nationalism in India is not only a cause for concern for minorities in India but also to the very fabric of Indian secularism. India survived as a nation despite beset with several political, economic and social challenges because of secularism.  Hence, it is vital to ensure success of democracy. Indian democracy is the largest one in the world and it is essential to make it the healthiest one in the world.  To conclude, India is a secular, tolerant and pluralistic country with democracy at the grass root level. Hence, we must save democracy by celebrating diversity to make India as a strong and dignified nation in the world.


“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.



If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414


Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html  


Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com
Global Top Gurus 30: http://www.globalgurus.org/leadership/upcoming.php
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.
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Tuesday, 27 October 2015

“Attacks on Authors, Intellectuals, Scholars and Professors in India?” ―Professor M.S.Rao







“Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.” ― Mahatma Gandhi


Why should a few section of people in India attack authors, intellectuals, scholars and professors when the latter voice their views on print media and social media? Do they not have right to voice their views? Are we getting intolerant with others’ ideas and insights? Are we living in a civilized society? Are we living in a democracy country?

It is unfortunate that politicians and the goons engaged by them attack authors, intellectuals, scholars and professors with inks to catch the attention of people in India. But they hardly realize that their acts put India on the global map for negative reasons. What the world will think about India when such attacks are made? The world will think that there is a growing intolerance in India. They think that democracy exists only in constitution, not in reality.  They will laugh at Indians and India for such things.  Any individual or institution or nation must be on the news for the right reasons, not for the wrong reasons. Unfortunately, India is on the global map for wrong reasons repeatedly.

Is it the same land where Mahatma Gandhi was born who fought for India’s freedom on the principles of truth and non-violence? The world will doubt our democratic credentials and our intentions when authors, intellectuals, scholars and professors are attacked. If that is their condition, what would be the fate of common men and women who suffer the most? Most of the crimes against them go unnoticed.

It is time for us to change our mindset. We must have tolerance to the views of others. We must disagree with them politely, peacefully and democratically.

Let us build an India which is democratically strong standing on the four pillars of legislature, executive, judiciary, and press. Let us demonstrate to the world that India is a peace loving country, and it stands on the Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence. Let us celebrate diversity which is the strength of India. Without religious tolerance and respect to all communities, India cannot grow as a dignified nation and as a strong nation. Let us all strive hard to inculcate right attitude in Indian citizens to respect all the citizens to take our country forward.

Here is my message to the brothers and sisters of India. Love your mother but don’t hate another persons’ mother. As your mother is precious to you, another person’s person is equally precious them. As your community is close to your heart, another person’s community is close to their hearts. When you think in these lines, you develop tolerance and respect the views and opinions of others and present yourself positively. Let us strive to build country which is tolerant and democratic with an emphasis on respect to all communities.  Jai Hind!


“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world tolerance and universal acceptance.” ― Swami Vivekananda




If you like this article, Like and share Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Professor-MSRao/451516514937414


Read my ‘Vision 2030 One Million Global Leaders’ URL: http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2014/12/professor-m-s-raos-vision-2030-one_31.html  


Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
Vision 2030 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBCO-gWmTRk
Twitter: @professormsrao  
Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com
Blog: http://professormsraoguru.blogspot.com
Global Top Gurus 30: http://www.globalgurus.org/leadership/upcoming.php
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2015 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.
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