उत्तर रामायण में शम्बूक वध का प्रकरण

कुछ लोग 'शम्बूक वध' के प्रकरण को मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्रीराम की "दलित विरोधी" विचार का प्रमाण मानते हैं। कई हिन्दू-विरोधी लोग इस प्रकरण को बार-बार उछाल कर हिन्दू धर्म की निंदा करते दीखते हैं। तो इस मामले की सही जानकारी सबको होना बहुत आवश्यक है।

शम्बूक वध का प्रकरण "उत्तर रामायण" में आता है जो कि वाल्मीकि रामायण का हिस्सा नहीं है। वाल्मीकि रामायण श्री राम के अयोध्या लौटने और सिंहासन पर बैठने के साथ ही खत्म हो जाता है। बाद में कुछ लोगों द्वारा विवादित व काल्पनिक "उत्तर रामायण" लिख कर जोड़ा गया और सारी विवादित चीजें इसी से निकलती हैं।

श्री राम द्वारा माँ सीता के त्याग का प्रकरण भी इसी काल्पनिक "उत्तर रामायण" में आता है - जिसकी मदद से श्री राम को स्त्री-विरोधी दिखाया गया। शम्बूक वध की काल्पनिक कहानी भी इसी काल्पनिक "उत्तर रामायण" का हिस्सा है जिस से श्री राम को दलित विरोधी दिखाया गया। जबकि सच ये है कि अहिल्या से लेकर केवट तक और वाल्मीकि जी तक - सब साबित करते हैं कि श्री राम मर्यादा-पुरुषोत्तम थे। विद्वानों और इतिहासकारों ने "उत्तर रामायण" को बाद में जोड़ा गया काल्पनिक कहानी ही माना है।

'शम्बूक वध' जैसे प्रकरणों को गलत तरीके से पेश करके हिन्दुओं को विभाजित करके हमारे भगवानों को बदनाम करके की साजिश से दूर रहें।

- राहुल तिवारी

Movies: Mission Mangal

Looking at the promo (teaser) and songs of upcoming movie Mission Mangal, I am scared if the movie will trivialize our scientists and ISRO in order to make it funny. I can see some glimpses of 'jugaad' in it (e.g. a scene where Vidya Balan is pressing toothpaste with her kitchen 'belan'). 

A lot of writers and television programs have created an impression of India in front of the world as if we "somehow" manage to do the job with the help of hacks (jugaad). But the fact is that ISRO has real sophisticated capabilities in space science. And similarly, Indians and Indian companies do have purely excellent skills using which they execute work. 

At this stage (movie not released yet) I can only hope that this movie does not do any harm to our country's image.

- Rahul Tiwary

World: Lesson from Jeffrey Epstein Saga: A Simplistic Take

Saw a piece of news from USA that Jeffrey Epstein has committed suicide inside his jail. 

I had not heard about him but out of curiosity, searched the web for his name. Got to know that he was a multi-millionaire before being accused of child sex trafficking charges and sent to jail. And the Wikipedia article tells more about his background:

Jeffrey was son of a gardener, grew up in working class locality and attended public schools.

As his first job, he taught physics and mathematics at a school, and it is there that he impressed CEO of Bear Stearns who was father of one of his students and got a job offer. He joins Bear Stearns as a low-level junior assistant; shows great talent and rises up the ranks; and in just 4 years he becomes a limited partner. But then he got fired for some policy violation. Then he starts his own consulting firm; achieves great successes; and becomes a multimillionaire. He also did philanthropy through his own foundation.

Then he is charged with taking a girl below age 18 for prostitution. Hells breaks loose and he is accused by dozens in child molestation cases. Serves a jail term and comes out. Then he is arrested again recently on July 6, 2019, on charges for sex trafficking of minors. And today, he committed suicide inside the jail.

From his humble background and struggles in early days, one could think that he was a great success; until his true reality came out. All his financial successes would be ignored; and his personal fallacy would always be remembered whenever his name would be remembered. That is tragedy. This is why in India of earlier days, elders always gave higher priority to character and lower to the financial success. If a person has lots of money but no character, the person is sitting on a ticking time bomb. 

This is the lesson from the Jeffrey Epstein saga. 

- Rahul Tiwary

Movies: Anil Kapoor and His Moustache

Things that set legendary actor Anil Kapoor apart in Indian Film Industry are not only his fitness and youthfulness, but also include his “moustache”. While almost all other actors had shaved their moustache (the practice is still common), Anil Kapoor sported it confidently all through the years.

Here are two pictures, one from current date and the other from his earlier days of super stardom; his moustache always won hearts! 

The reason I am writing about it is that I believe in the right of individual to dress and appear as one wants. There is a need to not take need for social conformity too seriously. That truly propels creativity. 

- Rahul Tiwary

Television: France24 News Channel

I have started watching France24 news channel on TV using my Tata Sky service. Hope to find a fresh look and new interesting views on international news. 

I am able to note that there is high international coverage on the channel. So far I was watching CNN for international news, but I got bored by anti-Trump rhetoric which CNN journalists push in the news. I am also shocked how CNN journalists and hosts can so easily insult the President of United States. In the field of journalism there should be a neutrality of tone and TV news channels should not try to push their own political agenda in front of the viewers. One more reason is that their coverage is more bent towards US. 

So far; it is all very good. Hope to get more good content. 

- Rahul Tiwary

India: Sushma Swaraj's Demise

It is very sad and shocking to hear about Ms. Sushma Swaraj's untimely death. Om Shanti. Our nation is indebted to Sushma ji. Till now, she also reminded us Atal ji's cabinet. The cabinet that Atal Behari Vajpee had formed, with stalwart leaders coming from different fields, e.g. Arun Jaitley, Arun Shourie, Ram Jethmalani, Jaswant Singh, Pramod Mahajan, Maneka Gandhi, and Sushma Swaraj - it was coming of age for India. 

Politicians like Sushma Swaraj proved that politics is still about serving the nation and not only about starting a dynasty and opening Swiss bank accounts which was the norm earlier. Politicians had gained very negative image but we have exceptions like Mrs. Sushma Swaraj who always shine brightly. 

Sushma ji was the youngest cabinet minister in Haryana state at the age of 25. She was also the first woman CM of Delhi and seven time Member of Parliament. 

When Sushma ji became our External Affairs Minister, she started making use of social media like Twitter to address people's concerns and to help them. Initially I was skeptic about it. In my opinion, digital media always creates a divide of "haves" and "have nots". If a ministery focuesses too much on social media, people from rural area or other people who do not use social media are at disadvantage. The traditional channels of communicaiton should also be kept open and strenghthened. But my skepticizm was proven wrong in a little time. News started pouring how she helped so many Indians in distress. She went ahead and also helped people from our enemy nation if they wanted to come here for medical treatement. During her tenure, and I am sure the overall government and PM Modi is also responsible for the change, the message from government was loud and clear - our government will stand by and help any Indian, anywhere on the globe. This was a big change which impacted people's minds very positively. 

Sushma ji also honored our official language Hindi in international forums. She was a messenger of Indian values. 

Amul's tweet: https://twitter.com/Amul_Coop/status/1159071718129823744?s=20 

Some other links of news etc remembering her: 

Sushma Swaraj trolls man who said she will be remembered like Sheila Dikshit:

Photo tribute: Sushma Swaraj, prolific orator, remarkable leader

'How Can She Leave So Early': Hamid Ansari, Freed From Pak Jail Due to Sushma's Efforts, Still in Disbelief

The nation is indebted.

Om Shanti.

- Rahul Tiwary

India: Scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir

Due to heavy rains in my city, we were asked to work from home today. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I was able to witness a history in the making. Today, Government of India scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and prevented Indians from other parts of the country to settle down there. It was a major hindrance in integration of people from the state with other parts of the country and was fueling separation calls by fringe elements funded from across the border. With article 370 gone, people from the state will be able to enjoy greater benefits and facilities and Indians from rest of the country will also be able to move freely in the state which is called “Switzerland of India” because of its natural beauty. 

I congratulate our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and the government for such a bold and clear decision. 

Whole India is celebrating this decision and even people of Jammu and Kashmir are celebrating. As this article tells, “People danced to drumbeats and distributed sweets as they hailed the Centre’s move as a “bold”, “historic” and “monumental” decision towards the delivery of justice to the region.”

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/jammu-celebrates-scrapping-of-article-370-despite-restrictions/article28824519.ece

Following article describes how article 370's scrapping would impact the state.

https://www.news18.com/news/india/no-separate-flag-scst-reservation-what-scrapping-of-art-370-means-for-kashmir-and-kashmiris-2259229.html

Today, I can say that I have seen only two real "Men of Steel" during my own lifetime. One is MS Dhoni in Cricket; he made bold men out of panicking boys. Second is Amit Shah in politics; he has made history today and stands amongst the giants.

Now that the historical blunder done by our first PM JL Nehru and his party has been corrected, as citizens let us also act responsibly. People from Jammu and Kashmir are now people like us. Let us help them and support national integration. Also be careful in not making insensitive jokes on Social Media which fuels confusion and distrust between people.

I congratulate every patriot Indian on this great historical day! 

Following is a small poem in Hindi written by Dr. Brijesh Tripathi, a poet and doctor I follow on social media:

Along with scrapping of article 370, the state has been divided into two union territories which is again a good decision because given the sensitive geography of the state and cross-border terrorism and influences by Pakistan and China, it makes sense that it is directly controlled by central government for some time in the future.

- Rahul Tiwary

Nature: International Tiger Day

Today is Global Tiger Day. India has a special place on the global map; to celebrate this day. Do you know that world’s 75% tigers live in India as of now? 

Do you know that tiger became India’s national animal only in year 1972 and before that the national animal status was with “lion”? To me, lions still deserve it.

Today, three tweets from the account of @IndianHistoryPics were posted which opened our eyes to a history which we do not imagine. First one is below:

This would shock anyone that government of India advertised in Western countries inviting foreign tourists to come to India to shoot tigers for pleasure! How reckless anyone could be. Similarly, the British and the Rajas had hunted Cheetahs and Cheetah had become extinct in India. I had written about it earlier here.

The other two pictures above show queen and royalties killing tigers:

Recently there was an uproar on social media when some villagers got together and killed a tigress. A villager had somehow reached near the tigress and she had attacked him. The man ran and saved his life and later on all the villagers got into group, searched the tigress and killed her by hitting her with sticks and sharp weapons. When forest officials reached her, she was found to be beyond cure and all her bones were broken. She later died. This event although shocked anywhere and people naturally called for arrest of the villagers, the villagers approach is easy to understand. it is believed that once a wild animal tastes human blood, it comes back for more. Therefore, it was likely that the tigress would have become a "man eater". Hence out of fear, people decided to take law into their own hands and kill the threat. 

There is no doubt that tigers are magnificent animals and need to be protected. Hopefully we shall have truly protected jungles in India where wild animals can live in a natural environment. It is very important to stop human interactions with them. 

On Global Tiger’s Day, let us remember the sins our people have done in the past against the tigers and let us pledge to help maintain a balance in nature. 

-        -  Rahul

Songs: Hamen Jab Se Mohabbat Ho Gai Hai

Nice song. I wonder why they don’t make such songs any more: 

Society: Chain-Smoker Actors of Bollywood

I went through an article telling about chain smoker actors of Bollywood:

Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor: Chain Smokers of Bollywood

https://www.ibtimes.co.in/shah-rukh-khan-ranbir-kapoor-chain-smokers-bollywood-802274

I had read earlier about Shah Rukh Khan being a chain smoker – we can also read that from the way his face is. 

But I was shocking to find that Ranbir Kapoor has been smoking since age of 15! How can he maintain his charm and charisma despite being a chain smoker? He must be an exceptional case.

The others from the list are not surprises. Everyone knows Sanjay Dutt was a bad guy. And Ajay Devgn’s face tells that he smoked. Shahid Kapoor, to some extent is a shocking realization. But he has quit smoking.

We can also understand from the article that several actors have quit smoking now. That is a good trend.

-        -  Rahul

Movie Review: Super 30

I watched “Super 30” where super star Hrithik Roshan plays the role of Bihari teacher Anand Kumar. 

I am a huge fan of Hrithik Roshan; but I would accept that before watching this movie I was skeptical whether this role fitted Hrithik’s image well. But after watching the movie, I can only say, “Wow!”. Hrithik has played the role of a Bihari character Anand Kumar so well! Kudos to Hrithik. 

The story is equally mesmerizing and immensely inspiring. After watching the movie one can only be left revering teacher Anand Kumar for his true contribution to the society. It is a story of rising against all odds, fighting the system, being vulnerable, losing his love of life not due to poverty but due to principles of life and what a gritty story this is. Story is gripping and so very touching.

While watching the movie I was reminded of my own struggles while preparing for IIT JEE (entrance exam). Coming from a small town in Bihar, I arrived in Lucknow to get admission in a coaching institute. I loved mathematics most and at the beginning of the session, the institute took a test to assess how much the students knew maths. I topped the exam. Then we were informed that there will be a second exam. When asked about its reason, the administrator said that even though the topper of the exam has scored good marks, the second topper and subsequent ones have not scored well. So, a second test was conducted and I topped it again! As a prize, I was given a thick book on mathematics of a foreign writer. The book was in yellow cover. A very similar episode happens in this movie too; when Anand Kumar tops a test and wins gold medal. But when he realizes that the runner up has got a foreign journal as prize, he wishes that he had won second prize instead of the first prize! 

The movie also reminded me of my love for mathematics and how I have missed it totally after leaving college. In my best days I would study and solve mathematics puzzles for 6 hours at a stretch. I plan to do something to still be in touch with mathematics. 

There are several touching episodes in the movie which have come up very well. The lovely relationship between Anand Kumar and his father is very touching; the way Anand Kumar loses his love due to choices he had made in life; Anand Kumar's brother and how he sacrificed for his brother's cause; and how Anand Kumar lost the Cambridge University opportunity - these events make it an epic story which viewers will remember for a long time to come. 

Three cheers for Anand Kumar and his Super 30! We need more people like Anand Kumar, especially in ignored places like Bihar, to make our country great again. India is on its path of resurgence and everyone needs to contribute for our nation’s progress for next many years; in order to make India a developed country.

Pankaj Tripathi has played the role of education mafia very well. He reminds of Manoj Vajpayee in his role in the movie Arakshan. Pankaj Tripathi has made his name very well with powerful performances. Another interesting aspect is that while Hrithik Roshan has used Bihari accent in his dialogues, the movie truly represents India as a whole and this story appears to be of any state of India. It is really magical the way movie-makers have made it that the broad horizon has come up very well. 

-      -      Rahul Tiwary

Pictures: Father Son Yearly Pictures Together for 26 Long Years

I came across this very interesting article. A father took picture of himself with his son every year in the same pose and collected the pictures in the form of a collage. Looking at the pictures sequentially we can see gradual ageing of both the father and his son; as well as changing look and expressions due to ageing. At one point, the son is too thin, and we get worried about his future. But in next year’s picture, the son looks okay and we are relieved. 

https://brightside.me/article/check-out-these-photos-a-father-took-with-his-son-over-the-course-of-26-years-4855/?image=766860

This is a wonderful way to capture growth and ageing and also shows the mutual love of the father and his son. And the last picture is a gem. Please go through above link and I hope you would love it.

-     -      Rahul Tiwary

Movie: Zero of Shah Rukh Khan

Happened to watch the movie “Zero” which is a Shah Rukh Khan movie. At first look I loved it. It reminded me of why SRK’s movies are always good to watch and a treat anytime anywhere. Such movies are so entertaining. At the same time, I need to make some casual remarks over it:  

  1. Bauwa in Zero = Pappu in RaGa

By giving SRK’s dwarf character a name “Bauwa”, Zero makers have done the same evil spin to the lovely word “bauwa”; which Rahul Gandhi haters did to the cute name “Pappu”. These guys should be prosecuting for trying to assassinate an innocent name.  

 2. Stephen Hawking = Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder = Anushka Sharma making weird face

And where do you remember “Yusufzai” from? Clue: Malala “Yusafzai”. 

Somehow, the makers of Zero thought to make Aafia, the scientist’s character Anushka Sharma was playing, to be a female (and younger) replica of Stephen Hawking. She twists her mouth as she speaks and her flawless skin shines. She gnarls and tries to make her voice sound weird and audience is left feeling “yukk” instead of feeling sorry. What the hell, Zero? 

  3. Every character spoke the same ‘rowdy’ language

There is something about the dialogues and language used in Zero. Language is blunt, perhaps trying to fit into the impression of “Meerut” region of UP where the earlier part of movie is set in. Perhaps everyone in Meerut is same? But it is hard to digest that scientist Aafia (played by Anuskha Sharma) and Mumbai’s actress Babita Kumari (played by Katrina) also speak the same language. “Bhaag ja Bauwe” resonates into my ears; along with the twisted face of Anushka as she speaks it. God save me “Bauwe”. 

  4.  Tyrion Lannister’s impact over portrayal of dwarfs

It seems Game of Thrones character Tyrion Lannister has changed the way the world of silver screen looks at dwarfs forever. The over-simplification of dwarfs tells the following, for example:

a.   Dwarfs are always angry at God and often curse God; obviously for giving them short height

b.   Dwarfs think that they have right to do whatever crime they want to do and they won’t go to “hell”, because they are already living it

c.   Dwarfs have a refined sense of humor, just because they are dwarfs

d.   Dwarfs hate their fathers most; and due to some weird reason, they do not hate their (respective) mothers

  5.  Dark Shade and a confused storyline

Dark stories present a completely new ground and captivate audience’s attention in a gripping manner which other movies can never do. But is Zero a dark-humor movie? Is Zero a comedy? Is it a commercial masala film? No one can tell what it is. Because it tries to be everything; it fails to be any single thing. 

-     - Rahul Tiwary