A fresh perspective on doing business with India

A fresh perspective on doing business with India

Thakur Ranjit Singh

“Some businesses may be battling bureaucratic wrangling, red tape and some sort of corruption in India. …Do not get involved in corruption. Understand and respect Indian business regulations and bureaucracy, and adapt to meet their requirements…. In spite of these problems, the huge and growing market potential continues to attract businesses,” these were the honest assessment and words of advice to businessmen from a respected and successful businessman, Wenceslaus Anthony,   a Board Member of Bank of Baroda, among other important positions,  and  Chairman of India New Zealand Business Council.

Mr  Wenceslaus Anthony the keynote speaker-Do not get involved in corruption..Understand and respect Indian business regulations

Mr Anthony was speaking to businessmen at ANZ Bank premises, Lincoln Road, Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand on 28 February, 2013. This business networking was organised by Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) and sponsored by ANZ, to promote and foster better business relationships with India. WIA does not only organise social, cultural, community and religious festivals like Diwali, Holi and Girmit Remembrance Day but is  also involved with community welfare services such as Family Violence, Senior Citizens, Youth, Women concerns and Hindi Language and Culture School. Now it has gone one notch higher by becoming a vehicle to promote and enhance business activities.

Guests at the WIA/ANZ Business Network evening,(from left) Mrs Amail Habib, Francis Peters, a solicitor at Corban Revell lawyers and Vice President of Waitakere Ethnic Board, Amail Habib, Deputy Chair of Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel (EPAP) at Auckland Council,  Andrew Webster, Senior Regional maner ANZ Auckland and Northland and Dr Rajen Prasad, Labour List MP.

In the last 5 years, the Indian economy has grown at 8.5% to become the third largest economy in Asia, behind Japan and China. India is the 9th largest economy in the world in absolute $ terms and is poised to become the 4th largest by around 2030. In terms of PPP –Purchasing Power Parity (the same purchasing power in different countries), India has become the 3rd largest economy behind USA and China

Media presence at the function: Rajesh Maharaj (left), Station Manager for Humm FM 106.2 radio station, with WIA Executive Mahendra Dutt Sharma.

But, what does this mean to NZ Businesses? To answer this, WIA expanded its horizon to promote business. It thus invited Mr Anthony, to enlighten India’s Growth and what it means for businesses in New Zealand.

He reminded businessmen and community leaders that India is not synonymous with corruption. “There are organizations like Wipro, Godrej and Infosys who never compromise on moral and sound business ethical values. These are just few of the examples.  Hence, NZ businesses need to take that extra step and look for businesses that stand for honesty,” Anthony said. He advised that India NZ Business Council, respective Indian and New Zealand High Commissions, Trade Commissioner in Delhi and, ANZ could play a vital role with its branch in India. “We have a pool of talents from India already in NZ. The likes of Waitakere Indian Association can play a great role. We need to get them together and ignite their minds,” Anthony said.  He urged New Zealanders to establish contacts, be good hosts, create good impressions and build relationship because”…business in India is based on relationships that encompass family, personal life, and interests as well as shared business acumen.”

Anthony spoke about his dream that NZ could be one of the partners in India’s march towards becoming a Developed Nation. “We need the likes of India-NZ Business Council, Waitakere Indian Association, ANZ bank to build this bond in business between the two countries…the motto of Infosys is “Powered by intellect and driven by values” while Former President of India, Abdul Kalam said “ We need ignited minds,” he concluded with a refreshing advice on doing business with India.

ANZ enhancing diversity -Mr. Andrew Webster, Senior Regional Manager Auckland & Northland, (Left) and Sunil Kaushal who oversees Indian sector banking needs and adds to the theme that the face of ANZ staff represents the face of community

Earlier, ANZ’s Andrew Webster, Senior Regional Manager Auckland & Northland spoke about ANZ’s special focus on cultural diversity and their strategic orientation in addressing the increasing Asian needs in the community. “Our focus and recognition reflects the importance of Indian business community  to New Zealand’s success,” he observed, and added that the Bank, being largest in NZ with most staff and branches, was well geared to look after the needs of changing population.

Webster made a crucial declaration that hits at the heart of businesses aligning to changing demographic environment and embracing diversity. “One of the things we try to do is to make sure the face of our staff represent the face of the community.” He added that in his business which is focussing on small and medium businesses with 200 staff, 34% are of Chinese descent while 20% are Indians. These people represent the community and can provide culturally appropriate services. ANZ walks its talk on embracing diversity by being involved in their affairs. “We do this, by sponsorship of Diwali. We also have strategic relationship with India-New Zealand Business Council and have strategic partnership with Department of Ethnic Affairs, “ Webster said.

Waitakere hosting a Pukekohe visitor: Sunil Chandra, (left), President of Waitakere Indian Association, and Manoj Tahal, (right), Events and Business Networking Director of WIA, with Bhikhu Bhana (middle), executive of Pukekohe Indian Association

President of WIA, Sunil Chandra acknowledged the presence of Labour MP Dr. Rajen Prasad, Bhikhu Bhana, Executive of Pukekohe Indian Association, Linda Cooper, Chairperson, Waitakere Licensing Trust and Amail Habib, Deputy Chair for Auckland Council’s Ethnic Panel. He stressed that apart from community and cultural activity, the business networking was widening the scope of WIA to help the community and building relationship with business community. “In doing community work, we built a close relationship with ANZ which is a major sponsor for all our activities and we really appreciate the help and support of ANZ in helping WIA serve the wider community,” Sunil said.

Roshila Prasad, Executive Director of Humm FM radio station, in discussion with Roneel Singh, Secretary of Waitakere Indian Association

Through this business networking, community needs to salute Waitakere Indian Association for their FIRST, once again: for venturing into areas other similar organisations can emulate. That is, to better serve their communities and foster community well-being by enhancing business opportunities with India.

[E-Mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

Photos and story by Thakur Ranjit Singh.

NZ Sanatan Naari Sabha leads the way for others to follow

NZ Sanatan Naari Sabha leads the way for others to follow

Thakur Ranjit Singh

NZ Sanatan Nari Sabha (Sabha) initiated, ignited and led a new exemplary trend for all Hindus when they organised “Mata Jagran” (Whole night vigil and worship) at Shiv Mandir in Manurewa Auckland on 23^rd February, 2013.

Durga Maa Jagran - the decorated shrine

This is an exemplary trend that needs to be followed by other Hindu organisation, not only in Auckland, but in Indian Diaspora as a whole. Most prayers, parvachans and religious discourse are held in abstract, bearing little relationship to present-day problems. In particular, I remember an incident with Hindu Council of New Zealand, which rejected my proposal of incorporating domestic violence with celebration of Racha Bandhan. (Await a separate story on this in FIJI PUNDIT). As usual, politicians have field days in Indian and Hindu functions. We sing and dance, sweep the problem of woman-beating under the carpets and celebrate public Ratcha Bandhans while our sisters get beaten up. So much for public-seeking religious organisation, which hold big conferences in big hotels, with little benefit to people on the ground.

Mrs Mavis Lata Singh-[Lata Ji,] (left) of NZ Sanatan Naari Sabha, chief organiser, with one of her committee members.

Therefore it came as a breath of fresh air when the chief organiser Mavis Lata Singh (Lata Ji) and her Sabha decided to incorporate violations of human rights of women with this Jagran - a whole night vigil for Mata Durga and other Hindu Goddesses. The Sabha especially dedicated this Jagran to each girl and woman who has been through or is going through horrific violations of human rights, mainly to the one who became the voice of our conscience as “Damini”.

Damini -the movie behind the theme of social issue of domestic violence

The speakers for the evening, three Singhs, Judge Ajit Swaran Singh, National List MP Kanwal Singh Bakshi and yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh, dwelt on these cases of abuse of women and the way our society treats them.

Judge Ajit Swaran Singh -"...it is the obligation of community to report cases of abuse.. those remaining quiet are as guilty of the crime as the perpetrators of the actual crime.

Judge Singh told of cases where we pay respect for our Goddesses but in reality treat own women very differently. Picking on the topic of Damini, which was a Hindi film, released in 1993, Judge Singh urged people to watch this movie. “This movie exemplifies entrenched attitude of some members of our community where family prestige is more important than the rights of a woman who is a victim of abuse, and in particular, sexual abuse. Family often tries to cover it up because it stigmatises the community and brings shame on the family and therefore often it is hushed up and not spoken about,” Judge Singh said. He said the movie speaks of a higher court than this one, and that is the court of conscience. There is a need to bring such issues in religious programmes to educate our people. “It is not only the perpetrators of crime, who need to be brought to justice, but those as well who know that a crime has been committed, but remain silent, as they are as guilty of the crime as those who committed it, “Judge Singh said. He emphasised on the obligations of the community to report any such crime we see taking place such as rape, assault and violence. He praised the Sabha for taking this leadership role in combating domestic violence.

National List MP Kanwal Singh Bakshi (Right) was accompanied by Angela Dalton, Chairperson of Manurewa Local Board.

Kanwal Singh Bakshi explained the different roles that women play-from a child to a housewife and to a mother. He narrated a story on the virtues of a mother, and the theme of that was that another name of a woman is love and sacrifice. “Our children are product of a family, hence it is important for parents to have religious activities at home and take their children to religious programmes to ensure we produce good citizens who respect women, “Bakshi said. He praised Indo- Fijian families for their religious, language and education progress and urged all to get more people to attend such beneficial programmes, addressing religious and community issues together.

FIJI PUNDIT-Thakur Ranjit Singh "..it is time for abused women to stand up and fight back.."

Thakur Ranjit Singh also took the medium of films and TVs to educate people on domestic violence and injustices against women. “We say Sita - Ram, Radhe - Shyam, Gauri - Shankar, Latchmi - Vishnu, always reciting women’s names first. Mythologically, all deities are supposed to have evolved from women - Shakti. We Hindus have so many festivals honoring our Goddesses. Why in reality we treat our living Goddesses, our women with such contempt, disrespect and scorn? “, Thakur asked. He encouraged people to see film “Lajja” to get an appreciation of women’s rights on dowry, violence and foeticide.

Thakur quoted from his earlier blog posting from and article he wrote on his blogsite (www.fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz) and that was posted on an incident from TV serial ‘Madhubala.” You can catch that story on: http://fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/family-violence-fight-back-abused-woman.html

Madhubala-EkIshq Ek Junoon- TV Serial that depicts a woman's courage to fight back a Rakshas and so-called Pati Parmeshwar.

The other trend the Sabha set was to feed the people before the program, so that it is healthier to eat early and not sleep on full stomach. The management committee of Shiv Mandir has to be commended for bringing much-needed improvements to their facilities by extending the kitchen and eating area.

FIJI PUNDIT takes this opportunity to congratulate NZ Sanatan Naari Sabha for taking these trend-setting bold steps that other organization in Auckland and Indian Diaspora can emulate. This is to: associate and encompass social issues with religious celebrations, and to feed people before the programme, as it is a healthier habit. Thanks to Lata ji and her commendable team for a job well done. May the blessing of Mata Di be bestowed on you all. Mata Di bless you all.

[Thakur Ranjit Singh-E-mail:thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

Truth shall prevail: Thakur Ranjit Singh cleared of any wrongdoing by Waitakere Indian Association.

Truth shall prevail: Thakur Ranjit Singh cleared of any wrongdoing by Waitakere Indian Association.

Thakur Ranjit Singh

Yesterday, 15^th February, 2013 was Basant Panchmi, the day we normally erect Holika in Fiji to celebrate the festival of Holi. Next month we will celebrate Holi publicly at Trusts Stadium at Henderson, Auckland on Sunday 31 March, 2013. Waitakere Indian Association initiated public Holi celebrations in Auckland in 2005, and other organisations have copied this trend in Auckland. The theme of Holi is victory of good over bad and evil. That is exactly what I am going to write about, where a poor David wins over mighty Goliath, as Bhakt Prahlad won over her evil Aunt Holika.

A flash-back to Waitakere Indian Association Rang Barse Holi Mela last year, with yours truly (Thakur) as MC, addressing the audience. Dewa Chaudhry, President of Parupkaar Ramayan Faag Mandali (in red with harmonium) is ready to sing a thrilling faag (Holi song) while DJ Gabbaroo Manish Sharma, the sound technician for the day is all in the joyful mood of Holi in the Park at Trust Stadium Grounds, Auckland.

It is indeed unusual to do a story on oneself, but they say, if you want anything done properly, do it yourself. One cannot entirely have faith in Indian Media in Auckland, least of it, Indian Newslink, which has set an agenda to malign me and refused to publish a right of reply. Hence I will tell what they may not.

 In an executive meeting of Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) on 13^th February, 2013, yours truly, Thakur Ranjit Singh was unanimously and with full respect and honour, bestowed back on the position of Vice President of the Association. This reinstatement is with a condition that I should not bring disrepute to the organisation. This will be a matter of opinion, as truth, which, like India, is the motto of my blogsite Fiji Pundit, which stands at Satmev Jayte (Truth shall prevail).

WIA, in August last year was pressured, in fact lobbied and directed, to sack me by the Indian and one Hindu leader in Auckland in response to my Facebook posting on reality in India. These, among others included truth of rampant corruption, black money and mistreatment of women and low –caste people in India. [You can read those original ‘offending” Facebook posting on this link: http://fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/mera-bharat-mahaan-thakurs-offending.html]

I apologised, though found it strange that Indian leaders, representing the largest democracy in the world were riled by my use of freedom of speech, media freedom and freedom to belong to an association. These are strong pillars of democracy, and one would not be wrong to say that those from the largest democracy in the world should be promoting the essence of democracy, and not punishing those who were exercising their democratic rights. But it unfolded like a script from Bollywood.

In August 2012, I was away overseas and unavailable to defend the slander and accusations heaped against me. Hence WIA, to diffuse the situation, suspended me from the position of Vice President. This was done to protect the interests of WIA which was threatened by this Indian lynch mob (as I call them) because of threats on loss of sponsorship, used their media and community influence and financial muscle, among others.

In the meeting earlier this week, I initially volunteered to withdraw from the position of Vice President and completely quit to protect the interests of WIA, as I had no wish to see me sacked again at the whim of opinions by the so-called community leaders. This was also because of some offending, defamatory and derogatory  e-mails against me circulating in Indian leadership and there was threat to “disassociate with WIA” as well as lobby politicians to boycott WIA unless Thakur was removed. However, the executives of WIA felt that I had done more positive and discounted such threats. It was recognised that I was voicing truth and fighting for the rights of others through my blogsite FIJI PUNDIT (www.fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz). It was resolved that a media statement would be issues out by the President Sunil Chandra on my reinstatement.

In my earlier posting in my blogsite Fiji Pundit, I have gone ahead and requested Indian Media in New Zealand as well as other developed countries, not to stifle free speech but become medium of change on wrongs done in India [Read at: http://fijipundit.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/indian-media-in-developed-countries.html]

I am grateful to Waitakere Indian Association for seeing the light and reinstating me with full honour. This is a lesson to all. Like the theme of Holi and Diwali, good and truth always win in the end. I would like to repeat that in whole of Auckland, in fact in New Zealand, Waitakere Indian Association has been awarded, called and attributed as the best organised and operated community organisation. The lesson to other Indian organisations is, if they cannot help, neither should they try to weaken or divide WIA, which in fact, they need to emulate. This is because WIA has always stood tall in being a clean, credible, exemplary and effective community organisation; never succumbing to any form of pressures which most community organisations find hard to resist. WIA’s reinstatement of their Vice President is a resounding message to other Indian organisations that it is a community organisation far above politics and any forms of coercive egoism.

Waitakere Rang Barse Holi Mela last year - the largest and only of its type Holi -in -the- Park at Trusts Stadium Ground in Auckland, New Zealand. You are invited to attend Waitakere Indian Association Rang Barse Holi Mela at same venue on Sunday 31 March, 2013 (Easter Weekend)....Fagun Bhar Baba Devar Laage (In the festivities on Holi, your father -in -law is akin to your brother-in-law.)

To celebrate the victory of good over evil, I hope to see you all at Waitakere Rang Barse Holi Mela at Trust Stadium Grounds, Central Park Drive, Henderson, Auckland on Sunday 31 March, 2013. Who knows, in the spirit of Holi, I may be able to forgive the members of the Indian Lynch Mob, if they are present to face the truth. Ho..ho…ho..Holi hay…

FAMILY VIOLENCE: Fight back, abused woman urged by Madhubala Hindi TV Serial

FAMILY VIOLENCE: Fight back, abused woman urged by Madhubala Hindi TV Serial

Thakur Ranjit Singh

In light of news of institutionalized abuse of women in India and recent rape and murder case, it is nice to see Bollywood reacting to this situation, and incorporating abuse of women in TV serials. One such is Madhubala-Ek Isk ek Junoon. (Google to search and watch). As it is easier to get to many readers via the channel of Bollywood, I am using this TV serial, Madhubala to pass this important message on FAMILY VIOLENCE, which is also very prevalent India, in Indian Diaspora in general and Indo Fijian Diaspora in particular across the world, including my New Zealand.

Madhubala -Ek Ishq Ek Junoon: Hindi TV serial that has seriously addressed the issue of  FAMILY VIOLENCE and removed the myth of male-superiority and outdated concept of Pati Parmeshwar-husband as Gods.

In this episode of 30^th January, 2013, the dialogue and the message stood up strongly in support of women’s efforts to fight back.  Balraj Chaudhry (Ballu), an abusive husband of Padmini (Paddo) holds her family hostage through his goons and was about to shoot Madhubala, daughter of Paddo and Chaudhry. Paddo ends up shooting and killing  her husband.  She is brought to court and there are calls from prosecution to hang her.

When a Rakshas (demon, devil) father ( Balraj Chaudhry) holds his daughter, Madhubala, a hostage and threatens to kill her, what does a mother do? She becomes Durga, the destroyer and kills the Rakshas. There is urge for woman to take their rightful place in society to fight injustice and abuse.

In the court, Padmini says that if the law wants to hang her, so be it, as she deserves it! She says..BUT it should NOT be for killing Ballu ..she  should be hanged for tolerating all of his torture, insults and abuse ..  ..for not hitting him back for the slaps and fists, for not opposing violence.. for never retaliating, for tolerating silently an as an ideal Hindu wife for ego, community respect, false pride and honour of a villainous husband! She says she should be punished for running away..for falling weak.. when Ballu threatened her unborn baby. She says...she will go in peace....by killing the Rakshas - and ending torture for the family--

Prosecution lawyer picks on the word ‘Rakshas’ and says ...in a country where husbands are called  ... ‘Pati Parmeshwar’ (Husband supreme, God), she insulted her Pati Parmeshwar.. That is when Madhu takes over and renders a powerful dialogue that should become an example in all cases of family violence and abusive husbands where women have said ....enough is enough, and strike back.

Madhubala in docks- those desirous of being addressed as Pati Parmeshwar ( Husband superior as God) should try to become a Pati (husband) FIRST.Why do those behaving like monsters want to be treated as Gods? Women need to question this outdated and undeserving honour for abusive men.

Madhu says that those who are desirous of being addressed as Pati Parmeshwar need to be a Pati or husband FIRST. If you knew what this (Ballu) Rakshas did, you would stop praying to Parmeshwar (God). Madhu takes stand and defines ‘Parmeshwar. It is a force and power that nurtures, protects and keeps one alive. However, a person who wants to destroy, who wants to kill his wife and daughter and becomes a danger for his own children cannot be a ‘Parmeshwar’. He is a ‘Rakshas’ a demon, and a devil! She says there are many in our society who harbour the same undeserving superiority thoughts for a male.

An ugly picture? That is the face that some abusive men give to their wives and other women.. It is time women stood up against this abuse and seek help in the least and expose those Rakshas in their homes and societies.

When a boy is born in a family, they regard a Gods Avtar (incarnation) is born, and we are told a boy is superior to a girl.. The boy is told you are our son, an incarnation of God and Chirag or light and candle of the family. Then, one day the internal flame of this candle burns the house, starts burning the ladies in dark street corners, and burns beauty of women with acids.

They rape women in a moving bus and kill them. On many occasions, female babies are killed in their mother’s womb through foeticide! These are the examples of the supposed guardians, and saviors of our society- the Parmeshwar, the God. Such men should be publicly shot dead on crossroads or hung!

It is time for women to stand up for the protection of their families and society where Raksahs rule now. and FIGHT BACK

She asks all... .why girls are weak. .why they are idols of sacrifices? From school fees to clothes for festivals, they are the ones who have to sacrifice for their brothers. Why cannot boys and brothers be asked to sacrifice for their sisters? Why – because they TOLERATE.. they ENDURE and DO NOT SLAP BACK! She says.. that if the person who handles the home goes off the track..there will be no home left, and no world..!

She says. .no matter how big a man becomes. .he is woman born, born from the womb of a woman, and hope time does not come when our wombs become wayward and go on strike.. there won’t be a world left..! She says a woman breastfeeds the child with milk that develops bones. When that baby grows up as a man that same Rakshas, that demon beats up his wife from the same bones, and pays back by breaking another woman’s bones and teeth? Imagine what will happen if women stop feeding these Rakshas? She says a man who is born of a woman insults and defames his mother by hurting another woman.

AT 11 WEEKS, THE BABY STARTED KICKING: AT 22 WEEKS SO DID THE FATHER: A man who is born of a woman insults and defames his mother by hurting another woman. Shame on men who insult their mother.

Madhu says the woman standing in front, her mother, is not only her mother, but a lady who has endured such thoughts of a husband who was an epitome of a Rakshas and she suffered a lot under the false sham of an ideal Hindu wife. If today she was attacked, she may have endured that as well. But when she picked up the gun to kill Balraj Chaudhry, it was to protect her child.., she reached a breaking point of endurance and reacted. It was overlooked and ignored, that a woman is not only just a Janani who gives birth. But to protect her children, she can also become a Durga Avtar to kill the Rakshas. She has spent her life to raise me, and today when she saw danger, she reacted to protect me. So, for me, she is my Parmeshwar, God. And today I am proud of her what she did to execute her Rakshas husband to protect her family.

She tells all the women in the court that if their husbands are abusive and Rakshas like Balraj Chaudhry, they should do what her mother did – FIGHT BACK.

Paddo tells all women to stand up and fight back. She urges abused women to reply and retaliate to the first slap, first swear and first abuse so that men cannot gain courage to stand up for second round of abuse. Otherwise the sin, abuse and injustice will grow to such an extent that they will take the form of a demon, a Rakshas. That is why women should fight back- for her children, for her family and for her society. Stand up for your family ..For their kids and for society! Act before the man becomes a demon and a Rakshas.

Women in Indian, especially Hindu societies are regarded as "Shakti" -the strength and source of power.. It is time women stopped being a "bechari" or item of pity, and assumed the power and strength they are bestowed in mythologies,  and stand up to fight demons, devils and Rakshas in homes and community, whenever injustice on women is commuted.

THIS IS A STRONG MESSAGE to Indian and Hindu ladies- you have attended enough rituals, hawans, Mata’s Jagran, Hindu conferences, seminars, workshops, Navratam Garba and rituals singing power and praises of various Goddesses. You have been doing that always that never improved your well being and status in society. Please step back, assume the role of Durga and Kali and FIGHT BACK for yourself, your family and society. Especially fight for your sisters in India.

There have been too much pooja and meaningless rituals. Now women have to take action and fight an unjust system – for themselves here as well in societies elsewhere on family violence. Gone are the days of shouting..”bachao.. bachao..’ (Help, save, save) and that of Pati Parmeshwar-husband the God, if he is a demon and Rakshas. As told by Paddo in “Madhubala”, it is time for abused women to stand up and fight back. That may just mean telling the world about your problems and exposing the Rakshas in your home and society. AND ACCEPTING THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND TALKING ABOUT IS.

A face of despair and pain. It is time women stood up to fight  against the injustice of FAMILY VIOLENCE. There is need to talk about it. Padmini executed her abusive husband to save her daughter and family. THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS TO SEEK HELP AND EXPOSE RAKSHAS IN YOUR FAMILY.

So join your brother Thakur, and tell the Indian High Commissioner and his elite cocktail circuit, to tell New Delhi and India to change their mindset and thinking about status of women in India. Now the Durga and Kali will assume their mythological power and will FIGHT BACK. JAI MATA DI- RISE TO REMOVE INJUSTICE.

[E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz

Satyamev Jayate: Respect your women, India:

Satyamev Jayate: Respect your women, India: Republic Day 2013

"Satyameva Jayate" in English means: Truth Alone Triumphs. This is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture. Upon independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto of India. The history of the Republic of India began on 26 January 1950. The country became an independent dominion within the British Commonwealth  on 15 August 1947.

"Satyamev Jayate": It is inscribed in Devanagari script at the base of the Indian national emblem. The emblem is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Asoka which was erected around 250 BC

Need to change mindset of Hindu and Indian males towards women

This 2013 Republic Day, I wish to pass a message of truth-Satyamev Jayte, in an effort to change the mindset of Hindu and Indian male about the place and respect of women in our society and homes. We say Sita - Ram, Radhe - Shyam, Gauri - Shankar, Latchmi - Vishnu, always reciting women’s names first. Mythologically, all deities are supposed to have evolved from women - Shakti. We Hindus have so many festivals honoring our Goddesses. But this honour and respect are only confined to lifeless foreign made (mostly Chinese) murtis, idols, images and statues made of metals, stones and plastics. Why in reality we treat our living Goddesses, our women with such contempt, disrespect and scorn, contrary to the teachings of our religion? Doesn’t that make us big hypocrites?

India is great-some of its leaders and people shame it

India is a great country, we can boast about success stories and past leaders. But how about NOW? Which way, India? In Manoj Kumar’s Bollywood movie, Purab aur Pacchim, there is a song...” Hai preet jahan ki reet sada...” (Where love is our custom....).  In a London hotel, Manoj Kumar boasts about India...sabbhayta jahan pehle janmi... where civilization took birth. Some may argue this.

Manoj Kumar's exemplary Bollywood movie on virtues of cultures of east or India. He boasts about civilisation taking birth in India. That, however is questionable, given the mistreatment bestowed on many Indian women by men.

As a primary school child at Vaqia Indian School in rural Ba, Fiji in 1960s, we grew up reading Jules Vernes “ Around the World in 80 Days”  In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his  French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days. In 1873 India, on the way to Allahabad, they come across a procession, in which a young Indian woman, Aouda, is led to a sanctuary to be forcefully sacrificed by the process of suttee (Sati) the next day by Brahmins. They rescue her from a ritualistic death.

Jules Verne's 1873 novel tells the tale of Suttee pratha (Sati system) in India where an Indian princess is rescued by an Englishman from a ritualistic death. The book has been adopted in films and plays as well.

I learnt this dark Indian treatment of its women at a very early age. Though fiction, it was a fact, which was later depicted in Aamir Khan’s historical movie, Mangal Pandey-the Rising where a young widow is rescued by a British soldier. It made me wondering. How is civilization supposed to have started in a place where the British have to rescue women, who against their will, are burnt on the pyre (funeral fire, chita) of their dead husbands? British passed laws in 1800s, outlawing this uncivilized act of atrocity and others by Brahmins male in particular and Indian men in general, towards women.

Aamir Khan's "Mangal Pandey-the rising" depicts a widow being rescues by a British soldier during the barbaric system of Sutte pratha ( Sati System of widow burning)

You will say, but in our scriptures, we show a great deal of respect and fairness for women. Wrong again. Ahilya in Ramayan was wrongfully punished, and depicts a man’s injustice towards women. Look at Mahabharat, where Pandavas wager Draupadi in a game of gambling, as if women were common chattels of men. It appears we still have numerous men in India today, disrobing Draupadis, without any Krishna in sight. None came to rescue the Delhi victim in a bus.

Draupadi being disrobed by men in  mythology Mahabharat, but was saved the honour by Lord Krishna. But there is no Lord Krishna in reality for other hundreds and thousands of Indian women in institutionalised system of mistreatment ignored and tolerated by a male-dominated system

Some say, when Mother earth, Dharti Mata came to take away her ever-suffering daughter, Sita for Dhari-Prawesh , a curse is rendered that our women will always be suffering and crying as Sita was made to do. It appears that curse has become a reality in India when a G20 survey revealed that India is the worst country for a woman to be born. As the tip of the iceberg is tilting after revolution caused by Delhi rape, we are now seeing the full picture of an unjust Hindu and Indian system against women.

Painting of Sutti pratha, the ceremony of burning of a Hindu widow with the body of her late husband on the funeral pyre (Chita). Is that what civilisation is about? Are we still tolerating similar barbaric and nonsensical rituals degrading our Hindu and Indian women?

Lajja (Shame, modesty)

As Indians are obsessed with Bollywood, I normally use those examples to send home a message. One of the best Indian movies on rights and plight of women is Lajja, meaning shame and modesty. Lajja is a 2001 Hindi film, based on the plight of women in India. The movie recounts the story of four women, and stars some of the best known names in Hindi cinema, including Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Mahima Chaudhry, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Ajay Devgan.

Bollywood movie 'Lajja" (Shame) depicts  plight of four women named in various names of Sita: Maithali, Janaki, Ramdulari and Vaidehi. Perhaps one of the best Indian movies on rights of women in India, and ranges from issues of Dowry, Infanticide and violence against women.

The movie satirizes the honor with which women are placed in society and the restrictions on them. The fact that the four women's names (Maithali, Janaki, Ramdulhari, and Vaidehi) are all versions of Sita, the ideal Hindu woman's name, is a message in itself. It ranges from dowry to infanticide, to violence, male chauvinism and gross inequality for women in India.

Rekha boldly fights infanticide in "Lajja" but how many women are really fighting against this criminal activity and that of foeticide (killing females in womb) as depicted by Aamir Khan's TV serial 'Satyamev Jayate.

One highlight for me was when Madhuri Dixit raises a commotion in a stage play Ramayan and this leads to an outcry where she is assaulted by the audience. What she raises is that why should Sita alone go through Agni paricha? (Purity test via fire). Ram was also away from Sita, so should he not, like Sita, also prove his purity. I suppose it does make sense, and implies discrimination against women rooted in epics and mythologies which are causing problems in parts of India today.  In this modern world with equality and human rights, many of these rituals and beliefs are outdated and excess luggage. In this 21^st century India, we need to show greater respect and honour for women in society and homes, and not confine them to stone statues in temples and tales in scriptures.

Agni Paricha (Purity through test of fire) - do women in India still have to prove their chastity when men can get away with anything, including bigamy and extra -marital affairs? Women need to stand up and fight against a male-initiated system and rituals unsuitable for 21st century. Gone are the days when women need to suffer at the hands of men, blaming their Karma.

This India Republic Day, I thank the departed British for bringing in laws to protect our mothers, sisters and daughters from some of the barbaric systems, rituals and practices taking place where civilization is supposed to have taken birth. Like indentured Indo Fijians in Fiji, Indians in India owe a great deal, apart from Indian Railways and English language, to the British.

On this Republic Day, I urge all Indians in Indian Diaspora, to raise objections against the mistreatment of women in India through their respective Indian High Commissions, so Delhi can listen to international objections about their poor governance and tolerance for mistreatment of women. Foreign Indian High Commissions need to pass a message to Delhi and Congress that India cannot forever take pride and bask in glory of  their military, IT, science, medical and economic prowess. NOT when half the population, its women, have yet to feel the equality, social justice and human rights that a civilised democracy, in fact the largest democracy on universe, is supposed to deliver. Satyamev Jayate  We thank British for leaving India more civilised.

Bharat Mata and Indian women have been depicted as Shakti, accompanied by a lion. it is time Shakti took its power and started fighting an unjust system and stand up to ancient religious and cultural system subjugating and downgrading women.

[E-Mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

THAKUR RANJIT SINGH
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