BOOK REVIEW: SATENDRA SINGH’S (JAI FIJI’S) “ VIDHWA - THE DARING WIDOW"

 

BOOK REVIEW: SATENDRA SINGH’S (JAI FIJI’S) “ VIDHWA -The daring Widow

By Guest Writer: RAJENDRA PRASAD

[Originally from Vaqia, Ba, Fiji, he is author of “Tears in Paradise” and “Enslaved in Paradise”]

I am indeed privileged and honoured to do a book review of a fellow villager budding writer Satendra Singh (Jai Fiji) from my neighbouring birth village, rustic and dusty Rarawai, Golflinks, Ba in shadows of Rarawai Sugar Mill.

The Vidhwa is stripped of all happiness and dressing in colours after death of her husband in some Hindu Communities. She stands very distinctly rejected and "uncoloured" in crown of other colourfully-dressed married woman? Isn't it time modern educated women should start sending those outdated modes and practices to trash bins, and rewrite future of Widows from viewpoint of women - educated women?

And that is not the reason for my review to be partial in anyway. In fact, this is a salute to this budding writer, who, like me, has taken this mammoth challenge, a common villager, aam aadmi, who has not been to a university, but writes from heart that is very readable. 

And that is done in a climate where we have dwindling book readers, with the new generation busy with their modern gadgets and phone technologies.

The Guest Writer, RAJENDRA PRASAD, who kindly agreed to read the book and write this review for FIJI PUNDIT. He is a renowned author of Tears in Paradise and Enslaved in Paradise

Recognising such a constraint, he has written short books which are packed with action, drama, emotion, and suspense. The other advantage of such amateur writers is that they do not write boring academic pieces but the thoughts flow deep from their real-life experiences. Such is the case with VIDHWA too.

Vidhwa (widow) is an apt title for this book and author, Stan, F.J (pseudonym) acutely knows the Hindu societal norms and practices, which were meant to destroy, if not, hurt and humiliate the widows. In this, Vidhwa could be referred to as ‘double jeopardy’, noting that the central character suffers the loss of husband and, in a cruel twist, she is held responsible for it. In such circumstances, some lives are lost through suicide when victims choose it as the ultimate option to escape sustained familial and public humiliation.

The launch of VIDHWA in Auckland by Labour Minister Phil Twyford (right) at GIRMIT REMEMBRANCE DAY in Auckland on 7 May, 2021 . President of FIJI GIRMMIT FOUNDATION NZ, Krish Naidu is with him after the launch. 

Like his first book, TEARS OF A FATHER, this book is also rooted in the community, echoing its societal oddities.

It also touches on very deep hypocrisy – pakhand prevalent in our people. They project themselves as deeply religious but their walks differ markedly from their talks wherein the villains gain approbation as virtuous.

STAN - the Author, SATENDRA SINGH (JAI FIJI) - the two faces: In his younger days in Fiji (top) and how he looks now (above)

Vidhwa also exposes the multifaced people, the colour-changing chameleons,(girgit, bistuia) who comprise our society. It movingly captures the local village politics and how some rich and influential people use their wealth and influence to hurt or exploit common people who stand up for their rights. It is not all grisly and gruesome, as the author, seemingly, also captures high school knowledge and experiences to sprinkle his story with variety that includes romance and mystery, including contemporary news on drugs and the mystery of missing girls. 

A best dressed Hindu widow is stripped off her fashion and beautiful clothes upon death of husband. Why is her present and future determined by a man? Why aren't   similar reciprocating atrocities and discrimination bestowed on widower husbands who are ready to re-marry before the flames and embers of the pyre (chita) of their wives have cooled? Were script-writers of Hindu scriptures very male-chauvinists, with no real-life experience, always putting down women?

The story line very ably weaves all these into an ending which is very interesting and would sound like a Bollywood plot. But the plot insinuates that righteousness and truth are the ultimate victors and strongly endorses respect for women who have been the victims of decadent societal norms that afflicted every generation.

Fortunately, they belonged to a bygone era, though the society is not completely rid of it. These societal beliefs and practices were conceived in a less enlightened era but entrenched itself so strongly that that its residual effects touched every generation. The author aptly captures the depravities associated with such beliefs and practices, which may not make as much sense to today’s educated and enlightened generation, but they do provide a healthy forum for introspection and reflection.

There are sparks of brilliance throughout the book, which perhaps captures author’s disgust of some of the beliefs and practices introduced to demean, demonize, and destroy women’s social standing.

VIDHWA -THE DARING WIDOW - The Book Cover.

Vidhwa, based in Fiji, has target audience and the author weaves through intricately to keep the reader enthralled and engrossed to the end.

[About the Author: Rajendra Prasad is the author of two historically-enlightening books on Fiji, TEARS IN PARADISE – Suffering and Struggles of Indians in Fiji 1879-2004) and ENSLAVED IN PARADISE – A history of Mammoth Betrayals of Fijians by British, Chiefs and Leaders in Fiji 1876-2006.He is a Foundation Trustee of FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ, and a former Ba Town Clerk. He now resides in Auckland. Those wishing to acquire these books can e-mail Thakur Ranjit Singh at: thakurjifj@gmail.com or inbox message to him on Facebook]

DINESH CHAND: A GRASSROOTS SPIRITUAL HUMANITARIAN, RISING FOR THE POOR IN THE COMMUNITY

 

DINESH CHAND - A GRASSROOTS SPIRITUAL HUMANITARIAN, RISING FOR THE POOR IN THE COMMUNITY

 

Thakur Ranjit Singh

There was a moment of surprise in the overflowing Malaeola  Community Centre when a name for the GIRMIT LEGACY AWARD was announced. This was at FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ- organized 142^nd Anniversary of Fiji Girmit Remembrance Day ON 7 May 2021.

 

A modest DINESH CHAND, the recipient of Fiji Girmit Legacy Award - EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER. Note his distinct handlebar moustache.

The MC Bipin Shankar’s voice boomed, echoed, and resonated  through the very elaborate and efficient sound system and state-of the art two huge digital screens provided with the courtesy of Neil HDEV:

 

The Foundation  felt that there was a vacuum in our awards system in New Zealand because many individual awards out there are given to those who are already paid to do what they do, hence such awards sound hollow and pointless.

Anybody getting any funding and paying themselves handsomely and distributing or using leftover for others are not necessarily great.

Great are those from normal walks of life, a common man, an “aam aadmi”, one who takes own time and use own resources, beyond call of duties, without any support or funding or even any wish to be applauded - but keeps on doing that extra bit for the vulnerable in the community. And doing that for decades.

Therefore, this year the Foundation decided to add an award to recognize such an individual for selfless service.

And that  is EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER AWARD.

And that deserving individual, ladies and gentlemen, is  DINESH CHAND

 

And this was the moment of surprise.

We all expected somebody in suit and tie walking up from the VIP seating area.

MC Bipin Shankar (left), with Award Recipient, Dinesh Chand, who was given the Legacy Award by Jennifer Khan - Janif, a Trustee of FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ

Lo and behold, that was not so. But a very modestly, but nicely - dressed volunteer videographer who has been shooting the activities of the event, handed his big, sophisticated video camera to a friend, and stepped onto the stage.

And this, ladies, and gentlemen, was DINESH CHAND - one of us, but very much more than many of us, our busy videographer of the event, better known in the community as DJ DINESH. 

A tall, big, and handsome man, with a distinctive handlebar moustache was smiling to receive his very deserving, and long overdue award. 

Dinesh Chand, with his Girmit Legacy Award and wth his tell-tale handlebar moustache, in front of FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ banner.

But bigger is his heart – a great deal bigger than his pockets, but still he has been spending the little he has and sharing with the less fortunate in our community.

The citation of his award was long because of the many good things he has been doing for the community. It read:

There is great deal more he has been delivering as a philanthropic, spiritual human being, without any support from anywhere, completely on a voluntary basis, that many do not know about. There is a long list.

Dinesh Chand, with library books, distributed in various Fiji schools

                  1) Helping underprivileged children of Fiji, by providing books, stationery, bags, shoes, and school uniforms.

2) Sending wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks to disabled people in Fiji.

3) Providing free transport to vulnerable people of South Auckland to doctors, hospitals, WINZ and other similar needs.

4) During COVID lockdown, he worked with Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ with shopping, getting prescriptions to people without, delivering food parcels to disabled  people and shopping and drop - off to people in isolation. Recently, he has started taking elderly to funerals.

         

The family photo (montage) of Dinesh Chand

And the list goes on…and on…and on. He is blessed with wife Geeta Chand who he calls his pillar of strength, and has 4 children, who all are grown up now.

In the past decade, he had been spending much time in Fiji while bringing us all the news, documentary, and current affairs of Fiji on Triangle TV as a Freelance TV Program Producer.

 

This TV closed in 2011. The programmes he brought were, among others, – Jharokha NZ (Windows), Dehatee Darsan (View of the Rural)  and Bhakti Sagar (Religious).

 

I personally remember doing a Fiji Girmit programme with him in 2008, but because technology was on VHS tapes and not digital, those unfortunately could not be saved.

 

Like the situation of another recipient of Girmit Legacy Award, Sam Achary, Dinesh also left Fiji in search of better opportunities after coup of 1987. He is from a rustic, dusty village of Wairabetia, almost halfway between Lautoka and Nadi Airport.

However, he is well-rooted in my home-village of Rarawai, Dam, Ba, Fiji where his mother comes from and where he spent great deal of his childhood at his Grandfather’s (Nana’s) place. His parents now reside in Calgary, Canada, and they would be proud of his son.

 

The proud parents of Dinesh Chand, Mr. and Mrs. Shashi Pal,
who reside in Calgary, Canada. They are overjoyed with

    achievements of their son.

Dinesh arrived in NZ in 1988, just out of his teens as a young man of 21, with very modest cash to carry him through. He has very impressive work history and real -life experience which appear to have made him into a philanthropic donor, a compassionate servant of the poor and a grassroots person. 

He has been unnoticed doing things for poorer in our community. Unnoticed till now when Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ wishes to reveal such individuals amongst us to inspire others into doing selfless  service. 

Arriving at a tender age, through his real-life experience, and with diverse work experience and an aptitude to help others, he is now developed into a mature person with even a matured compassion for the vulnerable.

 

His colourful career, among others, included being a paints salesman, a dispatch clerk, a team leader, an Uber driver, a taxi driver, a courier operator, a night club proprietor, a transport operator, freelance Tv reporter and work stretched from Auckland to Wellington with frequent trips to Fiji for TV programmes. 

But ultimately, he settled for what he was doing on the night of receiving his award - videography, shooting video for events. As a Multi DJ, he also runs DJ programme for dance and parties, and has very advanced knowledge of music for all occasions and tastes.

 

    Apart from earning a living, he spends much time      also living for others.

 

   He shared a heart-touching story about a homeless lady and an abandoned boy:

Dinesh Chand with the homeless Ba market vendor, Tulsi Amma, who he helped in 2004. She passed away in 2009,.

I helped a lady from Ba – Tulsi Amma. She was a market vendor and sleeping under the stall. This was during my TV days in Fiji in 2004. I moved her to a 1-bedroom flat and paid for her expenses till her death in 2009. When she died, the Ba Police called me as I was registered as her next of kin. I flew from NZ to manage and attend her funeral.

The abandoned destitute child, Dewa Nand, who Dinesh Chand adopted, and saw him through school and Teachers College till he graduated. 

 

In 2005, a young Fiji Indian boy was left in Waidradra Village, Navua by his father, who promised the villagers he would return. But he never came back for his son. I adopted him as a son, named Dewa Nand, who later changed his name to  Sakaraia Anisikau Raicalo. I paid all school and College fees and living expenses that saw him graduate from Lautoka Teachers College with Bachelor of Education as a high school teacher.

Dewa Nand, the once abandoned adopted son of Dinesh Chand, took on an Itaukei (Fijian) name of Sakaraia Anisikau Raicalo. He is seen as a grown up graduate from Lautoka Teachers College in Fiji.

 

He also helps people in other ways through other agencies he heads or works with. He is President of NZ branch of Yaadein Vision, a charitable organization which extends its helping arm to Fiji. This includes equipping schools and making improvements.

Yaadein Vision has provided water reticulation, bus shelters, thousands of schoolbooks, computers, faxes, and scanners, 100 new wheelchairs, power generation and has sponsored 1000 students at 50 schools. He has also linked up with Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation to help them and publicize the good they do through TV documentaries.

A bus shelter being built in Fiji by Dinesh Chand as part of a project of Yaadein Vision

Closer to home, Dinesh has been at the forefront of advocating on suicides and mental health issues facing the community in New Zealand. In August 2020 he led a talanoa (hui, discussion) sessions by getting the community together to acknowledge we have a problem. A number of positive initiatives have since come out of that and will be taken on board in progressing that issue which Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ has on its radar.

And nobody can stop him from the good he does. His next project, among others, include sending a 20-foot container of disability goods to Western Disabled People’s Association in Lautoka, Fiji. Dinesh would really love others to help and sponsor all the good that he does. He plans to venture into fund-raising  dinner and dance family nite, and hopes, others, after reading his story, will be motivated to help. 

  Dinesh Chand with FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ TRUSTEE,          Jennifer Khan-Janif, who  presented him the award at an              overflowing Malaeola Community Centre on 7 May 2021 

A big salutation for such an individual whose exceptional deeds for humanity would inspire others. He may not visit Mandirs, Temples or religious activities, he does not feed milk and food to dead statues, but believes in service to the living who need those food and help. Hinduism says the best good a human can do is to do “parr hitt”, service to humanity and creatures of God. He does exactly that.

I normally use poems to pass messages to community. In Sam Achary’s writings, I mentioned the poem “IF”. In Dinesh Chand’s case, I use my secondary school, DAV College, Ba’s famous poem, Leigh Hunt’s “ABOU BEN ADHEM”. This was taught by the then principal, Satendra Singh. The message of this poem is that the people who love their fellow men will be blessed and loved by God himself ... The poem ultimately argues that love of humankind is love of God - because people are God's creation.

In essence, the poem is saying that anyone who claims to love God, without putting this into practice first through a love for their fellow human beings, does not really love God at all. I certainly hope that so - called religious people can comprehend this simple message.

I am not sure if Dinesh has ever read this poem, in fact he does not have to. This is because he unselfishly and unconsciously walks in these footsteps, because he shows his love for God by loving humankind and creatures of God.

Indeed, we are stirred and motivated by this lover of humans. And he remains simple, modest common man, armed with a video camera,  but a heart full of love for his fellow citizens.

Dinesh Chand, MULTI DJ remains a very worthy recipient of  Fiji Girmit Legacy Award for excellence in volunteer service to the community.

You make us proud. Aayushmaan Bhava-remain blessed.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is one of the initiators and a Founding Trustee of FIJI GIRMIT FOUNDATION NZ. The seeds were planted in 2012 with some visionary community leaders, fruiting in 2021 with over 1,500 overflowing audience in Auckland Girmit Day. He is a journalist and runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. He normally writes in-depth articles on Fiji Indian community leaders that are overlooked or ignored by the mainstream and side stream media. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

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SALUTING THE REAL UNSUNG HEROES OF INDIA INDEPENDENCE: REMOVING LIES WE HAVE BEEN TOLD

 

SALUTING UNSUNG HEROES OF BHARAT INDEPENDENCE: HOW DESERVING ARE CREDITS TO NEHRU AND GANDHI?

 

Thakur Ranjit Singh

 

On India Independence or Republic Day, as you raise the tricolour, Indian flag Tiranga, remember many unsung heroes and freedom fighters who fought for Bharat Azaadi-India Independence, long before Nehru and Gandhi.

 

Please give salutation to our heroes like MANGAL PANDEY, SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE, SARDAR BHAGAT SINGH, CHANDRA SHEKHAR AZAAD, SHIVARAM RAJGURU, SUKHDEV THAPAR, and JHAANSI KI RANI, among others who Indian history appear to have side-lined or ignored.

 

Are Nehru and Gandhi deserving of the credits we give to them? Or they merely stole credits from these earlier heroes who gave their lives for Bharat Mata….Please read on………

 

As a child of third generation Fiji Indian growing up in Fiji in 1960s, we were falsely made to believe that India got its Independence because of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Songs were made which said the Angrez or British were chased away with Gandhi’s laathi (walking stick) and Nehru was instrumental in achieving India’s Independence.

Subhash Chandra Bose - a very bold Indian freedom fighter who seem to have mysteriously disappeared. he had laid very firm paths to India's freedom from British

 

However, from an early age, I suspected that Gandhi and Nehru took credit from other freedom fighters who started this fight and movement for India independence long before these two came into the picture.

 

While growing up, we were told the glories of Nehru Chaachaa (uncle) who was very favorite with children. Children’s programmes of 60s and 70s glorified Nehru as universal uncle of India, Chaachaa Nehru – a very loving person. The question whether he was Chaachaa Nehru or Chaccha (Please decipher the difference!)

 

Indeed, also very loving to British honey trap, Lady Edna Mountbatten, aunty (Mami) of the heir to British throne, Prince Charles. British spy agency M16 recruited this bed-hopping wife of viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten to use her as a honey-trap to distract and neutralize Nehru who was negotiating independence for India.

 

SARDAR BHAGAT SINGH, perhaps one of India's most celebrated freedom fighters on whom at least seven Bollywood movies have been made.

In simple crude language, I have said so many times, while Nehru was (screwing) having an extramarital love affair with this British honey-trap, the British screwed India. This resulted in an easier partition, the pains of which are still felt today, with very ungrateful neighbors.

 

Nehru, a known womanizer, never deserved to be given that honour of Chaachaa of the children of India. This was the biggest lie - and neither was he instrumental in bringing Azaadi or independence to Bharat.

 

Fight for India independence was like a long marathon relay run, where batons are passed by the starter runners to consecutive runners in front. And in case of victory, the glory goes to the whole team and not to the last few runners.

 

MANGAL PANDEY started his freedom fight a century before India's independence.

But exactly the opposite happened in case of India where the last people in the Independence relay, Nehru and Gandhi, undeservingly and wrongly took the credit from those early freedom fighters who started the battle many decades before, and were ignored by media and history, in favour of the last persons holding the baton.

 

Nehru made some poor decisions which still affect India today, and gave India very undeserving legacy of dynastic leadership still affecting India today, with a very wanting history of Congress rule.

 

While Mahatma Gandhi may have gained international accolades, applause and status for his quotations and views on non-violence, at home in India he is still found a wanting leader who made some crucial errors of omission and commission. 

He could have intervened and saved Shaheed Bhagat Singh from hanging, but maintained silence. And the biggest blunder was to favour a womanizer and undeserving Nehru as Prime Minister instead of a dedicated and charismatic leader Sardar Patel after India Independence in 1945. And today India is poorer for those very unfortunate judgmental errors of Gandhi.

 

SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH (centre) and his fellow freedom fighters, Chandrashekar Azaad and Rajguru. Mahatma Gandhi wielded great power and influence with British but failed to plead for their lives when they were hanged.

I was lucky to have known about some early freedom fighters. As my Aaja (paternal grandfather) Bansi descended from a Rajput family of Prithvi Raj Chauhan and coming from Rajasthan, he was very interested in India’s fight for freedom. He played Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s play on his 78 RPM (rounds-per -minute) key-winding gramophone record (plate Baja) when I was growing up. And I knew the earlier freedom fighters fought and gave their lives for Bharat while credit has been wrongly taken by Nehru and Gandhi.

And Nehru and Gandhi never gave India the good transition and succession after independence in 1945, with very nepotistic decisions.

Unfortunately, Nehru Dynasty and Congress legacy has left India bereft of dignity and many things Nehru promised over seven decades ago. For some seventy years after Independence, Congress leadership left a great deal to be desired in India -and we are poorer for that dereliction of duties by succeeding dynastic Nehru-Gandhi leadership in the Congress Party.

Thank God for the Lion of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, who is seen as an incarnation who will rid India of the vices that have been nurtured by India's past corrupt, distracted and wanting leadership. Bharat needed a Hindu nationalist leadership movement that has been long overdue. It appears to have been delivered now.

And that work shall continue under a credible leadership that took 70 years in coming. And we are proud that India today is in better hands than ever been so, under Narendra Modi. 

And shall we pray that he will be able to wrest back the dignity India once commanded domestically and internationally. The economic development of the last 70 years have not trickled down to the common people. There is a lot more that needs to be done, where social justice needs to be delivered to ALL the Indians. 

NARENDRA MODI-THE LION OF GUJARAT - the leader on who India has its hopes and his visionary succession plans for leadership which both Nehru and Gandhi lacked. 

And as we raise the Tiranga, the tricolour flag of India on its Independence or Republic Day, we pledge to emulate the dreams of our freedom fighters who brought freedom to India and salute many committed and respectable heroes who outnumber many Nehru's and Gandhi's, and who paved the path for an independent BHARAT long before them.

Nehru and Gandhi merely walked on the path paved by many unsung heroes and freedom fighters before them, some notable ones, among others being MANGAL PANDEY, SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE, SARDAR BHAGAT SINGH, CHANDRA SHEKHAR AZAAD, SHIVARAM RAJGURU, SUKHDEV THAPAR, and JHAANSI KI RANI who Indian history appear to have side-lined.

SHAT SHAT NAMAN-SALUTATIONS TO ALL PAST GREAT UNSUNG HEROES OF INDIA’s FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

JAI HIND - BHARAT MAA KO PRANAAM

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thakur Ranjit Singh, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is a third generation Fiji Indian. He was born in Fiji Islands. His Aaja, paternal grandfather, Bansi came as an indentured labourer to Fiji in 1915 from Karouli, Rajasthan, India. Thakur is a media commentator and a journalist who runs his blog, FIJI PUNDIT. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com]

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUNJAN SAXENA: THE NEED FOR FEMINIST FATHERS TO EMPOWER THEIR DAUGHTERS

GUNJAN SAXENA-THE KARGIL GIRL: THE NEED FOR FEMINIST FATHERS TO EMPOWER THEIR DAUGHTERS

Thakur Ranjit Singh

FIJI PUNDIT does not normally do film reviews, unless it touches my heart and some raw nerves. Gunjan Saxena – The Kargil Girl did exactly that.

“GUNJAN SAXENA (Janhvi Kapoor) is a Yash Raj biopic (biography) of one of India's first woman combat aviator, an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who flew helicopter missions in the 1999 Kargil war and is attributed to saving some 1,000 (thousand) lives. 

Flight Lieutenants Gunjan Saxena and Srividya Rajan paved the way for others to follow. In 1999, Gunjan, a helicopter pilot at 24, became India's first woman combat aviator to fly Cheetah helicopters in the Kargil war zone. She was tasked with medical evacuations, supply drops, and mapping enemy position duties.

Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, very ably played by a cool and childlike JANHVI KAPOOR. This movie proves that with determination  and a supportive father, sky is the limit for daughters with a resolve to succeed. 

The movie wages war against male chauvinistic patriarchal mind-set and discrimination against women. Here, the brother insists that his sister would suit as a stewardess and the mum worrying when her girl will find time to marry. She finds a friend in her supportive father who silently fights for her in every way possible. That is what I call a feminist father who empowers his daughters.

The movie starts with a shot in a passenger airliner where a child Gunjan wishes to have a window seat and the brother denies it. An understanding stewardess sees her interest and takes her to the flight deck which fascinates her and child decides to become a pilot.

It reminds me of my daughter, Ragni Singh Chand (still retains father’s surname after marriage) who, like me, enjoyed reading Perry Mason’s courtroom tales in Earl Stanley Gardiner books of 1970s. She wished to be a lawyer from a very young age. And like Gunjan, she was lucky to have a feminist father, empowering her to reach her goals.

PANKAJ TRIPATHI (father) with daughter JANHVI KAPOOR bonding together. All daughters need a feminist father to empower and help fulfill dreams of their daughters.

Being in Fiji, to study law in New Zealand does not come cheap in  1999 and early 2000, but I did my best to see her graduate with Masters in Law from Waikato University, with the aim of one day sitting on the bench of High Court of New Zealand. 

However, Gunjan was in a conservative parochial India, fighting her own battles at the same time, in a male- oriented establishment in Air Force, where females were zero, and not meant to be, hence there were no female toilets or changing rooms.

Despite anti- Karan Johar and the debates of nepotism in Bollywood, this is one inspirational movie about empowering our daughters. This is the story of Flight Lieutenant Gunjan and not about daughter of Sridevi and Boney Kapoor or sister of Arjun Kapoor or niece of Anil Kapoor. Therefore I recommend all mothers and grandparents to see this movie with the family to inspire their daughters to reach for the sky. I have recommended my daughter Ragni to show this movie to my granddaughter Rania Chand, and inspire her to fight all odds in a male - dominated society.

If you think this is a war movie with all gore, blood and shouting divisive slogans on India and Pakistan, you are wrong. Despite all the main characters being soldiers, it is still about what it is being a woman in a man’s world trying to make space in a man’s dominated fields. This is not about war alone, but about a woman what she wants and can do that any man can do. This film is about war, but the scenes are not showing killing machines but the rescue operations by these human beings who are saving lives.

WOMAN AT WORK:Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena, in action with Cheetah Helicopter

This movie is about sexual discrimination, and the fight by a gallant woman to reach for the sky. While there have been many Bollywood movies on and around sexual violence, rarely have we seen one which tells the tales  of social conditioning in women's career choices, casual misogyny and extreme discrimination at the workplace with such accuracy and detail. 

Gunjan Saxena appears to have been well researched, which should tell you all you need to know about empathy. You do not have to belong to a marginalised social group (a female) to develop an understanding of their concerns. You just need to listen and observe without prejudice, arrogance, the persecution and discrimination that affects so many in India and worldwide.

Unlike other Bollywood war movies, this one treats the war scenes almost like procedural, which in itself is a quiet reminder that defence personnel in reality are human beings at work, not speechifying Hindi film heroes, who shout chest-thumping hatred against the enemy country.

This movie recount an individual's personal story, staying determinedly intimate even in war scenes. It is not only about one remarkable woman, but about every remarkable woman that ever lived.

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is a very inspiring and watchable movie about sexual discrimination on our daughters. It is a deeply moving tale of a feminist father and his gutsy daughter who fights all odds to reach her childhood dreams of reaching for the sky.

While this may be a war movie, it however is largerly about sexual discrimination at work againt women in a male-oriented society. This movie very ably demonstrates that, with a very supportive father, a daughter can reach up to the sky. Very inspirational for females.

Hope our male-oriented society can learn that male chauvinism and discrimination are threat to progress and human development. And your own daughters and loved ones could be victims of this short-sighted prejudice. 

Hope we will be fairer, sensible and more compassionate to make a difference to the discriminated women in workplaces - and in everyday real lives. 

And more than anywhere, this is still very relevant in modern India today.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is an Auckland journalist and a media commentator, and runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. He is originally from Fiji. E-mail: thakurji@xtra.co.nz]

WHEN SOME GOOD KIWI MUSLIMS STOOD UNITED AGAINST TERRORISM

 WHEN SOME GOOD KIWI MUSLIMS STOOD UNITED AGAINST TERRORISM: MARKING ANNIVERSARY OF CHRISTCHURCH TERROR ATTACK

Thakur Ranjit Singh

On 26 November, 2008, Taj Hotel, Mumbai was attacked by a Pakistan - based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. This terrorist group is alleged to be linked and helped by Pakistani Government and its Intelligence, ISI. Some 167 people were killed. They were mostly Indian citizens but many foreigners were also singled out.

Pakistan based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba attack on Taj Hotel Mumbai on 26 November, 2008. There was an almost complete silence by good Muslims on such Islamic terrorism around the world.

Over the last four decades, there have been multitudes of Islamic terror attacks worldwide against mostly non-Muslim targets. Apart from India, these were in Lebanon, France, Israel, Spain, Saudi Arabia, USA, Netherlands, England, Pakistan, Australia and Russia, among others. And the death toll in such attacks exceeded some five thousand (5,000).

After the Taj attack in Mumbai, I commented about the deafening silence on the attacks from any Muslims or Muslim organisations in New Zealand. I was indirectly threatened with harm by a supposedly Muslim leader for raising such a view. Because of tragic and sometimes, fatal endings to such criticisms by Jihadists and fundamentalists, there have been almost complete lack of criticisms on such Islamic terrorist attacks. 

This article was also given to local publications, but I understand their fear in not choosing to publish it, as media is a business.

Survivors and relatives celebrate as they leave the High Court in Christchurch, NZ on 27 August, 2020 (NZ Herald Photo)

Islam is known as a respectable religion with very deep and learned  teachings for all of us. I have attended Islamic discourse, preaching of Kitab (holy book) in my native Rarawai, Ba, Fiji at private resident of my Muslim uncle, Wali Mohammed. I found the teachings extremely enthralling, deeply knowledgeable and highly educational and inspirational. 

Based on such deep philosophy, majority of Muslims in the world are good and peaceful citizens. But it saddens me that such a great religion appears to be tarnished by a handful of fundamentalists who seem to have hijacked it for violent purposes. And the greater tragedy for the world has been the deafening silence from the majority of good and peaceful Muslims themselves against such vicious actions by their brothers degrading Islam.

Ahad Nabi, flexing his muscles, told the terrorist that he was weak and a loser. He rebuked the terrorist: "Your father was a garbage man and you became the trash of society...suitable to be buried in landfill.." (NZ Herald Photo and Quote)

Therefore, the change came as a breath of fresh air in the aftermath of 2019 terror attack against Muslim worshipers on Jumma (Friday) prayers in two Christchurch Mosques in New Zealand. There were resounding cries, curses and denouncements of terrorism by Muslims during the trial in August, 2020. 

Indeed, this was historical when the tables were turned. The majority of victims comprised people from international Islamic nations. Pleasantly surprisingly, the survivors and the relatives of the victims all sang from the same hymn sheet in a loud chorus to deplore and condemn terrorism. Such a stance against terrorism by Muslims has been almost unprecedented.

Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah, a survivor of the attack who had confronted the terrorist, rebuking him in the trial on 26 August, 2020. (NZ Herald Photo)

The terror attack by a lone wolf terrorist in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 came as a complete surprise in a peaceful Aotearoa. It was shockingly revealed that the attack was a reversal situation where Muslims were the victims of a supposedly White supremacist killer from Australia. Reportedly he was partly inspired by past Islamic attacks on the Europeans.

The response by New Zealand, and in particular, its very compassionate and empathetic Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern was exemplary. Her wrapping of arms, literally and metaphorically around the affected and grieving international Muslim community made her a world celebrity.  

This show of leadership in face of adversity and tragedy became a model and “playbook” for other world leaders. Those injured and killed were from Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Fiji, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, among others. This became an international tragedy in Aotearoa.

A bereaved family, Janna Ezat (centre) with daughter and husband (right), forgiving the terrorist in the trial. (NZ Herald Photo)

However, some good appears to have come out of this adversity and tragedy. This was an extremely rare event where the international Muslim community stood shoulder to shoulder in unity to denounce, curse (coward, maggot, rotten meat, among others) and raise voices against terrorism and the Australian terrorist. Tear-jerking and heart-rending tales of the dead and the survivors came out in the victim impact statements. 

In yet another unprecedented event, the surviving victims and the bereaved had an opportunity to face and lock eyes with the killer in a civilised court in a First World Country. They were allowed to rebuke, curse or shout at the killer. Similar opportunity may never have been granted to families of thousands massacred by Islamic terrorists around the world.

Families standing united to denounce and rebuke the terrorist in the in Christchurch, New Zealand (NZ Herald Photo)

Indeed we need more Muslims to abhor and object terrorism anywhere by anybody - and not only when Muslims are the victims.

Some overseas relatives even took advantage of New Zealand taxpayer generosity to be gifted free trips to attend the trial and give statements.

This also gave closure to the survivors and the bereaved. It presented them an opportunity to speak their hearts out, hoping the messages would touch cords of other terrorists, at least those of their faith, planning to commit similar monstrous and heinous crimes on other innocent lives.

Edmund Burke, the 18th century Irish statesman and philosopher said:

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

And the court case and ensuing victim statements proved that there are many good Muslims amongst us who are prepared to do something good to curb and restraint the triumph of evil. They stood up to deplore and condemn terrorism.

There were even hails of Allah Hu Akbar (Allah is great) in the Christchurch High Court, to shame and denounce the Australian terrorist.

Ironically, the same chants are also recited by many terrorists who take innocent lives and kill in the name of God, as they did at Taj Hotel in Mumbai in 2008. And many terrorists also recite the same as they slit the throats of their innocent victims.

We need more good Muslims around the world to oppose and detest against minority fundamentalists who tarnish the name of their religion.

The Taj Hotel, Mumbai attack by Islamic terrorists from Pakistan on 26 November, 2008. Over 167 people were killed in the terror attack.

The only thing I was disappointed with the Australian terrorist was that he chose to remain silent during the trial. I would have liked him to speak just this one line: 

I am sorry for what I did, but hope it delivered home the message that Muslims also have feelings and feel aggrieved like others around the world, killed by terrorists like me.

We hope good Muslims around the world can muster enough resolve and courage to stand up and deplore terrorism on anybody, anywhere - and not only when victims happen to be  Muslims – as was the case in New Zealand.

[About the Author: Thakur Ranjit Singh is a Kiwi Fiji Indian journalist and a media commentator, based in Auckland. He runs his blog FIJI PUNDIT. E-mail: thakurjifj@gmail.com