Mahatma, War, Peace and the Oath of Allegiance

It been a while since I read this novel about a 20 something girl's struggle to get to the United states, her travails and her quest to get the green card. She talks about the joy and relief when the day finally arrived and she along with other immigrants where administered the oath of Allegiance.

"................I further commit myself to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, either by military, noncombatant, or civilian service.........."

This got me thinking and to some extend un-comfotable. Do thousands of Indians who immigrate sign up like the above, to wage war if required against its own natural country. What would they write home, to their parents, after taking the oath. " I am absolutely delighted today that I got my green card". Will they be able to say that to do so, I made a small sacrifice. I agreed to stand up against you if the need be so in time of war.

My first instinct was to blog this. To express my indignation to whats happening. The betrayal. But the more I thought about it, It only made me uncomfortable. I have a lot of friends out there who went out of the country to make a living, better education, great research facility. I know a few who "hated india" but far in between. Most would not have given any thought to the letter and spirit of the oath.

Come Oct 2nd. I was wondering on how to spend the day, on the birthday of one of the "Greatest man who walked this earth". One who waged war with "peace".

And then it stuck me. Why should one even think about war in these times. Why should not the "oath of allegiance" do away with this compulsory commitment to wage war. Our own psyche has been build with the whole concept of boundaries for "war". Can it be abandoned ? Was it not proven this time during the Syrian crisis that irrespective of how much bullying power you have, your country (read citizens) do not want war.

Mahatma will be re-born again.

The Ona Sadya

Woke up to a pleasant morning. Quickly completed the morning chores, just in time to drop my already "busy bee" daughter to her dance classes in the Car. The place was just around the corner, a 5 minutes walk. But this present day father does not want to allow his 10 year old to go alone.

On the way back, I noticed a man with his daughter crossing the road to the other side and making her sit in the open for her morning chores. I was livid and honked loudly. He looked up but did not seem to notice me or did not care. There was  more on his mind to notice some idiotic driver honking  on an empty road.

My apartment complex loomed up and I made the turn into the drive way. And for some reason my mind went back to the man I had seen before.



Who was he. He was dressed in a clean shirt and a tightly tied dhoti. Dressed more like a villager. Maybe from north of Karnataka. What was he doing in Bangalore. Was he another migrant. Does he have any work ? How does he feed his family ? What about his house , education for his kids ? A hundred questions, but no answers.

It been raining continuously this season. It has been un-usual. For a normal city dweller, this means a wearing additional clothes maybe from the latest fashion line. The kids bring out their colorful raincoats. Maybe mummy will make some of those mouth watering pakodas.

What does extra rain mean to this man. Did he have any land ? Did his crop survive or did it get washed away. Was he just a worker in a farm ? Did he not have any work to do, due to the excessive rains. Was that what forced him to come to this unfriendly city. It has to be. Why would anybody bring his entire family here. 

I was interrupted by my wife reminding me that she need to buy vegetables for tomorrow. Tomorrow is Onam. A day of happiness and feasting. A day when you wish prosperity for all. A day when the Feast or "Ona Sadya" brings together everything that is grown in the farms. 

Will all those people who made this  possible also have a "Ona sadya" ?

Another independance day

It was just another day. Went to the temple in the morning and then some grocery shopping. A quick con-call in between and back home.

Who cares about that soldier who got killed today, the Seamen who ended up in a burning coffin. Neither does the Italian choppers or the DLF land scam evoke any interest, other than in front of the Television. Thousand lost their life in the ravages of the flood and it is off our minds like  "The End" of a movie. Who cares if the Laws of this country is being challenged to protect criminals or that RTI is getting modified to help a few. Who cares about  Durga or Khemka or Uma shanker.

We are so busy worrying about our salary hikes, the new model of car and rising pricing of "Dollar appreciated" holiday package. I think we just need to just leave it to the the Khemka's, Anna's and the likes to ensure that we continue to celebrate our independence.