A cry for help..!!

10

A central government directive wanted all schools to recite the first two stanzas of the song at 11 am on September 7 to mark the completion of the centenary celebrations commemorating adoption of the national song. However, it has escalated into a controversy after some segment of the populace opposed the order as, according to them, Vande Mataram's singing amounted to worshipping the motherland and they cannot worship any other than their own God. Soon, fearing loss of vote bank, the ruling party retracted, making the song's recitation voluntary. In this era of virtual computers, Vertu phones and online carpooling, we still go crazy on unbelievably crazier things. We say, "If sea water can turn Amrit; can milk be far behind??" And then, we react to our National Song being sung saying that we cant; we don't; we have not; we will not... An adapted....

I discriminate, so do you...

10

Recently, Dean Jones was sacked for making a racist remark and Zidane turned wild when Materazzi abused him on racial terms. Both Materazzi and Jones were punished. The reason cited was that there is only one human race and mistreatment of anyone with relation to his/her race, culture, creed, religion and the likes is sacrilegious. And I stand against this statement. Of course, there is only one human race. But saying that is about as meaningful as saying there is only one world. Countries are geopolitical, social construction that has meaning and consequences even if there is no geographic reality that makes countries. Similarly, the social assemblage of race exists even if there is no genetic veracity. Look at our nation. We abuse each other at the drop of a hat. Bengalis get abused because they are too sissy. Jaats are avoided because they argue....