Destructive Psychological Warfare

Abridged and very rough translation of the December 16th, 2009 editorial of the leading Daily, Maadhyamam (Calicut, Kerala).

The Sachar committee that looked into the condition of the Indian Muslim minority has pointed out to the anxieties about their self and security faced by the Muslims and the helpless situation where in Muslims are constantly asked to proove that they are not anti-nationals or terrorists. The Sachar committee observes that the social and educational backwardness of this community can be attributed to this insecurity that they face. The Liberhan commission also underlines this and shows how the propaganda that Muslims are more devoted to Pakisthan than India is entirely false. Both historically and socially the Kerala Muslim has been free of the traumas of this identity crisis that has been haunting this nation's largest religious minority. The Sachar committee also talks about how the Kerala Muslims are in a comparatively better social position because of this.

But some people seem to be hell-bent on destroying the traditional communal harmony and security that Muslims have been enjoying in Kerala. This is what the recent raging debates in the contemporary media makes one think. At one time, when the news came that four Malayalees were killed in Kashmir there was a huge media propaganda that claimed that thousands of Malayalee suicide bombers were being recruited to Kashmir from Kerala. High level police officials had to call for a meeting to dispel the ill-effects of such a propaganda by saying that all these these stories were baseless and were mostly highly exaggerated media reports. However soon, the uproar about love jihad started in the media. 14 of the 18 reports submitted by police superintendents under the command of the Kerala High court refuted the media claims and showed that love jihad does not exist in Kerala.

The remaining ones, it was later proved were based on false complaints that had no basis in real facts. Even the central home ministry has confirmed that love jihad is baseless. Even the DGP of BJP ruled Karnataka has said the same. In spite of all this, the rumor mongering industry is still flourishing through the media of Kerala. What should we make of this?

Even before this has died out, the Thadiyantavide Naseer battle has started. It is clear that this criminal who has been wandering about after failing SSLC has at last been trapped. It is also necessary that he should be questioned in detail and at length. If there are more people who have been involved in unlawful activities they should also be brought to court. Nobody is big or small before the law. But no one other than the police is allowed to meet Naseer. Media is also not allowed to contact him. Yet, for the Kerala media, Nasser is the South Indian commander of the Pakistan based terrorist organization, LeT, He is also the master mind of everything that has and will happen. Till now, the version from the Central home ministry was that those responsible for the 2008 Delhi blasts were all killed in the Batla encounter. Now we hear a different story. Naseer, it seems, is responsible for this too. Things do not end here. Nasir is said to be responsible for the Aluva incident where a bus by the Tamilnadu transport corporation was burned. It seems he contacted Madani's wife, Soofiya, before and after the incident. So Soofiya has been added as the 10th accused in this case. She might land in jail in a few days.

If you have committed a crime, you should be punished. But if we look at the fireworks in the media, the image of Soofiya, the house wife, is portrayed in such dreadful and terrifying terms that even the Palestinian Crusader, Laila Khalid who shocked the world by organizing the world's first hijacking, dims in front of her. In most people's mind today she is the dreaded wife of the terrifying terrorist Madani. Remember that all this is happening in a country were those who have burned bus full of people are still going free without being punished. Many political parties are also using this incident to settle old scores. We want to point out that this case is not only a matter that concerns Madani or other leaders alone, but is also one that is going to have direct ramifications on the situation of peace and harmony in Kerala.

Swiss Minarets or western intolerance?...Decide what?

Some argue--"non-muslims are not even allowed into mecca and no other religions are tolerated in muslim countries"

I am surprised at these ignorance utterances. The Islamic world is filled with churches in places where there are christian minorities. Yes saudi arabia doesnt have that but then again, how many mosques are there in the VATICAN?? and its not like Muslims are free to worship all over the christian world as not all of the christian world follows religious freedom. These mongers need to check their facts before they speak.
switzerland claims to be a democratic secular country not a church-state or a opressive state hence why you cant use the same kind of standards of countries with dictators as thats hypocrisy. By the way, count how many churches there are in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Egypt alone and then compare that to how many mosques there are in the entire EU!!

If a muslim country had voted against building churches in a Islamic country the "holders of democratic values" would say nothing right? you would just say "we respect their honesty and we will not condemn it"? Yeah right, you guys would have bombed that country to pieces in the name of bringing it democracy! My God, Isn't their a limit to your hypocrisy

why are we trading and traveling to these people lands? Just look at the reality: they need us more than we need them yet we tolerate their insults intolerance and hatred continually.

If you do not know what happened during the Dark Ages in Europe you should read about this European era. And if you do not know who helped Europe emerge from its Darks Ages you should read about that too. And if you do not know who inspired Saint Thomas Acquinas to reconcile between Faith and Reason you should read about that too. Watch "Islam Empire of Faith", that will tell better about historical facts.

I read through a news that politicians and people are taking steps to reopen a historic Christian Seminary in Istanbul.Senem Ozer, US opines that Europe is banning a small community mosque, while caving into fears of their own fringe nationalistic fears. I think it's clear who is more "European" in this regard. Turkey is certainly more European than Switzerland today.

(I wanted to vent out my frustration..thanks to my own conscience and other websites i have referred,like Al Manar,for their inputs)

prime minister uses this kind of buttering techniques...

No replacement for US dollar...says Dr.Manmohan Singh.

When IMF decide to sell off 400 Tons of Gold, with the demand supply principle the gold prices should have fallen. Instead it sky rocketed. And knowing that the demand supply principle didn't work, the economic viz kid went ahead and purchased 200 Tons of Gold in a high price. If Dr. Prime Minister had so much trust in US currency, why purchased gold, that too when the prices are on record high???

It is simple currency terrorism, some nation simply enjoy becuase they trade and retain us dollars and usa citizen buy so cheap product that is made in third world low currency exchange, india is in trap of usa , it is only country which welcome whole chaeap product to its middleclass and earn taxes and export expensive weaponaries.

Usa need more chines than india because chinese are so cheap and easy to start their business at lower cost and manipulate exchange rate rediculously,,,india is very far away,,,,it is not devlopment it is another sort of casino gambling,, rob pope and donate to mike to usa.

Manmohan might have brokered in providing India with H1B visas (H1N1 virus also)and back office jobs is their mantra...both these had its setbacks.....creating a youth pool without creativity.The ash posh lifestyles are taught in these back offices by offering them late night pub parties,language,culture training...etc....most of the back office works are causing underutilisation of well educated youth possssing MBAs and other degrees....A culture of laziness and consumerism has been imported indian way of life and thinking...which stunted innovation and self sustenance

Nobel Prize - Made for U.S.A

That the Peace Nobel has been given to the leader of a country that is killing people in two countries with illegal war is shocking.The devastation other nations are facing due to them are aside. And it has been given for the posturing and promises that Mr. Obama has made. He is yet to fulfil even one of his major promises. But nothing much can be expected from a group which did not think it fit to award the Peace Prize to Mahatma Gandhi, the Apostle of Peace.

The Washington Post reported that Mr. Obama, during his presidential campaign, indicated that he would use military force to fight terrorism in Pakistan. But after getting elected, we find him playing safe with Pakistan.

For an effective communicator like Mr. Obama and an equally supportive American media, the Nobel is a natural by-product, however unwise and confusing his assertions on foreign and military affairs are.

Polluting yamuna.........

It is estimated that 1300 durga puja were offered in delhi
30 tonnes of toxic elements go into yamuna due to idol immersion every wear says a 2008 study
In kolkata and Mumbai, many organizers of durga puja and ganesha festivals started immersing idols in artificial ponds to spare the rivers and the sea.

Time for delhi too...before yamuna becomes history......

Eid shopping spree in Delhi

Jamia Nagar is dazzling with lights. Roads are lined with kurtas, as shopkeepers try to lure customers. Hawkers are busy selling vermicelli and dry fruits. Markets here have been hit by a heavy rush of customers who are on a buying spree as the festival of Eid is barely a week away.

The majority of the shoppers are women who are busy buying special utensils and ingredients like dry fruits to make Eid's Dastarkhawan, a sheet where food is spread, impressive. In contrast, male customers are flocking to the kurta pajama, sherwani and kolhapuri chappal shops.

Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for Muslims that marks the end of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "charity"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.

The other shopping hubs are also bustling with enthusiastic people buying things.

Sarojini Nagar in South Delhi is one such market that is teeming with shoppers.

"It's like a battle won, if you get to choose your stuff and buy it. I came here (Sarojini Nagar ) at around 10 a.m. and it has been more than four hours, but I have not been able to complete my shopping because the sales guys are so busy and the shops are so crowded that you have to wait at least 20 minutes for your turn." Shaqib Jamal, a shopper who came to buy clothes for his family, told IANS.

"During Eid it's obvious that the crowds are at its peak and we make full efforts to utilise this opportunity and touch maximum sales every day and we get incentives for it," Rajesh, a salesman in Sarojini Nagar, said.

Shop owners in South Extension have also expressed their delight at the increase in customers visiting their stores.

"There has been a great increase in customers in the last five days especially looking for kurtas and pyajamas to wear on Eid and the customers are ranging from 20 to 45 years of age. Silk kurtas are more in fashion this time," Prabhjeet Singh, owner of the show room Kurta Palace in South Extension, told IANS. Singh expected a further increase in customers.

Elahana Moora, store manager at Globus in South Extension, says: "We have seen a substantial increase in the number of customers in all ranges of products from clothing to households goods and feel it is all because of the festivals."

Courtesy:Nabeel A.Khan, IANS

Recession times

Great monetarist economist Milton Friedman was of the opinion that the central bank could always deal with deflationary problems by dropping money from a helicopter. However, in the real world, not everyone is underneath the helicopter when it makes the drop. In fact, it is likely that the helicopter pilot will hover over friends and relatives when dropping the money. And even if the pilot is completely non-corrupt, the crowd on the ground will always assume that there is some hidden and partisan plan.