Soul Kadee

I’ve been arguing on forums for the last few days, facing the attacks of those who are trying to stir up hate, hoping that I can make a differnce in light of the possibility of communal passions being stirred up following the 7/11 Mumbai Blasts. It’s like casting pearls before swine.

But I know there are good people out there who are currently searching for answers in the face of so much tragedy and hatred. So even if it gives even one person a little comfort, it was worth taking on those who felt I was too soft on terrorists.

I was shocked to find people out there who actually equate non-violence with cowardice and called me a coward. I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel compassion for them.

With that one statement they effectively nullified the efforts of those who fought for India’s freedom through a campaign of non-violence, and labelled them cowards.

And that means people who get their way through violent means - like George Bush and Osama Bin Laden - are heroes. What a screwed up world we live in!

When I was a former environmental journalist, trying to make a difference in my own small way, I realised that change only comes from within. The only person you can change is yourself.

But because that’s the difficult path, most “leaders” who crave popularity and control incite people to riot, destroy and change their world through outward means. Which just leads to a cycle of more hate and violence.

True leaders throughout the ages knew that to change your world, you must first achieve mastery over yourself. Change your thoughts, your mind, your actions, your beliefs if you want to effect real change.

I found this quote in a book review of 7 Mysteries: Contemplative Arts For The Modern Mystic, and felt it was just the sort of thought we need to keep in mind today.

Never in human history has the responsibility for personal transformation been more important. We stand at a crucial crossroads in human history, and never have the choices before us been more clear.

As individuals, we can leave the determination of our common fate to regressive fundamentalist regimes (internal and external), or we can reject such fear-based thinking in favor of a compassionate, more integral future.

We must evolve beyond our every limitation, transcend our fears, and seize responsibility for re-creating ourselves, our nation, and our world.

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After the 7/11 Mumbai Blasts, there are a LOT of angry people out there talking about revenge and retaliation. Why do I think this is not going to help?

First, revenge and violence is easy - it’s the coward’s way!

If you want revenge, and need some place to vent your anger (without taking it out on more innocents) join the army and ask them to post you to the border. If you want to be a true hero, and be martyred, that’s where you’re needed.

So go - use your anger where it will make a difference. Only cowards talk of revenge, destroy public property, start riots and harm innocent people.

Terrorists are cowards. Their only aim is to stir up more hatred and create the potential for more violence. If you give in to hate, you’ve let them win. If you want to sink to their level, follow their lead.

Why do so few people advocate restraint and self-control? Because it’s hard! Restraint takes courage.

I’m proud of the Indian government for not reacting like the US government did. I know that when the time comes to act they WILL respond - and no one will blame us for doing so.

I believe in karma. What goes around comes around. Terrorists and people who do bad things will get what’s coming to them either in this life or the next. It’s not up to you or me to judge or punish them.

Trust in the wisdom of the universe and the fact that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. Accept that this may be one of those times.

People who are discontent become terrorists. If you want to prevent terrorism, help those who are unhappy improve their lives. Join your mohalla committee or work in your community to help people who are disadvantaged.

If you REALLY want to make a difference, you need go no further than your own home and community. That’s where real change starts.

If you want to use your anger for something positive, help those who have been working against communal violence since the 1993 riots. Or join organisations like AGNI, that have been working to improve the lives of Mumbaikars for years.

I don’t understand people who advocate violence. History has proved that violence never solves problems, only creates more of them.

You may not believe in what Gandhi said, but if you respect a person for what he achieves, at least respect the fact that he, almost single-handedly, united Indians and freed a country. If that’s not an achievement, what is?

Instead of advocating revenge, violence and retaliation, try to achieve a 1000th of what Gandhi did for India. And I will call you a true hero!

Tags: terrorism, mumbai blasts

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Click on the image above to Light a Candle for those who were killed or injured in Mumbai’s bomb blasts.

For every candle you light, CNN-IBN and Channel 7 will donate Re 1 for the relief of the victims.

Thanks to Ajay Sanghani for this link

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A day after the bomb blasts in Mumbai, the city is back at work. Trains were back on track just 12 hours after seven devastating bomb blasts tore apart first class compartments and their passengers at evening peak hours.

There was no dearth of heroes among ordinary citizens, like Mr. Salunke, who was interviewed by several news channels for his role in ensuring that the injured were taken to hospitals. I was even more impressed when he insisted he was only carrying out his fundamental right.

Sadly missing in this whole scenario was much-needed leadership by Mumbai’s business barons and politicians. There was not so much as a peep out of the business leaders who use Mumbai as their base.

No words of solidarity, of condolence to the families. Not even a single initiative that could have generated goodwill for their companies.

Their well-worded platitudes on corporate social responsibility are only for the benefit of five-star seminars on corporate governance. Where are the so-called “leaders of industry” when they are needed?

Ordinary citizens became the heroes of Mumbai’s blasts yesterday, dispensing water and food to commuters stuck in traffic, lining up to donate blood, dropping people home in their cars.

Doctors and medical personnel stayed up all night at hospitals tending to the dying and injured. At least 30 Mumbai-based bloggers are collaborating on the community-based blog Mumbai Help to help the city through its latest crisis.

And the city once again showed it’s spirit by bouncing back just hours after the tragedy. The optimism and courage demonstrated by ordinary people here in times of crisis is one of the reasons why I love this city and never want to live anywhere else.

I salute Mumbai’s unsung heroes, and am glad that people like them exist. They are what makes this city truly great!

Links on the Mumbai Blasts:

Mumbai Help Blog

Mumbai Blast Resources for journalists

Bloggers posting about 7/11:
Mumbai Blasts
Desipundit
Dilip D’Souza
Metroblogging Mumbai

Tags: terrorism

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I’ve always loved the monsoon in Mumbai. Thunderstorms, lightining and thunder, blackouts and candlelight, my little girl splashing in the puddles.

The monsoon is a time of renewal, of fresh hope. When new life bursts forth in every little nook and cranny of the city, when even the filth and muck can’t detract from the smell of rain hitting dry earth and the trees look fresh and green.

I took this picture of Mumbai’s skyline when the pre-monsoon showers hit us in early June and thought I’d share it with you here.

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