Today is the last Friday of Ramadan, one of the holiest days in Islam. I offered prayers at Khuddus Saheb Jama Masjid popular as Khuddus Saheb Eidgah. It is one of the biggest Masjid (Mosque) in Bangalore having space for about 4000 namazis (offerers of Namaaz) inside it (about 40 rows accommodating 55 people on ground floor and a little less numbers on the first floor) and may be an additional about 500 more outside. It is also probably among the most beautiful modern day Masjids in Karnataka. Many of Bangalore's well-to-do and educated Muslims pray here. I was expecting the preacher (known as 'Khatib' in Islam) to sermon (known as 'khutbah') about far away issues like Gaza-Israel but thankfully and to my pleasant surprise he chose something more pressing here happening midst us - the loss of morality and shameful behaviour by some people who happen to be Muslims. Though there were references to the happenings in Gaza, the preacher devoted most of the time of the sermon (known as 'Khutbah') to the recent outrage of modesty of the 6-year old at Vibgyor school allegedly by a teacher/ instructor who happened to be a Muslim. He gave examples of Caliphs in Islam (rulers of Islamic world) who went great deal in protecting their subjects and lamented at the state of today's Muslims. He said 'Yahan to bhediya ne ek 6 saal ki bachchi par hamla kardiya' ('Here's a wolf who attacked a 6-year old). Referring to this Muslim teacher who is accused of this sacrilege, the preacher said him and such men should be punished Islamic way - half buried and stoned to death. Not many in the Masjid seemed to disagree with what he said.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
The Great 'Hajj subsidy'/ 'Minority appeasement' scam and myth: How Government uses Hajj pilgrims to save Air India
The hard earned money of the ordinary tax payer like you and me as well as the Hajj pilgrims themselves IS NOT PAYING FOR THE WELFARE OF HAJJ PILGRIMS but helping keep alive Government of India owned Air India.
Check these facts:
1) Government of India(GoI) 'gives' each Govt quota Hajj pilgrim (Haji) a 'subsidy' of Rs 30,000/- from ordinary tax payers' money.
2) Firstly the GoI takes an advance of Rs.70,000/- from each of the 1,25,000 Hajj pilgrims (Haji) as return air fare by Air India four months in advance of the Hajj departure. Let's indulge in some basic arithmetic:
For a business of Rs. 875 crores (USD 145 Million @Rs.60 per USD) from a sovereign Government and one of the largest economies on earth, which private airlines carrier will not give a credit advance? So who's benefiting from the advance amount of Rs. 875 crores of the hard earned money collected from the Hajees?
3) Here comes the big scam. GoI forces each pilgrim to buy an Air India return air ticket for Rs.70,000/-, which costs just Rs. 30,000/- with private carriers. In effect each pilgrim is himself paying back a whopping Rs. 40,000 to the coffers of the Indian Government! If a tender is called for the tens of thousands of pilgrims tickets', considering economy of mass it is said that private carriers (national or international) can even give the same return ticket for 20,000/-. So the amount paid back by each pilgrim to the Indian Government may well be 50,000/-! Here's some middle school calculation with the first saving of Rs. 40,000/- for each ticket and the amount of money scammed from India's Hajj pilgrims.
4) In effect Hajj Subsidy = Lifeline for Air India (owned by Govt of India) plus the ironic label of Muslim pilgrims performing Hajj on doles!
5) Hajj is once in a life time event for most Govt. quota Hajj pilgrims. They are mostly at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder and at the fag end of their blessed lives who invest their lifetime savings to perform it. Apart from the great rip off in the air fare, the Govt quota pilgrims (mostly poor and old) are treated like sheep and cattle. The Indian Embassy officials and Govt of India Hajj Ministry officials give third rate accommodation which is mostly far away from the main Hajj events (is the money collected for this hospitality siphoned off? Your guess is as good as mine). And once the Hajj is completed, the pilgrims are packed like cattle and left to fend for themselves without food and water for hours at the Jeddah airport to board the planes back to India.
This is the great Hajj Subsidy myth, fleecing, loot and scam! Will the new Government remove Hajj subsidy? I doubt, as it will take off one crutch from the limping Air India not to mention the votes it gains by highlighting appeasement of 'minorities' by the other political parties. This 'subsidy' is one of the many election hopes of India's political parties some gain votes by promoting it and some by opposing it.
My old parents were among those who went through the ordeal of being a Government quota Hajj pilgrim in 2000 incidentally during the Atal Bihari Vajapayee Government. They remember waiting for hours at the departure terminal at Jeddah without food and water to board the plane back to Bangalore. There was no Hajj or Indian Government official to help them. Along with a few fellow pilgrims my father wrote a letter to Shri. Vajapayee from Mecca about the ordeals and the great rip off by the Government officials. He went on to write a few stories which were published in prominent Urdu Dailies apart from the Indian Express. Unfortunately nothing came out of his letters to the government.
Check these facts:
1) Government of India(GoI) 'gives' each Govt quota Hajj pilgrim (Haji) a 'subsidy' of Rs 30,000/- from ordinary tax payers' money.
2) Firstly the GoI takes an advance of Rs.70,000/- from each of the 1,25,000 Hajj pilgrims (Haji) as return air fare by Air India four months in advance of the Hajj departure. Let's indulge in some basic arithmetic:
Scam
1
(The teeny tiny scam)
|
No:
of Hajis performing Hajj on Government of India quota
|
1,25,000
(One lakh twenty five thousand)
|
|
Return
flight fare collected from each Indian Haji by GoI (4 months in advance)
|
Rs. 70,000
(Rupees seventy thousand)
|
||
Total
amount collected by GoI from 1 lakh 25 thousand Hajis
|
Rs.
8,75,00,00,000
(Rupees eight hundred seventy
five crores) |
||
Monthly
interest which a deposit of Rs. 875 crores can collect at 10% PA.
|
Rs.
8,75,00,000
(Rupees Eight crore seventy five lakhs)
|
||
Interest
amount for 4 months for for Rs. 875 crores at 10% PA. Total money earned by GoI
or Air India from interest of Hajj money
|
Rs.
3,50,00,000
(Rupees three crore fifty lakhs)
|
For a business of Rs. 875 crores (USD 145 Million @Rs.60 per USD) from a sovereign Government and one of the largest economies on earth, which private airlines carrier will not give a credit advance? So who's benefiting from the advance amount of Rs. 875 crores of the hard earned money collected from the Hajees?
3) Here comes the big scam. GoI forces each pilgrim to buy an Air India return air ticket for Rs.70,000/-, which costs just Rs. 30,000/- with private carriers. In effect each pilgrim is himself paying back a whopping Rs. 40,000 to the coffers of the Indian Government! If a tender is called for the tens of thousands of pilgrims tickets', considering economy of mass it is said that private carriers (national or international) can even give the same return ticket for 20,000/-. So the amount paid back by each pilgrim to the Indian Government may well be 50,000/-! Here's some middle school calculation with the first saving of Rs. 40,000/- for each ticket and the amount of money scammed from India's Hajj pilgrims.
Scam
2
(The big, fat Indian scam)
|
No:
of Hajis annually using Government of India quota
|
1,25,000
(One lakh twenty five thousand)
|
Return
flight fare collected each Indian Haji by GoI annually (4 months in advance)
|
Rs.
70,000/-
(Rupees seventy thousand)
|
|
Return
flight fare for 1 adult in private/ non-Air India carriers
|
Rs.
30,000/-
(Rupees Thirty Thousand)
|
|
Each
Hajj pilgrim’s money overpaid by GoI to Air India each year (Rs.70,000/-
minus Rs. 30,000/-)
|
Rs.
45,000/-
(Rupees Forty Five Thousand Only)
|
|
Total
amount collected annually by GoI from 1 lakh 25 thousand Hajis
|
Rs.
8,75,00,00,000
(Rupees Eight hundred seventy five crores)
|
|
Total
of Hajj pilgrims' money overpaid by GoI to Air India each year (875 crores
minus 375 crores)
|
Rs.
5,00,00,00,000 (Rupees five hundred crores)
|
4) In effect Hajj Subsidy = Lifeline for Air India (owned by Govt of India) plus the ironic label of Muslim pilgrims performing Hajj on doles!
5) Hajj is once in a life time event for most Govt. quota Hajj pilgrims. They are mostly at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder and at the fag end of their blessed lives who invest their lifetime savings to perform it. Apart from the great rip off in the air fare, the Govt quota pilgrims (mostly poor and old) are treated like sheep and cattle. The Indian Embassy officials and Govt of India Hajj Ministry officials give third rate accommodation which is mostly far away from the main Hajj events (is the money collected for this hospitality siphoned off? Your guess is as good as mine). And once the Hajj is completed, the pilgrims are packed like cattle and left to fend for themselves without food and water for hours at the Jeddah airport to board the planes back to India.
This is the great Hajj Subsidy myth, fleecing, loot and scam! Will the new Government remove Hajj subsidy? I doubt, as it will take off one crutch from the limping Air India not to mention the votes it gains by highlighting appeasement of 'minorities' by the other political parties. This 'subsidy' is one of the many election hopes of India's political parties some gain votes by promoting it and some by opposing it.
My old parents were among those who went through the ordeal of being a Government quota Hajj pilgrim in 2000 incidentally during the Atal Bihari Vajapayee Government. They remember waiting for hours at the departure terminal at Jeddah without food and water to board the plane back to Bangalore. There was no Hajj or Indian Government official to help them. Along with a few fellow pilgrims my father wrote a letter to Shri. Vajapayee from Mecca about the ordeals and the great rip off by the Government officials. He went on to write a few stories which were published in prominent Urdu Dailies apart from the Indian Express. Unfortunately nothing came out of his letters to the government.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
'ವಿಶ್ವಕಪ್: ಯೂರೋಪಿನ ತಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ಶ್ರಿಮಂತಗೊಳಿಸಿದ ದ್ಹಾರ್ಮಿಕ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯತರು'
See the English version here: http://wanderingsufi.blogspot.in/2014/06/contribution-of-religious-minorities-in.html
Contribution of religious minorities in enriching European football: FIFA World Cup 2014
2014 FIFA world cup in
Brazil has lessons for all nations, particularly Muslim nations, to use the
potential and talent of minorities for their own benefit.
Not all news from Europe about
minorities particularly Muslims is negative, thankfully. France won 3-0 in its
first game in the ongoing 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil against Honduras thanks
to Karim Mustafa Benzema, a Muslim of Algerian decent, who scored all three
goals. The country recently banned public display of religious symbols that has
deeply affected minorities like the Muslims (naqab or face veil) and Sikhs
(turban).
Switzerland
which recently banned constructing minars in Masjids in the country, had both
the goals in its 2-1 win against Ecuador in its first game scored by Muslims:
Harris Safirovic (Safeer) and Admit Mehmedi (Ahmed Mahmudi). Gökhan Inler, the captain of their team is a
Muslim. Of the 23 players in its World Cup squad, 8 players are of Muslim origin,
mainly from the former Yugoslavia (Albania, Bosina etc). Goal scorer Haris
Seferovic, was also a part of the Switzerland’s Under-17 side, almost half of
whom were Muslims, who won the Under-17 tournament for them a couple of years
ago, considered by many as the pinnacle in the history of Swiss football. Not
long ago until 2008, former Switzerland national footballer Kubilay Türkyilmaz,
a Muslim of Turkish origin, was the country’s highest goal scorer.
From Europe,
we either hear allegations of minorities like Muslims and Blacks living on
doles/ state support and many of them bearing large number of children or on
the other hand hear stories from the minorities of discrimination against them
(not getting equal opportunities - in employment, sports etc). Such mutual
distrust has resulted in acts in recent times that have not helped the social
harmony. For a change the ongoing
football World Cup provides examples of how minorities have benefited from
their adopted countries in Europe on one hand and on the other hand how those
countries have benefited by giving equal opportunities to visible minorities (minorities
of colour, minorities of language, minorities of religion etc). Of the 13
countries appearing in the ongoing FIFA football World Cup in Brazil, 5 have
Muslims playing for them. Apart from Muslims there are other minorities like
Blacks who are playing for almost all these 13 teams.
German world
cup squad player Mesut (Masood) Oezil was hailed in 2010 “as a prime example of
successful integration into German society” which won him the prestigious Bambi
prize in the "Integration" category.
Mesut has no qualms on speaking about his Muslim background and says he
reads Quran before the start of his game. But he also gives his best to
whichever team he plays - particularly his adopted home country Germany. Mamadou
Sakho currently a part of the French 2014 World Cup squad grew up in the slums
of Paris to play for well-known European club FC Liverpool. He proudly says how
he sent his father to Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia with his first pay
check. Recognising their contributions top European clubs like Bayern Munich
and Manchester United have built All- Community Prayer Halls and Masjids that
cater to the spiritual needs of their players without discriminating against
minorities.
Such stories are good examples to all countries, particularly
to those Muslim counties that have a sad record of denying equal opportunities
to their minorities. Taking every one along benefits the society and by discriminating
against minorities – religious, linguistic, etc, the societies and nations miss
such wonderful talent that can otherwise contribute to a nation's progress in
its various fields from science and education to sports and arts. Muslim
countries like Pakistan should look at how minorities in India have contributed
immensely to the progress of the country in every field – be it Tatas or Azim
Premji or the Khans of Bollywood. And those who oppose equal rights to
minorities either in India or anywhere else in the world should remember what India’s
science and technology field would have missed if our ex-president APJ Abdul
Kalam had not received equal rights!
----
ANNEXURE/ REFERENCES:
A) List of Muslim players in some European squads (of 23 players) at FIFA World Cup 2014, Brazil and sources of information related to individual players:
France:
1) Karim Benzema http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karim_Benzema
2) Moussa Sissoko
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moussa_Sissoko
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/newcastle-united-create-prayer-room-1807302
3) Mamadou Sakho
http://eng.islam-today.ru/news/i-sent-my-father-to-mecca-for-the-hajj-with-my-first-paycheck-the-defender-of-fc-liverpool/
4) Bacary Sagna:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacary_Sagna
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fasting-and-football-how-do-topflight-muslims-cope-2342187.html
Switzerland:
1) Gökhan Inler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6khan_Inler
2) Granit_Xhaka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granit_Xhaka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a95paOKmhnQ
3) Xherdan Shaqiri http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xherdan_Shaqiri
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8C4tcqO9W4
4) Admer Mehmedi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admir_Mehmedi
5) Blerim Dzemaili
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blerim_D%C5%BEemaili
6) Haris Seferovic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haris_Seferovi%C4%87
7) Valon Behrami
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valon_Behrami
8) Philippe Senderos
9) Pajtim_Kasami (Stand-by)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pajtim_Kasami
Germany:
1) Sami Khedira
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_Khedira
2) Mesut Ozil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesut_%C3%96zil
http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/11/12/idINIndia-52875620101112
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrFmk574bBM
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/350161/REVEALED-What-Arsenal-star-Mesut-Ozil-was-doing-before-kick-off-against-Manchester-United
3) Shkodran Mustafi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shkodran_Mustafi
Belgium:
1) Marouane Fellaini
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marouane_Fellaini
2) Adnan Januzaj
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Januzaj
3) Nacer Chadli
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacer_Chadli
4) Mousa_Dembele
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousa_Demb%C3%A9l%C3%A9
B) Source of info about Masjids being constructed by top European football clubs:
http://inserbia.info/today/2013/05/bayern-financed-the-construction-of-muslim-mosques-in-allianz-arena/
C) Source of minarets being banned in Switzerland:
http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2010/06/16/switzerland-to-its-footballers-thanks-very-much-now-go-back-to-where-you-came-from/
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/29/swiss-minarets-ban-referendum
D) European teams (13): Croatia, Netherlands, Spain, Greece, England, Italy, Portugal, Russia. Teams having Muslims (5): France, Switzerland, Bosnia, Germany, Belgium.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/
Jan Nisar Akthar's 'Yeh dil aur unki' (1974): One of Urdu's most precious of gems on nature
Each language has its inner strength to evoke the best in a human. And a strong language is the best medium to urge to carry on with the status quo or to speak out for change depending on where the society is standing. And it is the sweetness, softness and good words in a man or woman's tongue, of any language, that defines his or her character the best.
If there is one language that has the glory of being a language of the man on the street to one that has ignited, fuelled and won revolutions, Urdu would definitely be one of its foremost contenders. Poems like 'Sarfaroshi ki tamanna hum hamare dil mein hai', 'Saare jahan se achcha', 'Lab pe aati hai dua banke tamanna meri' have mesmerised generations of Urdu and non-Urdu speakers alike.
Speaking of Urdu poetry and nature I would rate Jan Nisar Akhar saheb's following lyrics for the song 'Yeh dil aur unki' from the 1974 Bollywood flick Prem Parbat (1974) as one of Urdu's most precious of gems on nature and environment. For those who understand Urdu even a bit, this poem is music to hears even without the accompanying music. TAn well-orchestrated symmetry of human thoughts synchronised in perfect tune with nature's bounties.
And for me the above picture that I took in Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary from a trip in May 2000 always reminds me of this song.
...Lipat te ye pedon se baadal ghanere...
Lipat te ye pedon se baadal ghanere...
yeh pal pal ujaale, yeh pal pal andhere...
yeh pal pal ujaale, yeh pal pal andhere.
Bahot thhande thhande, hain raahon ke saaye...
...Yeh dil aur unki nigahon he saaye.
(...The dense clouds hugging these tall trees...
the dense clouds hugging these tall trees...
creating moments of brightness, moments of darkness...
creating moments of brightness, moments of darkness...
So cool are the shadows in the trails beneath...
...This heart is under the cool shade of his eyes).
Dhadakate hain dil kitnee aazaadiyon se!
Dhadakate hain dil kitnee aazaadiyon se!
bahot milte julate hain in waadiyon se.
bahot milte julate hain in waadiyon se.
Mohabbat kee rangeen panaahon ke saaye...
...Yeh dil aur unki nigahon he saaye.
(How freely do these hearts beat!
How freely do these hearts beat!
They have a lot in common with these valleys.
They have a lot in common with these valleys.
In the multi-coloured shades of love...
...This heart is under the cool shade of his eyes).
Here is the actual song on Youtube
If you are unable to see the above song, please use this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuFqOua2grc&feature=kp
Here is the actual song on Youtube
If you are unable to see the above song, please use this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuFqOua2grc&feature=kp
And here is an excellent translation of the entire song by Ms. Shivani Mohan
http://songtranslationsbyme.blogspot.in/2011/09/yeh-dil-aur-unki-nigahon-ke-saaye.html
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Dilli...May 2012
Home to Nation's destiny makers;
Home to Nizamuddin Aulia;
Home of Shiva Bhakt Kawarias;
Home to Qutubuddin Aulia;
Home to tens of known dynasties, tens of crowned kings and hundreds of unknown princes;
Envy of Timur Lame, Nadir Shah, Ahmed Abdali;
Dream of the determined Maratha warriors;
Ghalib's pride, Bahadur Shah's unfulfilled last wish;
Witness to Bapu's Hey Ram;
Home of big hearted Dilli walas;
My home for 3 beautiful years;
Goodbye Dilli.
Home to Nizamuddin Aulia;
Home of Shiva Bhakt Kawarias;
Home to Qutubuddin Aulia;
Home to tens of known dynasties, tens of crowned kings and hundreds of unknown princes;
Envy of Timur Lame, Nadir Shah, Ahmed Abdali;
Dream of the determined Maratha warriors;
Ghalib's pride, Bahadur Shah's unfulfilled last wish;
Witness to Bapu's Hey Ram;
Home of big hearted Dilli walas;
My home for 3 beautiful years;
Goodbye Dilli.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
It's only me who can't see namma Maidanahalli...
The grass still turns brown in namma Maidanahalli, it's only me who can't see it changing colours.
The winter sun still changes hues as it sets over namma Maidanahalli, it's only me who can't see it disappearing.
The rocks and hills around namma Maidanahalli still guide the distant villagers reach their homes, its only me who has lost sight of them.
The migrant harriers still spend their nights in the calm open spaces of namma Maidanahalli, its only me who doesn't have wings to fly in from distant lands.
The good old forest guards and watchers still keep an eye on the visitors to namma Maidanahalli, it's only my eyes that can't meet theirs.
It's only me who can't see namma Maidanahalli...
Notes:
'Namma': Kannada for 'our'
Harriers are birds of prey that migrate in winter and roost usually on open ground in grasslands.
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