[Reader-list] Remembering Debates on this List

[Rakesh Iyer]

Dear all

I thought a lot that such followers of Hindutva nationalism would realize
their folly and instead contribute to discussing about a better world. Even
if they were simply nationalists but would have thought from the people's
point of view (even if only Indian people), it would have been very helpful
to discuss many issues and really get to understand more. But now this forum
seems to be only for people to go about discussing religions.

I read a primer on ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) put up on the
Right To Food Campaign Site. (www.righttofoodindia.org) It stated that 'The
Hindu', one of the better newspapers of this country, had been publishing
more articles on the nuclear deal, defence issues, terrorism and higher
education than on ICDS. Infact, there were more articles published on
primary education rather than ICDS. And strangely, the ICDS which is a
campaign for children under six, states that if children aren't properly
looked at till that age, then any kind of education or treatment will not be
able to compensate for this lack of care and the children would be mentally
and physically retarded.

How many of us know that about 50% of the children under six in this country
are malnourished? How many know that 1/3rd of the children in this country
under six are under-weight? How many know that micro-nutrients which are
very essential for the growth of children in this nation, are not being
given to them in sufficient manner? And how many know that the nutrient
value in the crops of this country has been decreasing in the past decade,
and so to get the same amount of nutrition, the amount of food to be
consumed would have to be increased? (The last question is something even
the Right to Food activists should know, considering that they are fighting
for food and nutrition for everyone.)

Instead, we all have time for Hindu-Muslim debates. Even the Sarai Reader
issue discusses about fear as a topic (for which essays are invited), in
which one of the sections is about fear of riots. What about fear of hunger?
Isn't that an important issue? (I am not an accomplished writer to discuss
about fear in the way it was mentioned in the link, but certainly would be
great if someone can write about the fear of hunger.)

If we really feel Muslim and Hindu religions can't co-exist in this nation,
either all Hindus and Muslims should take swords and finish each other till
followers of only one religion exist, or alternatively bring about another
partition of this country (in a peaceful manner) so that this time people of
both religions can live separately but somewhat peacefully. (Though how much
peace that would bring is itself a doubt). Or may be both India and Pakistan
should sign a pact to drop nuclear bombs on themselves and give the rest of
the world some peace and calm, and a few important lessons to learn as well.


But it would only show how fickle and irresponsible we are to our brethren
who are economically destitute, politically powerless, and socially
subjugated. And it shows what we are: totally despicable criminals of the
worst kind, if we still forget them and keep on chanting Hindu-Muslim,
Ram-Allah, and fights of such kind.

Regards

Rakesh