Few Ugly Truths

Bible says, promotion comes neither from the east nor west but from God, but people have proven it otherwise. Promotion(not just in work place) cometh also by nepotism, financial status, influence and sometimes through compromise.

Money rules. Not just in politics but even in religious circles. A person of great wealth is often/always considered a person of great worth almost everywhere.

Fair skin is still in vogue (maybe not literally in the fashion mag, as dusky skin is accepted there). But from Americans over their preference for a white president (till date) to the Indian chachis, mamis, atheys (aunts in Kannada) and thathis (grandma in Tamil) who select brides for their bathija/ nephews/grandchild, fair skin is still a required qualification.

Talking of marriage, commitment and fidelity are two words almost deleted from matrimonial dictionaries. Children come as option these days, divorce is the immediate solution. Liberalisation has entered not just the Indian market but Indian families too.

Dowry(Giving it and being harassed for it) and ragging are similar to me in the sense that whoever endures it endorses it later.

Religion is no longer peace-loving, but is aggressive. We do know of terrorist outfits proliferating in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and elsewhere and the hands behind it and the ongoing riots in J& K between the two religious groups. Add to this the attacks on civilians in Gujarat by fundamentalists, demolition of Babri Masjid we get a better picture. But it still is incomplete until we consider many christians who are on the lookout of the anti-christ ( instead of second coming of Christ) and every eye focussed on Iran and Israel for the outbreak of war and the end of the world. I am quite unsure if anyone remembers what Christ spoke about peacemakers...

One man's poison has become another man's butter. Talking of war, I am reminded of the scores of innocent lives lost in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and other troubled regions. But I can never forget some who have been feeding on them! There are many enterprises thriving in the war engulfed regions who supply necessary aid to the US/UK army and have turned millionares overnight. I personally have heard reports of them confessing to friends that the word "war' brings them new hope, as it opens yet another avenue for their business. I have not forgotten the clever tricks of Bush governement to oil their dealings in the middle east well. In Africa, the leaders of different states have been exploiting the ignorance of local people and have only helped in prolonging the tribal/ethnic wars to their own advantage.