Summary of Mujeeb Jaihoon’s thematic presentation at EMEA Training College (Kondotty- Kerala). Co-guests at the event included Dr.k Mohammed Basheer, Vice Chancellor of Calicut University, Swami Athmadas Yami Dharmapaksha, counselor and trainer, Aseel Abdul Wahid, principal of the college (july 05 2018)

Freedom struggle

The Indian nation did not win freedom by simply signing on some dotted lines, as in the case of a property transfer deal nor was it as cozy as a smartscreen swipe. Precious lives were lost, selfless sacrifices were made, life imprisonment were sentenced, houses and places of worship were razed, wives became widows and children as orphans. Indian independence will forever remain an unparalleled chapter in the book of human sufferings. Patience too.

Freedom in the cage of Post-Independent India

Yet, despite securing freedom from a foreign power, the battle for life and dignity continues for the common men and women. While European soccer teams are dominated and credited for their immigrant origin players, the Dalits of India– the children of God in the words of Gandhi – are yet to make their mark in the National Cricket team. Oppression in the name of caste and faith has taken a new turn in recent years. There is a deliberate attempt to blemish the secular soul of Modern India, despite all its technological advancements and scientific progress which had more or less unified and inspired its diverse population. Some maniac minds and horrific hands are constantly conspiring to incite venom and hatred in the minds of citizens. Pluralism and Diversity are at the heart of Indianness. Freedom of expression is the inevitable fuel that propels Indian democracy. Safety and security of women are hallmarks of any civilized society. Protection of environment from the gluttonous corporate vultures is essential for the progressive and healthy future of the nation.

Midnight Street Dogs Safer than Daylight Indian Women

Unfortunately, the recent state of affairs is depicting almost completely a different picture. Non-sycophantic journalists are mercilessly murdered or intimidated. Whistle-blowers can no more breathe fearlessly. Shockingly, street dogs roaming at midnight may be feeling safer than women and children in daylight.

One step for Kerala is a giant leap for India

The social and communal equation in Kerala is relatively different from other parts of India, especially the North. The secular fabric of Keralites is long established, despite some minor challenges in the recent past. Perhaps, the reason why a prominent Delhi-based journalist tweeted, ‘what Kerala does today, India should do tomorrow’. I would like to propose before this august audience the following initiatives for the consideration of Kerala government and its peoples: 1. Tourism Kerala has numerous monuments of historical and spiritual significance of all denominations. The three S-temples with magnificent architectural and devotional aura- Sabarimala Sastha Temple, Sivagiri Temple and Srikrishna Temple- are already tourist hotspots. However, authorities are yet to capitalize on other monuments, which will help bring both name and money to the Southern State. Even those oft-visited pilgrimage centers need to be promoted as the true HQ of Hindu spirituality in contrast to the extremist interpretation by the fanatics. This will promote Kerala as the true haven of religious tolerance and diversity. 2. Education Kerala, with its cent percent literacy, boasts of several educational institutions with powerful secular legacy. However, for reasons of poor infrastructure and mismanagement, they are yet to figure at the National level. The influx of Kerala students to other states is way more than vice versa. This has to be reversed, urgently. 3. Media Kerala Media, though include some of the brightest scribes and ‘mouths’ in the industry, suffers from the language barrier which overshadows their talent from those in the ‘national’ mainstream. The secular Malayalee media houses, especially visual, have to adopt English programming to fight the communal narrative, which dominates many, if not all, national channels.

Choosing Between Gulistan vs Qabristan

Monoculture is demonic and despotic. This venomous weed has to be uprooted from the Indian soil before it turns India to a monstrous zombie land. India is at its best as multicultural Gulistan (garden), not a fascist Qabristan (graveyard). We, the children of this nation, have a duty to ensure our country remains in its quintessential spirit.