THE LATEST OBSESSION WITH CUSS WORDS

THE LATEST OBSESSION WITH CUSS WORDS What was once taboo is most in vogue now ! Language that was considered brash , unmannerly and blasphemous just 2 decades back has become the order of the day . It is just not the elders who are freely using foul language openly , unmindful of the listeners who could be their own children! But what is alarming is that even the youth , the adolescents and children have got into this habit of flaunting expletives ! It has as if started augmenting their self confidence . It is such a pity to overhear innocent youngsters using them without any hesitation , awkwardness or embarrassment ! It is terribly painful to learn that school children within their school premises use such abrasive , vulgar and offensive language freely. They do not spare even their educators who are meant to be revered ! Abusive language has evolved and developed with the same rapidity as any proper language ever since etymology came into being. The difference is that in earlier times it was the prerogative of elders and was class - based but now it is a common language thst is used by all and sundry irrespective of class , social status or family backgrounds. A remarkable phenomenon is that once a gender- based privelege , it has now crossed that bar .There is no gender discrimination left ....to put it candidly the female species has added the expletives to their vocabulary . Young women feel elevated and chic using them with their friends with elan as it adds to their oomph factor . It is "fashionable " to be well versed in the nuances of the language . And they are the school / college going girls who soon become career - oriented women and ofcourse wives and mothers later , who have developed a fancy for this bizarre and scandalous mode of communication !! And why not ? Don't children emulate their parents ? Parents who are supposed to be role models leading by example are certainly failing in their primary parental duties of setting good examples for their children to learn and imbibe courteous habits. Family values , morals and good upbringing formed the backbone of moulding and shaping upright characters and personalities of the younger generation . Parents felt responsible for it just a few decades ago and realised that it was their duty to inculcate proper habits in their offsprings. What has happened , that they have become so callous that neither are they able to check or stop themselves nor their own offsprings from using such offensive , improper language . Some elders are of the opinion that at least within the precincts of their homes they can give vent to their pent up ire , annoyance and probably frustration by cursing and swearing or uttering Cuss Words thereby ignoring the detrimental effect it can have on the family members. It is actually deeply insulting and hurting for the listeners for whom they are meant. Cuss is an American word , rather slang , an alternate word for curse, swear and ' using bad words '. Social and electronic media, most importantly Cinema is playing a hazardous role in promoting this and thereby leading by example.The Censor Board has become indifferent and is accepting the profanity by giving a green signal to such films. That any, and everything is acceptable to society is a grave cause of concern indeed . Where are we heading to and what are we passing on to our progeny ? Probably this is what " ghore Kaliyug " ( घोर कलियुग) is ...we are totally in the ferocious labrynthine network of some monstrosity , some grotesque and obscene phase that we are not able to untangle We need to realise the gravity of the situation and certainly redeem and release ourselves from this newfangled obsession!!

THE DICHOTOMY

THE DICHOTOMY As per my own distinctive viewpoint , the pressing demand for caste census by all political parties does not portend a healthy unified future for the nation. This purely vested interest which has become a unanimously approved agenda among all parties including the ruling party is a gloomy forecast of the aftermath. This is the flipside of the story ! We are already a caste obsessed nation. We are severely judgemental as per the caste divide .Our perceptions and perspectives are always caste- driven . Hatred, jealousy and intolerance is what is prevalent. Venom is being spewed in the name of caste divides leading to mobbing, lynching, to cold blooded murders , patricide , fratricide , homicide suicide - all are rampant in the present scenario. So even though well-wishers and may be the political veterans are demanding it to ensure a stable future for their progeny , it will certainly deepen the chasm in the already - divided country in the name of caste. Interested parties are not letting any opportunity go waste , be it even the death of a person , rape , dacoity , mass killing , they are all bring turned into lucrative aspects to mobilise public sentiment of the particular caste involved. Lots of bounty is distributed many a times to hush up the matter , whereas several such horrific cases go unnoticed when they do not occur at the opportune time. The media plays a prominent role in highlighting these gruesome events .. If everyone irrespective of their class and caste is given equal opportunities to grow and pursue their interests , harmony would prevail .This may be hypothetical and far-fetched thinking .But is it too much to ask for a more stable , peaceful and coalescive future for the nation ? On a very broad basis the caste system in India evolved and developed to earmark the four phases of life and further, it was classified as per the occupation and profession of the masses. As time passed this categorisation deepened with the emergence of several divisions and subdivisions of every varna or caste .With this began the vying with each other to be one up in every sphere so much so that (cutting it short) , this divide has now reached alarming proportions resulting in untoward unforseen , unpleasant happenings . To my limited and inadequate governmental know- how, diplomacies and policies , my assessment of the situation may be erroneous ,narrow and lopsided ! The Almighty created the human species as equals with similar physical attributes , physiological systems and logical , discerning minds . He did not demarcate any categorisation among His creations. However , man's fertile mind devised and developed the various codification. It is so unfortunate that we have utterly destroyed that ethereal equality by misusing our minds in a calculative , scheming and shrewd manner to satisfy our own self-proclaimed noble motives . This particular divide is a unique feature of our country particularly . However , it is distressing to observe other nations also intensifying whatever dissimilarities there could be among them in the name of colour , race , ethnicity etc. In this unending debate , may the desire to live amicably and peacefully take hold of mankind ....then alone can we truly fulfil Our Creator's purpose ! This may be taken as a very childlike , wishful , unimaginable and impossible aspiration !!

THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY !

THE SPRIGHTLY ELDERLY : A RETIRED PENSIONER'S VIEWPOINT ! A country whose President and Prime Minister , and majority of the cabinet ministers are between the age bracket of 60 to 70 and 70 plus , the 58 to 62 years allotted for retirement of govt / semi-govt officials is unjustified , if only age has been taken into consideration for that policy. When Heads of countries and people at the helm of affairs can be achievers and successfully sail through at the so - called Vanprasth age why cannot the others ? Talking of the most affluent country , the 46th President of The United States of America is almost an octogenarian. Even his predecessor was a boisterous septuagenarian ! But ofcourse their country has not determined any fixed retirement age for the general masses who like their State heads can continue to work as long as they wish to and till health permits them . The sexagenarians and septuagenarians in general are at their active best as they are by then relieved of their parental responsibilities and familial duties .That is the time when they can focus most on their profession and careers . With their maturity ,experience and expertise they can prove to be assets in their workplace and for their employers .Personally for them too this is the time when they start loving and enjoying their work afresh for their creativity and gusto are at the highest level . Retirement though expected and which they have reconciled to, puts an end to their high spirits. At a time when they are most enthused and energetic and when their potential can be tapped as they are at their flowering best , their dynamism comes to an abrupt halt. It is true that in an over populated and still - developing nation like ours the elders after that age need to step down gracefully and make place for the younger generation. After all our employment crisis does justify the retirement age ! Retirement for some brings immediate relief as after a tenure of 30 to 40 years of active service , the break comes as a welcome change .It also provides them the free time to pursue their passions and interests.The spirited and enthusiastic are able to fructify such aspirations that paucity of time did not allow them to till they were employed. For many who have nothing much to look forward to , the post retirement period is just a countdown to the inevitable end . However, for most , the cessation of a steady monthly income is a cause of concern and anxiety .Not all are fortunate to have got over their family commitments and are the sole earning members thereby being in dire need of their jobs. Some schemes should be implemented that can provide employment to those retired personnel who are eager and willing to work , thereby their services can be utilised . The pension scheme , no doubt affords a lifetime of financial security but since it is taxable , the relief is not very heartening. Pensioners are not entitled to any allowances , even the routine hike of dearness allowance is termed as dearness relief for them . But this word relief is misleading as the taxes imposed on pensioners hardly make it a proposition of relief. It is ironical that people who are being given ' relief ' are being levied with taxes of the same slab as the salaried are !! Where is the RELIEF then ? Considering the longevity of lives , the extended life spans due to advanced medical aid and general wellbeing , retirement should be extended till the time an individual can work or till one wishes to and till one's health permits .That will be in the national and personal interest ! The recent declaration coming from the PM 's office regarding the extension of retirement age is a positive , pragmatic and productive initiative , provided it is enforced and does not remain one of the many tall claims!

THE FESTIVAL FRENZY

We , the people of India are endowed with a unique mental faculty of fervent veneration of the different forms of The Almighty , easily shifting our loyalties with the same devotion from one to the other as per Their allotted time of deification. From Shivmay to Rammay to Hanumanmay to Krishnamay , the transition is smooth and we transport ourselves with the same devotion and dedication to the deification of the concerned Lord ! The festival periods or holy months come in quick succession with one leading to the other. No wonder India is recognised as a land of festivals ! With 33 crores of Devis and Devtaas we are bound to have this phenomenal characteristic . The Hindu calendar begins with the month of Chaitra and Goddess Durga is propitiated in all Her forms for nine days in the Chaitra Navratri culminating in Ram Navmi the birth of Lord Vushnu's 7th avatar, Shri Ram .After 8 days of veneration of Goddess Durga , comes the 9th day and the chanting and idolisation of Lord Ram rent the air. However, It is the holy month of Saavan ,with the chanting of Har Har MAHADEV that heralds almost six months of nonstop festivals , back to back ! One ends and the other begins ....ceremonies , celebrations and festivities continue unabated! The devoted chants of Bum Bum Bole that seem to reverberate in our beings brings with it other crlebrations like Teej , Naag Panchami , Rakshabandhan ! As soon as the Holy month of Shrawan is over we immediately switch to the incantation of Hare Krishna , Jai Shri Krishna ,Radhe Radhe with the onset of the Bhadra month . Vatsalya --- the unbounded love for the baby Krishna and all the stages of His growing up are venerated ! So after the Saavan fervour we are in the grip of Krishna Leela .Temples are decked up with mesmerising Jhankis of the Lord and His journey through this human life , several householders get into the frenzy of beckoning the Saviour, Lord Vishnu's 8th avatar , through beautiful jhankis , innumerable varieties of sweets are prepared to offer Krishna . Janmashtami is celebrated with frenzied fervor and ' 'bhakti ' which continues till the 6th day of Krishna's birth , again celebrated in the traditional manner. Just after a brief gap of 4/ 5 days comes the Ganesh Utsav beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi .Lord Ganesh , the 'pratham pujya', the benefactor , the One who alleviates all the sufferings and hardships of mankind is invocated in the grandest of manner possible. The ten day long festival is marked with devotion and utmost surrender to the propitiation of The Vighnaharta! However, the end of the Ganesh Utsav ushers in a more sombre pitra paksha. The 16 days of pitrpaksha are devoted to the reminiscing of ancestors , parents ,and all near and dear ones who have left for their heavenly abode . Tributes and homage by way of food offerings and ' ' 'tarpan' , the ritualistic mode of paying respect to the revered is customary. No auspicious events are organised during this period . It is a time of the year for offering obeisance to the departed souls . With the pitravisarjani amavasya , enters the most auspicious Devi paksha, as it is called wherein Goddess Durga is invoked and a nine day long span of hectic festivities commence . Some of Her devotees believe that this is the time when SHE descends from Her Heavenly abode and comes to Her Parents' house for nine days .Lifelike idols and statues are installed in huge pandals in Her adulation, adoration and worship. The tenth day Vijaya Dashami is of great significance as it marks the triumph of good over evil with the ten- headed Ravan 's slaying and his golden Lanka doused in fire putting an end to his evil intentions and doings. Karva Chauth fast observed in some parts of the country is celebrated with great fanfare just after ten days of Dusshehra with ladies leaving no stone unturned in appealing to the Gods for the longevity of their dear husbands. Ahoi Ashtami on the fourth day after Karva Chauth is observed as a fast to propitiate the gods to be merciful and benevolent towards their children .Besides these there are other similar fasts that wives / mothers observe from time to time for the wellbeing of their husbands and children . Not a week passes and the Festival of all Festivals , Diwali , the festival of lights is ushered in wherein the Goddess of wealth is venerated ! Every house and every householder is absorbed in the festivities from the massive cleaning sprees to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to the late night card playing sessions signifying the inflow and outflow of wealth , all due to HER Blessings and so on. This is again a five day long festival with Dhanteras , Chhoti Diwali , Badi Diwali then Govardhan puja and finally Bhaiya Dooj . Chatt puja and fast follows a week after Diwali and is celebrated in some selected states. Just about 9 days after Diwali , Devutthan Ekadashi marks the arousal Lord Vishnu from his deep slumber heralding the wedding season . The month of paush brings a brief cessation of festivals . The month of Maagh with Makar Sankranti marks the winter solstice and is dedicated to the Sun God that further initiates the auspicious period . Basant Panchami which evokes and venerates the Goddess of Learning ,Maa Saraswati is closely followed by Shivratri . Lord Shiva is deified and glorified in all His forms . Finally the last but not the least important , the festival of Holi in the month of Phalgun is the last festival of the year . Holi , the festival of colours is a riotous , fun- filled event which promotes camaraderie among fellow humans as all come together to participate in the victory of good over evil and is marked with gaiety and revelry . What is remarkable is that all these various festivals ,wherein different God's/ Goddesses are propitiated , are celebrated in various ways in different states of the country. Each has a distinctive traditional way of worship toward the festivals. This variety is a very interesting feature indeed ! It is common knowledge that there is One Supreme Omniscient , Omnipotent Omnipresent Power who is revered and worshipped under several names and forms . Dwait and Adwait are two ways of worship .Since it is difficult for mortals to venerate the abstract form of God , the physical form of deities bind us and inspire us to deify them. What is imperative is that we remember our Creator always , everyday , every minute of our lives for that alone can lead to Oneness with Him and our salvation. However, since we are so engrossed in the material world that this perenially important memory of The Almighty generally takes a backseat 'Yes , adversity and the slightest of misfortunes make us immediately turn to Him for help and succour! For me the the substance and import of these varied festivals throughout the year in continuation are , effective in making us recollect ,reinforce our faith , commemorate and venerate The Supreme Being in His / Her various embodiments and incarnations . Amidst all the chaos that envelops the physical , material world it is these festivals when we invoke , worship , glorify , beg for atonement of our sins and express our gratefulness to our Creator that I feel certainly redeems , relieves as well as uplifts us to a more exalted state and frame of mind !