Hari Aum.
I generally do not like discussing politics and getting into heated debates with people. To each their own I say. However, there are times when I feel compelled to share my political views and today is one of them (after watching the important events that took place in the Indian parliament yesterday).
I have a liberal and tolerant approach to life. I feel everyone should be able live freely in any way they please as long as they are not harming others. Those who harm others should be dealt with by the law of the land in my view. People should not take the law into their own hands.
India is a complex county. There are numerous layers of society, of varying levels of education, different experiences, those belonging to various faiths and those not belonging to any, and who speak a number of different languages.
India could be a force for good in the world, to promote peace and welfare in the world. From time immemorial, great men and women who have shaped the history of India and set an example to the world, have drawn upon the wonderful philosophy of India. They derived inner strength from their spiritual practice to perform their role in the world. Mahatma Gandhi is one famous example.
The indigenous people of India have suffered centuries of attack from other countries, not only physically but also culturally. As a result, many Indians have lost all respect for their own culture and seek to simply imitate others. The tragedy here is that the rest of the world is turning to India's culture to find that peace which cannot be found in material objects, but many Indians themselves cannot appreciate this.
Poverty needs to be eliminated for humanitarian values and spirituality to grow. A poor man is more likely to steal if he is hungry- one cannot judge him harshly for this. No doubt, the first priority of India is to provide food, shelter, healthcare and education for all the people. And the large number of young and brainy people living in India are its strength.
I would like to request people to vote in elections. Many countries in the world do not have a democracy. They are ruled by dictators. India is fortunate enough to have a functioning democracy and everybody can vote, regardless of their background.
In the upcoming election in India, I would like to request readers living in India to please vote. And vote for whoever you feel will bring positive change in India, who will uplift the nation and make India into a modern nation of the 21st century. Do not vote based on old habit, on caste, religion, language or any other factor. Please vote for those who will do good to the nation, whoever you feel that may be.
Choices in politics are often about choosing the least bad option. No political party is perfect. All have serious flaws. However, there is no doubt that some perform better than others. And the nature of political parties change with time, depending on who is presently leading the party and setting an example.
I admit I am a fan of the present Prime Minister Mr Modi. There are practical reasons for this. I have seen some of the positive effects of his work. When my husband (who is European) needed a visa to travel to India last year, he got it electronically within 24 hours as a result of the Prime Minister's new policy. India is famous for endless red-tape and bureaucracy. However, for the first time, he got a visa within 24 hours, without having to go to the Indian embassy and stand in a long queue for hours. I was amazed by this.
Secondly, when I went to Rishikesh last year, I took the train from New Delhi to Haridwar. And then a taxi from Haridwar to Rishikesh. For the first time, the New Delhi railway station platform was clean. There were a crazy number of shiny steel dustbins (literally one every few metres) and there were no bits of paper, bottles and other rubbish littering the platform as was the case before. Also the train itself was clean- there was a man sweeping the floor, never seen that before.
The journey from Haridwar to Rishikesh had always been a very bumpy ride on a bad road with multiple stones and pebbles. This time there was a proper road and the journey was pleasant.
Based on these experiences, I feel there is some serious positive change happening in India. And in the West, there is a perception that India is not the same today as it was before. Many people recognise that India is a growing economic power with ever-increasing influence in the world.
Spirituality has to be put into practice. We are living in the world, it is our responsibility to take care of it- this is part of spirituality. There is a karmic consequence for every action. Vote for a foolish leader, and the country will suffer. Vote for a wise and forward-thinking leader and the country will prosper, materially and spiritually.
May the will of Narayana be done when it comes to the outcome of the next election in India. May goodness/dharma prevail, may justice prevail. May God give strength to Indians to choose wisely in accordance with His plan for India.
Hari Aum Tat Sat
I generally do not like discussing politics and getting into heated debates with people. To each their own I say. However, there are times when I feel compelled to share my political views and today is one of them (after watching the important events that took place in the Indian parliament yesterday).
I have a liberal and tolerant approach to life. I feel everyone should be able live freely in any way they please as long as they are not harming others. Those who harm others should be dealt with by the law of the land in my view. People should not take the law into their own hands.
India is a complex county. There are numerous layers of society, of varying levels of education, different experiences, those belonging to various faiths and those not belonging to any, and who speak a number of different languages.
India could be a force for good in the world, to promote peace and welfare in the world. From time immemorial, great men and women who have shaped the history of India and set an example to the world, have drawn upon the wonderful philosophy of India. They derived inner strength from their spiritual practice to perform their role in the world. Mahatma Gandhi is one famous example.
The indigenous people of India have suffered centuries of attack from other countries, not only physically but also culturally. As a result, many Indians have lost all respect for their own culture and seek to simply imitate others. The tragedy here is that the rest of the world is turning to India's culture to find that peace which cannot be found in material objects, but many Indians themselves cannot appreciate this.
Poverty needs to be eliminated for humanitarian values and spirituality to grow. A poor man is more likely to steal if he is hungry- one cannot judge him harshly for this. No doubt, the first priority of India is to provide food, shelter, healthcare and education for all the people. And the large number of young and brainy people living in India are its strength.
I would like to request people to vote in elections. Many countries in the world do not have a democracy. They are ruled by dictators. India is fortunate enough to have a functioning democracy and everybody can vote, regardless of their background.
In the upcoming election in India, I would like to request readers living in India to please vote. And vote for whoever you feel will bring positive change in India, who will uplift the nation and make India into a modern nation of the 21st century. Do not vote based on old habit, on caste, religion, language or any other factor. Please vote for those who will do good to the nation, whoever you feel that may be.
Choices in politics are often about choosing the least bad option. No political party is perfect. All have serious flaws. However, there is no doubt that some perform better than others. And the nature of political parties change with time, depending on who is presently leading the party and setting an example.
I admit I am a fan of the present Prime Minister Mr Modi. There are practical reasons for this. I have seen some of the positive effects of his work. When my husband (who is European) needed a visa to travel to India last year, he got it electronically within 24 hours as a result of the Prime Minister's new policy. India is famous for endless red-tape and bureaucracy. However, for the first time, he got a visa within 24 hours, without having to go to the Indian embassy and stand in a long queue for hours. I was amazed by this.
Secondly, when I went to Rishikesh last year, I took the train from New Delhi to Haridwar. And then a taxi from Haridwar to Rishikesh. For the first time, the New Delhi railway station platform was clean. There were a crazy number of shiny steel dustbins (literally one every few metres) and there were no bits of paper, bottles and other rubbish littering the platform as was the case before. Also the train itself was clean- there was a man sweeping the floor, never seen that before.
The journey from Haridwar to Rishikesh had always been a very bumpy ride on a bad road with multiple stones and pebbles. This time there was a proper road and the journey was pleasant.
Based on these experiences, I feel there is some serious positive change happening in India. And in the West, there is a perception that India is not the same today as it was before. Many people recognise that India is a growing economic power with ever-increasing influence in the world.
Spirituality has to be put into practice. We are living in the world, it is our responsibility to take care of it- this is part of spirituality. There is a karmic consequence for every action. Vote for a foolish leader, and the country will suffer. Vote for a wise and forward-thinking leader and the country will prosper, materially and spiritually.
May the will of Narayana be done when it comes to the outcome of the next election in India. May goodness/dharma prevail, may justice prevail. May God give strength to Indians to choose wisely in accordance with His plan for India.
Hari Aum Tat Sat
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