Editor,
I’m somewhat taken aback to analyse the facts that while a good number of states in India, especially the cow belt zones, had voted overwhelming for the BJP but I never cease to wonder why even in the Congress ruled states like Rajasthan the Congress had drawn a shocking blank! In other states like Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh the Congress had fared no better as the party has been virtually and comprehensively elbowed out.
However, Kerala exhibited a diametrically contrasting picture where the BJP had tried ever feasible trick up its sleeve to make inroads into the state, a hitherto non-BJP bastion, through the Sabarimala temple issue and by parachuting in the incumbent Governor of Mizoram to defeat Shashi Tharoor but all BJP’s essay to steal a march on Congress and Communist parties herein had ended with egg on its face. Perhaps this standout failure in question may be due to the phenomenal literacy rate of Kerala where it has achieved a whopping 93.91 % while that of entire India is as low as 74.04% only as per the available data. With such remarkable literacy standards, the same may perchance reflect the voters’ mindset that can’t be hoodwinked by the communal overtones of PM Modi, who while organizing the election campaigns to the Lok Sabha this year, had uttered something about the minority becoming majority, insinuating at Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad Constituency in Kerala. Perhaps, even Mr Modi’s previous references to mind blowing allusions by raising the communal question of land distribution for kabristan and shamshan and supply of electricity during Eid vis-à-vis Holi while campaigning in the UP assembly elections in 2017 couldn’t have moved the voters of Kerala. Based on the premise thereof, we may conclude that Kerala’s literacy factor and a questioning electorate must have played spoilsport to Modi’s juggernaut as elsewhere even eminent and likely winning candidates have to shockingly bite the dust!
Coincidentally, if we forget the Balakot skirmishes for a moment, that must have, by and large premised PM Modi’s victory in the recent parliamentary polls vis-à-vis the voters of Kerala, highly literate as they are, they may have keenly grasped the historic turn of events pertaining to the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Britain occurring seventy four years ago when Churchill as the leader of Britain had successfully led his country in the World War II epoch making victory over the Axis powers in 1945. But as it may sound odd, in the same year of 1945 on the immediate end of the said war, Churchill and his conservative party was thrashed by the Labour Party led by C. Attlee. Such turn of events only goes to show how the English voters were so acutely conscious of the sacrosanct implications of adult franchise of democracy many years ago. They are not led by mere emotional hype and breast thumping of a show-man!
Your etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh
Shillong, 2
Much ado about Yoga
Editor,
The Fifth International Day of Yoga on Friday last saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the lead in observing the day throughout the country through his appeal to people to take yoga to all sections of society. Modi said, “Yoga is above religion and caste.” In my opinion, yoga is not fully outside of the purview of Hindu religion. In the ultimate analysis it can be said that yoga is part and parcel of Hinduism, but one can choose it sans its religious overtones and practice it. But practicing the complete course of yoga has per- se the ritualistic obeisance which may be revolting to the belief system of other non-Hindu people.
So, it is not really advisable that all should practice yoga as it is not above religion as is claimed by the Prime Minister. For example, ‘om’ is a sacred syllable typifying the three gods Brahma, Vishnu and Siva, who are connected to the three operations of integration, maintenance and disintegration. During the breathing exercises in yoga, one has to chant this ‘om’ which may be revolting to the spirit of a non-Hindu person. But delinking some asanas from the whole body of yoga and practicing them are alright and may not displease the spirit in a non-Hindu person. As a matter of fact, yoga is not mandatory at all for maintaining good health if a person follows a set of stretches similar to yoga. There are a number of other exercises which can be practiced as easily as yoga. Projecting and promoting yoga alone as the panacea for a number of lifestyle diseases and stresses of this modern life is absolutely unacceptable. While a lot of exercises similar to yoga are available and millions are following them, Prime Minister’s exhortation to include yoga in everyone’s life does not hold water. So, it is not good to preach that yoga alone is good for maintaining good health.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Kochi -15
Give equal importance to all national festivals
Editor,
The entire nation and the world witnessed enthusiastic participation in the International Day of Yoga event. World leaders, spiritual gurus, diplomats and yoga experts during every year’s celebration are overwhelmed by the response to the call given by India at the UN five years ago. India celebrated Yoga day with active participation of senior political representatives, govt officials and the Hon’ble PM himself, who took issue to the United Nations to mark this event. All Indian embassies and consulates across the world too celebrated Yoga Day under the flagship initiated by the government. The entire nation thus stood still for few hours in anticipation and dedication of few minutes towards Yoga. The enthusiastic response witnessed in India especially amongst the urban masses signifies the need and primacy of Yoga in a modern, stressful and busy world.
However it is ironical to note that no such enthusiasm or overwhelming response is demonstrated for other national festivals. All national festivals as declared signify India’s democratic strength in celebrating either her Independence Day or Republic Day. Also we are in the 150th birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi to be celebrated in the upcoming months but the enthusiasm of people to celebrate these national festivals is ironically fast dwindling. There is now an urgent need to restore pride and enthusiasm in observing other major events as well, as demonstrated on International Yoga Day.
Yours etc.,
Varun Dambal,
Bengaluru -72