why do you wander restlessly why do you stare breathlessly surely you comprehend
stare breathlessly surely you comprehend
stare breathlessly surely you comprehend our two souls have been firmly welded
our two souls have been firmly welded
our two souls have been firmly welded into one surely you comprehend our two
into one surely you comprehend our two
into one surely you comprehend our two souls have been firmly welded into one
souls have been firmly welded into one
souls have been firmly welded into one you will be you will be comforted by me
you will be you will be comforted by me
you will be you will be comforted by me in a way no one could dream and when you
in a way no one could dream and when you
in a way no one could dream and when you wound with an angry world when you wound
wound with an angry world when you wound
wound with an angry world when you wound with an angry word you yourself shall
with an angry word you yourself shall
with an angry word you yourself shall feel the pain you yourself shall feel
feel the pain you yourself shall feel
feel the pain you yourself shall feel the pain these verses were penned by
the pain these verses were penned by
the pain these verses were penned by anak Matoba the great russian poet and
anak Matoba the great russian poet and
anak Matoba the great russian poet and when i read them for the first time they
when i read them for the first time they
when i read them for the first time they seemed plainly romantic and romance to
seemed plainly romantic and romance to
seemed plainly romantic and romance to me is boring but then I read about Atma
me is boring but then I read about Atma
me is boring but then I read about Atma Tobi’s life and something more subtle
Tobi’s life and something more subtle
Tobi’s life and something more subtle surfaced Akhmatova lived through two
surfaced Akhmatova lived through two
surfaced Akhmatova lived through two different kinds of russia
different kinds of russia
different kinds of russia pre-revolutionary and Soviet and if you
pre-revolutionary and Soviet and if you
pre-revolutionary and Soviet and if you read about the turmoil that marks that
read about the turmoil that marks that
read about the turmoil that marks that period her poetry comes to embody the
period her poetry comes to embody the
period her poetry comes to embody the tragic spirit of 20th century Russia
tragic spirit of 20th century Russia
tragic spirit of 20th century Russia really and when she talks about romance
really and when she talks about romance
really and when she talks about romance she’s not talking about mere
she’s not talking about mere
she’s not talking about mere sentimentality but see she transcends
sentimentality but see she transcends
sentimentality but see she transcends the sentiment to apprehend a human being
the sentiment to apprehend a human being
the sentiment to apprehend a human being to understand another person in such an
to understand another person in such an
to understand another person in such an intense way it’s almost as if she’s
intense way it’s almost as if she’s
intense way it’s almost as if she’s become that person one with their ex one
become that person one with their ex one
become that person one with their ex one with their sufferings stunning stuff
with their sufferings stunning stuff
with their sufferings stunning stuff really and these verses came alive to me
really and these verses came alive to me
really and these verses came alive to me last semester in my first year of law
last semester in my first year of law
last semester in my first year of law school when I was involved in a project
school when I was involved in a project
school when I was involved in a project to give you a brief background about the
to give you a brief background about the
to give you a brief background about the project the year was 1948 in the
project the year was 1948 in the
project the year was 1948 in the northeast of this country in Manipur
northeast of this country in Manipur
northeast of this country in Manipur there were elements that believed they
there were elements that believed they
there were elements that believed they did not belong to a part of India and
did not belong to a part of India and
did not belong to a part of India and therefore they gripped the entire region
therefore they gripped the entire region
therefore they gripped the entire region with violent insurgency they wanted to
with violent insurgency they wanted to
with violent insurgency they wanted to secede and form their own nation in
secede and form their own nation in
secede and form their own nation in response to these violent insurgents the
response to these violent insurgents the
response to these violent insurgents the government of India introduced something
government of India introduced something
government of India introduced something called the Armed Forces Special Powers
called the Armed Forces Special Powers
called the Armed Forces Special Powers Act F Spa for short the Aspire
Act F Spa for short the Aspire
Act F Spa for short the Aspire essentially gave pass to the Armed
essentially gave pass to the Armed
essentially gave pass to the Armed Forces and what are called disturbed
Forces and what are called disturbed
Forces and what are called disturbed areas and these files included the right
areas and these files included the right
areas and these files included the right to arrest without a warrant to shoot and
to arrest without a warrant to shoot and
to arrest without a warrant to shoot and to kill
to kill
to kill we’ll and here’s where the story takes a
we’ll and here’s where the story takes a
we’ll and here’s where the story takes a tragic turn because over the last 60
tragic turn because over the last 60
tragic turn because over the last 60 years that the axe paw has been in force
years that the axe paw has been in force
years that the axe paw has been in force in Manipur the overwhelming majority of
in Manipur the overwhelming majority of
in Manipur the overwhelming majority of people who have died at the hands of the
people who have died at the hands of the
people who have died at the hands of the armed forces have not been civilians by
armed forces have not been civilians by
armed forces have not been civilians by civilian terrorists have not been
civilian terrorists have not been
civilian terrorists have not been separatists
separatists
separatists they’ve been common citizens like you
they’ve been common citizens like you
they’ve been common citizens like you and me he doesn’t stop just at murder it
and me he doesn’t stop just at murder it
and me he doesn’t stop just at murder it moves on to loot to assault and to rape
moves on to loot to assault and to rape
moves on to loot to assault and to rape and what happens to these officers who
and what happens to these officers who
and what happens to these officers who perpetrated these crimes they walk away
perpetrated these crimes they walk away
perpetrated these crimes they walk away scot-free that’s right they walk away
scot-free that’s right they walk away
scot-free that’s right they walk away scot-free it’s because the app spur
scot-free it’s because the app spur
scot-free it’s because the app spur gives them something called legal
gives them something called legal
gives them something called legal immunity which essentially means they
immunity which essentially means they
immunity which essentially means they have the license to do as they please
have the license to do as they please
have the license to do as they please and the law cannot question them no
and the law cannot question them no
and the law cannot question them no self-respecting dignified humane society
self-respecting dignified humane society
self-respecting dignified humane society can tolerate such an outrage on human
can tolerate such an outrage on human
can tolerate such an outrage on human life especially when it’s committed
life especially when it’s committed
life especially when it’s committed towards your own people in 2012 the
towards your own people in 2012 the
towards your own people in 2012 the women of the extrajudicial execution
women of the extrajudicial execution
women of the extrajudicial execution victims Family Association efan for
victims Family Association efan for
victims Family Association efan for short moved the Supreme Court in a writ
short moved the Supreme Court in a writ
short moved the Supreme Court in a writ petition the petition read that between
petition the petition read that between
petition the petition read that between 1979 and 2012 1528 civilian men were
1979 and 2012 1528 civilian men were
1979 and 2012 1528 civilian men were killed innocent civilian men were killed
killed innocent civilian men were killed
killed innocent civilian men were killed by the Armed Forces and security
by the Armed Forces and security
by the Armed Forces and security personnel stationed in Manipur children
personnel stationed in Manipur children
personnel stationed in Manipur children were robbed of their father’s wives were
were robbed of their father’s wives were
were robbed of their father’s wives were widowed overnight mothers and fathers
widowed overnight mothers and fathers
widowed overnight mothers and fathers were deprived of their sons and when one
were deprived of their sons and when one
were deprived of their sons and when one reads the petition one understands the
reads the petition one understands the
reads the petition one understands the extent of horror that has reigned across
extent of horror that has reigned across
extent of horror that has reigned across money pour over the last so many decades
money pour over the last so many decades
money pour over the last so many decades and how little we know about it
and how little we know about it
and how little we know about it the women Oggy fam moved the highest
the women Oggy fam moved the highest
the women Oggy fam moved the highest court of the land pleading for justice
court of the land pleading for justice
court of the land pleading for justice pleading for protection imploring that
pleading for protection imploring that
pleading for protection imploring that their constitution our Constitution the
their constitution our Constitution the
their constitution our Constitution the Constitution of India come to their
Constitution of India come to their
Constitution of India come to their rescue I was so moved by their effort
rescue I was so moved by their effort
rescue I was so moved by their effort that I thought I must be involved with
that I thought I must be involved with
that I thought I must be involved with it the project that I worked with
it the project that I worked with
it the project that I worked with to aid the petitioners in their
to aid the petitioners in their
to aid the petitioners in their arguments before the Supreme Court I was
arguments before the Supreme Court I was
arguments before the Supreme Court I was presented with about 60 victim files
presented with about 60 victim files
presented with about 60 victim files which I had to document study and
which I had to document study and
which I had to document study and tabulate each file consent contained a
tabulate each file consent contained a
tabulate each file consent contained a series of documents eyewitness accounts
series of documents eyewitness accounts
series of documents eyewitness accounts first information reports ballistic
first information reports ballistic
first information reports ballistic reports post-mortem reports essentially
reports post-mortem reports essentially
reports post-mortem reports essentially each file was a complete archive that
each file was a complete archive that
each file was a complete archive that told with painful detail the brutal
told with painful detail the brutal
told with painful detail the brutal death of an individual was not easy
death of an individual was not easy
death of an individual was not easy reading them I read the first file
reading them I read the first file
reading them I read the first file line-by-line slowly flaring with anger
line-by-line slowly flaring with anger
line-by-line slowly flaring with anger and pain I read the second the third the
and pain I read the second the third the
and pain I read the second the third the fourth and the fifth seething with
fourth and the fifth seething with
fourth and the fifth seething with disgust
disgust
disgust after all I’m a law student and
after all I’m a law student and
after all I’m a law student and questions of justice from pounding
questions of justice from pounding
questions of justice from pounding against my head and what was most
against my head and what was most
against my head and what was most striking about this was that I don’t
striking about this was that I don’t
striking about this was that I don’t know these people at all I couldn’t even
know these people at all I couldn’t even
know these people at all I couldn’t even pronounce their names they were strange
pronounce their names they were strange
pronounce their names they were strange their identities were faceless I knew
their identities were faceless I knew
their identities were faceless I knew nothing of their circumstances their
nothing of their circumstances their
nothing of their circumstances their culture their faith their lives their
culture their faith their lives their
culture their faith their lives their families the songs they sang the dreams
families the songs they sang the dreams
families the songs they sang the dreams they dream the sorrows they suffered I
they dream the sorrows they suffered I
they dream the sorrows they suffered I knew nothing but yet as I was turning
knew nothing but yet as I was turning
knew nothing but yet as I was turning through each page of that of those
through each page of that of those
through each page of that of those reports of every shot of the bullet of
reports of every shot of the bullet of
reports of every shot of the bullet of every organized a puncture its precise
every organized a puncture its precise
every organized a puncture its precise angle of every thrust of the knife of
angle of every thrust of the knife of
angle of every thrust of the knife of every child and woman who watched with
every child and woman who watched with
every child and woman who watched with horror as a loved one descended into a
horror as a loved one descended into a
horror as a loved one descended into a lifeless pool of blood the ghosts of
lifeless pool of blood the ghosts of
lifeless pool of blood the ghosts of manipur haunted me for days I could not
manipur haunted me for days I could not
manipur haunted me for days I could not sleep for nights I finally reached the
sleep for nights I finally reached the
sleep for nights I finally reached the fifty-second file the earth were rolling
fifty-second file the earth were rolling
fifty-second file the earth were rolling down my cheeks but I felt no sadness I
down my cheeks but I felt no sadness I
down my cheeks but I felt no sadness I was numb my concept of justice and
was numb my concept of justice and
was numb my concept of justice and injustice had left me and I had
injustice had left me and I had
injustice had left me and I had absolutely no idea what to feel in those
absolutely no idea what to feel in those
absolutely no idea what to feel in those few moments I call myself a patriot a
few moments I call myself a patriot a
few moments I call myself a patriot a nationalist a lover of my people but of
nationalist a lover of my people but of
nationalist a lover of my people but of what what are these words but empty
what what are these words but empty
what what are these words but empty pronouncements what height of hypocrisy
pronouncements what height of hypocrisy
pronouncements what height of hypocrisy do I sit on in calling myself as
do I sit on in calling myself as
do I sit on in calling myself as when all I can do for a slain fellow of
when all I can do for a slain fellow of
when all I can do for a slain fellow of mine for his family is to look and feel
mine for his family is to look and feel
mine for his family is to look and feel sorry and pitiful the rage will fade
sorry and pitiful the rage will fade
sorry and pitiful the rage will fade into a memory one day the mundane
into a memory one day the mundane
into a memory one day the mundane routine of life will resume and the call
routine of life will resume and the call
routine of life will resume and the call for justice a wean flinch in the dark
for justice a wean flinch in the dark
for justice a wean flinch in the dark pathetic and then I ask myself what will
pathetic and then I ask myself what will
pathetic and then I ask myself what will it take for me to fall down on my knees
it take for me to fall down on my knees
it take for me to fall down on my knees all the hands of those widows and
all the hands of those widows and
all the hands of those widows and children look them in the eye and
children look them in the eye and
children look them in the eye and declare in truth that I understand not a
declare in truth that I understand not a
declare in truth that I understand not a mere expression of sympathy but that I
mere expression of sympathy but that I
mere expression of sympathy but that I know what it means to suffer to
know what it means to suffer to
know what it means to suffer to empathize before I can even begin to
empathize before I can even begin to
empathize before I can even begin to call myself a citizen what will it take
call myself a citizen what will it take
call myself a citizen what will it take for me to redeem my own humanity this
for me to redeem my own humanity this
for me to redeem my own humanity this question has been eating at me for
question has been eating at me for
question has been eating at me for months and I simply must understand and
months and I simply must understand and
months and I simply must understand and I thought I could utilize this
I thought I could utilize this
I thought I could utilize this opportunity I have with all of you to
opportunity I have with all of you to
opportunity I have with all of you to think this over together let’s see where
think this over together let’s see where
think this over together let’s see where this takes us the question I’d like to
this takes us the question I’d like to
this takes us the question I’d like to examine is if there is a concept of
examine is if there is a concept of
examine is if there is a concept of citizenship that is not tied to an ideal
citizenship that is not tied to an ideal
citizenship that is not tied to an ideal or an ideology to something superficial
or an ideology to something superficial
or an ideology to something superficial but in fact if there is a meaning to
but in fact if there is a meaning to
but in fact if there is a meaning to citizenship of belonging which is tied
citizenship of belonging which is tied
citizenship of belonging which is tied to empty and pity based in the very
to empty and pity based in the very
to empty and pity based in the very experience of what it means to be a
experience of what it means to be a
experience of what it means to be a human being and before we sink into this
human being and before we sink into this
human being and before we sink into this question I think we need to confront a
question I think we need to confront a
question I think we need to confront a very important fact the fact is we are
very important fact the fact is we are
very important fact the fact is we are all very different let’s not get carried
all very different let’s not get carried
all very different let’s not get carried away by fancy statements that all human
away by fancy statements that all human
away by fancy statements that all human beings are one in the same and
beings are one in the same and
beings are one in the same and differences if any are purely imaginary
differences if any are purely imaginary
differences if any are purely imaginary that’s rubbish we are different in terms
that’s rubbish we are different in terms
that’s rubbish we are different in terms of the language we speak in terms of the
of the language we speak in terms of the
of the language we speak in terms of the culture and faith we follow in terms of
culture and faith we follow in terms of
culture and faith we follow in terms of the geography we inhabit in terms of the
the geography we inhabit in terms of the
the geography we inhabit in terms of the ethical and moral standards we live by
ethical and moral standards we live by
ethical and moral standards we live by in terms of the social hierarchy we
in terms of the social hierarchy we
in terms of the social hierarchy we occupy we are deeply different people
occupy we are deeply different people
occupy we are deeply different people and when we accept the inevitability of
and when we accept the inevitability of
and when we accept the inevitability of this fact of our very real differences
this fact of our very real differences
this fact of our very real differences then the question becomes clearer in a
then the question becomes clearer in a
then the question becomes clearer in a deeply diverse society whether we frame
deeply diverse society whether we frame
deeply diverse society whether we frame it as local national or global in a
it as local national or global in a
it as local national or global in a deeply diverse society is human life
deeply diverse society is human life
deeply diverse society is human life destined to be divided
destined to be divided
destined to be divided all is their quality of belonging or
all is their quality of belonging or
all is their quality of belonging or quality of citizenship that thrives in
quality of citizenship that thrives in
quality of citizenship that thrives in spite of our differences and before we
spite of our differences and before we
spite of our differences and before we sink into this question I would like to
sink into this question I would like to
sink into this question I would like to invoke a very special person in the wake
invoke a very special person in the wake
invoke a very special person in the wake of the 20th century one of the tallest
of the 20th century one of the tallest
of the 20th century one of the tallest individuals of the age the great
individuals of the age the great
individuals of the age the great humanitarian and poet Gurudev
humanitarian and poet Gurudev
humanitarian and poet Gurudev rabindranath tagore traveled from India
rabindranath tagore traveled from India
rabindranath tagore traveled from India to Japan Europe at the United States at
to Japan Europe at the United States at
to Japan Europe at the United States at the time Europe was in the thick of
the time Europe was in the thick of
the time Europe was in the thick of World War one Japan was emerging as a
World War one Japan was emerging as a
World War one Japan was emerging as a powerful military power in Asia America
powerful military power in Asia America
powerful military power in Asia America was captured by consumerism and Industry
was captured by consumerism and Industry
was captured by consumerism and Industry the gore was pained by the carnage of
the gore was pained by the carnage of
the gore was pained by the carnage of war by the greed for power and
war by the greed for power and
war by the greed for power and possession he thought deeply about these
possession he thought deeply about these
possession he thought deeply about these problems and he wanted to arrive at its
problems and he wanted to arrive at its
problems and he wanted to arrive at its very root in his travels across these
very root in his travels across these
very root in his travels across these countries he came forth with a brilliant
countries he came forth with a brilliant
countries he came forth with a brilliant series of lectures now available in a
series of lectures now available in a
series of lectures now available in a book in fact titled nationalism and as I
book in fact titled nationalism and as I
book in fact titled nationalism and as I leave through the first few pages of the
leave through the first few pages of the
leave through the first few pages of the book I realized that I was sitting at
book I realized that I was sitting at
book I realized that I was sitting at the feet of a great master somebody
the feet of a great master somebody
the feet of a great master somebody whose sense of humanity and
whose sense of humanity and
whose sense of humanity and sophistication of thought was something
sophistication of thought was something
sophistication of thought was something I’d never come across ever before in my
I’d never come across ever before in my
I’d never come across ever before in my life drawing from these lectures I’d
life drawing from these lectures I’d
life drawing from these lectures I’d like to commence our inquiry we
like to commence our inquiry we
like to commence our inquiry we understand that we are a very different
understand that we are a very different
understand that we are a very different people we differ in terms of region
people we differ in terms of region
people we differ in terms of region religion nationality language to impose
religion nationality language to impose
religion nationality language to impose a false unity on mankind is not only
a false unity on mankind is not only
a false unity on mankind is not only foolish it is cruel the kind of
foolish it is cruel the kind of
foolish it is cruel the kind of oppression that takes place in the name
oppression that takes place in the name
oppression that takes place in the name of human identity in the world today is
of human identity in the world today is
of human identity in the world today is terrible and we cannot afford to behave
terrible and we cannot afford to behave
terrible and we cannot afford to behave as if these identities can be glossed
as if these identities can be glossed
as if these identities can be glossed over
over
over but what we’re here to talk about today
but what we’re here to talk about today
but what we’re here to talk about today is something entirely different
is something entirely different
is something entirely different something directed more inward I think
something directed more inward I think
something directed more inward I think it’s very important to observe that over
it’s very important to observe that over
it’s very important to observe that over the last thousands of years that mankind
the last thousands of years that mankind
the last thousands of years that mankind has inhabited this earth why is it that
has inhabited this earth why is it that
has inhabited this earth why is it that we have given such a tremendous
we have given such a tremendous
we have given such a tremendous importance to our identities whether
importance to our identities whether
importance to our identities whether it’s a religion or Dogma a nationality
it’s a religion or Dogma a nationality
it’s a religion or Dogma a nationality inwardly psychologically I am glued to
inwardly psychologically I am glued to
inwardly psychologically I am glued to my beliefs and identities do you see why
my beliefs and identities do you see why
my beliefs and identities do you see why this question isn’t
this question isn’t
this question isn’t when I assert myself as a Marxist as a
when I assert myself as a Marxist as a
when I assert myself as a Marxist as a liberal as a conservative as a Hindu a
liberal as a conservative as a Hindu a
liberal as a conservative as a Hindu a Muslim a Pakistani when I wrap myself up
Muslim a Pakistani when I wrap myself up
Muslim a Pakistani when I wrap myself up in these identities
in these identities
in these identities am I not erecting a wall between myself
am I not erecting a wall between myself
am I not erecting a wall between myself and the rest of mankind think about
and the rest of mankind think about
and the rest of mankind think about those who believe and identify in the
those who believe and identify in the
those who believe and identify in the same way that I do belong to my type
same way that I do belong to my type
same way that I do belong to my type those who believe and identify
those who believe and identify
those who believe and identify differently belong to a separate type I
differently belong to a separate type I
differently belong to a separate type I am take this in the architecture of my
am take this in the architecture of my
am take this in the architecture of my mind the tendency of the mind is
mind the tendency of the mind is
mind the tendency of the mind is economical it loves to move in grooves
economical it loves to move in grooves
economical it loves to move in grooves and what happens when my mind moves in a
and what happens when my mind moves in a
and what happens when my mind moves in a groove when it forms identities and
groove when it forms identities and
groove when it forms identities and habits and twines itself around it what
habits and twines itself around it what
habits and twines itself around it what happens that I speak Tamil and you speak
happens that I speak Tamil and you speak
happens that I speak Tamil and you speak Portuguese that you serve janasthana and
Portuguese that you serve janasthana and
Portuguese that you serve janasthana and I am Indian is a fact it’s a fact of a
I am Indian is a fact it’s a fact of a
I am Indian is a fact it’s a fact of a geographical and cultural upbringing but
geographical and cultural upbringing but
geographical and cultural upbringing but when I cling on to my Indian lists when
when I cling on to my Indian lists when
when I cling on to my Indian lists when I internalize these identities clinging
I internalize these identities clinging
I internalize these identities clinging on to my Indian Asst declaring you as
on to my Indian Asst declaring you as
on to my Indian Asst declaring you as the non-indian keeping you aside as the
the non-indian keeping you aside as the
the non-indian keeping you aside as the other have I not sown the seeds of human
other have I not sown the seeds of human
other have I not sown the seeds of human separation how can empathy ever take
separation how can empathy ever take
separation how can empathy ever take place when this wall exists between you
place when this wall exists between you
place when this wall exists between you and me how the god says that society is
and me how the god says that society is
and me how the god says that society is a spontaneous self-expression of man as
a spontaneous self-expression of man as
a spontaneous self-expression of man as a social being a spontaneous
a social being a spontaneous
a social being a spontaneous self-expression of man as a social being
self-expression of man as a social being
self-expression of man as a social being it really is a lovely statement but
it really is a lovely statement but
it really is a lovely statement but think about it in the light of the world
think about it in the light of the world
think about it in the light of the world we live in today we don’t know what it
we live in today we don’t know what it
we live in today we don’t know what it means to live in the shared quality of
means to live in the shared quality of
means to live in the shared quality of being human society isn’t spontaneous it
being human society isn’t spontaneous it
being human society isn’t spontaneous it isn’t even natural we each move in our
isn’t even natural we each move in our
isn’t even natural we each move in our own identities as the Jew as the Arab as
own identities as the Jew as the Arab as
own identities as the Jew as the Arab as the Hindu as the Muslim as the rural the
the Hindu as the Muslim as the rural the
the Hindu as the Muslim as the rural the urban and the tribal and though we may
urban and the tribal and though we may
urban and the tribal and though we may be geographically proximate we live in
be geographically proximate we live in
be geographically proximate we live in separate societies I will remain the
separate societies I will remain the
separate societies I will remain the Tamil youth you will remain a money Puri
Tamil youth you will remain a money Puri
Tamil youth you will remain a money Puri Widow I will never know your joys your
Widow I will never know your joys your
Widow I will never know your joys your sufferings your dreams and you will
sufferings your dreams and you will
sufferings your dreams and you will never know mine because we have
never know mine because we have
never know mine because we have condemned ourselves to be citizens of
condemned ourselves to be citizens of
condemned ourselves to be citizens of separate worlds
separate worlds
separate worlds just look at the clarity of it you know
just look at the clarity of it you know
just look at the clarity of it you know there used to be a time when I would
there used to be a time when I would
there used to be a time when I would call myself a proud Indian a proud Hindu
call myself a proud Indian a proud Hindu
call myself a proud Indian a proud Hindu a proud this and a proud that pride what
a proud this and a proud that pride what
a proud this and a proud that pride what am i proud about it is a sure accident
am i proud about it is a sure accident
am i proud about it is a sure accident of births that I was born where I am
of births that I was born where I am
of births that I was born where I am right now and when I look back at
right now and when I look back at
right now and when I look back at millennia thousands of years of this
millennia thousands of years of this
millennia thousands of years of this glorious civilization did I create that
glorious civilization did I create that
glorious civilization did I create that no I didn’t then what am i proud about
no I didn’t then what am i proud about
no I didn’t then what am i proud about where is this pride where is what is
where is this pride where is what is
where is this pride where is what is this pride erected act at an identity
this pride erected act at an identity
this pride erected act at an identity and let’s look at it what is an identity
and let’s look at it what is an identity
and let’s look at it what is an identity what is an identity is it not put
what is an identity is it not put
what is an identity is it not put together by thought
together by thought
together by thought is it not concocted by my mind is it not
is it not concocted by my mind is it not
is it not concocted by my mind is it not a fragment of my imagination and
a fragment of my imagination and
a fragment of my imagination and therefore is it not false and I can
therefore is it not false and I can
therefore is it not false and I can heave and ho as much as I want on my
heave and ho as much as I want on my
heave and ho as much as I want on my cherished identities and beliefs I can
cherished identities and beliefs I can
cherished identities and beliefs I can go to war in its name kill in its name
go to war in its name kill in its name
go to war in its name kill in its name some of you would remember what happened
some of you would remember what happened
some of you would remember what happened a few days ago at Greater Noida
a few days ago at Greater Noida
a few days ago at Greater Noida a man from Africa was brutally beaten by
a man from Africa was brutally beaten by
a man from Africa was brutally beaten by a mob because of the stigma attached to
a mob because of the stigma attached to
a mob because of the stigma attached to the color of his skin and the stereotype
the color of his skin and the stereotype
the color of his skin and the stereotype attached to the country that he comes
attached to the country that he comes
attached to the country that he comes from he was called a cannibal or
from he was called a cannibal or
from he was called a cannibal or something as silly as that brutally
something as silly as that brutally
something as silly as that brutally beaten up it’s a day every dignified
beaten up it’s a day every dignified
beaten up it’s a day every dignified Indian should have hung their heads in
Indian should have hung their heads in
Indian should have hung their heads in shame for what business do we have
shame for what business do we have
shame for what business do we have crying foul over the racial treatment of
crying foul over the racial treatment of
crying foul over the racial treatment of our people overseas when P ourselves
our people overseas when P ourselves
our people overseas when P ourselves don’t know how to treat another with
don’t know how to treat another with
don’t know how to treat another with decency and dignity so I can heave and I
decency and dignity so I can heave and I
decency and dignity so I can heave and I can hold as much as I want on my beliefs
can hold as much as I want on my beliefs
can hold as much as I want on my beliefs and identities and in the end of the
and identities and in the end of the
and identities and in the end of the left with only ashes in my hand you
left with only ashes in my hand you
left with only ashes in my hand you follow ashes now we have gone over so
follow ashes now we have gone over so
follow ashes now we have gone over so much together we’ve understood that
much together we’ve understood that
much together we’ve understood that society is not an isolated phenomenon it
society is not an isolated phenomenon it
society is not an isolated phenomenon it certainly isn’t society is a projection
certainly isn’t society is a projection
certainly isn’t society is a projection of my mind of my worldview of everything
of my mind of my worldview of everything
of my mind of my worldview of everything that’s taking place within me if I
that’s taking place within me if I
that’s taking place within me if I choose to hold myself back with
choose to hold myself back with
choose to hold myself back with identities and beliefs psychologically
identities and beliefs psychologically
identities and beliefs psychologically inwardly if I choose to separate myself
inwardly if I choose to separate myself
inwardly if I choose to separate myself from all of mankind
from all of mankind
from all of mankind I project the same division into the
I project the same division into the
I project the same division into the world outside and as society moves in
world outside and as society moves in
world outside and as society moves in separate bubbles of identity each
separate bubbles of identity each
separate bubbles of identity each competing for sustainance with the other
competing for sustainance with the other
competing for sustainance with the other the very fact of violence and conflict
the very fact of violence and conflict
the very fact of violence and conflict is ensured in this world is it not
what is this understanding do to me
what is this understanding do to me without condemning or justifying it I am
without condemning or justifying it I am
without condemning or justifying it I am watching my mind in operation I am
watching my mind in operation I am
watching my mind in operation I am watching my identities and my beliefs
watching my identities and my beliefs
watching my identities and my beliefs their very structure and process I’m
their very structure and process I’m
their very structure and process I’m watching it quietly like I would a
watching it quietly like I would a
watching it quietly like I would a strange new jewel what does this quiet
strange new jewel what does this quiet
strange new jewel what does this quiet perception do to me what is taking place
perception do to me what is taking place
perception do to me what is taking place inside of me perhaps we can understand
inside of me perhaps we can understand
inside of me perhaps we can understand this with a small story seventy years
this with a small story seventy years
this with a small story seventy years ago India awoke to life and freedom
ago India awoke to life and freedom
ago India awoke to life and freedom seventy years ago the partition of India
seventy years ago the partition of India
seventy years ago the partition of India and Pakistan accompanied the freedom of
and Pakistan accompanied the freedom of
and Pakistan accompanied the freedom of this country the violence and the
this country the violence and the
this country the violence and the carnage of that time in Punjab in Bengal
carnage of that time in Punjab in Bengal
carnage of that time in Punjab in Bengal was so horrific the subcontinent still
was so horrific the subcontinent still
was so horrific the subcontinent still hasn’t healed from it in the thick of
hasn’t healed from it in the thick of
hasn’t healed from it in the thick of hindu-muslim riots in now Kali and
hindu-muslim riots in now Kali and
hindu-muslim riots in now Kali and Calcutta in Bengal Mahatma Gandhi and
Calcutta in Bengal Mahatma Gandhi and
Calcutta in Bengal Mahatma Gandhi and SAT Agra his volunteers marched into the
SAT Agra his volunteers marched into the
SAT Agra his volunteers marched into the mobs appealing for peace now picture
mobs appealing for peace now picture
mobs appealing for peace now picture this site it is stunning
this site it is stunning
this site it is stunning these satyagraha is were closed in white
these satyagraha is were closed in white
these satyagraha is were closed in white frail body unarmed many of them women
frail body unarmed many of them women
frail body unarmed many of them women they march straight into these mobs at
they march straight into these mobs at
they march straight into these mobs at the risk of being slaughtered on the
the risk of being slaughtered on the
the risk of being slaughtered on the spot face these mobsters these brutes as
spot face these mobsters these brutes as
spot face these mobsters these brutes as they were lifting their machetes and
they were lifting their machetes and
they were lifting their machetes and swords to kill each other held her hands
swords to kill each other held her hands
swords to kill each other held her hands and begged them to stop fighting please
and begged them to stop fighting please
and begged them to stop fighting please stop this madness frail bodied unarmed
stop this madness frail bodied unarmed
stop this madness frail bodied unarmed little people facing the brutes and when
little people facing the brutes and when
little people facing the brutes and when these writers looked into the eyes of
these writers looked into the eyes of
these writers looked into the eyes of those satyagraha something extraordinary
those satyagraha something extraordinary
those satyagraha something extraordinary took place looking into those innocent
took place looking into those innocent
took place looking into those innocent eyes the mobster could see his own
eyes the mobster could see his own
eyes the mobster could see his own depravity the shure insanity of what he
depravity the shure insanity of what he
depravity the shure insanity of what he was doing stood right before him virgin
was doing stood right before him virgin
was doing stood right before him virgin and clear
and clear
and clear they drop their weapons they could not
they drop their weapons they could not
they drop their weapons they could not strike another blows some of them broke
strike another blows some of them broke
strike another blows some of them broke down crying sobbing endlessly the mere
down crying sobbing endlessly the mere
down crying sobbing endlessly the mere perception of his madness for the
perception of his madness for the
perception of his madness for the wireless brute could redeem his own
wireless brute could redeem his own
wireless brute could redeem his own humanity when I quietly perceive my own
humanity when I quietly perceive my own
humanity when I quietly perceive my own brutalities my vulgarity is the evil
brutalities my vulgarity is the evil
brutalities my vulgarity is the evil within me it’s chaotic it’s healing it
within me it’s chaotic it’s healing it
within me it’s chaotic it’s healing it can transform a monster into a human
can transform a monster into a human
can transform a monster into a human being
do you follow for so many minutes we
do you follow for so many minutes we have engaged in this thought process and
have engaged in this thought process and
have engaged in this thought process and almost like a ripe fruit the verses of
almost like a ripe fruit the verses of
almost like a ripe fruit the verses of Narsee Mehta fall straight into my hands
Vaishnava Janet Oh 10:00 a kahin ajp
Vaishnava Janet Oh 10:00 a kahin ajp hapara Johnny ray para Duque Oh pokhara
hapara Johnny ray para Duque Oh pokhara
hapara Johnny ray para Duque Oh pokhara Torito a man a demon in our Johnny ray
Torito a man a demon in our Johnny ray
Torito a man a demon in our Johnny ray she is a vaishnava whose Humanity is in
she is a vaishnava whose Humanity is in
she is a vaishnava whose Humanity is in full bloom who understands the pain and
full bloom who understands the pain and
full bloom who understands the pain and suffering of another who knows kindness
suffering of another who knows kindness
suffering of another who knows kindness and compassion in their realist sense
and compassion in their realist sense
and compassion in their realist sense who comes to the aid of those in misery
who comes to the aid of those in misery
who comes to the aid of those in misery such a vaishnava knows no ego she has
such a vaishnava knows no ego she has
such a vaishnava knows no ego she has not the slightest hint of identity or
not the slightest hint of identity or
not the slightest hint of identity or belief for one last time I settle down
belief for one last time I settle down
belief for one last time I settle down before the widows of money pool and I
before the widows of money pool and I
before the widows of money pool and I look straight into their eyes something
look straight into their eyes something
look straight into their eyes something extraordinary has taken place thank you
extraordinary has taken place thank you
extraordinary has taken place thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment