Democracy And its Shades 

Democratic setup in India has delivered a vibrant Growth in terms of economy. The success of democracy can be measured by two parameters, one is the kind and level of equality citizens possess and second 'Rule of law' must be upheld. Along with these we must see whether different pillars of democracy is working independently and accomplishing their own home work without intervening each other or not. The recent Judgment of supreme court in which it struck down the National Judicial Appointment Commission Act (NJAC) has created so much hue and cry in the country. But it was the contention between different organs of the government and Judiciary. When we talk about democracy first thing which strick in our mind is ELECTIONS through which we choose our representative and sent them to do our job on behalf of us in parliaments our state assemblies. Since independence Indian democracy has witnessed hundreds of elections at different level. Democracy sometimes sarcastically referred as 'Mediocracy' for good reasons, we have many. Bihar Assembly Election was such spectacular show.

Political equality means every citizen regardless of caste, creed, sec, gender and religion can exercise their franchise without fear and favour. One man one vote is political equality. 'Caste based politics' 'cash for vote' Religion driven vote' and ideology of political parties create sentimental ruckus henceforth politicise the people with certain tag "BJP supporter' or 'Congress supporter'. Rest of the people who are ignorant, illiterate and are not aware of the facts get manipulated with half-baked ideas.In recent Bihar Assembly election 90% of such people voted against BJP because they want to eat beef in future also. One woman who is in her 60s asked me Is it true if BJP would come to power we have to marry our daughters in opposite religion? Vice versa, If you want to establish our lost glory, if you want to make India a Hindu nation be wary of INC. These are nothing but the by product of hate speeches and growing intolerance in the country. To establish government of  certain party we even forget to see the merits and demerits of local candidate who is going to represent us in Loksabha or Assembly. Democracy gives equal opportunity to get elected as an MP or MLA. Can you dare to throw your hate in the ring?  Politics in India is highly risk prone job and as a matter of fact only unemployed persons can take that much risk. Once triumphant it becomes a job of siphoning off public treasury and a complete Sinecure. Election commission has succeeded in holding free and fair elections but it doesn't make any sense if there is no level playing field at the grass root level. Ideology and Mindset duo play crucial role in electioneering. To Fix all these things we must work in tendem to do away with unscrupulous man between candidate and the voters. Priority determines the whole game, Country first and Rable rousers ( Bad apples in politics ) must be shown their way. We ought not to supports leaders who hate other community whether it is muslim or hindu. Hating one community doesn't mean loving other.

GB Shaw had said, 'Oh ! Disrespectable democracy I love you.' Democracy is the best form of government. there is no point in throwing the baby out with bath water but without rectifying the status quo flaws we will dump the people down and will never succeed in curving out the best.

Kudos to the democratic Institutions for strengthening Indian democracy. There is silver lining amid every entangled problem. We are bridging the digital gap. The process of connecting every people has been started It is transition period for indian democracy when people are shifting their ideologies from various dimensions to the Nation it's herald that we want change.

                                                                                   By:- Tanveer Ashraf 

    Words are sharper than the two-edged sword

In the era of globalisation where Countries are interconnecting themselves due to many advancements in the society, It has also suffered many trial and tribulations some are tangible others are intangible. The world has gone through two major wars World war I and world war II. But as the matter of fact these wars were not fought directly with weapons. Inception point of any contention is 'Words'. Words don’t impact on par with weapons but its impact is even more deeper and eternal. The rhetoric speech of a demagogue is enough to set ablaze whole human race. India's foreign policy is in tandem with few countries while with others it is always in confrontation. In this era of nuclear weapon no one is less powerful. We can settle any dispute through dialogue by sitting around the table. Words can rescue us from a great deal of turmoil. Sophisticated weapons can do only physical damages while stringent and harsh statements can blot the soul which is irreparable. Restitution of physical damages is possible while the wounds procreated by words are enduring.

The words of Mahatma Gandhi influenced the masses and brought every section of society under one umbrella which was not possible by any sword or other weapon and succeeded in getting independence from the British. For Every philosopher their capital asset is their thinking which they express through their powerful words and brought about many social, political and economic revolutions. Russian revolution was not possible without Lenin's effective words.The post WW II  'Iron- Curtain' speech given by Winston Churchil at Westminster college was so efficacious that it marked the beginning of Cold- War era. Execution of Chanakya's wisdom and words has helped Chandragupta to regain his throne. The loud and vociferous voice of Raja ram mohan roy eliminated and culminated many social evils from the society. Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim chandra chatterji and many other writers created a social revolution in the minds of Indian people and acquainted them with rationality.

Terrorist groups are creating havoc all around the world. They are destructing peace on earth and fostering animosity among different groups. Terrorists are not born they are made by creating an edifice of hatred in their hearts by brainwashing. They are trained by vindictive words, Words of hatred penetrate through their hearts, eradicate humanity and instal an abhorrent demon. Their diabolic intention created by those harsh words are being manifested by cutting edge armaments.Two edged sword is more hazardous than one edge as in one shot it can damage through both edges but the words are more potent than any two edge sword. We can anticipate the devastation done by words. Intensity of words can adjust the gravity of impairment.  

Society do not allow everything what an individual wants, often commonly uttered words become faux-pas in many context. That is why we have legal laws in Indian penal code (IPC) against the defamatory words. Words can malign others which can make them socially incompetent to live a life with full dignity. Words are sharper than two edge sword. Swords can kill a person but cant take his or her dignity. But by words one can lose both life and dignity. Once William Shakespeare had said " Mine honour is my life both grow in one take honour from me and my life is done'. The impact of words can be seen in a debate where bad things are presented in such a way that eloquence alone is sufficient to defeat the motion.  Hate speeches are enough to foment the mob. By misinterpretation of words the world can have more destruction than the two world wars collectively had.

In nutshell we can say that words can be used in both perspective. It can be the bone of contention, if efficaciously managed it can be proved as the antidote for energetic venom. King Solomon has said " Death and life are in the power of the tongue'. Its totally upto the use of the word; it can beget life if it is used constructively and it can end life if it is used destructively.

By:- Tanveer Ashraf 

         With great power comes great responsibility

Power and responsibility duo terms are very much related to each other. There are multifarious powers, some install responsibilities and entrust exceptional obligations and other can be devastating, outrageous and exterminate the human race at the drop of a hat. Legitimate and justified use of power assign a great deal of accountability, answerability and transparency will take care of the rest. Power in one hand or critical power is always sword of damocles hanging over the masses. It can be the weapon of mass destruction in arbitrariness. Sagacious and judicious use of power comply by legal norms beget a social and humane responsibility. The aphorism 'Great power spawn great responsibility;' not just embraces the political power but more than it.

Power of a teacher in society is very influential. They have intellectual power - 'power of brain'  to transform society by training the little minds of the society.Teacher's power and prestige install a sense of great responsibilities. He/She is not only responsible to teach the students but also to teach the ignorant as much as possible. Social responsibility can never be achieved by single entity of power. Teacher's power is limited so his responsibilities. To achieve something big we need a greater power. Doctor, engineer entrepreneurs all have potency to make great change in the society. All can contribute to alleviate penury and indigence in the society. As law in action is justice in the same way power in action is responsibility. If ends are justifying the means power has accomplished its role. It should not be the point of contention whether the exercised power is legitimate or illegitimate, if it is for the human welfare and benign for the human race and do not infringe upon the rights of other is amenable. Power generated by fear often creates anxiety, restlessness and discontent among the layman. Thus drawing power by such means can never connect with responsibility. As power acquired by consent of the society knows social responsibilities. Business class have economic power which they are fulfilled by so called CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). In this era of nuclear power, USA's hegemony can be realized  bythe third world countries very easily. Although America has stranglehold over the rest of the world as far as economic and muscle power is concern, but no one can deny its responsibilities in enforcing the laws of terrorism. Terrorism is a cancer for the developing nations like India, the onus rest on USA to fight it conjointly with other nations to nip this evil before it could destruct the humanity.

Power of an actor can influence the society in both positive as well as negative way. His responsibility is to be a paragon of probity and proliferate the rational thinking in the society through his/her acting. Rational authority can become a potent instrument in annihilation of many social evils such as dowry system, child marriages, subdued and suppressed voices of the women, child labour, male chauvinism etc. Religious institutions have Exuberant power. They draw powers from the people of that particular religion. But the religious leaders have great responsibility to put them on impeccable track without personal advantage. In many cases communal clashes sprouted out of fanatic and bigoted ideology of religious leaders. Their responsibility is to make the people of that religion cognizant of the 'true religion', not 'misinterpreted one'. In this 21st century when the globalization is in its acme. Interconnectedness is enhancing very rapidly. Once Einstein had remarked that ' "Peace can not be kept by force , it can only be achieved by understanding." Even today most of the people around the world are God-fearing. And it is the duty, obligation, and responsibility of the religious gurus to maintain peace and order in the world. Power of the army is not less and their responsibility is to protect the nation from outside forces .Political leaders seek power from the citizens who voted them to any post. Responsibility of political leader is to provide the entitlements of the people and provide them bare essential to lead a prosperous life. Making rhetoric and diving the people on religious and caste lines should not be their business. Leaders are voted to power not to disappoint the citizens but to create enough infrastructure so that development can take place. Leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses.

As a responsible citizens of free India and the autonomy which the citizens enjoy begets a tantamount responsibility in the form of 'fundamental duties'. The constitution of India empowers us to rule ourselves as the preamble starts with the words " We the people of India ......" entrust a great power to us and we are indebted to accomplish all the responsibilities. Great power always comes with enormous freedom, this freedom sometimes goes undefined Its misinterpretation can lead to a havoc. Power takes an ugly face when it is in the tyrannical hand. Sagacious and judicious use of great power always accompanied with great responsibility.

BY:- Tanveer Ashraf