Love Jihad

'Love jihad' is the term coined for Muslim boys 'trapping' girls of other religions in their love and forcing them to convert to Islam. It got into the news in Kerala when some Hindu organizations started complaining after two girls escaped from 'Love Jihad'. Now even the Christian organizations are coming up with the complaint.

I think the whole thing is a blow up by some anxious and conservative parents. One or two random incidents shouldn't be mistaken and enlarged to such proportions that they generate hatred towards the entire Muslim community. Posters claiming to be from 'Shiv Sena' have surfaced in many parts of Kerala warning Hindu girls against 'Love Jihad'. This is the first time that Shiv Sena activity has been reported in Kerala and I'm not very happy about it. Shiv Sena has always tried to restrict the growth of women in the name of Indian culture and takes pride in spreading communal messages. How can anyone forget the Bangalore bar incident? Girls were beaten up by Shri Ram Sena Activists for having a drink in the bar along with their male friends. Excuse me, but i thought this was India! Indian culture always stood for respecting women and what are they trying to preach by going around beating women? They have their parents and other elders to correct them if anyone feels that the girls have done some horrible sin. Advising them would have been ok, but beating them up publicly in front of TV cameras cannot be justified in any way! Rise of Shiv Sena and other similar 'Senas' in Kerala is definitely going to lead the society into the pit of communalism.
The inquiry commission appointed by the High Court has come to the conclusion that there is no racket involved in the whole 'Love Jihad' episode and the fears of the same are unnecessary. But not everyone is happy with the report it seems!

Its interesting to note that parents of children having inter caste marriage worry more about their children converting to other religion than about the idea of them living with someone of another religion. Our society has changed a lot but there is still a lot of things that need to be shaken off. I wonder when people will start realizing that love is beyond religion and should not be weighed down by it. Religious belief is a good thing but forgetting that the religion was made 'for the wellness of the people', and not 'people for the wellness of religion' will only demean both religion and love.

Animation Movies

Recently, I saw two animation movies- ‘Bolt’ and ‘Madagascar, Escape 2 Africa’.

I had wanted to watch ‘Bolt’ ever since I watched its trailer on TV. The trailer had this super dog, Bolt on a chase with some ruffians. The dog used its super powers to defeat the villains. It was a really cool trailer and it made me eager to watch the movie. So, I sat down expecting some really awesome animations. The beginning was nice with the chasing scene and all. Then we realize that the dog actually has no super powers and that its merely acting in a movie with everyone except Bolt knowing the truth. Through precisely timed action sequences and effects the dog is lead to believe otherwise, so that the crew can capture the real emotions on his face. Never having left the sets and always under the care of his beloved master, Penny, Bolt suddenly finds himself lost in the busy city with all the strange creatures of the street. Still believing to be invincible, he ends up in some trouble. This part was quiet boring with the dog taking an incredible lot of time to realize the truth. But from the part where he meets the rowdy cat, Mittens and strikes up friendship, there was no stopping the movie from getting good. It was really cute to see Mittens teaching Bolt how to be a normal dog. Along with a hamster, Rino, the two embark on an adventurous journey to Hollywood. The story ends with Bolt back with his beloved Penny living the life of a normal dog along with his two buddies, Mittens and Rino.


 

‘Madagascar, Escape to Africa’ is the story of a dancing lion from New York zoo going on an adventurous journey with his friends, a zebra, a giraffe and a hippo. He ends up in his homeland in Madagascar and meets his long lost parents. The movie has its moments but overall it could be termed as a slapstick comedy.

Pain of those Silent Nights

Last day shuffling through old books I found this poem that i had written a few years back.
Hope you guys like it...


Alone in the darkness of the night,

I cry to the pillow my only mate.

The moon in the sky was never so dim,

Neither did the stars wink as they had.

For my pain of the silent nights,

Took away the charm of the night.

Stop I can’t that’s all I can say,

The cool breeze forgot this sweet friend of his,

The mourning soul, writhing in pain.

My heart is broken and my eyes are swollen,

Didn’t know when I stopped living.

Dragging my lifeless limps,

I exist just for those haunting memories.

It pains a lot to think of the past,

But can’t just forget them that’s all I know.

My suffering soul exists just for the spring.

I wish this winter would die soon,

Taking away those painful nights.

I wish the spring would come to light up my nights

Better be fast I beg you my dear…