tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43785015278418159832024-03-14T13:15:24.001+05:30Manoj BajpayeeManoj Bajpayeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369346061375348181noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378501527841815983.post-15368872110030691922008-10-02T17:31:00.001+05:302008-10-02T17:35:38.448+05:30A poignant start….When nothing remains in ones hands; he looks up to the Govt. and the system. But when even the Govt. and the system fail, it’s only the God who becomes the ultimate crutch. And when God fails to help, where should one go? This time I thought I would write something else, but what happened in Jodhpur’s Chamunda Devi temple has shaken me completely. Something of this sort even happened in one of the temples of Allahabad. There were bomb blasts in Malegaon and Sabarkantha a day before. The damage of life and property has been endless and immeasurable. And it’s a sad beginning to the Navratras. I’m completely shattered. I pay homage to all the ones who have lost their lives. May God rest their souls in peace and give strength to their families in this time of need.<br /><br />Now, it seems that the whole system has crippled. The faith of 120 crore people has crushed. Earlier they weren’t safe in a market and now even a temple is not safe. They have been left neglected. Somewhere, it’s a moment to rejoice owing to the Nuclear Deal and somewhere it’s so sad that many households wouldn’t celebrate Diwali. After Naina Devi, Chamunda Devi, Bihar floods and bomb blasts at least I wouldn’t be able to celebrate Diwali at home. The reason behind not celebrating Diwali is my feelings towards the sufferers and also as a rebel. The time has arrived when the democracy should justify its doings.<br /><br />I’m an artist and I’m completely dedicated to my art. However, being a part of this society, it’s my duty to do something (writing on my blog, for that matter) if not something substantial for their happiness and well being. I can at least protest.<br /><br />How did the year go? How would any one be able to celebrate the festivities? I shared with my journo friend that blog has done well to me. This way I’m able to speak my heart out and can actually take out my frustrations. He however said this isn’t my frustration but my anxiousness. It’s important that ones worry and anxiety comes out as a frustration. I have always thought that I don’t belong to Hollywood that I can keep myself aloof from the gravity of my country’s problems. We can’t even think of doing this. Our nation is still developing. If not everything, we can still raise our voices against the prevalent corruption, inflation and poverty. This at least justifies my existence. You may agree or disagree, but in the present day conditions, Escapism is the only success mantra. If yes, then so be it. Today, as an actor, if I do what I feel like and if I’m able to run my family desirably, then it’s for me. I have always achieved more that I had desired for. I can’t leave acting. It’s like oxygen for me. I can always share my worries with people on my blog. And at least can take out the frustrations born out of worries, on my blog.<br /><br />Before coming to an end, I’d like to mention that, while I was trying to find out news and related information on the news channels on the Chamunda Devi incident, 95% of the channels were airing comedy programs. It seems that 185 people dying is no news. Hail TRPs and Box Office!!! <br /><br /> Love<br />Yours,<br />Manoj BajpayeeManoj Bajpayeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369346061375348181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4378501527841815983.post-47107006295480685762008-09-21T10:20:00.004+05:302008-09-21T10:43:09.740+05:30How To Stop Communal RiotsAll my growing years I have seen communal riots and caste based violence as a part of my life. May be as a mute spectator, but I have always been around these. Is the extent and intensity of the incidents happening in Kandhamal and Karnataka justified? Is the Govt. has no role to play? Now, in the name of jehad shall we decide who dies? On the God’s name shall we decide which religion is right and which is immoral or which caste<br />is elite and which is low.<br /><br />Actually this debate has been there since ages and violence is an inseparable part of it. The question is who they are? How do they think? How do they think themselves the God? And why do they think they are the Govt.?<br /><br />I completed my education from a Christian Missionary school. Today, whatever I am is either because of that Christian Missionary school or because of my theatre’s director and teacher Barry John. Why do not caste-creed, religion and region ever comes to my mind? I give this credit to my school and Barry John. Even my parents should be credited for that. After coming to Delhi, the person I did theatre with and the person who introduced me to an actor within me was Shamsul Islam. He was also the one who introduced me to the philosophy of Marx, Lenin and Mahatma Gandhi.<br /><br />How can I deny their role in my life? And when one gets to see/read this type of news everyday, it makes me feel dejected. I sometimes think what kind of people are they, who consider other’s faith as low. Who are these people who spread violence on the name of religion? How do they think and what’s their ideology? Our Nation is progressing and it’s sad to say that owing to the communal violence and religious aggressions, India is on its way to devastation.<br /><br />For a complete human and societal development of India, the advent of industrial development is mandatory. It’ll also take away the doom of religion based violence. I hate communal violence and caste based discrimination more than anything else. There can be nothing else than regionalism that I totally despise. I won’t say that the time has arrived. I would rather say that if you don’t get up now, you won’t get up at all. These things and the related violence should stop immediately..!<br /><br />We should ostracize these people completely as people with such a sick mentality have only one answer which is violence. These people lack logics. I live with my God, I have my God and I don’t want anyone to be responsible for him. I take his responsibility. To everyone, it’s my request; please confine your religion to yourself. That’s your faith. Stop publicizing your religion in any way. Keep it to yourself and feel it within. I don’t discuss my religion and faith with my friends or family; neither do I ever get into such a debate. My God is mine and he’s within me.<br />With peace…<br /><br />Love<br />Yours,<br />Manoj BajpayeeManoj Bajpayeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02369346061375348181noreply@blogger.com1