Change - Maatram Ondre Maarathathu

Mr. Rajinikanth has decided not to start his own political party.

I respect his decision.

Now what?

This is the new reality.  One needs to recognize this and take right action.

Also, it's time to set the context right:

Why did I support Mr. Rajinikanth for a political role?  Is it because I am a fan?

To answer these questions, I wish to share what I wrote on Facebook on October 8, 2010:

We saw Enthiran yesterday. I have always liked Rajini for the person he is... not for his acting skills or the quality of his movies... some of his movies used to be so naive that it used to be difficult for some of us to defend why we like him so much... Enthiran is an answer to all that.

Click to read

It is a sensibly taken movie comparable to any good sci-fi movies. The special effects are very good. The storyline is similar to most other stories when man and machine are brought together. Story takes the lead here and Rajini has blended himself quite well. Unlike usual Rajini movie wihch we all like but looks a bit gross to the rest of the world, this movie should appeal to the global audience.

Click to read

While I'll continue to watch Rajini movies if he continues acting, my wish is different. He should move on to what he is more suited for. Though there are good people to don that role, they do not have the charisma. This is one person who is essentially good, spiritually evolved and can carry the masses with him. We need him to bring about change in our polluted thinking & corrupted way of life!

Click to read

Now, why have I chosen to support Mr. Narendra Modi?

Again, I'll substantiate this by referring back to few WhatsApp conversations I have had in my engineering batchmates group:

While demystifying the group about crony capitalism and faulty business models in India, I wrote this:

Essentially, we are going through the transition pain of moving from an inefficient, opaque and corrupt system to an efficient, transparent and corruption free system. If we stay the course without buckling under political pressure, the mindset of people are likely to change...they will learn to work in the new reality which will be hugely beneficial to all stakeholders in the long run...

When one of my friends asked, "Do you think this will happen?", my response was:

The transition has started at the central government and in many of the BJP ruled states. Since the problem is deep rooted, it is taking some time... officials, who are steeped in corruption, don't want the system to change. Transparent systems can be put in place easily but mindset change will take time... people will resist as much as possible... when they realize that the government means business and there is no going back, they'll adapt grudgingly to the new system... over the period, once they see the benefits of the new system, they will willingly adapt... it requires a government which is totally committed to this cultural change...

And as closing remarks, I added this:

Now, I am getting into a touchy territory...😀 When Rajinikanth says that he wants to change the system and mindset of people, this is what he means... whether he does it or not is a second question... the very fact that he is talking about it and intending to do it is what is making me support him...

March 21, 2020

And the next day, i.e., on March 22, 2020, I demystified "System Change" which has been published here with some minor tweaking.

Click to read System Change

The same person who asked whether this will happen asked me the same question again:

I agree with you Murali. I have a question that will it happen?

My response was:

Good question S___. I wish to address this question from a completely different angle...

Many of you in this group claim to believe in God... but in reality, you don't...

It appears that I, who is not very religious, is much more of a believer in the existence of God... 😊

For what is God? Source of all operational principles of creation... if we live in harmony, we prosper... if we violate principles, we perish... C___ so eloquently mentioned this.

We keep hearing people quoting Bible, Bhagavad Gita and so on... to say that the Truth always prevails or triumphs... but, in reality, they don't really believe it... if they truly believed it, then they will know, deep in their hearts, that this is possible...

Now, we don't know whether Rajinikanth will do it... he is the only one who has volunteered to do it... if he doesn't or if he fails, we will have to look at the next best option available to make this happen... it may happen in our lifetime or it may not... but are we willing to contribute to these efforts so that the future generations are able to experience this reality... that's the all important question...

March 22, 2020

Yesterday, after I had tweeted my support to Mr. Narendra Modi, one of my friend, G___, remarked that he didn't realize the spiritual politics practiced by Modi.

Click to read Spiritual Politics

I just wish to point out to the oft-quoted phrase of Mr. Narendra Modi, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means "The world is one family". What can be more inclusive that this!

In my article on spiritual politics, while writing about segmented approach of political organizations, I had included "Hindutva" under ideology and not under religion.

Supreme Court of India defined what Hindutva is and I have reproduced the relevant portion from Wikipedia here:

Supreme Court of India

The definition and the use of Hindutva and its relationship with Hinduism has been a part of several court cases in India. In 1966, the Chief Justice Gajendragadkar wrote for the Supreme Court of India in Yagnapurushdasji (AIR 1966 SC 1127), that "Hinduism is impossible to define".[30][note 2] The court adopted Radhakrishnan's submission that Hinduism is complex and "the theist and atheist, the sceptic and agnostic, may all be Hindus if they accept the Hindu system of culture and life".[30] The Court judged that Hinduism historically has had an "inclusive nature" and it may "broadly be described as a way of life and nothing more".[30]

While Hindutva is inclusive, the way it is perceived today is that it is exclusive and in some instances, divisive.  One has to recognize this, internalize Hindutva principles and demonstrate them consistently to change this perception.

Finally, to wrap up, let me share another WhatsApp conversation we had in my engineering batchmates group:

When I asked my batchmates whether any of you have any better suggestions to bring about a change in Tamilnadu politics, one of them, N___, shared his perspective on the challenges in the political environment in Tamilnadu with a closing remark "Vaipillai Raja" which means that change is not possible.

My response was:

That's not an answer... stating the problem is not enough.. proposing solution is important... there is no situation in life which is hopeless... the moment I accept anything as hopeless, I stop trying... I need to keep trying... it's not a question of 1 or 0. It's a continuum and the question is whether it is closer to 1 or closer to 0.

Ideally, I would prefer a national party to govern Tamilnadu... with the options available, BJP is better. But practically in Tamilnadu, BJP is a bad word... hence I am looking at the next option which is a regional party with a visionary leader and nationalistic approach to govern...

April 5, 2020

Since that option is ruled out now, I go back to support my original choice of BJP under the leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi.

Change is the only constant.

Maatram Ondre Maarathathu.

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