I was really surprised and would say moved when I read the Priyanka Vadera ( nee Gandhi) went to visit Nalini in prison- one of the accused in the assasination of Rajiv Gandhi. I have never met Priyanka nor do I know what transpired except that Nalini has made statements of how much she now respects the Gandhi family. Apparently Sonia Gandhi herself had asked for clemency against the death sentence on Nalini because of her (then) five year old baby. Priyanka apparently went to get closure for herself on her father’s tragic and brutal death. I guess I find this act of forgiveness and redemption not only very moving, but also that there was absolutely no attempt to make political capital of this visit from India’s most political family.
I REALLY FAIL TO UNDERSTAND SHEKHARS COMMENTS AND VIEWS PRAISING THE FAMILY FOR NOT ATTEMPTING TO MAKE POLITICAL CAPITAL OF THIS VISIT?OF WHATEVER LITTLE POLITICAL SENSE I HAVE AS AN EDITOR[1985-TILL DATE],THIS MEETING HAS GOT MORE COVERAGE IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA THAN EVEN THE FINDINGS OF THE JAIN COMMISSION CONSTITUTED TO UNVEAL THE CONSPIRACY.THIS ACT OF PRIYANKA IS A CALCULATED MOVE TO ACTUALLY SHUT DOWN THE CASE AND PROTECT THE REAL CONSPIRATERS FOR THE LONG ARMS OF LAW.HOW TRAGIC THE BRAVE PRIYANKA SET OUT TO FIND THE PEOPLE BEHIND HIS FATHER DEATH-THE REAL CONSPIRATORS-ENDS UP PROTECTING THEM.
CLASS PERSONIFIED
I always wanted Priyanka to be the prime minister of India. May be because of her resemblance to late Indira Gandhi. I was very surprised when she got married and decided to have a family and stay away from politics. I have always respected her for the decisions she has made in her life. She comes across as individualistic, strong and humane.
Dear Shekhar,
I totally agree and it was a really great act of forgiveness on Priyanka’s part to go all the way to meet Nalini, even though Rahul says that he wouldn’t have joined her sister. No matter where we are in life we all yearn for closure for any open wounds, and to make peace with ourselves. The records say that both women had wept and Nalini even said that all her sins have been cleansed after meeting Priyanka.
See this amazing and rare photograph of 3 prime ministers in 1 frame – Nehru as PM, the young Indira, and Rajiv as a child.
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/Independent/nehru.jpg
Best Regards,
Himanshu
Its not an ordinary gesture. This is something rare and unique in itself.
It takes a women to forgive another.
I could imagine the meeting of Nalini and Priyanka in my mind’s eye how the two women would have had void in their conversation and how much they might have cried.
The end of that meeting is, both came out lighter.
People may say X Y and Zee for the political family in India but do not forget there is a girl who lost her dear father and this girl goes to meet someone who was a part of conspiracy. The girl who went to meet the conspirator balanced love and loss of father with – country comes first attitude. Really it takes a women to understand another.
This can happen only in India. India the foremost country, the democracy – the people who vote women to power..where else can one find women in power do such things..? USA? France? naah!
My repsects to Priyanka!
Elections are coming!
Holi kab hai!..kab hai holi…
ooops! I mean kab hain election.
Sanjay
hi shekhar, thanks for this. its funny but i was in india last week and had been thinking about this move of priyanka’s. obviously there has been a lot of unwarranted speculation back home as to the motive behind this, simply because they belong to the nehru family and sonia gandhi is pretty much the prime minister of india. so, different people have been saying different things.
but i totally agree that this was personal for her, although it has not gone unnoticed, for reasons above. one can only speculate whether priyanka wanted people to find out or not. and so what if she did? after all her grief and loss when rajiv gandhi was assassinated was made public,……
so speculations aside, this was a great move….plus we all know that she has given up politics and there can’t be any ulterior motives here.
himanshu, thanks for the poignant pic.
forgiveness, in its unadulterated form, is an act most divine and only brings us closer to HIM who lives in us all.
love, shivani
Dear Shekhar,
Her act of forgiveness shows maturity and its like going a step further
in personal development as an individual
But…i must confess…
I dont understand politics!!!
I dont think most of us ordinary
people do…
best
Anku Bakshi Sharma
Dear Shekhar,
There were many more messages here yesterday. Suddenly all are gone today? Did we accidently delete some messages?
Regards,
Himanshu
Shekharrrrrrrrr
Meneh tho kuch ulta seedha nahi likha tha iss baar…
Mera comment sabse pehla thaaaaaaaa…..
bahooo
Shekhar ganda…
G
a
n
d
a
mew mew
Hi Sekhar and people,
Priyanka’s gesture was indeed a moving one. I was trying to imagine what must have gone through the mind and heart of Nalini when Priyanka came and met her. More than anybody Nalini must have felt a lot of relief. It’s a rare gesture by Priyanka and it takes huge amount of courage and compassion to indeed meet one of the convicts of her beloved father. It’s worth noting that Sonia has gone a few more steps ahead and requested for clemency for Nalini.Gandhian family, at least these two women, seem to have reazlied ‘Eye for an Eye will make the world blind’. Thanks shivani for ending your post with a great sentence! ‘Forgiveness, in its unadulterated form, is an act most divine and only brings us closer to HIM who lives in us all.’
Thanks,
Shyam
Hii Sekhar
I totally agree with u that it was a great act of forgivenss on the part of Priyanka Gandhi (Vadera). Its not an easy task. its a rare courageous act.nd i agree with Rahul as well as he said that he wudnt hv taken such a step and so wud I, had it been my case.such a step could be taken by a woman only.
I always had respect for Priyanka nd this act of hers has only increased it.
Ankit
Indeed very moving. It’s not easy to forgive. Good for her.
That’s good karma!!
ShekharJi,
This is nothing but a political drama to show something positive about gandhi family. Media in India is crazy about these biggest promoters of sycophants in my motherland. Rajiv Gandhi got killed because of his wrong karma. Its same with Indira gandhi. They paid price of their political mistakes, which they pursue out of their own interests. They kept country’s long term vision aside while deciding on their decisions.
The Nehru Gandhi divine king clan of india is in politics, not because out of love for this country but its more for the power of having control for 1 billion plus population on earth. Tell me what you would prefer a not so well known life in some Italian Villa in Italy or the all powerful super queen of one billion plus population? Read my take on Nehru Gandhi Kind clan of India at blogspot.
http://himalayan-swastika.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-indian-congress-party-leaders-dont.html
Thanks
Hemant Dubey
Dear Shekhar Kapur
I just read about your new film on the Global Water Issue. ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC
Please check us out. We would love to meet you in India
Yours Truly
Stella Joy
For the past 5 years we have been researching the problems of Global Warming and the breakdown of Earths’ Fresh Water cycle along with a potential Solution/Remedy.
We have created an Exhibition as a way to present the findings of our research.
Here is a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/activeremedy/sets/72157603969301051
Please take the time to look at it; it is addressing a very serious issue that we and all life upon Earth is now facing.
It would greatly help if you could send and show to as many others as you can think of.
Great changes can be made if we all work together.
We really believe that this is not a time to resign ourselves to a short and gloomy future, or to ignore the problems and leave them to somebody else to solve. Rather, it is a time to work together for a long healthy future for all.
Yours Truly
Tara and Stella Joy (Directors of Active Remedy ltd.)
Website: http://www.activeremedy.org.uk
Email: activatedremedy@gmail.com
1. HOW CHINA IS AFFECTING THE WORLDS CLIMATES
The World really needs to look at the situation in Tibet, it is not simply about preserving an amazing culture or a stand for Human Rights, it is also about protecting an Eco-System that affects the whole World.
Tibet, commonly known as the Roof Top of the World is situated at the very heart of Asia. It is one of the most environmentally strategic region in the world. Tibet lies in the north of India, Nepal Bhutan and Burma; west of China and south of East Turkestan
covering a total area of 2.5 million sq. km., more than 3/3rd the size of India, it stretches some 2,500 km.
Tibet is the source of many of Asia’s major rivers, including the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), Senge Khabab (Indus), the Langchen Khabab (Sutlej), the Macha Khabab (Karnali), Arun (Phongchu), the Gyalmo Ngulchu (Salween), the Zachu (Mekong), the Drichu (Yangtse) and Machu (Huang he or Yellow River) and the Ganges. These rivers flow into China, India, Pakistan, Nepal Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Combodia.
These rivers system and their tributaries are the life blood of millions of people and billions of Beings in the continent of Asia.
Prior to the Chinese occupation, Tibet was ecologically stable and conservation of the environment was an essential component of Tibetans daily lives.
The Environmental wealth of Tibet is rapidly being destroyed!
Massive de-forestation at these high altitudes are creating disturbances that effect the climate and fresh water cycle of the whole World. This should be stopped immediately and the U.N has a responsibility to do something about this controversy.
Already Global Warming is getting out of control and millions have died and are dying in relationship to it.
The impact of the Tibetan plateau on the global climatic pattern is significant. Scientists have observed that there is a correlation between natural vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau and the stability of the monsoon.
Monsoon rain is indispensable for the bread-baskets of south Asia. Monsoon rain make 70% of India’s annual rainfall. However, strong monsoon rain cause havoc in these regions in the form of various natural disasters.
Scientists such as Elmar Reiter of United State have shown that the environment of the Tibetan plateau affects the jet-streams (high altitude wind) that blow over the plateau. This in turn is relate for the cause of Pacific typhoons and the EI Nino (warm ocean current) phenomenon, which stirs up ocean water causing disruption of the marine food chains affecting the entire economy of California coastline of USA, peru, Ecuador; while New Zealand, Africa reel under dreadful drought.
This is a call for awareness! we need to take care of what we have!
We need Peace and Health!
The World (including China) needs Tibet to be in a state of Peace, Harmony and Freedom!
We need to look at the whole global picture.
This situation affects all environments and economies.
China should be brought to task for its part in what has already happened in Global Warming and be made to deal with the present environmental situation immediately, while there is still a chance for life on Earth.
We need to take Global Responsibility. May Peace Prevail.
This is funny that a learned man like you likes to believe that Congress does not want to earn a political clout out of this news. It is glaringly political act.
I had to write this!
I had approached this topic on my site, not too long ago. I was more touched by the personal aspect of the act, than the political aspect.
http://tarangkaushal.livejournal.com/25632.html
Dear Shekhar, after spending thirty something years in Switzerland, I am coming to terms with everyday life here in India. I find your comment on the Priyanka jail visit quite appropriate and decent. Sadly though, I find human values here have deteriorated to appalling levels and wonder what is exactly wrong with us? We have such a rich history of tolerance and yet today we foam at the mouth at such simple issues. Another thing that bothers me a lot is the standard of language dropping into this abyss of ignorance. I was shocked to see a commentator of your article, calling himself an editor write to you with some sort of a language; I think it was English. Well typos are understandable, but mistakes accentuated by arrogance really take the cake. Please do continue your blog and stay the human that you are. God bless you and your daughter. Regards Phil.
Dear Shekhar,
I am not surprised to see that Priyanka and Sonia had an heart to forgive Nalini. I have a reason for this
because i know for sure that Priyanka started doing Vipassana meditation quite few years ago. This meditation transforms a person by changing her/his mind pattern.As a person keeps on the practice of this meditation the negativities (including hatred and anger) of mind starts reducing.
Vipassana means seeing things as they are (in body). This meditation is learned in a 10 day retreat organized by volunteers of the organization all over the world. The courses are totally free of cost (as teaching Dharma should be- Dhamma in Pali) . This meditation purifies the mind by removing negativities gradually as the student progresses in the path. More info about it at http://www.dhamma.org/
At the retreat student follows strict routine . Complete silence needs to be maintained as “self operation of mind is going on in the retreat”.
Kiran Bedi had organised Vipassana retreat for thousands of prisoners at Tihar Jail as she was interested in reforming the prisoners from depths of their minds.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Pk6RlUKanA
She was also awarded Magsaysay award for her such humanitarian service. She herself is a vipassana meditator who found a great tool of self purification and independence in this most precious gem. This is no religion , no mantras, no japs, no bhajan/s. Short intro as follows:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=H2PZRKqbOUE
Mangal ho!
Anupama
Excellent blog and interesting article! With pleasure has read!