At 50, I am at a loss in defining myself. All the while I have had been thinking that myself and people like me qualify as a part of intelligentsia! I have authentic degree in Engineering and Management from Institutes of national standing, have been performing my duties as a professional and as a team leader, have the ability to reflect and react on the changes taking place in the society. To the best of my understanding, I am playing my role as a responsible citizen, a loving husband, a caring father, a thoughtful mentor. But, with every passing day, as I go thru the electronic media, the print media and the social media; I find that the views of the so called ‘Intelligentsia’ are diametrically opposite to mine and it is becoming more and more difficult for me to adjust to the meaning of ‘Intelligentsia’! Etymologically the most basic meaning of Intelligentsia is – intellectuals as a group : educated people and an Intellectual is one who has the ability to think and understand things, especially complicated ideas! And who can be more qualified as an Intelligentsia? If, literacy is one criteria, then I think Javed Akhtar Sahab is not as qualified as me; and if literacy is not a criteria, then Virendra Sehwag and Yogeshwar Dutt are more qualified than Akhtar Sahab! Yes, as far as literacy goes, I am more qualified and when it is the question of influencing the masses with positivity, these two players qualify with distinction. These players with their grit and determination have raised the aspirations of millions of youth and have at many occasions bonded the nation in one common thread of unity and strength. In fact, they are the pride of the nation, the real Heros!
In recent times, for personal gains and to qualify as a member of ‘Intelligentsia’, it has become fashionable to abuse one’s own faith, religion and nationality – whatever and whenever suits to draw the attention of the people. The more you utter against own nation, the more you sympathise with the enemies; the more you qualify as a broad minded soul, a man with a great heart, a superhuman who is beyond the ideologies of a nation! And today, their is no dearth of such intellectuals in our society. And these intellectuals, more than less often, are the one who have thrived and succeeded just because of the pure love and support of the ordinary people. And for these ordinary people, nation has always come first, irrespective of their status as a literate or an illiterate.
Who is not aware of the Pakistan sponsored war? We all have grown up with almost daily shelling of Kashmir by Pakistan. Innumerable Indian Kashmiris and security personnel bled to death and such deaths are a routine now. Who is waging the war? Who has to stop it? What is our nationality? What freedom we are looking for? Which nation gives you more freedom than ours?
Some media houses also gave coverage on the sedition charges framed on Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel vis-a-vis the charges on JNU students. How can one compare these icons with JNU students? And are they students? To me it seems to be a place of merrymaking in the name of education at the expense of our hard earned money which go as taxes to the government and is routed to the university as grant.
I also pity some of the news channels about the way they report. It creates doubt in ones mind – are the Indians running it! If so, they are Indians just by birth, certainly not by their deeds.
I do not support anyone using abusive words and foul language against Gurmehar Kaur. However, I have serious difference of opinion with her and the ilk supporting Pakistan.
Akhtar Sahab, we ordinary people love and respect you for all your filmy achievements, and remember that we people made you, whatever you are today. But your comments on Sehwag and Yogeshwar has hurt millions, not just because they are real Indian Heros, but also because we take pride in being an Indian and azad Kashmir is ours. Please understand that the War that is killing is sponsored by Pakistan. And last thing to you, we never credited your pen for all your creations in the form of scripts, shayaris and dialogues, we credited you! You got the Padmashree and other honours for it, not your pen. I hope it is clear.
Let us be rational. Let us appreciate the boundless freedom that we have. Let us use our freedom, do not misuse it. Let us move!
