Rajappan opens BnR bAr in McCallum Corner

By Our Special Correspondant.

McCallum, 11th Aug 2008: Rajappan Associates, a well known name in Dallas area for their own reasons entered into a new business last weekend. The proprietor and managing director of the company, Mr. Rajappan Narra inagurated the new "BnR bAr" in McCallum Blvd on Saturday night. The bar and drinks served has already become the talk of town out here in Dallas McCallum area.

"This is a dream come true", Rajappan told to the Times on the auspicious occassion. Currently being run by the manager himself, he told to the Times that he had been longing for a long time to open one in McCallum corner.

"We had a dinner party on this friday with friends at On the Border. One of my friend ordered a Mojito and I just got a chance to smell the drink. At that moment, I realized that I was born to make others' life happier. It just took my brain away with my thoughts. This is a humble beginning. I dream it big, make more more bewadas out of my bar". Rajappan became quite emotional when we asked about the inspiration behind the new venture.

The glamorous inaguration was also attended by the great Samba Panda (also known as fattu among Dallas business circles), Mud-it Junior, SuperStarER JK and followed by a DJ hai/huy/mhey/mho/hmmm Sheena.

"I felt like I was flying", told Samba Panda who was caught while having Kungfu-Mojito on the rocks (need to clarify here, he was just jumping on the small stones outside the bAr). The curd-king was overwhelmed by Rajappan's efforts in preparing the drink.

Times have also confirmed from trusted sources that the BaR was designed by the tallented Interior Designer Ms. Hmm/Hem/Hein. The Martini set and other equipments were imported from L-n-T Dallas by the latter on Saturday. The designer was presented a special drink on Sunday for the efforts.

The best drink served till now is named "g i r l - f r i e n d". Rajappan prepared a special edition of "girl friend" for Mr. Mud-IT yesterday night. When asked about the speciality, Rajappan told "This is to celebrate a new beginning. I am beginning from where others have ended...".

Please note...this is a purely fictitious piece...any resemblance or inspiration from any individual living or dead is purely intentional and non-coincidental! Rock on...

Religious extremism continued…

Thanks to all my friends for the comments on my first attempt to pen down the thoughts. It is really encouraging and here I try again...

Well, I talked about Islamic extremism earlier but there is a far more prevalent form of extremism India faces today. Perhaps, I am wrong when I say “today” because it has started long back (older than independent India).

The country recognizes “Mahatma Gandhi” as the father of nation. But how many of us know that the saffron party, who was held responsible for the great Gandhi’s murder is all set to come to power in the next elections? Most of us know that Godsay killed Gandhi for the reason that he stood for the cause of minorities in nation. When Gandhi took his final breath versing “Hey Ram”, it was the end of a completed devoted Hindu, who respected every other religion with equal respect as he did. “Mathamethayalum manushyan nannayal mathi” – “It’s not the religion, but self which has to be good” (as told by Sree Narayana Guru).

Though the RSS was active in the country from the pre-independent days, its role became very evident with the 1991 Rath Yatra, led by Advani. Though the Yatra helped Advani and his team to become a power center in the country, it also led the country to a major religious divide. The Babri Masjid demolition took it all to a high. Most of the muslims in the country know about the masjid demolition but only a few know that it was not used for prayers for a long time. No extremist is born, they are being made. The same happened with the Babri masjid demolition too. Karsevaks, do you really think that Rama would be so happy if you build a temple after killing some descendants of the same Rama Rajya?

Our country is also infamous for the fact that not even a single person has been punished for the communal riots after independence. Everyone knows about the Bombay blasts that happened and the riots followed after that. But nobody knows about the riots that happened before riots. The movie “Black Friday”, which talked about the Bomb blasts, had a single scene that showed the riots that triggered Tiger Memon to plant bombs around the city. But nobody knows how many lives were being taken in the earlier riots. The Sree Krishna commission investigated about that but the report never came out. There are reports coming out that mentions that Bal Thackeray had been involved in these riots.


And then comes the Gujarat way of it… A story that humiliates any concerned Indian citizen… We have a godfather chief minister who even planned a fake encounter, killed many people in the name of religion, just to secure his position. The movie “Parzania”, which talked about a real story of the search of a family for the child they lost during riots. Modi, shame on you… You didn’t even allow the movie to be released in the state.

Extremism of any kind is not good. Extremism has never won… It just kills… be it in the name of Jihad or Hindutwa… US helped the extremists in Afghanistan to fight Russians and now everyone knows what happened on 9/11 and post 9/11.
Politicians and Prists, please do not attempt to split us in the name of religions, please do not break the communal harmony that we live in. While using the name of religions for your personal goals, please try to understand the meaning of the religion.

Daiva Naamthil - Khuda ke liye - In the name of God

I just watched a Malayalam movie “Daiva Naamthil”, directed by the award winning Jayaraj. An excellent movie that deals with one of the biggest threats world faces now – “Religious Fundamentalism”. The movie has shown complete justice to this tough subject. Set in a Malabar Muslim community background, the movie talks about the emotional dilemma that Anwar (played by Pritwhiraj) and Sameera (played by Bhavana) go through.

The movie begins with Anwar getting married to Sameera, both well educated and representing modern Muslims. Soon, Anwar has to leave for Aligarh to complete higher studies, where he gets transitioned to an extremist. This leads to a clash between ideologies and emotional dilemma. The movie ends at a point when Anwar realizes his mistakes but his soulmate loses her life.

The story is very similar to the critically acclaimed Pakistani movie “Khuda Ke Liye”, which was recently released. This movie had earlier broke all box office records in Pakistan and was well received in India and other countries as well.

I was lucky to get a chance to watch both movies. Off late, many movie makers have started dealing with complex subjects like religious fundamentalism (Parzania, Black Friday). Not to mention the older Mani Ratnam flicks Roja and Bombay, which also dealt with similar issues.

How do people become extremists and how are they able to kill their own friends in the name of faith?

The world Islam literally converts to “Peace”. Still, most of the killings that occur in the world are in the name of this peaceful religion. Why is this happening? Where are we making the mistakes?

In the name of god, the most gracious, the most merciful…

This is the oath that a Muslim takes before doing any work. The word Muslim literally translates to “one who submits (to God)”. Being born and lived under Islamic culture, others call me also a Muslim but I am not sure yet as the submission part has never been complete.

Some questions I had at the back of my mind from many days:
- It is recorded that many wars were there during the early rise of Islam. Also there are multiple records indicating that most of these conquests helped in expanding the Muslim world. Does the religion justify these wars?
- There are multiple issues that the contemporary priests fight about, but nobody understands (or rather do not accept to believe) that the biggest threat that Indian Muslim faces now is religious fundamentalism. Why are they not doing anything for handling this?

In India, the root of the problem goes back the British Raj days. When Gandhi, who studied religions deeply, wanted India to be a secular state, it was Jinnah who wanted the country to be split on communal basis. Jinnah was considered a messiah for the helpless muslims during that time by the Muslim League. The funny part about the founder of Islami Country of Pakistan is that he never learned Qur’aan and he used to drink alcohol, which is prohibited by the religion.

It is recorded that the India-Pakistan split lead to one million deaths and many more million people losing their near and dear (do not forget to watch the movies Hey Ram and 1947-Earth, which also deals with the subject).

The next biggest threat to Secular India had been Babri Masjid demolition. Thanks to Sangh Parivar for triggering another extremist thoughts. Though the pariwar could secure their political interests, it corrupted many more minds and created the insecurity worm inside Indian hearts.

Coming back to Kerala, I am ashamed to talk about a political party named “Indian Union Muslim League” which is still very much active in Kerala politics. Both MLA and MP that represent my place have been representing this party. The party still comes to people requesting for votes based on the divinity of “Panakkad Thangal”. Qur’aan says “Iyyaaka na’budu va iyyaakaa nastha’eem” – “we pray only to you, we request for help only to you”. Many more religious extremist parties still exist in Kerala. National Democratic Front and People’s Democratic Party are to name a few.

Islam calls itself a religion without castes. The reason for everyone wearing only two pieces of white clothes during Hajj is to make us feel all are same in front of god. There is no rich no poor, no white no black, no scholar no stupid. But in Kerala, there are at least seven different sects of Muslims (Mujahid 1, Mujahid 2, Sunni AP, Sunni EK, Jamaath, Thareeqath, Ahmediya, and the list goes on). All of these are strong organizations with strong monetary funds too (especially being funded from the Middle East).

But none of them are interested in dealing with religious extremism because they have issues within themselves to fight for.

Swami Vivekandan told once “Keralam Oru Bhraandalayalm” – Kerala is a home of mentally retarded people.

The best way to learn religion is to go back to the books specified by the religion, and you will understand it. Our’aan says “It has wisdom for people who think”.

It is time that we need to understand our self. Let us start in the name of god, khuda ke liye, daiva naamathil, for a better tomorrow.

References:
- BBC Series on Islam - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
- Review of Khuda Ke Liye - http://indianmuslims.in/khuda-ke-liye/
- Daiva Naamathil movie part you’re your tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10xfgiWAuTk
- Series on Islam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam