1. It is disappointing to note that inspite of my best efforts of adopting a precariously bipartisan approach; you and some other friends here have branded me as a devil’s advocate. It could be, perhaps, my failure too to put across my ideas in a suitable and subtle way. For the sake of healthy discussion, I am not running away from the moral responsibility of allaying worthy members’ suspicions and own my failure to do so. Therefore, the best way is to embrace your tag of diehard pro X or anti Y without any further explanations.
I don't think anyone is playing the role of devil's advocate. It's just that we all as individuals subscribe to ideologies which need not be convergent and which is understandable. I am sure the end result all want is peace, prosperity, progress and security of the nation including that of the Jats.
2. This was not a non-issue. Level of English which is an important language for all practical purposes and functionalities merits attention while discussing the potential head of government. Further, it is an added qualification for smooth transaction of business in the international arena. When it comes to comparing two towering personalities, each and every aspect of their personality is bound to be touched, including the X factor. So, the discussion was relevant and on-topic.
I would still tend to disagree with you. Command over English is not a qualifying factor for leadership. If that be the case, most of the developed world would not have proudly stuck with their mother tongues. In fact, the French take offence if you know French and you speak to them in some other language. All the great nations are vehemently proud of their language, culture, traditions and history. Moreover, it is not for nothing that Hindi is our national language and if we discount this fact, then we are questioning the wisdom of the founding fathers of the constitution and also insulting our very own language. Of course knowledge of anything additional is good, but it's absence cannot in anyway be termed a handicap. That is exactly the reason I call it a non-issue. They (Congress party workers and leaders) are looking of ways and means (one way or the other) without any rational basis to disqualify Modi for the top post.
3. You may not have used derogatory words or language against any other member on this site. But, at times, you have coined derogatory acronyms for certain people and political groups outside JL. You are forgetting the sensitivities of those who may not be subscribing to your viewpoint and could be having a different political ideology to which they are very much entitled without facing any wrath from the fundamentalists from across the fence. I need not to give a list of those posts here, as you, as well as other friends are well aware of. (This is the case in almost every third post).
I have never used any derogatory term for any fellow member and I still stick to it. As far as my posts are concerned, they are based on facts- corruption, scam, communal appeasement (dividing the country on religious lines), widening gap between haves and have nots because of the skewed and one-sided policies of the Congress govt. I would request you to quote one post of mine where I have just shot in the dark as far as the misdeeds of the Congress party are concerned. But if someone takes offence and identifies the barbs aimed at Congress as aimed at themselves, I sincerely cannot help. They can by all means act as self-appointed spokespersons of the Congress party and I have no problems with it.
4. I have already explained my position about use of the inappropriate word in one of my posts under some other thread some time back. As already explained, the slip was due to inappropriate translation of the English word ‘crap’ (which was, perhaps, not derogatory in my opinion). While translating into our ‘pride language’ it all happened. Nevertheless, I have already extended my unqualified apology to Shri Dular Sahab. My apologies to you as well, if I have ever hurt you.
I really appreciate your forthrightness in offering an apology to the member concerned for your post in question and that I consider as a sign of mature intellect. I would not accept your apologies as firstly, there has been nothing significant or insignifcant between us that merits an apology and secondly, I hold your knowledge and experience in high esteem. In fact, I only wish that our community especially the present and coming generations are enriched by this collective wisdom of the senior members (from Jatland and outside).
5. Honestly, I do not have any knowledge of any coterie around me.
My only contention is that we are very well within our rights to have our own views/opinions/ideas and even to express them, but the problem arises when people get personal and write in an offending and indecent manner about the author/writer rather than on the topic. This is a sure-shot recipe to kill any healthy discussion and debate.
6. Of course, we do not need to issue certificates of proficiency in language, but we owe explanation to each other on the points of divergence and dispute, if we participate in a civilized debate.
Agreed except for one small hitch of not engaging with some members who just argue for the sake of arguing. And it is every member's prerogative whether he would like to engage with any other member in a discussion/debate. There have been cases where if a member decides not to engage in a debate with another, then that 'another' uses personal remarks in a way to provoke the other to come out and engage. I do not consider this as a sign of healthy discussion or deliberation on any topic.
7. The use of their native language by the P5 leaders is nothing more than a symbolism and ceremonial gesture. In actuality, their leaders widely use English when it comes to doing real business with their counterparts across the borders. So, let us not try to explain the ‘poverty of English’ away in the name of ‘national pride’. (हिन्दुस्तान मै जिसनै अंग्रेजी आवै सै वो खूब अंग्रेजी के फूल से बखैरै सै मौका मिलते ही ).
I again consider English as a non-issue. I admired Vajpayee ji when he gave a speech at the U.N. in Hindi thereby becoming the first Indian leader to do so. For once, let's take pride in being Indian. Even if we agree that Modi is not fluent, he is using THE national language to address the audience and that language besides being national is understood by Indians. And for the outsiders there are interpreters available as are with the Russian, French, Chinese, German, etc. leaders.
8. Finally, I would like to say that I find you a very well educated and civilized person, I can do business with. But you, perennially, tend to go overboard in your criticism of those who do not fall in line with you. I would also suggest a little introspection, if you don’t mind. I am sorry, I take a dig on you just for seeking some little humour and amusement. But I have all affection for you just like my younger brother.
I return the compliment in toto and let me also say that I am impressed by your knowledge of English literature and history. My criticism is of the misdeeds of the political party and its leaders who have misruled us for over 60 years, weakened democracy and democratic institutions and have brought the country to a sorry state of affairs economically (highest Fiscal Deficit), communally (muslim appeasement and thereby dividing country on religious lines), securitywise (soft state where terrorists strike at free will - neighbours butcher our civilians and soldiers) and socially (Because of the open loot, there is growing discontent in the society). None of my posts are without any substance. However, I will accept your suggestion of introspection on anything else as it is said that there is always scope for improvement. After all, how can I turn down a brother's advice?
