If AIDs is not checked, it will impact India’s stability. It is as dangerous as any external threat to India.
2-5% of India's population is HIV carrier and 1% is suffering from AIDs.

<b>Army takes celluloid route to combat AIDS</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->For the first time the Indian army admits that it could be facing an AIDS problem and it's taking the threat seriously.

Many of the army's jawans contract the HIV virus while in service. Testing is only done at the time of joining and so new cases only appear during treatment for other ailments or blood transfusion.

Alarming figures

<b>Estimates put this at around 2 per cent currently, but actual figures could be much, much higher</b>.
"The movement of our troops is quite frequent and there are some areas and borders like the Burma border where the vulnerability of our troops increases. Since the period of separation from the family is longer, there is a lot of interaction with the local population," said Lt Gen JR Bharadwaj, DG, AFMS<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The film called Akhri Dastak on AIDS awareness will be shown to more than 1 million soldiers of the Indian army.

The film revolves around the life of a young jawan who contracts AIDS from a sex worker while he is away from his family. All commanding officers have been ordered to screen this film for their jawans<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>In order to keep the focus of this thread on an Introductory level to establish definitions and concepts, I have decided to split this off and see how it goes (despite an opposing opinion). I would like this thread to be focused on topic, so that we all start off on the right foot. I find usually when assumptions and definitions are clearly stated much of the basis for future contentiousness is reduced and as a consequence has more clarity. This thread will follow the lead of Sunder by discussing Panchadasi by Vidyaranaya.</span>

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->May be it is time to have a full scale debate on Vedanta. But it will be fruitless if Vedanta were to be judged as science. It is a system of philosophy and those who are willing to debate it as a system of philosophy are welcome to join in. Also if someone hasn't spent the effort in going through the Vedanta texts and understanding them but still wants to pass judgements on them, then all I can say is that I can find better use for my time on the web.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Ashok, I agree with the general tenor of your remarks. Vedanta is indeed a powerful philosophy, an ontological construct of the human intellect that is grand in its scope and sweep but which is beyond the grasp of many as they ponder on the implications (I dont necessarily exclude myself from this category - even though I have been a perpetual student of this elegant logical construct for a few decades).

The Proper way to discuss Vedanta is to start from the beginning and establish your definitions and inferences slowly. If we intend to do this in this forum, i suggest an elementary prakarana grantha like Tattvabodha (to build up our dictionary of definitions and avoid unnecessary confusion) and work our way from there. That would induce newcomers to join. Even a relatively small text like the tattvabodha (or the Atma bodha both by Adi Sankara) needs several sessions. We need a moderator or a facilitator to lead the discussion and to keep it focused. If there are any takers it would be worthwhile (at the rate of 1 or 2 lecture or tutorial sessions per week. Such elaboratory material (bhashyas on bhashyas) are available in relative profusion in the net, but we still need a moderator to closely monitor the discussion. I have too many things to juggle at the moment. But if one of the members could organize such a discussion forum, tightly focused on the material at hand,then it would be a immense benefit.

<b>Asymmetric Warfare: An Infantry Perspective!</b>

When exactly did asymmetric warfare start? It is hard to pin point exact date. But it is easy to assume that it was very common for an inferior army (in terms of armament/technology) to have to face a superior army (in terms of armament/technology) in any age or time. Anytime an army introduced a non-conventional tactic to neutralize a superior army and its superior armaments, asymmetric warfare was introduced into the equation. When Alexander faced large army of king Porus backed by battle ready elephants, he ordered his army to shoot the elephants in the eyes. As a result, Porus’ elephants did more damage to Porus’ army than to Alexander’s army. This example is a textbook example of introduction of asymmetric factor into warfare.

Current world order is filled with uncertainties. Scores of nations often find themselves in situations where they have to face an adversary armed with superior weapons/technology. A country armed with hi-tech weapons of today can render a low-tech country defenseless. Sometimes these low-tech nations have just cause to defend and therefore surrender is not an option for them. Nations have to guard their vital interests with whatever weapons they got. If there was ever an absolute need for asymmetric warfare to confound the superior enemy, it is today. Introduction of asymmetric factor into warfare has saved many a nations.

I am writing this article from a military point of view. During the course of this article it will become necessary for me to cite real examples, meaning examples of actual standoffs or conflicts. This article does not serve to justify the cause of one nation over other. I do not endorse the political philosophy of any nation mentioned in this article. I simply intend to analyze the military tactics used by different nations and if or how they can be categorized as asymmetric warfare.

China gave importance to its development of nuclear-armed ICBMs/IRBMs over its development of conventional weapons such as air superiority fighters or an aircraft carrier for a considerable period of time. It was China’s aim to contain much superior adversaries such as USSR and USA by pointing nuclear weapons at them instead of matching their conventional arsenals of tanks and fighter aircrafts. With this, China introduced asymmetric warfare in its standoff against both USSR (former) and USA. During cold war USA and former USSR were locked in arm’s race with each other. USSR’s initial policy was to match USA in terms of technology and number of weapons. But USSR soon realized that due to their inferior economy, they could not continue this approach for too long. This problem for USSR became really clear when USA started deploying its mighty fleets of awesome carriers. Aircraft carriers are mighty force in terms of power they display. They are equipped with submarine scanning helicopters, fighters/bombers, ring of destroyers/frigates, supporting ring of submarines and much more. All this adds up to massive amount of money, which was impossible for ex Soviet empire to come up with. There are only handfuls of nations who have aircraft carriers. A major power like China does not have a single aircraft carrier in its naval fleet. India has only one aircraft carrier. USSR has/had a few carriers in its Navy. So, USSR decided to build fleets of nuclear powered submarines capable of firing nuclear-armed IRBM/ICBM instead of matching USA for carrier for carrier. This was an introduction of asymmetric warfare at a grand scale. This affected the entire sum game for USA and warranted some drastic changes in US strategy towards USSR. This also stresses the point that asymmetric factor can be needed even among more or less technologically matched adversaries. In this case examples were USA and ex USSR.

There is a lot of mention of terrorism in the circle of pundits of asymmetric warfare. It seems like people accept terrorism as one of the tactics of asymmetric warfare. This may be true. But I want to keep the scope of this article limited to military tactics only. I am fully aware of the military implications of terrorism and subjective nature of my decision to term what I call military tactics. I intend to discuss the asymmetric warfare from infantry’s perspective and what war scenario would warrant deployment of infantry in such manner in remainder of this article.

Infantry itself can be introduced as an asymmetric component in a war. To illustrate my point, we will take Gulf War-I as an example. Here we had adversaries very unevenly matched. US had clear air superiority. Although Iraqi air force was not as good as US air force but at this stage it did have some good aircrafts. Iraq had large number of tanks and had indeed very large infantry, if not well equipped and trained. Iraqis clearly faced a situation, which called for introduction of asymmetric warfare. Their failure to do so resulted in a decisive victory for US armed forces over their Iraqi counterparts. Iraqis at that time did have some chemical weapons but they did not use it, although it could have been the easiest asymmetric tactic for Iraqis to deploy. The fact that Iraqis did not use chemical weapons speaks volume for the importance of psychological warfare. Their will to use only effective weapons they could have used was broken even before the war started. Iraqis were reminded, the consequences that would follow if they were to use chemical weapons on US troops. Based on this, one could question Iraq’s will to fight the battle and therefore could conclude that outcome of the Gulf War-I was inevitable. Seems like Iraqis fought on US’ terms. When US was carrying out its carrier born air strikes on Iraq, Iraq decided to intercept US aircrafts using Iraqi air force fleet of Migs and Sukhois. US air force equipped with superior armament and training was able to dominate the sky without much problem.

On the ground Iraqis decided to match US army for tank for tanks. Advancing Iraqi columns of tanks and armored vehicles were tracked by US radars and were taken out effectively by air strikes. Even in tank-to-tank battles odds were in favor of US due to superior armor and firepower. This was proven when Iraqi armored divisions collided with US armored divisions. US armored divisions supported with Apache destroyed whatever Iraqi tanks, which survived the air strikes. Iraqi aircrafts were loosing to US aircrafts in the air. Iraqi tanks were loosing to US tanks on the ground. Since Iraqis were maintaining large concentrations of troops and materials such as military trucks, artillery and APC, it was easier for US military to track their movement by radar and safely take them out from the air in many cases. Even after all this, Iraq did not use single tactic, which could be categorized as asymmetric warfare even though the situation desperately warranted it.

There are many factors that play vital role in determining the outcome of a war. Asymmetric component is not a guarantee to successfully defeat an adversary. Iraq seemed to have hoped that they would bleed US forces long enough to force domestic opinion in US to pull out of Iraq. For this policy to work, it was vital for Iraq to be able to hold the ground. But they did not and thus the outcome of the war was one-sided. In the air Iraq had no chance. Even Iraqi SAMs were easy kill for highly skilled USAF pilots. USAF had spent a lot of time and effort in training its pilots against SAM batteries going back to Vietnam. US pilots are undoubtedly one of the best SAM killers in the world.

Giving this scenario, Iraqis should have concentrated on the ground. Even on the ground, US had decisive superiority over Iraqis. But Iraqis could have used their infantry in an asymmetric role. Professional armies in the world spend great deal of effort on their infantry. This holds true for considerably advanced nations such as Russia and USA. Need for a highly trained and tactically armed infantry becomes indispensable for nations who will be facing much more powerful enemies and who are likely to fight a battle on their territory. In this case example is Iraq. To use infantry in an asymmetric role it has to have two things, training and a few key weapons. Instead of taking on superior US tanks, Iraqis should have introduced anti tank missiles. Anti-tank missile has a range of about 9km and can be hidden in the bushes or desert camouflage. Chances of Iraqis taking out US tanks by anti-tank missiles were much higher than by tank-to-tank battles. Similarly, there was a good chance of neutralizing Apache using SA-7 or its more modern variants. A sizable infantry force armed with anti tank missiles and shoulder fired SA missiles dispersed in their hidings would have been much tougher force to reckon with. A force, which cannot be tracked by radar unlike advancing, armored columns. This force coupled with hidden and dispersed artillery would have confounded US army units significantly if not decisively. Ironically protected by infantry, the tanks could have been used against US forces under more opportune conditions.

A well-trained and equipped infantry in an asymmetric role was their best chance against a powerful adversary.

Author: Arun K Pandey

I personally feel that using Kulhars for drinking or eating anything is not at all Hygienic Practice. They would fast absorb atmospheric moisture and hence microbes; which in turn could set of a bout of dysentery or gastroenteritis to those who use them for any human consumption. As the “consciousness on hygiene of our lower classes is abysmally low, disposable plastic cups (which are not biodegradable) or even better paper cups (which are easily biodegradable) should be continued in Indian Railways as well as everywhere.

On this Maneka Gandhi appears to have a few valid points, including some environmental concerns, et al.

Clay-Pot Dictator!

Can these concerns be brought to the notice of the Indian Railway Authorities if not to that of our LallooooBhai!

<span style='color:red'><b>Generation "Vice" and Kamasutra</b></span>

By: <i><b>Veera Vaishnava</b></i>

<b>Introduction</b>

In the generation of vice, Hindus much like their counterparts indeed have a pantheon much different to original Hindu pantheon. They have gods of money, power, carnality, selfishness, addiction, materialism, commercialism, wantonness, greed, gluttony, snobbery, prejudice, bigotry, false righteousness, pride, relativism, hopelessness, cruelty, thoughtlessness, self abuse, indifference, superiority, exclusiveness, carelessness, “me-first ness,” unsatisfied desires, disobedience, arrogance, laziness, intemperance, rationalization and many more. Their determination seems to be the destruction of social institutions as we know it, and apparently their “Moksha” – salvation. The means are following their jaundiced and distorted view of the Hindu world and ethos. In this essay, let’s briefly examine such instance of distorted view of Kamasutra and potential effect and long term impact on social institution(s).

Many Hindus these days apart from appeasing their said regular gods often invoke and appease their god of gods - <b>The God of Rationalization</b>. The acts which are basically moral failures, have to be justified as the rebuke of conscience is pretty difficult to live with. To completely erase the conscience, they appeal to and invoke the god of gods - <b>Zeus</b> <span style='color:blue'>(a)</span>. The hope for Zeus's children in the Generation Vice is, if Zeus is properly propitiated he will somehow make heretofore forbidden desires and acts permissible. They then advance the reality of the desires over the reality of the moral order to which the desires should be subordinated and surrendered to. In their minds they replace the reality of moral order with something more congenial to the activity they are excusing. This is not a mere “rebellious phase” that one might go through, but a deliberate, wanton, and systematic effort to undermine, dismantle and destroy Hindus’ cultural edifice. The assertion and theme they choose to live by is that bad is good, and live to “live it up”.

Having a distorted view of sexuality and the social structure and practices either in the west, or the present day India (or of the social system in ancient India), these devotees of the god of rationalization are hell bent on sacrificing any decency, decorum and civility in either public discourse or in their private lives at the altar of their Zeus. In fact, they want ordinarily lesser mortals with the original pantheon to acquiesce, acknowledge and accept their deviant behavior. The first dictum of their rule(s) is to make such thinking and actions respectable and transform it into a highly moral act. If it were not a highly moral act, it cannot be legitimately advanced into the civil level. The crutches for above said people are "<b>liberalism and progressiveness</b>", the main scripture is "<b>Kamasutra</b>", fellow travelers and apologists are the so called liberals and progressive thinking “<b>Marxists, pseudo secularists and so-called erudite scholars from the west – The Intellectual Mafia</b>”.


The intellectual mafia along with their flock is aiming at cultural conquest in the short term, and in the long term inflicts fatal damage to Vedic/Hindu ideals of a social institution - marriage and family - by making Kamasutra look like Hustler and Penthouse of the 13th century. Let us examine briefly what Kamasutra is and its importance in a healthy relationship between opposite sexes and also what the rest of Kamasutra is about.



<b>The Kamasutra</b>

Kama is delight of body, mind, and soul in exquisite sensation. It awaken eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin, and between sense and sensed, the essence of Kama will flower. Kama Sutra can thus be translated as "Aphorisms on Pleasure." Like any other Sutra, this cannot be understood without proper commentary or interpretation.

The Kamasutra is a treasury of information and a tutorial about sexuality in ancient India. No other existing text, literary or scientific, comes even close to it in revealing the sexual attitudes of our ancestors. The Kamasutra tells us about the place of pleasure in the ancient scheme of things, especially vis-à-vis morality. It tells us what the ancients thought about the sexuality of women, marriage, homosexuality, adultery, and prostitutes - male and female. Our ancestors were obviously mature enough to follow, and discuss such texts in public without transforming into a pornographic visual/textual medium.

Kamasutra is not an original text. It is the oldest existing treatise of erotic love in India. It was composed in Sanskrit, the literary language of the classical period. Its authorship is attributed to Mallanaga Vatsyayana. According some sources, the ten thousand chapters of the Kamasutra were announced by Prajapati - a deity regarded as the god of creation. Mahadeva compiled the ten thousand chapters which in turn were compressed into five hundred chapters by Shvetaketu, son of Uddalaka and a teacher of philosophy. The Kamasutra was transcribed by Vatsyayana in the form of Sutras written in Sanskrit. Sutras are directives or short, maxims in prose, which are difficult to understand without a commentary. The treatises of Shvetaketu on which the Kamasutra is based, have been lost forever. It also heavily draws from works of other authors who preceded him. They are Babhravya, Suvarnanabha, Ghotakamukha, Gonardiya, Gonikaputra, Dattaka and Kuchumara. None of these works exist now, save Kamasutra of Vatsyayana <span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>[1]</span>.

Apart from serving as a sex therapy guide, Kamasutra contains instructions for making messages unreadable - one of the earliest books on rudimentary encryption. It is also the first text to advocate “birth control” for prostitutes. Only about one fifth of Kamasutra (of whatever is left of Original form) is devoted to sexual positions. The rest of it gives guidance on how to be a good citizen and insights into men and women in relationships, and can be considered as a 13th century work akin to works such as <span style='color:red'>[2]</span>.

There is much more to Kamasutra that came out of Vedic India than plain vanilla sex. The word Kama refers to the pursuit of love or pleasure and not just sex. It is also said the three of the four purusharthas Dharma, Artha and Kama are of equal importance in the life of a human being. However the priorities attached to and pursuit of each follows the following order - Dharma being more valuable than Artha, and Artha being preferred to Kama. In order to attain a fulfilled and meaningful life, the pursuit of one goal should not hamper the pursuit of the others.

There is no shame or wrong in talking about sex or artistically representing it on temple walls, paintings, or writing about it, to teach and educate people about human sexuality. Healthy and wealthy minds and souls will then contribute to a vibrant society that is highly productive and there is nothing perverse in it, except for perverse minds. This is exactly what Kamasutra teaches.

Hindu divinities always come in pairs. They represent the ideal concept of man and woman working together as lovers, as mates, as partners in marriage, in love, in sex and in all aspects of our human life. Unlike Christianity or Judaism or Islam, Hinduism has never been concerned with "suppression of sensuous pleasure" or normal human sexuality. Body and spirit are always considered to be an integral of the whole personhood, and never separated w prejudice in favor of the spirit as was the case with western Calvinistic and Victorian moral values. It is said in Kama Sutra that “<i>rather than attempting to try and control the desires of the body by willpower, the Hindu aims at the self -realization through the whole being, mind, body and intellect</i>”.

However for Zeus's children in the Generation Vice, Vedic India's inhabitants, and tolerant, liberal, progressive Hindus do not read the original and entire Kamasutra but get fixated and obsess over 20% of it and consider quoting Kamasutra gives one license to indulge in any kind of erratic behavior. They rationalize every carnal desire they act upon on the selective understanding of Kamasutra that too written by so-called scholars such as Wendy Doniger [3]. They contend that since our ancestors were really over sexed, there is nothing abominable or morally wrong in following the foot steps of their convenient and new found ancestors of their liking. Generation Vice instead of following the advice in the very text they refer to when rationalizing, resort to depraved, lewd and licentious behavior.

The teachings of Kamasutra if properly followed will show one how to try and be content with one partner. However, Zeus tells the Gen Vice to sleep around and have as many partners as possible.

The short and effective method to realize godliness of Zeus for Gen Vice seems to be aping the west and copying the depraved behavior and debauchery couching their acts in progressive and liberal covers and labels.


<b>Social Institution(s)</b>

A simple definition of a “social institution” is a cultural value structure encompassing all values - positive, negative, or neutral - which relates to the social interaction of one particular normative segment of a culture. <i>(Refer [4] for a rigorous definition)</i>

Typically there are five social institutions in any culture; (1) Educational, (2) Political, (3) Religious, (4) Economical, and (5) Marriage and the Family.

These systems of values, are inextricably intertwined and their combination forms an interrelated system where change in any one institution results in corresponding and sometimes irreversible change and adjustment in all the other institutions. A symbiotic and systematic interaction - bonds the entire system and makes sure all the institutions are integrally involved. The institutions in western culture have been influenced powerfully by the Judeo- Christian values, particularly those values relate to females (Calvinistic and Victorian moral values), while ours is the eternal Vedic/Hindu ideals and underpinnings.

The institution of marriage and the family (re)structures the social mechanism through which replacements for society are groomed and reared. These replacements that are thus created are shaped so as to fit the social structure, with the goal of perpetuating the group. It is through this mechanism that the social values, norms (i.e., behavioral expectations), culture, thought patterns, language usage, social roles and responsibilities, and patterns of inter-genderal (i.e., sexual) and intra-gendral relations are transmitted, and absorbed by the new entrants.

<b>Conclusion</b>

Indian/Hindu society is changing rapidly and dramatically. The impact of modern media, especially television and Bollywood, is revolutionizing the relationship between the sexes. Women are demanding a much greater role for themselves - which in and of itself is a welcome sign - In both love and work. However on the flip side, sexual permissiveness and addiction to drugs and alcohol are all on the rise. The power balance between the generations has shifted. The young are no longer respectful of the aged. The social landscape is in a state of flux. Everything that is wrong with the Western culture has penetrated deeply into the urban areas and being openly adopted with open arms. Religion and religious values, and spirituality are in a process of decline while westerners are seeing the folly in their ways and adopting Sanathana dharma and Hindu way of life.

Turning a blind eye to all consequences, changes around them, the children of Zeus want to and insist on abuse and distortion Hindu culture, stemming from their lack of understanding and knowledge, to justify their insane acts and behavior and will eventually turn out to be social misfits.

For far too long the invading marauders and foreigners have debased, degraded Hindu icons, culture, literature, arts to instill an inferiority complex and then tried to supplant and replace them with their ideologies. The invaders are gone, but they discovered far too willing and complaint Hindus and Indians to continue their dirty work, in Intellectual Mafia and in Gen Vice.

<i>Is Generation Vice bent upon destroying the social institution of marriage and family in the name of liberalism and progressiveness? Life (and lifestyle) after all is about the choices one makes, for individuals and for society at large. Should Gen Vice choose to stick with their lifestyle, so be it, but do not drag Kamasutra to justify your actions and lifestyle.</i>

<b>References</b>

• 1. http://www.gautamindia.com/archive/Gautami...v/sexuality.htm
• 2. Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...684105?v=glance
• 3. Essential Kamasutra by Wendy Doniger - www.insight-books.com/TSX2/1591790654.html
• 4. http://www.politics.tcd.ie/kbenoit/cpi/i...tions.html

I found this interesting site..

http://www.adrindia.org/

I was reluctant to start a new thread for this myself & was going to post on "Miscellaneous Topics" so if admins think this is unnecesary please merge with that thread.

Over the long term ( if this thread survives <!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> ) hopefully the discussion would focus on how we can make our electoral system better. Please post things related to electoral process reform ONLY.

Regards.

08 June 2004
<b>Saudi Oil Crown Slipping Away?</b>
By Peter Zeihan
Summary

<i>Attacks against expatriates working in the Saudi Arabian oil patch have accelerated in tempo and intensity during the past several months. If this trend is not reversed -- which is not likely -- Riyadh will slowly fall from its current position as the kingpin of global energy markets. Oil prices will be both higher and more volatile, Saudi social stability far less guaranteed and OPEC less a force to be reckoned with.</i>
.......

<b>Paswan hails Govt's plans for Dalits </b>

Pioneer News Service/ New Delhi

Elated over inclusion of various Dalit causes, including a dialogue for reservation for them in private sector in the presidential address, Lok Jan Shakti president Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday said he would strive for time-bound implementation of the various programmes and policies announced by the Congress-led UPA Government.

Taking credit for the inclusion of Dalit-oriented measures in the presidential address, Mr Paswan hailed the Common Minimum programme (CMP) as "Common Men Programme", and said: "We will make all possible efforts to ensure early and effective implementation of the CMP announced by the Government."

On his demand for the reservation of SCs and STs in the private sector, he expressed satisfaction and said: "After mindless sell-off of public sector enterprises, job opportunities for Dalit youths were rapidly shrinking. The step towards reservation for them in the private sector is a right one in the right direction at the right time."

<b>This topic is to discuss the future of USA wrt to the current situation in Iraq.
SInce US is dominant in the world in terms of economy/military and influence
the impact will be felt in India also.

The topic should focus on the impact of Iraq

US Foriegn Policy

US Internal politics/ Identity/ Role as the only super power

US Economy/Global Economy in the next 5 years/ Oil</b>

<b>Cinema as ideology </b>
Utpal Kumar

"A Hindu can argue with words but can't fight with his sword for his religion," observed Alberuni when he arrived in India along with plundering hordes of Ghazni. This statement still holds true, but for the Indian media, Hindu fundamentalism poses a serious threat to the very existence of minorities. They bash the Hindus in the garb of democracy. In a world where projections are shown as the reality it is not surprising that there is no demarcating line between the real and the virtual.

Despite its reputation as the hub of frothy tear-jerkers, the Mumbai film industry has always possessed social conscience: From Raj Kapoor's subtle sense of socialism (Nehruvian influence) to Amitabh Bachchan's anti-establishment posture following Mrs Gandhi's Emergency. Even the return of romance in Indian cinema with a sense of optimism can be seen in relation to India's fruitful entry into the competitive world of globalisation and getting rid of 'sterile socialism'. However, with this, the concept of "nationalism" and 'Hindu fundamentalism' too came into focus.

So, it is hardly surprising if a Hindu is shown as a terrorist; the only obstacle to amicable relations between India and Pakistan, in Shah Rukh Khan's latest film Main Hoon Na, notwithstanding the fact that not a single Hindu terrorist organisation exists in this country. Had it been so there would have been sundry terrorist groups among Kashmiri Hindus, as no less than four lakh Pandits have been forced to leave the Valley. The Gujarat riots were an aberration; but they also discouraged taking Hindus for granted. The basic upbringing of Hindus, their fundamental ideology and, of course, the last thousand years of 'Dhimmitude' stands in the way of any such development.

<b>In a sense, Main Hoon Na can be compared with Khalid Mohammed's Fiza and Aparna Sen's Mr & Mrs Iyer. Fiza had a clear message-you can't expect justice in the land of Hindus and jihad is the only possible recourse for Muslims. Similarly, Mr & Mrs Iyer projected Jews, Hindus and Muslims in contrasting colours. While Jews and Hindus were shown as narrow fundamentalists, Muslims were projected as either the victims of Hindu fundamentalism or as suave, progressive and moderate citizens. </b>

Now the broader question: What is the reason behind the growing bonhomie between India and Pakistan? It is not that good sense has suddenly prevailed in Pakistan. Nor that the arguments of Track II diplomats is gaining latitude. The aggressive foreign policy adopted by the Vajpayee Government after the Pokhran nuclear tests and its coming out in flying colours, did demoralise the Pakistani leadership. Moreover, the splendid performance of the Indian cricket team against Pakistan too ended the Pakistani superiority myth. All hopes of peace depend on India's strength. Goodwill and noble ideals should play second fiddle in international relations. But, in the ultimate analysis, what matters is the national interest.

It is said cinema holds a mirror to society. But in India, it is more a vehicle of dominant ideology-Leftist in orientation and allegedly liberal in outlook. It is more an instrument of a 'select few'. Indian media in general and cinema in particular needs to abstain from projecting any dominant ideology and the temptation to wear the veil of political correctness.