How civilized are we?

A few days back, my friend and I were discussing whether our government should give sentence of Capital Punishment or of Life Imprisonment. My friend was in favor of Capital Punishment while I was in favor of Life imprisonment. Soon we moved to terrorism and something which started as a discussion turned into an argument, while ended with none of us talking to each other. Thus, I thought that I must write this post regarding us, we people and our outlook towards life, death and terrorism, and rather towards how civilized we are.

Starting from the initial question of Capital Punishment and Life Imprisonment, most of us would agree that when someone murders an innocent person, how can we just let him go off? When the family of the victim suffers how can the murderer live happy? How can we let him go and commit more crimes? He must be punished, but I would like to say two things. First, can we create life that we have the right to take it away? Second, can violence counter violence? If this was the way, then soon we would have Nobel Violence Award! Well, I am not asking to let the criminals go free, I too want them to have punishment but also a chance to reform and serve the society. Not death sentence, otherwise what will be the difference between them and us.

Now, the terrorist point of view (as we did in the argument!). They kill hundreds of people each day. Those cruel animals, should we forgive them? Even God won’t have mercy on them, isn't it? Well, I say killing them will just act as a painkiller and not remove the root. Killing their people will enrage them and they will kill many more innocent lives. Then again we will kill them and they will kill us. Like this the cycle will simply go on and on and never end! (Well, yes killing in a counter terror attack is different from Capital Punishment; it’s simply the need of hour. Here I'm discussing a larger picture!).

As I was talking about the root, so what is the root of terrorism? Some would say religious fundamentalism, some would say politics. True indeed, but these facts are true in case of the terrorist leader and not the suicide bomber. Who are this small people? Why are these terrorists from Afghanistan, Iraq or Pakistan and not from UK, France or Spain? A clue-The oil reserves at Kuwait and Iraq are sold by USA and not by those local people. Well, the answer is simple, Poverty. This is the reason why the local people support these terrorists. Even these people were not born cruel. Poverty, Revenge and Anger has made them these. Instead of declaring war on nations (Yes, I am talking about US' policy on Iraq and Afghanistan) we must try and uplift the people in these poor countries, so that they can resist the path of terrorism.

Now, if I go deeper, this article will become too long and people won’t read it anymore! Let me try and summarize. I talked about Capital punishment as well as terrorist. But my thinking was directed towards none of these. My point is we proudly call ourselves civilized, but are we really civilized? We promote killing of people either way, we kill lawfully, and they kill unlawfully. But what we do is crime. Does this have any real end? Can war really bring peace or Is it “An eye for an eye will leaves the world blind”. What about other burning problems? One is honor killing in which family members kill their own child, same in the case of female infanticide. Everywhere violence and violence. The purpose of my writing was to make you ponder over these questions; I hope somebody might just come up with an answer.

Heart Gul, Croc the fool!

Well this was created about 7 years back. This may be a bit childish, but my sole intention is to make you smile a little. This is the story of the monkey and the crocodile, retold in a different way…

In the Land of Barbadistan,

Lived a monkey named Mastaan.

On the bank of river Sile,

Lived monkey’s friend Crocodile.

They were the best guy,

And for each other they could die.

Mastaan used to give Croc mango,

While they enjoyed doing Tango.

Like this days were going past,

It seemed their friendship will always last.

But fate had something else planned,

Enters into the story an evil mind.

Croc had a beautiful wife,

Whom he loved as much as his life.

Mastaan used to send mangoes for Bhabhiji,

Which she enjoyed with glee.

One day, she said, “O my darling!

Will you ever start thinking?”

“Your friend has such a sweet heart,

I worry he must have to part.”

Croc was frightened,

And shouted, ”But he is my friend!”

She said, “Bring me his heart fast

Or I’m your wife will be matter of past.”

Croc had no choice but to leave,

While his heart starts to grieve.

Now he started thinking of a plan,

How to bring monkey on the pan.

He went to Mastaan’s tree,

Where Mastaan gave him mango for free.

“I will have the mango later,

Come home with me for a dinner.”

Mastaan agreed to be his guest,

Thus begun their quest.

On Croc’s back sat Mastaan,

Singing all the way his favorite gaan.

Suddenly in the middle of the Sile,

Started crying the crocodile.

He told his friend about his compulsion,

Listening to which Mastaan had tension!

He said, “O my dear friend!

Your problem is at it’s end.

I will gladly give my heart away,

But I left it on the tree to stay.”

“Take me back to the shore,

And you will have to cry no more.”

The Croc agreed and swimmed back,

While Monkey patted his own back.

As they reached the shore,

Monkey knew he made his score,

He jumped back to the tree.

Now surely he was free.

Then he shouted, ”Can somebody live with his heart gul?

Never show me your face Croc the fool!”