Are you an Indian? I am not

This whole 26/11 anniversary thing is just a chance for TV Channels, Newspapers and Magazines to fill up pages and spots with ease. It means nothing to anyone but the loved ones of the people who died.

"Terrorism" is hype. Yes, it will hurt if someone I know dies at the hands of a militant / mercenary's bullet. But still, Terrorism is hype. It is a word used by imperialist forces to discredit all forces that stand against them. Imperialist forces also fund these so called "terrorists" to spread unrest. They walk in later to benefit from it.

I don't care for this patriotism bullshit. If being a patriot means colluding with the Government in its oppression of the people of Manipur, then I am a traitor. I happen to live in what you call "Your Country". I pay taxes because I use the resources that you provide. I hold your passport because without it, I couldn't see the world. It's a transactional relationship. All well and good. But not enough reason for me to salute your flag or sing your national anthem. If this is a free country, I have the right to sing "Us and Them" or "Samajavaragamana" while you Jana Gana. But if I exercise this right, you will beat me up.

I salute Sundeep Unnikrishnan (and the others in uniform who laid down their lives on Nov 26 last year). His photograph brings tears to my eyes. Regardless of patriotism and the occupational hazard argument for death in the armed forces, it takes guts to stand in the way of a bullet to save someone's life. The villains that run this nation do not deserve such heroes.

What about National Pride? The only times that I feel anything close to National Pride is when some intolerant ignoramus from Tennessee says something demeaning about people who look like me.

I left the US 10 years ago to come back to my country. Sold home, sold car, returned green card, left high paying job and all. I am happy to be back because the people I love live here. This is my homeland, it is not my country.

PS: I love the Indian Cricket team. I love Sachin, Dravid and Laxman. Does your constitution allow it?

Untitled: (incomplete)

Power to the heroes who are fighting against oppression; capitalist, imperialist, casteist, racist and sexist.

Most of these people are fighting battles that they know they will lose. And yet, they fight. How long before we run out of heroes?

Return of the copywriter

When in Rome....

You pay Roaming Charges !

Save with Matrix Calling Cards

Die Nasty

Raja Raja Chola's not-so-famous complement : Raja Raja Batura

The South Indian dynasty that patronized 20-20 cricket: Che Run

The South Indian dynasty that was mortgaged for Japanese currency: Pawned Yen

Transplants from my Facebook account: Edition 2

Educated Garlic: A lassan well learned !

The toughest part of being an atheist is spelling the damn word. Thank God for Spellcheck !

Party invitation for milch cows : Please come with your significant udders !

Saffron brigade's Anthem: Kesar Aa Sera !

Sick Pakistani Singer: Nausea Hasan (RIP)

Movie about Vidya Balan's epilepsy: Shake up Vid !