A Bond of Love, Forever True

 A Bond of Love, Forever True

On the 20th of August, under the golden sky,

We gathered together, my brothers and I,

Mridul, Harsh, and Parth stood with pride,

With Jasmine, Charu, and Teebra by our side.

Rakhi threads so delicately tied,

A symbol of care that can never subside,

From ancient roots, this tradition we hold,

A bond of protection, more precious than gold.

Jasmine’s smile, Charu’s gentle grace,

Teebra’s laughter that lights up the place,

In each other's hearts, we find our space,

Through every joy and every chase.

Through every laugh, through every tear,

We promise to stand, to protect, and to cheer.

In this sacred ritual, love finds its way,

Connecting us all, come what may.

From the oldest of times to today’s bright sun,

Our bond as siblings, forever as one.

With every Rakhi, a vow we renew,

To be there always, in all that we do.

For brothers and sisters, near and far,

Our love is eternal, like a shining star.

                              Kabeer Karunik

Reunion in Kashi

 In the heart of Kashi, where the sacred rivers flow,

After long years apart, the joy we did bestow.
Classmates from Gurukul, memories that never fade,
Mr. Hridesh Tomar, a bond we once made.
First time in this holy land, in Savan's blessed month,
For his daughter’s future, to BHU he brought.
Ashutosh Singh, our junior, with a smile so bright,

Together again, in this city of light.

We studied Ayurveda, modern medicine’s blend,

Bachelor’s journey together, now friends to the end.

In the ancient city, with its timeless grace,

We relived old stories, each familiar face.

Wonderful souls, with hearts pure and true,

In Kashi’s sacred embrace, our friendship anew.

A reunion of spirits, in this Sanatan time,

In Kashi’s holy whispers, our lives did chime.

My Journey and Vision for Justice and Human Rights

https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/my-journey-and-vision-for-justice-and-human-rights-0b9ed15746b3

Standing in front of the sacred Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, a place of deep historical and spiritual significance

Meeting with Policymakers and Diplomats

In February 2015, there was a meeting with policymakers and diplomats in Delhi. During the discussion about alternatives to Shri Narendra Modi, a famous lawyer and human rights activist suggested Mr. Arvind Kejriwal. I proposed Shri Rahul Gandhi, but he did not agree. Now, time speaks for itself. Today, Shri Narendra Modi is set to become the Prime Minister for a third term. The election results and the continuous efforts of Shri Rahul Gandhi, such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, highlight a wonderful process for a pluralistic and inclusive India.

Recognition and Challenges

In April 2015, I was falsely implicated in a conspiracy for an alleged incident that happened in 2013. Earlier, in February 2015, I received an honor on behalf of PVCHR as a “Friend of German Parliament.” This recognition was bestowed during a significant dinner meeting with Vice President Claudia Roth at Lodhi Garden Restaurant on February 20, 2015, marking a crucial milestone in PVCHR’s international advocacy for human rights. However, we highlighted this honor only in December 2023 as a way to utilize silence. It is important to note that the so-called progressive civil society was involved in this.

Delayed Recognition

In 2018, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) celebrated the steadfast dedication of numerous individuals and organizations to human rights causes. As a prominent Dalit rights activist from India and a founding member of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), I was honored among the esteemed awardees. However, the recognition encountered considerable delays. Despite its announcement in 2018, I only received the award via courier on March 27, 2024, without an official ceremony. This delay, suspected to be influenced by my critiques of European support for Hindu nationalist ideologies, underscores the additional hurdles confronted by human rights defenders.

My Literary Contributions

I penned down my dream as “My Conversation With Lord Ram On His Ayodhya Mandir,” which was published in Junputh and Youth Ki Awaaz in August 2020. In the dialogue, I inquired, “What is your directive for me?” To which Lord Ram responded, “You are on the right path, regardless of your circumstances. Intensify the struggle for our timeless tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Ensure justice and respect for all, and thwart the efforts of those who seek to divide my children in the name of caste, religion, and patriarchy. The slumber of your people will soon cease. But vow never to propagate the ideologies of Hitler and Mussolini in my land of peace and love.” I still lament the injustices that occurred in my name. I relinquished power to exemplify sacrifice, yet those who propagate injustice now exploit my name to attain power, seeking the sacrifice of the innocent. I pledged and bowed before my Lord, reminding myself, “Raghukula riti sada chalaiye, prana jaye par bachana na jaye (The tradition of the Raghu lineage must endure forever; you may lose your life, but never cease to protect the innocent).” And I continued to chant “Jai Siya Ram.” The 2024 elections have now spoken: “Jai Siya Ram kee.”

Personal and Professional Life

I embarked on a pilgrimage to my mythical ancestral land, the sacred birthplace of Pravu Sri Ram, 72 weeks ago. Offering prayers at Hanuman Garhi, may Siyaram bless the universe and humanity with peace, rationality, and prosperity.

“Duryodhan never acknowledged the equality of female power, similar to Kansa. Ravan could not be defeated by Sri Ram until he received the blessings of power through his devotion. Nirala’s reverence for Ram’s strength and worship illustrates this. The spiritual potency of Sri Ram and Lord Shiva is embodied in the maternal powers, Mother Sita and Mother Parvati.”

I have resigned on 22 march 2024 from my position at JanMitra Nyas, a public charitable trust dedicated to providing direct support to the most marginalized communities and promoting girls’ education. My decision to step down was influenced by my health condition following a 12-day ICU stay due to a COVID-19 infection in 2021.

Commitment to Advocacy

I have supported many people with my hard-earned income and advocated tirelessly for a better world without expecting any compensation. Despite my efforts, I have faced painful witch hunts. However, I believe that Mahakal and Maa Kali will take action in the next phase. While I watch, institutionalized corruption and unholy alliances driven by greed remain significant challenges.

In 2011, I wrote a blog post predicting the rise of corporate fascism and proposed the Neo-Dalit movement to unite people for liberty, justice, and fraternity. People laughed at me then, but what I foresaw is now happening in India. Additionally, I have written letters addressing the genocide in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Establishing the Kashi Foundation

Now, I am transitioning to work as a global citizen, embracing the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). To further this mission, I am establishing the Kashi Foundation for Pluralistic Democracy outside India. The foundation aims to promote the values of inclusivity, democracy, and social justice on a global scale.

Further Actions

1. Raise Awareness: Continue to raise awareness about institutionalized corruption and the detrimental effects of corporate fascism through various platforms, including social media, public speaking, and writing.
2. Strengthen Neo-Dalit Movement: Work on strengthening the Neo-Dalit movement by organizing community events, workshops, and seminars to educate people about its principles and goals.
3. Collaborate with Activists: Collaborate with like-minded activists and organizations to create a unified front against corruption and injustice.
4. Advocate for Policy Changes: Engage with policymakers and legislators to advocate for policies that promote transparency, accountability, and social justice.
5. Support Affected Communities: Provide support to communities affected by corporate greed and political corruption through direct aid, legal assistance, and empowerment programs.
6. International Solidarity: Continue to voice concerns about global issues such as the Gaza genocide and the conflict in Ukraine, and build international solidarity networks to address these crises.
7. Monitor and Report: Establish a monitoring system to report incidents of corruption and human rights violations, ensuring that they receive the attention and action they deserve.

By taking these actions, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable world.

Statement on Gaza: An Urgent Call for Action from the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Laureates

https://medium.com/@shruti_25784/statement-on-gaza-an-urgent-call-for-action-from-the-gwangju-prize-for-human-rights-laureates-45a1e3f6b09f

Article published in Hindi daily Sanmarg

 

Uttar Pradesh: Opposition on high alert as counting day looms

 Lenin Raghuvanshi of civil society organisation Uttar Pradesh Election Watch says the credibility of the ECI has been negatively affected owing to the changing of data from time to time. This is the reason why people are now viewing the counting of votes "with suspicion", he feels.

Raghuvanshi also says the new government will have to work on changing the image of the ECI so democracy can remain strong in the future and ordinary people as well as political parties can maintain trust in the ECI.

Sanjay Singh of Association for Democratic Reform says people have doubts about the counting of votes, but this should not be the case, because it has a negative impact on the country's democracy. Explaining the reason for this scepticism, he says a perception has been created among voters that the BJP will win no matter who they vote for. Singh also says voters should not fear but trust the ECI, though he admits it is not wrong to keep an eye on the strong room. https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/uttar-pradesh-opposition-on-high-alert-as-counting-day-looms

#ADR #UPElectionWatch #ElectionWatch

An article of Shruti on Spiritualism