The right to free speech? Yeah, right!

The time has come to stop kidding ourselves. We do not have the right to free speech. I pains me to say this, but we really do not have that right.

All through school, we learned (nay, we celebrated) that we had the right to say whatever we want, because the constitution allows us. Today, however, I am forced to say that we really do not have that freedom.

You want to celebrate free speech? Then let's see you listen to someone taking centrestage and saying something that makes your blood boil. Let's see you acknowledge someone who supports a cause at the top of his voice, something that you would spend your lifetime opposing, at the top of your voice. Then talk about free speech. Let's learn about this in our classrooms. Let's celebrate this in our classrooms.

This blog comes from following the whole Fanaa hoolabaloo in Gujarat. Apparently, Aamir Khan offended the Gujaratis. Frankly, I don't care what Aamir Khan said, and neither should the Gujaratis. Atleast, that is the way it should have been. But no..this is India, isn't it? We have to make a huge issue out if it. If the Gujaratis feel so offended by Aamir Khan, let them not watch the movie. Heck, boycott all Aamir Khan movies from now on. You have the right not to watch a movie. Just as Aamir Khan has the right to say what he wants. Just as he has the right to get his movies screened everywhere permissible. And honestly, do all Gujaratis not want to see the movie? What about the Gujaratis who want to see the movie? Don't they have the right to watch what they want to?

This issue is not limited to Gujarat alone. We have Christian organizations wanting Governments to ban "The da Vinci Code", because their religious sentiments are hurt. We have Hindus wanting M.F. Hussain censured, because of his blasphemous paintings. At this rate, I guess all of us should just shut up, and not make movies, neither should we paint, nor write literature. We don't want people's sentiments to get hurt, do we?

No ladies and gentlemen, we do not have the right to free speech.

For my country to love me, as much as I love it

I am an Indian, living in India. That, it seems, is not enough to allow me to get into an educational institute of my choice. Not only do you have to be Indian, you have to be an SC/ST or an OBC to get into, say the IITs. That is what the new 27% quota means. It is a piece of legislation that needs to be fought, opposed tooth and nail, by any means necessary.

As you might have guessed, I am a part of the anti-quota "lobby". I belong to the so called "upper caste", meaning simply that I do not satisfy any criteria to get a reserved seat (not that I'm complaining). And currently, I feel betrayed. Betrayed, because my government chooses to ignore my concerns, because they want to implement Mandal II. Betrayed, because my Prime Minister assures me that my interest would not be compromised, and then announces the quota legislation that very evening. Betrayed, because not one minister thought it fit to meet the striking doctors for 7 weeks, because they were busy with the elections.

Elections..that's what this quota legislation is all about. The government is worried about staying in power. It wants votes, the striking students be damned. The opposition wants votes too, because they want to be in power next election season. Ergo, "upper caste" students be damned!

I love my country. Is it too much to ask for my country to love me too?

Kaustubh

The da Vinci code

That's what everybody is talking about nowadays, apart from the reservations issue of course. And frankly, I don't get the whole hoolaballoo about The da Vinci Code. The way I see it, Dan Brown wrote a book, Ron Howard made a movie on that book. End of story. If people think that the movie is offensive, they would do well not to watch it. If they think that the book is offensive, they'd better not read it. Me? I read the book..it sure is a good read. Have I seen the movie? No. Do I want to see it? Oh hell yes!

There is one thing that sticks in my craw..how can people's faith be so brittle so as to be shaken by one frikkin book? Does the "The da Vinci Code" mean more to the Christians than the Bible? Does that reach out more? Do Hussains paintings mean more to the Hindus than the Ramayan?

Disturbed,

Kaustubh

Visa!

Got my F1 visa yesterday! Happy!

Kaustubh

And then, there were none...

Gave the last oral of my engineering student life on Saturday..and what an oral to give! Went very well..guess it does pay to study, after all! ;-)

Went and saw 36 China Town yesterday. Full time pass movie..great comedy, the plot is not bad too...good way to spend 3 hours on a Sunday evening. Then went to Shveta's place..saw the videos Bharat and Vinu made for us..they are really touching!

That's it for now,
Cheers!

Kaustubh

The game's afoot, my dear Watson!

Well...two games, actually!

1. The CLP oral scheduled for Saturday has really taken a turn for the worse! The oral will now start at 1630 hrs IST, to go on till god-alone-knows-what-time! And...apparently..the examiner works in the field of Systems Operations and Maintenance..a subject that everyone (and I do mean everyone) loathes doing! Arrgghh!

2. The bigger game, is of course obtaining the US visa. The preparation are almost complete..fees are paid, the required documents are ready. All that remains, now, is to actually apply for the visa interview. Fear not..for that task shall be accomplished before the sun sets on tomorrow!

Excited,
Kaustubh

Fort Collins..here I come!

Accepted Colorado State University's offer of admission. So, Fort Collins, here I come!
I sure hope that you're prepared for me! LOL!

Happy happy joy joy,

Kaustubh

I have one nerve left, and USC is getting on it!

Hmm..have been waiting for ages for USC to give me my admission decision. Everytime I call (and this is an international call, mind you), they give me "You should hear from us in about a week." Come on guys!

Frustrated!

Kaustubh

Down in the dumps..

Just melancholy today..for no particular reason. So, will post nothing more.

Kaustubh

Perspectives

Perspectives
Originally uploaded by Ordinary World.

This snap was taken by one of my friends, Deep Pai. Loved it..so posted it here.

Kaustubh

A mixed week...

Hmm..

Following up from the last post...Had an absolute BLAST at the farewell party! Check out the snaps at Flickr.

Unfortunately, on Saturday, the 8th, got news that one of my classmates, Vivek Sayaji, passed away in a road accident. He was a great person, a loyal friend. He will be sorely missed. Here's to you, Vivek!

Desolent,
Kaustubh

Sunset

Sunset
Originally uploaded by kpgadkari.

Observed this sunset from the parking, while coming home from the farewell. Loved it..took a snap. I love digital cameras!

Farewell...

Got the `official' farewell from the department today. Everyone got a memento and a red rose :-).

Check out the snaps here!

Coming back home

Back to Debian! It rules...it feels so nice to be able to do an apt-get install! Yippee!

Project report done - should I be happy?

Hmm..

Got the project report done (not saying anything about the project, mind you ;-) ). Gave it for binding. A BIG relief! Yet..it's not without a tinge of sadness...Finishing the report just brings me closer to the end of my life as a student at SCOE.

Anyways, will submit the report sometime tomorrow. And then..back to finishing my project! LOL!

Live long and prosper!

A natural flirt!

You Are a Natural Flirt

Believe it or not, you're a really effective flirt. And you're so good, you hardly notice that you're flirting. Your attitude and confidence make you a natural flirt. And the fact that you don't know it is just that more attractive!

What Kind of Flirt Are You?

Open mouth, insert foot..

Looks like my previous post was a tad immature. Find myself drastically short of time! Writing this post merely because got bored of writing out the project report..Yawn!

Suddenly today I remembered this poem..I think Manas had put it up on Adotout..Should ask him to put it up again..

Our Thoughts Are Free

Die Gedanken sind frei
My thoughts freely flower,
Die Gedanken sind frei
My thoughts give me power.
No scholar can map them,
No hunter can trap them,
No man can deny:
Die Gedanken sind frei!

I think as I please
And this gives me pleasure,
My conscience decrees,
This right I must treasure;
My thoughts will not cater
To duke or dictator,
No man can deny--
Die Gedanken sind frei!

And if tyrants take me
And throw me in prison
My thoughts will burst free,
Like blossoms in season.
Foundations will crumble,
The structure will tumble,
And free men will cry:
Die Gedanken sind frei!

Neither trouble or pain
Will ever touch me again.
No good comes of fretting,
My hope's in forgetting.
Within myself still
I can think as I will,
But I laugh, do not cry:
Die Gedanken sind frei!

*Way* too much time on my hands!

Another one of those internet quizzes!

Your #1 Match: ISTP

The Mechanic You are calm and collected, even in the most difficult of situations. A person of action and self-direction, you love being independent. To outsiders yous eem impulsive, surprising, and unpredictable. You are good at understanding how all things work, except for people. You would make an excellent pilot, forensic pathologist, or athlete.

What's Your Personality Type?

The Fog

Went for a movie with Sudha and Dexter yesterday evening. Wanted to see Rang De Basanti (actually, Sudha and Dexter did), but no tickets. So saw a movie called `The Fog'. The movie joins the ranks of all those movies that purport to be scary, but end up being hilarious. But, to be fair to the movie, Sudha was scared initially, so *maybe* it did something right! ;-)

Met Shivani today. Felt good seeing her after such a long time. Had coffee with her, after ages.

Have a deadline tomorrow to show a draft copy of our project report. So..have to work on it a bit. Till then..ciao!

Another one of those stupid quizzes..

Had some time..so took a quiz on what Star Wars character I am. Still don't believe in little green men? ;-)

Which Revenge of the Sith Character are you?
created with QuizFarm.com