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Swiss are Racist or Intolerant?

Switzerland rules under direct democracy meaning,giving citizens an extraodinary amount of participation in the legislation process and granting them a maximum of political self-determination.

The amount of mass migration to Western European countries is known to all. The Swiss People Party’s rolled out an initiative expel foreign criminals even over very petty crimes. The initiative will be put to vote with public and if passed it would mean up to 18,000 foreigners could be expelled from Switzerland every year for what could be just two minor offences in past ten years. A major point to note is that a quarter of the country’s population is foreign passport holders.

What I would like to speak of is a video, filmed by a group of friends calling themselves Collective Bièvre, shows four white sheep chasing after a black sheep, mimicking the SVP’s controversial poster which shows a white sheep kicking a black sheep out of Switzerland.

However in the light-hearted video, when the white sheep catch up to the black, they embrace her in a group hug – and are quickly joined by several passers-by.

The video ends with the slogan: “Don’t be a sheep. You are not racist”.

Since the group published their video on Facebook it has been viewed 667,000 times, has over 11,000 shares and hundreds of comments, mostly positive.

My personal opinion, I was with Switzerland when in 2010 they passed a law to deport foreign nationals who committed serious offense as rape, murder and the likes, but for some petty offense such as traffic violations, fighting and indecent exposure deportation might be a big punishment.

Have a look at the video, I found it amusing and that’s what I call direct democracy where a video is used position Switzerland as a positive country and not intolerant and inhuman.

A poll by gfs.bern earlier this month found 49% of those questioned opposed the text while 46% were in favour – but with five per cent still undecided, the vote could go either way.

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Now That is Funny (Nonfiction)

Optimized-funny

 

A week after I was here and kind of settled to the temperature dip of 33 degrees from Mumbai to Basel, I decided to get a nice change of hairstyle to pep me up, what I call as being “Chamko”. After a super session and a happy me stepped out more confident and good looking than before, I hopped in the tram. Just a few stops later is the Novartis HQ. A group of 4 men and a woman, an American, let us call him John Doe, an American Desi {that’s what I call people of our origin who have settled for years in the big Apple},  – Krishnakant Gopalachary – rechristened as Kris in the U.S of A, 2 Indians – typical – Anil and Sunil, first time onsite project and a Chinese woman – So Su Mi who made me proud for my height, got in and this is what happened.

First the yappy So Su Mi hops in and lands her tiny tooh next to me. Next in John Doe with a gait of I own the world gets in with Kris and lastly Anil and Sunil both looking down enter.

So Su Mi in her shrill voice that pierced my ear and reached the tram driver, “Give me the bags….I can hold the bags.”

No one responded, John smiled at her while Kris greeted the others around mutedly just to gel in the Europeans too, Anil and Sunil stared at me thinking, desi hai with a Burberry scarf and a Channel bag, wah!!

John in his Uncle Sam voice, “Hey Kris….where are we getting down, is it the same place by the river…ah forgot the name”…tries to give a thought.

John’s voice echoed as the uptight Swiss people not used to the US and India decibels raised their eye brows.

So Su Me added, “No it was a café you are talking about.” No one heeded.

Kris adjusting his tie (in sub 0 temperature the dude was just in his suit), “ah that…oh I know it all, it’s just here after the next two stops.” His accent gave me goosebumps so did Anil and Sunil’s stares.

“What is it that we had last year at that place? Ahhh the cheese dish, was awesome!” the man with the power spoke again.

“Raclette!” the shrill voice got ignored again.

“Flammkuchen…” the man who will make a difference someday spoke.

The chances of Anil and Sunil’s next designation rise was directly proportional to their silence or so it seemed.

And the last stop announced, “Kleinhüningen”

I picked my booty and turned to the shrill voice, “hey you have got in right tram but opposite direction, get down at Marktplatz and the restaurant is Movenpick….don’t forget to try the fondue….the Swiss cheese specialty of winters. 🙂

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We all meet people, see things in our daily life….I interpreted a very mundane scenario my way. Hope you like it….a slice of my life 🙂

 

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Śāntam {peace} – Navras 9

 

Yazidi

She closed her beautiful green eyes, glimpses of her father take her to the market appeared, her mom feed her home made ice cream emerged, her teenage friends walking across the garden in Sinjar collecting flowers made her smile.

Another deep breath as she pulled the trigger, peace prevailed and ended her three month ordeal. The three months of horror from her abduction by the evil heads to her being sold in the market place, the old man checking her teeth, stomach and eyes, her being snatched, shared and eaten like a piece of meat by a pack of wolves night after night in the name of what they called religion that permitted to do so.

She smiled again peacefully as she pulled the trigger one more time this time harder than before. The strong, over sized body that stole her identity, her confidence, her right to pray lay lifeless in front of her, she stamped it, kicked it and ran faster than her tender feet could.

Peace as she learnt in school was freedom from disturbance and for her peace now prevailed as she saw the border of her village like a horizon she could reach, the rescuers waiting to relieve her.

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Peace is not always a positive connotation. As the last emotion of Navras, I bring forth peace in a different light. Again a non-fiction, a reality of todays’ times. Thousands of Yazidi women are taken as sex slaves by the ISIS terrorists who believe their religion permits killing men and abducting women. August 2014 saw a mass massacre of around 5000 Yazidi’s in the Iraq town of Sinjar.

I pray for people suffering and may God grant them peace always.

A big thank you to Shashank for standing by, being there patiently though restless is his synonym through the entire series. Will make up for all the lost time j. Read an equally powerful emotion on his blog here.

And a very big thank you to all my friends who provided constant motivation through reading all posts and posting comments.

Source: Image

More read on subject: here

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Adbhutam (अद्भुतं) Amazement – 5 sentence ficiton

adbhutam

An Adbhut (Amazing) Gift

Vaman Hari Rao looked in amazement at the huge chandelier that hung sparkling diamond like reflection all over the reception, the intricately designed red carpet felt soft as feature under his rough cracked feet.

Amazement touched his every cell by the fresh scent of flowers, he had never seen such exotic decoration of purple orchids and white lilies. 

His belief in humanity strengthened when the superstar kept his promise to this poor farmer of an all paid trip to Mumbai  in a five star resort in return of a 10 minute shot in his home at Kasara gaon.

“Sir your room is ready” he turned to walk with bellman as he efficiently carried his small bag, he not being used to having such luxuries. 

A presidential suite was opened with an access card, he absolutely in wonder, heavy feet, resultantly walked in, “sir, wifi is enabled, refreshments are included in the room plan and….” the bell boy saw Vaman Hari unconscious on the ground. 

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It is a beautiful emotion feeling amazed however sometimes I feel this emotion is camouflaged a lot in recent times. More so to not come across as naive or ignorant….well for me a confession is I still feel amazed when I meet an engineer and end up floored saying wow you guys are great! I have been in IT industry for years now but even today if I see a UI transformed from  a piece of code I still feel amazed 🙂 The naive me!!

I am in India and travelling beautiful cities and clicking pictures, waiting to finish the series and write some travel posts!

Shashank is the most laziest person I have known so he needs a lot of catching up on the series….may be I need to nudge strongly in my own way now to make him write 🙂

Image Source: here

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Vīram (वीरं) Heroic mood – Five sentence nonfiction

 

 

bravery

 

Veeram – 120 seconds in Hand

The neighbours banged the door on as hard as they could and in a minute the banging stopped.

Bhavna opened the door in a frenzy just to see the neighbour kid galloping down the stairs shouting we dreaded this, it happened.

She looked left towards the terrace and saw the wall of the 5 storied building collapse.

She grabbed her 10 month old son close to her chest and wrapped her saree tight as she ran down the five floors without looking back, leaving the abode she and her husband had made by saving every penny they could.

A crowd gathered in front of the debris as she bravely walked with her son to take the first breath since she saw the wall collapse 10 meters from her.

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Yes it’s a non-fiction, my ma is the brave woman of this write-up. Shashank, we have a deal that you won’t kill me for being late. Compensating with chocolates….negotiations open j 🙂 It’s an awesome partnership and love this journey of strong emotions.

Shahsank wrote an amazing post on Bhayanakam…do read it here.

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The Chaos- Horror – 50 word fiction

bhayanak

The chaos

He stood there in the winter chill wrapping his jacket closer. Lajpatnagar was abuzz with festivals ahead, women bargaining and children running behind fireworks.

He looked around one last time and flung open his jacket. Crowd stood in horror as he pressed the detonator leaving behind painful and terrorizing sight.

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” Shashank, how was the last 55 word fiction” ….pause….think….roll eyes…pause…deep breath….”ok never mind” I said. Read Shashank’s crisp and strong take on Bibhatsam here.

Bhayanakam represent horror and terror as navras 6. A difficult emotion as when a person is terrorised may not be in a state to ever narrate it exactly the way she felt then.

I have also clubbed a prompt each day’s prompt of 50 words “Winter”

unnamed

Image Source: here

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Disgust – 55 word fiction

Disgust

He stood unashamed holding her hand, a man Ananya most loved and a woman she trusted.

Her past 10 years came crumbling down as he just pulled a card from her house of cards.

Heart filled with distrust, deceit and disgust gave her the strength to pick the pen and sign her way to freedom.

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Bībhatsam (बीभत्सं) Disgust, Aversion is a very strong emotion. It takes something huge for an individual to be pushed to a point of disgust.

Shashank wrote a very heart melting take on Kaarunya. As I always say he is one of the few fictional writers who can evoke a treasure of emotions with his pen (hope you make up for this one j). I have high hopes on Bibhastam as well.

Image Source: here 

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Game, Set and Match – Kaarunya ras

Karunya

 

He walked with pride through the streets as the villagers gathered and walked with him to his house.

The uniform fitted best, the medals shone, his handsome iron face gleamed with dignity and triumph.

India’s young 19 year old soldier walked with same measured gait albeit this time on his comrade’s shoulder. War was won.

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Shashank’s Raudra was fierce….didn’t know he could fill in so much power in just 55 words. And I picked his brain on it, up came the reply knowledge implies an application to it thus I tried to write my 55 words on Karunya. Well I haven’t seen a more powerful fiction writer be it FSF or 55 words. So am waiting what he brings for us on Compassion/Tragedy.

Image Source: here

 

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Raudra/ Furious – Navras 3 – FSF

 

 

Raudra-Rasa

“Show some more anger, the fury, make it look real” shouted Arvind Kohli, directing the sequel of the epic war movie – AAryavarta.

Suryaveer ran with all passion towards Asooresh to jump, the rope would lift him 7 feet high and drop him to pierce the dagger in his heart.

As the rope lifted the dagger again fell of his hands, Kohli shouting, “cutttt….., do you realize it’s the climax scene…hold the dagger tight and hit it hard.”

Suryaveer, the narcissist short tempered superstar, was exhausted with heavy makeup costume and upset at Kohli for giving him a light fake dagger, he replaced it with a heavy real one that was brought from Udaipur museum to show to actors.

Take 53 – Suryaveer ran furiously,  jumped as the rope pulled him and lowered quicker than usual as he hit the dagger deep in Asooresh’s chest who instantly fell on his back – “Superb shot!” Kohli sounded elated as Suryaveer stared at his faux pas.

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“Ananya, you got to write the next post.” he reminded the 15th time as patiently as first.

“I will post it Shashank, you know I have to do so much work, practice guitar, read….” I tried giving fake excuses.

He smiled…that was enough to write the post as soon as I could.

The Raudra Rasa is disagreeable, destructive rasa, while it has its use in communication. This energy of anger expresses itself from mild irritation up to real fury.

When expectations are not fulfilled, the ego may feel neglected or treated incorrectly, this forms the basis of anger.

Image source: here

Rasa Information: here

 

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The Missing Babloo – Hasya Rasa

Hasya ras

 

The Missing Babloo

The driver honked several times with the stipulated time for stopover at the highway closed as all other passengers hopped in the bus while Ananya stuffed the last eateries in her bag and ran waving at the driver gesturing “don’t you leave without me!”

Pushing and nudging people she reached her seat in the second last row accidently stepping on the foot of a fellow passenger making her way to the window seat, the overweight woman grumpily looking at her expecting an apology.

In the next moment “My babloo is missing!” she got up immediately, “oh I left him here….hey stop the damn bus.” She again hopped out of her seat stepping on the lady again, searching madly peeping on other passengers and seats.

Many others joined her shouting Babloo…are you there, many peeped out of the window to find him, Ananya worried, “where did I leave him, at the restaurant may be, I love him…Babloo!” the passengers asking questions started pacifying her.

Just then she looked at the cabinet on the roof above the seats and happily shouted, “Here he is!” passengers astonishingly and angrily looked on as she pulled her guitar and hugged it tight; “Is that Babloo?” she was just short of being bashed.

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Shashank portrayed Shringar beautifully, I was floored reading his master stroke, the second rasa is Hasya as in Humor, leave you hoping to spread smiles 🙂