Official blog of Srijan Foundation Trust

All entries by this author

Mamta and Amar Singh dividing the country communally

Mar 1st, 2009 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Miscellaneous

“Ms Banerjee said she would resign from politics if it was proved that the Batla House shootout was not a fake encounter.” It is time that she moved out of politics and serve our mere mortals from Singur to Jamia.
Amar Singh, can do no better than look beyond the BJP, and ironically was mouth-tied in [...]



National Portal on Environment launched by Sam Pitroda, chair National Knowledge Commission

Mar 1st, 2009 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Environment

Portal designed and built by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), with support from the National Knowledge Commission

A one-stop shop for all information and resources on environment and development. An important step ahead for the environmental movement

Built on open source, to enable flow of easy-to-use information from sources across the country and [...]



“You’re either with us or against us” : A police officer’s plea

Oct 2nd, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Governance, Issues of Interest

This article http://www.indianexpress.com/news/You-re-either-with-us-or-against-us/368483 – an article by an IPS officer defining how the police has a “thankless job” and has to work with either conspiracy theories or flak.
The title of the article – “You’re either with us or against us” – rather sadly, defines the more highlighted muslim mindset, which is mostly a result of [...]



“Who Hijacked Jamia” : A different muslim perspective on the issue

Oct 2nd, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Articles, Issues of Interest

This is a wonderful article by Arif Mohammed Khan, citing the poor leadership offered to the Muslim community from self-proclaimed muslim bodies such as the Personal Law Board, Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and Jamaat-e-Islami. These organisations he says hijack the core muslim agenda, often backed by shameless political patronage, just as had happened in the Shah Bano [...]



Aurangzeb :: The worst thing to happen to the “Idea of India”

Aug 24th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Religion, Spirituality

Acceptance of the havoc created by Aurangzeb, and in general by other followers of orthodox Islam, is key to having a progressive dialogue to make movement forward towards religious harmony in India. This article refers to research conducted by Francois Gautier, by studying Mughal references archived in Bikaner Museum. The author then tries to link this with a case to muslims softening their stand on Babri Masjid, suggesting voluntary relocation of some key flash points such as the Babri Masjid, as a radical step by the community to win over the confidence of the hindus, who have over the decades and centuries been in complete acceptance of Islam and demonstrated this by adoption of the mystical Sufi traditions and saints as their own.



Extending Article 370 beyond Kashmir; Could this be a solution?

Aug 18th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Articles, Governance, Issues of Interest

n 2004 my friend and mentor, Prasanna Lal Das, wrote an article called “Article 370 – a case to extend it beyond Kashmir“, and ofcourse as most Indians do, I was out of my wits on reading the title. To me Article 370 was clearly another case of appeasement of “kashmiri muslims”. I never read [...]



I Myself am Heav’n and Hell :: Omar Khayyam

Jul 29th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Religion

I found this couplet from Omar Khayyam particularly beautiful and in line with mysticism in nearly all the world’s religions. To create a better world, and find a new spirituality for us, this is a better pursuit rather as opposed to fighting on theology, which is always open to interpretation.
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I sent my Soul through the [...]



Free Muslims Coalition :: a new way forward for muslims

Jul 27th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Issues of Interest, Religion

I came across this very good website about Free and moderate Muslims working globally towards creation of a secular and democratic middle east, including Saudi Arabia.
Their website is: http://www.freemuslims.org/.
I quote several positions from their website which are very inspiring, healing and I believe progressive, thus leading to steps to create a better a world:

The Free [...]



A “Just” Third Way for economics and business

Jul 24th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Issues of Interest

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/Vw4bL49R-7Q&hl=en&fs=1]



Videos from Sri Jagannath Pathshala, Orissa

Jul 5th, 2008 | By Rahul Dewan | Category: Projects, Sri Jagannath Pathsala project

During my visit in January 2008 to our project sites in Orissa I took the opportunity to teach Pranayaam to the children above Class III. Some videos:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VHTE8Ab05g]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qzD2YXVIqI]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6P7nFOm6E]