Should I stop writing?

‘Should I stop making noise?’, I ask myself many a time. But something deep inside tells me to keep going! In essence, knowingly or unknowingly, I may be leaving a legacy behind. On a conscious level though, I am preparing myself for the day of my reckoning when I will face myself. I do not want feel small when I will ask myself in those final moments, ‘You could have done it, did you even try? Why did you not play your part at least? You also turned out to be like most of them – an impotent selfish coward!’

Sometimes, I get tempted to resign from this urge to raise issues – tempted to accept what Nature has in destiny for India and its people – not in a much dissimilar way as most Indians have done! Like most others, then, should I resign and go about my life? Should I also believe in ‘khao piyo mauj karo’ – the mantra for life and living in India – and/or follow the ‘mainu kee’ attitude of possibly the same people? But that is not what the Bhagwad Gita said. Lord Krishna knew very well what would befall Kaurvas; in fact, He revealed it to Arjuna. But, at any stage, did He stop trying to avoid the war of Mahabharata? No, He tried his level best to avoid the war! Sadly, Kauravas chose war and death! As a Hindu by birth, I must follow the Bhagwad Gita!

Deep inside, unfortunately, most people think that our army jawans are fools – army jawans who volunteer to serve their nation in extreme conditions and are prepared to take bullets for their country – a country that comprises people who live a life of impotence and cowardice.

I am not a policy-maker, nor am I a lawmaker. But, as a son of the soil, it is my responsibility to send a message – a constant message and constant reminders – to all those who have the authority and the means to implement the necessary changes which I am calling for! If I were at the helm, I would try to do the necessary. But I am a ‘nobody’ in a relative sense! So, practically, all I can do is keep trying to be a voice of the helpless people and the future generations.

Despite the risks and discouragement, I’ll keep trying hard, and harder. In my next book, Does India need a Dictator? (to be released next month), I have openly challenged the status quo and, possibly compromised my own comfort and safety. Many friends warn me, albeit in good faith, against attracting any undue attention of dangerous elements in India. No wonder, not many people respond to my regular blogs, although verbally everyone compliments me in private, ‘Nice, you write well. You target the issues head-on.’ In return, I ask them, ‘If that is the case, why do not you people respond to my blogs in public and join me in my campaign?’ A possible explanation is that not many people want to be identified on the public forum. Also, many people don’t even have any opinion; they just follow one wave after the other.

Am I writing to change the people of the country? Yes and no, both! I do try to make a positive noise, with a strong hope that someone will hear my wailing cries and join me, and help me in drawing the attention of powerful stakeholders, who may help to implement the necessary measures to save the nation. I believe the time has come when India must face itself – is it one country or several? Religions – any for that matter – must not be allowed to define the national policies – otherwise further divisions are imminent.

Over the last three years or so, I have been relentlessly writing about India’s issues in my books and blogs. But lately, I have been also experiencing an uncanny feeling that I may just be wasting my time – it may all be falling on deaf ears. People are not interested in reading about issues or worry about their solution; they live these issues every day in India and have virtually given up. People are made to believe that it is impossible for anyone to turn things around. In fact, the (chaotic) pace of everyday life in India, and the influence of social media, in tandem with the print and electronic media, does not allow people to think independently. As a result, many people are polarised and some have started believing in miracles.

I write not only on Kashmir but on numerous other issues that confront India and life in general. Some members of my Kashmiri community expect me to write more about the so-called Kashmir issue, but how can I ignore all those serious issues – population growth, liveability, corruption and education – that undermine the survival and sustainability of India as a nation. After all, Kashmir and India are NOT mutually exclusive. In India’s health and integrity lies the wellbeing and survival of Kashmir. And peace and good health of Kashmir is vital for India’s integrity.

Sadly, in India, the topics of discussion revolve around the people and personalities – politicians, actors, sports-persons, media big wigs, history and historical figures – but not around real existential issues that undermine the country as each second passes by. For political correctness, and perhaps their personal safety, many people camouflage their thoughts. Recently, about two weeks ago, I asked two well-educated and highly respected gentlemen from my Kashmiri community if I should stop making noise. One of them said he would respond to my question during the day, but he never did; and the other gentleman did not even bother to respond. The answer is obvious. And then there was an interesting challenge recently from a Kashmiri gentleman who, it seemed, had either taken a particular statement of mine out of context or just challenged my statement for the sake of challenging, or in order to draw attention.

Life presents an opportunity to each one of us to make a positive difference in this world, with ample reasons to make positive little changes in the lives of the people. Time and tide wait for none.’ … Bill K Koul