Eid Mubarak (Eid Greetings, Happy Eid)

Dear Readers,

We celeberate Eid ul Fitr tomorrow, after a month of fasting (Ramazan/Ramadhan). What I like best about this month of Ramzan is that charity (Zakat) is mandatory. And it is not left to your whim and fancy but is as per a well set formula.

Certain items of wealth exceeding a specified value/quantum (which does not include self occupied house property) is subject to zakat. It is more or less like a wealth tax and is given to the needy. Today, there are many organisations which collect zakat and put it to good use. What is more they provide the donor with transparent audited financials showing the inflow and outflow of zakat contributions.

Too often we get lost in the commercialization of festivities. Zakat ensures we stay grounded.

Best regards,
Lubna

Take a pledge this Independence Day (August 15, 2011)

Dear Readers,

Happy Independence Day.

Even as Times of India, has unveiled the so far unknown stanzas of our national anthem, in a beautiful video, other publications are not trailing behind in the Independence Day hype.

Today's newspapers are filled with columns, with opinions, on what independence day means to the rich and famous, to those in Bollywood and to the hoi polloi like you and me. There are articles saying this could have been better, this issue remains unresolved and so on. All true. We have come a long way and have to walk a long way to be truly independent.

Being independent to me, means being able to say what I need to against the ruling parties - be it at central (federal) or state level. It is the understanding that my vote counts. It is the strength that I get from a free press and The Right to Information Act. For this, I am thankful.

I am particularly impressed with this editorial in TOI today and salute the two IPS officers Sanjiv Bhatt and Rahul Sharma who have stood up against what was clearly wrong in a democratic, secular nation like India.


That said, what lies ahead?

The path seems tough. Let us take a pledge to do something:


1) India continues to be fragile. Only we can prevent her from being shattered and boxed into narrow domestic walls.

Let us take a pledge to be more tolerant and understand of each other's views, to cross the barriers of religion, caste, creed, to be united as Indians.


2) We are crying out loud against corruption, but we alone can stem this rot.

Let us take a pledge to not give or accept bribes, no matter what the immediate loss/inconvenience that we have to bear may be.

3) The growing divide between the rich and poor, between rural and urban India is widening.

Let us take a pledge to be associated (in any manner we can) with worthy NGOs that are doing their best to bridge this divide, to bring education, medical aid, help to the less fortunate Indians.

Else, the Independence Day hype will be nothing but temporary patriotism. Just as our vote does make a difference, we too can make a difference.

Source of the photograph.

Best,
Lubna