Translation:

If they answer not to thy call walk alone, If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,
O thou unlucky one, open thy mind and speak out alone.
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness, O thou unlucky one, trample the thorns under thy tread, and along the blood-lined track travel alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm, O thou unlucky one, with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart and let it burn alone.

The day started off by being picked by BBC cars to head to Radio 2′s studio at 6:50am for an appearance on Good Morning Sunday with Aled Jones.
There were lots of interesting questions ranging from the:

1. life of Alan Turing – I suggested he is one of the founders of modern computer science
2. need to ensure churches continue to be funded – I suggested that places of work act a bank of faith & centres to do good with communities
3. Queen’s diamond Jubilee – what does it mean to the UK – I suggested that she offers a grace that helps people connect & her charity/initiatives.
4. need for tolerance in society – I discussed the differences between French and UK multiculturalism

An extract from the show Transcript:

Aled:
With Fabrice Muamba recent collapse and his family suggesting that prayer has helped him. Do you believe that prayer projects something.

Dr Savi:
It is an interesting question and in the past I been on the show talking about the BBC2 documentary. My conclusion is the same, you can’t test God. There is a spiritual level that cannot be defined scientifically. Its not a cause and effect or create an effect to help a cause. The latter is probably true from a level of raising a level of hope, optimisim, elevation of your soul to reach out to God. We can’t test him but we can try and reach out to him.

Great also to see such wonderful team spirit between players and supporters.

Aled :
The June 23rd marks the annversary of Alan Turing. He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing & played a significant role in the creation of the modern computer.Turing is widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence.Do you think her should be honoured?

Dr Savi:
Apparently, he was also an incredible runner & he helped to shorten WW2 by devising a number of techniques for breaking German Codes. Thats called being multi-talented.

He was so ahead of his time that some of his theories, including liquid logic gates. This theory is aalso being adapted into something called a “wet computer”, using self-creating “cells” and other techniques to mimic certain properties of neurons.

Moment of Reflection:
This week the Queen gave her Diamond Jubilee speech in the Houses of Parliament.
What an incredible milestone. She’s the second monarch to have achieved this.

Interestingly, she’s engaged with 12 prime ministers and travelled all around the world.
I recently saw an article that cited John Bercow praising the Queen for presiding over an increase in diversity in public life during her reign, describing her as a “kaleidoscope Queen of a kaleidoscope country in a kaleidoscope Commonwealth”.

How fun is that statement, especially in a world where so many spend so much wasted time to hate each other.
Instead we see consistency from the queen. Its her grace that is an enabler to geninuely connect with people and help unite them through common initiatives.

I’ll be running the sports relief 10K in a couple of hours time and in a way I’ll be connecting with people.
We’ll be united to help others in need and maybe that is what life is all about.

We also spoke about the work of Sports Relief, another form of connecting with people for a common good. Here are some of the pictures from the day.

The 10K run started at 10:15am and it was nice to meet sporting heros like Steve Cram and enjoy the unseasonally warm March day.

Later I thought about  how the hearts of people are good as over £52M was raised by the UK – amazing, especially in this time of austerity.

When we think of those children that spend their days at rubbish dumps in so many parts of the world, we need to unite to stop this!
Everyone deserves a fair and free society. Together we can make poverty history by connecting and believing we can do it together.

The Wikipedia article suggests the positive side of Beant Singh. We should also present the evidence of Beant Singh’s misdemeanour’s into the public domain more prominently.

Drawing an analogy to other similar events. For example: Sadam Hussein and Bin Laden both killed thousands of people. Yet, no one suggested that these infamous dictators / terrorists should be spared. Then why is it that the person who tried to stop Beant Singh will be hung?

For example, the following article in the Huffington Post  questions the premise behind the decision to execute: Balwant Singh Rajoana. The article is entitled: Death Penalty in the Land of Non-Violence.

The articles points hold true:

In court Balwant Singh questioned India’s commitment to its own constitution, human rights and the law citing the assassinated Chief Minister’s actions.

During Beant Singh’s four years, it is estimated that over 10000 young people were killed by police death squads given rewards for ‘eliminating suspects’, despite India’s repeated claims that there were only 300 armed Sikh Nationalists. Question, who were the other 9700 killed? There were so many false encounters.

Justice has not been served or honoured for the thousands killed in 1984. Evidence exists against those who are accused of killing 4000+ during the Pogroms of 1984. Why is it that they are allowed to walk free? Remember that many of those killed were by burning them alive with tyres around their necks (known as necklacing).

The removal of death penalty from the penal code inherited from its colonial past is essential.

The truth is out there.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Kony 2012 video posted on YouTube.

Like many around the world I watched it and was impressed with the heart-felt narrative style and suggestion that to make a lasting change we have the power to make it happen – aka – if people are united around the world we can make a change, in this case to Uganda.

Interestingly, the video is free and has gone crazy on Twitter. Does this mean that we enjoyed watching and talking about it? Or, do we believe that it is something that we have both the time and motivation to follow through. I’ve said this previously: Our apathy and the survialist nature of our daily lives prevents us from taking action!

There are parallels between the Kony initiative and how after 27.5 years Sikhs are still aiming for justice.
As per the film maker, do we not have the tools in our generation to harness change?

Let us take a look at some of the ideas:

1. A fund raising kit that includes two braclets. One to wear and keep and one to give away
2. The kit is free if you sign-up to giving a few dollars away per month
3. An initiative to ‘paint’/ cover major cities around the world on April 20th 2012
4. Use of some brilliant multi-media
5. The use of social media channels to communicate the issue on a sustained viral level
6. Cute kids that simplify the issue
7. Achievements and motivational statements, combined with a link to celebs & policy makers
8. A consistency of messaging for example, strap-lines and images that represent momentum
9. Focusing people on a single date or event(s)
10. Involving politicians & decision makers through simplying biting them & not letting go!

However, the video hides the possible struggle of the film maker to survive. I’m assuming this as he too has a family and responsibilities. He is incredibly brave to sacrifice his life in the pursuit of justice. How many of us would be passionate enough to do the same? He is also either lucky in terms of penetrating points of power or does he have a special connection to Celbs & policy makers. Better still, his message is strong enough to motivate who care and have existing connections.

The premise of the video is also about harnessing talent. It also cites that politicans will stand-up and listen if people post enough mail or communication about an issue of concern.

I want to be like that film-maker but can I motivate change?

In the case of the homeless in Southall, I attempted to harness Facebookers. I suggested that we post the urgent need for a resolution on politicans walls. However, it fell on deaf ears. SWAT continue to use Facebook to update us on the stories that they ’see’ and resolve on the ground every night – their work is truly inspiring. Maybe part of the problem is that try as we like, our voices are silenced by our fear to want to make a difference. Many will post ‘likes’ and statements like, ‘hey you look good in that outfit’, further endorsing our mutual appreciation society. Our apathy stops us from speaking up. Our apathy keeps our life styles safe. If there is one thing we can take away from the video, its this:

Wake-up, someone will listen, else the dark forces of facisim will be the new light and before you know it you will be part of the killing fields.

The tools are there, we need to harness our talents around campaigns and good people who are already out there trying to make a difference. So join them or join something that will deliver good.

One of my poor excuses is the fear of being hacked. Its so much hassle not only in terms of cost of repair but the disruption it causes to the commercial sites that are located on the server we use.

Therefore, over the last few weeks I’ve been attempting to move or close-down some of our sites.
NB There is no guarantee that it won’t happen again but maybe by using commercial servers they could be better protected against plugins that can be expolited.
I’ve also decided to merge some of my technology posts into the same blog area as my personal posts.

Hopefully, I can now get back into publishing a regular update and converse with those who want to on the subjects of making poverty history and using technology to communicate effectively.

In addition, I’ll also post up some news and views from the last 6 months!

What is your view of what happened in London last week ?
I believe it was a mix of opportunism and wasted energy, coupled with an underlying development of gangs that have become prevalent without the mainstream realising their surge.

If you look at the profile of some of those who took part some looked like they just ‘jumped on the bandwagon’. However, others have serious mob/gang mentality based on a possible lack of confidence or the need to exploit.

They are also street savvy! Using free social media to mobilise their forces and agendas.

Have we become a society that is too orientated on self propagation?
I believe that the emphasis in mainstream reporting on celebrity, accumulating possessions and attachment to worldly goods takes us away from a spiritual path.

In Sikhism we believe that there are five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. They are: Lust, Rage, Greed, Attachment and Ego.

Do you have any worries for communities?
I worry about the need for disaster recovery strategies and the need for places of worship to connect to local authorities. Are systems, communications and early warning procedures in place. Are those in-charge, including the Police able to stay one step ahead of those hell bent on venting rage?!

How can we motivate our youth to do good?
Maybe our politicians need our help to suggest new ways of connecting across the world and harmonising economies.

Markets bounce about and yet people still die in Africa !? Why? Why are there have nots, haves and have yachts? I’m not suggesting that people should not enjoy life, maybe we’ve forgotten to share in bringing joy to others. Somebody once said to me that in some parts of the world people live for themselves, in others people live for each other. Maybe its the latter we need to move towards.

Moment of Reflection.
At the beginning of the week I bought a shiny new pair of shoes that I wore to a couple of long business meetings.

Unfortunately, by Wednesday as sometimes new shoes do, they started hurting my feet and I began to regret that I had not worn them in or maybe I should have used shoe stretchers to help!

Last week the nation looked on initially as bystanders in shock as the actions of a set of gangs and possibly disenfranchised youth from all walks of life embarked on trashing our towns and cities. After a few days many communities established a stance of protection and mutual support.

My new shoes today are like the gangs in that they attempted to hurt. What we need today is to help understand how we can make them comfortable with life. How can we stretch our future generation to accept that by being part of a community you can have a better life by helping others.

In Sikhism we believe that there are five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. They are: Lust, Rage, Greed, Attachment and Ego.

Maybe our politicians need our help to suggest new ways of connecting across the world and harmonising economies. Humanity needs to come now together to work for common good by establishing formal ways of recruiting people to serve in other nations to prevent starvation, poverty and nationally to counter local deprivation.

At a recent public discussion shown on TV it was suggested that maybe Bin Laden had lost his human rights as he (Bin Laden) had denied others the right to life. Its an interesting perspective as should we do onto others what others do to us? Should we show a higher degree of morality? One of the main problems with what Bin Laden eventually lead others to do is that it resulted in such devistation, shock and horror. Human emotion will move towards revenge. The other issue is the aftermath, what can be done to prevent him from becoming idolised. If he had been captured and put on trial, that too would have taken years. However, a trial could have been useful to expose the extent of penetration of his network or influence.

As a society we need to be careful about how we communicate what took place, explore the reasons why his supporters continue to be driven to terrorise. Dialogue with murderers is hard but when they see the light of sense to stop with our help, maybe that is a better long-term solution.
How close are we to getting to the root cause of all the issues. Or, are we too late and some people will never change?
We can only hope that staying one step ahead will avoid the loss of innocent lives.

As I said, there is so much happening in the world. My last posting was in February and at the time we all saw the pace of change sweeping North Africa. Since that post date Libya and Syria are centre stage in the demand for change and greater freedom.

I was recently fortunate to be a guest on Radio 2′s Aled Jones Good Morning Sunday. In my moment of reflection, I pointed out,

‘As we sit in our armchairs watching from a distance I wonder if we ever thought about why it takes so long to demand change.’

The full transcript is shown below, together with a link to the audio:

We’re all watching the news and almost hourly developments of people close to Europe & further afield struggling to free themselves from their current rulers and injustices. Everyday it seems that more lives are lost or put at risk in the hope for an outcome that will result in a new and fairer way forward for a country.
As we sit in our armchairs watching from a distance I wonder if we ever thought about why it takes so long to demand change.

Maybe its because often people with power want to hang on to it. Or, could it be that the public have adopted an apathetic approach to life as their survival depends upon it. People can also be unknowingly conditioned to accept the status quo.

In mid April 1699 the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh established the Sikh identity called the Khalsa. Its establishment continues to assure defending the defenceless, honest living and equality. Guru Gobind Singh lost his father, mother and children in the struggle for freedom.

The Sikhs succeeded in creating fighting for freedom. In some countries and societies the challenge continues.

I should also point out that at the time Sikhs not only fought for the freedom, liberty and justice, they were defending the defenceless. India today enjoys an environment of religions living side-by-side, however, communal violence and manipulation by extreme groups such as the  RSS continues and in many cases on a covert basis.

The question posed in this article is really one of what drives change? Is it a case that oppression by a selective few can only last for so long until just before a camels back is broken. Or, does a sense of revolution come when all else has failed. Maybe achieving change is harder in the 21st century as there is a need for:

1. The correct environment – enough support
2. Infrastructure abandonment – i.e: supports of a regime know that the ‘writings on the wall’ and its ‘time to switch sides’!
3. Only with the latter taking place, weapons turned on the people asking for change can be turned off.
4. Media Vs Propaganda Vs the revelation of truth

As both Syria heats up and the Libyan situation is developing into a turf war (both sadly with the loss of lives), when will the desire for change be concluded. Will it be a positive outcome for all? Maybe it is up to the leaders to view that forced and violent suppression will further condem them (leaders) and they have an opportunity to demonstrate that they care for a positive outcome.

In terms of my statement about apathy, maybe I really meant to say that sometimes we are too accepting of regimes. A case in point being Libya and the appeasement by the West over the years, including the sale or weapons. The latter is clearly from a country management to country management perspective. However, inside a country acceptance is ‘safe’ as it secures milk to babies and infrastructure continuity. Maybe its only a revolution that really achieves change and there is no half-way house.

We continue to live in a world where there is inequality or as George Orwell implied in Animal House, ‘All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others’. We marvel (including media frenzy) at the spectacle of regal ceremony but on the next corner accept that poverty is inherent in our global reach.

True change comes from within with a passion to exercise and drive it through but the conditions must be right for it to be lasting and worth it.

As we sit in our armchairs watching from a distance I wonder if we ever thought about why it has taken so long for the demand for change.
Maybe it is because often people with power will want to hang on to it. Or, the public have adopted an apathetic approach to life because their survival depends upon it. People can also be unknowingly conditioned to accept the status quo.
I watched the following video and saw the emotion in the mans voice and expressions.

It is hard for us to know the true facts of today and the political alliances of the past. With regard to the latter, why have Countries not said anything in the past. Such countries could consider voicing opinions as intefering with internal affairs. It is interesting that some countries are left to their own devices?

I only hope for a peaceful outcome. The current leaders in Egypt will show true progress if they can meet, respect each others views and not resort to killing.

At the time of going to print on my blog, he is still in an Intensive Care Unit in hospital and we hope he will recover.
I still await a reply from the organisations involved in this apparent shambles.

Ref: Passenger Mr P S Arora Medical Alert
21st January 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

It is now 4 weeks since my father arrived back from holidaying in India. His e-Ticket number was: xxxxxxxxxx and reservation number was: xxxxxxxxxxxxx (BA0256)

Since his arrival on Christmas Eve 24th December 2010 he has been in ITU – The Intensive Treatment Unit. The reason for writing to you is to outline what happened on the flight and subsequent disembarking. This is what happened:

• The flight arrived at 5pm and at 5:10pm a member of the BA Cabin Crew, a Mr Singh called my home and spoke to me about collecting my father from the arrival gate at terminal 5.As we live close to Terminal 5 we arrived at approx 5:40pm
• My daughter and I ran between the ground and 3rd floor to find the BAA passenger assistance desk and I left my son standing at arrivals to wait for my father there.
• By coincidence we met 3 of the BA cabin crew near one of the lifts and one of them spoke to us as noticed we were asking people the location of the BAA passenger assistance desk.
• The BA crew member said he had called me and that my father had been on Oxygen for the past 6 hours. He further said that he was behind arrivals.
• When we did eventually find a BAA person, after 50 minutes they placed a Public address call out to the wheelchair attendant to find my father.
• All in all it took an hour to locate my father.
• His condition worsened when we managed to get him brought out by BAA from the baggage area behind arrivals. He had apparently been left there and ignored?!
• Mr Depak, the BAA duty manager assembled some of his staff and organised some portable curtains as my father was in deep medical distress, slumped forward in the wheelchair, with his eyes rolled up and hands and feet frozen.
• We stressed to BAA that they call an ambulance immediately. NB this should have happened far earlier – BAA claim no request was made by the cabin crew. Surprising as my father was on Oxygen for 6 hours.
• Within 10minutes, the time now being past 6pm an ambulance arrived and my father was rushed to hospital.
• Upon arrival to hospital we were told by 2 Doctors that my father could die and that one lung had stopped functioning. He has
  been on a ventilator ever since suffering from severe Pneumonia.

We are hoping he will recover.

Why did the BA cabin crew not contact the medics on the ground? Why was the BAA wheelchair attendant contractor not proactive- My father was best described as in a comatose position. BAA claim (the main person that organises the medics to be called out) that no call was received from the plane/cabin crew for medical assistance. Is this not against the protocol of both organisations and BA training, especially as a passenger was on Oxygen for 6 hours and clearly in medical distress?

What will you be doing to investigate this matter, fully audit responsibilities and ensure that this never happens again? Will you please find out about the facts as a persons life has been compromised by what appears as a collective lack of communication or responsibility.

It is likely that my fathers condition was also comprised further by lack of Oxygen for a further 1 hour causing a complete white-out of his right lung. I would appreciate a call to discuss this ASAP.

I hope that my father recovers.

Dr Savi S Arora

Lets hope somebody writes back to me soon. Or, do I have a legal case here?