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Preface

05 December 2007CE | 26 Dhul-Qadah 1428AH

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Neo-Imperialism has appeared not only on the political scene, but also on the cultural domain of human civilization. Never before in history has ‘Might’ been so ‘Right’. The culture and ethics of the Dominant Nation is forced upon the Weaker Ones using all possible means, fair and square. The latter are denied their right to defend their eroding heritage and any such efforts are labeled with negative terms, sometimes even by inventing new terms in the language.

As the world continues to expand in knowledge, breaking the man-made idols of political boundaries, the modern mind is getting narrower day by day. He fails to accommodate others’ views and beliefs, let alone give them respect. The dilemma situation is that when one is in love with his own culture, he develops prejudice against others’. Or he neglects his own heritage and his eye glitters with others’. Very few can dare to remain firm in one’s own convictions, and simultaneously appreciate the diversity in human societies.

“The Cool Breeze from Hind” is based on the experiences during the travel I undertook in my homeland to bring back the past with its true color, to discover some of the forgotten fragrance of the past and to relearn some of the forgotten lessons, to pay my respects to the ceaseless struggle against Colonialism and Imperialism- a major part of which has remained hidden?. It is my Personal Philosophy of Patriotism. A Non Resident Indian’s aspiration for his homeland, without ignoring his resident land where he has been brought up.

The name Cool Breeze has its roots in a poem of Allama Iqbal, the great visionary Poet-Philosopher of Indian subcontinent. The poem entitled Hindustani Bachon Ka Qaumi Geet, contains a couplet,

‘Meer-e-Arab Ko Aaayi Tandi Hawan Jahan Se,
Mera Watan wahi hai, Mera Watan wahi hai’.

The ‘Cool Breeze’ is apparently referring to a saying of Holy Prophet, ‘I feel a cool breeze coming from the direction of Hind’. According to the Islamic belief, among all the creations, the Holy Prophet is the best. For such a creation to address the Indian nation in such great words, I felt there was a mystery behind it. It was that greatness of my homeland that I wished to uphold in front of the world.

It goes without saying that this work would not have been possible without the influence of my noble mentors and sincere friends. Had it not been for their lessons and support, I would not have come so far. Najeeb Kanthapuram, sub-editor of leading Malayalam daily (winner of Indian Medical Association Award 2004 for Best Features), who has stood by me since I have stepped into the literary world; Rajeev Nair, the gulf-based journalist with a gifted pen, who has been my best critic; Naseer, the visionary artist who has captured the true hue of my message; Shadir Hameed, Engineering student at American University of Sharjah, who helped to prepare the manuscript at the last moment; Ajeeb for spending time to proof-read the work. All those well wishers, known and unknown, eager to this work released and fondled this work in their dreams; the visitors of Jaihoon.com in the East and West of the globe for their response.

My kind parents for their patience and support. And Prayers. My siblings for encouraging me to reach so far. My loving wife for her Curiosity blessed with Compassion.

Chapters

1. Bull-Man-Cart
2. Poet on Horseback
3. Sleepy Faces @ Thattu Kada
4. Rose Petal and Yellow Metal
5. A-M Adipoli!
6. Gala Of The Koo-Koo Shi-Shi
7. The Rotten Apple
8. Alif. Ba. Tha.
9. Khilafat Angadi
10. Soda Ammai
11. Mankind vs. Moon-kind
12. Democracy H-2-H
13. The Cool Breeze from Hind
Epilogue

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Tags: colonialism, History, jaihoon, philosophy, Sharjah, travel

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