Govind Gujar: entomologist's journey to understand the Society we live in

Every morning, I take up newspaper to read, I happen to see some news related to Kashmir. With Mr Imran Khan becoming a PM, I thought probably we might start a dialogue for peaceful coexistence. He had offered talks as he took over prime ministership last month. Ministers of both countries were to meet at UN in New York. However, killing of Indian soldiers has provoked India to cancel that meeting. India accuses Pakistan for promoting cross-border terrorism and has successfully mobilised the world opinion in its favour, sometime succeeding in mentioning Pakistan as the state actor in sponsoring terrorism. Today (23rd Sep, 2018)'s news of cancellation of ministerial meeting in NY was interpreted by Pakistan as India's arrogance that is aimed at vote bank politics in view of coming elections to the Parliament. What I felt bad is the reported remarks of PM Imran Khan that "small men occupying big offices do not have vision to see the larger picture". Obviously, these r...

Few years back, I got a facebook note from the young student stating how happy she was to see one of her community member occupying a high position in the education organization. Yes, I am Govind Gujar. I had earned that position in the prestigeous Ag institution. Now I am retired. And my surname evokes different feelings in the people in North India. This youngster was oblivous of the fact that majority of Gujar Community do not use Gujar as surname. She thought I belonged to her community. I kept quiet on this account, which of course in strict sense not being honest or even lying. I just did not want to discourage her, rather advised her to concentrate on her studies, wishing her all the best in her career. Similarly, I came in contact with others who quite readily accepted me in their folds. And that too when I explained that I am not sure if I belong to their community, as I use Gujar as my surname and my community is different in my state. Yet, I am perceived as important. And...