Not against Islam.....

Echoing the Prime Minister's claim of Congress's appeasement politics, the defence minister said the time has come for an unbiased evaluation of Vande Mataram and asserted that the entire song and the Anand Math book were never anti-Islam but reflected the popular sentiments against the Nawab of Bengal and British imperialism.

Participating in the debate on the 150th anniversary of the national song Vande Mataram, everyone echoed the fact that it is complete in itself but there were attempts to render it incomplete. 

My take

There has been many falsehoods that have been circulated about the song saying that the Muslims hated it. That's the appeasement bit and why should Muslims hate it? They need to give a clear answer to the people of India.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, sent all the messages, switched on the hymns on the home theatre and opened up the house for the day.

Walked on the road outside the house and recited my prayers.

Went along with Lekha in Sukesan's autorickshaw for the following :-

      * correcting Lekha's cellphone number on her Aadhaar card

      * corrected my cellphone number in the Pookkodu panchayat records which is awaiting approval

         prior to it accepting my 5-year 'house-tax-exemption'

Lekha and I watched the Mammootty-starrer "Kalankaaval'' in Appas Cinema at the matinee show. He was brilliant as the villain with Vinayakan acting in the main lead!

Our packing, for Pune, has begun.