Who Should be Blamed? (Photo:Neha Kumar)

They don't take the responsibility for their actions, but rather blame it on Muslims, multiculturism. They justify their actions in the name of peace, while they are clearly the ones waging a war, spending billions on nuclear weapons.

They blamed Saddam Hussein for the death of hundreds, while they never talk about the consequences of their deeds in Iraq, or even Afghanistan.

These were the voices I heard from about 60,000 protestors, who flocked at Trafalgar Square on February 24 to protest for Stop the War. A place that usually attracts thousands of tourists everyday was filled with anti-war sentiment - calling for a peaceful world.

Despite strong opposition from the public, Tony Blair has sent more troops to Afghanistan. Britain has recently announced their plans send more than 1,000 troops in the country.

The UK prime minister will soon unveil a plan in the next week budget to fund the new reinforcements to Iraq and Afghanistan by perhaps cutting spending in more needed areas like education and health. The BBC earlier reported that between £15bn and £20bn would be spent on new submarines to carry the Trident missiles, despite a large rebellion from within the Labour party.

Democracy has failed most Britons as their voices remain muted. We elect a Prime Minister in a hope that things would change for better, but what really changes is the degree of betrayal, and nothing else.

The government is in denial of its failures, its deeds and its consequences in this world. They blame Muslims and multiculturism when they themselves are the real war mongers and criminals.

Creating Identity or Killing it? (Photo:Web)

A potential mum-in-law took one look at my skirt and boots combination and asked - rather pointedly - if I could drape a saree around myself. I answered no. The silence stretched out uncomfortably between us as I drew conclusions from her question and she took in my answer. Underlying that question was the real issue – “are you the traditional daughter-in-law I want for my son?”

To provide you with some background; I recently turned 28, and the pressure to get married is mounting up. During my recent trips to India, my family and relatives tried to introduce me to eligible bachelors and I was asked to have a “casual” meeting with a US-based guy and his parents.

While I was wrestling with what to wear for the meeting, I decided to go in something I felt comfortable and confident in. Also, something that depicted a true picture of myself. My Indian relatives would have preferred me going in something traditional, but for me, wearing saree isn`t my cup of tea as I find the 5-6 meter cloth dragging all over the place, and as for salwaar kameez, I didn’t have any at that point.

I am not going to go on about my meeting with this family anymore as the outcome of it was a mere waste of time for us and for them, but it made me question whether wearing a dress out of compulsion of traditional/religious values a good idea when it makes us feel less confident?

A Muslim woman I once met during the veil debate triggered by Jack Straw said every Muslim woman should wear a niqab as it is a part of Islamic culture. She also told me how wearing one gives her a sense of confidence, protection and identity. While I would feel completely the opposite way if I were to wear a saree out of cultural compulsions, and rather oppressed.

I may never understand the need to wear something even if one doesn’t feel like, but I salute those who are willing to go through the staring, the uneasiness, the loss of identity in the name of protecting their culture.