Before all else, a gracious acknowledgement to all EF for the generous greetings on Aishwarya’s Padma Shri. We are all deeply indebted to those that sent in their greetings to her and fill our hearts with pride on her achievement. May your love continue to be with us and may we be ever inspired by it to do our utmost.

Most of the last few days have been spent compiling some written work, which shall be with all shortly. No.. it is not the foreword to ‘Madhushala’, but an observation on an observation which was directed towards me. Many have felt that I misuse this opportunity on this new medium, to settle scores, to retaliate, to answer back. I would not classify it thus. The Blog is a medium for my voice to be heard ; a facility that never existed all these years. My voice to be heard by those that wish to communicate. To speak, to express and convey words, that may have remained before, in the realm of a fantasy ; improbable and without any chance of being conceived. Most of those that connect have shown excitement and joy. Some, a very small some, have chosen this to be a platform for abuse and negativity. Most have believed the platform to be a medium to express their talent and creativity. Some, a very small some, have failed to accept. This is natural and fair.

But the lesson is direct and without any bias ; yes if you will pull me in a direction not of my making or indulge in irresponsible and prejudicial accusations, be prepared to accept what shall come your way in return. Response is vital in a liberal democratic society. It is the element that strengthens our belief and our commitment to our Constitution, which I might add, is one of the finest in the world. Response and accusation cannot and will not be permitted to be one sided. One group of people shall not have absolute authority and the other not. One group of people shall not have the benefit of protection and the other not. One group of people cannot have the provisions of liberty and the other not. In a free democracy this is an invalid contention that there shall be exclusivity for one socio- ecomomic group, class being an unaccepted term in modern world writing and thought, and not the other.

For long 1000 years have we suffered the alienation of being the ‘other’. We have now the freedom of our own identity. One that we care for and nurture with pride, suppressed though it had been by foreign imposition.

Somewhere in this long and arduous journey the interpretations of our status, riddled as it was and still is, through class and creed distinctions, overtook our basic rights. Numbed us into believing that what happened to us or around us, was what was ordained. We have looked at this through spiritual and religious blinkers, that have shown us the road ahead, but never the road that went by on the side or behind. It was important that we saw an entire view. We did not. Now having traversed a substantial distance on a road well lain for us, we have forgotten that we came on it without the blinkers that impaired our vision. That played out culture and irresponsible belief has remained with us in an attitude that smells of a past that cannot be changed or conquered. Or so it was believed. And I say, no, not anymore. Let the fourth or the fifth or the sixth estate, whichever seems convenient for them to identify with, keep their properties and their assets. They must know now, however, that the exclusivity they enjoyed has been steadily and with strong conviction been invaded. Well… I do not prescribe to the word ‘invaded’. Stinks of medieval morality. But yes there is now the belief that an ‘elitist’ exclusive club that barred most Indians from the white masters, metaphorically so to say, has crumbled.

There will now unfold a period of either, one fighting for its position and the other lamenting. Or, one giving in and accepting changed circumstances . I would like the occurrence of the latter. It would prescribe fairness - an oddity in today’s times !!

But we must persevere. And I believe that our blog and the EF is substantial proof of our joint existence in harmony. I say, come join us. Give me opportunity and take fair percentage yourself. Give me freedom and keep some for yourself. Give me the exclusivity of self expression, one that shall reflect another’s view and point.

The intent is not to usurp or destroy, but to seek equality. You have lived much too long without any awareness of this balance. Do you think I ask for an amount that shall tilt the weigh scales. No ! I do not. But in our metaphorical judiciary, the lady of the law shall remain blind folded, so that sane argument and procedure prevails.

Give me the opportunity to challenge you. Not in an averse sense, but in a spirit of equal fair play. Who knows, we may both survive and flourish even greater than before.

Which is why I write. Not out of retaliation. Not out of malice or its caused repercussions, but out of a sense of balance.

I shall remain inferior I know. But shared inferiority may make us both superior…

The night is still young and early… maybe this is what is ordained for today..

My love,

Amitabh Bachchan