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REMINISCENCES
I was a graduate of Madras University. I was employed in Treasuries and Accounts Dept
and got retired as Accounts officer. Thanks to my father I was brought up as an honest and liberal in outlook with helping
attitude. When I was studying in the college most of the people in those days were conservatives (nothing changed much any
way). My father was a strong follower of the Thanthi Periyar. Hence I was brought up in atheist environment and conservativeness
was never appealed to me. Left ideologues started to influence me to certain extent. But I never whole-heartedly supported
the Rebels who always talked about bushiva revolution and annihilation of the rich. But I was socially aware of the plight
of the landless masses and jobless workers. I was always against the exploitations of the workforce. When I had opportunities
to serve in the Establishment department I made it a point to help the workforce. I always understood the problems of socially
oppressed Such attitude was called liberal.
It is my aim to write about liberalism. Liberals are rare commodity now
a day. Sense of accommodation for opposite views are unheard of now in public life. A Liberal means befitting Freeman, noble
and generous. Liberalism is a political theory founded on the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political
liberties, government by law with the consent of the goverened, and protection from arbitrary authority. It is the beliefs
of liberals that people always have necessary intellect to solve problems and achieve progress for the improvement of mankind.
For example progress in science and arts were possible only after European countries switched over to Liberal democracies
from absolute Monarchism. United states of America become what it is To-Day only because of liberal set up was followed by
their fore fathers. But the present Rulers do not believe in Liberalism out side their country.
In 1929 when America
was devastated by Great Depression, amidst great clamor for capitol dictatorship and left oriented command economy President
Roosevelt chose the path of Liberalism as goverence.He has introduced social security system. A new word called new deal was
coined. In his words Roosevelt has said I am not for return to that definition of liberty under which for many years a free
people were gradually regimented into service and New Deal Liberalism is plain English for a changed concept of the duty and
responsibility of Government toward economic life. America limped back to normalcy under his liberal New Deal.
Fierce
Nationalism was a never a cherished ideal of a Liberal. Liberals readily embrace multiculturalism and have broader tolerance.
They favor human rights and civil liberties,freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Liberals believe in mixed economy.
Liberals believe in individuals freedom in pursuing ones happiness. Certainly moral policing is anathema to them. Society
should have limited interest in the private behavior of its citizen in the areas of private sexual relations, free speech,
personal conscience or religious belief.
Liberalism died a slow death due to flames of Vietnam. Due to unjust
war every thing changed. With advent of Margaret Thatcher, Nixon and Reagan in the political scene hardliners gained momentum.
New threat of Global violence has changed peoples view and perception. Liberals become minority. Conservatives and religious
fundamentalism along with consumerism took over the world.
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