The Spiritual Scribe..!!

Nikhil, only 38 years of age is a seasoned, celebrated crime journalist whose career took off in 2002 with Times Of India. During this very eventful and remarkable tenure where he met all kinds of people one of the highlights of his career was the opportunity to cover 26/11 Terror attacks in Mumbai. He also has the distinction of authoring a book titled, “Mumbai Under Siege” based on the attacks.

Due recognition was given in the form of “Shrikant Patil Memorial Award” for the best crime journalist in 2010.

Is that it one may ask…no it isn’t.

Members of the Fourth Estate are somewhat like doctors who see so many human tragedies that somewhere they become hard hearted. And sometimes to further their career ambitions and get the coveted front-page byline they lose their ethics, sensitivity that is also ironically a part of their profession but which is nearly non-existent today. Especially in some countries where it appears that the fourth estate is a powerful influencer and sometimes the only tool, which is feared by large sections of society.

How you report is key to interpretation, privacy and protection of people undergoing the worst tragedies of their lives that will change their life and their families’ life forever.  The onus of the scribe is to report in a manner that covers all the aspects without adding further trauma and scarring of victims. It is even more important in today’s day and age when sensationalism, seems to score heavily to get attention in a competitive environment. That is not all; moral policing and character judgments are already passed based on the eyeball click that rule the day.

Several years back in Mumbai a mentally challenged 13 year old was raped in a running, nearly empty local train. Among the 3 people who watched and did nothing was a journalist who got of at the next station, went and told the cops and published the front-page news. The question which was asked by everyone and a furor created was a moral question, “ How could you watch and do nothing, how could you sleep that night and ever after and then report it”

There have been many, many more horrific rapes but this one stays in mind forever for its sheer cold-blooded unethical action.

However several years later when a woman was raped in a premeditated action there was a different kind of journalist who decided to handle the criminal incident differently. In this hour of misfortune and tragedy the family found a Spiritual Scribe, Ethical, Generous who decided to do what many journalists have forgotten to do so – Responsible Coverage at the right time of the tragedy and it led to the discovery of Nikhil Dixit – Journalist- one of a kind - limited edition character.

 Journalists and the media do not always do the right thing by being responsible in sensitive cases.  From the beginning till the end Nikhil selflessly helped the family in the quest for justice. He was the brightest unwavering light in their long moment of darkness.

 It is something, which is inbuilt in his DNA. When J.Dey One of the finest investigative journalists was gunned down in Powai on June 11, 2011 Nikhil wrote the following article on him one day after he was assassinated.

http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-i-stood-in-attention-next-to-j-deys-pyre-and-said-jai-hind-sir-rip-1554316

What nobody knew was what it must have cost him to write about someone who has been a part of his life, inspired him, held his hand and guided him. Nikhil pays tribute to his memory and says. “. One of the finest investigative journalists our country has ever produced and an even better human being. I can write volumes on how he shaped up my life. But, all I can say is that he inspired me when he was alive and continues to inspire me even today.”

As a crime journalist you have access to all the kinds of personalities and characters a normal person wouldn’t ever have in their lifetime. Another example is Shahid Azmi who inspired him and continues to do so even today after he is gone. Elaborating on Azmi Nikhil says. “An individual who I admire immensely His was a classic story of hero who suffered and experienced the worst of tragedies but still came out of it strong and successful. Shahid lost his dear ones during the 1992-93 riots. As a teenager, he witnessed his loved ones being massacred in the riots. It left a deep impact on him and he got indoctrinated. Later, he was arrested and put in jail in connection with a terror case. An ordinary individual in his place would have either collapsed or gone the wrong way, but Shahid resurrected himself and became a very successful lawyer at a very young age. He was gunned down by the underworld in his office in Kurla on February 11, 2010. He was a very dear friend.”

This is the article that he wrote on him a day after he was shot dead.http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-shahid-azmi-never-tried-to-hide-his-past-as-tada-detainee-1346670

The blame/credit game – The trend is to blame everybody from parents, to society to influences, circumstances everything to everybody but never look within. Parents and families are the first to stand in the dock if the child doesn’t turn out right. 

How true Daddy’s words were when he said: all children must look after their own upbringing. Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands. - Anne Frank

Nikhil on the contrary is the ultimate in humility and generosity personified. Rarely do you find people who are pure givers of unparalleled generosity coupled with never taking credit for what they give or do instead gracefully acknowledging people who made a difference in his life.

A member of a first generation nuclear family of teachers, Nikhil credits his parents – Subhash and Lata for bestowing the high quality of value and cultured upbringing vis-à-vis the lower middle class lifestyle. According to him, ‘whatever good I have in me is because of my parents and whatever bad I have in me is because I have not been able to successfully incorporate what my parents have taught me. Had it not been for them, I don’t know how my life would have shaped up and where I would have been today. And this is not a conclusion he has arrived at whimsically, years of self-introspection has validated this belief in him.

From his brother Neelesh a self-made entrepreneur he has learnt the single most important trait of self-belief, which has stood him in good stead in his personal and professional life

Abhay Mokshi is the teacher in Nikhil’s Journey, the man who he met whilst studying journalism. But it was not so much the subjects taught as part of his curriculum as much as following the examples of daily life that Nikhil is grateful for having the presence of. He not only taught, he did and Nikhil followed.

His innumerable friends taught him street smartness, which helped in his professional life.

There is part of us that stands in quiet witness to what we do, taking notes, waiting for a solitary moment to bring up the subject.  ~Robert Brault,www.robertbrault.com


Human behavior has always been based on rationalization and analysis. We talk of self-introspection but more as a form of preaching and advising others than actually practicing it.

 In this scheming manipulative world it is uncommon to find a practicing soul who not only self introspects but listens to his inner voice and learns and practices self-improvement.

As Nikhil refreshingly says on what makes him who he is, Himself: This might sound a bit strange, but, may be by design or by circumstances I have ended up being my 4am best friend. I spend a lot of time with myself. And I teach myself a lot of things based on what I see, what I read and what I experience. Every minute that I spend with myself is a learning, growing and maturing experience for me.

 As far as incidents are concerned, there are innumerable experiences good and bad that have helped shape me up. It would be difficult to write all of them down. This might sound a bit philosophical, but in my case it is true that every incident, event or happening shapes my life and me. So every incident is accounted for.

 Why I call Nikhil “The Spiritual Scribe” can be summed up by the quote below

The essence of all spiritual life is your attitude toward others. Once you have pure and sincere motives all the rest follows. – Dalai Lama- A Policy of Kindness: An Anthology of Writings by and about the Dalai Lama

Nikhil best describes himself and his thought process by his simple words

Respect for every individual (Humans and Animals) is something, which drives me. I always put myself in the other individual’s shoes and look at things from their point of view before judging anyone. I strive to do this everyday.

 The only thing I value and hope to continue doing it is – Time. I value time in every sense of the word. That’s the only thing I have learnt – to value time, whether it is yours or someone else’s.

 Whenever I am able to contribute to anyone’s happiness, it makes me happy (I know this sounds a bit philosophical. But I genuinely believe it and am always striving to do that).

 I get sad when I see that an individual (Human and Animal) is not accorded the kind of respect he / she deserves.

 I do not get angry or nothing ever angers me (I know this probably sounds unbelievable, but that’s how I am). I only get disappointed or sad.

 If I had to publish Nikhil’s quotes, statements at various stages and moments of life this piece would be never ending and could probably be made into a booklet, which would be a reference manual, ‘ For people in difficult, conflicting, doubtful situations’. Might do a sequel to this article!

 Heights of Responsibility – If there were a relationship, which failed, he would take ultimate responsibility for the failure.

 The dance floor comes alive when Nikhil takes to it. A fabulous dancer who mesmerizes you and the stage gets cleared and people watch awestruck. This too has a spiritual chord as he states, ‘On the personal front. I dance when I am sad. I dance when I am happy. Dancing to me is the only thing that liberates my soul. I am in my zone, in a state of meditation when I dance.’

(Source: intlcoordination) 

God v/s Science

"Let me explain the problem science has with God." The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

"You're a God believer, aren't you, son?"

"Yes sir," the student says.

"So you believe in God?"

"Absolutely."

"Is God good?"

"Sure! God's good."

"Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?"

"Yes."

"Are you good or evil?"

"The teachings says I'm evil."

The professor grins knowingly. He considers for a moment.

"Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help them? Would you try?"

"Yes sir, I would."

"So you're good...!"

"I wouldn't say that."

"But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't."

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a God believer who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this God good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?"

The student remains silent.

"No, you can't, can you?" the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.

"Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?"

"Er... Yes," the student says.

"Is Satan good?"

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. "No."

"Then where does Satan come from?"

The student falters. "From... God..."

"That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?"

"Yes, sir."

"Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct? "

"Yes."

"So who created evil?"

Again, the student has no answer.

"Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness. All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?"

The student squirms on his feet. "Yes."

"So who created them?"

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.

"Who created them? "

There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.

"Tell me," he continues. "Do you believe in God, son?"

The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor. I do."

The old man stops pacing. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen God?"

"No sir. I've never seen Him."

"Then tell us if you've ever heard your God?"

"No, sir. I have not."

"Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God or smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God?"

"No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't."

"Yet you still believe in him?" thundered the professor.

"Yes."

"According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?"

"Nothing," the student replies. "I only have my faith."

"Yes, faith," the professor repeats. "And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith."

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of his own.

"Professor, is there such thing as heat?"

"Yes," the professor replies. "There's heat."

"And is there such a thing as cold?"

"Yes, son, there's cold too."

"No sir, there isn't."

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

"You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'.

We can hit 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat,but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than -458 degrees. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it."

Silence across the room! A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

"What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?"

"Yes," the professor replies without hesitation. "What is night if it isn't darkness?"

"You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, Darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?"

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester.

"So what point are you making, young man?"

"Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with and so your conclusion must also be flawed."

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. "Flawed? Can you explain how?"

"You are working on the premise of duality," the student explains. "You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it. Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?"

"If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man,yes,of course I do."

"Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?"

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester indeed!

"Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?"

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

"To continue the point you were making earlier to the other students, let me give you an example of what I mean."

The student looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?" The class breaks out into laughter.

"Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain,felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol,science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?"

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable!

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers.

"I guess you'll have to take them on faith." The class breaks into a deadening applause.

"Continuing further, Sir, when GOD created the universe he made a set of rules which governs every living organisms, categorized in his own way. For some, life is a predestined, well programmed journey of life. For others, like humans, the rules of life are a direct results of their own actions, words, thoughts or/and conducts. So, Sir, happiness, sadness, good, bad, sickness, good health, poverty and abundance, is man's own doing unto himself. The wrong and bad happenings in man's life, is nothing but the lack of righteousness in his way of life."

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26/11 - The sight inside Oberoi left me numb!

I entered the Trident hotel just a few hours after the National Security Guard (NSG) commandos killed the terrorist who was holed up in The Oberoi hotel. Just as I walked in with a police source, the team of NSG snipers was leaving the hotel to a loud cheer and clapping by the hotel staff. Such was the relief that a couple of senior hotel staff members even saluted them.

However the magnitude of the horrendous act started dawning on me as foul smell of decomposed bodies filled the air. The smell was extremely strong even in the lobby of Trident which was at quite a distant from the lobby of The Oberoi, where the bloodbath had taken place.

“Please wear a mask,” said my source passing on a mask to me, “the smell will become strong as we get close to the scene of crime. It is nauseating,” he said. He further said that on Wednesday evening immediately after the shooting, authorities had switched off the centralised air conditioning of the hotel, all the windows were closed and the dead bodies have been lying around for almost three days now.

Having been to several crime scenes before I thought I would be able to take this as well, but what awaited me was a sight which sent shivers down my spine and gave me goose pimples.

A trail of blood past the Piaget showroom led me to the lobby of The Oberoi. Shattered glass panes of the Tiffin restaurant bore evidence of the gruesome terror acts two days ago. Just as I neared the entrance, at least eight highly decomposed bodies lay in front of me. The bodies had bloated and had become so black that even their family members could not recognise them. Their clothes had been ripped off due to excessive bloating.

Empty shells of AK47 assault rifles, pools of blood, shattered glass and food were splattered all over the beige-coloured carpet of the Tiffin restaurant.

The most shocking sight was of the tables which still had half eaten food in plates and glasses half-filled with wine and champagne. It was as if the guests had left the tables for sometime and would be back to finish their meals.

One of the police officers present there said that Kandhar restaurant which is situated on the first floor was the most affected because it just has one door for entry and exit. The gunmen had blocked the entrance and sprayed bullets on those dining inside.

The famous Piano in the lobby was completely destroyed, probably by a grenade attack. The piano was the most priced possession of the hotel, said a member of the hotel staff with moist eyes.

Just as I was coming to terms with the dastardly act, my source said that I would have to leave since senior police officials were on their way to visit the spot.

While I was walking back, my eyes fell on a book ‘Beyond the battlefield’, which incidentally was launched at The Oberoi in 2004 to commemorate the affiliation between a ship of the Indian Navy and the Maratha Light Infantry. I wondered - what else was beyond this particular battlefield, where several innocent people lost their lives.

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