Mokshatiana
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| Flag of Mokshatiana | |
| Motto: "Atmonar mokkha or jagodhicho" | |
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| Region | South Pacific |
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| Capital | Ramakrishnapur |
| Official Language(s) | Mokshatiani, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, Tamil, Tibetan, Sanskrit |
| Leader | Baba Karim Islam Khan, Pres. (Mks) |
| Population | very large |
| Currency | taka (plural, takon) 1 T = 100 poyshon |
| NS Sunset XML | |
The Voluntary Coalition of Mokshatiana is a populous nation in the South Pacific. It is known for its classical liberal social and economic policies, its rapidly growing economy, and its tremendous attention to religion and religious freedom. Born out of a group of Indian mystics seeking to set up a free religious paradise, its devotion to religious, social, and economic freedom has rose out of the mystics fierce independence and devotion. This is embodied in the nations motto ""Atmonar mokkha or jagodhicho"," which is an adaptation of the Sanskrit, meaning "For one's own freedom and the salvation of the world." Despite its fiscally neo-liberal practices, the devotion and mysticism practiced by its people renders Mokshatiana one of the most charitable nations in the world.
The name Mokshatiana deserves from the Sanskrit word "moksha," or liberation, and the suffix "yana" from the Sanskrit word meaning rought "the age of."
History
Mokshatiana was founded in 1910 by a delegation of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, a mystic and charitable sect of the Hindu tradition. Seeking to set up a nation based on the independent and freedom-oriented Vedanta Hindu tradition, a highly accepting and open religious sect which accepted members of all religion. The nation soon grew, attracting many different sects of Hinduism as well a large delegation of Sufi Islamic mystics, Buddhists, as well as laypeople from all over India and Asia promised a good life and freedoms. The nation proposed a system of total freedom from government and economy through voluntary cooperation.
In 1912, two years after the government's founding, the proposed anarchist system of the nation was abandoned because of the rising crime figures. Instead, a limited social government was put in power. The religious often shut themselves off from religious debate; the few who did enter only did so as reminders of freedom and disassociation. The government was mostly run by businessmen and concerned citizens. In fact, these two bodies roughly formed the dualistic core of the first two parties of the nation: the Conservative Party, and the Liberal Party. It was not until 1924 that the third party, the socially and economically center-left Democratic Party entered as a 'third way' in politics.
From its beginnings as a decentralized, religious, independent state of yeoman farmers, technology, fueled by free entrepeneurism, has dominated the nation's ethos. The nation has grown rapidly economically and population-wise since its founding, and from the relatively poor (but happy) survivalistic beginnings in the 1910's, evolved into a semi-developed nation by the 1930's.
In 1940, the nation was rocked by the so-called 'Khulapon (openness) Scandal.' The ruling Social Democrats- at the time a moderate balance between the protectionist Conservatives and the open Liberals, decided to enter troops into World War II. As the nation had long been non-aligned and pacifistic, and, hence, this decision polarized the nation's politics. The Liberals moved socially to the left on the issue, and economically to the right- claiming that there is no legitimacy to the nation's entering the war, but private organizations may choose to fund it. The Conservatives claimed that the nation should defend itself against outside influence, and not produce to serve the needs of foreign nations. The resulting election lead to a huge Conservative swing, as the Conservative movement billed its closed door policy as the ideal of non-interventionalism espoused by the nation.
As the nation's economy was hugely trade-based, the closed door policy devasted the nation. In addition, massive boycotts and a heavy rise in crime crippled the nations economy and cut the nation's yearly GDP by nearly 40%. Because of crime, very harsh social policies were placed and opposition was often crushed. In 1946, the Liberals and Social Democrats formed a coalition, and took a vote of total no-confidence on the Conservative Party's rule. An election was called, and the Liberal -Social Democrat coalition won in a landslide. The nation was once again opened, but full economic recovery did not take place until 1957. The parties were renamed Moksha (Liberal- "freedom"), Sattva (Social Democratic- "balance"), and Manushyon (Conservative- "people").
The aftermath led to Moksha Party candidate and former Minister of Finance Sri Shankar Sen being elected to presidential office in 1950. He was re-elected by a landslide in 1954, and his partymate Sri Abishek Patel was elected in 1958 and 1962, only for the aging Sen to be elected again in 1964 and 1968. The unprecedented 22 year Liberal streak in which the nation's economic and social standing increased to the level of many Western European countries only came to an end when the paleo-liberal, extreme politics of Sen (now 86 years old) began to lose favour.
Since then, the nation has had fair and open election, and has continued its economic growth unabated. Crime is an issue frequently on the table, with parties taking an oppositional stances to it.
In recent years, a national identity has become a large issue of contention as well. The country usually used community languages in community settings, and English, Sanskrit, and Bengali in larger settings. The Conservative government elected in the 1996 election adopted Mokshatiani as the national language and language of government, and converted the motto, signs, and party names gradually to give Mokshatiani at least shared status. This united the nation, and, although intially opposed by the two opposition parties, it is now widely regarded as a good move.
Demographics
The population of Mokshatiana is large and steadily growing. The population is moving from very farm-based to mostly city dwelling. The largest city is Ajadabad, with a population of 14 million in the city and 27 million in the metropolitan area. Navi Kolkata, Narenpur, and Allahshahr are the next largest metropolitan areas. The capital, Ramakrishnapur, is a relatively small city of only about 1 million, and was planned as such for decentralization purposes.
The literacy rate is 100% for people over the age of 15. The largest religion is Hinduism, with a 60% majority, followed by Islam with about 25% of the population. Buddhists are, and have historically held, a solid 7%. 5% are Sikhs, followers of new movements, agnostics, and atheists. A remaining 3% are followers of the Ramakrishna Math order, but not declared Hindus, as well as followers of Sufi orders but not declared Muslims. The nation's dominant and most influenting ethnic group are the Bengalis, both Hindu and Muslim; followed closely by 'Hindustanis' (originating in Northern Indian and Pakistan.) Persians have always been a small but disproportionately influential group, while the smaller groups, like Tamilians and Andhras, are making significant progress in their own communities.
Intermarriage is common, to the point where Iranis (Hindustani - Persians) and Pharshins (Bengali - Persians) actually represent more of the Persian community than full-blooded Persians. Similarly, Hindustanis and Bengalis intermarry to the point where it is almost impossible to keep track, and the difference of ethnicity is told merely by language. To add to the diffculty of ethnicity in this melting pot, Mokshatiani, the national hybrid language, is spoken by many intermarried communities as a first language. Also, a hands-off government policy regarding ethnicity has caused a lack of true definition. There are also strong Chinese, Korean and Malay communities due to immigration, as well as a growing number of sub-saharan Africans.
As such, Mokshatiana is home to a large number of languages. The language of the government, most urban areas, and intermarried communities is Mokshatiani, a synthesis of Bengali, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Persian. Most other communities speak their native languages. English and Sanskrit are widely used as linguae francae and often taught in government schools. However, due to the small portion of nationalized education and the heavy dependence on private education, this is far from universal, but most learn the languages to some degree at home for expediency.
Culture
Mokshatiana draws heavily from the culture of the land of its origin. It is a pluralistic, diverse, and egalitarian land, highly tolerant of difference and change. The people are educated and very literate, showing great interest in philosophy, culture, and diversity. Families are generally well-respected for religious reasons, and nuclear families, while common, give frequent support to extended families.
Much of the festivities of Mokshatiana are religiously based, although, due to the plurality of religion in Mokshatiana, many religious aspects become obsolete in the face of 'a good time.' Traditional Hindu festivals such as Divali, Holi, Dussehra, Navratri exist alongside Islamic eids and frequent Sufi gatherings. Dancing and singing is very common in Mokshatiana, and music is a constant part of life. It is heard everywhere, in public, and in homes. Prayer is often in musical form, and dances frequently accompany these prayers.
There are many forms of Mokshatiani music. While most of Mokshatiani music is borrowed from India, Pakistan, and Iran; there are several homebred forms. The meaning of the word bhajana is entirely different in Mokshatiana than in India, as it refers to a classical musical style. Drawing from the spiritual Hindu bhajan and the pensive but energetic Muslim qawwali to create a musical style that is energetic and danceable, yet spiritually aware. The style uses Indian instruments like mridanga, sitar, harmonium, swarmandal, tabla, and dhol. Using varying tempos, modes, and vocal techniques, songs can last up to half an hour. Bhajana is so popular that the style has been used for non-religious purposes, and is currently viewed as a real genre. Music from native Mokshatiani films also plays a similar role to film music in India, although the music tends to be more daring. A great many pop and rock acts have also risen out of Mokshatiana, spanning alternative and mainstream.
Films are also a huge industry in Mokshatiana. Increasingly fewer films draw from native Indian movies, and out of the roughly 120 movies released in Mokshatiana, only about 10 of them actually fit the style of Indian movies. Most of them are book adaptations, many of them border on art films.
The country, being heavily literate, is a hotbed of literary activity. It is full of poets and writers, and the people read with great vigour. Poets, such as Chandrasekar Sen, and Ali Akbar Irfani, are widely respected as cultural icons. Modern writers, like Aditya Younessi, are also widely read.
