Tracking Pani chors Coca Cola Pepsi at Mehndiganj

It was on a very sunny bright morning that I decided to visit Mehndiganj, the site of protest by villagers against Coca Cola plant that has seriously depleted the groundwater of the region like anywhere else where these exploitative products have set up their shops --please go to My blog to know about miseries in Kaladera in Rajasthan, Plachimada in Kerala as also Gangaikondon & Shivganga in TN. It is shocking that common people have to pay more for water which is for basic needs and survival than these MNCs for luxury product not consumed by most people of the region (inset photo of Coca cola Pepsi man!!). It is equally shocking that there are no laws to prevent these exploitations. Till recently there was no much concern about land being taken from poor people for ‘development’, many had to sacrifice their life to make the government hear. Thousands of people have recently taken out a march to Delhi so as to force the complacent government to formulate laws. The ‘rising india’ with sensex touching 20000 doesn’t have a land policy (don’t even mention land reforms!! I really would like to know the ginni coefficient of India). And the PM I am told is ‘embarrassed’ over nuclear deal not being passed and the commies are ‘not very embarrassed’… all for the nation sake, the kinds of sacrifice these leaders do!!. There are no concrete laws regarding exploitation of natural resources for profit, it is a non issue when GDP and investments are bench marks of progress.

Pepsi- Coca cola have recently taken up the cause of water harvesting, teaching us mortals on these subtleties of conservation is joke gone too far. Many marketers who have gained from these and other exploitative and demeaning products/ads have also taken up ‘causes’ having fatten themselves, this is a new trend ‘the give back thing’, kind of PR work!!. People are not amused they want stricter laws not patronizing gestures by armchair intellectuals and the city based ‘activists’ with specific aim of stampeding studios and public space or some incentives from the government-its about building the clout. What shocks me is why is that people from these backwards region living in abject conditions have not become Naxalites and blown up these exploitative plants, Coca cola Pepsi have no business sucking public water. People in this part of the world have amazing tolerance, it is straining though (It is gladdening that Coca cola is kicked out of plachimada. Hurray for that). There is a need for policy on natural resources particularly water that forms the most basic need and therefore fundamental right. And the policy be very well the Law- transparent and understood by people.

Mehndiganj story is no different. Located at about 20 Kms from ancient city of Varanasi, it is a small fertile village few Kms inside the main road. There is no transportation to the village, I had to hitch hike a two wheeler already occupied by two people, the youngsters were quite glad since I had asked for Nandlal Master. Nandlal Master is a weaver who took up teaching children of the area and has since spearheaded the cause; he is a prominent and respected figure (also coordinator and founder of Lok Samithi. Email is napm_up@yahoo.com) and has also trained many youngsters for employment. After a bumpy ride I was dropped in front of a newly painted modest house. I had expected a elderly if not middle-aged man but Nandlal turned out to be a young man in his twenties, he had too many incidents to relate of how people expected him to be older!!.

Nandlal Master explained that the issue in Mehndiganj is multifold apart from exploitation of groundwater and pollution, there is a case of illegal occupation and evasion of taxes by Coca Cola. The Coca cola plant at Mehndiganj was bought from Parle in 1999, till then the extraction of water was ‘within limits’. After Coca Cola bought this plant it has been withdrawing 5Lakh liters of water per day using heavy duty borewells. According to a study the water table of the region has dropped by as much as 9feet, in a recent study the table has drooped further to 18feet (till 2006). The hand pumps with no or less water has increased from 7% to 43% in last few years. Also read Thanda- Hearted Matlab: Coca Cola in India by Shira Wolf (April 2005), Marching in the spirit of Gandhi –A case study into Gandhian elements of Lok Samithi movement in Mehndiganj (Dana Van Breukelen).

Second is the issue of pollution, the hazardous sludge from the factory has seriously affected the productivity of land in the region, frustrated by lack of accountability by the government agencies the villagers dumped the sludge at UP pollution control board office. Later the test conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has shown it to contain high level of lead (up to 538mg/kg), cadmium (up to 86mg/kg) and chromium (134mg/kg). Here in the photo Mr. Nandlal shows the sludge provided by Coca cola to Pollution board (which the protestors got hold of through RTI, after denied) and how it is different from the sludge they dumped. Coca Cola true to its character did try its best to scuttle the issue. Since then the Coca cola is dumping its waste in a nearby village (bikharipur- I bet this village is inhabited by SCs & other impoverished people, coca cola got its caste card right!!).

Third issue faced here is the illegal occupation of land by Coca Cola. Court has found it guilty and has issued notices to vacate. In 2005 the pradhan of Mehndiganj, Ram Jivan Patel was dismissed by DM of Varanasi for illegally handing over the land to Coca Cola, he was bribed to sign the documents by Coca Cola (lucky fella since in Gangoikondon they killed the panchayat president- of course will never be proved).

Later that day after tea and home made savories, Mahendra a young man who also volunteers for Lok Samithi took me to Coca cola premise on his bike. As I was taking photos the guards warned me of dire consequences. Mahendra kept the engine running so that I could get away. But I decided to confront the burly guard ‘if I have the freedom to take the photos of Rashtrapathi bhavan why can’t this damn factory? Is it holding national secret?”. The guard, poor man, requested not to create problem for him. And so we moved on and I was dropped to the bus stand. No boondh boondh kushi kushi here!!.

Post Script: it is interesting that some metro based NGO(dealing with education) tried to buy Nandlal and his NGO (of course they were shown the door). This is precisely how they function usurping the hard work of common people and their commitment, dedication…and package it for their gain and clout. It is a huge business in cities, adept in their game they work with remarkable dexterity. They sniff for saleable, media attuned, chic issues that also has an international audience. AIDs, even issues of women are elitist to elicit western response, Discriminations in west of 'people like us' ...are trendy issues. Then of course there are those poor people our heart beats for but no, no mudding hands, we drop in for photo op or we could discuss (surely an event- they are even ready to fly to different cities!) them in our sanitised backyard!!. So where is the menu chef?!!

The King of Chess

Anand is to chess what Pele is to football. He is an amazing champion of the game. I have followed Anand’s chess for sometime in late teens. I learned that e4 is the best first move from his games. I have strong liking for chess, it makes you think. I don’t recall when I learned this game since we had chess at home even before I was born. I was playing this game quite early. Those days I was not aware of castling as also that you have to say ‘check’ when attacking the King. King was attacked surreptitiously and the game was over!!. We also tried to distract the opponent when the King is on the line and presto the game is over!!. Since many of friends (in Primary school) didn’t know this game I mostly used to play this game alone on summer afternoons but we did had a round of chess after the dinner at home sometimes, and I did look forward to it.

In college when in hostel there was a chess playing group. We used to play almost every night the looser would sponsor the dinner. It was even money for me. I consider myself as an average and quite erratic when it comes to chess. For almost a decade I lost contact with chess, getting into the rut of finding a career and so on. Recently though I have started to play the game on Net, there really are some very smart players out there. I also have a software of chess in my comp. and by god it is quite tough!!. The guys who created these software are super genius.

Anand is too good a player, most importantly it is difficult to be consistent for so many years. I also have followed Kasporov’s game for sometime (he is now into Russian politics, very much a challenge to Putin!!. The way opposition is handled in Russia he could even be killed). I happen to see a documentary sometime back on how the Deep Blue Super computer may have had a human hand, it was quite controversial, Kasporov though did feel cheated. It seemed to be a marketing gimmick of colossal proportion.

Chess is an amazing invention and that it is contribution of Indians is quite heartening. Some of the chess moves are taken from real life, like the elephants that would run through the opponent with spears on it the reason why it has vertical and horizontal moves, I saw that in one of the channels.

A good game of chess can even refresh dullest of mind. So go ahead make the move!!

Not elementary Watson !!

Remember James Watson??. The guy who discovered the DNA structure (of Watson-Crick jodi)…well our dude has got a new occupation as spokesperson for White supremacist!!. Our man has finally stumbled upon some facts to confirm what folks at downtown hold not as matter of opinion. White man’s burden is getting heavier according to Watson. It is not denying that some do have the brain under the skin especially around the groin, few end up at shrink, many in TV studios as crusaders of freedom (honcho is counting the money there). It’s getting quite exciting outing in certain circles, I gather. Watson do like to see the world through his skin as some through cunt/dick (take your pick...i guess mentioning these makes me quite savvy!!...Er chooth monologue&salvation classic), sanity is causality. What sells is rightness if not righteousness (Y 4 Godsa!!)

Racism is touch word in this terrifically excitable world. Racism maybe a new term to people in this part of the world but in West it is taken as serious offence, more as an apology for atrocities of past that they do press the panic button at short notice. Racism or discrimination of any nature is undoubtedly unacceptable but it needn’t be confined to certain circles or societies. India I am told is against racism. Casteism is quite blatantly followed is just a coincidence. Cutaneous coloring could of course be taken care of with some expertly advised Fair & Lovely. India I am also told is a rising power (what’s that?!) and the celebration is on, the world has noticed and there is stampede in certain circles for maximum gain and acceptance, the positioning to Western sensibilities is on (secular fundamentalism is no coincidence). Gandhi has been branded and is a sell out. Some sections also believe that world is looking for India for solutions. 24x7 mirage works!!. Baird never conceived that one, why blame him the latest innovations (GMR-GiantMagnetoResistance, anyone?) will go mostly to monkeys to create more nuisance (also referred to as competence). The other day I had the humble experience of listening to a ring tone that carried the sound of fart!!. It is easy to stay smart these days, aint it dude!!. Mediocrity is matter of choice- the uses of democracy are many when needed or else we do have ‘self regulation’ exit route!!.

Since the world is looking for solutions for Racism we Indians need to respond with our great and ever growing ancient culture. Shall we recruit Champu Khan (with funny wig collection) as agent of change and spread the subtle message of Fair & Lovely?. Watson would surely agree on this the Africans could use some cream and get bit of IQ. Champu Khan may start his campaign with Nelson Mandela, present a carton of ‘Mardhon wali cream’. Any marketers dream come true photo op, social concern conveyed!!. Kab thak chup chup ke Mandelaji !!.

It is shocking that racism is practiced so blatantly in this part of the world, that it is part of psyche of majority of people particularly in the elite section. So much so racism issues encountered in West looks like a joke to most of us (Pawar included). Packing Gandhi to Western requirement does not make Indians civilized. When elected leaders also play the tune of marketers it seals the deal!. This blogger strongly demands Racist products be banned and any expressions of these not allowed in public space. If West has time to focus on Indian society they will see this region as the most racist of any group of people, non violently though!!. We don’t chase and bludgeon dark skinned people we present them Fair & Lovely, it is the Gandhian way!!. It is also our culture. We also live quite happily occasionally excited by leaf growing out of a child’s ear. The freak show is on, Honcho is counting, the world is invited!!.

Amazing win by Gobelin in Pune derby

Gobelin guided by Master Jockey Appu wins Pune Derby against all fancied horses in the field. It was an incredible race to watch, from being at dead last to win by almost three lengths in last 500ms (check video).

I have been to Pune Race course when I was school, also we used to watch races from the road behind the race course leading to AFMC where few of us classmates used to go for tuitions in our cycles…sometimes we got late because of it!!. My association with horses happened quite early, Pune is the place where I used to go for Horse riding early mornings, sometimes instead of regular ground we used to trot along the lanes, that was real fun (when Col. Rao was around he used to initiate these, he was cool fellow but very strict). Sometimes I used to carry jaggery in my pocket to feed the horse. My favourite horse used to be Anarkali, a mare. I used to so much like her that classmates got tired and some started to call me anarkali, that is how they stopped me!!. I used to spend lots of time reading about horses.

Jaipur also had a substantial presence of horses but I was bit too small, my neighbors boy was really into it (I suspect they have a horse now…Major BP Singh’s horses do run at Mumbai-Pune circuit). I went with him few times and watched from the sideline. I also got into riding in Transit camp Madras, but the ground was rough and dangerous.

Horses are amazing animals and its great fun to watch them galloping.

Tribute to pavement booksellers

I have always suggested that one should buy books from pavement vendors. They sell second hand books as also books that are photocopies of popular, bestsellers. It is always a good bargain. I hold the view that once the books are sold enough it can be photo stated, the authors have already got the money and the publishers shouldn’t be allowed to make too much money from what is not because of their talent. Some of these suckers have made more than enough money. Most market driven publishing firms (at least the one’s that have shops in India) don’t even have any literary sensibilities, so yes they should be allowed to make what is due but beyond that it needs to go to the guys at the pavement. In many cases these people on the streets have been selling books for decades and have much knowledge about literary merit of a book or author. This blogger has mostly bought books from the pavements or second hand shacks whether in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai Kolkota….you name it!!. Many of these sellers (particularly the old timers) have astounding knowledge of books. I recall distinctly the man at Nehru Place pavement in Delhi who also dabbled in portrait sketching to pass time. I used to take his suggestions seriously. Poor fellow many a times had to pack and vanish because of ‘municipality walleh’.

Buying new books nowadays is an investment, most costing not less than 300 odd rupees (they are now in dollars and pounds!!). So I have to be convinced before I venture. In last two years or so I have bought only two odds books from bookstalls one was very recent (The Islamist-500 odd Rs is quite costly!!) another was on Horse racing the one I just couldn’t get from pavement despite some frantic search. Next would be Naipaul as and when it is out, one may not agree with some of his views but he is brilliant, and makes me think (even in the areas one may not agree there is an element… some disturbing hints of truth), that is an incentive enough to buy.

Actually I am quite ambivalent when shelling out money for new books, for some precious moments I do entertain the idea of putting the money on horse!! (the reason probably I haven’t bought too many new books recently!!. Further reading on the Net is absolutely fantastic). Putting it on winner Colt or Filly is not a bad idea, though!

This blogger strongly suggests readers to buy books from pavements, it is cheap, you can bargain and yes you may end up stumbling upon something rare!. Long live second hand book sellers!!

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Please visit http://burmamyanmargenocide.blogspot.com/and vote for "How can we remove tyrant government of Burma (Myanmar)?" from the options (almost 60% of people have voted for "Send in UN troops and hold elections").

Below is the Picture of Japanese Journalist being killed cold blooded by Brutal Junta of Burma, although the dictators deny but hundreds of people are being detained and killed in this country. Shame on Indian government for dealing with this regime (yah sure Gandhian!!). If China doesn't take action now Boycott Beijing Olympics.

To bring down ruthless dictators of Burma boycott …

People of Burma (Myanmar) are being ruthlessly oppressed for about two decade now. It is therefore not surprising that the recent popular and peaceful uprising against the junta has been brutally dealt. According to the reports emerging from this unfortunate country- clandestinely available on Net, thousands of people are illegally detained, killed or seriously assaulted. Dictators are also quoted saying yesterday that Aung Sang Suu Kyi ‘should not pursue confrontation’! The fact that she has been in house arrest for a decade, the fact that democracy has been cruelly suppressed is a coincidence!. Burma junta is a shame on humanity. The international community need to intervene and sought out this problem. If UN cannot do anything here then its credibility in handling such crisis is questioned. It is paving way for violent societies.

Propriety or rightness should predominate strategic interest, ideally. While India did some Gandhian talk in UN about non violence in the sidelines they were negotiating with Burma!!. Diplomacy almost always lack sensitivity to reality, propriety. It is a kind of custom meant for media, the smile, shaking hands, so on. This meeting was ‘strategic’ I am told. To help us people. Most of the ministers (and babus) who are desperately trying to help us Indians have spend almost all their life in few Kms of Delhi is also not a coincidence.

The concerns of Indians are not entirely unfounded since the border with Burma is a very sensitive and vulnerable region. Also China it seems is having a march over India in this region. The ‘balancing act’ by India has more to do with these realities. Of course that doesn’t take Indians out of blame.

The Dictators of Burma get their support from China is not rocket science. China has been sustaining these dictators for more than a decade or so for its ‘strategic interest’ is very clear (the kind of things ‘leaders’ do for people is astounding!!). China in recent months is trying to show its best behavior to international community since it is hosting Olympics. So it doesn’t want to be seen on wrong foot. It has rectified its stands in Darfur after coercion (not the least by Spielberg). Precisely that is how Junta in Burma could be brought down. If China doesn’t act now then the Olympics are in peril. Ideally sports should be kept away from politics but we are not living in ideal world. This suggestion might seem a bit hyperbolic but 18 years of brutality is too long a period. It is time to think in terms of boycotting Beijing Olympics.

Protest killings by Dictators in Burma

Killer Junta of Burma

Building Developments (a poem and some reality!!)

Building Developments

Munching pieces of sky
swallowing land from deep
it grows and grows
into symbols of development
of prosperity.

Evicting a fondness
scratching some memories,
exposed to alien sights, new sounds,
a cry muffles itself
desperately seeking solace
and cling
in my thought
in stray recollections
and stranger I get
stranger I get…

I would be the last person to be against development and prosperity. A prosperous society gives people more comfort. But I really am very confused about what really ‘development’ means. I always had dislike for big buildings but I guess lack of space will lead to vertical growth, multistoried buildings/flats are inevitable. However the mindset that dominates the designs of these buildings is appalling, if not unethical. The glasshouses will suck more electricity, heat the surroundings and eventually burdens society, wonder why the government has not come with any building guidelines (or is it part of ‘freedom of expression’ or keep the govt out (you know the groovy world of self regulation: the latest fad?!). These buildings are sickening sight. At a level it smacks of arrogance in rejecting traditional wisdom. Implanting designs from Las Vegas or Dubai is not my idea of smartness. The problem here is that the foolishness of these people has started to affect us common people, more significantly the very existence of our planet. So when they talk of ‘energy security’ they need to focus on consumption pattern also, rather than only production increase.

These buildings are also responsible for quarrying for sand, causing untold miseries to the vulnerable local population as also leading to environmental catastrophe in and around these areas of ‘development’. It is shocking they are able to innovate buildings to take care of all needs, comfort and luxury but the basic ingredients still remains sand, gravel….that are obtained by plundering surrounding. Why are there no technological substitution for these?. Isn’t it time some brilliant guys invent a substitute for sand and mass produce it? For the astounding constructions happening in metros, sand mining is done in outskirts, from ponds and river beds (even soil is used as substitute). There is an environmental catastrophe unfolding here. Some excerpts from Net:

Sand mining is a disaster happening on colossal scale. With Many rivers are vanishing because of sand mining. Ground water tables plummet, resulting in scarcity of drinking water. Water scarcity is more severe in rural areas as illegal mining creates ecological imbalance. Every year, thousands of cubic metres of sand is removed from the riverbeds. Due to endless sand mining, the depth of the rivers enhances and the mud walls on either side collapse posing a major threat to nearby houses and farms. Trees on the banks are also uprooted. The absence of sand on the riverbed affects the velocity of the water flow, making it violent during monsoons. Saline water also enters the river easily, especially in summer. Lowering of water table has accelerated the intrusion of saline seawater into the main river. Uncontrolled sand mining has damaged the river's ecosystem as well, destroying the habitats of organisms living on the riverbed. Fish breeding and migration - the fish move between marine and freshwater habitats during spawning - have been affected because of sand mining and the check dams constructed on the river. The river is also a source of food for many bird species such as egrets, storks, terns and sandpipers. Sand mining has put a question mark over their very survival. Worse still, species seen in the sea are moving up, and this indicates more saline water in the river. (Inputs from indiatogether.com)

Further, is opening of huge buildings housing jewellery shops or retail shops (bigger and uglier) really development as we see in many of small towns ??. Hopefully there will be concrete/sustainable development in terms of meaningful, gainful employment. So that youngsters don’t have to migrate to different cities and live in appalling and alienating surroundings.

At personal level I haven’t seen the kind of growth in multistoried (and demolishing of old building) building that has been happening for last 5-6years, it is astonishing. Change is inevitable but when certain places ensconce so many fond memories there is also certain wariness, a pain that cannot really be quantified. There is a sense of loss. Mind looks out for reference point/ familiarity, which is what memories provides this loss breaks that bond.

So where really is your home??

The sage says: Your home is where your mind is.
And what happens when the mind start to loose, the links…?
The answer:….(silence)
Aha !!!. Now I get it. Did you hear that snap of fingers?!!.

Alternative scene (practical): Game of chess (apologies to Ingmar Bergman!!. He was brilliant wasn’t he??)

Asks Death: what’s your next move
Human: (doesn’t answer, is wistful, not apprehensive)
Death: You know you can’t win this game.
Human: (finally he can smile)
Death (taken aback): That is unfair you know the end (screams and vanishes)

Human triumphs !!.