This blogger has been following Baba Ramdev for some time now, and though would differ on some of his views- views that tend to subjugate personal choices. But i do perfectly understand where these come from and know very well these are also rooted in the psyche of people that needs education and time to change, particularly when it comes to contentious issues like say homosexuality (Osho’s view on these matters is much nuanced and thought provoking). Nevertheless it need be pointed out that there has always been space for sections in Indian society be at informal level-what is being classified as hypocrisy by small timers is actually a way of tolerance. Unlike other more organised societies where these sections (and many more) where severely dealt, there was nothing to crusade for. For a rather ‘backward’ society where people live in tremendous disparities there are problems no doubt. Sometimes these responses could be backlash of market driven change that is sought through vulgarism and a vicious form of self aggrandisement. But this blogger will say with much certainty that unlike market sponsored activists (as also so called intelligentsia, who stampede news channel) Baba Ramdev is no hypocrite. And yes even if he has political ambitions this blogger has no problem, that is his choice and we should learn to respect however unpalatable it maybe it is for city based sophisticates. One fellow in English News channel (wonder why there are so very less number of English news channel...what kind of corruption is that?!) who also happens to be an editor of English magazine had the audacity to advice Baba Ramdev to stick to his yoga. Amazingly Talibanish one must say, i don’t know if anyone has ever suggested that a fellow who was once editing soft porn should even be taken seriously! Learn to respect diversity even though it may not go with your scotch or all your pretentious borrowed sophistication. Time for self appointed moral guardians to do some introspection. This blogger also doesn’t agree that Baba Ramdev shouldn’t run or not run business, it his choice as long as things are legal. No one has any right to tell what other should or shouldn’t do. There has also been accusation of him being associated with far right (read RSS). This is another ploy to scuttle the issue. Taking the issue head on let me point out that RSS is a legal organisation and if the power that be thinks that this is a problem then ban it. Further the cumulative nature of Hindu society is such that it rarely favours extreme views or actions, unless of course there is sufficient provocation and manipulations by vested interests. This blogger would like to focus on effective law and order machinery rather than the perception created by vested interests (market media included). Indeed this blogger thinks that this whole drama of secularism has provided an easy exit for the most corrupt. For Crude woman & Co (just taking an example that has high symbolism value) this has been a space for promoting themselves, about nepotism, of course market does provide the modernism angle, the reason why you will find them stampeding in market sponsored moral high grounds. The same reason you will not find them in Baba Ramdev rally, there is a market driven class snob here that see references of common people as wanting. The reason why English news media will smirk, while millions of people in this country will rally behind Baba Ramdev. It is also shocking that Opposition political parties are lacking any articulation when the common people want them the most, the reason why likes of Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare become viable option for people.
Baring some contentious points (mentioned earlier) this blogger strongly thinks that Baba Ramdev is raising some very relevant and serious issues, though there might be bit rustiness in the way these are articulated but this blogger believes that through the platform of fighting corruption/black money Baba Ramdev is also attempting to raise the self esteem of common people, whether through the issue of language or other culture pointers (that has been seriously undermined by market, there shouldn’t be any doubt that market works in cruder framework). His secularism doesn’t come through tutored English media; his understandings are something shared by common people that has been the foundation of Indian society in general. There are of course problems but Baba Ramdev is a genuine attempt on systemic change, this blogger wishes him all the luck.
Kerala’s tryst with June 1st
May 31st Place Kerala: sultry lazy day, time to walk the street or stretch on the beach,
June 1st Place Kerala: chaos of the colossal magnitude!!
Now you might wonder what happened in 24ho
urs. It is a miracle that the monsoon keeps its date with Kerala almost always with clockwork precision. O how i miss the days on the beach watching the approaching rain (Alexander Frater’s Chasing the Monsoon has wonderful description of the festive occasion) it is an experience very difficult to express, and i would invariably end up on the beach on a rainy day. It used to be one of my must things to do those days. Quite funnily the onset of monsoon coincides with opening of schools. It’s unbelievable, the chaos with frantic parents, crying children in hopelessly crumpled new cloths, screeching autos, overcrowded buses...as if an animal spirit has entered the lethargy and Kerala in its unaccustomed frenzy ends up stampeding itself, it is on a standstill, clogged in traffic jams just about the time when action had begun. You just couldn’t help feeling sorry for the kids (indeed Jayshree Mishra’s Ancient Promise brings out this one). So enter the children into hallowed place of learning. Could have been pleasant! But then you wouldn’t experience the June 1st chaos of Kerala. 
