Bharat Ratna for Bhagat Singh

Castetva forces have denied this honour to one the greatest and most admired Indian (of undivided India). That there are cases of regrettable and disgraceful people –casteist and manipulative politicians, been bestowed this highest honour of the land while amazing humans are scripted out is a matter of grievous concern. This wrong has to be rectified, not that these honour matters to someone who sacrificed his life at his prime almost hundred years back, and who was known for his sensitive erudite understandings (that pseudo leftist patriarchs shouldn’t be allowed to usurp, indeed they woefully fall short), but it is least the society can do. He must be in the forefront of collective psyche of Indian society as an example for youthful idealism and to stand for what is right despite overwhelming odds and threat to life. He was a true humanist, with amazing level of humanity in him that is rare. Castetva forces have attempted to push him down the rug as ‘terrorist’ (this is how “neech” get defined, ofcourse in an entirely different context but the thought process and intent is same) while fervently elevating casteist. It’s deeply disturbing. Ironical, considering that when they threw bombs in assembly, against violent colonials who had perpetrated Jallianwala massacre among other atrocities, they didn't intend to kill anyone but send a loud message. 
Bhagat Singh must get his due and rightful place in India’s history, any more delay is unfortunate. He deserves to be the youngest Bharat Ratna for eternity. 
           

Imposing vegetarianism by Castetva forces

KasturiSons, yes the patriarchs at TheHindu –the dynasty media, take high moral grounds at every conceivable occasion. They fancy themselves to be superior to others in the media, as also place themselves as local guardians –I guess the nauseating gandhian leeway of trustees was well fated (indeed Gandhi was nurtured to streamline these cringeworthy matters of fate and construct a benign nature of entitlement). Ideally once India got the so-called independence these family businesses should have been dismantled or atleast the property taken away by the government as part of land reforms. These sections have been occupying prime property all across the country, and with this ill-gotten collateral the litters have been defining merit, success, trickle down tricks so on to the society while some in the hunt for assured returns on high moral grounds investment play kindred souls in western gaze liberal posture. Almost all of them go abroad for ‘higher studies’ –essentially to attune themselves to masquerading tricks that is held at good stead back home.

A decade or so back I used to keep a keen eye on these despicables (now ofcourse it’s cursory, and I sincerely wish they close down and shift their business to selling undergarments or so –which I am told is lucrative) and used to, in my naïve earnestness, wonder as to what was the reason that Subramaniam Swamy was given so much importance that whatever he blurted was news for Kasturi&sons. Now though it is quite clear, also an irrefutable instance of castetva force cleverly egging on hindutva forces to take it forward. Meanwhile, as part of woman’s emancipation they even enthusiastically maintain KanyaKendra for assured employment in high moral grounds for squatter female litters. You could spot them soaring effortlessly, from swamis, to aiyers to vajpeis…as also their own litters to perpetuate fine tradition of dynasty media. It is in continuation of this elevated family tradition, wherein rear end plugs are exchanged and find perfect match, that they found Malini Parthasarthy as natural carrier of blessed legacy. This woman was the editor for some time, and during her role as presiding deity an employee leaked an internal circular “asking staff members not to bring non-vegetarian food into the office dining area”. Prompted by complaints from some employees about the norm being flouted, was a reiteration of the fact that “non-veg food is strictly prohibited” inside the dining hall. This would mean that if staff members want to eat meat from their own lunch boxes, they would have to eat it outside the dining hall. The logic provided by the organisation was that non-vegetarian food “causes discomfort to the majority of the employees who are vegetarian” (source scroll.in). There is a case for creating separate section within the canteen for non-vegetarian (must clarify not separate canteen, that will be forced segregation) instead of asking employees exercising their food choice to literally get out, that is how civilized people deal with such innocuous situations. And this by an organization that is prone to take highest possible moral ground as local guardians, but then these subtle matters or empathetic considerations don’t register when rear end plug makes it impossible (I am told there is a folklore, now part of well-established myth even finding mention in private scriptures, that is ofcourse almost fact, of how gods themselves conspired to personally drop down from heavenly abode to place these limited editions of rear end plugs into blessed porcine rear ends. I am also told that Kasturi&Sons got the extra large ones with extra wriggle). Further, I find it extremely disagreeable the way some people eat food, eating with hand is alright but even in here some level of decency must be maintained but the messy way some of these blessed ones deliver the divine food to belly can leave you nauseated for a long time, ‘thayir sadam’ (curd rice) can take it to next level of disgustful display and when it happens in camaraderie bonhomie it can be a disturbing sight (can make Freddie Krueger look benign!). And living in lower strata you do end up sharing table with these, and you have to tolerate or drop out as early without creating any fuss. Ideally you shouldn’t be concerned about what others eat but the way anything is eaten can be problematic. Amazingly in this blessed society among specially blessed people it is just the opposite! It must be noted that Guru Nanak insisted on communal dining in response to, and with specific intention to curb, brute nature of segregation consolidated and deviously spread by castetva forces. That these vibrant egalitarian values have been coopted, and made ineffective, by sinister castetva forces as just another case of wonderful diversity exhibiting its depravity.

Ms. Parthasarthy, placed in decision making capacity, was expected to take a balanced and nuanced view, also considering that Chennai is a coastal region and fish is a staple diet of common people. Indeed it is absurd, if not sign of low intelligence, not to partake in this abundantly available fresh and cheap source of nutrition, protein. But as is the wont, even when it comes to these simple matters of choice, the woman chose to take high moral grounds and in the process reflected her depraved mindset, she responds arrogantly “Vegetarianism is a part of an increased sensitivity to animals and other species. Crazy to link this to secularism debate”. So non vegetarianism is being declared from sanctum moral vacuum perch as being insensitivity to animals, it is therefore not about food habits or other practical nutritional consideration, that too in a country which suffers severe malnutrition. Even Buddhism from where these compassion driven thoughts are coopted doesn’t insist, nor castigate, because they are connected to reality and do not need exaggerated valuation of themselves nor are habituated with the psychopathic urge to use everything and anything as potent weapon for segregation and domination. Emerging from sanctum moral vacuum the devious mind elaborates that non vegetarians are insensitive people. Incidentally this is how prejudiced mindset gets exhibited. This is the same context for racism and fascism, that black people are inferior, latinos are rapists, jews are impure so on emerge. The pertinent question here would be: How do these people reach such important positions? What are the systems that nurture these? And you will get answers for most problems that Indians face. Morons, and the depraved framework –the demeaning wasteful rituals hinged on puerile worldviews and self-centered logic, that has now acquired modern pointers, sustain these. These have been trying to create aspirational context for common people for ages, in the process not only isolating individuals from their surrounding but also from themselves, from their own soul. Absolutely sane and well meaning people end up cursing, hating themselves and their surrounding, while fate becomes a clear concept and redemption matter. It’s the beginning of alienation, and then it is further burdened by societal level segregations that works its tentacles replacing basic decency that defines humans. They therefore are readied to become fodder to all kinds of exploitations. It is not shocking nor is it a coincidence that in this 21^st century India has largest number of people as bonded labours, even little children are exploited. Religio-feudal deceitful ways are now taken over by investment friendly market. Most degrading and dehumanizing jobs are seen as natural advantage for Indians. No wonder India has been reduced to such appalling standards, meanwhile lacking in basic humanitarian level unity or unifying egalitarian thoughts as a progressive society nor are there any values to nurture context for competence.

  We need to also consider that these high moral posturing scoundrels haven’t taken to these food choices as ‘increased sensitivity’ but due to traditions that have depraved context. That this sensitivity doesn’t extend to basic consideration for fellow humans is also telling, indeed as expected it is at the expense. It is carefully choreographed with all traditional pointers to humiliate and degrade fellow humans as also feel morally superior. This is where you slickly move from vegetarian to pure vegetarian to foreseer of brahmand. Conscious intends have unconscious attitudes and in Indian context issues related to vegetarianism (or vegan, that is increasingly favoured lifestyle choice to rationally consciously deal with increased carbon footprint, as also depleting ocean resources and diversity) or gender issues must be closely scrutinized and shouldn’t be allowed to attach to international narration to ransack into moral high grounds. Significantly, look out for zombies with enlarged pupils, quivering lips and salivating mouth readying for nonviolent lick. They have capacity to mutilate any egalitarian context. 

As irresponsible vicious castetva forces consolidated Indians fell woefully short of expectation, they have been made incapable by the putrefying garbage at the top. These deviant aspirational contexts and self defeating alienating traits that it construes are constantly pushed in and tends to consolidate onto mindsets of hapless people, becomes traditions and mainstream cultural expressions that are now normalized by nepotistic market. It requires constant vigil and heightened level of immunity to be not influenced by these overwhelming presences. You have to constantly strive and create egalitarian frame from wherever it is available, and unfortunately may have to isolate from society, to study and understand these. It is an ardent task

***

The other day I happen to visit RK Narayan’s house which has been converted into a museum, it’s about hundred meters from Dasaprakash were I drop in for coffee sometimes, must add it is a charming little house tucked in the peaceful part of the town and his room –oval shaped with lots of windows overlooking breadfruit trees and fragrant plumerias, is what a room should be. RK Narayan’s is a master raconteur and his writings carry old world charm but unfortunately these I have come to understand, over the years, is disturbingly isolated from realities of this society. It is a carefully constructed cleansed world that seeks to instill nostalgia among a narrow, but influential, section who vociferously promoted him, or that he was incapable to comprehend the social realities –damning indictment being a writer, ensconced in the charm of pit. Or most likely willfully scripted these to suit influential section to further himself, atleast ‘Waiting for mahatma’ is clear attempt in that direction. Displaying gandhian is always an intention of higher ambition and loudest hint to lutyen’s litter. Nevertheless he remains one of my favourite writers provided you put on some blinkers or need to be transported to distant fictional land that has no bigger overarching super structural problems, or overwhelming ugliness that pervades, but everyday shortcomings and charming lapses of the moment brilliantly captured.  

I was quite late into reading, and being dyslexic –that I came to know about much later, words tend to float all the time and makes it a messy deal to comprehend. It leads to hilarious situations for oneself. Adding to the fact English was a new language that remained for a long time in the periphery. Mostly confined to comics, books came very late, and I was truly determined to focus on reading when I was about 26, and RK was my early pick. About three to four years of continuous reading, intermittent with needs for earning and other hiccups, I was trying out writing for the simple reason that I thought I should write something long, most of the time I was scribbling one thing or other on the backpages of notebook since I could remember, also pretentiously held that I could write better stories than these! Indeed highly exaggerated self-worth that too from someone who hasn’t even written two sentence correctly all his life. I tend to collect words that focus on the idea and then work out into comprehensible, taking reference from what I read for sentence construction, obviously this is a major handicap in fiction writing where emotion and characterization is a major concern. I guess short stories works out well since it is short spurts, indeed unbelievably exhausting but astoundingly elevating and fulfilling experience. But to be consistent I need to keep reminding myself that I am also a writer, which many times I forget altogether. Writing blog like this is about communicating something urgent and critical, in here writing skills is a peripheral matter. It’s about understanding and deciphering the issue while expressing it as truthfully and incisively as possible. I believe I got quite good at it over the years, as also it is lots of fun particularly when taking a well-placed potshot at high end postures.

RK Narayan, quite appropriately, found an “enthusiastic patronage” in KasturiSons, the camaraderie saw to it that RK was presented as major Indian fiction writer (which surely he was, whatever disenchantment one may have) but also as an enlightened caretaker (which surely he wasn’t, and this blogger has extreme reservation about these cunning manipulative attempts. His collection of essay carries characteristic arrogance and cringeworthy disconnect). Some of the exhibits at the museum are an extension of amazing level of disengagement to propriety that understandably the exhibitors fail to comprehend. RK has said and written so many stuff, some quite beautiful and worth replicating, but look at this quote that was chosen by these dimwits to display on the wall, that was seen not once but twice, it reads: But you are not my wife. You are a woman who will go to bed with anyone who flatters your antics. That’s      –R.K.Narayan. Now apart from being sexist it is shoddy piece of English. It makes you puke. That they lacked the mental caliber or social context, to understand its appropriateness, or to even have basic concern, while they framed and hung these not once but twice is symptomatic. These thinking rarely occur when you are trying to impress garbage at the top. Not at all surprisingly N Ram as an authenticator was a constant presence in the museum. Another of the despicable display reads “Narayan was lovable man, but his humility was deceptive. Once when All India Radio invited a group of Indian writers to give talks and offered them fees far in excess of their usual rates, while all others accepted the offer Narayan made it a condition that he should be paid at least one rupee more than others.” Hmm deceptive humility. Worth considering.               

Why justice as consensual social contract becomes difficult?

 “A theory however elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well-arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust.”

That is a quote by John Rawl, American philosopher who delved on ‘Theory of Justice’, and since he was not an economist he makes genuine attempts to understand the concept of ‘justice as fairness’. Early this year when I read him, I was quite taken in by his incisive and rather creative attempt at understanding justice. It was refreshing and empathetic understanding of the world. Unlike what we come across in this part of the world with word plays, manipulative grandstanding from mythical much grander world, quoting ancient archaic texts and digging history for stellar self-consuming justifications that is projected as so unique in the universe (world is always a small place) that it is beyond miracle, and that these spellbinding purifying thoughts emerges from a society like India where justice is quite an alien idea and inequity has horrendous tradition makes it compelling. Following these hallowed tradition a dear fellow (compulsive name dropper) proclaims, with ever keen sensibilities for Western audience, "My job as an economist has been about identifying injustice …” He writes a book on justice in India without ever mentioning caste (I read the book few years back, I faintly recall he didn’t dwell on the issue, he may or may not have mentioned it in passing. Seriously I don’t have inclination to go through it again having understood the context, but must add it is a well written scholarly work that needs rare intellect). An incisive columnist (Braj Ranjan Mani) in a subaltern magazine writes (these will not be found in mainstream magazines which ofcourse is about ‘mahatmas/pundits’ and search for ever purifying peace) “Intellectual compromise of the best gives rise to the worst. Amartya Sen's sanitised, caste-blind perspective on social unfairness, Hinduism and Indian culture, despite the show of reason, eclecticism …is a gross distortion of historical reality, and a classic example of the limitation –and danger–of elitist liberalism” he writes further “It is astonishing that such a conscientious scholar who has built his career on researching social unfairness and exclusion has hardly ever engaged with caste and its consequences. Caste, for whatever reasons, fails to qualify as a worthy subject of his scholarly engagement. Of course, sometimes he names caste in the categories of inequalities but just in passing and in a manner which raises questions about his approach to the axis of hierarchy and oppression in India . Whenever he mentions caste, he shows a strange inclination to minimise its negative impact or significance by invoking the all-powerful and crushing asymmetry of class. It is surprising since Sen is no impassioned believer in class radicalism, Marxism or socialism; he is, in fact, contrary to popular perception, a career academic and (at least now) a neoliberal intellectual, though of an ultra-refined kind”. “Making brilliant use of his talent, intellect and eclectic scholarship, what Amartya Sen essentially does, again like other elitist intellectuals in the service of cultural nationalism, is to erect a sophisticated defence of caste, brahmanism and their consequences under the guise of presenting a more balanced, nuanced and “open-ended” reading of Indian culture and society. But beneath the surface of attractive phraseology, Sen's perspective, too, is centred around the normalisation of caste and exaltation of Hinduism”. The columnist makes an incisive conclusion “But, like all the champions of the Hindu Left and Gandhism and their lovely talk of Hindu-Muslim unity, the tragedy and hypocrisy of Amartya Sen is that his caste-blindness and competitive exaltation of Hinduism and Indian culture puts him in close and dangerous kinship to the very sectarian and violent forces he is ranged against. His fundamentally flawed reading of Hinduism, especially his inability to understand “communalism” as the unresolved and festering question of caste in Indian society, makes him a proponent of a vacuous brahmanic secularism which only feed and nourish the Hindutva forces”.

Willy Sen, intellectual torchbearer of Castetva forces with refined masquerade of liberal tradition that is insistently attuned to western gaze, doesn’t confine his wiliness to caste normalisation. As a ‘neo-liberal economist’ his apathy towards environmental issues even in context to justice, which ofcourse is a major concern in recent times, is also telling, and was pointed by this blogger few years back. The other day I was reading an incisive column by George Manbiot, he writes “When you hear that something makes economic sense, this means it makes the opposite of common sense. Those sensible men and women who run the world’s treasuries and central banks, who see an indefinite rise in consumption as normal and necessary, are beserkers: smashing through the wonders of the living world, destroying the prosperity of future generations to sustain a set of figures that bear ever less relation to general welfare” he concludes with an incisive assertion “We need a different system, rooted not in economic abstractions but in physical realities, that establish the parameters by which we judge its health. We need to build a world in which growth is unnecessary, a world of private sufficiency and public luxury. And we must do it before catastrophe forces our hand”. Economists have failed us, and likes of Amartya Sen emerging intact from primitive society has failed us doubly. It is an amazing level of disconnect from surrounding that is so very characteristic. These disconnect spreads to every level where Indian intellect seeks to establish. Knowledge is keenly sought to be disconnected, indeed isolated, from realities of the surrounding. As if to avoid contamination! So as Indians get into higher and higher studies the gap keeps widening, finally reduced to mediocre shells of humans ready to use the skills to grab and fatten, as the blessing keeps mounting.   

  Coming back to Rawl, he evaluates social justice with rare empathy and insight. The remarkable man wanted to use power of idea to change the unjust world he was living in. He observes that ‘things as they are now is patently unfair’. Statistics, studies, all points to unfairness of society. But we don’t take these unfairness seriously because everything around us tell us all the time that if we work hard and have ambition we will make it. These seep into institutions and individual’s ideas on life, as a motto. Rags to rich stories are rare and exaggerated (and, if ever, it remains a compromise that least affect the unfairness of the system or it is about being co-opted into the system. Success is being good at something that helps or consolidates the existing system with biases. Ofcourse in Indian context much sinister forces are at play). Indeed, Rawl observes, maintaining these stories was a deceit perpetuated by powerful forces from the necessary task of reforming society, and to take urgent steps to make it equitable. But as the last few decades have shown inequity has accentuated drastically, and in countries like India these are severe, and with traditional deviant frameworks it is nothing but inhuman. Exploitation of people and nature goes on with same alacrity all across the world.  To understand the situation better Rawl comes out with a thought experiment. Imagine if you were not you. Rawl asks us to be in a ‘conscious intelligent’ state before birth but without any knowledge into the circumstance we are going to be born into. Our future is shrouded in ‘veil of ignorance’. We are hovering high above the planet earth (needs to add he was fascinated by Apollo mission). We do not know what kind of society we will be born into, to what sort of parents? What kind neighbourhood? What kind of schools, police, judiciary..? How is the world going to treat us? So on. And here he asks a significant question that forms the crux of his argument. If we knew nothing about where we would end up what sort of a society would it feel safe to enter? ‘Veil of ignorance’ will focus us to think about the appalling level of risks in entering a society. If the society is poverty ridden, unjust, corrupt, nepotistic, apathy driven will any sane birth lottery player really want to take the gamble of ending up in such a society? Ofcourse not. So what will they do? They will fervently insist that the rule of the game be changed otherwise it’s too risky! And you very well know what need to be fixed, and urgently so. You will want an equitable society with good schools, excellent hospitals, fair justice system, decent housing so on to everyone, a society that gives you safety and assuredness to explore your potential as a human to the fullest without any fear. Our focus therefore would be what needed to be done to be adequately positioned in worst case scenario. Rawl concludes that we know we finally made our societies fair if we don’t mind being born under any circumstance in any place. The fact that we cannot take such a challenge is a measure of how deeply unfair society is. A society, ultimately, will have to be hinged on liberty and equality. Basic liberties and rights for all. Distributive justice on resources and privileges. 

Now the question arises why such thoughts, ideas and concerns don’t emerge from a society that is amazingly discriminative and terrifyingly inequitable. The data, statistics, observable realities, points to horrendous levels of disparities that is so much milder –considering the religio-traditional moral vacuum, than what Rawl –placed as he was in western context, experienced and observed with his keen sense of intellect and empathy. The answer is self-evident, this society is incapable to produce such individuals or ideas, and if ever these will be immediately suppressed. And you have the same narrations throughout the history of this beleaguered society wherein egalitarian humanistic forces were undermined, and after the idea of nation state racist, casteist Gandhians reign supreme as benign overseers, hobnobbing with primitive elites nurtured in sanctum vacuum, cleverly quelling any hint of reality of common people while superseding oneself into high moral grounds with entitled ease, even posturing as a reference for the world. There is an egalitarian tradition that is being co-opted into casteist narration as signs of diversity, wherein these enlightened traditions that were anchored by some beautiful human beings across the centuries from Buddha to Nanak to Kabir (the latter arose during bhakti era as brahmanical/caste tyranny consolidated) that forms the bedrock of this society that fiercely opposed caste narrations. Gandhi can easily be figured as an imposter, a case of attempting to implant morally constructed soul into an immoral society for immediate gain and attempted normalisation of primitive hometruths. The nearest they get is patronising as unsolicited guardians, or giving handouts to seek their own redemption, hence these clever conception of ‘trustees’, ‘dharidhranarayan’ or ‘harijan’ (if you are aware of context then harijan means bastards, if you understand the origin is children of temple –born out of devadasis –another hoary tradition).  

To be fair, though Gandhi performed his part adroitly but things changed as situation went out of hand, his use was over and was dumped by castetva forces stampeding for power, in the melee of horrendous tragedy that unfolded on common people, ofcourse brought on by these posturing ego maniacs habituated to take people for granted, Gandhi did, in his fag end, showed signs of deep remorse, a hint of enlightened understanding. But nevertheless he doesn’t figure, not even in the footnote (not even among his contemporaries ranging from Phule to Narayana Guru to Periyar to Ambedkar) of great souls this society has produced, much so when he is fiercely promoted by castetva forces. It will be irresponsible not to resist this encroachment by casteist masquerading as kindred souls. We live in age of internet enlightenment, and in the age of critical scrutiny and consequences. Historical figures are not immune, urgently so, when dubious despicable people are controlling narrations that have severely eroded the moral context of the society in the last many decades since the so called independence. The other day I was listening to ‘Redemption Song’ (by inimitable Bob Marley) these lines are so appropriate for this context 
How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?

Social thinkers (the critical areas of sociology is severely compromised, with lack of intellect and critical consideration, atrophied mind incapable to ask uncomfortable questions and judiciously seek answers in difficult places) so called public intellectuals and god forsaken economists can only conjure as narrators of elite consolidation, manipulated documentations and constant urge to showcase their blessings by compulsive names dropping, queuing up to claim their prize and position. It’s pavlovian. They are nurtured to be remarkably immune to the horrendous realities of surrounding while sprightly ones have factored in these as amazing case of unity in diversity in what is essentially a sick society. Meanwhile as Gandhi was elevated into stratosphere, essentially as representative of wonder that they themselves are, it was also consolidation of an affliction that these mediocres –lacking as they are in any self-reflective capacity, attributed entitlements to themselves as blessing in the elevated ordained status of ‘jagad gurus’. Placed in bleakest of society they orchestrated this deviousness as overseer of world peace. Indeed any sanctum pit anywhere is buzz with experts ready with formulae and procedure for world peace. Some even write long articles pointing to instances of atrocities happening across the world and lament that Indians are loosing their elevated status as conscience caretakers of the world. So instead of seeking solutions for horrendous reality, or even accepting that there is something seriously amiss, that they ofcourse are complicit, they proficiently set out to position themselves as rightful but benign overseer of world and universe beyond, nothing else is acceptable in the conception of gargantuan ego with ever limited intellect. Gandhi was lovingly groomed and packaged, fiercely defended and rapturously poured as amazement sample for the world, as a representation of highest possible awe striking miraculous context that humans are blessed to witness. And as the society putrefied in amazing level of depravity, that is rarely seen anywhere else among Homo sapiens, caste feudal were scaling tallest of moral grounds from their local putrefying pits in their brutal quest for wonderful diversity, nonviolence and worldly peace. Narrators with clever linguistic skills, specifically in English, were readying as disseminators of controlled narration as also highlighting special versions of history into glorious realities. Obviously in such intense stampede moral context and tribulation of common people was never a concern, so much so that in the fine tradition of myth making even basic data and statistics are mostly absent or made unreliable and we have to be constantly dependent on international input. Truth is what corresponds to reality, but when you can dabble with reality then truth is manipulated with ease state might and cronyism.

 The mindsets and attitude that seek to understand the surrounding, seeking empathetic solutions or insight, were singularly absent and hence sought to deal reality through fatalism and myth making. Temple hopping rituals became a desired trait that percolated to the lowest base of power structure while those adept in these manipulative depravities were elevated into highest of policy making positions as blessings, concurrently as aspiration model, while bereft of any professional or problem solving skills or even any discernable basic human qualities. The enlightened traditions were superseded and encroached, with vicious arsenals of entitlements and, power salivating uniquely Indian monstrous humbleness, into its fold through state power as caste feudal ransacked the democratic institutions and power structures that was transferred and presented as nation state from colonialism. The tardy nature of democratic institutions, and general apathy, unresponsiveness, exploitations etc. can be traced to these horrendous traditions that fattened in moral vacuum. Where everything is ordained and skills confined to sycophancy to powerful –something that is chiselled and exacted into an artform over centuries of sanctum squatting deviousness that has percolated as desired trait, meanwhile an amazing level of depravity against vulnerable. Competence is conceived, understood and cemented through camaraderie and fine art of patronage dispensing. So lick the people at top with all blessed earnestness and stamp the people below with equal blessed earnestness becomes definitive nature of the society. Meanwhile obvious moral gaps are filled with narrations of fatalism and mythical subterfuge. 

A mindset of person like Rawl emerges from the same society that nurtures rational enquiry and values open equitable democratic values (that ofcourse is seriously getting compromised in the debilitating onslaught of market chicanery and religious miracles). Where primal forces, and notions of nature, becomes abiding judge of moral bearings and thoughts. These kinds of understanding needs high level of imaginative thinking and a deep concern, connectedness, to the surrounding. It’s a combination that Indian elite section, hence the whole aspirational reference of the society, singularly lacks. It doesn’t happen when families functions with psychopathic value system and cannibalism as transactional attribute while they count entitled blessings, and the insular worldview sustained and judiciously nurtured, emerging from the traditions of moral vacuum. They can do wonderfully well in crony capitalism, also where charm is useful to manipulate and only discernible talent. Mostly mediocres with high estimation of oneself they actively connive to not only deny the realities of surroundings, lest it intrudes into carefully constructed world, but to replace it with myths of grandeur and concerns that seeks highest moral grounds, unbounded by any human borders. It is a spectacular achievement of manipulation from putrefying pit. There is a deeply disturbing nothingness with these preoccupations of caste. The inability to grapple the moral incoherence is baffling. Can human societies fall into such deep pits?     

                                   

The market entanglement

So cities have become gas chambers, air quality is severely compromised as more numbers of Indians die of air pollution related ailments than anywhere else in the world. Common people are in serious bother, in an already bleak scenario where apathy driven policy makers, habituated through sanctum traditions of moral vacuum, look for easy excuses or manipulation to hide their incompetence. So what does the market media, which is meanwhile elevated as fourth estate –torchbearer of free speech so on, do? Continuing with tradition of amazing levels of immunity to surroundings they work it out through sponsors from vehicle manufacturers in a bid to increase sale! So we have carbon fuelled cars and bikes being tempted through advertisements, very much helped by media exaggerated icons arising out of murky world of movie business and cricket industry, as agents of superior life on every conceivable occasion as people grapple for dear life. 

It seems some live in alternate reality, in a market entangled paradox. It is alright to peddle vehicles while people gasp for breath as automobiles are established as major source of air pollution in already congested societies with limited infrastructure. This in a country where majority of people don’t own vehicles and use public transport despite the risks and discomfort as also the system heavily skewed towards private vehicles (must add metro trains are significant step towards MRTS). But the irresponsible elite section wallowing in greed and pathological insecurity live in market entanglement. Carbon spewing vehicles with fancier looks are, not very ironically, being propositioned with deeper understanding on marketer’s limited philosophies on life meanwhile bringing the bacon home for wage slave journalists as they pitch as guardians of common people. The disconnect is amazing.       

Birding report from Adichunchanagiri Peacock sanctuary

Today being birth anniversary of Salim Ali, as usual birding was on the itinerary, indeed this day should be declared as a birding day. This time around rather than going for birding to the nearby lake I decided on Adichunchanagiri peacock sanctuary, something that was on the anvil for a long time. It’s on a rocky hillock, a scrubby terrain, that is occupied by a big temple with smaller ones scattered around like the one you have at Tirupati. There should be strict law regarding declaring a site as wildlife sanctuary, and anything near religious sites shouldn’t be considered as these are highly disturbed.  There seems to be a desire to declare these places as wildlife sanctuaries as an indication that the vicinity of religious sites are oasis of calmness with diversity of lives. To some extend taboos related to religions and superstitions tends to conserve the place but as things get commercialised they get seriously disturbed with large number of people, vehicles, constructions, and ofcourse human waste. There is also amazing level of noise pollution, not to forget the cringe worthy shrill drum beats. To be fair this site is sparse most days except on Sundays and Mondays.  As expected you find ‘R species’ avian (the opportune species that thrive along human habitat) like mynas, crows, rock pigeons towards the temple site. Though it is named Peacock sanctuary there aren’t many Peafowls around. But away from the temple you could have some wonderful sightings of ‘K species’ including the Vulnerable (IUCN) Yellow-throated Bulbul. Terrific.

Checklist of birdwatching

In and around Adichunchanagiri Peacock sanctuary

Date: 12 November

Time: 6am to 8.30am

Weather: partly cloudy sky

1.      Yellow-throated Bulbul (Pycnonotus xantholaemus)*

2.      Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

3.      Indian Silverbill (Lonchura malabarica)

4.      Jungle Prinia (Prinia sylvatica)

5.      Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)

6.      Little Minivet (Pericrocotus lansbergei)

7.      White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus) 

8.      Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)

9.      Black-headed Munia (Lonchura atricapilla)

10.  Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura)

11.  Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis)

12.  White-rumped Munia (Lonchura striata)

13.  Indian golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo)

14.  Indian robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus)

15.  White-browed Bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus)

16.  Red-rumped Swallows (Cecropis daurica)

17.  Little swift (Apus affinis)

18.  Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides affinis)

19.  Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

20.  Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica)

21.  Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)

22.  Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

23.  Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)

24.  Green Bee eater (Merops orientalis)

25.  Pale-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum erythrorhynchos)

26.  Dusky crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne concolor)

27.  Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) 

28.  Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis)

29.  Pied Bushchat (Saxicola caprata)

30.  White-cheeked Barbet (Megalaima viridis)

31.  Jungle bush Quail (Perdicula asiatica)

32.  Black kite  (Milvus migrans) 

33.  Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)

34.  Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

35.  Jungle Myna  (Acridotheres fuscus)

36.  Common Crow (Corvus splendens)

37.  Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) 

*lifer