You must watch this movie

 Indian movies are either too commercial charting the dominant prejudices or too pretentious mediocre art fair. Between these you do come across some brilliant stuff. I as an audience at one point was into film festivals, and can claim to have sensibilities to recognise good movie. ‘Court’ is such a movie, it is a brilliant effort. This multilingual movie is one of the best movies I have seen for a long time (‘Peepli live’ ‘Wednesday’…too were good movies). It quite succinctly brings out the tardy system and unconcerned individuals, as the marginalised pay the price of mediocrity.      

Visiting the religious pit

I have visited Haridwar many times, as it is near to Delhi I used to drop in quite often. Rishikesh is a better option, hanging around with foreign tourists was a preferred option. Haridwar is a Hindu pilgrim centre for thousands of years, and that makes it an interesting study. Very soon you realise the primitive template that defines Indian society, the psyche, its origin and crudeness. Indeed it is quite true to all Hindu pilgrim centres, temples and pits. It is excruciating to watch hapless people trapped in rituals that bring them here, believes related to death of near one and solace they seek make them vulnerable. Any social system, in particular the religion –that positions itself as moral bearer,  would have evolved empathy and wellbeing of grieving individuals on these matters. But that is not what you witness in Haridwar. It is an amazingly brutal world. Scoundrels masquerading brahmins have spread their tentacles to squeeze the hapless people. It is heart breaking to see them pounce and cheat people in their most vulnerable of situations in life. Very soon you realise that these scoundrels have spread across all walks of life and are responsible for general degradation of society, for serious lack of ethics and exploitation of weak.

I was sitting at the bank of Ganges, the sacred and most polluted river –this irony in itself explains the nature of things, and observing a ritual being conducted by relatives of deceased on quieter part of the river. It was clear that the family was economically not very well off, the reason they choose these less crowded part of the river was to seek reduction on cost of rituals. They were clearly distressed by the loss of dear one, and most likely wanted the best of other world for the departed soul. As I was watching the absurdity of the ritual made comical by lackadaisical disinterested ‘brahmin’ (it is amazing that some take it as matter of birthright, and taken these primitiveness as identity), in the meanwhile as an observer I felt for the family and identified with the tribulation they underwent. A street photographer, who couldn’t get any customer, too was riveted by the spectacle. The wily ‘brahmin’ was adept, he slowly and deliberately made his moves like a predator hunting the prey. The victims not very assured on these matters generally gave in, not to incur any wrath or bad omen. Sample few of the tactics he adopted to fleece the money. “basm ka kriya alagh or brahmin ka kriya alagh” meaning the ritual associated with ash (of the dead) is different while that of ‘brahmin’ is different, meaning (these scoundrels are adept in layers of niceties) the cost associated with rituals related to dead is different while the cost associated with ‘brahmin’ is different. Meaning, dead will have the cost to negotiate into heaven but as an ordained agent he has a price. Meaning, he will have all the money. The man was relentless and played cruelly on the vulnerabilities; it could even easily anguish anyone witnessing these cruelties. Other words thrown in were “puniya ka qatha” (“deposit of good deeds”. Some people are high on these and quantify it by distributing greasy food in cities), “Brahaman ka bhoj ke liye dhaan” (donation for feast for ‘brahmin’). Fleecing over dead is a tradition here. Disgust. Finally he managed to squeeze 50R more, and made a tidy sum of 150R from the poor people for an effort lasting 15odd minutes.

I told the photographer instead of investing on costly equipment and haggling for customers why doesn’t he put on a thread, do the same as the miserable ‘brahmin’ and earn easy money. The photographer’s response was telling, he said that will be cheating, amazingly he didn’t see the irony of what transpired in front of us. In his tutored worldview we have a role assigned and within that roleplay you could cheat! Indeed he would do the same in what he was doing, it is a replicated behaviour pattern. As I was interacting with him he told me that these punds i.e. the ‘brahmin’ scoundrels adept in squeezing people off their money, are small time punds, they are chelas. Indeed under the tree relaxed two more, apparently they had the share of the money, a kind of rent seeking that gets magnified in big cities. It was a racket and each area divided for the spoil. The photographer pointed to the crowded side of the river “the punds there are gudhi ke pund (loosely, high seated/cushioned ‘brahmins’), wo tho loot ke nanga kar thenge (they could easily loot you into your underwear). They easily earned in thousands on daily basis. The petty photographer had other aspect of his character. He mentioned about having eaten food with ‘valmiks’. He was quite repulsed but maintained that they too are human and should be treated as such. I glimpsed little Gandhi peeking out of him. An amazing unity in diversity. Herein you get another template that Indians flourish in and that is you supplicate to the force above you in the meanwhile brutalise the people below you. All these done in a peaceful manner that the protagonists come out agreeable souls, indeed in some case astoundingly liberal. This exploitative mindset is something that comes as a second nature to Indians. This insidious nature you will also see in state machinery. It also means if people are vulnerable they could be brutalised. Insensitivity to the plight becomes a negotiable factor, karma and other sophistry will provide explanation that take the perpetrators out of the picture and place it into some cosmic laws. This also provides explanations for easy money for elite, as is the case of the fleecer at Haridwar. Hence corruption is a good given opportunity, it’s a divine favour to augment one’s position. The debauchery of richest temples (includes the putrid pit at Tirupathi) is an exemplary testimonial, it is not at all ironical that Indian elites vouch for miracles happening within the precincts of these temples, therefore are seen stampeding these sights. A template that is viciously emulated by wanabees down the ladder, who are now double certain of these miracles. To take a minor example Bellary brothers saw an opportunity to cut the mountains and sell the minerals, this opportunity was definite divine message (market calls it opportunity, hence these are quite effortlessly market tuned for bigger causes).   The hindrances were removed with god grace, that needed wily squatter’s rituals specified for these purposes, if you can bribe the god then ordinary mortals are easy game, the politicians and officials (who themselves considered these as another of god will for fast money, they only conduit in this fairness). In these worldly miracles mountains vanish without trace and became land of millionaires. As lives of people move to one more misery. The divinely graced Bellary brothers now return the favour by donating gold throne. The squatters are happy, gods have expressed their wish. Unfortunately these are regular happening as law can be manipulated (another divine grace) or too tardy with loopholes, a British legacy graciously carried on with clear manipulative intent

Later that day I was interacting with a rickshaw puller, who had migrated from nearby Bijnour. His rickshaw is taken on rent for 40R daily. He generally earns 20R for back breaking effort of one way trip. Battery operated rickshaw, he blamed, take chunk of passenger as they operate at much cheaper rate. Next day I was lone passenger in the battery rickshaw, the young man had taken it for rent for 200R on a daily basis. He says he comfortably earns about 300R after paying the rent. Yes he would like to own one of these and had even approached the bank but he has neither hereditary possessions nor any guarantee, as he belongs to landless farm labours community. Lack of land reforms has seen to it that some people have huge holdings that are transacted hereditarily. Landed farmers are like organised workers, therefore these concerns of plight of farmers needs to be seen in that light. There is a vast section that are landless and marginalised, exploited as farm labours and unorganised sector. The areas that doesn’t reach the sight of policy makers or political parties.

So here it is, some cheat in the name of god and make easy money without as much as a drop of sweat while others are drained off their blood to make even fraction of it. This is happening for centuries, and therefore the easy money brethren invaded the prime spots in cities and multiplied their ill-gotten money while some moved abroad and came back as liberal saviours. In the meanwhile the vicious ways are intact, the reason for mediocrity and general apathy. In this travesty their concerns are fixated on conduct of others and ego issues herein.

The picture is that of shop that has casteist family tree as its banner, it’s a camaraderie time for sharmas of the world!! I make it a point to not visit any shop that has casteist references, indeed please avoid ‘prachin’ eateries; they invariably are tasteless greasy fair like the iconic American products very judiciously promoted through TV channels for liberal reasons. In Haridwar people queue to Mohanji ka puri wherein the nearby shops serving the same greasy crap is deserted.    

Please don’t vandalise, demolish: little scribbles on the walls of Hindu temples in West is understandably a major concern for Indian media. If the temples are following the same casteist primitive framework of entitled world, and they very likely are since the elites are quite Machiavellian mediocre bunch adept in sucking on feudal status quo, then this blogger will request the people who are indulging in vandalism to please demolish the temples. No civilized society should give space to uncivilised practices and norms. Hindu temples are the pits that have nothing to do with Hinduism nor its ways, these are places of power struggle, influence cult, primitive norms and swindling money, which most hindus find regrettable but are powerless to act tied as they are to vulnerabilities. If India is declared as a racist country these will be scrutinised closely and actions taken. Freedom of practice of religion need to follow civilised norms otherwise these sensitivities should be thrown into nearest dustbin. 

Ageism, classism and why government must fight against market censor

It’s shocking how in the competitive zeal to take high moral ground some people tend to habitually cross the line of propriety, indeed they are so immune to their own deceitful ways that they don’t realise their offence. Sharma woman, a prominent slave at Kasthuri & Sons, seems to have so much faith in her god ordained credentials that she holds her infallibility up her sleeves. It is quite a natural extension of squatter’s entitled world. She has the temerity to dictate what is appropriate behaviour, what is suitable age difference for sexual interest or other prurient matters. RK Pachauri or anyone has all the right to pursue whatever is their interest or non interest, sexual or non sexual, whether it is harassment or not is for the people concerned to decide, or the law to intervene. Sharma woman of the world cannot draw lines on ‘age appropriate behaviour’ or for anything that they fancy as the world should be. Clearly harassment laws are being misused, what is genuine concern becomes farce in power struggle and crude leveraging for gain. Women entrenched in squatter’s framework are equally heinous and shouldn’t be allowed to misuse laws. Mr Pachauri shouldn’t have resigned, that is violation of his freedom to pursue livelihood. Investigation should take its own course and if the person is found guilty then punished accordingly. These high profile cases, particularly metro city based, should be dealt in different framework, as these are part of some vicious power struggle, harassment cases in most cases are alibi for manipulations. There are some depraved women ready to play abla nari (‘scared/afraid’ is commonly used to consolidate this narration) for gain. These demean and degrade genuine violations, a common occurrence towards lower sections. I hope the judiciary takes these matters into context. Also a time frame of a month or so should be allowed in such cases or else case dismissed, further if the case is found spurious then the ‘victim’ arrested. Meanwhile what happened to Tejpal case? Since there is no prosecution it is clear the man was crucified, the so called victim should be arrested. Same is the case of SC judge who was sought to be trapped and exploited by a law student. Its clear egalitarian laws are being used to settle scores by some depraved people.

Recently one Union Minister in a private conversation made a statement on ‘Sonia Gandhi and fair skin’, now that let loose sycophants in Congress, habitual chatterattis and small time hooligans on a ranting match. Of course the statements were in bad taste but then it should be put in context to private conservations of all concerned. Most importantly should private conversation be given such prominence? If that is the case then everyone concerned will come out as amazingly hypocrite. Clearly the rant hid the fault lines of classism, the one that divides the hindi speaking hinterland types and the city bred supposedly liberal types. They belong to the same stock is clear from the fact that what the minister uttered is a common truth. This blogger also holds the view that if she was from ‘Africa’ her acceptability would have been significantly affected. What the minister mouthed rustically is packaged as choice in English speaking liberal sucking circle. Racist products are promoted as matter of serving the need, hence part of sacred GDP service. The squatter shifting to liberalism therefore ensconce with characteristic ease to gods of capitalism. Scoundrels like Shah Rukh Khan also moonwalk as sickularism icons (because of muslim name), as they suck up profit from whatever way possible. How are these market icons different from rustic minister? This is called classism, and hypocrite indian elite showcase it in their rant and attitude. They can very well carry on with their nonsense but the elected representatives has a duty to see these products that promote racist attitude and primitive stereotypes should be banned, these are choices that shouldn’t exist in civilised society. And yes devotee of capitalism gods and sickularism mathas needs to understand there are things that can be banned. Racism is banned in civilised world. Ban is a solution. If peace loving Indian barbarians had their way then ‘Africans’ everywhere shouldn’t be protesting and asking on ban on racism but use more and more whitening cream. It’s a win win situation. Too much peace too much profit. That is what makes Indians so very special.

Small mishaps in USA or London could be breaking news while more than hundred students shot dead in Kenya (Garissa massacre of Christian students by Al Shabaab Islamist militants) is only a passing reference, the kind of consternation found on matters of Europe by Indian elite is absent. Market censors create perceptions that accentuate primitive worldview. It is in extension of these that this blogger welcomes the step taken by Maharashtra government to promote Marathi cinemas. Market censor has seen to that regional cinemas are shunted out from multiplexes in metros cities. Hopefully big cities like Bangalore that are being affected by market influx in the name of development has the right to protect its culture . Languages around the world are severely threatened, and these delicate matters shouldn’t be left with market forces. Languages, as also other culture heritage pointers, need immediate and sustained protection from the state. They shouldn’t be intimidated by market foot soldiers.  

Conspiracy against Indian state

Though this blogger isn’t terribly concerned about state as an entity but does realise when there is something amiss as also being located I have stakes. I was reading one of the reputed international British newspapers online sometime back, media frenzy over rape of an elderly nun in West Bengal (however shocking this is one wonders what makes it a ‘national’ news in a country where women and children of marginalized sections are systematically abused and heinous crime perpetrated on them on a daily basis). It was also around the same time that there was an attack on church in Pakistan killing dozens of people. Intriguingly the news from India was prioritized over horrendous happening in Pakistan in this British newspaper. This glaring lack of proportion got me thinking (to add to it the communal angle to rape was quite flimsy and a mischievous attempt on sensationalisation). There seem to be concerted effort being made in recent times to malign Indian state -in effect against Modi government. Clearly some well-orchestrated attempts are being made to degrade the government in international forums. They are working on ‘minorities in siege’ narration. This is undoubtedly the work of people who were fed over last many decades, they are showing their international clout to discredit the government. Having lost power, and not quite used to this lose, they have shifted to international forums. There is an intense power struggle going on as some stare into oblivion. It is amazing the absurd level people can stoop to. Hopefully the Indian government is keeping a tag and taking appropriate actions within the ambit of democracy.

Ironically there are some serious issues that need international attention, and quite understandably these will be ignored since it will show the hypocrisy of elite sections, and this is where international community needs to toughen against India. At the end of the day the warring elite (fighting for common people sake is a honored tradition, it also carries otherworldly brownie points and entitlements) belong to the same framework, this is a fratricidal war where common people have no significance. Two specific case needs immediate international attention: First is the issue of climate change as also exploitation of natural resources. Second, attempts to equate caste with race. In both case you will see warring elite sections closing ranks as they are completely entrenched and have cunningly manipulated these in their favour. They have been quite viciously sucking on common people. Serious issue of climate change rarely get discussed as farmers are paying a heavy price negotiating the vagaries of nature, rising price hits the poorest. In the international forum Indian government (i.e. the cunning bureaucrats ably goaded by exploitative corporates masquerading agents of development) have played on low per capita carbon emission. A society with so many disparities you can be very sure that elite sections carbon emissions could be one of the highest in the world. They have Americans as role models, indeed they have made all attempts to push American wasteful ways through daily tv, as exploitative corporates march in for easy picking. Some even locate liberal values herein, and feel assured of their superiority over common people. Recently TATAs even arranged truck race. The depravity of it. The true meaning of vasudevakutumbakam would be if the world is taken as one entity in determining carbon emission. We cannot carry the burden of the wasteful elite, their gargantuan consumption and hedonistic ways. Organisations like Greenpeace will have to activate more vigorously at international forums against the exploitations of natural resources in poorer corrupt societies like India. They will face the heat in India as sponsors of election funds ask for quid pro quo. Exploitation of natural resources and the benefits herein, also rent seeking feudal benefits, is how Indian elite make a living. English skills, service industry and emulating others bring up the competence angle.

The issue of caste and the devious attempts to compare with race has been elaborated quite extensively by this blogger. It needs international intervention, as powerful entrenched forces are ready to scuttle. Barbarian nonviolence will have to stop. PM Modi’s assertion of India as land of peace is a well-intentioned bad joke. This blogger again call upon international community to declare caste as against humanity. India’s claim to UN permanent seat is untenable. A country with primitive conceptions cannot and should not be allowed to take its position at international high table. Though countries like China too have serious human rights issues but India’s case is damning as primitive mindset is part of squatter’s tradition that is inflicted on common people, while mediocre elite gain sustenance from it. Indians will have to be scrutinized quite strictly, apparently they are falling quite short of civilized ways. 

Communal Judge should be kicked out: Recently in an attempt to exaggerate ‘minority in siege’ narration a Judge of SC showed his communal manipulation. It is clear that he has been goaded into it. It is ironical that this fellow thought of wanting a holiday as point of protest considering how common people are suffering because of tardy judiciary. Further, he needs to understand that every Sunday is weekly holiday for Christian reasons. He must look at neighboring countries to know the significance. Also, since our man is from Kerala he needs to understand that most important festivals like Onam is not a holiday in north India. People learn to adjust and work accordingly. It is this pernicious nature of asserting right that becomes problem (arrogant Britain is learning) and there are some who manipulate these as minority rights, in a limited understanding of religion as only identity. Christians are richest section in Kerala and I don’t think this fellow has ever faced any discrimination or deprivation that most Indians face on daily basis. The audacious nature of his protest was fueled by cunning squatters masquerading liberal, who see these as definitive reference for showcasing their pretentious self. Clearly this self-obsessed judge (not at all uncommon in judiciary) doesn’t understand the syncretic nature of society he lives in nor has any empathy hence is not suited to be a judge at the highest court of the land. 

If Christians truly holds egalitarian values, then they should stop hobnobbing with deceitful Indian elite, they need to follow the tradition of seeking the marginalized. For the same reason they must take steps to restrict entry for progenies with caste references into the educational institutions. They must take a stand on this. Knowing the history of church in European context as also recent stand by churches in kerala over Gadgil it becomes clear where Christian elite stand. This makes the task of Machiavellian liberal masquerading squatters easy.

Ghar wapsi of mediocre millionaires …still counting

 Thank god the disgust is over…more than this boring game, its mediocre but high on style players (it’s called branding, records make it groovy), all kind of smalltimers and Machiavellian organizers the ex cricketers are the worst nuisance. These vermin invade all possible space with god knows what expertise. Our challenge as ordinary people who don’t give a damn about this stupid game is to keep these pests out.

Despite these mediocrities they will never stop making easy money market has cash riding on them. ‘Indian team’ was never good, they never were. They make records, are awarded over other genuine sportspeople, hyped by market while London returned media create the halo. These have severely degraded institutions and propriety. Now they want their followers to be sensible.

This is a picture from one of the city. We know about statues in main squares but one on coca cola really beats it. They have constructed a tribute for soft drink brand in public property right in the middle of the city!! With big money exploitative corporate in poor and corrupt societies have always had it easy, all packed as democracy, freedom and choice. It’s amazing that they pulled this one. I am sure next it will find space next to bigben in London.  

Thou shall erect more statues

There is a dearth of statues, particularly of one man you-know-who that is being bulldozed in public space with gusto. There could be more than few million statues of this man, considering how impoverished this society is it’s a cruel irony, a joke gone too far. It is a hallowed tradition in this part of the world to give importance to statues at the expense of people, indeed it is a framework of untold atrocities wherein statues were sort to be humanized while humans dehumanized. If studied carefully, these will put holocaust as a minor blimp in history, and all jihadis and crusaders as juvenile offenders who maybe be rectified with some hugs. The finesse in matters of exploitations, macabre intent in non violent garb also comes quite handy in the democratic values that negotiate modernity in its market driven horror, the reason why some people fit in so well. Brutal and absurd ideas were pushed in as part of god’s will, the heinous elite went in the act of codifying these horrors, for centuries these were references for absurdity, herein the Indians worked out equally bizarre philosophies. This squatter’s framework defined the worldview of elite, a kind of self justifying outlet that kept exaggerating their presence. It is not surprisingly that elite took to career in matters of law as fish in water. Almost all the ‘freedom fighters’ were lawyers, the hallowed tradition is passed on. It seems the lawyers are able to understand the nuances of trade to economics to art, in a way that common people aren’t.  A closer scrutiny makes it clear that it is not the content that is the focus but the framework. It is not the functioning nor the social impact but adherence without thought. There is a definitive reason why indian judicial system is one of the tardiest in the world. So as the squatters spread their tentacles they sucked away humanness from the equation, the callousness we face has a significant religio-tradition context.  

Before I go further on with this it is important to point out that it is in negating these absurdities that Indian thoughts found its moorings, a space for cultural and philosophical brilliance. And it must be reiterated that Indian nuanced thoughts have necessarily come from outside the squatter’s framework. Likes of Naipaul may give credence to the exploitative system as a space, necessary stillness for flourish (something on that line) but reality will point to putrid pits. In these pits some stray brilliance may show up and duly exaggerated, well Nazis too had some brilliant engineers. Like for instance the Chola art of Natraja is no doubt well made but I have seen much nuanced artforms that doesn’t come out of squatter’s precincts hence ignored/suppressed and didn’t find the clout, these artforms carry the indications of brilliance. Most significantly even the creators of temple artforms weren’t squatter’s thyself whose skills, if any, was limited to clever ways of exploitations. Common artisans were sucked into the system that was essentially cannibalizing their egalitarian world.  

  

All the great thoughts right from Vedanta to Buddha to Bhakti has its origin outside squatter. These are sages, munis and other enlightened souls who consolidated abstract thoughts and humanistic understandings. They typically congregated under tree, therefore connection with common people, nature, surrounding. It is much later that the power structure start to emerge as the squatters used their manipulative skills to control the system. As temples became centers of exploitation and dissemination of inegalitarian worldviews, language was used as a tool to hide and quell thoughts. Squatter’s acquired status was now entitled and consolidated with deviant philosophies and crude interpretations of egalitarian thoughts. With dominant status they negotiated with kings and other sundry rulers –who in turn needed them to gain credibility, as also in case of some megalomaniacs, divine status. Cleverness and manipulation became the mainstay, gods of common people were sought to be streamlined, suitable stories created to rein in ‘smaller gods’ into the squatter’s fold.  In the meanwhile arbitrations on these matters were firmly controlled to exploit common people. They also persistently degraded enlightened people and thoughts. It’s amazing how Buddhism was decimated from Indian subcontinent. Mullah’s breed’s atrocities are known but the squatter’s brutalities are underplayed. Indeed egalitarian nature of Islam provided a necessary succor and counterpoint in many ways as squatters unleashed their deviant world. It must be added that despite being hoarded into squatter, liberal essence never really diminished. Common people still have strong skepticism against squatters. As people learn for market oriented jobs and to sniff out profit they loose these nuanced take on life. 

For contemporary India there are two clear significant indicators here. Firstly, people who use exploitative (casteist therefore racist) surnames/references are entrenched in squatter’s framework, and must be treated with necessary disdain while international community must declare these as racist. Even Nazi symbol or Ku Klux Klan is mild comparisons. They are carrying the legacy of crude part of our civilization and therefore must be shunned from civilized discourse. They must not be allowed to appropriate egalitarian thoughts as Hindu philosophy. Herein I use Hinduism as that which is being claimed by squatters. The syncretic, accommodative and liberal aspects of Hinduism are not squatter’s contribution. Anyone carrying squatter’s references while claiming to be civilized is a crude joke. Secondly, since squatters have tradition of ensconcing with power, whether kings, feudal lords, colonial powers, market so on they have firm control over narrations. They are quite comfortable in the art of arbitrations, negotiations and other known chicanery. The degradation of society therefore can be traced to them. Their unethical presence only dents democratic values.   
               

The brilliance of Kabir is the essence that should have been at the forefront. One wonders what is about Gandhian study, that was promoted by sycophantic Congress, hence some compelling chest beating Gandhians. Wherein likes of Kabir are the quintessence of Indian way of life. He is just an example in the series of great souls who have constantly replenished the worldview of common people. The reason these have percolated among common people while Gandhi needed State machinery support to be hoisted. Gandhi is the sideshow of the elite. If Nobel committee praises Kailash Satyarthi as epitomizing Gandhian values, then they are gravely mistaken.  Satyarthi did something that Gandhi (or even the pretentious Gandhians) would ever factor. He changed his exploitative/ racist surname, he shifted to egalitarian framework of Hinduism and therefore rightly can claim the legacy. He decided to side with righteous as against power. This Gandhi cannot, and Gandhians will not. Though, I am getting feelers that Mr. Satyarthi is moving towards Gandhi hence towards power and ensuing manipulative cunningness. Nobel committee also erred referring Satyarthi as Hindu, indeed it’s amusing that they have not much understanding on these. They need to comprehend that religion has different meaning in egalitarian context of Hinduism. It is not an identity nor it is a reference used to identify others. They must drop Gandhi and pick up Kabir to have insight on Indian ways of things. And yes either you please speak less or stop patronizing. 

It is only when you put things in its proper context that you understand how depraved some people are. Undermining contexts, using jargons and habitual cleverness, particularly for western audience is what some people expertise in. Indeed taking things out of context some even come out as stellar mahatmas, a lightness of being even grandsons are known carry in their aura and gait. This genetic ability is something British elite are well versed with and it is this embryonic connection that they refurbish on special occasions. Gopalkrishna Gandhi should explain his surname as also his presence in the event, ofcourse when 'Lord Desaiji' thyself is hovering around one must surely be intimidated. What has Gopalkrishna Gandhi to do with Gandhi? Extending the same logic Godse’s grandson must be a murderer.     

Post script: Why Ben Kingsley?!!

Props in shadow fights

 It is a well-known fact that the institutions of democracy in India are very much compromised by power brokers and cliques that exaggerate clout and therefore usurp benefits. These have quite severely dented the benefits and the structure that egalitarian nature of democracy was supposed to provide. It’s an amazing travesty for a society that is quite primitive and didn’t have any egalitarian worldview to start with. Amazingly insular elite have created an illusion of democracy, and percolated benefits herein. What has changed in last few decades are the technological innovations that disseminated to common people, the spin off benefits herein is how democratic values seems to be getting consolidated and felt by common people. Clearly, sometimes grievance spill over as a response to lackadaisical and tardy insulated State machinery. Social media and mobile phones have helped the matter as people decide to take the matter in their own hand. One startling example that happened the other day is the public execution of alleged rapist (it may seem like one off example but people are getting restive as also these incidents do have wider support across the societies). Shocking though it maybe it doesn’t really point to brutal nature of people. Indeed in the context of things the lynch mob is quite a subtle presence compared to ‘nuanced and well mannered’ scoundrels who squat the higher echelons of judiciary. Why not lynch the members of judiciary for their amazing incompetence that has put untold misery on people? Why not for god sake lynch the CJ of SC?  Judges of SC and HC live like feudal lords, showing much alacrity to protect their turf as also supplicating for post-retirement benefits. Why are these people even paid? Standard of lawyers is best unsaid, the system quite understandingly attracting the worst of people, and not surprisingly many have crept into politics and have occupied plum positions as political leaders without having ever visited any village!  These are some of the most incompetent and inhuman people.

Political leaders, mostly product of feudal nature of society, even with mass appeal are at the end of the day just props. Once they are elected by people (by standing in queue with hope and expectations, sold out by speeches and promises), they occupy important positions. They then quite effortlessly switch to be cheerleaders of money bags. These money bags go by the name of businessmen, media barons and other influential exaggerated for clout/power section, they are also touts and perception arrangers. Democratic values and principles therefore dies a gruesome death in these corridors. The fight among the elite is therefore for manoeuvrability space. Issues (that ironically affect common people) are conduit for asserting one’s space, and dredging into suckabilty matters. To show how these people work as pack let’s take the example of media, in particular TV channels. Some of these have exaggerated presence, the market (fuelled by moneybags), as also by sycophant politicians who don’t have mass base therefore feed to manipulate to work out clout. It is nobody’s matter that these politicians degrade institutions by their crass actions. Since they have no mass base for the same reason people are not their concern they therefore spent time in TV studios, exaggerating TV channels therefore in effect exaggerate themselves. Grassroot issues as well as genuine leaders/people suffer, the mistake Congress made, the mistake BJP will most enthusiastically make (as mentioned they are from the same framework). With pliable almost slavish journalists they create reputations and also position themselves as spokesperson of the society. This creates perception on reputation of TV channels. Indeed moneybags (with market touts and pliable journalists) fuel issues and create perceptions as and when it suits them. Vedanta Aggrawal is a sponsor (indeed I am told he has adopted Pronoy. Sardesaiji is also very much on the chai pani list, it is a set up that gives extra lung power to sickularism that is source of existence for liberal masquerading squatters), with his kind of ill-gotten money the fellow will create perception as news and issues, this then is responded by the government. The pliable bureaucrats now take over the matter. This scam is not about money, it’s a quid pro quo world, that meets later to quantify the spoils (ZK & Crude woman have minor expertise on these).  This is a small example to illustrate how things work, as the moneybags stampede, economists come out with compelling jargons, the government quite effortlessly concede, there is celebration of liberal values and saviours of democracy emerge from unlikeliest of corners. 

In the search of Batalvi: Shiv Kumar Batalvi was an amazing Punjabi poet, he died quite young (at the age of 36). Immensely popular, even now his lyrics are used by movie makers. He is the youngest to be awarded the Sahitya Akademi award. So here I was at Amritsar on an exceptionally cold and foggy day. Batala is about 40km; my contact took me to Shiv Kumar Batalvi memorial hall. It is in dilapidated condition, and is being renovated. I was told that the library has some books, but someone assured me that since he is youngest to win the Sahitya Akademi, add to the fact that he is immensely popular, I will have no problem in getting his collection in Delhi. Assured I was at Sahitya Akademi in Delhi, a place not unknown to me. They seem to have spent a ransom in last decade on renovation, as also adding auditorium so on. Previously anybody could enter the library but now (this is true for everything around) entry is restricted. I was at their book counter, everything tastefully done. But problem started when you got into the reality of things. Shiv Kumar Batalvi is unknown here. I asked the fellow to search in his collection. Surprise. The fellow says the system doesn’t work that way, it doesn’t search by name of author, I will have to refer the title that he can search. I spent an hour or so searching through hundreds of books, seeing my persistence the fellow at the counter tried to help. Exhausted I left. The Sahitya Akademi has made a simple search into rocket science. This in itself will tell the story of degradation. How these institutions have been converted to personal fiefdom by people with clout. Even the once prestigious awards are reduced to doles of favour, and unfortunately lost it value, the sycophantic manipulative Congress leaders screwed up institutions under the garb of sickularism and liberal pretensions. Even DD and other government TV channels are degraded, they became means for spreading clout. In DD one fellow was seen praising ZK (the amazingly limited lyrist), they create a system wherein they use power and clout to hand out doles and favours, these therefore show their indebtedness by praising in whatever occasions. Hopefully these are eliminated and very likely replaced by, what they will start screaming about, the ‘saffron’ brigade.    

ZK was seen, the other day, ruing on general degradation of things around (clearly he is talking about himself and ofcourse Crude woman who seems lost these days). Thappar is part of what is ostensibly ‘ever vigilant against right wing incursions’, the moneybags losing out on Modi doles have put money here. How scoundrels like ZK got themselves elected to RS is pertinent question. Incidentally, not long time back ZK & Crude woman were seen attending the world’s richest wedding (Crude woman also did Turd-e-disco for billionaires, it comes to her naturally. She even has put the picture in the drawing room!!). Such wanton profligacy fits in quite well to liberal values, just that it was around the time when thousands of farmers were killing themselves as they faced untold misery, not to mention some serious existential problems people face all the time, as also patriarchy pressure of spending on marriages that has caused misery, accentuated gender bias so on.  It is clear that without moneybags blessings all these big talks go nowhere. Ask Sardesaiji, moneybags make saviour positioning much easier. Pliable NGOs fed generously act as a conscience front, while Greenpeace becomes a national threat.

And so what happened to Batalvi’s book?…well I spent a day going through bookstalls at Connaught place, through best sellers, celebrity memoirs so on (it has become quite a depressing place) as also at Darya Ganj. No luck. So finally got hold of one online and ordered it. The book costs more than 1000R, thin school book type American version ‘Punjabi poets’ with half page on Batalvi. Cheated. Royally cheated.