War on media created terror….it is exclusive !!

We get the information about the events around the world through media, recently lots of innovations have happened as also internet but the primary source of information for most people remains visual media. This blogger came to know about the events in Mumbai within minutes (it was just a coincidence as I had finished watching the One-day match, otherwise mostly switch off by ten), the gun battle in CST was reported first, I like most people could never conceive what was to unfold. It was around 1:30 that I understood this is too big and was stuck to TV until about 3am. (God’s grace I am a kind of a person who when closes his eyes falls immediately to sleep- never had any insomnia, next few days though I did get some nasty nightmares).

There are some amazing people working with the TV channels but unfortunately they are not in majority. So almost all channels gleefully geared up for some realtime reality action. Thankfully for them the events and images were more spectacular than their blabbering. All these times while they were stampeding for “exclusive” images people were being killed. This blogger is shocked what kind of people will look for “exclusive” images from the misery of people. The attempt at brand building at the most inopportune times in our lives is shocking to say the least (one instance a “senior” fellow -sardesai??, from media actually pulled a Japanese victim for exclusive information I believe). This blogger strongly believes that the privacy of victims need be given top priority, the violation of these need be considered as human rights violations. Further the information about the event as usual got blurred with voyeurism of peoples suffering. This put serious question mark on what exactly is the role of media.

The question this blogger want to ask is whether information confined to what is in front of camera? Do the happenings in front of TV camera constitute information?. Clearly images therefore can be used for manipulation of market need, they therefore may lack the facts needed and could be taken out of context (this is something most in media expertise). Thus the event is reduced to titillations and exaggerations to keep the audience watching. Then with these images they go in for conjectures and sometimes blatant misinformation. In the melee even the gravity of situation tends to fall short of the hype they create. In this marketing overdrive they even don’t mind disclosing details that would be harming the victims (we can get the candle light images later is the strategy). Many people in Taj I gather were killed by the callousness of TV channel, an apology is the least needed. I as a common citizen of this country requests the government to formulate laws to keep the rogue elements in media under control.

Media understandably was aware of people’s anger towards politicians (they failed miserably some even were audacious to reap political benefits) but it went overboard. This blogger believes that not all politicians are bad. There are some amazing people across the party line right from Congress to BJP to Communists but yes I agree with the sentiments that most politicians in India are miserable lot.

But then that doesn’t put the media of the hook. Most in Media too are very irresponsible people, some plain incompetent. But somehow they have latched on democracy and freedom of expression. My main concern though is how media impacts policy makers. There was a time when print media was so powerful that if they put aspersion on any minister they use to resign !!. That is shocking, media is not a court to judge nor do media define any moral standards. It became a channel for elite section to put extra constitutional pressure, with some exceptions. Thankfully print media is ineffective now and there are many players in visual media, at one level these has led to democratization of these power centers.

But still there are concerns like for instance recently there was “Hindustan Times Summit”, even the PM and many union cabinet members found it necessary to participate (like this they do have yearly TV channels events). The question is what is the priority of the leaders of more than a billion nation?. On what basis they choose these events (HT for instance could be catering to not more than 0.1 % of the population of this country. So why not all the newspapers and TV channels in the country? Why only some?. Clearly it is a case of corruption, favoritism therefore misuse of official position). They could do these once they retire. These are serious dereliction of official position. One of the problems of this nation is there are some attention seeking leaders (these breed are found in Delhilike hoards of mediocre “celebrities”, with national aspirations) who may not have any mass base. They use official position to strengthen their PR. I have nothing against Hindustan Times nor organisers of the event, the points i am raising cannot be negated. And i for one consider it important to mention, as a citizen i am concerned.

Most importantly the Broadcasting ministry is not been able to coordinate and channelise information to the public, therefore there is utter confusion, the official version is mostly absent. Not that like the business of running channels the government is expected to give minute by minute commentary. Authenticity of information is the role of the government and verification of that of media’s. People in most case have serious reservations on the authenticity of news channels.

Post script: at the end of the day it boils down to how each one of us individuals live our life. How much we respect laws. How responsible are we to the surrounding and society, media and politicians included. These events help to understand our society better.

I was shocked to know that the man in the bookstall at CST was killed in the attack by the animals based in Pakistan. Every time I went to CST I do visit that stall near the entrance, two months back I interacted with that man I remember him distinctly. I really don’t buy book from stalls but yes spend lots of time looking at it that is how ended up talking to him since there were not many people around, despite the fact it was peak hour. Also I have a habit of eating vada pav from the stall on the left side inside but this time though I gave it a miss and settled for packed dokhlas from the front shop, I seriously doubt whether those guys survived, it is sickening. Of all the attacks the one on CST was quite painful for me.

Life is cheap in this part of the world. People keep dying most times not of their fault. Dying is only the end but then people fall around all the time, they get up, dust themselves and carry on. It is event like these when hundreds of people are targeted that the tragedy gets accentuated. It is the time like these when I start to believe in fate, providence. I too had some very close calls but that has not made me fatalist or superstitious. You don’t think about it but fully aware that it is one step away, things can go horribly wrong and in chaos of India it really does. I do carry 1971 ten paisa coin “khota sikka” whenever I travel (because we began the journey together!!). I found it in banks of Ganges at haridwar many years ago. I believe the ten paisa coin saves me. It is ridiculous thought but then when nothing is sure absurd may give some logic!!!. Also aware that my absence or presence doesn’t have much for the world, it is an immense place. But yes the khotta sikka is going to outlive me!!!. Now that is a troubling thought!!!!

Imagining Dubai

Trees are being cut in Bengaluru (also Bangalore) as if it nobody’s business. Decades old trees are vanishing overnight. The roads could be made around it if they want but then policy makers have been touring abroad and bringing alien model of development here. They need to know that Dubai is constructed on a desert. Also if you go to My Photos (www.photodepalan.blogspot.com) all these beautiful trees are to go within a week. Offcourse the priority need to be on MRTS but some innovation like BRT in Delhi is welcomed (this blogger sincerely hopes that the CM and her cabinet take decision on further extending BRT to other parts of Delhi. These are the reasons why common people favor Sheila Dixit).

“Imaging India” is a book that is being discussed in the Net a lot. It is written by Nandan Nilekeni (one of the guy who runs the successful IT Company Infosys). It seems to be about ideas that shape India, interesting premise but a very costly book. This blogger would wait for the pirated version on the pavement, so has postponed the buy for atleast 5-6 months.

The Chief Minister we all admire

This blogger has been a great admirer of Sheila Dixit, the Chief Minister of Delhi. Also seen her few times in my stay at Delhi. Although i was not very comfortable in Delhi (and so did my best to gain and experience as much as possible as along i stay there). Sheila Dixit is an amazing woman, one of the very few Chief Minister we all admire.

Yeh hai Mumbai meri jaan !!

That is a line from the song from a Hindi movie of 60s (acted by very popular comedians of yest years Johny Walker). This blogger too finds Mumbai quite a different city as compared to other metros. It is “maximum city”; a city that exposes extremities of human experiences at short notice, every time it stretches imagination. It is a city of unbelievable human degradation and fabulous rich coexisting without much of a paradox. Every street corner, every experience making one feels quite insignificant. Nothing alive, it seems, has any value, there though is high premium on everything else. The nonchalance in conversation, the accent, tone, the ease, is what hits the outsiders first. Maybe a caution for things to expect if not careful, on the other hand it could even be an invitation- simplifying the complication of pretense. It is a city with many masks. I guess it touches something primal, it probes. It leaves you to choose. You can like the city you can hate but it will definitely influence you.

I had probably turned 14 when we first visited Mumbai (then Bombay -I always liked the sound of this name!). We were in Pune so during holidays it was decided to go to Mumbai. We stayed in Colaba (significant Army presence), I recall walking to Gateway of India and admiring Taj Hotel building, later to Birla planetarium and aquarium. It was a great experience. Next few years visited Mumbai many times. In last few years also I had visited Mumbai many times, last one being a month back. Infact I plan to go again early next year as I realize that I need to spend more time at BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society for the uninitiated). Most of my visits are only for few hours as I cannot afford to stay for too long. I generally stay at Pune and so catch the 5.30pm train back from CST (earlier VT). Once I came from Chennai to Mumbai for a job interview, bathed in Railway station toilet (it’s yuck) gave the interview roamed around in chowpathy and caught the night train to Chennai (unreserved compartment ofcourse). Those were hectic days for me. And what happened to the interview…well during the interview one guy in the panel said abruptly that we are wasting time, I promptly agreed with him. So that was it!

Somehow I never could like Mumbai, the city has been quite harsh or maybe I have spent far too less time to judge. It remains an intriguing place.

Post Script: Many of Indian English writings has Mumbai as the focal point right from Naipaul, Mistry, Rushdie, Chandra, Mehta, De…and many more. Mumbai needs different minds to grapple. The best movie on realities of Mumbai street remains Meera Nair’s “Salaam Bombay”, Ram Gopal Verma’s spectacular Satya captured the other reality lurking and exploding on the street, Mani Ratnam’s hugely successful “Bombay” tries to humanize the riots (it did had some brilliant songs). There are many movies, documentaries, fiction, non fiction, poems….so on about Mumbai, obviously there is something special about this place.

Bloggers are invited to my new blog www.photodepalan.blogspot.com where i will be posting the photos i take from Nikon D-60 (its a beauty), sample this snap. Amazing stuff....

Condolences

It is saddening that some brave people had to sacrifice their life protecting innocent from marauding psychopaths. Police Officers like Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte, Maj. Unnikrishnan, Hw Gajendra Singh …..and others (I particularly am saddened by the death of young Major, few decades back if we were in Bengaluru he would be family friend who would be invited for weekend get together-it’s the mallu thing. The images of his funeral in TV were quite depressing, I couldn’t hold back my tears. These events affect me deeply the reason why I change channel to Pogo’s Hole in the Wall. I guess it better to go a long break).

I hear that proper equipments were not being sanctioned, the reason why ATS Chief was killed was lack of bullet proof vest, if it is true then it shocking. Also the cops were carrying vintage .303 rifles (I read in the Net that .303 was developed in 1880s)!!!. The inherited steel structure (read bureaucrats at Home Ministry) is nothing but plastic, buckling where the political weight is. It is also appalling case of negligence that few people could breach Indian maritime boundary with boats loaded with weapons, and no it’s not some obscure coast but India’s commercial capital. Understanding that India’s huge coastline maybe difficult to guard but breach at Mumbai is an amazing case of incompetence. Foreign Minister was quoted as saying “elements from Pakistan” are involved, it looks likely. But why isn’t the DG of NSG calling a press conference and make the evidence public and make it formal rather than wild theories spread by some sections in media, some even implicating Taj employees others even flashed that terrorist have been given safe passage to escape!! (....well these kinds of incidents are better than reality shows for some, atleast they don’t have to chase the boy with leaf growing out of his ear!!. It is prime time jingoism masquerading patriotism, the sale pitch is understandable). Pointing fingers at Pakistan if there is concrete evidence is the right step to take but what about negligence within, who will be held responsible?. It though is clear that rogue elements in Pakistan are a threat to world peace.

This blogger as any other common Indian feels that it is high time that India has centralized unified response to such crisis, there is a need for reduced action time. There is an immediate need for creating central agency or upgrading NSG to face increasingly technology savvy and vicious forms of terrorist threat. There is also an immediate need for crisis management cell that is given all power to deal with the situation in a professional manner. NSG though has done a commendable job. It gives lots confidence to common people for the State.

This blogger understands that it is very difficult to stop terrorist attacks of the kind seen at Taj, it could be any iconic building, establishment or figure (I guess that the reason why even Amitabh Bachchan felt insecure), but there should be zero tolerance for negligence or dereliction of responsibility. This blogger though is very concerned about shoddy investigation; the reason why I strongly feel that it should be taken away from political influence since they use it for settling personal scores (Godhra is a minor example). How many blasts cases have been solved?. It is appalling that investigation areas are not cordoned off, even this blogger who doesn’t have much knowledge about forensic knows that evidence get contaminated!!. There is an urgent need for modernization and putting some procedure in place.

Audacious and unprecedented

What is happening in Mumbai has never happened before in this country, these random attacks on hapless people by gunmen with impunity are unheard of. This blogger like most people is pained, aghast and very angered by the events unfolding in Mumbai. How the collective anger finds its expression is the concern. Will the extreme elements in the society find support in the people as a reaction?. Quite likely, the communal forces will be getting more vocal. Will the anger be against the minorities-muslims or beleaguered neighbor Pakistan?. These also looks very likely. The common people are going to be put into severe testing in the coming days…

Will the government use this opportunity to strengthen and give autonomy (non political interference) to investigative agencies?. Quite unlikely as politicians don’t like to give away their clout. It is difficult to prevent such events but investigation can at the least be earnest and fast, before all kinds of theories are floated by vested interests. It is a daunting task.

People are very angry and collective anger of people can be very dangerous. Something is going seriously wrong.

Howzzat for irresponsibility !!

Bengaluru (or Bangalore) hosted the international one day cricket match between Indian and England the other day. It is amusing that they decided on day and night match. I guess amusing is not the right word, blatant irresponsibility is. The city is enforcing atleast 2hours power cut on its people, in the outskirts people go without electricity for as much as 6hours. Small scale industry, students so on go through immense hardship but despite all this the authorities found it alright to spend huge amount of electricity for this game. At the basic level it is indecency, complete disregard for common people and at another level it is a joke, an ancient one that.

Most people who have spend some time in bengaluru know that more than often it rains in the night, in particular this time of the year. On the day of the match it was very clear that there would be shower (clue is dark clouds, just have to look up). But they still carried on, I guess once they decide they don’t change, I also guess that is what they call discipline, expectedly rains interrupted and the game was stopped for many hours and all this time the flood lights were on (they did switch the lights the day before too, to check I guess). If some one calculates the electricity waste it would be thousands of watts. And then they bring out ads telling us how to save electricity. They also construct huge dams, create environmental havoc, displace societies…all for the “demand” for electricity. Quite amazing.

One wonders what is in this game that couldn’t be played in the sunlight or is it part of India shining?!!. Take it literally !. I am not saying day and night cricket shouldn’t be played but some prudence, some responsible behavior…

More about happenings in Bengaluru: few weeks back there was a huge traffic jam due to some political rally. This blogger was stuck for sometime but thankfully was able to sneak out through a short cut (that is the best part of traveling in two-wheeler you can squiggle through. Bangaloreans are ok kind of people relatively calmer in traffic with occasional en re thu, which more than being offensive makes me laugh the thu part- very unique to bengaluru). Also this blogger is not into meeting deadlines (dead serious about that!!) so not in any hurry. But yes I am very concerned about stranded ambulances, I sincerely hoped they are upgraded to take these delays.

The media was up in arms against the political rallies. This blogger doesn’t share the volatile reactions of the media against the political parties. There are many reasons for that most important being- political parties have all the right to hold rallies the problem is mismanagement and lack of proper facilities. Further if I knew about this event I would have avoided that route. This blogger though has strong reservation against city roads being converted into track for marathon. If they want why cant they go to bengaluru-mysuru highway?. Part of the road could be converted into this event thus not blocking the traffic.

Also one shouldn’t read too much into the media’s high moral ground on this issue since they are doing what is good for their business, it is their consumers who are the victims here. They will choose issues that have potential to sell to their consumers. Political party (in this case JDS) holding rallies are equally not bothered about city dwellers since their base is mostly rural, they too are serving their clients. Most people in cities are not much concerned about what happens to rural India (mainstream India has no space for these except when there is some crime. This blogger would also point to the misery caused by exploitative products like say CocaCola-Pepsi, you will not find mention of these) sometimes the favor is returned. The political party’s claim that “rural people face these and bigger problem every day” finds resonance among rural. The stories of school children stranded in buses find resonance among people affected by these events in cities. It is a jungle out there I guess that is how democratic capitalism functions !!. So what do I do? Well I say thu re maga and try to be an optimist!!

Then there was a man named Salim Ali

Yesterday was birth anniversary of one of the most well known Ornothologist “bird man” Salim Ali, he is surely the father of Ornithology in India. It is saddening that in the overdose mediocrities of events and non events- that are made into events someone so very significant is forgotten. Even this blogger was able to remember this date quite accidentally ( i had visited Ranganathita Bird Sanctuary few days back and so thought about reading about Salim Ali as the place had a significant influence of Salim Ali, even having Salim Ali Bird documentation centre- always locked though!!). I strongly feel that Salim Ali’s birthday needs to be celebrated as Birds Day.

Salim Ali was an amazing man, this blogger has read most of his writings (I am also a big fan of Ranjit Lal, he has an amazing ability to connect with the readers particularly the younger ones. Futehally is another well known Ornithologist, there are many more probably I will deal some other time). Very rarely we come across such passionate people. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Salim Ali single handedly put the foundation of Ornithology in India. The nation is indebted to him for his contribution to Ornithology as also issues related to environment as he wrote once “my chief interest in bird study has always been its ecology, its life history under natural conditions and not in a laboratory under a microscope. By travelling to these remote, uninhabited places, I could study the birds as they lived and behaved in their habitats” (taken from the Net). He was instrumental in saving Bharatpur Bird sanctuary as also silent valley in Kerala.

This blogger can identify more than 50 species of birds, till recently I used to enjoy watching and reading about them but now I intend to take photographs. Very soon I would be creating a new blog on birds, and posting about the birds I “capture” and writing about them. I dedicate this to Salim Ali, man who has influenced me lot.

PS: to commemorate the occasion this blogger decided to be with the nature for a day so went to Bannarghatta sanctuary today. I have traveled to most wild life sanctuaries in India as also zoos. The zoos are really a tragedy, one wonders when will this country have zoos of the standards found in Singapore or Sydney. The way a society treats its animals and nature defines how developed it is.

Existing in the world of Nuclear Bombs

Revenge of the Roaches

I see this roach

emerging from cup of vaporized tea

swiping its antennae through the mandibles

stretching its wings a bit

as if yawning after a feast.

I reach for something hard to swat

just that instance it explodes

into a huge ball of fire

mushrooming out to engulf the city

there are millions of them

no longer hiding in the drainage and crevices

but proudly marching the streets

devouring houses devoid of people

laying eggs in the sockets of vanquished humans.

(my fond dedications to “leaders” in the Left and Right spectrum of political parties for fighting for Bharat Mata’s inalienable “sovereign right” to explode nuclear bombs)

Can we miss them!!

I wrote in the last blog about dancers in the popular genre (read movies) but find myself guilty of not mentioning two names. One is enchanting Prabhu Deva. He is a class act. The movies are just an excuse, he is waiting to explode into some “number”. I saw him first while I was in college in the hugely popular Tamil movie “Gentleman”, the chiku bak rele song was a rage among youth. When Prabhu Deva dance time and space give way to his body, it is an ephemeral act only meant for connoisseurs. He got the tag Michael Jackson of India by media, this blogger though believes it is other way round Michael Jackson is Prabhu Deva of US !!.

Next is another class act: Hrithik Roshan. Apart from being a great dancer he is also a tremendous actor, one of the most popular. That is terrific.

(the above snap taken from the Net. It is not a Nazi symbol but something considered auspicious by Hindus)

Post Script: There are some dance troupe I admire one is that of legendary Chandralekha, they used to show it on Sundays in DD, and also Mallika sarabhai.

There is one short story written by Anita Desai I read long time back (not able to recall the name) that deals with life of tanpura artist. “Small remedies” by Sashi Deshpande, about an elderly classical singer was an excellent book.

Bharat Ratna to Bhimsen Joshi, some recollections…

Bhimsen Joshi is one of the greatest legends of Hindustani Classical music. This blogger had decided more than a decade back to listen to these great masters live as and when I get the opportunity. I have listened to most of them like Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali khan, Pt. Chaurasia, Ustad Bismillah khan (a very rare recital at Benaras), Zakir hussain, Yesudas, Pt. Jasraj, Pt Shiv Kr Sharma and so on. As also great dancers like Birju Maharaj, Padma Subramanium, Kelucharan Mahapatra, Sonal Mansingh, Leela Samson, Reddy’s, Astad Debu (I particularly enjoyed his emulation of grasshopper. He is an amazing man), Bharati Shivaji, Madhavi Mudgal and many more. I am a big fan of Uday Shankar dance troupe the dances sequences in "Kalpana" was incredible. I also follow the events in Kalashektra, Rukmini Devi Arundale was an amazing lady (infact my room wall has a black/white photo of her in Bharatnatyam). From popular people and genre, I

like Vijaythimala, Hema Malini, Shobana. I think Madhuri Dixit (a song where she is dressed as fisherwoman, don’t recall the song but it is picturised in studio was amazing) and Aishwarya Rai (in Taal and Guru) are natural dancers. I am also an ardent follower of folk dances (I should write about it sometime later).

I also follow modern forms of dances, long back I happen to witness dances using light and sound, lots of dancers from abroad performed (I also liked Aditi Mangaldas rendering of Neruda). It was an amazing experience. Specifically about Kathakali I will write sometime later, I learned it for few months just to understand the form. Now though I prefer CDs but yes I would love to listen Gangubai Hangal live, missed an opportunity last year. One of my biggest regret is never to have listened to MS Subbulekshmi katchery.

Unfortunately I also was not able to listen to Bhimsen Joshi live; I read that he has not been keeping well last few decades. I recall listening to him in DD when in school. I was not much into classical music but my neighbor’s daughters were learning Hindustani, they used to drop in to watch TV and so had to sit with them sometimes. I had started to like Bhimsen Joshi.

I am quite influenced by music. Not much into singing but to my own surprise I was selected to school music team in my pre teens!!. We learned songs in different languages and I was part of the group that sang on Independence Day celebrations. I never took up singing though. Much later when studying in college a friend who stayed in the neighborhood was seriously into Carnatic. I used to visit him very often, he was one of the smartest boy around, good in studies (doing MBBS from reputed Trivandrum Medical college, one of the toppers. Since I liked medicine used to go through his texts). A vadyar used to come all the way from Nagercoil to teach him Carnatic. One Sunday happened to be in his house while he was practicing Carnatic, just for fun sang few lines. Now it so happened that Vadyar was listening and he said I had flair for singing. So I too started learning Carnatic!!. It is quite arduous but interesting, I stuck to it for few months. It didn’t make me a singer but gave a fine ear for Carnatic. Those days Malayalam movies was going through spectacular time. Most movies had songs based on Carnatic, even protagonist playing singer, that were huge commercial hits and also maintained high aesthetic standards like Sargam, Bharatham, Kudumbasametham, Sadyam, Chitram, Kamaladalam and so on. They were all superhits. These movies make me seriously nostalgic sometimes.

On Western Classical Music: I was not much aware about Western Classical. Quite accidentally listened to an orchestra in Chennai, found that it was by Beethoven. I had read about Beethoven (probably in school) but rarely heard !!. Much later when I was in Delhi thought of exploring this form of music. Max Muellar Bhavan conducted a two days study/seminar on Western Classical Music (I guess in 1997), it was a great experience. An Indian man probably in his mid thirties (I found that two years later the man had died, it was shocking) had immense knowledge on this subject. He made it interesting by interjecting the talk with music, explaining the nuances and even showing film clipping (like on Mozart). I really got stuck to Western Classical, attended many performances. I absolutely love Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky (strictly in that order!!) as also Brahms and Chopin.

There is so much in the world!!!.And the best part is these experiences don’t cost anything!!. Rokda nahi mangtha baap!!

America rises with OBAMA !!

Finally America has come out of the morass they have been in last decade or so. Something incredible has happened: a rank outsider, and that is understatement for someone who is almost like a foreigner. I guess almost is an interesting word here since Obama is quintessentially an American, but that makes it amazing. (Despite tall claims of democracy India is mostly closed to socio-cultural outsiders, for most it is an uphill task in daily life too. Though thanks to elections there have been some political leaders who can claim to be outsiders like Mayawati. Entrenched societies have their advantages and disadvantages. Ridiculous comments on Sonia Gandhi as a foreigner during last elections fall into this context). Obama’s win is an occasion that changes the perception of USA for the better.

It is a win for America. It is a win for all that is beautiful about America. It is a symbolic win for humanity. Having said that reality check is: Obama is an American President and therefore he will have to stand for national interests (like for instance Al Quaeda remains a serious threat). One is not expecting any radical changes but yes some significant changes for better. Hopefully this will be a step for multilateralism in dealing with issues facing the world. Hopefully this is a change towards empowering UN. (Also in the Indian context this blogger hopes that the “nuclear deal” with US doesn’t mean that Indians will get away with nuclear testing. India will have to follow the international rules including CTBT. The commies might call this “sovereign right”-symptoms of schizophrenia no doubt. But then commies are good as opposition they should never be in power. It is dangerous. India’s sovereign right should not precede interest of the humanity. The deal should be nullified if Indian tries any nonsense. And yes for the record as an Indian this blogger asserts that most Indians never had any deep love for Bush. On these matters Singh is not King!!. No apologies there). This blogger strongly holds the view that the rise of authoritarian China is a serious threat to world. Also happenings in Burma is a challenge to conscience of the humanity. If someone could explain what is the crime of Aung San Suu Kyi?.

Obama’s win (indeed win for Democrats in particular leaders like Nancy Palosi) surely need to be seen as assertion of America’s rightful place in the world we live in. Nations don’t become powerful by military nor economic might, it becomes powerful by ethical force. The force of righteous, the force of liberty, the force of people to stand up for rights of common people. By this vote Americans have proved that.

Carnage in Assam

Bomb blasts in Assam is work of depraved mind. Strongly condemn these heinous acts on hapless people. This blogger believes that going with elite culture of incompetence (very high on merit though) the chances of culprits being caught is very negligible. There will be discussions, allegations, counter allegations and finally praising the "bravery and resilience" of common people.

Ever wondered why investigating agencies don't have autonomous power?!!. Why they work under the politicians??!!. What has government to do with investigations; it is the job of professionals. Why the Investigation report has to go through government machinery and not directly to judiciary. What has been done to umpteen reports on police reforms? (this blogger recalls National Police Commission that was set up for the same but was disbanded in early 80s, the recommendations of NPC probably are in dustbin). Why do investigating agencies mostly lack able manpower and latest technology (except maybe when Delhi or Mumbai is the target)?. It is not about creating new laws, there are enough laws, it is about empowering the investigative agencies. Two years back PM set up Police Act Drafting Committee (PADC) under Soli Sorabjee. The terms of reference of the PADC was drafting of a new Police Act to meet the challenge of the "growth and spread of insurgency/militancy/naxalism etc." Secondly, it must help bring an attitudinal change in the police including its working methodology to elicit cooperation of the community and to meet its expectations from the police in a modern, democratic society. Thirdly, it must provide for the use of scientific investigation methods to tackle "futuristic trends and organized crime including cyber crime and technological additions in the hands of criminals etc.". All great thoughts but what happened to these??. The general elections are near so I guess we can forget about.

Terrorism is a serious issue and thousands of common people are killed, maimed and live in fear. Instead of taking concrete steps to tackle these and using this opportunity to reform Police, the State is found to play politics and 'leaders' filling the sound bites for media (they it seems use these occasions for publicity). What a shame.

Anand wins again !!

This blogger is an ardent follower of chess and so was hooked to Anand-Kramik matches. These are the opening moves in all the eleven rounds. You will notice that d4 is the popular first move of the white except in the last game where Anand needed a draw, the black move is d5 or Nf6 and the second move is c4 (white), c6 or e6 (black). (This blogger finds it very interesting, when we were kids we used to start with b3,Bb2 and then Nc3. It was quite later I came to know about the advantages of d4. Now my favorite starting is d4, Qh6, Bc4 and try your luck on opponent's f7 and checkmate!!. Sometimes opponent makes the mistake of e5,g6…it great fun after that creating havoc by nixing Bh8 and so on).

I. Kramik (white) d4 d5, 2.c4 c6 (draw)

II. Anand (white) d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (draw)

III.Kramik (white) d4 d5, 2.c4 c6 (Anand won)

IV. Anand (white)d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (draw)

V.Kramik (white) d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (Anand won)

VI. Anand (white)d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (Anand won)

VII.Anand d4 d5, 2.c4 c6 (draw)

VIII.Kramik (white) d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (draw)

IX. Anand (white) d4 d5, 2.c4 e6 (draw)

X.Kramik (white) d4 Nf6, 2c4e6 (Kramik won)

XI. Anand (white) e4c5, 2.Nf3d6(draw)

Anand wins the championship 6.5-4.5.

Kramik did have advantages in VIII and IX games, but the intriguing game was Round X where Anand lost. These guys are genius able to predict quite ahead wherein this blogger never knew Anand was in loosing position!!!. The only indication was Knight was stranded at a4. But these guys are so precise that they don't anticipate any mistake and decide on terminating!!.

In last few years this blogger has played hundreds of chess games on Net with people from different part of the world, nobody ever gives up or agrees on draw as these guys do. We even play when King and few pawns with the hope of converting to queen or the time factor!!!. I am astounded by the level of amazing competence at the top level of chess. What brains.

There you go again !!!

This line made famous by Reagan during election debate was defining moment in American history. The beginning of absurd, the beginning of ludicrous. The rest as they say is all Bush !!

Post Script: also read an interesting article in today's Guardian Newspaper "How these Gibbering numbskulls came to dominate Washington?" by George Manbiot (go to the Link) . This true if you look at most discussions in TV channels, the world is catching up to America!!!. Most discussions are now about some cool people talking about cool issues in very cool attire (rarely, when there is no other go, also going in for grave issues affecting most of us seriously with utmost cool, that it makes us feel extremely guilty for taking these seriously in first place!!). Deep freeze!!.

Abs Fabs wins Mysuru Derby !!

It was one the spectacular high stakes race this blogger was witnessed to in recent times (this blogger had the fortune to be in Pune to witness Pune Derby recently but the field was small and the winner was not entirely unpredicted). Abs Fabs looked resplendent in the paddock but not fancied in the betting ring. This blogger had a hunch on this filly, it had given a good track earlier and with Mallesh Narredu astride she was in with a chance (made some two thousand odd on this one!!, painting taken from Net). Narredu arguably the best jockey in the country, he is astounding. He has been a consistent jockey for nearly two decades (awards like Arjuna gain in stature by awarding sportsperson like him). The very unpredictable Archipenko was hot favorite, late entrance should have cautioned the punters. It clipped and came a cropper negotiating the home run. Constantly gaining Star Presentation of famed Ramaswamy’s stable was no much competition to the final gallop of Abs Fabs and as suggested by some learned punters soft under foot conditions did help the filly. Abs Fabs won in style by 2-3/4 length.

Horse racing are spectacular thing to watch and Mysuru Race course the best in the country in terms of location and setting. There is much more to horse racing than punting, it is an amazing sport (compare that with dumb sport of putting the ball in the hole also referred to as golf!!. I am told that most important business decisions are taken on golf course, such dexterity such ease. No wonder the world is facing financial crisis). The punters in Bangaluru though can be nasty breed (but surely cannot match Delhi-the worst kind, Pune are mostly decent lot), the blogger express strong protest to the management that despite the order on smoking they are allowed with impunity and cigarettes even sold inside the club. The BTC will do itself justice if it assigns area for smokers at the earliest, and enforce the law. The Chairperson of BTC stands accused of violating government ruling.

BTC is a private club and therefore holds the right to decide whom to allow, instead of depending on Police it should have its own security (like the one in Pune), who are authorized to take actions. BTC is in mess, and thankfully they are asked to shift (hopefully the land acquired will be converted into some sort of biodiversity park, the least that is expected when so many trees are cut to widen roads so that people can go fast and do god knows what!!). BTC needs to be proactive; the lackadaisical approach is costing it dearly. If it has to attract tourists then such facilities need be provided, the issue of cleanliness is important and people be recruited round the clock for this purpose and offenders cautioned. With so much of muck and spit around, one cannot think of attracting discerning tourists, surely they are not used to these disgusting sights nor do they have immune system like punters!!. The way things are handled now (like BCCI) is for short term gains, they seem immune to people’s comfort (they discovered in Mohali that there is no shade for audience, nor transport!!. They also discovered from the squeaks of the sofas at Mohali that audience “cannot be taken for a ride”!!), it’s about money and greed. That sums up the great Indian merit driven society ride.

Margaret Atwood's article in New York Times

There is a very interesting article this blogger happen to read this morning in New York Times by the prolific Canadian writer and poet Margaret Atwood. It is an interesting take on Financial crisis (incidentally this blogger was never bothered about any of these ups and downs of stock exchange and depressions in economy. I rather find it very amusing particularly the way people panic. Quite amazing Homo Sapiens !!!)

Bloggers are suggested to visit http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/opinion/22atwood.html?_r=1&oref=slogin or can go to New York Times website at http://www.nytimes.com/ (and please for godsake don’t start reading articles titled “Could Obesity in pregnant woman influence her child’s political outlook?”!!!!!!!!!!!. It is no joke. Americans are strange people sometimes really scary. Wallowing in absurdity can be an affliction that goes well with greed and irresponsible behavior).

Atwood emphasis on “there is such a thing as the common good”. She writes "Debt — who owes what to whom, or to what, and how that debt gets paid — is a subject much larger than money. It has to do with our basic sense of fairness, a sense that is embedded in all of our exchanges with our fellow human beings". The article end with these lines: “Is there any bright side to this? Perhaps we’ll have some breathing room — a chance to re-evaluate our goals and to take stock of our relationship to the living planet from which we derive all our nourishment, and without which debt finally won’t matter.”

There is also a poem by Atwood I read in the Net titled “More and More”, part of which I copy here:

…This kind of hunger draws
everything into its own
space; nor can we
talk it all over, have a calm
rational discussion.
There is no reason for this, only
a starved dog's logic about bones.

Hunger for living through credit card is in for a long pause. Nobody is regretting atleast not this blogger. Lots of unnecessary people were having lots of unnecessary money to buy lots of unnecessary things. No longer unnecessary money , no longer unnecessary buying, no reason to panic, nothing has changed. The sunset is as beautiful!!! (the above sketch taken from NYT is pertinent).

Spectacular launch

It was a perfect launch of Chandrayaan, this blogger had the opportunity to watch it live. All the Channels were hooked on to this event at 6:20am. 5 minutes to go, 60seconds to go…excitement was palpable. One anchor when asked about impression of scientist said that they all look “cool cucumbers”!!. The launch vehicle followed the prescribed path perfectly. I guess there were tense moments till the first leg got over then there were celebrations, but the commentary by ISRO (thankfully in Hindi and English) assured everything was fine. It was a great experience for this blogger.

PSLV had eleven consecutive perfect launches so far, now that is spectacular. Also putting into perspective that its first launch was a failure. This blogger was witness to that in 1993 in VSSC, but the best part was they analyzed and reanalyzed the data for weeks together to find the fault, this blogger had the opportunity to watch some of them. Another interesting fact is much much before the actual launch they bring out in-house magazine detailing weekly progress (this blogger went through that in their library-excellent library that one). They are very meticulous and systematic, the kind I have never come across before.

I guess ISRO will have to shift to GSLV from PSLV in near future as the payload increases that will be huge challenge for moon mission. But then ISRO has successful history of GSLV too. This blogger congratulates scientists at ISRO for this spectacular launch and hopes that Chandrayaan has safe landing in moon.This blogger will be hooked to the the progress in this event.

Madhavan Nair and his team have achieved something incredible, understand that the expense is one-tenth that of NASA, they were working with shoe string budget. It also a matter of extreme pride for this blogger that there are lots scientists in ISRO (including the Chairperson) who are alumni of Government College of Engineering Trivandrum. Unlike IIT ians engineers from Government colleges and RECs are mostly grounded and take the less trodden path. This is a tribute to them. While in JNU i recall the relation with next door IIT was quite fractious !!. I guess I have started to romanticize the right moment to stop this blog!!!

Chand pe jayenge!!

So finally Indians are sending a mission to moon “Chandrayaan”. I hope it reaches moon without any hiccups, it will be a brilliant scientific achievement. These kinds of events also add to excitement towards pure science- an area that is neglected, as also towards Astronomy. Aerospace is another stream of study that is very interesting.

The White Tiger

Generally one shouldn’t be reading a book just because it has won an award, but then Booker Prize is not an ordinary award, and then the book is written by Indian and the story is based in India. These are sufficient reason to buy the book. First I went to all pavement sellers around and they said pirated version has not come out cursing I went to a book stall and had to shell out 400/- (don’t know why they put it as 395/-, why not 399/- like Bata shoes!!). White Tiger is a different kind of book, quite innovative and very contemporary. It is in form of letters written by an “entrepreneur” to visiting Chinese premier. It is a brutally frank book about the elites of Indian society “the people of light” from the perspective of person “from darkness”. The whole premise is very interesting. I liked many parts in the book like for instance the exchange between puddle of spits!!. Also the prescription of good driver in cities “you need to have aggression in your blood”!!.

This blogger has been a pedestrian in Delhi roads for nearly ten years and so can associate with what Arvind Adiga is trying to bring out. Incidentally few hours before the “famous” BMW hit and run I was very much on that road. One reason I don’t go out late night is that it is dangerous, it is the time when people in Delhi become animals. They drive reckless and fast, and then you could also easily be mugged up. It has happened to many people whom I knew (in one case the fellow was dumped in Duala kuan for dead and spend many hours lying unconscious, in the morning a passerby notified the cops. He spent months in hospital to recover). This blogger has been lucky to have escaped with few cuts and some deep gashes, nothing serious. Also 10-11pm there are few to no buses, and auto asks for many times the actual fare. Being a pedestrian in Delhi is one of the most dangerous occupations, recently though I have upgraded to two-wheeler, it is my turn to curse the pedestrians!!! (just kidding I am quite calm while driving, I enjoy the chaos!!. It is difficult to be angry in the traffic since the situation is funnier. Also this blogger is never in a hurry. Flip side though is one tends to get wheezing). Despite heavy traffic Bangaloreans are not that bad on road, I found that in Mumbai vehicles stick to their lanes which is a miracle!!. Cars also have become quite sophisticated, recently I traveled on Mumbai-Pune highway in Indica, it was such a smooth drive- almost like flying.

I took two whole days to finish the book, the best part of the book is that I didn’t have to take up the dictionary even once!!. Another reason for liking this book was all the places mentioned in the book are known to me and the situations very plausible. That also creates a problem since people don’t use English, but then when you are writing in English you don’t have any other option. So characters have to speak in English!! (I recall a decade back when I was drafting this Short Story “Beginning at the end” there is a letter from a village that I had to add and I wrote atleast ten times to get the feel even then I thought it lost the essence in English!!). It is sometimes difficult for the reader like me to juxtapose these opposing realities. I had to translate into Hindi in my mind and then imagine the situation. Despite these- which any English writer will face, this is a brave attempt that doesn’t play with clichés to impress West. I recommend the book for its dark humor, it is worth the money and yes richly deserves the award.

Arbitrary dismissals are very shocking…

The recent dismissal nearly 2000 workers from Jet Airways is shocking. The reason being the way it was handled, there are some rules and norms to be followed I guess. To be told out of the blue that you are out of job can be very distressing, anyway it is not something rare, sensitivity has no space in profit driven world. This bloggers accepts the fact that employers are within their right to dismiss employees but there should be safeguards against arbitrary actions. Also the government is not in the business of “bailing out” companies nor reduce taxes as and when some corporate demands or take policy decision for the sake of few companies. This is defined as corruption. Policy decisions are taken keeping in mind the overall context not narrow exigencies, I as a citizen would like to know more on these decisions. The companies will have to find their own way or perish. Aviation companies closing down is nothing new. A decade back there were Damania, East West Airlines and so on. What happened to them?. Industry will survive companies may collapse, it is not a miracle it is just that people who want to travel by air will find a way. Also how come the employers or the people owning these firms not responsible for the loss, clearly they are also the “flab”. Some might say their flamboyant lifestyle is their personal issue but then since when was profit earning of few companies concern of state.

Post Script: the latest news is that sacked employees are taken back, this blogger is confused as to how the Business are run!!. The hoarding above is quite ironical!!

Nothing incredible about this !!!

This is a scene from Marwar Junction in Rajasthan. Quite a common sight here but for westerners this is incredible India!!. Not finding animals on the street of Europe and USA also makes these places incredible for Indians!!!. Wonder what animals think about it?!!. Anyway animals do have a freak out time in Rajasthan. Some years back in Jaiselmer I came across a man with a cart collecting left over food for animals. In a park I came across a woman feeding powered sugar to ants!!.

Post script. Continuing with the earlier blog…what we study about history is not about common people. Assume that blogging existed thousands years back, we would know so many things about people, rather than read about wars and nonsense about rulers and invader-psychopaths. We could read about a dude giving his view on whether Gupta period was really golden age, another will be writing about Britishers and the freedom struggle from his perspective. It would have been amazing. Blogging is beginning of history in many ways, it is an epoch. History is no longer the perspective of few people. It has become vibrant. Centuries from now probably history will be seen in terms pre-blogging and post blogging era. It is a far fetched thought but cannot be ruled out entirely. The world is going through an amazing time.