An open letter to Arundhati Roy (with some additions)

Hello,

I read your article “The monster in the Mirror” in The Guardian the other day (readers can visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/12/mumbai-arundhati-roy to read it). I couldn’t help not to respond. I wrote this as I read so it is moving with the paragraphs. In the onset you start with McCain, I guess, I ignore that since he lost the election. Clearly the Republicans are trying to justify their unilateral actions in Iraq, instigating the hawks in India to fall for it. My concern is the later paragraph that I quote here “We're told one of these hotels is an icon of the city of Mumbai. That's absolutely true. It's an icon of the easy, obscene injustice that ordinary Indians endure every day”. I believe that Taj is an iconic building because of its location and history, as much as Gateway of India is. I have endured lots of crap in my daily life and have seen lots of people around me in abysmal surroundings that are painful. Yes when people have money (and power) one can have it easy, some even take high moral ground from this cushy foundation. Nothing wrong in that I guess it is a free country (as Bush said recently “in a free society people seek attention”) but the tragedy is when some mediocre people start to represent the agony of people for their selfish end. In cities these breed go by the nomenclature “celebrity activist” (i guess you refered them in one of your earlier articles years back, these are not very popular people trying to compensate their lack of popularity with activism. Attention seekers whom we all have contempt for), they are acutely aware of demands and supply needs of market. The return of investment is quite high just need to latch on to clinches. However the luxury in Taj cannot be juxtaposed to problems common people endure, that is unfair. In that case one will have to go against all forms of luxury, also it is quite subjective- what you may consider as need is a luxury for me. You catch a flight and go abroad can be quoted as “when millions of people cannot have daily meal she has the temerity to travel in luxury”. If I could write prose like you maybe I could have written better. “Roy is the icon of obscene injustice” because of the place you reside (it is undeniably a posh locality), to the kind of place you go to eat (you look unlikely candidate for road side dabba)….one can go on like this. We live in an unequal society that is a fact. The fact also is that there are hundreds of luxury hotels in the country and so are there millions of extremely poor people, there are people who catch bus to work there are people who use luxury cars. There are people whose articles get published in Guardian and some write blogs!!!. So what?. According to the laws of the society we live these are not crimes. Also some of these people don’t deserve what they have but then who am I to comment?. Capitalism seems to be the best form, there doesn’t seem to be any alternative. And yes government earns money through taxes, there is also luxury tax. Fair enough.

One of my all time favorite movie is Roshomon, the Japanese movie by the legendary Kurosawa. Now here is a situation that has claim to varied truth, true from each person’s perspective. Another truth about Taj (run by TATAs) is that JRD was amazing man. He was one the greatest human being I have ever come across. His contribution to Indian society is immense and I adore him.

The newspaper and TV channels nowadays come out with one liners that are nothing short of buffoonery. It is the impact of market competition, and they say it leads to quality!!. In USA they now compete as beggars for doles from government. “Hungry kya?” is that absurd excuse to reach the consumers, I wouldn’t be surprised if these guys have delegated these decisions on titles to teenagers!!. “intellectual infancy”. Most section in media are beyond redemption I gave up on them long time back but the claim to freedom of expression is what kept me amusing. The question is who ever take print media seriously!!. Yes they trivialize the issue, worst is they mostly have no value for life of common people. One shouldn’t blame them since they are catering to their consumers and that is the least they can get responsible in capitalism. In the meantime though democracy as a concept is eulogized the reality is there is every attempt to shift the power to market. Thankfully the recent happening in US Financial world has put a long pause to that arrogance. Storm troopers of market are rare sight now!!.Suhel Seth and Suketu Mehta (dude!!) are the kind of people without whom world will be incomplete, they are the kind of people whom I have stopped taking seriously. But yes the kind of access they have is astounding. Small miracles these.

I found the idea of Side A and Side B very interesting, and yes there is no religion for terrorists and murderers. Religion is being misused whether it is Hafiz Saeed or Babu Bajrangi or Hitler, these are the worst kind of people. I also believe the ambit of any new law on terror should include attacks on minority. Creating an atmosphere of terror on certain section of community itself is an act of terrorism. However external threat is more grievous and should be given the seriousness it deserves, that in anyway doesn’t negate the atrocities committed on common people in the name of caste, religion or even class.

I too agree with Side B- context is important. I agree with the historical perspective and also the fact that India shouldn’t be taking the high moral ground vis-à-vis its experiment with LTTE. Imagine if the world had more of Tamil population (like Muslims), India could be in the position where Pakistan is today, if not worse. Pakistan seems to be victim of circumstances generously helped by incompetent and self serving egoistic feudal leaders (the kind India had till 70s).

There are some relative truth that have wider application, the “secular” politicians of this country have been squeezing it for more than a decade. There are some other truths too and that is Babri Masjid demolition didn’t have anything to do with common people of this country. It is about powerful people scoring points against each other as and when it suits them, so do the terrorists. Further what happened in Gujarat or what is happening in Kashmir is internal matter of the country, off course it is tragic and if needed be condemned at international forum. But that shouldn’t be the ‘context’ for anyone based in Pakistan (as I understand the identities are proved beyond doubt, as also complexities of rogue elements from this region), that will fall into Side A - pan Islamic jihad against infidels. You in the search of contexts are treading into dangerous zones Ms Roy. Most importantly you seem to have conveniently forgotten the deliberate attack on Jews at Nariman. What kind of context we have there?. Or the fact that few Keralites were found fighting in Kashmir. Explain that context. You surely are trying to twist the “contexts” into the narration you see obvious.

There are other narrations that too should be obvious. There are millions of people who face all kinds of atrocities from State simply because of circumstances they are in. Sometimes it has connotations of religion, caste, region or class, in most case it is just a coincidence. Since it is random it doesn’t become an issue, it may end up as millions of small news column somewhere in the country, most cases it is not noticed. Life is too cheap in here. Since it is not an issue there is no political mobilization or any article written, worst there is no scope for international press. It just doesn’t fall into comprehensible narration. The issues of Muslims though seems to (or made to) fall into a pattern and therefore the angst exaggerated, not denying that in recent times there has been lots of pressure on this community. I will give an example there was issue raised by an attention seeking “celebrity” that being a Muslim she was denied house in Mumbai. Are Muslims the only one who faces these biases? I recall when I was a kid we were in Jaipur, every day after dinner for almost 6 months we went to search house to take on rent and had difficult time. The reasons varied from being south Indians to Non veg to even whether you eat onions or garlic (very amusing we thought). Later in mid nineties I found that students from Bihar or UP found it difficult to get room on rent in Karol Bagh, wherein they preferred south Indians (I found that punjabis just hate biharis). They thought guys from Bihar-UP are ruffians who will not shift. Nowadays I do have problems getting rooms while I travel to religious centers as they don’t prefer singles!!. Prejudices happen at many levels and it too has contexts. If I was a house owner in Mumbai it is but natural for me to suspect tenants with Muslim names, if tomorrow Sikhs are involved in killings the same will be applied to Sikhs. If Tamilians or Keralites are involved, ditto. But yes I will have no problem with people whom I know or have references whom I trust. That is very human, it may sound like prejudice, I guess the onus is not entirely on me since I am trying to live a peaceful life so taking precautions (as for the attention seekers trying to sensationalize and be in the news. Even I wouldn’t like her to be anywhere near where I stay. She should do some introspection than whining; understand most Indians would love to have Amir Khan or Shah Rukh as their neighbors. Anytime. Try not mix disgust to a person with prejudice on a community).

Also I believe the statement of “not to pay taxes” was expression of collective anger, it is a vent of frustration. Obviously nobody had that seriously working in their mind. What they were expecting was minimum safety standards and some responsibility from political leadership. If one can have the vision to see the contexts of terrorists one assumes that this should have been easy. (Also since we are talking about contexts how about judging LK Advani from the context of partition, that should have been catastrophic experience for him).

Further most people in this country don’t have high regards for cops, rarely anyone have good experiences dealing with them. It is not about particular section but is universal. I for instance steer clear of police (I didn’t report even once although my home has been burgled many time. “don’t want to get into trouble” is what i believe?!!). Yes i do think that minorities are doubly at risk in recent times. In kerala it is rare to come across these kind of prejudices (the cops hit randomly!!. I too got a lathi once during my college days. Never underestimate the lathi, it pains horribly!!). I guess there is an urgent need to induct people from minorities into law and machinery. It need be done at the earliest (I have written about Kashmir in my earlier blog you may read, if you have time!!).

Clearly writers and columnists too nowadays have an eye on Big Picture, individuals dying in thousands daily everywhere from causes they don’t understand (including those killed in the recent attacks) are collateral damage for central issues or shall we say contexts. So senseless killings are hinted to a cause albeit with much care and dexterity of words. The other day I was reading this brilliant Short Story by Karel Capex (Czech writer), it is an amazingly compassionate story (titled the "Last Judgement"). The story is about a tribunal in heaven. On trial is a multiple killer (named Kugler) who was recently killed by a policeman. God is present, but only as a witness. He will not judge the accused, for he knows everything about him. God says “…because my knowledge is infinite. If judges knew everything, absolutely everything, then they would understand everything. Their heart would ache. They couldn’t sit in judgment neither can I. As it is they know only about your crime, I know all about you. The entire Kugler. And that is why I cannot judge”. (Incidentally the Judges are the same people who judged people on earth !!). What this amazing story is saying is: To know everything is to understand everything; to understand everything is to know the necessary causes of everything. In the eyes of God therefore there can be no guilt only comprehension. Amazing stuff..

Kugler then ask God “But why are they judging…the same people who were judges on earth?”

“Because man belongs to man. As you see, I am only the witness. But the verdict is determined by man, even in heaven. Believe me Kugler, this is the way it should be. Man isn’t worthy of divine judgment. He deserves to be judged only by other men”.

Incredible story that one!!

Regards,

Depalan

PS. A minor detail: I came for Rally for Valley” to Narmada in 1998, it was a great experience, though I slipped into serious debt after that and took few months to recover!!

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....