Death of a maestro…

Habib Tanvir was an amazing man. He probably was the greatest theater personality to live in recent times. Innovatively using local talent and tradition and molding it into incredible, it seemed effortless. I have listened to his talks few times and he made lot of sense. During his plays the stage would burst into action and you are transported to a new vaguely familiar forgotten but endearing world, he effectively blended folk art, particularly the music and dialect (the variety of Hindi in his plays was spectacular to say the least). Charandas chor has a cult following, my personal favorite was Agra Bazaar-what a charming little play was that.

At a personal level I am grateful to him for kindling my deep interest in theater. Quite coincidentally the first play I watched was Mudrarakshasa, it was a brilliant experience for me, the kind I rarely experienced (I recall it quite clearly, it was 97’or was it 96’??, I was loitering around in Bengali market to Mandi house and saw this poster and dropped in. Next few months I was absolutely into theater, watching some brilliant plays by national and international troupes, as well as bad plays by amateurs). Theater has the immediacy that movies lack.

****

Susheela gopalan was a great woman, the communist did project her as Chief Ministerial candidate but last moment they pulled the rug. Later she did make statements like “this was created by media, I didn’t want to be CM”. Really!!. She was loyal party member meaning supplicating to patriarchy. Gowri amma though was different she wouldn’t take any nonsense, the reason why she was kicked out.

I was reading in the Net Gita Dasgupta (senior RSP leader) talks of inherent patriarchy in the Left parties women with mass base are rarely given significant position. There are many research done on this, I too have seen that in Kerala. Surely those who read God of Small things (Arundhathi Roy) will recall comrade Pillai, although a fiction I recognize that man.

Brinda Karat is a brilliant and committed woman, but her enthusiasm for Women’s bill in the present form is seriously misplaced. I was reading that out of 33 cabinet ministers in Bengal government only one is a woman (even the Woman and child welfare is controlled by a male!!), while among the junior ministers there is again one out of 11. So total of 2 out of 44, brilliant I would say. Incidentally communists have been ruling this state for last many decades, they could have created a model of social change here but patriarchal headed threaded types have Machiavelli as reference point. Hopefully this is the end of communists in Bengal. In Kerala too the stories is no different there is only one woman minister out 18. Ms Karat is the only woman in the 15 member politburo. I could not get the number in the past from the Net. Not a single women heads the CPM state sectary list. Clealry there is something wrong here. What do you say to that Ms Karat??. Also note Ms Karat both Susheela Gopalan and Gowriamma although extremely brilliant women in thier own right got breaks as they were married to powerful men, within the Party, they overstep patriarchal clutch for this very reason. Although i do admire you but ever thought how many Susheela gopalans were crushed by the party machinery. The reason why i had to be nasty in the last blog, i know lot many women who were fixed or dont do well in life despite nothing lacking. Gowriamma was brash but what gives anyone impression that Pinrayi Vijayan is civilised?!!. As a loyal party member Ms Karat too has supported the extreme and insensitive actions of Budhadev Bhattacharya, that was unbecoming.

back to summer of sixties...

When the world moves forward (or so it seems) India has firmly taken some backward steps. Few weeks back this blogger was quite satisfied with parliamentary election results but as things are dawning on me I realize maybe this seems like nightmare unfolding. I am not against children/relatives of influential people contesting elections since they have to win the vote of people was my argument and it is a fair thought. But when you see most MP’s are relatives and friends from certain section of society then it is not a coincidence, there is something abnormal here, it is the worst situation in recent times. That is natural when national political parties influence increases it is back to sixties. This could be congress, BJP or communists. National parties are mostly about some very entrenched people, the elite section, adept in the art of symbolism. Regional parties may not be doing well on these matter but atleast they are regional and so will have to take care the regional aspirations. It is the degree of representativeness. Further this blogger is very strongly for SC (dalits) and tribes being represented by their own groups, since when they are part of national party they are reduced to just members (or numbers), the immediacy of the problem they represent gets blurred.

For market these don’t matter (rightly so) since they are concerned about their narrow end, clearly a “stable” government is good for sensitive investors. This blogger though doesn’t see everything in terms of economics. From social point of view, from the view of representativeness this is the worst parliament in the last few decades (it is a painful realization. There are 20odd MPs who have passed out from St Stephen, delhi!. Surely we are back to 1960s). Frankly this blogger saw it coming, when they were making hullabaloo about change, youth and so on it was obvious that they were clearing ground for their selfish end. My concern was also aroused by market media’s ecstasy (very ominous that one). Most MP’s are related to or have influence to some very powerful people and so will surely be sharing market defined understandings as they have enjoyed all comforts and luxury, naturally they do look good and speak nuanced language. Market has found some easy friends. This is a dangerous situation, it is bad for Indian democracy.

So why have people chosen these MPs?. Simply because they want to have a secure life, a peaceful and prosperous life, the chaos of last many years and recent happenings have frightened them (bomb blasts, riots, accidents… do frighten me a lot it puts my life and livelihood in serious risk). We like to go back to familiar when confused or insecure, also poorer and marginalized sections see traditional elite as saviors. It is not surprising that most MPs are product of this feudalist system. There is also an element of fatalism, which was always capitalized by the elite. It needs to be pointed out that the factors that are kept in mind while distributing tickets by political parties are never egalitarian. Also those who have influence and clout do get their way, and so with insecurities of common people they end representing them.

It is in this context Women’s Reservation Bill also needs to be seen. This blogger has expressed his serious concern few years back. The Bill in the present form shouldn’t be even presented in the parliament. That will be audacious and an insult since it has been viciously opposed (rightly so) in the past. Women can represent women is something this blogger doesn’t agree. Since all women do not come from the same context. Looking at the present parliament it is an easy conclusion that this reservation will be usurped by influential section (caste connotation is not a coincidence), the reservation bill in the present form is undemocratic and grievously flawed. (The history of women black movement in America had this problem of white women failing to recognize the unique problems of black and marginalized women. They manipulated themselves as victims of gender discriminations placing themselves similar to black women. The realities were quite divergent. In the process black women and their problem was reduced to tokenism)

This blogger will like to see women from SC and ST adequately represented but all other seats under reservation should be for women of proven credentials, like in panchayats and municipalities. There are lots of manipulators who are trying to play victim all the time, reality though is they have nothing to do with the hardship and bias that majority of women in this society face. To make the matter worse many of these women in the leadership positions in parties (or otherwise) have blocked deserving women (including Brinda Karat…frankly I have nothing against I do admire but when it is time for spade is spade I wonder how she is in such influential position while many women who were quite active right from college days and ideologically driven in their dealings not in the position she is in…is that not elitism/influence?. And yes if comrades could explain who worked against Susheela Gopalan from becoming CM of kerala? -i admired Susheela Gopalan a lot, and seen her many times. Shame on communists for denying her. Its a shame. Ms Karat might have some nasty things to say about Sharad Yadav but the reality is most people including this blogger don’t think he is talking crap). It is not a surprise that all national political party from congress to BJP to Communists are united on this…that is because they know they can gain from this. They have strong elements of elitism in their structure women’s reservation is going to further it, consolidate their position.

Unlike market media this blogger doesn’t have selective understanding of things. I am always for reservations (only when affirmative actions have started to show affect then reservation can be stopped) since I understand the society we live in is blatantly feudal and biased, filial and monetary influence is an important element in dealings. Whether it is reservation in higher education/jobs or for women in the parliament it should be for deserving (the OBC reservation are being misused). It should be carefully thought out otherwise it is biased against people, a mockery on them, the repercussion will be strong. The market is ecstatic about women’s reservation is understandable since it is about people like us (the reason why manipulative turd also drops in. Her market handlers do prop her. Brand positioning I guess).

Parliament is the highest law making body in the country, any changes that are introduced need be thought out carefully. Women in panchayats have done a tremendous job, they are reality of this nation. Whatever shortcomings they have is the shortcomings of the society we live in. We need to grow with them and not they should be guided by us. That smacks of arrogance. The understanding they carry may not suite the market but is an important input to gender sensitive policy making. Gender here is not about going or not going to pub, the market created victimhood for easy consumption of couch potatoes. It is a whole understanding on life, living and sustainability that women who are close to nature for their survival have an instinctive understanding. It is an understanding of what will help the future generations, a practical and urgent action on the need to protect environment, trees, water resources so on. These local issues when neglected add on to what is referred to as global warming.

Clearly there is a critical need for polices on matters of sustainability. I always wondered how Pepsi-coca cola cost so cheap wherein millions of people dont have access to potable water?. Why are villages in the vicinity of these water guzzling plants always poor and deprived?. Why children don’t get nutrition or PDS not effective (food and distribution policy). Why children family doesn’t get immediate and urgent basic medicines or PHCs not equipped (health policy). Why price of food keep rising (economic policy). Why water get depleted for MNC, trees cut and fertile land given for industry (environment/industry policy). Why children drop out of school, why they don’t get basic facilities in school (education policy), so on and on. The reasons why women's reservation bill has to be passed at the earliest.

in the meantime...

...in the meantime butterflies hold discussions on what to do with human beings!!!

flowers don't die...

Governments are duty bound to protect mother tongue…

This blogger strongly supports initiative by the Karnataka state government to protect mother tongue. Status or importance of language shouldn’t be decided by economic factors or law of demands. Kannada has as much heritage significance as French or Spanish. State language should necessarily be a compulsory language in school. Children should have pride in their culture and heritage that is how foundation of strong individuals and societies are laid, also the reference point of children’s understanding of world should necessarily start from surrounding. But the blogger thinks that although state government has every right to make Kannada compulsory in every schools within the state they needn’t impose Kannada as medium of instruction, it is better to give the choice (although studies have strongly suggested mother tongue as medium of education). In the meantime English also should be made integral part of primary education.

This blogger was very keen to learn basic spoken Kannada but couldn’t find any place (they teach Japanese very near to where I stay!!), so had to buy CDs (the CD was about a guy who wants to go from airport to hotel also some basic interaction with driver…money wasted!!) and watch Kannada news channels. I do understand most of kannada but speaking is very limited. I picked up Tamil easily probably since I was young and mostly used to be out with people but now I am middle aged and language really was never my forte. State government should take the initiative to provide centers for basic kannada (week long programs) for outsiders.

Angrezi ka chuska !!

English is my third language. My first language is Malayalam, the language I learned the earliest and use for thinking, the language of mind. Hindi was the language spoken outside with friends and so on. English was used to write answers as also some spoken words in school. The metamorphosis from Hindi to English happened quite late in life but was quite interesting experience. Although English was part of written experience I never spoke this language. English speakers were kind of enigma, people who were not supposed to be real, people who spoke as if answering some questions in exam. It had to be compulsion otherwise why would they be taking the pain to speak in this language is what I used to believe when I was a kid.

When I was probably ten or eleven, the school I was studying had disproportionately large number of children who were locals (KV school is meant for defense personnel), children of small businessmen and so on. English was looked down and anyone who tried English (or tried to impress teacher with the same) was noted by the last benchers in the class and beaten up during the break. Not that many kids spoke English, even the English teacher used to teach in Hindi!!. There was one kid who had come from London, I recall his father was a defense attaché, was left alone as his English probably scared us and his smarting Hindi didn’t help the matter.

I was in the cusp of the societies divergent in many ways, suddenly facing world where I had to relearn even how to wish people. From Namaste to Good evening was a painful process- had to practice it many times before approaching the person in case you got it wrong, the English version of salutation changed three times in a day (Good morning, good afternoon and good evening). So even meeting some elderly person in the neighborhood became a kind of ordeal. In this rapidly changing life style (standing and eating was considered a big no, and here everyone enjoyed their dinner standing!!) more English words started to creep into conversation. But I still never spoke a complete English sentence. Until one fateful day at Nasirabad (bloggers might be wondering where the hell is this place?.. well it is a small town in Rajasthan. A non-descript place few Kms from Ajmer-Pushkar, known probably for kachoras -bigger version of kachoris!!, if you are culinary inclined).

Nasirabad’s Garrison Engineer was family friend, we visited him on our way from temples in Pushkar and Dargah at Ajmer. The hitch here was although extremely friendly they were Anglo-Indians and so the children didn’t know much of Hindi. It shocks me how people can live without acquiring any language from their surrounding they have lived since childhood (you can see some of these species in English TV channels. When they try speaking Hindi they sound more like some character from movie on colonial era playing the part of Englishman-Tom Alter had a cursed life in this context!!). We were playing hide and seek and I found myself under the bed with the anglo Indian boy. He asked whether I can see where she was?. I had the easy option “no” but thought instead of trying English and said “she is next to the table”, although there was nobody next to the table, but table was an easy word and I definitely wanted to speak English and so managed my first English line, graduating from monosyllables to one sentence. I was probably 12 and took eight odd years to finally manage conversing in this language. There were lots of trial and tribulations considering that English does have strong class context. Need to add here that I was regular listener to BBC radio so transformation was quite rapid, the reason for listening was not for English but was partly amusement (it was different kind of English) also loved international news and locating the place in the map, it was kind of an obsession reading names of places in the map. There is a charm in knowing how the name sounds!!.

Much have happened since now I spend most of my time speaking, conversing and writing in English, it seems natural. Yes I do find Hollywood movies sometimes quite difficult to follow, they have different accent and half the sentence is murmur, you have to conjecture. Since I don’t know much about grammar I have to keep reading and writing quite often otherwise I might loose English- quite likely that one, I really get restive on this sometimes. I get the language and spelling right by how it feels or sounds, the basis of that is reading. So every line I write (however bad !!) I have to read it many times to feel it right. Then there are words that feel same but spell differently (English really is a funny language!). Writing fiction-short stories- is the most difficult, I do enjoy it though, but each sentence has to be read many times over till you don’t feel anything jarring, strangely it is physical- impressions in the mind. If the word stands out it’s like a thorn, ditto while you read. The reason why I love poetry is smoothness, even mangled have a pattern. Good poetry can seep through the veins-it is amazing the power of words.

Third language is expected to remain in the periphery but for the reason of money and contemporary reality has made it central to my interactions. Although not a language of choice English has the advantage of access.

The world needs more Mordechai Vanunu

Mordechai Vanunu was a former Israeli nuclear technician who revealed details of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the press in 1986, and had to undergo severe hardship. This blogger wishes more Mordechai Vanunu from USA, Russia, China, Britain, France, India, Pakistan, N.Korea, Iran…world will be a better place if there are more “traitors”. It will be a charming event if an American or an Indian discloses the secrets as Vanunu did. France a decade back blasted series of bombs and did "up yours" to the world, followed by Indians and Pakistanis. Don't know how but Indians have recently managed "good boy" certificate, some are quite upbeat about it-claiming that India is now powerful. Sure dear.

Although countries like US claim to be epitomizing free speech and freedom this blogger finds it amusing (to say the least) that the same country has capacity to destroy the world many times over and has not taken any steps to eliminate nuclear weapons-nationally and internationally. As I know democratic values don’t go with nuclear weapons, it may sound idealist but that is a fact. You cannot have it both ways: key to nuclear bombs and preaching democracy and values, dictionary term for such an attitude is hypocrisy. It is not a coincidence that all the permanent members of UN are nuclear powers, and they also decide peace around the world. What kind of world is this?. Amazing. If aliens ever land on earth they would laugh away to death. Ludicrous.

Clearly the world is still a very primitive place. And as this blogger moves closer (shall I say observes closely) to these power centers finds it terrifying. The assertion that world is better with nuclear bombs is floated by certain morons at responsible positions adds to the severity of this problem. How can a weapon that eliminates everything in its vicinity and has long term impact on humans and surrounding be justified is beyond me. Also the arguments that some countries have the right to own nuclear bombs while others don’t smack of arrogance which at societal level can be translated to feudal. How can nuclear bombs make world safe?!!!. Clearly it is used for blackmail and bargain by the big powers, the reason why some countries like NKorea are upbeat about it. If this is how they deal then where is the democracy they eulogize?. It is getting really amazing. The world of diplomacy although looks like a charming world of clean people wearing clean cloths and eating clean food is actually about unclean exchanges, they threaten, they arm-twist, and talk like some common thugs!!. There seems to be jungle out there. Terrifying part is our future is dependent on them. Shocking indeed.

Post Script: I came across Mordechai Vanunu's name in Joseph Rotbalt's Nobel Prize speech i was going through few days back. Rotblat also refers to need for Hippocratic Oath for scientists too. Here is part of the speech

"...there are other areas of scientific research that may directly or indirectly lead to harm to society. This calls for constant vigilance. The purpose of some government or industrial research is sometimes concealed, and misleading information is presented to the public. It should be the duty of scientists to expose such malfeasance. "Whistle-blowing" should become part of the scientist's ethos. This may bring reprisals; a price to be paid for one's convictions. The price may be very heavy, as illustrated by the disproportionately severe punishment of Mordechai Vanunu. I believe he has suffered enough.

The time has come to formulate guidelines for the ethical conduct of scientist, perhaps in the form of a voluntary Hippocratic Oath. This would be particularly valuable for young scientists when they embark on a scientific career. The US Student Pugwash Group has taken up this idea - and that is very heartening...".

This blogger has included Nobel org site in the link. It is an amazing site where you get to read about some brilliant people.

Meet the man from Manhattan project who thought differently...

Joseph Rotblat was an amazing man who quit the Manhattan project on moral grounds. For the initiates Manhattan project was an American project to create atomic bomb. Rotblat on realizing that the Germans were not in position to make atomic bomb found it difficult to sustain the argument that Allies needed atomic bomb or for that matter world need this destructive power. Since he couldn’t reconcile these he quit, probably the only scientist to take such an action on moral grounds. What makes him amazing was that he could foresee the danger of nuclear bombs. Rotblat was a scientist who valued life, unlike other professional scientists he thought about the implications on humankind.

Einstein was an ardent supporter of nuclear free world, simultaneously in 1955 Bertrand Russell highlighted the dangers of nuclear weapons creating what is referred to as Russell-Einstein manifesto. Few days later Einstein died but a conference reiterating their intent was held in Pugwash (Canada). Russell in his Autobiography tells the wonderful story of how he had (in 1955) written up a statement calling for joint action among scientists "of both capitalist and communist ideologies" and left it with Einstein for his approval. He was "shattered" when on his flight from Rome to Paris the pilot announced the news of Einstein's death. But at his hotel in Paris he found a letter from Einstein with his agreement!!. The Manifesto is also printed in Russell's book, Has Man a Future?, It speaks passionately of the grave threat posed by the existence of nuclear weapons and the danger that scientific knowledge will be put to harmful uses. The signers speak "not as members of this or that nation, continent, or creed, but as human beings, members of the species Man, whose continued existence is in doubt.... All, equally, are in peril. We have to learn to think in a new way.... Shall we put an end to the human race; or shall mankind renounce war?"

Rotblat was the last living signer of the 1955 Russell-Einstein Manifesto, one of the great documents of the 20th century, and he often quoted its final passage: “We appeal, as human beings, to human beings: Remember your humanity and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open for a new paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.” Rotblat was for many years the General Secretary of the Pugwash Conferences, He was convinced that countries needed to abolish nuclear weapons and he devoted his life to achieving this goal, as well as the goal of ending war as a human institution. Just prior to his 90th birthday, he said that he still had two great goals in life. “My short-term goal,” he said, “is the abolition of nuclear weapons, and my long-term goal is the abolition of war.” In 1995, Joseph and the Pugwash Conferences were joint recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. He began his Nobel acceptance speech by saying, “At this momentous event in my life…I want to speak as a scientist, but also as a human being. From my earliest days I had a passion for science. But science, the exercise of the supreme power of the human intellect, was always linked in my mind with benefit to people. I saw science as being in harmony with humanity. I did not imagine that the second half of my life would be spent on efforts to avert a mortal danger to humanity created by science.”

When asked “What gives you hope for the future?”

He responded, “My hope is based on logic. Namely, there is no alternative. If we don’t do this [eliminate nuclear weapons and engender more responsibility by scientists as well as citizens in general], then we are doomed. The whole existence of humankind is endangered. We are an endangered species now and we have to take steps to prevent the extinguishing of the human species. We owe an allegiance to humanity. Since there is no other way, then we must proceed in this way. Therefore, if we must do it, then there is hope that it will be done.”

“Morality,” he wrote once, “is at the core of the nuclear issue: are we going to base our world on a culture of peace or on a culture of war? Nuclear weapons are fundamentally immoral: their action is indiscriminate, affecting civilians as well as military, innocents and aggressors alike, killing people alive now and generations as yet unborn. And the consequence of their use could bring the human race to an end.” He ended his appeal with his oft-repeated plea, “Remember your humanity.”

Joseph Rotblat died in 2005.

Shops will close at 9:30 pm if you don’t vote!!!

What you think about this ad?!!. It is one of the ways they have found to get market driven dimwits (read urban youth, not all but yes most) to vote. Don’t know whether these amusements are meant more to make statements to influential quarters and so get some favor or is there something genuine?. The latter can be ruled out since I saw this in an on-line British newspaper!!(beats me that one, Indian ads in British newspaper!!).

Clearly dimwits in their stampede to change the world have forgotten (not aware would be a better word) that shops timing are not part of the policy decisions made in the parliament nor by the union government. Knowledge dear Watson is a prerequisite, small time fixers and manipulators have very short shelf life, they live in the world of exaggeration and short term gain, in this melee facts are the first causality. Market has got its target group right but by its very nature cannot be guidance or any reference.

In Bangalore they have started a crusade for longer nights. Nothing wrong in that. Infact this blogger thinks all shops should have the right to be kept open 24hours. I guess shop owners can decide what is right for them. But there are certain problems that need be addressed. Since the state machinery is stretched there could be separate charging (referred to as tax) from the shops that open after 11pm.

Most importantly what makes these dimwits think that facilities should exist only be for them. What about common people?. Why the bus services stop at around 10pm?. This blogger when he used to be out late night few years back was very concerned about reaching back. Had to drop out or exit before the program was over or miss the last bus. Also autos charge a ransom, streets are quite unsafe. So if ever there is any move to extend time, facilities should be made available to common people also. Or are they suggesting everybody should own their own vehicle?!!.

Few months back I came across some “creative people” blocking the roads demanding shops to be kept open late into night, alleging moral policing. Now this is where things get funny. The problem is about arrogance of certain section, and when you are market driven it works better for the career. They also go abroad (read West) quite often and so have visions of New York in Bangalore. What creativity has to do with shops opening beyond certain hours is beyond me, it smacks of classiest nonsense. It also is asserting that only certain sections (that is people who go out late night-meaning mostly moneyed) are creative. And therefore state is duty bound to protect. Quite a spin there. Utter nonsense.

These construct of open society, a society where people gather to exchange ideas, thoughts and so on late into the night in street cafes is charming. But that happens when everyone has equal opportunity and access. Secondly one need not fall into higher ideal crap since it is as crass as ruse for more profit. We live in quite a crude world, it is easy to package ideals and egalitarian values for immediate gains and selfish ends. It is important to be cautious and governments are expected to take decisions keeping in mind overall context. Policy decisions at the centre or State shouldn’t be influenced or dictated by certain sections who exaggerate their influence/significance. That is not how democracy functions, and thankfully Indian democracy is quite vibrant. By its very nature politicians should be concerned about maximum majority and business in profit. The balance and check in what is needed, and therefore longer term common good should have an upperhand.

The serious problem with “national political parties” is that they are reduced to coterie (Communists) or sycophants (nothing explains Ambika Soni-there is a thin line between loyal leader and sycophant. By their very nature sycophants are immensely market friendly, it is also a short cut to modernity/open mind. This blogger personally know people who suffered immensely because of Emergency, understanding history is a pointer to safer future) or exaggerations (BJP). Thus with more power they start to loose touch with reality, and so tend to associate with constructed references of themselves, defined by market and exigencies. The reason why this blogger thinks regional parties have a very significant role. This may not help macro construction of Indian reality for Western consumption (many have made a career out of this. Amazingly enterprising. Surely incredible India!!) nor help build “India’s image” for sensitive investors. UPA got the mandate not from TV channels or market driven dimwits I guess that is the easiest part to understand. Their exaggerated presence shouldn’t fool anyone.

Naxalism is one of the major problems this country is facing, if you study this issue, you will trace it to insensitivity of government machinery in dealing with poorest section. This blogger is completely against the violence by Naxals but to arrest Binayak Sen is a serious blunder. That this man is not part of problem but solution the government machinery is incapable to understand. This is precisely the problem. The detention of this man is not only a blot on Indian democracy but also on its conscience.

War crimes in Burma (Myanmar)

This blogger doesn’t expect UN to investigate war crimes in Iraq or Palestine, but the gross neglect of serious human rights violations in Burma is shocking. I read recently that a study conducted by Harvard Law school (not that I give a damn about Harvard-sharvard, but the report has serious implication, is authentic as it based its study on UN Security Council proceeding) stated that “UN Security Council has failed to deal with Myanmar's human rights violations, which it said have been 'widespread, systematic and part of state policy'. The study said the 15-nation council, whose main responsibility is to keep the peace and security around the world, has taken action against war crime and crimes against humanity in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sudan, but has neglected the situation in Myanmar”.

The study was commissioned by five well known jurists, who have each dealt with cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity. They are Judges Richard Goldstone of South Africa, Patricia Wald of the US, Pedro Nikken of Venezuela, Ganzorig Gombosuren of Mongolia and Geoffrey Nice of Britain. The five have called on the UN council in New York to launch an investigation on Myanmar's human rights abuses.

The jurists wrote in the Harvard study that findings by the various investigations are 'disturbing and compelling”. The UN Security Council “has not moved the process forward as it should and has in similar situations such as those in the former Yugoslavia and Darfur” they observed, reiterating their demand for an inquiry.

'The world cannot wait while the military regime continues its atrocities against the people of Burma,' they said, using the country's former name and calling on the International Criminal Court or the establishment of a special tribunal to deal with Myanmar. Human rights abuses in Myanmar are 'widespread, systematic and part of state policy - legal terms that justify further investigation and strongly that Burma's military regime may be committing crimes against humanity and war crimes prosecutable under international law.'

The jurists called on the UN council to declare that Myanmar's situation is a threat to international peace and security and initiate a formal investigation through a commission of inquiry to investigate crimes committed in that country.

The UN council should be prepared to refer crimes committed by the military junta to the ICC, which has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Tragic deaths on highways…

Indian roads are supposed to be one of the dangerous place in the world (not that this blogger has traveled in any other roads to pass judgment!!. There is statistical support to the above).

WHO report says “Each year road traffic injuries take the lives of 1.2 million men, women and children around the world, and seriously injure millions more. The death toll is highest and still growing in low and middle-income countries, where pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and passengers are especially vulnerable. In addition to human suffering, estimated costs of road traffic injuries are between 1% and 2% of GNP per annum in these countries. This represents a loss of approximately US$ 65 billion every year; almost twice the total development assistance received worldwide by developing countries”.

World Road Statistics (WRS) 2007 data shows that India has the second highest number of fatalities in the world. Total number of people killed in road accidents was 94,985, next only to China where 98,738 people killed.

Clearly something has gone wrong. The tragic deaths of young IT professionals yesterday are another pointer to this. Sometimes it is terrifying traveling on national highways. There is an urgent need to rein in the bus operators (in particular the private operators) who are the major culprit. They are mostly reckless. This blogger has traveled on these buses hundreds of times and observed them at close range…they really have a stressful job. As an instinct I always choose middle seat in the bus, survival statistics is higher! Some of these night journeys can be so scary that you have to say a small prayer, close the eyes and leave it to fate. It works. Many years back I was in Goa-Pune bus, we were asked to jump out since the bus was about to tumble down the hill! It was miraculous escape, the passengers had good laugh later. This blogger considers himself very lucky since looking at the statistics of accidents and the number of times this blogger has hit the road on long route journeys, I should be dead. It is a lucky streak I am in, sometimes I do wonder whether I am stretching it bit too far, considering I had some very close calls. I have seen maximum number accidents on highways through Punjab.

Recently there have been tremendous improvements in national highways, but some of the routes are still quite treacherous. People die in huge numbers on roads, much more are injured and maimed for life. It is sickening.

How to deal with thugs in Burma?

Burma (Myanmar) has been a question mark on the conscience of international community for many years now. The dictators are behaving quite blatantly, oppressing and brutalizing its people in the last few decades. The international community couldn’t do anything about these thugs is a statement in itself. It is also in a way an indicator on how they would handle issues that threatens humanity whether terrorism, global warming or any other future crisis/threat. This blogger as a person who could be located anywhere in the world finds it frightening.

The doosra Gandhi

Varun Gandhi has won the elections and he is going to be the Member of Parliament-the highest law making body in the country. The CDs of his inflammatory speech was beamed across the nation in hundreds of TV channels. Wherein he claimed the CD was doctored, the media and political parties (against him) blamed him. Even the Election Commission had recommended withdrawing his candidature. And the way things happen in elite section Varun Gandhi was quick to play victim and capitalize from it hugely. If the CDs are true then he has seriously violated the election code of conduct, as also it is a criminal offence to incite people (though not amounting to NSA, nevertheless very serious). Varun Gandhi’s election should be cancelled, he doesn’t deserve to be an MP. This is a serious issue. Chalta hai attitude cannot be tolerated when you are playing with life of people.

This blogger is appalled by the way these events are handled. It is like they are showing us some movie and later divide the profit and tell us to get lost. Varun Gandhi gained, political parties gained from this polarization from both end of spectrum. If Varun Gandhi is being victimized and the CD indeed doctored then the culprit need be found and severely punished for the mischief. As also the media should be taken to task for telecasting something without verifying its authenticity, for being grievously irresponsible. If the CD is authentic then Varun Gandhi shouldn’t be in the Lok Sabha, it is indeed an assault on democracy and ideals enshrined in Indian constitution. It is a rabid form of communalism that is attempted to be mainstreamed. People like him are threat to fabric of society, they don’t deserve to be in policy making.

This event if it is allowed to pass is setting a bad precedence. It talks volume about Election Commission and the prosecution machinery-who it seems cannot even verify simple facts. This ambivalence is a serious dereliction of duty. What prevents Judiciary from taking suo moto on this issue? It is about sanctity of Parliament. And yes there is no point coming out with a judgment after few years (as happened in the case of MP from Kerala few years back). These kinds of sensitive matters should be dealt on fast track. It is very much about integrity of nation and lives of common people.

Impressive, no doubts whatsoever…

2009 elections undoubtedly is about emergence of Rahul Gandhi. It is reiteration on values of competence and decency in political life extolled by none other than Manmohan Singh. However there shouldn’t be any doubt on role played by young Gandhi. He must take responsibility. 

This blogger is happy that NDA has not done that badly and remains an effective opposition. Clearly extreme views and actions make people uncomfortable and insecure. They are looking for secure and peaceful life. Fundamentalists of any kind have no space, whether it is religion or market. How congress negotiates minority fundamentalism will be keenly watched as also in the name of development how exploitative system is unleashed for the benefit of few. Equally true how BJP negotiates majority fundamentalism in the next few days, a party cornered can give more voice to vicious elements. Clearly five years from now NDA, or the extreme right Hindu groups, could come back with renewed vigor if mistakes of past are repeated. BJP’s spectacular growth in last few decades need be noted, and how it was able to attract vote has been studied by many scholars. So when Sonia Gandhi says that “people make right choice” the choices of last few decades needn’t be forgotten and shouldn't be taken for granted. Indian voters as also common people in common situation don’t make choices which are disruptive -that is basic nature of Indian society. Hardships of daily life are more than enough. It is some vested interest who generally creates problems.

This blogger expresses grave concern over extreme forms of secularism that is being attempted in recent times. This reactionary approach is dangerous and divisive. Since it works on emboldening the fundamentalists, and remains a threat in future. This is a western construct, an understanding that is alien to us. Also to posit that the election verdict is above religion and caste is quite illusionary as you will gather from the factors that decide the choice of candidates in most (not all but most) seats. Azharuddin wouldn’t have contested from Moradabad if he was Govind Sharma!! Winnability of the candidate has religion and caste as major criteria. Democracy has not percolated, nor democratic values cherished. Primitive society will take time for humanistic values and civic sense and responsibilities to percolate. People are trapped, and are deviously kept trapped. Even those who say they are against caste and communal come from certain strata of society and influence, so it is easy to take egalitarian position for gain and do nothing else to dismantle regressive values. 

Of course Manmohan Singh is an established and scholarly economist with incredible qualifications. But this blogger remains a skeptic of GDP driven macro economic growth as also market pleasing short term measures. I say this as a man on the street- also referred to as common man- with not much understanding on economics nor has any qualifications to show. But seems to have an intuitional understanding that GDP driven growth is not suitable indicator of growth (more than a decade back I was so frustrated hearing GDP every time that I wrote a poem “GDP and bhelpuri”!!. I have started a “poems blog”-go to link. You can read this poem there).

This blogger is grievously concerned about the Left parties. They are effective opposition, and a weakened left is bad for the country. Clearly the Left have themselves to blame. The writings were on the wall for anyone to read. Left parties have a very significant role to play. The elite in left seem to be keen on changing with time. But this changing with time shouldn’t be for convenience or connivance. Market driven growth definitely has some serious shortcomings and this is where Left has to play its role. Left cannot take China as a model since there is no democracy in China. It is a vicious form of coterie driven capitalism that is happening in China, serious repercussions of these socio-cultural unchecked growth will be felt in future.

The Singur lessons: this blogger doesn’t expect Budhadeb Bhattacharya to resign. Threaded types are sturdier breed and when you are a commie the shame is on bourgeoisie. The spin is admirable comrade. Jai ho!! (Incidentally the ad blitz jai ho was regrettable, I gather they discontinued it. It is trivializing common people by using movie song. It is a shame, it was like India shining, but then BJP was worst by decisive crap as ad. These things make mockery of issues. They might influence few thousands in cities but majority only cringe)

The National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) sometime back found that 40% of farmers expressed their desire to opt out agriculture if there is another option open to them. Also note younger generations are hardly keen on farming in rural India. Many years back this blogger interacted with this section and found unpredictability in agriculture is one major factor, government jobs are preferred for this very reason. I wrote a short story many years back on this theme (not a great one but you can try it at my short story blog). But fertile land shouldn’t be allowed to be used for industrial purpose that will threaten food security nor can the land be forcefully acquired by the government. There is a need for rules on allocating industrial land in non agricultural belt only. Also modernization of agriculture and innovations in farming is need of the hour. There is an urgent need for policy framework and technological and infrastructure support to increase productivity in small and marginal farmers. Further steps need be taken to generate employment in non farm that is integrated to post harvest technology. A symbiotic relation between industry and agriculture is needed. The National Commission on Farmers (chaired by MS Swaminathan 2004-06) framed National Policy for Farmers (tabled in parliament 2007) calls for a paradigm shift from purely tonnage based approach to agriculture development to an approach that takes into account the socio-economic well being of the farm families.

its UPA all the way!!!

Never seen a free tiger…

This blogger has been to most of the wild life sanctuaries in this country but has never seen tigers in wild. Recently there have been reports of further dwindling of tiger population making it difficult to see this elusive animal. Seeing these majestic animals in zoo is saddening, they look so defeated (at least Bannerghatta Park provides enough space from them to roam. I recommend this to anyone visiting Bangalore. They have done fairly good job. At least in this safari you are assured to see some tigers unlike tiger reserves- in particular Corbett). About a decade back I suddenly start making lots of money so was adamant about seeing a tiger in wild. Spend a fortune but hard luck (this pic of blogger taken a decade back at one of the w

ildlife sanctuary. Clearly it is not recommended to get out of vehicle in wild. But then when you are younger you tend to be easily stupid, not to mention equally enlightening company!!. In retrospect I think this blogger should have been punished. Any violation of rules in wildlife sanctuary should be dealt seriously. It is dangerous and shouldn’t be encouraged. Most wild life sanctuaries now have safer vehicles). Recently the standards of zoo keeping have also improved a lot.

TV Channels that show wildlife programs are spectacular to say the least. They bring out such spectacular footage that you cannot see in your lifetime in real life. Some of these programs needs months of hard work. Wildlife filming is quite under rated; it needs lots of deft handling. This blogger also had the opportunity to attend documentary festivals on wildlife.

What a show !!

This blogger is ecstatic about performance of girls in Civil service exams. I always thought bureaucracy needs more representation of women, and yes I strongly support reservation for women in bureaucracy (definitely not in parliament it is dangerous and some manipulative people can easily usurp the benefits. Exams are about merit/competence and not manipulations and squatting the power centers). I recall there were some very motivated girls at Maharajas College study circle, some even came to Delhi but dropped out as they found food, weather and other problems related to staying tough to handle.

Bureaucracy is an agency that interacts directly with public and women in authority can be significant in patriarchal society. I recall being very concerned about gender insensitivity in Police force (immediate reason was some of the cases of rape victims and the way they were handled). I thought their should be a member in the interview panel in the selection process to check the gender issues (as also corruption) to the higher level of bureaucracy. Infact one of the first things I did on reaching Delhi was to go to NCW. I recall Mohini Giri was the chairperson, didn’t knew she would be having IAS officer as secretary. He listened to whatever I had to say, wasn’t enthusiastic. That’s about it. I liked those dabhas at ITO. Rajma-Chawal for 10Rs was value for money. It can go wrong one in five that is a good strike rate!!