Registering a protest with GOI by an Indian citizen…

This blogger as an Indian citizen registers a strong protest with Government of India (and State governments) on the way in which policy decisions or matters dealing with it are made known to the public. Government employee from the highest level to the lowest is not expected to give “exclusive interviews” to any TV channel or matters dealing with state. Any matter dealing with the State that needs to be communicated to the public should be done through press conference or media communiqué or spokesperson. A union minister or any senior official hobnobbing with the private channel and entertaining them is favoritism therefore a grave case of corruption.

By its very nature "exclusive" is partisan, governments are not here to work on the TRP of private channels. After every “high profile” case even senior police official are found giving interviews to TV channels. Is that there job?. Is this how state machinery function in a democracy?. Astounding. Secondly just because a case is high profile doesn’t mean that it gets precedence over others, since high profile word is a construct of market media in most cases (who leaks the video of narco test?. It is a serious case of privacy violation. Does this land have any privacy laws?). The recent rape case by small time hindi film actor was attempted to play through media. Fixers and manipulators got in and tried to subjectify the crime that was still under investigation. All norms and decency was thrown out, even the CM of Maharashtra was found reacting. What a shame.

This blogger agrees that a minister could give an interview to a particular channel or print media as part of getting to know the person- about the minister as a person and his overall views on issues, afterall he/she is a public person. But to give access to a particular TV channel or print media of his liking on every matter and his/her exclusive views is serious dereliction of oath he took (media and others are excited about who gets what during swearing-in ceremony…but what oath was read is much important. It is no small matter or routine. It has to be followed in word and spirit, otherwise why have these expensive mockery?).

When senior minister or official hobnobs with the media (clearly for personal gains later, it’s a tacit understanding) it has direct influence on morale of the junior members and staff, it sets a bad precedence and culture of sycophancy. This is one way corruption gets institutionalized. Generally when most ministers are from Delhi or state capitals they are found to create coterie or interest groups, giving exclusive access to “their people” in media, it is a step towards degrading the system. Either the minister or official concerned doesn’t understand the significance of the position one is holding or is irresponsible so doesn’t deserve the position.

Post Script: this blogger congratulate the Education minister Kapil Sibal for the revolutionary steps taken to make the education system sensitive and learning an enjoyable process. Round of applause for that!!.

Condolences: Lohithadas was a one of the brilliant script writer and director this nation has seen in recent times. This blogger is personally indebted to him. It so happened that my understanding of Malayalam movies in my earlier part of life was limited, just few movies in VCR or DD, so when I was studying in college (in my first year) Kireedom was released. It was a path breaking movie and it had immense influence on me (incidentally it was my very first movie in Kerala), i started to have great liking for Malayalam movies. That period also coincided with some amazing movies being made, I was hooked. Lohithadas had scripted many of these movies, it was sensational to say the least. Later while in Delhi I saw Boothakanadi in one of the film festival, quite a sensitive movie, so many rapes happening I too got paranoid like the character in the movie.

Lohithadas belonged to a tradition that had produced some of the greatest malayalam film directors like Bharatan, Padmarajan, MT who understood the aesthetics and soul of the kerala culture and its people, that had universal appeal. Their movies not only had high aesthetic standard but it touched hearts of millions. Their movies always had incredible songs which in itself embodied so much of the oral-cultural tradition. When you watch movies by Bharathan, Padmarajan, MT or Lohithadas it leaves an impression that last for ages. Everything about the movie becomes beautiful, they were very sensitive people. They were rooted to the land. Lohithadas was an amazing man, he will be terribly missed. It is a big loss.

Gone too soon…

Michael Jackson was an amazing guy, truly an international icon. A showman par excellence he was music all the way, a trend setter. This blogger came to know about him in late 80s. Probably in the contemporary world his words must been heard by more number of people around the world in the last few decades than anyone else, and yes more people copied his moonwalk than nobody else…

This blogger was appalled and angered by his doings in the later part of his life. But I guess there are many part of people they are not able to handle, it saddening to see brilliant people break like that, it got really weird. He was in public right from the tender age of 5 that must have been tough. I liked many of his songs prominent being “lets make this place a better place…”(it is a very sensitive song), “we are the world” (for Africa), “black or white”, “thriller”, “childhood” “beat it” (I recall dancing on that many times!!) and so on.

What really endeared me to him was what I watched in one of the music channel today, I haven’t listened to this song previously. It is a tribute to a beautiful boy Ryan White who died of AIDS. The song is titled “gone too soon”, I regret not listening this earlier. Michael Jackson might have sung many songs but this one has created a place for him in my heart that will remain forever intact. Despite all the blemishes he was such a wonderful guy. He should have been given a chance to redeem himself. It is an unfair death.

To boldly go where no man (or woman!!) has gone before…

That was how Star trek series opened with space ship cruising into the universe. And boy it opened a whole new world. Star trek was a popular TV serial that used to be shown on Sunday noon in 80s. They made movie on it recently and this blogger happen to see it yesterday, though I avoid going for movies this I had to watch. I still prefer the older version (the newer version had to compete with latest technology, in the process many occasions it became more of a video game). It was amazing to see human transferred from place to another by a command. Despite difficulty in understanding I can still recall those names Capt Kirk (the grave looking head of the Enterprise spaceship), Spock (amazing guy with pointed ears), not to forget Sulu, Macoy, Uhura and so on. It was spectacular experience to say the least.

Star Trek had an astounding affect on me, till then life was about mythology wherein chariots could fly and so on. Star trek brought in science fiction. Science fiction means extrapolation of technological future or postulation of future that is logically consistent. Myth and fantasy based stories had magic or unexplained occurrences that were attributed to mystical powers. It was Arthur Clark who blurred the line of science fiction and science fantasy by introducing magic consist with logic.

I always wondered why science fiction not part of school curriculum?.(Note here science fiction is not same as science and therefore should be handled separately nor is it meant to make science interesting- tool of pedagogy. This blogger is arguing science fiction as different stream or additional chapters or exercises to ponder). We didn’t have even a chapter, I assume they don’t have it even now. That is shocking. Infact science fiction is an important understanding. Its implications are significant. They are the guys who predicted airplanes, submarines, spaceships, tanks, cyberspace, robot and so on. How could we ignore them?. Few science fiction writers need be noted here: Isaac Asimov (who first discussed artificial intelligence and made laws for ethical robots: "A robot may not injure humanity, nor, through inaction, allow humanity to come to harm" and so on, became premise for many other science fiction), HG Wells (time travel in Time Machine), Arthur Clark (well known for Space Odyssey-2001 with Kubrick. Speculating on geostationary satellite as also wireless communications, he even wrote time table upto 2010), George Orwell (1984- was about totalitarian future), Mary Shelley (Frankenstein, arguably the first science fiction, was inspired by nightmare she had!!) but it was French writer Jules Verne who is considered father of science fiction. Verne is credited with impressive predictions. His anticipations of the future included the moon landing, the helicopter, air conditioning, automobiles, and even the Internet! (remember it was 19^th century). Verne's most famous works include 'Journey to the Center of the Earth,' 'From the Earth to the Moon,' 'Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea,' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days.’ Science fiction movies that were immensely popular in recent times include Jurassic park series (Attenborough, you can trust Attenborough brothers for brilliance) was written by Michel Crichton- his understanding on global warming though was more fiction than science!!. Bush administration tried to use him. This blogger is a great fan of science fiction movies (my first few English movie was Terminator, I can’t conceive terminator without Arnold swazinegger. My favorite is Terminator 2, the scene wherein his detached metal hand melts back into his body after a spectacular chase, the best ever. The guy who played that part was amazing selection).

Science fiction need be important part of children’s growth, the understanding of present action/inaction and its probable implication on future for not only himself or herself but the society, the world or the life as we know is what science fiction construct itself on. Children need to understand these, the need for responsible use of science and knowledge. It also is a vicarious experience to a possible world constructed on extrapolating the present, the implications of our actions. Science fiction also provides a space for collective fear on where we are and where we go. The issues facing the world right from social implications of cloning to environmental catastrophes of human actions are important in the education of young generation. Science fiction therefore can be an important tool in understanding technological innovation and social consequences. This helps us to be more vigilant, preparing intuitions not necessarily being paranoid. Don’t know whether to use the word intuition but yes cognitive skills that is more emotional, creative than factual, lacking context. It makes children proactive and instill responsible behavior, it could also give them confidence to be visionaries. It makes them ask realistic questions that are less abstract and more real to the world as they experience and anticipate.

Another aspect of science fiction is presenting a counter culture, an understanding of societies different from ours or how we could change in future. Implication here is that what we consider as permanent may not be. This helps in preparing us for change, questions traditions and opens new possibility that the present structure cannot even conceive. Science fiction can be an important tool for non fictional forecasting and preparing us for radical changes and tolerant to evolving social institution.

Science fiction as change speculators has the potential to create agents for change. The diversity of choices and multitude of paths it can lead is dependent on choices we make now is what these fiction teaches.

Post script: phew…that was quite exhausting. And so I will have to finish the above with a light hearted incident. Once a journalist inquired Arthur Clarke (one of the greatest science fiction writer who died in 2008. Space elevators anyone?!!), whether he was gay. Clarke replied "No, merely mildly cheerful". Good one!!.

Trivia: Arthur Clarke became a Sri Lankan citizen and was Chancellor of a University for a very long time, he is buried in Colombo.

Tragic events in Iran

Iran I gather is one of the most tech savvy nations around, there is a substantial section of Iranian society that has access to latest technology. Iran also has significant expatriate population located around the world, particularly in rich countries (this blogger too had Iranians and Afghans as neighbors few years back but they weren’t rich, the girl I recall worked at the reception of a firm). This complicates the events that are unfolding in Iran. Don’t know whether to use the word complicated or that it adds strength to efforts for more open society. Iran seems to be a nation that is in cusp of things, either the events would unfold immense possibility of people of the nation or it would be chaotic and divisive eventually tragic. The assault on peaceful protesters is cause of grave concern. As Khatami points “The silent protests and civil behavior of the people in demonstrations is a sign of people’s vigilance and (sense of) responsibility”. The picture is that of Neda Agha Soltan young woman killed during the protest.

This blogger happen to listen to Ayothallah’s speech, he spoke with lots of passion. Clearly there is a huge following (I found the part of “extreme views leading to extreme reaction” interesting). The elite seem to have genuine concern for a just society as was envisaged by the revolution that uprooted the feudalism in 1979. There are few concerns though (this I express as a very concerned outsider). Although despite the best intentions of Ayothallah that “Islamic nation of Iran would never rig the elections” it is conceivable that things are murky at the lower level (quite possible with tacit understanding of power mongers in the elite). The latest report indicates establishment’s admission that there has been irregularities “that wouldn’t have affected the final result”. This fact that is emerging points to some serious problems in the system and a major source of disgruntlement as the channel for redressal is non functional. Also the fact that it took such coercion for this admission points to something wrong.

Religio-political elite in Iran are in a critical juncture and have a huge responsibility; one fervently hopes they don’t fail their people. It would do them well to make the system more transparent and participatory. Lots of changes have happened in the world from 1979 to 2009, aspirations and expectations have evolved, technology has led to access and new possibilities. Defects of western system is also understood, in the name of freedom they have led to space for “extreme views and reactions”, thus we have increasingly radicalized youth despite better choices or is it about self aggrandizement, blatant consumerism. Certain section get increasingly vulgar and crude not only in dealings with the surrounding but also worldview, this is being tried to be replicated as modern around the world. Freedom comes with responsibility some fail to understand, it must be arrogance. Religion and traditions can be a good reference point for being a responsible human being. Enlightened elite should be able to interpret religion for betterment of all with the changing realities.

Iran also has major existential threat, its oil reserve makes it a precious target. Further Iran has been a challenge to cozy worldview of western nations on nuclear bombs. Also Sunni hardliners in an increasingly volatile region wouldn’t let go the chance for disruption, sectarian violence have increased substantially in recent times. This makes the happenings in Iran very critical. The elite instead of adopting a hardline would do well to look for solution based on contemporary realities before things spin out of hand, oppressive and unilateral measures may not work and would lead further degradation of the situation. Iranians fighting with each other is the last thing that should happen. That would be immensely tragic. Iran is too important a nation to fail like this.

Post script: though we know there is something gone wrong in Iran, it is very difficult to get unbiased facts of the events. But yes some people can be reference points. This blogger was reading Shirin Ebadi (Iranian Nobel laureate), she is for opposition. Clearly the opposition movement in Iran has a section of popular and intellectual support. Mousavi (the opposition leader) has also taken extreme stand (in reaction to crackdown) that he wouldn’t mind being a martyr. Very precarious situation indeed. This blogger has great regard and respect for Mohammed Khatami. He has called for independent commission to verify allegations "before it is too late the officials must take the least costly approach, adding the opportunities are slipping quickly and fast turning into potential threats”. Khatami says, "Linking the healthy movements of the people with foreign interference is a flawed political practice, which leads to alienating the people from the government.” His understandings would immensely help. He could be the rallying point in the increasingly polarizing society.

A Greenpeace initiative

I got this forward few days back thought it to be important to put in my blog. Plz visit http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/take_action/leaders-go-to-copenhagen-climate-summit for more. Don't forget to sign the petition...

President Barack Obama, United States of America
President Hu Jintao, People’s Republic of China
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India
President Nicolas Sarkozy, France
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, United Kingdom
Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany

Dear leaders,

I call upon you, not as representatives of your countries, but as leaders of the world, to personally attend the United Nations Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December.

Decisions which will be made at this meeting will impact the lives of everyone alive today, and determine the shape of humanity’s future.

This is the world’s best chance to avoid runaway climate change.

You owe it to the world to attend, to set aside your national interests, to safeguard our future, and to do what you were elected to do: lead.

My request is simple: promise now to personally attend.

Post script: In context to the last blog, Mr. Ramesh have taken some stern steps with regards to illegal miners in Karnataka and he personally visited Corbett park, that definitely is a great start. This blogger is also enthused by his statement on need for "tiger ecosystem".

Shouldn’t the Environment Minister speak about environment??!!

It is only yesterday that I came to know who the union environment minister is!!(i guess it is my fault getting complacent). I was flipping through TV channel and came across report on Tigers. This blogger is very much concerned about issues concerning environment, the Minister left me vaguely uncomfortable. I did spend sometime on the net and found he had lots of skeptics, I guess it is too early to pass judgment. Jairam Ramesh is holding a very important ministry and policy decisions he makes and the impact it creates will be watched very closely.

An environment minister need necessarily be concerned about environment and that is his priority. He is not expected to talk about economics and finding a balance, his framework has to be necessarily prioritizing environment and natural wealth. I don’t see commerce minister talking about environment nor home minister talking about education. Don’t know what is rigid and not rigid but progress need be seen from the context of sustainability and inclusiveness. The rate at which forest is getting depleted and wildlife habitat loss happening is a serious concern. There is a serious pressure on natural resources that no GDP can compensate. The previous environment minister I gather worked as a henchman for profit mongers. He seems to have done significant damage. I also gather environment board does have presence from exploitative industries. This I find very disturbing (so why do you think they fund election?!!).

Mr Ramesh it seems speaks more like an economist, which makes this blogger quite concerned, not that anybody should have anything against economists but environment is not really about demand and supply paradigm. Environment is not a factor. The western model of development that is being transplanted is seriously flawed (they realize that and are making every effort to increase forest and wildlife conservation, but then they are rich. In poorer societies there is significant pressure from vested interests). Don’t know about alternatives but yes this much this blogger is sure and that is progress at the cost of environment is no progress. Also one feels the west has earned lot of money at the cost of natural resource, shouldn’t these product have environment tax?. Issues of environment are more holistic, it needs broadmindedness and sensitivity. Narrow economic exigencies and short term benefits will be seriously counterproductive.

Personal interaction with Jairam Ramesh: don’t know how many will recall Jairam Ramesh used to conduct a successful program in DD many years back (was it Crossfire?). I watched many episodes of it and yes got lots of understanding and knowledge. It was crisp, no crap, getting into the facts. I wasn’t much into TV but wouldn’t miss this program. Later I shifted to Delhi (I guess it was December 1995) and stayed in the worst part of the city. Could manage few weeks and had a breakdown, just couldn’t handle it, the food, winter (the room didn’t even have a cot and I wasn’t carrying much clothing), but yes an year later was back with some bank balance, quite determined not to quit. I had a reference of family friend they stayed in Andrews ganj, so shifted. I found that Jairam Ramesh lived in the ground floor (he played cricket with his two sons) and bumped into him, told him I liked his TV program immensely, few minutes of general talk nothing much. I stayed there for 4 to 5 days and met him quite often. I thought he was a great guy.

Readers are requested to visit birds blog (its about Kingfishers!!) also i have posted a Short story (i dedicate it to autowallahs of Bangalore, particularly to the man who went out of the way to help me as i was pushing my punctured vehicle few months back at an isolated stretch. Some are nasty but mostly ok kind of guys. I know few punters too who moonlight as auto drivers!)

Things get serious in Tehran…

So the Iranian elections are over, Mahmud Ahmadinejad is reelected, this blogger was reading many websites and found he has immense following in rural part of the country. But there are indications that something has seriously gone wrong. To question the fairness of election will be interfering in the internal matter of a country, and as this blogger understands Iran is a functional democracy. The country has enough checks and balances to rectify itself. Also the fact that opposition party was given space for dissent and public gathering for protest speaks volume about Iran. It is also possible for protest to turn violent as it can happen anywhere in the world. It shouldn’t give anyone any right to give extreme views on Iran.

Iran is an Islamic nation headed by a religious leader. Most western countries are secular and so religion is replaced by big corporates who fund election (clearly it is not for egalitarian reasons. India also has many MPs who are corporate sponsored). Somehow the western media has created an image of Iran as a rogue nation, this blogger finds it amusing. How is nuclear Iran more threatening to world than any other nuclear power is beyond me. How are some countries more responsible with nuclear bombs while others not and who decides these?. How nuclear bombs ever safe this blogger doesn’t understand. I guess it needs special talents to understand these complicated matters which this blogger seems to be woefully lacking.

This blogger strongly regrets and take exception on President Ahmedinejad’s views on holocaust; it was quite a crude attempt to snub West (this blogger is a great admirer of Khatami, unfortunately during his rule Bush was at the helm. Despite vicious campaign by Bush administration Khatami did try his best to open an atmosphere of dialogue with West). Israel seems to be an important reference point in this region, these statements on holocaust seems to be reaction to blatant support of regressive action of Israel by US in the past. This blogger also believes that Israel has every right to take steps to protect its citizens. Israel is a sovereign country and has a significant influence in the region.

Coming back to elections in Iran, this blogger feels there was always a concerted effort to destabilize Iran. To understand who could be behind these moves we need to look at who stands to gain. Few decades back they could destabilize countries by instigating coup (there are umpteen examples) or threat of military action or other doles. We now live in open world wherein images have impact (or made to feel that way), there seems to be an attempt to manipulate unfortunate events in Iran by vested interests. Oil rich Iran is a precious target.

This blogger fervently hopes that any misconduct in Iranian elections is rectified at the earliest otherwise there is every chance of this spinning out of control in an already unstable region. As I write these the supreme leader of Iran has ordered an enquiry. Hopefully it is transparent and things are settled amicably. Iran is very much in a precarious situation.

Post script: so they couldn’t do anything to megalomaniacs of North Korea who are posing serious threat not only to world but to its own impoverished citizens!!. Well that is expected in an ethically ambiguous world and even if they take actions that will be hypocrisy.

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Indian students attacked in Australia: This blogger was extremely concerned about “racial attacks” on Indian students in Australia initially. But now has started to feel quite embarrassed about how these are exaggerated by media. I guess there is an attempt to showcase “new and aggressive India”. Some morons are quite excited about this word “aggressive” it seem to give them self worth. Australia is being painted as some crude nation where it seems they get up every day conspiring which Indian to beat up today. I guess they are trying to extrapolate abusive behavior of some Australian cricket players as defining characteristic of a nation, there seems to be some kind of a vendetta here. There has been an attempt on this for sometime now racist attacks have become an alibi.

Clearly only a minuscule percentage of these attacks seem to be racially motivated. Also every day I see some one or other getting punched around where I stay, if this happens in Australia that is a scandal quite amusing, this is not to undermine racist attacks abroad but trying to put things in perspective. Racism is a grievous issue but what is happening in Australia doesn’t qualify to be one. I guess some news have more market potential (now they have gone berserk over some small time actor raping his maid, so we can expect racist attacks to go down!!). This blogger feels that Australian government has taken enough steps as the situation demands. Media exaggerations on small skirmishes need be seen as desperation on earning a living by market media, quite understandable. It is high time Australian as well as Indian authority concentrate on important issues. If Indian media doesn’t mend its way and continue targeting a nation this blogger may have to apologize to Australians as an Indian citizen embarrassed at the conduct.

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.

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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.