on world population day...

Today is world population day and let’s focus our attention to insightful thoughts of Amartya sen. He has much to say on population of course he consistently tries to prove the point that it is not a very big issue “isolationist view of population growth should be rejected”. He brings in many factors like income, education and so on and rightly so. But this blogger humbly submits that whatever argument Mister Amartya Sen is giving for not looking population in its isolation is contradicted by his very surroundings itself!!. Wonder why people don’t look around them?. Anyway his insightful and sometimes brilliant understandings are here for the reader. He titled it Reality and Delusion (dated 1994), very correctly so.

“The increase in the world population has vastly accelerated over the last century. It took the world population millions of years to reach the first billion, then 123 years to get to the second, 33 years to the third, 14 years to the fourth, 13 years to the fifth billion, with a sixth billion to come, according to one UN projection, in another 11 years.

Has development, in fact, done much to reduce population growth? There can be little doubt that economic and social development, in general, has been associated with major reductions in birth rates and the emergence of smaller families as the norm. This is a pattern that was, of course, clearly observed in Europe and North America as they underwent industrialization, but that experience has been repeated in many other parts of the world. In particular, conditions of economic security and affluence, wider availability of contraceptive methods, expansion of education (particularly female education), and lower mortality rates have had—and are currently having—quite substantial effects in reducing birth rates in different parts of the world

It is what people do when they have some basic education, know about family planning methods and have access to them, do not readily accept a life of persistent drudgery, and are not deeply anxious about their economic security. It is also what they do when they are not forced by high infant and child mortality rates to be so worried that no child will survive to support them in their old age that they try to have many children. In country after country the birth rate has come down with more female education, the reduction of mortality rates, the expansion of economic means and security, and greater public discussion of ways of living.

Post script: Amen

Sarkozy, market choices and modern savages

It was Rousseau who used the oxymoron noble savages to describe men when in ‘state of nature’-the primitive man, he was later to negate it and rightly so. At the end of the Discourse on Inequality (contradicting the elitist ‘social contract’ by Hobbes), Rousseau explains how the desire to have value in the eyes of others comes to undermine personal integrity and authenticity in a society marked by interdependence, and hierarchy. In the degenerate phase of society, man is prone to be in frequent competition with his fellow men while at the same time becoming increasingly dependent on them. This double pressure threatens both his survival and his freedom. Rousseau asks "What is to be done?" His answers was all men can do is to cultivate virtue in themselves.

Rousseau was a significant inspiration behind French revolution, and the democratic principles on which civilized societies stand. What Rousseau refers to as virtue is what we know as ethics. The reason why I am quoting Rousseau is to point out that all great ideas that put the foundations of equitable society was based on ethics, an expectation of responsible behavior. All understandings of different religions and faith also stand on the same premise. The society as we know and cherish stands on the enlightened thoughts of some great people who strived to create ideals for the betterment of humanity.

What we are seeing in the contemporary world is a paradox of unbridled access to information and exciting possibilities with degradation of society through unsatiated greed and increasingly crude irresponsible lifestyle. The misplaced confidence of ‘great unthinking masses’ (to use Kant) is being sought to be channelised as freedom, as aspiration, as legitimate desires. Is it surprising that people who espouse liberal values are themselves repulsive opportunists?. Is it surprising that those who swear by god and call themselves religious resort to shocking expressions of faith?. In this scenario democracy becomes farce in the hand of few, religion becomes tool of oppression.

Business and commerce is important part of society but whether Adam smith or Weber (remember he had Protestant ethics as his reference) they emphasized on being responsible. Ethics here means that if my business is irrevocably damaging the environment and long term well being of society then it is unethical. Democracy therefore means that leaders take decisions to safeguard against these exploitations and dangerous implications on future. I don’t think it could get simpler than this; it is a very simple reality on which world leaders have to work at Copenhagen. If they cannot agree on something as basic as this then it is a matter of shame, it is heights of irresponsibility. Sometime back BBC broadcasted a program titled ‘ethical man’; it showed how individual actions have quite insignificant impact on catastrophic events, like global warming, that world faces it needs strong policy backing.

In this increasingly crude world cherished institutions and great thought get easily manipulated by vested interests. Market opportunism has constructed freedom as independence to do nonsense and still feel euphoric!!. The ideals though were meant to necessarily go with responsible behavior otherwise it is not freedom, it is vulgar. It is in this world that religion also finds its extreme takers. The society it seems is extending its fringes of crudeness wherein the construct was for enlightened thinking and actions. So what we have is society of reactionaries, a society that individually and collective live by reacting to each other or situation, in this melee competence is downgraded and truth pushed out. They create their own reality. It is where extreme forms of vulgarity meet.

Democracy was not meant for conduit of market choices, nor religion for crude insensitive people. Nor Plato nor Rousseau nor Kant ever meant democracy to reduce to serve bunch of profit mongers at the expense of all other expressions and aspirations or even sustainability. When social relations, emotions and even human bodies are meant for the purpose of unabashed money making, when respect becomes sycophancy, when compassion is profit, when words becomes farce, when others are statistics, actions are compromises then we know something is grievously gone wrong and that such a system will lead to nothing but disaster. In Holy Koran there is a mention of modest dressing but enlightened words never conceived crude followers who could pack women in burqa (the full face covering) and still claim divine. Religion also is about power, male domination therefore does find enough reasoning. It is in this context of politically correct and incorrect world Sarkozy’s statements become ambiguous. He may be right or he may be wrong depends upon how much you stand to gain. Truth is the biggest loss in the contemporary world we live in.

These varied forms of vulgarities compete and they call it freedom of expression. Here we get cruder versions of liberty, secularism, profit, love, creativity, modesty, faith…, it’s a celebration of mediocrity. In gist it means you do your crap and we do ours. Live and let live. And yes we respect each other for that!!. And so we live in a free world. Modern savages. If this idea of living was so very ideal then why is environment/nature not ready to take the crap?. Clearly these are not true, therefore unsustainable. Nature doesn’t lie. Then that means there is truth, and we do see it all the time but are not ready to acknowledge. The crass world makes it impossible, so we flirt on the fringes of truth and justify ourselves for immediate gain. Somewhere this will have to end, we see glimpses of that in bombs, riots, cyclones…

Post script: readers are invited to short story blog, there is a new story I posted the other day. It is dedicated to incredible people like Swami Agnivesh, Medha Patkar, Aruna Roy, Binayak Sen, Vandana Shiva, Sugatha Kumari and so on. It is these people who make democracy vibrant. Indian society is proud of them.

The latest about Copenhagen summit

Canada and Japan obstruct climate deal
Morten Andersen 02/07/2009 16:50

“Copenhagen is faltering at the moment. The Americans are now fully engaged. But several countries are blocking the progress,” Sir David King, former British Chief Scientific Advisor, said at the World Conference of Science Journalists in London.

He also noted that both Canada and Japan have recently gotten rid of their scientific advisors, and both countries “are stepping into the breach and blocking progress.”

A weak agreement coming out of the UN conference on climate change in Copenhagen this December would be worse than no agreement, said Sir David King. According to Times Online he sees an ambitious bilateral agreement between China and the United States as a better alternative:

“If you had the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and (Barack) Obama on the same stage, together with the EU position, this would be a strong move in the right direction.”

According to One World Net, the former British advisor has “a lawyer in his team working behind the scenes to find a legal formula that would enable the summit (the UN conference, editor’s remark) to be concluded with a general statement and a commitment that a protocol would follow in 2010.”

In his speech, Sir David King praised a Brazilian commitment to stop deforestation in 2025 and was optimistic about reaching an international agreement on forest conservation at this years UN conference.

Comments by a reader

Peter Wood

03/07/2009 04:13 If Canada and Japan don't cooperate, we can have a treaty without them. Countries can then charge border taxes on fossil fuel intensive goods, and border export taxes on fossil fuels exported to these countries. Probably not a good outcome for Japan's steel industry or Canada's tar sands industry, but a good outcome for the planet

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.

***

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...