Something sinister is brewing in Himalayas

 The temperature at Himalayan regions has increased quite dramatically. Once salubrious Uttarkashi experienced 40 degrees, the signs of rapid melting of glaciers are evident, with rising water level and intensity of Bagirathi River (look at the picture, taken in midsummer few days back!!. It was dangerous to even sit at the bank). I was interacting with elders who run the nearby tea shops and they expressed puzzlement and said these changes are becoming much evident in last three or four years. This year seem to be exceptional as the temperature has risen to new levels. Receding glaciers are a fact and will definitely have an impact in very near future. With these the perennial source for many major rivers originating from Himalayas will be depleted. I shudder to think what would be the impact. It would be socio-economic catastrophe.

If Himalayan glaciers are the source of major rivers in north part of the country then Western Ghats are critical source that tap the monsoon for rivers in southern India. It is not about rivers and its water that growing population and it demands need. It is complex riverine system that not only feed great rivers but provides thriving ecosystem for myriad species, discovered and undiscovered. It is a biodiversity heritage that is beyond price tag. When Kasturirangan suggests plundering these areas with coded innovative words like ‘green growth’ ‘culture landscape’ what we would like to know is what has been the contribution of those who have cut and sold the hills for minerals and ores in regions that are indeed extremely impoverished. What is sold is product of millions of years of formation, irretrievable asset that is exploited so cheap. They haven’t added any value, there is no R&D, only exporting to smarter people, who in turn add value and sell it back many times the price of raw material.  For decades this is happening as the land get plundered few get richer and richer without adding any value to raw material or society.  In the meanwhile the richer they get greedier they get, and find innovative ways to multiply their money. These exploitative minds and its easy ways pervade and degrade the system. 

This blogger has spent lots of time in Western Ghats, even worked briefly. The environmental friendly talk is euphemism for cosmetic measures, make it look good kind of thing. Vast amount of forest with rich biodiversity were destroyed by Britishers for tea gardens (ah the love of the tea), resorts have come up for rich to spend value time. Some are still encroaching with impunity (for instance resorts in environmently fragile regions are still encroaching land that are corridor/feeding space for endangered species. Incidentally the management of these resorts are for all purpose incompetent and least bothered. It is worst of Indian corporate, for me these are revelations on inner working of incompetence that Indians have so much in abundance!!). As forests get fragmented, corridors blocked, Rfactor and invasive species thrive.        

      

The policy makers seem least concerned, indeed the government (who increasingly clear are part of con act) are doing their best to scuttle the issue. The recent case being how they got their axe out on Gadgil report, a report that is sane and widely appreciated for its sensitivity, it sought an open and sensible debate and policy input. In return the economist-led-world-bank-trained policy makers recruited “westernized” Kasthurirangan (only Sanskritised could be Westernised, so said MN), who did exceptional job of a henchman, he surely has the credential. Wonder when they will come to sense and acknowledge the reality.   It is same thing they did in Maoist affected areas, the reason why Maoists cannot be completely be criticized, market romantics may find it difficult to fathom. Exploitative market (ala crony capitalism) kills people without taking their life, neo-Brahminist expertise in this nuance.

This an open letter by Madhav Gadgil to Kasthurirangan

Dear  Dr.Kasturirangan,

JBS Haldane, the celebrated 19h century scientist and humanist who quit
England protesting its imperialistic invasion of Suez to become an Indian
citizen has said: Reality is not only stranger than we suppose, but
stranger than we CAN suppose! I could never have imagined that you would be
party to a report such as that of the High Level Working Group on Western
Ghats, but, then, reality is indeed stranger than we can suppose!

In our report to the Ministry of Environment & Forests, based on our
extensive discussions and field visits, we had advocated a graded approach
with a major role for grass-roots level inputs for safeguarding the
ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. You have rejected this framework and
in its place, you advocate a partitioning amongst roughly one-third of what
you term natural landscapes, to be safeguarded by guns and guards, and
two-third of so-called cultural landscapes, to be thrown open to
development, such as what has spawned the 35,000 crore rupees illegal
mining scam of Goa. This amounts to attempts to maintain oases of diversity
in a desert of ecological devastation. Ecology teaches us that such
fragmentation would lead, sooner, rather than later, to the desert
overwhelming the oases. It is vital to think of maintenance of habitat
continuity, and of an ecologically and socially friendly matrix to ensure
long term conservation of biodiversity rich areas, and this is what we had
proposed.

Moreover, freshwater biodiversity is far more threatened than forest
biodiversity and lies largely in what you term cultural landscapes. 
Freshwater biodiversity is also vital to livelihoods and nutrition of large sections
of our people. That is why we had provided a detailed case study of Lote Chemical Industry complex in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, where
pollution exceeding all legal limits has devastated fisheries so that
20,000 people have been rendered jobless, while only 11,000 have obtained
industrial employment. Yet the Government wants to set up further polluting
industries in the same area, and has therefore deliberately suppressed its
own Zonal Atlas for Siting of Industries.

Your report shockingly dismisses our constitutionally guaranteed democratic
devolution of decision making powers, remarking that local communities can
have no role in economic decisions. Not surprisingly, your report
completely glosses over the fact reported by us that while the Government
takes absolutely no action against illegal pollution of Lote, it had
invoked police powers to suppress perfectly legitimate and peaceful
protests against pollution on as many as 180 out of 600 days in 2007-09.

India's cultural landscape harbours many valuable elements of biodiversity.
Fully 75% of the population of Lion-tailed Macaque, a monkey species
confined to the Western Ghats, thrives in the cultural landscape of tea
gardens. I live in the city of Pune and scattered in my locality are a
large number of Banyan, Peepal and Gular trees; trees that belong to genus *
Ficus*, celebrated in modern ecology as a keystone resource that sustains a
wide variety of other species. Through the night I hear peacocks calling,
and when I get up and go to the terrace I see them dancing. It is our
people, rooted in India's strong cultural traditions of respect for nature,
who have venerated and protected the sacred groves, the *Ficus *trees, the
monkeys and the peafowl.

Apparently all this is to be snuffed out. It reminds me of Francis
Buchanan, an avowed agent of British imperialism, who wrote in 1801 that
India's sacred groves were merely a contrivance to prevent the East India
Company from claiming its rightful property.

It would appear that we are now more British than the British and are
asserting that a nature friendly approach in the cultural landscape is merely
a contrivance to prevent the rich and powerful of the country and of the
globalized world from taking over all lands and waters to exploit and
pollute as they wish while pursuing lawless, jobless economic growth. It is
astonishing that your report strongly endorses such an approach. Reality is
indeed stranger than we can suppose!

With warm personal regards,

I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Madhav

Res: A-18, Springflowers, Panchavati, Pashan, Pune 411008, Tel 020-25893424
Office: Biodiversity Department, Garware College, Karve Road, Pune 411004,

condolence...

Ritupurno Ghosh was the best that had happen to Indian cinema in recent times, it is shocking that he passed way so suddenly. Movies like Unishe April, Dahan, Chokker bali…stand out. People mention about Bergmanisque aura, I believe the Indian nuance was too prominent, Tagore was constant presence. The talk of new wave (in hindi movies) are much feeble, Ritupurno was the real deal in the mould of Satyajit Ray and other greats…deeply saddened.     

IPLing the world

It seems that dumb game like cricket was tailor made for some Indians, these some are sought to be majority by the market, therefore the frenzy. The so called sport has everything that satisfies the laziness and stupidity of the audience while filling the coffers of the few. About five odd countries are serious contenders of which the richer countries are competent in other sports too, cricket is not taken that seriously. Few decades back it was the elite get together of maharajas and Nawabs trying to work out their credibility with masters, quite understandably the best were never good enough. Their performances and lifestyle are mentioned in awe in hallowed circle by commentators. The fact being these were mediocre nincompoops. Similar to what is true in every other field that is elitist. They attained fame, money and yes credibility for being a sportsperson. These then was a small opening which they encashed rather handsomely.

 IPL is the richest sport body in the world. One expects it to be competent, atleast money can buy professionals who can work it out and enthuse bit of propriety, to begin with. Many feudal Lalas have become tycoons by doing these, by feeding hardworking middle class professionals (who get trapped in credit, it’s the American way of development). Kingfisher Airline is a small example on how they still don’t get it right, the staff will have to pay for their profligacy and incompetence. That is the Indian elite DNA (what I refer to as neo brahminical reference), they will suck with characteristic impunity. IPL could have been a model for excellence but it can never be. To begin with it is richest not because of any special merit, just that India has more population and therefore the market has invested. The market too has not seen any merit in the audience, except as suckers for their products. So the foundation itself is so very weak. At least one had expected them to redeem themselves, with this amount of money, by bringing competent sportspersons and creating a match of excellence. But that too will not happen as retired, semi retired and amazingly mediocre cricketers work it out. They are limited by their own limitations! Sportsperson were chosen more for entertainment value and now ofcourse for fixabilty factor. The marketability is another factor, so the sportsperson better look good , they also need to sell cokepepsi and cars (its India rising!!). It is jamboree of mediocrity. All self respecting international cricketers (I have no much expectation from Indian cricketers…its easy money, considering a country where majority don’t get enough to eat. I am sure Mrs. Tendulkar has to keep the rice pot boiling, bache booke hain) should quit IPL unless the BCCI becomes professional and not stinkpot that is private money holes for friends and family, as is the traditional in India. They have made it a gravy train for rich getting richer, the sleaze and gross. With money this is what Indian elite can produce; it is neo-brahminism meeting vicious market. MN Srinivas would refer it as Sankritised chants agreeing Westernized nuances. 

This is precisely what India can bring to the high table, a load of mediocrity masked in western nuance. With this money they can create horrendous apparatus that suck money for few. This is replicated in all other institution (Crude woman has done that to National awards, indeed every other doles from the government are grabbed. Secularism aur liberalism ki nautanki meh bohuth dham hai re bhaia. A pliable government that runs on corruption and nepotism, the reason why these breed find space, as institutions gets degraded. As she says hum log spot fixing nahi karthe, hum tho match fixing bhi nahi karthe, hum tho ji sirf final jeeththe hai. What she is saying is that if you can fix who will be the I&B minister then finals tho fix ho he gaya!). With its potent neo brahminical potion India is here to IPL the world!! 

Amazing series of coincidences!! 

I was at a park near Rajpur road in Dehradun city, across the road there was a small crowd. The Natraj Bookstall was hosting Ruskin Bond, he was to release his new book A Garland of Memories. Wow. This is my second rendezvous with Ruskin Bond this year. There was usual rituals associated with book launch, clapping, eulogies so on. Then someone mentioned that it is Mr. Bond’s birthday and a cake was brought in. As I was clicking pictures, I happen to look at the date. Wait a minute isn’t that my birthday too!!!! I am not into birthday celebrations but to gather that I was born on the same date as Ruskin Bond is quite a surprise and what a wonderful coincidence. 

A scene on pavement wall at Dehradun. Lord Shiva has finally had it. Now you watch out!!!

A remarkable man...

Andre Beteille’s day out

This blogger had the fortune (in certain way misfortune!!) to listen to Andre Beteille, one of the leading sociologist in the country. Intellectuals in power seeking alleys of Delhi live in allusion of grandeur surrounded by competing sycophants, untroubled by appraising eyes, but then “what is excluded doesn’t disappear but always return to unsettle every construction, no matter how secure it seems”  (Derrida).  
 

Mr.Beteille seems like an unabashed follower of MN Srinivas, from this perch Sanskritisation is a stellar view. A question was asked by a young lad on a contrarian stream –essentially subaltern in strictly hierarchical Indian pantheon– Palisation/Dalitisation (recently put forth by Kanchan Illiah). There was a gasp from the audience, irritation writ heavily on somber faces that has learned to live on taxpayer’s money (indeed Nehru library talks are costly affair -adding the value of property and historicity). To be fair Beteille seemed unperturbed even managed a sly “I was expecting it”. That “the sociologist is only being objective” is valiant effort on hiding an elephant in the room. That it adds to skewed narration makes it vulgar. 

In his long talk on MN –almost a eulogy– he also mentioned how MN’s english skills attracted the British. Aha. Indeed Beteille on being asked about importance of field research did say, apart from other things “...on away from mother and wife…”. The question was asked to a sociologist by an aspirant (this context has to be emphasized), if this is objectivity by ‘leading sociologist’ then god save us. What about “father and husband”? Clearly he was not able to dissociate himself while answering. Objective analysis has embedded subjectivities, we live with ‘multiple identities’ (Amartya Sen). That MN Srinivas, indeed any social researcher, was uniquely qualified to be objective, therefore sanskritisation is objective is gibberish. When most theorist/intellectuals come from one section of society these prejudices gets reiterated. Indeed Indian sociology seems to work on these frameworks. If Sanskritisation makes sense then Palisation should very well make sense, it is a new entrant, since for so long, there was no one to see the world from this reality, the very reason why Sankritisation got so much credence, though the theory essentially is reflection of MN Srinivas’s background that is sought to be generalized (in this context Westernisation is a tribute to masters). 

Sociologists, particularly from Indian reality that too in the beginning of the 20th century, are difficult to be objective. It isn’t possible. Sociology is not a science, despite the tools employed and intentions. Ultimately subjective reality does come in when one seeks to analyze empirical evidences and judge society. Therefore it is important for different understandings to exist. Palisation should find mention in texts, indeed there need further study on this. Prima facie there is substance to it and should be encouraged. Otherwise it is monopolization of reality.            

     

It is the Indian corporate that gives it a junk status

Recently the government tried to see that the corporate spend some money (atleast marginal) on CSR. It is not too much to ask. Barring some corporates and establishments there is not much concern for common people or degrading environment. Indeed Indian corporates are notorious for their lack of giving back to the society. We have to look towards the West for examples.  Indeed the business of business is business but then as one earns more it is expected that you give some, you contribute for cause and concerns that plagues this rather impoverished society.  

It is unfortunate that the corporate too fall into neo-brahminical framework and fails to take responsibility. Indeed they tend to be exploitative of not only the workers but the nature; they bring in the worst kind of business ethics (ofcourse there are exceptions…we here are discussing majority).  The soul seems to be coming from the ‘traditional shops’ that tend to treat workers are slaves. I was at the famous shops in paratta wali gali the other day. It is the worst that has to offer. Unhygienic surrounding, exploited waiters and workers in dirty cloths, wholly unhealthy food. It is a sad sight. The saddest part is that these don’t require much expense, indeed empathy is least costly. It needs attitudinal change, unfortunately though the neo-brahminical reference adding to profit driven nature of professionalism makes it difficult. They have Nehru’s picture of him eating in the shop. Well the historians will point to many mistakes of Nehru, eating at Paratta wali gali is one. Shops/Business establishments like these are existing for ages (prachin as they claim) in most cases are not because of any unique expertise, just that during those days majority of people were not in a position to open establishments/hotels, only miniscule section were allowed. It is interesting to note that from this miniscule section we have this tradition of “pure vegetarian” breed. I never could understand the difference between “pure vegetarian” and “vegetarian”. The difference I realize is where the mediocrity peeps in as tradition. This is the tradition that the Corporate has acquired as its soul.

With rare exceptions the traditional businesses meet the modern professionalism on these parameters. The soul is exploitative and lacks empathy. It seems to conduct business as entitlement. While half of children in this country die of malnutrition the traditional elite still encourage wonderful concept of pouring milk/butter on statues! I cannot blame the common people, these rituals and believes that supports were created by the traditional elites. It needs one to be uniquely cruel to be part of this (probably why, disgusting American profligacy is emulated and celebrated, the spin is liberal values). This is a minor example from a framework that worked to create exclusivity and traditional claims, creating an amazingly mediocre society that thrived on disconnecting itself from existential problems of the people. Consider that Mundaka Upanishad was trying to bring transient nature of life (which is true) but in the process unfortunately classified knowledge of empirical world as lower knowledge –apara vidya, this idea when met the mediocre nature of society had regrettable outcome. For centuries this became basis for discourse, attitude, therefore inaction, as society slipped into morass.  

    

This then is how we should understand the aspirational soul of Indian corporate. Empathy can only come when the achievement is not because of privilege but talent. Talent here needs to emerge from concern, that is the nucleus of innovation. That really is competence.

    

It is indeed matter of shame that India lacks majorly on investment in R&D. The lack of concern for innovation is therefore clearly a neo-brahminical framework. Further it also shows lack of commitment on the part of the policy makers to encourage originality in solving unique problems facing the country (wonder why the top policy makers had their training in World Bank!!). Though one of the largest economy (that clearly is because of population) India’s investment in R&D is only 1.03% of GDP, this has a strong bearing on the competitiveness.  As expected, in the ranking of competitiveness India ranked 49th out of 130 countries. China’s rank on this index is 30^th (improved from 34^th rank in 2007-08), whereas India slipped to the present position from 48^th rank in 2007-08. Also note India’s share of total global R&D spending is 3.7% while China’s is 17.9 (Japan 12.4).

Corporate R&D is the driver of R&D investment and is the incubation point for innovations. But almost 75% of R&D investment in India comes from government, while the industry accounts for only about 23%. In countries like Japan and S.Korea it is other way round –75% is contributed by corporates. It need indeed be noted that even emerging economies like Brazil has about 40% contribution from corporate. Not surprisingly according to patents granted India’s position is very weak in comparison with other emerging economies of Asian origin e.g. Taiwan, Korea, and China. India stood at 39^th rank in the world as far as the value of high tech exports is concerned. The US is on top of the world followed by China at number two and Germany at number three. But when high tech exports are calculated as proportion of the total manufacturing export, India has even lower rank at number 54.

Considering above fact isn’t it right to say that India is already in a junk status thanks to its incompetent Corporates?  We are, or is it we were, in the reckoning because of large population that is a potential consumer/customer for imported goods/technology, in effect making other economies gain. We get the crumbs, large crumbs gives us large business and illusion of grandeur. Secondly, the land mass has much value (indeed more than humans) the rich natural resources are exploited to fill up the coffer, most millionaires and billionaires are from this section. Thus some people make huge amount of money exploiting natural resources while smarter people in Japan and Korea make value out of these raw materials –the difference between feudal and equitable society, between entitlement and empathy. As innovation is connected to people the concerns get translated into CSR related activities. As exploiting natural resources and accessing is part of good fortune, corruption and nepotism, therefore huge gifts to temples (like say, Bellary brothers), propitiating, thus crudeness and apathy. The neo-brahminical reference celebrates crony capitalism as favorable luck that surely is outcome of past karma, therefore ordained, therefore not much of a concern and should be seen as normal part of social transactions.

Prosecute judges not Tytler

Another sterling example of nonsense called judicial system in India. It is a joke that after almost 30 years (try believing that!!), when thousands of people were massacred in the streets of capital city of India, the scoundrels have again found that there is a case against Mister Tytler. Really that surely is news to us. We are excited.

The judges have become a system onto themselves, indeed even after retirement they continue sucking by getting into some commissions with never ending time frame, it is also clear that they succumb to political pressure.  Mylords have a charming life while people suffer in one of the callous archaic judicial system that seems to be maintained as a tribute to colonialism. In the meanwhile their genes get into Harvard and Oxford or other pretentious places/profiles and emerge as foot soldiers of freedom of expression and harbinger of liberal thoughts. These ofcourse we know by now are cleverly placed euphemism for market friendly world. Americans have made it a beautifully inter changeable world. Indeed they are so viscously predating through TV channels that increasing sections of Indians have their souls permanently in US of A, they have seceded. There are too many white men, too much red meat, baking and guns….It is the easiest capitulation that has happened. So much so the West doesn’t really have much respect for Indians, we are easy suckers.

In the meanwhile, as Indians surf TV channels imbibing American garbage, the elite as is the tradition have abdicated their responsibility. Indeed they have taken up the role akin to brown sahibs they performed so well for many centuries under colonial rule. They are now facilitators, investor friendly you may, service industry you can. National political parties like Congress and BJP are easily controlled therefore our immediate redemption would be smaller parties -the chaos, is our only option that will delay this. In the last few decades markets tentacles have become firm. It is no wonder market media is carefully playing Congress Vs BJP; it is a narration that helps. It is a perfect American/British model that helps the Indian elite to be an alibi for West. They call it development, the reality being everything and anything is degraded, while the material benefits accrued by few. The obvious literal implication is that the land is cut and exported. No wonders we have so many, indeed most, millionaires and billionaires who haven’t ever heard terms like innovations or R&D (Corporate R&D investment in India  is one of the lowest in the world). Knowledge is reduced to an equipment that help suck, unlike era of colonialism things have become sophisticated. Some people call it neo-colonialism.      

      

In context of things Indian judiciary is only extending tradition of mediocrity that comes embellished with qualities of general apathy and complete lack of empathy.  Only economists seem to have the amazing ability to stare at this and rue the decreasing GDP.   

  

Condolence: Chinua Achebe was a great writer and humanist

Toothbrush as a metaphor for development

You may wonder what has humble thing like toothbrush got to do anything remotely with development. The other day morning I was staring at my toothpaste, the second one in as many months wondering why these are getting substandard. It is a branded product, not the Chinese one I fell for some time back that was of such poor quality. Recall few decades back when toothbrush used to last for months, and now they don’t even work for few weeks.  Toothbrush is a fast moving consumer good (marketing dudes call it FMCG, for many their life is hinged on it…they also do their MBAs from fancy colleges and paid in lakhs for selling these…amazing conceptions).  So the more you sell more profit. It does make sense therefore that you produce product of mediocre quality, not really poor quality –and that is where the catch is. Poor quality is easily distinguishable; mediocre is carefully placed in the realm of perception. It is opium of market compliance masked in rhetoric of democracy and freedom. Introducing subjectivity in discourse is also how toothbrush very easily busts the concept of competition leading to excellence. It points to a construct that offer minimal incentive to excellence/quality. That is the nature of what is catered for mass consumption. It is the law of averages, literally. I also realized these when I am dealing with organizations (you may also refer it Corporate). There is overwhelming mediocrity. Clearly in a society with so much disparity, feudalism finds its deal through monopolies that thrive/profit on mediocrity. I realized that managers are euphemism for henchmen who are to ‘deal’ with the situation. Opportunity for ‘networking’ is the most prominent reason many young people have for studying management. Youth power ye!! Indeed the recent protests by youth in Delhi were very much ensconced in the narration of violence. Networking comes with a price tag. It needs investment. It’s a wink and nudge work or is it the other way round?!

Precisely how the system aggregates while they stridently defend merit (I must add, quite vocal…that too is not surprising in a society that really haven’t had much value for subtleties). Merit therefore becomes a tool in reinforcement of feudal narration. It is reassertion of contexts that deny equality of opportunity. Not surprisingly despite rhetoric on undying allegiance to egalitarianism (et al through quickfix freedom of expressions…) democratic references ironically are creating barriers as is co opted by sections that has firmly put premium on degrading western lifestyle as modernity. Charmingly this too hinged on restricted accessibility and exclusivity (therefore meritorious), again reinforced by market that sees opportunity to weave pointers for social mobility (ditto like golf). Primary education therefore is about craving for English while success through higher education on the English nuanced skills (some even dare to call it personality) as the society pushes itself into the trench, these then are coded as parameters for Industry. From this pit GDP becomes debating point for stellar performance.  

That the demand for toothbrush will fuel profit is taken but what it hides is misery for people. It is cheating, though one may argue that product did work. How long is subjective! In these arguments and debates we justify mediocrity, much serious is unethical conduct. The limited resources and immediate concerns of impact on environment get relegated. I have never been fan of likes of Berlasconis but they make sense about the nature of business. Not denying that Berlasconi himself is part of flawed system. Italy also is quite a corrupt country. Corruption by rich is insidious; it causes lots of misery for common people. God damn. Here I am looking at the toothbrush wondering whether it is for brushing or chewing!! But then why to worry the ‘fundamentals are in place’!!

           

It gets eclectic at Surajkund mela

it always fun to be at Surajkund Mela...some pictures...some thoughts..