AAP looses credibility at an alarming rate

Like most Indians I am quite saddened , more than saddened maybe angered. AAP had such spectacular possibility. They wouldn’t have been the third front as some in media were exaggerating but yes a significant presence, a presence that is essential, particularly, in places where the two party system has become entrenched at the cost of common people. Two party system is a joke, taken too far it severely threatens and polarizes society that is ready for violence. The incompetence and arrogance of entrenched interests and political class sought a voice against and AAP emerged as a delightful option. It seems the ‘leaders’ of AAP have got carried away and have messed it big time. Perception has become quite important in the age of 24x7 media and has a detrimental impact in the making of middle class world view. However even the sleightest of conjurer has to have some credibility, perceptions is difficult to be sustained over the long period if the credibility is lost. Clearly the issue on which AAP is out on the street lacks credibility, it seems made up for media worst there are egos coming into picture. The visceral rant and chaos is an invitation to trouble makers, this could easily spin out of hand. This blogger agrees that State government should have control over Police, and Union may have some part of it in its control, indeed a new force could be created. It is rather trite to argue Delhi police should be under control of Union government for national security reason. The crime in the state has serious ramification on the society and elected leaders of the state have a role to play in finding solution. Though the irony of a party fighting for autonomy to control of the police force is not lost.  

Once you are in a responsible position there is a way of dealing with issues, I am not suggesting these are sacrosanct (there is ofcourse anger and cynicism against the political class). Anarchy is not bad but should be the last resort that too when other options are exhausted. When the CM of a state claims to be an anarchist then it is a question mark on the whole political system and the feasibility of the institutions. People have elected their leaders to solve these very problems. Anarchy is the end of system, it is denying the mandate. It is quite a dangerous situation and puts in a very bad precedence.

It seems AAP is quite in a hurry (they need to understand that they have done exceptionally well and this unnecessary urgency without any ground work doesn’t augur well) and fixers in the national party see it as a threat and are waiting for to attack and discredit, indeed the entrenched political and cultural elites (mostly some very mediocre people high on corruption and nepotism, the reason why this society suffers) are extremely good at this. The Indian crab mentality is part of the folklore. Unfortunately AAP has fallen into the trap. The question of decency in discourse is seen as a major asset, it is a different matter that they have been sucking on people and cause of immense misery, AAP has tripped on that one too. They have made classic outsider’s mistake!! Even this would have been forgiven if the credibility was intact….

AAP has channelized chaos and energized the system and gave new hope to millions of people tired of selfish and corrupt elite section. Now it is their responsibility as leaders to fulfill these aspirations. It is becoming increasingly clear that they are not upto to it. We will have some self congratulating smiling fixers in the scene claiming ‘didn’t we tell you so’ or ‘we know better’. O yes they should know better they have been ruling and now they pass it on to the progenies; of course they should know the tricks of administration. In the meanwhile Indians languish at the bottom of the pile. Worst than sub Saharan countries, you say. Really?

Something about street food…

I am not a big fan of street foods in india, since in most cases there are two overwhelming factor that goes against it. One, invariably most street food are greasy and the oil used is of low quality that they keep reusing till its sooty black. Second, the hygiene standards are quite low. Over the years you develop some instincts on these matters, but the above two factors remains the decider. Consequently street foods are not a pleasant experience. But I must add despite these hiccups I too go all the way out for Sabudani vada whenever I am deccan region, early morning Pune streets have variety of options. Not many are aware that Pune is quite high on street breakfast. Poha is suggested anytime. Then there are Dokhlas. Hot idlis in most south Indian roadsides can be given a try, you can also go for puttu /ada/ kallu appam while in small towns of kerala. Steamed rice items in Shilling are also on my list. Hot Rajma chawal of CP (delhi) is an all-time favourite, as also kulcha-chole at Karol Bagh.  Spicy puffed rice laced with carrot and green chutney, also boiled or sprouted grams can be given a shot, try it from the guy who is in demand, but it remains a risky proposition. Grilled or smoked kebabs can be relished in a place where there are too many non-veg street stalls like Lucknow (I must add though that I had severe stomach issue after I tried Kakori kebab in this city) or Purani dilli.  Tandoori chicken is always a safe bet, so is hot fish curry rice. Indeed Tandoori chicken is much better option than cholesterol clogging vegetarian fair while traveling in North. Unfortunately, baked or steamed fish is quite a rarity and you end up staring at repulsive deep fried fishes on beaches. litti is another of amazing street food that deserve to be as popular as Tibetan momo.  During winter another delectable rarity makes its presence: coal baked sweet potatoes with dash of lip smacking fresh lime. The other day I was in Chawdi Bazar (in purani dilli) and came across what could top all the street food. It goes by the name Kulle chat or Kuliya chat. The plate has four options: an orange, baked potato, cucumber and a tomato that are carved and filled in with pomegranate seeds, boiled grams and other delectable assortments (the picture herein).          

Good food is about taste and health (hygiene, low grease and pesticide free), factors of food mile makes it wholesome. Anything less is not good food.  There is a need for policy makers to train the street food hawkers on these matters and also street cuisine from across the world that could be included in Indian conditions, indeed private companies can include this as part of CSR. There are many talented street food cooks who need to be appreciated through initiatives. The other day I saw this fellow in street corner making precise Rotis without belen. It was amazing to watch, quite an art.     

The whole concept of vegetarianism doesn’t seem to be about health concerns nor compassion for living being. Food is appallingly low on health apprehensions, hygiene issues are limited to the bizarre idea of purity which in turn is about hierarchy exhibitions and strange pecking order. It is a sickness that has become culture. Compassion arising from vegetarianism seems to have rarely percolated. Nor has it led to biodiversity concerns or inquisitiveness about other species. Human being as superior creation arrogance is very much evident. Someone said in jest the other day at Bharatpur when queried about a bird species “gai hamari matha hai iske aage hamme kuch nahi atha hai!!”.  Fortunately it is limited to patronizing and much carelessness unlike hunting (mass scale killings) that was a culture of west which wiped away and endangered many species and played havoc on ecosystem.         

Great news !!

The United Nations General Assembly is honoring wild animals and plants, particularly endangered and protected species, by designating March 3^rd as World Wildlife Day.

In a resolution adopted on December 20, the 193-member General Assembly selected March 3 because that is the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, an international treaty that aims to ensure global trade does not threaten the survival of listed species.

The General Assembly reaffirmed the intrinsic value of wildlife and its contributions, including “ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic,” contributions, to “sustainable development and human well-being.

Signs though are ominous as the overwhelmingly mediocre Indian corporate looks for easy money by exploiting Nature, the beleaguered Indian Government is supplicating. Next few months will see environmentally sensitive areas opened up for exploitations, I sincerely hope SC intervenes or RTI spoils it. In the last many decades these people have sucked up nature, it is the least competent things to do: pay the policy makers and dig the mountains. Moneybags like Vedanta are quite persistent, now cooling their heels waiting for right opportunity to strike. CocaCola Indira Nooyi who has become an American citizen, was quite annoyed when asked about her post retirement contribution to India. She hissed ‘I have commitments in America’. In the meanwhile one Indian English Channel named her as among ‘greatest Indian’ alive while other ‘greatest Indians’ alive and dying didn’t bat an eyelid!! President of India was the host to this amusement. Ofcourse now that the Bharat Ratna sells Coca cola the world has become much smaller…

Clearly we are in for a tough time, the brief for new Environment Minister seems clear and is an indication of things to come. I am not excited about opposition political parties either on the matters of environment. They all represent human beings, the Indians who are multiplying and spreading. The environment protection group will become more aggressive. Greenpeace is a great set of passionate people unlike pliable WWF (bunch of suckers, I regret having ever associated with them) or BNHS. This blogger is happy that Russians have released them. The groups that care for environment, nature, sustainable lifestyles, conservers of traditional wisdoms, modern insights and marginalized will have to come together. In poorer nations and impoverished societies exploitation of nature are sold as national cause. Small countries like Korea or Japan can add billions while Indians dig mountains and forests. The lines are being drawn we cannot succumb to GDP demands of Neanderthal economists. The above is the picture of critically endangered Himalayan Wolf.                

Pussy cats don’t growl they purr

Indians, as is the wont, have gone overboard, the fragile egos of elitizens seems to have shattered. They are terming it as ‘national outrage’. The blogger for one doesn’t want to belong to this conception of nation.  The fringe groups too have joined in for the cause of ‘bharath ki beti’, the embedded patriarchy makes the narration compelling, easily fitting in the insult. That the domestic help, who is alleged to have been exploited, is also an Indian is conveniently put under carpet. Senior ministers and out of work bureaucrats are stampeding popular media calling for revenge ‘if they outrage one of our women we will deal with three of their’ (that was former Ambassador Parthasarthy). The outraged elitizens want to find out how much the Americans pay Indians in India? Is there a common standard, they scream in unison. Ofcourse not love. That is why Indians are cheap labour, remember  that is our investment advantage. Also whether Americans pay Indian help enough money is easily taken care by the fact that this nation doesn’t have minimum standards for anything including payments to domestic helps. Elitizens have conveniently bypassed the ILO agreements; these are never discussed, while the fools argue GDPs so on. Clearly Americans in India cannot violate any laws because there aren’t laws!!  Further it is a standard procedure to frisk people in airports, the VIP culture of elitizens doesn’t make sense anywhere else. What is the problem here?      

Substantive issues like FBI snooping onto Indians was dealt in most cozy manner, the fake elite charm sometimes is handy.  They are now left with bulldozing minor barricades, which incidentally could have been moved with hands!! The privileges which they have extended to Americans are surely in contravention to the laws, clearly the decision makers must have got something in return, privileges come with quid quo pro. The families and friends do visit America and then children’s future too have to be taken care of (bachon ka settlement bhi tho karna hai. Mediocre lyricist ZK Bozz says genes hai tho jahan hai). It is common knowledge that Indians can be bought cheap, the reason that Americans didn’t snoop much on Indian leaders. You snap you fingers they are on the knees (this nuance is described as movement from sanskritisation to westernization), such amazingly malleable people. This blogger request US not to back down by this manufactured ‘outrage’, the law must take its own course. There should be thorough investigation. Vienna convention shouldn’t be any obstacle. In the meanwhile the supple government owes an explanation as to what safeguards they have in place for protection of domestic helps. Indian elitizens seems to have god ordained right over people. The quintessential Ramukaka of khandani ghars has been exploited enough, he needs to be paid. These traditional entitlements and hold cannot hide any longer. The shame is out. Emerging superpower is a kitten who is mistaking itself for a lion. Not that I have anything against kittens.           

Hail the Pope !

Pope Francis is the best thing that has happened to the world in recent times. What a compassionate man. I am deeply moved

We thank the US government 

By arresting the Deputy Consul General in Consulate of India at New York the US authorities have done us a big favour. You cannot expect these things to happen in India. Rich and influential people (the elitizens) playing victim is big career move these days. The profile of Deputy Consul General reads “she also wishes to contribute towards dalit and gender equality in her country”, in the meanwhile (if the reports are to be believed) she also has stolen the flats in Adarsh Society meant for Kargil War Widows!! I wouldn’t be surprised if the family had a big role to play in influencing the whole selection process as also the high profile posting. Rather than retaliating the government needs to do introspection and find out why these dubious people land up in such prestigious position.     

What is particularly interesting and charming is that she was arrested in front of her children. The traditionalist Indian media will be emotional about ‘masoom bache’, but what is forgotten is exploitation of servants (and weaker) is something ingrained in this society. ‘Masoom bache’ are trained in these nuances of providences and entitlements over others in a uniquely cultured manner. They learn these hypocrisies as natural happenings and are adept in these little tricks quite early in life, it becomes their second nature thus easily negotiate the challenges of ethics and law. You may even call it tradition, and therefore traditional family. Even if you are from the lowest strata, this is the traditional aspiration model, quite appropriately referred to as 'sanskritisation'. Thankfully in this rare case ‘masoom bache’ will realize that if you exploit others you will have to pay for it.

Gender issues are now ticket for big returns. These days you can usurp anything and everything with charm talks and connections. Elite women as victim is the new rage in the town, it seems to have overtaken all hierarchy of victimhood in the land of victims. I recall while I was residing in Delhi, quite frequently I had to criss cross posh colonies and the way these women abused their servants. They also shouted down the hapless vegetable vendor, squeezing out the last rupee from the poor man. I felt so disgusted when I saw them later cruising in their long cars, with longer faces! Now ofcourse they are victims and ‘live in fear’ after the gang rape incident (incidentally the fiercely brave and unfortunate victim was marginalized migrant, also these are quite common outside high profile delhi). At one level there is hilarity in these narrations at another shocking hypocrisy. 

LGBT issue also gets more than its share of space because it falls into these patterns of elitizens as victims. Fitting into the international narration and strong market pointers assure bigger reach and so has a readymade climbing opportunity for the devious (quite understandably Crude woman was off the block in no time, it has moistened the eyes of the old timers! ZK says bhushanz se vibhushanz ka safarz katon bara hai). What can be more charming in a land that has millions with absolutely no hope, it is terrifying if you know what it means. As far as the nonsense Supreme Court verdict is concerned it has grievously harmed the credibility of the institution, this blogger suspects that some in the Indian judiciary are politicized and intentionally playing to increase the troubles of beleaguered government. Ideally it is the Parliament which has to make the law, so in a way this is not an entirely unfortunate happening and has brought in some balance.