The Ted Turner way

To be very frank I didn’t know much about Ted Turner, just a vague idea of him being a ‘media mogul’ so on. The other day I was watching CNN and saw this interview (Amanpour.) that got me riveted. What an amazing man. Apart from brilliance and quaint quintessential American way, that is almost extinct, he is precise and alert to the point with sharp memory. Some people attract you instantly. When asked about Bill Gate’s investment in fossil fuel, he didn’t go haranguing of any sort, on the contrary, he just said ‘he is smart’. Sarcasm at its best. What I also liked is this concept of buying land and let it be the way it is, with free horses and wild bisons, quite a sight that one.

I have seen palatial houses that doesn’t even leave an inch of ‘waste space’ no gardens no nothing just concrete. It is therefore a refreshing idea to buy land and create forest or just leave it the way it is. I recall few years back while I was cycling through Kerala meeting a man who created a forest on his private property. The task of conservation should include more people, private sanctuaries should be allowed ofcourse under strict wildlife laws and precautions. It is time to introduce private/public participation into wildlife sanctuaries. I have sponsored animals in the zoo, but if there is an option of sponsoring wild animals in their habitat I will prefer that.   

Justice delayed is justice denied: The tragic nature of carbon units

It is inhuman to keep a person on death row for more than two decades then execute him. In a civilised world any sane person should be against capital punishment, it is barbaric and questions the mode of State’s response.  This blogger has read and understood the arguments regarding capital punishment, as also some really riveting fiction works from Camus to Dostoevsky. Camus has been my favourite and I am quite influenced by his views. Therefore few years back I too had reservations on capital punishments but now realise that the issue is complex when it comes to Indian situations, one cannot be quite certain. It is contextual and needs to be applied as the situation demands, in the rarest circumstances. Human life is not sacrosanct, to argue that human life predominates everything else is placing it in ethical moral context created by religion. That is not how nature works, and human being is only minor but increasingly dominant part of narration called life. If one human being decides to take another human being's life or a set of people’s life then if investigation finds factors pointing to heinousness of the intent, as also other aggravating factors then that person very definitely loses his case on his own life. Clearly these are not confined to direct act of killing only but also to creating circumstances that degrades lives of community and causes deaths, hence needed be treated with equal seriousness. So the question of degrading the environment, ecosystem and thus putting lives of millions of humans and other species at risk is a serious matter. Psychopath capitalists rarely face death sentence, even the worst of offenders like Anderson are escorted out.

You have to live your life responsibly; if it grievously intrudes into others then you have to take the consequences. It may sound retributive hence uncivilized but then that is what punishment is defined as, there is inbuilt vengeance in the concept of punishment. If a person takes the life of another person, in a situation that points to heinousness, then that person will have to be punished in the severest form possible. Now whether that is to be capital punishment or life imprisonment is the question. Why this blogger favours capital punishment in such situation is based on realistic factors that are based on the tribulations facing this society, hence we cannot be compared with Europe or richer societies. India is a poor country where millions of people live under abject poverty and desperation; people die of malnutrition and diseases. They don’t get the attentions that is expected from the State, further the society is too skewed that makes the elite section extremely exploitative. In such situation the argument that perpetrators of heinous crime can have the option of comfortable stay and regular food is not acceptable. Why I use the term ‘comfortable’ is since if you compare the abject destitution under which millions of poor people exist then any concrete structure over head is undoubtedly comfort if not luxury, and to have access to regular food without any uncertainties is a dream for many therefore when these facilities are extended to perpetrators of heinous crimes, in the name of life imprisonment, it becomes a joke on lives of poor people in this country. Food and shelter is what millions of people don’t have (in cities there are many instances of them being crushed by vehicles as they sleep on footpath), and they are not violent and don’t kill other people. In most cases they are vicious outcome of skewed social circumstances and lack of enlightened policy making, therefore the state’s limited resources must go to these areas. Further, there are too many people, and the population keeps on increasing, under such circumstances heinous criminals cannot be guaranteed life. Keeping the carbon unit that is serious threat to society, having committed act of heinousness, is a waste and must be terminated. This might sound robotic but if you place yourself in abject poverty and crowded surroundings then you have to be practical. We are exploding quite rapidly, food is becoming costly, space for healthy living is reducing at a faster rate, surroundings are degrading and unsustainable. Freedom is only a notion for most people; they are trapped in the demeaning frameworks and primitive worldviews. It is worse than being imprisoned in a jail. Capital punishment therefore isn’t a bad option at all. It may or may not have deterrence but that is a minor issue.     

          

  We have to also factor in machiavellian elite who masquerade benevolence as they take sides depending on gains or high moral grounds that fetch precious price in West. They don’t live in congested places and diminished facilities, they don’t face daily abuses and threats. Indeed it can be argued quite easily that they themselves are in many way cause of these disparities that undoubtedly has historical reasons and contemporary apathy.  It is quite clear that Indian elite see these occasions to establish their ideas of compassion hence compassionate, in the meanwhile they quite firmly play to the international community as representing higher moral for Indians hence could be fed. It is held that capital punishment is barbaric and that many civilised countries have discontinued it. It is ironic but Indians cannot claim to be civilised, therefore you cannot create a superstructure of trying to be civilised while ensconced in primitive. This call for compassion and stampeding onto attention seeking issues is a clever ploy and opportunism. India has one of the tardiest judicial systems, common people languish in jails for years and years as under trials for pettiest of crimes (recently there have been attempts to mitigate these), and that is worse than capital punishment, these are living dead and that too people who maybe innocent. While there are successful lawyers and legal luminaries who walk on planet earth with faintest of bearings. What can be more brutal than this? Cases take years and years while the judiciary fattens on these miseries. The law and systems herein are archaic, many times continuing the colonial legacy. Life in this part of the world is much cheaper, this chest beating over capital punishment therefore smacks of same insensitivities as also moral arrogance that is so characteristic of Indian elite. If Indians have same living conditions and standards’ as Europeans and enjoy same alert law and machinery as also judiciary then we can debate on morality over perpetrators of heinous crimes. If Indian elite are as enlightened as any member of civilised society then they can take high moral grounds. In this skewed society with depraved traditions, very much tethered to primitive, they will not be allowed to take it to the next level. They will be reminded of home truths, it cannot be wished away nor will it be allowed to be cloaked in clever words. Actually Indian elite have much in common with market driven crude mainstream in USA –very much in consonance with white supremacist, both strangely skewed societies with high estimation about itself and considers oneself infallible, ordained by god’s special acts. Americans are violently moral, while Indians non-violently moral. Both lethal in their morality, and uses it in every opportune occasion to obfuscate the truth. One uses guns as weapon other uses clever words and depraved ways for spreading untold misery. One kills physically while the other kills the soul and degrades the humans. They both pride in democracies but end up ridiculous caricatures. It need be pointed out that a better part of USA is quite sane and vibrant hence the progress, that cannot be said about Indians who have the habit of living on others, hence static and perpetrators of heinous ways. Taking high moral grounds in vacuum that resembles Europe or other enlightened societies doesn’t work; the social circumstances and realities have to be factored in. It is a habit of Indian elite to take high moral grounds from most unethical and inhuman surroundings, it is their wont to use high flying words that carry no much meaning or intent, they satisfy their audience, grab and move on. It is the common people who have to face the realities and consequences. The tardy law and order machinery, a judiciary that perpetuates its own absurdities, political elite that preserves itself on pointers of feudalism, while the religious elites/priests arguably the worst scums on earth, and now we have to go through the deceit of bleeding heart primitives strategically placed around gravy pits as they negotiate nuances of pride, preference and prejudice. Afro-American community must ask this question to themselves: is it pride, or is it preference or is it prejudice that kills them?…to understand it they need to negotiate through vaginal superhighways and get into the mind of Indian elite, a wonderful world of depravity. 

If justice is delayed then it is justice denied. The judges must be held responsible, this blogger believes that Yakub Memon’s case was quite brutally handled since you cannot keep a person on death row for so many years, it is unethical. As also too much resources and money are being wasted. These cases should be finished within five years, or the person should be left free for the reason of incompetence of judiciary.  In the meanwhile a judge must be immune to political pressures and influences, as also be aware of social circumstances and inequities. It is clear that some death sentences are commuted to life imprisonment due to political reasons. The perpetrators of heinous acts like assassination of former PM should have been dealt long time back, they do fall into rarest of rare case so do the Delhi bus gang rapists. There are hundreds and thousands of farmers who are killing themselves. These are peace loving people, ordinary people, trapped in a system that doesn’t seem to be in their control, and are forced to take their own life. Isn’t society responsible for their deaths? There are millions of people dying and suffering because of lack of proper food, unhygienic surroundings and common diseases and infections that could be easily be cured. When you keep perpetrators of heinous crime under life imprisonment you are extending these facilities that are being denied to millions of marginalised common people, and that is immoral. Death sentences can only be discontinued as and when the society is egalitarian. The understanding of egalitarianism must start from how we treat common people and our surrounding, as also home truths.  The concept of egalitarianism shouldn’t be kept at the fancy of elite section, and debating club herein, those looking for traction and gaining points at international level. Resource stretched India as also world community is facing threats in terms of terrorism and complexities that arises herein, these need to be dealt accordingly. As is the case death sentences are used in rarest of rare cases in India unlike China or USA, and a more sensitive President would deny it further, hence capital punishment could be used judiciously as and when the need arises. 

An adorable man

Abdul Kalam was referred to as people’s president for more than many reasons. He had an infectiously positive presence; the sincerity of purpose is what stood out. A dedicated and energetic enthusiasm to know and understand, and translate that to younger generation in a simple lucid manner made him sought after person. A top class scientist, committed to the cause of the nation, a communicator and a benevolent guru. And what is amazing is that he achieved these high technical and scientific calibres without going abroad for higher studies, so on.

It is surprising that he could go through the scheming, mediocre system and come out intact. For that we have to express our gratitude to two individuals, both remarkable in their own way. One, Vikram Sarabhai, who recognised his calibre at an early and crucial stage, probably that saw him bypass the self defeating rigmarole and deceitful surroundings that plagues Indians. That provided him with essential space to sparkle, to be the topmost Indian scientist, and a charming individual. Second, ofcourse is another of great leader Atal Bihari Vajapai, the former PM, who suggested him for the President’s position. So as we pay tribute to Mr. Kalam, as an inspiring human being and undoubtedly a gift to the nation, we must also recognise the role of these two exceptional leaders, one in the field of Science another in Politics. I am reiterating this since all these decades we have leaders imposed on us, depending on their qualities of malleability and sycophancy. Think of Presidents like Giani Zail Singh or Fakkruddin Ali Ahmed, I can go on with the list of those who occupy responsible positions apart from the role as President, those who degrade the institutions, indeed threat to democracy itself (Pranabji is being watched quite closely, so far he is falling regrettably short). We can only blame people who perpetuate these.  

At a personal level, I happen to see Mr. Kalam once at the crossing near India gate more than a decade back, indeed I could have moved on but I waited since I wanted to have a glimpse of him. The other day I was in same position vis-à-vis Pranabji, and I said to myself ‘O dear’ and moved on. This fellow could have spent some time with school children or indeed at the zoo (undoubtedly one of the most well maintained zoo in the country), these will not occur to him and I am not surprised at all. I sometimes take HR related sessions, and Abdul Kalam is always an easy reference that connects with the younger generations. Many years back I even visited Mr. Kalam’s home in Rameshwaram as also lodge in Thiruvanathapuram, and wrote about it in my blog. Earlier last year I had plans to cycle from Puducherry to Tutikudi, and had included Rameshwaram in the itinerary. I still have that tour plan, maybe later this year I will take it up, and include Rameshwaram as a tribute to Mr. Kalam. 

The Jawa days of Mysuru

Some are quite connected to vehicles, there was once a bike known as Jawa. If you recall Yezdi, quite a popular bike in 1980s, well these were manufactured in Mysuru and exported too, now ofcourse the unit is closed and there are apartment buildings, the bus stop is still Jawa. Jawa craze is still around and every second Sunday of July they get together. Quite coincidently I spotted them on my morning cycling. I must add the vehicle is quite polluting. Craziness and nostalgia for the bikes withstanding, if they don’t follow the pollution rules, then should be fined.

Motor racing is big money initiated and sponsored event that the market media is duty bound to follow and report. Then there are compelling visuals of accidents that are another source of money spinning enterprise. As for Indian media this is how they claw themselves into world standard reporting. Pretentious Indians too are warming up to these ‘sports’, one mediocre fellow even manage to snatch an Arjuna award, the depravity of it. Another instance of how they manipulate and degrade awards. In the meanwhile people die too. Recently two british car racing enthusiasts fell straight into a deep gorge. They are investigating what went wrong; yep they must find out, it surely is a mystery. Why do normal people drive fast as they negotiate dangerous roads, indeed why should they be allowed to? And yes why do fast driven cars veer off the road? It is not supposed to, is it? The family and friend, meanwhile, insist on them being charming individuals. They seem to be, one of the fellow even wore a rabbit toy cap as he drove and pranked his own absurdity moments before he was consumed.

President is in town: if temple hopping was a sport (which it should be) then President Pranab should win it hands down, ostensibly he is in town to celebrate anniversary of education institution but our man is such an incorrigible hopper. As mentioned in my earlier blog this is how the power structure gives credibility to primitive, and this percolates down as social mobility frame and aspiration. This is how things are working out in this godforsaken society in the last many centuries. And then the world asks why Indians are such incompetent people? Essentially the question is for the elite since they are the one who have manipulated to the power and seek to represent Indians, indeed some even attained mahatmahood in the process.  Common people are much realistic and smarter but they are subjugated by these clever narrations and pitfalls, hence pushed down. Pranab quite easily ensconces into presidential trapping, that carefully emulates the british monarchy and feudal markers as tradition. It is also not surprising that, even inside the ‘Presidential palace’ the people who are selected to work are to follow certain criteria. And this was reported by Kasturi slave, the fellow from JNU reports that you have to be tall (okay acceptable) and belong to certain caste configuration (?!!). Shocking. This scoundrel from JNU (this blogger feels that JNU too needs FTII treatment, these pretentious primitive caretakers should be taken to task) expresses these as matter of fact. Over the years all the Presidents and minions (the so called leaders) have adhered to these legacies put in by our wonderful freedom fighters.

Rivers were source of reverence as representation of natural forces, the providers of life. These subtle ways were usurped as squatters pushed in their framework of clever ways and rituals to propitiate during auspicious time, hence blessings. Quite a money spinner that one, as also consolidated their position as mediators. They trapped common people in these vicious grip as traditions. To make the matter worse they, as is their character, sided with the rich and powerful, hence as common people rushed in to get blessing at appropriate time, meaning god is open for business, hence auspicious, powerful people were given precedence. As common people are pushed out to give way to the powerful there is a stampede, many die. A common phenomenon around here, an amalgamation of deceitful ways, the fight for opportune blessings, the cunningness of the mediators and the brazenness of powerful.

Pranab (as a President he is also referred to as Mahamuhim? Really, somebody please explain, when do we stop these fuedal references?) was recently seen at Tirupathi, that he got precedence over common people, and that he also posed for his cameraman, along with his son tells the same story of depravity. Did he find out who are the people who are masquerading as priests and what is their credential? Indeed every temple occupied by squatters is a site akin to Auschwitz, and that is mild comparison. Elites represented by likes of Pranab, who are working on their nicer ways as also secularism, need to be pointed out that on the contrary these are not, and that they are as primitive. He needs to civilize himself, these pretensions don’t help and will not work. And yes, welcome to Mysore Mr. President, I read that whole of Chamundi temple hill area has been cordoned off for thy celestial communion with the divine. I will be cycling towards race course around noon, please don’t cross my path.   

Deconstructing secularism, the people living beyond the river Indus

Secularism is the most misused term in this part of the world, there is an attempt made to take the definitions and understandings of the western societies and somehow coalesce it into Indian reality. This superimposition goes well with the elitist notions and requirements. It’s a Faustian deal by the Indian elite –masquerading liberal, that this society suffers, as primitive identities are sought to be hidden in cloak of civilised. The West gawking elite have tutored themselves the values of modernity and notions of democracy. This fake sophistication as identity is sought to be further chiselled and practised in the form of their visceral dislike for brethren, the erstwhile collaborators of brutal atrocities. This opposing, the conflict, acts as a means to consolidate position, posited as beacon of values, thus copyright over idioms of culture and egalitarianism that is packaged herein is the easiest route chosen to connect to the vagaries of modernity, with immense success. It keeps primitive frameworks intact, feudalistic norms static and exploitative minds in constant hunt for greener pastures that could be cleverly morphed as modern. The grip over narration has created these debased anachronism to persist as culture as traditions. Hence they position themselves as compassionate souls concerned about the wellbeing of the society. Nothing could be farthest from the truth, and there is no irony in this audacity that comes with the feudal ease of being tethered to the brutal framework, that has degraded the society and continues to cause untold miseries. 

Hinduism is not a religion as is understood from the western framework, it doesn’t fall into definitions that has origin in Semitic religion. Indeed under such framework it cannot even be classified as a religion. It is not an irony that even the reference of the word Hinduism has alien origin and was meant to describe people living in certain geographical region, i.e. beyond the river Sindhu (or Indus). The ‘believers’ carrying the burden of semitic worldview when came in contact with this part of the world, were most likely bewildered by the way of life here, and had to assign some meaning. The reference was to a set of people, and began as a secular allusion devoid of religion but that didn’t stick for long. They had to ascribe based on the faith, any other understanding of a society and people was beyond their understanding, hence Hindus. A set of people with myriad number of gods/goddesses –that could be living or dead, animals, trees or stones, thoughts, counter thoughts and what not. Amazingly fertile and crazily polytheist, with no specific references of single holy text or scripture that can take primacy over different views. Nor was there any god that is supreme, that guides all values, morals so on. Indeed god was just a convenience to suit the occasion. They found solace in amalgamation of enlightened saints, stories, myths, hearsay and superstitions, that sought to consolidate the moral fibres in the meanwhile kept them connected to the natural forces. The forces of Nature were ready reference for superior forces hence respect, hence reverence and fear, therefore god. For people of this region everything had the potential of greatness, that which glimpsed the superior power of nature was worthy of reverence, hence god. This god wasn’t something beyond but part of everyday reference, so shouldn’t be mistaken for god as understood by semitic faiths. It needed no miracles or special messages. The understanding of god and expression of faith is entirely different.

Since Hindu religion in itself is in different premise it is but natural that the ideas of secularism, essentially tolerance or acceptance of different versions of faith, will be quite different from what is understood by the West through the influence of Christianity or other semitic ways that forms the basis of liberal values and democracy herein. To understand that we need to look much deeper into the process of Hinduism. If you were placed in Indian subcontinent about two thousand years back or more you wouldn’t even know that the ideas of faith you carry will soon be referred to as Hinduism. In the myriad ways of life that accommodated different views and thoughts something sinister was taking its roots. The power structures were being consolidated, rituals were being refined for manipulation. Places of worships were being sanitised and taken away from the sites of common people. You can see that even now: A huge tree that is rallying point of villagers very soon acquires a shed, later a structure, then the tree vanishes and you have a temple. Hence the connection with nature is removed and becomes a scene for greed, egos and petty politics. As these aligned with rulers and created a self-servicing system they spread with the reach of state machinery. The primitive system as it percolated brought in savages among ordinary well meaning people while the elite negotiated these by being the arbitrators of this cannibalism. It was the worst known system of society in human history. This then the motif of how common people’s understanding of faith was slowly gobbled by bigger and powerful mechanism. Myths were reworked to include bigger gods, as the local faiths and gods were sought to be subjugated and streamlined into mainstream narrations. In the meanwhile the depraved elite further sought to consolidate their gain by hereditary perpetuations of their deviant views. Toxic ideas rapidly infected what was once coalescing of people to deal with their own god in their own way. Poisonous thoughts consolidated in the forms of caste, egalitarian values were now modified to fit in this addition, and very cunningly ideas of faith were being consolidated for perpetuating a sickness that slowly pushed this society into degradation. What was once exalted thoughts of sages were now being accumulated by squatters to fit in their devious ways. As the structures consolidated, rituals started to gain primacy as it perpetuated a system of control and power. It turned cannibalistic and as absurd. More crudeness were included as they got pointers from semitic exposure; that even now seeks to define the Hindu fundamentalists, this search for fundamentals to cling on, an enthusiasm for monotheistic streamlining, search for definitive scripture and intolerance. Bhagvad Gita is only one of the texts but was shown as superior in response to semitic challenges, the elite was choosing pointers to fill in the gaps that semitic posited. Hence the constructed core was now established as religion ie Hinduism, and quite viciously occupied by crude people (squatters) with firm grip on narration henceforth. They created a religion hence eased as the arbitrators and controllers of common people who were now Hindus (it’s the same audacity Gandhi showed in Poona). Exalted selves, specially blessed from above, the exaggeration that seeks to differentiate, classify and degrade humans. It is also becoming increasingly clear that ideas of monotheism has had a deleterious effect on human society in the long run, it has trampled varied understandings and thoughts on faith, and beautiful expressions and cultures herein. It is a source of easy control over lives and squats potential to be different and meaningful.  

As Hinduism was being consolidated into power structures by depraved vested interests, grand philosophies were being eloquently proposed that sought to take the experience away from the common people. Faith was being ripped away from the premise of common people and closeted in elevated pedestals. The decadence was couched in languages and nuances that perpetuated amazing level of cruelty. The elite was slowly cocooning itself into spiteful crafty ways that could even baffle modern day psychiatrists, meanwhile the society slipped into incredible levels of mediocrity, indeed temples became site of debauchery. They hobnobbed with power, and included divine blessings in their repertory. Kings and sundry queued up for blessings. Gods started to acquire characteristics of crudeness, devious ways were now divinely attributes, hence squatters opened the field for myths that perpetuated heaven in their own justification. The appalling nature, indeed unethical in most cases, of divinely figures will deeply disturb any sane person. Therefore now in a clever sleight God was perpetuating squatter’s worldview. Deceitful acts were sought to be put in broader perspective of goodness in clever interpretations that became mainstay of squatter’s storytelling and myth building. In the process ethics was kept ambiguous and hinged on context, thus easily manipulatable entity. This therefore acquired the core of Hinduism, hence a way of life among the elites. Now compare the Hindu mythology, the stories herein, deceitful ways of even gods that will leave you appalled, and the charming stories of Jataka. The Buddhism exhibited its compassion by using animals and nature as tellers and consolidators of morals. I need to point here that the much quoted king Ashoka –as torchbearer of secularism, is flawed, it wasn’t secularism it was compassion. Some vested interests have created a narration of Ashoka to work out their narrow end. Compassion is a way of life in an enlightened surrounding, hence respect for myriad ways, it is not to be mistaken for a structure that sought to oversee other faiths, hence secularism. This compassion is where values that defined morals, hence secularism, emerged. Ashoka is not and cannot be a secular icon, for the simple reason secularism has no meaning without compassion, and secondly, pushing the western framework to find one’s traction among civilised will be resisted. Those tethered to primitive framework with burden of mahatmas on their back shouldn’t be allowed to usurp these legacies.        

It need be noted that all the while enlightened saints and sages, as also common people protested against this decadence and depraved ways that was being consolidated as Hinduism. And one can assert that all the egalitarian thoughts and values can be traced to this tradition of protest and enlightenment herein that existed much before the squatters (or even the temples) and has carried on guiding common people through the ages. This is space for compassion and benevolence. This is the tradition of tolerance that has come to be defined as secularism as people know and have ingrained as a way of life. This is what binds the society. It was not complementing squatter’s world, it was defending and resisting this negative pull. In the meanwhile in these protests sects were created, some even acquired status of religions. Common people associated with these without any thought of otherness or superiority.  It is the same way they negotiated semitic religions, although the terms of reference of these were harsh, but they amalgamated it well. Some even converted but carried these characteristics of leniency in matter of faith, a space untouched by competing forces. The degree of fracture is what separates Bangladesh from Pakistan, and prevents radicalisation instigated by crude semitism. It need be pointed out that common people constantly sought to resist the attempts by ritual driven squatters as they were exploited. But were increasingly sucked in and trapped into the crude squatter’s framework, as it dealt with tribulation of life, matters of death so on, they capitulated. Squatters grip was tight, with acknowledgement and patronage of rulers they gained credibility and prospered as temples became pits of depravity. In the feudal nature of the society these were grievous, as exploitations reached heinous level.   

Saints and egalitarian souls were not in a complementary role to squatters, indeed it was very definitively a role that was antagonistic. It was a strident opposition to squatter’s depravity and the crude world they pursued. They sided with the truth and ethical values, that were vacated from religious precincts. They brought in sanity into the society that was being cannibalised. In the meanwhile the debauched squatters dealt these with characteristic ease, instead of comforting the gravity of issue, they obfuscated the matter by questioning the credentials of the accusers, and went on constructing the most inhuman sort of worldviews. Credentials here meant the identity, the status in pecking order, the degree of ordain. This is so ingrained that this is now replicated as Indians appetite for status and position. It is not what you do that is important but what is your position, the ego and sensitivities around it defines the everyday work scenarios, whatever maybe one’s professional competence. It is not what is said but who is saying? Since it is not what you do but the position you hold there is a stampede for fancier meaningless designations. Unfortunately they fail to distinguish between identity and reference. As they are not able to shirk their entitled world hence mistake position for identity and bring in squatter’s deviant pattern and debauched value system. Their main aim being to consolidate the position and accrue benefits. It is this constant strive that defines jobs and aspirations. Qualifications can be acquired by mugging up or even be bought but attitude cannot be. The despicable attitude that emerges severely handicapped from the squatter's framework, it is shocking that it is being connected to god. Such unenlightened self-assured people. The arrogance and pretension of high culture in savage surroundings is what gets me.  

Hinduism therefore shouldn’t be taken in context to other religion. What is being defined as Hinduism is the degenerated part that is consolidated through feudal power and elaborate structure of control through cash rich temples and compelling narrations. Traditions herein are expressions of decadence and unfortunate prominence of these due to firm grip on narration that they manipulated at their will. People tethered with these are part of debauchery. Now we see them espousing values and in the name of western framework of secularism they seek credibility. ‘We must respect religion’ is being posited as egalitarian value hence secularism. Hinduism is not a religion nor what we see are expressions of Hinduism, these are coalesce of inhuman crudity that seeks credibility through modern nuances and power structures. Ironically what is being pushed as secularism, from the evolutionary aspect of ideas of Hinduism –hence the idea of India to a larger extend, isn’t even considered secularism at all. Anything that emerges from squatter’s framework is being rejected in this tradition that is foundation of this society. Indian secularism establishes and flourishes in rejecting squatter (i.e. caste cannibal) traditions; it was and is inimical to these expressions. Secularism in Indian context emerges from the expression of compassion; it was not about state versus religion paradigm. Indeed it is so secular that it doesn’t even recognise religion nor distinguish gods. The way Hinduism finds its expression and has consolidated now under the tutelage of power is the puss that is collected over the centuries from the gangrene of this society, the places of worship hence temples are putrid pits and people safeguarding these or tethered to these in anyway are dangerously decadent. It is no surprise that these decadents when they espouse secularism it makes us puke. And that they invariably come out as arrogant, cunning and corrupt. So by adhering to western understanding of secularism they shrewdly classify Hinduism as religion for their own benefits, while seeking credibility for their primitive conceptions. In the meanwhile, in the tradition of Indian compassion and tolerance, people kept away from these deceits, they bow to whatever god and move on. There is nothing to theorise or pontificate, nor do they have tricks to save the world. If a stone serves purpose, god so be it! The tradition of Jejuri is what defines it, Kolatkar caught it so well (unfortunately on my recent visit I see signs of squatters moving in, slow but relentless push of the power structure and exploitative mechanisms, now being replaced by market). In the best of bhakti tradition that defines this society, and is indeed core of Hinduism or whatever one may refer it, away from squatters and temples, they sing, dance, drop some food for the animals and move on.  I guess that does really explains it.           

1.27 billion? Way to go dude

Indians are multiplying like never before, they are set to ransack the planet. In the year 1900 human population on planet earth was about 1.7 billion now only Indians are 1.27.  What is matter of concern or a serious shame is now celebrated as market takes centre stage and everything is seen from this vantage point, hence the chest thumping of demographic dividend. While it is different matter that trickle down never trickles, but people matters as numbers while elite sections tidy up to represent and exploit the mass. India’s skewed social system as also some really pretentious leaders and pernicious privileged class have attempted minimal social reforms, hence had easy run with the exploitative status quo. They are on personal basis with each other, also referred to as nepotism that works into cronyism, but refuse to get personal. It is a gentlemen’s code that they got acquainted from colonial masters. It is clever ruse since they know the home truths. Further, for common people these codes and procedures are sometimes matter of life and death. These personal matters and choices of careless entitled sections have tragic consequences as it gets into the realities of common people. While the religious heads want humans belonging to their faith multiply more than ever, indeed some even have inbuilt systems like polygamy (what an amazing patriarchal foresight,  for pretenders these are touchstone of secularism). In the dwindling resources and increasingly bleak surroundings of deteriorating environment it is poorest who suffer. Conservative estimate put India’s abjectly poor at about 30% and that is out of 1.27billion people, astounding number of people who don’t get enough to eat, you can add few millions more who slip in and out of poverty in the vagaries of their situations and surroundings. And you can also be quite sure that majority of these people come from sections that are traditionally exploited. That the feudal norms were consolidated, no attempts on land reforms as also tardy law machinery made democracy virtual trap for most people. It is the reason why elite don’t get personal in their attempts at nuance, the british conduct in the hand of clever ‘natives’, ditto they did to everything they could lay their hands on, including the wastrel’s sport called cricket. In the case of skewed society with exploitative mindset demographic dividend can mean only one thing: brutal exploitation of cheap labour. Recently the government relaxed  child labour laws, the intend is clear. 

That market could celebrate something as bleak as population growth puts it in positive framework, as constructive participant of human predicaments, hence stories of prudence and heroism that cloaks material success. The wealth creation strategies that produce likes of  Donald Trump, listening to him you can be sure that money making is a juvenile trick (that this blogger was never really excited about). It is something that American media drivels in as most desired way meanwhile complaint mediocre Indian elite sidestep in awe concomitantly grabbing falling crumbs –and that is the beginning of service industry gigantism. Anyone with some sense will tell that a society that bases itself on service sector has more deceit and manipulation in it, is superficial and slick, really not lasting. These are chimeras of market. So much energy is spent on consuming as malls spread, goods brightly lit up and smiling gracious people, everything and everyone readies for promoting sales. Precious resources, and yes environment destroying consequences, are attuned to help us buy and help personal consumption. Please buy ours, Please see us; that seems to be the main use for human life. We could live affluently with minuscule of what is consumed. But market greed doesn’t allow it, as it hinges our aspirations on consumption and creates idols who promote these.

While religious heads fight with their divisive agenda, market seeks to bind hence population growth is a secular expression from this hallowed worldview. Both consider population growth as inevitable. Inevitability is something Vaclav Smil sees of carbon emission, ofcourse with convincing and compelling logic. He also adds that if US doesn’t do the emission Chinese and Indians are going to do it. Practical, but not really logical. I sincerely hope they break that nuclear fusion mechanism, that seems to be the only hope at the moment. Reducing and prudent consumptions are viable options. In the meanwhile it doesn’t really exonerate Mr Gates. One Indian market columnist is celebratory on India’s population increase, “Let millions of Indians migrate; let many little India’s bloom”.  Aw. Probably they should be bundled into Mars. Indians are almost 18% of world population while India occupies only 2.4% of land area. That is nothing short of imposing oneself on to the world. But not Indian elite, they now seek to represent our pride, the market has fed them so much that they seemed to have lost touch of the reality. He writes, of course as a spokesperson of market goodness “Japan will sell more geriatric diapers than baby diapers by 2020, a sorry tale of its aging population”. Sorry tale? I am wondering is it plain stupidity or lack of understanding that infects this man to write these. Then I realise consumption driven society’s value juvenilities. When market takes over prudence everyone becomes a little more like Donald Trump.  Japan, a little island nation’s contributions is significant, it is that evolved understanding that seeks to reduce, to miniaturise. Reducing population is part of that evolution that seeks to balance (I am under no illusion that market has not ransacked Japanese culture too, but there is overwhelming element of subtlety that has presence in mainstream), it is something natural in a society that seeks refinement and delicate connection with nature. Humans need to reduce. This blogger is quite careful these days on reducing as much as possible, some are compulsions but most are conscious choices. Though this blogger is nowhere near it but has experienced that when one is meditative, mindful, things shed, you reduce and get into rhythm of the elements. Market works on opposite, by creating cruder understandings and surroundings that seeks consumptions. It takes you away from realities.        

Market incentivises young, it is a lifeline, there is placement of energy, newness, possibilities so on attached exclusively to this demography. Ironically market itself diffuses these early enthusiasms into its own gains and pattern that seeks to consume. Younger only seems to make them vulnerable hence easily manipulated, fodders. If you can make a chocolate actor to sell whatever, you need to be quite stupid or novice to fall into. Hence market celebrates population (i.e. numbers=consumers) as also youth (i.e. high chance of entrapping into buying). There is no doubt though that from the consumer point of view India is a ‘big market’ as there are more people but Indians need to be treated with contempt for imposing themselves on to the world hence severely putting stress on natural resources. Population growth is a serious matter, more number shouldn’t be an incentive. If the fictional reality i.e. democracy, religion and economic growth model don’t match with objective reality i.e. humans increasing in an unsustainable numbers, then it will fracture quite badly. Fictional reality being a human construct will have to give way to laws of nature unless ofcourse it attune itself.     

     

Art fart, manipulative craft, gobbledegook and scoundrel Mani

The less said about India’s popular mainstream art the better, it is very meticulously spread and channelized through market and used as convenient carriers of products and services, hence easy money and profits. Movies are the most exaggerated artform, and probably I have written this earlier too, something any random guy on the street can pick up with few days of involvement. These therefore are the artists who seemed to have donned the mantle of India’s art, hence cleverly spokesperson of freedom, expressions and so on. It is the most mundane and laughable creations. I am not even going to the popular writers, journalists, cricketers…who have hold on amazingly malleable form “creativity” –hence art, in varying degree of intensity and persuasion. They gather around big cities with single most aim of help the sale, and push in their valued contribution towards this end. Everyone is assiduously cultivated as dispenser of products, retail therapy is a term that is catching up in this circle. The competition for grabbing ‘endorsements’ is rather intense, art is incidental, indeed a nuisance. Art is therefore a convenience and artist easily harvested, a minimum talent (that in itself is too much, better understanding will be a presence in manner that you get reminded, it’s about parking the mind space hence recall value). An assortment of amazingly mediocre people have insidiously crept into the system. 

This manipulation works at two levels: Money and Power, not at all surprising for a society that establishes itself in entitlements and deviant norms, the elite firmly tethered to primitive framework and usurping benefits with much simplicity. Nepotism, corruption and manipulations infect democratic structures and egalitarian institutions with characteristic ease. Apart from feudal and hereditary entitlements slick money now comes in the form of servicing the corporate, the market. This money comes in the garb of professionalism and sophistication, with a hint on liberal values. Big money, mostly unaccounted, flows in the name of investment, and the service providers are the new caretakers, they will help you multiply money with minimum of hiccups and ethical concerns, art is a conduit here. Political power is easy to cultivate, greedy for money as they are to perpetuate their clout, they fall for money bags. The easiest are the politicians with no mass base. In the last few decades, under Congress party as also non electable facilitators in other parties, these came in varied creepiness of sycophancy, caretakers of human values and sophisticated socialites, motor mouths assured of their invincibility ensconced as they are in a heady mix of fawning, markers of feudalism, arrogance and association with primitive framework. Service providers (incidentally also pushing India towards service industry gigantism) land up as opportunities, so sycophantic politicians find traction and credibility with market media and other avenues. They willy-nilly form a clique as dispensers of perceptions and so make inroads into highest levels of policy making, in the meanwhile degrading institutions. It is good to note that NDA government has reduced this unethical influx. Party spokesperson need to be party functionary whose position and brief should be clear, they are not Minsters, nor key figures or small time celebrities. Last many years this was one of the loopholes through which manipulators were parking in. MNCs have spread easy to coterie and hobnobbing through power corridors as problem solvers, greasing money, and thus getting into cosy relations. Money and perception creators using media as convenient conduit sought out power through cronyism thus severely denting democratic institutions. Everyone was on a first name basis here, as they went in for the loot. They also created narrations as saviours of democracy. Emergency was the worst period, and as people suffered immensely, it is also when this coterie ‘crawled when asked to bend’, a special characteristic that has become the most desired attribute. With influx of market these have been crudely upgraded, only that it also fits in market narration. LSBT issue falls write in there, as was AIDS, gender issues so on, hence issues of primitive framework/casteism/feudal benefits that severely degrades as also elite women as major perpetrators gets relegated, indeed climate issues are shooed out with alacrity.          

While they divided the booty, largely carving out natural resources, manipulating policies to benefit, corrupting the system so on, there was another heist going on the name of art. The one in which money is never exchanged, it is fine art of quid pro quo. Since art in itself was subjective, pushing in mediocrity was easily done (ZK habitually works his quid pro quo bit, afterall it is a god send gift for easy clout building, as the glare was on money guzzling by others he quietly went on with his clout building and nepotism. This is only the tip of iceberg). This is done in sports too, massive amount of money is looted, but unfortunately for the manipulators sports is objective reality, results were key, abysmal performance at international meets help glimpsed the deceitful ways of the people at the top. Art on the other hand is an easy game, as perceptions could be easily manipulated.

Intense lobbying at FTII is part of this, the coterie works within a parameters of either nepotism or This Vs That narration, both ways they try to accrue benefits. In the last many decades they were manipulating at the highest levels, now being pushed out of cosiness and perks they are clinging on whatever is left, meanwhile giving images of dire consequences if not apocalypse awaiting common people. Ridiculous. Nothing can be worse than the period of Emergency, and the protagonist of this reaped benefits till recently shows their intent. Indeed in all impartiality, almost all the Congress leaders, indeed the previous I&B Minister should have been rotting in jail. In the context of things Youth congress of 1970s was nothing short of murderous mafia, that should have been banned outright. That they carried on business as usual shows how the system was insidiously infected. The rampant corruption of the bureaucracy, market media and henchmen role of these can be traced to this period. The role of another I&B minister during Sikh riots is well known. Clout was used to pry on others and be on the top, market and technological innovations has only made this easier. Any innovative technology is manipulative technology in their hand. Power therefore helped Money to multiply as also acquire veneer of sophistication. This complicity is projected as saviors for bigger cause, against fascist agenda so on. In this hallowed tradition Mr.Gajendra is a rank outsiders and that has rankled the cosy joint. 

In the scheme of things FTII is a small matter, some well-known people have opened their mouth has to do with their compulsion and skewed narration, as for actors they open their mouth when they have movie on release or some big lick on the line (ZK was frothing before RS election). And yes “Who is Rishi Kapoor?” I too have that question. This papa’s boy would be very likely be selling vada pav at borivilli if not for his father’s clout. So he should better keep shut and not be used by manipulators. I have nothing against him but he is treading on murky grounds and will be dealt accordingly. There are millions of youngsters who have wasted their life trying to get a foothold in film industry. They were exploited because their father was not Raj Kapoor. Talent is easily manipulated commodity when there are no parameters or subjective. This framework is replicated in all other fields too in this godforsaken society, and the audacity of family values takes it to the next level. And even if a rank outsider makes it they easily supplicate to nepotism and corruption, indeed insecure novae can only establish by promoting these.  

 If need be FTII should be closed down for few months, there are too many backlogs and mismanagement. What brings out the absurdity of the protest and devious people herein is that in the name of art so many significant transgressions have happened in last many decades that doesn't seem to bother anyone. Crude woman manipulating awards is a smaller matter when you realise the kind of people who barge into Rajya Sabha in the name of “literature, science, art and social service”, a gross misuse of Article 80 of the Constitution. Mani Shankar Aiyer, the regrettable scoundrel, his swagger seems to be his only talent, is the latest ‘artist’ exemplifying ‘literature and social work’. Even a rickshaw puller can speak sickeningly pretentious English if he spends some time in London. So what is Mani’s deal? Absolutely nothing, there is nothing about this fellow, except a vicious form of sycophancy which ofcourse is an art. To start with this arrogant fellow is not even decent, he exhibits all markers of feudalism and characteristics of tethered to primitive. This atrocious family retainer has been clinging to the notion of ‘secularism’ essentially sickularism (and yes this blogger has broken the code of secularism as practised in India, very soon will be opening this cosy crap too, of course for my own understanding). Secularism yelling henchmen rounding up minorities as saviours tumble down from heaven is a narration that has worked for long. FTII is insignificant matter, as much as this exaggerated institute is and should be put in its place. When at the highest echelons of power –that are essentially symbols of democracy, is so crudely degraded then we know how grievous the matter is. The rot is too deep and those positioning as saviours were fed in this rot, the whining should be seen as symptoms of loss. If Mani is Shakespeare (as for me I am not even able to get the spelling of Shakespeare right. Never gave a damn never will) then ZK is Picasso. Replacing a word of what Nietzsche said “When you stare at turd for too long the turd starts to stare back at you”. And that in short is the story of Indian art, from the point of view of manipulators. Mani is only the beginning of the unravelling. If Gajendra has to go then Mani should be kicked out.

In each State of India there are known and not so known artists, practitioners and connoisseurs of art form that is on the verge of extinctions. There are some brilliant artists who need support, as also recognition so that they inspire these artform. Market needs carriers of their goods, they choose medium that is popular, hence the exaggerated presence of bollywood and cricket. They have become conduit for easy money and power. Art is much broader understanding; unfortunately the policy makers, surrounded by manipulative and viciously competing interest groups, have not been able to further the cause of marginalised. They have succumbed to the grease and froth.   

Post script: ZK was furious “Arre ye beti bachao veti bachoa kya laga rakha hai? Budiya ko kon bachayega?” “Ajkal isko koi role tho kya cream role bhi nahi detha” “Mahol karab kar diya”. Crude woman looks down and try to extricate grime from her talon like nails, nothing much to do. She could be manipulating at the highest level, poor thing was reduced to manipulating for kindergarten fancy dress competitions as I gathered from queue of parents at their door. Talentz wazted, says ZK and insists that I join budiya bachao andolan and take a selfie with budiya.   

Mr Gates will have to take the responsibility

Bill Gates is a well-known name, he is a pioneer in many ways and known for his contribution in technology, that was harbinger of information technology revolution and internet so on. For people who keep records, on matters of money, he is counted among the richest. Since his retirement he, that is, he being man "man and his wife" (courtesy Kasturi&Sons) has been contributing to mitigate health related problems, to tackle polio, HIV, malaria, sanitation, and much more...among the most marginalised and poor, much focus on India with some success. Recently the Gate foundation –world’s largest charitable foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate were also awarded by the Indian government for their contributions. So far so good.

In the meanwhile it has transpired that Mr Gates has $1.4bn invested in fossil fuel companies, including BP, responsible for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There is an urgent call being made to divest from coal, oil and gas companies. It is crucial that between two-thirds and four-fifths of existing fossil fuel reserves must remain in the ground if the world is to remain within a 2C rise in global temperatures, the level agreed on to avoid irreversible and catastrophic climate change. The former editor of The Guardian newspaper, Alan Rusbridger, has been making admirable efforts on this front, with others like 350.org pitching in. The fossil fuel divestment movement has already persuaded more than 220 institutions worldwide to divest. They have been appealing to Mr Gates for some time now, even there is a petition signed by hundreds and thousands of readers of Guardian, and many like this blogger who support this cause.

Mr Gates has recently announced that he will invest $2bn in renewable technologies initiatives. He has ignored the calls to divest from the fossil fuel companies that are burning carbon at a rate that ignores international agreements to limit global warming. It is clear that fossil fuel companies are influential people with powerful lobby and big money that can easily quash any dissent or opposition, through intimidations, misinformation, media control and creating fictitious realities and myths through popular mediums. It is well orchestrated machine, that has caused immense misery to people and has potential to cause catastrophes. Of course it needs courage to take on these big money greed and the vested interests. Divestment from fossil fuel is the first step to discourage unbridled exploitations that perils the environment, in the meanwhile there will be urgent efforts made to search for viable sustainable alternatives. So far these efforts for renewable energy sources have been scuttled by fossil fuel industry. Mr. Gates will have to take the responsibility, the ball is firmly in his court.

Here is the part of the petition that is addressed to Bill Gates, he is studiously avoiding it. He needs to respond, and answer the disagreement on the logic of demands. He is a sensible man, and surely knows the risk fossil fuel companies pose. His position is untenable. He really cannot avoid this one and maintain a straight face. The “high risk” investments in breakthrough technologies is avoiding the issue since it doesn’t reply his investment in fossil fuel companies and damage these are causing as we discuss. As mentioned in the last blog reckless Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson plans to spend $100 million a day to plunder.

“…we’re asking Bill Gates for leadership on a global problem where leaders are in short supply.

The Keep it in the Ground campaign is a collection of over 190,000 voices from over 170 countries. When we asked those supporters to make a personal message to Bill, the result was an impassioned plea for leadership from around the world.

If the Gates Foundation were to divest, it would send a powerful signal to fossil fuel companies and to governments that business as usual is not acceptable. It would also have a huge snowball effect on other organisations currently considering whether to move their own money. In short it would be real climate leadership.

Will you lead us Bill?”

ExxonMobil: a case of self-assured protozoa in the petri dish of corporate greed…

Continuing on the grievous matter of dumping of dangerous lead into the atmosphere, that has killed and maimed millions of people across the world in the last many decades thanks to the ingenious greed of three of Americas largest corporations General Motors, Du Pont and Standard Oil, I have since gathered that Texas based Standard Oil has morphed into ExxonMobil (like Union Carbide morphs into Dow Chemicals). Interestingly the blatant corporate greed of Standard Oil began much earlier, in the scheme of things Lead was only an added incentive in their gargantuan appetite for money.  The History of the Standard Oil Company is a book written by journalist Ida Tarbell in 1904 was an expose’ of the wily ways of this corporate, subsequently the SC of US found the company in serious violations of rules. All these under a fellow who went by the name Rockefeller, he amassed amazing amount of money, and I gather is still a record for people who keep records on these matters. It is baffling. To be fair with our man he did contribute a lot for charity (and that is so unlike Indians, who are self-assured of vaginal superhighway past life regressional benefits and entitlements. Converting these crudeness and arrogance into an art form of humbleness and peace is their major occupation; consolidating camaraderie meanwhile is valued as compassion! Thankfully due to limited intelligence and preoccupations with crass the degradation is limited to Indian subcontinent, not without intent). Whatever maybe his latter part contribution it is clear that Rockefeller was a dubious fellow, and as any successful profit sucking specie he shared same characteristic of a psychopath. It need be reiterated though that his contribution towards philanthropy is significant, and really cannot be brushed aside. However the whole ideology of furiously sucking in as corporate greed, meanwhile causing immense damage to surrounding and then regurgitating as philanthropy is rather trite, and seems like balancing for religious brownie points.   

In 1989, the Exxon owned oil tanker struck Bligh Reef in Alaska and spilled more than 11 million US gallons of crude oil. It is considered to be one of the most devastating human caused environmental disasters. In the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident, the U.S. Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. So you can see Standard Oil aka Exxon had a role that galvanised society against them to pass stringent laws to protect environment first through Clean Air Act of 1971 and later through Oil Pollution Act of 1990. These meant to protect precious environment, human beings, other life forms and ecosystems from wayward ways of greedy corporates and instill in some sense of responsibility. It seems these greedy corporates haven’t really learned anything much.    

I was reading online Rolling Stone magazine the other day, Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson told Wall Street analysts that the company plans to spend $37 billion a year through 2016 (about $100 million a day) searching for yet more oil and gas. Meanwhile to put it context Germany has taken bold steps to shift to renewable source of energy. This blogger thinks that tourists from Germany should be given discounts while Australians and Americans should be carbon taxed. The writer continues “There's not a more reckless man on the planet than Tillerson. Late last month, on the same day the Colorado fires reached their height, he told a New York audience that global warming is real, but dismissed it as an "engineering problem" that has "engineering solutions." Such as? "Changes to weather patterns that move crop-production areas around – we'll adapt to that." This in a week when Kentucky farmers were reporting that corn kernels were "aborting" in record heat, threatening a spike in global food prices. "The fear factor that people want to throw out there to say, 'We just have to stop this,' I do not accept," Tillerson said. Of course not – if he did accept it, he'd have to keep his reserves in the ground. Which would cost him money. It's not an engineering problem, in other words – it's a greed problem”

The problem here is that these moneybags influence policy makers and hence jeopardise the long term interests. The present crisis is the result of exaggerated concerns of moneybags, and the outcomes of diktats of these greedy coteries who orchestrate thoughts and values through jargons of economics, intellectual plausibilities of wanton greediness, seeping pliable mechanism as market media, manipulated democratic institutions and ethical dexterity adds to make it an enthralling mix. The sham show really cannot go on for ever, there is a limit to which a system can take. All the pretensions will surely be exposed as the truth marches in. Nature doesn’t lie. Even the fig leaf of religion, that some are waving, cannot deny these except as fatalists, hence crudely irresponsible. Already carbon level is touching 400ppm…

I was reading a riveting article in Orion Magazine (by Charles Mann) “... As a relatively young species, we have an adolescent propensity to make a mess: we pollute the air we breathe and the water we drink, and appear stalled in an age of carbon dumping and nuclear experimentation that is putting countless species at risk including our own. But we are making undeniable progress nonetheless. No European in 1800 could have imagined that in 2000 Europe would have no legal slavery, women would be able to vote, and gay people would be able to marry. No one could have guessed a continent that had been tearing itself apart for centuries would be free of armed conflict, even amid terrible economic times”

“Preventing Homo sapiens from destroying itself would require a still greater transformation—behavioural plasticity of the highest order—because we would be pushing against biological nature itself. The Japanese have an expression, hara hachi bu, which means, roughly speaking, “belly 80 percent full.” Hara hachi bu is shorthand for an ancient injunction to stop eating before feeling full. Nutritionally, the command makes a great deal of sense. When people eat, their stomachs produce peptides that signal fullness to the nervous system. Unfortunately, the mechanism is so slow that eaters frequently perceive satiety only after they have consumed too much—hence the all-too-common condition of feeling bloated or sick from overeating. Japan—actually, the Japanese island of Okinawa—is the only place on earth where large numbers of people are known to restrict their own calorie intake systematically and routinely. Some researchers claim that hara hachi bu is responsible for Okinawans’ long life spans. But I think of it as a metaphor for stopping before the second inflection point, voluntarily forswearing short-term consumption to obtain a long-term benefit.

Evolutionarily speaking, a species-wide adoption of hara hachi bu would be unprecedented. But is it so unlikely that our species would be able to do exactly that before we round that fateful curve of the second inflection point and nature does it for us?”

“Our record of success is not that long. In any case, past successes are no guarantee of the future. But it is terrible to suppose that we could get so many other things right and get this one wrong. To have the imagination to see our potential end, but not have the imagination to avoid it. To send humankind to the moon but fail to pay attention to the earth. To have the potential but to be unable to use it—to be, in the end, no different from the protozoa in the petri dish. For all our speed and voraciousness, our changeable sparkle and flash, we would be, at last count, not an especially interesting species”

Agreed, after all the big talks and what not we are not much different from the self-assured protozoa in the petri dish of corporate greed…    

Republish Shah Commission report

The full details of atrocities committed under Emergency is not much known, since in last many decades attempts were made to downplay it, except in States like Kerala where it is part of folklore. Most Indians are born after this horrendous event, and hence would like to know more. Justice JC Shah was an amazing man, and unlike other small time opportunists and sycophants (whose progenies have reaped since then) he didn’t buckle, and for that people of this country are grateful. Shah commission report should be published again, this becomes important since every attempt was made to erase it by the powers that be. Not only Shah Commission report all other references which were sought to be erased should be brought out. We want the details of the darkest moments in India’s history…