It is since 1949 that twenty
horses participated in Indian Derby (at Mumbai). And what a race it was,
arguably one of the most exhilarating races that I happen to witness and the
crowd was electrifying. After debacle in the past I don’t fancy fillies
for Indian derby, the filly with late stupendous acceleration ‘Myrtelwood’ was
quite rightly hoisted as firm favourite but that didn’t change my mind. Deccan
Derby winner ‘Desert Gold’ was my favourite, willy Padmanabhan knows his job
and is known for pleasant surprises. Fourth in the ring, this pretty colt
didn’t attract much attention as he settled in the mid pack. David Allan's home run was astute and in the nerve racking rush of horses he held his cool despite being
squeezed, that though did it for ‘Phoenix Tiger’, in the end won by a half a length.
Gestapo was a surprise third. It was a memorable Indian Derby (photo courtesy rwitc.com).
Relative as measure
of competence

A city that doesn’t have basic standard
procedure to dispose biomass and indulge in open burning in almost all street
corners cannot be classified as cleanest city. The scene here in the picture I
encounter on daily basis. Indeed no city in India can be put in top ten
list, this should be kept vacant. Less muckier than the rest cannot be
cleanest. This must be adhered to in all kinds of grading. If you don’t fulfil
the criteria then best of the rest cannot be elevated as best. Many toppers in
exams have amazingly low score but they are still celebrated as toppers. Not
that topping matters nor that education is about these nonsenses but when you
create some standards then you better adhere to it, and yes must be scrutinised
for loopholes. Ideally these ranks should be kept vacant, there is no excuse
for mediocrity.
Amassing quantity, as records, while
showing least concern for quality, is another of popular trait in this part of
the world. This therefore is overwhelming consideration for competence in this
mediocre driven society. So we have sportsperson to entertainers to scientists
in this rigmarole of achievements that would embarrass anyone anywhere remotely
connected or has a hint on competence. Even number of years spent is seen as an
achievement, hence criteria for further promotions. This is the framework that
is being followed that thrives on status quo and sincerity to higher forces
without any application of mind. Sycophantic leaders perpetuated these as they
themselves thrived on these as camaraderie smoothened the matter. This
framework can be seen to exist wherever people suffered and misery becomes
constant source of growth. While I was at Indian science congress, a speaker
–an indian scientist, was introduced with number of papers published (which
ofcourse was enviable) and so on. The person next to me whispered all garbage,
not a single paper contributed anything substantial. I smiled, wasn’t it one
paper by Einstein that changed everything? By Indian standard this would amount
to nothing, he would end up nowhere in competence scale!! Meanwhile one ex-VC
refused to share dais with a Nobel laureate as he was only a professor which the ex-VC found below his dignity. It is a
typical attitude, the snobbery and arrogance with minimal of competence, most
likely these attitudes are means to compensate the lack of worth, and you can
easily trace these to squatter’s frame, in effect amazingly crude nature of
society. And then at godforsaken Sahitya Akademi one writer was introduced as
author of hundreds of books and short stories, later I managed to get hold of
one of his books and was quite appalled by the quality as well as the content of
story, it was a travesty. But then the standards are so low in here that ideas
like excellence remain only ideas. One short story by Gogol changed it, so did
Kafka. That is excellence. Fifth symphony does it for me.
It is in this context I express
my condolence on the death of Nida Fazli, such amazing lines, two or three songs that is
enough, what incredible words, simple but evolved expressions and rare artistic
sensibilities. Though it is an overwhelmingly mediocre society but you can find
excellence in some rare songs and lyrics, this true to most Indian languages.
Songs and colours are two things that really touch the soul and this society
does bring out some astoundingly nuanced expressions of it. Clearly there is folk connection
to it as also subtle ways of life. Good songs are now almost obsolete (with
cheapskate first rate plagiarist and third rate lyricist stampeding into RS and
degrading it further) but you do come across these superb expressions
sometimes. Nida Fazli’s lyrics had an immortal quality to it. What charming
lines… and the enveloping quietness of it.
Post Script: Tomorrow exciting news on Gravitation waves?

Post Script: Tomorrow exciting news on Gravitation waves?