Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Advice to Media from Desmond Tutu
"I would hope that you in the media would be passionate about letting people judge for themselves, that you would be careful about some of the language that you do actually use," he said.
"'Muslim terrorism' - have you ever read anywhere 'Christian terrorism'? - as if Islam propagates violence, but you have never spoken about what happened in Northern Ireland as Christian terrorism," he said.
"Fundamentally there is no faith that I know that propagates violence, that says it's a good thing to oppress anybody."
Tutu said he recognized the media could be a force for good but that it had responsibilities.
"You have a very powerful media. I know because you helped us very much in our struggle to tell our story. You did it for us and we benefited enormously."
Tutu added, however, that understanding different religions required peoples of all faiths to understand different perspectives.
"We Christians ought to get off our high horse and learn to be a great deal more humble, when you look at our history, the bloody things that we did in the name of religion," he said.
Tutu, 75, is the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work against apartheid.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Discrimination of HIV kids…
This blogger wants to know how many HIV infected students are studying in ‘prestigious schools’ or for that matter any of the schools in rich neighborhoods. They don’t even allow poorer sections, in clear violation of rules. Further they get huge money from abroad in the name of AIDS (it has become quite a chic disease to deal, a burgeoning cottage industry) why is the money not spend to take care of these children. This blogger suspects that the money is wasted on high profile events and photo ops at the expense of grass root work. This blogger tried his best to get the data of number of children suffering from AIDS in this country and how are they being counseled. I could get nothing. It is a shame. The shame is nearer home of many of those who are taking high moral grounds, care to admit.
This blogger empathize with the HIV infected children, as also apprehensive parents of other children…
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Very wrong Mr. President
Although one would prefer a ‘non political’ Governor or President, Prathiba Patil is eminently qualified to be the next President of India. Again, Mr. Kalam has done an incredible job, he should exit with dignity.
This blogger has taken special interest in listening to people holding responsible position after they retire. One reason is it cuts down the nonsense crowd. Second is, a person once leaving the position turns more interesting, probably because they could say things they wouldn’t /couldn’t while holding the post!!. Last but not least they are more enlightening as also engaging with experience and anecdotes. The only person I was not able to listen to was Boutros Boutros Ghali, deeply regret it, I was not allowed in. Mr.Ghali was excellent as UN Secretary General, it would have been insightful to listen to him.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Prathibha tai for President
Monday, June 18, 2007
Way to go Rev. Thampu
Clearly till now most prestigious schools and colleges run by missionaries were contributing to very narrow section of elite-direct beneficiaries of colonialism, so the benefits haven’t reached to marginalized section. Further these colonial style environments have bred some very arrogant set of people who unfortunately also formed part of policy making and other significant positions. The reason why people from marginalized section couldn’t be in these positions has to do with lack of opportunity than the so called competence of elite. The contribution of Indian elite is a joke. Some arrogant have even written books on how Indian literature in
The reason why these measures of insuring access to poorer and marginalized sections to quality education has not been taken so far puts a question mark on people who are running these institutions. Many instead of following the beautiful aspects of Christianity have been using this for personal benefits by serving and fulfilling the desires of a narrow section in the name of merit. As clear are some on merit and competence, this blogger still don’t know what merit is, quite confusing!!.
St Stephen has taken a step that is long overdue. The problem here seems to be the question whether dalit do remain dalit after joining Christianity?. As suspected there is elitism in Christianity too, probably the reason why these inclusive steps not taken till now. Not ‘as suspected’, caste and other socio-cultural divisions are as acute in Christianity. It is not only a personal experience but I have read in some sociology text that Nadar Christians in TN are socio-culturally more closer to Nadar Hindus than Christians!!. Dalit reservation in prestigious colleges (need be extended to Mass Media) will definitely fill up the huge lacuna in representation of these sections (like the tribals) in articulating their views not only in national but international level in a constructive way unlike being ‘represented’, particularly by the hypocrite comrades. In this context the blogger express pleasure on learning that October 2nd is to be declared as Non violence day by UN. How about April 14th (Ambedkar jayanthi day) as Day against Discrimination (or even Racism)???. I guess the move lacks enough clout (what about
Rev. Thampu is quite a sensitive man, and I have had the opportunity to interact with him (of course I was disappointed with his comments on grammar in poems…but I guess things I do has large element of disappointment from inception so cannot blame him!!). Further he gave me breakfast!!! Now this might sound quite insignificant to some but for me these are very defining. To allow a complete stranger this access and to be treated with dignity was a surprise. Shock would be the correct word, since those days (I guess it was1997-98) abuse was quite common so was maintaining sanity. He even dropped me to bus stop in his car despite my very vehement protest. If you look from my perspective you will realize how significant these are. Of course he does have a patronizing handshake (typical of pallile achan!), so there was a bit of wriggle when I attempted to rectify!!. I have tried to follow his views in media for sometime; I did like the columns with Swami Agnivesh (i have a reverence for him). I also have been to church few times and have read few chapters from Bible (Genesis is sheer poetry), have attended many Christmas parties and get together. More than a decade back I used to be friendly with a “father’’ from Velloppally dioceses (I used to stay in beach front flat marine drive and used to drop in to watch sunset regularly- in cochin, he was also involved in AIDS awareness those days). Many of my close friends were Christians, frankly we never really thought on these lines except when it was getting some treat during festivals. During those days we also had some collection of jokes on “pallile achan”. But yes I don’t have much liking for Bandhi christhus nor the screaming cold eyed evangelist particularly from American subcontinent, they sometimes speak like Marketers!!.
Friday, June 15, 2007
The boss is here!!!
I am into Rajnikanth movies since college days. It was quite accidental since we used to stay in a lodge next to the college and there was this guy who was a tamilian, also there was a theatre nearby which showed Tamil cinema once in a while. Also once or twice in a week there would be strike in college (during internal exams we planned the strike….one commonly used ploy was 'no water in hostel' and so orchestrated march to college corridor with buckets and mugs!!) if there was no college strike there would be hartal or protest march in the city so things got cancelled. The gist is we had lots of time and studies was last thing in mind, with many having bikes/cars we invaded beaches, Kovalam in day time and Shankumukum for late night. It used to get routine so I would move out to do something different and one involvement was catching on Tamil movie, mostly alone. It was then I got stuck to Rajnikanth movie (the theatre also showed old hit movies). Shifting to Chennai added to the flavor but what I saw in here was beyond my imagination. Frankly I never knew much about ‘fan craze’. Chennai is the place to know what Rajnikanth is all about!!. Once there was huge traffic jam as they were celebrating 'Rajni’s B’day' (thalaivar). Tamil Nadu for me was quite a different place with huge innovative hoardings. The more I spend time here the more I started understanding people. I too started looking forward to Rajnikanth movie. He is quite a stylish actor with surprisingly not much pretension, I guess that’s what makes him endearing. And yes Njan oru thavana sulurai nooru thavana sola mathiri… I think that’s a classic dialogue. Also this one I came across recently (I don’t seem to have watched that movie) njan late ayi varuthen latest ayi varuthen. When I come late I come as latest!!!!!!!!!!!!! …..of course English lack the punch. You cannot beat his style and delivery, so what may look inane comes out as spectacular and instantly applauded (applauded is an understatement here!!!).
Rajnikanth is great. Mind it!!!!...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sycophants as President???
There are Congress leaders who are admirable like for instance Mr. Chamling of Sikkim who fits in by all means. Also understanding that President’s post (like Governors) has more to do with symbolic gesture, that is, mainstreaming or recognizing region, community and so on.
Condolences: Ramchandra Gandhi who was apart from being grandson of Mahatma Gandhi was brilliant man. Albeit I have read very few of his articles but I have listened to his speeches and boy he was brilliant. When I first saw him I hated him since he gave an impression of khadoos budda with permanent scowl on his face and quite raggy attire. Those days I would drop into IIC (Idlers Idiotic Chatting-centre) very often for listening to some talk as also sip some good free coffee (very soon I decided that I would stay in places with direct access to these talk and free food holes, in summer the AC was a huge respite. So did stay mostly 522 bus route!! It’s essentially the place were retired people spend their time catching up with things, nothing else but yes some yawn and some fart!!).
Coming to Mr. Gandhi one of the speech I recall distinctly is after the nuclear blast by India wherein he dwelled upon tantrum and tantric!!. He was an amazing speaker and although he gave an impression of aloof and laconic when he started to speak he never stopped!!!. Another speech I heard was when he inaugurated a photography exhibition also in IIC where he talked about philosophy of photography!!!. (Incidentally they also served sushi and that was the only time I had that dish…its kind of raw tasting stuff. For sometime I was wondering have they cooked or not??). Ramchandra Gandhi had an insight which I never thought could exist, he was quite original and you could feel he was passionate about what he said since it reflected deep involvement on the subject. He was amazing. I observed he interacted with very few people. I met him only at IIC and it is shocking that he died there.
plz go to my new blog. It’s about Turd’s tryst with Ramchandra Gandhi!!!. I don’t use this blog on Turd, its degrading…..
Monday, June 11, 2007
At my first school and some things personal
Cantonments don’t change much and so is cozy old
The best part of the school was that they showed wild life videos, once a month. Just imagine having access to something like this in seventies!! The impact was such that even now I spend substantial amount of time on wildlife channel and try to know more and more about wildlife and visit sanctuaries.
Few months back when I was in
We had a cycle (Hercules) and although it was for adult and very heavy, I learned cycling here, riding ‘kaichi’ in the hot afternoons when everyone slept, since it was forbidden, caught and got whacked many times. What we did was each day it was someone’s turn to get the cycle- most kids father had cycle, and then took turn to ride. Once caught the plan was abandoned for the day. The games included marbles, climbing trees and so on…all forbidden so had to be in constant watch out. I did get some serious beatings for playing marbles finally they used tactics like ‘it will spoil your handwriting’ (since I was known for excellent handwriting which deteriorated subsequently). Later though life changed in
Friday, June 01, 2007
Understanding Secularism
Plethora of philosophies (and lots of cacophony in the name of discussion) is what is left. One may say ‘nothing practical’ but if it helps people to face crisis in life with equanimity then nothing can be more practical, further Hindu way of life may have lots of contradictions, absurdities, contemptuous practices….it has to a large extend paved way for tolerance and cohabitation of different views and beliefs, which in modern world referred to as ‘secularism’. This led to acceptance of Democracy as natural extension. Nothing can explain how one billion people of god knows how many sects, beliefs, faith, languages, race…..and many living in abject poverty, with problems of corruption and nepotism…and what not, are able to live together with not much major problems.
The rise of right wing can be traced to a large extend to the practices the political elite followed for last one century or so, most even contemptuous of Hindu religious expressions, alienating the mainstream Hindus. It also was a direct consequence of organized religion and political positioning of Hindu elite to compensate their loosening hold. Early 20th century was initiation of India as a political entity, post independence the political consolidation gave way to assimilation of Hinduism through popular medium, later prevailing socio-political hypocrisy led to spectacular rise of political parties that also had some extreme fringe elements. To see this as assault to democracy or secularism is stretching the evangelist’s idea of apocalypse. BJP ruling the centre was natural outcome as natural were the reason they were booted out. It is also the failure of self-serving leaders who couldn’t provide an alternative to Congress. Repeating ‘secular’ word doesn’t cut much ice with common people, they can see through the diversions. InIIndeed for last few centuries there have been prosecutions in the name of religion, the status quo was maintained after the Independence (essentially transfer of power), so expressing Hinduism was either equated to regressive practice or even superstition. Not denying there are serious problems here but to dismiss Hinduism as superstition and ridiculing the practices while on the same hand organized religions practices are eulogized is confusing. The reality is superstition can be handled with logic while fundamentals arising of ‘sacred texts’ is considered beyond logic and so misused (here I am not saying logic can explain everything but practices, conventions…can be explained to the context. The idea is religion cannot explain all things. If tried on contemporary problems of the world as also personal problems, it leads to tragedies). The threat to the world is from these sources. Zealots need rallying point and some excuse, if ‘holy books’ provides (however misconstrued or not) the rallying point where civil society is not given space, and excuse provided by neighborhood leaders (substantiated by ‘secular’ media-columnists) we have catastrophe waiting. The ‘red Indians’, the Africans, the aborigines, as also most people in India have faced (and are) facing significant oppressions but they never become ‘crusaders’ or ‘jehadis’, this is not a coincidence. The history of humanity in the later part (referred to as medieval) was about marauding armies most instigated by religion to a significant extent (colonialism was also about Christianity). To call them ‘brave’ is an insult. Any group of people motivated by reason of religion and otherworldly assurance can be turned into killing machines; to call them brave is travesty. The reason why brave people in Africa or ‘red Indians’ never turned vicious marauding Army decimating other culture is not because they didn’t have the potential (killing doesn’t need much potential!) just that they had ‘animistic traditions’, meaning respecting nature, meaning not organized. That doesn’t mean they didn’t kill or invade but it was very limited, motivation may have been immediate gratifications or existential reality. Unlike proselytizing religion- the compelling reason for peace (in islam or christainity), people are ready to kill themselves and ‘others’. The other gets defined as ‘evil’ (in an acute sense unlike animistic traditions) and the killers as ‘sacred’, the contradictions explained as 'path to salvation'. With such motivated ‘army or soldiers of god’ planning the war requires minimal expertise. The worst forms of crimes have been done in the name of religion.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
School home work on religion…
(plz go to depalanhere for lavish marriages….its trashing time folks!!)
Monday, May 28, 2007
On watching movies and telling stories
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Why horse racing should be encouraged and Car racing banned
It is in this context that Horse Racing should be encouraged. Horse racing is most environmental friendly and immensely exciting sport. Further the revenue generated is quite significant, in places like Hong Kong it is the backbone of the economy. It provides gainful employment for hundreds of people with almost negligible energy consumption. Not only that this blogger believes that Horse Racing requires more skills than car racing. The challenge is more when you are maneuvering and trying to get the best from an unpredictable horse as compared to a car- which is more of a technological challenge, the skill needed by the driver is miniscule compared to a jockey. Then there is this sheer beauty of horses galloping as compared to noisy metals guzzling gas.
There is a tendency in this country to encourage sport that is beyond the reach of common people (cricket has a long colonial past). The new sport therefore are Tennis (Federer is gr8), Golf (this arguably the most disgusting sport, Monsieur Pioret will agree!!), Billiards, car racing….isn’t there a pattern?. Guess why it is like this….
Post script: Some people do take Horse Race as gamble which is upsetting. This blogger has seen people betting too much money without even any study, an addictive habit. It is kind of psychological affliction. In Bangalore they shout ‘thoo’ when they get the predictions wrong, which I find very funny.
Monday, May 21, 2007
It’s Ms. Mayawati all the way
Corruption is a serious issue but there is a mischief in bringing Taj corridor case at this point, one wonders whether judiciary is being manipulated. This coincidence of Mayawati elected as Chief Minister and case against her surfacing at the same time is strange. Further people from poorer sections find it difficult to contest elections and run party. Unlike say our boy Arun jaitley, who is a millionaire and without being elected ever was a Union minister!! What spoke was his money and influence (meaning corporate backing). And now he does the round of TV studios with a specific intention of usurping the gains of Party workers. It is imperative that Election commission need to provide money for Dalits and tribals contesting elections or their election expense be refunded if they get certain percentage of Vote. Otherwise it becomes more of Reservation by people like Arun Jaitley. The system at this point seems to be balanced in favor of people like Jaitley, which in civilized world will be defined as corruption.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Spare a thought for Mr. Murasoli
Some people are genuine the moment you meet, so took his photograph. His ambitious self with limited resources was also endearing. I wished him best of luck and moved on.
Tail piece: Talking of names I have come across many different and interesting names of people. But the one I recollect distinctly was of my college mate: Dil Prem Pratheek, he explained to me that he was symbol of his parents love and also they wanted to name in Hindi since it was national language. Quite romantic!! Another interesting name I came across is: Betnisol, now this boy was named after a medicine which saved him when he was an infant. Imagine being named after doctor’s prescription!!. Never could beat this one.
In 1970s there was a craze in Kerala to give children two letter name, it was kind of trendy….the reason why you have saju, liju riju, aby, mini, lizy, reji, …and hundreds of permutations and combination of these and more!!. And yes you wouldn’t find these in Maneka Gandhi’s list!!.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Why all of us should watch ‘An Inconvenient Truth’
‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is a documentary that was released for public viewing recently. Although I rarely go out for movies, I had read about this one a lot in the Net, so decided to view last week. This documentary is in most parts is a kind of power point presentation by Al Gore (..well the man ‘who was the next President of USA.…It is not funny!’), and unlike power point presentations it is not at all boring, he speaks with lots of insight and involvement, very interestingly personalizing the issue. So we see a human behind the man, a passion behind the words. In the end you not only know about global warming and how serious the threat is, you also end up admiring Mr. Gore. I couldn’t help thinking if he had become the President of USA, how different the world would be or would he been co-opted by the system as it happens most of the case.
If
All of us need to watch documentaries like these particularly the youngsters, it should be screened in colleges and discussed. Earth despite all its problems is an amazingly beautiful place. It’s a miracle.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Journey to Bimbetka: The prehistoric dwellings
An hour later I found the bus stopping in front of the hotel I was residing….geez that is two hours gone, by this time
The rocks were more like tall, huge mounds spread across a distance. Uneven and chiseled by nature into myriad forms, itself a treat to eyes. It felt strange to be in midst of rocks that were homes to people thousands of years ago. I tried to imagine what their life would be (it is pre historic since it dated back to the period when humans were had not learned the art of writing). For next few minutes I roamed around the place, I sensed that I am not able to understand the rocks sites and markings, their significance. It was then I thought of getting some help, maybe a guide. There was not a soul in sight, so I walked and saw a man sitting almost hidden behind the tree. It was as if he was anticipating me “I am the guide. My name is Vimal”. He spoke in a mixture of Hindi and English, as most guides do. He was a self assured young man, seemed immensely proud of his job. But his confidence spilled over when he started speculating about me. ‘You from
Having spent an hour at the site I walked all the way back, although it was sunny mid
(the blogger at the natural museum at Bimbetka)
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
A day at Bhopal, and a visit to Bimbtka: A travelogue
There mostly is no provision on clean bed sheets, so it is always advised to carry bed sheets and pillow cover. And yes towel and most importantly mosquito repeller, ascertain plug point connection before checking in, nowadays most hotels at lower end do have these since the mobile phones have percolated. However there is one nuisance for which there really is no escape, this encountered mostly in north
It was well past
(next blog on Bimbtka, a study on prehistoric caves)
Tailpiece: Paan eating is quite romanticized in many of the North Indian particularly Hindi movies, many songs being quite popular also. The most popular being Kaike paan banaras waala. Another one which I recall is paan khaye saiyya hamare, malamal ke kurthe pe cheet lal lal …..the later part of the line is really very gross, our man need be whacked and taught some eating habit!!. Quite a deviance, north part of the country doesn’t stop to surprise/shock me. In places like lucknow, allahabad, banaras…many young males speak with their mouth full, raising their chin high to contain the paan spit while wanting to speak, and blurt out what I thought was incomprehensible words but perfectly understood by others (what about older males?…well they wouldn’t survive to that age with these daily indulgences, or probably dying with cancer). Also unlike me they find nothing unusual in the behavior, the whole situation is very funny. Whereas in places like Kerala you could be fined for spitting in public (well technically), in Varanasi they consider it an art form to be displayed on walls in colour red!!. I am a big fan of Banarasi meeta paan, whenever i am here i have it almost thrice a day!!.