Why doesn’t this man speak??

The Bengal government has messed up the Nandigram issue. It is just an indication of much deeper malaise. It has more to do with the arrogance of the ruling elite. They have lost touch with reality, and the problems of common people. Three decades of power has given rise to a breed of self serving politicians who gestate out of stagnant society that lacks any form of social mobility. Every social indicator is skewed favoring the elite, below the national average meaning common people particularly the marginalized live in abject conditions. In the meantime the ministers were busy discussing cricket and subtleties of English poetry!!. Comrades brown sahibs have since learned lesson, arrogant CM doesn’t open his loud mouth much these days. How is Left holding to power in this State for last few decades need to be studied, also the polling process needs closer scrutiny. Left ideologues seem to have entrenched into State machinery and that’s detrimental to democratic functioning, it is a fact noted around the world that Left finds it difficult to relinquish power and soon it is controlled by a coterie.

Further Left is also known to have no qualms in using goons to serve their purpose after all Marx never ruled out violence to capture power, it could even be ‘bloody’. The dedicated cadre is always ready to follow. The Red brigade is responsible for carnage in Nandigram is no secret.

This blogger is not entirely against Left I have met some admirable and committed people (among elder genration) but CPI(M) surely has started to loose it. Like what is happening in Bengal in Kerala too they have lost credibility among the civil society. There are some committed people in the Left and they are definitely not in CPI(M), atleast at the top level they are just power brokers with intellectual mask. For every Achuthanandan there are ten scoundrels like Pinrayi Vijayan. They have recently isolated mostly peaceful Christian community by their arrogant utterings, again they are very much responsible for communalizing the society. Bravo to that. Christians particularly in the coastal region have traditionally associated to Left, the scoundrels have fractured that too. I welcome the move by Christian 'sabha' to isolate Left. The power hungry leaders in CPI(M) should learn from the older generations and past leaders. I recall when i was a kid it was election time in kerala, and Baby John was hugely admired figure. He rarely lost elections, his party was RSP (Revolutionary Socialist Party), was quite popular. We used to run after the vehicles that threw pamphlets and join the shout “Baby john Zindabad”. He was a respected leader. RSP later split to RSP(Bolshevik)-geez are we Soviet!!. Incidentally the recent bad mouthing of Lenin by Bush was foolish, he needs to acquaint history better. Lenin remains one of the significant and admirable leader (same of course cannot be said about Stalin).

The Left at national level and Bengal (and recently in Kerala) represented by CPI(M) is elitist. Not only that they also are known to bully the smaller factions like CPI, RSP, Forward Block and so on. With little power they are making their intentions clear just imagine what happens if they get more power and influence. The smaller parties need take stand against this big brother functioning of CPI(M) coterie and put them in their place, the realities of the power base they represent. It is not surprising that Maoists and Naxals are getting credibility and acceptance among the most marginalized. CPI(M) surely is becoming a liability for the Left front.

There is one man who till recently was a spokesperson for Bengal government, part of ‘incredible Bengal’ campaign!!. Amartya Sen babu is known to perform bit of gymnastics when it comes to Left in Bengal. A Nobel Prize winner is seen with lots of respect by people all around the world, and views taken seriously. They are like elders with sane and sobering advice, and are expected to stand for what is true. But Amartya Sen is one of those typical armchair types who wouldn’t mind taking the bite out of falling crumbs and keep the Masters in good humour (comrades in CPI(M) do prefer tail wagging- it is the ‘adda affect’. I do like his writing though, his books are interesting read). So when Bengal is in serious trouble with Nandigram burning and people coming out in streets to protest our man refuse to open his mouth. That is much better than intellectual pimping I guess. Right comrade?!

Post script: It is the same arrogance that prevents Budhadeb Bhattacharjee from resigning despite months of simmering discontent.His incompetence is proved beyond doubt. His allies have accused him, the Court today has expressed the same, Governor has come out and pointed the wrong-unprecedented in recent times, the opposition has called his bluff, civil society have dissociated from him, finally the people of Nandigram as well as in Bengal and around the country are showing horror and disgust as details of carnage unfolds. If he has any shame, decency, or respect for people of Bengal, he should quit immediately. His strategy of offensive is misplaced and foolhardy, shows only how out of touch with reality he really is. If he is accusing Maoists then that is also his responsibility he is CM. Excuses won’t work. Budhadeb Bhattacharjee’s days are over he should resign gracefully. Otherwise it’s leading to President’s rule in State, that is not bad at all.

People protest against Coca Cola Plant in Ballia, UP

This report taken from http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2007/1054.html , people of Sinchachawar village, Ballia District of UP took out a peaceful protest march against exploitation of Coca Cola in Ballai village of UP State.

Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India (October 25, 2007): Over 600 people marched and rallied against the Coca-Cola bottling plant in the village of Sinhachawar in Ballia district in India yesterday, demanding that the plant be shut down permanently.

The community has accused the bottling plant of pollution and also illegally occupying land held by the village assembly. A visit by community members to the factory premises in May 2007 found the bottling plant indiscriminately dumping its hazardous waste inside and outside the factory premises. In 2003, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India assessed the sludge at eight Coca-Cola bottling plants, and found them all to contain excessive levels of lead, cadmium or chromium. As a result, the CPCB ordered the Coca-Cola company in India to treat its waste at all its bottling plants as industrial hazardous waste, and deal with it accordingly. Four years later, the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Sinhachawar has failed to follow the orders. In particular, the dumping of such hazardous waste violates the Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 from the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India.

"We are demanding that the Coca-Cola bottling plant cease its operations permanently because they are destroying our land and water, the very source of our livelihoods," said Mr. Baliram Ram of the Coca-Cola Bhagao, Krishi Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, the main organizer of the protest.
The Coca-Cola bottling plant in Sinhachawar has also built its boundary walls encompassing some land that is owned by the village assembly. In December 2005, villagers noticed that the Coca-Cola bottling plant had blocked access to a public road that went through the bottling plant. The villagers forcibly removed the gates placed by the bottling plant on either side of the road. The community is alleging that the Coca-Cola bottling plant illegally occupies another 1.5 acres of village assembly land.
The community is also concerned about water shortages in the area as a result of the extraction of water by the Coca-Cola bottling plant. The area is already experiencing water shortages, and the villagers point to other communities in India around Coca-Cola bottling plants where the water crises have been severely exacerbated as a result of Coca-Cola's operations

The bottling plant in Sinhachawar is a Coca-Cola franchisee owned unit operated by the Brindavan Bottlers Limited, which is owned by India's largest bottler of Coca-Cola, the Ladhani Group of Companies. The bottling plant is in the process of being bought by the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Ltd, the subsidiary of the Coca-Cola company. The protest at the Coca-Cola bottling plant came a day after another demonstration at the District Magistrate's office in Balia on October 23 where community members presented their demands to the District Magistrate.

The bottling plant has come under increased scrutiny after the community visit to the plant which confirmed that Coca-Cola was carelessly and illegally dumping its waste around the factory premises and into the surrounding fields. The head of the village council, Ms. Chinta Devi, has led the campaign to permanently shut down the plant. Last month, the union of village council heads in the district passed a resolution against the Coca-Cola bottling plant, insisting that it be shut down. The protest at the Coca-Cola bottling plant ended after community members lodged a police report accusing the plant of pollution, illegal land occupation and theft of water.

The Coca-Cola company's operations in India have been challenged by various communities across India who are experiencing severe water shortages as well as polluted water and land as a result of the company's practices. The Coca-Cola bottling plant in Plachimada, one of the company's largest in India, has been shut down since March 2004.

The local campaigns to challenge Coca-Cola in India have found tremendous support internationally, and particularly among college and university students in the US, UK and Canada. Over twenty five colleges and universities have taken actions against the Coca-Cola company.
The full report of the May visit to the Coca-Cola bottling plant with images can be found at http://www.indiaresource.org/campaigns/coke/2007/cokebaliafact.html, in Hindi at http://www.indiaresource.org/campaigns/coke/2007/baliahindireport.pdf
For more information, visit www.IndiaResource.org

Know your Yahoo

Yahoo has been found to use its technology to track and give information about dissidents to Chinese government. Many champions of freedom in China are now in detention thanks to sleuth work of Yahoo. That in Business terminology it is referred to as ‘strategical understanding’. How much ‘investors are happy’ one doesn’t know (incidentally investors are gods in this cozy little world) but yes top Chinese commies are not complaining. Capitalists of world unite you have nothing to loose but your ethics. That’s Chinese trap for you!! (a kind of counter McCarthyism and as part of tradition Yahoo is too happy to oblige).

‘Total’ an oil giant want to keep sucking in Burma their argument is enlightening ‘if we don’t do it someone else will do it’. Such commitments and dedication to their job, we mortals have to learn a lot.

So next time you use Yahoo forget not to appreciate the sacrifices they are doing to maximize their profit. It is the ultimate act in the globalized world. World will be a better place to live if we emulate them in our daily life, individually and collectively. Yahoo will of course justify that ‘it has nothing to do with business it is a political matter’. If only drug peddlers could use the same subtleties.

For politicians Politics is Business, for fund raisers (read businessmen) Business is Politics. For Yahoo, Business is not Politics but Service, profit is just incidental!!. For Chinese, Politics and Business are Service it just that commies are thick headed when it comes to be bothered about people- the reason why capitalism can flourish unhindered in commieland, it is better option than democracy. The irony is hard to miss and as Marx should have put it so rightly “bloody the dissidents comrades, the dialectics of materialism starts in Beijing”.

Should this be confined to US Congress only? Shouldn’t international community take action against unethical practices followed by Yahoo??.Privacy is as important particularly of common people, probably more important than much hyped freedom of expression. State or corporate has absolutely no business to intrude into privacy of people.

What’s the problem with our neighbors?!!

It sometimes shocks you the kinds of things happening in the neighborhood. So Pakistan again is spinning down. Sri lanka is in civil war with LTTE even using air strikes. Nepal has somehow managed to stay put after years of uncertainty, a fragile truce in Bangladesh, military junta in Burma. China is not democratic-meaning rights of citizens curtailed (but is a member of UN Security Council!!), so is the case of Bhutan. Nearby Afghanistan is in serious problem, Thailand too is under martial rule. Phew !!. Not that India doesn’t have problems but rarely it threatens the nation, it is generally confined to few pockets.

The most tragic case is that of Sri Lanka, I have a strong liking for this country and have read lot about this island. At one point I took out around 3-4 months to read fiction and non fiction, as also movies from this region, I also knew some journalists who had come for training at Mass Com, as also artists through exchange programs. It saddens me immensely when I see pictures of violence and killings from this beautiful island. Elitist policies probably triggered through linguistic arrogance escalated into ethnic conflict now almost a civil war, isolating the North-east region. Now though it is the ego of leaders involved. Peace is very much possible provided new and younger people are involved, they are now pawns in the hands of people trying to settle their own scores. Sri Lanka has had its share of violence I guess it is time to try peaceful means to solve the problem. It cannot go on like this. Buddhist monks representing majority Singhalese should take the initiatives and show an egalitarian approach to the problem. This blogger has yet to come across an incident or effort on the part of monks to reach the Tamils. The role of religion-community leaders in creating peace is immense (south Africa is good example). Monks in Sri Lanka have a huge responsibility, it is time they intervened.

Pakistan’s problems have its roots in lack of sufficient mobility in society, it still is very much feudal and the demarcation is stark as is the case in most of North India. Socio-cultural and political elite come from same stock, most have spend time in Britain and other places. The common people are mostly absent from the scene. Add to this, mullahs as alternative- disappointed, most people seem to be gravitating to this possibility. Feudal nature of the society is very much reflected in the presence of strong Army in matters Civilian. The establishment fed the zealots with active support from US of A ostensibly to dislodge Soviet commies from Kabul, commies left but the genie wouldn’t go back to the bottle, now it is ready to engulf. Ditto what Indira Gandhi did with Sikhs, it did immense damage and many innocent people lost their life. Sikhs are small community and geographically confined, the reason why the genie didn’t do much damage, but it was worst phase in independent Indian history. This not true with muslims who are in absolute majority in Pakistan, with changed equation vis-à-vis terrorism around the world things may go out of hand as fundamentalists are quite effectively playing the victim role-majority of people have started to empathize. With USA, Britain and other powers loosing credibility even good intention will backfire, most common people don’t have any trust for these foreign powers, intervention would be seen with suspicion, playing into the hands of fundamentalists.

So there things don’t look rosy in Pakistan. It is entirely the result of selfish people at the helm, the feudal elites saw to it that the democratic institutions don’t establish itself. What flourished in Pakistan in last many decades was Army, as also the fundamentalist. Till recently they worked in synergy (since the West wanted it that way), now they oppose (again due to reasons very much originating in West). So guess who will replace Army?. Obviously for USA, Army is the best bet otherwise it is over for them in this ‘strategic region’. It also means Gen Musharaff may be dispensable (remember what happened to Gen. Zia?), a coup within the Army would help USA immensely since all the fingers are pointing to Musharaff, he goes means all the blame will be taken care, a new dictator can take the baton and give some hope till it wears out. That is American realpolitik. That is the tragedy. Whatever said Gen Musharaff’s days are numbered but Army is here to stay for a long time to come, under a puppet government is immensely desirable for the outside powers. Keep an eye on developments in this part of the world…hopefully sanity prevails.

Tracking Pani chors Coca Cola Pepsi at Mehndiganj

It was on a very sunny bright morning that I decided to visit Mehndiganj, the site of protest by villagers against Coca Cola plant that has seriously depleted the groundwater of the region like anywhere else where these exploitative products have set up their shops --please go to My blog to know about miseries in Kaladera in Rajasthan, Plachimada in Kerala as also Gangaikondon & Shivganga in TN. It is shocking that common people have to pay more for water which is for basic needs and survival than these MNCs for luxury product not consumed by most people of the region (inset photo of Coca cola Pepsi man!!). It is equally shocking that there are no laws to prevent these exploitations. Till recently there was no much concern about land being taken from poor people for ‘development’, many had to sacrifice their life to make the government hear. Thousands of people have recently taken out a march to Delhi so as to force the complacent government to formulate laws. The ‘rising india’ with sensex touching 20000 doesn’t have a land policy (don’t even mention land reforms!! I really would like to know the ginni coefficient of India). And the PM I am told is ‘embarrassed’ over nuclear deal not being passed and the commies are ‘not very embarrassed’… all for the nation sake, the kinds of sacrifice these leaders do!!. There are no concrete laws regarding exploitation of natural resources for profit, it is a non issue when GDP and investments are bench marks of progress.

Pepsi- Coca cola have recently taken up the cause of water harvesting, teaching us mortals on these subtleties of conservation is joke gone too far. Many marketers who have gained from these and other exploitative and demeaning products/ads have also taken up ‘causes’ having fatten themselves, this is a new trend ‘the give back thing’, kind of PR work!!. People are not amused they want stricter laws not patronizing gestures by armchair intellectuals and the city based ‘activists’ with specific aim of stampeding studios and public space or some incentives from the government-its about building the clout. What shocks me is why is that people from these backwards region living in abject conditions have not become Naxalites and blown up these exploitative plants, Coca cola Pepsi have no business sucking public water. People in this part of the world have amazing tolerance, it is straining though (It is gladdening that Coca cola is kicked out of plachimada. Hurray for that). There is a need for policy on natural resources particularly water that forms the most basic need and therefore fundamental right. And the policy be very well the Law- transparent and understood by people.

Mehndiganj story is no different. Located at about 20 Kms from ancient city of Varanasi, it is a small fertile village few Kms inside the main road. There is no transportation to the village, I had to hitch hike a two wheeler already occupied by two people, the youngsters were quite glad since I had asked for Nandlal Master. Nandlal Master is a weaver who took up teaching children of the area and has since spearheaded the cause; he is a prominent and respected figure (also coordinator and founder of Lok Samithi. Email is napm_up@yahoo.com) and has also trained many youngsters for employment. After a bumpy ride I was dropped in front of a newly painted modest house. I had expected a elderly if not middle-aged man but Nandlal turned out to be a young man in his twenties, he had too many incidents to relate of how people expected him to be older!!.

Nandlal Master explained that the issue in Mehndiganj is multifold apart from exploitation of groundwater and pollution, there is a case of illegal occupation and evasion of taxes by Coca Cola. The Coca cola plant at Mehndiganj was bought from Parle in 1999, till then the extraction of water was ‘within limits’. After Coca Cola bought this plant it has been withdrawing 5Lakh liters of water per day using heavy duty borewells. According to a study the water table of the region has dropped by as much as 9feet, in a recent study the table has drooped further to 18feet (till 2006). The hand pumps with no or less water has increased from 7% to 43% in last few years. Also read Thanda- Hearted Matlab: Coca Cola in India by Shira Wolf (April 2005), Marching in the spirit of Gandhi –A case study into Gandhian elements of Lok Samithi movement in Mehndiganj (Dana Van Breukelen).

Second is the issue of pollution, the hazardous sludge from the factory has seriously affected the productivity of land in the region, frustrated by lack of accountability by the government agencies the villagers dumped the sludge at UP pollution control board office. Later the test conducted by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has shown it to contain high level of lead (up to 538mg/kg), cadmium (up to 86mg/kg) and chromium (134mg/kg). Here in the photo Mr. Nandlal shows the sludge provided by Coca cola to Pollution board (which the protestors got hold of through RTI, after denied) and how it is different from the sludge they dumped. Coca Cola true to its character did try its best to scuttle the issue. Since then the Coca cola is dumping its waste in a nearby village (bikharipur- I bet this village is inhabited by SCs & other impoverished people, coca cola got its caste card right!!).

Third issue faced here is the illegal occupation of land by Coca Cola. Court has found it guilty and has issued notices to vacate. In 2005 the pradhan of Mehndiganj, Ram Jivan Patel was dismissed by DM of Varanasi for illegally handing over the land to Coca Cola, he was bribed to sign the documents by Coca Cola (lucky fella since in Gangoikondon they killed the panchayat president- of course will never be proved).

Later that day after tea and home made savories, Mahendra a young man who also volunteers for Lok Samithi took me to Coca cola premise on his bike. As I was taking photos the guards warned me of dire consequences. Mahendra kept the engine running so that I could get away. But I decided to confront the burly guard ‘if I have the freedom to take the photos of Rashtrapathi bhavan why can’t this damn factory? Is it holding national secret?”. The guard, poor man, requested not to create problem for him. And so we moved on and I was dropped to the bus stand. No boondh boondh kushi kushi here!!.

Post Script: it is interesting that some metro based NGO(dealing with education) tried to buy Nandlal and his NGO (of course they were shown the door). This is precisely how they function usurping the hard work of common people and their commitment, dedication…and package it for their gain and clout. It is a huge business in cities, adept in their game they work with remarkable dexterity. They sniff for saleable, media attuned, chic issues that also has an international audience. AIDs, even issues of women are elitist to elicit western response, Discriminations in west of 'people like us' ...are trendy issues. Then of course there are those poor people our heart beats for but no, no mudding hands, we drop in for photo op or we could discuss (surely an event- they are even ready to fly to different cities!) them in our sanitised backyard!!. So where is the menu chef?!!

The King of Chess

Anand is to chess what Pele is to football. He is an amazing champion of the game. I have followed Anand’s chess for sometime in late teens. I learned that e4 is the best first move from his games. I have strong liking for chess, it makes you think. I don’t recall when I learned this game since we had chess at home even before I was born. I was playing this game quite early. Those days I was not aware of castling as also that you have to say ‘check’ when attacking the King. King was attacked surreptitiously and the game was over!!. We also tried to distract the opponent when the King is on the line and presto the game is over!!. Since many of friends (in Primary school) didn’t know this game I mostly used to play this game alone on summer afternoons but we did had a round of chess after the dinner at home sometimes, and I did look forward to it.

In college when in hostel there was a chess playing group. We used to play almost every night the looser would sponsor the dinner. It was even money for me. I consider myself as an average and quite erratic when it comes to chess. For almost a decade I lost contact with chess, getting into the rut of finding a career and so on. Recently though I have started to play the game on Net, there really are some very smart players out there. I also have a software of chess in my comp. and by god it is quite tough!!. The guys who created these software are super genius.

Anand is too good a player, most importantly it is difficult to be consistent for so many years. I also have followed Kasporov’s game for sometime (he is now into Russian politics, very much a challenge to Putin!!. The way opposition is handled in Russia he could even be killed). I happen to see a documentary sometime back on how the Deep Blue Super computer may have had a human hand, it was quite controversial, Kasporov though did feel cheated. It seemed to be a marketing gimmick of colossal proportion.

Chess is an amazing invention and that it is contribution of Indians is quite heartening. Some of the chess moves are taken from real life, like the elephants that would run through the opponent with spears on it the reason why it has vertical and horizontal moves, I saw that in one of the channels.

A good game of chess can even refresh dullest of mind. So go ahead make the move!!

Not elementary Watson !!

Remember James Watson??. The guy who discovered the DNA structure (of Watson-Crick jodi)…well our dude has got a new occupation as spokesperson for White supremacist!!. Our man has finally stumbled upon some facts to confirm what folks at downtown hold not as matter of opinion. White man’s burden is getting heavier according to Watson. It is not denying that some do have the brain under the skin especially around the groin, few end up at shrink, many in TV studios as crusaders of freedom (honcho is counting the money there). It’s getting quite exciting outing in certain circles, I gather. Watson do like to see the world through his skin as some through cunt/dick (take your pick...i guess mentioning these makes me quite savvy!!...Er chooth monologue&salvation classic), sanity is causality. What sells is rightness if not righteousness (Y 4 Godsa!!)

Racism is touch word in this terrifically excitable world. Racism maybe a new term to people in this part of the world but in West it is taken as serious offence, more as an apology for atrocities of past that they do press the panic button at short notice. Racism or discrimination of any nature is undoubtedly unacceptable but it needn’t be confined to certain circles or societies. India I am told is against racism. Casteism is quite blatantly followed is just a coincidence. Cutaneous coloring could of course be taken care of with some expertly advised Fair & Lovely. India I am also told is a rising power (what’s that?!) and the celebration is on, the world has noticed and there is stampede in certain circles for maximum gain and acceptance, the positioning to Western sensibilities is on (secular fundamentalism is no coincidence). Gandhi has been branded and is a sell out. Some sections also believe that world is looking for India for solutions. 24x7 mirage works!!. Baird never conceived that one, why blame him the latest innovations (GMR-GiantMagnetoResistance, anyone?) will go mostly to monkeys to create more nuisance (also referred to as competence). The other day I had the humble experience of listening to a ring tone that carried the sound of fart!!. It is easy to stay smart these days, aint it dude!!. Mediocrity is matter of choice- the uses of democracy are many when needed or else we do have ‘self regulation’ exit route!!.

Since the world is looking for solutions for Racism we Indians need to respond with our great and ever growing ancient culture. Shall we recruit Champu Khan (with funny wig collection) as agent of change and spread the subtle message of Fair & Lovely?. Watson would surely agree on this the Africans could use some cream and get bit of IQ. Champu Khan may start his campaign with Nelson Mandela, present a carton of ‘Mardhon wali cream’. Any marketers dream come true photo op, social concern conveyed!!. Kab thak chup chup ke Mandelaji !!.

It is shocking that racism is practiced so blatantly in this part of the world, that it is part of psyche of majority of people particularly in the elite section. So much so racism issues encountered in West looks like a joke to most of us (Pawar included). Packing Gandhi to Western requirement does not make Indians civilized. When elected leaders also play the tune of marketers it seals the deal!. This blogger strongly demands Racist products be banned and any expressions of these not allowed in public space. If West has time to focus on Indian society they will see this region as the most racist of any group of people, non violently though!!. We don’t chase and bludgeon dark skinned people we present them Fair & Lovely, it is the Gandhian way!!. It is also our culture. We also live quite happily occasionally excited by leaf growing out of a child’s ear. The freak show is on, Honcho is counting, the world is invited!!.

Amazing win by Gobelin in Pune derby

Gobelin guided by Master Jockey Appu wins Pune Derby against all fancied horses in the field. It was an incredible race to watch, from being at dead last to win by almost three lengths in last 500ms (check video).

I have been to Pune Race course when I was school, also we used to watch races from the road behind the race course leading to AFMC where few of us classmates used to go for tuitions in our cycles…sometimes we got late because of it!!. My association with horses happened quite early, Pune is the place where I used to go for Horse riding early mornings, sometimes instead of regular ground we used to trot along the lanes, that was real fun (when Col. Rao was around he used to initiate these, he was cool fellow but very strict). Sometimes I used to carry jaggery in my pocket to feed the horse. My favourite horse used to be Anarkali, a mare. I used to so much like her that classmates got tired and some started to call me anarkali, that is how they stopped me!!. I used to spend lots of time reading about horses.

Jaipur also had a substantial presence of horses but I was bit too small, my neighbors boy was really into it (I suspect they have a horse now…Major BP Singh’s horses do run at Mumbai-Pune circuit). I went with him few times and watched from the sideline. I also got into riding in Transit camp Madras, but the ground was rough and dangerous.

Horses are amazing animals and its great fun to watch them galloping.

Tribute to pavement booksellers

I have always suggested that one should buy books from pavement vendors. They sell second hand books as also books that are photocopies of popular, bestsellers. It is always a good bargain. I hold the view that once the books are sold enough it can be photo stated, the authors have already got the money and the publishers shouldn’t be allowed to make too much money from what is not because of their talent. Some of these suckers have made more than enough money. Most market driven publishing firms (at least the one’s that have shops in India) don’t even have any literary sensibilities, so yes they should be allowed to make what is due but beyond that it needs to go to the guys at the pavement. In many cases these people on the streets have been selling books for decades and have much knowledge about literary merit of a book or author. This blogger has mostly bought books from the pavements or second hand shacks whether in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai Kolkota….you name it!!. Many of these sellers (particularly the old timers) have astounding knowledge of books. I recall distinctly the man at Nehru Place pavement in Delhi who also dabbled in portrait sketching to pass time. I used to take his suggestions seriously. Poor fellow many a times had to pack and vanish because of ‘municipality walleh’.

Buying new books nowadays is an investment, most costing not less than 300 odd rupees (they are now in dollars and pounds!!). So I have to be convinced before I venture. In last two years or so I have bought only two odds books from bookstalls one was very recent (The Islamist-500 odd Rs is quite costly!!) another was on Horse racing the one I just couldn’t get from pavement despite some frantic search. Next would be Naipaul as and when it is out, one may not agree with some of his views but he is brilliant, and makes me think (even in the areas one may not agree there is an element… some disturbing hints of truth), that is an incentive enough to buy.

Actually I am quite ambivalent when shelling out money for new books, for some precious moments I do entertain the idea of putting the money on horse!! (the reason probably I haven’t bought too many new books recently!!. Further reading on the Net is absolutely fantastic). Putting it on winner Colt or Filly is not a bad idea, though!

This blogger strongly suggests readers to buy books from pavements, it is cheap, you can bargain and yes you may end up stumbling upon something rare!. Long live second hand book sellers!!

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Please visit http://burmamyanmargenocide.blogspot.com/and vote for "How can we remove tyrant government of Burma (Myanmar)?" from the options (almost 60% of people have voted for "Send in UN troops and hold elections").

Below is the Picture of Japanese Journalist being killed cold blooded by Brutal Junta of Burma, although the dictators deny but hundreds of people are being detained and killed in this country. Shame on Indian government for dealing with this regime (yah sure Gandhian!!). If China doesn't take action now Boycott Beijing Olympics.

To bring down ruthless dictators of Burma boycott …

People of Burma (Myanmar) are being ruthlessly oppressed for about two decade now. It is therefore not surprising that the recent popular and peaceful uprising against the junta has been brutally dealt. According to the reports emerging from this unfortunate country- clandestinely available on Net, thousands of people are illegally detained, killed or seriously assaulted. Dictators are also quoted saying yesterday that Aung Sang Suu Kyi ‘should not pursue confrontation’! The fact that she has been in house arrest for a decade, the fact that democracy has been cruelly suppressed is a coincidence!. Burma junta is a shame on humanity. The international community need to intervene and sought out this problem. If UN cannot do anything here then its credibility in handling such crisis is questioned. It is paving way for violent societies.

Propriety or rightness should predominate strategic interest, ideally. While India did some Gandhian talk in UN about non violence in the sidelines they were negotiating with Burma!!. Diplomacy almost always lack sensitivity to reality, propriety. It is a kind of custom meant for media, the smile, shaking hands, so on. This meeting was ‘strategic’ I am told. To help us people. Most of the ministers (and babus) who are desperately trying to help us Indians have spend almost all their life in few Kms of Delhi is also not a coincidence.

The concerns of Indians are not entirely unfounded since the border with Burma is a very sensitive and vulnerable region. Also China it seems is having a march over India in this region. The ‘balancing act’ by India has more to do with these realities. Of course that doesn’t take Indians out of blame.

The Dictators of Burma get their support from China is not rocket science. China has been sustaining these dictators for more than a decade or so for its ‘strategic interest’ is very clear (the kind of things ‘leaders’ do for people is astounding!!). China in recent months is trying to show its best behavior to international community since it is hosting Olympics. So it doesn’t want to be seen on wrong foot. It has rectified its stands in Darfur after coercion (not the least by Spielberg). Precisely that is how Junta in Burma could be brought down. If China doesn’t act now then the Olympics are in peril. Ideally sports should be kept away from politics but we are not living in ideal world. This suggestion might seem a bit hyperbolic but 18 years of brutality is too long a period. It is time to think in terms of boycotting Beijing Olympics.

Protest killings by Dictators in Burma

Killer Junta of Burma

Building Developments (a poem and some reality!!)

Building Developments

Munching pieces of sky
swallowing land from deep
it grows and grows
into symbols of development
of prosperity.

Evicting a fondness
scratching some memories,
exposed to alien sights, new sounds,
a cry muffles itself
desperately seeking solace
and cling
in my thought
in stray recollections
and stranger I get
stranger I get…

I would be the last person to be against development and prosperity. A prosperous society gives people more comfort. But I really am very confused about what really ‘development’ means. I always had dislike for big buildings but I guess lack of space will lead to vertical growth, multistoried buildings/flats are inevitable. However the mindset that dominates the designs of these buildings is appalling, if not unethical. The glasshouses will suck more electricity, heat the surroundings and eventually burdens society, wonder why the government has not come with any building guidelines (or is it part of ‘freedom of expression’ or keep the govt out (you know the groovy world of self regulation: the latest fad?!). These buildings are sickening sight. At a level it smacks of arrogance in rejecting traditional wisdom. Implanting designs from Las Vegas or Dubai is not my idea of smartness. The problem here is that the foolishness of these people has started to affect us common people, more significantly the very existence of our planet. So when they talk of ‘energy security’ they need to focus on consumption pattern also, rather than only production increase.

These buildings are also responsible for quarrying for sand, causing untold miseries to the vulnerable local population as also leading to environmental catastrophe in and around these areas of ‘development’. It is shocking they are able to innovate buildings to take care of all needs, comfort and luxury but the basic ingredients still remains sand, gravel….that are obtained by plundering surrounding. Why are there no technological substitution for these?. Isn’t it time some brilliant guys invent a substitute for sand and mass produce it? For the astounding constructions happening in metros, sand mining is done in outskirts, from ponds and river beds (even soil is used as substitute). There is an environmental catastrophe unfolding here. Some excerpts from Net:

Sand mining is a disaster happening on colossal scale. With Many rivers are vanishing because of sand mining. Ground water tables plummet, resulting in scarcity of drinking water. Water scarcity is more severe in rural areas as illegal mining creates ecological imbalance. Every year, thousands of cubic metres of sand is removed from the riverbeds. Due to endless sand mining, the depth of the rivers enhances and the mud walls on either side collapse posing a major threat to nearby houses and farms. Trees on the banks are also uprooted. The absence of sand on the riverbed affects the velocity of the water flow, making it violent during monsoons. Saline water also enters the river easily, especially in summer. Lowering of water table has accelerated the intrusion of saline seawater into the main river. Uncontrolled sand mining has damaged the river's ecosystem as well, destroying the habitats of organisms living on the riverbed. Fish breeding and migration - the fish move between marine and freshwater habitats during spawning - have been affected because of sand mining and the check dams constructed on the river. The river is also a source of food for many bird species such as egrets, storks, terns and sandpipers. Sand mining has put a question mark over their very survival. Worse still, species seen in the sea are moving up, and this indicates more saline water in the river. (Inputs from indiatogether.com)

Further, is opening of huge buildings housing jewellery shops or retail shops (bigger and uglier) really development as we see in many of small towns ??. Hopefully there will be concrete/sustainable development in terms of meaningful, gainful employment. So that youngsters don’t have to migrate to different cities and live in appalling and alienating surroundings.

At personal level I haven’t seen the kind of growth in multistoried (and demolishing of old building) building that has been happening for last 5-6years, it is astonishing. Change is inevitable but when certain places ensconce so many fond memories there is also certain wariness, a pain that cannot really be quantified. There is a sense of loss. Mind looks out for reference point/ familiarity, which is what memories provides this loss breaks that bond.

So where really is your home??

The sage says: Your home is where your mind is.
And what happens when the mind start to loose, the links…?
The answer:….(silence)
Aha !!!. Now I get it. Did you hear that snap of fingers?!!.

Alternative scene (practical): Game of chess (apologies to Ingmar Bergman!!. He was brilliant wasn’t he??)

Asks Death: what’s your next move
Human: (doesn’t answer, is wistful, not apprehensive)
Death: You know you can’t win this game.
Human: (finally he can smile)
Death (taken aback): That is unfair you know the end (screams and vanishes)

Human triumphs !!.

An attempt on Religion, Art and Abstraction

Secularism is an important understanding. This blogger is a great admirer of Indian understanding of secularism that is each religion is a way of understanding and reaching God. I am quite a skeptic of western secularism which tends to draw a line between faith and everything else, reducing religion to isolation or ridiculed into irrational or superstition. It is not at all surprising since in West religion has had history of atrocities on secular activities- the ‘dark ages’ wherein anything that contradicted the religion were prosecuted. Since religion in West did intrude/contradicted the secular, the rational, Renaissance (to some extend even Protestants) was a reaction, an outburst for individuality, an attempt to claim public space, assertion of freedom of expression. Secularism therefore was an attempt to keep religion away from public space. Further as a reaction it became acceptable to ridicule or lampoon religious symbols taken to extreme in the name of freedom of expression.

This idea or practice of secularism maybe acceptable in West since it follows their narration but to apply that to other societies is flawed. This alien understanding can be a cause of discontent. Of course there definitely are universal elements like on Truth as also criticizing inhuman practices, upholding sacredness of individual rights which can be trampled even by religion that has no reference point to west (followers of Hinduism did heinous crimes is on record but the religion as such was open to experimentation on ideas and thinking). The Western understanding of secularism does have some of the positives that need to be cherished.

Freedom of Expression defines civilized society. Every individual should have the right to explore life to his/her potential (here it needs to be pointed out that every individual is creative in their own way and that creativity is not confined to certain occupations, to get precedence). Any hindrance to this is curtailing of human rights. However since we live in society it has to work in context, there is a need to strike balance particularly when it is the question of faith. All faith (crystallized as Religion) works at two level: One is symbols that are holy scriptures, places of worships, images of god/holy figures and so on that are venerated. Second is the level that transcends these, spiritual- to put it in words, where one understands meanings beyond these symbols, have an enlightened encompassing faith and so world view. The intention of all religions and great saints is to take humans to this level of understanding. It is a path, it is a process that is very individual. Even in collective participation the change has to be from within.

However despite these egalitarian intentions of Religion most people find it difficult to take the path, it maybe due to various factors most prominent being getting into the rut of occupations to survive. Therefore except minuscule percentage of people most very strongly associate with symbols and therefore cause of strife if stifled with. Taking the specific instance of painters (artists who seems to have monopoly over creativity!!) since they have been in controversy in recent times it need be stressed that an evolved artist will have an empathic understanding of predicaments of people vis a vis faith. Therefore he/she will respect the images that are revered by common people. Further if the intention is to explore ideas, truth and so on then an evolved artist (necessarily an evolved individual) will be subtle. It will be more abstract involvement. Contrast this with arrogance of our time and the attempt to teach ‘freedom for expression’. The world has become very complicated and artists (as also common people who are artists in their own way!!) needs to understand the context in which they function, it is not limitation but challenge.

What we see now is crasser version with specific aim to be controversial and benefits from spin off. We live in morass of the time with market force influence as also media. Catching the public space by whatever means has become an in all (most artists-painters I know at personal level were scoundrels to say the least, so the egalitarians versions of people associated with art is definitely not true nor are they progenies of renaissance). The media for their own reasons will not explore this but most people are very antagonistic about the way market has encroached into their life. So when it comes to Gods they revere it can go out of hand. As a reaction people have become quite vicious in their response which is manipulated by political party and media. Whatever maybe the reason for difference to call for killing someone for transgression is heinous and cause of worry. Hooligans are nobody to decide and should have no space in civilized world.

Coming to Hindu Gods/Goddesses the pictures have a context and stories (some local some mainstream) which most Hindus are aware of. So it is not open for anyone to work on, you are treading on serious repercussion here. Private involvement with God need remain private, the different depiction they are quoting was not meant for market consumption. There is a stampede going on to make private public, and seen as some kind of achievement, maybe but Gods or religious symbols are not private; it is shared by millions of people at a very intimate level. You are taking things out of context for market which will not be tolerated by most people. Also understand we are living in a world of TRPs and political parties so sometimes minor issue can get exploded. Who gets benefits from these controversies need be studied, secular fundamentalists cannot be ruled out.

If people are worked up too much in their arrogance they can very well start their own religion!!. But the symbols revered by millions of people cannot be vandalized, Danish cartoons are unacceptable. Art is subtler form of life. Freedom for expression is not a license for playing with faith and belief of common people and whatever little they have left to revere (one need to understand their insecurities and predicaments in life). This blogger request the Government to have stricter laws in matter of religious symbols/ holy texts of all religion like the one associated with nation state- flag and so on. Western narrations cannot work in this part of the world nor their understanding of secularism that some have got tutored having spent most time in that part of the world and now want to teach us, the arrogance is astounding. It is not about morality but contemporary need. It is not about freezing life but exploring its intricacies and challenges. Evolving is about abstraction and not borrowing images revered by millions as part of faith, soul. Maybe when everyone is enlightened then significance of symbols/God will be understood. Also maybe then there will be realization that life is more abstract; there is less to explore in religious symbols. People have much serious problems that need to be addressed. Mischief is win-win for certain section but for common people it is another burden they can do without.
Post script: I came across these lines in The Kite Runner ‘When you tell a lie, you steal someone’s right to truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness’. How could anyone ever miss a book that has such incredible lines?

Why we should read ‘The Islamist’, and some personal recollections

‘The Islamist’ is a path breaking book in many ways. It is one of those rare books that have become generic reference to Islamic fundamentalism: Islamist is now a reference to far right in Islam. ‘The Islamist’ is a candid insight into contemporary mindset that breeds fundamentalism, in specific reference to follies of Britain that unfortunately impacts the world- more to this subcontinent because of embryonic ties of the elite. It is an autobiographical journey of young man Ed Husain (Ed since he found in his journey to understand Islam- in Damascus, that Mohammad ‘was an honored name reserved to Prophet, and not to be used in vain’), he traveled right through slush of fundamentalism and radicalism into world of enlightenment and understanding. It is compelling story, a life worth knowing. Each word he writes exudes his experience, his search that I find so very riveting. To some extend it is a study on contemporary world, although richer societies but it rings in here too. Further it is beyond proof that Britain is a breeding ground radical elements, a launch pad. The humane concern of ‘The Islamist’ is what transcends boundaries.

There are many things he writes that I also identify with strongly (as most of you will). Although I had not much to do with far right but in college had brush with Communism (peripheral level at JNU) . There is no difference between ideology based organized groups whether Religion or Marxism initiated, that uproot from sorroundings. So I do identify the initial fervor Ed experienced as ‘brother’ (replace that with ‘comrade’ or sagav). To escape ragging in first year of college I started to hang around with ‘comrades’ whom nobody touched. The very first month I was locked up in toilet –in the lodge next to the college since most first years don’t get hostels, and asked to draw the top view, side view of the closet…which they found to be appropriate dimensions after few hours, this ‘mild’ form of ragging took serious abuse to some whom I knew so I immediately took refuge under comrades who had a very strong presence in the college, many stayed nearby. I started to drop into their meetings and listen to discussions; they discussed ‘imperialistic forces’ to policies of state government- grand thoughts, in Malayalam it sounded grander!! Unlike Ed I thankfully didn’t submerge into these groups. I had other circles wherein we went to kovalam and other beaches and did lots of crap still not clear whether good or bad but I had a yen for foreigners those days (‘hey saippu where you from?!!”). Comrades were quite serious and focused people. They did serious planning like thinking up the slogans, going to the college at night and pasting posters that I also took part few times. At one level I found them quite admirable beyond a point very boring!!. Those days college atmosphere had become quite tense due to fight between parties very much supported by outside elements the main being SFI (the student group of Left) and ABVP (the hindu wing). There were night attacks on hostels with knifes, reported quite prominently in news papers even the CM that time E.K. Nayanar visited our Hostel (I liked that man very much, he had great sense of humor) and asked for calm. We like minded students I recall went around the college with guitars and so on singing Lennon’s ‘all we are saying give peace a chance’!!!. Never heard that song before but took liking to it immediately (Lijo-I recall, who headed the band considered himself a ‘born again’. Most ‘born again’ compulsorily had guitars!!). My association with comrades came to an abrupt end when they broke and stamped the image of Goddess Saraswathi that ABVP had put for some function. Saraswathi is Goddess I favored and prayed since childhood (half an hour daily in the evening), albeit I rebelled out as a teenager and rarely went to temple except on some auspicious days but treating Goddess you have somewhere in mind with such appalling manner can hurt deeply. Hence forth I had nothing to do with comrades (Hanish Mohammad though was an exception, nice guy he was and I did vote for him for college chairperson, he now is a senior bureaucrat is heartening). I agree with Ed when he uses the word ‘secular fundamentalists’, these people can be very damaging, they live out of religion fundamentalism, they get their identity from these so in certain way keep radical elements alive by instigations and hyperbolic reactions. Market forces have emboldened them recently.

I also identify with Ed’s revelation through Sufi in particular Rumi. Rumi (Sufism) at one time I read everything about. He was amazing. There is an unfortunate incident that I would like to relate here. Iranian cultural centre had organized a talk on Rumi for which I went with lots of expectation and excitement. Everything went fine till one Indian muslim (fundamentalist to core) objected to the translation of a verse wherein ‘guru’ was used. He said that was Hindu word, the Iranian tried to explain that it is as good as English and we need to get to the essence of the word and verse but the Indian was adamant and stalled the event for sometime, I left very disheartened. Rumi is beyond all this crap.

Amartya Sen’s writing on ‘more to identity than religion’ Ed experiences in Syria. At one stage he is exasperated “….. such questions of ‘origin’ infuriated me. I would argue that the millions of Syrians from coastal regions crossing into Lebanon could not possibly claim to be ‘Arab’. They were a conquered people. If they could become Arab by virtue of speaking Arabic, rejecting their Phoenician heritage, and accepting islam, then I was British by virtue of birth, upbringing…..” . Later there is a reference to ‘Turkish occupation of Syria’ which Syria resents even today.

I always used to wonder on British giving asylum to known terrorists in 1980s and 1990s, my conclusion was ‘arrogance and chickens came home to roost’ but Ed enlightens through one Bernie “…allowing Omar to stay in Britain will give them a good start, a diplomatic advantage, when they have to deal with Islamic state. Having Omar serves them well in future. M15 know exactly what we are doing, what we are about, and they have given green signal to operate in Britain”. Now that is interesting!!. I never underestimated deviousness of British elite, it is about packaging as 'multiculture'/'freedom of expression'!!

‘The Islamist’ is an important book of the time in which we live. It is a strongly suggested book, this blogger hopes it will be translated in as many languages as possible. Ed’s life need to be read. Albeit I am not much of a British admirer nor I agree with lines like ‘Saddam Hussein effectively invited the US army to invade Iraq by playing cat-and-mouse games with UN arms inspectors”. Despite these small differences this book is a book of hope and sanity in an increasingly radicalizing world.

The Kite Runner of Khaled Hossieni is another book I read recently (The fact that both these books are from Islamic world is quite a coincidence and not an attempt on ‘secularism’!!. Don’t make me cringe!!). The Kite Runner is a quite a warm story written in first person on the events in Afghanistan. The demise of Afghan society is narrated in all its poignancy. I rather enjoyed reading about kites, kids running to catch fallen kites hence the name of the book ‘kite runner’. The story too ends with flying kites in USA and hopes for a new beginning. It is a good book, I don’t like nitpicking but how will a kid who has all his life lived in most depraved condition in Taliban Afghanistan know about usage of napkins in the first few instance!! “…some of it dripped from the corner of my lips. Sohrab handed me a napkin and watch me dab at my lips…”(page 280). I am pointing out since as a reader it was jarring out- western sensibilities, not a big deal though and I could be wrong!.

The Kite Runner is a great book I liked it very much, although the reason I bought was the cover -the kid and the title. It reminded me of my childhood (I even had that type of T shirt and white PT shoes, just about that age!!). In Jaipur kite flying was one big event. For three years I was really really into kite flying while schooling in Jaipur. Makker Sankranthi is the day to be in jaipur. They even had lamp kites for night!!. We used to call our principal in school ‘chand dhara’ which was name of a kite, the fellow was bald and nasty!!(name of kite varied according to design). Running for katti pathang was another major occupation. Many of language usage in here centered around kite flying like if somebody said something you don’t believe then we say ‘deel deel’ and make action of charkha in hand and so on. I was reminded of words that I had long past lost (some similar to afghani): dori, manja, kanni….and most importantly the excitement of woh katiya hai….the anthem, the unparalleled victory song!!. Three years in Jaipur was like a dream for any kid.

The Kite Runner I would strongly recommend. I bought it from the pavement for 50Rs and I suggest you too.