A remarkable man...

Andre Beteille’s day out

This blogger had the fortune (in certain way misfortune!!) to listen to Andre Beteille, one of the leading sociologist in the country. Intellectuals in power seeking alleys of Delhi live in allusion of grandeur surrounded by competing sycophants, untroubled by appraising eyes, but then “what is excluded doesn’t disappear but always return to unsettle every construction, no matter how secure it seems”  (Derrida).  
 

Mr.Beteille seems like an unabashed follower of MN Srinivas, from this perch Sanskritisation is a stellar view. A question was asked by a young lad on a contrarian stream –essentially subaltern in strictly hierarchical Indian pantheon– Palisation/Dalitisation (recently put forth by Kanchan Illiah). There was a gasp from the audience, irritation writ heavily on somber faces that has learned to live on taxpayer’s money (indeed Nehru library talks are costly affair -adding the value of property and historicity). To be fair Beteille seemed unperturbed even managed a sly “I was expecting it”. That “the sociologist is only being objective” is valiant effort on hiding an elephant in the room. That it adds to skewed narration makes it vulgar. 

In his long talk on MN –almost a eulogy– he also mentioned how MN’s english skills attracted the British. Aha. Indeed Beteille on being asked about importance of field research did say, apart from other things “...on away from mother and wife…”. The question was asked to a sociologist by an aspirant (this context has to be emphasized), if this is objectivity by ‘leading sociologist’ then god save us. What about “father and husband”? Clearly he was not able to dissociate himself while answering. Objective analysis has embedded subjectivities, we live with ‘multiple identities’ (Amartya Sen). That MN Srinivas, indeed any social researcher, was uniquely qualified to be objective, therefore sanskritisation is objective is gibberish. When most theorist/intellectuals come from one section of society these prejudices gets reiterated. Indeed Indian sociology seems to work on these frameworks. If Sanskritisation makes sense then Palisation should very well make sense, it is a new entrant, since for so long, there was no one to see the world from this reality, the very reason why Sankritisation got so much credence, though the theory essentially is reflection of MN Srinivas’s background that is sought to be generalized (in this context Westernisation is a tribute to masters). 

Sociologists, particularly from Indian reality that too in the beginning of the 20th century, are difficult to be objective. It isn’t possible. Sociology is not a science, despite the tools employed and intentions. Ultimately subjective reality does come in when one seeks to analyze empirical evidences and judge society. Therefore it is important for different understandings to exist. Palisation should find mention in texts, indeed there need further study on this. Prima facie there is substance to it and should be encouraged. Otherwise it is monopolization of reality.            

     

It is the Indian corporate that gives it a junk status

Recently the government tried to see that the corporate spend some money (atleast marginal) on CSR. It is not too much to ask. Barring some corporates and establishments there is not much concern for common people or degrading environment. Indeed Indian corporates are notorious for their lack of giving back to the society. We have to look towards the West for examples.  Indeed the business of business is business but then as one earns more it is expected that you give some, you contribute for cause and concerns that plagues this rather impoverished society.  

It is unfortunate that the corporate too fall into neo-brahminical framework and fails to take responsibility. Indeed they tend to be exploitative of not only the workers but the nature; they bring in the worst kind of business ethics (ofcourse there are exceptions…we here are discussing majority).  The soul seems to be coming from the ‘traditional shops’ that tend to treat workers are slaves. I was at the famous shops in paratta wali gali the other day. It is the worst that has to offer. Unhygienic surrounding, exploited waiters and workers in dirty cloths, wholly unhealthy food. It is a sad sight. The saddest part is that these don’t require much expense, indeed empathy is least costly. It needs attitudinal change, unfortunately though the neo-brahminical reference adding to profit driven nature of professionalism makes it difficult. They have Nehru’s picture of him eating in the shop. Well the historians will point to many mistakes of Nehru, eating at Paratta wali gali is one. Shops/Business establishments like these are existing for ages (prachin as they claim) in most cases are not because of any unique expertise, just that during those days majority of people were not in a position to open establishments/hotels, only miniscule section were allowed. It is interesting to note that from this miniscule section we have this tradition of “pure vegetarian” breed. I never could understand the difference between “pure vegetarian” and “vegetarian”. The difference I realize is where the mediocrity peeps in as tradition. This is the tradition that the Corporate has acquired as its soul.

With rare exceptions the traditional businesses meet the modern professionalism on these parameters. The soul is exploitative and lacks empathy. It seems to conduct business as entitlement. While half of children in this country die of malnutrition the traditional elite still encourage wonderful concept of pouring milk/butter on statues! I cannot blame the common people, these rituals and believes that supports were created by the traditional elites. It needs one to be uniquely cruel to be part of this (probably why, disgusting American profligacy is emulated and celebrated, the spin is liberal values). This is a minor example from a framework that worked to create exclusivity and traditional claims, creating an amazingly mediocre society that thrived on disconnecting itself from existential problems of the people. Consider that Mundaka Upanishad was trying to bring transient nature of life (which is true) but in the process unfortunately classified knowledge of empirical world as lower knowledge –apara vidya, this idea when met the mediocre nature of society had regrettable outcome. For centuries this became basis for discourse, attitude, therefore inaction, as society slipped into morass.  

    

This then is how we should understand the aspirational soul of Indian corporate. Empathy can only come when the achievement is not because of privilege but talent. Talent here needs to emerge from concern, that is the nucleus of innovation. That really is competence.

    

It is indeed matter of shame that India lacks majorly on investment in R&D. The lack of concern for innovation is therefore clearly a neo-brahminical framework. Further it also shows lack of commitment on the part of the policy makers to encourage originality in solving unique problems facing the country (wonder why the top policy makers had their training in World Bank!!). Though one of the largest economy (that clearly is because of population) India’s investment in R&D is only 1.03% of GDP, this has a strong bearing on the competitiveness.  As expected, in the ranking of competitiveness India ranked 49th out of 130 countries. China’s rank on this index is 30^th (improved from 34^th rank in 2007-08), whereas India slipped to the present position from 48^th rank in 2007-08. Also note India’s share of total global R&D spending is 3.7% while China’s is 17.9 (Japan 12.4).

Corporate R&D is the driver of R&D investment and is the incubation point for innovations. But almost 75% of R&D investment in India comes from government, while the industry accounts for only about 23%. In countries like Japan and S.Korea it is other way round –75% is contributed by corporates. It need indeed be noted that even emerging economies like Brazil has about 40% contribution from corporate. Not surprisingly according to patents granted India’s position is very weak in comparison with other emerging economies of Asian origin e.g. Taiwan, Korea, and China. India stood at 39^th rank in the world as far as the value of high tech exports is concerned. The US is on top of the world followed by China at number two and Germany at number three. But when high tech exports are calculated as proportion of the total manufacturing export, India has even lower rank at number 54.

Considering above fact isn’t it right to say that India is already in a junk status thanks to its incompetent Corporates?  We are, or is it we were, in the reckoning because of large population that is a potential consumer/customer for imported goods/technology, in effect making other economies gain. We get the crumbs, large crumbs gives us large business and illusion of grandeur. Secondly, the land mass has much value (indeed more than humans) the rich natural resources are exploited to fill up the coffer, most millionaires and billionaires are from this section. Thus some people make huge amount of money exploiting natural resources while smarter people in Japan and Korea make value out of these raw materials –the difference between feudal and equitable society, between entitlement and empathy. As innovation is connected to people the concerns get translated into CSR related activities. As exploiting natural resources and accessing is part of good fortune, corruption and nepotism, therefore huge gifts to temples (like say, Bellary brothers), propitiating, thus crudeness and apathy. The neo-brahminical reference celebrates crony capitalism as favorable luck that surely is outcome of past karma, therefore ordained, therefore not much of a concern and should be seen as normal part of social transactions.

Prosecute judges not Tytler

Another sterling example of nonsense called judicial system in India. It is a joke that after almost 30 years (try believing that!!), when thousands of people were massacred in the streets of capital city of India, the scoundrels have again found that there is a case against Mister Tytler. Really that surely is news to us. We are excited.

The judges have become a system onto themselves, indeed even after retirement they continue sucking by getting into some commissions with never ending time frame, it is also clear that they succumb to political pressure.  Mylords have a charming life while people suffer in one of the callous archaic judicial system that seems to be maintained as a tribute to colonialism. In the meanwhile their genes get into Harvard and Oxford or other pretentious places/profiles and emerge as foot soldiers of freedom of expression and harbinger of liberal thoughts. These ofcourse we know by now are cleverly placed euphemism for market friendly world. Americans have made it a beautifully inter changeable world. Indeed they are so viscously predating through TV channels that increasing sections of Indians have their souls permanently in US of A, they have seceded. There are too many white men, too much red meat, baking and guns….It is the easiest capitulation that has happened. So much so the West doesn’t really have much respect for Indians, we are easy suckers.

In the meanwhile, as Indians surf TV channels imbibing American garbage, the elite as is the tradition have abdicated their responsibility. Indeed they have taken up the role akin to brown sahibs they performed so well for many centuries under colonial rule. They are now facilitators, investor friendly you may, service industry you can. National political parties like Congress and BJP are easily controlled therefore our immediate redemption would be smaller parties -the chaos, is our only option that will delay this. In the last few decades markets tentacles have become firm. It is no wonder market media is carefully playing Congress Vs BJP; it is a narration that helps. It is a perfect American/British model that helps the Indian elite to be an alibi for West. They call it development, the reality being everything and anything is degraded, while the material benefits accrued by few. The obvious literal implication is that the land is cut and exported. No wonders we have so many, indeed most, millionaires and billionaires who haven’t ever heard terms like innovations or R&D (Corporate R&D investment in India  is one of the lowest in the world). Knowledge is reduced to an equipment that help suck, unlike era of colonialism things have become sophisticated. Some people call it neo-colonialism.      

      

In context of things Indian judiciary is only extending tradition of mediocrity that comes embellished with qualities of general apathy and complete lack of empathy.  Only economists seem to have the amazing ability to stare at this and rue the decreasing GDP.   

  

Condolence: Chinua Achebe was a great writer and humanist

Toothbrush as a metaphor for development

You may wonder what has humble thing like toothbrush got to do anything remotely with development. The other day morning I was staring at my toothpaste, the second one in as many months wondering why these are getting substandard. It is a branded product, not the Chinese one I fell for some time back that was of such poor quality. Recall few decades back when toothbrush used to last for months, and now they don’t even work for few weeks.  Toothbrush is a fast moving consumer good (marketing dudes call it FMCG, for many their life is hinged on it…they also do their MBAs from fancy colleges and paid in lakhs for selling these…amazing conceptions).  So the more you sell more profit. It does make sense therefore that you produce product of mediocre quality, not really poor quality –and that is where the catch is. Poor quality is easily distinguishable; mediocre is carefully placed in the realm of perception. It is opium of market compliance masked in rhetoric of democracy and freedom. Introducing subjectivity in discourse is also how toothbrush very easily busts the concept of competition leading to excellence. It points to a construct that offer minimal incentive to excellence/quality. That is the nature of what is catered for mass consumption. It is the law of averages, literally. I also realized these when I am dealing with organizations (you may also refer it Corporate). There is overwhelming mediocrity. Clearly in a society with so much disparity, feudalism finds its deal through monopolies that thrive/profit on mediocrity. I realized that managers are euphemism for henchmen who are to ‘deal’ with the situation. Opportunity for ‘networking’ is the most prominent reason many young people have for studying management. Youth power ye!! Indeed the recent protests by youth in Delhi were very much ensconced in the narration of violence. Networking comes with a price tag. It needs investment. It’s a wink and nudge work or is it the other way round?!

Precisely how the system aggregates while they stridently defend merit (I must add, quite vocal…that too is not surprising in a society that really haven’t had much value for subtleties). Merit therefore becomes a tool in reinforcement of feudal narration. It is reassertion of contexts that deny equality of opportunity. Not surprisingly despite rhetoric on undying allegiance to egalitarianism (et al through quickfix freedom of expressions…) democratic references ironically are creating barriers as is co opted by sections that has firmly put premium on degrading western lifestyle as modernity. Charmingly this too hinged on restricted accessibility and exclusivity (therefore meritorious), again reinforced by market that sees opportunity to weave pointers for social mobility (ditto like golf). Primary education therefore is about craving for English while success through higher education on the English nuanced skills (some even dare to call it personality) as the society pushes itself into the trench, these then are coded as parameters for Industry. From this pit GDP becomes debating point for stellar performance.  

That the demand for toothbrush will fuel profit is taken but what it hides is misery for people. It is cheating, though one may argue that product did work. How long is subjective! In these arguments and debates we justify mediocrity, much serious is unethical conduct. The limited resources and immediate concerns of impact on environment get relegated. I have never been fan of likes of Berlasconis but they make sense about the nature of business. Not denying that Berlasconi himself is part of flawed system. Italy also is quite a corrupt country. Corruption by rich is insidious; it causes lots of misery for common people. God damn. Here I am looking at the toothbrush wondering whether it is for brushing or chewing!! But then why to worry the ‘fundamentals are in place’!!

           

It gets eclectic at Surajkund mela

it always fun to be at Surajkund Mela...some pictures...some thoughts..

Some brutalization conveniently forgotten…

…there is flagrant brutalizing of nature going on with impunity…amazingly packed as growth indicator!!

Mediocre society celebrates uncouth references

Entertainment is important in any society, and I must admit barring some really miniscule percentage Indian society is amazingly mediocre and uncouth. One may call it freedom of expression but these constantly live in the muck and rarely dwell in finesse. Loud and obnoxious be, how we express and classify ‘our culture’ and get away with it. This generalizing is not out of context, the popular references are amazingly horrible. It really is quite difficult to have entertainment, unless ofcourse you keep your mind somewhere, and that is precisely what they suggest. But what is mindless entertainment? How that can be entertainment? Indeed even humor needs to have some sense!! I used to find it extremely difficult to watch Indian entertainment/movies in my 20s, when you understand the socio-cultural context. It really is quite obnoxious. The traditional has brahminical references that put you off while the popular chauvinistic, blatantly crude.

Dance is an amazing art form that celebrates life, it is firmly part of collective conscience with myriad forms like classical, folk, tribal so on indeed we even have an ancient treatise (Natyashastra- treatise on performing art, about 200BC), it may have been limiting but surely attempted to define aesthetics. What was once space of expression and integral part of celebration and joy is now reduced to crudeness, and means of fast money with minimum effort. “Bollywood dance” is another celebration of mediocrity. Every function has celebrities dancing, now they even have shows of celebrity dancing. It is as if their presence is not awesome enough they now have to show some amazing bad dancing to make it a double whammy on mediocrity. This is emulated by people around, and they keep inventing cruder steps. It is rarely nuanced nor an attempt to understand the wonder of body and possibility of sculpting with the rhythm or discipline. This is dressed up macaques in primal energy, unison seems standard of achievement, this is their effort!! David Cameron (British PM) was right on the aftermath of Olympics. This is waste. High forms of art, like sport, need discipline, dedication and move towards aesthetics that defines achievement. “Bollywood dance” with rare exception is crudeness personified to ridiculous. Free spirit i.e. against moral puritanism and chauvinism isn’t an excuse for degradation. Minimum parameter for adherence to decency must be followed, or else enforced.  

        

Not denying that there are scenes in movies that are endearing and songs enchanting but one has to go through so much muck!! On the other spectrum is so called art movie (where crude woman gestate!!). I have watched enough film festivals…at one point travelled across the country to catch up with film festivals, and have exposed myself to the work of great master from Japanese to Iranians (French is overrated…Godard was omg when you see in the beginning…it is complete deconstruction. I recall being amazingly excited when I first saw his work but very soon you know he is getting repetitive, and we really are staring into nothing!!). It is when you watch brilliant that you know the so called Indian ‘art movies’ are amazingly mediocre and pretentious. They seem to suffer from delusion of self importance, and constantly criticize popular as means of self justification. Precisely that is what they are: Mediocre. It is no wonder nobody watches them and quite rightly at international level are ignored. It is not at all surprising that Indian culture –in all forms of art and aesthetics, presence at international scene is insignificant as it is elite driven. It is different matter that some have utilized these to manipulate national awards, get credibility and made a business out of conscience. Incidentally mediocrity is lack of aesthetics, and that itself is breach on conscience. Surely subtlety is never a concern when there is so much to grab! 

Despite overwhelming mediocrity whether its obnoxiously popular or pretentious art, Indians do favour excellence whenever it comes their way. There are few movies that I happen to see on TV in last few months: like for instance Paan Singh Tomar, an excellent movie (Irfan Khan was a class act), as also English Vinglish (Wow Ms. Sridevi wow!!) it’s an amazing debut movie by Gauri Shinde, Pasanga (a charming Tamil movie that was a box office hit few years back, please make more like it), eeta (a movie on a fly in Telugu, it truly was entertaining and made huge amount of money in many languages. I saw that while travelling in a long distance bus!!). There is hope in nook and corner but very rare -indeed in Indian context you really don’t have to be talented to be an actor (indeed even Director); it is matter of manipulation and destiny.  

Now that the manipulators are going through pangs of conscience after horrendous rape (that incidentally is common outside Delhi), “these difficult times” they have started to scrutinize things. Lo we have can of worms…though I ignore these, after all it is difficult to keep oneself entertained in this mediocre country, let me point to the Sony TV a program called “Laughter Challenge” –that is very popular and running for years. In the episode shown on this weekend –the same day when elite in Delhi were going through severe pangs of distress, the scene enacted for laughter had the fellow saying (translated from Hindi, actually he was enacting Bhojpuri) “my sister was kidnapped by 4 goons (not much laugh, building up for punch line). Good she wasn’t getting married (much laugh). Now we have to find out who the father is (very much laughter)”. Anil Kapoor (who is now an ‘international star’, therefore High Value Target –HVT– for Crude woman & Co!!) found it exceedingly funny, another lady actor “judge” was hysterical. I don’t blame them if these weren’t “difficult times” for the elites in Delhi I wouldn’t have pointed. After all entertainment bhe tho koi cheez hoti hai mere bhai!! Indeed we truly are mindless zombies.

Post script: Crude woman really had some great outing on the aftermath Delhi rape. What really got her was Bachchan lady sobbing. Wo royegi tho meh gaongi…and she came out quite viciously. The question here was which has more brand value? Wonder whether that is sufficient to get her into NCW, atleast sycophants in congress know what she is playing (et al Bachchan–Gandhi division, that crude woman knows has high ROI). Now that Delhi is not only national but international the grab stake has gone up substantially.

   Most crime happens after people get drunk. While I still agree that drinking is a choice that need be exercised prudently but there is a law against promotion that these scoundrels circumvent through surrogate ads and events. It is possible that rapists were only having “friendship ka no 1 spirit” at the expense of victim as ad makers are having at the expense of people. Scoundrels like ZK’s gene also want us to “change our mindset against women”. Such is the intensity of culture loot that they are going berserk; surely his arrogance comes from his hypocrite father/gene donor. Indeed I saw hoard (mindboggling) of empty liquor bottles in their room at Juhu, must be complimentary!! Poor Aamir Khan was surely taken for a big ball ride!! Mission accomplished!!

Dumb go dumber as Delhi boils …

It is the tragedy of the people of this nation that we have such insensitive scoundrels as elites. From feudal to colonial to democratic the egalitarian shift has been rather peripheral, add to it the neo brahminical aspirations and feudal references for mobility. The crude market and entry of American nonchalance as values has made it a mockery. It needed a girl to be raped brutally in the middle of Delhi for these scoundrels to wake up (or have they really woken?…they surely are showing signs of it). Now they are talking of fast track courts and so on. There are some heinous crimes happening across the country, why are not systems in place. What have they done in last many years?  Mostly they expertise in scuttling the issue or fix ad hoc measures without any long term significance. 

It is in the nature of National Parties (like Congress, BJP, as also CPM) that the power is concentrated in Delhi, they really are not connected to people across the country. Regional leaders and issues are automatically subordinated. They are confined to petty power plays in corridors of command. It is here that the sycophants and fixers gain credence. These includes senior bureaucrats as also marketers, it really isn’t shocking that a “Communication guru” throws a party and none less than half the union cabinet turn up, all dressed up for great get together. Elitist leaders and people with absolutely no mass base or credibility work out their game plan, if scrutinized they really are the springboard of nepotism and corruption. It is what makes India a mediocre nation. The exaggeration of clout is done through market media and networking. In effect Delhi (and Mumbai) based media are elevated as national media, concocting as representing the interest of people of the country. Each complementing other in this networking, these entrenched groups then decides and twists the issues into agendas of national importance. The Union Government (represented by National party) play ball, with cabinet ministers degrading their position by choosing to give personal favors as exclusive interviews. Majority of people are kept out of these. It’s about few thousand people in a nation of a billion people. Assuaging the tantrums of exaggerated presence of these TV channels is how issues are dealt and addressed. Encouraged the market media (surely with corporate) arm twist, takes side. The market media isn’t concern about trivializing while people struggle, as they encourage scum (read celebrities with high ambitions) to participate in discussion that is farce, it is about culture clout!! Radia tape is nothing, if Levenson like investigation is conducted here you will understand the gravity of intrusion into pillars of democracy. Indeed democracy is reduced to loot. They spread their tentacles across the nation, encouraging nepotism. In the meanwhile entrenched status quoists in power deal important legal and executive (even legislative) issues with remarkable candor as people suffer, short term piece meal measures are thrown to control, if that doesn’t work then delay. Take the urgent need for Police reforms, that has been recommended/suggested/requested for so many decades, as these leaders hang to colonial IPCs that not very ironically was meant to control Indians (look at the anachronistic absurdity of law on treason!), should be seen in this context. They keep the law lax since it helps them to manipulate. Indeed they need anti social elements as fixers. Delhi rape case has gained wide support because people are sick of inaction, indeed if it had not happened in Delhi nobody would have been bothered. It is one of the rare events (of course at the expense of hapless victim), maybe God forbid but more cases like these in Delhi will help people of India. That is what we are reduced to. That is the hope, unless it happens in front of them unless people go up their throat they aren’t bothered. To think that millions of rupees were spend to elect these people, with so much hope. They say its democracy but in reality it is bunch of self serving connivers.  Clearly they don’t deserve to rule this huge country, they lack the competence.

Wonder on what basis was Manmohan Singh chosen the Prime Minister of India? He wasn’t elected by the people. He lacks everything that is needed to address the concerns of people. A politician need be first a communicator apart from being competent person, it is very important. Our man even has to read out the fact that he has three daughters and ask theekh hai?!! Pity. He is a metaphor of this incompetent government and a cruel joke on people. Indeed even the Home minister says he has daughters, so does the Lt Governor of Delhi who says he had gone to meet his, guess what, daughters in US! In plain language it is called emotional bullshitting.   

This blogger is very much against the protests, elites masquerading as victims. Need add here there are many genuinely concerned people, but they are mere fodder for fixers. Delhi is an insensitive city with uncouth people. They are nobody to fight for the country, they lack the credentials. A person in Delhi has only as much right as the person in Tripura. Property in and around Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Parliament, India Gate so on are national property of significant importance, these cannot be breached by aggrieved Delhites whatever maybe the grievance. It should be dealt severely, and I support the Delhi police for the action taken. Indeed there should be stricter laws that prevent these from happening in future. 

It cannot be denied that the brutal market with regressive western references chosen as modernity has only given credibility to patriarchy. They objectified women (indeed even men) and are used to sell commodities. Humans are stripped of reason and gagged into consumers. Body is used to attract consumers, celebrities are vying for these exalted status. Market media’s job here is to give them credibility (crude woman’s surrogate anguish gives brand credibility to Lusaka ka pure paani gleeful sellers. Wonder how much is her cut. She must be positioning for future gains for abla nari sake). They have veneer of sophistication but at the street level there aren’t any pretensions. While little girls are pushed by parents to gyrate on the song sheela ki jawani,I am too sexy for you … as small time celebrities’ clap and give marks. Sexuality is reduced to vulgarism and titillations. It is celebration of mediocrity. Some say freedom is expression. Champu Khan in the meanwhile tells fair and lovely. In this context rape is just a minor offense.