The full details of atrocities committed under Emergency is not much known, since in last many decades attempts were made to downplay it, except in States like Kerala where it is part of folklore. Most Indians are born after this horrendous event, and hence would like to know more. Justice JC Shah was an amazing man, and unlike other small time opportunists and sycophants (whose progenies have reaped since then) he didn’t buckle, and for that people of this country are grateful. Shah commission report should be published again, this becomes important since every attempt was made to erase it by the powers that be. Not only Shah Commission report all other references which were sought to be erased should be brought out. We want the details of the darkest moments in India’s history…
Friday, June 26, 2015
Republish Shah Commission report
The full details of atrocities committed under Emergency is not much known, since in last many decades attempts were made to downplay it, except in States like Kerala where it is part of folklore. Most Indians are born after this horrendous event, and hence would like to know more. Justice JC Shah was an amazing man, and unlike other small time opportunists and sycophants (whose progenies have reaped since then) he didn’t buckle, and for that people of this country are grateful. Shah commission report should be published again, this becomes important since every attempt was made to erase it by the powers that be. Not only Shah Commission report all other references which were sought to be erased should be brought out. We want the details of the darkest moments in India’s history…
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
The issue of lead contamination, and a tribute to Clair Patterson
Market facilitators and their cronies
are trying their best to obfuscate the deadly contamination in food as general degradation
of environment, and hence by this warped logic, poor multibillion dollar companies shouldn’t
be held responsible. One crony even suggests why don’t we feed these contaminated food to poor
people instead of wasting. There is intense jockeying going on to get into the
right side of moneybags hence benefits. Let’s make things clear: food contaminated
with lead beyond permissible level is dangerous for human health, whatever may
be the logic. Secondly, it is expected from the rich companies to use
technologies to remove these dangerous contaminants rather than blaming
polluted environment, and yes if they are not able to make more profit then try
something else to multiply money. At the end of the day it is about doubling
the money (whatever is the charade of investment and other compelling jargons).
The other day I was reading an article by Madhav Gadgil, these lines, that is
attributed to World Bank (Vice President) in 1991, were striking and should
help put things in perspective “The
measurements of the costs of health impairing pollution depends on the foregone
earnings from increased morbidity and mortality. From this point of view, a
given amount of health impairing pollution should be done in the country with
the lowest cost, which will be the country with the lowest wages. I think the
economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country
is impeccable and we should face up to that.”
This article by Mr. Madhav is
quite interesting (to read it in regrettable newspaper being the only hiccup,
maybe few years down the line these arbitrators will be obsolete, as a reader I
wouldn’t mind paying him directly. Miniscule amounts will add on). I was aware
of TEL and how it was pushed, but I wasn’t aware that “…It is now definitely established that alcohol can be blended with
gasoline to produce a suitable motor fuel…concluded that alcohol-gasoline
blends can ‘withstand high compression without producing knock.’ But alcohol
cannot be patented and cannot bring large profits to companies. So, all
discussion of its potential was deliberately suppressed, and TEL pushed with
vigour”. But there is more to it, apart from Surgeon-General Robert Kehoe who
undertook forceful advocacy of TEL despite awareness of dangers, there was
another fellow named Thomas Midgley –the inventor of TEL (the godforsaken fellow
also invented CFCs –ozone depleting and major green house gas). Midgley conducted
live demonstration of inhaling TEL in front of reporters, it need be noted that
he was seriously ill due to exposure only a few months back, and was fully
aware of perilous effect of lead.


Clair Patterson’s contribution is
significant and it needs to be told in its entirety. Though his intent was to
find the definitive age of Earth, which he did succeed and that in itself was
remarkable effort. He was using a new method of ‘lead isotope measurement’, and
that is what led him to the atmospheric lead. Patterson found that before 1923
there was almost no lead in the atmosphere, and that since then lead has climbed
steadily and dangerously. Readers will note that 1923 was also the year when Ethyl
Gasoline Corporation was set up. Patterson made his life’s quest to get lead
out of petrol, he became a constant and often vocal critic of lead industry. Ethyl Gasoline Corporation was a powerful
global corporation with many friends in high places. Patterson suddenly found
research funding withdrawn. The American Petroleum Institute cancelled research
contract with him, so did Union States Public Health Service, a supposedly neutral
government body. Ethyl Gasoline Corporation even offered to endow a chair at
Caltech ‘if Patterson was sent packing’ (as reported by Jamie Kitman in The Nation). He was excluded from
National research council panel appointed to investigate atmospheric lead
poisoning, though he was a leading expert in this field. To his credit
Patterson never wavered, and eventually, because of his efforts, Clean Air Act of
1971 was introduced, and finally to the removal of leaded petrol from US in
1986. It took many more years for it to be applied in chronically corrupt
countries like India. Meanwhile lead in paints was removed only recently.
All the above information is
input from a remarkable book A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill
Bryson I was reading a month back. This is one book that is strongly suggested.
I wanted to buy it almost a decade back when it was published, but somehow couldn’t
and then the thought fettered. Few months back I was watching Fareed Zakaria ‘GPS’
wherein he suggested this book. Couldn’t get it in Mysore or Bangalore (?) and
finally bought it from Khan Market Delhi, worth the effort and the read. Bill Bryson
definitely has the way of explaining things, and it is compelling to read the stories
behind the inventions, discoveries so on. Bryson writes “Clair Patterson died in 1995. He didn’t win a Nobel Prize for his work.
Geologists never do. Nor, more puzzlingly, did he gain any fame or even much
attention from half a century of consistent and increasingly selfless
achievement. A good case could be made that he was the most influential
geologist of the twentieth century. Yet who has ever heard of Clair Patterson? Most
geology textbooks don’t mention him. Two recent popular books on the history of
the dating of the Earth actually manage to misspell his name. In early 2001, a reviewer
of one of these books in the journal Nature made the additional, rather astounding
error of thinking Patterson was woman”. Apart from being an outstanding
geologist his effort to remove lead from atmosphere in itself makes this man
a prodigious soul.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Incorrigible rogues as journalists
Journalists cannot be expected to
show competence in an overwhelmingly mediocre society nor are they expected to
exhibit qualities of concern, tethered as they are to crude framework. Exceptions
are always there but you can be sure in market media these are rare. This news
piece could be from any newspaper (that it happens to be from Kasthuri&Sons
is a coincidence, probably a tribute to their forefathers and family vaginas for former life deed pathways). Their promotion
of obnoxious views is given but that they are able to squiggle in crudeness in
news snippet, where space for prejudice is limited, is undoubtedly a talent. Now
market friendly Crude woman would react by “Woman, and her husband…” crap, if
men smoke then women smoking is about gender equality. That’s how you become
darling of market, and work out service industry gigantism. The more you sell
more merrier is the world, and yes richer you are intelligent you are. In this melee
some even come out as ‘senior journalists’, something not quite unique in a
society that expertise in grading people, sensitive about hierarchy.
Mr. Gajendra is an admirable man: As a citizen I am troubled by the
protest of FTII students, it is quite unbecoming. As long as statutes don’t put
in any qualification (why haven’t they?), a political appointee is deemed qualified.
If they haven’t protested all these decades why are they now? Clearly it is
politically motivated. Are all the political appointee of high caliber? How are
people appointed to the RS? (if Mr. Gajendra has acted in cheap movies then ZK has written some serious crap in the name of art that will embarrass anyone). Undoubtedly these appointments are obnoxious mix of nepotism, sycophancy, manipulation,
corrupt practices, political expediency so on. It is in this context one has to admit
that Gajendra Chauhan is an apt choice to head FTII, though I have serious issue
with a man with squatter framework surname to head any institution. His role in
Mahabharata was well appreciated (indeed benchmark in some ways), further a
head of the institution is not for inspiration but to run the institution properly.
This blogger would like to know the attendance record of previous “inspiration invoking”
heads. Most significantly despite their claim for high reputation, Indian film industry
is quite mediocre. This also put in focus on nepotism, as to how do people get
into such institution, the selection committee so on. Crude Woman can get in
but Mr.Gajendra cannot is not because of lack of talent, nor that Mr. Gajendra
was stuck with low grade movies (which doesn’t take away his artistic skills or
potential) while Crude woman hobnobbed with the best and expertised her quid
pro quo skills, due to lack of talent. Crude Woman was in a position to manipulate
awards while Mr. Gajendra had to negotiate existential demands, part timing in
hospitals so on, as he worked hard to get foothold in a manipulative and nepotism
driven mediocre film ‘industry’.
These pretentious people cannot
decide who is talented or can they veto a political appointee, nor does the
student have prerogative to decide who should head them. Snobbish elitism and
high level manipulators may have problems but they just have to gulp it. Take it
on the chin and move on, times are changing. Decades of fattening thyself in
the name of art is over, now it’s the turn of the other side. For common people
these are just jokes. And yes FTII has been the looser for long, the lackadaisical
approach and least concern for competence has taken the toll. I read that it is
so badly managed that it has become horrible.
The only thing that goes against Mr.
Gajendra is his pedalling of stuff that promotes superstition. One wonders why
promoting superstition not against law, the channel owners looking for easy
money should be held responsible. But then how is it different from pedalling Coca
cola Pepsi or whatnot, or matrimonial columns? …water purifiers or detergents,
what is Crude woman (or small time bharat ratna fellow, he really cannot avoid
these. What a cheapskate) connection to these, that she pedal to suck up money?
All the products (some crudely exploitative) seeks to capitalise on
manipulation. Mr. Gajendra, like many political appointees, is selected by the government
in its own intelligence and reasons. He therefore must be given chance, and
must be judged on his performance as an administrator, for which he is
appointed. It is here that he should be keenly observed, and students protest
herein, in case of transgressions, will make sense. In the meanwhile any student having problems must be dealt with disciplinary actions or rusticated, as is deemed
fit under the rules. Arrogance, highbrow egotism shouldn’t have space. Indeed these
students are known for their notoriety (all in the name of art and freedom of expression, i suppose, before having produced anything at all!!). One of the earlier directors of FTII, Mohan
Agashe, had to go following students’ protests over his attempt to restructure
some courses. FTII suffers from serious mismanagement,
and interference from powerful interest groups/people. Mr. Gajendra’s
appointment is only a continuation of that, it got stuck this time as the
powerful coterie who were arbitrating benefits in the name of art/culture have
been ignored/shunted out or are aware of losing ground and easy sucks, hence
the viciousness. It only shows their depravity. Mr. Gajendra has survived
in the industry despite trying circumstances and has clawed his way to head a premier
institute is in itself something to admire despite his alleged shortcomings. He
must carry on…
PS: Crude Woman says “we don’t discriminate, hum log bhaisaab
gender sensitive type ke log hai”. ZK adds “murga ho ya murgi biriyani sabki
banegi” “it iz naturalz lawz”.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Creator of Rock garden is dead
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Distinction between pride, preference and prejudice…the frogs in the well croak
The depravity of Kasthuri&Sons is an unending pit, that
they mask their depravity with characteristic ease is what defines deviant
elite of this amazingly putrid society in more than many ways. Lump of humans coalesced
in their primitive norms and values that masquerade itself into subtleties of
higher being is a habit that is common in this part of the world. They have
been negotiating these deviances, that violates basic human rights at every
step, with self-assured ease, unchallenged by strict scrutiny or basic sense or
thoughts of compassion (in this crude world words like compassion remain words
and thoughts or else you need nothing less than a mahatma or miracle). With firm
grip on narration the voices of brutalised protests are dealt with ease of neglect,
if it gets louder stamp it, ignore or else push it as subaltern, finally if nothing
works, as an act gallant, include in as any
contrarian view. The unity in diversity primetime show continues. The avuncular
benevolence is the focus here, the tradition of tolerance is throttled in from
nowhere, the halo is much more than aggregate of the society can even muster. These
therefore is added as necessary embellishments to the main narration, meanwhile
brutalities is sought to be packaged as benign traditions.



PS: Spotted: Kasthuri&Sons at marina beach pleading amused
passerby ‘Kapathingo french muslimgale kapathingo’. A century back they would
be riding on downtrodden, literally, as they espoused grand ideas, now it’s a subtle
metaphor. The myriad ways of the deceitful world. Meanwhile if anyone is
interested all the justification and reasons can be traced to family vagina (in
the streets of Delhi they have much better way of elucidating this), the
distinction
between pride, preference and prejudice.
Friday, June 05, 2015
In the traditions of Mir Jaffars and Jaichands
All kind of nonsense are there on
offer, pretty faces play on our emotions with endearing lines and compelling
expressions, hawk all kinds of junk. No wonder the sellers from abroad, who
consider lives of Indians much cheaper (consider the low standards they adopt
for Indians, right from automobiles to food), boost ego of the elite by
assuring them the status of service industry giant. India is seen as junkyard,
a place/people who can be unscrupulously exploited (godforsaken economist use euphemism like investor friendly as embellishments for growth) they are catered for big moneybags, it’s
a place to multiply their money without much care. The impunity is such that
they even dismiss government reports. It is clear that Maggi (Nestle) is only
the tip of iceberg. Indians are consistently exploited by paying the complying
elite, the charming facilitators, who in turn give positive spin to exploitation
with compelling ease. It is a framework we all know quite well. The tradition
of Mir Jaffars and Jaichands is very much alive. The compliable elite are now
in investor friendly role. Throw some more money and perks they will do worse,
with charming ease and niceties. The sellers (service industry representations)
are giving the impression of professionalism and competent work culture; meanwhile
the brand values of care and compassion is all a spinoff for easy money. We
know these are just packaging and superficial matters. The price the society
pays is much high. They are quite consistently pushing in lifestyle that replicate
American wasteful ways, hence consumption, thus growth, therefore development. They
have destroyed a lot in the name of development. When Nooyi is declared as
greatest Indian, hosted very much by Pranab (wonder what is the deal about Presidents/Governor
that they are given such obnoxious deference, clearly they are trying to recreate
the darbar. The unelected lords, the template that seeks to put every elected leader
in his/her place), we know who is great and for what reason. Indeed Nooyi is
appointed for very specific reason, her charade of competence withstanding. It is
India, the hapless people (in particular impressionable children) and the
natural resources, that is the target.
Technology led democratisation is
the reason why people are finding their voice, their vigilance is being reciprocated
and consolidated through social media. These are finding voice in the popular
media, who are still controlled and manipulated by powerful forces. The political
elite who have traditionally serving the entrenched groups, as also moneybags
too are becoming circumspect. Indeed internet and the spin off herein has been
the greatest leveller and liberator. Nothing has been as spectacular for human
race as this has been. It is such a wonder that it is beginning of history. It is
individual, it’s personal and connected, it is defining the way society functions,
redefining arbitration of power, meaning of authority. It is selfistory.
Indeed few decades back Nestle
would have easily wriggled out by paying off. It is not the consumers who are ‘confused’,
it is powerful whose reduced space for manipulation that is creating the
confusions. Indeed Nestle should be asked to pay compensation that should go to
cancer patient funding. These people are worst, must add, extremely dangerous sociopaths.
The neighbourhood restaurants can only be blamed of hygiene matters (which too are
important and should be checked regularly by authorities) not this kind of depravity. Anyday stomach problem is a better option than stomach cancer!
Post script: there is an excellent and thought provoking article written
by Kancha Illaih recently. This blogger hopes that it is translated in all
languages and published in all newspapers and websites.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Discriminations as you search for room/house to live
…the kind of harassment you face
as you search for room/flat to stay in cities like Delhi is appalling, it only
consolidates how primitive this society is. You are humiliated and made to
realise your ‘position’ as tenant. It gets worse as you go down for cheaper
deal. You are disgraced and treated like a lump of shit. There is no line between private and public, you are deemed a property. Not only that once
you get a room then comes another set of blatant intrusions and restrictions. It
can be frustrating if you don’t keep the mind out, it can even turn you into psychopath!
These kind of crude dealing makes you wonder as to who are these people who are
landowners, particularly in big cities (and as you near posh colonies things
become quite crystal clear), and then the pattern emerges.
You are discriminated on any
fancy notion, quirks, idiosyncrasies, most significantly superstitions (believe
me the scoundrels have long list, as god is in private dalliance with them and
they seem to be holder of secret ways) of the house owner, also reverentially referred
as landlords. Any kind of variance can
be source of scrutiny and further exploitation, so language, accent, surname,
region, eat habiting, marital status and god knows what becomes source of intense
scratching. If you have Muslim name then in most cases you will be shown the
door, while Christians don’t seem to have much problems (indeed south Indians, specifically
keralaites are preferred, I guess since they are easily subjugated, complete change
of culture and environment puts most in shells). Since my name confuses and doesn’t
obviously point to Hindu, to make matter worse I was going through mandatory
JNU-kurtha phase, I have been pointedly asked many times whether I am Muslim? Aap muslim tho nahin hai?...don’t know
how to translate that, it is quite nuanced, in the query there is sarcasm and rejection
also. Even quite recently in Mysore the broker clarified that if I am Muslim I wouldn’t
be getting room in ‘this’ locality, hinting some kind of pride. Likes of MN
Srinivas could explain that in some
lucid theory, for me it is clear crudeness.
Unlike likes of Sardesais, Desais,
Guhas, Mishras… who carry the primitive beacon and quite self-assuredly express
humbleness and otherworldly shudhtha
concerns, people from lower sections tend to hide their pecking order in primitive
world. Any hint of it will be detrimental in mean streets of Delhi. So unlike on your face muslims they tend to morph. This the
main reason why biharis as a group are targeted, lumpenized and treated inhumanly. Indeed in
many cases they seek cities to escape the atrocities from the world that Sardesais
of the universe pride in. This in itself should put in context to what kind of depraved
people are at the helm, the one who play saviour.
Post script: pandit is a term for
reverence to knowledge, in case people have forgotten, if it is a casteist
primitive reference (that the elite pride in) then I request it need to be
expunged from English language. Amitabh Matto is known for his exaggerated
concerns but he should understand that unlike careless media Kashmiri Hindus
cannot be referred to as pandits. That is blatant casteism. Morons in the media
can be forgiven for their habitual narcissism but he positions himself as some
kind of intellect. He should be careful. In the meanwhile our man even finds
time to take interviews for civil service aspirants. Come on sirji sab jegeh hath daloge kya, hum jaison
ko bhi tho jeene do. Wonder why these retired bureaucrats/ambassadors even
serving civil servants (they should be dealt severely by the government) find
it interesting to take interviews? Many lack appallingly in their contemporary knowledge
and understanding. It is shocking how they seek to capitalise on their position.
I wouldn’t be surprised if these are the kind of people inhabiting UPSC.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Matters of discriminations and concerns that makes us lighthearted to worldly ways


Statistics
will point to unusually large presence of squatters in areas that is source of
easy money, the chelas mopping up the
rest. Clearly if temple priest were/are squatters then that is traditional discrimination
on others. This is the core of tradition, extend it to other fields and you
will see the blatant discriminations. Taking the example of angst filled media,
wonder what makes squatters so competent. Likes of Sardesai (I have nothing
personally against this fellow, just that this moron had the temerity to put
his neck out. Unfortunate audacity) swing from one channel to another, as if is
epitomizing competence. Any day I can speak much better than him, if I can then
millions of people can, it is as stupid. But will I take such an offer i.e. to speak nonsense? (he sparkles during exit poll inane talks, also stupid talks
surrounding cricket or juvenile surveys). Ofcourse not, it is too embarrassing
(long time back I was offered one in radio channels that I refused. I was
aiming on interviewing authors. Why should one be speaking if it doesn’t make
any sense?). Complete absence of "dalits" and tribes from lucrative jobs, and
over presence of squatters points to serious discriminations. This is
irrespective of any religion. Coming to the middle class Muslim boy facing
discrimination…well what is shocking is blatant nature of denying him the job.
This is rare, since these are dealt in a nuanced way. Like when Sardesai is
asserting his primitive identity he is expressing his camaraderie which works to
enhance his career, as this will be echoed. In effect he is cleverly pushing out
the competition, and establishing his brand (Desai understands, Guha sends his
tweets). These subtleties carefully scrutinized shows entrenched favoritism and inbuilt discriminations. Attempts to stretch from sickularism to secularism will be closely
scrutinized.

It is
in this context that one has to understand the angst of liberal sickular elites,
it is a habitual problem. A middle class boy, with Muslim name, was
discriminated against in a job selection becomes the latest rallying point. It is
an unfortunate event, the law should be applied stringently and guilty punished
for discriminations. But this attempt on stretching it from sickularism to
secularism is a constant struggle in this section, this time it is couched in
ideas of liberal fairness hence modernity. Therefore now the elite with muslim
names are automatically victims, Crude Woman who is desperately languishing in
sidelines has opportunity for resurrection (and ofcourse create more misery for
others), manipulate her way and ironically discriminate (how many genuine
talents lost out as she manipulated her national awards so on, despicable). Lastly,
coming to Muslim angst, this blogger has written this earlier too. Religion is
not sacrosanct, indeed it can never be. These cannot be indulged beyond a
point. It is quite clear that the world is facing severely due to atrocities
emanating in the name of religion. Islam (particularly the horrible version of Sunni) is undoubtedly becoming a source for
misery for large section of people around the world. Non-muslims have very
credible reasons to be suspicious of a religion that seems to relegate it as non-entities,
indeed dehumanised. ISIS is only extending it by brutal executions. It is
therefore quite natural that Muslims explore the choice of rejecting religion
altogether or shifting to some other faith. It is difficult to play it both
ways and expect empathy. We live in civilized world in which each individual
has a choice to decide what faith to follow or not. If something is giving
untold misery then one should drop it or try be less arrogantly assertive. The world is increasingly becoming brutal
place, it is unfortunate that common people are getting trapped
in the cross fire. In the meanwhile it is duty of the state to promote secular
thoughts and philosophies, as also crux of all religions, as also against religion, in schools. People
must be in a position to choose, they cannot be born into something. That is how
you define liberal society. I guess too much is being compromised in the name
of religion as also pernicious nature of minority rights that only values
religion. The genuine minority issues that needs attention is relegated.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Horrible nature of poetry, and degraded creativeness
I
have nothing against Mythli Sharan Gupt, a rather well known Hindi poet whose
poetry we were taught in school, indeed some of the lines are quite endearing
that I recall putting in this blog. So here
I was in Delhi on a sunny hot afternoon with nothing much on the schedule, a cursory
shuffle through the net pointed to a talk on Mythli Sharan Gupt at IIC. Now before
I go further into this let me point to those who may not know much about IIC,
it is a pretentious place were Delhi’s retired and retiring powerful people with big egos hobnob on
lighter aspects of life and generally catch up on each other. There is general bonhomie
and hilarity in the atmosphere as they negotiate crucial issues plaguing the
nation with characteristic ease over multiflavoured cakes and pastries. You could
glimpse the patron saints of media and vicious gatekeepers of cultures tied in ethereal
conversation, the pause and the nuance, the drinks and the tarts. The chelas, the punds and gudhi punds in
hierarchical patronising selves of propriety and conventions, fiercely
defending their turf. Peace be upon him, them and everyone.
IHC
across the road is another of such holes, but it places itself in chic. Though I
must add when you are in your 20s these places do open up the mind and does
create inquisitiveness into areas I was not even aware of. Quite coincidentally
IHC was inaugurated about the time I landed up in Delhi. These places became my
favorite haunt, and dropped in quite often, as I returned from work from CP to
south Delhi and so on, a rather delicious free coffee sealed the matter. So here
I was at IIC to listen to Gupt’s Yashodhara,
expecting something interesting. I must add, one must not attend poetry readings or anything related to it, it is amazingly trivial affair unless it is
about some new poet on the block. Talks about a poem or a particular book could be interesting. Poetry is something that is dealt in privacy,
that involves rereading and long pauses or maybe some sleeping over!! The worst are literary meets. A writer must be
read not met. I would rather prefer to meet a magician, some of these sleight
of hand tricks are terrific.

The
Gandhi hugging old man (also moonwalking as revered poet, with ‘books of poems’…no
wonder Indians rarely measure up to world standards or anywhere near subtleties
of understanding nor awareness of existential truths) is right in a way. Buddhism is too subtle and nuanced thought, the
reason why it didn’t fit into the scheme of things. Buddha was never bothered
about god, but squatter’s sought to create god out of him, an attempt was made
to appropriate him as incarnation of "Lord Vishnu"!! As Kasturi&Sons will
vouch a man has to be god to be able to interact with common people. "Lord Krishna" is an incarnation since he lived with common people and understood philosophies
of life and so on. It needs a miracle. And since likes of Kasturi&Sons are
not incarnations but representatives of higher scheme they needn’t mingle with
common people. That needs a miracle. One fellow even tried experimenting with
truth, he is henceforth mahatma! Such depravity. It is not surprising that the
best thoughts were evicted out by the devious squatters. Best of thoughts (Buddhism) left Indian
society, meanwhile percolated in the thoughts of great souls that continue to have
space in lives of common people. The highly nuanced and enlightened framework
of societies of east asia have definitive influence of Buddhism, the wonderful
world’s haikus, zen and simplicity of being. The other day I was watching NHK
channel (probably one of the best, and I really don’t expect Indian media to
follow this. The cultural gaps are too wide!), a Buddhist monk of the temple told
the lady over tea ceremony ‘to live like a single flower’. I found that amazing.
This the squatter in the Indian (Hinduism, if you may) temple probably will
never even be able to decipher let alone utter. They will ofcourse have prescription
on how to bring peace to the universe. This you will also see spilling out from
the gudhi punds in the media. The all-encompassing
universe and one’s grander illusions of ordained self.
Post script: the other day I was taking interviews for
Civil service aspirants. A senior retired bureaucrat was the co panellist. He was
also the board member at UPSC many times. He quite vehemently suggested everyone
to read ‘Hindu’ newspaper and so on. He asked
this question to a candidate “What is Sanskritisation and who gave this theory?”.
Having got the appropriate answer he was looking for, about ‘great MN Srinivas’,
he ventured further to ask “What is de-sanskritisation?”. Not getting an answer
he explained “When higher class people start behaving like lower class”, he guffawed
and looked around for appreciation. I maintained a grievous face. Few decades
back his ‘jokes’ would have resonated across the room. A general mirth would
have instigated talks on ideas of India. Ditto, we are told is in danger now.
Saturday, May 09, 2015
Individual must come before religion
An enlightened state,
that is based on values of liberty, hence democratic, should provide primacy to
individuals. Whatever maybe the claim of society over individuals it really
cannot have right over it. Individual, the human, his/her rights, the human
right is paramount. It also means children, the most fragile member of the
society, also have rights and it is duty of the State to protect these. It is being taken for granted that children are the property of parents or guardians,
therefore have the right to indoctrinate with whatever they think is
appropriate. It maybe argued that parents have best interest therefore would be
inculcating the best possible values. The realities in most cases is far from ideal,
indeed families by extension societies are hotbeds of prejudices, biases and
deviant norms established as traditions and argued as culture, sometimes these even percolate to wider
society as benign nostalgia that needs protection. While the rightwing
persuasions point to greatness of past, the liberal brethren too point to past
as the ideal. The difference being the matter of timescale, for rightwing past
is ancient, bordering mythical, wherein India’s greatness was legendary. It
doesn’t really stand any scrutiny, although one may agree there were pockets of
brilliance which is common in any society. Further, the idea of peninsula as
cumulative society is absurd, even now societies within the region called India
have wide and varied understandings that in many ways contradicts what is
pushed as mainstream narration. Most significantly the society at large was
entrapped within heinous squatter’s framework, as most people were marginalised
and brutalised, it cannot by in any stretch of imagination signs of any great
society, far from it this region was quite a primitive place to be in. The
liberal brethren masquerading ideas of India seems to be hinged on recent past,
I am not sure of the demarcation but there seems to be an attempt on idea of
India. It is being claimed that this being violated. I am not sure what is
being claimed and what is violated, it is made complicated -though it is quite
clearly hinged to realities and trivialities of pretentious elite, hence if
their fragile world is touched they cry foul. Hence the ideas of India we are told
are crumbling. The reality being the so-called independence from colonial rule
was nothing more than power transfer, the social systems and its intent remains
primitive. Framework of apathy, manipulative brutal ways have seeped into every
democratic institution. Insidious nature and camaraderie has helped elite
section consolidate their gains, insisting garb of merit and competition. The
trickle down, if ever, comes devalued and inopportune. This construction of
reality of taking past as standpoint for goodness, whether its rightwing or
miserable liberal, is questioned and is clear doesn’t stand the scrutiny.
Egalitarian values generally emanates from awareness of contexts of common people -as they seek faith in
whatever that could imagine as god and help ameliorate, hence secularism.
Saints and seers gave values to compassion. These were constantly threatened by
squatters as they seek to codify, subjugate and exploit. The present elite is
the direct beneficiaries of these miseries, hence their claims of protecting
values smacks of habitual hypocrisy. These status quoist beneficiaries of
feudal realities have consistently scuttled land reforms or efforts to reforms
inherited transactions. Their patronising attitude towards egalitarian efforts
makes mockery of it. What makes it grievous is the attempt to represent and
usurp compassion that is innate in society.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Incorrigible depravity, Indian media go back
This blogger seems to
have bumped into the holy grail of amazing depravity entrenched into
social framework and attitude herein something I had always suspected but
couldn’t put the pulse on. It is too layered, and imagine if it is so hidden
with complicated nuances that needs deliberate, sometimes intense, focus as
also awareness of social realities, to decipher these crude world, then how are
outsiders, particularly West, ever going to come anywhere near. The reason why
Indian elites are having it so easy, pirouetting nonviolent concerns, hawking
peace, piggyback riding Gandhi (man of the century, we are told) with charming,
sometimes hilarious, ease. Positioning as representatives of society that
exalts its wondrous ‘unity in diversity’ as entitlement. They are adept in
their ways, the camaraderie is telling.
Where
as the rightist elements in the elite are adept in taking high moral grounds
their brethren show their visceral dislike by taking higher liberal grounds,
tethered as they both are to squatter’s depravity and hypocrite home truth.
This is an arduous task as they have firm control over narration as also
seeped into popular idioms and equally entitlement driven progenies controlling the scene. The mediocrity
of this society is astounding, India’s demographic dividend will very likely
spread this nonviolent pus and gangrene the world, if preventive actions are
not taken. I am now quite clear that wily exaggerated concerns for minorities,
very narrowly defined to religion, with crude mullahs and elitist Christians,
is to elicit compassion as valuable trait as also garner benefits herein. They
prey on divisiveness and keep it alive. Casteism, and the incredibly primitive
world it creates, therefore is valuable form of divisiveness that also seeks to
define their entitlements. Amazingly this depravity is also sold as secular liberal values. For
this very reason India is very well an Incredible India! It is a society of
amazing primitiveness that has been packaged with compelling pointers as humanity’s saviour. An incredible hogwash.


“Periyar commenced his speech disavowing any literary credentials. He
was no ezhuthalan (writer; the one who wields the pen), he insisted, but a
karuthalan, one who dealt with ideas — a pregnant neologism coined for the
moment. Delivered in the spoken register, shorn of rhetoric, it was a
characteristic performance. His critique of caste, religion, Brahmins, god, and
their baneful influence on Tamil language and writing was replete with proverbs
and spiced with an earthy humour. Without burning the Puranas and epics, he
asked, how was Tamil literature to flourish? Was it not the duty of writers to
debunk such fanciful writing and lead the people on the path of reason?” Note
even god doesn’t have capital letter! Amazing glimpse of worldly humbleness. Periyar’s
disavowing of any literary credentials was deliberate snub at so called writers
and artists who tend to take high ground on the basis of creative freedom, and in Indian
reality as also in its mediocrity puts it in frame of shockingly absurd if not
irresponsible.
“When he rose to speak, Jayakanthan clarified that he had no wish to
contest Periyar. But considering that Periyar advocated reason as the
touchstone of all thinking and action, and wanted to decimate the ancient
wisdom of the Hindus, Jayakanthan declared that he too would employ reason to
refute him. Invoking the great Siddha poet Sivavakkiyar, he argued that
rationalism could follow not only the atheistic route but take recourse to
belief as well. Drawing on pop anthropology, he provided a defence of Hindu
Puranas. Rather than blame Brahmins for the ills of Tamil society, Jayakanthan defended the pristine and
ancient varnashrama ordering of society, and argued that it was because
Brahmins had failed in their duty that India had fallen to its present state!
Finally, he declared that, as a writer, he would brook no instruction on what
he should or should not write”. Note the emphasized words are that of the
writer, ofcourse there is futile bid to elevate the mediocre novelist (clearly a man with such derogatory views shouldn't be even be considered for Jnanapith awards, it is unfortunate but then the list of highest awards is about high end camaraderie of mediocrity the reason why it is nowhere near any international standards) like Jayakanthan
as some kind of titan. Obviously a much aware and civilized publication wouldn’t
allow these kinds of primitiveness. These are little traditional ways
Kasturi&Sons work out their little world, and yes this is 21st
century, and yes they also see themselves as guardians of worldly peace, and
have strong views on how France should deal with crisis. The depravity of it
all. Nepali people don’t know that Indian media is only a small fraction of Indian
reality we face on daily basis that has been cannibalising common people for
too long. In the meanwhile it’s time to be high on liberalism and preen in some
classism.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
The scoundrels called Kasthuri&Sons
I gather Indian intellectuals
have manipulated some gravitas for opinions and suggestions on matters related
to national and international concern in the last many decades. They are being
looked upon as benevolent guardians of humanity. The Indian philosophy seems to be posited as
solutions to problems besetting modern world, it is claimed Indians have upper
hand on matters of high morals. And many have snooting their views as the repository
of worldly order, the keys to these mystical world only they are ordained, haughtiness
withstanding. On matters of minorities (ofcourse confined to religion) they
behave as aggressive local guardians, clearly crossing the lines of civilised. That
those claiming the minorities themselves are seriously flawed, regressive, is
pushed under as freedom. That Indians themselves cannot claim to be much civilised
and that diversity is a primitive alliance -pus is mistaken for peace.
There are hundreds of
newspapers in different languages but English had it easy, and in this The Hindu (run by patriarchs Kasturi&Sons)
in particular claims to be high on concerns. It may be true as other bunches
are too crass in their stampede to please the market and earn their daily
meal. Most journalists are joke, indeed most people can do what they are doing in the name of journalism.
The high sounding ‘fourth estate’ ‘pillar of democracy’ does attempt to give
some credibility. And they do take some matters seriously, that is if it doesn’t
rock their boat. It is a known fact that they play second fiddle to big
corporates. The HSBC revelation points to serious nexus of revenue officials
and big money, clearly they have severely degraded institutions. Army officials
become arms dealers, bureaucrats become investment facilitators. We have
amazingly successful lawyer luminaries in the tardiest of legal system that has given
untold misery to common people. The sycophants in political parties
(specifically Congress) don’t have any mass base therefore they cultivate these
to consolidate themselves as they degrade the system for manipulative space. The
moles, the marketeers, manipulators, fixers…have severely undermined democratic
principles (take the con couple ZK and Crude woman on a two day custody and they
will spill the beans on the modus operandi, this template of manipulation is played
at higher level by exploitative corporate). Capitalism in whatever nuanced
intent can only be crony in India, that is the nature of the society, while
communism can be but pretentious posturing.
The high intent of journalists,
that of The Hindu too is limited, as they play within the exploitative framework.
They may take high moral grounds but are tethered to primitive framework. Like almost
all businesses in India they too are beneficiaries of feudal-made-worst by caste cannibalised framework is clear. And that they judiciously accrued these
benefits and multiplied too is clear. The outsider they finally allowed as
editor left in disgust. Recently as machiavellian politicians tried to usurp
the legacy of Ambedkar, Kasthuri&Sons weren’t far behind. They posited themselves
as saviours for the sake of under trodden, their heart constantly bleed for
them is the claim. But let us be clear these people are in for the big ticket
concerns that could be showcased to international audience, and benefits
herein. Even in these their concerns are superficial.


Kasthuri&Sons shouldn’t
be allowed to get away, they have been playing for too long. They should be
taken to task (for my part I write these, as also return the newspaper to the
vendor). It is much worse than a white American liberal hiding Klu klux klan
outfit in his closet or a Nazi wear that he wears on special occasion without
ever feeling out of place. It is worse because it cloaked in religious/moral flavour
morning sermons that seeks to further entrap common people and feed on their
miseries. Kasthuri &Sons and their ilk have been feeding for many
centuries now, even choice of modern enlightened thoughts don’t deter shows their
deep entrenched hypocrisy and brutal ways. They shouldn’t be allowed in civilised
circle.
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