When Macaulay’s bastards come home to roost

Shashi Tharoor is one of the better known English writers, he is now Union Minister. I have read many of his books (some of them well written one need say), most of his interviews and articles follow the pattern of selling India to the world: the thali analogy is repeated so often that it nauseates. His book “The great Indian novel” was probably my first few English contemporary fiction (it was those heady days when I had taken the decision of committing myself to reading, someone handed this book). I could understand the book since Mahabharata is one story I knew very well and Indian history I had studied, thus I could finish the book. I enjoyed it though, one guy whom I tried to tell about the book was appalled he thought it was insulting Hindus by twisting the story, he believed it was in a very bad taste. I somehow wasn’t convinced, years later as I understand these people there is a realization that maybe the guy was right. This section that thinks and interact in English live in a different world that I find difficult to understand, a world that seems cocooned in trappings of exploitative past. It is the world that is vacated by the colonial masters. The realization is startling. It may sound simplistic but is generally true. They have acquired the skill of commenting and judging about common people but living their life is a quite a different proposition. It is the world they like feeling good about but find difficulty in associating. Frankly they cannot really relate, the reason why keeping the distance is critical. The ego also makes others/nature look servile or existing for one’s comfort (He won the election because he contested on congress ticket, frankly anyone could have won, CPM infighting and kerala two party system).

In this cocooned world the lexicon used tends to demean majority of common people, their tribulations are part of the humor. It is no surprising that “cattle class” although funny for some is not at all humorous for millions of people eking out their living in horrible condition, when used by a union minister is shocking. Ever wondered why these words when used in English is not considered offensive but when translated becomes derogatory. The same reason why slumdogs, underdogs …works well in elite section (I never came across the word corporate dog. Am I surprised?!. The possibility of these words in English language is remote, it was a language of a country that was once referred to as land of shopkeepers. And even if these enter English language I don’t think it will be considered funny). Yes this blogger has travelled many times in “cattle class” no not in any aircrafts (how many do that?!!!) but in buses and trains, it is worst than cattles to be frank but to be made fun of by a Union Minister is appallingly insensitive. He can blame his English I guess. Our man need be careful he is a Union Minister and not TV chatterati or in some drawing room talk. Given a chance this blogger would love to travel in luxury but will find it difficult to make fun of millions of people’s existential predicaments.

English media (a very insignificant influence one need say) though is trying to make a martyr out of him. It is understandable, it is their bastard. It is their reality, they have to protect and yes try making it into common Indian reality. I absolutely don’t understand “holy cow”, if its an Indian joke then why is that such reference are not found in Indian languages!!. It is the legacy of colonial scoundrels. They try demeaning everything that was “native” (of course exception are there and yes they wont be using these insensitive references). Macaulay was guru on these matters. The exotic Indian stuff that these English minded section expertise in, also works wonders with western, equally pretentious crowd, who are exasperated trying to understand this complex country.

Years later the bastards have some home to roost. But presto now these demeaning references has secular context, so if you make fun of majority people’s faith and tribulations chances are you could be secularist. In a market driven world the elite find these justifying themselves, reasons its excesses. In this wonderful world the steps are easy: create controversy, try dividing people and be in the news, particularly when it seems the person concerned really doesn’t have much to do.

This blogger doesn’t find anything wrong in the way people spent money, it is their choice. If Shashi Tharoor is a millionaire then he can live in five star hotels rest of his life. The question however is of propriety as Union Minister of a country like India a little bit of sensitivity is no big deal to begin with we can also talk about his competence later. I found that his total asset is 15crore, he made his money is the argument. But if he staying in a hotel that charges 1 lakh per day (that makes it 100 lakh in hundred days, that is 1crore!!), one wonders how is he balancing it?. Or is the corporate or other influential people taking care of his expense. That is corruption as I know. I read somewhere that he having worked in UN is quite used to these luxuries. Is this how UN functions?????. I am shocked; incidentally how much this 5star organization been effective in recent times is a question worth asking.

Last but not the least the English media is also celebrating the fact he has about 1lakh followers in tweeter, for a union minister of more than one billion nation that is the joke (in case anyone is trying to locate where the joke is). Thankfully media decide nothing much, unlike America where even the war is fought for TV audience. I read somewhere white house is costliest TV studio!!.

PS. This piece written few weeks back, thought of putting once the issue is done with. These days I don’t find it necessary to take up issues as it happens unless of course it is serious. Tharoor is someone I admired few years back, unfortunately he turned out to be manipulative small timer with big ego. Or in all probability he has too many trash people around who are trying to exaggerate him (it mostly backfires) but whatever the metamorphosis is shocking. It must be the effect of misplaced euphoria, juvenile premise market creates, you got to play dumb to be noticed (and yes lower the dignity of the office to match), it’s about connecting with dimwits!!. And yes if he keeps up with it then you can expect him to come out with many more nonsense very soon, talk about people becoming liability. Are we tweeting?!!

Two amazing poems on spider !!

These are two wonderful poems on spider that are my all time favorite, one of course is Emily Dickenson titled The spider is an Artist and the other by another of my favorite poet (who quite coincidently happens to be an American) Walt Whitman titled A noiseless patient spider. The pic above is taken from a garden near I stay.

The Spider as an Artist

The Spider as an Artist
Has never been employed --
Though his surpassing Merit
Is freely certified

By every Broom and Bridget
Throughout a Christian Land --
Neglected Son of Genius
I take thee by the Hand –

A noiseless patient spider

A noiseless, patient spider,
I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;
Mark'd how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;
Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,--seeking the spheres, to
connect them;
Till the bridge you will need, be form'd--till the ductile anchor
hold;
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.

What amazing poems!!

Austerity is a brave move…

This blogger congratulates the Government for initiating austerity measures, clearly these are symbolic but sends the right message to people. This blogger though would prefer concrete measures and laws (for instance SUVs should be taxed so heavy that it becomes impossible, better would be not to allow these vehicles….no it doesn’t threaten freedom of expression it does threaten my future!!). Market media is going overboard to scuttle these and dismiss it as theatrics as it goes against the norms of their sponsors. Capitalism survives on consumption and by definition austerity contradicts. In this context anything that justifies unmitigated profligacy or greed is desirable. The steps on austerity therefore need be seen in its intent and not impact, it is about connecting to majority of Indians.

This blogger understands propriety than austerity, these however are quite personal choices (but a public servant will have to follow rules on expenditure). As individuals evolve they realize value of things and therefore will opt for choices that are subtle. Understanding the context of life in its entirety takes time. One’s place in universe, nature and society I guess comes with empathy and deep sense of connection with life and living. The insignificance and significance of oneself thus falls into place. Then crudeness, ostentation, vulgar will not find space thus there will be no need for austerity even propriety is natural. That is how progress need be defined. This blogger strongly holds the view that the need for religion was to direct individuals to these ends in the barbaric world when these were conceptualized.

The world though is less barbaric place now. The society has evolved collectively (essentially with the effort of few wise people), with importance being given to democratic principles, propriety is codified into laws therefore imposed, you do wrong you will be arrested. So although there is a general understanding on dealing within the human society the barbaric past has found its vent particularly in things that doesn’t fall within the law. We have directed our barbarism to our surrounding, thus we exploited the nature with impunity as we have done to the weak and infirm in the past. Wisdom of communities co-existing with nature will assert respect, sustainable and subtle dealing- that is propriety that is experience. There is a need for stricter laws to codify these, the imbalance is leading to catastrophe. The need for holistic understanding of development is very much needed. The individual freedom defined by profligate lifestyle shouldn’t be at the cost of livelihood of majority.

It is in this context this blogger would like to question the human centric path of material prosperity. Western understanding seems to be based on how to control nature (possibly because of harsh and extreme climatic conditions they faced, as also the religion followed in these societies that gave primacy to humans) and this is adopted as model of development, quite successful in the initial phase but as the model is based on exploitation the balance has started to tip in recent times (we live in a system and not unending stretch). It is also not a coincidence that the impropriety of this understanding of development is also reflected in the impropriety of the behavior, arrogance of economists (and marketers of exploitative products, words like aggressive is not of context) is not misplaced. The word sacrifice seems to be a taboo word these days, I feel sorry for millions of people who sacrificed their life and living not only in India but across the word for a just society (to take an example from Indian context: Bhagat Singh sacrificing his life at such an young age was probably the dumbest person!. He should have used his brains and maybe become an arms dealer!!). In a profit driven society these are non productive activities. The reason why we see increasing crudeness around is because these are projected as part of premium behavior to succeed.

The juvenile premises market creates has further dumb down the world around us. In a world increasingly influenced by visual medium advertisements seems to be a major factor of market functioning (influencing consumers, brand building and so on), significant factor in the billion dollar consumer product sector. This sector has a definite impact on economy, millions of people watch these. Even otherwise matured people tend to behave appallingly and seem to get away with it, it is being accepted as normal. The other day I saw venerable singer Mr. Yesudas recommending a brand of gold to viewers!!. This blogger doesn’t understand how gold can be branded, infact all the consumer product from soap to cream to cola differ from each of its competitor brand maybe about 5% or less, the basic ingredients remains the same and then they hyperbole it to ridiculous level, the absurdity is incredible. Mr. Yesudas (like many other small timers) has used his popularity to make some easy money. That in civilized world is cheating but market has created a system wherein even cheating is smart move to capitalize. The impropriety amazes me. So what should we do with celebrities whom we admire but are unscrupulous?. I guess we need to ignore them.

There is also attempt to make things subjective and in market driven world these necessarily introduce crudeness, in society with huge disparities these are done to work out for richer section to gain themselves, subjective doesn’t need any competence since there is no parameter. Thus it helps elite section to justify themselves, so what we have is some bunch of mediocre people and vulgar display. In juvenile surroundings of market these are celebrated.

On senior leaders traveling like common people: well that is how a representative of people need be and in a country like India these signals send right message, but we don’t live in ideal world and matter of security is a serious concern. A senior Minister representing the country also needs to follow protocol and yes most people understand this and little expense on these matters is understandable. I came across a report on Rahul Gandhi traveling in train, the same report talks of him using these mode of transport quite frequently but then market media had to bury the austerity drive so gave coverage with all the cynicism it could muster (slaves in media are doing everything to please master). That reminds many years back I traveled from Trivandrum to ernakulam there was a Minister in the compartment (AK Anthony is an unassuming politician), with increasing say of money in election process people like him are dwindling, the reason why austerity by public servant has become symbolic.

There were also reports of stone throwing on the train on which Rahul Gandhi was traveling, clearly a mischief. But this also bring into focus a very important aspect of what common people have to go through (apart from many other things), since it was ac compartment not much damage was done. But stone throwing on train is not very uncommon. It happens in one in ten times, and I have seen that many times. The worst was many years ago when the stone hit the little girls finger and she howled for many hours. Few months back as I was coming from Jodhpur a fellow who slept all day along had to get down in Mumbai- it is a midnight stop, he opened the door to look out and a granite stone hit right on the lips of the unfortunate fellow, he lost part of his lips and teeth, his face was disfigured (incredibly the old woman co passenger said he was lucky otherwise he could have lost his eye!). In the morning I tried to report the matter to the station master in one of the stop, he told me to report the matter to railway police in the train, I tired couldn’t locate him, gave up. Wonder what railways can do about these things but yes this blogger does take precautions, standing at the door and open window is a big no at night particularly when the big city is in the vicinity, big city means slums and that means lots of frustrated people. Wonder what kind of people throw stones randomly at train, do they know how much pain it causes that too to a person who is not even remotely known to the perpetrator. It is heinous thing to do.

"Why Do Human Beings Create Literature?"

"Literature is a verbal endeavor made in order to recognize the meaning of one's being at one's very root, with an overall understanding of one's relation to society, the world, and the cosmos. Therefore, when a giant corporation, disrupting the natural cycle of life and death, exercises its large-scale violence over human beings - so large that it destroys the fundamental harmony between human beings and their society, the world, and the cosmos - literature, standing on human ground, will continue to protest against such violence”.

That was Kenzaburo Oe, arguably the best known Japanese writer in recent times. I came across his reference in Amartya Sen’s book Idea of Justice. Finally I got this book few weeks back, bargained for 100rs!. Some books will survive for many decades and more, this book is one of them. I have read many chapters, though scholarly it is written in a conversational tone makes it interesting. Sometimes you do feel need for more background knowledge and further reading to get some references. Frankly the guy is amazingly erudite. But then the distrust this blogger mentioned in the earlier blog just got consolidated. ‘Sustainable development and Environment’ is a sub chapter in the book, this blogger though was expecting much on this considering the impact understanding of justice vis-à-vis environment is having on the contemporary world and the realities of the lives of most people. This is an immediate and grievous matter. The idea of justice has to be reflected in any treaties on environment, it need reflect the overall context and entirety of impact, not necessarily justice as seen from elite point of view, there seem to be an attempt on collective ethical nihilism. But Amartya Sen seems to have no time for these, it’s a 4 page chapter in a 467 page book!! (incidentally the acknowledgment section is 8 long page). Even in these 4 pages his concerns seems to be human centric-utilitarian, very much in consonant with market-incentive compatible, and seem to have written in a hurry. Very disappointing. But again it is a great book to have and extremely well written, probably the best on any understanding of Justice.

Problem with theories and intellectual elites is that they are generally ensconced from realities and uncertainties of life that we common people face on daily basis. The reasons for these contradictions, so while Americans were high on democracy but till few decades back were viciously racist. Europe's (France and Britain specifically) pride for liberty and egalitarian values juxtaposed with colonialism and untold misery (you just have to read few chapters particularly about France in Africa, it is genocide if not extermination). In Indian context too while majority of sections were facing vicious forms of discrimination the elite was into philosophical discourses (likes of Amartya Sen are carrying that tradition of irresponsibility), not denying that many of philosophical understanding was amazing and thought provoking. It is therefore not a coincidence that the social protest was initiated from the lower strata of the society, Bhakti movement during the medieval era is just an example…from Kabir to Namdev their occupations and their concerns are not coincidence, the reason for their huge popularity. Freedom movement from British was basically about power struggle the reason why elite had bigger stake (if they had any concern about people the decade after independence would have seen some revolutionary actions in particular land reforms, the reason initial phase of communism was nothing short of spectacular. This is not undermine the fact that some amazing people sacrificed for the cause of freedom as also the fact that period after independence provided the foundation for stable nation). Don’t know why they call these subaltern studies, beyond me!!.

Kenzaburo Oe is someone I came across almost a decade back I need to thank Sahitya Academy Library (Delhi) for much of my good reading, since I wasn’t much aware of many writers I used to start alphabetically!! (There are many excellent libraries in Delhi. I loved the one at JNU, although I strongly feel the uncouth city doesn’t really deserve these. Bangalore though a great place to be in unfortunately lacks good library, it really is shocking). Kenzabura Oe is someone I had taken up to read but due to unforeseen circumstances couldn’t, then I forgot about him. Now I am searching him in the libraries (these days I am ambivalent about putting money on books when there is option on horse!!. Sure enough I won some money, now the basic rule of probability applied to turf club is that you don’t win always. So I decided to put money on Oe’s “A Personal matter”, alas despite the reputation as knowledge center Bangalore has no good libraries or bookstalls that keep these books. I am amazed). Last few days I have been going through the Net and downloading lots of stuff about Oe. I happen to read his Nobel Prize acceptance speech (the link to the website from this blog, frankly I am disappointed with the site. They don’t renew it and have the same main webpage week after week).

Here is an excerpt of what he said: Japan's 'ambiguity' in my lecture is a kind of chronic disease that has been prevalent throughout the modern age. Japan's economic prosperity is not free from it either, accompanied as it is by all kinds of potential dangers in the light of the structure of world economy and environmental conservation. The 'ambiguity' in this respect seems to be accelerating. It may be more obvious to the critical eyes of the world at large than to us within the country”.

Later he says “What kind of identity as a Japanese should I seek? W.H. Auden once defined the novelist as follows:..., among the dust
Be just, among the Filthy filthy too,
And in his own weak person, if he can,
Must suffer dully all the wrongs of Man.
('The Novelist', 11-14)

This is what has become my 'habit of life' (in Flannery O'Connor's words) through being a writer as my profession.

On another occasion he mentions “Literature must be written from the periphery toward the center, and we can criticize the center. Our credo, our theme, or our imagination is that of the peripheral human being. The man who is in the center does not have anything to write. From the periphery, we can write the story of the human being and this story can express the humanity of the center, so when I say the word periphery, this is a most important creed of mine”.

I have started to like Kenzabura Oe a lot as I read (best way to understand a writer or for that matter anyone is to identify oneself with them, it makes it easy and riveting). I haven’t read Adventure of Nils but my first seven or eight years of life I recall having only one story book (that was before increased comfort in life and pre teen comics), probably a gift from someone. The oversized book had big pictures and story line in few sentences. It was about a boy who was carried by geese to different lands and when he returns with the birds to home he finds his mother making cake!!. I loved that book a lot and must have read hundreds of time and can still recall most sentences of the book, not to mention recurring dreams of flying. Over the years I have understood coming home is about reaching and understanding oneself.

In one interview of Oe I found this incredible line when asked whether he was the first writer in your family?. Oe replies “This is a very delicate problem. My family continued to live [on that island] for two hundred years or more. There are plenty of journalists among my ancestors. So if they had wanted to publish, I think they could have been the first writers. But unfortunately, or fortunately, they didn't publish, so I am the first man who published what I wrote; but my mother was always saying that "You men of our family are always writing the same thing". I like that one!!

Kenzaburo Oe has been very actively involved with young people (his son who suffers from congenital brain damage has been his inspiration for decades, he mentions at one point how it led him to Hiroshima and deeper involvement in writing “Yet as a writer, I must acknowledge the fact that the central theme of my work throughout much of my career has been the way my family has managed to live with this handicapped child”. More about it in my bird’s blog). When asked how young people (students/writers) should prepare for future. He says “First, I hope young men are upright, independent. Secondly I hope they have imagination. The imagination is not to accept the other's image but to create our own image and more precisely to reform the imagination which was given to us. To be upright and to have an imagination: that is enough to be a very good young man”. Simple words lots of meaning.

I hope to read most of Kenzeburo Oe in near future.

UN tackles climate change effects

By Imogen Foulkes
BBC News, Geneva

Officials from UN member states are gathering in Geneva for a five-day conference on climate change

The World Climate Conference will look at ways to help countries cope with the effects of climate change, such as an increase in floods and drought.

The conference aims to create a global framework to ensure early warnings for tsunamis and hurricanes reach everyone.

It also aims to ensure that farmers in remote African regions know about impending droughts and floods.

This conference will not discuss cutting fossil fuel consumption or greenhouse gas emissions - things environmentalists say are essential if we are to slow down global warming, but which governments have so far found very hard to do.

Instead it will look at how to help countries cope with more floods, droughts and landslides already being caused by climate change.

Many developing countries lack proper information about what to expect.

The more difficult negotiations on a new treaty to replace the 1997 Kyoto protocol on reducing greenhouse gases will have to wait for the Copenhagen summit this December.

But whatever the outcome of that summit, the coping mechanisms being planned in Geneva are essential, scientists say, because many effects of climate change are already happening.

(courtesy BBC)

The charming Sultan of Beypore

One of my favorite writers has to be Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. I have read most of his short stories, he was an amazing man. Why I thought about writing on Basheer was this story “enteuppapaakuoruannaindarunu” (my great grand dad had an elephant), this story was translated into English and titled as "Me Gran'dad 'ad an Elephant". There was difficulty in translation as it lost the punch. Let me explain. The hilarity of the story was confusion between Kuzhi anna (literal translation would be: hole elephant) antlion larvae -doodlebug, with real elephant. The story is a strong take on superstitious in Basheer style!. Basheer's charming stories i always liked (some stories faintly reminds me of Saadat Hasan Manto). When I was a kid there was an elderly man who liked taking children for fantasy ride. He would say when I had accidentally eaten seeds with fruit that it will grow in my stomach- very serious when he said these, and next few days I would think trees growing in my stomach, even occasionally checking by putting finger into the throat or opening my mouth wide into the mirror. Now this fellow once when he saw the track of kuzhi anna (antlion larvae) told me that these are miniature elephants that live underground. And i ask "really", he would say "absolutely!!". Obviously that was enough to trigger my imagination and next many hours I followed the track and kept digging to capture one, it remained elusive. When I read Basheer years later couldn’t help recalling that incident. Even now I sometime wonder there must be miniature elephant down under, it really was so very convincing. Basheer is a strongly suggested writer, more than a writer he was a great human. A charming man you would love to know.

Need to mention in context to Elephants that there is a very popular program in one of Malayalam TV channels titled E 4 Elephant.

Ganapathi bappa moriya agle baras thu jaldi aa!!

Lord Ganesha is quite a big deal in most part of the country but the charm is something else in Maharashtra. Ganesh chaturthi is a big festival in here, the fervor can be traced back to history got further impetus by Bal Gangadhar Tilak as means for religio-socio assertion against imperialism. Frankly this blogger believes, keeping in mind recent happenings, most people don’t have the luxury nor the time to delve into history. People who have greed for power and other benefits tend to rake up history quite often. Indeed history has become quite subjective, and being used by powerful for their own benefit. Most common people have no time for history present is quite challenging enough, of course if present is significantly impacted by history then yes (but frankly it rarely does, it is contemporary realities that affect the events much). Indian politicians have start to take the cue from international ‘leaders’, who more than any kind of leading are much adept in selling books!!. When in responsible position that affects our life they bungle up and then after retiring write memoirs explaining!. I am told Mister Bush is writing a big one. I sincerely hope people don’t buy these books.

Well…well I was talking about lord Ganesha!. I recall while in school at Pune most classes used to keep Ganesha for puja, some kids in each class organized and we roamed around the school going to each class finding out how they have arranged. It was quite a big event and terrifically exciting. In Pune city too the decoration of each pandal was stuff of legends, I distinctly recall dagdu halwai. And then there is excitement of Ganapathi Visarjan. Few years back kids in neighborhood dump it in the well in my compound, now they are confused as there is no water. Last year I found this bunch of kids who came with their mini Ganesha, surreptitiously climbing wall to the well, one asking “how come there is no water in the well despite rain?”. Good question.


I am sure most of us have heard about story of Lord Ganesha from elders, these stories were quite riveting and Amar Chitra Katha series were in demand, now of course there are animation movies and so on. Elephants are amazing animals, and those programs in National Geography and Animal Planet have helped me understand them better. Whenever we came to Kerala we first go to Guruvayur Temple, this place is probably the most visited of all places by the blogger, I love the ambiance of the place. So my tryst with elephants began here, the screaming protest as the gentle elephant extended its trunk to bless is etched in memory. Most temple festivals were about elephants and I was enamored, we kids always scamper around them till the 
papan (mahout) shooed us away. Guruvayur Keshavan was a legendary elephant and there are statues of him, movies made, tales of his valor and dedication to lord. Some homes even have picture of him they they use as deity. Of course animals should be in jungle but elephants have a special place, most are treated quite well. That however is not a reason for exploitation in name of faith. There are people who can tell names of elephants in different temples on their finger tips. Elephant is much part of life here, a century back having an elephant was considered status symbol!. With commercialization things are degraded rapidly and these magnificent animals are exploited. There are strict laws but are broken with impunity. The Railways are also accused of deaths of many elephants in particular around valayar (Kerala-TN border), despite these they haven’t really taken any steps to prevent. It is quite sad state of affair, I am very grieved seeing the bodies of elephants hit by train.

O what a magnificent animal elephant is, every time you watch them you are transfixed. This blogger has the hobby of collecting miniature elephant statues, wherever I travel I try to get one and I have atleast hundred of them: sandalwood elephant from Mysore to onyx from Pakistan (bought it from exhibition by Pakistani traders many years back), the paper mache from Kashmir and bamboo twined from Assam are my favorite (It started in Rishikesh where I bought this miniature elephant and took at as lucky charm, soon I started to like it and it grew). It is amazing to look at hundreds of miniature elephants of varying splendor; if possible I wouldn’t mind filling a room from different parts of the world. I have already spent a fortune on it.

Latest from Copenhagen: Danish embassies walk the green talk

Danish embassies walk the green talk
Danish embassies around the globe are walking the green talk by lowering their energy consumption.

(Marie Sauer-Johansen 17/08/2009 11:40)

That each of us needs to get smarter about how we use energy is one of the messages that Danish diplomats deliver to decision makers around the world in the lead up to COP15.

To underpin this message, 17 Danish missions have decided to implement energy savings measures on their missions.

“The motivation was to ‘walk the talk’,” says Jesper Fersløv Andersen, deputy head of mission at the Danish embassy in Athens.”You are much more convincing when you show a good example yourself, especially in a country like Greece where people are fed up with words without action from their politicians and the EU.”

The Athens embassy has committed to cut electricity use with 4.5 pct. over the next three years. The embassy is the first out of 12 missions to sign a so-called curve-breaker agreement with the Danish Electricity Savings Trust. The agreement obliges missions to reduce their energy consumption with around 1.5 pct. per year.

The reductions will be achieved mainly by focusing on IT equipment, air conditioning systems, copying machines and TV sets.

An energy efficient procurement policy will also be implemented as part of the Curve Breaker Agreement.

While the effort to make Danish embassies greener aims to support an agreement in Copenhagen, the commitment to energy savings will continue beyond 2009.

Most missions have already committed themselves to a three-year energy saving effort. Later this spring, a status report on the Green Mission project will be launched as part of a campaign to encourage more missions to walk the green talk.

scribbles...

“When you are old as me don’t forget what you have seen where you go. Be observant child. You will have to carry all that you see”
Mother had the habit of saying things that nobody understood and when least expected. Like when I am having food and ask for water or while looking for shirt to wear after bath. She spoke as if she was continuing a conversation with someone left unfinished. It was as if a different world lived in her that sneaked out occasionally. Her face became gentle as I have never seen before, her face creased of all worries, she lower her eyes in a benign way towards me and gently put her hand on my head, caress my hair. Even at that tender age I knew somehow that I have to be attentive, a strange sensation drew my body still. She would go silent for a long time but I wouldn’t move I wait transfixed as if this is what was expected of me. Sometimes I did wonder where is the world from which these words come?. Is it a world different from this world?. Are there people who whisper her these?. I did feel the silence that envelope me on these occasions. Something entering me from her, filling me and growing roots under my feet. In that serene face I saw millions of faces splitting and vanishing before it grows dark into dot. Then as if awakened from some trance she shook herself, push me and say “What you still here?. Haven’t you got anything to study?. Next time you bring low marks in the exam I will show you”. I run away and sit under the tree. The sky was always bright blue.

Post script: many years back I scribbled something that I titled as “Night whispers and Butterfly dreams”. It was intermittent and spanned probably from 1998-2002. Few days back I found this script in my box, something churns in me when I read it and get into that zone where I have to scribble something. The above happened almost instantaneously. I would to love put the whole copy in the blog but terribly lazy…I dedicate the above scribble to a helpful elderly woman I came across in the market the other day (just like the Chekhov story!!). Frankly these are the kinds of things that give me meanings and fuel to move!!

Bolt from the sky!!

Phew this is nothing short of incredible: 100m in 9.58sec. I recall when Carl Lewis was breaking records we thought this must be the limit (it was the same event in which Ben Johnson tried with steroids and could only work out somewhere around 9.70 odd seconds). Usian bolt like Phelps seems unreal. In the Olympics when he did the jig before the finish line it was criticized by the officials but people around the world enjoyed it. And that is precisely what sports is all about, it must be fun. Great sportsperson tend to enjoy their performance. Athletics is an exact sport, it is not only accessible to everyone the advantage of technology is also quite limited making it a level playing field. There is nobody in this world who has not run a race!!. The reason why these achievements are stupendous.

Questioning the conscience of world community…

Clearly the events in Burma are test on world, and yes UN has been seen as ineffective. Somewhere this blogger is not really convinced about how the world will face crisis that effect humanity while they have ethical ambiguity in dealing with thugs in Burma. For this to happen countries that have say in UN should themselves be democratic and value liberty and freedom of individual. It brings into sharp focus the role of countries like China. Its impact on world doesn’t seem to be very positive, whether Burma, North Korea or Sudan. Few people at the helm of affair in certain countries seem to be taking decisions for small time narrow reasons. Lack of democracy in countries is threat to world it is amply clear by countries like China and North Korea. Why undemocratic China has a veto power in UN is questioned?.

This blogger who could be located anywhere in the world finds these hypocrisies and compromises world community make serious transgressions. If they can overlook these and carry on daily affair then events in Burma will find no takers and as Chinese said “these are internal matter” and has even put axe on resolution against Burma in UN, and so vulnerable India will have to take position that will suit its interest rather that what is ethical. Powerful countries like China is turning out be quite disruptive and irresponsible, the lack of ethical compass is reflection of any checks in the system. This blogger strongly believes that common people in china like anywhere else will be appalled by the events in Burma. Chinese people are proud and hardworking it is sad that their aspirations have quelled by an increasingly belligerent regime that has now extended its tentacles towards world. The reason why China helps Junta stamp the aspirations of Burmese people is no different. China is increasingly being seen as threat to civilized world.

Errata: in the last blog word ‘insulted’ is meant to be ‘insulated’.

Read Amartya Sen but don’t trust him…

This blogger has read most of the writings of Amartya Sen, he is quite an influence. His theoretical involvement and insight is amazing. His understandings infused with historical perspective and careful contemporary analysis is astounding, and humbling for the reader: here is a man who has read and knows more than you can ever. I picked up Amartya Sen from a pavement of Kochi in 1996, later Nobel Prize increased his popularity (carrying Sen’s book in JNU was a style statement for many!!). I met him in 1998 on the occasion of Jan Sunwayi on Education in Delhi, not really a bad experience. He spoke well.

Over the years I have realized that there is a difference between theoretical involvement and what position people take on contemporary issues. There are influences that rigors of theory are insulated from. There are compromises and then hypocrisies. Mr. Sen is now on promotion tour of his new book, and could be seen on most TV channels. Don’t know what to make of it but the Bata shoe priced book I don’t intend to buy from book stall, should be able to get it for 100odd Rs from pavement few months hence (I am thrilled by the Niti-Nyaya paradigm, I read on the net).

Clearly Amartya Sen has elitist worldview and so constructs his opinion on this foundation whether Nandigram or significant aspects of market economy (frankly I admire Paul Krugman’s intellectual integrity. He is someone I adore. Though I don’t really have much understanding on economics but I find Krugman very agreeable) or even global warming (loved the way he was questioned in BBC). Bengal is a disaster on social front, referring to land reforms all the time doesn’t make much sense when the society lacks any forms of social mobility for decades, as compared to neighboring states like Bihar or even UP. Probably Ptolemy mentions industries of Bengal region centuries back, frankly it means nothing and also it doesn’t negate the issue of agriculture land being converted for industries. It is a major issue and has serious repercussions on food security. Every time I go to market I end up paying more money on basic food items, don’t know how automobile industry is going to help. Further the assertion that elite where involved in freedom struggle therefore the contemporary realities of Bengal or any other region is not out of place is rather limited view (if not insult, the ridiculous extend some people go to defend commies of Bengal is amazing). This blogger even questions the freedom India seemed to have ‘won’. Whose freedom are we talking about?. Frankly Sen is too much of intellectual elite, probably following some hallowed tradition this blogger doesn’t give much damn.

Although when he writes he is amazingly passionate (and yes it is infectious, I love reading him) but life outside the world of theories and ideas is bit trying. Probably the exact nature of self tends to come out on these occasions. Humanism without humanity. Concern without empathy. The ideal world where the institutions were thought about and created was product of passions of some amazing people, it was not sterile intellectual involvement, it was urgent and immediate, it inspired generations of people. To reject institutions as mere utopia and therefore introducing social realization as a clause seems like a clever attempt to posit utilitarian from certain section of society. In most cases in societies like India social choices are rarely determined by realization factor but by earthy matters of corruption and nepotism. The reason why this blogger strongly feels integrity of institution as a definite reference point than social realization that seems to be working on some subjective premise. The lack of social realization need be seen in terms of flaw in the system that need be modified and understood better. The means definitely is as significant as the end, otherwise we are opening it for powerful to interpret and benefit, as they have been doing for decades.

Maybe I will write more after I read the book few months from now when it hits the pavement. We generally have gut feeling about people, frankly Amartya Sen is not someone this blogger will be trusting on most of his views albeit interesting. Some people are such supple speakers that after listening to them you know that they are knowledgeable but still don’t know their exact opinion!!. Its like you listen to the guy for an hour and then you have a vague feeling of having listened to him !!. It is definitely an art in elite circle, goes well with red wine, caviar, subtle smiles and hushed talk!.

The other day I was reading Chekhov (I absolutely love his stories) the one titled The Beggar the rich man in the story (advocate Skvortstoff) helps the beggar (Lushkoff) by giving him odd jobs and he thinks he has motivated the poor fellow for gainful employment and meaningful life. Years later when the beggar as a well off man meets him, Skvortstoff shows pride and tries to take the credit. But was told that poor old servant cook of his was the one who changed him and that Skvortstoff influence was marginal, he says “…do you know, sir, that I did not chop one single stick of wood for you?. She did it all. Why this saved me, why I changed, why I stopped drinking at the sight of her I cannot explain, I only know that, owing to her words and noble deeds a change took place in my heart. She set me right and I shall never forget it”. The story ends with that.

So the moral of the story here is we are rarely influenced by self serving people who try to manipulate as saviors for their own benefit, we are moved by our surrounding, our immediate experiences and sights. Sometimes lessons of life come from unlikeliest of sources to understand that humanism and empathy is more than enough. Amartya Sen’s utilitarian and logically constructed views are quite interesting and beneficial but lack soul.

Post script: some views may be bit extreme, and yes last one month or so I am going through some bad time. That reality of mine is part of the objective analysis and not otherwise. It has the universal truth of most people so cannot be negated, as much as the views determined by hypocrisy and personal benefits. Frankly when it comes to society views cannot be objective it has manifold influences. The reason why it becomes challenging and interesting.

When the flue gets real...

This blogger is concerned as most Indian news channel right from English to Hindi to Tamil to Malayalam to Kannada …all of them are going overboard on swine flue wherein doctors are asking not to panic and this just another flue which could be avoided by taking some precautions. People seem to be getting panicky, this blogger has just come out of an infectious disease and is going through low immune phase and so was very concerned and bought the basic filter mask (well N-95 mask even the medical shops are not aware of!), meantime decided to avoid crowded places if possible at least for one month. In fact the other day I picked up a fight with a fellow at the internet café who was sneezing without covering himself, really getting into my head I guess!!. indeed WHO has declared swine flue as pandemic few months back. When most people live in crowded neighborhood with low hygiene standards, and will have to move through crowded places precautions may not be enough, I guess it hinges on luck, fate…Hoping that things wouldn’t go seriously wrong when most people nowadays do have breathing related ailments including this blogger. Health minister quoted WHO that 30% of population will get H1N1, not very encouraging one would say. When it is going to seep into poorer section is when things will go seriously wrong. I guess infectious diseases are going to increase in near future and yes medicines are getting costly (medicines cost not less than 300-400rs these days!!).

Pune is one of my favorite cities and it pains to see these happenings. Infact Pune does have precedence, when I was doing my schooling here in 80s was when the country’s first HIV case was reported in here. I recall it created quite a sensation in school everyone talking about. We even asked questions to biology teacher (Mr. Panche was his name, quite an absent minded fellow in big glasses) about it. He told not to worry and concentrate on studies!!.

Tribute to Corazon Aquino…

This blogger apologizes for not putting this blog earlier, I was ill (and seems to be going through unexplained bouts of disorientation recently, it does get scary sometimes). But that shouldn’t be the reason why one shouldn’t be writing about Cory. She flashed into our life when I was in school. Immediate attraction was astounding level of corruption by Marcos, the Imelda Marcos woman I recall had almost thousand pair of shoes, I couldn’t believe that !!. It was some kind of obsession I guess, most people may have four pairs (that includes bathroom slipper and formal shoe). Corazon Aquino was fresh burst of air for coup prone Philippines, despite serious misgivings by critics she was instrumental in stabilizing the country, and remained a very popular leader till the end.

Politicians need protection

Don’t really go by the title that is just to contradict the bias assertions and exaggerations market media in India is increasingly prone to. It is an aggressive posturing. Not all politicians are bad we all know that, this market media enthusiasm to portray politicians as scumbag is to show themselves in positive light nothing much. Market is always in search of high moral ground to seep in. On similar lines one can assert that all media people are not irresponsible but yes most in Indian media are increasingly mutating into TRP driven chimpanzees. It is definitely embarrassing, I guess it is about daal-roti (oops caviar one must say) at the end of the day. The question here is are journalism schools actually needed?!!. It is waste of time studying journalism; I don’t think these have any practical application. Most slaves who moonwalk as journalists or media people live in degradation, I personally knew many media persons who are acutely aware of this reality but are helpless, as the Americans would say “gotta pay the bills dude”. Working in media can be quite alienating, the crassness can be depressing to many. Many are brave enough to quit. But the lure of easy money, hobnobbing with powerful people and showing market driven concerns (packaging concerns for market would be better way to put it) can be heady. So the best option is to associate crudeness with values of freedom and create a facade.

If you study the way the news (mostly views these days, I like BBC they rarely compromise. But the report on organic food was biased- I buy it basically for absence of chemicals and pesticides) are reported and the views expressed, you can easily note class bias as also very vehement and urgent compliance to market realities (TRP is now weekly!, how about creating an indices like stock exchange- minute by minute summary). This blogger agrees that many politicians use security for projecting their status, it is reflection of feudal remnants still active. Do a study on how many movies are made on hero as police officer you know the feudal crave for power as means for social mobility, it is that latent violence that being tapped.

It cannot be denied though that security cover is important for people holding sensitive positions but there doesn’t seem to be any rules or criteria. The decisions on these matters of national importance are kept ambiguous and so manipulated. It is amazing if not funny. This blogger also expresses grave concern over incentives and benefits extended to media through railway and finance budget. How these people less or more important than common people, this blogger fails to understand. If they are responsible in their functioning then yes fourth estate has a significant function and so should be supported. But this blogger rarely come across those types of people or intent. Secondly is entertainment also journalism?. Some new channels are mostly entertaining, taking even entertainment to ridiculous level. It is quite embarrassing.

This blogger would also like to know when PM goes abroad he takes with him coterie of media person and businesspeople. Who pays for the bill for that?. It must be in crores, clearly media knows what can hurt them so will not reveal!!!. Three cheers for market friendly issues. Media cannot take high moral ground on anything, since first they have to justify how much responsible they have been. There is too much potshot taken on politicians by market, this blogger thinks Indian politicians are not that nasty as being made out. They are as much responsible or irresponsible as we are. That includes media too, it is clear most in media have been quite irresponsible. In poor societies with increasing marginalization this irresponsibility is criminal. In most cases they are found to ignore grave issues, one wonders if it is lack of competence. Corruption in media is quite rampant, the reason why this blogger had raised up the issue of favoritism by government.

I think we needn’t be too harsh on Indian media after all they are only trying to copy west. But in west there are strict laws particularly on privacy, corruption, favoritism, nepotism so on and so these relatively limited. Despite that the big daddy of media was caught snooping recently, even using ‘criminal methods’ to get story (story here is meant to be news I guess!!). If Murdoch could do it in developed countries with impunity imagine what clones with big money can do in poor countries. The reason why I consider irresponsible media as a serious threat, privacy of common people therefore becomes much more significant than any abstract notion of freedom of expression that generally helps richer class. They can do whatever crap but the society will have to decide where to draw the line and not profit mongers. The system as we know is hinged on elected representatives- necessarily a reflection of collective aspiration of people meaning they will have to take steps to initiate regulatory mechanism and that should be least influenced by marketer. Market doesn’t really carry any eternal truth. It is about money and also about those who have means to exploit others and situation to make easy money, this not very difficult in India if you have head start. A slave in one channel was quoted as saying that parliament discussed these insignificant issues for three hours while malnutrition is a major issue !!. Good logic but when was the concerned channel ever worried about any issues facing the society other than crass entertainment as news. Don’t throw stones when you live in….complete it dimwit. Indian media has become an embarrassment. Last few days I was bedridden and thought of watching some good programs on TV but unfortunately despite hundreds of Indian channels good programs are rare, I had to go to programs made by foreigners. I think Indians honchos are insecure breed and therefore look easy and safest way of making money. Americans are role models here, this blogger thinks that despite Obama and few other bright people US as a society probably has one of the lowest collective IQ in the world. When democracy went to US it seems to have mutated for buffoonery. And so with money and comfort, and charms of insulated world they have developed a gargantuan appetite the world find difficult to sustain.

In recent times market crudeness is being attempted to be presented as liberal, this coterie is having easy run in poorer and corrupt societies. Well when you have crores of easy money in front of you Gandhi can be quoted and high moral grounds taken, it comes easy. Market by its very nature works on juvenile premise, this is what I have finally concluded. This means they work well when there is lack of intellectual involvement and knowledge. The wisdom of buying and selling is not very challenging. The reason why you see normal people with basic intelligence mutate into orangutans when they come in TV channels. The reason also on why they target emotion- the cause for exaggeration and rampant sensationalisation. So instead of futile attempts justifying crude programs on its liberal merit best is to admit: We are here to make money. Period.

The attempt to create benchmark of social movements through these juvenile premises is a limited exercise and will create more ridiculous situations. What I have observed is market media generally tend to create negative environment, in the name of competition they instigate rivalry and confrontation. They work by dividing and gaining. Market therefore should always be at the periphery and cannot be central or core of any society. Selfishness as an ideology had a free run through capitalism but it seems it is has reached its endgame. We are recognizing the cannibalism. The follies of the West are being experienced by vulnerable societies across the world. When these follies are attempted to be replicated by elite of poorer societies the threat becomes immediate. The reason why policy makers need to recognize these realities at the earliest.

Crimson tide: now that is what we call a movie…

This blogger has seen Hollywood movie Crimson Tide not less than five times. Every time it comes in TV I really get sucked into it. It is one of the best movies I have seen for a longtime. This amazing movie is about mutiny in American nuclear submarine. I always had liking for men of character and conviction and there are lots of them in Armed forces whom I admired and opportunity to interact at very close level. This movie reminded me of the world I knew. They handle stress so well that you stand back and admire, I have seen that in senior elderly guys. There presence itself will straighten people at least in 1km radius!. These people are of different breed. You watch Crimson Tide you know what I am talking about. I just loved the reference on horses, the talk captain had on what he believed is white horses from Portugal. Readers wouldn’t believe there is a horse in Indian racing circuit (at Pune if I got it right) that is named Crimson Tide and this blogger had played on it few years back, apart from being a decent type this movie was the main reason to go for it!!. And yes I got it for longer odds, cool 2000rs on that!!. In this context one need mention that 2009 Bangalore Derby was an amazing race (try see that on the web, this blogger has seen it many times. Incredible. I am proud of some of these jockeys, they are master act. Wonder why they are not considered for Arjuna Award?)

Of course I have seen the corrupt side of the Army too, I know some who got court martialed. Incidentally I know personally about recruitment related corruption and wouldn’t be surprised some caught in jaipur recently were known to me!!. If it can happen in 80s jaipur it must be big business now!. But I would like to stick to the positive side of the experience in this blog. In Chennai I was regular at transit camp and would interact with young officers who were mostly part of the battalion on move. I got along famously well, mostly my name was referred to get in touch to move around Chennai hangouts. I still recall few of them, one lieutenant I remember who was coming from Siachin had permanent swelling in his fingers, he told me lot about those places. They even showed me all the ammunitions and explained in detail. Man it was great. During Kargil war I was not into TV, nor was aware of details but yes tried to get the info on dead soldiers, should have known many of them. They were people who had lots of determination, sincerity of purpose and yes discipline. For instance you tell them meet at Anna Salai at so and so place at this time and you can expect them to be there sharp to the dot. Incidentally I too am very much stickler of time and have dislike for people who don’t take time seriously. Committing to other is a grave responsibility some people don’t understand this, I find that least amusing and take it as reflection on character of the person. What motivated those soldiers was not really money, looking back I wonder whether it is possible to have such people in contemporary market manipulated world. It is surreal.