Penetrating Eyes - So far... yet so near.....

WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP

2010-03-01T09:35:00.001-08:00

NATIONAL

Indo-Pak Dialogue

The dawn of February 25 was as usual in New Delhi. Hyderabad House was all welcome to a ‘historic’ meeting of minds. Smiles, warm hand-shakes, “gritty charm, chai, samosas” ( Courtesy : Sherry Rehman, Leader- Pakistan Peoples’ Party) aplenty. Good.

Nirupama Rao and her team on one side of the table with three dossiers prepared by Ministry of Home Affairs for the scrutiny of Pak Foreign ministry and Salman Bashir, Pak Foreign Secretary in a serious but smiling face and his team on the other side.

Both already briefed by their respective higher-ups, the talks went on smoothly.

Her inherent diplomatic approach, notwithstanding, mincing no words wanted Pakistan to curb the terrorists crossing from across the border first and then “let’s proceed on with composite dialogue process” to discuss the “core issue” of Jammu&Kashmir threadbare.

Salman Bashir wanted all issues terrorism included to be bracketed with composite dialogue process so as to enable both nations to discuss the “core issue” of Jammu& Kashmir to be discussed straight away. Both stuck to their respective stands albeit with smiling faces.

Both sides held separate press conferences as was decided earlier and made known their respective stands already known to the media as also common citizens. But the dialogue must go on and on and on.

Pakistan’s Kashmir ‘fixation’ dates back to 1947 itself ie. after partition. Then there were no terrorists or in the words of General (Retd) Pervez Mushara ‘freedom fighters’ anywhere in the picture.

But three major wars fought by successive rulers of Pakistan against India leading to casualties on both sides over the issue of J&K resulting in much bloodshed.

Terrorists appeared on the seen later, first appreciated and encouraged by Pak governments provided with logistical supports and massive funds. The successive rulers of Pak governments rejoiced over the capacity of these elements for striking at will anywhere in J&K as also the whole of India.

This Kashmir ‘fixation’ of Pak rulers proved detrimental to themselves in the long run and they continue to pay dearly for the nefarious activities of the so-called ‘freedom fighters’. Now the whole nation has turned into a ‘towering inferno’ and the rulers go on lamenting over their helplessness to rein in these lethal elements - just think of the enormity of destruction of properties, loss of lives, even former PM Benazir Bhutto fell victim to the machinations of hard-core terrorists like Tehreek-E-Taliban, Huji, LeT and other such accursed beings. If one is of the opinion that Pakistan faces extinction on account of these Frankenstein monsters how is it possible to blame him but that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

If Pakistan from the very outset had shed its Kashmir ‘fixation’ and its rulers concentrated more on the development and prosperity of the country, it would have become a powerful nation by now. Instead it has termed out to be the hot-bed of terrorism in the eyes of whole world.

The Afghanistan Imbroglio- India suffers Casualties

It was the third time Taliban militants had launched two suicide bombings killing in the process six Indians along with citizens of other nationalities including an Italian Diplomat. While the US and Afghan forces were loudly making tall claims about their renewed surge inflicting massive losses to the terror elements in Marjah in the Helmund provinces, they were taken aback by the two separated suicide bomb attacks killing almost 17 at the very heart of Kabul, the Afghan capital.

Reports streaming in from various sources point to the unlimited civilian casualties in the North-West Frontier Province. No end in sight for a breakthrough in the near future. Innocents for no fault of theirs’ always bore the brunt of all wars and violence, be it anywhere.

Maoists Cease-fire Offer

Reciprocating Home Minister P.Chidambaram’s offer of a 72 hour cease-fire against the Maoists. Maoist leader Kishenji has responded with a 72 days cease-fire. Who is actually more peace-loving- Chidambaramji or Kishenji? I am being more and more confused.

Mobilization, consolidation, tactical approach what not a variety of interpretations from media community.

Vasundhara Raje Resigns

Vasundhara Raje, former CM and now opposition leader in Rajasthan Assembly has in the end, ‘royally relented’ and vacated her prestigious post. Whether her ‘royal step’ is in deference to the wishes or dictates of BJP President the ‘indomitable’ Nitin Gadkari, sorry no idea.

Beheading of Two Sikhs in Pakistan

The whole country cried in anguish and deplored the barbaric beheading of two Sikhs by Taliban militants in Pakistan. The Sikh community and the whole India and Sikhs elsewhere went into a shock and rage over this blood-chilling act.

Railway Budget

The news of fund crunch in the Railway Ministry couldn’t deter an irrepressible Mamata Banerji in presenting a people-friendly Railway Budget in Parliament on Feb 24th. Train fares and freight charges remain untouched. Though she went soft on her Home State that is not a crime Mamata took care to meet the needs of other States also though to a lesser extent. Elections are round the corner in West Bengal and she feels like Writers Building beckoning her at least in the coming elections. Whether her long-cherished dream would fructify we have to wait and watch.

Parliament Budget

Another great son of West Bengal Pranab Kumar Mukherji without departing from his previous style as Finance Minister under different Prime Ministers presented the General Budget- a pragmatic one- it is his forte amidst protests as also applauses by opposition and ruling benches over certain issues respectively.

Giving the right hand and taking by the other hand he has done a balancing act. The decision to hike the petroleum prices evoked sharp protests in Parliament leading to lightnings and thunder showers opposition members and some of the UPA allies trooping to the well of Parliament demanding roll-back of prices and then an unprecedented walk-out by them, the great man stood firm and had a difficult time shouting down the irate members. He was seen and heard “this is a constitutional requirement and you can’t stop me” and the unstoppable Minister went on with his duty. Nice.

The bottom-line remains bottom-line, it will continue to be so. They can go out into the streets with begging bowls.

Murli Deora, this time happy, he can sit pretty well with a broad smile for having passed the buck to the FM.

Industry sector rejoice as usual as they have got what they expected from the FM. The farm sector and the social sector need be satisfied with a nominal fund earmarked for their ‘welfare’. Let Lord Indra listen to his prayers for a fast recovery.

Qatar Nationality to M.F.Hussain

The artists and the cultural personalities heard with shock the conferment of Qatar Nationality upon M.F.Hussain, the world famous painter who is 95 now. He had to leave India after suffering humiliations and threat from Hindu fundamentalists for depicting Hindu Godessess in the ‘nude’ which the Hindutva elements found an insult to Hindus. A self-imposed exile in a Gulf country culminating in conferment of that country’s nationality upon him sent shock waves and anger amongst the Indian artistic community.

At least the Government should show the courtesy of honoring him with “Overseas Indian Citizenship” at least.

INTERNATIONAL

Iraq elections are scheduled for March 7. Ahead of the elections, media-world and political commentators are busy weighing the prospects of various alliances. The incumbent Noori-Al-Maliki’s alliance this time faces a tough challenge ahead due to the anti-incumbency factor, wide-spread corruption and intermittent violence. The Iraqi National Alliance under Shiite leader Muktada-Al-Sadr faction of Shiites and a few religious organizations combinedly fight against Al-Maliki’s alliance. Sadr faction is Pro-Iran, they want an early exit of US troops from Iraq and end rampant corruption. Await.

Victor Yanukovich Sworn-in

Victor Yanukovich, the pro-Russian newly elected leader of Ukraine took oath as the next ruler of Ukraine. Being a Pro-Russian, Russian rulers Dmitry Medvede and Vladimir Putin are upbeat. So is Yanukovich.

REGIONAL

Kerala Assembly’s budget session has started. Finance Minister, Dr.Thomas Isaac is busy with his budget preparation exercise. The celebration of the fourth anniversary of the government and the impending assembly elections might lead to more populist measures in the budget eyeing the vote-bank.

Temple Festivals

Annual Attukal Pongala festival which is already in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest congregation of women devotees to offer pongalas with religious fervour and devotion for attaining profuse blessings of presiding Deity at Attukal temple to remain ‘Deergha Sumanagalies’ ( a happy and prosperous prolonged married life) throughout their lives gathered before Attukal Devi this time also.
Annual ‘Makam Thozhal’ festival at Chottanikkara was also celebrated by the women devotees on the auspicious day of Makam, Devi’s star being Makam has a special significance. Those who pray to Devi on this auspicious day are believed to be blessed with a life-long married life and marital bliss.

Annual Guruvayoor Temple festival has begun. The ‘Kodiyettam’ (Flag-hoisting) and the customary annual ‘Aanayottam’ (Elephant race) conducted with much religious fervour and devotion.

In Kerala this is festival season. Places of worship - temples and churches - are in a festive mood with devotees thronging before the presiding deities and pray to their heart’s content, pouring out their sorrows with tears streaming down their cheeks and seek their blessings with folded palms.

LITERATURE

Salman Rushdie, writer of international repute and Booker of Booker Prizes Winner has stepped into a world of penning his experiences while in hiding to escape from the “fatwa” (death-warrant) issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini for writing a novel, “The Satanic Verses” in which he is alleged to have cast aspersions on the prophet.

Malayalam Film Industry

It seems Malayalam film industry has no way out of the quagmire of mud-slinging against each other, the dog-fights, a daily routine forgetting the precious as also the culture-rejuvinating role of films. Personal animosities and washing the dirty linen in public surpass all decencies. Super, Super-Duper, Mega and what not? We the film-goers need to shame a part of the blame for keeping in our hearts larger than life pictures of some “pigmies”. It is actually our fault.

SPORTS

Sachin atop the world

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has once again proved his towering presence in the world of cricket. In the Gwalior One Day against South Africa, the master batsman with a 200 not out the first time ever in One Day Cricket surpassing the previous records set by Saeed Anwar of Pakistan, 194 and Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe, 194 has gained the profuse applause and approval of the world. Let him have the stamina and will-power to scale new heights in future.

Hockey

In the Hero Honda World Cup Hockey match India has got off to a flying start by defeating Pakistan 4-1.

WOMEN OF MUMBAI AND DELHI – A STUDY IN CONTRAST

2009-06-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

“Delhi-1981”- a short-story penned by a Delhi-based Malayalee writer M.Mukundan was a mirror to the moral bankruptcy and cynicism pervading the city of Delhi in the 1980s.

The story revolves around a lady chased and brutally raped by two anti-social youth in broad daylight while she along with her husband and kid was crossing a stadium. The narrative in the form of an eye-witness account of two friends who while looking through the window of their flat coming across the young lady, her husband with their kid, walking along under scorching Sun being spotted by two thugs notorious in the locality watching the pretty young woman with hungry beastly eyes and their movements to trap her and rape her without an iota of moral prick.

The youth who along with his friend giving the eye-witness account of the whole incident with much sense of humour and excitement like a cricket fan watching the same or like a soccer fan watching the game with bated breath, were true representatives of the youth of the entire society of Delhi. The callous indifference and cynicism they displayed were unpardonable.

The story brought Mukundan widespread acclaim and it was a turning point in his literary career. Till then he was caught in the labyrinth of existential agony, identity crisis, meaninglessness and absurdity of life typical of most writers of 1970s. The decision to choose a different path by holding a mirror to the decaying society with a sense of black humour was equally lauded and criticized by readers and critics.

One of the reasons why he trod the path of existential agony and identity crisis must have been the result of his prolonged stay in Delhi and also his job at French Embassy in Delhi. Gradually he became part of Delhi and if Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simon De Bouviour and Kafka came to be his favourites, nobody can’t blame him.

This is not about Mukundan and his literary career.

I began the ‘story’ from “Delhi-1981” solely on account of its relevance to contemporary Delhi.

Mumbai and Delhi, two metropolitan cities. One the commercial capital of India and the other the “power” capital of India where our responsible rulers are well-entrenched.

I have been to both Mumbai and Delhi. I was in Mumbai for nearly five years but fortunately or unfortunately couldn’t continue there for that much period. Delhi being our Capital I am always a keen observer of the day to day goings on there.

While I was there I was staying in a flat at Mayur Vihar where my friend and family- his wife and kid were staying. While talking about Delhi naturally we touched upon many aspects of Delhi and being aware of the notoriety of Delhi on the aspect of the sense of insecurity among the women of Delhi.

“Women’s security is still a problem in Delhi, no?”
“Certainly. It was the situation for years. What I can’t understand is it all happens under the very nose of our ruling elite. I don’t know whether such a pathetic state is prevailing in any other capital in the world. In the largest democracy in the world it is something appalling... that there is no well-oiled law and order machinery to tackle this menace haunting us for the past three or four decades. Shame!”- rage was welling within him. And it was infectious also as I was also raging with anger and frustration, though I had not intended to be in Delhi for a long period.

Why is it so? Why can’t the rulers find a remedy? Without adhering to range of the moment decisions why can’t they prepare a long-term remedy?

During my five years of stay in Mumbai I couldn’t notice or read about a single story of molestation, rape or something such untoward happen in Mumbai. Mumbai is renowned for its respect and generosity towards women. I could witness several instances of men waking up from their seats even in a crowded local train making way for a woman to sit and the former in the process suffering inconvenience while commuting long distances.

It doesn’t mean everything is hunky-dory in Mumbai. Unregulated free-market and neo-liberal economic policies ‘did’ much harm than good to the masses as a whole especially women folks. The penchant to see woman as ‘goods to be traded in market’ grew up menacingly. One of the glaring defects of unregulated capitalism is erosion of values and moral bankruptcy leading to subservience of human beings especially women. If globalization has merits one will have to accept the fact it has its demerits also.

The aforesaid reasons must have been the reasons for attempted cases of molestation- a foreign woman tourist had to undergo at the hands of a mob of unruly elements on the eve of a Newyear day two-three years ago. At Marine Drive, in South Mumbai, a police-man – the law enforcer turning law-breaker - also made a vain attempt to molest and rape a teenager and for the beastly crime, he had to face the music. The women of entire Mumbai rose in revolt demanding nothing short of hanging to be awarded to the police-man. That much power they had and equal support in equal measure they got from the opposite gender for their cause in Mumbai. Now compare the powerful women of Mumbai and the hapless women of Delhi.

Let us pay tributes to the budding journalist Soumya Viswanathan of Headlines Today and a number of faceless, hapless women residing at various corners of NewDelhi falling victims on a daily basis to the lust of faceless thugs.

Twenty eight years have passed by since Mukundan penned the harrowing story “Delhi-1981” and it is frightening to note here that the number of women falling preys to the lustful creatures are increasing on a rampant scale. The recent incidences of suspected rapes in Mumbai cannot be tagged with horrendous rapes carried on by the thugs in the National Capital.

HUMAN BEING – A BUNDLE OF CONTRADICTION

2009-06-25T22:42:00.001-07:00

Most of us, human beings, are bundles of contradictions. The so-called God-men/God-women are no exceptions. Only ‘innocent’ kids can be excluded from the afore-said category but I am afraid even kids sometimes play mischiefs by creating a fuzz if they feel like getting little attention from those closest to them. But I don’t dare to include them under those coming under the list of ‘contradictions’.

It is often said: Human beings seldom change.

Now let us once again discuss the case of the so-called God-men/God-women – the ‘enlightened’ lot. They claim to have or are supposed to have undergone prolonged and ardous years of meditation for obtaining direct communication with God Almighty. A man or woman is supposed to have shed all egos before attaining celestial blessings. Now let us study our contemporary God-men/God-women and the king-size egos they still carry with them. A person as per the ancient teaching- must come out of all worldly desires- renunciation is the apt word – to reach the path of enlightenment. How many such blessed ones are there in our society? (Here I don’t want to keep a studied silence about a handful who after renouncing all their worldly possessions and keeping away from all the hustle and bustle of a world outside fully immersed in their meditation for years in caves along the foot-hills of Himalayas. Here also I have my own reservations.) The blessed ones who are getting along with us enjoying all the worldly pleasures and simultaneously preaching selflessness and altruism by all are innumerable. Their unending thirst for more and more wealth and more and more recognition and reputation by all and sundry are notorious. And the number of those who go to the extent of exploiting the gullible in our society materially and physically are also numerous. Instances of swindling and sexual abuse on a large scale abound in our society.These kinds of exploitation know no boundaries and are prevalent in the society irrespective of religion, be it Hindu, Islam, Christianity or for that matter any religion the case is the same.

While pondering over these blessed beings if I am forced to think about ourselves it is not much of a surprise because we do not have any hallucinations and we don’t claim to have come out attaining that ‘supreme state’. Thank God. And hence I don’t find it proper to cast aspersions on our local money lender Achamma.

It was in 1988 that we came to this part of Palkulam after purchasing a ready-built building along with 10 cents of land. We- my wife, two children and I – a nuclear family found it quite unbearable to get acquainted with the kind of ‘grave-yard’ silence which infact bored us to death as we were part of a city for a prolonged period. Achamma, whom I fondly called Achammal occasionally, was our nearest neighbour. She was in her forty’s then, her husband Varkey whom we affectionately called Varkey Chettan and their one and only daughter Gracy who was in her 20’s were the inmates of their abode- a medium-sized, tile-roofed house. Varkey Chettan was a bulky figure , medium height, a baldie and also with a bushy moustache, was rarely seen in their house and its premises. He was literally a hen-pecked husband and naturally was always hesitant and afraid to cross swords with his wife. Achamma reigned supreme in the house like an over bearing Queen bringing the father and daughter to their toes. Whenever Varkey Chettan played truant to get a day off from duty, Achammal would appear before him in her true colours and would order him to get ready and report for duty without wasting time. Varkey Chettan was left with no other option except to obey his better-half fearing the consequences. Achamma would occasionally rang up the company whether Varkey Chettan was present.

“He is such a lazy man. You know these days how much difficult to get a job even for those who are well educated. He with his Seventh Class failed certificate has got the job of a driver all because of the blessings of Jesus Christ”- Achamma looking up above as if she was seeing Jesus there would tell my wife about her husband’s proverbial laziness and apathy. My wife might have been enjoying Achammal’s words. She might have had an itch to tell Achammal about her own plight and the hullaballo she created on certain occasions she faced with on account of her husband(myself).

Varkey Chettan would wake up or Achamma would wake him up from his slumber early in the morning. After finishing his daily routine and all remaining activities he would step out of his house to the village slowly, the village gradually unveiling the blanket of darkness, would walk down the tarred street without paying heed to the music of the chirping crickets, gritting teeth, angry with himself and all around him to the bus-stop about two furlongs from the house.

At about 10AM, Gracy Kutty- their one and only daughter- would proceed to her tailoring class and Achammal would be free.

She in her usual dress- a bulky, short-statured brown figure in her cheap saree and tight blouse would move out of the house after locking the door, occasionally come to our house or to some other distant houses she had contacts - almost all of them- connected with her a she was their local-money lender. All of them must have been nursing bitter feelings towards her as she had no compunction in charging cut-throat interests from each of them, quite similar to our feelings. Though our nearest neighbour there was no leniency towards us also in extracting maximum amount slapping exorbitant rates. But all paid her respect and gratitude while nursing curses and hatred hidden in their inner hearts, on meeting her typical of human nature.

No amount of flattery or accolades were sufficient to get a mercy approach from her. She meant business.

Like most of the Christian families in Palkulam, she was also God-fearing and with all deserving dedication (?) and piety attended Holy Communion on every Sunday in the nearest Church along with Varkey Chettan and Gracy Kutty.

During bed time we could overhear her prayers with her family before Jesus Christ every day.
“Our father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
As it is in heaven,
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom and the power,
And the glory forever, Aamen.”

On hearing her prayers I would shiver with anger and would think about the hollow, empty words she was mouthing before the crucified Christ by rote.

“Bitch, extracting this much from all in the locality, she prays for blessings and salvation by Jesus. What an irony” – whenever I overheard her I used to get angry and would utter choice epithets certainly with utmost caution.

Then as usual, feeling satisfied I would slump into my bed and it was my turn for the day’s communication with God Almighty.
“Krishna, Guruvayoorappa……”

15th Loksabha Elections And After – Churning Process In Full Swing

2009-06-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

The churning process had already begun. Now it is in full swing. It is expected to go on atleast for three to six months.

The process began soon after the election results were completed. The Grand Old Party (GoP), Indian National Congress is sitting pretty in the saddle and hence is in a jubilant mood. Whether this jubilant mood turns out to be a complacent one- we have to wait and see.

It is quite natural. The parties which emerge with flying colours do not have the need to worry about where the whole strategy went wrong and why? As a party which has been chosen by the electorate with a mandate to deliver needs to ponder over its responsibilities to the masses who voted them to power and also chalk out a future course of action. Any party which goes against its promises to the masses after tasting victory will have to pay dearly in the next round. As somebody put it, electorate have long memories.

We were talking about- churning taking place among the badly mauled or defeated lot- here the parties mainly the so-called national parties and also a few regional entities- still licking their wounds. The edifice of tall claims seen crushing down before the very eyes of its tall leaders was witnessed by all and it naturally resulted in throwing dirt among themselves has come out into the open. The last one or two weeks the murky state of affairs, going on in the BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party)- the party with a difference- happened before the full glare of the media and even the common man. The shocking defeat at the hands of the electorate, upsetting all calculations of its leaders from the top rung down to the lowest rung- witnessed the violent shaking of the party. The party’s newly elected deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj admitted before the media the pathetic state of the party saying it was like a volcano about to be erupted anytime. First came the bombshell of Yashwant Sinha, Party’s Vice-President, in the form of a resignation letter from all the responsible positions in the party owning up responsibility for the shocking defeat of the party at the hustings while retaining the primary membership. He didn’t even forget to request his colleagues in the party to follow suit owning up the responsibility, paving the way for a total overhaul. While writing this a resignation spree- one after another- is going on.

The one sitting at the top- a totally desperate man, who in his eighties with all his dreams of occupying the Prime Ministership getting shattered is groping in the dark to rescue the party from infighting and also to restore its old glory. But if his body language is an indication, I don’t think he is that confident now, unlike his glorious days, then fondly addressed by his followers as the ‘Loh Purush’ (Iron Man).

Power is a great cementing force. If the result that came out was different the whole story would also have been different. With Advani still remaining the ‘Loh Purush’ (Iron Man), the second rung leaders who have now risen in revolt against him with each with his/her own agenda would have toed his line even without a whisper. Same is the case with all the parties whether national or regional.

Now let us discuss about the most prominent Leftist party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the drubbing it suffered in the 15th Lok Sabha elections. In the case of CPI (M) also- which suffered shocking defeats in its citadels –West Bengal and Kerala- the search for villain is in full swing with one faction turning against another, eager to put blame on each other, the party’s Polit bureau has intervened to bring the feuding cadres toe its line. As is the characteristic of a cadre party particularly a communist party introspection and self-criticism ‘may’ help it to oversome its ‘inertia’. The forcible evacuation of farmers from Singur without even consulting among its constituent parties and the decision to allot the land to Tatas’ for the manufacturing of ‘Nano’ cars and similar incident in Nandigram, there to allot land for a multinational to erect its chemical hub. The ruling CPI(M) of West Bengal under Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee by adopting an inhuman pro-capitalist attitude was infact caring two hoots for the voices of protest and agony of the poor farmers who were instrumental in catapulting the CPI(M) to power from the very early days. Mamata Banerji, leader of Trinamool Congress cleverly cashed in on their hapless state converted their grievances into votes and cornered as many seats as possible along with the Congress. The intelligentsia of West Bengal, writers, artists, film-celebrities, who were steadfast in their allegiance to communists once, on witnessing the arrogant approach of the Leftist Govt. turned against them and sided with Mamata.

The intellectuals were not against the communist ideals. It was their ire against the inhuman pro-capitalist approach of the communists. The Leftists’ 32 years of monopoly suffered a near crushing blow in the 15th Lok Sabha Elections and if this trend is to be reversed- introspection and self-criticism are the way out. Then only a possibility of another consecutive term in the saddle be expected. This pro-capitalist approach is in some way responsible for the unprecedented clashes raging in the entire Lalgarh area which is virtually under the occupation of Maosits and the fight to regain Lalgarh is now going on with much bloodshed.

In the Southern State of Kerala also – Marxists solely due to its State leadership’s irresponsible policies suffered a mortal blow at the hustings. The infighting raging within the party for the last one decade and more, opportunistic alliances with communal parties and the leadership’s big brother approach to its smaller constituents and a host of other factors like SNC Lavlin contributed a lot to the defeat at the hustings. The Polit bureau is grappling with this matter also and one is at a loss to know whether any lasting solution is possible except for a patch-up. If the latter turns out to be a solution, Party’s prospects will be bleak in future also.

Here I recall my early days in my native village when Communist party and its popular base was at its peak. Atleast once in a month, long processions of red volunteers and the followers, majority of them poor and illiterate shouting slogans to the peak of their voices, raising their fists in the air marching all the way to the nearby town, about 3 to 4 miles away from the village to see and hear their beloved leaders, Comrades P Krishna Pillai, AKG, EMS, Rajeshwar Rao and such prominent comrades of the party. They would patiently occupy places in the sprawling stadium and listen to their leaders’ speeches till late in the night with bated breath, full of excitement and would return to their abodes in their villages.

Today there are no such processions. Only a handful to undertake processions or marches, that also once in a year. Such sincere and dedicated leaders also very rare. I don’t know whether any introspection or retrospection is taking place among its new generation leaders. I am afraid, new generation leaders have lost touch with the poor at grass-roots level unlike the old generation comrades. Only one truth still haunts us, the poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and exploitation still reign supreme in our Incredible Nation.

NB: In the smaller parties also the churning process is going on. So is infighting. Such news have no such ‘nuisance’ value or ‘news-value’. Hence they rarely reach our ears, occasionally one or two. Like the one in Telangana Rashtra Samiti. A rebel faction has split the party and has formed Telangana Vimochana Samiti. Owning up the responsibility for the defeat Chandrashekara Rao has quit the leadership as per the direction of the rebel faction. A perfect ‘gentle man’! A leader of principles, really!

FOUR NATIONS : FOUR PROBLEMS

2009-06-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Iran – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedi Nejad has flashed the ‘V’ (Victory) sign once again. His immediate rival Mir Hossein Mousavi has not conceded defeat. He had once held the PrimeMinistership of Iran, was widely acclaimed as one of the best Prime Ministers and is renowned for his pro-reform agenda. Predictions from almost all quarters especially the Western media had pointed to the near probability of his victory at the hustings this time. All calculations have gone, Ahmedi Nejad, known for his conservative policies and aversion to Western nations and their policies has won the elections with an overwhelming majority. An unprecedented 85% of the electorate chose to exercise its franchise and the incumbent President has come home with 63% in his favour. His rival Mir Hossein Mousavi has alleged foul play and has vowed to fight it out. He had already taken for granted as the incoming President of Iran. Millions who flooded during his election campaign chanted slogans in his favour. Even the media reported with guarded optimism, his possible victory at the hustings. There were reports about the growing unpopularity of Ahmedi Nejad on account of some of his policies especially on the economic front. Inflation is running at 30% and it was attributed to his wrong policies. He was popular among the poor for his pro-poor policies like micro-credit, “justice shares” and for widening the health-care project to poor sections in the society. They must have overwhelmingly voted for him and must have been a plausible reason for his victory.

Be that as it may, sporadic riots have broken out in the streets of Iran against the alleged massive rigging of the polls. Going by the precedence, Iranian authorities known for their zero tolerance towards uprising against the regime fill are likely to crush the violent protests with all their might.

Whether rigging and foul-play took place as alleged by the defeated rival a possible recount is unlikely to ensue that also going by the precedence.
Contrary to all calculations Iran’s Supreme Leader Aytollah Ali Khamenei has asked the Guardian Council to look into the complaint lodged by Mir Hossein Mousavi, on the alleged foul play by the incumbent government of President Ahmedi Nejad on a massive scale. News of riots emanating on the streets of Iran resulting in seven deaths by Mousavi’s supporters is reported from Iran. Whether the government is going to crush the riots with a heavy hand is going to be seen.

North Korea – Communists were revered or denounced for their revolutionary ideas by different nations across the World. Now more than reverence, denouncement reigns supreme. A country once known for its pro-poor, pro-labour policies which always strove for an egalitarian society North Korea has gone down in the eyes of the World as a threat due to its nuclear ambitions. While its neighbour South Korea which nurtures no nuclear ambitions and always aspires for the overall development and prosperity of its citizens has gone far beyond the poor state of affairs prevailing in its neighbouring country. With reports of large-scale poverty and undernourishment from North Korea, comes the painful reports of building nuclear weapons defying the appeals of many nations. Even its big-brother and well-wisher, People’s Republic of China’s advices are not taken into account by North Korean leaders. Its decision to go on with its nuclear ambitions while the country is in the grip of poverty and impoverishment smacks audacity and belligerence. A conclusion to the effect that North Korean leaders are caught in a time warp is something painful to the peace-loving nations. Actually what its leaders are driving home is anybody’s guess. I recall the face of a journalist who angrily termed it a Jurrasic Park.

Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka after long years of turmoil is practically calmful now. LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam) virtually held Sri Lanka to ransom demanding a separate homeland for Tamils in the island country. The hardcore LLTE leaders under Velupillai Prabhakaran never went for peaceful negotiations across the table with the government in the presence of mediators. After incessant persuasions by the Norwegian mediators they agreed for talks with the government and a CFA (Cease Fire Agreement) was reached in 2002 during the regime of Ranil Vikramsinghe. But it was short-lived. Behind the facade of CFA, Tamil Militants were preparing for violent show-down mobilizing cadres and lethal weapons against the government.

Behind every CFA with the government there was always an element of treachery on the part of LTTE. If its leaders were agreeable to a settlement for a peaceful solution – devolution of powers under a federal set-up – large-scale violence leading to the deaths of thousands of innocent victims and leaders could have been avoided. Velupillai Prabhakaran’s machinations boomeranged on him in the end and the LTTE ended in shambles.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has an ardous task to fulfill such as providing innocent civilians with land, livelihood, peace and all kinds of infrastructure development. The innocent civilians might be expecting peace of mind atleast after years of terror threats,displacement and turbulence.

Pakistan – With the active support of USA, Pakistan is locked in pitch battles against the militant Taliban elements in Swat and neighbouring districts. The horrible and shocking scenes of brothers fighting brothers with all the inherent cruelties happening in the neighbouring country is not at all a happy news to India. India always wants Pakistan to be a strong and peaceful nation and going by the events always on a daily basis it looks improbable in the near future. While the fighting rages with large-scale casualties on each side along the North-West Frontier Province, Talibani militants holed up in the provinces inside the nation go on wreaking their vengeance by readying suicide bombers to strike as they please.

Once, to settle scores with Afghanistan, its neighbouring country it was Pakistanis who went on striking spree against the former. Now with the active connivance of Al-Quaida, these elements under the garb of Pakistani Taliban have turned against its own creators to capture power and to let loose a reign of terror by adopting Shariat laws. A peace-loving Pakistani is always averse to such a cruel set up fearing the most inhuman kind of justice and its application.

Will Pakistan continue to be an epicentre of terror? If so, the consequences are unimaginable. All factors depend on the mindset of its democratic rulers.

MADHAVIKUTTY,KAMALADAS,KAMALA SURAIYYA – QUEEN OF LETTERS

2009-06-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

She was a star beyond my reach,
So near, she seemed to me
I raised my hand to touch her,
She always remained elusive
But I know,
I know,
in the vast expanse of time a moment will come,
my dream will come true.
The uncertainty,
both tormenting and exciting,
like the game of glorious uncertainties…
Sometimes I hate it;
And at times I love it.
After all, what is life without this uncertainty.

Recently an internationally acclaimed literary figure bid farewell to us. She is a Keralite and our immense pride. A fountain of immense creativity, affection and also eccentricities.

Her seventy five years of existence was quite fabulous. She was a bundle of contradictions. Through her writings- short stories, poems, autobiography and novels, she could invite many admirers, critics and enemies. Her eccentricities often landed her in the midst of controversies. Her way of sending shockwaves down the spines of elite was unparalleled. The so-called champions of a bygone era, the archaic traditions, values, ethics and morals shivered with impotent rage, took up cudgels against her on behalf of the society against her. But she was not to be taken aback, crossed swords with them single-handedly, thus razed to the ground centuries of hitherto unquestioned beliefs held sacred by the male-chauvinists of a hated generation. The last remnants are still here but her single-handed fight paved the way for many in her line to take up the thread left behind by her.

This is not at all intended to make a critical study of her invaluable writings, I am aware, I am not at all fit to be a critic of her writings and I also know there are umpteen critics of calibre in Malayalam and other languages to evaluate her writings.

I was only an admirer of her writings and at times a critic.

I preferred to be an observer and still continue to be a observer.

I know while she was in Mumbai, she was there with her family. And I knew she had a wide friends’ circle. A few of them I knew in person but most of them I had not even heard of, didn’t cherish even a spark of hope in my heart to meet her because I was aware such desire would prove to be immaterial. But I knew her through her stories and poems and autobiography which created uproar in the society as a whole. To have an emotional rapport with a loved one you need not meet her/him in person. A colleague, who at that time, lived in her vicinity, once spoke to me about the then queen of Malayalam short story and English poems, and the way she led the life of a Queen on the banks of the occasionally calm but often turbulent sea with her beloved ones. But my colleague was not at all aware of the turbulent sea raging in the inner chambers of the Queen’s heart. Her neighbour - my colleague- mistook her as leading a life of grandeur with all pomp and pageantry in an ambience of serenity and inner calm. My colleague was and still is leading a life away from the men/women of letters, memories, imagination- the abode of a restless world. “A blessed one” in a sense.

After a few years in Mumbai, Queen of letters shifted residence to the capital of her native State, Kerala, with her life-partner. Writing was something inseparable to her, quite natural, continued to pen down her emotions both in Malayalam and English and alongwith it made admirers, detractors and a whole lot of controversies. Inviting controversies was something of a mania to her, thus inflaming the passions of a vast lot. A girl, a lady, an old woman- in all her incarnations she craved for love and affection from the society and was depressed whenever it was not forthcoming and complained to all her friends about the wretched society. The same person could not sit idle fearing the wrath of the establishment. So, no dearth of brick-bats from outside either.

While she was at Trivandrum, I was in Kerala after a brief stint in Mumbai. I had been to Trivandrum several times- by God, I couldn’t even dream about meeting her- for me she was a star beyond my reach. Though a writer in my own way I have no hesitation in disclosing before the world of men of letters, still I stand as an alien. I am not much personally acquainted with the established writers of our times, with no complaint I will continue to write in my own right, not to be taken in by the callous indifference of a senseless society. That indifference has not at all diminished my appreciation towards the writers whom I love and respect, once worshipped.

When I came to know of her decision to contest the electoral battle from Trivandrum to Loksabha, it was a news story something amusing to me. But the amount of appreciation I felt towards her still lingers in my mind. The determination and courage to tread a hitherto untrodden path facing the hostilities of a vast majority in the society with the support of only a minority.

Still she continued with her writings- it was the only elixir , safety-valve for her to escape from madness.

As the enmity towards her mounted from all directions she searched for an escape route, and found refuge at Ernakulam, my home district. As her acquaintance with the life in the district grew day by day, her new found friend-circle also got wider and wider. The controversies so characteristic of her writings and deeds opened a can of worms and adding fuel to fire she might have thought atleast for a moment besides various reasons, to send shockwaves through the society by embracing Islam religion and the declaration to get married again in the twilight of her life. Infact she was celebrating her right to exercise her freedom in the face of all hostilities

I couldn’t summon courage to meet her in person even while she was very much in my home-district. The only satisfaction being a complimentary copy of my first collection of short stories addressing Amy having sent to her, with prayers in my heart. No reply, no appreciation, no admonitions. And on my part no complaint also. After all what is the meaning of Amy in Bengali?

Still the place she occupied in my heart will be there unmoved and unhurt always. My kind of young and old writers must also have some satisfaction. So we go on with our mission.

PS : Within no time after her leaving this world I was amused and appalled at the shedding of tears by some of the established writers who were so attached to her till she breathed her last, writing with astonishing craftsmanship, aesthetic sense and clarity the moments each of them shared with her. Is this possible for everybody to scribble beautifully and with poise nearing perfection. Wonderful!

ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS: WE NEED ACTION, NOT PLATITUDES

2009-06-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

World Environment Day was celebrated with much fanfare across the Globe on June 5. Though the awareness of reducing carbon emissions and pollutions of all sorts is spreading among the elite as well as the poor, the grim need for collective action is still to gain momentum among each of us. Ecological plunder, pumping of poisonous effluents into rivers by factories regardless of the dire consequences to the humanity in the long run in the form of diseases such as Cholera, diahorrea, skin diseases, water scarcity, shortage of potable drinking water, rising sea-levels as a result of global warming are staring at our faces like monsters.

Much has been written about this curse for which we are to blame ourselves only and the remedy has to be taken by ourselves, otherwise the worst sufferers will be the present generation and coming generation. Nations, among developed as well as developing nations who were very reluctant or averse to listening to the valuable and timely alarming signals conveyed by the wise a few years ago have shown the willingness and enthusiasm to come round to the point of views, the most important being USA, one of the most developed nations, incidentally the worst emitter of carbon emissions didn’t care to sign the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 signed at Tokyo, Japan by refusing to be a non-signatory. Anyhow, belated enlightenment dawned upon it later and now under the regime of a new President has decided to co-operate with the next summit to be held at Copenhagen, the Danish capital, a few months from now. So far so good.

True, the environment protection is the responsibility of each of us. Each has to contribute his/her own might to the same. But how many of us care much for this? The answer is a cold “only a miniscule”.

On June 5, the day we are celebrating as World Environment Day, we could read about and watch the enthusiasm displayed by our citizens- men, women and students- throughout Kerala, throughout India, throughout our world. The planting of saplings with beaming smiles by students, environment activists, seminars organized by NGOs, government agencies and a whole lot of prominent agencies and political leaders across the spectrum vying with each other for grabbing attention of the media were watched by all of us in the visual media. What we couldn’t and didn’t notice were the simultaneous felling of trees and its stealth transportation by lorries to unknown places by forest brigands and such reckless anti-social elements. Same was the case with carbon emissions. There were no dearth of vehicles plying along the pot-holed streets of our cities emitting poisonous carbon-monoxide emissions adding to the number of patients with respiratory disorders. The pumping of poisonous effluents by factories down the rivers continued as usual.

Due to the pathetic infrastructure development our roads and transport and subsequently the travel facilities, life in cities and rural areas reminds us of a bygone era. Narrow pot-holed roads, a booming population, similarly a booming real-estate and the number of vehicles plying through our roads emitting effusions most often resulting in traffic-jams – our journey through a city is something of a nightmare (Imagine the plight of vehicles and travellers caught in the traffic-jam under scorching sun for long duration in a city!). Even lack of parking spaces create much of a hell to travellers.

Though the blame for the pathetic state of our streets and lack of parking spaces are attributed to the apathy of the authorities, the latter always make it sure to charge parking-fee, sometimes even penalties for not parking at the specified space (Where?) from the travellers. If these charges are extracted after taking care of the minimum necessities of the citizens it is worth charging the required fee. It may atleast sound plausible. As long as such facilities are non-existent or namesake what is the logic behind charging those who sweat it out through the dilapidated streets.

June 5s will come and go. So will come World Environment Day celebrations. Planting of saplings under the glaring eyes of TV cameras amid much fanfare will continue as usual. So will the wanton felling of trees. Seminars and some measures to reduce carbon emissions will be organized. So will the number of vehicles emitting poisonous emissions multiply. The streets will remain to be pot-holed and dilapidated.

Platitudes abound. But no positive action. One hand which gives doesn’t know, what the other hand takes.
However, waiting to see light at the end of the tunnel is human nature- HOPE.

THE FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER AND THE STORY OF A TRAVEL ADVISORY

2009-06-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

USA’s travel advisory to its citizens to be most vigilant while travelling to/across India as a terrorist strike is imminent at any place across the nation is laughable, to say the least. We are at a loss to know from where this ‘sudden enlightenment’ came from.

It seems the self-proclaimed Super Power nurses paranoid delusions since 9/11. Even after passage of more than seven years, these delusions persist in the American psyche. While other nations fell victims to occasional terrorist threats and attacks, USA remained pretty comfortable caring two hoots to the painful state of other nations after falling victims to terror attacks. Its complacency was so strong that it was impervious or immune from such horrendous crimes committed by religious fanatics across the world.

And USA’s role in nurturing the lunatics was condemned by many nations and those condemnations were never attended to by the successive governments of America.

USA is now engaged in an hot pursuit of Taliban and Al-Quaida elements engaged in fierce battle against the Army of Hamid Karzai regime who is presently the head of Afghanistan, ruling ofcourse with the whole-hearted support of USA. It is somewhat amusing to note here that the Taliban elements and also the Al-Quaida militants led by World’s most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden were provided with money power and logistical support to fight against the erstwhile Soviet Union to drive them away from Afghanistan. The Frankenstein’s monster later turned against its own god-father is a cruel joke of history. This creature even went to the extent of striking at the very nerve-centre of its creator on 9/11, thus giving an unexpected and unforgettable jolt and in the process snuffing out the lives of 3000 innocents.

The hunt for the perpetrators still continues. A massive hunt followed, Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graib, extra-ordinary rendition and hitherto unheard of cruelties like water-boarding were committed with the overt support of George Walker Bush, the former President. His hawkish approach could only inflame the religious passions of a community thus making a lot of Muslim nations its enemy. Barack Obama, his successor is now busy engaged in a damage-control exercise and in hot pursuit of befriending the Muslim nations across the globe and his historic speech at Cairo University is a pointer in that direction. How far he will be able to succeed in his venture is another thing. But such a positive approach itself is something to be applauded. While President Obama was addressing a large gathering at Cairo University it is sort of ‘tamasha’ (comedy) that an advisory to its citizens to be vigilant while travelling to and across India, World’s largest democracy by the US government.

True, India occasionally falls victim to terrorist attacks. But an advisory at the present juncture to its citizens is somewhat baffling. It is worthwhile to note that a terrorist attack can affect anywhere across the World. USA is not an exception.

Citizens across the Globe sometimes are subjected to humiliations by the American Intelligence authorities in the name of security checks. Even VIPs fall victims to their paranoid delusions. Recall the humiliation our former Defence Minister, George Fernandez had to undergo years ago. He was strip-searched by the intelligence authorities after a prolonged grilling on suspicion of being a terrorist. No amount of explanation could satisfy the security officials. Recently an Indian super-star had to undergo similar grilling at the hands of those officials. The Indian super-star was not that ‘super’ to US security officials. These types of absurd and meaningless steps are nothing but the after-shocks of 9/11.

The reason behind USA’s not-so-friendly-attitude is not at all a mystery. The greatest democracy from ‘time immemorial’ wanted to keep a check on India. India’s development in various fields are not to the liking of Uncle Sam. And to have a check on it USA found a convenient way by providing money and logistical power to the ‘traditional enemy’ Pakistan. As if by reading the mind of US authorities, Pakistan turns its guns in the direction of India (now nuclear weapons also), provides assistance and training to all sorts of terrorist elements who try to intrude across the border to create massive law and order problems, destruction of life and property, thus trying to deflect the attention of the authorities away from the developmental agenda of the nation as a whole. Pakistan has already been classified as the epicentre of terrorism. Whether they take pride in this categorization is something to be watched. Otherwise the release of Hafeez Muhammed Saeed, the founder of LeT and also JuD by the Lahore High Court and USA’s ‘vow of silence’ on this serious matter is deplorable.

As one strategic analyst pointed out, it is time for India to stop holding on to the coat-tails of USA and evolve a foreign policy framework and engage in bringing international pressure on Pakistan to desist from indulging in nefarious activities to wreak havoc with the peaceful atmosphere in our nation. Whether the foreign policy mandarins will listen to his advice is something to be awaited and seen.

MATCH WORDS WITH DEEDS, MR. KEVIN RUDD

2009-06-03T07:59:00.001-07:00

Dreaming big is everyone’s dream, particularly of youngsters. Climbing up the steps to reach the top of the ladder- nobody can find fault with it. To reach somewhere, if not at the top we have to have dreams. When one’s dream is materialized he/she will have a sublime feeling. Or ask Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam, our former President who goes on addressing the educated youngsters of the land to dream big and reach the top bringing glory to the nation as well as the whole World.

Some people dream about saving money to sustain themselves and also for the next generation. They dream about flying abroad, finding lucrative jobs and earning attractive salaries. By sheer grit, determination and perseverance they slug it out in oil-rich countries day-in and day-out to earn fabulous sums. Their hard-earned salaries, thanks to the phenomenal development in IT and Science, within no time reach their accounts maintained in their native land and thus the foreign exchange reserves of their lands go on piling up. Their children’s education are well looked after and the latter do not have the need to knock at somebody’s door to beg or to drop out of their studies without the course being completed.

Now come to the subject. The hot news of the day especially for us Indians.

Australia, our neighbour and one of the CommonWealth countries also have a hubris of sorts in declaring to the whole World its reputation for calmness, harmony and solidarity. This country always finds time to shower praises on themselves for being a peaceful country. This hubris has led to a mistaken notion on its part and also a sort of derision towards even its neighbouring countries which suffer terrorist attacks and sabotages at intermittent intervals. During cricket or tennis seasons in India, Pakistan or SriLanka, the Australian government while eulogizing itself for its peaceful atmosphere shows reluctance to send its team fearing for their lives citing inadequate security. It would be wise of them if it is bound to reach a conclusion that terrorism can hit anywhere and it has no boundaries, caste, creed or religion. Even the ‘Super Power’ USA had to shed its complacency after the 9/11 and the Americans still shudder to recall that day even after a hiatus of eight years. The nightmares they underwent that fateful day still linger in the inner recesses of their hearts refusing to fade out of their memory.

Our educated youth always keep higher aspirations to aim high and bring marvel to the country. Therefore it is quite natural on their part to further continue their higher studies abroad- be it USA, Europe, Germany, China or Australia- and the government of India spend millions for the higher education of its students. While going through an article recently soon after the racial outbreak against Indians by Australians, I came to know about the stark truth that government of India spends Rs. 20000 Crore for its students’ education in Australia. The columnist derisively concludes the article by stating that- Indians pay to get killed in Australia.

Being educated is not at all everything. Among the terrorists, there are/and were many educated young men/women- software engineers, chemical analysts, medical practitioners (like Dr Ayman Al Sawahiri), civil engineers, and MBAs (like Osama Bin Laden) a whole lot- a lot of them fell victims to their deeds, some incarcerated and are still languishing in prisons, some well embedded in their safe-havens along mountainous terrains.

Love of humanity, irrespective of caste, creed or religion is the foremost quality expected from each in this world. And for that a man must be a cultural citizen. In fact no religion in the world preaches hatred, intolerance or hostility.

An educated man/woman can very well be an anti-social element, a thug or a hooligan. And if those elements are let loose by the government, they will certainly play havoc with the lives of others or hold the innocents to ransom. Thus a country’s reputation before the world gets tarnished because of a minority. The only remedy being a confident resistance on the part of law-makers thus bringing those elements to justice.

I doubt whether a confident resistance on the part of government of Australia is being undertaken. Mere rhetoric won’t do. Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister and Stephen Smith, Foreign affairs Minister, and all other at the higher echelons must ensure the safety of students, either Indians or any other nationality. Then only the whole turbulence will come to an end. While showering praises on oneself, one must make it sure to remain praise-worthy. Empty promises or platitudes won’t lead us anywhere.

Xenophobia, at times, rears its ugly head in certain countries across the globe. For example, France while Jacques Chirac was at the helm, xenophobia raised its ugly head, that time against the black-Africans. Nicholas Sarkozy, then the Interior Minister and now enthroned in the President’s chair was vocal in his support of the anti-social elements who went on the rampage against the Africans. The aftermaths of the electrocution of two black boys and the riots that followed lasted for weeks in the country are still haunting memories. Now the respected President has mellowed somewhat, most of us do not know why, is even playing a la Ban Ki Moon in the affairs of certain countries. The Russian-Georgian tussle over South Ossettia was defused with the help of President Sarkozy.

In Italy Silvio Berlusconi, Media baron and millionaire, xenophobic elements surface and play havoc with the lives of a minority community causing enormous damages in the form of destruction of life and property. All with the silent and tacit blessings of the Prime Minister himself.

On the one hand, man speaks about Globalisation and in the same breath he advocates for more and more protectionism.

Through which path we have to tread on…?

A PRO-ACTIVE JUDICIARY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMANRIGHTS ACTIVISTS

2009-05-30T06:54:00.000-07:00

It is quite heartening that all the four pillars of our democracy day by day are showing signs of concern to the happenings going on around us- be it right to freedom of speech and expression, environment protection, law and order obligations and infrastructure development. The complaint of certain quarters against the media crossing limits has some substance, on the whole our media, both print and visual, play cardinal roles in digging out and thereby exposing the festering sores still refusing to heal and thus helping all to take immediate remedial measures.

Similar is the case with our judiciary also. Years ago judiciary was seen by many in our society as the prisoner of elite and also holding a dogmatic approach which allegedly cared nothing for the uplift of the masses. Gradually Judiciary’s mindset underwent sea -change for the good of the society. Jurists of the calibre of Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer were there, he always cared for the social aspects while passing judgements. Justice Krishna Iyer, the nonagenarian, now in the twilight of his life is still active albeit his old age and poor health, pens a lot for drawing the attention of those at the helm of affairs towards the inequalities still prevailing in our society.

Once in a while a Krishna Iyer is incarnated over the past one decade or two but that couldn’t save much purpose.

On thinking about Judiciary and Judicial activism, writer and social activist Arundhati Roy came to my mind. In her book “Algebra of Infinite Justice” , she has mentioned about a Supreme Court verdict pronounced by a three member jury consisting of A.S.Anand, J.P.Kirpal and S.P.Barucha. The verdict was in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Narmada Bachao Aandolan appealing to the court to order a stay to the further construction of Sardar Sarovar Dam as the rehabilitation of the displaced poor had not reached anywhere.

Barring S.P.Barucha, who passed a dissenting judgement, Chief Justice Anand and Justice Kirpal passed a verdict allowing the authorities to proceed with the construction. The hapless poor felt themselves in the lurch by the highest court of the land. This verdict was passed on October 18, 2000.
Nine years have elapsed since then. Governments came. Governments went. Ministers came. Ministers went. Judges came. Judges went. Mindsets underwent enormous changes. And are still undergoing vast changes. Much water has flowed down Narmada since then.

Now the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is Justice K.G.Balakrishnan.

While taking part in a seminar on Law and Environment on May 21 at Chandigarh, he stressed the need for protecting our environment and he didn’t even forget to advise those responsible, to shelve a project whenever it is found to be detrimental to our ecology. Justice Mukundakam Sharma who participated along with Justice Balakrishnan in the seminar also dwelt on the importance of protecting our environment and to desist from deforestation and rapid industrialisation urged all to spread awareness about ecological protection.

The subject of climate change has turned out to be a hot issue haunting the environmentalists, Scientists and citizens across the globe. The Copenhagen summit is fast approaching where a vast number of nations are supposed to participate to deliberate upon and evolve new solutions to save the earth from a catastrophe. The growth of developed as well as developing nations ,both stakeholders alike, have to gird up their loins and fight to bring down the level of carbon emissions in the ensuing years. It is said that even if the developed nations bring their carbon emissions to zero degree level, it won’t prove to be a blessing to all if the developing nations are left untouched. Means, they have also to play prominent roles - and if debt-ridden appeal for aid from developed nations or the latter must generously extend their helping hands. We should ensure in the process that coming generation’s future shouldn’t be cooked at any cost, as one environmentalist put it.)

In comes another verdict passed by the highest court of our land, the Supreme Court. It is the case of a well-known human-rights activist Dr.Binayak Sen. He was incarcerated in a Chattisgarh Jail in May 14, 2007. Dr.Sen who is a reputed padeatrician who cared a lot for the down-trodden in the society was a regular visitor to a Chattisgarh jail to treat the inmates. He was imprisoned on the charges of acting as a courier of to a maoist inmate of the prison by the State government. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was slapped on him by the Government. The well-known human-rights activist had to languish in the prison for two years inspite of protests and processions staged by human-rights activists and intellectuals around the world.

Finally his case reached the Supreme Court and the jury consisting of Justice Markandeya Katju and Justice Deepak Verma freed him within no time, telling Dr.Sen’s eminent lawyer Shantibhushan that, “We know the facts of this case. He has been in jail for two years. We are granting him bail”.

Touching, to say the least. A pro-active Judiciary free from a

dogmatic approach and with a humanitarian attitude is always a

blessing for the society at large.

“BERTH PANGS” OF A NEW MINISTRY

2009-05-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Vinod Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of Outlook, during a talk-show in NDTV 24X7 was heard saying about the long memories of elephants one year ago. His comment was in the context of discussing about Kumari Mayawati, presently Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh whose party’s election-symbol is incidentally elephant.

I recalled the event while going through a weekly column ‘Reductio Ad Absurdum’ in The New Indian Express dated 23-05-09, by its Editor-in-Chief, Aditya Sinha who is based in Chennai. I enjoy his weekly column due to his inherent sense of humour especially when writing about the great Indian circus- Indian politics.

Last Saturday his column dwelt mainly on the ‘ditching’ of former allies of UPA by Indian National Congress. According to Mr.Sinha, the ruthless spurning of certain allies was most unbecoming of Indian National Congress and as per his observation the spurning really smacks of arrogance on the part of Indian National Congress, the Grand Old Party of India.

Mr. Sinha while casting aspersions on Congress for distancing itself from some regional parties with whose support Dr.ManMohanSingh governed the nation for the full five year term (2004-2009) warns of the consequences in the long run. According to him, spurned friends have long memories like pachyderms and hence it would have been better on the part of Dr.ManMohanSingh to have invited them to join the government.

I do not want to contest Mr.Sinha’s claim as he has every right to stick to his claim. Conveniently or not, Mr.Sinha forgets the history of the oldest National Party of India, yes it was to be squarely blamed for its reckless governance not giving much of its attention to the overall development of nation as a whole in the fields of infrastructure, poverty, malnutrition, illiteracy and a host of essential aspects especially on the social front for decades after independence. If the people got fed up with governance of the party and formed regional parties under local leaders to fight for their well-being and prosperity of the States they represented, they could not be blamed. The mushrooming of regional parties, in later years under different local leaders gradually lost their real goal of bringing prosperity to their States and instead by hook or crook, concentrated more in amassing crores and also for leading pompous lives shedding all ethics which any political party is bound to have always. Selfishness and greed became their motto. And in the process generosity and magnanimity turned to be the casualities. The common man and the poverty stricken became the ultimate losers.

With the mushrooming of regional parties on a daily basis, ego-clashes, the urge to draw national attention and piling up crores became the ulterior motives of the regional parties and it continues to be so, Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (its splinter parties also abound now) were forced to “beat a retreat”. During election times the national parties which became marginal in due course had to seek support of the regional parties of each State and had to be satisfied with the crumbs the regional parties threw to them.

Indian citizens have also long memories, I think so. While the national party took care to uplift them, the latter felt no hesitation in voting for them. And when the GOP went off the track forgetting their obligations to the masses the latter derived solace in casting votes to the regional parties expecting a lot from their rulers.

In course off time, those regional outfits got power-drunk and arrogant caring not much of their subjects. The masses changed their tracks. They got fed up. What an average Indian citizen mostly expects is a square meal a day and he votes for the party which provides it.

And the Grand Old Party, Indian National Congress could fathom the depth of the despair of the masses and could feel the pulse of the common man by keeping aloof from certain squabbling regional outfits contested on their own and they reaped dividends. It proved to be a wise decision.

Now have a look at Indraprastha. Our Prime Minister, Dr.ManMohanSingh is literally sweating it out to pacify and placate a sulking DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) led by Sharad Pawar and Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerji, by allotting berths in the Ministry to the satisfaction of all. These outfits are in a nasty race for capturing plum portfolios in the Ministry forgetting all their grand promises to the electorate during their whirlwind election campaign. DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and TC (Trinamool Congress) of Mamata Banerji, one confined to Tamil Nadu and the other to West Bengal are notorious for their regional chauvinism. How long the ‘berth pangs’ will continue to haunt Dr.Singh is anybody’s guess. And if Congress was forced to accommodate all the regional outfits in the Ministry, the unfolding of an absurd drama would have been the consequence.

Will the ruling party come to grip with Indian realities and proceed along the path of human welfare, especially the common man (Aam Admi) in the coming days? We have to wait for the euphoria to settle down.

ABOUT RUBINA ALI AND AZHARUDHEEN ISMAIL – THEIR PLIGHT

2009-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Azharudheen Ismail seems to beseech us- please don’t forget me!
Rubina Ali seems to weep loudly and implores us with folded palms- please don’t forget me!

Hundreds and hundreds, thousands and thousands of Azharudheen Ismails’ and Rubina Alis’ cries explode in our ears daily to extend a helping hand to wriggle out of a quagmire of poverty, malnutrition and homelessness.
We tend to ignore all their cries for help.

How many among us know who this Rubina Ali is. How many among us know who this Azharudheen Ismail is.
How many of us recall the Oscar Award Winner ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which brought before the world the pathetic life of slum-dwellers?

Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali were two main child actors of ‘SlumDog Millionaire’ which brought fame, glory and alongside the murkier side of an India about which many a people across the world is unaware of.

Bandra(E) is known to an average Mumbaikar. He/she is also aware of the shanties along the railway lines of Bandra. Last week Mumbai civic authorities demolished a part of about 30 shanties defying the protests and helpless cries of the slum-dwellers. One among the demolished slums was that of Azharudheen Ismail, the child hero of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. The news about the demolishing of Azharudheen’s- the little celebrity- couldn’t even create much of a flutter among us.

The case was similar when the news about the ramshackling of another part of shanties was flashed across the TV screens and through Print Media on 20-5-2009. In the second episode of the serial ‘demolishings’, Brihu Mumbai Municipal Authorities created history of sorts by demolishing among other slums, the slum of Rubina Ali, the main female actor of the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. While the demolishing process was going on , the child was in the market to purchase something, her second mother was at the spot to make a hue and cry, the authorities cared two hoots for her protestations and the makeshift area disappeared within seconds.

Not much hullabaloo. Not much hue and cry. Business as usual in the city. Politicians are pretty hectic in their activities. Post-election scenario is turning out to be transparent day by day. The victorious ones upbeat. Those who remained with great expectations and lost in the race mulling their next course of action still licking their wounds simultaneously don’t much bother about Azharudheen Ismail and Rubina Ali. The elections are over for the time being. And hence the shedding of crocodile tears also have to take some leisure moments.

The producers of the Oscar winner have also not much to say about the little child actors of the film who were instrumental in piling up huge collection for them. The trend of things happening in our nation.

Dehumanization of the society is not common to India, but to the World as a whole and the reversal of the process is the dream of an average peace-loving world citizen.

CERTAIN SALUTARY ASPECTS OF 15th GENERAL ELECTIONS AND ITS VERDICT

2009-05-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

The dust has been settled, a clear picture merged and the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) led by Indian National Congress is back with a renewed mandate, albeit within a short distance to reach the magical figure of 272. That doesn’t matter. The UPA led by the Party has more than enough supporters in queues to provide a stable government without expecting cabinet berths or anything of that sorts. No need to be embarrassed or surprised by the decisions taken by some power hungry politicians - not because they became the ardent devotees of Lord Krishna overnight, whose advice to Arjuna, the veteran Kshathriya warrior not to wait for the fruits of his action- but because quite unexpectedly their calculations and hopes went awry after the final results emerged. Shattered dreams like a broken glass castle are something painful and in politics also such painful things occur quite unexpectedly especially during election.

AmarSingh, SP leader was in an upbeat mood days before the elections and he was awaiting for an opportune moment to extract his pound of flesh from the UPA, as it was predicted to have a slight edge over the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) led by BJP and the Third Front led by Leftists with a hotchpotch of opportunist parties like AIADMK, TDP and PMK who were waiting keeping options open.

Soon after the clear picture became evident to all the Congress leaders like DigVijay Singh and Janardhan Dwivedi, they went euphoric within no time, such is the way of the world sir, openly declared Congress Party’s determination to keep SP (Samajwadi Party) out of the alliance once and for all. Their statements dealt heavy blows to the already humiliated Samajwadi Party with its 23 seats and INC contrary to their own expectations could improve its tally with 21 seats in UP, thus establishing their clout in the State with largest number of Parliament seats. Out of 80 seats in the State, BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) led by the Chief Minister Kumari Mayawati could garner only 19 seats much to her chagrin. Now she has also come out into the open with unconditional support to the coming UPA led government, ie with no strings attached.

Amar Singh was ‘heart-broken’ on hearing the statements of DigVijay Singh and Party spokesman Janardhan Dwivedi. They should not have spoken so rudely, after all it was Amar Singh’s Party which rushed to the rescue of ManMohanSingh government at a time the leftists withdrew support to UPA on the issue of Civil Nuclear Deal. “Too ruthless Too thankless and most unbecoming.”

Lalu Prasad Yadav bit by the sting find its very hard to swallow the pain after the unexpected drubbing his Party suffered at the hustings and the unexpected victory of Congress even to its leaders is in a pathetic state. His friend Ram Vilas Paswan is now nowhere in the picture after the leader himself drawing a blank at Hajipur constituency. He was quite magnanimous when he declared ( to quote his own words) ‘those who bring power to the centre should be worshipped. I couldn’t do it unfortunately.’

The Fourth front consisting of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) and SP (Samajwadi Party) formed with the sole purpose of exerting maximum pressure on the UPA alliance which was supposed to have a slight edge over other fronts to extract the maximum from the coming government have nothing much to demand from it.

Unconditional support with no demands for the consummation of a stable government so as to enable it to deliver maximum prosperity and happiness to the ‘Aam Admi’ (common man) is only their motivation. Howzaat ? All in desperate rush to save the country from vested interests. Patriotic gentlemen always move ahead in tandem or on the same wavelength.

Even NDA (National Democratic Alliance) who were also dreaming power at the centre and most vocal in its criticism against the UPA alliance and the Third front have shed its belligerent mood and have decided to keep a low profile for the time being and at the same time have decided to extend constructive opposition to the government in the coming days.

Regional parties except a few were the worst sufferers in the 15th General Elections. The ruling alliance at the centre, if sincere in catering to the needs of dissatisfaction in certain parts of the country the mushrooming of regional parties can be avoided to a large extent. And that is a good omen. Those who associated with them to garner maximum number of seats, with glowing dreams of a prosperous dawn also fell in the quagmire of petty politics losing much of their fame, rigour, the revolutionary zeal and glory. The leftists swam with these regional players and in the process sunk with them. The one, INC which was ready for the gamble to regain the lost glory of the Party tasted victory albeit with a partial success. The frantic efforts of Lalus’, AmarSinghs’ and Mayawatis’ to rally behind the governing alliance are exercises in futility if they are always kept at a reasonable distance.

DREAMING OF SPRING TIME TO ARRIVE

2009-05-20T05:56:00.001-07:00

I always call him Comrade. True, I know his real name with initials. Admit. Some friends call him by his initials. But I call him Comrade. It is my preference.

He is a revolutionary. Fire-brand ofcourse. Whenever he addresses his Comrades, the real revolutionary in him comes out into the open. He spits fire. He shivers with rage. His baritone voice goes up up and up to great heights. So, says his closest comrades. And on listening to his thunderous speeches their spirits rise up in tandem.

Sorry, I have not yet met him in person. That luck still remains elusive, since we got in touch with each other over phone ten years ago. One day, yes, one day I will meet him, exchange pleasantries with him and will engage in serious discussions connected with trade union, politics, art, literature and culture.

Once in a while, I see him in print media, visual media, leading processions chanting slogans with clenched fists and his voice reverberating all over the surroundings. Tall, sturdy, bushy growth of hair covering his head, thick moustached and clean shaven. Ofcourse a typical revolutionary.

Whenever I think about him I am reminded of former shining jewel of Mumbai journalism, Behram Contractor alias Busybee, who with his daily evening column, ‘Round and About’, first in Evening Times of Times of India (Behram Contractor was Times Of India’s Bombay bureau Chief), then Mid-day and after a short stint in Mid-day his own Afternoon Despatch Courier. The Mumbaikars were madly after him, his evening column with his illuminating style and substance, provided us food for thought and also a great deal to have hearty laughs while on commuting to our homes in the local trains or while waiting for buses at bus-stops, coffee houses, beer parlours, anywhere and everywhere in Mumbai. After a hectic day in offices immersed in tiresome and tedious jobs, Busybee was always there outside to rejuvenate our sagging spirits, to enable us to relax and rejoice with his ‘Round and About’.

But our Busybee in the city doesn’t have much in his kitty to provide us happiness and leisure. Even without it he is a Busybee. In his city he is always held in high esteem for his sincerity to the cause of people, especially employees, incidentally- he is also an employee - and also for his contribution to the development of art, literature and culture by being the owner, printer and publisher of a cultural magazine and to film world by being the head of a film society to display good and sensible films which have something for them to contribute to the growth and enlightenment of society as a whole.

The busy schedule stretching from early morning till late into the night actually deprives him from leading a successful family life. But he continues to be happy or pretends to be happy to everyone, his wife, who also continues to be happy or goes on pretending to be happy to her near and dear ones by not showing or displaying pain and sorrow - a sort of existential agony - for failing to have a flower bloom in their life even after twenty five years of marital bliss.

He comes late into the night. She calmly, patiently waits for him beside the telephone till his arrival under the table lamp reading something which is the only source of her solace, love and affection till the footsteps of her beloved approach infront of the door.. After a shower, he comes out afresh, combs the hair in front of a mirror and both of them sit opposite to each other and serve and share dinner, under the ceiling fan revolving at its peak. Not much to talk to each other. Even if there is something to talk about, not much time is left to spare because it is very late in the night and both of them have to get up early, for her to go to the kitchen and him to the office.

When, part of a story remains fully unveiled, the other part remains veiled and nobody cares to know about it. After all who is here to think and feel sorry for a barren existence or a barren island in the hustle and bustle of an urban existence? This is after all the whole gamut of the humdrum existence of all of us, humanbeings.

THIS TOO ABOUT 1984 ANTI-SIKH POGROM

2009-05-12T07:18:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister ManMohanSingh wound up his election campaign in Ludhiana, Punjab, his home-State yesterday. Assam is also his home-State, so he claims, cast his vote there with his wife Gursharan Kaur a few days ago. After all he is our PM and he can rightfully claim the whole of India, his home-“State”.

I am prompted to write a few words about his press conference at Ludhiana after winding up his election tour in Punjab (The New Indian Express dated 11-05-2009).

He took exception to certain queries posed to him by some media persons relating to the anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984. Raking up an incident, though bizarre, was according to him something deplorable to cater to the ulterior motives of a few vested interests. As far as he is concerned past is past, or let by-gones be by-gones, and the whole problems solved after the enhancement of compensation to the victims especially the Sikh widows.

It was quite unbecoming of a PM to have uttered such merciless words, though to the media-persons. It was like rubbing salt to wounded Sikh psyche.

Holocaust is still not forgotten. Hiroshima and Nagasakhi are still festering wounds to the whole World especially Japanese. India’s partition and the blood-bath that followed still simmering even after decades. The Jalianwallabagh massacre and the hangings of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru still relived. The brutal assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a hindu fanatic and Indira Gandhi by two of her Sikh body guards still remain painful to everyone across the nation. Dr.ManMohanSingh knows all about these more than this writer. The afore-said incidents are recalled, tributes and homages are profusely offered at appropriate times. Despite all these, his alleged insistence that the memories of Sikh pogrom of 1984 must be wiped out of the victims’ minds is something which is very difficult to be digested.

Would it be possible for Dr Singh to bring back those brutally murdered by the alleged thugs alive before their women and children? Are these womens’ husbands worth the amount offered to them as compensation? Whether Dr.Singh is unaware of the hapless widows and their children, most of them went astray after witnessing their beloved fathers repeatedly beaten up with iron-rods on their heads until they fell unconscious in pools of blood and then set alight. Will they be able to wipe out the trauma etched in their minds, when they are asked to?

Impossible, Dr.Singh.

What the victims of 1984 carnage are badly in need of is bringing all those masterminded it be brought to justice. Uptill then they will remain restless souls. Harjith Kaur, Kuldip Kaur, Jagrup Kaur and a host of others like them will continue to nurture the feelings of anger and hatred towards those at the higher echelons of power.

Providing tickets to the alleged culprits to contest the parliamentary elections is something detestable.
Before winding up this thoughts, let me quote the words of one of the victims of this carnage,
“We want no money. Our murderers need to be prosecuted and hanged. We will have everything when they are hanged, everything. I don’t want that ten lakh; ManMohanSingh need not give us any money because we don’t want it. ManMohanSingh needs to give us the pleasure of knowing they will be hanged; that is our greatest want and desire. Our Murderers must be punished now; they are roaming free. Their children have fathers, and our children have nothing.” ( ‘Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984’ – Jyoti Grewal)

Just imagine the anger and hatred these Sikh widows still keep in their minds against the alleged perpetrators and the ruling elite?

INDIRA GANDHI’S ASSASSINATION AND AFTER

2009-05-10T09:45:00.001-07:00

The horrible memories of 1984 pogrom of Sikhs orchestrated by certain vested interests in the capital city of New Delhi in the wake of the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister by her two Sikh bodyguards surfaced again soon after the alleged master-minds, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar jumped into the fray to contest the 15th general elections on Congress tickets. Another alleged master-mind, HKL Bhagat, on completion of his mission, vanished from the scene all together years before. Whether he is in hell or heaven is not much of a concern to anybody. There is no point in disbelieving the Sikhs’ allegation that the whole pogrom was orchestrated and systematically executed on 31 October 1984, November 1-3 allegedly at the behest of late H K L Bhagat, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar. Almost 3000 Sikhs were ruthlessly butchered, their women repeatedly raped, even girl children were not exempted, Sikhs’ sacred Guru Granth Saheb desecrated by urinating on them or by tearing them apart and their dwellings set ablaze by organized mobs.

The male Sikhs who were the bread-winners of their families were dragged out of their houses or caught by chasing them and in the presence of their women beat them up mercilessly, struck them with iron rods, tyres put around their necks, doused them with kerosene and set them alight. The women and children were rendered homeless and they had to take refuge somewhere else, a large number of widows went insane and the children who were forced to witness their fathers being killed ruthlessly by the mobs and their mothers and sisters beined raped callously right infront of them, couldn’t escape from the trauma and in the course of time they fell prey to alcohol and drugs, thus turning to be a burden and pain for their hapless mothers.

“Kill them. They are the sons of venomous snakes. Don’t allow them to survive. Otherwise they will bite you and kill you”- H K L Bhagat, the Congress leader was reported to have exhorted the goons who were quite obedient and loyal to their masters. These goons were actually enjoying their duties they were entrusted with ,they were celebrating in fact, and had no sense of sorrow or pain over the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

Twenty five years have elapsed since 1984. Still the peace-loving minority community of Sikhs have not escaped from the trauma of that period.

Our Prime Minister, Sardar ManMohanSingh is a Sikh. Even then it took twenty one years for him to apologize for the pogrom committed against his community.

“To err is human. There were lapses in November 1984”- His duty to his community is fulfilled!- Is an apology by the PM sufficient to heal the wounds of the beleaguered Sikh community.

Till now, no action has been taken against the perpetrators of the pogrom. Till now the alleged master-minds have not been brought to justice. Instead, the Grand Old Party provided them with tickets to contest the 15th General elections from two Delhi constituencies. Upon coming to know of their plans to contest the election, the Sikh community joined hands in protest against it and as a result, both of them had to withdraw their nominations. The amount of hatred and anger the Sikhs have towards those Congress leaders is appalling.

Upon the assassination of Indira Gandhi, her son Rajiv Gandhi took over the reins of power. On being inquired about the massive rape and burning of the dwellings of Sikhs, his response was:
“When a big tree falls, the earth shakes”.

Those words were like adding salt to the wounds, and even today those words reverberate in their ears like deafening explosions. It helped to aggravate the anger and hatred towards the Gandhi dynasty and the Sikhs have dedicated themselves and are praying to Waheguru ( the Sikh God) to pay for it. Sikhs’ dedication to Waheguru is heartening and in the moments of despair and frustration, they turn to him and pray to him. Still many among them firmly believe and attribute the brutal assassination of Rajiv Gandhi to his words of contempt and indifference to their helplessness when they were badly in need of the help from the authorities. Some of the Sikh women’s words of curse directed against the Gandhi family and their sobs, doom and gloom, on describing the trauma, they had undergone during those fateful days, I shudder to repeat here.

Jyoti Grewal in her book, “Betrayed By The State- The Anti-Sikh Pogrom of 1984”- is a must read. She has taken enormous pain and days of research and interviews in the making of this book. I am sure, she has succeeded in her venture. She could bring out those faces who were waiting in the fringes of the society with nobody to go into their hardships since November 1984 and the trauma they are sure to take along with them even to their graveyards.

Ms. Grewal is certain that, if the culprits of 1984 pogrom were brought before the law and awarded deserving punishment, the 2002 pogrom enacted in Gujarat, would not have happened. In other words, 1984 pogrom and indifference and contempt by ruling authorities towards the Sikhs and the Government’s support to the culprits and master-minds became a catalyst to Narendra Modi and his followers to indulge in an orgy of violence throughout Gujarat- the land of Mahatma- leading to the near decimation and fleeing of Muslim community to safe sanctuaries across India.

Whether the embers will go on burning or will there be anybody to provide a soothing effect to those who fell victims to the pogrom of 1984 is anybody’s guess. Except some shedding of crocodile tears and apologies in abundance what ought to be done will not have much relevance is my personal opinion.

I hope this is an apt and opportune moment to extend kudos to Jyoti Grewal for penning this enlightening work.

A CAGED BIRD – THE PLIGHT OF A YOUNG EDUCATED BRIDE

2009-05-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

She was meeting Dhanya after a lapse of three months. Dhanya was coming all the way from Bangalore with her husband to the college to appear for her viva. Snigdha’s viva was already over and luckily got herself employed in a government firm not far away from college. Before proceeding to Kerala, Dhanya had informed her about her coming to the college to appear for viva and on hearing the news of Dhanya’s arrival, she was deeply delighted. From the very day they got separated, both were badly missing each other.

Dhanya was very cute and pretty, calm and quiet and the girl always tried to keep aloof from other girls of the hostel and college. While in the hostel Dhanya always preferred to be alone in her room reading something or scribbling something or pondering over something about which only Dhanya herself was quite aware of.

Why Dhanya couldn’t consider Snigdha quite unfriendly, unlike others, was a puzzle, still a puzzle, about which Dhanya herself was at a loss to find out.

During leisure times, she would make it a point to visit Dhanya whiling away time alone in her room, would find Dhanya immersed in her thoughts, looking pensive.

“Hai Dhanya, how are you?”- she would go near her and pat her on her back. Dhanya, forgetting all the unnecessary thoughts, would give her a beaming smile and would point towards a chair and would request her to be seated.
“What about study and all”?- Snigdha would inquire her with a charming smile.
“Going on Snigdha”- Dhanya would return her smile.
Dhanya would sit in a padmasana (sitting in a cross-legged position) position on her bed.
“And what about you”?- Dhanya never forgot to grill her with a glint of mischief and curiosity in her eyes.

Spending time with Dhanya was a pleasure to her. On those occasions Dhanya would bare her thoughts to her, her unnecessary fears about her health, whether she was suffering from any kind of diseases which she dreaded, such unnecessary thoughts haunting her. Whenever Dhanya began to narrate her imaginary fears about her health, Snigdha would get angry and would admonish her.

“For heaven’s sake, Dhanya you are absolutely fit. This is a kind of hypochondriasis and nothing else. Whenever you happen to read about a disease, in a newspaper or a periodical, you get scared and worry whether you are also a victim to that disease. Dhanya, please try to mingle with everybody and make friends with them and don’t keep moody and aloof always in your cocoon. Mind you, if you go on harping on such and such diseases, I will stop coming to you.”- she would warn her with a smiling face.

She always wanted to see Dhanya in a happy mood and hence force her out of the room, walk down the path just in front of the college and in the mean time, she would inquire about Dhanya’s childhood days. On both sides of the path there were flower trees bearing various kinds of innumerable flowers giving the ambience a romantic look. Dhanya told her about her childhood days, separated from the parents in her early days and her study in a Navodaya School for years, a brief period with parents and younger brother, again returning to the hostel and later during higher studies also spending days away from parents, and it was quite natural that she felt a distance from her parents, a kind of suppressed anger towards them for not showering love and affection when she badly needed. Keeping away from even the class-mates and room-mates led her to live in a make-believe world of unnecessary fears about health and such other things.

On almost all days, she would persuade Dhanya to give her a company to her to the temple, just outside the campus premises and soon Dhanya also found very much delighted in going to the temple to have Darshan (glimpse) even in the absence of her friend.

As promised over phone, both of them met in the town, they locked in a warm hug oblivious of the happenings around them.

With tears welling-up in their eyes, they moved along without uttering anything for a few minutes.

She wiped out her tears.

“You look smarter and healthier Dhanya. What is the secret behind it”?- with disarming smile Snigdha looked askance.
Dhanya felt a bit shy.

“Nowadays I am not eating for myself only. A guest is…”

Dhanya burst out laughing. She couldn’t complete her words.
Snigdha was somewhat taken aback.

“Pretty soon! Really wonderful and my whole-hearted congratulations”- Snigdha couldn’t believe it first. Dhanya was still shy.

“I am not going to spare you today. I need a sumptuous lunch, that also at…”

On hearing her Dhanya couldn’t control her laughter.

“But Snigdha, I have not told one thing even to my parents. But now I am going to lay bare my sorrow and unhappiness to you. Because you know me best more than anybody. From the very outset , I was the top in all classes. Here also the things will not be different. I am sure. But to no avail. Almost one month after marriage and merry go-round in Garden city, yes the so-called honeymoon, he and his parents have begun to appear before me in their true colours. They don’t want me to be employed in any institution. They have no qualms in breaking the assurance they had given before fixing the marriage. They have found me a suitable place in the kitchen. Prepare rice, chappathis and curries about which I didn’t have much idea. Letters from my parents are censored before handing it over to me. Mother-in-law demands more gold and money. She even does not like me talking to my husband and he has not the guts to cross the line drawn by her. No outings. No purchases. But the life must go on.”
“Who is to blame for all these?”- Dhanya was asking.

“Yourself”- Snigdha didn’t take a split-second to respond. She was shivering with rage.

REGIONAL CHAUVINISM AND MUSHROOMING OF POLITICAL PARTIES

2009-05-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

Are we going back to the days of princely states? Posing this question to myself most often, is similar to finding pleasure in fooling myself. Because this curse is a perennial one and its genesis dates back to decades.

Regional chauvinism has much to do with mushrooming of political parties across our nation. The intention of most of the leaders being to score over their opponents by snatching one-upmanship by grabbing ministerial power at the centre or by bargaining with the national alliance or party with the capacity to stake claim to form a government at the centre. Nowadays national parties, both Congress and BJP are more than willing to accommodate any splinter party by pandering to their interests in the event of forming a government at the centre. They are very well aware the days of one party rule is a thing of the past. And in politics, democratic principles, traditions and ethics- all prove to be of not much value or importance and they are kept in the black-burner needed only on the occasions of celebrating Independence days, Republic days or on such days of national importance. Erosion of values, thinking on caste lines while choosing candidates for each constituency, even by the left parties, only criteria being winnability, more than efficiency and the selection of candidates with criminal antecedents, play dirty and despicable roles in Indian politics.

Take for instance Tamil Nadu. Once Indian National Congress was ruling roost in that State. Those were the days of one party rule. Today’s two prominent regional parties, DMK and AIADMK where once nowhere near that National Party. Later parochialism reared its ugly head and with the rise of parochialism the birth of regional parties abound such as DMK, AIADMK, MDMK, PMK so on and on and on. The numbers are innumerable, on each alternate election, either DMK and its allies or AIADMK and its allies reach at the helm of affairs or the governance alternates between these two regional parties. Reason behind the rise of parochialism must have a lot to do with the policy of neglect adopted by the sole ruling party- the Indian National Congress- those were the glorious days of Indian National Congress while in power spanning decades. Fissiparous tendencies developed among the masses and their national outlook was at stake. Still claiming to be of national outlook though the fact of the matter is just contrary. The other day’s incident at Coimbatore was just one example. Army trucks coming from Hyderabad were vandalized by the followers of a regional party named PDK (Periyar Dravida Kazhagam) shouting slogans against the Government of India and Sri Lanka, thus expressing solidarity with hapless Tamilians stranded in Sri Lanka. More than half a dozen trucks were set ablaze.

Similarly, joining power at the centre with any party leading government at the centre, either one of the alliances will certainly be there, the ministers take extra care to arrange funds for the development of their State, in the process neglecting many others. The one heading the ministry has no other way out except remaining a mute spectator. Arm-twisting after all is a painful thing (Comrade A B Bardhan, leader of CPI (Communist Party of India) on the occasion of an interview with a correspondent of a prominent national daily was found justifying the growth of regional parties across the nation with the argument that regional parties can contribute much to the growth of their respective states. Comrade Bardhan seems to forget a sad truth that with the mushrooming of regional parties in every state, it was always the national parties which were the ultimate losers and as a good example I would like to point out the state of Bihar where once the CPI (Communist Party of India) could maintain a formidable clout in Bihar politics. Then Lalu or Paswan were only fringe elements, both of them even unheard of among the masses and in the present situation CPI has become a fringe element.)

In Andhra Pradesh, TDP’s (Telugu Desom Party) rise is attributed to the cavalier manner the State was treated by the centre. N.T.Rama Rao, film-star turned politician took up cudgels against the centre, formed a party for the Telugus named TDP and attained power soonafter. Though Congress is ruling the State now, TDP is a vulnerable one to reckon with. The demand for Telangana State to be carved out of Andhra Pradesh is also gaining momentum and TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) under the leadership of K.Chandra Shekhar Rao is actively campaigning for a separate home-land with the support and blessings of other parties. If that part of the State was properly cared and protected by those responsible, the demand for separate Telangana would not have arisen. Andhra Pradesh’s movie idol and dancing hero, Chiranjeevee has also jumped into the political arena with the formation of Praja Raajyam Party.

The Andhra developments are a definite pointer to the gaining strength of regional parties and the tendency is not to the good of national ethos.

Bihar, has already joined the bandwagon of regional politics. Lalus and Paswans though claiming to be national have already ensured their places in the land of Buddha, reducing the once- dominant Party- Indian National Congress in to a virtual non-entity. The election scenario this time amply shows the place of the Grand Old Party in Bihar politics. Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist), once held some sway in the political heartland of Bihar. They are also out of the picture today. Party leaders think along caste lines and they be it Lalu, Paswan or Nititsh spare no efforts in wooing the communities like Muslims, Kurmis and Yadavs with promises and assurances in abundance. This State has also fallen a prey to regional chauvinism.

Orissa, once a strong-hold of Congress , is now in the hands a regional Party BJD (Biju Janata Dal) led by Naveen Patnaik, the son of Biju Patnaik, erstwhile Congress leader.

UP (Uttar Pradesh), with 80 Loksabha seats, under Mayawati of BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), formed in the interests of Dalits, targeting Dalit vote banks by late Kanshi Ram and now led by ambitious leader Mayawati, aspiring to be a national party by joining hands with Brahmins and extending benefits to them along with poor dalits by propounding a new theory called social engineering is also not free from regional chauvinism. SP (Samajwadi Party) led by Mulayam Singh Yadav- he was once our defence minister- is engaged in a bitter fight with Mayawati. Former UP Chief Minister and expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh is now very much with Mulayam Singh. “Maulana Mulayam”, once affectionately called by the Muslims of UP found himself in the ditch with the deserting of a big chunk of Muslims to Mayawati. By keeping away from all his engagements in other States Mulayam has confined himself to UP to garner maximum number of seats thus proving his mettle to principal opponent Kumari Mayawati. On scrutinizing the trends in UP, it is very easy to note here the State which provides maximum number of seats has also gone the way of caste politics. Congress which ruled over the State for decades and BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) play only peripheral roles in the key State of UP.

On going through any State, it is not that much difficult to come to the sad truth that regional chauvinism and castes play crucial roles in 15th Loksabha elections of India.

Be it Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra casteism and ‘sons of the soil policy holders’ gain much clout among the masses.

We have no dearth of parties. What we are urgently in need of is somebody who could play positive roles in the overall development of nation as a whole. Better infrastructure facilities like roads, electricity, irrigation facilities, elementary education, health-care to all providing nutritious food to the children, women and those below poverty line, women empowerment, employment and most of such facilities.

Parties multiplying on a daily basis. Even on ideological lines. But the lot of the masses remain same. At least those who split on ideological lines and form new ones are bound to ponder over it and arrive at a solution.

Parochialism and mushrooming parties never help in contributing to the development and prosperity of the nation- for that matter any nation.

Those who had monopoly on power for decades must make amends for it.

Challenges ahead for Barack Obama

2009-04-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama completes 100 days in office on 30 April 2009. It is a good precedent adopted by many to look back and take stock of the positive as well as the negative aspects and if in need of formulating better policy initiatives, both internal and external in the days to come. The youthful President took charge of affairs at a time when US was (and is) facing uphill tasks on the economic front which is still in doldrums or in a shambles. The financial melt-down is still a looming threat to all nations across the world which had its genesis in US, thanks to the unregulated free market economy adopted by the Republican Party (GoP) and its leaders.
Mr.George W Bush, the former President, a Republican who “carved a niche for himself” in formulating a policy affecting both internal and external affairs (thus he became the beloved of all) handed over power on a platter to Obama. Obama was by then kept abreast of all the developments which were not to his liking and hence was not alarmed or embarrassed.

While on his whirlwind tour of US to campaign for his Presidential candidature, he reminded the electorate of gigantic tasks ahead and appealed for their co-operation to surmount the obstacles one by one.

“We must throw ourselves up from the deep pit we have fallen in” – was his message to his supporters.

“While the Wall Street thrives, we should not allow the main street to suffer”- were also his famous words to the American citizen. Those words indicated his determination to rescue the economy from the deep ditch which found itself in as a result of eight years of misrule by the GoP.

With good intentions he proceeded to build up the economy, pumped $787 billion and later pumped more into the economy to bail-out banks, other institutions and for health-care across America. Obama is an advocate of Keynesian theory of economics is not on good terms with free-market economy which is unregulated and it always argues “markets always correct themselves” and there is no need of interference by the government. But that was not to be. The experience proved it with the crumbling down of the economic policies adopted by the former government and its economists like Alan Greenspan.

A man reputed for his coolness, diplomacy and cordiality- Obama is known for these qualities- lost his cool after assuming power, when he came to learn about the huge sums of bonuses sanctioned by the executives of AIG (American International Group)-the World’s largest insurance company which was bailed out with pumping in of tax payers’ money-to themselves. The bureaucrats had no regard for the failing economy and its after-effects like recession and retrenchment were notorious for their selfishness and greed which are characteristics of a capitalist economy. After his scathing attack and with the Government’s decision to impose 90 percent tax on the bonuses they had sanctioned to themselves-some of them returned the amounts in full-not all of them. The bureaucrats of the Citi group also followed suit and they were also forced to remit the bonus back.
Still the damage control exercise is going on but the formidable tasks are still staring in the face of President Obama. Not cowed down by the threats ahead, Obama moves with brimming confidence is a good sign. After the first round of G20 Summit hosted by George Bush to bail-out the global economy in Washington, the then President on 15 November, the second round of the Summit was in London, hosted by Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Britain on April 2-3. Indian Prime Minister ManMohanSingh was also a participant in the Summit. The deliberations adopted there, if implemented in letter and spirit could be of helpful to a certain extent to the nations across the World - all are tasting the bitter fruits of economic down-turn - such as increasing the fund of IMF from $250 billion to $750 billion with the intention of extending help to needy nations to bail-out their economies and to help the member countries to get back huge amounts of unaccounted money stashed in safe havens like Liechenstein Bank in Germany and UBS in Switzerland by the political leaders and industrial tycoons.

Something is better than nothing- it is said. Differences there were, like France and Germany joining hands against encouraging bail-outs, instead they advocated for strict regulations and Britain and US on the other side giving more importance to bail-outs.

With more and more countries turning to the Left- last week Iceland, which was one of the safe havens for black money also turned to the left- after a colossal financial turmoil, still the apostles of Capitalism are busy deliberating on their next steps to bring back the free-market economy through the backdoor.

Obama, after the Summit flew into Germany first, then to France, Czech Republic and his last stop was Turkey. It was a historic tour, he got a chance to display his diplomatic potentials at everywhere he went befriending all without sowing the seeds of animosity, hatred and one-upmanship. The election of Anders Fogh Rasmussen , the former Prime Minister of Denmark as the new Chairman of NATO was a fine example of winning the hearts of everybody in the selection of Rasmussen . As far as Turkey is concerned Rasmussen was a hated figure from the very day a derogatory cartoon of Allah was published in a Danish Newspaper by its cartoonist. But Obama could prevail upon Turkish leaders cajoling them into agreeing for the appointment of Mr. Rasmussen as the NATO Chairman. A defining example of Obama’s statesmanship.

Similarly holding out an olive branch to Iran, which was on collision terms with US during the Bush era and the simultaneous reciprocating gesture by the Iranian authorities is also a step forward, though it is not a great leap, in establishing peace after a long gap. Both countries have a lot of ground to cover to establish durable peace in the trouble prone-area.

One remarkable step forward anyhow is the fifth historic meeting of the Organisation of American States held at Trinidad-Tobago last week. It was an ideal occasion for Obama and the Latin American countries to forget the past and pave the way for camaraderie. Obama’s moment with Hugo Chavez, the Venezeulan Head must have been an unforgettable experience. Chavez’s presentation of the renowned book by Edwardo Galeano titled- “Open Veins of Latin America”- to Obama was reported with much prominence by the International media. But Cuba is still elusive and it is for Obama to take initiative to bridge gaps with the Latin American Communist nation, which is still undergoing sanctions slapped by US in 1948. Sixty years of mutual rivalry has to be put an end to, a new era of friendship and co-operation established. Cuba had to endure many a hardship on account of the frequent and indirect efforts by US to undermine the leadership, especially of the greatest revolutionary of our times Comrade Fidel Castro. CIA, US Intelligence agency in the past vainfully tried several times to physically eliminate him from the whole scene.

Anyhow past is past, now it is an opportune moment to lift the embargo and pave the way for lasting friendship

Keeping in mind all these positive aspects in mind propensity or could we say aspiration for remaining always at the top of the ladder is somewhat puzzling. The dream of a Uni-polar World still remains at the top of any US head’s agenda. A multi-polar World- that is not to any President’s liking. A mystery.

The ongoing crisis in Iraq, an exploding situation confronting Afghanistan and Pakistan and Obama’s undesirable interest and pumping of huge sums to Pakistan to tackle terrorism actually belie our expectations of this young leader.

He has ample time to learn. It is pertinent here to note, he has taken only a few steps ahead. Let us wish him all success in his endeavour to bring peace and prosperity on the occasion of his completion of hundred days in office.

DOLE OUT MONEY, ENSURE YOUR VICTORY!

2009-04-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Speeches inflaming communal passions, muscle power and money power are vitiating the electoral arena inspite of the close vigil of Election Commission, Media and Judiciary. Black money flows lavishly without any curbs across the nation, quite unprecedented in scale, compared to the sums flowed in the previous elections. Money power to influence the poor voters of one of the “fast developing economies” has become the bane of the nation and it seems it is here to stay in the years to come.

Is an Indian citizen worth Rs. 100/- 500/- or 1000/- notes only, as seen by the “leaders of principles and integrity” at the electoral scene? If they are not thinking on these lines why are they displaying the impunity and audacity of doling out sarees, monies and other petty comforts to a hapless voter. It is nothing but a sort of exploitation of the poverty- stricken and these leaders don’t have any qualms or moral prick to leave them in the lurch after their dreams are materialised.

Except the leftists, all other parties are involved in such banalities in one way or other. I don’t know whether the leftists will also try to keep pace with the tainted leaders slowly but gradually in the desperate hurry to occupy the throne in Indraprastha. Because the thin line (the dividing line evolved into a thin one over the years) dividing the bourgeois parties and the working class parties are slowly fading out from the political scenario, when we observe some recent tendencies which are not to be encouraged. In a world of mad consumerism, even a party pursuing a revolutionary and humanitarian ideology is prone to fall a prey to the bewitching, sizzling, scintillating and inviting world of free market economic policies or capitalist ideology. Let good sense prevail over them in the years ahead.

The alleged instance of doling out money to the poor in front of the glaring TV cameras, started from Samajwadi Party leader, Mulayam Singh. It was seen some of his Party supporters distributing currency notes to poor men and women in his presence. The EC took notice of this and sought his explanation. Mulayam must have had a ready-made reply which might have been pre-meditated. He explained to the Commission that it was customary for him every year to donate currencies to the poor on the auspicious occasion of celebrating Holi at Etah and it had nothing to do with elections.

Election Commission had to be content with his reply and by issuing a curt warning to him ended the chapter then and there.

Actor-Politician, Chiranjeevi’s hotel room- he is the founder leader of Praja Rajyam Party- at Tirupathi was raided as he was alleged to be distributing money to the electorate from the hotel room. The 88 crore worth actor desperately wants to upift the ‘prajas’ (subjects) from the clutches of poverty and other hardships. We must certainly appreciate his broad-mindedness for his love of the poor and down-trodden. To serve them he has taken long holiday from the tinsel world. Worthy to be emulated.

In Rajasthan the constituency from which Maanavendra Singh, son of BJP leader Jaswant Singh came to national attention when the media men captured the scene of Jaswant Singh giving out currency notes to the electorate and it was flashed across the TV screens. A father’s love and affection towards his son is understandable, but the question staring in our face is whether it should be at the cost of integrity and principles of the former External Affairs Minister. Is this also a Call to Honour? Mr. Jaswant Singh is contesting this time from Darjeeling constituency where the Gorkhas are predominant.

SivaGanga from where our Home Minister, P.Chidambaram is contesting on Congress ticket has also taken by an eye of the storm. It is alleged that an approximate sum of Rs.3.26 lakh was unearthed from the temple premises. It was found inside a car parked inside the premises. On coming to know of the money hidden in the car AIADMK men who are in the opposite camp immediately locked the premises and informed the police and the police immediately passed the message to EC. The amount was supposed to have been for distributing among the electorate of SivaGanga.
Deve Gowda, the humble farmer from Karnataka, former Prime Minister and one of the architects of Third Front was reported to have launched a scathing attack on some political leaders doling out currencies to the electorate. “Instead of the ‘red note’ (Rs.1000 note), now political parties are giving gift coupons”- he was quoted as saying. (The Hindu dated 24-04-2009). On going through the news item all must have felt proud of him.

But I was quite embarrassed to see him distributing currencies to those who crowded around him. I had the opportunity of reading the two news items, one about his scathing attack on the political leaders distributing money to the poor people and the other Gowda himself doling out currencies to those who approached him with outstretched hands. It might be for charity.

Anyhow, I am yet to be free from this confusion.

The aforesaid instances are nothing compared to the goings on behind the curtains where huge amounts are traded which do not surface before the media and other watch-dogs and also the crores which are about to flow after May 16 in the mad race for arriving at the magic figure of 272, because a hung parliament is a foregone conclusion.

GOD MEN AND COMMUNALISM

2009-04-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Some of them are in pure white robes (symbolic of purity of mind) with long beards and also with long hairs sometimes with dreadlocks, thilaks , sometimes vermillion, sometimes sandal paste on their foreheads, always keeping bewitching smiles as if they are possessing the panacea for all the maladies plaguing mankind. Others prefer saffron robes (symbolic of renunciation), majority belong to saffron group, the other things like thilaks, beards, hair and expressions same as those in white.

Them, being an “enlightened lot”, we the common people are easily attracted to them expecting some magical solutions to our problems with their blessings. In our daily life we are confronted with many a nagging problem ranging from financial, mental, physical and such matters demanding immediate attention.

Those who hog the limelight are numerous. Hence, the devotees also galore.

Though claiming to be a fast developing nation by our rulers, the exact opposite is true. Still there are poverty deaths, problems of malnutrition, unemployment, lack of habitat, increasing numbers of slum dwellers in urban areas, farmers’ suicides, poor agricultural growth, lack of adequate healthcare to poor people especially in rural areas, illiteracy, discrimination against women, all abound.

Still claiming to be a fast developing economy is, to say the least, laughable (Once I also nurtured such a mistaken notion).

As per the World Human Development Index, India occupies the 132 position.

Yes, for some, for a minority, India is a fast developing economy- they are the industrial and business barons. With the financial downturn affecting the World economy, even they find themselves in hot waters.

It is estimated that 78 percent of our population make both ends meet with below $2 per day.

No digression sir.
Our God men and for that matter God women having already attained “enlightenment” prefer to go abroad and set up ashrams there, providing solace to lakhs of devotees approaching them with folded palms (typical Indian way) seeking magical cures for all “maladies” affecting them. These ‘enlightened’ beings always are peripatetic and hence they set up ashrams at various places in various countries.

They are not after temporal affairs or worldly pleasures. Thus we are made to believe. That is inimical to them. At the same time they prefer to settle in countries where materialism grows at a fast pace where the lack of mental tranquility also grows apace. Seeking solace, inner calm, people rush to “God men” and “God women” and are entrapped and enraptured by ‘divine’ teachings.

Once in a while ‘divine beings’ find time to visit the home country, warm receptions always await them by the devotees in the home country, all feel blessed by their very looks. Wherever our ‘God men’ go, they are welcomed and adored. Devotees provide them with fruits and equally sweet milk and in turn get blessed. Salvation times for the devotees or a subliminal feeling.

Even when our ‘God men’ abound in our country renowned for the rich spiritual and cultural heritage why are we always embroiled in communalist clashes and violence? Why Kandhmahals, Mangalore pub attack, Gujarat pogrom, Nanded and Malegaon bomb blasts, such horrendous incidents continue to haunt us. This is election time. But Kandhmahal is not forgotten. Lakshmananda Saraswathi, the raped nuns and their trauma, demolished dwellings, the brutally assaulted priests, and the hapless dalits of Kandhmahal are not forgotten. The 2002 Gujarat pogrom is still in our nightmares. The Mangalore pub attack still brings painful memories.

Communalist clashes, whether it be the handiwork of Hindus, Christians, Muslims or anybody cannot be condoned. Should not be condoned.

It is quite alarming that our ‘God men’ seemed to have been indifferent to the communalist clashes occurred at Kandhmahal and elsewhere. Why did they keep silent? Why do they keep silent?

Lal Krishna Advani, BJP leader and NDA’s Prime Ministerial candidate was reported to have sent letters to one thousand ‘God men’ about his candidature seeking their divine blessings. One among them immediately reciprocated by expressing his pleasure for Advani’s gesture alongside innovative style of keeping in touch with the ‘God men’ of his ilk and wishing him victory at the hustings.

When the nation is caught in the grip of terrorism, corruption and communalism, if we are a bit curious to know as to what would they do to douse the flames of the communal flare-ups and to heal the wounds thereby rescuing us, would it be a matter of crossing the LakshmanaRekhas (barriers not to be crossed).

Even a common man is aware of the simple fact that every religion preaches love and harmony and it never exhorts its adherents to sow the seeds of hatred and violence. The ‘God men’ and the ‘God women’ of our nation, if not all, are fully aware of the sanctity of religion and its message they make fools of themselves by associating them with those who preach militant religious ideologies whether it be Hinduism, Christianity or Islamic. Exceptions ofcourse are there.

Hinduism is entirely different from hindutva ideology propagated by certain political parties or otherwise as Amartya Sen once wrote- “Hindutva is a drastically reduced version of Hinduism”.

Whether our ‘enlightened gurus’ (teachers) will distance themselves away from communalist ideologies is a divine question confronting all.

SHANNO-THE GIRL CHILD-THE MEDIA AND SOCIETY

2009-04-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Everything has its positive as well as negative sides. Same is the case with the media. Much can be said about both sides.

Print, Radio, Television, Internet- the phenomenal development in the media field is astounding and is also a matter of extreme pleasure. While only print media was in vogue, news, either trivial or of much importance couldn’t travel so far as it is today. Surpass the limitations was always its aim and with the development in he field of science and technology, media could make it from print to internet. In the era of knowledge revolution, the yet to be coming innovations are beyond our imagination and also the future of print media in the long run is a matter of concern and curiosity.

Media activism like judicial activism plays a cardinal role in exposing and correcting many a contemporary evil plaguing our society. Innumerable instances are there to point out. Superstitions, illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, women empowerment, elementary education, corporal punishment, female infanticide, rampant corruption, the list goes on and on and on…

As long as Media and Judiciary remain vigilant, the instances of social evils will remain low and whenever they turn a blind eye, the forces of evil and doom will rear its ugly heads. Even while keeping an eternal vigil, undesirable tendencies show signs of coming up, particularly in the areas of politics and bureaucracy.

‘Sting Journalism’ though it tends to cross the ‘Lakshmana Rekhas’ (barriers not to be crossed) has played crucial roles in exposing the wretched goings on in the corridors of power- the shady deals are brought into the open, thus creating an awareness among the masses the extent of rot crept into the body politic. We are all witnesses to the hullabaloo some of the politicians make against the journalists who plunge into the area of sting journalism alleging that ‘the tapes are all doctored and that the media crossing the border line’.

Keeping all the plus points in mind let us not wish away the negative influence some of the media personalities exert on the masses by playing second fiddle to those in power and at the higher echelons of the society to accomplish some of their personal needs in the form of monetary benefits or to obtain a transfer for their spouses of their choice or to satiate personal gratifications like bottle and women.

To brush these things under carpet is not at all permissible and principles like morality and ethics are vital for the proper functioning of the media and thereby the society.

On writing about the ethics and morals in the media field, an incident which was reported in the media on 18April 2009, came to my mind.

A girl child, Shanno only eleven years of age fell a prey to the cruelty of her teacher. She was a student of a MCD ( Municipal Corporation of Delhi) school at Bawana, Outer Delhi, hailing from a poor family. Shanno’s father is a rickshaw puller and mother a daily wage earner.

The teacher’s direction to recite the English Alphabet string could not be complied by the child. Shanno was made to stand under scorching Sun with bricks on her shoulders for two hours. With the temperature running at 42 degree Celsius, Shanno desperately in need of some water implored her teacher to give her some water to quench her extreme thirst was responded by the teacher with a kick. Her head hit a wall, the child vomited and fainted. She was admitted at Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan Hospital and after fighting for life two days, she succumbed to death.

The incident was reported by the media- print and electronic alike- with due prominence and was discussed and condemned across the spectrum. Many prominent individuals in the filed of education and also from judiciary took part in the discussions and pointed out laws enacted to abolish corporal punishment to children once and for all and also the need to award deserving punishment to the inhuman beings in pedagogues’ uniforms.

The aforesaid incident is a good instance of ethical journalism and ethics should prevail in every field of the society. Media is the fourth pillar of democracy and all concerned should ensure the sanctity of this fourth estate. Same is the case with Executive and Judiciary.

THE ECOLOGICAL DISASTER AND GLOBAL WARMING IN OUR TIMES

2009-04-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Respected Sunder Lalji,
Namaskar (Show of love and respect).
Hope you are hale and hearty. It is my prayer to Ganga Matha (Mother Ganges) always. Mother Ganges is always in my dreams. To have a ‘darshan’ and also to have a dip in the sacred river is my long cherished dream. So far my wish remains unfulfilled. May God shower his blessings on me one day to make it possible.

It is a matter of great pain and sorrow to me whenever I overhear somebody or whenever I read about it or witness the present plight of Mother Ganges. But my love and devotion to sacred river increase only. Water getting polluted by factories built along the sides of the river by pumping the effluents to the river, people throwing waste material into the water, corpses and decapitated parts of animals, all Mother Ganges carries along its long and tedious journey to the ocean. Once the delight and pleasure of a nation with its sparkling, pure, transparent water has now turned out to be the pain and sorrow of the nation. Those who ought to, I mean the ruling class, to make Mother Ganges pollution free, is turning a deaf ear to the pleas of more than one billion people of the nation forgetting the rich heritage about which we take proud of. In the name of development mantra, landmarks of the past are being demolished ignoring the protests of the environmentalists and lovers of natural landscapes affecting our the bio-diversity of our nation. Are building giant dams across the rivers of a nation or evacuating farmers who till vast areas of fields and feed us and in its place building factories and multi-storeyed buildings, spreading out a red carpet to multi-nationals and promoting their products across the country, the signs of development of a nation? In the process those who are left in the lurch literally are the farmers, who are evacuated from their lands by paying them meagre amounts as compensation for rehabilitation- they don’t get even the allotted amount from the government and only those who have got influence in the higher echelons of power get away with the amount and thus the number of homeless, landless people increases, some even moving to the nearby cities to make both ends meet.

When I saw your photograph in the newspaper accepting Padmavibhushan, from our President, at the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapathi Bhavan with a smiling face, I was actually taken aback, a train of thoughts and memories passed through my mind.

You were a freedom fighter. You were the founder of ‘Chipko Movement’. You suffered a lot for our nation.

When the Government of India decided to proceed with the construction of Tehri Dam across the river Bhagirathi ,as an environmentalist you were in the forefront with your beloved wife Vimala Bahuguna and thousands of farmers and residents along the sides of the river to obstruct the plan of the Government on account of the consequences and hazards in the long run. The foot-hills of Himalayas are fragile and seismic and you were apprehensive of the massive damage it would cause in the event of an earthquake. The government was planning to build the fifth highest dam of the World across river Bhagirathi.

In 1991, you went on a fast unto death with your family and supporters by constructing a shed on the bank of Bhagirathi. The contract firm retaliated by snapping electric connection to the shed. But you were determined and held on to your resolve. The fast went on for 45 days and the Government intervened and pacified you. You withdrew the fast. Later you came to grip with your folly as the government of the day backtracked on its promises and you were compelled to undertake the fast again in 1995.

The fast lasted 45 days, the government had to intervene and cajoled you into withdrawing from the fast.

You fought for the poor farmers across river Bhagirathi. You always wanted Bhagirathi flow with its full vigour and dignity as before. The destruction of a mythical river was unbearable to you. The river believed to have been brought to earth by Bhagiratha was held dear by the residents on both sides of the river. The evacuation of lakhs of farmers from its sides was mind-boggling to you. There was not even a pre-planned rehabilitation package. The sum each got as rehabilitation package was only peanuts. The rich ones managed to extract from the government in plenty and the poor remained too poor and with their belongings, with tears in their eyes, with the agony of moving in different directions, some even had their mental balance shattered, disappeared into remote corners of the land.

Even after three fasts, in 1991, 1995 and 1998, you couldn’t succeed in your mission even the highest court of our land was in favour of Tehri Project, eventhough with a fractured verdict.

River Bhagirathi has lost its vibrancy, energetic flow and has got reduced to a trickle.

On Tehri Project, you once said “This dam is built on our tears”.

So what? Tehri produces 2400 MW of electricity. Ecological plunder, environmental destruction, hapless millions who lost their homes- who cares?

Never in my life did I expect you, accepting a Padma award or for that matter any award from the Government of India! If you had rejected the award outright it would have been a noble revenge and a jewel in your crown. After all who am I to cast aspersions on you?
Pranaam (Show of love and respect).

WILL SHASHI THAROOR MAKE IT?

2009-04-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Jaishree Misra is a Malayalee (Keralite). She is a renowned English fiction writer. There are four or five works to her credit. More than that, she is the grand daughter of well-known author, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, who the Malayalee writers and readers hold dearly to their hearts. His “Chemmeen” (Prawns), a love story based on the lives of fisher folk, their toils and sorrows, their intricate relationships, hopes, aspirations and also frustrations are very well portrayed in the novel in the backdrop of a sea. Chemmeen was made into a film in the 60’s, which won universal acclaim and rave reviews across the World. It was awarded Gold Medal of Indian President in 1965 for the best feature film. Jaishree Misra might have seen and enjoyed the film-the tragic love story of Karuthamma and Pareekutty- several times and felt proud about her grandfather. As long as mankind keep love in their hearts, this novel and the film based on it will be here to stay.

Thakazhy was a great lover of the poor, the middle-class farmers of Kuttanad and fisher-folk and was very well acquainted with their problems and was one among them. Rusticity was his blessing and was very adept in illuminating the sylvan surroundings of Kuttanad and adjacent areas. In fact rustic charm was the hallmark of his writings.

Jaishree Misra is now based in London. Once, twice or thrice a year she makes it to her native land to spend and enjoy happy days with her mother and dear ones, who are settled at Thiruvananthapuram.

The other day I happened to go through an article penned by Mrs Misra.

An author’s love and affinity to a fellow author is understandable. It is quite natural. In the matter of enmity and jealousy also- it is natural. Affinity and Jealousy are two sides of the same coin. After all, we are all human beings- a bundle of contradictions.

Her affinity towards Shashi Tharoor is not surprising. At a moment when her novel on Rani Lakshmibai went controversial and the people of UP (Uttar Pradesh) burnt Mrs Misra in effigy and also the copies of her controversial book, Shashi Tharoor contacted her and offered his sorrow and solidarity with her and spoke about the importance of right to freedom of speech and expression for a writer. Mrs Misra felt elated.

Really laudable.
Mrs Misra recalls the incident while writing on Tharoor’s candidature from the Thiruvananthapuram Loksabha constituency.

Mrs Misra expresses her concern on coming to know about the opposition to his candidature from some quarters. She is of the opinion that instead of protesting against his candidature, the entire electorate and the leaders should spread out a red carpet of hospitality to an international celebrity of Mr.Tharoor’s stature. The office of a former Under Secretary General of United Nations was certainly a feather in his cap. According to her, we should have felt honoured and welcomed him with open arms in the typical Malayalee way.

Mrs Misra should have the courtesy of realizing the reason behind the opposition to his candidature from certain quarters.

It is not because he was born in London. Not because he lived with his parents elsewhere in India. Yes, Mr. Tharoor is a well-known writer. He held important positions abroad for a long period and brought fame to the nation. No one is going to dispute these facts.

After quitting his job at UN, he made Dubai, his abode. In Dubai, our respected candidate established a company named Afraz which is exclusively for importing pipes to USA, as per reports.

A person hailing from Palakkad is supposed to be aware of the plight of the poor people of Plachimada Panchayat of the same district should have displayed his solidarity with them for the struggle they are waging for the last seven years against the multinational giant Coca Cola to shut down their manufacturing unit. The entire Plachimada Panchayat and its people are literally enduring hardships due to the acute scarcity of safe drinking water on account of unscrupulous exploitation of underground water for manufacturing Cola. A drought like situation is prevailing in the Panchayat because of this ecological plunder. A man of Tharoor’s stature ought to have joined the people of the Panchayat but instead he has no qualms in justifying the multinational company. Really shameful.

Moreover Mr. Shashi Tharoor has no experience at the grass-roots level as a Congress worker. While many youngsters who worked day in and day out for the Party suffered assaults at the hands of police men and are well-educated waiting in the wings, I do not think it proper on the part of Congress leaders to have selected a candidate who still keeps a neo-liberal mindset even after the global down-turn.

Mrs Misra even finds time to point out the achievements on the economic scenario. It is a good joke! Her heart brims with joy and pleasure when other nations across the World admire the “growth” of Indian economy. More than enough from a writer who flies to Kerala once or twice a year to spend her days and to relish sweet moments with friends and relatives!

If her grandfather were alive today, he might have had a hearty laugh over the foolish notions of his granddaughter about India.

If Mrs. Misra were to spare a few days and travel across the length and breadth of the country particularly rural India, she wouldn’t have dared to shower lavish praises on the “new shining face” of India.

A glimpse of the prevailing conditions in our nation could be captured if Mrs Misra took time to go through the Booker Prize Winner- “White Tiger”- by Aravind Adiga, an young Indian writer.

LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM , WE CANNOT IGNORE THEM

2009-04-11T09:46:00.001-07:00

“Love him or hate him, but you can’t ignore him”- Prannoy Roy, the media news baron, once told about Railway Minister and RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav. This statement applies also to certain political leaders like Amar Singh, the evergreen glamorous safari-clad leader of Samajwadi Party and Mamta Banerji, leader of Trinamool Congress, a regional political outfit in Bengal always at loggerheads with ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and its allies. Only a few among the species. And if we dig deeper into the political History of India, a few leaders like the irrepressible Raj Narain, who defeated Indira Gandhi and created history in the LokSabha Election held in Allahabad constituency, could be found. It is worth remembering here that Raj Narain was instrumental in imposition of infamous emergency by Indira Gandhi, which lasted for nineteen months. The dark period is still lingering in the hearts of majority of Indian citizens.

Now return to Lalu Prasad Yadav. His antipathy towards the communalist outfits like BJP and its mother organization, the Sangh Parivar, is well known. A Chief Minister who had the guts to stop the BJP juggernaut eighteen years ago, I mean the Rath Yatra (chariot procession) undertaken by Lal Krishna Advani across the length and breadth of the country, to draw the attention of Indian citizens and seeking their support for the construction of Ramjanmabhoomi Temple at Ayodhya in UP. Lalu Prasad took on the Sangh Parivar activists and imprisoned L.K. Advani on entering Bihar.

I recalled the incident which happened eighteen years ago on watching a news report on TV about Varun Gandhi, the budding leader of BJP, the son of late Sanjay Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi. Varun Gandhi, a BJP candidate from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh (UP), which was vacated by his mother to enable him to contest the 15th Loksabha Election was alleged to have made a fiery speech attacking a minority community thus inflaming communal passions among the majority Hindu community. The Election Commission (EC) intervened and advised the BJP leaders not to allow him to contest from the Pilibhit constituency, but the leaders defied the EC and stood firm on its decision to make him contest from there. The Chief Minister of UP and the BSP supremo Kumari Mayawati, who is not on good terms with the saffron party ‘at present’ (their’s is a love-hate relationship) slapped NSA (National Security Act) against Varun Gandhi and put him behind bars. Mr.Gandhi is still in jail and how long he has to spend there is anybody’s guess.

Lalu Prasad Yadav always has a penchant for creating controversies and on getting a victim to tear apart in the form of Varun Gandhi, who is a BJP leader especially when the elections are on the threshold, the “secular Lalu” in him got active and while addressing an election rally in a fit of rage and passion reportedly blurted out- “Had I be the Home Minister of the country, I would have crushed him under roller.”

He might have been applauded profusely by the masses, but his political enemies, BJP and JD(U) made it an issue and like a typical politician Lalu did a somersault and gave a broad interpretation- “Would have crushed him under the roller of law”- Lalu is a pucca law-abiding citizen of India!

Chief Minister and JD(U) Chief, Nitish Kumar could see through the game of his bete noire. The shrewd politician in him read the mind of shrewd Lalu and he could make out the real motive behind the controversial statement made by Lalu Prasad Yadav. Lalu is very well aware of a sad truth that the Muslim minority of Bihar, once they were with him enbloc, have switched sides and are behind Nitish Kumar now, for the good things done to them by the CM and for the overall development of the State which Lalu Prasad Yadav could not bring about even after ruling Bihar for fifteen years. Lalu’s anti-communalist approach cannot be disputed and even heartening, his outburst against Varun Gandhi was with a view to woo the Muslim voters back to RJD , who had left him after 15 years of administration.

“Love him or hate him, but we can’t ignore him”- we can very well say this about SP National General Secretary, Amar Singh also. This former liaison officer of a multinational company is undoubtedly a friend in need and also a King Maker. Time is a bit bad for him at the moment as he is reportedly weathering a storm in the form of Azam Khan, one of the founder members of Samajwadi Party over the candidature of a film-actor turned politician Jayapradha from Rampur, who is said to be not on good terms with Azam Khan.

Amar Singh is the ‘right-hand’ man of the SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

While the controversy over the ‘Indo-American Civilian Nuclear Deal’ was raging, with the left withdrawing support and bowing out of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) bandwagon, Sardar ManMohanSingh found himself in a quandary. For Mr.Singh, the ‘Indo-American Civilian Nuclear Deal’ was a prestige issue and he was determined to proceed with it. With the Left deserting UPA, UPA became a minority and Congress and its allies had to chalk-out a new strategy to win the confidence motion (trust vote) in the Parliament.

Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh who were till then with the leftists and also staunch opponents of “Indo-US Nuclear Deal” turned the tables and they found themselves in the UPA camp to ‘bail-out’ ManMohanSingh government from the verge of collapse. That rescue operation is still in the minds of Indian citizens and the drama behind it. The “Notes for Votes” scam, was shocking to the citizens as it happened under the rule of a man of dignity and honesty. A Party ie. SP, from the very beginning opposed the Civilian-Nuclear Deal turned supporter of the deal was another embarrassing thing.

After wriggling out of a precarious situation, UPA had no qualms in developing a cold feet to Samajwadi Party and its demands. The Party must have dreamt of bargaining with the ruling Party thereby extracting the maximum, found itself in the wilderness.

All the more interesting is a statement purported to have been made by Amar Singh about two weeks ago. That it was a folly on the part of Samajwadi Party to have extended support to ManMohanSingh Government and thereby rescuing it! Howzaat? Actually in the name of which ideology, this Party is going to contest the ensuing elections?

“Love her or hate her, but you cannot ignore her”- who is this lady? None other than Mamataji of Trinamool Congress confined to West Bengal.

Uptill now, her Party’s ideology is unknown to me. Is her only motto an ongoing fight with CPI(M)? This woman in white saree with black borders is always busy and aggressive. She has also a large number of followers.

At a moment, when she was relentlessly looking for an issue to rake up with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, he gave it her on a platter.

Nandigram and Singur issues were more than enough for her. She could very well capitalize on these controversial issues by mobilizing hitherto supporters of CPI(M). As far as a farmer is concerned, forcible acquisition of his land, whatever be the purpose behind it is unbearable. In order to bring about industrial development in the State, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee- he was in desperate hurry- invited a multinational from Indonesia to construct a chemical hub at Nandigram. His intention was to forcibly occupy the lands of farmers settled at Nandigram without even seeking or discussing the opinions of humble farmers. On coming to know about it, the farmers took up cudgels against the Government. Mamata having got an opportunity to take on the Left front Government, reached there in no time and led the farmers from the front. Buddhadeb remained adamant but the farmers were also on the offensive and a law and order situation developed, ruthless firing took place killing many farmers. The intellectuals of the State, artists, writers, film fraternity and thinkers, hitherto well-wishers of CPI(M) and allies joined the Mamata bandwagon and led march through the streets of Kolkata, voicing solidarity with the poor farmers.

Similar was the case in Singur. There the acquisition of land was for Tata to manufacture cars for common man at a cheaper rate. (Tata’s Nano cars have rolled out of Gujarat recently). At Singur also the farmers rose in revolt under the leadership of Mamata Banerji and also with the support of environmentalists like Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy.

In Singur also the government had to back-out and the ultimate victory was for the farmers.

It is quite unfortunate that, the farmers as well as intellectuals, who toiled and nurtured the communist parties and its allies had to turn against them.

Anyhow the Party and its leaders now regret for the mistakes is a good sign and let better sense prevail.

Love them or hate them, we can’t ignore them. Yes, I mean the politicians. Jai Ho.

ABOUT INCREASING MOBILITY AND FRIENDSHIPS IN MODERN TIMES

2009-04-08T01:21:00.000-07:00

India was behind Western nations by approximately fifty years in various fields particularly in the fields of technology, science, even literature and philosophy. While existentialism and existentialist writings were at its peak in France and other Western nations, Indian writing was in the firm grip of romanticism and realism soon after that. While Franz Kafka, Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simon De Bovier were ruling the literary and philosophical world in European countries, Indian writers of that time were even ignorant about their writings. After a long spell, their writings became available in India through the translations by the Western writers. The aforesaid writers attracted our young generation and were greatly influenced by theses writers and their writings. Their influence was like an epidemic spreading fast among the reading public. Ironically, while the interest in existentialism writings were gradually declining among the Westerners, Indian writers were celebrating existentialism.

Such is the case with other fields also.

As Amartya Sen says Globalisation is neither new nor is it a folly. With the spreading of Globalisation in India from the nineties India underwent a sea-change in matters like economy, technology, urbanization, life-styles and even Indian culture.

With the opening up of economy, heavy investment flowed to India, market forces gained strength and with the lowering of import tariffs several items of mass consumption found place in markets at cheaper rates which resulted in the closing down of business by Indian entrepreneurs as they found it hard to compete with multinationals. Cut-throat competition and profit motive became the modern mantra as it was quite natural that those who proved to be the fittest survived ultimately.

One of the curses of Capitalism, really….

While globalised neo-liberalism provided enormous benefits to industrial tycoons of India- they extracted the maximum- in the form of mounting profits, those at the bottom of the ladder found it more and more difficult to make both ends meet. The farmers were left in the lurch and with the lowering of import tariffs, food grains and other inputs flowed to India on a massive scale and as a result the farmers couldn’t afford to purchase fertilizers at the previous rates as the Indian fertilizer companies began to run in red. As the government turned a deaf ear to their plight they were not provided with necessary financial assistance and they were forced to borrow money from the local money lenders at sky-high rates. Even Minimum Support Price (MSP) was not fixed by the ruling babus and as imported food grains were available in plenty at cheaper rates, the farmers couldn’t dispose of their harvest and were helpless in paying back the borrowed amount to the local money lenders. Finding no other way to feed their women and children, thousands then put an end to their lives. Those who were not willing to embrace death, after disposing of their properties moved to urban areas in search of jobs. The flow to urban areas continues unabated.

Can we put the entire blame on globalization?

As the famous Nobel Laureate mentioned, Globalisation is neither new nor is it a folly, we will have to squarely blame and put the entire responsibility on the heads of our rulers.

Why do they turn a blind eye to the social aspects of our society? Why are they focusing their attention entirely on the prosperity of industrial tycoons. Mahatma Gandhi said, “India lives in villages”. Our rulers always take pride to be the followers of Mahatma. At the same time, seventy percent of our population constituting farmers who are sweating it out in the fileds under the blazing Sun to feed the millions of Indians, are looked down with contempt and indifference.

Similar is the condition of children.

A Government which always swears by the improvement of elementary education is actually doing nothing for the poor children who are roaming through the streets with begging bowls. Amartya Sen never forgets to mention about the essentiality of providing elementary education to the poor children of India. He never misses an opportunity to point out the need for providing the down-trodden with nutritious food to prevent large scale deaths due to poverty and malnutrition. For a poor child to go to school, the foremost thing to do is to provide him mid-day meals daily. In the interior parts of India, even after 61 years of Independence, facilities like safe drinking water, electricity, elementary schools and good roads are absent. Those who live in the cities are not even aware of such pathetic conditions prevailing in the rural areas.

Urban-Rural divide in India is yet to bridged. When?

Whether our rulers have any answer- no idea…
If this is one side of the coin, the other side is entirely different.

With the spread of Globalisation on a massive scale, the unprecedented progress in the field of information technology was mind-boggling and amazing.

In India, the gigantic progress of information technology was within a short span. Today Bangalore, Hyderabad (Cyberabad), Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida- it is a long line- enterprising , dynamic and hardworking youngsters are going on with their duties 24X7. No gender imbalance or discrimination. Before the downturn and subsequently recession shook US badly, the outsourcing of IT related works went on smoothly and the youngsters could amass huge salaries and perks. The outsourcing has gone somewhat sluggish now, with massive retrenchment due to the melt-down going on a daily basis and the slowdown has affected hardworking youngsters now and also a cut in their wages. Hope, things will turn for the better in the near future itself.

The exponential growth in technology, led to huge developments in Banking, Insurance and various other firms and alongside increase in mobility resulted. And with increasing mobility vast changes are taking place in human relationships also. The system of providing permanent employment to job-seekers is dwindling day by day. Contract labour has become more and more convenient to the firms. The bargaining power of Trade Unions are slowly losing its steam and if things are going on like this, Trade Union itself will become redundant in the near future. 10AM- 5PM, (8 hours) work schedule is gradually coming to be of not much importance. 24X7 is today’s dictum. This itself is a pointer to the diminishing influence of the trade unions.

Increasing mobility in the work places has led to the breakdown in friendships. Until a few years ago an employee was rooted in the same working environment till he retired from it. But now he/she has to go on a “merry go round” and in the process gets chances of meeting various kinds of people and after establishing short-duration friendship either of them will have to move in another direction. At the new working place, he/she mingles with new faces and there also duration of friendship may not be for a long time. Before coming out of the working place after retirement he/she will find it hard even to recall the faces of the co-workers and this is the case with all. An everlasting friendship in one’s life time is a dream. Imagine the friendships established by those who are working on contract basis in various firms!

Alvin Toffler, in his renowned work “Future Shock” had predicted the shape of things to come in the matter of human relationships particularly friendships as a result of phenomenal growth in the fields of Science and Information technology. While USA had already reached such an environment, India as usual, took much time to catch up with it- whether for good or bad is subjective.

While writing about human relationships, it is worthwhile to mention here the drastic changes happening in marital relationships. Due to the large-scale urbanization taking place, especially in Metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai human relationships particularly man-woman relationships have undergone tremendous changes and contrary to Indian heritage and ethos, the sanctity of marital relationships is gradually losing and divorces are on the rise. Today an urban lady who is employed and is able to stand on her own feet, does not care much about the sanctity of being a typical Indian wife and for that matter the husband- both of them, if they don’t feel like living together decide to get separated and end the relationship on cordial terms. No sentiments. No tears. No pangs of separation. Only an ambience of happiness. Indian cultural ethos slowly giving way to Western culture…?

Now live-in-relationships are prevalent in cities. No obligation toward each other. N promises. No contracts. No interference in each other’s freedom. After all marriage is a bourgeois “art form”!

A CITIZEN’S POLL TIME MUSINGS…

2009-04-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Kerala goes to polls on 16 April. Of the five phases, we, Keralites are blessed with the rare opportunity of exercising our franchise in the first phase itself. A small State, at the southern tip of India, Kerala is comparatively peaceful and hence it does not give much of a head-ache to the Election Commission of India. But how long this peaceful atmosphere is here to stay is anybody’s guess. Recent developments in a few northern districts of the State are a sad pointer in that direction. Whether Kerala is poised to turn out to be a U.P., Bihar, Orissa or Assam is a worrying thought among politically conscious Malayalees (Keralites). A State which takes excessive pride for its achievements to emerge as cent-percent literacy State, has really not much to boast about in several fields.

Though blessed with natural beauty and also with abundant resources, our State still continues to be a consumer State. Ironically the States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which are not blessed with natural beauty or resources are providers of rice, flowers and vegetables. ‘Vishu’ , our State festival is a few days away. But to celebrate it with fanfare we have to import the beautiful ‘Kanikonna’ (Cassia Fistula) flowers from the aforementioned States. This does not mean that we don’t have Kanikonna in our own land. But its scarcity is much of a worry to a majority during the Vishu season.

Our rulers, either left or right, are not much bothered about such “trivial matters”. They have more important matters to concentrate upon from mud-slinging to cashing in a lot of other things like corruption charges against both opposition and ruling party leaders. Indo-American Civil Nuclear Deal, Saddam Hussein, the Afghan imbroglio and such matters of national and international importance. The other day, I happened to go through a report penned by a journalist. While Kerala people are caught in the election tangle with, propagandas gaining momentum, corner meetings and rallies organized by various parties attended by national leaders, political equations and the chances of various parties and candidates, citizens and even a few political leaders or erstwhile leaders, pretend to be oblivious of the goings on around them, delving deep into matters of international importance. (The gentle man was in US for about two months to cover the election scenario there.)

We have various categories of voters. Committed-voters – those who have already made up their minds who to vote for, they have party affiliations or owing allegiance to parties of their liking and they don’t even hesitate to announce their choices publicly.

Another category belongs to a section of so-called ‘undecided voters’. They wait till the last moment and take the decision only when they reach the polling booth. All responsibilities end with the exercising of their franchise - who will win, who will lose- that is none of their worries or curiosities. Typical Indian exercising his right to vote!

The next category, for reasons better known to them- do not even think about exercising their franchise may be due to lack of faith in the system, basically anarchist bend of mind, hatred toward politicians and political leaders for not keeping their promises to the electorate during election campaign ( bitter memories of standing in long queues bearing the scorching Sun for a long duration awaiting their turn dreaming a bright tomorrow and when dreams get shattered like glass houses they get depressed, withdraw into their shells and lead a cocooned existence).

This category of voters can be called ‘go-getters’. They don’t have politics, no ideological leanings, but are ready to cast votes to anyone who approaches them with cash, bottle or any other kind of favour. They even go to the extent of casting bogus votes, if requested by any local babu, for a fairly handsome reward. Always within the reach of anyone, their only concern being money or something equivalent to that.

Now come to the category of “New generation voters”- those who are quite young going to exercise their right, the first time in their life. Unlike all those mentioned above, the youngsters - they are educated and shrewd observers of our political scenario - nurse many dreams about the party, the leaders and the candidates. Before arriving at a decision each of them takes pains to know ‘who is who’, if got elected who is of maximum potential, ability, sincerity, empathy and honesty to the electorate, his constituency and the State as a whole. These youngsters expect infrastructure development- good roads, irrigation facilities, safe drinking water and electricity to all. They want unemployment problem to be tackled, provide food to the needy, availability of essential commodities at modest rates and a rapport with the people of the constituency who toiled for them and made it possible for them to get elected to the highest law-making body of the land.

Besides corruption and communalism, criminalization of politics has to be fought tooth and nail. In the last Loksabha, we had thirty percent of the MPs who had criminal cases slapped against them. Most of them were involved in horrendous crimes like thuggery and murder. Those criminals are provided with VIP security is a matter of shame to us all. How did they manage to get elected to the largest law making house of our nation? Wonderful…!

Though with criminal records they could ensure a bonding with the electorate of their constituencies. The people had a soft-corner towards them because they had some plus points to their credit. Whenever they needed them badly, they rushed to their constituencies with helping hands. Basically, every human being is good. Circumstances play a crucial role in moulding his character. The notorious sandalwood smuggler, forest brigand- Veerappan- who committed innumerable murders and was haunted by the authorities till his last moment was liked and loved by the poor people residing in forest areas and they had no compunctions in rescuing him from the clutches of police forces by passing on information about the movements of men in khaki. Veerappan was always kind to them and he extended all sorts of help to the downtrodden in the forest areas.

Pappu Yadav, Shahabudheen (both of them barred from contesting this time) and other MPs who have criminal backgrounds might have had emotional bonding with the electorate of their respective constituencies. Whatever be the plus points ,a law breaker should not be allowed to be a law-maker. Otherwise it will create a bad precedent in future.

World has seen so many monsters who despite some positive qualities have a wretched past about which the people across the World, still shudder to imagine.

Adolf-Hitler, the wretched monster of all times had some plus points- on knowing about those qualities, how many of us will lend credence to it is another thing.

In his famous work – “Adolf Hitler”- writer James Bunting notes – (let me quote his lines here)- “His various women friends, some of whom are still alive today, have spoken of him as a gentle, considerate man who, when not engaged in political campaigning could relax happily in the company of friends, spin a humorous yarn better than most, enjoy listening to good music and extol at length on the beauties of nature. He was an ardent lover of animals- devoted to his two pet shephered dogs- and he detested any animal being exploited for commercial purposes. Eva Braun has described how he once rescued a butterfly from drowning in the Konigsee and would not be satisfied until he had seen it flutter its wings and fly away. Hitler also hated to see anyone ill or in pain and was once beside himself with concern when Eva was suffering from a prolonged bout of toothache.”

Similar may be the case with modern day monsters like Osama Bin Laden, Beitullah Mehsud, late Pol Pot, Augusto Pinochet and a number of such monsters.

Let me come to the main subject. Today is 4 April. Now it is a matter of days. On 16 April, Kerala goes to polls. Who is going to win is a million dollar question. A fluid situation indeed – even psephologists and astrologers go wrong- it is better we keep quiet and wait with bated breath.

A WORLD OF ROOTLESS EXISTENCE

2009-03-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

SHORT STORY
He came late in the night. She was sleeping. Their two children were sleeping. On hearing the calling bell ringing, she woke up from her sleep and jumped to her feet.

She switched on the lights. The clock on the wall informed- it is 12.35 AM. She was a bit embarrassed. Might be him?

She rushed to the door. Who is there?- she was inquiring in a frightening voice.

‘Me’-
She heaved a sigh of relief. With eagerness and enthusiasm she unlocked the door from inside. Her joy knew no bounds.

“My better-half is always modest with his words! A miser!”

She smiled to herself. He was standing there with his brief-case. He looked pensive. The agony of loss writ large on his face.

“Within a brief span, Ramu has gone frail!” – she could very well notice the change in him.

He didn’t smile. Just entered the drawing room and placed his brief-case on the table. She went inside and brought him a lungi. Chappals pushed under the sofa.

She rushed to switch on the fan. Beads of sweat shining on his forehead. It is summer season. The city is reeling under intense heat.

The city never sleeps. Like a 24X7 TV channel. It is always vibrant and throbbing with life. She could hear the local trains chugging along to and fro. The vehicles- speeding down the streets blowing horns under the sodium vapour lamps. The airplanes roaring through just above the flat.

Nowadays the noise pollution doesn’t disturb her. She is even oblivious of the noises all around. Got accustomed to the city life or has learnt to live with such hustle and bustle of the city. Sometimes she felt, she was falling in love with the city.

During her leisure times, she used to recall her early days in the city. That was just after marriage. She was a total stranger to the city. “A new face”…. Severe home-sickness lasted for months. She used to weep sitting alone in her room. Ramu was a reserved type. Always a miser with words. Miser with smiles. He looked indifferent to everything always.

“You are quite new to the city. In due course, the home-sickness and strangeness towards the city will vanish”- Those were his words of consolation.

Nothing more. Nothing less. He was talking to her as if he had read her mind already.

Sometimes calls came from her house- mother, father or sisters and her brother, close relatives and her intimate friends in the neighbourhood rang her up occasionally. Those were in the early days. Later the number of calls dwindled gradually. Now only one or two calls, once or twice in a month. That too from home. The faces of relatives and friends once in a while came to her mind and played vanishing tricks like magicians. Those were the good old days. College campus, cracking jokes with friends, picnics, enjoying the beautiful landscapes and a lot to read and write.

She liked reading and gradually felt like penning a few lines. Sometimes verses, sometimes stories. Parents and friends encouraged her always. She wrote in college magazines and a few periodicals. Yeah, those were the good old days…Spring times with lush greenery, blooming colourful flowers, verdant hills, sparkling streams and lakes, cool breeze, vast areas of paddy fields like green carpets, full of joy and vibrant spirit everywhere…yeah those were the glorious days of the yester years still etched in her mind.

With the passage of time, reading, writing and all kinds of hobbies came to a halt. Even now she feels like penning something. Scribbling a few lines for her own satisfaction and inner peace.

About the city, the life in the city, the hustle and bustle, people from various walks of life, sky-high buildings, Arabs and westerners roaming through the streets and the painful feeling of an outsider, and of late a feeling of insecurity after terror struck the city frequently resulting in the loss of large number of innocent lives. The city- a cross section of the World.

“Come what may, I have to live with it. All of us have to live with it. A life without any guarantee”. –She sometimes consoles herself.

After taking a bath he came out. Ramu looks refreshed now- she jokingly told to herself.

“Switch off the light”- while lying on the bed he told her calmly. He was looking in the direction of their two children, who were in deep sleep.

“Had your supper?”- she inquired .

“No appetite. Doesn’t feel like taking anything”- he replied in a tired voice.

The agony of loss still tormenting him. Abhirami was his only sister. His beloved sister. That too in the prime of life. Now her two children’s care and protection- the sole responsibility of her husband. With a shudder running down her spine she was visualizing a painful situation: suppose Abhirami’s husband decides to marry a new girl and deserts the kids even if in the distant future, the two kids for no fault of theirs may have to lead an orphaned life…such a possibility was always unbearable to her…she was thinking about her own children.

Certainly quite unbearable to the children. The care, the affection, the warm hugs of a mother- all lost to the kids. Never can they wipe out the fond memories of precious moments with their mother, will persist like a gnawing pain through out their life. She felt like weeping.

Ramu was lying there with his eyes shut. She looked at him with pain and sorrow. Father gone. Mother gone and now the one and only sister gone… A kind of rootless existence. She was imagining a weeping mind, a boiling mind, a restless mind like a rough sea…in the inner recess of his heart….

“I am with you. I am always with you. I will be with you throughout. Don’t worry kid…” For a split second, a kind of motherly affection engulfed her.

“As long as I am with Ramu, nobody needs to worry” – She heaved a deep sigh.

She switched off the lights.

Seconds and minutes ticked past…

She was lying beside him. She put her one hand around him…

Local trains roaring past….The vehicles speeding along blaring their horns….Pedestrains walking down the road mumbling something –She couldn’t make out anything. Some vague and rough sounds.

He couldn’t sleep. She couldn’t sleep. Both of them immersed in
deep thoughts.

He was quite tense. His mind was like a bow-string. Heart beats like drum-beats. Mind a restless rough sea. He wanted to escape from all gnawing .pain and thoughts.
As if in a wild fury, with all his might he embraced her. Their lips got locked. She was feeling the pain. The usual caressing and mild sucking of her lips were absent. He was getting wild. He bit her ears, nose, cheeks and in a hurry he forced her to undress. He eagerly pounced on her like a cat on a mice and passionately sucked her breasts like a hungry baby…..His warm hands were moving all through her body as if frantically searching for a hidden treasure. Top to the bottom he was planting kisses on her.
“Ramu ,going mad ?”Are you in your senses? paining , Ramu. Slowly, please”
In a whispering tone she was imploring him, beseeching him for his kindness.
He was quite oblivious of what he was doing.
As if in a frantic search for an escape route he entered her.She placed her arms around him and pressed him close to her writhing body. She was also going wild. Both of them like wild beasts tearing each other apart…
After a violent transaction of lovemaking both of them lay side by side ,gasping for breath and profusely sweating.
Gradually she was about to slip into a deep sleep.
She woke up with a sudden jolt on hearing him weeping pressing his face on the pillow…..
She was recalling the day they came back after attending his mother’s funeral and performing all the rituals related with it after one month leave.
That night in the city was exactly like this.
“Weep my kid,weep, till the last drop dries out”
She gently caressed Ramu. In the mean time she fell into a deep slumber ,unawares…….

ENIGMA CALLED THE AMERICAN PSYCHE

2009-03-26T09:38:00.000-07:00

I wonder whether Barack Obama, like his predecessors, nurtures a mistaken notion that God Almighty has entrusted him with the right to shoulder heavy responsibilities, both internal and external, to have a close watch on the goings on in the nations across the World and if found necessary to interfere in their internal affairs even without seeking their permission. One is reminded of Atlas, the Ancient Greek Mythological figure, who was believed to have shouldered the entire World and if he felt like shrugging, the entire edifice would crumble down.

Look at a few instances of USA’s intervention in various parts of the World. Iraq came under their attack in 2003 and since then that nation is reeling under the onslaught of American Military prowess. George Walker Bush - (his “fond memories” are indelibly imprinted in the minds of citizens around the world) - Obama’s predecessor went on the offensive defying even the diktats of United Nations, with the help of his submissive allies charging Iraq with keeping Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) which later turned out to be an utter falsehood. Iraq was pounded mercilessly and in the process caused immense destruction of properties and lakhs of Iraqi citizens were brutally done to death - the aftermaths of that murderous war still persist in that nation’s psyche causing nightmares to the surviving men, women and children. The occupation, even after six years have not ended. The incumbent President Barack Obama, while on his hectic election campaign had assured the electorate- most of them are bitter critics of USA’s intervention in Iraq - of his resolve to withdraw the armed forces from the soil of Iraq with in 16 months of his rule. Now the time limit for withdrawal has been extended up to 2011. Assurances still remain assurances. According to the estimates of Nobel Laureate, Joseph Stilglitz, USA has already squandered U.S $ 2.3 Trillion which is sufficient to feed more than half of the starving millions across the World. Bush has gone with a warm smile on his lips for all the “good deeds” accomplished during his eight years of Presidency. A happy man indeed! Before vacating White House, he could ensure the collapse of American economy which is reeling under recession now and economic collapse and its aftermaths later turned out to be Global Financial Downturn.

Even when sweating it out to rescue the American economy from the clutches of recession which was his promise to the electorate during his whirlwind campaign tour through the American States- Barack Obama has not evaded from his “international obligations”. Really heartening! His stimulus package of US $ 787 Billion as a bail-out, has not helped much to overcome the mounting economic crisis is another sad truth. Further bail-out packages are in the pipe-line.

The man is really smart! Simultaneously he is closely watching the developments in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, to name a few. A decision was already made- to deploy more American troops- “a surge” in the words of George W Bush- to tackle the menace of terrorism and also the “hard-liners” of Taliban, the militant organization who are bent upon installing an Islamic regime in Afghanistan. The defiance of overbearing authority of any nation is a trait in the character of a typical Afghan citizen and his unending thirst for freedom is famous.

That might be one of the reasons behind Obama’s efforts to befriend the “soft-liners” in the militant organization. His determination to eliminate all terrorists particularly those of Al-quaida is well-known who are hiding in their safe havens along the North-West frontier of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan fomenting incessant provocations in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan.

By waging a relentless battle against the elements who are bent upon overthrowing the Karzai regime by American troops along with the help of Pakistani soldiers and the “soft-liners” in Taliban (?) Obama is confident enough of freeing Afghanistan from the clutches of terrorists and the “hard-liners” in Taliban.

After taking over the reins of power from George Bush eventhough belatedly, Obama has discovered the epicentre of terrorism- Pakistan. So far so good! Hence his mission extends up to Pakistan, to be precise, he has come to the conclusion that only by tackling the terrorist menace in Pakistan first can he concentrate his attention fully in Afghanistan. Unfortunately the remedy he has in mind is aiding Pakistan with weapons and billions of dollars. Inevitably, the power behind the throne in Pakistan is not even the Pak army but a govt. in a faraway Country, ie. USA. Asif Ali Sardari, Yusuf Raza Gilani and General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani are now the puppets in the hands of American rulers. The weapons as well as billions of dollars as financial aid pumped into Pak by USA could be a detrimental to India in the long run.

The other day a news report relating to Indo- American Civil Nuclear Deal appeared in the newspapers. At a seminar in the prestigious Broolyns Institution, John Steinberg, the deputy Secretary of State, USA, is reported to have given the assurance to India to proceed with the Nuclear deal. Simultaneously he has requested India to co-operate with US in crafting a NPT regime. It is pertinent to note here that India is not a signatory in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He has also appealed to India to help US in strengthening CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty). By becoming a signatory, to the treaty a nation is banned from conducting nuclear tests- either for peaceful purposes or for assembling nuclear weapons. Syam Saran, India’s permanent envoy on climate change, who was present in the seminar outrightly turned down the request of Mr. Steinberg. He also asserted that if all countries are ready for a nuclear disarmament, the controversy over the CTBT would “recede into background”.

Whenever USA decides to keep India in good humour, we can very well presume that there is some motive behind their sweet words. Same is the case with this turn of events. Mr.Steinberg has appealed to India to co-operate with USA by fighting with their troops in Afghanistan and Pakistan along with Pakistani troops against the Taliban and terrorists holed-up in safe havens along the border with Pakistan. The developmental works undertaken by India in Afghanistan was also profusely applauded by the gentleman. Imagine the consequences if Indian troops were also dragged into that quagmire at a moment the Taliban and Al-quaida militants are hand-in-glove with the Pakistani terrorists who are determined to upset the secular fabric of our nation and to cause maximum damage in India.

Palestine, Israel, Iran, Georgia, Ukraine, the Latin American nations which are pro-left, North Korea- an unending list actually, where USA lose no opportunity in intervening either directly or indirectly to display its might.

It is often said that charity begins at home. It is better if Obama is willing to withdraw from the turbulent zones of other countries and devote his full attention to the internal problems particularly the problems on the economic front shedding the halo of Atlas in the coming days.

WHETHER MARX OR AYN RAND THE NEED OF THE HOUR?

2009-03-07T01:23:00.002-08:00

During the eighties, the fascination for socialist ideals began to decline and a new found interest in capitalism was on the rise. Marxism was going down, Existentialism was going down, the attraction and interest in free-market economy slowly began to spread across the World slowly and steadily. Ayn Rand, Alan Greenspan, Nathaniel Branden and Milton Friedman became the buzz words in the corridors of power and also among the business and industrial circles. An unregulated economy was their aim and ambition and according to the economists of that time “controls breed more controls and regulations would discourage the budding entrepreneurs and industrialists forcing them to turn away from plunging into fresh ventures.

Existentialism took a back seat, even the youths who were the ardent followers of Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Martin Heidegger branded the philosophy as one which preaches The Negation of Life. It is reported that even Jean Paul Sartre who for years influenced the then intellectuals of France like a Colossus has become a persona-nongrata in that nation and is unheard of among the new generation. Sartre is sleeping in the book-shelves of even the yesteryear intellectuals. I don’t know how much truth is there in the report but while sitting glued to the present trend the report might be true.

Thus, capitalism began to rule the roost and capitalist ideals spread across the World, and with the collapse of ‘socialist ideals’, the World leaders and the industrialists turned their eyes and ears to the resurrection of the “forgotten philosophy”-capitalism. The rest is history.

The collapse of Soviet Union, Rumania, the brutal overthrow of Salvador Alleude- the Marxist ruler of Chile by the tyrant Augusto Pinochet and his implementation of free market economy ( which later collapsed like a pack of cards is another truth), Poland, Hungary, Checkoslovakia, Yugoslavia, a number of other socialist nations - the aftermath of decline of socialism and the reincarnation of Capitalism.

In 1991, the then Prime Minister of India, P.V Narasimha Rao fished out a renowned economist Dr. Manmohan Singh and appointed him as Finance Minister of India. Dr.Singh drawing inspiration from USA and like-minded nations, introduced neo-liberal economic policies loosening the controls on the economy gradually, thus paving the way for a new generation of business class and the liberal flow of funds from MNCs in the form of Foreign Direct Investments and also from other sources. Subsequently with the unprecedented growth of industry and business as a result of deregulation, the mind-set of the young generation underwent a sea-change and they began to ape the western culture and also with lots of money in hands indulged in a life of extravagance. On the other side, the teeming millions of Indians categorized as the ‘have-nots’ became more and more helpless, found it difficult to make both ends meet. The farmers found themselves in the lurch because of lack of attention from the Govt. side- the FM was obsessed with ‘welfare and prosperity’ of the industrial giants –in the mean time they got opportunities to reap a huge harvest- thus forgetting the seventy percent rural Indians, mostly consisting of farmers. They borrowed money from the local money lenders at exorbitant rates and with the failure of a good harvest due to the lack of irrigational facilities and also the mounting prices of fertilizers their debts piled up and on finding no other way to repay the debts, they found solace in suicide. The slashing of import tariffs and large-scale import of grains ,other items and also the gradual dismantling of subsidies caused enormous hardships to the farmers. Thousands and thousands of farmers were forced to end their lives. Even now the farmers who feed us all are in dire straits. Opening up of economy and the deregulation or loosening of controls resulted in such a situation.

Sorry, I have digressed from the main subject.

All hell broke loose last year first in USA, then in Europe, and it spread to other nations across the globe as a result of the “hands off” approach adopted by the nations, the developed countries particularly. As each nation’s economy is integrated with the Global economy and all nations are intertwined it is quite natural that each nation has to face the heat. Starting with the burst of housing bubble, the American economy collapsed like a pack of cards affecting the Investment Banking, Banks, IT firms, Automobiles, Insurance companies etc and the panic spread to the other nations like Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, Japan and now the collapse is almost complete.

While going through the news of financial-melt down affecting the whole World. I happened to read a news story about the revival of interest in Marx, his well-known master-piece – ‘Das Capital’, and his ideals even among the rulers of the western world and also their citizens. The ones who abhorred Marxism and Marxist ideals found themselves engaged in implementing controls and even began to nationalize the banking institutions and other firms to wriggle out of a hopeless situation. Even the bail-out packages involving billions of dollars have not been able to stem the tide and the rulers are still groping in the dark to escape from the vicious circle. The fire brand advocates of Laizezz Faire Capitalism and Free Market Economy are keeping a low profile now.

An article by Oliver Burkman titled “The Surprise Success of an Economic Armageddon” appeared in a newspaper the other day. On going through the article, I was somewhat alarmed to discover that the advocates of Laizezz Faire and Free Market Economy have not yet conceded defeat. Some big guns playing behind the scenes. Otherwise in a pitiful situation prevailing across the World as a result of global-meltdown, some are still busy dusting off the books by Ayn Rand like “Atlas Shrugged” – her economic policy is somewhat summarized in the book- her love of virtue of selfishness, self-interest, the de-regulation or in her own words “a hands-off approach by the government of the day and her hatred towards altruism, welfare state and sacrifice at a moment when the aping of her philosophy blindly by the rulers landed the World economy in shambles, particularly the American economy. Before Ben Bernanke, her confident Alan Greenspan was Federal Reserve chairman for 18 years and reforms initiated by him were the root cause of the economic down-turn, that America faces today.

Even now her philosophy of ‘Objectivism’ is being shown as the way to heaven by some men hiding behind the scenes is a wily ploy to bring back the philosophy which has paved the way for the economic down-turn through the back door. It is only because of their blind opposition to socialism. The sudden spurt in the sale of “Atlas Shrugged” at this moment is a pointer towards it.

However I don’t want to quote the words of Noam Chomsky, one of the greatest writers and thinkers of our times about Ayn Rand.

The sudden revival of interest in Marx, his ideals and his master-piece “Das Capital” is very much understandable because of his preaching of equality, and his love for whole humanity, welfare and harmony among the people. But at a critical juncture like this, surreptiously driving the young generations’ interest in a work like “Atlas-Shrugged” (by Ayn Rand) is absurd and ridiculous and also with ulterior motives. Ayn Rand always preached virtue of selfishness, self-interest, deregulation of the economy and hated the concepts of a welfare state ,altruism and sacrifice in unequivocal terms.

She was a very articulate, powerful writer and had a rare knack for driving her philosophy straight into the heart of a novice and if the latter is willing to ponder over it for sometime, he can very well arrive at a conclusion that her philosophy is nothing but trash. Look at the goings on in America and the burden the incumbent President Barack Obama carries on his shoulders. The legacy left behind by his predecessor.

A philosophy which always stands for the welfare of humanity, sacrifice, equality and love will always withstand time with setbacks at certain points in history, but ultimately it will emerge victorious. A philosophy which caters to the needs and aspirations of a chosen few like businessmen and industrialists will not last long. While going through Ayn Rand’s works I was embarrassed to find out that there are no mentions of people leading miserable lives at the bottom of the ladder…Even then a lobby is seeming to be behind the surge of sales of Ayn Rand’s master-piece

IS OUR WORLD HEADING TO A DISASTER?

2009-03-07T01:23:00.001-08:00

Most of us must have pondered over the painful and shocking state of affairs prevailing across the World. Anger, helplessness, cynicism and stoicism might have tormented and still tormenting many of us. In the course of time, however like the citizens of Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan and even India after suffering casualties and losses due to the intermittent attacks by the terrorists and also because of long years of war, all will learn to live with their misfortune and losses like the deaths of their dear ones and loss of property. In other words the citizens become immune to the deadly attacks carried out by the terrorists, by a self-styled super power in Iraq and Afghanistan and genocide committed by certain nations like Israel, Sudan ,Congo etc- the list is endless.

Barring a few, all nations across the World are reeling under the onslaughts of various anti-social and wicked elements- the reasons may vary from nation to nation- like ethnic clashes, territorial ambitions, religious fundamentalism, muscle power etc. As I have already pointed out starting from the self-styled super power- USA- down to poverty stricken war-ravaged country like Somalia- the Horn of Africa- there are problems.

I don’t want to list out each of them and I do admit I am not much of an International expert, here I would like to name certain nations which are suffering most.

Now almost everyone across the nations’ is aware of the present plight of the World. With the collapse of free market economy in USA and the subsequent financial melt-down leading to recession staring at all the faces of a host of countries across the World including India as a result of neo-liberalism and Globalism. It is said that the current depression is worse than the Depression of 1929 which lasted up to 1939, ie. till the Second World War, this time it is feared to last for a very long period affecting the very livelihood of citizens across the World because of the massive retrenchment on a daily basis and it is matter of great concern that even the cream of economists across the World are at a loss to arrive at a solution to rescue the citizens from this hapless situation.

While the unregulated economy has already played havoc with the nations on the one hand, the frequent attacks carried out by the terrorist elements are causing casualties on a massive scale and the properties ravaged. Adding fuel to the fire, the deadly attacks carried out by USA in Iraq and Afghanistan are causing nightmares to the innocent citizens of both countries on the other hand.

Pakistan has become the hot-bed of terrorism and this sad truth is acknowledged by many nations. The worst sufferer is naturally India, their traditional enemy. Like a Frankenstein monster, the terrorist hydra has now spread its tentacles across that nation causing deaths on a large-scale -bombings, grenade attacks and firing targeting VIPs- please recall the gruesome gunning down of Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister and also landmarks like the Marriot Hotel with the help of Taliban and Al-quaida militants infiltrated from across North Western frontier. The recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players in broad day light was watched by us with shock and pain. They had no difficulty in jumping the security blanket and fearing nobody sprayed bullets on the vehicle carrying the cricket players causing injuries to seven players and after completing their mission walked away casually. Those elements are still at large is an embarrassment even to the outsiders. We can very well imagine the state of affairs prevailing in that country- lack of adequate security cover, no sense of responsibility on the part of the civilian government, the infighting going on between the ruling Pakistan Peoples’ Party under the leadership of Asif Ali Sardari and PML(N) of Nawaz Sherif, the former Prime Minister. Furthermore the growing unrest prevailing among lawyers demanding the reinstatement of Iftiqar Chowdhari, former sacked Chief Justice of Pak Supreme Court and his sacked colleagues, and the lawyers scheduled long march to Parliament on March 15 and an indefinite dharna around the parliament house- a nation totally in turmoil and the possibility of an army take-over looming large on the horizon.

Sudan:
Sudan caught the attention of the World community last week as the news of an arrest warrant issued by ICC (International Criminal Court) against the leader of that nation Omar-Al-Bashir for causing the deaths of millions in Darfur. In Darfur, the poverty-stricken Darfurians including mal-nourished children are being looked after by the NGOs. On getting provoked by the arrest warrant, the Sudanese Govt. has ordered the NGOs and the Doctors Sans Borders to flee the country and even the Uncle Sam, remaining indifferent to the plight of the poor Darfurians. The already pathetic situation prevailing in Darfur is expected to be worse and the innocent children are going to be the worst sufferers due to lack of food and also due to diseases like cholera as a result of consuming polluted water. Without the NGOs and the Doctors Sans Borders imagine the consequences- large-scale infant mortality will be the result. Water-scarcity in the region is acute and with the ouster of NGOs and Doctors Sans Borders from the country, every source of relief to the Darfurians will come to a naught.

Sudan and its friendly countries are up in arms against the arrest warrant issued against Omar-Al-Bashir, the ruthless dictator. Even Peoples’ Republic of China- still claiming to be a socialist country (?)- is in good terms with the dictator caring two hoots for the starving Darfurians. While declaring their commitment to Socialism and welfare of humanity China is always concerned with their immediate problems to accomplish their goals, they don’t have any compunctions to side with any dictatorships- be it Sudan, Myanmar or any other country.

Israel-Palestine Conflict:

It seems the Israeli-Palestine conflict is not going to subside even in the distant future. Now that conservative parties are sure to be in the saddle their attitude to the Palestinians, particularly Hamas will be more hostile and Benjamin Netanyahu, the hawkish leader of the Likud Party, the Prime Minister - designate will become more belligerent and he will have no hesitation to retaliate violently against the slightest provocation from the side of Palestinians causing untold miseries to them. The smell of death is still permeating the atmosphere of Hamas ruled land of Palestine as a result of the gruesome bombings- even deadly phosphorous bombs were used- one month back. No mediator has not yet been able to settle the dispute between Israel and Palestine and if things are going on like this, even God will have to watch the situation helplessly. The genesis of the dispute between the two countries dates back to 1948.

SriLanka:

This neighbouring country is literally burning. The hostility between the LTTE (Liberation Tigers Of Tamil Elam) vs the Govt under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President has reached its peak. Mahinda Rajapaksa, unlike any other leader of the past is in an unforgiving mood and is bent upon destroying the terror-network with all might and he is determined to capture the LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran dead or alive. The SriLankan army is on the move and it is matter of days to wipe out the Tamil militants, if the present trend continues. Here also the innocent Tamilians are caught between the army and the militants as they are being used a shield by the militants to escape from the onslaught from the opposite side resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Ever since the fight for an independent Tamil Eezham started, lakhs and lakhs of citizens, militants, rulers like Premadasa, Lakshman Kadir Gamer, Jayawardene and army personnel fell victims to the devastating battle. Even India had to pay heavily in this murky war as our former PM Rajiv Gandhi was blown up in a suicide bomb attack carried out by the militant organization. The fight is still raging.

Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe, the founder of Zimbabwe is 80 now. He fought against the British might and finally succeeded in forcing them flee the country ending several years of colonialism and became the defacto ruler of Zimbabwe in 1980. Since then he continues to be the President of that country. During his initial years as President of Zimbabwe, he was widely respected by the whole Zimbabwe as well as the people all over the World, for years of his courageous fight against apartheid and for bringing glory to the nation by liberating the citizens from the British yoke ultimately. Zimbabweans held him in high esteem and was regarded as Nelson Mandela of Zimbabwe who fought against the British rule and apartheid undergoing 27 years of rigorous imprisonment and murderous assaults of the ruthless British soldiers and finally succeeded in ending the colonial rule by the British in SouthAfrica.

As the years progressed, Mugabe displayed tendencies of a ruthless dictator forgetting his past as the saviour of people of Zimbabwe and the slightest opposition against his misrule was mercilessly suppressed. Even after suffering defeat at the hustings by his principal opposition Party MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) led by Morgan Tswangirai in the elections held one year ago, he refused to respect the verdict and declared himself to be the President of Zimbabwe.

The country’s economy is in shambles and the masses are suffering from poverty and malnutrition, literally they are starving unable to purchase the essential commodities for their livelihood because of the unprecedented inflation and the subsequent skyrocketing of prices. The inflation rate is alarming, about 230 million percent and is going up with lightning speed day by day, minutes by minutes and even seconds by seconds. The plight of the suffering masses didn’t deter him from celebrating his birthday last week squandering $250000/- with his supporters and sycophants of ZANU-PF, his party.

In the previous elections, after declining to step down from the post of President, the relationship between him and the leader of the winning party Morgan Tswangirai grew worse and Tabo Mbeki, the former President of SouthAfrica had to intervene to play the role of a mediator as the African nations apprehended rebellion and blood-shed by the Zimbabweans’ against Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship.

Mbeki succeeded in thrashing out a solution after months of negotiations and according to the agreement arrived at in the end, Mugabe can continue in the chair of President and Tswangirai can occupy the Prime Ministership. The beleaguered Tswangirai is slogging it out to ameliorate the pathetic conditions of the masses by appealing to the developing as well as the developed nations to extend aid to Zimbabwe liberally.

How far he will be able to succeed in his hardwon responsibility as the PM is anybody’s guess.

Tibet:

It was in the year 1959 that Dalai Lama, the Spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists was forced to escape to India seeking asylum as a result of a violent aggression unleashed by the Chinese army in Tibet killing about eighty thousand Tibetans and annexed the Himalayan nation. Since then, Tibet is under the iron-rule of China. Fifty years have elapsed since then, however the unending thirst for freedom of the Tibetans continues unabated. Tibetan exiles settled in various nations are still raging with anger against the Chinese occupation and they want nothing short of independence for their beloved country. Occasionally violent uprisings erupt against the Chinese rule and last year- the 49th year of Chinese occupation- we witnessed massive protests in various parts of the World including India, by the freedom aspirants. In all the countries where the Tibetan exiles are spending their root-less existence the Olympic flame was the target of the Tibetans and defying security and other precautionary steps they went on a rampage and tried to extinguish the flame at a few places with success.

It was in Lhasa, the Capital of Tibet, that the uprising grew worse and the Tibetans went on the rampage killing many Chinese men and also destroying properties and within no time the rebellion spread like wild fire and the Chinese rulers had to face the heat particularly when an International game was about to open with pomp and pageantry in Capital, Beijing. As a pre-emptive move, the rulers didn’t take risks this time and deployed the Red Army along the sensitive areas fearing a more aggressive rebellion in the historic 50th year of occupation.

China’s territorial ambitions are notorious and while preaching friendship with India, they have not backtracked from their demand for the State of Arunachal Pradesh claiming it be their integral part.

As I have already mentioned, the list is endless. I have written about the state of affairs prevailing in only a few countries. If I am about to write about all of them, it would turn out to be a book. I don’t want to elaborate about each of them. I only wanted to draw the attention of the readers to the pathetic and also horrible conditions pervading the nations across the World. Like you, I am also at a loss to make out the shape of things to emerge in future. Hoping for a light at the end of tunnel is human nature and hence let us eagerly wait for a new dawn…

DIFFERENT ROLES CELEBRITIES PLAY

2009-03-07T01:23:00.000-08:00

“Which role did you play today?”- inquires an handsome young guy with a charming smile to the television audience. (film-stars are always young- to be precise ‘evergreen’- even our Dev Anandji is still evergreen). Am I confusing you? Sorry.

This is the advertisement of Toyota Innova, a marvelous luxury car and its brand ambassador is the aforementioned young hero Aamir Khan, the bollywood fame, not only an actor but also a well-known director and to a few an intellectual also. By playing the role of brand ambassador of ‘INNOVA’, he might have signed a contract or agreement (?) involving a huge sum.

Then another day we find him playing the role of the brand ambassador of Coca Cola. In the advertisement he is seen explaining the misconceptions prevailing among the majority regarding the harmful effects of consuming Cola and his certification to the effect that Coca Cola is really harmless and at the same time a rejuvenator and is an apt cool-drink for anybody to consume at any time, any day especially when one suffers fatigue after a tiresome job or play. He demonstrates his certification of the cool-drink by consuming a bottle of Cola in one gulp. Howzaat?

In films as well as advertisements, he plays different roles and amasses huge amounts. Lucky chap!

On March 28, at sharp 8.30 PM, 500 cities in 75 countries- India is one among them- each of us is advised to switch-off the lights and fans for one hour inorder to create an awareness about the looming threat of Global Warming and therefore to exhort us to be more vigilant atleast in the future to save our planet and also the coming generation from Carbon emissions and ecological plunder or destruction, thus paving the way for total wiping out of the entire planet into oblivion.

The exhortation was made by the respected Nobel Laurate Rev. Desmund Tutu and in India the exhortation is to be made by our young actor-director, Aamir Khan.

The harmful effects of Coca Cola and the destruction its manufacture affects the people the world over is notorious and even in the campuses of America, the students stopped drinking Cola according to news reports about a year back and they came out in support of the environmentalists who fight for the banning of Coca Cola. The environmental disaster its manufacture causes to the people can very well be witnessed and get enlightened by visiting Plachimada of Palghat district in Kerala. Ground water depletion and the presence of poisonous metals like cadmium and lead beyond the permissible limits, and the sludge containing these metals was sold as fertilizer to those who were not quite aware of the ill-effects by the multinational giant.

I don’t know whether Aamir Khan recalls his brand ambassadorialship of this cool drink explaining the rejuvenating and rejoicing effects of the same and also the news report about the plight of the people of Plachimada, who are languishing there owing to the scarcity of potable water in the whole Panchayat as a result of the manufacture of this drink on a vast scale. Years have passed and the people of Plachimada are still on the war-path to pack up the multi-national giant and force them to flee the place.

Whether they will succeed in this venture against the might of money power is a million-dollar question.

Dear Aamir Khan, are you going to play both roles simultaneously? If so, you are really great! Like our great Shashi Tharoor! The former UN-Under Secretary General who is also an ardent advocate of this multi-national giant and one more truth Mr.Tharoor is hailing from the district of Palakkad and is supposed to be aware of Plachimada agitation going on for the last several years! Howzaat?

ABOUT THE GREAT INDIAN JAMBOREE- HOWZAAT?

2009-03-06T08:31:00.001-08:00

Election fever is briskly catching up in India. Political leaders, analysts, psephologists, media-world and even the citizens are busy engaged in watching the whole scenario with deserving seriousness and also with interest, excitement, palpitation and a few with a sense of detachment. Could we call this last category of people “observers”? Sorry sir, I don’t know. They are adding, substracting, dividing and also multiplying frequently the approximate number of seats to be won by each alliance and the chance of which party or alliance coming to power after all the hullabaloo is over. As the equations change overnight because of the frantic search for allies by the national parties the calculations of political analysts, psephologists and even some political leaders get angry and confused and start from the very beginning.

Three fronts or two fronts actually? The Grand Old Party (GOP) of India, Indian National Congress with a sense of nostalgia is weighing the chances of capturing the Delhi throne single-handedly so as not to depend upon the allies who are always a pain in the neck of the Party. And with a declaration to contest the elections without forming a national alliance and simultaneously forming alliances at the State level (or regional level), a farsighted approach really! In the event of the Party emerging with below the magical figure of 272- in politics anything is possible- the leaders are well aware and therefore if a chance to cobble together an alliance with the help of regional parties to reach the magic figure, the Party can very well form a Govt. at the Centre, eventhough reluctantly and also with a feeling of shame. The GOP is still nursing the sweet memories of the past, when it was able to rule India alone, without seeking the help of any other party thus getting an opportunity to implement the Party’s policies and programmes can rejoice at the “historic victory” after a gap of several years. But majority are of the opinion that coalition politics is here to stay and single party rule is a thing of past. Who is to be believed? No idea sir.

The other front is NDA alliance under BJP- the Party with a difference- and it is heartening that BJP (Bharathiya Janata Party) is not at all nurturing ambitions of capturing power at the Centre alone unlike the GOP , the leaders are on the look out for befriending as many parties as possible- regional or national to stitch together a grand alliance. They still keep the glorious memories of good old days of their reign under the leadership of the veteran leader, Atal Bihari Vajpayee- unfortunately he is bed-ridden now fighting his helplessness characteristic of old-age.

BJP had in the past , about twenty two regional parties as allies and now they find it very difficult to bring back their old friends who deserted them after unexpected defeat at the hustings in 2004.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chandrababu Naidu,
AIADMK (All India Anna DMK) led by Kumari Jayalalitha, Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee and a number of splinter parties have become progressive overnight and are under the third front (except Trinamool Congress) led by none other than the leftists- which always stand for freeing India from the clutches of two bourgeois parties- The Indian National Congress and Bharathiya Janata Party- both are ‘corrupt’ and ‘communal’ and the ‘agents’ of industrial tycoons like Ambanis’, Mittals’ Birlas’,TATAs’ and like-minded fat-cats. The leftists have already fished out a deserving, charismatic and an apt leader to be the next PM who is none other than Kumari Mayawati, the UP Chief Minister and the undisputed leader of BSP (Bhujan Samaj Party). BSP, TDP, AIADMK, (unfortunately they couldn’t rope in BJD ( Biju Janata Dal of Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Orissa as he was already canvassed by BJP- his friend in need and he is very much comfortable with them). The only aim of the Leftists is to keep both Indian National Congress and Bharathiya Janata Party, away from power, and to install a Govt. of third front while supporting outside- in the role of a king-maker. It is the best way to implement their policies and programmes by arm-twisting the Govt. with the threat of withdrawing support, if their demands are not met. Howzaat?

A POLITICIAN WHO IS AFRAID OF “SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE”

2009-02-28T09:21:00.000-08:00

While doing my journalism course in Mumbai at K.C.College, Churchgate in the early eighties, Mrs.Vakil, one of the faculty members who was in Indian express then, enquired about the favourite journalist of each one in the class. She was a bit bulky, fair and middle aged, a good looking woman.

She approached each one of us with her question of the day.

“Arun Shourie”- I told her without any second thought.

“Why?”

“I like his fluent and poignant style. His commitment to journalistic ethics. His extraordinary ability to hit the bull’s eye. And his in-depth investigations in many a political muddle and bring out the skeletons in the cup-board,”- I told her with pride.

Mrs. Vakil gave me a warm smile and moved towards the next chap sitting close to me.
Mr Arun Shourie was basking in the glory of an investigative journalist then. If my memory is correct, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express then. Added to it the blue-eyed boy of Ramnath Goenka, the courageous, fearless, dedicated and indomitable newspaper baron of all times.

Whenever I happened to see his articles while flipping through the pages - his articles were always lengthy-I was somewhat eager to read his articles with interest and also with the deserving seriousness. His style was gripping, fluent and as I had already told to Mrs.Vakil, poignant and with the innate capacity to arouse indignation and hatred towards the corrupt, inefficient and power-hungry politicians of India who amassed crores and crores of rupees and led a life of extravagance. He exposed each and every one of them with his acid pen. The infamous Cement scandal involving extortion of huge amount by Antulay was only one among many which he had dared to expose with his untiring efforts and dedication. Abdul Rehman Antulay was the chief minister of Maharashtra then and was ruling like a ‘sultan’. He had to bow out of power as a result of the sensational exposure of corruption in which he was involved by Mr.Shourie.
Mr.Antulay is holding the charge of Minister of Minority Affairs in the union cabinet under the UPA Government now.

Much water had flowed down the Ganges since then.

The man I once appreciated, applauded and felt proud about later joined politics, took membership in BJP- ‘The party with a difference’ -a new ‘avatar’ (incarnation) really and in the garb of a cabinet minister holding the charge of disinvestment portfolio, under the BJP rule of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The BJP ruled India the full term and got prepared to contest for the next term. ie. 2004-2009 with much fanfare and glory with the ‘India shining’ campaign. Through visual media as well as Print media ‘ The India shining ‘ slogan was propagated across the nation. The party’s confidence was at its peak and had already got ready to be enthroned once again at Indraprastha.

The party was squandering crores for propaganda, and distributed sarees to poor women and other such freebies to the down-trodden allegedly by violating the Model Code of Conduct slapped by the Election commission of India on Indian political parties and its leaders.

I was writing about Arun Shourie, the then minister for disinvestment. In the name of arranging the necessary amount for infrastructure development and social welfare, a disinvestment spree followed, without taking into account the protests of major political parties. They alleged the disinvestment spree would only help the business tycoons and the ultimate loser would be the common man, and they warned-off huge loss to the exchequer and their warning came true.

I held my breath and wondered about the strange times, I was confronted with. I do not want to cast aspersions on Mr.Shourie whom I held in high esteem once and his good intentions in the long run.

‘What followed since then is history now!”

The ‘fat cats’ piled up crores and the poor farmers and the poverty stricken, malnourished hapless citizens, found themselves in the lurch. Thousands found solace in death by committing suicide.

(Contrary to their over-confident complacency, it is heard that as the election days approached, those at the highest echelons of the party got the feed back from the intelligence agencies about the not so favourite opinion prevailing in the country as the leaders sensed defeat might be true.) NDA alliance under BJP, bit the dust at the hustings and UPA Government with the outside support of leftists found themselves in power!

The other day I happened to read a news report in the The New Indian Express (dated 26-02-2009) purported to have been made by Mr. Arun Shourie. His indignation was against ‘Slum dog Millionaire’ which bagged 8 Oscars at Hollywood. The film got huge applause and appreciation and was celebrated by Indians across the world, though it was directed by a foreigner. The film is based on the story of the people of Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum. Sixty two years have passed since our nation attained Independence and it came under the rule of various parties and alliances. Still the condition prevailing in Dharavi is the same, nauseating, pathetic even without basic sanitary facilities.

Dear Mr.Shourie, your party also held power with support of allies for about five years. Did you think about Dharavi and the worst conditions prevailing there at any moment during your tenure in the NDA government? While you were also a part of the Government and you could have prodded the responsible minister to do something about it? Now you are talking about a promise made by Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi while they visited Mumbai in 2005- a promise of Rs.1260 crore package for Mumbai’s development which remains a promise even now.

While your Government was in the saddle, you could have and you ought to have cared and extended a financial package to Mumbai particularly the hapless Dharavi people. Where were you then?

Now you are shivering with anger against the celebration of “filth of Dharavi” and for basking in the glory of that filth! What is the point in it? Instead of feeling ashamed of the poor image the film is supposed to have brought out before the world, please have the generosity to do something for the poor. It was most unbecoming of you to have cast aspersions on the film and its architects, as you once stood committed to journalistic ethics, principles and integrity.

AN ABSURD AND MEANINGLESS LIFE

2009-02-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

I reached Thiruvananthapuram at about 5.30 in the evening. Actually I proceeded from Perumbavoor at 10 in the morning. Really a tedious journey.

After getting down at Thampanoor bus-station I briskly walked to a nearby hotel and after washing my face in the wash-basin to get refreshed, I moved towards an empty seat. As it was very near to the bus-station and the crowd, traffic, the hustle and bustle increasing day by day, it was quite natural that the hotel was running a brisk business throughout. During my previous visits to the capital city also it was the same case.

After having a single tea and paying the bill I walked out and looked for an autorickshaw coming my way. Meanwhile the street-lights opened their eyes and within no time an empty auto came to my side and driver applied the brake. The auto-driver might have seen me from a distance and sensed my purpose.

A khaki-clad, young dark man with a trimmed moustache and a clean-shaven face- he had a baritone voice. I told him my destination and he immediately got alerted and drove the autorickshaw down the road to the place.

In normal times, ie. While I am not in a hurry and in a happy mood, it is my hobby to pass my glances to the both sides and enjoy sights- the crowd rushing to and fro and Thiruvananthapuram being endowed with numerous monuments built during the period of kings, it is a treat to watch the ancient monuments, the roadside-greenery and marvel at their beauty.

But on that day I was somewhat in a pensive mood, and being a bit late, I couldn’t enjoy the sights and didn’t feel like so. I simply shut my eyes and sat as if in meditation. I wanted to have a nap, but couldn’t. His picture was in my mind alongside memories connected with him and his deadly disease and helplessness in the old-age.

The auto-driver being a smart guy dropped me infront of the sanatorium without taking much time. I paid him the auto-charge and strode towards the world of pain, groaning, sneezing, medicines, emaciated or breathing skeletons bereft of flesh and blood.

The twilight Sun was about to go down in the West, the Sanatorium was bathed in beautiful golden rays, and soon darkness would slowly engulf the whole area.

From a distance I could recognize him. Under the red shadow of a gulmohar tree bearing beautiful and blooming red flowers in the shape of glowing red umbrella,( upon seeing those flowers I was pondering over the absurd and meaningless life) he was sitting alone on a bench casting his eyes to the outside world as if waiting for somebody to receive him. He was clad in his same old ‘kavi (saffron) mundu’ (dhoti)- breathing skeleton spending his last days with much pain and sadness.

“Valiyachaa” (step-father – my father’s elder one)- I called him and bowed down before him. As if from a dream he came out from his world of thoughts or memories (?) , saw me standing before him with folded-palms. My eyes were welling up and tears were about to run down my cheeks.

He cast a beaming smile on me and with his failing eyes glowed with joy hidden inside the sockets- that was how I felt- gestured me to sit beside him on the bench.

“Atleast once in a day, I think about you, my child. Whenever I thought about you I felt immense joy, pride, affection and at the same time I underwent deep mental agony, was hopefully awaiting your arrival. Anyhow your father, when he came to see me yesterday assured me that you would come today and promised me to send you- I just wanted to see you atleast for a moment. Now I am very happy. How is your life now ?- he beamed a smile at me.
“Going on Valiyacha”. I was at a loss to say anything more. A lump in my throat prevented me from telling more about my wife and children.

The patients were inside the Sanatorium lying in their cots. I could hear them coughing with much difficulty, their broken prayers, murmurings, groaning and even cries with excruciating pain. I noticed with shock some betel leaves, one or two pieces of tobacco, small pieces of arecanut, lime and a little knife on his right side on a piece of paper.

“Valiyacha, you have not yet stopped chewing tobacco? It is very harmful. Please don’t take it Valiyacha”- I was literally beseeching him with welling eyes.

“When it is too late, why should I stop it my child? Will there be any benefit by stopping it at this eleventh hour”?- he was asking me still with his beaming smile- I sat there spell-bound. I didn’t know what to tell him.

I saw him smiling to the darkness. He might have been thinking about the absurdity of his existence.

He picked up the whole item beside him and wrapped them in the paper and asked me to throw it away.

Without any hesitation I obeyed his words. “Child, it is very late now. Thick darkness. You have to catch the bus and return home. Before that, just hold my hand and guide me to the bed”. I obeyed him. In the lighted hall, I saw cots lying from one end to the other end, all packed to capacity with patients all around, I held his hand and guided him to his cot and took out an envelope stuffed with some currencies from my pocket and handed over to him. I saw his eyes brimming with tears and unable to bear the agony I turned my face away…

“You may go soon, You have to travel a long distance. With all my blessings to my child,….”- he couldn’t complete his words and without bidding farewell to him, I hurriedly went out and wept like a child, while walking to the road in front to catch an autorickshaw…

MARX IN INDIA FOR A “CORDIAL VISIT” TO THE COMMUNIST PARTY LEADERS

2009-02-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

Once in a year Keralites across the Globe on Thiruvonam day (Thiruvonam is a Malayalam Zodiac sign) celebrate Thiruvonam festival in memory of the famous Asura king (Asuras are believed to be evil minded, Suras are their just opposite, i.e they are believed to be Gods with the aim of warding off evils and its perpetrators, the so called Asuras and make the earth a heaven) King Mahabali, a benevolent dictator. While he ruled over Kerala, Kerala was shining with prosperity and happiness and the king was very fond of his subjects. The subjects even went to the extent of worshipping him. Equality prevailed everywhere, corruption was not even heard of, all sorts of lies and deceits were absent. In short, a heaven.

The Gods, who were supposed to be the leaders of entire world, got jealous of the Asura king and out of fear or panic on the phenomenal popularity of the Asura king, who was set to conquer the entire world, met and decided to remove him from the throne.

After many a deliberation, God Vishnu took the shape of Vamana (dwarf) and in the guise of a little Brahmin boy, approached the Asura king and requested him to have mercy on him and handover three foot of land which the philanthropic king found a trivial thing and taking pity on Vamana (The dwarf), allowed wherever Vamana desired take three foot of earth. The king had a sterling quality of keeping words.

With each step the Vamana got taller and even touched the sky. Within two steps he conquered two worlds (according to the mythology prevailed at that time only three worlds existed) and there was no space for him to take another step. The king who was always determined to keep his word, sensed the treachery of Devas, and Vamana revealed himself in the form of Mahavishnu.

The king bowed politely, with devotion requested Vishnu, to take his next step by placing his foot on his head and accordingly Vishnu took the another step by placing his foot on his head and before departing from earth to Pathala (the nether world), the king humbly requested God Vishnu to make it possible for him to visit his beloved subjects on Thiruvonam day each year to visit his subjects and inquire about the welfare of all by visiting each house. God Vishnu granted his request and thus accordingly to Mythology Mahabali the Asura king, visits his prajas (subjects) once in a year on the Thiruvonam day for enquiring about the welfare of his subjects.

The festival is celebrated with pomp and pageantry once in a year by Keralaites across the World, even by pawning their Gold ornaments who don’t have the wherewithal to celebrate Thriuvonam.

As far as the Modern thinkers are concerned, the month of Chingam (in Malayalam) is a harvesting season for Keralites and to celebrate the happy occasion, somebody of yore discovered a myth- the Asura king and his philanthropic attitude and his determination to maintain equality among all and a corruption-free society…

We are familiar with the mythological story of Mahabali, the Asura king but have not heard about the great lover of equality to humanity of yester years- Karl Marx, the proponent of Marxism making an appearance in the World.

This is an imaginary account of Marx’s visit to India one day to inquire about the present state of our society and the party.. The unfortunate truth about the umpteen splits happened in the party and the existence of several communist parties in our land was seemingly not known to him.

With his grayish beard and moustache, lush hair on his head dressed in his usual dress, black pants, shirt and thick overcoats , smoking a cigar he first made his appearance, either knowingly or unknowingly at A.K.G Bhavan at New Delhi. The bust of comrade-A.K.G resting outside might have silently communicated to him the message. Hope, you have heard about silent communication?

With the cigar on his lips he authoritatively entered and found a handsome man in his prime seat wearing a half-sleeved white shirt and a black pants. He was all in smiles, his grey hair combed beautifully. Another man, curly head and grey-haired with a cigar in his lips and also blowing out smoke through his nostrils and mouth was also a handsome guy with a mischievous smile in his lips. While talking to his comrade, he was scribbling something. Marx saw his framed photo on the wall along with some other legendary leaders. It was the morning time. Peoples’ Democracy and ‘Left Word’ were found lying scattered. A typical communist party office.

“Good Morning Comrades. I am your beloved comrade Marx. Karl Marx. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Engels could not accompany me. Happens sometimes.”- Marx took a deep puff and without seeking their permission sat on a chair just opposite to them placed close to wall.

“ You are Mr.Marx! Very-very Good Morning.” The handsome man with his bewitching smile extended a warm welcome to Marx. The other man followed and again got immersed in his duty.

It was really a shock to Marx. He didn’t expect a ‘Mr’ addressing from them. He always preferred to be called a comrade. “Changes, changes and changes.”- Marx told himself in a whispering tone. While in their duty, occasionally they were watching television and passing some comments.

“What is it?” Marx pointed out his finger at the TV channel.

“ It is called Television, Mr. Marx. Update news always available. 24 X 7, We should say like that. Science and technology development is phenomenal, Mr.Marx! Phenomenal…” You had already wrote about the ceaseless changes taking place like a flowing river. This is the era of knowledge revolution….. We appreciate you very much Mr.Marx and we are proud of you. Really.Really. The man with curly head looked at comrade Marx appreciatively.

“What about the plight of the toiling masses of India? Finally you have seized the throne at New Delhi? Organized struggles of Proletariat and farmers are taking place, even now?” – Marx queried.

They burst in to laughter. Marx sat there with an embarrassed face. Simultaneously lighted another cigar and took a deep puff. With his left hand, he caressed his beard and also his lush hairy head.

“Mr. Marx, nowadays Proletariat revolution is not at all discussed and debated anywhere in the world. Dictatorship of the Proletariat is a thing of the past. Times have changed a lot, a lot Mr.Marx. On the question of capturing the power at the centre we are not much enthusiastic. We want to be King-Makers. Helping some other party leaders to be enthroned and once in a while arm-twisting them, to implement our various demands. A revolution, particularly an armed revolution- even that concept has become out-dated for us. Changes Mr.Marx, Changes……….You have not heard about such things in your world? Pity, Pity, really Pity Mr. Marx.”

The handsome guy about to cross into old age, looked at Comrade Marx with a question mark on his face. The first time Marx was watching him sitting with a serious face.

“From what I have heard so far, I fear the relevance of my ideology is coming down!”- Marx was also in a serious mood.

“Please do not interpret our words in such a way. Every philosophy undergoes evolution in the course of time. Such evolutions have taken place among the communist parties across the world. These evolutions are in line with your philosophy, Mr.Marx. Changes, changes all the way. The Ultimate truth. Dictatorship of the Proletariat ,armed revolution by consolidating masses, it has even turned to be unimaginable, new-recruitments on contract basis, outsourcing of jobs, your dream of withering away of states getting to be impractical at present, sometimes after turning full circle, the history may repeat itself, not sure, actually we are not sure of anything nowadays, that is the sad truth, Mr.Marx”. The curly headed man was in a confused mood. His chain smoking might be the result of this confusion.

“You are in agreement with outsourcing of jobs?”- Marx went inquisitive.

“We have our reservations, Mr.Marx. But we are forced to live with it….Sad truth.. Really. Changes and changes, Mr.Marx. In a world of knowledge revolution, we have set aside dogmas.”- The leader was again in a pensive mood. Helplessness is the most apt word. Marx felt.

“What about your state of Kearla? Everything fine.?”- Marx was actually frowning. Both of the leaders looked at each other embarrassingly.

“ In Kerala, everything is fine. Party is totally united. The people are living in harmony Party has implemented certain innovations like Party channels, Amusement parks, Five-star hotels and the party leaders are always on the move to implement more and more innovations to bring cheers in the face of common man”- The leader was in an exciting mood.

Lighting another cigar, Marx took frequent puffs, sat pensively for a long time. What was he pondering over? Who knows? No mind reading machines yet…”

“Okay then. Comrades, let us hire a taxi and take a drive down the road to have a glimpse of your capital city and if possible a long journey to the villages of nearby states like UP, Uttarkhand, Haryana and a few states. I would be very much obliged to you, if you could spare this day for a long journey through rural India for an on the spot study of situation prevailing there”………-A long pause. Marx was anxiously waiting for a response……A positive response…..

“Sorry Mr. Marx. By the by, you know, the general elections are round the corner! We are contesting in eighty seats. Moreover, today a PB meeting is scheduled in a shortwhile from now and the leaders from other states are about to reach here one by one. The seats to be contested, who has to contest from each seat, the strategies to be adopted in the light of present political equations, and some international matters. Yes Mr.Marx, a tedious schedule. If you could come to grip with our predicament, we would be obliged to you ever……

The curly headed man got up from his seat, heaved a sigh, intermittent coughs followed, might be due to his chain smoking and threw his hands in the air.

Marx could understand his impatience. He was watching the man with a sense of humour.

“Okay comrades. I am not going to disturb you. I find it incredible that out of 540 parliamentary seats, you are contesting only in eighty seats. This in 2009, no? Even if you contest all the seats, suppose, by some miracle, you get a majority in the house and thus capture power, the nations’ plight will be the same.”

“Don’t think it is too late, have an introspection and take necessary steps if your party as well as your comrade parties, I know the movement has turned to a hotch-potch combination of splinter parties without any ideological bondage, fighting out in the streets. See you later, comrades…..”

Marx got up with the cigar in his lips with a serious face, got out of the AKG bhavan, the central office of the Party, and melted in the faceless crowd.

While reaching in front of the bust of A.K.G, he could hear both of them bursting out into laughter………

Changes, changes and changes…………..

STRANGE ARE THE WAYS OF THE WORLD

2009-02-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

Businessmen, most often keep smiles of love, warmth, affection and sincerity. We feel their service-mindedness and the inviting smiles always attractive. You might have heard about the “business-mindedness” of most business persons in our villages, towns and cities and might have witnessed or experienced it also. Appreciative smiles and opinions are expected from most of the customers whenever you get in contact with other customers. You might feel elated on hearing such sweet words from your friends or relatives.

I was a bank-employee for about thirty years, when a VRS scheme was introduced by the management, I was one among hundreds of employees and seize the opportunity to bid a warm farewell to the institution which provided the livelihood for a long period. I didn’t want to be hypocrite anymore, actually I was fed up with wearing a mask of politeness, promises, delight, a lukewarm attitude and even rude behaviour sometimes to the customers depending upon the status of those coming to me.

All the employees from top to bottom- manger to peon- Chairman to other higher authorities- always tried to keep beaming smiles often forgetting our personal problems, provided service to those approaching us. It was and still is the norm. The Chairman through his frequent circulars reminded us all about “customer delight” and satisfaction, “customer is the king” attitude often preached by Mahatma Gandhi, and the often quoted words of business persons “ customer is always right”- attitude. Through his circulars he didn’t forget to warn the employees to follow his valuable advices or face necessary and severe actions like issuance of memos seeking explanations, suspension and even termination. The gentleman on some occasions exhorted us the magic of thinking big and inspired us always to work hard, learn hard and reach the top-ladder at the youthful age itself. I used to recall the book- “The Magic of Thinking Big” written by the great positive thinker and writer of our times David Schwartz. Books related to positive thinking have a huge market today and hence Dale Carnegie (he committed suicide later in his life is another wonderful fact), Robin Sharma (author of “The Monk Who Sold His Safari”), Stephen Covey(author of “Seven Good Habits”) , the world famous writer Paulo Coelho (the author of “Alchemist”, a really positive one and another one by him “Eleven Minutes” discovered by me “quite positive”!) and such writers. Inspite of all these the business as well as the moral atmosphere are in chaos in contemporary times…so what? Think positive…

Hope, I haven’t bored you to death.

While working in the bank, the authorities went to the extent of providing us with financial bonanza like exgratia amounting to thousands once in a year appreciating our service mentality and hardwork thus helping the bank to scale new heights. Similarly amounts involving large amounts- two or three lakhs- even though with high interest rates as personal loans, festival loans ( interest free!) and such other facilities.

Whenever we got lumpsum amounts, we used to go on a shopping spree to purchase jewels, clothes and other valuable electronic items. The next day ‘back to square one’ is another thing.

In my case, along with my family, we used to go to the jewellery to purchase some gold ornaments for my daughter and wife, valuable clothes and other items demanded by my son. Rare moments of luxury. An extravaganza in our case. You know, I am not an Ambani, Lakshmi Mittal, Bill Gates or Warren Buffet. Whenever we went to purchase the ornaments to my daughter and wife- we always made the purchases at the same jewellery from the very beginning- the young owner at the counter always gave us warm smiles and after we reveal our intention to purchase some ornaments, he would get delighted and would direct others behind the long glass boxes with glittering gold ornaments arranged in a beautiful and attractive way to provide us a good service. Really an affable, caring and loving smart young guy!
“Young men should be like him” - we used to comment.

After making all that we wanted for the moment (the amount in my pocket was the limit), they put each type of ornament in beautiful little attractive box and packed them in a costly bag along with a nice purse and would pass it to us. All in smiles, the young owner never forgot to give me a warm shake-hand with a beaming smile and gave us a good farewell with inviting eyes. Wow! What a great service!

But the life of people are not always a smooth journey through the plains filled with grass-carpet lined with colourful flowers on both sides with the beetles flying around them to enjoy the sweet nectar. Sometimes they have to tread a long path filled with thorns, gutters and “hump-like” hurdles. Those born with gold-spoon (or silver spoon) in their mouth are exceptional cases…
Once, due to acute emergency, I was badly in need of some money and was aware that by pledging the ornament at the bank, I wouldn’t get sufficient amount, I decided to sell the ornament to our beloved familiar jewellery. The other ornaments we had were already under pledge that also for an emergency case. Life is like that baba!

With my usual smile, I walked to my familiar jewellery, thank God, the young, charming and familiar owner was there and on seeing me, he extended his warm smile towards me. I heaved a sigh of relief.

“This time, I have not come for not making a purchase. I want to sell a bangle. Badly in need of some money. An unforeseen emergency.”

I was blushing actually.

The warm smile on his face vanished somewhere and with a grim face called an young man behind the long glass box and directed him to verify the quality, quantity and the eligible amount to be handed over to me after deducting their charges. The young man, who was also familiar to me, turned to be serious and strange.

Flabbergasted is the apt word! An incident never, never expected by me even in my wildest dreams.

After completing all the procedure, he gave me a smile and ordered me to pass it to the owner guy who was still in his serious and strange mood.

I blushed once more.

Meanwhile a man and his daughter-from their appearance I could make out they were from a low middle-class family- stood near me waiting for the jewellery purchased by the father for his daughter ( might be dowry for his daughter’s marriage purchased with his hard-earned money for years of hard labour or borrowed from somebody). The bag containing the ornaments handed over to him after making the bill-payment, the smart young owner was all smiles to them and extended a warm shake-hand to the man. Man and daughter got delighted and they bid farewell with polite smiles and with a ‘Namasthe’( an Indian way of expressing respect by holding together both palms placed close to the chest).

The young guy’s smile again vanished and I was made to wait for the amount for another ten minutes. Then he took out the notes,carefully counted and handed it over to me.

With a polite thanks, I left the jewellery thinking about the ways of the world.

He didn’t care to return even a single smile atleast for a single second.

Is he business-minded?
You may decide, please…

THE MUMBAI CARNAGE AND THE PAKISTANI CLIMBDOWN

2009-02-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, a peace-loving nation among the comity of nations, unfortunately, is very rare. But it is always the hawkish rulers and a minority of anti-social elements, ‘TERRORISTS’ in the international parlance are always the trouble makers. Insurgents, pirates, thugs, religious fanatics- in short the violent and destructive tendencies of these elements- all come in the category of terrorists.

---In this early half of the 21st century, the number of countries cherishing territorial ambitions are abnormally increasing. Be it China, Pakistan, Israel, Russia, Ethiopia, Sudan, -African nations are in the forefront of the list- genocide, poverty, malnutrition, innocent civilians fleeing their homes owing to frequent fighting among the ethnic groups, for example, Darfur in Sudan, Somalia- the Horn of Africa, the two ethnic groups of Rwanda and recently even in the developed countries like Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and USA on account of the unprecedented financial-meltdown resulting in recession, and its repercussions like unemployment among the educated youth, massive retrenchment due to the losses suffered by world famous companies ,banks and other institutions owned by business tycoons- those who have lost their jobs are running in millions, lack of health-care, poverty – ‘the sons of the soil policy’ is gaining momentum( even in a developing nation like India). After the unexpected plummeting of oil prices ,the oil-rich Gulf countries are sacking employees of countries like India, Pakistan and many other East-Asian and South-East Asian countries and deporting them. This ruthless massive retrenchment has inflicted a trauma among the returned employees and their respective countries are forced to carry the additional burden once considered assets of our nation, the deported employees have turned into liabilities. A pathetic situation indeed.

Sorry for the digression.
Let us come to the heart of the matter. India is always considered to be a peace-loving country. Aberrations are there due to the inefficiency and apathy of our rulers, the peace-loving nature of the country is always applauded by other nations across the Globe. If our rulers and bureaucrats were more vigilant and careful frequent terrorist attacks across various parts of our nation causing large-scale violent deaths and destruction of properties could have been avoided. Recall the 9/11. After that explosive terrorist attack , USA took all the precautions to prevent such a dastardly attack again by empowering the Intelligence agencies, beefing up security avoiding the over-confident complacency, thus eliminating the possibility of further attacks. Even then the arrogant attitude of ‘World Police’ has not been shed.

Even now, the people across our nation are pulling on with their daily routine always fearing a terrorist attack anywhere and hence a fear-psychosis is always in the air. It is a tragic truth that, our citizens have least confidence in the sense of responsibility and efficiency of our rulers. Imagine the plight of a nation renowned for its peace-loving nature!

The recent carnage perpetrated by LET (Lashkar-E-Taiba) militants in the financial capital of Mumbai and the subsequent responses by our leaders are worth thinking about. The leaders could immediately ascertain the militant organization which committed such a massacre and destruction of famous landmarks and the epicenter of the terrorist organization. It was meticulously planned and executed by the LET elements with the connivance of intelligence agencies of that nation. Pakistan was and still is a thorn in the flesh of India, and will continue to be so, whoever is in the saddle.

After India pointed an accusing finger at Pakistan, the rulers, military and even the Pakistani civilians raised a hue and cry against India and the hullabaloo shook the whole World. The spectre of a war with India was feared by peace-loving nations as that nation within no time deployed their Jawans along the LOC ready to confront an “attack from the Indian side”. Their fear is largely due to the possession of nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries. The Pak rulers were playing innocence. Simultaneously they were hiding from the World the secret of their connivance and encouragement to the dreaded organization- LET –to commit the carnage in our financial capital. It is pertinent to note here that even while Retd Gen.Musharaff was ruling that nation, LET was the blue-eyed organization of ISI and the military. Hence, LET leaders were aware of the fact that, in the event of a ban and the arrest of militants, they would remain untouched.

The help provided by FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to India in tracing out the origin and the identity of the culprits, their native place as per the direction of former American President George W Bush, ( the parting gift of the former President to India) it was confirmed beyond doubt that our assumptions were correct. They handed over the dossiers to the leaders of both countries. The argument of Pak President Asif Ali Sardari that the culprits were non-State actors had to be dropped by that country ultimately (the month of March 2009 is going to be critical for the civilian government of Pakistan on the issue of the demand for reinstatement of former sacked Chief Justice Iftikar Chowdary as the lawyers across the country are up in arms and have decided to hold a long march to the parliament house for an indefinite period. The possibility of an army takeover is not ruled out, according to media reports.)

After repeated demands of the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherji and also due to the international pressure, Rehman Malik, the head of Interior Ministry of the Pak Govt. finally agreed the Indian accusation that the militants were Pakistanis including the one surviving assassin, Muhammed Ajmal Kasab who is in Indian custody. Rehman Malik formally conveyed to the Indian official all the details regarding the attack and the militants and also in the presence of press persons. The gentleman even went to the extent of revealing the logistics provided by other elements elsewhere in that country.

On officially, accepting their admission of crime, our Govt. was satisfied.

Certain gentlemen holding high positions at the top echelons some even from the media developed a mellow (or soft?) attitude towards Pakistan. All of us have heard about carrot and stick policy. According to Siddharth Varadarajan, holding an important position in a National Daily, through his ‘News Analysis’ , after the admission of their crime by the Pak rulers, till then we were carrying only a stick (‘coercive diplomatic steps taken by India), now it is time for us to extent a carrot also to Pakistan side- meaning an approach of co-operation in the further investigation. The Pak investigation took time and hence the delay in arriving at a conclusion. According to him, now it is for Indian rulers to co-operate in the investigation by carrying on a search whether local elements were involved in the carnage as demanded by Pakistan. Pakistan might be feeling proud of the BJP leader, Narendra Modi, as he was the first person to demand such an investigation.

India’s immense patience and peace-loving nature should never be construed as a weakness by any nation. But the neighbouring country always have a mistaken notion that even if undeclared wars are carried out against India, the response from the Indian side would always be ‘verbal attacks’ and ‘empty threats’. Such a mistaken notion they are still having and hence, even while preaching for a smoother relationship between the two countries even while implementing some positive steps like travel by trains and buses across the border by the citizens of both countries, trade across the border and such umpteen platitudes, they can very well carry out stealth operations to undermine the very stability of the country. Kargil was one among hundreds of tragic incidents.

Time is running fast. Nations’ approach to Nations also is changing fast. Whenever Mumbai model terror strikes happen with the connivance of a nation, sitting around a round-table- diplomats, other intellectuals, political leaders (they are representatives of ‘Am Admi’ and therefore need not be intellectuals) gently, calmly and with dignity are unanimous in advising against “knee-jerk” reactions by the Govt., because they love peace and normalcy in relations. Very tender-hearted! Really!

May I ask these gentlemen one simple question?- How long the citizens- crores of them suffer terrorist attacks, deaths and fear-psychosis?

Sorry, I am also a peace-loving citizen…A Dove.

Joke of the year: George Walker Bush should be conferred with “Bharat Ratna”- by another intellectual and permanent spokesman appointed by a ruling+ Party Chief.

INDIAN LEFTISTS CAUGHT IN THE WEB OF OPPORTUNISM

2009-02-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

Leaders irrespective of parties are in a hurry to bring heaven on earth these days. That much love and affection they have towards the masses across the country.
Tall promises galore. Assurances galore. Slogans galore. Processions and marches in each State galore.
As the elections are approaching the EC (Election Commission) is expected to announce the dates of elections shortly, the political leaders, of ruling parties, opposition parties and independent parties which don’t have particular affiliations either with the ruling or opposition parties (yes, such parties are also prevalent in our country- have you heard about horse-trading? I don’t want to elaborate more about it, because it is a wastage of time) are getting active and vibrant addressing meetings at various corners across the nation throwing mud against each other; there must be competition in that art during election period, to add more encouragement, fun and inspiration to the ‘Am Admi’- the common man- who becomes king of a nation atleast for a short duration.

Many faces have already plunged into the limelight and are getting huddled in front of main offices of the parties at the capital city of NewDelhi, (Let’s pray to God to ward off the possibility of a stampede leading to untoward incidents) seeking tickets for contesting elections, many are sycophants and millionaires, crores are changing hands and within a week or two those denied tickets can be seen challenging the party leaders and turn rebels to contest the ‘Great Indian Circus’ with vows to teach the parent party leaders a lesson.

The Grand Old Party (GOP), The Indian National Congress Party, has this time decided to contest elections alone at the National level, the reason being the confidence or morale booster in the unexpected victory at the NewDelhi defying the anti-incumbency factor, the victory snatched away from BJP in Rajasthan and the two-third majority obtained at Mizoram defeating the MNF (Mizo National Front) in the North-East. The report by the intelligence agencies might be- I don’t know if there was any survey conducted by them- to the advantage of the GOP, the inflation rate is at comfortable level, the consummation of Civil-Nuclear Deal, thanks to the ‘generosity’ of George W Bush, the intimate friend of ManMohanji and whom the people of India consider to be their ‘beloved friend and well wisher’ (Thank God) and the other formalities relating to Civil-Nuclear Deal is going to be completed at Vienna under the auspices of IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) thus enabling the nation to to proceed with the deal ending a period of isolation for about 34 years from the Nuclear club. Above all the energetic young leader and the young protégé of Soniaji – Rahul Gandhi has come to the forefront to lead the masses.
But the report in the media and also the criticism by some Newspaper columnists regarding his partaking as a VVIP at a friend’s marriage party while the Mumbai carnage and widespread destruction caused to the famous landmarks of Mumbai like The Taj Inter Continental, Nariman House, Leopold restaurant, Hotel Oberoi- Trident and the ruthless massacre of commuters at the Victoria Terminus (Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus) by the ten militants of terrorist outfit Lashkar-E-Taiba based in Pakistan. The young man who is believed to be the heir-apparent of the Nation in the immediate future, it is a matter of shame.

Another factor favouring the Indian National Congress is the decline of the “Party with a difference”, BJP, particularly after the by-elections and the unforeseen down-fall in the State of Rajasthan and NewDelhi. The desertion of the former Chief Minister of UP, Kalyan Singh from the Party and his joining hands with the Samajwadi Party of Mulayam Singh and his deputy is also a mortal blow to the BJP. The Malegaon blasts and the investigation reports leading to the arrest of the fire-brand Sanyasin, Pragya Singh Thakur, Col.Srikant Purohit, both reported to be the honest followers of Sangh Pariwar and the bombing of Samjhauta Express leading to the violent deaths of 68 passengers, also point an accusing finger at BJP, thus alienating a large number of Muslims from them.

The other day Rajnath Singh, BJP National President was reported to have claimed that BJP men are the true followers of Mahatma Gandhi and he also declared his Party’s decision to follow the economic ideals of Gandhiji after getting elected to power in the ensuing elections. Whether he was cracking some jokes…? Anyhow it might have made the readers laugh a lot. During their earlier period also, they occupied the throne with the decision of following “Swadeshi Ideals” and we all witnessed the path they chose wreaking havoc on the masses especially the farmers. The industrialists were happy because they got what they wanted, disinvestment policy was in full swing causing huge loss to the exchequer, their “India Shining” slogan flashed frequently across the visual media and about 22 allies with them from the very beginning could not help them to win the elections and it was a sad and unexpected defeat at the hustings. Now, only four or five allies are with them, their strength already gone down. It will be a miracle, if they can come to power at the centre this time.

Advaniji, the Prime Ministerial aspirant seems to have shed the secular slogan by declaring the other day the Party’s determination to construct Ram Temple at Ayodhya and chanted a slogan- “Jai Sri Ram”. Change of tactics? He might be having a misunderstanding that, by inflaming communal passions, the voters’ particularly of UP could be influenced in the Party’s favour. Might be a pipe –dream.

In comes, the ‘third front’ or the ‘third alternative’. The leftists especially CPI(M) with the support of other leftists- they have no other way out- has roped in two great opportunists of Indian politics, Kumari Jayalalitha and Kumari Mayawati to form a third alternative with the purpose of defeating Congress and BJP. Then Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP ( a man with no hesitation to switch over to ‘NDA’ if he sees s slight opportunity of his former friends sense victory at the most opportune moment), Janata Dal (S) under the leadership of DeveGowda( the ‘humble farmer’ from Karnataka has a weakness for his ‘child’ Kumaraswamy and hence when Kumaraswamy aligned with BJP, the leader reluctantly went to the support of his young protege and in the previous assembly elections handed over the power on a platter to BJP and came back to the leftists, he is somewhat satisfied now).

Com. Karat is in a dilemma, he might not have foreseen such a scenario and finding no way out of this predicament has decided to swim with the current and if by chance the Left Front manages to capture atleast 60 seats , for him it is equivalent to the magical figure of 272. Once again the role of a King-Maker is more than enough for his Front. And most probably a hung parliament is awaiting us. This time if the LF’s 60 seats dream materializes it will certainly be a miracle, the reasons are self-explanatory.

THE PRIDE OF BEING AN OWNER

2009-02-08T09:47:00.000-08:00

It was a rainy day. Huge winds were blowing from the eastern direction, the windows and doors of the house were closing violently, then opening and again closing violently. Though it was 8 in the morning, the darkness was still lingering, one might have thought it was late in the evening- similar to the moment-the moments just after the sunset. The trees in the rubber-estates on both sides of the narrow tarred road, looked like gyrating violently in the wind and torrential rain, just when I pushed open the window.
Rains always bring memories of the good, old childhood days, the teenage period and now the youthful days. In my childhood, whenever there was heavy downpour, wearing shorts, I used to jump to the premises of my ancestral house, danced like a peacock, thus got drenched. My Grandmother, father,mother, uncles or aunties would- in a cajoling tone or in fits of rage order me to enter the house, they pinched me and thrashed me which was really very painful- only my grandmother just admonished me and smiled by closing her mouth with her hand, that much she was fond of me. Now she is no more, two uncles, one auntie and father all gone after completing their life’s mission and now remain painful memories. With the disintegration of the joint family system the ancestral house live in my memories only. The blood relations in the course of the passage of time got scattered to various parts of the country leading their nuclear lives.

South-West Monsoon has started. I glanced at the calendar on the wall and found, it was June 3. My good gracious!
“I am a bit lucky. Today is Sunday and hence a holiday. I can very well take rest, enjoy the music of the downpour after a long lull, memorise the incidents related to monsoon season in my village and later in Mumbai and now in another village in Kerala, read fictions or newspapers”. – I told myself.

If it was a working day I would have to proceed early in the morning to my working place, though umbrella could be called a protective cover actually it would not be of much use in the torrential rain and lashing winds. I would have got drenched like anything.

The newscaster in the TV, Suhasini a familiar face middle-aged good-looking lady in the course of the newscast had informed the viewers, particularly fishermen who venture into the sea for fishing to refrain from doing so with the winds lashing across coastal areas between 55-65 miles per hour on account of the onset of South-West monsoon, the other day evening at certain parts of Kerala.

This rain reminds me of my first love-bird, Anu Varma in Mumbai. Anu is still in Mumbai , now leading a married life at Kandivili in the Western Railway with her husband and two pretty children- one boy, the other girl- two pretty little dolls. During occasional visits to Mumbai, I use to meet her, I don’t know whether it is a sin, we used to indulge in our romantic moments and recalled our early period of romance, even the first time we met each other and fell in love at first sight. In a city like Mumbai, it is very difficult to espy such love-birds from the secret rendezvous and ecstatic moments.

I recall that day. In the twilight sun at the Borivili National Park with golden rays peeping through the gaps between the trees while we were locked in an embrace under a tree- there are many such love-birds here and there enjoying their beautiful moments-all of a sudden as if from a bolt from the blue, a heavy down-pour, lasting more than two hours, both of us still in embrace planting kisses and with our cloths getting wet and drops of rain making us hilarious and ecstatic, oblivious of the surroundings, sat there with my head in her lap…

The first romance in the rain. An unforgettable experience.

During that period we used to visit parks, beaches like Juhu, Madh Island, Marine Drive, Gateway and film theatres like New Excelesior, Metro, Liberty and Eros. While Kamal Hassan- Rati Agni Hotri fame- ‘Ek Tuje Kelie’ (Made For Each Other) was running in packed houses, both of us enjoyed the film several times and that famous duet by Anuradha Poduval and S P Balasubramaniam was our favourite song of the period…
“Between you and me
How comes this hurdle
Don’t know dear…don’t know dear”!

During the hot scenes in the film, it was a pleasure and excitement to me to plant hot kisses on the back of her neck. She was somewhat in an inebriated state with her body in a shivering state and also with tickling in ecstasy.

At certain moments when both of us were together our imagination took wings and flew to Taj Mahal at Agra, the monument of eternal love sculpted in marble, walking with hand in hand like the legendary Shajahan and Mumtaz in the moonlit nights among the other lovers and couples moving around with excitement and also taking photographs in front of Taj Mahal with our hands around our waists.

The decision to remain unmarried was a good decision, otherwise our sweet memories romantic moments would not have lasted for long and I am sure, those moments would remain with us throughout this life.

−Where is Pinky now? Might be abroad in a nurse’s uniform making money. Whether her marriage is over? No idea. Her courage at that age was something unimaginable and my embarrassment, both in the teens.

Monsoon brings the memories of that day also. Quite natural. No?

It was 7 past thirty in the night. Usually our tuition ended only at 8 ‘O’ clock. That day, the master and both of us disciples could hear the echoes of thunder once in a while with lightning preceding.

“Today you may go early. It seems a rain is in the offing. Cold wind is also blowing, reach your homes at the earliest”- Master advised us.

I had umbrella with me. Where ever I had gone, I used to carry an umbrella, whether in Summer or in Winter. I was an ardent devotee of God and went to temple daily. Sandal paste was always there on my forehead. A typical orthodox, obedient Nair boy liked by all. Pinky was also an ardent devotee of Jesus Christ and used to go to church on every Sunday to attend the ‘Holy Communion’. She was studious also, while passing through the front of her house in my cycle, she was always seen with a book reading aloud. By rote.

While walking down the road under the street lights to our houses, to my shock- it was quite unexpected- the lights went out and it was quite dark and the rain and thunder showers began within seconds.

“Pinky, have this umbrella. Don’t get wet”- I was holding the handle of the cycle.

“No, no you also don’t get drenched. This is your property”- She was giggling.

She came to my side with the umbrella and protected me also from rains, her one hand was around my waist. I was deeply embarrassed and felt like running away. I was very shy during my teens.

Then came another shock. An unexpected kiss on my cheek by Pinky. My heart beats were audible to me. It was like the sounds of beating drums.

“Pinky, are you mad? This is a grave sin”. I murmured to her with my eyes bulging with fear.

She seemed not to hear me. Warm kisses on my entire cheeks with passion and excitement.
“I love you my cute friend. I love you like anything”
I wanted to cry. I was quite afraid. The first kiss by my girl friend…At that young age it was a harrowing experience to me and you know I am a quite different young man.

Up till now,a secret kept by us. Pinky,where are you now?...

The rain and wind all stopped. Opened the door and came outside. It was drizzling.

I saw a young boy in his teens, clad in a black pants and a full-sleeved baniyan, he was carrying in a plastic cover various pictures. On seeing me, he came in my direction. I was watching him curiously.

“Pictures Sir, beautiful pictures. You like pictures”?- he was inquisitively casting a glance at me. The innocence in his eyes touched me. The period of innocence in my life came back to my mind.

“My little friend, this is a rented house. For a man who is living in a rented house, what is the need of picture? Not much pleasure in it”- I bared my heart out.

He was spreading the pictures on the floor of the portico. Attractive beautiful landscapes with splashing streams sparkling lakes and verdant hills, Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekananda, Huge Mountains, Indira Gandhi, Gateway of India, Statue of Liberty, A beautiful house with a car-porch with a car parked there and a young man leaning over it…endless numbers of beautiful pictures…

“Okay, do one thing, you select one. Whichever you like”- I gave him the freedom to select a picture.

He glanced at me with a smiling face, and the same innocent eyes.

Within a second he selected the picture of the beautiful house. He took it and handed over to me. I felt both joy and sadness. He had read the mind of the man without a house of his own and also the aspirations and dreams…perhaps his also…

With a warm smile I gave him the price. My heart went out for him. Cute little chap. He collected all other pictures and placed them in the plastic cover and waved his hands. I was watching him walking to the road in front and slowly disappearing from my eyes. It was still drizzling.

The feeling of a proud man with a beautiful house of his! I felt elated.

OBAMA STARTS LISTENING TO MUSIC...

2009-02-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

The euphoria has subsided. Now, it is time to face the reality. From January 20 to February 5, it is a short period. The time for an ‘assessment’ is quite difficult and not proper at this juncture. Any how, Barack Obama has started listening to music from certain quarters in USA. Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman who remained his well-wisher throughout the election campaign expecting too much from his favourite Presidential- aspirant is slowly turning tables against Obama, beginning with the issue of health-care to the Americans. At a moment when the nation is reeling under recession resulting in large-scale unemployment, retrenchment has become a daily phenomenon- leaving many employees in a hapless situation with simultaneous loss of health-care facilities. During his storm-trooping campaign across USA, Obama had given to the electorate tall promises to provide, health-care facilities to all, thus inviting the applause of the majority.

Let me quote Paul Krugman here, “Just, about all economic forecasts, including those of the Obama administration’s own economists say that we are in for a prolonged period of very high unemployment. And high unemployment means a sharp rise in the number of Americans without health insurance”.

“After the economy slumped at the beginning of this decade 5 million people joined the ranks of uninsured and that was with the unemployment rate peaking at only 6.3 percent. This time the Obama administration that even with its stimulus plan, unemployment will reach 8 percent and that it will stay above 6 percent until 2012”.

Krugman is going on spitting fire. This time against preaching of the top economic officials like Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers. Krugman remained stunned for a moment thinking that he was caught in a ‘time warp’- felt like he was still living in the year 2005 with Alan Greenspan still the maestro, former Federal Reserve Governor, who was reported to be the Prime accused in the financial-meltdown - recall the housing bubble and subprime mortgage crisis. His advocacy of free Market economy is in a shambles now and even then the new maestros, Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers are seeming to toe the line of Alan Greenspan and let me quote Timothy Geithner, “We have a financial system that is run by private share holders managed by private institutions and we would like to do our best to preserve the system”. Krugman wonders the bankers are still heroes of capitalism.

Let the days pass by and the ‘periodical internal assessments’ go on, let us have a close look at the foreign policy of the new man in the saddle. I am surprised and embarrassed when observing that even when reeling under recession, the inherent feeling in the American psyche- the World Super Cop mentality is still raging in the mind of the man occupying the throne and the majority of Americans- whether black or white. Still Obama is in hot pursuit of Taliban and Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts, who are supposed to be, yes supposed to be, safely entrenched in their havens at the mountainous terrain of North West Frontier province of Pakistan (NWFP). Whether Bin-Laden, the most wanted criminal in the World is still alive is another riddle. Obama’s plan is to have a ‘surge’ along that border with 100000 army men and logistics to counter and crush the Taliban militants with the help of Pakistani Army men, and to protect his strategic interests providing non-military support to Pakistan. With the help of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jai-She-Muhammed and such other terrorist outfits can aim their guns against their (Pakistan) traditional enemy India and cause maximum damage across the border by massacring the innocent Kashmiri civilians and their properties- in the words of our Defence Minister A.K.Antony, Pakistan always engage in undeclared wars (systemic terrorism), thus causing many a sleepless night to the civilians as well as the rulers. And intermittent militant attacks against the economic nerve-centres like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. The recent Mumbai carnage is still sending shivers down the spines of peace-loving people of our nation. Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism, both Barack Obama and his predecessor know it and without demolishing the terrorist networks across that nation, peace will always remain a mirage to the South Asian countries and with that grim awareness in his mind, providing support both military and non-military (‘smart’ and ‘hard diplomacy’)- to safeguard the strategic interests of USA, the peace-loving, cool and diplomatic President of America is toeing his predecessor’s steps. The age of unipolar world is over and it is high time that the young President of America has to accept that truth though reluctantly.

Before winding up this piece I want to write about an article (in ‘The New Indian Express’ dated 04-02-2009) by Anees Jillani, the eminent Supreme Court lawyer of Pakistan. I had a mistaken belief that Army was the real villain behind the frequent gun-toting militants and their bomb culture. Anees Jillani contradicts this with his points. The surviving assassin of the Mumbai carnage Muhammed Amir Kasab is a Pakistani, his name is still in the voters list and soon after the carnage in India and the news flashed across the nations that Muhammed Amir Kasab’s parents were removed from the “face of the earth” and their where abouts are still unknown. The civilian government under the President Asif-Ali-Sardari and Prime Minister Yusuf-Raza-Gilani stuck to their argument that those ten perpetrators of the carnage were non-State actors and they were not at all Pakistanis. The National Security Adviser of Pakistan disclosed the truth of Kasab being a Pakistani to the press-persons and he was immediately sacked by none other than the Prime Minister- Yusuf-Raza-Gilani.

Those in the civilian Government who once squarely blamed the former dictator Retd General Pervez Musharraf on various accounts like the long hours of load-shedding and those who promised full time power to the nation are forced to keep mum as the duration of load-shedding has now been increased upto 18 hours a day.

The rulers who promised the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftiqar Chowdhary, who was dismissed by the (former)- Retd General Musharraf and on that very issue the whole Pakistan under the leadership of the main political parties and the lawyers flared up against the Musharraf Govt for his reinstatement is still outside the judiciary even after the new civilian Governmet had sworn in. Now the same Government is not willing to take him back, obviously due to apprehension of President Asif Ali Sardari regarding the digging up of previous cases of bribery accepted from business tycoons would be punished by the former Chief Justice because he is a judge of integrity and principles.

Anyhow I regret to note here that the soft corner extended by Anees Jillani to the army heads cannot be justified because they have also a grudge against India even now.

A HUMBLE DISCOVERY BY AN ORDINARY PERSON

2009-01-30T09:28:00.000-08:00

This is a Global Truth. A simple truth. Not so complex or sophisticated. In this modern world, everything seems quite complex, complicated and sophisticated. Be it in India, America, Germany, France, Russia, China, this simple and sad truth is prevalent. In fact across the Globe one truth is simple does not mean, it is silly or unworthy. I think most people across the World have such a misunderstanding.

Most of us have been to Banks. We are all customers by one way or the other. We must have noticed poor and middle-class customers, either to remit a hundred or two hundred rupees in their accounts or to withdraw such small sums, spending long hours in queues. Practically wasting one full day in a Bank, even after modernization is progressing with lightning speed in every business establishment. While these poor people spend long hours in queues with patience, they have no other way, rich gentlemen or gentlewomen with lakhs or crores deposited in the Banks, most of them avail the facility of Safe Deposit Lockers also for keeping their gold ornaments worth lakhs or important documents or having overdraft or cash credit facilities by pledging title deeds and also co-obligants with their collateral securities worth crores of rupees. They come with their heads held high, some wearing valuable cloths, a few wily chaps in khader shirts and khader dhotis( they are disciples of Gandhi) meet the manager, he with all his humility stands up and shakes hands with them or offers a ‘namasthe’ ( show of respect) to the gentle ladies, and personally and obligingly, extends all help they want and disposes off their problems or needs within no time. This is the trend prevailing in every nation. The poor man can stand in the queue, enjoy the sight and heave a long sigh…

Most of us have been to shops. In the early days margin free markets, retail shops of billionaires both Indian and foreign, the employees always clad in uniforms with neck-ties keeping a smile in their lips(even Wall Mart, the World’s number one retail chains based in America have branches in almost all the countries particularly third World countries and conduct business and reap profits but an amusing truth is that in USA , in certain States like NewYork and California they are not given permission to open their retail chains there but our nation has no such problem, very generous indeed! Our small-scale retail traders are forced to close their shops while the billionaires both Indian and foreign take away the profits. While the rich customers approach them and indulge in shopping spree, the daily wage earners and middle-class people make purchases in the provision stores- nowadays they struggle to compete with the new generation business tycoons and suffer huge losses often forcing them to down their shutters.

Majority of us- rich, middle-class people and the coolies are forced to approach hospitals, both public and private as the modern life-styles make us sick and are compelled to consult doctors. The rich can book their names by remitting huge amounts at five-star hospitals, consult brilliant physicians or surgeons, undergo all medical check-ups, spend weeks or months in AC wards, with all the comforts like television and telephone facilities and can make enormous calls to their friends and relatives either in India or abroad. Like the tourists spending their time at tourist resorts. But the common man, if he has to consult a physician or surgeon, has to borrow money from the local money-lenders at exorbitant rates and spend it for his treatment and if he is asked to get admitted has to pay extra amount making his family life miserable. Nowadays medical stores are seen at every nook and corner of the towns and cities because the number of patients are increasing day by day and the prices of medicines getting to be expensive and unaffordable. The fast-food culture and ultra-modern dietary style make people ill and now our society is choking with diabetes, heart-ailments and other serious ailments. Environmental degradation is rampant and consumer items are imported. Rice and vegetable items thus imported from other countries contain toxic wastes as a result of using huge quantity of chemical fertilizers and insecticides like Endosulfan and Furidan. The importance of using bio-fertilizers is the latest eye-opener otherwise our cultivable land will turn out to be barren in the long run.

The most pathetic condition is that of poor people- the daily wage earners. Whatever be the ailments they suffer from they are compelled to approach to Primary Health Centres and Government hospitals, often they have to bribe the doctors or else they become a neglected lot with nobody to turn-up for their rescue. Diseases, poverty and malnourishment make their life a hell on earth.

This is the beginning of the first half of the 21st century. Science and Technology have developed into unimaginable levels and this century known among the people as the age of Information Revolution. Space Science has made it possible to our scientists to launch a “Chandrayaan” expedition and MIP (Moon Impact Probe) has successfully kissed the moon and the scientists are provided with thousands of photos of the various surfaces of the moon. This is not to harp on our developments in the field of science.

Actually I wanted to write about the inequality in the field of education. Our nation is mentioned as the Sovereign Socialist Secular Republic of India in the Preamble of our constitution. The gap between the rich and poor is widening as the days go by. In many of our North Indian States even elementary education is still a luxury for many children, they after joining the classes, drop out due to hunger and poverty, mid-day meal scheme is not being conducted properly by the concerned authorities and corruption is ruling the roost in the running of this scheme, and the deserving lot are left in the lurch. Comptroller and Auditor General had pointed out the discrepancies in the implementation of the scheme, whether any remedial measures have been taken remain a mystery. On the other side, children from well-to-do families are enrolled in properly run schools and the managements, teachers and parents are always taking care to fulfill every aspirations and ambitions of their children. Whether these children are aware of their brethren in various States languishing under the scorching Sun with begging bowls in their hands. The concerned authorities are not much bothered about these unfortunate lots and they are busy with preparing huge lists of candidates preparing to contest the 15th General Elections supposed to be held in April-May months. Sixty two years after independence, majority of children of our nation are remaining illiterate and living without even roofs above their heads.

Now let us have a pilgrimage to any of the famous temples in India. We can find thousands and thousands of devotees struggling to have a ‘darshan’( glimpse ) of God, and for begging his blessings. Imagine about an information about a VVIP about to visit the temple to have a ‘darshan’ of the God and offer lakhs or crores worth jewels, crowns or idols, the concerned temple authorities appear from nowhere and with the help of security force the devotees standing with folded hands for hours in the queue, move backwards making way for the VVIP to pray to his beloved God to his heart’s content standing at the Sanctum Sanctorum offering his valuable gifts to the God Almighty, thus propitiating him, deriving solace happiness and ecstasy.

Those in the long queues without much to offer to the God can wait, if they are so particular to have a ‘darshan’. Otherwise he/she can leave the queue and return to his/her house and decide to visit the temple any other day.

Money is Power, sir, whether in India, America, Germany, Japan- all nations across the Globe. This is a Global Truth not a Gospel Truth…Think positively!!!

Bharathiya Janata Party In Dire Straits

2009-01-25T06:22:00.001-08:00

If trends are going to be like this, it is ‘advantage Congress’. Bharatiya Janatha Party finds itself in a quandary. The party with a difference was building castles in the air, from the very beginning and was becoming more and more confident as the days passed by with victories in all the by-elections held earlier. And the setbacks suffered by the Congress and its allies, on different fronts, such as shooting inflation, sky-rocketing prices of essential commodities affecting the ‘Am Admi’(common man) badly, the law and order situation getting to be worse day by day, the frequent terror attacks at various places like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Assam, Karnataka, AndhraPradesh, Varanasi (UP), even Kerala once a comparatively peaceful state getting to be a breeding ground of terror-recruits, Mumbai, and an inefficient HomeMinister( the then HomeMinister was Mr.Shivraj Patil), almost everything turning out to be disadvantageous. Furthermore the Global Financial Melt-down spreading across European as well as Asian countries affecting the stock markets and there by the investors, FII (Foreign Institutional Investors) running away from the scene thus affecting the economy badly.

The recent by-elections to five States of Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh, Chattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram, with the Congress snatching victory in Rajasthan- once a BJP citadel, the third consecutive victory at Delhi under the leadership of Shiela Dixit and unexpected 2/3 majority in Mizoram, were a morale booster for the Congress and its allies with a renewed confidence in the emerging elections scheduled to be held in April/May.

After the withdrawal of support by the LDF on the issue of Civil Nuclear Deal and the subsequent canvassing of political turncourts like Samajwadi Party and the JMM( Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), Party led by Shibu Soren to extend support to win trust-vote on the controversial matter boosted the confidence of UPA.

Even the carnage committed by Lashkar-E-Taiba militants in Mumbai, during and before the by-elections in the five States didn’t do much harm, to the UPA which was a pleasant surprise to the alliance, a win contrary to their worst expectations of a wash-out. The BJP which pinned much hopes on the elections had to suffer the unexpected. The frequent terror attacks have turned the citizens stoic and also learnt to live with it and hence did it attach much importance and on the contrary they expected much help from the concerned State governments to pull on with rice, wheat and other essential commodities at reasonable rates which the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Delhi provided. Infrastructural developments during the tenure of Sheila Dixit contributed a lot to the victory of Mrs Dixit to score a hatrick.

In the meantime, the capture of the Sangh Parivar activists like Pragya Singh Takur, a sanyasin, Lt Col Srikant Purohit of the Indian Army on the shocking revelation of their involvement in the Malegaon blasts and sabotage of Samjhauta Express resulting in the deaths of hundreds of commuters landed the ‘Party with a difference’ in dire straits. In the past, these kinds of incidents pointed fingers to Muslims and even the innocent Muslims were nabbed, grilled, assaulted and put behind bars. Never in the wildest of dreams, the authorities had suspected the involvement in terror acts committed by the hindu fanatics. Investigations and trials are still going on and the elections are fast approaching and with butterflies in their stomachs, the BJP leaders are frantically trying to wipe out the mud from their faces and are eager to come clean once again, and at the same time wishing for another opportunity or incident to put the UPA in the dock

The Party’s predicaments are rolling out one by one in the form of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the former Vice President of India and a one time BJP leader deciding to throw his hat in the ring causing head-ache to Prime Ministerial aspirant L.K.Advani and the BJP President Rajnath Singh, division in the ranks coming to the fore with the desertion of former UP Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh, who is from the Lodha community and throwing his weight behind SP(Samajwadi Party) leader Mulayam Singh, Uma Bharti, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh already out of the Party and as the count down is about to start, more and more activists are leaving the Party and are in search of greener pastures, a common sight in India during election season. While Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister, the Party had the support of around twenty two allies, and the bigger lots like TDP (Telungu Desam Party), AIADMK (All India Anna DMK) under the leadership of Kumari Jayalalitha, the alliance was smoothly run by the diplomatic approach of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was in the saddle for the full term. Now Vajpayee is not in the scene due to his ill-health and old-age, the number 22 has shrunk to five or six splinter parties. The great political manipulator and former convener of the NDA, George Fernandez is also inactive due to his ill-health and the reported infighting going on among the second-rung leaders- all these factors stare in the face of the Party and the leaders are in a dilemma. Castles in the air no more, BJP with pounding hearts of the leaders fear a certain defeat.

Will the atmosphere change for the better in a short span- most unlikely.

Anyhow in politics everything is possible and let that hope guide them as an interim relief.

PAPARAZZIS, VOYEURISTS AND GOSSIP-MONGERS

2009-01-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

Princess Diana and her lover Dodi-Al-Fayed met with a tragic accident in 1997. Both of them succumbed to their injuries. It was a shocking news to people across the World. To escape from the prying eyes of Paparazis, who were following them ,the chauffeur, as per their instruction was driving the car with mind boggling speed. If my memory is correct, the incident occurred in 1997 at Paris.

From the moment she got married to Prince Charles, later they divorced is another matter, the paparazis were always behind them. Now her sons, Prince Harry and Prince Williams are being pried upon by paparazis, both of them are involved in romantic relationships. Paparazis are interested and very much excited to publish the hot news of their relationships in the tabloids with the photographs of their intimate moments at various tourist resorts.

Celebrities, if there are controversies surrounding them are always shadowed wherever they are. Imagine the mental trauma these people undergo, be it in day or night the feeling of being followed by the paparazis. But paparazis don’t care and they are not worried about mental agonies of the celebrities. Britney Spears,Madonna, BradPitt and Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruiz, Katie Holmes- all are undergoing the trauma through out the day and night. I recall the days when BradPitt and Angelina Jolie visited India to act in a film about Daniel Pearl ( Wall Street Journal), the unfortunate journalist, who was hacked to death by Pakistani Terrorists. But in our nation, the men with prying eyes are not included in the category of paparazis, I don’t know why. Might be the “patent” is already awarded to the European and American guys who are always in the hot pursuit of celebrities!

Men and women alike, whether celebrities or common men or women, always covet their privacy. They don’t like to be shadowed and what they always aspire for are some moments of loneliness to share their personal joys and sorrows. The very reason for the fall of the Govt of late young Turk S.Chandrashekhar was the news of two members of Central Intelligence were found frequently near the residence of late Rajiv Gandhi, leading to the withdrawal of support to Govt.

Lay-men and women need not laugh at the predicament, dilemmas and agonies of the celebrities. Most of them are not aware of the truth that they are also occasionally followed. These followers are better called voyeurists, not paparazis.

Here I recall Kunjuvarkey, an young man of our village, and think about his perverted mind. Not so lean, not so fat, not so tall and not so short always wearing a lungi which is tucked up to his knees and a towel fastened around his head. Kunjuvarkey was always smiles whether in good times or bad times, a daily wage labourer and whenever he got a day to relax, he encroached upon somebody’s coconut estate without a human trace there he climbed up the coconut trees and stole coconuts, sold them to those who were familiar with him. With the fall of darkness in the village, Kunjuvarkey chose the duty of a voyeurist and with his prying eyes he entered the premises of certain houses particularly where there is newly married couple enjoying sweet moments and stealthily moved to the house and through the gaps of the windows peeped his eyes through the gap to watch and enjoy- the inside hot moments going on there. An energetic Kunjuvarkey would jump the compound wall of the land and walk with mischievous smile and divulge the secrets to his so-called friends like a drunkard inebriated by consuming arrack and toddy. But his perversion was known to certain people and hence during the night before going to bed they got out with their torch to have a view of the premises of the houses and occasionally “caught him with his pants down” and a brutal assault followed. The gentle man would roar and after giving him a violent kick ordered him to run away, that Kunjuvarkey would obey with folded hands.

Such blows and kicks were not new to Kunjuvarkey and he would take it in his stride and continued the adventures unabated. Village people would laugh at him and he became a talk of the “town”. Kunjuvarkey was not taken aback and he always kept his smile intact.

The poor fellow is no more now. One day, he decided to put an end to his “extra-curricular activities”, to put a full-stop to the entire story by consuming poison. Human mind is always a puzzle and it can’t be confined to squares and circles. As the famous Assamese writer Indira Goswami wrote in her autobiography (“An Unfinished Autobiography”), even after the phenomenal development in science and technology the so-called experts in the field of psychology have not been able to fathom the depths of human mind even when they are capable of delving deep in to the very bottom of an ocean.

Urban and rural people are not free from gossips and voyeurism. Kunjuvarkeys’ are galore in our land. In the matter of spreading gossip about somebody women are a few steps ahead,they excel in that “art” very well, they also derive some sort of pleasure from gossiping about the women living nearby always vowing not to disclose the secret to anybody and in the next moment, these “parties” break the vow of silence and trust whisper it to another ‘friend’ and the gossip spreads like wild fire engulfing the whole village. In all fields, whether it be in gossip-mongering, voyeurism, politics,arts, tinsel-world, such things go on and don’t expect a full-stop ever… As one character put in a novel “we can’t escape human depravity”.

POLITICS,BUSINESS AND HUNGER

2009-01-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

“Politics (or Patriotism?) is the last resort of a scoundrel”. I think this is a statement made by Dr.Samuel Johnson. Scoundrel or no scoundrel, I have decided to enter politics. Years of observation of the happenings around me made me come to the conclusion that it is a lucrative business. The most positive thing is that this business needs no capital. It is often said that to be a business man/woman, to start a business, you need money or should I say capital. But this business of politics doesn’t demand capital and you don’t have to ponder a lot and strain your nerves thus affecting your health and mind. Moreover this business never demands education. Any illiterate, any thug, and for that matter a goon can easily enter politics and proceed with his old games like murder, robbery and theft and can easily wriggle out of any knotty problem with in no time. The custodians of law and order, won’t dare to take action against the VIP. The only authority to punish him if he commits thuggery, murder or theft is the judiciary and these gentle men have the guts to put these VIPs on trial and take action independently and without fear.

Even now, some criminal MPs belonging to several parties are behind bars but they are provided with basic necessities, sometimes luxurious items by the men entrusted with the duty of having a close watch on them. Mobile phones, TV or radio, newspaper for those who are literate, liquor- every necessity of life. Outside and inside alike, they enjoy life as per some media reports.

As a first step, a man who entering politics have to shed or do away with his integrity. Integrity is defined as the ability to stand by one’s principles. But he should pretend to be man of integrity to whole World. That means he needs to study the so called “villain’s histrionics” in celluloids. An ability to act well and also play innocence. Not much difficult to learn the nuances of action. Try your utmost to wear torn and dirty clothes, that is for you to make people believe that you are a man of ‘ high thoughts and simple life’, not at all interested in the luxurious items available aplenty in our World. The capacity to mobilize the people, thus becoming a good organizer, utter lies to them nonchalantly, intervene in any dispute between two persons or parties and in the process the ability to collect money from them as ‘donation’ to the party and thus pocketing it.

Years of observation and experience have taught me a lot, but till now not practised because of a moral prick…

Over to some other VVIPs in our country. Business tycoons constitute a lot here, millionaires as well as billionaires. Sometimes people call them fat-cats of our society. Similar is the case with shining jewels of tinsel World and I don’t want to name them one by one. It is a long list.

These jewels and the so-called fat-cats amass crores and crores of money and real estate, build multi-storeyed buildings in the heart of cosmopolitan cities, own airplanes (sometimes, some gentlemen present their wives often on their birthdays airplanes, imported cars, if these ladies prefer to have moon in their hands their men even dare to bring moon from above! Like Bhima ( a character in an Indian Epic) who went in search of “Kalyana Saughandikam” (An ancient revered flower) for Panchali, his wife. Our men should learn to love their wives even willing to sacrifice their integrity.

At least twice or thrice, these billionaires with their whole family undertake long pilgrimages to various temples like Tirupathi, Shirdhisai temple, Guruvayoor, Akshardham, Sabarimala (beware young ladies, impossible for an young lady to pray with folded hands at sanctum sanctorum as Ayyappa, the God is celebate and doesn’t like young women praying before him, if that desire persists she will have to wait for long years) and try to fill the coffers in cash, gold idols and ornaments or other valuable things made in gold worth crores of rupees and offer prayers for the fulfillment of a long list of dreams to materialize. Outside these temples hungry, poverty-stricken, malnourished children, women and men lining along both sides of the street and stretching their begging bowls to the VIP bhaktas to give them anything and the fat-cats even caring two hoots for them. Here I recall one statement of late E.K.Nayanar( former Chief Minister Of Kerala) who asked once, for Gods what is the need of security. God is believed to be omnipotent. Keeping his sense of humour, I am also asking myself: For God what is the need of crores of money, ornaments and idols worth crores of rupees and such precious things.

While crores of innocents die of poverty and diseases outside the spiritual centres even without a roof over their heads, except the sky and stars, the rich men in our society pour out a lot of valuables to God to propitiate them earnestly praying to God, literally begging for his blessings.

This is not an Indian phenomenon. This is a global phenomenon. The amount that the outgoing U.S. President George W Bush and his hench men squandered billions of dollars for destroying and killing the civilians and ancient monuments of Iraq and Afghanistan, would have been sufficient and more to feed the poverty-stricken, starving lot in the entire World. Darfur, Somalia, SriLanka, Congo and Zimbabwe are only a few examples.

Even the NGOs like International Red Cross people are even forbidden by some rulers to supply food packets and medicines to the starving poor.

In such a situation, the ruling elite are engaged in calculating the sum total of offering in cash, gold and silver offered by the VVIP Bhaktas.

In the name of spiritualism, the greed for money increases with each passing day. Materialism has the last laugh. Spirituality bears the brunt. Everything looks quite absurd and meaningless. When will our World going to be a place of peace and prosperity to all? Is it possible?...

SOLILOUQIES OF AN INDIAN VOTER, INDIAN WOMEN AND STREET CHILDREN

2009-01-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

It is heard that elections are approaching. May be in April or May. In the early morning, as usual, went to Souru’s tea-shop. All regulars were present. Pappanavan, Chullikadan, Mathai, Esthapanose, Kavat Kuriakose and Sasankan. All are regular customers of Souru. Sun had not risen. Darkness was slowly disappearing. Another dawn is in a hurry to appear.

Souru is always busy. Our bald-headed friend is busy preparing tea for us. Vada, jilebi, hot dosas, idlis- the shelf was almost full.

Sasankan is the only literate among us. He is young, educated and in search of a job somewhere. He is the only literate in the breakfast club, to read the news paper loudly and enlightening us is his duty. All of us would sit on the benches leaning back to the wall and listen to his news reading with rapt attention. Sasankan is blessed with a baritone voice.

Sasankan was all excitement when reading the news report from Delhi, about the preparations, discussions, debates and prophecies by some political observers and political leaders about in whose favour the electorate would swing.

While the young man was reading the news and the prophecies of observers and political leaders, I was silently watching the others. Like me all were in funny mood.

Eventhough an illiterate and a coolie, I have not yet abstained from exercising my franchise like a model Indian citizen. But I have not yet revealed to anyone in whose favour, I would cast my vote. That must remain a secret.

Though, I am not involved in any political parties, I have also some leanings to certain parties. But I won’t disclose.

I had voted on every election, without expecting anything from any party coming to power. I know deep down in my heart a common man is not going to benefit anything from these leaders, for example the MP of our constituency, after winning the election, in the last five years have not atleast once cared to visit the poor and rich seeking the welfare of those who stood in the queue under the blazing sun, for hours to cast vote for him.

After five years he is coming again to visit us for our valuable votes, with all humility in his face with a ‘colgate’ smile adorning his lips, sometimes he might kneel down before the old and young alike touch their feet with crocodile tears, begging for the precious votes to give him a chance once more to allow him serve us with all sincerity and love.

We have only hatred in store for him, but won’t show our anger and hatred, give him back our smile making him feel that we are all going to vote for him as long as he remains as one of the candidates in the electoral arena.

The other day Sasankan was reading an important and shocking news item- that 77 percent of Indians are making both ends meet with 2 dollars a day equivalent to about Rs 90 only. The other 23 percent consists of millionaires and billionaires leading a pompous life in Metropolitan cities like Mumbai, NewDelhi, Chennai, Calcutta and some others abroad enjoying their life with all luxuries.

The rich-poor gap is alarming. Even our rulers give the rich maximum respect and adulation. The rulers are very well aware of the power of money and the business man’s extraordinary skill to topple the government whenever he feels like taken for a ride by the ruling establishment.

As the sun already disappeared and blanket of darkness slowly thickened, I stood up from the bench in verandah, putting an end to the day’s thoughts. Now I have to take bath in the stream just infront of the house flowing in the northern direction and then to my daily quota of rice.

Wife is cooking something in the kitchen, might be fish curry or fish fry.

An Evolved Generation Of Women

We, women are an ignored lot. It was always like that. From time immemorial. Hapless and helpless, most of us bear the brunt of daily chores. At the worksite we are paid less amount as the daily wages than men. Always we are discriminated against. When will our plight come to an end? If we were allowed to go to school and continue our studies in colleges, we could have risen to the upper ladder of the society and would have become teachers, doctors, engineers, clerks or something equivalent to those jobs and could have been able to stand on our feet without depending upon anybody. Nobody was there to think about our plight, the elders in our families always took interest in the studies of sons only. Our brothers, got all they wanted, they studied well and had many hobbies like football, cricket, mimicry, and all such enjoyments of life.

We are always confined in the kitchen, cooking rice and curries, leisure time only for a brief spell and in the nights even when we are tired, have to surrender ourselves to our men for their momentary gratification, we feel like flowers trampled upon by pachyderms. A kind of ‘simple animal transaction’.

Contemporary generation, ie our young ones are somewhat very lucky compared to our pathetic situation as they are more enthusiastic to learn, study well, play well, score maximum marks and their dare devilry, challenging the male-chauvinism, no fear to fight for their rights, raise a hue and cry against female infanticide and also daring to join politics and fight for amicable settlement of student’s rights by joining hands with male students. Our female children are very lucky because they don’t have to live like slaves under their men and after marriage if they find it difficult to get on with a smooth marital relationship, they won’t hesitate to break the relationship then and there. All because of the education they achieved and jobs they got.

While thinking on such lines we are very happy. Though we couldn’t struggle against adverse circumstances our children fight against the atrocities and inequalities prevalent in the society and most of them are having nice times.

Our children are always vigilant and for equality of opportunity they have to tread a long path, our North Indian female children are still suffering from various hardships and lead slave like existence. Even child marriages are going on there. Unwed mothers are increasing. Progressive minded parties and their leaders, especially women leaders- there are umpteen women leaders in the communist parties and other like-minded parties- should be pro-active in the fulfillment of the long cherished dreams of illiterate girl children.

Street Children-their unknown sorrows

We, street children are an accursed lot. We are orphans. Nobody to look after us. We beg, pick-pocket, get thrashing by the gentle men of the city, as those things are not new to us, we have learnt to live with such things.

About our parents, we have no idea. We are not much concerned with such problems. Occasionally in the moments of our loneliness, we wish for somebody to shower love on us- motherly affection, sisterly affection or fatherly affection. We know these are all our long cherished dreams. Nobody will be there to care us. We are out-castes. Please don’t blame us, if we feel jealousy on children from higher societies, wearing attractive uniforms, bags full of books, shoes, watch in their wrists hurrying to schools cracking jokes. If we had also loving and caring parents, they would have brought us clothes, sweets, bags, shoes, books and umbrellas. During those times we feel hatred towards the world, the God--- feel like jumping to the front of speeding train and end the chapter once and for all. Actually who are we? What sin we have committed to undergo hardships like hunger, poverty, mal-nutrition and lack of facilities to study in the schools? What is the meaning of our existence? Any meaning? An absurd existence… We are floating in the city just like logs in a rushing river. Ignored by all. Even by God, we don’t know whether there is God, an ever loving, ever-affectionate force in this Universe?

INDIA GETTING READY FOR GENERAL ELECTIONS

2009-01-11T08:10:00.000-08:00

Our nation is inching towards General Elections or General Elections are inching towards us. Both are same. The enthusiasm and curiosity are gaining momentum with the passage of each day. The heartbeats of political leaders are increasing day by day. They are deeply in pursuit of forming alliances to capture power at the centre and those who are not expecting the Supreme authority at the centre are on the look out for becoming part of winnable alliances, with the hope of capturing as many seats as possible - most of them are regional parties - are keeping an hidden agenda of bargaining for power after the elections and thus becoming part of power at the centre. The days of single party rule are immaterial and impossible in contemporary India and the regional parties are sure of a coalition government whoever may be the occupant of the throne at Indrapastha. With the growth of regional parties and thereby three National parties are now occupying a backseat. These are not the days of PanditJi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. The fondness with which they nurtured the party and their personal magnetism are rare in our political scene now and moreover the Prime Ministerial aspirants are mounting even among the regional party leaders. While PanditJi was in the saddle for years, a question mark looming large before the eyes of the Indians were after Nehru- Who? They couldn’t figure another VIP occupying the chair of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Now the situation is entirely different. Even Mulyam Singh, his deputy, Kumari Mayawati, Jayalalitha, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sharad Pawar, most of them parochial are interested in keeping high hopes of becoming PM. As far as a Bihari leader is concerned, India means Bihar. For another regional party leader from TamilNadu, TamilNadu is the whole India, and for the one, two or three ,UP is India. These VVIPs are unable to or are not willing to visualize an India comprising the States and Union Territories are also parts of India, ie Bharat. Parochialism, sons of the soil mentality and secessionism are pulling India backwards to the princely States of an old era.

As an high court Judge pointed out the other day, let me quote his words- “Those who touch a sword should not think that they are oracles”. But in our country such a belief has gaining ground.

“World’s Greatest Democracy” has already conducted the Presidential Election in November and an African-American gentleman, Barack Obama is poised to enter the Oval Office on January 20. At a time when the Greatest Democracy is in throes of a severe economic recession, engaged in two wars- Iraq and Afghanistan, job cuts in millions, Wall Street in a mess, Obama has started listening to “music”. The whole World was watching with bated breath for the last one or two years as to who might be their next President keeping their fingers crossed. Obama’s predecessor, now he is lame-duck, with an authoritarian streak, made a mess of American economy by clutching to the Free Market Economy, and unnecessarily getting involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, spending billions of dollars, massacring millions of innocent civilians, literally wiping out those countries’ valuable cultural monuments, still without repentance going on with their destructive activities. The people of USA were fed up with the eight year rule of an arrogant President landing the nation in shambles particularly the economic collapse-his popularity rating was at its lowest level still remaining unrepentant.
Now after the election in USA, the whole World is in the process of turning attention to the General Election in the “World’s Largest Democracy” ie India.

New political equations have started emerging. Ticket mongers are frantically running after the leaders, even willing to pay ‘bribery’ to the tune of crores ( that they can make up in no time, their political chicanery that much laudable and are adept masters in making each move in the political chess board), sycophants have already appeared in the corridors of power and infront of 10 Janpath, even willing to bow down and crawl before the High Command and always available at the beck and call of higher authorities willing to obey “his master’s voice”.

Fence-sitters are biding their time, pondering over which way the wind blows, they are adept in this game of throwing to the wind political and moral values, and ethics.

The worst example, we saw on the occasion of confidence motion( trust vote) tabled in the LokSabha and the horse-trading conducted with maximum precision. For example, the Samajwadi Party’s volte-face at the last moment, until then one of the staunch opponents of Civilian Nuclear deal and ditched the third-front-actually it was a hotch-potch alliance-, that is another matter and thus made ManMohanSingh, the happiest man.

Then the ruling leaders turned to Shibu Soren and his cohorts enticed them and bought their support reported to have extended to him and his men, all they demanded, thus forcing their MPs talking with much vigour the positive aspects of Civilian Nuclear Deal and finally voted in favour of the Government. If the Government was not willing to oblige what they demanded, with the same tongue they could have spoken against the deal, without any compunction. It all depends…

Samajwadi Party’s charismatic and manipulative leader is reported to be flexing his muscles to extract the pound of flesh for all the help rendered on the occasion of tabling the confidence motion and subsequent voting to ensure the survival of ManMohanSingh’s Government. Now the gentleman is said to have threatened to walk out of the UPA and has given five days’ time to take action against Pakistan, otherwise be prepared to face the worst- the withdrawal of support. The seat-sharing talks in UP(Uttar Pradesh) is in doldrums, UP, once the citadel of Congress is in the hands of regional parties like BSP and SP even BJP is facing the heat, a State about which Atal Bihari Vajpayee once said- the route to Delhi is through UP.

Now Congress and BJP have found themselves in the same boat in the affairs of UP.

BJP had already begun preparations for the General Elections very much earlier than other parties and they had the confidence of riding the crest of popular wave and wrest back the throne at Delhi. Even the Prime Ministerial candidate had already been named, he is none other than L.K.Advani. Their confidence has already evaporated after the recent bye-elections in Rajasthan, Delhi, MadhyaPradesh, Chattigarh and Mizoram. A dream of clean sweep in the elections has disappeared and find themselves in predicament. The frequent terror attacks and latest carnage in Mumbai and the Government’s failure to detect the terrorist plan might turn masses to their side and clean sweep was expected. That didn’t materialized. In the meanwhile another shock in the form of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat , the former Vice President, respected by leaders across political spectrum has already plunged in to the electoral arena, much to the chagrin of PM aspirant L.K.Advani and other leaders like the Party President Rajnath Singh. In the matter of power play, both Congress and BJP are in a precarious situation.

Even the Left Front is facing a dilemma like the other two bourgeois Parties. In West Bengal, the citadel of CPI(M), in the bye-election conducted in Nandigram, the Trinamoool Congress candidate has wrested victory from the leftist candidate with a wide margin of more than 39000 votes. It was an unexpected defeat, such was the confidence of Left Front of Bengal. And for Trinamool Congress and its leader Mamta Banerjee, this victory has emerged as a morale booster.

Kerala is going to be another head-ache of LDF. Besides the anti-incumbancy factor, the infighting still raging in the CPI(M) which is the major ruling Party and sky-high prices of essential commodities and the wranglings in the coalition for seats to contest to the Parliament are the gigantic problems still remain to be attended.

A nation enmeshed in terror attacks, communal clashes, rampant corruption, splinter parties without any ideology to present before the masses, poverty, mal-nutrition, illiteracy, parochialism and secessionism affecting the election exercises, gives not much hope to the people at large.

MY OBSESSION WITH MUMBAI – A MIRAGE!

2009-01-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

Allapra is just like any other village in Kerala. A beautiful landscape with lush greenery with its paddy fields, rubber estates, coconut and arecanut trees, plantains grown in a vast area, the serenity throughout the day and night, no vehicular rush, no frantic crowd, houses nearby, ponds, two churches, a temple from where devotional songs could be heard in the early morning and in the evening just before the Sun sets for the day and long narrow tarred road passes through the village.

Till the age of twenty I was a rural young man in the village of Pulluvazhy, about two or three kilometers from Allapra, the praises already showered on Allapra could be applied to Pulluvazhy also. The young generation of Allapra and Pulluvazhy leave their villages and near and dear ones after higher studies to the urban areas to secure jobs either in banks, government offices, factories or own business and amass money. Some young men with the help of their parents go abroad to earn and also for sending money to their parents. Most of these young men visit their villages once or twice in five years spend their vacation in their beloved houses spend time with the loving and caring parents, friends and relatives. The new generation men and women are not at all interested in the old profession of agriculture and their parents even though getting old slog it out in the fields and sow the seeds. With the monthly arrival of money from their kids working across India and abroad, the farmers are gradually withdrawing from the farming scene and stop cultivation. With in a few years, in the place of paddy fields sky-high concrete buildings may come up and the present scenario may become a thing of the past. 60 Percent of Indians are farmers, but this profession, instead of bringing them profits and laurels, find themselves in debt-traps due to loans availed of from local money lenders at exorbitant rates for purchasing fertilizers and insecticides. The liberalization policy of our governments resulted in the reduction of import-tariffs, the countries importing rice and paddy and other essential commodities enter the market and sell at cheap rates thus forcing our farmers to be bankrupt and end their life by consuming insecticides, find salvation in suicides, thus making the life of their dependants unbearable. Here I recall an advice to farmers by the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra to join the ‘Art Of Living’ classes to keep away from suicides! These types of fiddling Neros are the bane of our nation.

I have deviated from the main story and beg your pardon. In the interim period, ie between my life as a rural man, till the age of 21 and present life at Allapra, for about five years I was in faraway Mumbai. That also in connection with my job in a bank. A totally different atmosphere compared to my life in the village, I underwent a severe homesickness and thought about resigning the job and to rush back to my village. The homesickness lasted for about one month and later got accustomed with the ‘peculiarities’ of Mumbai life. New friends, a few close relatives hither and thither living in the suburbs and with their presence and help, I finally overcame my homesickness and gradually began to like the city and was overwhelmed with my new found freedom, that is a rare commodity in Pulluvazhy in the presence of my parents and close relatives. I began to love the sky-rocketing buildings, mad rush of crowds, the hustle and bustle, speeding vehicles- trains, buses, cars and autorickshaws everywhere and occasionally some hot drinks in the company of newly got friends and the subsequent feelings of joy and delight and also some ‘adventure sports’. My frequent letters to parents, friends and relatives became rare, but the continuous flow of letters from them didn’t have an interval.

Sometimes in my moments of loneliness, that is also a rare commodity in Mumbai, told myself in a whispering tone- Incredible and unbelievable these evolutions- the young man in me wondered. One who initially had only hatred and anger in store for Mumbai getting converted into a typical city man and began to forget the village and my dear and near ones appeared before me once in a while with unbelievable eyes just like a flash.

Recently, one of my friends in Mumbai, Balachandran , together with his family visited my house and surveyed the surroundings and took a stroll down the roads and spent one day with my family, memorized our past life in Mumbai and recalled some other friends, cracked some jokes, sons of the soil policy of Shivsainiks and occasional terror attacks, yet the city day by day getting to be like a huge dam, about to burst-out anytime due to inflow of young men keeping their life at risk.

Balachandran is at Airoli, in the New Mumbai area, and while myself and my family paid a visit to his flat, it was quite amazing to watch the whole New Mumbai from the terrace of the building, vast areas of New Mumbai with sky-high buildings bathed in bright fluorescent lights and the residents- men, women and children watching the whole city from their balconys’ enjoying the winds blowing from the sea. Even though I didn’t tell him, I really envied the man for turning a Mumbaikar.

But when he visited my house and an entirely different ambience (for him) bewitched him and told me with wonder and curiosity glowing in his eyes- “Lucky chap. What a beautiful area. No noise pollution, no fear psychosis, no faceless crowd, no violence, calm and quiet. Really I like this place. My SIDCO flat is nothing compared with this house and the rural atmosphere.

Another visit also paid by my wife’s intimate friend, Sharadha, who is in Ambernath. She was accompanied by her husband and daughter. While we were in Mumbai, we used to visit her flat once in a while and spent atleast one week.

On a vacation tour to Kerala, Sharadha’s native place is Cherthala, before returning to Ambernath, after our repeated compulsions, she came with her family.

As my friend had already done, she also found our house beautiful and also the premises.

“Lucky you. A marvellous place indeed. Calm and serene. Loving and caring neighbours. No noise pollution. No faceless crowd. After retirement we will certainly dispose off our property and would purchase a plot somewhere here and build a house. That much I am enthralled and excited”.

Mumbaikar Malayalee hate the city and prefer to be away from the city and lead a calm and quiet life in villages.

The man always dreams of returning to Mumbai and be a Mumbaikar- myself- kept mum. Is this a mirage!

WEAR A MASK TO PULL ON IN OUR WORLD

2009-01-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Words lose meanings in our contemporary World. This is a tragic truth prevailing across the World. Everything for the sake of formality. Most of us are aware of it, in a Globalized, Liberalized World, we all wear masks. Social etiquette is here to stay. We don’t know whether wishes like Merry X’mas, Happy NewYear, Many Many happy returns of the day, whether these wishes are genuine from the bottom of our hearts, sometimes we ask ourselves.

One minute or second after the stroke of 12’O’clock midnight, the whole World erupt in joy, with all pomp and pageantry, everyone conveys happy and prosperous NewYear wishes to each other. Are we happy or expecting happiness? We human-beings living on the edge of a turbulent hypocritical, terror-struck World. Add to these the Global financial melt-down and slowly spreading recession, poverty, impoverishments, ethnic wars raging with all ferocity resulting in the death of crores of innocent civilians for no fault of theirs. Many flee their homes and native land and end up as refugees at any comparatively peaceful area in tents. Anytime, anything can happen in this World, quite unexpectedly. Putting life at risk NGOs are engaged 24x7 to provide food, clothes and building tents for millions.

NewYear day brought before us or welcomed us, with the mind-chilling serial bomb explosions in Guwahati- Assam, allegedly by ULFA (United Liberation Front Of Assam) killing five innocent people and injuring many. A happy newyear, ie 2009, welcomed us all. Our present Home Minister, P.Chidambaram had in a sense, a providential escape from the blasts, as the blasts occurred just before his arrival in Assam. He was scheduled to pass through the streets where the IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) were hidden by alleged ULFA militants.

Outside India, in our neighbouring country of SriLanka the ethnic strife spreading like wild-fire with the Tamil militants (LTTE) fleeing to safer places fearing the army assault. In their struggle for existence while frantically running away, most civilians lose their lives due to lack of food and occasional bombings by the SriLankan forces and fatigue -both mental and physical. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the nation is determined to flush out LTTE militants who find safety in bunkers including Velupillai Prabhakaran. While writing this piece, SriLankan forces with determination and confidence, are heading to Mullaithive, killing hundreds of human lives and wounding a lot of them. With the successful capture of Killinochi, which the LTTE claim the defacto capital of Tamil Elam, the government and the soldiers are upbeat.

In West-Asia, Gaza strip is surrounded by Israeli soldiers, the Ground offensive already started there also approximately five hundred civilians killed, with Hamas militants launching rockets in to the Israelian territory, thus whole West-Asia caught in inferno. Most nations across the World are trying earnestly to end the genocide, even brought the subject to United Nations and appealed for calmness, tried to pass a resolution to condemn the war between Israeli soldiers and Hamas. UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon, the so-called supreme authority’s repeated pleas to have a cease-fire agreement at the earliest, fell on deaf ears with USA as always, siding with Israel. USA had never condemned Israel and moreover encouraged and provided the intimate nation with all logistical support. ‘Happy NewYear’ chanting is still reverberating across the World.

On NewYear day, early in the morning, woke up from the bed, sent sms’ to friends and relatives, called some of them getting in return the same happy and prosperous newyear wishes and sms’. At least for a few minutes the picture of a turbulent World disappeared from the mind and the usual customary greetings continued for a brief spell.

Only one person, he is one of my intimate friends took exception to my greetings. Anyhow some lighter moments made both of us happy. The Chief Manager of a bank has to wear a mask in front of his customers, many of them business tycoons, rushing in to wish him happy newyear.

I called him at about 9’O’clock in the morning. Our friendship is so many years old, and therefore I can utilize my freedom if possible with an authoritative tone. “Hello Good morning Jameskutty and wish you a happy and prosperous newyear.”
“Surendran, you are also getting formal. What happy year,you mean. Actually tell me what is the difference between yesterday and today? Tell me- I burst into laughter and beaming a smile , I told him.
“Yesterday is yesterday..Today is today.. That’s all”
“Frankly speaking, I hate this formality of wishing Merry Christmas, Happy Newyear and all such absurd things.”
“Let me know one thing. You are the Chief Manager of a bank. Many customers, both poor and rich, the rich will come to your cabin today(the poor never wear masks) to wish you a happy Newyear with a mechanized smile. You will have to get up from your seat and show maximum politeness and respect, shake hands with each of them. Won’t you respond to them when they wish you and keep a pensive mood, sitting like a detached monk?- my friend remained silent for one or two seconds.
“I will have to respond. I have to wear a mask. I think in our World, all human-beings are hypocrites. We are all helpless Baba, helpless. Anyhow I don’t want to be a hypocrite in my approach to you. I can’t and I won’t. The old rebels are still hiding in our mind. Let us be the same old rebels”.

I came to the conclusion that 2009 is going to be an extension of 2008 which was an eventful one. We must learn to live with it…

INDIA AND ISRAEL…POLES APART

2009-01-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

“We see light at the end of the tunnel…Let’s hope for the best”.
While the tripartite talks were going on in the past (and present) either at USA or Egypt with the American President or Egyptian President donning the role of mediator to find a solution for the intermittent clashes, bombings, shooting, throwing grenades against each other resulting in the death of hundreds of innocent civilians, the leaders came out after one day’s inconclusive talks scheduled to be continued for the next day with cautiously optimistic smiles, addressing the anxious media outside the venue, the media men also saw light at the end of the tunnel on hearing some pleasant news from them. Actually, there was /is no light at the end of the tunnel and what they were claiming was an illusion. The hope and ardent prayers of the millions across the World, might be one of the reasons for the illusion- the light at the end of the tunnel.

While writing this article,in West Asia, the war between Hamas Militants and Israel are raging like wild fire killing innocent civilians, the men, women and children falling dead or badly bruised, crippling them for the rest of their life.

Hamas launching missiles from their side inflicting casualties at the other side of Israel and the belligerent Israeli forces retaliating with double or thrice the forces of Hamas inflicting massive destruction of properties of the Palestininans and also their violent deaths. Today is the sixth day of fighting. The innocent civilians of Gaza strip are reeling under hunger with the depletion of food and other essential commodities owing to the blockade imposed by the retaliating Israel army. The NGOs are frustrated and helpless and their hearts go all out for hungry children,women and men.

Israel’s Military is a mighty force, with all kinds of ammunition kept in their arsenal including the weapons of mass destruction like atom bombs and chemical weapons ready to take on the Arab nations surrounding it, it so happened in 1967 annexing substantial areas of Arab lands like Syria, Jordan and Egypt. USA has always a soft corner for Israel, either under George W Bush or the President-elect Barack Obama. Even almost all nations want Israel to be calm and not be belligerent, the issue is getting to be aggravated day by day even after passing resolutions to avert a war-like atmosphere. USA always cast vetos in support of Israel extending all logistical help to Israel, thus making UN almost “redundant”. For the World Super Cop, UN resolutions have not much worth, thus ignoring the World Body’s diktats and advices. Israel keeping atom bombs in its arsenal is not at all a concern for USA , in fact they are extending maximum logistical support to develop lethal weapons like atom bombs, but Iran developing Uranium enrichment for even peaceful purposes and for that matter certain targeted countries which are blacklisted by USA are also prevented from Uranium enrichment process threatening to impose sanctions in the event of violation of their commands or diktats. USA is always like that, what they need is loyal and submissive nations and so they apply different criteria for different nations whether these nations are governed by dictators or ‘democrats’. And appreciating themselves by claiming “The World’s Greatest Democracy”.

Here I recall the carnage committed by ten or more Pakistani terrorists, held the entire country to ransom for about 60 hours. With crocodile tears George Bush sent his close confident, Ms. Condoleezza Rice to India, didn’t forget to condemn the gruesome murders committed by the terrorists of the neighbouring country. She also advised our leaders not to take “knee-jerk” decisions by attacking Pakistan or Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) and offered herself as a third person by sitting across the table with the representatives of India and Pakistan to defuse the crisis. A wonderful peace-loving lady!

If these developments had taken place in the Israeli territory, USA would not only have condemned the actions but also encouraged or directed Israel government to intervene in the imbroglio and effect as much damage as possible in the Gaza strip. Such is the double standard of the “World’s Greatest Democracy”. USA, aware about all the activities going on in Pakistan still keeps a soft heart towards that country now named by nations across the World as the “Epicentre Of Terrorism”.

Even after one month, our intellectuals, former ambassadors and other think tanks are advising the Manmohan Singh government not to commit ‘knee-jerk’ action. Quite amusing? It would have been called ‘kneee-jerk’ action, had our nation immediately attacked Pakistan and demolished the terrorist training centres thriving at Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

India always loved peace, still want to remain a peaceful country and it retaliates only after the neighbouring countries declare an all out war. It is India’s tradition to keep a peaceful policy and our nation is still following a peaceful path. This nation never intervened in the internal affairs of another country and is taken for a ride if a child on the other side of LOC throws a stone in an angry mood. But that is not the case of Israel. If some young students cast stones to Israelian side, that is enough and more for Israel to engage in a full-fledged war.

That is the difference between India and Israel. Dear sirs, please don’t intimidate the citizens with ‘knee-jerk’ reactions and something like such terms. After all 26/11/2008 is left far behind.

When will we see light at the end of tunnel? For the last several years as an observer of the current events prevailing in our country, and the World as a whole the one question often needling me is the happenings in the Middle-East, especially the frequent fighting between Israel and Palestine with no end in sight. If the Palestinians, the Fatwa movement under Mahmoud Abbas formerly its leader was legendary Yasser Arafat and the break away faction-Hamas make a climb down recognizing Israel as a Sovereign Republic instead of threatening that country to wipe out of the World map and accept it as a reality and Israel also make a climb down by returning the captured lands to the neighbouring Arab nations and create a peaceful atmosphere throughout the area with amity and friendship and lead a harmonious life forgetting the bitter past , the issue will come to an amicable settlement for ever.

Would Khalid Mishail, the supreme leader of the Hamas faction and Ismail Haniya, Prime Minister of Gaza strip get mellowed in the not too distant future, the West Asian crisis is likely to blow over. If such a scenario happens we can certainly see light at the end of the tunnel…

Remembrance Of My Childhood Girl-Friend

2008-12-28T08:27:00.000-08:00

Living in the present, when I experience severe loneliness my mind flies back to my early days and sometimes, I feel like visualizing the future scenario or the shape of things to happen like our nation’s future, will there be anybody to erase the problems resulting from global financial melt-down which spreads across the World, about some incarnations to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from the entire earth, a peaceful and harmonious life awaiting somewhere to make an epoch-making atmosphere in the World.

My early days otherwise childhood days, I didn’t have to ponder over the serious and painful issues affecting the World. Childhood days are for studying, playing with childrens’ of my age, often indulging in some kinds of mischiefs, getting scolded and threatened by the parents, occasionally getting thrashed by them and teachers.

While flying back to the past, dormant faces in the recess of my mind will come up, like invited and uninvited guests, mostly my friends, whom I loved and hated. Most of my teachers, many of them in their heavenly abode now, still come before me, sometimes with advices, sometimes with reprimand with sticks in their hands to punish those who cross the ‘Lakshmana Rekhas’ ( or the limit upto which one can go).

Besides the teachers in the school, I had a few Asans’ (teacher), from Govindan Asan to Madhavan Asan. Govindan Asan was always mild and affectionate to the children, occasionally threatening us with whip-lashes, pinching or intimidating us about our lack of studiousness to our fathers, mothers or uncles. Never did he cause even a slight pain, so lovable and caring was he to us. He taught us the first alphabets on the sands spread before us, give necessary instructions as to how to proceed further, sometimes cracking jokes and telling stories which always had a good message to us students to emulate in our life. It was a matter of pain to all of us to bid farewell to Govindan Asan, he was also in pains when the time arrived to get separated from him to join school. He blessed us and whenever we came across him after our studies under him, he always inquired about our studies and gave a lot of advices to become great men and women in future. He had a phenomenal memory and hence he always recognized and called us by our names.

After joining school, my father approached my teachers who were allotted the task of teaching us, most of them he was acquainted with, told them to punish me severely for which there would not be any complaints from him, because he always believed in the dictum that children who were apathetic to studies should be dealt with severe punishment. He might have had some dreams and plans to give me maximum education, thus grooming to be in a great position. Not only my father, but other parents also nursed similar thoughts like him and hence my colleagues also bore the brunt. Our teachers kept on laughing while pinching and beating us deriving a sort of vicarious pleasure. Whenever our eyes welled-up while experiencing harsh punishments their sadistic pleasure lasted long.

Not satisfied with my performance in the school, father was in search of a tuition master, and he experienced not much difficulty in fishing out one to provide us with good teaching and also ruthless punishment. Madhavan Asan was known to almost everyone in our village, one lean, quick-tempered, grey-haired old man, with an umbrella always in possession and frequent chewing of betel leaves, arecanut and tobacco. Furthermore he had a unique authority on me, as he was the second uncle of my father. My Grand-uncle, if I could say like that. He always sat in the easy chair in front of me and taught me what he deemed appropriate, and as I was very weak in mathematics and before leaving for the day he used to give me some home-works to be completed and submit before him next day. Even after severe coaching, I couldn’t make any head or tail of mathematics and found myself in a precarious situation. Whom to complain? Who was there to listen to my doubts and helplessness? I saw nightmares in sleep, often jumping up with wild cry, father and mother took umbrage at me, ordered me not to make noises in the night. I could not even sleep well, always fearing Asan’s reaction, his roar, his stick, long blade-like fingers to pinch the poor students and shouting at them.

Meanwhile, to my happiness, a pretty little girl also joined the tuition class. She was about my age, with in days we became very friendly and always found time in speaking to each other about Asan’s class, our apprehensions and his loud noise reminiscent of the roar of a lion, in whispering tones. She told me about her father- a government servant, mother- house wife and a little sister. There was a huge mango tree in the premises of her house, before leaving for tuition, she never forgot to bring two or three mango fruits wrapped in a piece of newspaper to see happiness and gratitude in my face, thus deriving satisfaction and pleasure. Before Asan made his appearance at the gate, we would run away to a lonely place and stealthily ate them one by one. Then both of us would try to do our home-work, consulting each other but our answers always went wrong because of our ‘expertise’ in Mathematics. As the countdown went on both of us felt our hearts beating fast, fearing the consequences, after Asan’s eyes glanced through his spectacles. Always he called me first, I would go near him, mentally preparing to suffer the worst. A wild thrash or pinching my thighs till I writhed in pain. He didn’t have any compassion and while trying to teach me once again he didn’t forget to go on pinching and myself felt like weeping, tears trickled down my cheeks. I could see my girl-friend with welled-up eyes looking at my suffering face, she would also join in sobbing. Asan never thought about looking at her face, she knew that after me, the next victim would be herself.

After my quota for the day was over, she would stand up on her feet preparing to go near Asan with pounding heart and trembling legs, beads of sweat and tears running down her face, with the 200 pages book, she would hand over it with trembling hands to the Asan. Very much similar to my predicament.

I couldn’t bear her sobbing, often looking down I would start cursing my Asan in my mind.

Still I wonder, how could the Asan commit such a ruthless punishment, simultaneously keep laughing like the evil or villain characters in a film or drama on noticing our pain and sadness.

After coming back and sitting beside me, both of us would look at the clock on the wall whether it was time for him to leave the place. As is the usual practice, he would give us a lot of home-work for the next day and would remind us about the severe punishment awaiting us for making mistakes. “Don’t be careless. Attend the class and obey what I say. Read a lot and try to solve as much problems as possible.”

The tuition classes went on throughout the mid-summer vacation and the school was about to open, forgetting the thrashing, scolding, pinching and all our pains, with heavy hearts we both got separated, once in a while we saw exchanged smiles, talked about the studies and teachers, some rude some friendly.

After our studies, I got enrolled in a college and she joined Teacher’s Training Course (TTC). Fortunately or unfortunately, I got selected as a bank employee and she became a teacher.

Whenever I dig up the past relationships, studies, friends, her face appears before me like a red-rose in a misty morning…an enthralling and nostalgic moment.

WELCOME 2009 - WILL IT BE A REPEAT OF 2008?

2008-12-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

WELCOME 2009- WILL IT BE A REPEAT OF 2008?

The countdown has begun. Now it is a matter of hours. We are on the threshold of another New-year. 2009 is going to be celebrated with all pomp and pageantry despite the turmoil spreading across the World.

Everyone must have been recalling the rise of 2008. Much expectations and hopes, we had. A comparatively peaceful, happy and serene new year was in our mind. It was our dream. We human beings, exceptions there also, nursed hope and happy days ahead. The desire for happiness, peaceful co-existence, calmness devoid of all kinds of violent days were prevalent throughout the World. “Wishful thinking” some might say. In the course of time we were slowly losing our hopes and grand expectations. Always we encountered the just opposite of what we dreamt of. In spite of all the horrible consequences, we continue to cherish dreams of a better brave new world of harmony and unity.

If dreams were horses, the beggars would have rode on horse’s back. That is a trait in our character, often find difficult to erase that quality, if we could say like that.

2008 was an eventful year. Communal riots, terrorist attacks and violent deaths of innocent people, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, ethnic conflicts leading to murders of innocent majority- they are ultimate sufferers, example Darfur, SriLanka, Congo,Somalia, a long list of such horrendous happenings across the World to point out.

Even then we hold on to our desire and hope for the best. 2008 also witnessed global financial melt-down, starting from the so-called rich and powerful country in the World and the melt-down spreading across the World resulting in suicides, frantic meetings of World leaders to find a solution to the impasse contributed by a deregulated market economy, lakhs of young men and women losing their jobs leaving them disappointed and disillusioned, the situation is similar to the Great Depression of 1930s.

A lot to feel sorrow about.

Take a look at South Africa. Nelson Mandela who spearheaded a determined fight against whites-who colonized the country for a prolonged time is leading a sorrowful life, finding his party in disarray fighting each other with encouragement of Tabo Mbeki, the former President along with his cohorts and the aspiring leader Jacob Zuma and his cohorts , and it is most likely that ANC after splitting into two parties and contesting the elections with Nelson Mandela watching the developments helplessly and with sadness who had to spend long 27 years in prison suffering innumerable brutal assaults for the freedom of his country.

Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe, ruling the country with an iron hand, even do not get along with the opposition leaders and put them behind bars as long as he wished. A chaotic economy with the inflation rate soaring up to millions thus resulting in poverty and malnutrition deaths, the man in the throne remaining adamant and arrogant caring little for the basic problems dogging the nation. Zimbabwe’s story had already been mentioned and I do not want to repeat more about the unfortunate goings on there.

Darfur in Sudan, the ethnic clashes raging violently in the neighbouring country of SriLanka, Somalia, Congo, Myanmar still under military leadership, Nobel Laureate Aung –Saan-Syuki still finds herself in prison for trying to establish a democratic country. The Bangladesh conundrum still raging, two former PrimeMinisters, Khalida Zia and Sheikh Haseena fighting it out to capture power after years of waiting outside expecting the elections to parliament with bated breath. Both of them were incarcerated for years’ on corruption charges by the interim government under Fakrudin Ahmed.

Pakistan, our neighbouring country now considered by a majority of nations as “the epicentre of terrorism” in spite of repeated warnings to ban the terrorist groups like Lashkar-E-Taiba under Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Jai-She Muhammed under Maulana Mazood Azar, the Pakistan Taliban under Baitullah Mehsud, other not so important terrorist outfits with terrorist training camps to youngsters at Pak occupied Kashmir, all determined to destroy the fragile peace in India and create a fear-psychosis, intermittent explosions of bombs and grenades, firing from across the border to provide all help to Jihadists to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir under the cover of darkness. The Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was alleged to have plotted and eventually killing the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is also roaming through the nation without fearing anybody, and Benazir’s husband Asif Ali Sardari keep mum occasionally opening his mouth to utter lies and boasting, forgetting past events. His only intention is to be in the chair, sitting oblivious of all happenings around him. In the place of an authoritarian leader, when a democratic government took over the reign, naturally all hoped for a better and prosperous Pakistan. Contrary to the expectations sounded by many peace loving people of that country, the country finds itself in the hot bed of terrorism and only because of international pressure and threat of sanctions, the ruling leadership enacted a drama by putting them under “house arrest” providing all kinds of facilities to continue to be active from behind.

The truth is nothing but the tug of war between the so-called democratic regime and Military. These democratic leaders fear to act on their own because of the oneupman ship of the Military under General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. Even now, if army decides to overthrow the democratic government like such happenings in the past get themselves enthroned we can very well imagine the consequences. Asif Ali Sardari and his men are aware of this tragic truth and hence they find their hands tied. Two puppets in the seats of power, the President and Prime Minister, don’t have the courage to dare the military, fearing lose of power. Power is the ultimate aim of political leaders and they are enjoying the maximum while their country is burning. Evidences point to the horrendous ‘Mumbai Carnage’ of 26/11 was a meticulously executed operation with the full knowledge of the Military and ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) has come out in the open. Those who committed the wickedness were hailing from Pakistan.
The statement of Asif Ali Sardari absolving himself and other ruling party leaders that the ‘Mumbai Carnage’ was the handiwork of non-state actors is quite absurd. Instead of initiating stringent measures to contain the Jihadists, actually they are given further inspiration providing all logistical facilities. India’s demand for the extradition of twenty hardcore criminals has not been accepted. When there are two power centres in a country an independent decision is the first casualty. That is what is happening in Pakistan today. In order to deflect the real issue of internal problems, the government try to mobilize the people against India especially J&K, they are in the process of inflaming the patriotic passions of the masses by accusing India of preparing for a war against Pakistan.

Then comes Afghanistan. Pakistan with the intention of withdrawing its forces at the North-West Province thus helping the Taliban militants who are in safe havens there, to snatch Afghanistan from the ruling Party of Hamid Karzai, an American puppet and to mobilize the soldiers at the Indian side of LOC under the pretext of an attack by India.

The Georgian attempt to securing South Ossetia, with the silent support of USA, Western leaders ended in an abject failure, thus forcing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili had to bite the dust and had to run away from the chasing Russian army. Some had a feeling that Georgia’s arrogant attack in South Ossetia would lead to a brutal war with USA and Western Leaders by joining the Georgian side. Nothing of that sort happened, only condemnation by USA and Western leaders resulted thus avoiding a full-fledged war.

The people across the World are living with uncertainty of the future on account of terrorism, bombs, grenades and firing expected at anytime, any place for no fault of theirs.

2008 had to witness such horrible situations and the World still in the firm grip of horrendous happenings, but you or I, sorry, all mankind have learnt to live with it. A sort of stoicism is prevalent among the people, the World over.

Now we are on the threshold of a new-year. With fresh hopes and humble prayers for a World with people leading a life of peaceful co-existence and happiness are our dreams.

As far as our nation is concerned, 2009 is expected to usher in a New Era with general elections round the corner, most probably in April-May. Astrologers, psephologists, media-men and political observers are expected to come out in the open, discuss and analyze various issues relating to the elections and the possibility of any party single-handedly winning the elections and remaining in the saddle. Such a possibility is quite immaterial, even the political leaders know the truth, a hung Parliament is foreseen, eventhough I am not an astrologer or a psephologist.

A single party capturing the power at the centre is a thing of past. Political equations might change, hotch-potch alliances are about to emerge for the time being, ideology will have to take a back seat. Even the communist parties are avoiding the ideological affiliations because power is the ultimate goal or atleast the role of king-makers. Vote bank politics has become the bane of our nation. As I had already written party ideology takes a back seat.

Money will flow in abundance, the masses will get a chance to mouth choice epithets with the politicians keeping mum before them, if necessary crawl before him. Praja(citizen) getting the opportunity of becoming a Raja(king) atleast for a short duration.

Yes the count down has begun. Let’s wait for the new dawn with the hope of peace and prosperity. Welcome 2009…

My Philosophical Evolutions

2008-12-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

In my childhood days I was a ‘Bhakta’( devotee of God). I could see the temple and its premises, opposite to my Tharavad ( the home where I was born). My home and temple were separated by vast paddy fields and a rivulet that flowed from south to north ,a few feet away from my home. The temple had tiled roofs and the walls white-washed. There was a pond at one side of the temple filled with crystal clear water. Devotees from the early morning took bath in the pond and in wet clothes, chanting Rama Rama, Krishna Krishna, vaguely audible and entered and stood in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum to have a ‘darshan’ of God Siva- it was a Siva temple. Some people spent a lot of time before the Sanctum Sanctorum praying, complaining and beseeching the God to bless them and to bring tranquility in their lives.

Often in the rivulet nearby my home and on some occasions I went to the temple-pond with my mother or my ‘chittammas’ (sisters of my mother) to take bath. Even today a sort of nostalgia caress me while recalling my early life in the home which was a joint family and with an orthodox outlook on life.

I recount those days, reluctantly waking up early in the morning, completed my daily routine and proceeded to temple crossing a wooden bridge across the rivulet and entered the paddyfields, walked along the serpentine and narrow mud bank without upsetting my equilibrium by holding on to my mother’s or her sisters’ fingers (my chittammas), to the temple.

While standing infront of the Sanctum Sanctorum, I always kept mum, looking at the idol of God Siva decorated with ornaments and also a number of oil lamps hanging from the ceiling. I didn’t pray, as I didn’t know what to pray for, while others slowly chanted hymns with devotion and reverence stood with folded hands. As if in a trance I stood with folded hands without praying and my mother and chittammas might have been thinking that I was immersed in meditation before the God.

Childhood days are always like this, with all the children remaining devotees.

‘Thirumeni’ ( the priest of the temple), gave us sandal paste with handful of flowers to us before leaving the temple and we would return to home through the green paddy fields and crossed the bridge across the rivulet. Because of priest’s fondness for the children, he used to give me and my young friends jaggery and fruits to make us more delightful.

In the process of my ideological evolution, Bhakti( devotion to God), came first.

Much water flowed through the rivulet. I entered the teenage and on learning much from books and teachers in the school, my quest for further knowledge and experiences grew. Gradually I began to lose faith in the God and often doubted the very existence of such a power.

I was in the process of transforming into a revolutionary. The daily prayer by sitting beside the ‘Nilavilakku’(oil lamp) placed in the verandah was slowly coming to an end. In the school, I became an SFI (Students Federation of India) activist and worked untiringly for the revolutionary organization. SFI is a foster child of Communist Party of India (Marxist). This revolutionary fervour developed further through books related to Marxist ideology, their newspaper, and also fire-spitting speeches of the leaders of the student federation and other prominent leaders of the party and got inspired. I began to think deeply and with compassion, the evils of inequality, untouchability, poverty of the masses, malnutrition, lack of elementary education and a proper health-care system. By working in the organization with all sincerity, held jathas (processions), shouted slogans, attended Marxist study classes and decided to work and spent long hours, days and nights for the upliftment of people suffering at the bottom line of the society. I earnestly believed in Marxist values, imbibed the spirit in them and the potency of Marxism-Leninism, in dealing with the basic problems of masses.

After my college days, I began to search for a job, knocked at many doors, sent umpteen applications for a job somewhere. Then also a thirst for more and more knowledge continued and read more and more books. Over the passage of time with the party attaining power at State level, prominent leaders’ previous enthusiasm, vibrancy and sincerity began to lose and many of them indulged in luxurious living, forgot past history and dedication of the party to the masses. Like many of my generation began to impose self-imposed isolation and finally withdrew from the whole scene to loneliness and disillusionment. I observed with disappointment, the decline of the party, their intermittent infighting often crossing the line of discipline, even clashes erupted pitting comrades against comrades.

Thus my ideological affiliation to Marxism ended. Sorry, not Marxism, but the apathetic attitude of its leaders.

First Bhakti (devotion to God), then came the parties which swear by Marxism-Leninism.

My outlook on life turned to Existentialism. When I think about existentialism, I am reminded of Soren Kierkegard , considered by many as the father of existentialism. Some thinkers still refused to consider him as a philosopher and saw him as only a Theologian.

While writing about him, I always recall Hum, a native of Holland, who came to India as a tourist. One night at MarineDrive in Mumbai, I was sitting alone on the concrete wall built along the shore, watching the turbulent sea and also hoardings of various famous business establishments owned by business tycoons at the other end of the sea illuminated with colourful bulbs twinkling and blinking like the shining stars up above. After a few minutes, a white man in orange robes sat nearby and as if in meditation, was spending time by enjoying the sea at night and delightfully experiencing cool breeze blowing across the sea.

I found long duration of sitting alone boring, I turned to him and introduced myself to him and he introduced himself.

Name: Hum
Mother Country – Holland
Purpose Of visit- to travel across India and then the plan to return to Holland.

“You look like a philosopher”- I beamed a smile. He returned the smile and spoke- “No my gentleman, but I have great interest in philosophy”.

Existentialist Philosophy was at its peak then, so naturally I felt like asking him about that philosophy. I also didn’t forget to mention prominent existentialists of the time, across the World, the names like Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Morris Merlopondy, Martin Heidegger and Soren-Obeu Kierkegard- considered by many as the father of existentialism.

“You are mistaken gentleman. Actually the first existentialist was Lord Buddha of your land- not Kierkegard”.- He was trying to correct me.

As the industrialization developed with lightning speed in the Western World, man lost his individuality and identity and got reduced to the status of nut or bolt of the roaring engines in the factories. Life of the masses became mechanized. A huge flow of people from rural areas started with the advent of industrialization in search of jobs in factories and they also got lost among the faceless crowd of the city. Kierkegard experienced severe agony on the status of men getting reduced to the level of nuts and bolts of engines, he wanted to regain the individuality and identity of man.

Kierkegard from his very birth was a gloomy figure that he inherited from his father. Eventhough he was not a good looking and a hunch back, fell in love with a girl named Regina Olsen, that relationship would have continued, the thinker in him didn’t get impressed and voluntarily snapped the romantic ties between them and devoted more time to thinking ,learning and writing. What happened to Regina Olsen, about that nobody is interested now.

Kierkegard remained a believer in God throughout his life emphasized the concept of faith,went beyond reason and he found happiness by dedicating himself to the God Almighty.

With the outbreak of Second World War, massive destruction of the properties, crores of massacres- many were guillotined, many were put in gas chambers and asphyxiated to death and many were sprayed with bullets at point blank range.

This outrageously tragic happenings forced the followers of existentialism like Jean Paul Sartre , Albert Camus and other philosophers got disappointed and they firmly believed in the non-existence of God. They became atheists. People young and old alike, similarly became non-believers, values got lost and believed in the absurdity and meaninglessness of the life. The World as a whole was in shambles. These thoughts naturally encouraged Sartre, Camus and others to write about absurdity of life.

Sartre’s ‘Nausea’, Camu’s ‘Outsider’ and many of their works dwelt on the souless, heartless and meaninglessness of the life.

Their thoughts and writings fascinated the next generation and spread like a contagion. In our own India, there were many followers for Sartre and Camus and their writings of that period were the reflections of existentialist philosophy.

Years have gone by. Recently I read in a newspaper an interesting news. Sartre, the intellectual giant of France once is not even a talking point among the present generation of France.

The inspiration and knowledge about existentialism once kindled my thoughts had also disappeared.
The third evolution also thus came to an end.

While studying journalism one of the faculty members, touched upon, some World famous writers of the time and specifically mentioned about late Ayn Rand, her philosophy, her powerful works like ‘Atlas Shrugged’ , ‘Fountainhead’ , and ‘For the New Intellectual’ and a drama. I went through all of them found them impressive and sparkling. While going through her Objectivist philosophy and her fondness for Laissez- Faire- capitalism (refer her book -Capitalism an Unknown Ideal), I was attracted to her thoughts.

On pondering over her philosophy for a brief period, I found it impractical and left it in the lurch. Anyhow the lady was a very powerful writer; that we have to admit. The after effects of her philosophy led to the financial melt-down in America, and European countries that we are witnessing today. It is worthwhile to note that Alan Greenspan, the former head of the Federal Reserve was one of her confidents. While thinking about housing bubble,the picture of Alan Greenspan emerges in my mind.

My honeymoon with Objectivist philosophy ended, once and for all.

Now, I am in the process of searching for another philosophy. Another evolution. After all, man is a bundle of contradictions…

Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear in the turbulent times.

2008-12-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

In comes another X’mas. People across the globe are already in a festive mood, though poverty, malnutrition, terrorist attacks massacring innocent lives including even children. Sub-Saharan Africa and a number of third World countries are reeling under famine and ethnic clashes taking away many poor people’s lives, those who survive flee their residences fearing death and torture and seek shelter in refugee camps as ethnic clashes mount in countries like Sudan-Darfur issue resulting in people escaping to comparatively peaceful areas to escape from ethnic clashes, deaths, poverty and malnutrition, SriLanka, our neighbouring country is also simmering in the clashes between Sinhalas and LTTE men in fierce fights and the non-partisan people are forced to line up as shield by the LTTE militants and in the process thousands of Tamilians caught in between the government forces and the LTTE militia, often get killed for no fault of theirs. A vast number of Tamilians run for their life by catching boats and travel to TamilNadu, in India seeking refuge. We are very well aware of the present plight of Zimbabwe under the rule of Robert Mugabe, once a freedom fighter against the deplorable and ruthless rule of whites later evolved into an authoritarian ruler, even disallowing leaders of opposition parties from contesting elections( he had announced his decision to hold elections under international and opposition pressure but massive rigging took place) with guns directed against them. Morgan Tsvangiri, the main opposition leader of MDC (Movement For Democratic Change) had to undergo imprisonment, also murderous assaults at the hands of Mugabe’s soldiers; his only demand was for a peaceful transparent and impartial election under the supervision of International leaders and also United Nations. The inflation rate in Zimbabwe is running in millions making absolutely impossible for the masses to make both ends meet, minute by minute, second by second, the prices of eatables and other items soar to new heights.

Somalia, already known as the Horn of Africa has not at all a government since 1991 to look after the basic needs of civilians, thousands and thousands of people perishing day by day and like adding fuel to the fire, clashes between Somalian civilians and neighbouring country of Ethiopia and claim the precious lives of multitude.

Terrorists across the World are always planning, plotting, abetting and often successfully implementing the diktats entrusted by their superiors by pumping bullets, throwing bombs and grenades causing deafening explosions, claiming precious lives of innocents who always pray for peace of mind and bread to satiate their hunger. Even, NGOs are not spared by the militants from providing food and shelter to lakhs of refugees by threatening them, some even get killed for their love of humanity.

If I am going to narrate such pathetic conditions prevailing elsewhere, this article will go on like a never ending process.

In my solitary moments, I often think with sadness, plight of crores of people living on the edge because of a few anti-social elements. A handful of minority holding the majority to ransom, looting, killing in cold-blood. Somewhere I read recently one sentence by a World famous writer, she is no more now and let me quote her here.
-“A confident resistance by the masses can force a thug run away fearing for his/her life”.

She had understood the enormous potential of the majority of peace-loving people can push the terrorists to the wall. She also knew that a peace-loving majority, if they stand united can defeat and destroy the anti-social elements, who always constitute a minority. With the help and encouragement of those in higher echelons, those inhuman bastards could be eliminated from the whole scene.

Now I come to the point. X’mas is a universal festival celebrated by people across the globe in fervour and enthusiasm. The World now reeling under the Global melt down reminding all of us of the Great Depression of 1930s, cannot prevent the people everywhere to be in a festive mood from the very beginning of the month of December. As the countdown begins people become more and more enthusiastic and festive. Each one of them adorns their houses, monuments, malls- everywhere with glittering stars of various colours and chandlers. It would be a treat to watch the stars and festoons embellishing the whole World and crores wait for the birth of infant Jesus on December 25. Moreover, we can read innumerable X’mas greeting messages of Christian priests in the columns of Newspapers, enlightening the need of communal harmony, Universal love, peace and tranquility for which infant Jesus came to the World, suffered torture at the hands of evil-men and eventually crucifying him for speaking and suffering for the people of his land. Jesus never nursed bitter feelings towards any man or woman, always called for love, peace, prosperity and harmony among people.

One week before the 25 December, people young, old , middle-aged and children from various walks of life, begin to prepare for the ‘action plan’ to conduct the celebrations and also forming Carol groups to various directions with Grand Pa Santa Claus with white flowing hairs resembling cotton wool and eye brows in his long red-robe with long white flowing beards and enormous paunch dancing often with a stick in his hand and keeping sweets for gifting to the children, while others in the Carol group singing songs heralding the birth of infant Jesus to the accompaniment of drum beats even in the midst of poverty, ignoring the threats of terror groups and uncertainty of the future.

A terrorist has no religion, no faith, no special mission in his life, his mission if any, to find pleasure in planning cruel plots and executing their dastardly deeds. His only pleasure is in killing the innocents ruthlessly with blood splattered along the way with body parts strewn around he gets intoxication and sadistic pleasure and always on the prowl of victims. How can an educated terrorist even renouncing the worldly pleasures, without any compunction, acquire the mentality to wreak as much destruction as possible dreaming the heavenly abode with 70 virgins waiting for him to take care of him and gratifying him for successfully completing the mission with blessings of Allah.

Man is always great and even after repeated attacks and killings, learn to live with uncertainty, never keeps away from celebrating each festival keeping the sanctity, decorum and love of man-kind remaining intact.

In the nights when the blue sky up above is embellished with shining stars, in misty nights of December, people shivering with cold but with a hilarious mood- even the sweaters they wear during nights won’t be of much help to them to escape from the needling of the cold winds, but their unfailing faith and devotion in Jesus Christ never fades out. On the contrary, the happenings and enthusiasm always remain strong. Faith is always a great moving force.

So let’s still hope for bright future atleast to the coming generations. Hope always there must be. It creates wonders.

Let us hope for a bright tomorrow always and extend merry X’mas to each other, celebrate, get inebriated as is the practice on every 25 December.

And then comes, a new dawn on 1st January 2009, and the current year’s auditing might be going on somewhere by somebody with haunting memories of the previous year which was turbulent through out. But we never lose hope and expectations…

DOCTOR

2008-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

With a pounding heart the young man opened the gate. While walking through the sand filled premises he felt a shiver in his legs like the waves of a violent ocean hitting the coast with ferocity he felt like something rushing to his head.

His throat went dry. Deep down in his heart he wished for a glass of water to quench his thirst. A beautiful concrete building with tiled verandah, the young man for sometime stood with anxiety lost in thoughts. He was sweating like anything and beads of sweat trickling down his face. After regaining some courage he switched on the calling bell on the wall. The roar of the bell he could hear with shock and embarrassment. He was waiting for the footsteps of somebody with a frightened look. The sound of the chappals moving up to the door, he sensed it while standing outside. Again he was sweating terribly. He felt like falling on the floor.

A middle-aged gentle man, the psychiatrist opened the door with a cool and pleasant face. Clad in a cream coloured shirt, brown slacks and a black framed spectacle. Sandal paste was seen on his forehead with tulsi leaves in between his ears.

Is the doctor here? The young man politely and wearily inquired.
“You are speaking to the doctor, my dear”. Doctor told him with a warm smile.
“I have come here to consult you.” The young man answered in a low tone.
“Please come inside”. Doctor invited him to the drawing room.
In the room behind a glass fitted table, the doctor slumped into a chair. There were two or three hard bound books relating to psychology and psychiatric treatment, a beautiful round paper weight with red flowers and a flower vase were resting on the table. But the young man couldn’t concentrate on these things.

“Be seated, dear young man” the doctor pointed towards a chair.
The young man sat.
The doctor was watching his trembling hands with a cool face. While sitting in his chair, he pressed on a switch fitted just behind the wall. The fan started to rotate speedily so as to comfort the young man.Actually he was badly in need of the cool breeze.
“Tell me, what is your problem my dear young man” the doctor looked at his face with slight curiosity.
“Am I mad doctor”. The young man was asking him in a frightful tone.
The doctor just smiled.
“You feel you are mad or somebody told you that you are mad”. Doctor again inquired.
“Another doctor who is a physician practising near Taj junction. The hospital’s name is Phoenix clinic. I don’t know whether you know him”.
“You are talking about doctor Thomas Jacob, I think” the doctor asked him calmly and with a smile.
Yes doctor, the same man.
As if he was hearing a joke of the year the doctor laughed, but suddenly held it back.
“For what purpose, dear, you went to him?”
“I was suffering from just a cold”.
The doctor again beamed a smile.
“One thing I am sure. You are not at all mad. Doctor Thomas Jacob is under my treatment for the last ten years. Therefore don’t be afraid and with a courageous face you may go. One more thing. Please don’t try to consult Doctor Thomas Jacob again.”

PS: Those who are suffering from cold will not go mad.

2008-12-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

KARMA(Mission)
Flower to the beetle: I am totally dedicating myself to you. My entire love is for you only. For you only. When you kiss me, I get overjoyed and feel like flying to a new wonderful world. While you savour my nectar of sweetness, I am being transported to an erotic as well as ethereal world.

Beetle: Same is the case with me, my dear.

Flower: Early in the serene but sad morning, I might be fallen on the premises like an orphan with petals spreading below. Then, close to me the flower bud who is my sister would be waiting for you. With all love in your heart, when you kiss her and devour all the sweetness of her love would you remember me? Would you feel sad recalling the delightful moments with me?

Beetle: Certainly. I will be overwhelmed with sorrow.

Flower: Will the agony of separation torment you?

Beetle: Actually you don’t know me. You don’t know my dilemma. The same questions your elder sisters already gone by used to inquire me, the same questions you are seeking from me now. Your young sister waiting to be blossomed with bated breath will also repeat these questions to me. You just realize one thing. This is my Niyoga(Mission) from the God up above, otherwise you might call it my ‘Karma’. Each being in the world is born with his or her own mission. Till my wings are dropped from me like autumn leaves, till I get tired I will be going ahead ahead and ahead…In one sense though your life is for a short span compared to my life how envious is your blessed existence!

REWARD
Palmist: From reading the lines on your palm, one thing has become clear to me. Would you mind disclosing it to you?

Myself: Never. You can go on.

Palmist: You are a rarest kind of person who is reluctant to pay the reward to any person working the entire day for you. Is not so?

Myself: You are absolutely correct.

Palmist( in a boastful tone): My prophecies never go wrong.

Myself: Thank you. Thank you very much. Now let me go.

Palmist: Give me my fees please..

Myself: Just now you disclosed to me a simple truth that I am a rarest kind of person who is not willing to pay reward to those who work for me. It is quite true. Ta ta bye bye ok see you ..

A WONDERFUL WRITER WORTHY TO BE EMULATED…

2008-12-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

I know her. But I have not yet met her. To see and meet her I will have to travel all the way to Mumbai from the southern tip of Kerala. It is a tedious task.

I know her through her writings. Once in a fortnight, her column appears in a National Daily.

She has a wonderful style of writing. More than the style, I like her writing because she always writes for the down-trodden, those in the lower ladders of society, impoverishment, poverty, mal-nutrition, corruption spreading to almost all spheres in the society. I felt her writings, heartrending and often think about the 77 percent of Indians trying hard to keep both ends meet by spending below Rs.20 a day. Astonishingly and also surprisingly in the first-half of 21st century creating a defining moment in the history of India by launching Chandrayaan-I to the moon and MIP( Moon Impact Probe) kissing the moon thus making the space scientists jump with joy and hugging each other.

Now she travels across India, so I believe, by trains, buses, auto-rickshaws and even bullock-carts to even the remotest corners of our nation for searching and empathizing with the pathetic conditions of poor men, women and children and also the dangerous law and order situation, the communal clashes prevailing across India and lamenting over the innocents fate which they are forced to undergo for no fault of them.

Once I happened to read a real-life story by the writer concerning the wretched sanitary conditions in our cities and villages. In her column she wrote about her eye-witness accounts of people defecating in the open due to the lack of sanitary conditions across of nation even in the twentieth century. She made a startling disclosure in her column by disclosing that over 667 millions of Indians are getting on with their life without sanitary conditions in India often forcing them to relieve themselves in the open and also a tragic truth that ‘one out of every two persons in the World is compelled to defecate in the open is an Indian.

On going through her article, I was reminded of a short span I spent in labour camp, part of Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum. In the short span, I had to witness and even became a part of poor men in that area defecating in the open and also ugly toilets overflowing with excreta spreading even to the streets because the toilets often got blocked, with nobody to take care of and take remedial action. Horrible and nauseating sight and also experience!

Soon after reading the column, I thought about writing to her and lost no time in sending an e-mail appreciating her for finding time to write about an issue which needs immediate attention of the government. Also I wrote about the brief period of stay in the Labour camp area and my eye-witness accounts prevailing there.

On receiving my e-mail, within no time, she e-mailed me with her profound thanks and wrote about slight improvement in that area but nothing to boast about the promise of rulers transforming Mumbai into a global city and a ‘future Shanghai’ still remains a distant dream.

Later, once in a while I e-mailed her, rang her up, but though busy with her duty always without much rest often conversed me, never ignored her pleasant tone, on current topics particularly the plight of the hapless citizens of our nation.

I would try to introduce myself to her, after she took up the receiver. Happy to note here that she always recognized my voice and always in her affectionate voice, she never got angry at all and though a busy type answer to me and continue talking often inquiring about my reading and writing. Once I had happily informed her about the opening of my blog and after congratulating me she promised me to give me a feedback soon after going through the blog. Within no time, after going through the blog called me and offered her congratulations with some valuable suggestions.

My still favourite BusyBee (late Behram Contractor), you for years made us laugh and think through ‘Evening News’, ‘Mid-day’ and ‘Afternoon Despatch Courier’, through your ‘Round and About’ wherever you are now, could you write a ‘Round and About’ about this busy and generous lady appreciably in a lighter vein, thus inspiring her to go on with her writings of down-trodden, illiterate, poverty stricken millions across India with an empathetic smile.

A kind lady always worthy to be emulated in a heartless, souless world! The affection , quick response and her sensitivity, quite overwhelming to say the least! Hats off to her…

Semi-Final To Final

2008-12-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

Soon after the lifting of the infamous Emergency in 1977, our late Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi declared elections to the Parliament. Nineteen months of authoritarian rule ended, paving a new path to the rebirth of democracy in our country. The people across India, especially those millions in North India, felt elated and they eagerly waited for a chance to approach the election day to give a fitting reply to late Mrs Gandhi by voting against her and defeating her at the hustings. Never in their wildest of dream, they had expected such an authoritarian streak in the beloved daughter of freedom fighter and the most ardent advocate of democracy late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Now it was the turn of the masses and they utilized the best available opportunity to vent their ire against Mrs. Gandhi.

Because the bad effects of Emergency didn’t do much harm to some of the South Indian states like Kerala, they overwhelmingly voted in her favour but to no avail. Here the law and order situation remained calm, so it seemed to the political observers, actually the story was somewhat different and the outward calm and satisfaction somewhat the effects of enforced discipline by the iron hands of law and order machinery under the Government of Kerala (It is painful to disclose here that we malayalees are more concerned with selfish motives compared with the North Indians though majority of them are illiterate). Many of our freedom loving leaders were put behind bars, and some always under the surveillance of Police and Intelligent agencies.

The majority of North Indians suffered a lot, cruel assault, many young men and even the priests of churches across North India were forcefully sterilized under the supervision of late Sanjay Gandhi, a vast number of slums were demolished, Turkman Gate episode is still a nightmare to Delhiites, thus depriving the poor of their settlements, they had to stay content with railway platforms, street pavements and refugee camps. Those who noticed their impotent rage and sorrows protested and found themselves behind bars for almost nineteen months. That period was the worst kind of nightmare to the teeming millions of India. The villagers in the North India spent their sleepless nights in the barren fields always fearing the approach of agents of mass sterilization programmes, surprisingly the cronies of the Sanjay Gandhi, the Prime Minister in embryo. Freedom of expression curtailed and hence, the people had to express their anger in whispering tones, fearing reprisals of the worst kind.

The breather came atlast and Emergency lifted, people became jubilant and heaved sighs of relief.

People massed under the freed leaders, who were given warm welcome amid celebrations, and jointly campaigned for the defeat of late Mrs Gandhi with all their might and vigour, they earnestly hoped of ushering in a democratic government atleast to inhale breath of freedom, that they desperately prayed for nineteen months.

The ire and anger, turned into votes against Mrs Gandhi and she had to taste a bitter defeat at the hands of the majority, who once called her fondly ‘Indira Priyadarshini’ and ‘Red Rose’ , the beloved daughter of their Chacha Nehru, whom they held close to their chest with worship and love.

The whole India celebrated the new found freedom and the massive defeat of Indian National Congress Party with the bursting of fire-crackers and also tasting laddoos and like sweets. The valiant generous lady, who once loved the poor adivasis and common men and struggled for them tirelessly day in and day out, had to meet with such a defeat was in a way heart-breaking.

The most heartening factor was her expression of regret for the wrong-doings and her apology to the masses for her acts of omission commission soon after the elections. And that repentance and atonement for the sins committed and her regained faith in democracy, after all she was from the Nehru family, mellowed the sentiments of the masses in the later years and they ensured her victory in the elections conducted in 1980 with a vast majority.

In fact, those so-called loyalists and sycophants were behind her deviation from the path of democracy atleast for a short while and their only intentions were in reaping the harvests during the dreaded emergency and utilize the opportunity to settle scores with those who were their detractors and unfortunately she was falling a prey to their wily tactics. Sycophancy always plays spoil-sport and hence a ruler or a leader should always be cautious about it.

Beg your pardon. Actually I didn’t have the intention of conducting a post-mortem and its aftermaths of the emergency period in this particular article. But I think it is quite apt to look backwards in the contemporary times.

I was planning to write about the recently held by-elections to the five States and the results analysed later. Contrary to the expectations of political pundits and psephologists, the results were not on the expected lines. Some prophecies came true, I do admit, but taken as a whole, some major calculations went awry due to creeping in of certain analytical problems. Sometimes such things happen.

Some called it a semi-final before the final scheduled to be held in April-May months. Differences of opinions will ofcourse be there, because in a federal polity, we have to be a bit more cautious.

It is a good thing that Congress this time didn’t go euphoric, thanks to Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s advice because of the unexpected win in Rajasthan, snatched from BJP, Delhi victory was somewhat doubtful because of the anti-incumbency factor, (it is Mrs Sheila Dikshit’s hatrick victory) and the massive victory in Mizoram, a two third victory forcing the ruling MNF (Mizo National Front) biting the dust. It is not an apt time for complacency, Mrs Gandhi was aware of it, hence, sans much celebrations, the entire event passed of peacefully at the AICC Bhavan. According to my perception , Mrs Gandhi is conscious of those waiting for an “auspicious occasion” to upset the apple-cert in the last moment by ditching the party seeking greener pastures. “Power-Play” or “Pawar-Play” can be expected at any time, Mulayam and his deputy can turn the tables at an opportune moment and so many others in the party itself waiting in the wings, weighing the pros and cons, which way the wind blows and move accordingly. Late Mrs Indira Gandhi had such an experience in the past at the hands of the late Jagjivan Ram (incidentally his daughter is in the ManMohan Singh cabinet),H.N. Bahuguna, and one more VIP whose name I can’t recall now and formed CFD (Congress For Democracy).

BJP was weaving many dreams for the last one year, expecting to make a clean sweep of almost the four States of Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh but not that much expectation about Mizoram. They were infact euphoric even before the elections! That much they were confident of a massive victory. Their intention was to cash in on the terror problems in various States such as Jammu&Kashmir, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi in UP, Karnataka, AndhraPradesh, Assam,Rajasthan and even Kerala and the terror related deaths of hundreds, thus highlighting the failure of Government at the centre, the failure of intelligence agencies to sense the impending attacks, the Stock Market crash due to Global melt down, and the reluctance of centre to enact Pota-like draconian laws to contain terror and law and machinery.

But the two intelligent men in Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Ramon Singh respectively , didn’t harp much on the terror menace and they concentrated more on the immediate problems of the masses, took part in much of their activities, thus endearing them. People didn’t care much to ponder over the Mumbai carnage, and such kinds of law and order problems, because in the course of time, they have learnt to live with it. People always want to be concerned with their basic needs and Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Ramon Singh provided them with those needs thus ensuring their Party’s victory. Whether this line of thinking will prevail in the long run is another matter and for that we will have to wait for the final.

Like Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Ramon Singh, Mrs Sheila Dikshit in Delhi did a lot to develop the infrastructure (the transport facilities improved a lot with more than 20 flyovers), the preparations for 2010 Common Wealth Games are in full swing, and hence inspite of the intermittent terrorist attacks, finally captured her third victory.

Though Ms Mayawati, BSP Leader couldn’t make much impact on the power equations in the States, (she is said to be a king-maker) she saw to it that her voters margin had widened in four States making her Party base spreading gradually in other States, previously confined to U.P only, she is certainly to emerge a power to reckon with in the future. Her party could capture about 20 seats and seven seats in Madhya Pradesh itself.

Now come to the leftists. After the declaration of elections, I was stunned and surprised to see a small news item (some of us call it news in a nut-shell) on the top left side of “Hindu”—“Left Upbeat” with the photo of Comrade A.B.Bardhan, General Secretary of CPI. What for? I couldn’t make out. CPI couldn’t even bag a single seat in any of the four States, the CPI(M) could elect three MLAs in Rajasthan out of 34 seats they contested if I felt like laughing, forgive me Comrade. The next moment I turned the pages looking for a detailed statement by Comrade Bardhan and at last I found out. His statement was not that much an ‘upbeat item’ and it was nothing more than the prospects of the leftists in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura. Unfortunately I can’t agree with his claim and there are reasons for it.

CPI(M) [ Communist Party Of India(Marxist) ] and other leftists due to the leftist wave prevailing in the State due to anti-incumbency factor related to the misgovernance of the then government under Oommen Chandy, and wide-spread mass-discontent, could capture almost 18 seats out of a total of 20 seats in 2004. This time the anti-incumbency factor is in favour of Indian National Congress and therefore expecting atelast 10 seats is most improbable.

Similarly in West Bengal due to the Nandigram and Singur issues and the related developments still simmering here and there, whether leftists can expect the status-quo or increase the tally is a big question mark. Any how let us hope for the best in West Bengal, unlike Kerala.

The infighting in the CPI(M) still raging on in Kerala, previously it was said to be ideological but the rivalry between the two factions have come out in to the open often crossing the barriers of ideology, I don’t think even Comrade Prakash Karat, Sitaram Yechury, and S.Ramachandran Pillai, can do much to placate the two factions at a crucial moment when the elections are round the corner. While being criticized, casting sarcastic smiles at the remarks of critics, won’t do much benefit to the party. Considering others to be ignorant of Marxist-Leninist thinking will be foolish since many of the critics are yester year activists and supporters of the Party, or leftists without any affiliations to any particular left party. Come what may, a complete overhaul is the need of the hour. A patch-up of sorts will create further problems in future particularly in a Communist Party such solutions are least expected.

Only Tripura is a sure bet, but it has only two seats to contribute.

A hung parliament is likely and therefore horse-traders will have a harvesting time. Such is our fate…Such is our lot…
Se

2008-12-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

Horoscope

Abdullah Omar Sheikh,Mussafarabad, Pak occupied Kashmir:

(Date of Birth: 1947 August 14, Time of Birth: 00:00Hrs)

I am a Lashkar-E-Taiba militant. Our organization struggles for Jammu&Kashmir to be integrated with Pakistan. It is my long cherished dream. Will my dream fructify? Will I become Prime Minister? Who might be the cultural Minister? Will the law and order situation be satisfactory? Will my future turn bright?

Answer: Your dream will turn infructuous. Any how there is chance of you becoming the Home Minister. The cultural Minister might be Osama Bin Laden. Your future will be bleak. Any how you might shine in the art of killing. So, beware.